Some of my Favorite Things

by Stephanie

When every I hear “my favorite things”, I think of the song from “Sound of Music”.  Then I think of another version by Hilary Weeks.  LOVE IT!!

Kandee Johnson the make-up lady.  Super awesome tutorials and tips.  And some of her stuff (like jewelry is cheap!).  She has totally changed the way I think of make-up.  AND she has four kids! 

  Jessica Simpson Shoes.  I bought these in a patent leather.  LOVE them.  But any shoes she makes is super comfortable and worth every penny!  Check overstock.com and 6pm.com for bargain prices. 

Hapari swimsuits.  Again worth every penny!  Super flattering, cute styles and colors.  AND…if you are like me (hourglass with most the sand on the bottom), they have a pocket for “inserts” that come in 1/2 cup size or a full cup size.  They sit in their little pocket and are wonderful…for those of us that need it.

Minty lip gloss from Bath and Body works.  It makes you pretty and smell minty.  I am truly addicted to this stuff.

Quilt fabric.  Gorgeous, great quality, great for dresses, quilts, curtains, pillows, purses, etc... Sigh…..My dream is to own my own quilt shop.  That way I can justify having thousands of yards of fabric. 

Enjoy your day!!

Technorati Tags: fabric,make-up,favorite things,shoes

Hinging on Perfection

 A couple of weeks ago I teased you about the great product that I used to rust out my light fixture in my kitchen. Well,  I’m ready to tell you about it.  When we were remodeling our home, I found this great laundry room that was decorated for the book Junk Beautiful by Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer.  One of the elements of the room that I wanted to copy were these beautiful old icebox hinges that they used to hang curtains from. 

Junk Beautiful

Junk Beautiful

 After looking through the Internet, I realized that buying some actual icebox hinges would be way out of my price range. I still wanted that look, but I needed to find a budget way to recreate it!  I found some simple hinges from a local hardware store, They were the right price, but definitely not the right look.  This is similar to what they looked like:

 So, I went to my local craft store and found the product that would help me get the look I was going for.  This is it:

The two bottles came packaged together in a box. I first painted the Iron on the hinges and let them dry. I then painted on the rust antiquing solution letting it dry and adding coats until I was happy with the results.  And here is how they turned out:

 Maybe not as beautiful as the original pictures from Junk Beautiful, but definitely more fun because I made them! If you can't find the Sophisticated Finishes Rust Antiquing Set at your local craft store, I have included a link to Triangle Crafts website http://www.tricoatstore.com/home.php?cat=251. Let me know if you "rust" something in your home!

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My own kind of bookcase….

By: Jennifer


So this is my living room before. As you can see it really needs some help in this corner I have since ripped off all that wall paper but it really needed something to draw your eye. So my sister Amy suggested a tall bookcase which would not only draw your eye up, but also add some much needed storage space. I loved the idea the problem was my lack of funds… I went to Wal-Mart and they had bookcases for $20 bucks but they were so flimsy and plain it didn’t really fit the look I was going for so I went to my garage to see what I had that would work and I found these….

These shelves were just what I needed to add the height and the extra storage I needed but they also went with my e=style which is definitely eclectic! I loved that all of them were different but I brought it all together by making them all the same color! So Simple and really cheap and I have a bookcase…. sort of.

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Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pancakes

by Stephanie

I LOVE the combination of oats, whole wheat and regular flour.  You get a texture that is chewy, yet soft.  This recipe came from my friend Dawn.  Always good when it comes from her kitchen! 

We went to a local restaurant for my birthday brunch.  They had a similar pancake with bananas and coconut.  I tried making them at home, and really, I think mine are BETTER!  And for as long as we waited for our food (which wasn’t that long), I could make them for my whole family including the buttermilk syrup.  And for what I paid for one meal, I could feed us all.  BONUS!  Although it is nice to have someone else do the cleanup.  But that’s why we had kids right?  At least that is what we tell them…

Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pancakes

Makes 10-12 pancakes

1/2 cup quick oats

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup brown sugar (I like dark brown best)

1 egg

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk plus 1 tsp vinegar and microwave for 30 seconds)

In large bowl combine oats, flours, soda, salt and sugar.  Mix to combine.  In smaller bowl whisk together egg, oil and buttermilk.  Add into dry ingredients and mix just until combined.  Let sit for a few minutes while griddle heats up.  Pour about 1/2 cup at a time to form pancakes on hot griddle.  When bubbles form and is golden brown flip it over to cook other side.  Batter will be thick so I spread it out with my spatula, otherwise they don’t cook through..yuck.  Enjoy with your favorite syrup.

Variations:  add in 1 tsp cinnamon, sliced bananas, chopped pecans, and/or shredded coconut.  I like all of them added in.  I add the coconut after you put it on the griddle before you flip it.  That way the coconut gets toasted as the second side cooks.  SO GOOD!!  

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Le Creuset Envy

Last week was Spring Break for my kids.  We didn't go anywhere, just had a mini Stay-Cation at home.  The weather didn't cooperate much, it rained several days and so we spent a lot of time indoors.  But, on Friday, we went to an outdoor mall that my children like to go to once in a while, it has a children's museum, outdoor fountain that is fun to run through, and several shops that aren't in our local mall.  One of the stores I enjoy peeking into and finding some great kitchen gotta haves is Sur La Table.  While looking around, I stumbled onto these:

Aren't they beautiful?  I have always liked the look of Le Creuset and I know how wonderful it is to have one in your kitchen, but I have never coveted one until a few days ago, and now I do!  Obviously it's the color that got me.  The shape and style has not changed, but what a difference one color can make! WOW!

Lemon Lime Pound Cake

By Stephanie
I know why it’s called pound cake…because you gain a pound with each slice…seriously.  But I was hosting the Finer Things Club, and it was necessary.  Totally. 
This came from the Idaho chapter of Finer Things.  Thanks Katie.  Super yummy.  Super non-low fat.

Lemon Lime Pound Cake
serves 12 (or more)
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tsp lime zest
2 tsp lemon zest
5 large eggs
3/4 cup lemon-lime soda
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour 12 cup Bundt pan.  In large bowl, sift flour and salt.  Set aside.  In another large bowl, add in butter and sugar and zests.  Cream together.  Add eggs one at a time and beat well.  Beat for another 2-3 minutes until light yellow and creamy looking.  Gradually add in flour,  then stir in soda.  Pour into pan and bake 1hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.  Let cool slightly and flip out onto plate.  Pour glaze over and let cool. 
For glaze: juice one lemon, one lime and combine with 2 cups powdered sugar. 
Great served with strawberries!

Technorati Tags: lemon lime pound cake,pound cake recipe,cake recipe

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