Spring Cleaning leads to Recycling

So, we all know times are tight, and people are struggling with financial junk right now.  However, I refuse to let that get me down, or stop my creativity.  Yesterday, the sun was shinning, the weather was fantastically warm, and it actually FELT like Spring.  Which meant only one thing to me...SPRING CLEANING!!!  Yep, it is that time of year to go through all my craft supplies, clothes, shoes, and misc. junk and, get rid of stuff.  I filled 3 bags to throw away, and 2 bags for Donation. 

A few months ago, my sister had meantioned wanting to do some crafting, but couldnt really afford the fabric to do so.  I meantioned that she has TONS of fabric laying around her house being un-used.  Go through old clothes, blankets, sheets, curtains, towels (well not really towels so much)--and see what fabric is truely something you would love to see repurposed.  She quickly started cutting up old dresses, and shirts.  So, last night I decided to thumb through my "donation" bags once more, and see if there was anything I could use to make some new flowers and headbands.  JACKPOT!!!  Tons of cute fabric, soft fabric, denim, lace, jersey, sheers....the possibilies were endless.  I quickly got busy making some new creations from my findings.  Check out what I made, and let me know what you think.  (photos taken with my cell phone, so please excuse the quality)

A teal jersey knit t-shirt, makes a great fluffy fabric flower.

An old clearance Target Tshirt, makes a dark gardenia like flower

An adorable gauzy Anthropologie skirt (with a sad little stain), makes a fantastic ruffly rosette.

Lack of money in the pockets, WONT stop me from crafting. :)



And The Winner Is...

I am currently obsessed with two fantastic nail polish colors.  I know, its kinda a lame thing to blog about, but I am obsessed.  I change the colors nearly everyday, because I honestly can't decide which one I love more.  The first was introduced to me by a friend.  She always seemed to have the most amazing nail polish colors, and this one was truely my favorite.  If you have not yet discovered OPI's "You don't know Jacques!", you MUST...it is a perfectly yummy combo of a taupe-y grayish shade that goes with almost anything you wear.  The second shade was discovered by me and me alone, on a random trip to CVS, in which I am sure I came out with all kinds of "junk" as I usually do.  However this gem was one I had to have.  This color was absolute true love at first sight.   Orly's "Passion Fruit" is the absolute best, electrifying color for spring and summer (although I love it so much I will wear it year round).  This one is a true 80's neon pink, with a touch of orange.  
I hope this inspires you to be bold, and jump into the amazing, wide array of color. 

Pop Shop

There is a crazy that has hit the nation, and with the convincing of a close friend...We have officially jumped on the CAKE POP train.  Yep, its true, yesterday, a new favorite of mine was born...the love for making cake pops.  Now, I definitely DO NOT call myself a baker.  I love to "play" in the kitchen, but nothing spectacular.  Chelsea had a brilliant idea to make these fantastic green velvet cake pops we found on one of her favorite blogs.  I know, the first question we were asked, "whats the difference between green velvet and red velvet?"  My quick response was..."absolutely NOTHING.....except the color of course." 

So, we pulled together all the ingredients, not knowing quite what we were getting ourselves into, and jumped in.

Now, most of the recipes you find for cake pops require you to use boxed cake (which I am usually not in favor of).  But of course, we chose the from-scratch, homemade, confusing, recipe.  Not the best possible option for our pops, but oh well. Now, this recipe called for a WHOLE bottle of green food coloring, which we didnt have, so our half-a-bottle got us in very questionable, interesting shade of green cake batter.

Now after the cakes were baked, we had to let them cool, and after we were supposed to stick them in the food processor and chop them to bits.  Sadly, we were unable to find the food processor, so we tried the bender. 



This did not work so well, so we were forced to do it the old fashioned way...by hand!!  Oh, and please excuse the disgusting looking color....Note to self for next time, DONT DO GREEN VELVET!!!

From here on out, it was smooth sailing. 

Mix cake crumbs with can of frosting, roll dough into balls, place stick into each ball, dip into melted chocolate, and sprinkle. The end product turned out quite nicely if I do say so myself.

Aside from our "speed bumps" during this project, PLEASE try it.  Maybe start with a boxed cake mix, but all the keep in mind all the hard work DEFINITELY pays off.  They tasted fantastic.  This fun afternoon may just turn into a business endeavor by the two of us...POP SHOP...Hey, it could happen!!

I have a special place in my heart for "firsts"

Today I was thinking alot about my little niece and nephew in Az.  It is very rare that I get the opportunity to make the trek back home to see them, and today I was especially bummed.  I am not really sure why it hit me hard today.  Maybe its the birthday of little Miss Teagan that I just had to miss (due to a recent car accident) or Tyler's birthday which I am trying to make arrangements to be home for. 

Tyler

*will always be my first nephew/niece

*loves trains, cars, and well pretty much everything else a little boy likes

*is the most loving kid I have ever seen

*definately the BEST big brother I have EVER seen

*has a future as a "dog whisperer" (as long as that dog is named BOLT)

Teagan

*serious fashion sense (I am secretly jealous of her sunglass choice)

*has the prettiest blue eyes I have ever seen               

*loves all typical girlie stuff (minnie mouse, princesses, dolls, and dress up)

*adores her brother the was I used to adore her mom (ya know, when we were little munchkins ourselves)

You guys are loved and HIGHLY missed :)

Rainy Days

This is such a strange week for Orange County weather.  It rains one day, and the next is bright and sunny.  Lucky for me, I have discovered the BEST raincoat for the extra wet days.  As usual, a typical trip to Target, turned into a shopping extravaganza, full of worthless items I dont actually need.  This last trip definately was a success, though, discovering this Gem. 

Sundays forecast was a "Its Raining, Its Pouring" kind of day, and we decided it was the perfect day for a trip to Disneyland, and a perfect day to bust out the new coat.  Definately my new favorite thing!!!

Lace, Pearls, Rhinestones, and Fluffy Sheers

These little Beauties are the latest addition to my collection.....
Each is made out of sheer organza and finished off with some lace, rhinestones,and pearls.

The Aria

The Ella

The Marie