One of my favorite things...? LISTS!

I love love love making lists.

When I am stressing over lots to do, I make a list.

When I am packing and worried I'll forget last minute items before I leave? I make a list.

When I'm travelling and have certain things I NEED to see? I make a list.

You get it. Lists are helpful in being organized, in destressing myself, and they're also fun to make about not so stressful and organized things. I've been thinking about this post for a while now and after fatefully finding a new site on Stumble Upon, Lists of Note (where I found a hysterical list written by Albert Einstein--demands he was making to his wife in order to stay with her versus getting a divorce) I was further inspired to reveal the list that's been forming in my brain.

I was thinking about the simple things in life that make me the happiest and how we as people experience each of these things. It all boils down to the simplest ways that we experience any given part of life instinctually--our senses! So we'll call this list 5 on 5: My five favorite things to experience through each of my five senses (in no particular order-except for the honorable mentions who just didn't make the actual cut). Ready? GO.

Five-on-Five

Smell

1. Woodfires

2. Laundry in the Dryer

3. Halloween (in otherwords that perfect crisp smell on a perfectly crisp fall evening)

4. Ham baking

5. Coffee

*Honorable mentions = Chocolate

Sounds

1. The giggles of my sister's kids

2. Hippie music

3. White noise (for sleeping of course)

4. The ocean

5. Crickets and the sound of night (outside of a big city of course)

Tastes (aka hardest category to limit ever...)

1. Chocolate

2. Chicken Noodle Soup

3. Baked potatos cooked on a campfire

4. Gravy

5. Rey Azteca (a local Mexican restaurant)

* Honrable mentions= peanut butter, wine & pizza

Sights (real life views I've experienced)

1. Watching happy reunions

2. Mountaintop views

3. The smiles of my sister's kids

4. The first glimpse of home after a long trip 

5. Sicilian countryside

Touch

1. New born baby-soft skin

2. Sunshine on your skin

3. Holding hands

4. Toes in the sand

5. Hot bubble bath

*Honorable mention= massage (duh)

I'm feeling pretty positive about this list... I think it covers  my senses most favorite things. What are some of yours??

Old is the New NEW!

She almost got the boot.

She’s been cracked for years, she’s almost 30 years old, and she ain’t the prettiest thing to look at, but I needed her.

When I moved off to my first little place on my own I had a nice big closest, but no dresser.  Now being that I was going to start paying rent, and bills, and all the other expenses that come a long with being an adult, I wasn’t the least bit interested in buying a bedroom suit.  Thankfully, my parents offered to give me this little gem (because the alternative was leaving her for the garbage men).  I had a walk in closet that I could hid her in at my new place, so it worked out perfectly. 

My parents bought this dresser before my older sister was born, it was just the right size to put all of their new baby things in before my sister arrived.  But over the years this dresser has held sweaters, bathing suits, holiday decorations, and even made a nice little hiding spot for the family cat (sup muchka).  It served its purpose a million times over for me in my new apartment – out of sight out of mind – yet my gutchies, socks, and camis all had a space of their own (I LOVE how many drawers this dresser has!)

Just a couple of months ago, I hauled everything up to move again, in with my boyfriend.  The truck was barely big enough to hold all of my belongings, and both my dad and boyfriend tried to convince me to leave the beat up dresser by the dumpster to leave room for things that I actually needed… like my bed.  I couldn’t bring myself to let go!  This dresser has worked out so well for me, and all of my garments had their own space, and it was just too difficult to say goodbye.  I promised them that I was going to paint it and make it beautiful and worth the effort of squeezing it into the moving van. 

Its been 3 months since I’ve been moved in, but finally this past weekend, my dresser got the makeover that I had promised.

I purchased all of the knobs from anthropology and Joann’s fabrics ( on sale, wahoo!) & the paint was from Lowes.  It only took me about 3 hours to prime and paint (and about 2 seconds to put the new knobs on) and now I’m pretty sure I’m in love with her all over again.

  

The drawers may still be cracked, but I think it adds to her charm <3

SpreadingHope through Spreading Art: The Priority Boxes Art Project

I stumbled upon an art project by a man named Franck De Las Mercedes
that I just have to share... It is called The Priority Boxes Art Project and the concept of his global outreach through art is to remind all hands involved that the values of peace, hope, and love are free and should be priorities for all of us.

