{Gypsy Soul}

Inspiration, Perspiration, Desperation

2011-11-20T23:23:00.003-06:00

I'm HOOKED to Pinterest. In fact, I truly struggle with "pinning" things and know that I need to put down my iPhone {with Pinterest app} so I can actually put those inspiration links to good use.

But it's also humorous when the inspiration, while thought-out and considered, may not play out exactly like I had it planned in my head. Case-in-point...

Disaster!

Ha, this still makes me chuckle on the inside:

1) Clearly I think my poor child's head is much larger than it is.

2) Mason had no interest in lying on hard concrete. He just couldn't understand that this was for a photo project. I mean really-where's his imagination?

Follow me {HERE} on

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T23:35:00.000-05:00

Here are some of our Halloween "Happies" around the house.

Banner template found {HERE} I printed the letters on craft paper, glued to cardstock and cut each of them out. Then I made burlap pennant shapes and sewed them onto a black ribbon. I made black tissue streamer "flowers" basically just scrunching the streamer into a circular form and hot glued them to each pennant and topping with the craft cardstock letters. This puppy is durable and will definitely be re-used each year!

Our sidewalk MONSTERS!

And this is another treat for Toddling M's preschool- I'd signed up to bring fruit cups and wanted to do something with the Halloween theme. So simple, right?

And I hosted Supper Club this month {Long Live Supper Club...going 7 years STRONG!} and made these fun pudding cup desserts. I may have drawn an extra dozen of the Frankenstein cups just for fun...

Spooky on the Cheap

2011-10-20T23:06:00.000-05:00

One of the fun "Crafty Mom" things I get to do is make things for Toddling M's new preschool. What's ironic is that I was making this stuff {holiday crafts} before the Littles, but it was never really cool or appreciated the way it is when you have kids. Funny how homemade is like that!

AND to top it all off, I was able to keep everything down to under $2 per child---so less than ten smackaroos for the whole project. YAY!

I scored some incredible candy deals at Publix all during the month of October for trick-or-treaters--- we're talking $75 worth of candy for about $15 {and about 30% of the candy may or may not have been gobbled by me...I'll never tell}! So naturally with this much candy overload I broke into the stash to use it for our bags.

I made some felt candy covers, bat template found {HERE}

And I'd seen the Ghost S'more packages all over Pinterest, pinned {HERE} so of course I had to put together these cool little packages. Labels were black & white decorative tags from the Jones Design Company and she just re-featured them, {HERE}

Then I added some little glow sticks and made labels from {HERE}

I included some Halloween pencils, little notepads, and stickers from the $1 racks at Target {multiple items per package so I split them up}. The white craft boxes were from Walmart and I just cut out black ghost faces and added some black streamers to make it more "spooky."

When they were all put together, the ghostly little boogers warmed my heart!

Happy Fall Y'all

2011-10-01T11:22:00.001-05:00

And since I promised to share some of my Pinterest projects, here's a shot of Toddling M's re-vamped room. I spy 8 projects on this wall

Joining the Bandwagon

2011-08-10T10:50:00.002-05:00

So what exactly have I been up to these past few months? Well lots of things- make sure to check out and follow my Pinterest Board {HERE}. It’s a new obsession, and after downloading my iPhone App, it’s been something to occupy me while feeding my littlest munchkin. Who eats around the clock. Every. Single. Day.

Did I mention she doesn’t take a bottle? So yes, you can find me on Pinterest and I’ve actually been kept quite busy with the DIY ideas from there. I’ll be sharing many of my projects shortly. {and YES, I really do mean that I’ll actually post them...not just tease you with this and wait another 6 months to actually post something!}

Baby DK

2011-05-09T10:43:00.001-05:00

Wow, I’ve really neglected my blogging since Baby Duh-kah’s birth {HERE}, and while it may have been quiet over here for some time, let me assure you it’s been quite loud and hoppin’ over at our house! Toddling M has been such a joyful big brother welcoming Baby Duh-kah, whom he’s now calling “Kay Kate”. I think I may just resolve to refer to her as Baby DK for now.

Meet our smallest little-

Dakota Kate

born May 9, 2011 at 8lbs, 1oz

What a JOY and little blessing!

Fabric.com

2011-03-22T14:34:00.006-05:00

I can't rave enough about www.FABRIC.com

They're not paying/compensating me for saying any of this either, but I ordered all our wedding fabrics from them {Design Board HERE} and while 1 of the fabrics had to be back ordered, they promptly sent it to me before the original estimated ship date . They had great customer service and actually both called me directly and followed up through e-mail on the order.

I recently took advantage of one of their frequent sales and snatched up 8 different fabrics that averaged out to be $2 per yard. I also ordered a 9th fabric from the Premier Prints line {isn't that a designer favorite!} for nursery curtains and while I wondered if the very low quantity in-stock might mean it'd be backordered, I went ahead and added it to my cart because it was a fantastic price at $6.98 per yard and it also helped make my shipping & handling free {orders over $35 always ship FREE!}.

Long story short, this was indeed backordered; I had an e-mail asking me to confirm I still wanted the order, they went ahead and sent me 2.5 yards that they had on hand last week and today I received 5.5 yards, the full amount I originally ordered. I don't know if it was a glitch or a good gesture of customer service, but it's nice to have the extra 2.5 yards that was pre-shipped...maybe I'll make something else for Baby Duh-kah.

Here's the curtain fabric:

{and it coordinates perfectly with the pink in her Serena & Lily bedding}

I've been in Nesting Mode lately; last week was my Sewing Binge. Check out some of last week's creations on the Baby Blog {HERE}. I'm starting to get the hang of this!

Bargain Shopping

2011-03-09T15:49:00.005-06:00

One good thing about a rough economy: it forces everyone to revisit finances, reprioritize, review debt, and find new ways to save money.

Thankfully there are simple resources available to help facilitate saving and being a good steward of your money in general. I thought our family was doing pretty well-I decided to shop mostly at Walmart and we are careful to limit our discretionary spending; HOWEVER, the past 6 weeks or so I've really delved more into couponing, searching for deals, and planning our meals and other shopping around current bargains.

Check out Southern Savers {HERE}, this blog does an excellent job explaining couponing, stacking coupons, and combining offers in general to get the very best deals.
Also Coupons.com and Redplum.com have manufacturers coupons.
And if you're planning on shopping at a certain store/restaurant, don't forget to visit their site to see what specials/offers are available.
If ordering Online, make sure to Google coupons, promotional codes. My favorite source is Retail Me Not {HERE}
We haven't eliminated our Walmart trips; however I try and check for manufacturer coupons for items on our list first. I have a pink coupon book I keep in the car and that way it's always in close enough proximity for my shopping days.

Today when I went to Toys R Us and spent $12.34 on about $20 worth of toys, I decided to drag up those old receipts to share the savings {because who doesn't like to brag on their deals! =) } So here they are for the last 6 weeks:
Publix
Trip #1 spent $37.91, saved $27.70
Trip #2 spent $33.79, saved $27.31
Trip #3 spent $26.68, saved $22.95
Trip #4 spent $23.34, saved $41.71
Trip #5 spent $36.11, saved $48.14
Trip #6 spent $25.16, saved $37.46
TOTAL SPENT = $182.99, TOTAL SAVED = $205.27

And check out a JCPenney trip for Baby Du-kah clothes- spent $12.98, saved $98.09!

Oh Baby Girl- Felt Flower Tutorial

2011-02-28T11:48:00.003-06:00

With 10 weeks until Baby Du-kah's due date, it's definitely time for us to start getting things in gear to prepare for her arrival! If I look at the progress I'd made at this point in my first pregnancy, I'm fairly embarassed to say we haven't done much at all for poor Baby D. I suppose it just means it's time for me to get things in order and start actually doing things rather than just planning.

I've seen the infant flower headbands everywhere but last night I started off with trying some felt flowers. I'll have rolled fabric flowers and curled polyester flowers to try next...

Pompom Mums:

Rosettes:

Here's a photo tutorial {click on the photo for a larger view}:

All you need is felt, elastic, glue gun/glue stick, scissors, pinking shears
I cut an 11" strip using pinking shears {about 3/4" wide}
Then I used my regular scissors to create a fringe along this strip using the "points" from the pinking shears as my guide for the width
Begin at one end and roll using a thin strip of hot glue to help adhere your roll
This makes an easy peasy Mum!
Now take your elastic and measure {I used this handy guide HERE to determine length}, you could hot glue or for mine I sewed it together for that extra measure
Cut another felt circle for your flower backing and if you're adding "leaves" then cut and assemble now
Turn your flower upside-down, glue your "leaf", then add your elastic headband, finish the headband off now with your last piece of the felt circle.
Et Voila!- A cute and easy felt flower headband!

And for the rosette variations {click HERE for the Purl Bee's pattern}

Making the House a Home

2011-02-27T00:14:00.001-06:00

I thought I'd share some recent photos taken for this home's MLS listing-we're ready to SELL, SELL, SELL!

I mentioned Kitchen updates {HERE}, but here's the MLS photo...

Living Room...
2nd view of the Living Room... {Spy the Ikea finds: frames, throw, lamp}

Bedroom {Ikea find: rug & wall sconces not yet installed}
I have to remind myself there are layers to decorating a house. Ours isn't where I'd like it to be and I have to keep things neutral to keep it marketable {because this is temporary} but it's much warmer and more like home.

Toddling M's 2nd Birthday Party

2011-02-26T13:05:00.006-06:00

We had a blast last weekend with Toddling M's 2nd birthday party...Mickey Mouse style! Click {HERE} to see many more photos.

Thanks so much to Haley for her gorgeous photos above =) I spread party tasks over 2 month's time so the preparations, homemade decor and crafts, and details were fun to make and even more enjoyable come celebration time!

Party Tutorials:

Mouse Ears {HERE} (I used black headbands that didn't need to be recovered & black foam for the ears)
Felt Hands & Mickey Pinata {HERE}

Edit: Here's a photo of the party favors each guest brought home. I found little black tote bags at Hobby Lobby and filled them with Mickey stickers, favor sacks with Mickey-shaped Oreo faces inside, bubbles with personalized "Thank You" tags, kaleidescope, Mickey headband, and of course the personalized sugar cookie for Cookie Queen of Alabama.

