{Three Ripe Bananas}

I don't know about you, but it seems like every time I buy bananas there are ALWAYS three that never get eaten and that sit on my counter and continue to ripen. Every day I look at them and think, I need to make banana bread before these things get too ripe! Unfortunately, there have been many sad occasions where those three remaining bananas are tossed because, well, I just ran out of time or, I maybe I was just sick of banana bread.

A little trick my sister Courtney taught me: You can FREEZE your ripened bananas! How wonderful it is to look at those three remaining bananas and be able to say stop ripening, I don't have time to make banana bread today but maybe in a week!

A few weeks ago, those three bananas were once again, on my counter. It was time to make banana bread - but I didn't want it. Instead, I was curious what a banana bread cookie would taste like, so I turned to one of my favorite "Foodies" website: www.foodgawker.com.

Food Gawker is an awesome site - you type in what you are looking for or an ingredient you want to cook up and a grid of PICTURES (not recipes) show up. From the pictures, you can decide which one looks the tastiest and then click on the picture, which then takes you to another site/blog with the recipe - genius! It is like using Pinterest.com but just for food.

I typed in banana bread cookies and this is what I came up with - and they were delicious! More importantly, they were easier for the kids to eat (not as crumbly or messy) than a slice of banana bread or a muffin.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Cookies
adapted from Buns in My Oven, source: Allrecipes.com

1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup milk chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375.

In the bowl of your mixer cream together the butter and sugars until creamy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl stir together the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. Add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Mix in the mashed bananas, oats, and chocolate chips until well incorporated. Drop by rounded spoonful (or use a cookie scoop) onto a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.


This fabuless recipe is a must have in your recipe box! If you have a chance to make them, leave a comment and let us know what you thought of the cookies!

sincerely fabuless, Las Vegas.

{Tulle Time!}

My husband and I purchased a great shelving unit from Ikea for Cora's room. We decided to purchase some storage boxes that fit into the shelving unit as well (see links at bottom of post to see these items). We tend to stick to the birch colored wood and black accessories, but I love adding a pop of color! I've gotten into the habit of holding on to ribbons of all shapes, textures, and sizes when friends or family have used them on gifts...even if the gifts weren't for me! (sometimes I just pick up the scraps at a party!) This leftover material can then be used for other fun projects...tulle being my material of choice for this specific one! Tulle is perfect for adding a fun element to storage in a kid's room...take a look..

And, as you may have noticed...you can easily add some interest to your child's bookshelf by arranging the books in a creative way! Don't just shove a ton of books in side by side..consider it an opportunity to show off a few choice books, and you can even incorporate other objects too! (see bunny bank)...close up..

View Shelving Unit!

View Storage Boxes!

sincerely fabuless, the windy city.

{Craigslist Jackpot!}

Living in Vegas - there is nothing that feels as good as striking Jackpot.....on Craigslist. Honestly, I get a rush when I find something for a good price with great potential and I get that email or call back that says - its yours, come and pick it up.

About a month ago, I did my nightly search on Craigslist, searching for that perfect piece to give a fresh coat of paint. I came across this dresser that was listed for a whooping TEN dollars - yes, you read that correctly! You can't even buy that much wood for ten dollars. The piece is really old so its made well - dove tail and heavy, not like today's very pricey mostly particle board furniture. I sent my husband (who never questions me and my odd requests) out to go pick up this dresser and I got to work! t A few hours later this dresser was transformed from "dingey old storage unit dresser" to my "Anthropologie inspired dresser" - I was more than happy with the results.


How To:

I started by sanding the dresser down - the top had some sort of laminate type finish so I just dulled it. I then gave it a fresh coat of primer and couldn't wait to pop open the lid to the my paint color from Sherwin Williams. The paint worked really well so I did do two coats to maximize my coverage - but it probably didn't need it. Once the paint dried, I used a Walnut Stain and just went to town on the piece - covering it. With stain, you get about 15 minutes to play with it so you may want to work in segments. After I applied the stain, I went back with an old towel and just started wiping it all off. Sounds counter-productive doesn't it? It is so NOT counter-productive - its a great trick to for giving a piece that Anthropologie distressed look - adding texture and dimension and is SO EASY.


In a few weeks we are moving to a new house - I can't wait to have a blank canvas to start over with and re-arrange my furniture and decor. Stay tuned to see how I plan to use THIS dresser in our new house...

sincerely fabuless, Las Vegas.

{Living Fabulessly in the City!}

The city life is an interesting one to say the least. We are currently living in a one bedroom condo in a high rise building..with floor to ceiling windows, lots of blank walls, a not so elegant bathroom, a mostly functional kitchen, blinds from the 70’s (literally)..lots of spaces and items in need of a spunky and creative touch. With the cold Chicago winter approaching, my little girl and I will be spending much of our days in our *on its way to cozy condo, which is why our space will need to be a comfortable and fun environment that is most importantly, a reflection of us!


I have lots of ideas for fun baby friendly items..activities and also room decor! I also have some plans for the adult portion of our living space. I’m excited to be a co-writer on this blog, and I hope we can successfully inspire everyone to Live Life Fabulessly! Check back soon for an easy way to spice up storage options in your child’s bedroom..

sincerely fabuless, the windy city.

{A Fabuless Blog?}

I spend most of my free time reading other people's blogs - on the search for the perfect home decor, creative ideas for children activities, and thrifty living ideas. I have had a lot of people tell me that I should start a blog - basically a compilation of all of my cherry picked ideas and how to fit them all under one roof. Being the wife of a medical student, budgets are tight which means that I can't have that hutch from Anthropologie that I have been drooling over for the past few years, BUT I can buy a hutch off of Craigslist that looks similiar, strip it, prime it, paint it and distress it to achieve a similiar look - just as much fun, if not more fun, right? The goal of my blog is to inspire others to live a fabulous life for less - Living Life Fabulessly.

I live in Henderson, Nevada in a house full of boys. I recently asked my husband for a hot pink dresser in my bedroom just to feel like there is something girly other than myself under this roof.

I am excited to announce the co-writer of this blog - my spunky and creative sister Lauren Hathaway who just set out on an adventure and moved to the city of Chicago with her cute little family - living in a high rise apartment without a car, a disposal, and a washing machine. While I share my thoughts and ideas from the suburbs, Lauren will provide insight on living life fabulessly in the city.

sincerely fabuless, Las Vegas.