Two Cents Worth

Babies on the Brain

2012-02-08T20:53:00.005-05:00

Babies, babies everywhere! Lots of people I know are pregnant with their first or second babies, and most are due before me. One of my friends from work, Kristie, just had her adorable, perfect baby girl two weeks ago. In November, we threw her a shower at work. I had the honor of organizing a lot of the aspects of the party. This was the first baby shower I've had the good fortune of planning and it was so much fun! Now that there is already talk about a shower for our little one, I thought I'd reminisce with photos of some details from the party.

We had planned a diaper cake for the event, but then decided to kick it up a notch with a whole dessert bar, including washcloth lollipops and receiving blanket cupcakes. I got the ideas for these from a couple of different of Etsy shops. Our colors were pink and orange. Kristie also loves giraffes, so we topped her cake of with a Sophie, of course.

We topped it off with a handmade card for "Baby G," our loving nickname for her.

Excited to search for some more ideas for our shower!

Week 17

2012-02-06T23:12:00.005-05:00

Dear Baby,
We’ve finally decided that we have felt you move a couple of times this week. Sometimes it feels like a swoosh or a tickle, and sometimes it feels like a tiny thump. When we feel a “thump” Mamma laughs and pictures you bumping into things, like the sides of her belly. Maybe you’ll be a little clumsy like she is, but you’ve definitely still got your Daddy’s ways about you. We feel you most a night, and Daddy loves to stay up late to do just about anything. Mamma’s belly has also started to get bigger, and it seems like everyone who knows you’re in there has been commenting on it. We also talk about how different things will be when you get here. For example, this Sunday was the Superbowl and Daddy did such a great job planning the party, that everyone was asking if we would have another one next year with you in tow. We love thinking about what the world will be like with you in it. All this thinking about you has made us extra lovey-dovey towards one another, other children, and even the cat! We always thought she was cute and pretty awesome, but nowadays everything she does is irresistible. The two of you will be quite the pair. She’ll have to adjust to you, but it will be worth it. Hugs and kisses!

Week 16

2012-01-31T20:24:00.006-05:00

Dear Baby,
You now weigh approximately 3.5 ounces and are about the size of an avocado. Mamma has been anxiously feeling for the first sign of you moving. Sometimes she gets excited, thinking she might feel you squirming around, but then she decides it’s probably just digestion. We finally got to hear your heartbeat this week; it was registered at 140 beats per minute. The same doctor who guessed you were a boy at our last ultrasound now thinks you might be a girl! Looks like you’re just going to keep us guessing! We will love you to bits either way! Hugs and kisses!

Week 15

2012-01-31T20:18:00.004-05:00

Dear Baby,
You are 4 whole inches long now! Some articles we read compare your size to a navel orange, which is fitting since Mamma can’t seem to get enough of these and devours at least one orange every day. And speaking of navels, Mamma’s has already started to pop out… a lot. Daddy likes to push it like it's the home button on an iPhone. Life is starting to get back to normal now that Mamma’s energy has picked up. Daddy keeps chasing her around, telling her to slow down, to take it easy, not to do so much. We’ve been talking a lot about how we want to raise you, what your interests might be, and what type of personality you might have. We can’t wait to find these answers out! Hugs and kisses!

Hello, Baby

2012-01-19T17:14:00.019-05:00

Whew! The last half of 2011 somehow disappeared into the blur of the past. I have to browse through my iPhoto to even tell you what happened in those six months. Except for one major thing; we are having a baby!!! We found out the joyful news in November, and pretty much everything else has been a flurry of doctor's appointments, telling our friends and family, and pouring over "expecting" books. I have been documenting the weeks with photos and letters to baby, and will be using this blog as a sort of journal so that YOU, distant family and friends, can travel along on this journey with us! How lucky are you?!?! So let's get you all caught up, shall we?

Week 6

Well, baby West, we first found out about you very early on a Wednesday morning! Mamma took a test, and woke Daddy up in time to check the results. Mamma jumped up and down and let out a little yelp when she read the words “pregnant.” Daddy just said “you’re excited!” and let out a laugh. He’s nervous about being a good Dad to you, but we have been planning and hoping for you for a little while now. Mamma downloaded a couple of baby apps on her phone right away. She also started feeling queasy a few days after the test, and Daddy has affectionately started calling her “DH” for “dry heaves.” It’s a small price to pay for having you in our lives. Here's to the beginning of what is sure to be an amazing journey! Hugs and kisses!

Week 7

Your existence still hasn’t felt very real so far. We went to meet Doctor Joanne this week. She was super nice, so excited for us, and put Daddy right at ease. She gave us lots of things to read, and Mamma has been looking at the baby apps every day, giving Daddy updates on what size you are, and what parts of you are developing. We also drove to Tennessee to visit Grandma and Grandpa C for Thanksgiving. Mamma slept a lot on the trip up and back – it’s taking a lot of energy to grow you! We gave Grandma and Grandpa a pelican-stork carrying a cute poem to introduce them to you. They were so excited. Uncle Stevie figured out the poem first. Grandpa’s jaw dropped open as far as it would go and Grandma let out a squeal of excitement. We couldn't have hoped for a better reaction. Hugs and kisses!

Week 8

We saw you for the first time this week! We met with Doctor Alvarez and had our first ultrasound. You looked like a little peanut. Literally. You are already very cute, but not looking much like a miniature person just yet. We also saw your heart beating. It looked like a tiny ribbon fluttering up and down, and it was beating so fast! The Doctor said everything was by the book, and predicted that you would be a boy, but it’s far too early to tell. He also gave us your first picture! We told Grandma and Grandpa W and Uncle Marty and Aunt Dana about you by showing them your picture while out at our favorite local pizza place, Demetrio’s. At first, Grandpa W thought you were an aerial view of a volcano. We’ll be keeping you a secret from everyone else for now. Hugs and kisses!

Week 9

Dear Baby,
We have spent this week on a cruise to Hawaii with Grandma and Grandpa W. Mamma bought you a souvenir at a surf shop in Kona – a hand-knit stuffed fish. We’ve also decided that you are a lot like Daddy. Anytime Mamma starts to hurry or rush around and jostles you in her belly, she starts to feel sick. Daddy doesn't like to be rushed either, so we think you are going to be just like him. Mamma’s belly is getting a little bigger, but that’s probably from all the meals at the buffet, and not so much from you. Hugs and kisses!

Week 10
Dear Baby,
Life has been a hectic whirlwind since we returned home from Hawaii and we haven’t had much time to talk about you. Daddy has been very busy with work and Mamma has been spending her free time on extra projects for the holidays. We hope things will slow down soon so all three of us can get the rest we need. Hugs and kisses!

Week 11

Dear Baby,
Christmas is sneaking up on us and we’ve been trying to get ready. We made some Christmas cards to announce how happy we are to be adding you to our family. All of Mamma’s coworkers were surprised and excited to hear the news. We got a Christmas tree and it hit us that the next time we’ll pick out a tree, you’ll be there, too! Mamma hasn’t been able to cook much so we’ve been eating out all week. Thai and Mexican have been the most frequent requests, along with oranges, grapefruit, and anything lemony. Lots of other things still make Mamma queasy, like strong food smells, fast walking, or happy dances. Daddy’s been keeping good tabs on Mamma’s food and how she’s feeling. Mamma is always patting her belly and checking on you to see if you are OK. Hugs and kisses!

Week 12

Dear Baby,
You gave us quite a scare this week. Two days after Christmas, we went to the doctor to hear your heartbeat for the first time. Grandma and Grandpa W came with us. Doctor 1 came in with the Doppler machine and searched around for a while. We heard some screeching feedback sounds and Mamma’s heartbeat, but not yours. The doctor took another shot with a different machine. Nothing. Then she tried an external ultrasound machine. Still nothing. Mamma started to get really worried. Daddy did too, but he hid it pretty well. Doctor 1 had to leave to tend to another patient so we got to meet Doctor 2. She bounced in bubbling and exuding confidence, and that made Mamma feel a little bit better. Doctor 2 found you right away on the second ultrasound, and that made Mamma feel a whole lot better. Daddy got to see you head on doing a little dance with your arms swinging all around your face. When the doctor turned the monitor so Mamma could see, you got shy and turned to the side. But the Doctor said you looked perfect and gorgeous. She even guessed that you are a boy, and Mamma has been calling you a “he” ever since. We were just so relieved that you were healthy and still kicking around in there! Keep up the good growing, baby! Hugs and kisses!

Week 13
A weekend getaway to Orlando: $100. Gas to get there: $40. Knowing there are 3 in this photo: priceless.

