April 27, 2012

Cute Cacti

I mean could these crocheted cactus get any cuter? They would be perfect for a Cinco de Mayo Party or even just for everyday entertaining.  No watering is required so what a great gift for a friend who lacks a certain green thumb. 







and just when you thought you were at capacity with cuteness...


April 25, 2012

Citrus Grilled Salmon

Ingredients
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 Tbsp minced ginger
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp mustard seed
salt and pepper to taste
4- 6 oz salmon fillets
3 Tbsp diced green onions 


Mix together orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, mustard and mustard seed in a glass baking dish.

Add the salmon and cover. Refrigerate for 1-4 hours, turning salmon once or twice if not fully covered in the marinade.

Heat grill to medium high heat, and spray the grate with cooking spray (we use Pam spray for Grilling). Cook salmon about 5 minutes per side. 

If you want some sauce to pour over your salmon, you can use the marinade that you used before cooking, but you need to bring it to a boil in a saucepan (you must do this if you want to reuse the sauce, because it has had raw fish in it). Garnish with green onions and serve. 

April 24, 2012

NASCAR Newbie

This weekend was my first NASCAR experience at the Kansas Speedway for the STP 400 race. Man was it an experience unlike any sporting event I had ever been to. Before the race we were able to walk down in the middle of the track, and look at some of the cars being weighed; we went through the Victory Lane where the winners are awarded; and we got to watch all of the racers be announced on stage.  

The race itself was louder and faster than I had imagined. Ear plugs/headphones were a must, and unfortunately it was difficult for us to even talk to each other with them in. Despite the windy and chilly weather that we were not dressed appropriately for, it was a fun day at the race!

 Here are some pics from our day at the Kansas Speedway



-Whitney

April 23, 2012

Pork Piccata

The word Piccata is usually connected with chicken but the lemon, butter and caper flavor works really well with pork also.  Pork tenderloin is one of my favorite proteins so when I came across this figure-friendly version I couldn't resist. 


Ingredients :

3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound uncooked lean pork tenderloin, cut into thin slices
2 teaspoon olive oil
3/4 cup canned chicken broth, reduced sodium
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoon salted butter
1 Tablespoon capers, drained


Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine flour, salt and pepper.  Sprinkle over both sides of pork, shaking off excess.
2. Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add pork (can be done in 2 batches) and cook until just cooked through and golden, about 1 1/2 minutes per side, set aside on a serving plate and cover to keep warm. 
3. Whisk together broth, lemon juice, cornstarch, salt and pepper until blended.  Pour into same skillet and combine with pan drippings ; simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Remove skillet from heat and stir in butter until melted.  Stir in capers and spoon over pork. 


Enjoy!

-Megan




April 20, 2012

Funny Four Twenty

Leave it to Jonathan Adler , totally glamming up 420. 
Hemp, Mary Jane, Hashish, Dope and Ganja who knew they could look so cute!
Dope, Vice $128
Ganja, Vice (also available in black) $98
Hashish Candle $68



Happy Holi-daze.

-Megan 

April 18, 2012

Artist Addiction: Nancy Ramirez

Can't get enough of Nancy Ramirez's colorful art! Here are some of my favorites:




Nancy runs COZAMIA, an art print shop, where you can look at her collection of work, and purchase them as well (they are very reasonable). She also has a blog full of her work,  interior decor and inspiration.

April 13, 2012

April BirchBox

My April BirchBox has arrived! I look forward to that bright pink box in my mailbox each month! This month's box had some great smelling perfume, some anti-aging marula oil, a fabulous nailpolish color (that i surprisingly don't have), some night cream and some cleansing towelettes that smell so delicious I could eat them!



I can't wait to try out all of my new samples! Have you signed up yet??