What's Been Cooking

2011-02-12T00:09:00.000-06:00

While our Ikea trip isn't until today, I've tried to make a few additions to kitchen decor in the meantime. Since we don't have a decor budget per se, it's been some small changes here and there. Here's what 2 hooks, 1/2 yard of fabric, and a 50% off chalkboard can do:

A balloon valance & 2 of my hobnail pitchers on display...

The 50% off chalkboard had a very silly print on top that I easily painted over. Then I used a hook to hang it on our refrigerator...

Toddling M Turns TWO!

2011-02-11T20:54:00.002-06:00

I can hardly believe he's now 2-years old! My baby is growing up so quickly. We've had a banner day today and I think he's enjoyed every bit of it.

While the day in photos are {HERE}, I did want to point out some of the birthday crafts and things I had fun with in preparation for our little day celebration.

The birthday plate was customized and purchased last year {sorry I can't remember the source but will keep searching in my e-mail archives}, so I went with the pool blue/green theme and made a cupcake stand for his little brownie cake. It's easy peasey too! I found the tutorial {HERE}. Instead of doing cupcakes though, I took a wine glass and cut out 2 brownie circles and stacked them just like a 2-tier cake. I think it turned out great =)I had this fabric pennant on-hand from before M was born. I used Martha Stewart's free printable banner letters {HERE} and then simply taped them to the pennant banner. SUPER EASY!

And then of course I had to leave a message for the Birthday Boy on our new refrigerator chalkboard. More on this craft tomorrow...

Ikea Hunt

2011-02-10T13:09:00.000-06:00

I'm on the Hunt! I have a "Most Wanted" list already created {bottom of post}, but have tried to do some Online and catalog pre-shopping research prior to our Ikea trip this weekend. Here are some of my favorite super-inexpensive finds & everything below is under $50!

And I'd love to hear your great Ikea finds/suggestions too!

MOST WANTED

table lamp
medium-sized mirror
picture light
bedside wall sconces
oversized frames
rug for our Master Bedroom
art easel {toddling M}
4 chairs {toddling M}

My Loves

2011-02-10T12:04:00.000-06:00

“I concluded…that all those virtuous human emotion need not be freely given. Respect is commanded or demanded. Admiration is won sometimes against the will. It is impossible to admire someone we dislike. Loyalty and trust we entice or win from others. A sense of awe or adoration for God descends upon us from realisation. Certainly all these emotions may be present in love but they are not love itself. Love is freely given. It is a matter of choice. Love is wanting what is best for the other person, even if what is best for them is not going to suit the lover. Love is totally selfless and it is an act, not an emotion. We often mistake it for emotion because it is usually contained in strong emotions. But love is not an emotion…love is creative action. It is the most creative act in the universe”.

from “Ordinary Insanity” by Emma Pierce

Within the next few days my "Love Celebrating" will be overflowing. I suppose it's fitting as Valentine's Day is quickly approaching:

Friday my firstborn turns 2 years old!

Saturday my husband is treating me on an Ikea shopping spree! We'll make a day of it too, so I'm hoping the weather will cooperate for our trip. This is only the 2nd time for me to go to an Ikea...I can hardly wait. The first time I was with Dear Friend and just not in the mood to go shopping. But this time I'm pumped!

Sunday is my sister BeeBee's birthday! I can hardly believe my "little" sister will be 26. Sheesh I'm OLD!

Monday is Valentine's Day and a time to celebrate Love. Even though my husband says it's an overcommercialized "holiday" that he's disliked since he was Toddling M's age, last night I seriously suggested starting the tradition to make it sentimental and not purchase anything---something like a nice love note would do. Ha! Apparently my darling husband must have something else in mind because he nixed that idea and said we could do "a little something." Uh-ohhh...sounds like I need to put on my Creativity Cap and come up with something more than a card! Any ideas?

Year of the Rabbit

2011-02-03T18:27:00.002-06:00

Alright, alright, alright...

I'm not going to even pretend I know much at all about the Chinese New Year, but I can kind of claim to by virtue of my ethnicity {right?}. Ha!

Toddling M received 2 special red envelopes in the mail from Aunt BeeBee {who is Korean} and another from her Vietnamese friend.

For those billions who celebrate it...Happy New Year!

Cheesecake Parfaits

2011-01-31T21:40:00.006-06:00

I promise this won't become just a recipe blog, but lately I've been cooking up a storm {blame it on the belly} and in honor of a sweet holiday coming up in 2 weeks {VALENTINES!}, I thought I'd share an equally sweet dessert. This is a slightly altered Kraft recipe, and it turned out wonderfully:

Cheesecake Parfait

1 Pkg- Cream Cheese, softened
1 1/2 Cups- Milk
1 Pkg- Instant Vanilla Pudding
2 Cups- Cool Whip, thawed
2 Cups Nilla Wafers {coarsely chopped, I tried to cut them in fourths}
Blackberries {they were on sale, but any seasonal berries will do}

Beat cream cheese with your mixer until it becomes very creamy {this is kind of a mess, but you don't want chunks of cream cheese in your parfait}.
Beat in milk.
Add the dry pudding mix & mix well.
Add Cool Whip.
Layer wafers, berries, then pudding mixture into your glasses. Repeat & top with Cool Whip if desired.

Oreo Truffle Kisses- Valentine's Treat

2011-01-26T00:00:00.000-06:00

I found a sweet treasure in Bakerella's archives!

Check out her Oreo Truffle Kisses {HERE}.

They're very easy to make too:

1 pkg Oreos {crushed to a fine consistency}
1 pkg Cream Cheese {set out to room temp}
1 pkg Chocolate Bark

Mix the Oreos & Cream Cheese. Form them into small balls {I ended up making 28...well that is after eating 1 little one!}. Shape them into Kisses {note: set them in the freezer if they start becoming too mushy on you-I had to do it once during this process}

They look like doo-doo piles here, but I swear they're yummy goodness!

Set your Kisses in the freezer while you melt your chocolate bark in a microwaveable bowl.

Dunk your kisses one at a time in the chocolate, use a spoon to cover the entire kiss & let them slide off back onto your cookie sheet {covered in wax paper}.

See not-so-much like doo-doo here.

Print out your Kisses' messages and cut foil pieces to cover each kiss.

Mine don't look as pretty as Bakerella's, but you get the picture!

{See Gigi...there's even some in there for you & Grandadder. We even ate them in your honor!}

These were an early Valentine's treat. We'll be working on some other things leading up to the celebration.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Some Cheese With That?

2011-01-25T17:11:00.000-06:00

Cooking, cleaning, organizing, decorating, and overall NESTing have filled up what little bit of "Me Time" I've had lately. Of course, some of these things I enjoy more than others! But since we have to EAT, I've had a good pile recipes on hand and have also made some of my own along the way.

Here's a yummy and quick recipe for a basic

Cheesy Ham & Potato Casserole

2 Cups- Ham, cubed*

1 pkg- Southern Style Hashbrowns 32oz

1 Cups- Onion, chopped

4 Cups- Swiss Cheese, grated

Salt & Pepper to taste

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

2 Tbsp Butter, melted

1 Cups- Milk

Preheat oven to 350
Grease your baking pan{s}
Combine ham, hashbrowns, onion, 2 C of the cheese, and salt & pepper in a large bowl {you'll need a big bowl!}
In a separate bowl, mix the melted soup, butter & milk. Then pour this liquid over your ham mixture & stir well.
Scoop the mixture into the pan{s} and top with the 2C of remaining cheese.
Bake for 35 minutes.
Eat & Enjoy!

*for the Ham, I actually buy a 16oz pkg of off-brand deli ham & cut it up. It's cheaper than buying a block of the ham.

The Brooklyn Home Co

2011-01-21T17:24:00.003-06:00

Two days ago {I know I'm behind...just catching up on some of my recorded shows}, the Nate Berkus Show's "House Proud" segment featured a home in Brooklyn designed by a couple with The Brooklyn Home Company.

It's absolutely AH-MAZING!

The Caleo couple does a beautiful job of harmoniously combining both very stark white modernism with warm reclaimed pieces throughout their interiors. Color me impressed!

Check out the beautiful art installation above the original fireplace mantel. Or how about that refurbished daybed. *drooling*

And then look how these sleek Panton chairs look with the reclaimed wood table. {would love to see that loft}

Here's the glorious reclaimed shelving; although I don't think I could keep mine that organized in-use. And you can't tell much from this photo, but they made their own island countertop to incorporate a knife holder nesting in the wood.

The bathroom door is a barn door-very chic!

At first glance, I imagine well-seasoned travelers designed this space with hints of natural global pieces, but not anything overwhelming {bed, antlers, mirror}.

And then the L-shaped seating here is really 2 twin-sized beds with 2 tree sections as coffee tables.

This space is incredible- hope you enjoy!

All photos from {HERE}, but more from their portfolio can be found {HERE}.

'Cue Cups Recipe

2011-01-13T00:00:00.000-06:00

I made these yummy-licious Barbecue Cups last night for dinner. But how can you go wrong with a recipe that involves crescent rolls, barbecue, and cheddar cheese? These would be great for Game Day or a Super Bowl Party.

Makes 8 Barbecue Cups {this large preggers lady was more-than-full after 3, so probably 1-2 per person is plenty!}

1 lb Ground Beef
1 Tbsp Minced Onion
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1/2 C BBQ Sauce
1 Pkg Crescent Rolls
Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Preheat the oven to 400.
Brown the ground beef & drain fat.
Add the onion, BBQ sauce & sugar to the beef.
Roll each crescent triangle into a ball & then press each ball it into a muffin tin cup to form a crust.
Fill each cup with the beef mixture & top with cheese.
Bake for 10-12 minutes.

A hearty helping of meat!

The Scrumptious 'Cue Cups!

One Month From Today

2011-01-11T15:37:00.002-06:00

...Toddling M will turn TWO YEARS OLD

Ahhh, I can hardly believe it! In the meantime, I've been mapping out a plan of action which includes research {aka browsing dozens of party blogs}, list-making, and designing a party board to get this party started. We'll have a lower-key celebration this year than last, but it certainly doesn't mean any less thought and planning will go into everything! I've designed the invitations already and have "pre-booked" the Cookie Queen for party favors, but really other than planning on paper, I haven't actually done much else to actually get things together.

I have plans for several homemade crafts and decor. {some of which include dusting off the old sewing machine and also using my new laminator HERE} I better start actually completing my list now.

See Ya Real Soon!