Dear Baby,
We’re not keeping you a secret anymore! After telling all of our closest friends and family, we decided to let everyone in our world know about you. Mama even used a picture of the three of us to share the news of you on Facebook. Most of the people we’ve told have been SO excited; others have been somewhat shocked. One person who Mamma barely even knows grabbed her belly as if she didn’t believe you were in there. That was strange. Mamma’s new best friend is a body pillow. It helps her fall asleep and stay asleep, and it makes Daddy a little jealous. It also seems like you have given Mamma super powers, like a super sense of smell. She can tell if the trash sitting in another room needs to be put out, or if the person across the table forgot to put on deodorant. She’s also extra sensitive, and makes Daddy tell her before he starts to tease her, otherwise the joke usually ends in tears. We can’t wait to see what kind of sense of humor you have! We spent the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa C. and your uncles-to-be. Knowing that you are related to them, you probably will have quite the sense of humor. Hugs and kisses!

Week 14

Dear Baby,
Mama is getting excited to shop for you already. She’s been putting together a registry that includes all the essentials (according to some helpful friends) and some fun extras as well. She’s been dreaming about your nursery since before she knew you existed, and is already planning on kicking Daddy out of his office to make room for you. Daddy’s been planning for you, too. He’s been budgeting and number crunching all over the place. He also has a to-do list that he wants to complete before your big debut. You’re sure to be a real motivating person, seeing as how much you’ve got us doing before you’re even here! Hugs and kisses!

Well, that's all for now! We'll check back next week with another update!

For Dad

2011-06-18T18:45:00.013-04:00

Well, since it's been over a month ago since I posted and took a moment to write about my mom in honor of mother's day, I guess it's only appropriate that I take this chance to write about my dad in the spirit of father's day.

My dad always says I'm a lot like him. And then he usually follows that statement with an apology. Personally, I am proud to share several attributes with the person I've always considered to be some modern-day version of a super hero. Sure, there have been times (hello, teenage years) when I didn't give my dad any credit for being such the strong, passionate, caring person that he is. But I am happy to say that those are far behind me (sorry, Dad, and everyone else who had to endure my brief rebellious stage) and I am able to see my father for the inspiring person he really is. And you can't blame a girl who for wanting to be like her dad when he is as hard-working, funny, and generous as mine is. For example, just yesterday, I called him with a work-related question and came away positive guidance and an eased mind. We share lots of inside jokes, including, but not limited to, a pair of feathered friends whom he loves dearly (and misses, I suspect). And every year around the holidays, usually as we're just clearing off the table after a Thanksgiving meal, he gives us the famous "lean Christmas" speech. It goes something like, "sorry, guys, but it's gonna be a lean Christmas this year, so don't expect too much", but he ends up spoiling us with too many gifts anyway.

This is from our wedding rehearsal. You can't tell from the picture, but he walked around with his pockets pulled out of his shorts to indicate being broke from paying for the wedding. Always the joker.

Even though the actual walk down the isle was the part of the wedding I was dreading most (I'm sure Dad wasn't looking too forward to it either - all those eyes - ugh!), we don't look too nervous in this picture.

In Iceland, last summer, almost exactly a year ago. This was right after getting completely sneezed on by the waterfall we were posing in front of. Such a great trip!

My birthday lunch at Tropical Thai last year. Despite Dad's initial skepticism, it ended up being one of his favorite places. You know what they say... something about daughters knowing best.

Celebrating dad's birthday with lunch on our surprise visit in April. Another awesome trip!

Happy father's day, Dad! I love you!

For Mom

2011-05-08T09:57:00.007-04:00

The older I get, the more I realize how incredible my mom really is. As a kiddo, my mom played many of the most important roles in my tiny, ever-changing existence. She was a provider of snacks, banisher of boo-boos, and co-star in imaginary plays (when we played "Sleeping Beauty", I always cast her as Maleficent). Even though her role has changed over time, the level of importance and influence that has in my life really hasn't. Nowadays, she is the ultimate source for that perfect recipe, the cure for daily blahs and blues, and my best gal pal. Even though we are separated by a state, and several hundred miles, I talk to her almost every day. We share the same decorating sense, love all things crafty, and spend a lot of our time together being goofy.

I've also come to realize just how smart my mom is. She's a great source for a plethora of obscure words and their proper pronunciations, and knows how to be sweet and civilized to even the most irritating folk. I truly hope that I can be more like her with each day that passes. I love you, Mom!

"Hogs and Quiches!"

On Being Educated

2011-04-27T21:53:00.006-04:00

The past few months, I have been getting a small taste of what it is like to be a teacher. I've been contracted out as the speech therapist at a great school and l've got to be honest, I've been learning probably ten times the amount I'm teaching my students. Last week, for example, I learned how to be democratic. From a seven year old boy.

I'd completed another session with one of my groups, and I was passing out stickers like I always do at the end of our classes. The kids have become quite the sticker connoisseurs; they are always begging me for "smelly" stickers. I have acquired a variety of scented stickers over the past couple of months, but they are hard to come by so I don't pass them out every time. So I was excited when I whipped out some pink bubble gum scented stickers and proceeded to pass them out to the kids. Of course, they eagerly asked whether or not they were "smelly" and I eagerly answered "Yes, they smell like bubble gum!" One of my more challenging students took a whiff and retorted "No, it smells like watermelon." A little part of me, deep inside, rolled my eyes and thought "Really? Just take the sticker and keep your smelly thoughts to yourself." That's when another student, who, I am discovering is very wise, smelled his sticker and said "I think it smells like watermelon bubblegum." That boy is going to be a successful politician one day.

In other news, I'm also continuing to learn from the latest book I've been reading: One Hundred Names for Love by Diane Ackerman is a compelling love story that I recommend to anyone who loves to learn, and wants to learn to love better than they have in the past. One of my favorite parts about it? Her husband's last name is West.

I realize that this is a ironic question, as several of my friends and readers are currently in the midst of the craziness of finals (and all you want to do is put your books down and leave them to rot), but what have you enjoyed learning lately?

Over the Weekend

2011-04-25T20:07:00.007-04:00

Our Easter weekend was great fun! On Saturday we had a busy a communion service at church, which Larry and I both participated in. Afterwards, we had family and friends over for dinner and I made a vegan feast of artichokes, sliced fresh tomatoes, orzo salad, cooked greens, and freshly-baked rolls. We topped it off with a berry crumble with coconut ice cream on top. I would totally recommend making this dessert! It is super easy, and so tasty that it was glowingly compared to Marie Callendar's frozen version. Mmmmm.

That night, we stayed home to color eggs.

On Sunday, we kicked the day off with an easter egg hunt. Here were some of my favorite hiding spots:

I also made Larry a little Easter basket. I found these cute metal baskets at Target. They had large ones too, and I'm hoping I can snag some on sale in the next couple of days. They will make for some great storage containers at work, or in a future nursery (wink wink).

Later, we headed to Tampa and hit up the local IKEA with our friends JP and Ellie. It was surprisingly empty and we did a quick run-through just to get some essentials. Afterwards, we ventured to Ybor. None of us had ever been, and even though it was in the middle of the afternoon, we were still a little wigged out by the sketchiness of it all. We eventually made it home, in spite of a crazy rain storm and ended the weekend with a little restful reading:

How did you celebrate the weekend?

Life's a Beach, Cupcake

2011-04-14T20:50:00.006-04:00

Julie, one of the very lovely ladies that I work with, is leaving us tomorrow to move to Michigan so she can be closer to her family. is always sure to compliment my on my shoes, and is too sweet for words. I jumped at the opportunity to make a special going-away party treat in her honor.

My initial thought was to make cupcakes that look like flip-flops. Somehow I thought I had seen this in the awesome books "Hello Cupcake," and "What's New, Cupcake." They did not exist. Neither did any tutorials on the internet. So I had to improvise. I had seen these cute summer-worthy beach cupcakes from Martha Stewart. But I was still left without my flip-flops, which was the whole point of the theme to begin with. So, in the style of the cupcake decorating books mentioned above, I decided to try making mini flip flops from Starburst Fruit Chews to compliment the umbrellas and shark fins. And wa-lah!

What do you all think? I haven't seen anything like this before, and it's not at all complicated, but I was just so happy to have come up with a simple, fun solution that everyone enjoyed. We'll miss you Julie!

