Garden Bounty

Nothing better than some fresh veggies on the grill....

Our tomatoes took off like wildfire and for the first time I have some many I don't know what to do with them (IF I knew how to can that would be IDEAL....OR if I were Italian I'd make some gravy....) but since those aren't options, I make salsa....Tuesday I made a big 'ol container and it's gone as of last night (even my daughter LOVES it) SO tonight I will go home and slice some of my homegrown tomatoes, jalapenos and add some red onion, garlic cloves and cilantro and VIOLA! There you have it, my homemade salsa recipe.

Table and Chairs....Happily Ever After

The Nester http://www.thenester.com/ is having a table party....This chick has STYLE and on a shoe string budget and the best part - she's NOT afraid to proclaim her thrifty style! To anyone and everyone! Her mantra is "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful" isn't that CLEVER?!?!

SO, I recently moved and knew I had to downsize and as luck would have it I was able to sell my kitchen table and chairs so it left me with this(until moving day which has already come and gone).....

My kids and I NEEDed a place to eat right?!? SO what's a girl who has (edited HAD) a TON of stuff and a lil creative flair to do? Pull pieces from other parts of the house of course!! The vintage sewing table was used as my island, the two slip covered chairs were in my dining room (after I pulled those chairs from the dining room I of course had replacements!! The replacements were a lil more formal which is why they went to the d.r. {wish I had pics of those in their space} and the bench was in the GARDEN).....
I LOVED the new lighter more french bistro-ish arrangement and the best part - it didn't cost me a DIME and I made money!! So it just goes to show you that it pays to shop your home (AND garden) prior to spending money un necessarily!

FRAMED

I took these FAB elements (my fave leopard paper, a vintage flashcard and a fun turquoise frame)....

AND made this cute lil sign for the front door at my shop....

I am quite certain y'all have frames(in all shapes and sizes) laying around that have artwork that had passed on....

For example....Here is a FAB mini frame which happens to be a magnet....my coffee phase has come to pass....(I have to admit I was half tempted to just pitch it)

BEFORE:

AFTER:

(POOR quality cell phone pic) BUT you get the idea....I simply printed a monogram initial on some cardstock and put it in the frame.....

Another coffee piece that was destined to R.I.P

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Just added some scrapbook paper with a Back-To-School theme!

Wish there were S'MORE of these....

Found this cute lil S'MORE cupcake kit at Michael's.....it came with EVERYTHING you need (cake mix, vanilla frosting mix (that was to be combined with butter), graham cracker crumbles, chocolate chunks AND campfire cupcake wrappers!

I thought it might be fun for the kids and I to make one night (of course the night we choose to turn the oven on it's 94 outside - thank goodness for A/C !).
Ohhh, LOOK! They turned out EXACTLY like the box (I L O V E when this happens)

Bon Appétit!
(and these badbirds are officially G O N E!!)

FUNKY CHILDREN'S T-Shirts

Are FOR SALE!! Guaranteed your lil sweetie will be wearing a ONE OF A KIND fresh and funky T! Designed and made by moi (and my sweet mom). If interested in purchasing leave me a comment....

Rock Star XS (4/5)

$18.00 includes shipping

Skully & Lace 3T

$18.00 includes shipping

***SOLD*** Thanx Mary!

Walk on The Wild Side 2T

$18.00 includes shipping

HOLIDAY Decor and Projects

WAIT! Don't leave! I am asking all my bloggy friends for some help.....due to the DEVASTATING Flood of 2010 I have lost TONS of Holiday Decor. I went from 3 tubs of Christmas ornaments (one tub full of Vintage Shiney Brites that were my great Aunts and Great Grandma's which are IRREPLACEABLE). SO, what I am asking of all my craftress girls is for links to FAB Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas projects you've seen in blogland, made yourself OR have in your favorites folder TO make. Thanks in advance and I can't wait to see all the FABNESS!

HAPPY LIST

I am linking up to Mamarazzi's Happy List! The things on my list this week are.....

BLUE SUNNY SKIES! No more rain PLEASE :)

LEOPARD will ALWAYS be on my happy list and wait until you see a few projects I have done with my fave go-to

pattern!

PEARLS and Sterling.....H a P P y (said in a sing song voice).....even HAPPIER when I can use a $10.00 gift voucher to purchase (now to find that gift voucher.....) OR should I go with the Sterling engraved cuff? BOTH from Things Remembered. Hhhmmmm......

Hot Chocolate

Two of my girls (Jen and Lor) took me here http://www.hotchocolatechicgo.com for a lil GNO (girls night out) birthday celebration. Mindy's HOT CHOCOLATE Restaurant is located in trendy Wicker Park 1747 N. Damen, Chicago, IL 60647. This place is FAMOUS for the fab desert creations...I was STOKED we were able to go!

A lil artsy interpretational photo (ok, I moved as I was snappin the pic BUT I loved how it came out)

And speaking of ART...check out this VINTAGE RETRO looking funky juxtaposed painting. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! I like the glamarella girl holding the cute lil pig who just sohappens to be wearing a leather studded collar in GREEN!! You can see more of the artists work on his website here http://www.jaredjoslin.com
We did have some dinner first...this place is great if you LOVE cheese as there were many. I however am not a cheese fan and in fact a very fussy eater. I knew I wanted something light(as I was looking forward to DESSERT). I ordered the chilled carrot ginger puree soup with a cilantro olive oil. I did ask for it to be heated and it was DELICIOUS!! Lor and I also split an order of Garlic Monkey Bread that is served with prosciutto. This was TO DIE FOR! Jen had a cheese melt on pumpernickel served with a granny smith slaw. Now, I have to tell you I was a lil apprehensive as the portions were on the fancy(read small) side BUT the flavor was so delish that we actually savored the bites instead of gobbling it down and found we were very satisfied. Onto dessert....

I ordered this one...
I can't remember the exact name but it was something like "About Black Forest" which was a mod take on the traditional Black Forest Cake as this was a lil round vanilla cheescake ( I DO NOT LIKE cheesecake but this sounded so good) with tart cherries and a chocolate graham crust.

Lor ordered this one...Called Chocolate Cake Two Ways. There was a small piece of warm chocolate cake and a lil tiny cupcake with a fresh cream shaken at the table and poured over the cake.
And last but NOT least Jen ordered Thoughts on a Peanut Butter Cup

peanut butter mousse and "peanut butter cup", milk chocolate hot fudge, Concord grape syrup, peanut butter cookie dough truffles

Thanks for a FAB night out girls! It was just what the Dr. ordered! I only wish WE had gotten a pic!