The project is a simple one:

Visit the project's website to find out more informatio, and then sign-up online by

emailing the artist at, fdlmboxes@fdlmstudio.com. The artisit will create an

abstract work of art on the exterior of a package just for you

and mail it out for FREE!

Here's mine :)

The art series is meant to provoke thought, and to bring art in and out of
peoples lives as the boxes make their way in and out of various hands on their way to our doorsteps. What a beautiful way to bring art to people all over the world, and to spread the message of just how fragile things like hope, love and freedom can be.

Stop by his site, say please and thank you in your email for a free box,
and even check out his store with specialized artwork--proceeds to benefit
Franck's mission. Then sit back for a few weeks, almost forget about it,

and come home one day to the surprise of a pretty-little-inspiring gift.



An Ode to The Pioneer Woman

I'm writing in honor of The Pioneer Woman's fabulous cooking skills. One look on her cooking page and all day my thoughts are consumed with cooking and eating. I have tried out a few of her recipes, that I'll share my review for below. Spoiler Alert: They are all raving reviews. She has never failed me. not once.

The cover of her latest cookbook.

I am not, and will never claim to be, one who cooks . Do I enjoy it? Yes, from time to time when I get excited about a new recipe I've found on pinterest. Are the things I make tasty? Sure they are. Do they look tasty? Sometimes.

The point is: Cooking is a skill... some people are naturals and can whip things up at a moments notice, adding a dash of this or a pinch of that because they think it needs it. While I try to cook, and sometimes succeed... it is just not something that comes easily to me. It is a proccess. A very messy and time-consuming proccess.



Exhibit A; and this was before any actual baking even occured.

But, I digress. As I discussed in an earlier post, here, trying to cook more is one of my goals for 2012. The purpose of this post is to highlight some of the recipes from Pioneer Woman's arsenal of delicacies that I have tried and loved (or others have loved). I'll feature three for you:

 

1. Spicy Lemon Garlic Shrimp

 



I first made these little guys for a Wine & Cheese Party that I had in November. Actually, it was my sister's who so kindly lended their assistance in making these treats, A.) Because I really needed help B.) Because I know nothing about cooking shrimp because C.) I don't eat shrimp and D.) I don't even like to touch them with their gross little tails...looking like they could swim off my plate.

Anyways, this shrimp dish has received rave reviews from the guests at the party and other gatherings we have had since and made them for. It's super easy to make, requires few ingredients, and just bake away themselves in the oven leaving your hands free for other tasks.

2. Chicken Tortilla Soup

I have tried and loved Chili's chicken tortilla soup, so when I saw this recipe on Pioneer Woman's site I just had to try it. And guess what?? It's better! We have made this soup at home a handful of times in the year and half since I've found the recipe. It is out of this world delicious if you're a soup-lovin gal like me. She suggests having some extras to sprinkle on top before serving, such as fresh cilantro, hand fried corn tortilla strips, cheese, sour cream, etc.--and I am here to tell you, DO NOT take the easy way out and skip these extras!!! The fresh cilantro is the perfect touch and the crispy tortillas give the needed crunch. I don't even think I need to explain why the cheese makes it better. And, it makes a huge batch which is perfect for freezer meals! (I do like substituting corn for the black beans!)

3. Alla Vodka Sauce

Just made a bit of this creamy-saucy-deliciousness the other night, and am still thinking about this incredible sauce. I used it over italian sausage stuffed tortellino and I can't even tell you in words how. good. it. was. I've never made a vodka sauce before, and was a little freaked out at first to try, but this sauce is a life changer for sure. You can easily swap in wine instead (just hold a bit of the salt) and you will have another Pioneer Woman favorite, Pasta a la Betsy.

Lesson to be learned? If you need a recipe, look no further than the PW blog. I even added a dash of basil to the alla vodka sauce-- on my own, because I thought it needed it! Maybe her prairie-ranch-wonderfulness is finally starting to rub off!

New Orleans Girls Trip!

So, this post is long overdue... but I've put off writing it because I don't possibly know how I can capture the craziness that was our weekend in one blog post. But I'm going to try.

Our weekend fun-ness started Thursday night (February 2nd-wow, way overdue. sorry.) Bryn and I left home to meet up with the girls in Pittsburgh. Kayla graciously opened her couch and guest bed to the rest of us gals, and we were greeted with wine and cute little travel-kits including: Feather masks and mardi gras beads (duh), My Little Pony Activity books for the plane, and mini liquor bottles <3.

