mmmmmmmmm...nutmeg.

all i have to say is it smells divine.
bath and body works creamy nutmeg.
it's a good one.

hi. my name is heather. and i own a pair of skinny jeans.

i never thought i would say it.
but i do.
i own a pair of skinny jeans.
i have been so opposed to them since the silly trend started again.
they just don't look great on most body shapes unless you look like a 12 year old boy...which i most definitely do not! (or my hot sister-in-laws who can make anything look good!)
but...(yes there is always a but) they fit better under boots.
so that is why i bought them.
don't make fun of me!

love love love

this crate and barrel table runner.
it's spooktacular!

really though?

what is up with this awful dress?

it's like a bad bridesmaid dress from the 80's.

does she know this dress makes her look preggers?

how is this girl supposed to sit down?

(all dresses from forever 21)

ok. i like forever 21. usually i can find cute, cheap clothes there. but these dresses...and most of the rest on the website...are AWFUL. how is anyone supposed to wear them. i know i am 26 and have 3 kids and am probably considered and old mom. but whatever. i still like to dress cute most of the time, but would prefer not to go around showing my you know whatsits and such. would it really be so bad to add a few inches to the hemlines on these dresses? not that i would wear these ones...but some of the other dresses on the site are super cute but so dang short.

anybody know of some cute ways to making a short dress a bit longer? i guess i could just do the whole legging or jean look.

the girlfriend recipes.

my husband had a girlfriend back in the day who made him a recipe book. whatever.
i used to hate that he saved it because i was insecure and self conscious when we first got married and was always paranoid that he would always think of her when he saw or used that book, and the fun times they had cooking together, and laughing together, and blah blah blah. plus it didn't help that she made a dedication page to him and about how much she loved him and how they were meant for each other and yada yada yada! (yikes...i just made myself sound a little psycho!)
but it turns out the girl could cook! (or she got a recipe from someone else who could cook!)
her recipe for tripple drizzle cheesecake is delicious and has become a part of our "tried and true" cookbook (the one i made with all of our most favoritest recipes. thanks to brit for the inspiration)
and it turns out that her recipe for chicken noodle soup is totally yummy too.
so i thought i would share it with you.



Chicken Noodle Soup

8 c. water
3-4 chicken breasts
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 tbsp. poultry seasoning
2 fresh bay leaves
salt n' peppa to taste
2 large carrots
1/2 onion chopped
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pkg. chicken gravy mix
1/2 c. evaporated milk
egg noodles

cook first 6 ingredients together. take out chicken and bay leaves. dice the chicken into cubes. add next 5 ingredients to the broth. cook veggies until tender then add the noodles. bring to a boil and cook until noodles are soft. add cubed chicken. mix well and serve.

ok. she gives the WORST directions ever...evan had to alter them a bit. but it sure is yummy soup!

(and don't worry, i am not psycho. anymore! it helped that evan got rid of the dedication page! and the page with pictures of her all over it.)

hope it rains soon.

so i can have an excuse to make one of these delightful boxes.
check out the printable template. and while you are at it, check out the awesome blog that goes with it!
just splendid!

unicorn heels. again.

ok. so my friend mimi thinks that i like random wierd shoes...but how can you not. i think i still have good taste, i just like things with a bit of pizazz to them. not too much. just a little here and there. and my sister-in-law julie showed me these awesomes a while ago in white. they were ok. but in pewter...well let's just say they are stellar. love them. would totally wear them. and would make them look good! i just wouldn't pay $120 for them. i would pay $20 though!

i'm just saying...

i love this shirt. don't love the price. (i'm cheap...remember!)
originally i saw it on a little sussy's blog.
just so cute.

it's good stuff.

and right now it is only 6 buckaroos instead of $14.50. i mean...that's a good deal.
i went shopping with my sister-in-law camila and got some of this great hand lotion at bath and body works last night, and i just love it. plus it smells divine.
go get some.
now.


