OK, well.... what I mean is.... I've officially made my submission to Marion Berry Style's Trend of the Month Challenge! This, being a "big girl blog" with more than 10 followers, is a big deal to me! Hopefully some of her loyal fans will check us out over here in Smallville! In the meantime.... check out her blog at MarionBerryStyle.blogspot.com to see all of the submissions!
Also.... check back soon for a guest post from the one and only Christina Wills! You can check her blog out at nostretchypants.blogspot.com :)
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Marion Berry Style Challenge: Pattern Mixing
I have definitely been more adventurous with my outfit choices since exploring Pinterest. You've already seen some inspiration from J's Everyday Fashion in my Movie Date Makeover and I've Been Thinking About You, Blog posts. But the other day, I discovered another awesome fashion blog: Marion Berry Style.
In addition to some great outfit ideas, she hosts a monthly "trend" challenge. This month? Pattern Mixing. Whoooaaaaaa boy.... did I come in on a toughy! I mean, last month's trend was yellow.... I could rock that with my eyes closed. But pattern mixing? Its something I've always admired but rarely had the courage to try.
I decided, however, in the name of experimentation (and if nothing else, good blogging) to try my hand at the trend.
After about 30 minutes in my closet, here's what I came up with:
Floral.... on stripes, on stripes! This was huge for me! But I think it works! (I HOPE it works.... because I wore it to a work training today!)
Here's the goods:
Blazer: Charlotte Russe $36
Tee: American Eagle $10
Scarf: Candies by Kohls $15
Jeans: Kohls $20
So, I am dying for your thoughts.... would you mix patterns like this?
Be sure to check out the Marion Berry Style page tomorrow for other bloggers who took the trend of the month challenge!
In addition to some great outfit ideas, she hosts a monthly "trend" challenge. This month? Pattern Mixing. Whoooaaaaaa boy.... did I come in on a toughy! I mean, last month's trend was yellow.... I could rock that with my eyes closed. But pattern mixing? Its something I've always admired but rarely had the courage to try.
I decided, however, in the name of experimentation (and if nothing else, good blogging) to try my hand at the trend.
After about 30 minutes in my closet, here's what I came up with:
Floral.... on stripes, on stripes! This was huge for me! But I think it works! (I HOPE it works.... because I wore it to a work training today!)
Here's the goods:
Blazer: Charlotte Russe $36
Tee: American Eagle $10
Scarf: Candies by Kohls $15
Jeans: Kohls $20
So, I am dying for your thoughts.... would you mix patterns like this?
Be sure to check out the Marion Berry Style page tomorrow for other bloggers who took the trend of the month challenge!
Monday, July 30, 2012
My Clemson Wreath "Oops"
With football season just days away (Thank God!!!), I thought it was about time for a little Clemson Tiger decor. In a Pinterest search I found this amazingly cute wreath from Etsy.
However, for $25 plus shipping, I thought for sure I could make one of my own for less. So, I headed to Michaels. I bought a styrofoam wreath, 2 spools of Clemson-y ribbon, and some wooden letters to add my initials. Total cost for me was about $13.50 - because the ribbon was on sale for 50% off... score! Note: I already had a glue gun and glue sticks, but if this is your first craft, you may be looking at another $10 or so....
I began by securing one end of the first ribbon with a spot of glue and wrapping it around, every 7 or 8 times around I'd secure with another glue spot and begin the next color ribbon.
To my dismay, about 3/4 of the way around the wreath... my ribbon ran out. DOH!
So, it looks like I'll have to make another trip to Michaels, hope for another ribbon sale, and continue my project another day... I guess its a good thing I started my project with a few weeks to spare!
Just for giggles... here's what the project looks like with the letters.... I think it has potential!
Look for a future post with an update on this pin project!
However, for $25 plus shipping, I thought for sure I could make one of my own for less. So, I headed to Michaels. I bought a styrofoam wreath, 2 spools of Clemson-y ribbon, and some wooden letters to add my initials. Total cost for me was about $13.50 - because the ribbon was on sale for 50% off... score! Note: I already had a glue gun and glue sticks, but if this is your first craft, you may be looking at another $10 or so....
To my dismay, about 3/4 of the way around the wreath... my ribbon ran out. DOH!
So, it looks like I'll have to make another trip to Michaels, hope for another ribbon sale, and continue my project another day... I guess its a good thing I started my project with a few weeks to spare!
Just for giggles... here's what the project looks like with the letters.... I think it has potential!