{if you have a little one who watches Mickey, you might get that reference...sheesh, I'm one of THOSE Mommies now!}

Preppy Art

2011-01-10T00:00:00.000-06:00

I have to admit I've been intimidated to tackle even the simplest of art. But today when Mason went down for his nap, I went for it!

My Mom, the "artiste extradordinaire" always sketches out her ideas and even determines patterns and her color palette on paper first. Smart woman!

I taped off parts of my design and then mixed my colors. I'm proud to share that I made an exact match to the blue in the bathroom. I wanted to replicate the paint color for a cohesive look.

I chose to go with 3 colors total since the design was simple and I wanted an elementary-feel to the art. Here's an in-progress view...

And now here they are on the walls... {our Skip Hop whale spout cover was the inspiration for my first canvas}

Et Voila!

I like how when the door is open, you can see both canvases with the mirror. I have some ideas with changing out the shower curtain and towels, but the look works for now and I'm fairly pleased with the $8 change {oh yeah, the 2 canvases are in a value pack for $8 at Hobby Lobby...it's the regular price for the 2!}

Shades of Grey

2011-01-08T19:34:00.004-06:00

Leave it to Overstock to tempt me with their lovely grey rugs! Our Master Bedroom has a mostly white duvet cover with a grey and beige abstract cherry blossom print. The room is just screaming to be repainted in steel grey and begs for a cream upholstered headboard...I've been trying to convince Scott of this for the past 3 months, but the dark wall color scares him. I may have to surprise him one day to prove him wrong {joking...well kind of}.

But any of these rugs would be lovely in our future grey room:

Martha Stewart Terrazza Grey $110

Jullian $152

Jullian Grey Shag $156

Hand-tufted World Classic Bluish Grey $165

Andorra Blue $117

Naked to Clothed

2011-01-05T17:13:00.003-06:00

These barren windows have driven me crazy the past 3 months. I'd bookmarked this easy peasy curtain tutorial {HERE} from Life to the "T" over a year ago and So Monday I finally decided to do something about it.
Look Mom...no sewing!

Thankfully I've had a huge roll of burlap leftover from my sunroom redo {HERE}
I needed 4 panels x 8'. I kept the rustic look going and didn't sew the edges of the curtains, but I did at least iron the burlap and folded then ironed down a 1" hem at the top and bottom of each panel.
Then I ironed the hems down using Stitch Witchery...

And I used simple "O" ring clips and hung the panels. But followed Life to the T's advice and used clothespins to "train" the curtain shape overnight.

Et Voila!

I know the room needs many more things and much more work to warm things up, but baby steps are getting us there!

Happy 2011!

2011-01-03T19:02:00.002-06:00

Wishing You a Happy New Year!!!

Hope yours is off to a great start. I anticipate many great things in store for this new year!The above adorable cookies were made by the talented Cookie Queen of Alabama. Make sure to check out her Facebook page {HERE}

All Things New

2010-12-29T10:56:00.004-06:00

Hope your Holidays are Bright and Joyous!

We had a lovely first Christmas as a family! After nursing a severe headache for 3 days straight, I'm finally getting relief med-free but still have yet to edit the Christmas pictures.

In the meantime, did you catch Skip to My Lou's FREE Printable Calendars Roundup yesterday? Well if not, you should skip on over to see the lovely offerings {HERE}. These are my top 3 faves:

1. Mibo Studio's 2011 Planner

2. Anna and Blue Paperie's Calendar {sized for a CD case...fun!}

3. Switcheroom's Month-by-Month Full Page Calendar

What a wonderful FREE find too- lovely and they don't cost a thing!

Since I've done absolutely nothing the past 3 days while recovering, I guess it's now time to print these up and try to get a head start by planning things out for 2011.

To Dos:

Put away Christmas decor *sniff sniff* The house will seem so boring now
Plan Toddling M's Party...he turns TWO in 6 weeks!
Nest in our home, of which I've done nothing on the To Do List {HERE}
Design Baby D's Nursery...she arrives in 4 months!

From Our Family to Yours...

2010-12-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

My List for Santa

2010-12-22T11:37:00.007-06:00

Comfort

1. Philosophy's Falling in Love Scent 2. Abercrombie & Fitch PJs

Joy

3.McWane Membership 4. Isabelle Oliver's Maternity Pocket Tunic

Peace

5.Marrakesh Ikat Print Pillow 6.Ikea Arstid Wall Lamp

LOVE

7. Canon Rebel T1i
8..Frye Paige Tall Riding Boots 9.Tory Burch Tote

HOPE

10. Merry Christmas to ALL

Tis the Season

2010-12-17T11:07:00.003-06:00

Well, while Toddling M and I have been doing some crafting together {HERE}...

I found some other really cool printables and ideas to tackle myself. Like this paper Santa Claus with free downloadable {HERE}. We surprised Scott last night and put it in his computer office. I thought the little guy was fun and quirky!

And I just put up our Merry Christmas banner in the living room...framing our lovely huge TV above the fireplace {yeah. not a fan of exposed electronics...hide them if you can!}.

I first saw the "Believe" banner featured on I Am Momma Hear Me Roar {HERE} and then there's the "Merry Christmas Banner" directly {HERE}.
And we went about a week without a tree topper, so I wanted to try my hand at one of the oversized boutiquey bows. But when I went to a local shop to buy the big ribbon, they had some already-made ones on sale for less than the original cost of the ribbon. SOLD! They also have some pink ribbon too, so I'll probably make one of these for when Baby D arrives too.It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The Old, The New, Some Shopping, Bye Bye Blue

2010-12-14T13:49:00.011-06:00

Well yesterday we found out that Baby #2 is a GIRL!

THE OLD

After a 14-wk ultrasound, the tech had me thinking this baby was likely a boy. She "saw a nub" and while she strongly advised to not buy anything gender-specific, Scott and I prepared ourselves for a little boy. So originally I'd dreamed up a more modern nursery with slimline Ikea furniture...

...and an Ugly Doll theme with these critters scattered on wall shelves throughout the nursery

...some fun, funky touches like this

...paired with a green, yellow, and hints of blue throughout the room {walls were going to be very wide horizontal stripes of green/yellow}.

So imagine our surprise when the sweet baby girl was finally detected {after about an hour she cooperated!}.

We're elated!

First of all we wanted a healthy baby, but if you twisted my arm I would have admitted I secretly wanted a little girl so that we'd have one of each. Scott won't admit this, but he wanted one too. I warned him that if Baby #2 was a little boy that we'd have to keep trying for a girl and I think this had him petrified were this baby a boy {this pregnancy hasn't been the cheery one I had with Baby M}. And Baby M will definitely be a fantastic big brother to his little sister!

THE NEW

So we're going Team Pink now. And that means all new preparations: new clothes, new accessories, new mindset, and back to the nursery drawing board. Oh and we're still not certain about plans for the nursery since technically all rooms are being used in the house. Design Challenge: ACCEPTED!

And I'm holding off going crazy on shopping for Baby D. While I want to go wild, we obviously can't do it financially and there are other priorities before her May arrival.

TO DOs:

CHRISTMAS- all presents purchased, but must make/bake Christmas treats & finish planned crafts for Toddling M {by the way, since he's no longer a Baby, I suppose Toddling M fits him better}
TODDLING M'S BIRTHDAY- must find a cheap venue, preferably indoors because it seems to be particularly cold this year and I'm not going to trust that mid-February will be warm enough for an outdoor event...although our new backyard would have been perfect. At least I've decided on a theme: Mickey Mouse, since his absolute mostest favoritest show is Mickey Mouse Playhouse. Every. Single. Day.
ALL THINGS GIRLIE for BABY D- I'm going to try and DIY as much as possible for Baby D. I'd like to make a lot of her nursery decor, clothes, hairbows etc. to try and save money.

SOME SHOPPING

But for those of you who haven't yet exhausted your Christmas shopping list and/or you just enjoy shopping in general, did you know that this Friday, December 17th is Free Shipping Day? Omigoodness...I'd take advantage of it like crazy if I could =)

But thought I could at least pass this along {HERE}BYE BYE BLUE!

Shrimp & Corn Chowder

2010-12-07T14:08:00.006-06:00

When the temperatures drop, that cues my mouth to crave deluxe comfort foods. Enter: Campbell's Recipe for Shrimp & Corn Chowder with Sun-Dried Tomatoes. I made this last night and doubled the recipe...for good measure of course.

YUMMMY

1 can Cream of Potato Soup
1 1/2 C Half-and-Half
2 C Whole Kernel Corn
2 Tbsp Sun-dried Tomatoes, cut into strips
1 C Small Shrimp, cooked & tails off
2 Tbsp Green Onions, chopped {original recipe calls for chives}
Black Pepper to taste

Heat soup, half-and-half, corn and tomatoes in a 2 Q saucepan over medium heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low.
Cover & cook for 10 min.
Stir in shrimp and onions.
Season with pepper.

Brownie Fudge Pie

2010-12-06T14:01:00.003-06:00

I'm stealing this recipe from our church cookbook, but let me tell you this thing is so stinkin' yummy that I literally ate HALF the pie all by myself in one sitting. YES. It's that good! Oh and it's easy to make too!

2 Eggs
1 C Sugar
1/2 C Butter melted
1/2 C Flour
1/3 C Cocoa
1/4 tsp Vanilla
1/4 tsp Salt
1/2 C Nuts chopped

Preheat oven to 350 F
Beat eggs & blend in sugar & butter.
Combine flour, cocoa & salt; add to egg mixture.
Stir in vanilla & nuts.
Bake @ 350 for 25-30 min.

Nesting Challenge

2010-12-03T10:46:00.003-06:00

Alright, alright, alright. I know I've completely slacked on this blog, but it's been with good reason.

To catch you up, in the past couple of months I...

got married
moved me & Baby M into Hubby's house
put both houses on the market & have kept them both "show ready"
held my first yard sale
oh & PS, we're expecting in May!

I posted some pics on Baby M's blog, but today I pre-dated the Wedding details over {HERE}

While we definitely want to sell both homes, my house is a bit larger & very nested already. Our strategy for the move was that one would sell faster & Hubby's almost-empty garden home was in dire need to be staged.

Now here's the challenge I'm starting to tackle after moving into Hubby's house:

With the tiniest of a budget {as in $ZERO if possible}, make this house a home to live-in until it sells AND decorate, but not overdecorate so that it's "show friendly."

