Wreck 'Em Wreath

Get ready. I'm about to show my roots. 

I got my undergrad degree from Texas Tech University, which is located in far West Texas - the Dust Bowl, if you will. There aren't many trees, and the dirt swirls like small tornadoes, called dirt devils. Still, I loved every minute of my four years there.

So much so that I convinced myself I needed a hand-crafted wreath for my door during this football season. I think it's already bringing us luck...

My inspiration for the Wreck 'Em wreath came from Pinterest. I've pinned a few of my favorites on my Dust pin board.

I should have taken a video of this fool hula-hooping this wreath base.

Sunday afternoon we visited our local Michael's, and generally made a ruckus looking for the perfect color of scarlet. Not Christmas red, crimson or bright, true red. Scarlet.

Braddock's Whiskey Contest & The P.G.H.!

One of my favorite restaurants in town, Braddock's American Brasserie, recently hosted a Whiskey Cocktail Contest, asking for entries of the best whiskey cocktails from Pittsburghers. After holing myself up in my kitchen for a few hours with some peaches, whiskey and ginger, I came up with the P.G.H. {Peach Ginger Hit!}.
Drunkenly perhaps, I based my drink on my viewpoint as a new 'Burgher. While some folks think of Pittsburgh as a has-been, I'm of the camp that celebrates PGH as the Comeback Kid. There's so much to offer here, and the sassy Pittsburgh voice has a lot to say.

Fortunately, the judges heard that voice {however drunken it was}.


I won the contest! Although I didn't receive the most votes {read: Facebook "likes"}, I got the Braddock's vote.  My cocktail was chosen "for the great summer-inspired taste." I feel so honored!
I plan to walk into Braddock's as soon as possible to order my cocktail.


What a blissful moment.
So, here's the recipe for you to make your own P.G.H. at home!

{31 Blogging Days of May} Home DIY

Many years ago, my fiancé and I walked into a small furniture store in Denison, Texas, looking for a dining room table. We must have looked through the whole store before settling on a pub-style wooden table, complete with six chairs. Chairs with white seats. Had we rethought that one, we might not be here today.

Before!

Kyla at Blue Collar Catwalk's {31 Blogging Days} post for today is about doing a home decorating DIY. You're in luck, because Husband recently underwent a chair cushion overhaul. These chairs needed a makeover...about two years ago. They had pasta sauce stains, wood glue residue, and other icky junk defacing the once clean surface. So, we got busy...WITH THIS FABULOUS FABRIC:

Crafty: Clove-Studded Orange

 When I was much younger my Granny taught me how to make a decorative clove-studded orange {sometimes called a Pomander} while sitting in her kitchen one day. It's a simple thing, and can be used as an air freshener or as a hostess gift. I'd keep it for myself, considering the spicy but sweet smell of the finished product.

Items needed:
1 orange
1 8-10 inch section of ribbon
1/4 cup whole cloves
Paring knife

First, collect all of your items needed for the craft. 

Assorted sizes of whole cloves.

I prefer the larger ones, so you can see the delicate flower shape on the end.

This is a fun craft for when you have a surplus of oranges.

 Next, you wrap the ribbon section around the circumference of the orange, and secure with a few cloves after making a tiny incision with the paring knife. 

Secure the ribbon onto the orange.

 Then, poke other cloves into the orange's skin in any pattern you want. I usually go for stripes, so you can see the orange skin, too.

Clove Stripe.

After a few cloves, your pattern will begin to take shape.

 After you've finished your pattern, you're done! Feel free to place or gift.

Connect ribbon at the top to make a bow.

 Mine is adorning the end of my mantle. The smell is delicious and homey.

Are you making any holiday crafts?

Christmas Cards and Pantry Units Galore!

Little by little, the house is coming together.

I began looking for jobs on Monday, and have found quite a few opportunities to apply for. I'm excited and nervous at the same time, a feeling I'll likely have for many months. 

On another note: We've started getting mail! I know this is childish of me, but there's something special about receiving mail from your family and friends. So far, I've received three Christmas/holiday cards in the last two days. I need to get on the stick! 

Three cards on my fridge

I am planning to send a newsletter out with my cards (which hasn't been written!). Last night, I looked for my boxes of cards I had saved for sending out once I got here, but they were nowhere to be found. I grabbed a few replacement boxes at Target, in hopes that my others will turn up.

The real news is that I'm a hoss. Because this is an old house (built circa 1900), there isn't a lot of built-in storage. Even though there is a ton of space in each room, there aren't defined spaces for storing items. Until I came along. 

To solve the lack of pantry space in the kitchen, I BUILT these two units, which we purchased from good 'ole IKEA. 