Look for a future post with an update on this pin project!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Olympics Opening Ceremony Party!
One of my favorite boards to pin to is my Party Time board. I have always loved hosting dinners and theme parties, and Pinterest has just given me so many amazing ideas. Most recently, this pin, which was actually just to a picture of a cocktail (with no recipe... bummer), inspired me to have an Olympics themed party this year.
I, personally, always "watch" the Opening Ceremony. By "watch," I mean put them on my tv and neglect to pay attention. I thought that having our party on this night would be the perfect opportunity to "watch" the Ceremony with a few friends.... while drinking.... and wearing togas.
The evening was perfect, aside from a momentary lapse in cable coverage of the Ceremony (thanks, Dish.) We had some of our own Olympic events, namely beer pong and flip cup, and the food and drinks were great. Here are a few highlights.
So, in the name of sharing, here's how I made my Olympics food stuffs:
The Olympic Rings Martini:
I fashioned this drink off a martini called a white gummy bear, named, appropriately so, because it tastes like a white gummy bear.
1 part Peach Schnapps
1 part Raspberry vodka
2 parts Sour mix
2 parts Sprite
Then, I took the traditional 5 flavor Lifesavers and put a red, yellow, green, and purple lifesaver in each martini.
These were a huge hit, and I will likely make them again with gummy bears at the bottom, or any other sweet candy.... maybe a jolly rancher?
The Red, White, and Blue Martini:
I actually found this recipe on Pinterest, here.
I am not a huge Hypnotic fan, but lets be honest, there aren't that many blue liquors that layer well.
1/2 Hypnotic
1/2 Sprite
a splash of Grenadine
Here's the trick... you MUST mix the Hypnotic/Sprite and pour it into your martini glass before you add the splash of Grenadine. Otherwise, the drink doesn't layer and it turns purple.
I didn't love this martini.... too sweet....but a few others at the party thought it was good... and they got gobbled up quick. If nothing else, they were great for the tablescape!
Olympic Rings Cake:
OK, I cheated. I bought a blank ice cream cake from Food Lion.... so great that they have plain white ones, as most places seem to only have partially decorated cakes available. The cake, which fed us all, plus some... was only $25.
I saw tons and tons of pins for Olympic cupcakes as cakes, made with a variety of ingredients, and mostly icing rings. I, however, found multicolored Sixlets at Party City, and thought they'd work well... I think they did!
In order to make perfect rings, I pressed an upside down drinking glass onto the cake and made 5 nice rings. Then, I just set the Sixlets right on top of my "trace"-lines. The divet also kept the Sixlets from rolling around.
I think the party was a huge success.... and just think, you have 2 weeks still to throw one of your own!!!
I, personally, always "watch" the Opening Ceremony. By "watch," I mean put them on my tv and neglect to pay attention. I thought that having our party on this night would be the perfect opportunity to "watch" the Ceremony with a few friends.... while drinking.... and wearing togas.
The evening was perfect, aside from a momentary lapse in cable coverage of the Ceremony (thanks, Dish.) We had some of our own Olympic events, namely beer pong and flip cup, and the food and drinks were great. Here are a few highlights.
So, in the name of sharing, here's how I made my Olympics food stuffs:
The Olympic Rings Martini:
1 part Peach Schnapps
1 part Raspberry vodka
2 parts Sour mix
2 parts Sprite
Then, I took the traditional 5 flavor Lifesavers and put a red, yellow, green, and purple lifesaver in each martini.
These were a huge hit, and I will likely make them again with gummy bears at the bottom, or any other sweet candy.... maybe a jolly rancher?
The Red, White, and Blue Martini:
I actually found this recipe on Pinterest, here.
I am not a huge Hypnotic fan, but lets be honest, there aren't that many blue liquors that layer well.
1/2 Hypnotic
1/2 Sprite
a splash of Grenadine
Here's the trick... you MUST mix the Hypnotic/Sprite and pour it into your martini glass before you add the splash of Grenadine. Otherwise, the drink doesn't layer and it turns purple.
I didn't love this martini.... too sweet....but a few others at the party thought it was good... and they got gobbled up quick. If nothing else, they were great for the tablescape!
Olympic Rings Cake:
I saw tons and tons of pins for Olympic cupcakes as cakes, made with a variety of ingredients, and mostly icing rings. I, however, found multicolored Sixlets at Party City, and thought they'd work well... I think they did!
