Chalkboard Rocks

While browsing through the latest Pottery Barn catalog, I came across this great Idea. I thought this would be a great DIY project. Go to the hardware store, craft store, or maybe even your yard and grab some flat rounded rocks and paint them with a couple of coats of chalkboard paint. You can even make them with other colors like orange and purple for Halloween or red and green for Christmas! Look at my past post on how to make your own chalkboard paint so you can use colors!

Chalkboard rock vase filler from Pottery Barn, $16

Zoku Pop Maker Update

So a few posts back I wrote about the Zoku Pop Maker from William-Sonoma and I got one for my birthday!!!! Yipee!!!

I so badly wanted to make a Popsicle right away the minute I opened it but you have to freeze the base for 24 hours.

This thing is great!!!! It works just as it says it does and it is so easy to use. Here are the flavors I have made so far... Strawberry- put some fresh strawberries in the food processor and added some sugar, Chocolate banana marshmallow- a mixture of mashed bananas some chocolate pudding a dash of milk and some marshmallows, strawberry jello pops- just poured in some strawberry jello but we need to use less water next time because they froze too hard into the mold and Banana cream pops- mashed bananas a dash of milk and fat free banana cream pie yogurt.

I plan on making a chocolate peanut butter one next! yum yum. I highly recommend this as a gift for yourself or a friend. not only do you get to make pops in any flavor you want any time you want them... BUT they are also really healthy too!

CAbi Save The Date

Save the Date!

Thursday, October 21st @6:30

3102 W. Sunset Dr.

Tampa, FL 33629

CAbi Clothing Showcase

Fabulous clothing for every woman. Sleek and chic apparel that can be worn day to night with styles that suit any age! Come have a girls night and some wine, check out the CAbi collection and meet some new friends!

Everyone is welcome!

BONUS: If you bring your own wine glass from Ki Designs, you will receive a prize!

For more details or to RSVP go to the event website on Facebook or email Angelique Muller at angelique.muller@gmail.com

Cabionline.com

Burlap Chairs

I love the rustic yet chic look of these chairs. Some of them have been upholstered with old burlap and canvas feed sacks and others with new burlap and stenciled.

You can get great stencils on etsy for about $20 or run over to Mi Casita on Macdill and have Luz custom make you one!

Mason Jars

I was looking through my personal collection of internet finds and photos to help me decide what I should blog about this week and I came across some ideas that use mason jars in really functional and decorative ways. I probably have enough mason jar ideas to do a month's worth of blogging but here are two I especially love:)

I love this quick and easy idea! For the pin cushion all you need is a scrap of fabric and some cotton batting or even just a few cotton balls. A mason jar lid comes in 2 parts, the disk jar topper and the fastening ring. Glue cotton to the disk topper then cover with fabric and glue fabric to the under side of the topper. Then glue the topper into the ring fastener. Inside the jar you add some buttons, a couple needles, a small pair of scissors, and a couple spools of thread!

I have a decent sized sewing kit but its kinda big and I keep it stored with all of my art stuff. This sewing jar is great for me to keep in my closet or laundry room for a quick fix! I think it makes a great little gift for a college bound student too!

These mason jars have been used to make herb terrariums. I think these would be great in a kitchen for quick and easy fresh herbs at your fingertips. Take a clamping mason jar and put some small rocks at the bottom, then add some soil and top off with some more rocks. Plant the herb seeds or seedling and add some water. Make sure you don't over water, just enough to keep the soil moist. Presto!

Time Flies!

Oh wow it's almost been 2 weeks since my last post! On the 6th I went to Houston with my boyfriend for his 10 year high school reunion and got to spend a lot of time with his family and of course visit my bestie Molly and see her new house. Unfortunately, the night before we were flying back home to Tampa I got really sick with a horrible stomach flu! So bad that I had to cancel my birthday dinner and was in bed for a week:( Not my idea of a fun way to celebrate 28 years of my life.