Don't mind the cat.

Side unit for storing glasses and glassware.

Large unit, with doors, for pantry storage.

It's great for hiding all of these unsightly pantry goods!

Husband was so surprised and pleased that I built these units. I sure impressed him! (Actually, I think I just saved him a TON of weekend work!)

Then, I had to throw in a towel storage unit for our dainty bathroom on the second floor. (Pun intended.)

The unit fits towels, toilet paper, extra bathroom items and my Qtips!

It sits next to my hamper - a perfect match!

Readers, do not be fooled. 

I did in fact use a Phillips head screwdriver, hammer, level, and other tools to put these units together.

AND, with IKEA 'picture' instructions! 

Happy 10/10/10!

Since I've worked from home for the last 2 days, had a Saturday, and am now on my Sunday, I've had a lot of time to catch up on my HGTV viewing. I've noticed that it's popular (I use that phrase loosely) to display meaningful items around your home. In particular, wine corks.




Michael and I have saved about a handful of corks from nice dinners, eventful nights, etc. We've written the event and date on the cork, but have just thrown them in a drawer. Today, I decided to make a display for them.



Cute, no? :)

Save me!

I'm planning on doing something horrible after work.

Stop me now.

I'm going to Hobby Lobby, Fabric Factory, and JoAnn Fabrics...with money. And intent to buy. Bad! I know! I'm planning on buying some fabric for my wine bar area and for pillows to match.

Wish me luck! (I'll post pictures later.)

Sicky Sicky

Over the past two days I've been sick, and basically pathetic. But, I've had some time to work on my crafts and listen to Lady Gaga. Don't judge. Ra Ra AH AH AH! Roma Roma-ma! Gaga, ooh La La!


Anyway, enough of that. I went nuts shopping Etsy yesterday. It was bad. I added about 30 items to my favorites. Here are a few of them:

Sage Bow and Button Headband

The Meredith: Thistle Bag

Vintage Owl Trivet

If I had unlimited money, I would buy it all.

On yet another note, my car is a brand-new piece of metal. This past weekend (when I wasn't sick) I got its oil changed, four new tires, and five new engine coils. Hooray for being broke. But, I have a like-new car!

Is anyone watching Biggest Loser? You know I want to talk about it. (SO glad Miggy is gone.)

Have a good Wednesday! I'll post pictures of my crafts soon. I need a camera?!

New Look!

Take a look at my new blog decoration!

Now, back to the US V CANADA hockey game of the century. Love me some hockey.

Then, more crafting. I hope to show some of my work soon.

And, an owl.

Midnight Shopping

Good evening. I can't sleep just yet, so I am Etsy shopping.

Mostly just adding to my Favorites list.

An item I currently want: Owl Apron by Boojiboo.

Or, if I can't have that one, this one will do.

Oh, and by the way, we're moving. To where, no one knows.

Dallas, of course. :/

Birthday So Far

I know my birthday just started today at 4:02 am, but I started celebrating Wednesday morning. Wondering why I know I was born at 4:02 am? My mom called this morning to remind me! :) (Not at 4:02)

Michael presented me something early for my birthday. A whistling tea pot/kettle:

We drink tea all of the time now! A little tea-wisdom: Loose-leaf is awesome, but bags are easier!

Michelle came over for birthday prep, and we had a BLAST. Pedicures, shopping and crafting? I think yes! I was going to have Maple Oatmeal Scones (Ina again) ready for her, but I was running behind. We ended up eating them for lunch dessert.

Then that night Michael and I cooked my pre-birthday dinner (since we're going out on the night of). We made salt-crusted steaks with an avocado and heirloom tomato salad. Here's the beautifully imperfect tomato.

I made the steaks with the Californian olive oil Michael bought me. I figured you could find it anywhere, but it's not that easy to find.

This morning, Michael presented me with hot tea and raspberry & dark chocolate pieces (Which I will blog about later), and a bamboo steamer! SO excited!

So, this means if you have any dumpling, vegetable or spring roll recipes, please pass them along! I will be using this time as soon as I can!

Also, I HAVE to put a photo of my Christmas present from Michael:

An Owl! My favorite!

My birthday has been one of the best so far. I am lucky to have so many people that love and care about me. I can't wait for tonight!

Holiday Gifts

I just finished the small gifts I made for my coworkers, neighbor and close friends. Aren't they cute?!

Then, here's the side view of one of the jars. Can you guess what the recipe is for? :)

Happy Holidays!

Crafty Gift

For Michael's birthday, I learned a craft.
Quit laughing.
I learned to crochet, and made him a scarf.



Also, there's a pussy in the basket.