After a night of wine and catching up, we hit the hay early to be ready for our early 6am flight! They Kaylas were the first two out, and after covering k2 with a blanky on the couch, Bryn and I giggled and chatted in the guest room like kids waiting for Christmas until we finally joined the other gals in dream land.

In the wee hours of the morning, we finally departed for the Pittsburgh airport (special shout out to Kayla's man Ri-Love for transport to and from the airport! wootwoot!) Upon reaching the ticket counter an airline employee totally freaks us out is completely helpful in telling us: "Oh you're never gonna make that flight." But, a quick repack to make it through the express security check, and a morning sprint through the airport and we finally boarded a plane full of passengers who were way less than happy to see us. Being K2's first flight, her and Bryn snagged seats together, and Kayla and I landed seats with wonderful strangers we befriend on the short flight to Chicago.

Nealry missing our connecting flight YET AGAIN, we just made it, and arrived in NOLA at about 10:30am. Our driver Tony picked us up in our luxury sedan and nearly killed us quickly got us to our hotel. (We're talking a 30 mile trip in like 15 minutes! Texting while driving! weaving between lanes! Eek!)

Finally we arrived at our home away from home for the weekend, Chateau Le Moyne in the French Quarter:



It's owned by the Holiday Inn chain, but in a beauitful historic building! Afforadble, clean & comfortable,
and one block off Bourbon St.= thumbs up from us gals!



Not excited to be there or anything...



The day ensued with lots of good food and lots and lots of alcohol. (Sorry, but there's just no other way to put it). We dove right in with Alligator Bites and Hurricanes at Oceana Grill.

Gator Bites- Blackened not fried!



Our first NOLA meal; great food & great friends

We enjoyed Hurricanes at Pat O'Briens, and rock-paper-scissor tourneyed with strangers :)

We bought cherry bombs from street stands, strolled Bourbon Street, visited the bright ecelectic shops, enjoyed the live music everywhere, danced in the street to a jazz band in front of the St. Louis Cathedrale

I had my runes read by a man in a top hat, we laughed, we meet many local characters, and even some out of towners like Santa Claus- who apparently enjoys being tipped by people who want their pictures with him; that's just a guess though because of how many times we heard him calling out, "Santa takes tips!"
Even. To. Kids.! No shame these days.

And we karaoked our hearts out to "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" at the Cat's Meow.

The rest of the night became way too fun and way too sloppy to post about. We had had quite the long day and maybe a few too many hurricanes, so we called it a night. The next morning was not so fun... except for Bryn who enjoyed an early morning Bloody Mary with some type of Shrimp critters on top?? (I need a picture here Bryn...) and a lunch full or oyster slurping, which did wonders for the queasy feelings in the rest of our bellies.

It was a beautiful restaurant called Bourbon House, with wonderful service and an interesting menu. Needless to say I stuck with soup... but otherwise it was a good start to the day.

We walked the length of Canal Street and made it to the Mississippi river...

...where a bird pooped on Kayla's head. She's always the lucky one.

We decided to take the trolley that runs along Canal Street up through the Garden District to all of the old cemetaries. It decided to monsoon while we waited for the trolley, but before long we were resting our weary bones and enjoying a trolley ride through the city. Util we got to here:

The cemetaries in this city are definitely a must if traveling to New Orleans. Many of the tombs are family plots and date back to the 1800s and even earlier. They are beautiful and eerie at the same time; Very Tim Burton-esque if you will. The history here is so rich; New Orleanders definitely honor their dead in way much different than anywhere else.

While here we popped into a little Zombie themed cafe for some coffees, smoothies, and treats. King Cake of course! And a few bites into her piece, K2 found the baby!

She would...

We concluded our evening in true Mardi Gras fashion by catching the Krewe du Vieux parade! The parade's theme was "Crimes against Nature" and featured floats centered around current civil and political issues. According to the krewe's website,

"The Krewe du Vieux is a New Orleans Mardi Gras or Carnival krewe, originally and more fully known as the Krewe du Vieux Carre (“Vieux Carre” being another term for the city’s French Quarter). It is one of the earliest parades of the New Orleans Carnival calendar, and is noted for wild satirical and adult themes, as well as for showcasing some of the best Brass and Jazz Bands in New Orleans." (For more information about their mission and the organization click here.)