April Showers Bring Adventures

2011-04-12T21:36:00.006-04:00

What? Two posts in a row? Pinch me. So many exciting things have happened the past few weeks, that I just had to keep sharing. Yesterday, I left off with mom's March visit. She headed back to Tennessee on a Tuesday, and we missed her so much that we flew up there that Thursday. We just so happened to fly on one of the rainiest days so far this year. We were preparing to take off, when the captain (and by captain, I mean pilot) announced that our flight would be delayed due to a terrible weather pattern in the northern part of the state. We were instructed to promptly deplane, and after everyone had stood up and started gathering their things, we were informed that we would need to remain on the plane due to lightening on the tarmac. Then their was a potential opportunity for takeoff after the lightening dispersed, followed by additional instructions to get off the plane. Long story short, after lots of getting up and sitting back down, and getting back up again, we did manage to make it into the air barely an hour after our original departure time. Anyway, that was a lot of rambling to say that we had planned it all out as a surprise for my Dad's birthday. He just happens to be born on April Fools Day (takes a special person to have their birthday on that day and make it through their life in one piece). We figured he wouldn't suspect anything, since mom had just returned from visiting us two days before. And we were right. The poor guy almost choked on his sandwich when we lunged at him in Panera.

We had a perfect weekend, complete with pelican pranks (those will receive their own special post soon), a couple of new classic movies (The Adjustment Bureau was freakin' amazing), and some good ol' family togetherness topped off with giving Dad an iPhone. He was stoked. We did not take enough pictures, because we were too busy livin' it up. I was sad to leave, like I usually am. But when we got home, we stumbled across a cute pick-your-own-flower and vegetable farm. We got some gorgeous stems, and they were so fresh that they've lasted us a little more than a week. I will definitely be visiting that spot again!

March: A Recap

2011-04-11T18:33:00.012-04:00

Now that April is practically half over, I thought it might be a good time to post about all the things that happened in the beautiful month of March. First and most importantly, my mom came down from Tennessee for a visit. We spent lots of time shopping, crafting (mom and I have been experimenting with felting), and lounging by the pool. We even took in a day at the spa at our favorite resort in Orlando! It was five days chock-full of fun and silliness.

Before her much-anticipated arrival, we tackled some exciting home-improvement projects. Remember the curtains I blogged about in February? Well, here they are on our porch, complete with some spiffy new outdoor furniture.

We are very happy with the results. Of course, we want to add some more plants and things, but we couldn't be happier with the feel of the porch now. I think the cat loves it more than we do, and probably thinks we did it all for her, since she has barely left the area since we set it all up. Exhibit A:

And B:

The excitement doesn't stop there! But that's all for March, so you'll have to stay tuned...

St. Patty's Day Recap

2011-03-20T21:32:00.008-04:00

My oh my, this past week was a wonderful whirlwind of activity. We have been tackling lots of home-improvement projects in anticipation of my mom coming to visit (only 3 more days!!!) and have also spent time getting a leg up on some of our church projects. But my favorite undertaking of the week was this sugary confection that I made in celebration of St. Patrick's day...

Not too excited? Wait for it....

...Wait for it....

Kablamo!
How. Epic. Is. That.

Now I wish that I could say I was clever enough to come up with this one my own. I wasn't. (You can find my inspiration and the recipe at Whisk Kid. Warning: her results and pictures are much prettier than mine). But I still felt very accomplished, especially when I cut into the cake, and served up slices that looked like this:

That's two boxes of cake, four tubes of food coloring, and three jars of icing. Yeah. Talk about rich. Larry and I couldn't finish our slices. So I took the rest to work to share with my lovely co-workers. (Side note: because I know how people like to complain about work, I just want to clarify that there is no sarcasm in the previous statement. The ladies I have the pleasure of working with are completely lovely and I get very excited when I can share a fun treat with them). Especially when I get sweet notes on my door like this:

Lots more to share, but this cake deserves a post all it's own, so the rest will have to wait for next time. Bye, lads and lasses!

Spring '11

2011-03-06T18:25:00.004-05:00

It's official. Spring has sprung in Florida, and I have been seriously bitten by the shopping bug. Over the past few weeks, I have been finding myself drooling over (and, occasionally, purchasing) fun items for the warmer weather we have been blessed with. I've been having a little too much fun celebrating and purchasing. Luckily, I recently stumbled across polyvore.com, a site that allows you to compile looks and visual "shopping lists." It's like playing virtual paper dolls, and is so much easier on the wallet than actual shopping! Here is my first attempt/inspiration set:

Spring '11 by twocentsworth on Polyvore.com

How have you been celebrating spring?

Nesting: Thoughts

2011-02-28T21:59:00.004-05:00

Ok, my female peeps, I know you all have experienced the nesting instinct firsthand. That undeniable, nagging necessity to improve, spruce, or otherwise change your surroundings. I get the nesting urge periodically, usually just before my parents come to town. That being said, my mom will be visiting us in about three weeks. And guess who's caught the nesting bug? The husband! Ok, and I have it a little bit too. Here are some of the changes we are planning:

*Updating the light fixture in the kitchen - This is Larry's project, and I am so relieved for that! He's having to redo the ceiling all around where the light will go. I just don't have that kind of patience.
*Getting furniture for the lanai/florida room - Picked it out, just waiting to pounce. We keep hoping to get a deal on it, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen.
*Outdoor curtains for the screened windows in the lanai/florida room (from Pottery Barn) - Hopefully this will help soften the space out there, making it feel like an extension of the rest of the house. Not to mention protecting the new carpet from rain and such.
*Pillows for the futon in the office/guest room (from PB Teen, but they looked very Anthropologie to me). I just ordered these, after stalking them for months with the hopes they would go on sale! They finally did and I am tickled!

*Artwork for the office - I'm inspired by this dresser by Lena Corwin found at Ohdeedoh. The best part? She offers a free tutorial with stencils and everything! Just waiting for a 50% off Michael's coupon so I can buy a nice big canvas!

Off to look for more project inspirations (and things to add to Larry's honey-do list!)

Life is tough, get a husband.

2011-02-13T21:45:00.010-05:00

Seriously, I don't know what I would do without this man. Larrold is one of the most generous, patient, thoughtful people I know and he helps make me a better person everyday. He even spoils me on a regular basis. This week was particularly crazy between work, church obligations, and household maintenance... (aka life). I thought I had reached my breaking point by the time Friday rolled around, but being surprised with flowers on my desk at work got me through. On top of that, he planned the most wonderful, relaxing getaway to one of our favorite resorts in Orlando. I appreciated this time alone with him so much, I didn't want it to end. I know a lot of people look at Valentine's day with loathing, as I used to, but while tomorrow may be the "official" day of love, but I feel like it will be just another, regular, wonderful day of life.

On a semi-related note... a couple of weeks ago, we did a special photo shoot with our wonderful and extremely talented friend, April (thanks again, lady!). We had a lot of fun, and these pics really tell it all... Larrold will put up with practically anything for me.

I am truly and inexplicably blessed. I hope you have someone - a friend, a spouse, a family member - who makes your life better and who takes the dread out of Valentine's day. :) Happy loving!

Well, Hello Year

2011-01-08T23:40:00.002-05:00

Happy belated New Year, all! Obviously, I've taken a bit of an (unintentional) hiatus from blogging and most of the other fun hobbies I pursue for the last couple months. As much as I love the holidays, this year just seemed to be crazy and draining. Don't get me wrong, I was ecstatic to spend the time with family and friends, Larry and I just need to figure out a way to streamline some of our commitments so we don't get so run down. This weekend, I finally came to a burning, crashing halt by coming down with some mild form of the latest sickness that is finding its way around these parts. I think I took a five and a half hour nap today, though I can't be sure since everything is still fairly fuzzy. I've been slowly getting back into the blog swirl, though, and am working on, and gathering inspiration for, lots of projects over the past week and half. I will post these in the coming weeks.

Until then, here are my resolutions for this year. I've started a few already, but it's been a slow progress since having to catch up on sleep and energy. I'm excited, though, since I feel like I've given these some sincere thoughts, and have come up with some general goals that contain specific objectives (must be the therapist in me). I think they cover lots of different aspects of my life that need to be addressed. So here goes. Drumroll....

1) Exercise more. While this is probably part of 90% of the resolutions that will be made by people this year, my goals is to go to the gym 2-3 times per week, while still staying active at home. I've already joined a gym and have been going to some yoga classes. I even met up with a personal trainer and developed an exercise program to follow. I hope to try some hip-hop as well!

2) Document more of our life. I use this blog to do that, but I also want to take more pictures, especially of big events like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. I aim to do this on at least a monthly basis. I haven't taken a single picture so far this year, but that all ends tomorrow!

