Off the Wagon...

Hi. I'm Taylor, and I'm a Target-holic. The last time I had shopped was in December back in Iowa.  It was a quick trip, very under control.  My sister and I were putting some finishing touches on Christmas gifts. I didn't really choose to stop shopping at Target, it just kinda happened. See, there is no Target in Santa Monica. There is no Target in Venice, West LA, Marina Del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Westwood, Beverly Hills... there is no Target that is remotely close to me and my job.  It is one of the top things that I dislike about living here.

The closest Targets are in Culver City, there are allegedly 3 of them (selfish hoarders) according to Google maps though I can only account for two in my mind. Distance wise, Culver City is not far from me, but it requires a trip on either the 405 freeway or the 10 freeway and during peak hours, this is a nightmare.  I could plan to go on a Saturday morning or something, but I usually end up sleeping in, going to yoga, and enjoying relaxing and fun weekend time in Santa Monica.

So, due to distance and travel time, my relationship with Target had to end.  It's been a challenge for sure, but I've figured out where to buy things that I would usually get at Target around Santa Monica. The combination of the grocery store, Walgreen's, Bed Bath & Beyond, and the hardware store pretty much take care of it.  Four stops in a day can be super annoying, but it's better than the 405 at rush hour.

After semi-making peace with my Target-free life, I saw an opportunity yesterday, and I took full advantage.  Yesterday, my boss, one of our research assistants and I went down to the San Diego VA to hold a focus group and collect data for our new research project.  My boss lives south of me in Manhattan Beach, so we met at her house and went to San Diego from there. On the way back, it struck me. I was away from the Westside, and making my way home would be the perfect opportunity to shop at Target.  My excitement turned to elation when my boss informed me that there was a Target right in Manhattan Beach. Boom. Game on.

Whoever said "Money can't buy happiness" has never shopped at Target after a 6 month hiatus.  I was literally skipping out of the store, singing in the car, and running into my house to start my new Pinterest project. I had been waiting for a Target trip to start this project since I can think of no other place on earth where one could get a hula hoop, christmas lights, duct tape and fishing line in one stop.  Of course, once in Target, things that I had nothing to do with the Pinterest project just started jumping into my cart. I think I may have blacked out.

Around 11pm, I started to come down from my Target high and survey what I had actually done. Honestly, I'm quite pleased with the results!  Most of the stuff I got was cleaning supplies and products that are more expensive at the grocery store or Walgreen's- I stocked up a bit. And the "fun" stuff I got was actually pretty practical:

I needed utensils for my grill and I had been planning on getting a crock pot since I moved in.  All the recipes on Pinterest have really pushed me over the edge on that one. It was time.

Look out Pinterest. I'm coming for ya...
And yes, this does match the drapes in my bedroom...

I made just a few home decor improvements, and am pretty jazzed about those as well.  First the new blanket that matches BOTH my living room and my bedroom. Perfect for snuggling on the couch and keeping me warm during the cold, cold winters of California.

I also got a cute, bright, vintage-looking clock to hang in my kitchen

And of course, my outdoor chandelier project from Pinterest. I modified it a bit, even Target doesn't have icicle lights in June. And instead of spray paining the hula hoop, I wrapped the whole thing in sliver metallic duct tape. Then I wrapped the whole hoop in one strand of regular Christmas lights, then I hooked the bulb lights on to the string of Christmas lights (they had little plastic hooks on them- very convenient).

Finally I hung it under my patio umbrella using fishing line and hooked it into my other patio lights so they all turn on at the same time. My finished product compared to the model on Pinterest!

Pinned from https://plus.google.com/u/0/102192926017062468893/posts?hl=en 

Speaking of Pinterest projects, I also delved into a few recipes for this weekend. No crock pot ones yet, but those will be coming soon now that the crock pot has been obtained!  These are some appetizers I whipped up for Hannelore's house warming party at her new apartment right next door!  Inspired by Pinterest, adapted by me.

Crescent Crab Wantons

Pinterest Version
http://cookingwithkrista.blogspot.com/2011/02/crab-filled-crescent-wontons.html

Taylor's Version

My edits: I used real crab meat, not imitation. I also subbed Greek yogurt for mayo.  I don't like to have left overs of things I just brought just for the recipe, so I used all my crab (16 oz), the whole thing of cream cheese (8 oz), whole thing of Greek yogurt (6 oz, 8 oz would be ok too), and 6 green onions. I seasoned to taste with cayenne and salt- I never measure that. Everything is roughly tripled though. Oh and I used two rolls of crescent dough. Definitely had left over filling, I plan to treat it like a fancy tuna salad. Perhaps I'll put it in a wrap.

Cauliflower Pizza Bites

Pinterest Verson
http://joandsue.blogspot.ca/2012/05/cauliflower-pizza-bites.html

Taylor's Version

My edits: I baked them on parchment paper instead of muffin tins. They actually suggest this in the original recipe. I omitted the pepperoni and after baking, I topped them with pesto, goat cheese, and pine nuts. YUM!

Check out my "Culinary Porn" board for the original recipes!