30 day high heel challenge

if you know me, then you know my policy on bets.  i don't take a bet that i know i can't win (like when i won pigskin pick'em).  so when ryan bet me i couldn't wear heels to work for 30 days, i accepted.  don't get me wrong, i love heels but i love my flats even more.  nothing beats slipping on my polka dot coach flats or my lily pulitzer flats and heading out the door.


so instead of scanning over my heels in the morning, i'm actually going to wear the heels ryan's purchased for me over the years.  for 30 days.  that shouldn't be too hard, right?  i wonder if i could get a pedicure and a foot massage into the bet....


you can check my progress at his blog - and read his version of the bet.

one day...

...i'll learn to crochet so i can make beauties like this.

{instructables}

what's one crafting skill you wish you had?

menu planning

what's cooking this week you ask?  well i'll tell ya.

{entrees}

tuesday : chicken & artichokes in white wine sauce

wednesday : leftovers

thursday : garlic lemon chicken kabobs

friday : grilled pizza

weekend : garlic shrimp
monday : cilantro lime shrimp 
tuesday : homemade turkey meatballs with spaghetti 


{side dishes}
veggie salad
black beans & rice


what's heating up your kitchen?

trix pop

i've seen pizza on a stick, cake on a stick, cookies on a stick and even salad on a stick.

but i've never seen cereal on a stick. until now at least.

keep home simple {instructions and more pictures}

this takes the idea of an eat and run breakfast to a whole new level.  i might actually eat breakfast before i get to work if i could have it on a stick.

may or may not

i may or may not have drunk my weight in beer.


i may or may not have tried my first mcgriddle from mcdonalds.


i may or may not have gone back the next day and had another mcgriddle. 

i may or may not of watched 7 games of softball this weekend.


i may or may not of eaten a hot dog after years of not having one.


how was your weekend?

cupcakes in a jar

i love love this idea from my cakies blog.  wouldn't these make great favors at your next party?   

delicious.

pictures like this make me wish i worked in special events and not association meeting planning.  i dream of one day being able to plan special events and weddings for others, and not having to order another gallon of water downed, over priced coffee for a platter of nasty deli meat and warm cheese during a committee meeting. 

{style me pretty}

{amy atlas}

{hostess with the mostess}

pictures like this also make me dream i had an industrial size kitchen, so i could bake all these goodies myself.  perhaps one day both of these dreams will come true...


say, you don't need the money, and you have all the time in the world and no responsibilities, what would your dream job be?

menu planning

this week's menu features mostly recipes from fresh food fast, a new cookbook that i picked up last week while shopping with my mom and sister at home goods.  i'll share the recipes if ryan doesn't demolish the food before i can snap a picture.  he hasn't had a home cooked meal in over a week due to the persistent power outages and my travel schedule so next week's meals will be a welcome treat.

{entrées}
stuffed portobello mushrooms
chicken tortilla pie
sweet & sassy grilled shrimp (a ryan recipe)
taco salad


{sides}
annie's mushroom mac & cheese
black bean, avocado, tomato & cucumber salad

blog header?

i've been wanting to make a new blog header for a while now.  the only problem is that i have no idea where to begin.  i know the color palette i want to use (gray and yellow with some turquoise maybe) and i know i want a pattern.  but after that, i'm not sure where to go or even what to google.  if you have experience, please help! 


i'm also considering going down the blog designer road for a header and background.  i'd like to establish a consistence look for my blog instead of changing it every few weekends like i've been doing (and pulling my hair out in frustration).  do you have experience using a blog design company?  any advice would be much appreciated.  

things i love

when the new kate spade catalog arrived on my doorstep on monday i knew it brought trouble.  trouble for my wallet to be precise.  i feel in love with everything.  


who could resist these nell flats.  i'd pair them with jeans, a grey t-shirt and my black boyfriend blazer.  the perfect causal outfit.  

i'd wear this dress for date night or drinks with ryan.

this gold textured bag could hold the entire contents of my purse, plus a e-reader or ipad, assuming i actually had one of those items.

finally, these heels would dress up a black suit for work or add instant glamor to the little black dress.   