3) Count my blessings. This is another common goal, but I'm particularly excited about this one because, again, of the concrete objectives. For at least three months, I commit to journaling anything that I can think of that makes me happy, or that I may be thankful for. Apparently there are studies that show that this activity alone has clinically significant improvements a person's outlook, and these improvements continue even after this practice is discontinued. I need to practice this more, anyway, since I have so SO much to be thankful for and I tend to be a bit of a complainer. Shocking, I know.

4) Continue blogging. Last year, I managed about 2 posts a months. I'd like to continue with this goal. Although once a week would be nice, I would be happy with my 2 monthly posts. Don't want to push it or anything. :)

I have a couple of additional goals but I'm going to keep those to myself so as not to jinx them. It's going to be a great year! What are your resolutions?

Shopping List Sunday, Part 3

2010-11-21T18:44:00.006-05:00

I seriously cannot believe that Thanksgiving is in 4 days! And even more unbelievable, is that the Christmas shopping season sets into full swing in just 5! Since this is only my second year not working Black Friday's midnight shift at our local outlet mall (I worked retail all through college), I still get a little fidgety around this time of year. But I might just brave the crazy crowds and experience the midnight madness from the other side. Maybe.
I have bought zero Christmas gifts to date, but my list-making skills are still going strong. I've been thinking a lot about stocking stuffers lately, especially liking the idea of finding something truly special tucked in with all the candy and gum and dental floss. Yes, I said dental floss. So for the gift list, how about these surprising stocking stuffers?
Handcrafted pill box from Mmim. It has undies on it!! There are lots of other cute designs to choose from as well.

Also from etsy, how about these unique wrap braceltes?

For the young and young at heart, this Momiji message doll would be a fun find in anyone's stocking. Especially with a sweet message tucked inside!

And, since there is never any shortage to my wishlist:
I wish for this cute wintery clutch from Spotted Moth. My favorite part about Spotted Moth? They package there things in cute paper, colored twine, and a daity tag. No need for wrapping! Hint, hint, husband!

These boots look like they would be pretty high-quality for the price, and I love the darkened toe detail. From American Eagle.

To-do DIY:
It's no secret that I have a slightly unhealthy love for felt. These tree stump trivets from Martha Stewart look like they would be fun to make and give, while satisfying my felt craft quota for the season. -sigh contently-

Shopping List Sunday: Part 2

2010-11-14T08:12:00.004-05:00

This week I've been thinking about gifts for various categories of people (friends, coworkers, in-laws), and kept thinking about gifts for pessimists. Coincidence, I promise! :) But here is what I stumbled across...
Gift List
For the pessimist:
I've made a cute shrinky dink cloud and raindrop necklace, but this one is too adorable! From English Summer's Etsy Shop. Perfect for a rainy day!

Your glass will also be half full with this funny quirky gift! Find it at Fred Flare.

Wish List:
This entry is part wish and part DIY. It's an super shnazzy bunting necklace from Mrs. Priss. And it was inspired by a necklace from Anthropologie, so what's not to love?

To-do DIY:
I always drool over all the advent calendars you see in shops this time of year, but never splurge to get one. Why not make one instead? This free template is available at Ollibird's blog. Check it out!

Shopping List Sunday: Part 1

2010-11-07T18:19:00.004-05:00

I don't know about you, but I really like reading other blogger's weekly posts on a given topic, so I'm trying my own! With Thanksgiving practically here, and Christmas close behind, I've already started scouring the net for Holiday gifts and DIY ideas, and I am going to catalog them here. Each post will consist of three parts: Gift List (and who I might gift them to), Wish List, and To-Do DIY, and will run until Christmas. Here goes...

Gift List:
For teenage boys, such as my brothers...
Quirky iTouch stand. Yes, it's a plunger. Find it at Paper Source.

Urban Renewal vintage ties, from Urban Outfitters:

Temporary mustache tattoos. At Fred Flare.

Cool and functional shower caddy that looks like an octopus! Found at Urban Outfitters.

Wish List:
I need these Anna Sui tights that I spotted during fashion week!!! Major swooning happening here. Found at Fred Flare.

How fun is this fashion origami? It's the closest I'll ever come to sewing,and I think it would be a fun direction-following activity for some of my older language-impaired kids. From Fred Flare.

To-Do DIY:
Martha Stewart has the best ideas for holidays. These candy cane mice would be so cute to give as gifts, and another great therapy activity. Get the template here.

Finally, these s'more kits look simple to make and fun to give as hostess gifts or party favors for a Christmas gathering. Find the how-to at Twig & Thistle.

Owls, Apples, And Autumnal Outings

2010-11-04T22:30:00.007-04:00

Since tomorrow is Friday, I figured it was about time I did an "over the weekend" post for last weekend. Not that my one week lapse really matters, since I have taken an unintentional hiatus for the past month. My excuse is that I have been so buried between work and just keeping up with everyday things that I have had very little time for anything extra, even things I love. I am in the process of recalibrating my priorities to get my contentment quotient back in balance. This should mean that I will have more time for not only seeking out inspiration, but actually acting on it.

Ok, enough with the introspection. Larry and I partook in some Florida-style fall festivities (no pick your own pumpkin patches, or apple cider mills here, I'm afraid) which started with "Desoween" at a local park. It was super cute, free, and there was even a costume contest for the kiddos; I didn't dress up, but I did wear my cute owl sweater vest. There were also mystery grab boxes, and a "haunted" trail walk through the woods. It was all based, albeit somewhat loosely, on history, including the life and times of Hernando Desoto.

I also baked about 5 dozen cupcakes for the Fall Festival at our church school. My favorites were these apples. I got the idea from the amazing book "What's New Cupcake," the sequel to "Hello, Cupcake." If you don't own these books, and have any interest in baking and/or crafting, these books are the perfect marriage of both and are a must-have. And they make super cute seasonal gifts!

We have an annual church sponsored hoedown next weekend, and then Thanksgiving will be right around the corner! I can't wait to start planning the beginning of my reign of domesticity! Let the pie baking and turkey basting begin!

PS - Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! Hogs and Quiches!

Gotta Love Gowalla

2010-09-30T20:12:00.006-04:00

A few weeks ago, I won a pair of TOMS playing an iPhone game - Gowalla. I've never won anything, and even when the little screen on the phone popped up and said "You've won!" I didn't believe it. I didn't really buy into it until the shoes arrived at my door. I've been wanting a pair of TOMS since I first found out about their buy one give one policy (you buy a pair, they give a pair to a child in need). But I never went through with it. Now I have a pair and I love them. They are the most comfortable shoes I own. And they are 100% original since I customized them with nothing but a black indelible marker and about 8 hours of my life. Here they are before the makeover...

...and here they are two sharpies and a weekend later...

Nothing better than new shoes, except ones that are free. I am definitely thinking about buying some more, once I come up with other do-able deco ideas!

Celebrations

2010-09-12T10:10:00.008-04:00

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement and activity. First, we celebrated my birthday by spending four days in Tennessee with my family. My mom took us on a grand tour of Chattanooga, where we enjoyed local artwork, poked around in unique shops, and visited the famous Chattanooga Choo-Choo!

So in my family, it is a birthday tradition that you get to pick a restaurant that you want to eat at. While we were visiting, I decided that I wanted to go out for Thai food. I'm slightly obsessed with Thai food right now, and I was having some serious tea cravings. When I said this, everyone responded with a "Ok, great! Let go!" Uh... NOT! There was nothing but bellyaching and complaining from people who hadn't even tried Thai food yet (ahem, Dad). It was even suggested that we go for Italian. Don't get me wrong, I like Italian. But last time I checked, it is just a little different from Thai. Especially the tea. But in order to keep the peace, I agreed. I was pouting a little on the inside, just a little. When we ran into traffic on our way, we turned around and went instead to a restaurant called Rain. That's right... Thai! And guess what, they loved it so much they have gone back again! All in all, it was a terrific Birthday celebration. Larry even got me some gorgeous gifts, including a jacket from Anthropologie and some goodies from Spotted Moth.
The following weekend, we celebrated out one year anniversary in Orlando at the beautiful JW Marriott resort. We enjoyed each other's company while laying out by the pool, visiting the spa, and traipsing around Disney World's Magic Kingdom. No photos, because we were too busy relaxing and enjoying each other's company.

Home Improvement Projects, Part I

2010-08-22T22:25:00.016-04:00

A couple of months ago, I noticed some cracks around the corners of our interior walls. After all, our house is over thirty years old, so it's bound to have some troubles. But once I picked up on that imperfection, it seemed like the problems started multiplying. Larry has been so sweet to tackle project after project with tireless enthusiasm - often starting projects late at night after he gets home from work. We've painted the front porch, stripped and repainted our outer storage doors, installed some new fans and light fixtures, and repainted our front hallway. Here are a few pictures of our latest projects.

