Dec 6 2013

Stop it… Just stop it

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I do not think I need to remind everyone it is Friday. Which makes me totally giddy because for almost everyone who isn’t me – you have off on Saturday. Normally I work 3 Saturdays in a row but this Saturday will be the 4th Saturday & another 2 more to go until I get a weekend off. I told ya that to tell ya this. Friday is a time of amazing awesomeness because you will soon have 48 hours & some change to do family things, business things, childish things, or things you don’t want to do at all. So I’m here to say stop it.. Just stop it!

Stop.. Being so cute who ever’s dogs you are..

Stop.. Having mental break downs. It’s Friday!

Stop…& order me this for my birthday! Out of all the season, why are they just making this now?!

Stop… To look how freakishly cool a Inari Fox is. Don’t you just want to squeeze him.

Stop…& give hugs

I hope this made you either giggle, say “Aww”, or delighted you deep down. It’s Friday! All of these gems were found on Pinterest. I love Pinterest & now you see why! I hope everyone has a great day & remember to stop it! :)

Dec 2 2013

12 Days Of DIY Ornaments

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Day 2 is my day to give you guys an ornament made by me, the one and only. I was super excited when Tawny asked if anyone would be interested in doing a 12 days of DIY ornaments. Christmas is one of my favorite times of year so I quickly pounced on this chance. I love hanging out on Tawny‘s blog & if you haven’t seen it you should definitely stop by. Onto the tutorial!

Things You’ll Need:
Wooden letter
Modge podge
Scissors
Pencil
Ribbon
Scrap booking paper
Cute printable

Step 1. Trace the wooden letter on the back of the decorated scrap book paper.

Step 2. Cut your letter from your paper. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The modge podge will make sure it stays put if you have to fold a little over to the back of your letter.

Step 3. Cover your letter in modge podge then add your cut out to the front of your letter. Then cover with modge podge again. The modge podge will set the paper and protect it..forever..

Step 4. Repeat step 3 with the back of your letter.

Step 5. Tie the ribbon to the top of your letter to keep it in place. Hole punch a hole somewhere on the tag {if you chose to use one}. Slide the tag down the ribbon & tie the ribbon again at the top to make a loop.

I love how it turned out. I can’t wait to make a couple more from the other DIY’ers on the next 11 days of ornaments.

Nov 30 2013

Friends-Giving

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Saturday was our Friends-giving party at a friends house. Everyone is busy during Thanksgiving with their families so we have a get together with our closest friends. We are all born & raised in Raleigh so we’ve all been friends since Kindergarten. What a better way than to wrap up a Saturday / start of the weekend than excellent food and lots of wine.

Everyone who comes brings one dish. The festivities grow as your in-crowd expands every year. All together there will be about 60 of us which is 60 different amazing dishes. Each person chooses a category & a dish they’d like to bring so this way there are no doubles.

I did a virtual recipe swap in November and my swap partner Melanie sent me a recipe for Brussels sprouts with bacon & apples. I thought this would be the perfect dish I bring to the party. Although I changed it a little. I eat turkey bacon not real bacon. Any kind of pork gives me migraines, something fierce. I also used a Gala apple {{peeled. Apple skin weirdos me out}}. The dish smelled amazing!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apple and Bacon
Serves 8

Ingredients
3 slices bacon
2 pounds brussels sprouts
1 large apple
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Cut bacon into 1/2″ pieces and arrange in a single layer on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Bake until browned, about 10 minutes.
Trim and halve brussels sprouts and add in a single layer on top of bacon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until they begin to brown, 15-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, core and cut apple into 1/4″ pieces.
Remove brussels sprouts from oven and toss in apple. Return to oven; roast until brussels sprouts are browned and tender and apple has softened, 10-15 minutes.
Toss brussels sprouts mixture with vinegar and serve.

Do you & your friends have any holiday traditions?

theFoodette

Nov 26 2013

What I’m Thankful For

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I’ve been running myself to the brink of exhaustion the past couple months. You know, to pay the car payment, insurance, phone bills, etc. You’re probably there too. So this will be short and sweet. I want to take a minute to express what I’m thankful for.