oh, and by the way...i went with the grey boots. thanks so much for all your awesome input.
but let's be honest...i will most likely be buying the other ones in the next few weeks as well. (hint hint evan...my birthday is coming up. size 6.5 please!)
they are both such great prices for super cute boots.
have you guys checked out lulu's.
you'll like them!

a matter of utmost importance...

which boot do i get?!?!?
i like them both...but am leaning a bit more towards the grey ones.
but i so love the black/brown ones too.
see my dilemma?
let me know in a comment which one you like best!




thank you and also thank you!

all i have to say...

is that the victoris'a secret "dream angels" and "body by victoria" bras are seriously fantabulous. i love them and want to buy 20 of each!!! they both are memory fit bras, so they form to the shape of your body. how great is that? i'll tell you...GREAT!

i am not usually one who spends much money on my bras. but my friend mimi and i went shopping awhile ago and decided to try one out. i don't think i am going to be able to go back to cheapo bras anymore. i have sort of a big chest and most bras my size are super ugly and have like 4 clasps in back. not cute. i love these bras though because they don't make me embarrassed of my cup size and they only have 2 clasps. plus they are super comfortable and well...they make me feel hot!

so go check out victoria's secret for free shipping until monday! it's worth the money. i promise.

ok. enought about bras!

when i have a little girl...

she will most definitely be wearing these:

interesting.

just thought this was interesting. that's all.


"I think it's beautiful. To me, this piece is poignant. It shows how as MJ's life I(and accomplishments) progressed, the world zeroed in on his flaws. To many, this beaming talent became a tabloid plastic surgery story. It's a sad truth that the world puts talent on a pedestal, only to tear it down over time.

Art seeks an emotional response. True, the first read might make many of us smile. However, I don't think the artist means to ridicule Jackson. Instead, I think he means to highlight how ridiculous it is that we all are fixated on his nose.

Furthermore, the style of the artwork is beautiful and quiet, not jeering or jokey. I don't believe it is meant to poke fun at the subject. If anyone, I think it's mocking us as a people for not seeing past this man's appearance. This piece has meaning for me.


I'm sad he's gone."

text originally from Heather Bailey.

how doth the little crocodile...

totally love this and will be buying it soon!
it's a little hard to see...but it has the poem from alice in wonderland about how the "little crocodile improves it's shining scales"!
my problem now is just finding a good spot for it!
my walls are getting a little full!

i like these necklaces.

find more here.

husbands aren't mind readers.

i know...i know.
shocking information.
but true.
i always have things i need/want evan to get done, but unless i tell him, he just won't know!
i LOVE these cute "honey dew" lists.
i am going to print them out, stack them, put a magnet on them, and stick them on the fridge.
so evan can fill out things for me to do...and i can fill out things for him to do.
genius really.
download them here.

fingerprint portraits.

not gonna lie.
i think these are cool.
check out more here.
i am going to figure out a way to do it myself of course...but what fun ideas!
very personal and cool looking art.

oil paintings by blaire.

"love like this" original artwork by blaire ostler
my friend/sister-in-law-law/associate blaire is amazing.
she is just so creative.
she just started a new blog to show/sell all her beautiful oil paintings and i just thought i would share.
i want one.
you should too!

i want these.

i want them to be a little cheaper.
but they are oh so cute.
and i want them.

boots boots boots.

i just bought these boots at the nordstrom sale and LOVE them!
they are all sold out though, so this picture is from a different site and doesn't give them justice!

totally love all these boots too.
maybe next year!

what is up with all the cool bikes lately!

like this awesome cargo bike...

and this fabulous folding tandem bike...

and of course don't forget about this one i blogged about a little while ago...


can you tell i am into bikes lately.
i am thinking we are going to have to do a bike theme for Christmas this year!

pie pops.

such a super cute idea.
and looks like it would be a blast to make with the kiddos.
instructions found here.

getting excited...

for fall.
these cute little pants and jacket are really getting me in the mood for some cooler weather.
don't get me wrong though...i am LOVING summer!