The ugly side-effect of updating our air conditioner.

It was a messy job, but someone had to do it.

The cat, inspecting each step of the project.

The finished product: Larry's lovely handiwork, all decked out with our Umbra wallflowers. I have the best, handiest husband!

And, as a bonus, one of my favorite parts of our bathroom! Functional art.

Super-Belated Birthday Invite Post

2010-08-05T20:36:00.006-04:00

It's been almost a month ago now that we celebrated Larry's 40th birthday. So much has been going on at home, at church, and at work since we got back from our trip, I am still trying to get everything under control again. That being said, I am finally posting the handmade "burger" invites we sent out. I got this idea from Paper Source's Blog, which is chock-full of cool and cute paper craft ideas. Here is the finished product:

I don't have any photos of the party, unfortunately. I forgot all about my blog when hosting the party, and thought about it only after I had finished cleaning up. It was just a really low-key, picnic style get-together, which I think Larry appreciated and enjoyed. That's what counts. :)

Living With Less - An Inspirational Video

2010-07-18T22:53:00.005-04:00

The hubby and I stumbled across this video the other night. In light of our (read, MY) recent urges to upgrade from our decent, completely paid off, older model condo for a fancier, not at all paid off, big, shiny new house with a picket fence, watching this really made me stop and re-assess my priorities a little more. Now, I do not consider myself to be a frivolous person. I mean, take a second glance at the subtitle of my blog. It has the word "thriftiness" in it, ok? But despite my love of DIY projects and Goodwill treasure hunts, I still fall victim to my deep-set desire to have my life resemble the cover of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine. This video helped me redirect my fantasy of having a rambling home with a perfectly pedicured lawn and fabulous furniture and instead focus on the value in being content with less. Check it out for yourself to see if you get inspired also!

A big PS to the people who read my blog regularly:
Dear No-one,
Please forgive my recent lack of posting as I have been extra busy with monotonous activities and have been a little less inspired than I might hope to be. I plan to get back on a regular posting schedule soon. xoxo

It's Baaaa-aaaack!

2010-06-24T21:18:00.032-04:00

That's right. We are officially and completely back in the country. And will probably be so for a while. For those of you who are painfully out of the loop, the husband and I, along with nine other family members, embarked on a memorable journey to Iceland, the land of fire and ice, on the 9th and hobbled back home on the 22nd. We were lucky enough to be chauffeured around by some of my gracious, and very patient, relatives who happen to live in Iceland. We saw so many beautiful sites and experienced as much of the local culture as we possibly could in less than two weeks. This included forging rivers...

...braving high wind speeds...

...exploring traditional sod houses...

...and forgoing sleep.

We also took in breathtaking views...

...fraternized with the locals...

...and spent time with family.

We did managed to sneak a few winks of sleep in here and there...

...but we spent more time hiking...

...and pushing the limits...

We saw a local band that my cousin plays in...

...twice! And both times were really great!

We visited Akereyri, the city of love, with its heart-shaped stop lights...

...and Rekjavik, the capital, with its interesting artwork.

We had the chance to see the famous volcano Hekla...

...picked up ash from Eyjafjallajokull...

...and kicked a little ash while we were at it.

We even hiked behind a giant waterfall...

...chewed on some grass...

...and drank straight from a stream.

All in all, we had a fabulous time exploring...

...and enjoying each other's company.

It was truly an unforgettable, life-changing trip. I would recommend a visit to anyone who loves history, travel, and discovering unusual places. Pack a sweater!

Ice. Land. Baby.

2010-06-06T14:56:00.002-04:00

Packing today, and since I've been at it for 3 or so hours, I am taking a break and posting this for inspiration. And hoping to induce some jealousy in those who would otherwise look skeptically upon our choice of vacation venue. :)

Inspired by Iceland Video from Inspired By Iceland on Vimeo.

Everyone Needs Fruits and Veggies

2010-06-04T22:01:00.013-04:00

Say hello to Senor Spud...

This is probably one of the longest lasting projects that I've worked on lately, spanning the past month or so. I originally got the idea from a project posted by ohdeedoh, and since I use the plastic version of potato head practically every day at work, I figured a felt re-make might be a fun twist. Since I do not own a sewing machine, I stitched everything by hand. But hey, who am I kidding... I don't know how to use a sewing machine anyway. :)
The project kept growing and growing, starting with a classic "Mr. Potato Head" with six corresponding parts (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and arms) and eventually including a "Mrs. Corn", a "Baby Corn", and over 20 accessories! Lots of people gave me great ideas for things to add, including Larry, co-workers, and even my in-laws! One of my favorite pieces is the paper bag that I fashioned out of extra stiff felt I found at Michaels. This set is going to our friends' two year old daughter as a church-friendly substitute for one of her favorite toys.

Then last week, my fellow SLP from work suggested that I make a pineapple version (and it just so happens that she loves pineapples!) so I made this one for her. I even found some brighter colored felts at a local fabric store, and they were eco-friendy (made from recycled plastic bottles) to boot!

I have already had an another request for a felt veggie; this time, it's a sweet potato. I also thought an eggplant would be super cute, or even a pear. Eventually, I'll get around to making one for myself and hopefully get to use it in therapy with some of my kids!

Happy Memorial Day 2010!

2010-05-31T21:04:00.014-04:00

I can hardly believe May 2010 is already coming to an end! But here we are, at the end of this busy long weekend that kicks off another summer. Larrold and I spent the holiday driving up to Georgia for our first West Family Reunion as hubby and wifey. Once we arrived in the little mountain town of Blairesville, we searched out our cabin that we were sharing with Larry's brother and sister in law. Let me tell you something, I had no idea how gorgeous Georgia could be! I always thought this super southern state was nothing but pecan and peaches, but boy was I wrong! Between the mountains, the cool crisp air, and even spotting some fireflies at night, I felt like I had been transported back to my childhood in Massachusetts.

We spent Sabbath and Sunday at a local park, reminiscing and visiting with family, as well as exploring the local paths that meandered around streams, hills and rivers. It was so relaxing and refreshing - especially when dipping your feet in the chilly streams! It even rained one afternoon, and it was a soft, sweet rain that made the air feel fresh and clean, not like our oppressive, damp-inducing rain here in Florida. I had such a great weekend, soaking up the atmosphere and getting to know my new extended family a little bit better.

I also whipped up these felt and button versions of the classic poppy often worn on Memorial and Veterans Day. I made a few for some of the relatives and they were a hit! Here I am, sporting mine while enjoying the porch swing immensely.

Another part of the weekend that I loved (and I admit that this is going to sound ridiculous) was using this picnic tote/giant bento box that I found at Target. It is perfect for a complete meal for two, and it held more snacks that we could eat during our long car rides up and back. I can't wait to use this to pack some sweet, romantic, picnic dinners this summer!

Hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend! Welcome, sweet summertime!

Iceland-Worthy Accessories

2010-05-24T17:23:00.012-04:00

So our trip to Iceland is coming up uber fast! We leave in less than 3 weeks, and will be gone for 14 days! I have been wildly pulling together a travel-friendly wardrobe that will stand up in the variety of the weather conditions that Iceland is known for. In doing so, have become an owner of... I almost hate to even say it... crocs. I have resisted this clunky, plasticy trend for the last few years, but I needed something waterproof and light, and these fit the bill. Even though I own more than 30 pairs of shoes, none of them are appropriate for trecking around glaciers. So I went from owning 0 pairs of crocs to owning 2 pairs. I got some flats and some clogs. Here they are as seen on crocs.com:

The clogs are pretty clunky, but the lining is nice and warm so I think they will work just fine. I love the plaid pattern on the flats, and they remind me of a cute, ballet flat-style rain boot.

I've also been planning a lot of my outfits and everything is basically black. I wanted some accessories that would offer a punch of color. So I decided to make this European-inspired bracelet from squares of wool. I think both Mila and the judges from Project runway would be proud of my design because it's geometric, primarily black and white, but also has a little bit of red thrown in for good measure. It also reminds me of some of the Icelandic artwork that my grandparents own.

I can't wait to leave! :) :) :)

Some New Favorite Reads

2010-05-03T19:31:00.006-04:00

Last week, I stumbled upon a wonderful little gem of a blog. Mrs. Priss posts all sorts of DIY projects (which I heart enormously) and has a really terrific way of writing. Well today, during my customary blog-stalking visit, I noticed that a friend of hers is hosting a giveaway for some of Mrs. Priss' cute accessories from her etsy shop. Stories From [Beyond] My Ute is a hilarious read. I am looking forward to seeing more from her. Go check it out, and enter the giveaway too!

