Thursday, May 30, 2013

The Meatloaf Recipe That Made Me Love Meatloaf!

I always hated meatloaf growing up. When my Mom made it, I complained and whined my way through my required portion. I had never made it as an adult until a few weeks ago. You see, my husband really likes meatloaf and this recipe made me give it another try. I am so glad that I did!


This meatloaf is flavorful, moist and just all around delicious! We have made it twice now and I have a feeling it will be made monthly. Click here for Paula Deen's Homestyle Meatloaf. 

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Summer Goody Bags for Teachers


It is that time of year- what do I get my child's teacher? I played around on blogs and Pinterest this year and merged a couple of different ideas into these cute summer goody bags with meaningful tags. 

Abby had 3 teachers this year- two leads and an assistant. So, we made three personalized bags for them. These are inexpensive canvas bags from Hobby Lobby. Abby and I jointly decorated them with craft paint, blue painter's tape and stencils. We used the end of the paintbrush for the dots.


Inside the bags, I bought summer goodies that I thought they would like and really use. These women are such family and God-driven women. I knew Starbucks was too frivolous for them and that they would be spending the summer with their own children, hopefully at the pool!


I wanted to tie the gifts in with the wonderful job they did this school year with Abby. So, we tied tags on each gift playing with the spirit of the gift and the classroom.


My sweet sister owns a Cricket and mailed me a vinyl letter for their carafes. I then filled them with packets to make lemonade.


I have a very affectionate child and I am so grateful they gave her hugs and provided a safe and loving environment for her to grow in.


This tag could be the extra mile in so many different things.... 




I like this gift because it is useful, personal and inexpensive. I think I spent around $20 on each bag.

For more gift ideas, click here or here or here

Monday, May 27, 2013

Summertime Food Favorite- Popsicle!

One of my favorite things to make in the summertime is homemade Popsicles. They taste so much better than the sugar water ones in the store. I started off with a cookbook last year and then we just branched out to more fun options, our favorite was the Peach Pie!

Don't these look divine- cheesecake with fresh fruit and graham cracker crumbs. Get the recipe from Kitchen Meets Girl here.


My husband loves creamsicles- so I know these will be a hit. 

According to Pinterest, the recipe is pretty simple:

1 c. orange juice
1 c. coconut milk
3 T honey
1/4 t orange extract
1/2 t vanilla extract

Whisk all ingredients together and pour into molds. Freeze.

 Pudding Pops are always an easy option- these make me think of Bill Cosby, you too? Visit My Pinterest Affair for the full recipe.


Finally, these frozen yogurt trail mix bars caught my eye. I can't wait to try Lean Green Bean's recipe this summer.


What is your favorite summer food?


Friday, May 24, 2013

Friday's Foot Fetish: Air Tali

I recently splurged on a pair of Air Tali by Cole Haan. As an event planner, when I am on site I can be on my feet for 12 plus hours. I have my fair share of Dansko and Allergra shoes, but nothing cute and practical. So, with a sale and a coupon I bought my first pair. Girls, I am sold!
The leather is so soft and the cushion in plentiful. The heel is just enough and the toe opening is perfect. The sales person had on a black pair that she said she wears daily in retail and has had them for 6 years. They still looked brand new.

I am thrilled with my purchase. The shoes will be great for years to come!

Check out all the colors of Air Tali by Cole Haan here

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Chicken Lasagna Cups

In an effort to be healthier, I have tried to introduce more vegetables at dinner. I'll be honest, I don't like most veggies, but these.... these veggies I can eat!


The lasagna cups are layered with wonton skins and then filled with chicken and cheese packed with the broccoli, zucchini and carrots to get your veggies in.


I had never bought wonton cups before... that was an adventure. They weren't in the Asian section, they couldn't be found with biscuits and weren't in the freezer aisle. Finally, I found them in produce with the tofu. Look there first :)


Just before going in the oven... don't they look delicious?


Voila- Chicken Lasagna Cups!


The recipe can be found at Emily Bites. I just boiled a chicken breast, shredded it and added it into the cheese and veggie mixture. 

Thursday, May 16, 2013

From Glass to Mercury Glass in 5 Minutes

I pinned a mercury glass tutorial months ago and then went on a 2 month "I am spending too much time and money at Hobby Lobby" hiatus. Well today, I went in, bought what I needed and in less than 5 minutes I had this amazing vintage mercury glass vase. Let me show you how!