The parade was a blast--great music, hysterical floats, and an excited crowd. I had trouble getting any really good photos, so here's a picture from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, showing a float criticizing the plastic surgery epidemic in America:

After the parade we enjoyed another fabulous dinner at Red Fish Grill. A quick power nap and we were ready to hit the town again for a wonderful last night in the Big Easy. We befriended bouncers, met a Vampire and her horny husband, I lost my purse and we sprinted back 5 blocks to the scene of the incident where the kind bartender had it waiting behind the bar (seriously, I owe him my life...), sang another slightly less successful karaoke performance, and had bead pelted at our heads from the balconies lining Bourbon Street. And it was perfect just the way it was.

We got back to the room just beofre 5am!?! Had just enough time to shower, finish packing, and lay our heads on our pillows, before our cab picked us up at 6:30am to head to the airport. The flights home went much smoother. And Ri-Love helped us out again by picking us up at the airport.

K2's the only one with a brain. The rest of us went to work the next day. It was the worst. But it was also the best kid of tired :)

We can't wait to go back.

Diva Dance Birthday Party!

Ever wonder how to through the perfect Diva Dance party for a little girl??
So did I. And after searching high and low, with only a handful of inspiring ideas, we decided to go it on our own. Here's how the party turned out!

I have introduced her in the past, but this is my niece Ashley.

She is fun, sassy, smart and beautiful (as if you couldn't see that for yourself...).

Well, this year our little diva turned 6, and I just knew we had to have a

spectacular party for her and her friends.

So when I mentioned a Dance theme, and Ashley's eyes twinkled--we had found our party inspiration. The fun started with these adorable invites we created.



Ashley got to pick some of her favorite songs that we burnt onto CD's for
her friends. Her party playlist included songs by Alvin & the Chipmunks, The Jackson 5,
Justin Beiber (duh), Selena Gomez and The Black-Eyed Peas. I created the CD labels with the basic Averytemplate in microsoft word, and then emailed them to a local copy shop. Little labels on the back read "Here are some of Ashley's favorite songs
to keep you dancing until party time!" with a
list of the songs on the CD.

In true diva fashion, we had a photo-shoot for her "album cover."



Here are some of the special touches we added to give Ash and her friends the chance to party like a rockstar: My sisters (one being Ashley's mama), made this perfect guitar cake out of tiny, bite-size cupcakes! And even the ice cream cones were diva-licious.

Seriously? Could this be any cuter?? The bite-size cupcakes were wonderful for the girls too and
reduced the chances of 12 half eaten cupcakes...



Sugar cones and a scoop of ice cream, rolled in silver sprinkles? Hello-microphones! Ice Cream fit for a group of rockstars!



I made this Diva bunting by using scrapbook paper in different colors and
textures that matched the party theme (Silver glitter, hot pink, purple, black & zebra)

Each girl got their own VIP tag with their name on it when they arrived at the party!

I decorated the table using the really thick meshed ribbon they sell around Christmas, a spool of hot pink ribbon, and disco ball silver Christmas ornaments (can I get an amen for post-season sales?)



The rest of the house was decorated to fit theme too!



The girls decorated T-shirts and danced the day away...



Please take a second look at our diva's outfit for the day...? AND all of her friends' outfits also. And tell me when 6 year olds started dressing better then I do??

We also sprayed a pink stripe in all of the girls hair, gave them temporary tatoos, and played a few dancing games. Here's the party planning committee:

Even little Amber took part in the dancing fun :)



The day was long, the girls were crazy, and by the end we were all exhausted... but Ashley and all of her friends had such a great time and were adorable in all of their sugar-enduced party excitement :)

Gals Go New Orleans

In less than 24 hours we gals will be on a plane to New Orleans for a girls-getaway weekend!!

Clearly pictures and posts will follow on our fabulous time there.

Until then, here's our "to-do" list:

Ghost Tour Bar Crawl
Try some traditional NOLA grub (Po-Boys, Beignets, Gumbos, even Alligator maybe!)

Eat at a fabulous restaurant

Voodoo Shops

Friend tatoos?!?

Trolley Ride & Garden District

Hurricanes :)

Jazz/Zydego/Blues= MUSIC!!

And anything else that strikes our fancy while we're there!
Can't wait to get away with the gals and can't wait to take NOLA by storm (or by hurricane?)