Author: taurusmoonlover

One Year in My Tiny Apartment

Projects

Exactly one year ago I picked up keys to my tiny studio apartment and I couldn’t be more grateful that this is the one I picked…

Let me give you a little back story on how I ended up in this apartment. It was August of 2019, my ex and I had decided to separate which meant I was moving out. I was looking at studios due to budget/location and this building was already in my neighborhood. I had always commented on how beautiful the building was and how lucky the tenants were to have such a beautiful rooftop terrace.

I began to fixate on seeing one of the units in the building as it checked all the boxes. Location, price, parking, and a true studio. I also was intrigued because it advertised as 500sft which would put it on the “tiny house” spectrum. So I setup a mid September viewing, earliest they had, after calling their leasing office relentlessly. The leasing agent did inform me that the unit was under renovations and would not be ready until October 1st.

What I walked into was rough, bare freaking bones. No flooring in, no kitchen in, electrical ripped out, and construction crap everywhere. I could tell the leasing agent was mortified. She apologized profusely and kept reiterating that she would’ve never shown it to me had she known. Luckily for me I work in repairs and maintenance so I could see the potential. I asked for every detail on what finishes were going in and measured every wall. (See below viewing photos)

I took a chance on that apartment and on myself that day. I told the leasing agent I would take it and would like to move in as soon as the apartment was ready. She seemed surprised I was so sure of myself but was happy to bring me on as a new tenant. We sorted the move in date and completed all the paperwork, everything was standard and very simple.

I was so nervous the day I picked up the keys, I didn’t know what I was walking into. As soon as I opened the door I knew they delivered. It was finished in the beautiful old Hollywood way I had hoped for. The amount of natural light I get in this apartment is beyond amazing. It has five windows and walking in since the remodel the best way I could describe it was… let there be light! This move was emotional for me for so many different reasons.

Over the past year this space has been not only a home but a safe haven. I have been able to put myself first and restructure the way I think about health, relationships, and what I value most. It has been a sanctuary for me to grow and nurture things I never thought I would have a passion for again. I feel so grateful that my instincts told me this was my home and to trust my gut regardless of going in remodel blind.

All of the decoration and detail I have put into making this space mine has really calmed me during these “unprecedented” times. It remains a cozy space that brings me solace and joy while I look at all of my things, I really am a Taurus after all. I feel after this year and settling in this space, I truly am more myself than I have ever been.

I’ll remain in this small yet comfy hideaway until my next adventure. However, two big wins I’d like to end on! First win, I now know I can do a tiny house and my dreams of eventually owning one remain intact! Second win, my move in/decoration before and after photos! I have included these below along with some extra photos of my favorite curated nooks! 🙂

“Disneyland” Smoked Turkey Leg Recipe

Food

DISCLAIMER! I’m not going to give you my whole life story before sharing the recipe so don’t worry! In the paragraph below I’ll share a short background of my love for turkey legs so feel free to skip if you want the recipe!

One of my absolute favorite things when going to Disneyland when I was little was the food! My favorite place by Disneyland in Orlando was Epcot and in the United States of America they sold smoked turkey legs! I remember smelling them from two countries over and starting to beg my parents to take us so we could get one. It’s safe to say my love for all things food started at a very young age! So if you’re craving one of these, this recipe is for you!

Ingredients

  • Coarse Sea Salt
  • Brown Sugar
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Liquid Smoke – Mesquite
  • Allspice
  • Bay Leaves
  • Black Peppercorns
  • Paprika
  • Garlic Powder
  • Cardamom
  • Marjoram
  • Water
  • Large Turkey Leg
  • 2 Large Gallon Plastic Ziplock Bags
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Baking/Cooking Sheet with Rack

Steps

  1. Make the wet portion of the brine – place turkey leg in one plastic gallon bag with 2 cups of boiling water, 1 cup of coarse sea salt, 1 cup of brown sugar, 3-4 splashes of apple cider vinegar, and 3-4 splashes of liquid smoke.
  2. Add dry ingredients to brine – add 3-4 dashes of each dry ingredient to the brine, I wish I had more exact measurements but the truth is I honestly just eyeball it based on the different recipes I researched.
  3. Marinate the turkey leg – make sure the brine is evenly distributed in the bag and it is zip-locked tight. Place first bag inside second gallon ziplock bag to ensure no leaks, allow turkey leg to brine in refrigerator for 24-36 hours.
  4. Prep the turkey leg before cooking – remove the turkey leg from brine and discard the brine. In order to protect the turkey leg’s skin in the early cooking process wrap the turkey leg in aluminum foil before placing on a baking sheet with a rack
  5. Cook turkey leg – the turkey leg can be cooked in a convection oven or standard conventional oven at 200C or 400F. Cook the turkey leg for 1.5-2 hours with the aluminum foil on checking doneness with a meat thermometer. Once thermometer shows appropriate cooked temperature remove aluminum foil and continue to cook for an additional 15-30 minutes or until skin is at desired crispness.
  6. Rest turkey leg after cooking – once the turkey leg is completely done cooking lightly rewrap leg in aluminum foil and rest for 15-30 minutes depending on size
  7. Enjoy delicious smoked turkey leg!