A Very Happy Wonderland Birthday To You!

2010-04-26T19:15:00.017-04:00

So Saturday night, we threw a surprise birthday party for a dear friend of ours. She loves costume parties, so we decided to have an Alice in Wonderland themed shin-dig. She new about the theme, but she didn't know the party was for her. I planned this party for weeks, and had so much fun putting it all together. We moved our dining room table out onto our porch, hung a "Happy Unbirthday" banner (from In Good Company), and strung up some lights. Larry even hung up some ornate wall paper that I got at Goodwill for $2 a roll! It really looked great once all the elements came together.

The majority of the items I used came from Goodwill, believe it or not.

The birthday girl, Kayla, in her Alice-inspired garb:

I had various speech bubbles with quotes from the book. This one was my favorite. It says "Ahoy, and other nautical expressions!" Needless to say, I have attempted to use this saying as often as possible in my daily life since starting this project. I perseverate on things like that.

Mustache, cheshire cat, and queen of hearts lips on a stick.

I told Larry "eyes up here" and then snapped this photo. :)

An Alice in Wonderland party would not be complete without flamingos and hedgehogs. The hedgehogs were made out of rice crispy treats, and the recipe was found at Sprinkle Bakes.

Kayla, opening her gifts. Isn't she a cutie?

I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I am planning a couple somewhat smaller projects for the next few weeks. But eventually I'm going to have to start thinking about Larry's birthday. He turns 40 in July! I don't think he'd be as thrilled with a tea party, though. :)

Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream & An Herb Garden

2010-04-18T18:23:00.007-04:00

Thursday was a big day for me. I planted my first herb garden (all by myself, but only because Larry was working late and I was too impatient to wait for him to get home!) and tried a new ice cream recipe. I can't decide which one I am more pleased with, so I'll start with the plants. Here they are, freshly sewn and full of expectation....

Three days later, and beautiful green shoots are already starting to show! I am not known for my gardening skills, but I think I see a little green on my thumb!

On to tastier news, I came across this ice cream recipe a few months ago. It caught my attention because it does not contain dairy, sugar, or require use of an ice cream maker. I gave it a shot, not expecting a lot. But this was some tasty stuff! And pretty simple. It's best to eat it within a few hours of solidifying, which wasn't a problem for me! I was most impressed with the texture - it was pretty close to regular ice cream, especially for being a non-dairy substitute. Here are the results:

You can find the recipe here. I'm going to try a blueberry version next!

Azalea Fest 2010

2010-04-13T19:37:00.009-04:00

This weekend, the husband and I took a little trip to Wilmington, NC for their famed flower festival. Ok, maybe "famed" is putting it a little strongly, but the quaint town and its modest celebration was the perfect backdrop for a much-needed mini vacation. And since we got engaged there just a few years ago, it was also a nostalgic treat. We spent all day Thursday driving through sleepy little towns from Florida to the Carolinas. Friday, we did some shopping in and around Wilmington's riverfront, and had a delicious dinner with some friends at a local pizza parlor (we had the veggie pie with the most delicious whole wheat crust!) My family joined us from Tennessee on Saturday, and we spent the afternoon at a beautiful local park. Sunday brought a teary farewell to my folks, and then an enjoyable afternoon spent touring local houses and gardens. Monday came too soon, and we buzzed home on our quick trip of 10 hours.

Here are some photos of our visit:
One of the many gorgeous, historic homes that line the streets of downtown Wilmington.

On board the "Peacemaker", a former pirate ship now turned home for the traveling religious group Twelve Tribes.

Larrold and I, at the spot where he proposed!

Us again, enjoying our homes and garden tour.

This is a ballerina frog sculpture made from copper. So cute! These were very popular, and there were various versions of them scattered around several of the gardens. Made by local artist, J.A. Cobb.

An adorable herb garden at one of the homes. It inspired me to plant one of our own. Will post pics soon!

Until we meet again, Wilmington! xoxo

My Life is Like a 3-D Movie

2010-03-08T19:38:00.005-05:00

What a great weekend. My youngest brother came down for Spring Break, and we went camping at a religious retreat with my in-laws. We had a terrific time, and it was nice to spend a little one-on-one time with this kid.

And no, he doesn't wear glasses. I bought those as a costume prop for our fifties getup that I blogged about a few posts back. Since then, I have seen some fashionistas sporting these beauties in serious style. I tried to rock this look, but was not as successful. I simply looked like I accidentally walked out of the theater without taking my unflattering 3-D glasses off. So I will refrain from posting said horrendous photos of myself, and put these much cuter pics up instead. :) Happy Monday!

Something to Add to My Wishlist

2010-02-21T22:23:00.006-05:00

I've been drinking a lot of green tea lately, and I think I am in DIRE need of this teacup/strainer from ModCloth. I will be dreaming about this cup as I have my morning cup of tea tomorrow before work.

How cute? That is all.

50's Theme Fundraiser

2010-02-16T21:08:00.009-05:00

So this past Saturday night, the husband and I went to a fundraiser for our local church school. I was so excited when I found out about it, because the flyer said to dress in "your fifties best". And so the thrift shopping began. I had two weeks, and this is what I came up with:
I was going for a Mr. and Mrs. Cleaver from Leave it to Beaver look.

Kayla joined us for the festivities. Here we are, with me doing my best fifties housewife smile. All I need is a pie to hold up at eye level.

A little shocked by by this not-so-conservative girl in her sexy getup. :)

Getting sassy in the kitchen. That wooden spoon came in handy, let me tell you.

Check out the sweet ride!

And delicious faux Root Beer floats.

I turn my back for three seconds, and this happens...

Uh... excuse me!

Say hello to my little friend!

Take that!

It didn't take long for us to make up. :)

More Love To Share... Valentine's Mailboxes

2010-02-14T09:58:00.008-05:00

I am falling into a habit of running late on my posting of holiday-related projects. Many of the other fabulous bloggers that I follow (see the Don't Miss List for examples) have had their Valentine's posts up for weeks. Seeing as I just completed my V-day gifts on Friday, I figured I better post pics before tomorrow, since all the love and hearts and flowers will have probably faded by then...

I made a version of this gift for a friend several years ago. When I saw these little metal mailboxes at Target this year, I decided to re-invent my original project. I wrapped small boxes of chocolate, miniature tins of Altoids mints, and other trinkets in brown paper. I even included a little love note, complete with a mini envelope. The "Love" sign is courtesy of Wedding Chicks and is one of their many free downloads. This project was fairly easy, a lot of fun, and it definitely brought smiles to some of my dearly beloveds! Hope everyone enjoys the holiday!

Low Sugar Valentine's Chocolates

2010-02-13T13:45:00.006-05:00

This is a low-sugar alternative to the large amount of love-themed chocolate that seem to be on every desk, table, and counter top this time of year. I was doing a pretty good job of refraining from delving into said sweets, until one of my clients gave me some Dove candies a few days ago. I couldn't resist... I had one. ONE. And an hour later I could feel my blood sugar retaliating. So, I rushed home to make these to pop in my mouth when I experienced inevitable chocolate cravings in the following days.

This concoction was inspired by the chocolates my sister-in-law made for me, and which I blogged about a few weeks ago. She came up with them out of the blue, and I attempted to replicate them. Here is a rough recipe:

1/2 cup almond butter or all-natural peanut butter
1-2 tbs ground flax seed
1/4 unsweetened coconut shavings
2-3 tbs agave nectar (or sweeten to taste)
3 squares of 85% cocoa dark chocolate (I used Lindt)

First, mix almond or peanut butter, flax seed, coconut, and agave together in a bowl. The mixture should be kind of dry, and have a little crunchiness when you chew it. If you like your sweets sweet, make sure you add plenty of agave, because you won't get much sweetness from the chocolate. Break the mixture into small balls and place on wax paper. I flatten them slightly to make them less "bulky" for biting, and even shaped a few into hearts. This amount should make 15-25 balls, depending on how large you make them.

Next, break the chocolate squares into smaller pieces. Melt slowly. I use a microwave, and melt at 10 second intervals, 1-2 times, stirring in between to help break up the pieces. I think it's probably better to melt over the stove, but I've been using such a small amount of chocolate, I worry about it burning. I even added a little drizzle of agave to the chocolate to cut the "darkness" since I wanted Larry to have some (and like them!).

Finally, dip a teaspoon in chocolate. Take the coated spoon and simply "rub" the almond balls until completely coated with chocolate. Place in the fridge for 10-15 minutes, or just hardened. Leaving them in too long will cause the chocolate to pit and discolor. Enjoy!

