Fitch Downgrades UK

Last week Fitch downgraded the UK to AA+ owing to a weakened economic outlook.

This follows on from Moody's downgrade in February. The BBC quote Fitch as saying that the downgrade:

"Primarily reflects a weaker economic and fiscal outlook".

However, it has placed the UK's outlook as being "stable"; ie it does not expect to downgrade the UK again in the foreseeable future.

As to whether austerity is the corset means of bringing about growth, only time will tell.

Kitchen & Breakfast Room LOVE

Happy Friday y'all!  I'm looking forward to the HomeGoods event in Saturday morning- I'll be there bright and shiny at 8:00 a.m.!  If you're in Houston, I can't wait to see you there!



What I have to show you today is nothing short of breathtaking.  It is a kitchen/breakfast room remodel by the incredibly talented Emily Hewitt of A Well Dressed Home.  She is an interior designer in Dallas and she recently worked this magic.  Take a peek.

I love it all and would happily move in in an instant.  I know the homeowners must be thrilled. Especially considering their kitchen previously looked like this . . . 

It doesn't even look like the same home right?!  To read all about Emily's redesign, visit A Well Dressed Home.  

Have a great weekend!

Chocolate Protein Brownies

I posted this protein brownie recipe on Honey We're Healthy awhile ago and it's been such a hit, that I wanted to share it here too.  I make these all the time and eat them as snacks and my son loves them too.  The consistency is actually more like a cake, but you don't have to feel guilty about eating this cake.  The recipe comes from Jamie Eason and I put in italics how I tweaked it.  

Ingredients

• 1 cup Oat Flour (I ground oats finely in a food processor)


• 2 scoops Vanilla Whey Protein Powder (I used chocolate protein powder)


• ½ tsp Baking Soda


• ¼ tsp Salt


• 3 tbsp Baking Cocoa 


• 4 Egg Whites


• ½ cup Splenda (I leave out the sugar and add 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips)


• 8oz Berry flavored Baby Food (I used 8oz applesauce)


• 4oz Water

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


• Mix dry ingredients (oat flour, vanilla whey protein, baking soda, salt, baking cocoa) together in a large bowl.


• Mix wet ingredients (egg whites, applesauce, water) together in a medium sized bowl.


• Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix together.


• Spray cooking dish (I used an 8x8 glass pan) with a non stick butter spray or olive oil spray and add batter to dish.


• Bake for about 25-30 minutes

Nutrition


2 Bars = Calories 96;  Fat 1.4 g; Carbs 12 g;  Protein 10 g



I store mine in the fridge.  Hope you like!!

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Office Accessories & New Chrome Lamp

Still playing in my home office and the latest addition is a sleek and shiny desk lamp from Z Gallerie, the Charleston.

I liked how the chrome in the lamp echoes the chrome in the West Elm curtain rod.  

And I can't seem to live without a desk calendar- I found this one at Paper Source.  

Each month is a different color and the pages are heavyweight card stock.  Since it's April, the calendar is on sale for $4.99 and it comes with the acrylic stand.  

And for fun, I put this little wooden LOVE sign up next to the owl.  I got it around Valentine's day with crafty thoughts in mind that didn't actualize.  

P.S. I'll be talking to the Homegoods folks today.  I'm so excited for our exclusive shopping event this Saturday!  Go HERE for more details. 

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China's 7.7% Growth Not Too Shabby!

China's GDP grew by 7.7% in Q1 2013, down from 7.9% in Q4 2012.

Were this any other country such a rate of growth would be considered to be excellent.

However, analysts have programmed themselves to expect ever improved levels of growth in China; thus many have been disappointed by the figures.

The reality is that exceptional levels of growth, such as this, cannot continue indefinitely. Given the size of China and its economy, growth in excess of 7% isn't too shabby at all.

The doom sayers need to calm down and take a more measured view.

HomeGoods Blogger Access Party

Don't we all love HomeGoods?!  I'm sure most of my home accessories were purchased there and I'm known to pop into my local HomeGoods store just to "see what's new" about every week! Their selection and prices are amazing- not to mention their friendly and helpful team.  If you're in the Houston area, I'm thrilled to invite you to a HomeGoods Blogger Access Party this Saturday, April 20 from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.  We'll have exclusive access to shop the store before it officially opens and I'm so excited to see their freshly stocked shelves full of new decor  pieces!  All to ourselves! :)



There will be refreshments and giveaways too- more details to follow later this week! I hope you can make it- I'd love to meet you. :)



If you plan to attend, please RSVP via email at: honeywerehomeblog@gmail.com (subject HOMEGOODS RSVP)

Here's a look at just a few of the HomeGoods scores around my house:

Mason Jars

Lamps 

Ceramic Pitchers

Ginger Jars

Serving Bowl

Green and Blue Jug Vases

Mini Club Chair & Ottoman

Mirror

Typography Pillow

Lamp and Vase

I can't wait! See you soon!

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Wheels Fall Off Cyprus Bailout Agreement

It seems that the wheels are falling off the Cyprus bailout deal.

The cost of the rescue has risen from Euro17.5BN to Euro23BN, but Germany remains adamant that the size of the bailout will not increase. 

Meanwhile the BBC reports that Cyprus president Nicos Anastasiades has said that he will appeal for extra assistance from the European Union, even though he claims he does not want more money.

What does he want?

Help from EU to reduce the burden of the conditions to make the bailout possible.

In other words Cyprus is trying to renegotiate the terms of the bailout, ie the wheels have fallen off the agreement!