In order to make perfect rings, I pressed an upside down drinking glass onto the cake and made 5 nice rings. Then, I just set the Sixlets right on top of my "trace"-lines. The divet also kept the Sixlets from rolling around.
I think the party was a huge success.... and just think, you have 2 weeks still to throw one of your own!!!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I was thinking about you, Blog.
Though I didn't embark on any new recipes or crafts during my Disney vaca.... I did borrow some more inspiration from my favorite Pinterest find, thus far: J's Everyday Fashion Blog. I spotted this pin before my trip, and immediately headed to Old Navy to pick up these super-cute polka dot shorts. I didn't mix prints.... maybe I'll try that out another day... but I did rock the dots in Disney!
Here's a family pic, plus Mickey, with my purchase. Thanks J!
Here's a family pic, plus Mickey, with my purchase. Thanks J!
The MOST Amazing Soup!
I apologize for my week long hiatus, but I was in Disney World on vacation with my family. However, I PROMISE this recipe will make up for the wait!
This amazing soup, which we simply call "Tortellini Soup," was adapted from a Taste of Home recipe a few years back, titled "Holiday Tortellini Soup." The original combined my two favorite things: Bacon and cheese tortellini. I understand why they titled it Holiday Tortellini Soup.... because this soup is a major crowd pleaser, and I have made it for many holiday celebrations. However, my healthy adaptations over the years, in my opinion, have made this easy crowd-pleaser into a regular in the Lopez household.... and hopefully yours, too.
Ingredients: (MY version)
1 tbsp olive oil
6 strips turkey bacon
1 cup diced yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 large can (49 1/2 oz.) of chicken broth
2 tsp. italian seasoning
1 package whole wheat cheese tortellini (Bertolli makes the BEST)
1 can (14.5 oz.) petite diced tomatoes
1 can (14.5 oz.) tomato sauce
2 to 3 heaping handfuls of fresh baby spinach (about 1/2 a standard pre-packed bag)
salt & pepper to taste
shredded mozzarella cheese (for garnish)
(Note: If you prefer the fatty version - also amazing - use real bacon and flour tortellini..... just be sure to drain the bacon before adding in the onions, etc. in the steps below)
Begin by heating the olive oil to medium in a large pot. Chop your bacon as it heats.
Add the bacon to the pot and allow it to crisp (about 3-4 minutes). Add your diced onion; cook 3-4 minutes, or until soft. Then add garlic and cook one more minute. (Already the aroma of this soup will have you drooling)
Add the chicken broth and italian seasoning; bring to a boil and simmer for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the tortellini according to the package directions. Then, drain.
Add the cooked tortellini, petite diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce to the soup mixture. Stir together and simmer for about 5 more minutes.
Is the color and smell of this soup not knocking you out right now?????
Next, add the spinach and cook just until wilted. Season with salt & pepper.
Ingredients: (MY version)
1 tbsp olive oil
6 strips turkey bacon
1 cup diced yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 large can (49 1/2 oz.) of chicken broth
2 tsp. italian seasoning
1 package whole wheat cheese tortellini (Bertolli makes the BEST)
1 can (14.5 oz.) petite diced tomatoes
1 can (14.5 oz.) tomato sauce
2 to 3 heaping handfuls of fresh baby spinach (about 1/2 a standard pre-packed bag)
salt & pepper to taste
shredded mozzarella cheese (for garnish)
(Note: If you prefer the fatty version - also amazing - use real bacon and flour tortellini..... just be sure to drain the bacon before adding in the onions, etc. in the steps below)
Begin by heating the olive oil to medium in a large pot. Chop your bacon as it heats.
Next, add the spinach and cook just until wilted. Season with salt & pepper.
Serve topped with shredded mozzarella..... gorgeous, tasty, and HEALTHY!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
One of those finds...
I am just devastated that I did not discover this website before I planned my wedding. It is one of "those finds" that you know will change your decor shopping agenda forever. (Kind of like.... Pinterest!!!!)
SaveOnCrafts boasts 20-50% off amazingly beautiful items ranging from garden stones, bird cages, candleholders, crystal edging, galvanized tubs (gee, wouldn't this site have come in handy for my container garden project!?!?). The possibilities are endless with this site.
Here are a few of my favorite items:
SaveOnCrafts boasts 20-50% off amazingly beautiful items ranging from garden stones, bird cages, candleholders, crystal edging, galvanized tubs (gee, wouldn't this site have come in handy for my container garden project!?!?). The possibilities are endless with this site.
Here are a few of my favorite items:
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