Even though my boutique bean obsession reminds me a little of a Portlandia sketch, I still think we should take a moment with these sexy Anasazis.
Quicker cooking than traditional pintos and less gassy too, Anasazis add protein and nutrients to soups, Mexican dishes, and more. 
Soak overnight and drain off the water. Add fresh water, bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer until tender. Expect Anasazis to plump and pink when cooked. 
We’ve discussed the benefits and pitfalls of dealing with Rent the Runway before, but I had a not-so-great experience shopping their clearance sale and wanted to warn you. 
Periodically Rent the Runway liquidates their heavily-rented inventory with a clearance sale. The dresses and accessories are previous rentals and clearly show signs of fatigue. In fairness, RTR sort of discloses damages – for example below they indicate the garment has pick/pull flaws, but don’t show the specific item for purchase. 
All items are final sale, so you better know your size and be ready to accept whatever arrives. Keep in mind most of these dresses are stretched from the myriad bodies that have inhabited them. Whether you find the savings significant will be a matter of perspective. A Proenza Schouler dress that retails for $1,525 sells for $455 on clearance. But you are still shelling out nearly $500 for a used frock, and not lightly used at that. 
The accessories might be a better value if most of them weren’t completely fug. 
My negative experience involved some crazy price fluctuations on a dress. After some back and forth the issue was favorably resolved, but the entire experience left a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to shopping RTR’s clearance. 
Broaden the search by shopping the mens and kids departments for excellent markdowns on sweaters. On the mens rack find plenty of small sizes and on the kids find the leftover XLs. The patterns and proportions can be a fresh alternative to the same old womens offerings. 
Read the signage carefully. Just went jeans shopping and my denim-purchasing companion would have probably bought twice as many pairs had he known at the time of selection that the $159 jeans marked down to $89 would actually ring up at 40% off the lowest marked price. 
Don’t get suckered into buying fresh Resort 2012 right now unless you are actually traveling someplace warm in the next 4 weeks. Now is the time to stock up on deeply discounted coats, winter accessories, and boots for the rest of this season and next. 
The invention of Craigslist has been both a blessing and a curse. It’s convenient and easy, but also totally unregulated. Here are five tips for success when using the free online classified.
1) Describe the item accurately. When listing an item on Craigslist include all relevant characteristics in your description. Provide as much detail as possible. Include the age and origin of the item if known. Be honest about flaws or damage.
2) Provide recent photos. As they say, a picture speaks a thousand words, so be sure to include several photos from different angles. The photos should be recent and well lit. Be sure to keep any personally identifying clues out of the background of the shot. The more attractively you display the item, the more interest you will receive.
3) Price realistically. It is Craigslist people, so don’t be thinking you are going to get retail value out of your item. If you want to move the item, price it competitively while leaving yourself room to negotiate. Be prepared to haggle, and don’t take it personally if folks offer you less. Remember, you can always reject any unreasonable offer.
4) Don’t agree to sell an item on the phone or over email. The item is not sold until you have cash in hand. That touches on another important point: only accept cash. You may feel obligated to accept a check, money order, or Paypal on big ticket items – Don’t. The scammers will get you with fake cashier’s checks and all kinds of fraudulent bullshit. Don’t risk it. If folks want the item, they’ll figure out how to get the cash. That isn’t your problem. Ask naive Farrah from Teen Mom; she learned this lesson the hard way.
5) Don’t be a dumbass. Always speak to the buyer over the phone first to get a feel for how they sound. Use your intuition. Whenever possible, meet the buyer away from your residence in a public place. If you feel sketched, don’t risk it. Better to be safe than dead.
It is gauche to discuss money, but between us friends, yesterday I raked in almost $2,000 in cash during my epic garage sale. Wanna know how I maximized my profit? 
1) Don’t sell anything for less than $1. You won’t make any money or move any merch selling individual items for thirty cents, so you must…
2) Bundle small items together. Group like items and rubberband them together to clear out more and justify the $1 minimum…
3) Know the value of what you are selling. Power tools sell quick and command a premium. Clothes only sell when they are the right size and aesthetically attractive to a specific buyer. Most folks have a surplus of kitchen accessories. Price these items accordingly. 
I’m throwing an epic garage sale this weekend and already folks have dropped by and tried to get a jump start on the bargains. Not only is this early bird trend super rude, it is extra tacky. 
We’ve already discussed how a drop-in from a friend can be uncomfortable. When the unexpected visit comes from a totally fucking random stranger it feels downright intrusive. This presumptuous twat pounded on the door thinking I would give her first look at any bedroom sets. Bitch please, I would never encourage such gross behavior even if it costs me a sale. 
Garage sales are hellish enough without assholes repeatedly ringing the bell at all hours days before the sale even begins. Seriously, it’s a garage sale, not the opening of a new IKEA. Everybody just calm the fuck down. 
This past weekend I was reminded just how much I hate buffets. The worst is when you have to balance a plate, utensils, and fill your dish without dropping anything. What is more unappetizing than industrial-sized containers of food that bunches of other people have breathed over? Buffets feel so dirty and contaminated. 
Messy motherfuckers (like me) leave a nasty trail from serving dish to plate. Others pile everything on their plate like they are hording for the apocalypse. 
And let’s be honest, buffet food is never that tasty or adequately hot or cold. To make a bad situation worse, after completing the undignified process of lining up and scooping your own dinner, look forward to navigating the humiliation-rich minefield of obstacles standing between you and an empty seat. Don’t forget your drink, buffet bitches.
Please join the barffet boycott.
Most furniture at the big box stores sucks balls. Instead, painted found furniture is so much more chic and environmentally friendly.
Seek wood or metal odds-and-ends at your local thrift store or junk shop. Choose paint in bright colors that pop.
Invest in a good hand sander which will make refinishing your finds easy instead of tedious.
Be bold in your color choices. Matching is for cowards.
An unexpectedly colorful side table can freshen a room for a minimal investment.
If your style sways more Pottery Barn, try matte black paint or even high gloss.