Saturn’s Return

Thoughts

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What is Saturn’s Return?

By basic definition, Saturn’s Return is when the planet Saturn comes back to meet your natal Saturn. It takes about 29.5 years for this slow-mover to return to where it was when you were born. The Saturn return hits in the late 20s and its impact is felt into the early 30s.

My 29th birthday is exactly two months away from today and I’m in my 3rd day of quarantine on a coast where I have no family and limited friends… to say I’m feeling the current reality of my life is an understatement.

I’m 1000% sure I’m not the only person entering a period of self reflection however today I really felt the weight of it all. The things I haven’t done, the things I want to do yet it all seems so far away with the current state of the world. Chaos has ruled the world for the past three weeks and seemingly is going to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

I’ll have a lot to think about regarding my next big move over the next two months. Nothing like the universe forcing you to sit down and re-evaluate exactly what it is you really want by a nationwide self-quarantine mandate.

However, I would like to encourage anyone reading this to ask any questions you may have about me or my life at this time. I’m an open book right now and am in a surprisingly positive mood considering. So ask away anything that your heart desires, stay cool and thanks for reading!

xoxo

TML

New Phone.. Who Dis?

Thoughts

New Taurusmoonlover who dis?

It has taken over four years for me to start to put in the love, hope, and energy I always had for this blog. I’m going full throttle now, no exceptions.

However.. I’m so out of the loop with the content you would like to see, so I need your opinion! What would you like to hear the most about?

What have I been doing?

What bands have I seen?

What food porn have I experienced?

Who are the designers I’m obsessed with?

How are my woof babies?

Ask me anything… I’m all ears!

XX.. TML 🙂

Me, Myself, and Lo-Fang

Music

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Last night I went to my first show alone, no friends or even acquaintances. I went to see Lo-Fang at the Masonic Lodge in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Why did I go alone? Well, half of my friends work in the service industry and typically work weekend nights and the other half have no interest in artists like Lo-Fang. Now, I have been to plenty of shows and concerts over the years but for some reason going to one by myself seemed very daunting. In the past I have made the mistake of not going to see an artist I liked in fear of going alone. So, when this show came to my attention I told myself I would not miss out on another great artist because of my ridiculous fear. I have been to the cemetery numerous times for events like Dia De Los Muertos and Movies in the Cemetery by Cinespia. However, I had never been inside the Masonic Lodge or even knew where it was inside the cemetery. I live quite close so I chose to walk from my apartment to the venue, don’t worry I had pepper in my purse and I had no desire to be mugged. When walking through the gates I asked several other people to point me in the direction of the lodge which turned out to be right under my nose. After flashing my ticket to the woman at the door the maze began, in my opinion it is much more of a lavish house than a lodge but what do I know. After awkwardly having to make a decision between two staircases in the courtyard I figured I would just follow people who looked like they knew where they were going.  Once entering the building from my chosen staircase, was a large room and that’s when I saw the woman selling sodas and water. I calmly went over and fessed up “I’ve never been here before and I’m not really sure where I’m supposed to go, where is…” before I could even finish she smugly points and says “it’s the big room over there.” I thanked her and feeling ridiculous I walked over in the direction she had pointed. Have I mentioned it was a dry show? Oh yes, couldn’t even purchase some liquid courage to calm my supernova awkwardness. Now, to put it lightly the crowd had me feeling like I was back in high school when I’d go over to a friend’s house who’s parents thought I was a bad influence. Very judgey and apprehensive. Upon entering the large room where Lo-Fang would play, there were benches along two walls and the rest was standing room only. Of course at this point there was no sitting room available so I further fed my growing awkwardness by standing. Shortly after Lo-Fang came on there was a serious shift in my feelings. Lo-Fang has a significant amount of awkwardness himself which oddly so made me feel very comfortable. Throughout the show I began to relax more and more to the point where I was even dancing by myself without a care in the world. Lo-Fang is a very honest artist, he has a sense of humor but also has an innate reverence for taking things seriously. It was because of his performance that I had a great time. To be honest at the beginning of the night I was afraid it was headed for the worst but I ended up walking home happy and in a great mood. I’ve attached some photos from the show and of my outfit. xxTML

  • Coat: Vintage
  • Top: Brandy Melville
  • Pants: American Apparel
  • Shoes: T.U.K. Creepers
  • Hat: Urban Outfitters