The Better Things Things I Want!

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For those of you with an annoyingly accurate memory, you might be saying, "But Monique, remember this post where you said you weren't going to buy any more heels?" And to those people I say, "Go away." When I made that statement, I was not taking into account that I might have found the glorious beauties (7&8). The pink pumps are super affordable, so it would be insanity not to get them while I have the chance. And as for the silver ones, I'm actually DYING over them. They remind me of these amazing Nina Ricci wedges which I would never be able to afford. Plus the silver heels are wedges, and everyone knows wedges are basically running shoes. But aside from the pink shoes and the bag, everything here is from Asos. Gotta love the huge variety and great prices. Am I right or am I right!

The Better No Machine Ice Cream

    

 

For the longest time I have refrained from making ice cream since I lack the storage space for an ice cream machine. I often look longingly at ice cream recipes on Tastespotting and pass the ice cream appliances in Bed Bath & Beyond while shedding a lone silent tear. For the sake of storage (and my wallet), I have to be ruthless when deciding whether or not to make any kind of purchase for our kitchen, and I know an ice cream machine just wouldn't see enough use.

 

Then I started thinking how people have been making ice cream far before Kitchen-Aid or CuisineArt stepped in to help with the job. The process is a bit more tedious, but in the end you'll end up with a delicious ice cream and guess what? The $70 you would have spent buying an ice cream machine will still be in your pocket. 

 

This recipe calls for a bucket ton of egg yolks! Maybe it seemed a bit excessive to me since I tripled the recipe-- if I was going to do this by hand I wanted to have a lot of ice cream to show for my efforts. But anyway, you'll have the makings of a beautifully creamy custard before it goes into the freezer. 

 

In fact I made so much ice cream that normal mixing bowls for the ice bath wouldn't work. I had to get a little creative and use a soup pot and a dutch oven.

The vanilla ice cream recipe cake from David Lebovitz's blog. Oh how I love that man! What I would give to be his best friend that he bakes for. I'm sure he has a sparkling personality, but if I'm totally honest I just want to take his food and return home to eat and watch Netflix. Does that make me a bad person? Oh, it does? *Shrugs with indifference*

When my vanilla ice cream was at soft serve consistency I added some cherries that I soaked in sugar, lemon juice and whiskey (cherry recipe to come later). Summer is winding down at an alarming rate so make your ice cream before the chilly season comes around. But then again, does it really matter what season it is when it comes to ice cream? Answer: hell no!

The Better Ten Tips For Your First Year At College

  

1. DON'T BRING THAT
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I wish someone told me this when I packed 1 suitcase dedicated entirely to shoes and purses. Really, you don't need thirty percent of what you originally packed. I promise. Those pair of heels that are really cute but pinch your toes? No. That collection of books you love and flip through occasionally? No. Simplifying makes life so much easier. You won't be paying for additional luggage, and your small dorm will stay cleaner without unnecessary items occupying precious space.

2. DON'T STUDY IN BED

It's so easy to blur the lines between workspace and relaxation space, especially when you are living in cramped quarters. But I assure you, you won't make it to the second page of your international relations assignment when propped against your most comfortable pillow.

3. FORM RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR PROFESSORS

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I feel like this one is such a cop-out, because every list of advice for college first years says this. But I'm including it anyway because it's true! Make sure your professors know you by your name and not Student #17 (or worse the student that's always 5 minutes late). Go to office hours and actively participate in class. The latter can be difficult if you're shy, but if no cares enough to talk, they don't care enough to be annoyed when you do. When your professors like and care about you, your life becomes 20 times easier.