found here.

fun and cute.

go here to print out your own lists. i printed mine on cardstock and LOVE them!

happy tickets

i like these cute little happy tickets.
go check out this awesome blog to print some happy tickets for yourself.
just print them out on cardstock and you are good to go.

probably the coolest thing i have ever seen.

i know. i have been a terrible blogger. this summer is a busy one with photography, family, and fun. but, this find was too cool not to share.




i want one of these stroller/bike/shopping carts so incredibly bad.
you can use them as a stroller.
or they quickly convert into a bike.
or you can use them as a shopping cart.
oh the possibilities!
they are only for sale in Europe though and i can't figure out how much they are. but i sure do want one.
i want the double one of course.
i can't really get over how much i want one!
did i mention that i want one!


and don't worry...this blog will pick up again soon with fun crafts and delicious recipes!

{delight}

just love this cake mold.
that's all.

speaking of recipes.

have you heard of tastebooks?
i hadn't heard of them until i saw my sis in law brit's cookbook that her mom made her for christmas.
they are awesome.
you can add your own recipes, or find ones online to use.
my favorite part is how personal you can make it.
you can add pictures of the food, or of the people who you got the recipe from.
so check them out and if you want to become a friend of mine over there be sure to let me know your e.mail address and i can send you an invite and we can start swapping recipes.

cafe rio recipe.

my friend mimi made this yummyness the other night for us and it was love at first bite.
it's a great recipe for a cafe rio style dinner.
it's a pretty easy recipe, but there are a lot of steps to it.
but i promise it is worth the work!

SWEET PORK

2 POUNDS PORK
3 CANS COKE (NOT DIET)
1/4 C. BROWN SUGAR
DASH GARLIC SALT
1/4 C. WATER
1 CAN SLICED GREEN CHILIES
3/4 CAN ENCHILADA SAUCE (I USED OLD EL PASO BRAND, MEDIUM SPICINESS)
1 C. BROWN SUGAR

PUT THE PORK IN A HEAVY DUTY ZIPLOC BAG TO MARINADE. ADD ABOUT A CAN AND A HALF(18OZ) OF COKE AND ABOUT 1/4 C. OF BROWN SUGAR. MARINADE FOR A FEW HOURS OR OVERNIGHT.

DRAIN MARINADE AND PUT PORK, 1/2 CAN OF COKE (6OZ), WATER, AND GARLIC SALT IN CROCK POT ON HIGH FOR ABOUT 3-4 HOURS (OR UNTIL IT SHREDS EASILY, BUT DON'T LET IT GET TOO DRY). REMOVE PORK FROM CROCK POT AND DRAIN ANY LIQUID LEFT IN THE POT. SHRED PORK.

IN A FOOD PROCESSOR OR BLENDER, BLEND 1/2 CAN COKE, CHILIES, ENCHILADA SAUCE AND REMAINING BROWN SUGAR (ABOUT A CUP, YOU CAN ADD A LITTLE MORE OR LESS TO TASTE..). IF IT LOOKS TOO THICK, ADD MORE COKE LITTLE BY LITTLE.

PUT SHREDDED PORK AND SAUCE IN CROCKPOT AND COOK ON LOW FOR 2 HOURS. THAT'S IT!


CILANTRO-LIME RICE

1 C. UNCOOKED RICE
1 TSP. BUTTER OR MARGARINE
2 CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED
1 TSP. FRESHLY SQUEEZED LIME JUICE
1 CAN (15 OZ) CHICKEN BROTH
1 TBSP. FRESHLY SQUEEZED LIME JUICE
2 TSP. SUGAR
3 TABLESPOONS FRESH CHOPPED CILANTRO

IN A SAUCEPAN COMBINE RICE, BUTTER, GARLIC, 1 TSP. LIME, CHICKEN BROTH AND WATER. BRING TO A BOIL. COVER AND COOK ON LOW 15-20 MINUTES, UNTIL RICE IS TENDER. REMOVE FROM HEAT. IN A SMALL BOWL COMBINE LIME JUICE, SUGAR AND CILANTRO. POUR OVER HOT COOKED RICE AND MIX IN AS YOU FLUFF THE RICE.