-Whitney

April 12, 2012

DIY $1.99 Tray Makeover


While at our favorite store ever, Hobby Lobby, we found some great trays in the aisle of wooden crafts and knew they had some serious potential! We bought a large rectangle one for $2.99 and then this small octagon shaped one for only $1.99!! We moved on over to the scrap book aisle to check out their array of paper. I found a perfect piece that looked like antique turquoise wood. Once i had my supplies, it didnt take long to complete the tray transformation.

April 10, 2012

Rainbow Reading

Some day I will have a huge bookcase full of books, and I am becoming a huge fan of the color coordinated method or of organization and display! I love how it creates a work of art. Here are some colorful shelves that I am drooling over! It might take me a while to fill shelves these size, but I am working on it!







-Whitney

April 9, 2012

Let There Be Light

Don't these look like photographs!? They are actually paintings! Mary Temple creates these works of art, recreating light falling across the walls of a room, as if it were coming in through a window. How incredible!





Check out the rest of Mary Temple's work here.

April 5, 2012

Fifty Shades....of Grey, Darker & Freed


The Fifty Shades Trilogy by E.L. James is all anyone is talking about these days...and I have to admit I am one of them!!! If you haven't already jumped on the bandwagon, I recommend you do ASAP!

There are a handful of us reading these books right now (I am on the third book, Freed), and it is all we seem to be talking about. Christian Grey has consumed us...who is this beautiful, flawless, fucked-up billionaire? Many of us can't seem to get enough of him!

The movie rights have officially been sold and the number one question out there is...WHO WILL PLAY CHRISTIAN GREY??? Everyone seems to have their own "Christian" in mind and are sticking to it! There was recent a poll on People Magazine's website as to who would play Christian on the big screen. These were their candidates.... 


Personally I would like to see Sam Page play Christian!! Who would you like to see??


-Jane

April 4, 2012

Mason Jar Inspired Bridal Shower

Wedding season has officially begun...engagement parties, bridal showers and bachelorettes, OH MY!

Five of my friends/sorority sisters will be tying the knot this summer (yes I said FIVE)...and I can't wait for each of these beautiful brides to walk down the aisle!

As a bridesmaid and want to be party planner, I hosted a Bridal Shower, along with the other Bridesmaids at my house in Prairie Village, KS. Nikki's Wedding Reception will take place at Mildale Farm and we really wanted to capture some of the rustic wedding ideas from her reception into her shower...especially the Mason Jars!

Below are various pictures from the shower that I hope inspire you....

Mason jars lined the fire place with small votive candles and raffia tied around (candles not lit in pictures)
Burlap table runner with different sized mason jars as the center piece
The "bar"...we served punch in mason jars for a nice fun cocktail
We asked  each guest to write their "key to happiness" for the future bride and groom, this also served as a great guest book for the shower.
As a take away gift, granola in mini mason jars for all the guests
 Thank you to all the lovely Bridesmaids who helped plan this shower!!

-Jane

April 2, 2012

Spring Cleaning your Closet


Switching out your closet for the Spring season is always bittersweet! I am so excited to get out my sun dresses, sandals and shorts, but the process of bringing my Spring and Summer clothes from the basement, and storing my winter stuff, is not so exciting! Each time I trade out my wardrobe, i try to get rid of some things that I don't wear very often, or ever!

I came across this article on Apartment Therapy and thought it had some great tips that I wanted to share.

1) CHOOSE ONE CATEGORY AT A TIME

2) MAKE THREE PILES: KEEP, CONSIGN AND DONATE

3) IN ORDER TO KEEP AN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING, IT MUST PASS THIS TEST:
  • Do I like/am I flattered by the cut AND the fabric AND the color?
  • Am I comfortable in it?
  • Does it fit me right this minute (not when I lose 10 lbs)?
  • Can any damage (stains or holes be fixed)?
  • Can I think of more than one place I can wear it?
  • Does it go with other things in my wardrobe?
  • Have I worn it in the past year?
I hope this helps you and I both with our Spring cleaning and Organizing!

-Whitney