Sunday, October 31, 2010

Sweet, Not Scary

We have a fun final day of October planned and hope your day is sweet, not scary just like my precious Abby Lu is.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Friday's Foot Fetish: Feathers

I just love these suede flats from Nine West. The small bow and feather detail is so unique and can be really edgy with the right outfit. I'd love to wear these purple ones with jeans and a simple black sweater.
The blue pair have a hint of lighter blue in the feathers- can't you picture these with a brown tweed pant and a blue button down? A great business look!


This green color is not something I wear much of, but I bet it could get lots of use in the fall! These would be great with khaki pants and a crisp white shirt!
Nine West Lorita Flat at Zappos

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Fall Iced Tea Recipe

I love iced tea, but I am awful at making it... too sweet, not sweet enough. I've even broken the glass of 2 pitchers pouring hot water into them. It never ends well.

So, when I tried a yummy tea recipe using Crystal Light, I knew it was for me!
I recently served this at a pumpkin carving dinner party at my house and adults and kids drank it up! I highly recommend just having these ingredients in the pantry.

Peach Almond Tea

2 Crystal light servings (each makes 2 quarts) of Peach Tea

1 cup lemon juice

2 t almond extract

2 t vanilla extract

water per Crystal light

Mix and serve cold.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Images of Fall in my Home

I took these pictures weeks ago and then forgot to post them. I am trying to mix up fall, Halloween and a little Thanksgiving this season. It seems random to me, but I am trying to loosen up a bit and live with random. ha!

This pictures is from my daughter's school project last year when she was 11 months old. I love the whimsy artwork in a very formal frame. It is paired with scattered acorns and fall gourds and a fall runner on my red entry table.
I love these blocks from a cute little gift shop in San Antonio. They would be easy to make if you wanted a set. Having these art ledges in my house always confused me, but now I know they are perfect from word art like this.
This is my sad little Halloween tree. I've always wanted one and know I am just confused with how to decorate him. I'm hoping to catch some more Halloween ornaments on clearance next weekend. The pumpkin bells and green/purple sequined spiders are from Pier One.

This is where the random begins- a little acorns, some Trick or Treat, a pumpkin, some fall garland, and a witch. Is it random or just a big mess?
The formal dining room.... pumpkins, turkeys and my favorite thankful sign on the sideboard.
I love this fall runner and the golden centerpiece bowl. They are perfect for fall.
Again with the random.... I added white pumpkins to the fireplace mix and I either need twice as many or another place for these because I think they are just a mess this year!
So, there you have it, images of fall in my home. I think I am uninspired this year because it is still 88 degrees outside and I can't eat soup, turn on the heater or put on a cute sweater.

Monday, October 25, 2010

I Don't

I recently read a post that got me to thinking. My friends and I have for the most part hit the 30s where we are learning to balance our roles as wives, mothers, friends, homemakers and career women. Somedays we soar and somedays we fail. It really got me to thinking about what I have cut from my life, the things I don't do, in order to accomplish all that I want to do. Here is a list of things I have cut from my life, the things I just don't do:


I don't keep up with politics.

I don't participate in my neighborhood HOA or my electric co-op.

I don't watch TV without doing something else at the same time- blog, menu plan, Facebook, scrapbook, etc.

I don't iron or put away my husband's laundry.

I don't clean my house. A maid is 100% worth it to me.

I don't make elaborate meals. I often don't include more than the main dish.

I don't grocery shop more than 2x per month.

I don't cut my own onions or bell peppers.

I don't cut coupons.

I don't avoid the toll roads.

I don't balance my checkbook.

I don't garden or grow herbs.

I don't send birthday cards out anymore. I try to send emails or FB messages instead.

I don't wash my face everynight, I use these.

I don't have normal or dry hair, so I don't grow my hair out.

I don't run errands after work. For me, it only leads to a stressful week or causes us to eat out. For the most part, I run errands during my lunch hour.

I don't go to the mall or shop in person. I do most all of my shopping online- the selection is better on sale and clearnance items and I can do it any time of day. I also look for free shipping coupons online first to avoid the added expense.

Please don't judge- the things I don't do may be key to your happiness, but they aren't to mine. I've always felt that time is money and my time with my daughter is so valuable right now that I am willing to spend a little more in areas that save me time. You may have more time than money. I'd love to have both! Please share comments on what you also have cut from your life to help us all learn ways to do or be more.


Friday, October 22, 2010

Friday's Foot Fetish: Ugg Slippers

I bought these slippers a few years ago when the Ugg craze was in full effect. I can't wear a full on fuzzy woolly boot, so there are the alternative I settled upon. They are a great option if you want the comfort and look of an Ugg boot, but have all boot cut jeans, don't like tall boots, live in warm weather, don't want to spend $100, etc.