BLACK BEANS

2 TBSP. OLIVE OIL
2 CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED
1 TSP. GROUND CUMIN
1 CAN BLACK BEANS, RINSED AND DRAINED
1 1/3 C. TOMATO JUICE
1 1/2 TSP. SALT
2 TBSP. FRESH CHOPPED CILANTRO

IN A NONSTICK SKILLET, COOK GARLIC AND CUMIN IN OLIVE OIL OVER MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL YOU CAN SMELL IT. ADD BEANS, TOMATO JUICE, AND SALT. CONTINUALLY STIR UNTIL HEATED THROUGH. JUST BEFORE SERVING STIR IN THE CILANTRO. (**NOTE** WE ADDED A CAN OF CORN, DRAINED, TO THE BEANS WITH A DASH OF CUMIN AND CHILI POWDER, IT WAS AWESOME! WE RECOMMEND DOING THIS EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT "TRADITIONAL CAFE RIO")


CILANTRO RANCH

1 PACKET TRADITIONAL HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH MIX (NOT BUTTERMILK)
1 C. MAYONNAISE
1 C. BUTTERMILK
2 TOMATILLOS, REMOVE HUSK, DICED
1/2 BUNCH OF FRESH CILANTRO
1 CLOVE GARLIC
JUICE OF 1 LIME
1 JALEPENO (WE LIKE IT SPICY SO WE KEPT THE SEEDS IN IT, IF YOU LIKE IT MILD, JUST REMOVE THE SEEDS)

MIX ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER IN THE BLENDER. THATS IT!

K SO NOW TO MAKE IT ALL PERFECT... HERE IS HOW WE PUT IT ALL TOGETHER: FIRST OF ALL, WE BOUGHT THE ALUMINUM DEEP-DISH PANS (THEY HAD THESE AT THE GROCERY STORE, YOU WILL KNOW WHEN YOU SEE THEM.. THEY LOOK JUST LIKE THE CAFE RIO TINS). LAY A TORTILLA IN THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN, SPRINKLE CHEESE ON IT, AND PUT IN THE OVEN AT 375 FOR ABOUT 5 MIN OR UNTIL THE CHEESE IS MELTED. REMOVE FROM OVEN, ADD BEANS, RICE, PORK, THEN LETTUCE (WE USED THE LEAFY GREEN LETTUCE, NOT ICEBURG) AND A LITTLE SCOOP OF DICED TOMATO AND ONIONS (PICO DE GALLO). WE MADE UP SOME GAUCAMOLE AND PUT SOME OF THAT ON THE SALAD (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). WE ALSO ADDED A LITTLE SPOONFUL OF SOUR CREAM. ADD SOME CRUSHED TORTILLA CHIPS (WE HAVE YET TO FIND THE LITTLE TORTILLA STRIPS), A SHAKE OF PARMESAN CHEESE, AND TOP WITH A FEW CILANTRO LEAVES. SERVE WITH THE CILANTRO RANCH DRESSING AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!

{easy DIY t.shirts}

i love this idea and totally had to try it out for myself.

i learned a few things in the process:
1. she says buy the cheap paint...but i think she really means the almost expensive paint. i tried the cheap paint and wasn't too happy with the results. jo-anns or michaels has a much better selection than walmart.
2. don't put on too muc paint. it looks terrible. i think if you had to choose...a little less paint looks cooler than too much!
3. i think that smaller looks better. the "beezy" could have been a tad smaller and would look cuter.

i made a few of them and am excited to make more.
i used nicknames, initials, and animals silhouettes for all 3 of my boys.
i love the blue and white striped onesie i made for merrick with a yellow "M" on it!
but of course i didn't take any pictures of the others ones!
easy project that anyone can do!
instructions here.