Anyway, I am back and ready to start posting!

xoxo,

Angelique

Some things to look forward to in the next couple of weeks... I am planning on hosting a boutique clothing party in October, so look out for info on that. I also will be gearing up for the Holiday season, and Halloween is my FAVORITE! But I will also be looking out for some great DIY projects for the Fall and Christmas. On another note, it's still hot as blazes out so I have some great design and idea posts coming your way for end of sumer fun!

Wax Seal Jewelry

Don't you just love the charm and character of these pieces of jewelry inspired by wax seals? It's a growing trend and spans from costume to fine jewelry pieces. Below is a series of charms from Waxing Poetic. They have a great website with all types and styles of jewelry.

These pieces can all be found on Etsy!

1. http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChYMieRa

2. http://www.etsy.com/shop/suegrayjewelry

3. http://www.etsy.com/shop/stclairboutique

4. http://www.etsy.com/shop/happygolicky

5. http://www.etsy.com/shop/LCimler

6. http://www.etsy.com/shop/KeysAndMemories

7. http://www.etsy.com/shop/RitzyMisfit

Sweet Splurge

Ok, so my birthday is around the corner and this frivolous kitchen gadget is at the top of my wishlist! Although, my desire to own this gadget may also be somewhat driven by the sweltering heat outside! I was thinking about it this weekend while we were sitting by the pool:)

It's the Zoku Popsicle maker that makes home made Popsicles in minutes! Available at Williams-Sonoma for $40 bucks it's not extravagant, but a little pricey for a popscicle maker. I am sure it's convenience will make the splurge worth the investment. I also think it's a great gift. I can think of a number of people who would enjoy it!

The popsicle recipe's are endless... and after watching a popsicle throwdown with Bobby Flay on TV last night I want it more than ever! I will keep you posted and let you know about all the glories of pop making I will enjoy! I am already thinking about delicious home made puddin' pops like i used to have as a kid;)

Check it out at Zoku's WEBSITE.

Cha Cha Lasagna

Want a quick and tasty meal thats also great for leftovers? Here is my recipe for Mexican Lasagna that is sure to please! I love Mexican food, but when I decide to make tacos or fajitas at home I feel like i make such a mess and there are a lot of ingredients and toppings involved. A seemingly easy meal leaves a huge mess at the end of the night. This recipe is a great way to get all of that flavor in one scoop. It's also great because you can alter and change the recipe to your liking.

Ingredients:

1 lb. round Turkey breast, chicken breast, or beef. (I prefer poultry cause there is no grease)

2 cans Ro-Tel Tomatoes (I like one mexican and one spicy but you can pick the seasoning you like best)

1 package of taco seasoning

1 package of tortillas (I prefer flour but you can use corn as well)

1 package of shredded cheese (I like mine cheesy so I use a little more than one package)

Optional items:

corn

beans

fresh cilantro

green onions

sour cream

guacamole

I like to use the base recipe and then garnish with sour cream and refried beans but you can add corn or beans to the meat mixture. Sour cream and guacamole might not bake well so thats why I suggest those as garnishes.

Directions:

Preheat oven at 350 degrees

1. Brown the meat in a pan with some PAM or olive oil, then add the taco seasoning and Ro-Tel tomatoes. (if you are going to use beans, corn, or other cooked add ins, then you would mix them in at this step as well)

2. While you are heating the ingredients on the stove, spray baking pan and line with tortillas (I cut them up so they are easier to place)

3. Lightly sprinkle some cheese over the tortillas, just enough so everything will stick a little bit.

4. Pour about half of the meat mixture from the stove into the baking dish.

5. Add another layer of tortillas and cheese

6. Pour the remaining meat mixture into the dish.

7. Cover with more tortillas and the remaining shredded cheese and garnish with green onions.

8. Bake in the oven uncovered for 20-30 minutes.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream, refried beans, and guacamole!

Total time including prep 45 minutes MAX!