Kitchen Curtains

2010-02-02T18:51:00.004-05:00

I have been wanting to hang curtains in our place ever since Larry and I got married. Ok, more like since I first visited Larry's home and realized that he didn't have curtains... but I thought it might be better to wait until we tied the knot, unpacked, and settled in before I truly "girlified" the place. Upon starting the window dressing process, I realized that curtains are not all that exciting, not to mention expensive. To remedy this, I decided to buy a plain valance and dress it up with a bit of ribbon.

Here is the final product:

I bought all items on clearance. The sheers ($6.99), and valance ($5.99) came from Target. The ribbon came from Micheals and totaled $4, bringing the total to just under $17! Not too shabby.

They definitely add some pop and pattern to our kitchen. And they compliment the colors of our dishes, which is what I was going for. I am planning on bringing more yellow to tie the curtains in and brighten up the neutral spaces a little more. :) So glad to have them up!

Hope for Haiti

2010-01-27T20:15:00.009-05:00

I am a HUGE fan of Etsy! For those of you who have never heard of it, Etsy is an online store hosting independent crafters and artists from a variety of genres. It is a cornucopia of delightful, hand-crafted goodness. And now, they are taking it up a notch and offering a host of terrific items in their Craft Hope for Haiti shop. All proceeds go to benefit Doctor's Without Borders in Haiti. New items are being added daily, and I love how this community of creative minds is banding together to do good for those in desperate need. Art can often be looked down on as being frivolous or silly. Craft Hope for Haiti allows art to give back and truly make a difference. Go check it out, here!

A Great Day for Sweets

2010-01-24T10:02:00.006-05:00

Yesterday was a great day for discovering new tasty treats! We had lunch with my newly extended family, and my sister-in-law, a knowledgeable and health-minded nutritionist, brought some goodies for me to try! I had told her a couple of weeks ago that I was going off refined sugar and limiting carbs from my diet, so she brought some glycemic-friendly desserts to munch on while the rest of the West clan devoured what would have otherwise been very tempting bowls of rocky road ice cream. One was simply a blueberry sorbet (pureed frozen blueberries with a little agave drizzled on top). The other was a treat she whipped up that morning; dark chocolate covered morsels with a chewy nougat of peanut butter, coconut and flax. She just came up with the recipe in her head, trying to think of something tasty I would like. Wasn't that sweet? And so delicious! I am going to have to try a version of my own very very soon. Like, in the next couple of minutes. :)

That night, we got together with our friends JP and Ellie (check out her inspiring blog here). I had a scone recipe I've been wanting to try, so I whipped up a batch. They were scrumptious, and received two thumbs up from our discerning friends. I found the recipe here on Food and Wine, courtesy of Erin McKenna.

Here are the ingredients that you will need:
2 cups spelt flour
1 tbs baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup agave nectar
1 tbs pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup hot water
1 cup fresh raspberries

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bow, whisk the spelt with the baking powder and salt. Stir in oil, agave nectar, and vanilla. Stir in the hot water, then the raspberries.

2) Scoop 12 mounds of batter 1/3 cup each onto the baking sheet. Lightly brush tops with oil. Bake scones for 20 minutes, or until golden. let the baking sheet cool completely on top of a rack.

Nutritional info: One scone = 168 cal, 7 gm fat, 0.5 gm sat. fat, 23 gm carb, 3 gm fiber

I was lucky enough to find a recipe that used spelt and agave, so I didn't need to figure out real flour/sugar to spelt/agave ratios. I know it can be done, but I am just not that brave yet. That being said, I still made two small adjustments to the recipe. First, I used frozen raspberries instead of fresh. I pre-thawed them to ensure that they would cook, but looking back I would leave them frozen when mixing into the batter to keep the berries from falling apart. Also, I added zest from one lemon to compliment the raspberry flavor. My mom adds zest to recipes, and I just love the smell of the whole process! Here is the finished product:

Yumminess. The whole baking process took about an hour, but that was only because I baked the scones on two separate baking sheets to ensure that they wouldn't touch and bake together. Otherwise, you could probably accomplish this project in 40 odd minutes. I think I am going to try these with blueberries or fresh strawberries next. :)

DIY Lampshade Overhaul

2010-01-22T19:09:00.010-05:00

It is true, I have finally been tackling some good 'ol DIY revamp projects... but I have so many more on my list! Here are the before and after photos of the lamps in our bedroom. Before, plain-jane lamps, suitable for the bachelor land they once shed light on...

And now, fabulosity! Lamps that compliment the rest of our dark chocolate and sea-glass blue themed boudoir.

I am pretty happy with how these turned out. I simply spray-painted the base with a bronzy, "hammered metal" finish. Then, I changed out the off-white, older-style lampshades for these modern, drum-shaped shades and added the blue and chocolate ribbons for some pop. ~Happy~

Dinner with the Wests

2010-01-18T19:43:00.009-05:00

So one of my New Year's resolutions was to start eating healthier. For the past couple of weeks, I have been on a low-sugar diet. This has been no small feat for me, since anything coated in sugar or containing "fructose syrup" as a primary ingredient has been a fairly regular part of my daily intake up until now. Among my favorite munchies are sour patch kids and pear flavored jelly bellies. What? At least they're fruit flavored. Anyway, the past couple of years I have been experiencing some sensitivities to fluctuations in my blood sugar. Although the fluctuations are within normal range (ie not a serious condition like diabetes), my body reacts as though the fluctuations are out of the normal range. This sometimes results in having a sudden loss in energy, and even occasionally experiencing a blackout. Deciding that this was neither a healthy nor comfortable way to live, I have decided to adopt eating habits that focus on keeping my blood sugar stable. This means avoiding processed food, carbs, and refined sugars. Even though I have been greatly restricting my intake of these foods for only a couple of weeks, I already feel better, have more energy, and have even shed a couple of post-holiday/post-honeymoon/post-new-job-stress pounds.

Enter tonight's menu. First, a soy burger (Morning Star brand) sans bread, accompanied by fresh green pepper slices and creamy cucumber salad. Finish with these agave sweetened cookies made with spelt flour and fruit-sweetened preserves, and wa-la! A satisfying meal that is pretty easy to prepare.

I had Larry give the cookies an official taste-test. He has a sensitive taster, and I trust his opinion. He has also been subjected to a variety of "healthy food" experiments thanks to his mom, so he is also well-versed in the difference between a real cookie and a healthier version. He didn't love them. But he did say they were pretty good, seeing as they have very few ingredients found in a regular cookie (no egg, no butter, no sugar, etc.) He also said that he wouldn't have thought they were sweetened, even with an alternative sweetener such as agave, and likened their texture to the communion wafers we have at church. Not a glowing review, but an honest one. :)

As for myself, I thought these cookies were fairly tasty, particularly when accompanied by a hot cup of green tea, sweetened with agave, of course! Now, I have been sugar-deprived for several days, so anything sweet is a real treat to me. I think I will make these again, and maybe vary the type of fruit I include in the center, or even add coconut to the dough. All in all, I have to chalk these up to at least a moderate victory.

Winter Musings

2010-01-14T20:56:00.003-05:00

These are photos of our honeymoon in Mexico almost five months ago. Lately, we have been having some serious winter weather here in sunny Florida. Last week didn't break low 50s. Yesterday was so cold at work, I didn't take my coat off all day! Luckily, today warmed up a tad and actually broke sixty... with sun! I was feeling so summery, I decided to reminisce about those honeymooning days in Mexico spent by the pool, drinking pina coladas, eating guacamole, trying to stay cool. Ah... Mexico, mi corazon.

Heart Felt

2010-01-06T21:11:00.007-05:00

I've been so inspired by all the felt projects floating around out there lately! These are some of my favorites, partly because they are so stinkin' cute, and partly because they seem so do-able.
The first, by The Purl Bee, has been floating around the blog world, and is making yet another appearance here, and hopefully in my kitchen some day soon! It is the cutest, brightest version of a garland that think I've ever seen.
Next, the oh-so-cuddly, way-too-cute, yet tantilizingly-simple, stuffed monster. I have a close friend who is due to have a baby boy in February. Maybe this handcrafted labor of love would make a good gift-topper?
Then, there are these fantastic little heart pins. Another great craft featured on The Purl Bee , the DIY tutorial suggests that even a child can do this craft. I'm thinking sweet, sentimental V-day gifts.
Finally, Martha Stewart featured the cute, functional tissue covers. These will be great gifts for my allergy-inflicted husband (yeah, like he's gonna carry one of these around in his pocket) and his family! Let the crafting begin!