I'm almost embarassed to share this, but we currently have no curtains, minimal furniture and decor. There's been some debate with Hubby as to painting the walls; they're in dire need of a new coat, but he says builder's grade and I say warm & friendly. So thus far, they've been left untouched.

For the Christmas season, I've tried to add little sprinkles of holiday decor to warm things up.

Mistletoe in the entryway...

Little vignettes on the shelving...
Tabletop decor...

And who needs curtains if you deck wreaths on the windows? {joking...no, we really NEED curtains/window treatments to warm things up}

And then stockings hung by the chimney with care... {thanks to Gigi for Baby M & our pug's stockings in the center}
Nesting To Do List:

Paint Walls-arrrrrggggghh, pretty please dearest Hubby?
Make curtains
Create wall art
Headboard for Master Bedroom? {am really loving these temp options HERE}
Sew pillows

And then of course, we'll soon have to tackle the bigger challenge of making room for Baby Deuce. Right now the 3rd bedroom/closet is Hubby's necessary workspace.

*SIGH* But I suppose these are the types of challenges that allow our creativity to thrive...

Wedding Snapshots

2010-10-10T10:25:00.001-05:00

Wow-I wouldn't change a thing about our Wedding celebration...and more importantly, we're MARRIED!!!

We had an awesome time at the beach with an incredible beach house {a posh 4-floor house with an elevator}. It ended up being a family vacation too which was a plus.

We had an intimate ceremony on the sand...

And I 'DIY'ed the florals, and the ranunculus were beautiful...

Baby M behaved famously. Once we got to the aisle, my dad was able to hold his hand and he proudly marched to the altar.

Look how excited he was!

My brother officiated, which was really cool and meant a lot to Hubby too.

And we timed everything well, because as soon as the sun was setting, that marked the start of the Reception...

Family, close friends, good food and drink...what more could one want?

And my little boogie boy danced the night away too...

Now I'm a MRS...

Baby M has a DADDY....

Oh and did I mention, we're expecting?

Yeah, it's been a whirlwind over here!

Details, Minor Details

2010-10-04T12:57:00.004-05:00

And you know, having my mother as a talented resource, I couldn't let her get away without asking for her crafty talent in the wedding design. She made these 3 signs for the beach (they have fence post stands to stay upright).

This was my inspiration photo, I believe credit goes to Martha Stewart Weddings =)

5 Day Countdown &

THIS WAY TO THE "I DO'S"
-->

Snapshots

2010-10-03T00:01:00.001-05:00

I know I've touted Two Sisters Photography many times before {HERE}, {HERE}, {HERE}, {HERE}, and then most recently {HERE}, but since his is our very last week to be enagaged, I thought I'd share some of my favorites from our last session.

Of course we can hardly wait for our photos this upcoming weekend too!

From Head to Toe

2010-10-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

NO, of course you can't yet see my dress! But I'll still show you some other deets from "head" to "toe"!

It's a beach wedding, so a long veil would be impractical. I opted for a birdcage veil and here are some various inspiration photos {all Googled images}:

And then while I still haven't decided whether I'll go barefoot like everyone else or wear my sandals, I at least wanted the option of having footwear.

J.Crew

I traditionally buy 1 pair every year, although I have to say I've been disappointed that my last 2 have fallen apart. The leather separated on the straps {unglued}, but they're still simple and elegant!Martinez Valero

Lovely & simple with just a hint of sparkle

Calvin Klein - Nadia

May I just say, "Gorgeous!"

Steve Madden

And then these were my actual pick. They have rhinestones which will compliment my dress detail, but they're also casual enough for a beach wedding...oh yeah and did I mention they were on clearance for $17?

Wedding Accoutrements

2010-10-01T09:09:00.003-05:00

The Boys...

{2 of Scott's best friends- one he's known over a dozen yrs & the other 28+ yrs...he's old i'sn't he?}

The Girls...

{my favoritest sister BeeBee & Pink Pimpette}
The Small Human...
{yeah, Baby M's totally not diggin that bow tie, nor the jacket- we may be stripping down the aisle}

The Smallest Human...

{Pink Pimpette will be carrying Baby S down the aisle}

Sneak Peak: Wedding Design

2010-10-01T08:49:00.004-05:00

I've been horribly MIA for some time now, but with good reason...I promise!

In fact, we've been preparing for marriage and the formation of our family, as well as a certain super special day...our WEDDING! Just as a teaser, here's my inspiration board for our upcoming beach wedding. I'll have other posts to follow, but this is basically how I began to tackle figuring things out. Of course, even if this all falls through- no flowers, stained dresses, rainy weather, melting cake...as long as we're Mr. & Mrs. at the end of the day, I'd call it a success and the start of a beautiful life journey.

Still Here

2010-09-14T12:56:00.003-05:00

Well with a whirlwind romance, engagement, and planning for the upcoming wedding {it's 3.5 weeks and counting now!!!} I've officially gone MIA the last oh 2 months or so. Apologies & a promise that I'll be back real soon!

In the meantime, here are some preview picss from our engagement photography session with Two Sisters Photography:

You can view our entire album {HERE}

Love so Desires

2010-08-09T07:40:00.008-05:00

Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. ~Song of Songs

I have some incredible news to share...

Scott and I are ENGAGED!

We went to Oklahoma this past weekend to see my parents and he popped the question Saturday morning.

Of course, I had on my PJs, no makeup, and hadn't even brushed my teeth yet...and it was still absolutely PERFECT!

Check out that *BLING*

My parents and sister had already seen the ring and certainly knew of the proposal, but I jumped on the phone to make the round of calls to everyone to share the news.

And then that afternoon we jumped in the pool...I couldn't help but flash my left hand. Even if it was only Scott and BeeBee out there.

Check out my hunky fiance!

And yes, the gratuitous ring flashing...

I've never been more certain of anything else in my life. Scott is the One. Baby M and I are so very blessed to have found him.

I'm excited to share our wedding plans as we prepare for our celebrationS {yep, that's plural} and especially as we prepare for our marriage and family together. I'll try and keep things posted but things may slightly lag {what's new, huh?}.

Madly in love,

Gypsy Soul

Wednesday Wear

2010-07-28T03:41:00.000-05:00

We've been quite the busy bees lately. Friends, music and drink seem to be the theme as of late...well along with falling in love too, but that's a whole other story.

Jamming on a Sunday Afternoon...

Old Navy tile print skirt; Banana Republic tank; JCrew necklace; JCrew flip flops

Drinks with the Girls...
Forever 21 Dress; Franco Sarto picnic heels; Coach purse

Jamming to the Band...
WalMart dress {$5!!! and yes I did accidentally shrink it in the wash}; Boutique belt; Guess heels; Coach purse

Mad Men

2010-07-23T08:02:00.004-05:00

Mad Men's Series Premier is this Sunday. I've been trying to catch up with Season 3 On Demand...and am failing miserably as there's a certain man I've been "mad" about lately myself. Oh and that's absolutely not in the "angry sort of mad" way either! But back to topic...

The show's caveat is that the plot & scene rhythm may be a slower pace than what you'd typically see on a TV miniseries on say ABC or CBS. Patience is a virtue but I think it also stays true to the early 60s time period. One thing I cannot get over is the outstanding costume design...check out their gorgeous fashions!

I'm so glad that vintage is de rigueur!

Also, Banana Republic has Mad Men Style Guides in store...I'm tempted to drop by just to pick one up {shall I subject myself to the shopping temptation?}

Wednesday Wear

2010-07-21T11:08:00.001-05:00

For a Mid-Day Date...
JCrew dress; Kenzie sandals; Private Gallery bracelet

{ignore the feet, but check out the fun shoes!}

For a Hot Rainy Day...

Target dress & wellies

For Sunday Luxe Leisure...

NY&Co dress; Banana Republic necklace; JCrew sandals & necklace-turned-bracelet

For Casual Friday...

Banana Republic top & necklace; Adrienne Vittadini shorts; Michael Kors wedges

Top Secret Tuesday- Part Deux

2010-07-20T12:52:00.003-05:00

My Super Spy Little Guy and I used this homemade Disguise Kit {via Design Crush HERE} with free download {HERE}.

After cutting out all the pieces and arranging them on a wax paper face, I was vaguely reminded of something else {HERE}
Of course, Baby M pointed out that a "Bond...James Bond" name tag was a little too conspicuous...so he took his off.

Apparently the eyebrows weren't a hit either...

But the kid loved his spy magnifying glass...

We're having a fun spy celebration and it didn't cost a thing. We just cut out the free printable & I dragged out my trench coat, magnifying glass, and fedora {plus the Manolos...since I NEVER wear them anymore- every good spy girl has to have a pair!}

Oh and we also made some chocolate moustaches too!

Hope you're enjoying your Tuesday...ours is Top Secret!

Top Secret Tuesday

2010-07-20T09:58:00.003-05:00

On Tuesdays we've been trying to make the free kiddie movie at our local movie theater...it starts at 10am. Obviously we're missing that today, but I don't think Baby M will mind because I've declared it "Top Secret Tuesday" with all the fun that entails.

I'd tell you more if I could...but then I'd have to kill you. =)

Hope this will suffice for now. More to come later!

When the Dog Bites, When the Bee Stings, When I'm Feeling Sad...

2010-07-19T00:00:00.001-05:00

I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad!

1. Magazine Articles: Sometimes these goofy readings shed light on things I would have otherwise been naive about! While I've not blogged about my dating adventures lately, they still exist and it's been a mixed bag. Such is life!

So after the "dog bite" and the "bee sting" I actually *heart* goofy article reminders of what to avoid in dating and relationships, tell-tale signs of bad dudes, and what types you shouldn't waste your time with.

2. Adventures: Our family used to take an annual whitewater rafting trip. I think the first year we skipped I was preggers, but I've got the "itch" to go thrill seeking again. My brothers and I are even talking about going sky diving. There are plans next month to go tubing...not quite the same, but perhaps it'll satiate my whitewater longing.

{Google Image}

3. Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino...LIGHT: I've found yet another Starbucks crack cocaine, and it's a "take home" from ther grocer too. Danger Danger!

4. Banana Republic Jewelry: They really have a beautiful line of jewels. I don't know how much you can see the above necklace, but my brother Batman gave me this Eclipse necklace for my birthday this year and I love it!

{Banana Republic}

5. Blushed Cheeks: I especially like the flush look after a good workout. I've been a good bit more diligent about getting my running and workouts in lately. And it's nice to have the blushing cheeks...without the help of makeup!