They are technically called a slipper which makes me think house shoe, but they have a full sole and can easily be worn outdoors. I've worn mine all over the place and they still look brand new.
Ugg slipper- Zappos

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Bonus Bag

I have a new purse crush! I love the size, shape and the details. It even unzips around the bag to make it wider in case you are carrying extra stuff.
I get a bonus each December and along with responsible usage it always includes a nice purse. This is it! Love love love!
Coach Devin handbag

Monday, October 18, 2010

New Craft Book I love

I recently used my handy dandy Hobby Lobby online coupon to purchase this book by Catherine Woram. I know it says projects for kids, but this book is all mine. It is honestly full of projects I would love to do- most of them are less than 5 steps and have easy supply lists. Plus, it is organized by season, so I know where to look for a new idea for home decor and personalized gifts.
Watch for new and easy projects coming soon!
I plan to start with the toasted pumpkin seed necklace.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Friday's Foot Fetish: Red Leopard

I need another animal print shoe like I need a hole in my head, but I sure do like the bright red trim on these leopard print flats! Madaket by Sperry Top Siders- $90

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Blueberry Peach Muffins with Granola

A group of ladies and I were responsible for breakfast for a PEO council meeting Saturday morning. I made one of my favorite muffins and have the recipe below to share with you.
There is no mix and dried blueberries in this recipe, so you can expect a big mess in the kitchen.
But these pretty muffins will impress your guests and be all worth it! Plus, they are pretty healthy with yogurt, egg whites and no oil.
And, how do you transport 3 dozen muffins? In your bundt pan upside-down of course!
recipe from Family Circle magazine

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 container (6 ounces) fruit-on-the-bottom peach yogurt
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 pint (1 cup) fresh blueberries ( I used frozen)
  • 1/2 cup low-fat granola, lightly crushed (I don't both crushing it)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Coat a standard 12-indentation muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. On waxed paper, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1/4 cup water, the egg, egg white and melted butter. Stir the flour mixture into the yogurt mixture just until moistened. Gently fold in blueberries.

3. Divide batter evenly among the prepared muffin indentations, about a heaping 1/4 cup batter for each. Sprinkle crushed granola over all muffin tops (dividing evenly).

4. Bake muffins at 350°F for 20 minutes or until crowned and golden around the edges. Let muffins cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Transfer muffins directly to rack; serve slightly warm, if desired.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Free Custom Halloween Cards

It is time for another digital card giveaway! If you'd like to post your kids or self on your blog on Halloween in a cute card or even print some cards to give out to your kids friends or mailed to your family, I'm here for you! I always make more than one design because I have so much fun, so I share them on the blog. Your options are:
Dandy CandySpooky Scary

Happy Fall to AllIf you'd like a custom card, please email me at annajenk@yahoo.com with the following
  • Name of the card you want from the list above
  • Name of the person that card should be printed from
  • A picture to place on the card

I will email you back within a few days with your card! Enjoy!

PS- If you are interested in purchasing any of these kits to do your own digital scrapbooking, just click on the card title to see the full kit.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Friday's Foot Fetish: Wide Calves

I have never owned a tall pair of boots. I am short and not skinny, so tall boots have never fit me right. I have tried on wide calf boots at the store before and apparently I am extra wide! Nothing like needing an extra wide calf to put a frown on your face! I found these boots from RSVP on Zappos and they have a really wide calf! Hooray!
I would take a tape measure around the largest part of your calf to determine how "wide" you are. These boots are 17.5 circumference which is the widest I have seen. If you plan to tuck jeggings or skinny jeans into them, I'd measure with pants on.


These are loose on me which I just love. Most wide calf are around 15" circumference and I am a 16". Hope you can find a pair you love!


Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Round Top Fall 2010 Edition

I love shopping in Round Top each October and April- I always eat good BBQ, find home decor, balk at antique prices, and come back tired and dirty from so much walking in fields of shopping goodness.
This store cracked me up and I wish I had gotten more up close pictures of it. It was trashy, vintag and with a Mexican flair. They sold old school Mexican dresses with pom pom fringe on the bottom and on the sleeves. They had deer antlers with tinsel, 70's printed furniture, and bright colored lawn furniture. It was the oddest combination of items! There were fall decorations a plenty including these very overpriced pine cones. I laughed outloud when I saw them thinking of Big Mama and her acorns.
I did get to see my favorite painted tin vendor and purchased this lovely pumpkin for my front porch. The bright turqouise rustic star was just too bright and springlike for these Autumn months.

He looked so lonely in my bag, that I brough home a partridge to keep him company in the lonely garage during the Spring. My partridge can be Christmas and possibly Spring. I like her!

Mark your calendars now- Round Top will be back in action the first weekend of April!



Tuesday, October 5, 2010

New Favorite Watch

Love love this new watch from Fossil. The silver beaded detail on the band and the face sold me! I don't own it, but maybe I should start sale stalking it!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Fabric Wrapped Candles for Fall

I wanted to do something festive with my enormous vanilla candles in my living room. I was hoping for a free option and decided to fabric wrap the candles like I had seen on another blog. I have lots of fall fabric scraps left from my Ragamuffin garland made last year and it worked perfectly!
Here is a closeup of the smaller candles.

And here is the creative, simple, sneaky way that I attached the fabric. A simple thumb tack poked right through the fabric and into the candle. I know, genius!

Look around the house- how many candles can you wrap? Halloween? Christmas? Fabric or ribbon? Ric Rac? Oh the fun- no candle is safe in my house now!

Look for lots more fall decor pictures and ideas coming soon or go here to see fall decor from last year.