Mother's Day Tea

Today was a long awaited event...

...the Mother's Day Tea at JK's preschool.

What is a Mormon to do at a tea?

Drink lemonade, of course!

More pics coming soon!!

Crossing My Fingers...

...that today will be the day I find THIS!

After checking out 4 other Targets and not having any luck I went online and checked all of the stores in my area. Out of 13 only ONE store says they have it in stock. I'm hoping the website does not lie! So I'll drop JK off at school and head off to Target with my fingers crossed.....

In other news, I am really enjoying the 65-day challenge and am doing well!!! I'm making turkey tacos for dinner tonight (recipe found here)!

UPDATE: My last ditch effort to find the Calypso St. Barth Silver Pouf in a Target store failed. BUT when I got home and went back online to the Target website I saw that they are now available once again when ordered online. Go figure!!

65-Days to Reshape it All

Because I got on the scale this morning and to my horror and utter disgust I realized I'm creeping back into dangerous territory...

via

I just bought Bure's book last week and am looking forward to beginning this 65-day challenge! If you are looking for encouragement in your weight-loss/fitness journey then won't you consider joining me? 65 days from now we can celebrate our success together on the beach!!

Treasures in the Making

This afternoon I was checking out craigslist and came across this:

$35/obo.

I'm hoping to turn it into this.

The same person also has this long dresser for sale:

$30/obo.

I'm hoping to turn it into this.

I have an appointment for tomorrow morning and hope to score both pieces for $50 and start the transformation over the weekend! Wish me luck!!

Union Jack

For months (way before the royal wedding hoopla) I have been lusting over these Union Jack pillows from Karen Hilton. Well, after much hemming and hawing I have decided to take the plunge and order one for myself and one for my mom for Mother's Day.

I decided on the Yellow & Hot Pink Union Jack and Crown.

She chose the White and Black Union Jack and Crown.

I just submitted my order and can't wait for these fabulous pillow covers to arrive from across the pond!

Oh, and yes, I will be watching Prince William and Kate tie the knot of Friday...I'm even thinking of throwing a post-royal wedding party on Saturday night!

Easter Sunday

What a glorious Easter Sunday!

Time spent worshipping our Risen Lord and Savior!

Time spent with family!

Time spent eating yummy Easter type food!

Blessings upon blessings!

A Coat of Ash

Welcome to my bedroom!

It's not every day I invite guests into my boudoir...

Please enjoy your tour!

I sprinkled silver and glass throughout the room to help reflect the light and offset the dark wall color.

Reading corner complete with white birch branches.

The view from my reading corner.

Straight on shot of my bed.

I have plans for the wall above the headboard and between the sconces but haven't quite completed the project. Maybe this weekend.

My heart shaped love rock I made last year for a class project.

This little vignette is sitting on top of DK's dresser.

JK was feeling left out while I was snapping photos so he wanted me to capture him hanging upside down on his bed with a smile that looks like a frown! Gotta love that boy!!

Napkin Pillows

The other week I found four super fun cloth napkins while I was shopping at Target. I thought they would be perfect for two new bed pillows.

I think they look great coupled with the coordinating green/white/black pillow (I also purchased from Target for 75% off).

Also, take a little peak at my new wall color, Dark Ash. The color was inspired by the finger painting, "Race Car Track", hanging to the left of my bed. This amazing painting was my Christmas present from my talented little guy, JK.

More bedroom pics to come!

A "Get Better" Present

Growing up whenever my sister or I were sick my mom would buy us a "get better" present. It would be a little thing, nothing major but it always made us feel special. I remember getting books, a Barbie doll or some other little toy I was into at the time.

My little JK has been sick since Sunday evening. 103* fever, horrid headaches and his neck was super sore. Of course I began thinking the worse and had my son in his grave due to meningitis. Fortunately I have the most amazing pediatrician in the world (who is conveniently less than 2 miles down the road) and he squeezed JK into his busy schedule and assured me he was not dying but had a nasty virus.