\ {Google Image}

6. Summer Fun List: I got this idea from Whatever...ohhh check out her lovely blog. She's a creatively busy mommy of 5 {like mine!} and she lives a very real life filled with lots of colorful joy. You'll just have to check her out to understand {HERE}

Here's a close-up of our list...

7. Playing in the Rain: While I love my sunshiney days, a warm summer rain also is a welcome invite to go splash in some puddles. We've had lightning the past couple of showers but this is on our Summer List.

{Google Image}

So I'm not sure if you noticed, but I've officially run out of "Favorite Things" lyrics for my titles...there's only 10 lines and I've maxed them all out. But don't you fret- this just means it's time for me to get a little more creative...how about a unique title like "My Favorite Things". Original, no? =)

Patience Reminder

2010-07-18T14:16:00.001-05:00

{via Design Crush}

Summertime Where the Livin' Is Easy

2010-07-14T00:00:00.002-05:00

I'm totally diggin' Summertime!

Bright, sunshiney days = Fun sunny fashions

I feel like I can branch out a little more during the warm seasons...and not just wear my routine jeans or yoga pants of Fall/Winter.

____________________

For the Beach Bonfire...

BCBG hoodie sweater; Adrienne Vittadini shorts {yes...way old school, but I still LOVE AV};Michael Kors wedges. {I cut Baby M's hair on Sunday...think it's time for me to get mine cut already?}

Yes, I definitely need a cut but this is just to prove the hoodie coolness =)

For the French Bistro...

Ralph Lauren top; Black House White Market skirt; JCrew sandals

For Lounging...

Private Gallery romper; Boutique cinch belt; Target gladiator sandals

For Shopping of course...
Banana Republic silk tank; Banana Republic necklace; Adriano Goldschmied jeans; Michael Kors wedges; Forever21 bag
WalMart fedora...on clearance! Charming Charlie sunglasses

Ham, Tomatoes, Onions

2010-07-13T17:50:00.004-05:00

Confession Time: I used to frequent the Farmer's Market almost every weekend, well if not every weekend. I'd be so proud to pick up local, fresh produce...and then at least 50% would inevitably go bad because I'd forget about it or would be unable to cook during the week. What a waste!

Sad story. True, but sad.

Last night I threw together a couple of homemade pizzas using tomatoes that were about to go bad, the last of my mozzarella, onions, and then sliced up some ham that expires in August. It was a sort of clean-the-pantry meal...but not too shabby!

We enjoyed a tasty pizza meal...
And then I made chocolate chip cookies from scratch- a lovely dessert ending!
The meal was relatively healthy...minus the cookies. But now that I'm on my health-kick and determined to lose 15, I'll be very vigilant about healthy homemade meals.

In similar news, today I'm proud to report that I saved $30 at Publix!

Healthier, cheaper, and less wasteful- Cheers to that!

Losing It

2010-07-12T23:58:00.004-05:00

With all of the changes and transitions going on in life, I think it's high time I finally get that buff P90X body I've always wanted! {insert sarcastic smile}

Well, that would be if I knew I could stick with P90X...however, realistically I'm pretty sure I would probably only last a couple of weeks. Soooooo, as a compromise I just want to have a super hot body that will easily fit into my skinny jeans again and it doesn't have to be buff. Fair enough right?

_________________________________

Right before I was preggers, I was the most fit I'd been in years. And even when I was pregnant, I ran the furthest I had ever run at a little over 9 miles {well....that was until this last December when I ran a little more than 10 mi}. But since Baby M, I feel like it's been a particularly tough weight struggle and it took me an official 9 months to get back to my pre-preggers weight...and I've fluctuated up 6 lbs to date {blehck!}.

Two Years Ago: July 2008

But nonetheless, here's the benchmark photo at 9 weeks pregnant {although not showing yet...thankyouverymuch Baby M}

Today, July 2010

And 17 months post-partum {excuse the crazy hair}...
Zoinks- I feel like even my face looks different! *sigh* Maybe I would have changed with 2-years time anyway, but weight-wise I still have 15 lbs I'd love to lose to overcompensate for the other body changes...so that's the official goal. I'm posting it and it's high time I actually start kicking my own butt to get to that goal.

Watch out Skinny Jeans...here I come!

Light Touches

2010-07-02T18:37:00.004-05:00

I've been wanting to make candle sleeves for some time as my light fixtures have been "nekked" for almost 3 years now!

I printed off a matching black and white chevron/zig-zag pattern.
And then measured the candlesticks so I'd know the size for each sleeve.

I cut out 6 rectangles and then used double-sided tape to make 6 paper cylinders.

Then I began to slip them onto each candlestick {notice the writing on the barren candlestick on the left}

It was a an easy transformation.

And just one of those tiny details that helps finish off the look.

Of course, then I realized my dining room lighting was in dire need of help too.

So I ripped another page from my Botanical Print book {Taschen, the same one used for the prints framed on the wall}. What an easy change!

Cheers to a fun & safe Fourth!

My Head, My Shoulders, Knees, and ELBOWS?

2010-07-02T00:39:00.002-05:00

So while I've been salivating over the Brooks Brother's boys line offerings {HERE}
I found Madison & Company's version of the elbow-patch shirt:
Gap had a similar version for their Fall line:

And well, after I spent a ridiculous amount of time making my way through the ironing pile:

I found this shirt of Baby M's and gave the elbows a try myself:

Definitely not as cool as the Brooks Brother's version, but one can imagine. Here's the little guy on the run...those elbow patches will be great for utility!

Potato Sack for the Mister

2010-07-01T17:24:00.004-05:00

It all started with our trip to Tarj-shay {aka "Target"}. Mr. Potato Head was on clearance and although Mason's only 17 months, I decided to go ahead an snatch it up at ~$5.

And then of course that got my creative juices flowing and I was playing around with my ridiculous piles of colorful felts and some extra washcloths I'd already bought.
I centered Mr. PH on the washcloth and sewed all the pieces in place. At the end, I realized he was missing a part, so I added the moustache last minute.

Then I took a second washcloth and sewed the 2 cloths together wrong-side out {3 sides only & left the top open}

Then I turned the open top under 1" and sewed it down to create a place to thread the closing ribbon.

I took a pencil and taped the ribbon to the eraser and "fed" this through the 1" seam sewn.

I tied the ends of the ribbon together to create a gathered duffle closure and Voila!

My sewing skills definitely need some work {please excuse all the wonky stitching}, but this little guy was fun nonetheless!

And Baby M is totally digging his new veggie friend...and homemade bag!

Brooks Brothers...Boys

2010-06-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

Please excuse the alliterative title...but Brooks Brothers has a super preppy, super cool boys line!

*sigh*

Cheers to dreaming!

Oh and I promise to blog more, I'm not gone...just not in the right state of mind for creative thinking. Lately the noggin' has been used mostly for strategic thinking and analytical use...not so interesting for style, design, and blogging.

Remembrance

2010-05-31T09:49:00.003-05:00

"For love of country, they accepted death."
James A. Garfield

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

Shhh, the Quiet Book

2010-05-29T23:55:00.006-05:00

Well, I told myself I was gonna do it {at the end of March}...and today, I finally finished it: Baby M's "My Colors" Quiet Book

I found the tutorial for the Quiet Book {HERE} on the Everyday Celebrations blog and ordered the pre-cut iron-on letters from her Etsy shop {HERE}

I'd recommend, anytime you try out a tutorial, you should probably pay attention to the actual instructions rather than look at the pictures and try to "wing" it. While I didn't necessarily have a disaster, I did orient my pages all flush right...not thinking about how they would be sewn back-to-back. First I gathered all my scrap remnants and organized them rainbow style =) Then I took 6 sheets of white felt a cut them in half {makes 12 pages total}. Then I arranged each of the page layouts before sewing.
I didn't use a ruler, nor did I pin the scraps to the felt so many of the pages are wonky...I like to pretend I meant to do this on purpose. I call it "child-like" creativity.

Then after I realized I shouldn't have oriented every page flush right, I arranged the page order and then sewed the 12 sheets back to make 6 pages back-to-back.
To bind the pages as a book, I used 2 metal brads for each page. The Everyday book has 1 really cool ribbon rainbow poof on the top left of the book, but I decided to go a little less frou-frou and just used 1 ribbon per hole to bind the book.

Whew!

This was fairly labor-intensive, but likely because Mason was awake for 2/3 of the production. He likes to push the pedal on my sewing machine. It's a good thing I'm quicker at turning the machine off before he reaches it each time!

Here's the inside pages of the book:

Back of the book:

Whew! I'm tired now. Life's been a bit upside-down lately but it's all good! I am slowly catching up on my blog reading & posting {I've missed almost an entire month!}.

Oh and remember the Sweet Baby Treats craft post {HERE and also HERE}, well check out Cristi's {of Charm Home} supercute Baby Cakes {HERE}. And you should definitely check out her blog in its entirety {HERE}, she's a darling Atlanta designer with a penchant for a sort of Southern modern traditional style...love it!

Well Baby M is already asleep, but I can't wait for tomorrow when he can try out his Quiet Book at Church. Let's just see if he actually stays quiet though...

Snowflakes That Stay On My Nose and Eyelashes

2010-05-24T21:23:00.006-05:00

There are a few of my favorite things:

1. Driving down the highway of life...on the way to Happy: There are a number of "unknowns" for the future, but I am absolutely certain there are only good things in store for Baby M and I.

Jeremiah 29:11

2. Quirky trophy head: This goofy guy would be great for Baby M's "big-boy" room...particularly if I go the western route. I'll keep him bookmarked {HERE}

3. Subway Tiles: They are a classic, on my dream kitchen wishlist. *sigh*

4. Dyson Vacuum: This was a birthday/Mother's Day gift for myself {pre-5/7!}. And I have to say that my Dyson definitely SUCKS in the good sort of way!
5. Baby Flashcards: Baby M is on a developmental fast-track. I actually found these flashcards a while back at Anthropologie though and love the cool artwork on each card.