New Year, Old Resolve

2009-12-31T15:55:00.005-05:00

A new year always makes me excited. It feels to me like those twelve months hold so much potential. It's an opportunity to live a little better, to reinvent my self, or to get a bunch of checkmarks on my to-do list. I can be a little checkmark crazy sometimes.

When I stop and think about it, though, I have this same opportunity when I get out of bed each morning. I rarely accomplish all I want to in a day, never mind a whole year, but new years still have a powerful effect on me. So this year I am making my usual list of resolutions, and I am really excited about them! But before I get all distracted by what I am going to do, I want to look back on the resolutions that I kept from last year.

- Graduate with my Master's degree in Speech Pathology
- Marry my soulmate and throw a wedding on a budget
- Stick to said budget

Granted, these weren't all of my new year's resolutions. In fact, I can't even remember all my former resolutions! I just find it helpful to reflect upon past success when setting goals for future success. So here goes. Some to-dos and resolutions for 2010.

- Makeover our office into a fun, functional workspace/guest room - and post pictures here!
- Clean out my closet at least once, getting rid of anything that doesn't fit, doesn't flatter, or plain old doesn't work.
- Start a new, hypoglycemia-friendly diet and stick to it (this means having five small meals a day, which is a little overwhelming for me, but I'm gonna give it a try!)
- Do Yoga at least four times per week
- Post to this blog at least one time per week
- Keep negativity to a minimum - or at least keep it to myself

We'll see how all of these resolutions pan out. They're nothing big, but I am stoked to give them a shot! Happy New Year!

Where the Styled Things Are

2009-12-25T14:23:00.007-05:00

Shoes: Betsey Johnson, via Plato's Closet, $25
Jeans: Calvin Kline, $17 (sale)
Inspi(RED) Tee: Gap, $20? (a few years ago)
Cardigan: Aeropostale, $6
Pin: American Eagle, $3
Bow: Ribbon from Christmas gift, FREE

I am thoroughly enjoying being on vacation and spending this time with my family. These pictures are taken outside of my parent's beautiful new home in Chattanooga, TN. The husband and I drove up from Florida on Wednesday to visit my parents, and we toted his folks along with us! They are very good sports. Wednesday night was spent settling in and catching up, with a little sleep thrown in for good measure. Yesterday, Christmas Eve, we had a leisurely morning, and then ramped up the activities that night. We went to a lovely Christmas program at one of the (many) local churches, followed by a traditional Icelandic holiday meal complete with roasted lamb and creamed potatoes. Yum.

Afterward we opened presents in our traditional manner; one person at a time opens each gift, inevitably giving a narrative description of why the item was requested/is so appreciated, etc. We start with the youngest and progress to the oldest, except for my Grandma, who always switches places with my Dad because otherwise she would be last, and she has difficulty waiting when it come to gifts. As does my mother. Oh, and myself. It must be a genetic thing. :)

The present opening process usually takes us into the wee hours of Christmas morning, so we were even more leisurely than yesterday morning. I think Larry and I opened our stockings around noon. During this time, I was able to put together an outfit I thought would be worthy of posting here. I have been wanting to do some style posts (as inspired by other bloggers that can be found on my Don't Miss list), and today presented itself as a prime opportunity. And so is born the first installment of "Where the Styled Things Are." Don't get too attached to the name, I am still working on it!

Merry Christmas all!

Belated Christmas Enthusiasm

2009-12-17T18:28:00.007-05:00

Let the Christmas planning begin! Finally. It just dawned on me today that we only have seven measly days until we leave to visit my family in Tennessee. EEK! My list of gifts to buy is about twice as long as it usually is. I guess that comes with the territory of being married and having in-laws! And, let's be honest, I'll take any excuse to add to my shopping list. I'm about half-way through, but there are still quite a few items I need to purchase. This year, I am really seeing the value in handmade, classic gifts. I have been scouring etsy and a variety of independent blogs for gift ideas to make. I will be posting some of my favorite ideas (and any completed versions of my own) here shortly.

For now, here are some of the photos of our tree. I was really proud of it this year. Partly because it's simple and kind of rustic, and partly because Larry really seems to enjoy it. AND we got a pretty good deal on it, for a Florida Christmas tree, anyway! I had to purchase new ornaments for the tree, since the ones I got last year mysteriously disappeared. Also, check out our adorable, sleepy present! She loves the tree too!

Owl ornaments: Target, $6 for the set
Bells: Target, $5
"Believe" Ornament Letters: Marshalls, $2 clearance
Red Beads: Target, $5 per strand
Tree Skirt: Target, $20 (on sale)
Lights: Left over from last year

Bathroom Deco Project

2009-11-02T21:08:00.005-05:00

Ok, so I've taken on several decorative projects in my young life. From painting wide, horizontal stripes on a wall, to refinishing a dresser with lime green paint, I like my revamped items to make a big impact. Needless to say, some of these projects have turned out better than others. There is also something to be said for time intensity, as in, less is better.

Well, my new favorite, high impact, low maintenance option for instantly renovating a space are these wallflowers by Umbra. You can get them online here , or here. They come in an array of colors, including black, white, pink, and green. We found them in white at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and you get enough to cover a decent-sized space for only $19.99! Even though they are plastic, they look more like porcelain from a short distance. We put them up in our bathroom a couple of weeks ago. I've been harboring a secret desire to paint the bathroom walls a sort of celery green color, but I couldn't wait until we painted to see how our flowers would look. However, the white flowers against the cream-colored walls are really starting to grow on me. I might not have to coerce the husband into painting after all!

Our Wedding, Con't

2009-11-01T13:55:00.005-05:00

We were lucky enough to have another friend, Ellie, also take pictures at our wedding. Here are a few of the pictures she took. See more of her work at Ellie Campbell Photography, Design, and Editing.

Our Wedding

2009-11-01T13:29:00.005-05:00

Larry and I celebrated our wedding on September 6, 2009, in Palmetto, Florida. Even though it was quite warm, we had beautiful weather and, most importantly, were surrounded by friends and family.
Our talented friend April, took these pictures to help document our wonderful day! Check her out at A Day in the Life.

Happy Friday News!

2009-10-30T22:27:00.002-04:00

Jen, from Jen Loves Kev, (one of my favorite entries on my "Don't Miss" list) is giving away one of her too-fabulous handmade pins, and a cute, casual tee to one lucky reader! I'm telling you, she is on my "Don't Miss" list for a reason! Go check it out for yourself!

The Neverending Grocery List

2009-10-22T20:36:00.007-04:00

Tomorrow is already Friday, and I have yet to make my grocery list. Although I'm sure it will include the usual staples (milk, fresh veggies, and some sort of chewy fruity candy), I think I need to come up with some exciting new additions. See, I'm starting my new career (eek!) on Monday, and I want to get in the habit of packing a lunch. But, as is usually the case with anything I set out to do, I am making this task far more difficult than it needs to be. I've decided that I don't want my lunch to look like a typical, thrown together, mish-mash of left overs recklessly crammed into a brown paper bag. This is what I lived off of in grad school - right around the time when I started packing my own lunch instead of letting my mom pack one for me. And on the days when I was too busy (read - too lazy) to pack said brown bag lunch, I had to make due with the smooshed granola bar I had floating around in the bottom of my purse. No more! I am bound and determined to have much more sophisticated, elegant, "big girl" lunches now that I am a career woman. Enter the bento box. This world-sweeping phenomenon is more common in Japanese cuisine, usually includes individual portions of rice, meat, and vegetables, and most importantly, comes in a very cute little box. What's more, the ingredients are often arranged quite artistically to create some sort of edible masterpiece. These creations can range from elegant, to cute, to crazy. And did I mention that they come packed in a very cute little box? Justbento.com has lots of good information on how to get started on incorporating bento making into the American lifestyle, including recipes, tips and tricks, and plenty more. So, I think I will be taking this into account as I start on my grocery list, and will hopefully be turning heads with my fabulous food creations and combinations. Now, all I need is a cute little box!

Image credit: http://ecx.images-amazon.com

A New Endeavor

2009-10-20T17:55:00.000-04:00

So lately, I have been inspired by several of the blogs currently floating around cyberspace, and decided I would try a little blogging of my own. As a recent grad, aspiring career woman, and brand new wife (two months in November, woohoo!) I want to make the most of this time in my life, and plan to share what I come up with here. And, as an added bonus, this may serve as a nice way to keep my too-far-away family in the know (Hi, Mom!). To get some inspiration for yourself, check out the links to the right, or come back here and keep reading!