{all images from kate spade}

what are you new fall wardrobe pieces are you lusting after for fall?

the internet is fixed!

finally, after battling with comcast for a week.  didn't they know i have a blog to keep up with?  where are your priorities comcast?!  the service tech assures me the internet is here to stay this time around.  i'm still on the fence about his statement.  


luckily i'd scheduled some posts while i was away so the blog wasn't completely silent.  i was in san diego last wednesday to friday and richmond friday to sunday.
    
since i've been out of town recently, i've seriously slacked on the home front.  here's what i need to accomplish this week.


: tackle the monstrosity that is the laundry
: menu plan for the next two weeks
: make a trip to the grocery store {after 11 hours without power, i'd say everything in the fridge is pretty dicey at this point}
: put items for sale on craigslist
: vacuum the entire house
: clean the kitchen floor
: catch up on my google reader
: figure out how to shut my neighbor's dog up.  the 24/7 barking has taken its toll


man, i'm tired just thinking about it all.  what daunting task at home have you tackled recently?  


ps.  this is my 200th post, go me!

cupcake craft

how stunning is this cupcake liner tree?  it would be a great centerpiece at your next party.  bake it pretty sells tons of patterned cupcake liners - mixing and matching liners would be cool.  my favorite thing?  this is one craft that won't break the bank. 

wino project

introducing my wine cork kitchen mat...

18 million corks later this project is done (and a goal is accomplished!).  good news too - ryan still has all ten fingers, which is a feat after his one-on-one time with the box and paper cutter, slicing all my wine corks like a good boyfriend.  

if you are a wino, then you've probably already got enough corks for this project.  mine took about 108 corks (12 across x 18 high).  if you don't average a bottle a day like my household, check your local wine store - chances are you could snag some corks for free from there!


other than the wine corks, all you need a hot glue gun and some non-slip shelf liner.  i laid my corks out in rows and then just transferred one cork at a time for this project.  feel free to drink wine while doing this project too, it seems only appropriate.   

and i always try to craft in a strapless dress - gotta look classy while crafting, right?

goals - let's recap

july goals - let's recap what i thought i'd do to what i actually did.

craftiness :

: finish wine cork project - post coming.

: new piece of jewelry

healthy habits :

: balanced breakfasts

: cut down soda consumption

: less processed foods, more natural - i killed this goal with lots of veggies, fruits, and homemade sauces, marinades, dips, and even pizza.

food & fun :

: make popsicles

: entertain - perhaps august?  where do the weekends go?

: avoid getting another ticket at dmb show - concert was quite the experience.

other :

: clean windows

: organize under kitchen sink - its no longer a shove and slam situation.
 

august goals - its august already?!

craftiness :

: organize magazine clippings into inspiration folders

: make a new set of coasters

: repair ryan's jeans {after 2.5 years of telling him i'll do it}

healthy habits :

: make natural home cleaners

: donate 15 items to charity 

: get bike fixed

food & fun :

: try an eggplant recipe

: prepare for cowboys nfl pre-season game {aka load the beer fridge and stockpile the chips!}

: make a new dessert recipe

other :

: backup music and pictures

: donate old magazines

what's on your to-do list for this month?

garden update

well one thing has survived this heat, my tomato plants are growing like weeds.  i've already said goodbye to the hopes of the strawberries, watermelon, cilantro, dill, and zucchini making it through the summer.  however, the tomatoes are continuing their strong showing.  and my peppers and cucumbers are still hanging in there, so there's still a glimmer of hope for them.

  
all looks fine and dandy right?  then riddle me this, how come not one of the plants has produced a single fruit or veggie?  ryan's out there tending to their every desire, yet we are coming up empty.  they sure look healthy, so what's the deal?  show me the tomatoes already!  ryan's dad says maybe we've over-watered them?  help!