6. Anna Spiro's Absolutely Beautiful Things Blog {HERE}

7. Baby M: Of course!

Lately

2010-05-19T12:12:00.003-05:00

It's been a very busy time lately. My parents came in town for my youngest brother's graduation last Friday {yay Batman!}:
And then Saturday we partied it up at a close family friend's wedding. Here's Mom & I:

The whole night I was chasing this:

As he sought out the loud speakers so he could boogey down like this {seriously, Baby M was a dancing machine...all night!}:

And then after the weekend, we've somewhat calmed down {well compared to the hustle and bustle of traveling and late nights out} to feel more at home like this:

Happy Hump Day!

A Lovely Day

2010-05-06T12:00:00.000-05:00

Baby M did a Happy Dance to celebrate my birthday...

He knows that Mommy is "Queen of Cinco de Mayo"
That evening we celebrated at Brio Tuscan Grille...and had the most amazing pasta {SC Chickies, what on earth was it called?}

My SC Girls treated Baby M and I to a wonderful Birthday Dinner- it was an awesome meal and as-always fun company and conversation!

{glad we picked Italian rather than the next door Mexican place...it was filled to the gills}

The entire day was wonderful- it's been very busy and I'm still catching up but hope to do more this weekend {like read blogs from this week...I feel so out-of-touch}.

Holy Guacamole!

2010-05-05T11:30:00.000-05:00

Did you know it's Cinco de Mayo?

Did you know it's also my Birthday?

Well it is...all day long.

Yay!!!

{Martha Stewart}

Alright, the countdown officially begins! This is the last year for my 20s & it's a little tough for me this year realizing that my youth ~~has~~ is fading. So here it is...here's the "bucket list". The pic looks fuzzy, but you can click on the image & it should enlarge {not that you necessarily want to read everything, but if you did...}

Mom, check out #22!

Love Shop Prints

2010-05-03T12:00:00.001-05:00

{The Love Shop}

Partywear

2010-04-29T12:03:00.000-05:00

And while we're on the subject of parties...

I don't know what it is about kimono dresses but I think they're perfect hostessing dresses {tongue-in-cheek...of course it's the Asian in me!}. They have a bit of dramatic flair without being too pretentious.

{Victor & Rolf circa 2005}

{Moonspoon Saloon Cape Dress}

{Nanette Lepore}

{Issa Cape Dress}

And when I found 2 at TJMaxx for a steal, you better believe I snatched 2 of the same dress up in different prints!

I think I could wear a dress almost every day...

*sigh*

Partyware

2010-04-29T07:10:00.002-05:00

Hostess {with the Mostess} just featured new Jonathan Adler products just yesterday. Perfect for a funky Springtime soiree, non?

Partyware....check!

Now, for the real Wish List:

I wish I had an outdoor dining set/living space so I could host a dinner party al fresco.
I wish that bugs would magically either be gone for good OR would never be pesky or bite.
I wish that turning 29-yrs next week was really 25.
I wish that I'd had my act together sooner to throw myself a Very Merry UN-Birthday {to me, to me!} with guests only of course {no presents...only party-goers!}

Berry Fun

2010-04-28T09:30:00.001-05:00

Strawberries

I used the Strawberry Tutorial {HERE} but tied french yellow french knots instead of straight stitches for the "seeds" and used my pinking shears on the green tops to add texture. Sheesh- I just ~~wasted~~ spent another $8 on felt to make more foods.

{Felt Tip: Walmart has $0.20 per sheet but a 30% off sale at Hobby Lobby now has $0.17 per sheet & they have a million colors}.

Someone's in the Kitchen

2010-04-27T06:03:00.000-05:00

C'mon, admit it- you KNOW you want a Gigi {aka "G"} and Grandadder- so they can make you a really cool playkitchen like Baby M's! I realized I've done a great injustice having not posted a follow-up from the first post and photos . And while I think I may add some hooks on the side {for pot holders, towels, and such} and a chalkboard {for grocery lists, menu ideas, and such}, I just can't bring myself to change anything on it at all because it's just so darn cute!

Here's the play kitchen:

The faucet knobs and stovetop knobs all turn. The under-sink cabinets open. The oven door opens and has a plexiglass window.

Baby M has a stainless steel sink and a cool backsplash faucet {modern & manly, no?}. He even has a flat-topped stove {way better than Mommy's 1978 appliance!}

And while I can't bring myself to alter it yet {only with the hooks/chalkboard}, I did accessorize with an apron during my Friday midnight sewing spree:

And without using a pattern or a tutorial, it fits and works pretty well.

My next sewing project will be some felt food {check out Homemade By Jill's post on making felt food with fantastic tutorial links!}, but I picked up a $5 plastic bin at Target to hold Baby M over for now.

We LOVE LOVE LOVE our new kitchen!

Ziggity Zaggety

2010-04-26T06:57:00.001-05:00

Right now I'm digging all things zig-zag. The Chevron Stripe {aka zig-zag stripe} is a perfect combination of whimsy, graphic print, and fun...I'll take it, please!

And yes, I know I need to edit my little office corner, but my Linda & Harriet zig-zag notepad will definitely be a Keeper

{P.S. Those grey and white striped pencils are from the $1 bin @ Michael's, thanks to Haven and Home's post!}

And then I tried to mirror that design in a print {yes, wall editing needed}

Sadly, I had to put up a barrier curtain to block my office from the kitchen view while I'm working and Baby M eats {another midnight sewing project Friday night}, unfortunately it blocks the adjacent kitchen eat-in area...
...and this lovely rug!

Identity Theft

2010-04-23T09:00:00.004-05:00

In 2009, Identity Theft was the #1 consumer complaint with more than 1.3 million victims. This accounts for 21% of the total complaints.

source: Federal Trade Commission {www.ftc.gov}

Yesterday I received an odd call from someone saying they "...work in the back office of a law firm and needed contact information for my 'Attorney of Record' for a case filed against me for an unpaid loan."

HUH?

He recited my name, home address, and telephone number and advised this was all on record as the person who applied for the loan through "PayDayUSA", a paperless loan company. He even provided me with a Case File number but when I pressed to verify that I was the correct person; he advised he couldn't share any other information with me. There was a significant language barrier too as his accent was thick and I could also hear a great deal of background noise with personal cells ringing, other people talking; it wasn't very professional.

But here's the tricky part: he never asked for personal information other than "my Attorney of Record" contact information. He advised they already have my Social Security Number on file as it was required for the loan.

I advised that if PayDayUSA was paperless, then he should have my e-mail address on file. The address he provided had a questionable domain and I haven't been able to find it Online since the call.

And NO, I never provided him any information at all and was stern in advising that he couldn't validate that he was a verifiable company and not a " Phisher"; and told him that he never provided any information he couldn't easily find on the Internet or in the White Pages. He stayed on the phone surprisingly and said something to effect that he'd write in my file that I was "uncooperative."

_______________________

My problem now is that I don't know if:

1) This "back office of a law firm" is simply phishing for information

2) Perhaps someone really did apply for an Online loan using my identity.

_______________________

What I did:

Immediately I went to the Federal Trade Commission Website to find information on obtaining my free credit reports www.ftc.gov/freereports Did you know that there is only ONE Website that the government authorizes for free credit reports? It's www.annualcreditreport.com . We've probably all seen those Free Credit Report Websites...I'm glad I checked the government Website first to find the authorized site!
I'm ashamed to say I've never exercised my right to the free annual report until yesterday. But I pulled 2 of the 3 reports Online {for some reason Equifax must be requested via mail}. After obtaining my Credit Reports, I reviewed my accounts and didn't see any suspicious activity or negative credit items; I also reviewed the credit inquiries as well.
I called Equifax and placed a Fraud Alert on my account for an extra add of protection against identity theft. This will remain in place for 90 days and then I'll continue to review my credit to ensure there's nothing suspicious. Did you know you only have to call one of the 3 credit reporting companies {for instance, when I notified Equifax, they automatically alert Experian AND TransUnion for me- yay!}
I also called my personal Bank to place additional security measures; I advised them of the call and had to go in-person to make arrangements but it was well worth the trip.
If you have other lines of credit open, make sure to alert them and monitor them frequently. I'm personally conservative about opening any line of credit anyway...but for my identity protection, I'll leave it at that!

Make sure to visit the FTC's Website and links on Identity Theft: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/index.html Their mantra is to- Deter Detect Defend I've visited the site years before and regularly practice the methods to minimize my risk of identity theft...and apparently it's still an issue I have to deal with.

From my personal assessment "The Morning After", I believe this to have been a Phishing Phone Call. I specifically asked to speak with a supervisor in the firm and was advised that they would call me back; it hasn't happened yet... My credit history remains the same and I also didn't see any suspicious credit inquiries on my reports, nor did I see any odd activity with my personal Bank.

So for now, I'm thankful for conservative financial practices, shredding documents {especiallly after taxes & ridding of obsolete docs}, a watchful eye, and financial institutions who add alerts additional forms of protection and free credit reports!

If you have any additional tips, please feel free to add.

Mommy Jeans

2010-04-15T04:38:00.000-05:00

I've been scared to death to buy a new pair of jeans since the baby, and I haven't...until NOW!

GILT had a sale on AG Adriano Goldschmied Club Flare jeans and I couldn't resist. These are the jeans Oprah was fitted in...they're great for curvy women with a bit of stretch and a flattering flare leg.

I can still hardly believe that I bought a pair of jeans online...and had NEVER tried this style much less the brand on in-person. I've never done that before. I still need to hem them, but my only complaint is they don't make my butt bigger {I have a serious case of Flat Butt}
Ahhhhhh- it's like a Corona commercial, only it's me in my new jeans {with tags still on}.

Oh and GILT Groupe is a membership-only site with luxury and name-brand fashion, home decor, and some childrenswear. If you'd like an invite just leave your e-mail in the comment section and I'd be happy to send an invitation to you!

Fit for a King

2010-04-14T00:55:00.001-05:00

Everyday items are a landmine for playful imaginations. Remember when you were little and the refrigerator box meant a playhouse or fort?

Well a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to make Baby M a castle out of the plethora of boxes in the garage {I'm not sure if I should admit the pack rat in me that justifies saving boxes for future shipping cartons / projects / moving OR how about the gazillion glass baby food jars that infiltrate my pantry that will one year likely be sent to the recycling bin}. Here were my inspiration photos:

Well last night after 2 hours of cutting, taping and keeping poor Baby M in the itty bitty baby walker {to keep my rambunctious toddler somewhat contained}, I finished the task.

