Navy and Purple

So I found a NEW something to suck me in for HOURS...polyvore. You get to create outfits!! This is my dress (a close copy) and necklace, earring and another pair of shoes to drool over. Only much better format than my pics....

navy and purple by sdriscoll1818 featuring purple jewelry

Dorothy Perkins draped dress
$49 - dorothyperkins.com

Michael Antonio Studio studded pumps
$100 - heels.com

Zagliani tote hand bag
£2,589 - farfetch.com

Purple jewelry
$38 - macys.com

Glass bead jewelry
$16 - macys.com

Avery Update and Navy Dress

By Stephanie

So many of you are wondering…how is Avery?  Great.  Really.   She is starting to come off of the hydrocortisone…yay!!  And then they will see if her adrenals are working.  But she has grown, so that is a VERY good sign.  Then they can take her off the thyroid and she will be left with her two anti-seizure meds.  That would be SO nice.  Otherwise she is really doing great.  Just like any other 8 1/2 year old kid.

Meanwhile….I have still be sewing.  I made this navy dress.  One of the HUGE downsides to sewing is you can’t try it on until it’s almost done.  I was debating between two different patterns and I am SO happy I chose this one.  SUPER flattering!!  And right now I am so into navy and purple.  That’s why I added the necklace.  And I am including a pic of shoes that I totally covet…..maybe for my birthday.

And yes I realize I live somewhere that you can only wear peep-toe pumps about 2 months out of the year……I am SO not acclimating well.

Skirts and Snow days

By Stephanie

So this is our THIRD snow day!  And that is not counting Sunday where they cancelled church for the snow.  We are going a bit stir crazy.  So I went through my stash of fabric and patterns and made a skirt. 

Don’t be too impressed, it only took about an hour and thanks to Kinect and Netflix the kidos were busy. 

I LOVE this fabric.  It was more than I usually pay ($4.50 a yard) and it took just over a yard.  I had the zipper and interfacing so for under $6 I have a new skirt!!  I already had the red shirt.  With my black ruffled boots, I think I have a divine valentines outfit!

I used McCall’s pattern #M5523

 

Here is the other skirt I have been working on.  This one took WAY longer than an hour.  Like three days, and I am still not done.  The thing about sewing is you can’t try it on until it’s almost done.  This skirt has a lot going on.  If I had a lot going on in the chest department, maybe I could balance it out and make it work.  But alas….nope.  But my sister in law does.  So I think I will finish it and pass it along. 

I used McCall’s pattern #3830 and this tutorial from JoAnn's.  I didn’t follow it exactly.  And it only took 2 1/2 yds not the 4 as called for.  I think I need more practice cutting on the bias…maybe another day. 

Texas Stew

By Stephanie

This is a great recipe from my freezer meal group.  It is so yummy.  And pairs perfect with corn bread.  Fast and easy, just stick it in a crock pot add day long and enjoy!!  Perfect for a cold day.  (Which is here, if you haven’t seen all the pics of Seattle with SNOW, that’s us..)

 

Texas Stew

Serves 6

2 lbs stew meat (if stew meat is expensive, get a good  roast that’s on sale and have the butcher cut it into stew meat.  Usually it saves me $2 a lb)

1 12 oz can tomatoes with green chilies

1 small jar picante sauce (any kind will do)

1 beef bullion cube

1 cup frozen corn

1 cup frozen sliced carrots (or add in sliced fresh)

1/2 onion diced or 1 Tbsp dehydrated onion

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 c flour

Put it all in the crock pot on low 8-10 hours.   Also great served over rice. 

Swiss Chicken

By Stephanie

This is one of my freezer meals.  But it is easy and yummy.  I love the creaminess of the melted cheese and cream soup.  But the crunch of the stuffing on top.  As with all chicken, don’t overcook.  It makes it dry and chewy.  Cook just until it gets to be about 165-170 degrees then take it out and let the meat rest for 10 minutes.  Then serve it.  It will be perfect. 

 

Swiss Chicken

Serves 6

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 can cream of chicken soup

2 T apple juice or cider

6 sliced Swiss cheese

1 box stovetop stuffing mix (any flavor, but I used turkey)

In 9X13 cake pan lay out chicken breasts.  Season with salt and pepper.  In small bowl mix apple juice and cream of chicken soup.  Lay cheese over chicken and pour soup on top.  Sprinkle stuffing over top.  Cover with foil and put in oven at 350 degrees for about 35-45 minutes until chicken is cooked through.  I like taking foil off for last 10 minutes to crisp up stuffing.

If making for a freezer meal group.  Put into pan (that can go into freezer) and follow steps, but don’t put stuffing on it.  Freeze.  When ready to cook, take out and thaw.  Put stuffing on top and cook as directed. 

Houndstooth Couch

By Stephanie

So….you know my obsession with houndstooth?  Amy has had this awesome pic in her files.  I just had to share.  I think what I love is the white walls.  Which is kind of weird, because usually one of the first things I do is paint the walls…but with all the color in the room it makes it look bright and fresh.  And the light fixture….oh my (drool). 

 

 

New Obsession-Washi Tape

By Stephanie

I know, I get tunnel vision SO easily!  So…… I have a new obsession.  Washi Tape.  What is Washi tape you ask?  It is a tape that is colored or has a design printed on it.  It rips like paper, but sticks like tape. And is usually transparent.  Kind of like tissue paper as a tape. 

AND it comes in houndstooth……..holla!!

Why is this so cool you ask?  Because….get creative and go with me here……

If you are a renter (like me) you may not want to paint or you can’t paint.  This leaves you with limited options for decor.  But you can use this tape for all kinds of stuff!!  You can make faux chair rail, faux shadow boxes or a cool design on the wall or door.  AND it comes right off when you want or need it to come down. 

Now there IS a product called Giant Washi tape.  Really wide and made for putting on the wall.  Not currently available in the U.S.!!  Made in Japan.  I THINK I have found an etsy seller that can get it for me.  I will let you know if I do!!

Don’t think this was my idea.   I got it from The Borrowed Abode.  She has some ideas for decorating a rental. 

In the meantime, dream about all the cool things you can do with washi tape. 

Happy New Year!!

By Stephanie
I hope you all had a fantastic holiday season!  But not it’s time for working out and mucking out.  I know, it sounds like a dirty word.  It is…kind of.  It’s my word for going through all the stuff I have that I really don’t need or don’t use and get rid of it!  Mucking. 
  And if you are looking for a good workout dvd, try Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30!!  It’s under $10 and a killer workout!  I am on my third go round (I have been doing it for 14 weeks) and I STILL can’t do the advance moves.  I wake up sore every morning…still.  It’s effective.  And all you need is 30 minutes and a set of hand weights (mine are 5lbs).   
  I try to have a new word for the each new year.  Two years ago it was faith (that’s the year we moved to WA).  Last year it was endure (Just go though last years posts!).  This year, I think it will be hope.  Hope seems more positive than the last two years, don’t ya think? 
   I hope I get more sunshine.
  I hope I get my book edited and published.
  I hope to be more organized.
  I hope to be more open to new things.
  I hope to get my blog posts done in a timely manner.
  I hope my kids get their chores done the first time I ask and don’t fight.
It a start…….