I’m so thankful

To have the love and support from my family. They believe{d} in me when it seems like everything around me is falling down.

That my family is healthy right now. Mom & dad have a few problems as such because the are getting older but for the most part they are healthy. Which is good because they have to live forever.

To have the best friends in the world. They are always around when i need them and even when I don’t.

That I’ve been cancer free for a year. I love all my doctor’s. They helped me through this too. I know it’s their job to make sure I’m well but they called from their personal numbers to make sure I was doing ok between visits.

That i have a job. Even though it’s not what i’d like to do as a career at least I have it. I’m so thankful for that everyday. Without it I would have nothing. I’m glad I’m getting the experience associated with the job. It’s also teaching me to be patient with the public. Goodness gracious!

I hope everyone is having a great week and has taken time to pinpoint what you’re thankful for. Nothing is promised and each day is never for certain.

Nov 23 2013

Beautiful & Shiny Gifts This Season

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I love getting something beautiful for any special occasion. I also love it when it’s shiny! I found a few great gifts from Jewelry.com & I know my family and friends are going to love them. Which makes me happy plus I saved money. Jewelry.com has a ton of great deals and there are other deals you can stack like free shipping. If you’ve got someone on your list that loves to sparkle i suggest you swing by Jewelry.com to see what’s there for you!

Here are a few of my favs:
1 5/8 ct Sky Blue Topaz Earrings with Diamonds in Silver Plate
Retail Value: $129.00
Price: $39.00
$19 with coupon code WEEKLYDEAL

Ring with Sky and White Swarovski Crystal in Sterling Silver – Size 7
Retail Value: $109.00
Price: $34.00
$24 with coupon code WEEKLYDEAL

9 1/3 ct White Crystal Bangle in Sterling Silver
Retail Value: $119.00
Price: $58.99

1 3/4 ct Platinum Mystic Topaz and White Topaz Ring in Sterling Silver
Retail Value: $99.00
Price: $51.00


Jewelry.com-Designer Necklaces, Pendants, Earrings.

**All opinions are mine. This is not a sponsored post & all images are from Jewelry.com**

Nov 20 2013

What Is Craftsy? It Can Help You!

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What is Craftsy?
Craftsy is a worldwide craft community offering online classes. It also has a patterns marketplace where independent designers can sell their patterns; a supplies shop with great deals on yarn, fabric, and class kits; and a projects section where members share pictures of their latest craft successes. With over two million members and counting, Craftsy has something for just about everyone, in categories ranging from quilting, sewing, knitting, painting, photography, cooking, and more.

Craftsy Logo Behind the Scenes: The Making of a Craftsy Class
Before filming even begins, hours and hours are spent determining what content will be covered in each class, and how to best teach specific techniques to the camera. Instructors work with an instructional designer to create an in-depth outline of each lesson, and decide how to best prepare props or “step-outs” that show what your project should like at different steps. Instead of a scripted class, instructors follow their outlines on camera to create an authentic and engaging teaching experience.

Most Craftsy classes are filmed in one of five Craftsy studios in Denver, CO, assuring that every part of the production process goes off without a hitch. They fly in instructors from all over the world to spend several days filming, then spend several weeks turning hours of footage into a two to three hour class experience that has been watched, rewatched, and reviewed by industry experts. The final result is an HD-quality video that takes you in-depth into specific topics in any given craft category- from cooking and fine art to sewing and knitting.

What IS the Craftsy experience?
Craftsy classes are designed to have all the benefits of an in-person class, with none of the drawbacks. Available online and on-demand, you always have world-class instructors at the tip of your fingers. You can retake the class as many times as you want, and the 30-second repeat feature allows you to watch the same section over and over again until you get every technique just right.

Watching a Craftsy class is like having a first-row seat with some of the best instructors in the world. Even better, classes have a 100% money-back guarantee.

Try online learning today with a free mini-class from Craftsy! Choose from 23 free Craftsy classes ranging from drawing and painting to sewing and quilting, from knitting to cake decorating and more.