The Cardboard Castle Project

Boxes...where it all started

I first taped the flaps open and then cutout the brick-top design {I'm sure there's a fancy schmancy name for this but I don't know it}
I cut out the windows, adjoining walls, and the castle door. Then I taped the 3 boxes together in a crazy sticky tape fashion. My poor scissors weren't dulled by the cardboard, they were stickified by the tape.

I reinforced weaker areas with extra tape and then took the empty tape roll and flattened one side to make a door handle.

Et Voila

This was a super-easy project and I think would have been completed sooner had I not been watching my ever curious toddler perusing the garage. Oh and PS it was FREE! Well, other than the cost of a new pair of scissors to replace the uber sticky ones =)

His Royal Highness Baby M happily welcomes you to his humble abode!

Next Room to Furnish

2010-04-13T07:59:00.006-05:00

YAY- thankfully I'm receiving a refund this year! With a new dependent, plus job loss last year, I was pleased when I completed my return, but then realized, "Wait, that's MY money anyway!" But I digress... {hehe}

I've decided I'll go ahead and fix up the back deck as it's been neglected for almost 3 years. It'd be nice to have furniture out there...for Baby M to eventually destroy of course.

The original back deck, boring, naked, and needing some personality- 3 years ago.

The back deck today: not much different as it's still boring, naked, and needing personality. At least I installed some wrought iron flower planters on the rails. {well also I've had 4 trees removed for safety, but you can't really tell much from the dense forest that is my backyard}

So, where to start?

I was really impressed with Home Depot's Martha Stewart line. I first saw these outdoor sets in-store and the cushions are very comfortable, the metal structures seemed sound, and I was happy that they offered free shipping for purchasing Online.

Martha Stewart Fireside Set {$500}

Martha Stewart Chat Set {$400}

And then I searched for Walmart's offerings. They have a Better Homes and Gardens line which looks better aesthetically, but I honestly couldn't tell the quality difference in-person.

Seaside Garden 6-piece set {$474}

Sand Dune 4-piece set {$250}
Rattan 5-piece set {$218}

International Caravan 4-piece Settee Set {$318}

If it were purely by price, I'd choose one of the WalMart offerings BUT I'd like to select something with both quality and a good price. {oh and after reading reviews, many of the WalMart sets use the plastic bands for seating rather than keeping everything the same metal material-BOO!} Target has a great Smith & Hawken line, but their prices are actually quite a bit more than Home Depot's.

Deck Challenges:

I need to invest in easy-to-keep furniture...or really no-maintenance furniture. Teak would be pretty, but I'm thinking metal for easy spray down
I have a small toddling child who will indeed enjoy moving everything around. So I'd prefer furniture of substantial weight {to discourage rearranging} and am maybe thinking Wrought Iron but this could change
Speaking of my small toddling child, it might be nice to keep the adult furniture somewhat small to midsized so Baby M can have some room to play on the back deck too
With the constant fall of neon dust {pollen}, I'll need to budget for outdoor cushion storage {plus this will preserve the cushions longer}

What do YOU think? Tips or Suggestions? Recommendations?

Blog Round Up - Cheap & Chic

2010-04-12T09:59:00.005-05:00

No, it's not the Moschino line, it's that time again: Blog Round Up! Of course this series is just as sporadic as My Favoite Things postings...but nevertheless.

The good news about a bad economy is that it forces people to reprioritize, live on a tighter budget, and in my opinion become a better steward of money in general. With that being said, here are 3 great blogs with tips on creating stylish living {both fashion and home} without breaking the bank.

Can you be in love with a blog? Because I am. Copy Cat Chic has featured beautiful furniture and accessories that are exact or ridiculously-close-to replicas of higher-end designer pieces. My mother bought this fabulous settee {HERE} a year ago after I shared the post with her and I just recently ordered a fun zig-zag rug for my kitchen area {HERE}. This blog is definitely a bookmarked favorite!

The Broke Socialite is a fun lifestyle blog with everything from fashion to decorating, and even posts on manners. It's full of Southern graces and I get a kick out of seeing what all TBS is up to each week.

The fruGALs are two of my bestest friends. They recently started a great blog with tips and ideas to style your home frugally. There are easy DIY posts and "great finds" posts with information on how to design within a budget.

Black White & a Little Grey

2010-04-09T00:52:00.001-05:00

{Bella Pagoda Umbrella}

{Made By Girl's Love Candy Print}{Target's Liberty of London Dunclare Canister} {Black Trellis Fabric} {Kate Spade Coal Baby Bag}

{Milliken Black & White Rug}

Tracy Porter {My Gypsy Roots}

2010-04-07T12:03:00.000-05:00

Tracy Porter's eclectic style evokes smiles! Her clothing line is very similar to Anthropologie's vintagey boho chic but she's a little less mod, a little more conservative, and appropriate for a wide range of ages.

Here is another {BLOG} about Tracy Porter's clothing line and TP's own blog is {HERE}

Our Protector

2010-04-06T00:26:00.001-05:00

It's such an incredible story...I have to share.

God was good to protect us!

We went to Florence for a day just to surprise my Mom for her 55th birthday; she, my dad, and sister left the following morning to return to Oklahoma. At the close of our visit, Baby M and I ended up leaving late for our 2hour 20 minute drive, a little before 9pm. For half the trip we had to travel along a 4 lane, divided highway with decent roads but pretty barren (so I always fill up before we leave and make sure we've eaten, etc).

We were about 20 minutes into the drive. I had my cruise control set to 67mph...the speed limit is 65mph. So I was speeding, BUT I will stress that this is a straight-shot highway and there isn't much traffic on the road.

And then I saw it...the cliched deer in the headlights was a reality. Smack dab in front of my car.

The below diagram will fill you in better than I could describe in writing. But I'll attempt to set the scene:

I immediately hit the brakes which took the car off cruise control
I swerved my car into the left lane to avoid hitting the deer head-on at 67mph
The combination of me swerving and braking caused the car to fishtail
At some point I overcorrected and ran off the ground which caused my car to spin out of control
I crossed the dividing median and did either a 180 or a 540...I was disoriented so I'm not quite sure if we spun a half turn or 1.5 times
We landed facing the opposite direction in the median.

Thank God we're alive!

We didn't hit anyone.
No one hit us.
We landed off the road rather than facing oncoming traffic.
My car with a higher rollover rate {by virtue of it being an SUV} didn't turnover.
And other than some mud on the front right tire, there was no visible damage. The car was still in perfect drivable condition.
And the deer escaped without a scratch.

Thank you God!

And bless the women in the Explorer who pulled over to make sure we were okay. They drove with me to the nearest rest stop about 4 miles away so I could look at my car in better light and to check my wheel alignment. Wow- we were so fortunate.

Easter Celebration

2010-04-05T12:05:00.001-05:00

What a blessed Easter we had! Two of my brothers came in town to celebrate the weekend with us and we had a great time.

This is Sunday afternoon while I was cooking lunch {oh & that's a Pier 1 Apron...only $15!}

For lunch I did an easy meal of: Ham and Swiss Mustard Rolls, Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus, and Mashed Sweet Potatoes...oh and Cupcakes for dessert! {rolls & asparagus recipes at end of post}

Don't worry, I wore a white cardigan over this at church {more conservative...but it was hot at home}. The dress was 50% off at New York & Co...in fact that entire store was 50% off on Saturday! I rarely shop there, but was at a Shower on Saturday and someone suggested I boogie over to catch the great sales- I scored 2 dresses!
And here's the whole crew back at the house. I was so excited that the day was lovely, the service was a beautiful worship experience, and what a perfect day to reflect on blessings and the grace that God extends to us.

________________________________________

Ham & Swiss Mustard Rolls

1 pkg Parker House Rolls {I always grab Sister Schubert's brand}
1 pkg Deli Ham
1 pkg Deli Swiss
2 sticks Butter
2 T Dried Minced Onion
2 T Mustard
2 T Poppy Seeds
1 tsp Sugar

Take rolls out of the tin & slice the circle in half {Trick: I let them barely thaw to keep mostly frozen and slice the entire set in half at once...saves the time of slicing each individual roll when prepping AND the rolls tend to reattach with the melted cheese anyway}. Place the bottom half back in the tin.
Heat Butter, Onion, Mustard, Poppy Seeds & Sugar in a pan to a slow boil.
Spoon half the butter mixture on the bottom half of the rolls.
Layer ham and then cheese.
Spoon the last half of the butter mixture on the underside of the top half of the rolls and then replace the top half.
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
Before serving, cut around each individual roll.

________________________________________

Easy Peasey Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

2 Bunches of Asparagus
8 Slices of Bacon
Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper

Preheat oven to 400F
Divide the asparagus into 8 smaller bunches.
Wrap bacon to bundle each bunch.
Place on a cookie sheet and drizzle with oil and sprinkle salt & pepper.
Bake for 12-15 minutes {this is also great on a grill...I just don't have one!}

Put Your Feet Up

2010-04-01T07:53:00.001-05:00

I've seen these circulating the interior design world for quite some time {READ: a couple of years at least, but I'm typically behind in the chic department}. These ceramic garden stools are Chinese replicas and are another outdoor item being brought indoors...hurrah!

This past weekend when I was at Target, I saw this beauty on clearance for $70...I thought to myself, "Surely that's still a high price considering it's just a plain ole ceramic stool." But apparently this is a great price as even at Target.com this is a whopping $190. Ridiculous, no?

I think they look great in home decor. Right now my fear would be a wobbly toddler playing with Mommy's new piece of furniture...rolling it on it's side and inevitably breaking it to pieces...oh and the possibility of injury to said child {yes I worry about his safety too!}. Who knows, perhaps it'd be great in my bedroom where there's less chance of being fooled with.

Either way, I appreciate its use in interior decor and would be curious to see more photos of it in rooms. So if I'm not going to snatch this one up, I hope one of you might!

Check out this post on the Stools...too bad I don't have a Costco membership. For thirty-bucks I'd chance a toddler encounter =)

Perhaps One of the Greatest...

2010-03-31T12:51:00.003-05:00

...Before and After Projects ever!

Baby M and I were visiting family this past weekend.

And Saturday night Grandadder got in town...Baby M was ecstatic!

Grandadder came bearing gifts.

BEFORE

BEHOLD...a plain piano bench found at a junk sale. Nothing fancy with a simple wood frame...