Here are your supplies- a spray bottled filled with equal parts water and white vinegar, looking glass spray paint and an object to paint. This vase was $4.50 half off. You could use the glass from a picture inside a frame, a mason jar, candlesticks, an old brass lamp, most anything!


Gather all your supplies and be ready- this goes quick. First put a couple of light coats of looking glass spray on the glass object. Don't worry about the inside or super even coverage. I have had some drip marks and they worked out just fine! I did spray the upper inside since it turns outward and would show.


Then you spray the container with your vinegar and water mixture and wait one minute.


Finally, using a paper towel (dry) just start dabbing the vinegar mixture off the vase. It will dull the shiny in places and literally pull the shiny off in others.


My insides were all kinds of a mess from spraying the upper inside portion, but this project is so forgiving that it didn't affect the final project at all.


Here is my finished vase, from glass to mercury glass in under five minutes!


I love the vintage feel it has and no one would ever guess it is a spray paint trick. I can think of so many things I want to paint just looking around my house. This would be beautiful to give as a gift with fresh flowers.


What a wonderful pin to have stumbled across!

Monday, May 13, 2013

Cute Summer Playdate Invite

Summer makes me nervous.... Abby is so used to a busy fun schedule with lots of interaction that I am always afraid boredom will hit us really quickly!

She has made lots of friends at preschool this year and every one of them signed up to be in class together next year. So, I know these families will be friends of ours for another year.

On the last day of school, Abby is giving out these tags with a bouncy ball in a little 3"x 4" clear bag I bought in the cake decorating section at Hobby Lobby. The tag is made the perfect size to staple on the front of the bag. I am hoping a few Moms feel like I do and call me to set up a play date!


You can easily make these with any summer graphics or just a fun font on colored paper. I think they are precious and will help us fill our summer with fun!

Friday, May 10, 2013

Friday's Foot Fetish- Tory Burch Thora Sandals

I love sandals- in Texas, we can wear them about 10 months out of the year. Honestly, we could wear them year round, but eventually you want to pretend it is winter and wear a tall boot.

So many of my friends (and random people at Target) own this basic sandal from Tory Burch. It comes in every imaginable color- from orange to black patent to these metallics, my personal favorites!

What do you think- do you like the Pewter or the Gold?


Monday, May 6, 2013

More Mothers' Day Recommendations

I thought I would share some of my favorite online finds that just might solve the what do I get for Mom on Mother's Day. Granted, most of these won't arrive in time for Sunday, but a sweet card and a picture of what is coming should do! I would love any of these things from Marcus and Abby Lu. 

For the Southern Momma who loves a good monogram and burlap- from Number Four Eleven


For the Sporty Momma or the Soccer Mom- from Kate Spade


for the Baker in your house who is always taking a meal to someone- from All About Blanks


for the High Tech Mom who uses her iPad to organize her life- from Southern Belle Boutique on etsy


for the Sentimental Mom who likes to show off her cute kids on any given occasion- from Pickture That


for the fashion forward Momma who loves her Kendra Scott.... this would be me! :)
for the crafty Mom (or Grandma!) who likes to sew, cross stitch, quilt or just create- from MerriWeatherCouncil on etsy



for the Doggie Mom who thinks her furry friend is her child- from The Vintage Pearl


Happy Shopping for Mom!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Friday's Foot Fetish: Tommy Hilfiger sandals



Did you know Tommy Hilfiger makes sandals? He makes some mighty cute ones!

I love the black and saddle combination and the texture on the black!
Laila on Zappos

 These are the cutest jelly sandals and they come in navy and turquoise, too! Perfect for the pool!
Tangelo on Zappos
 I recently bought a pair of longer jeans which are perfect for my favorite wedge sandals and have been looking for a black or navy pair. I think the blue and green with this pair are cute and unique!
Adalinay on Zappos
Happy Shoe Shopping!

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

May Desktop

Happy Month of May!

I love this month.... summer is about to start, I am traveling for work and fun and my husband has a big birthday at the end of the month! I hope you have lots to look forward to this month as well.

Cottage Charm from Sweet Shoppe Designs