And he was right. This morning JK woke up feeling so much better. He dressed himself, told me to brush his teeth and wash his face. He was ready to hit the town and procure his "get better" present. The problem is he wanted a $50 wii game. $50? For a "get better" present? Yikes! Talk about inflation!! After much negotiating my convincing son won and he has been happily playing his new game in between taking naps and drinking his "energy" juice (aka orange juice)!

{entertaining my sick little guy. he's pretty good at the spoon-hanging-on-your-nose thing}

I pray JK doesn't get sick again...I can't afford another "get better" present this year!

Gray, Black & a Touch of Blue

I received an e-mail the other day asking if I had ever finished my living room makeover from August of last year! Holy cow!! How did I let that slip through the cracks?! Here are some pics I snapped this morning of where my living room stands today!

I'm still waiting for my white owls to arrive for my media table.

I'm still striving to keep it simple and I'm looking into replacing the breakfast table chairs with ghost chairs (as seen here).

But let's be honest...Is any room in our homes ever truly done? I think not!

Just a Napkin or Something More?

A cloth napkin is never just a napkin...

...think of the possibilities...

...especially when they are marked down to $4.98 for four AND I'm in the middle of redoing my bedroom AND hunting for new pillow material!

Hmmmmmm....

Stay tuned!!

A Flowery Surprise

Look what greeted me when I came home from running errands!

My darling husband delivered it while I was out and about.

I love white flowers!

White roses,

white tulips,

white daisies,

lily-of-the valley...

...but I love white orchids the most because they last and do not fade away...just like the love I have for my best friend; my sweet, sweet husband!

A Little Bit of Sun

Here on the East Coast there is no sunshine at the moment.

Just snow.

And ice.

And more snow.

And more ice.

So when I saw this vintage sunburst vortex mirror this past weekend I just had to have it!

I found it in my favorite shop in Mystic, CT. I only manage to get there about once a year. How I miss living there!!

So while it's a bit blah outside I will warm myself inside by gazing into my fun new mirror!

How's your weather?

Does anything in your home make you think warm and sunny thoughts?

Grocery Bag Lovin'

Have you checked out OWN yet?

If you haven't then you definitely should take a sec and take a gander.

Thanks to OWN I was introduced to Anna & Kristina's Grocery Bag and am absolutely lovin' it!

Those girls are super cute as well as super sassy! Anna likes to sprinkle in a good curse word here and there and frankly, I too feel the need to swear while I'm cooking!

The girls and their show hail from our Northern neighbor, Canada, and talk with just a touch of an accent. I love how they say processor (as in food processor).

Each show begins with Anna and Kristina, who are not professional chefs, selecting a cookbook to review. They choose a few of the recipes to make and then then serve them to a professional chef in hopes of impressing him with their dishes. During the course of cooking they test out different kitchen supplies and share their picks. At the end of the show they decide whether or not the book meets the A&K seal of approval.

Be sure to give them a watch and check them out on facebook and give them a "like".

Snowin' and Simmerin'

Another snow storm.

Another foot or so of snow (it's dumped 56" this month alone!!).

Welcome to my snowy nest!!!

This weather is perfect for a pot of something yummy simmering on the stove.

While at the store earlier this week I bought some Great Northern Beans. On the can was a recipe for White Chicken Chili. What I liked about the recipe was the absence of cream or a high fat ingredient.

I tweaked the recipe a little bit. It didn't call for any salt and pepper. It needed it. I also added more chicken broth than the recipe called for.

I skipped the cheese and sour cream but added the fresh salsa. It added another layer of spice, some crunch and freshness.

White Chicken Chili

via Bush's Beans

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilies, drained

3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

2 tsp. ground cumin

2 cans (15.8 oz.) Great Northern Beans (or Navy)

1 can (14.5 oz.) chicken broth

1 1/2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken breast (I shredded my chicken)

Shredded Monterey Jack cheese (optional)

Sour cream (optional)

Salsa (optional)

In large skillet, cook onion in oil for 4 minutes or until transparent. Add chilies, flour and cumin; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add beans and chicken broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes or until thickened. Add chicken; cook until hot. Garnish with cheese, sour cream and salsa, if desired.

Enjoy!!!