AFTER

Seriously. My parents are creative woodworking geniuses. Mom designed the set, sourced the accessories, and painted while Dad did the production and figuring out how to make the knobs turn and things fit in-place. Together they created a phenomenal {and manly} play kitchen for Baby M. Mom found the hardware {real appliance knobs, some of them gratis from a local shop}, a metal bowl as a sink, a pipe out of the backsplash used as the faucet, plexiglass for a see-thru oven window, CDs as stove burners...I'm still in awe!

Baby M gave Grandadder a huge "Thank You" hug!

And Gigi helped him cook.

He even gave his new puppy a bath in the sink.

We can't wait to get this transported to our house!

Now I just have to make that chef's hat, apron, pot holder, and possibly a chalkboard... Oh yeah and we must have playfood and a bakeware set too!

Family Weekend

2010-03-29T12:01:00.001-05:00

Oh how I love my family!

I feel very blessed to have a phenomenal family. Family isn't tied through bloodlines nor is it kept together by default; Family is a love kinship...a bond sometimes brought together by circumstance but always kept together by choice. And while every family is dysfunctional {everyone is to some degree...some more than others}, our family love is unconditional and every member is connected through a lifetime of experience. Family goes deeper than even my best of friendships so it's a blessing when we're able to spend time together now that we're scattered throughout the States.

We spent the past weekend visiting my brother, Pink Pimpette & Baby S. Here's the baby cousins & parents:

And by some minor miracle, we were all able to be together in one place at one time well minus the youngest brother...that's why he doesn't get to be in the photo!

What a LOVELY weekend and great way to head into a busy week. Hope yours was wonderful too!

Celerie...not Celery

2010-03-27T08:06:00.000-05:00

Celerie Kemble creates gorgeous rooms. Check out some of her pretty designs below.

I spy a recurring style of: hints of green; dramatic drapes; live plants; a single strong pattern on either a textile, flooring, or a wall; and strong traditional undertones throughout.

{all photos via kembleinteriors.com}

Going Green

2010-03-26T05:29:00.001-05:00

Love these prints...in green of course!

{ 1.Googled Image 2.APrintADay 3.Ballard Designs 4.Gypsy Soul Creation! }

Some More Sweets

2010-03-25T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here are some more ideas from my 2nd attempt at making the sweet baby treats from last week

Jumbo Cupcake:

receiving blanket, washcloth & the "large cupcake liner" is really a coffee filter

Sundaes:

2 onesies, washcloth, sippy cup, spoon & pompom

I've been neglecting making anything for Baby M lately...he has enough stuff! But last night I did think of a really cool idea for a boy, but I have to sketch things out- I'll leave you with this hint: Baby M will feel like he's a King!

BR Spring 2010

2010-03-25T05:14:00.005-05:00

Banana Republic Springtime Favorites

2010-03-23T16:05:00.007-05:00

I entered the blogging world 2 years ago. I don't know that I've ever shared this with anyone, but I was inspired after I began following "Charming, But Single", a witty blog about a twenty-something, young professional's quest for love.

It was sort of "Sex and the City" only real life, in the South, and with pseudonyms... FANTASTIC! {as of today, CBS's last post was in December 2008}

And like a good copy cat, I began writing my own blog sharing dating ~~misadventures~~ adventures as well. It was fun being a young, single professional with no ties or responsibilities other than having just ~~becoming indebted with a 30-year mortgage~~ purchased my first home the year prior. I was relishing in developing my career, traveling, furnishing my home, stocking my closet with designer clothes shoes and purses, and pursuing the like... I was having a blast in my dating life despite the number of bad dates I had to get through, and I looked at it with a sense of humor but inwardly longed for Prince Charming. And then everything changed.

TODAY, it's amazing right now to think about how I still have those things to enjoy...AND I have a precious, precarious, and pretty {yes, I said "PRETTY"} son who enriches my life beyond what I could have ever imagined. I'm such a different person from 2 years ago; I've changed drastically...

I've grown from my experiences...

I've changed my perception and outlook on life...

I've altered my priorities in extreme ways...

And I'm a better person for it.

There are currently 43 posts with the label "dating", I'm not deleting all of those posts, but I've made the decision to cull some of these stories by the end of this week.

That's it- that's all I'm stopping =)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

emersonmade House Tour!

2010-03-23T05:09:00.001-05:00

After raving about emersonmade a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't believe my eyes yesterday when Design*Sponge featured EmersonMade's home? LOVED IT! {of course}

Click {HERE} for the full post.

Best Way To Peel A Potato

2010-03-22T05:30:00.000-05:00

I'd seen this method before on a mass e-mail, the one with Dawn Wells from Gilligan's Island peeling an Idaho potato {HERE}

But while I was amazed at the ease of peeling, I hadn't tried it myself to see if it'd actually work.

So tonight I tried my hand at it {that white circle in the pot is my clay pot watcher which keeps the water from boiling over...pretty cool stocking stuffer Mom!}'

Oh and if you'd like to submit my kitchen in a contest for a major remodel, please be my guest! Those appliances are original to the home; 32-years old. And I've had good intentions on putting up a backsplash for the past 2.5 years. Don't get me started on those dated cabinets...

While you heat your water to a boil, score the potato around the center {just one cut line}
Dawn Wells suggests on the video to boil for 15 minutes; I was making mashed potatoes so 20-25 min for a whole potato worked better for me {it's a little longer cook time than if you had pre-peeled and cut up your potatoes}. If I were making potato salad, 15-20 min would be an appropriate boil time.

Prepare a bowl full of ice water.

Once your potatoes are finished boiling, remove them and immediately immerse them in the ice cold water.

The peeling will slide right off. No need to work hard at scrubbing and peeling your potatoes, it's an extremely easy way to get the peeling off!

We'll be having more mashed potatoes over at our household now that I know it's so simple to peel a potato. I'm going to try it with sweet potatoes next!

Sweet Baby Treats & Instructions

2010-03-19T09:15:00.011-05:00

Have you seen these at Baby Showers? Some creative crafters decided to gift-package baby staples like diapers, onesies, washcloths, socks, and bibs and make them look like sweet treats such as lollipops, cupcakes, sundaes, and even a flower bouquet. How do they come up with this fun stuff?

Do a search on Etsy and you'll find a plethora of sweet gifts:

Gigglebug Baby

Gigglebug Baby:

Babycakes & Decor

Baby Sweet Treats

Baby Sweet Treats

Baby Sweet Treats

So I searched for an Online Tutorial to make these sweet baby gifts and came up with: PDF instructions for Sale, "How to Applique a Cupcake Onesie", and screenprinted cupcake onesies...pretty much nothing to help.

Perhaps I wasn't searching with the right keywords, but the gifts are adorable and appeared to be fairly easy to make so I bought some onesies Wednesday night and tried my hand at figuring it out myself. It took a couple of tries, but I think I've figured out how to put my own personal spin on them and I'm sure they'll only get easier to make as I practice more. My friends better be making some babies now!!! =)

Supplies for My 1st Cupcakes

Onesies
Washcloths
Pompom
Wide Ribbon {at least 1.5 in width}
Cupcake Liners {OR you can always make your own cupcake wrappers HERE}
Doublestick Tape
Straight-Pin

Fold washcloth in half, then fold again length-wise {so it's long & skinny}
Roll the long washcloth tightly & temporarily secure with a straight-pin
Lay the onesie out & fold it into thirds length-wise so it's long and skinny {you may have to try at this a while to figure out the best fold for your roll}
Remove straight-pin from your washcloth roll & place it on the end of your onesie and beginning rolling your onesie tightly over the washcloth roll
Secure the cupcake form with the straight-pin
Cut ribbon the length of the cupcake circumference {leave about 1/4" extra}
Tape the ribbon at your desired height {see below photos} & secure the ends with the straight-pin so that it holds the ribbon in place along with the cupcake form
From the bottom of the cupcake form, push the washcloth center slightly up to make a fully risen cupcake {see photos}; dont be afraid to adjust as the straight-pin will help hold the form together
Place a small piece of tape at the top and stick a pompom on as decoration
Sit your cupcake in a liner and Ta-Da!

I packaged them individualy in the clear favor bags {I think they were $1.50 for 20 at WalMart}

Here's some I did for a friend at church who is on bedrest expecting twins:

Then I made some gift labels in Word:

And packaged their "sweet baby treats" with some chocolate chip cookies and cupcakes:

Okay, give me some sweet babies...I want to make more treats!

Window Treatment

2010-03-17T00:35:00.002-05:00

I was so very proud last week to have tackled the task of changing out my porch's post lights all by myself...with my small child confusingly looking at me from inside.

But there's been something I've been meaning to do for the past 2.5 years and finally I got around to doing it as my Tuesday midnight project {yeah, I wouldn't recommend too many of those}

Betty and her hubby had introduced me to Light Effects window film. An easy-to-apply glass film that you find at your local Home Depot or Lowe's.

So tonight I purchased 2 rolls {the come in 24"x36" packages and was $23 and some change per pack}

Measure twice and cut once. If you choose to apply a design, you may want to center and ensure you can have your pattern line up.

I decided I didn't want to pay another $24 for a 3rd package just to have the top arch line up so I made do with what I had.

Once you've cut your design, clean the window with Windex, then take a spray bottle {filled with a soapy water solution} and spray liberally over the window.

Remove the film's paper backing carefully and apply it to the window. It's actually not scary at all. The more soap solution, the easier it is to apply {you can glide the film into place}. Use the enclosed squeegee to squeeze out any bubbles.

Et VOILA!

A bit more private from the street view, but allows me to see who is at the front door from inside.

These Boots Were Made For Walking

2010-03-15T00:17:00.000-05:00

A college friend of mine now living in Alaska makes me appreciate even the coldest days in the South. I get frostbite just thinking of that Alaskan tundra {teasing!}...but honestly, despite the frigid temperatures almost year-round, she manages to stylishly and gracefully tote her two small children, manages her very own PR business, braves the wilderness, keeps a tidy home, AND all while wearing some of the cutest outfits. Her latest photos she's shared have her sporting a gorgeous pair of Fryes {and matching leather belt}.

While she's so far North and I'm so far South, I think we could certainly agree that Frye has a place in both time zones. Down here it makes me dream of sundresses, ponytails, picnics in the park...and tall boots.

Yep, I really enjoyed my cowgirl boots with dresses last year and I think it's high time I consider a Spring alternative to riding boots. Frye has some lovely offerings...some even with canvas.

Jane Braid

Cindy Piping
Ava Canvas

{Guess which pair this petite gal prefers? Contestant #3...you're the Winner!}