Pumpkin Fun!

Catori giving her best tiger roar

It was so much fun getting our pumpkins all dressed for the Halloween this year.  We had a couple girlfriends of ours over to join in on the festivities with snacks, sounds of the season and lots of laughs.  Deciding to keep our themes more lighthearted and on the silly side of things, made any small hesitation Catori may have had in the beginning, quickly disappear.   She was so excited to use her new paints and paint brushes to decorate her baby pumpkins she couldn't help but cheer me on as I attempted a silly Frankenstein-ette!  Ha. Somehow children can  make a holiday so much more exciting and magical than ever before.  Here are some pictures of our Halloween pumpkins (so far).  These were so much fun and look so cute on our bench, I'm thinking of going to get some more pumpkins and painting them with a Thanksgiving theme.   One of the many reasons I love this time of year! Enjoy!

my attempt at a silly Frankenstien-ette

silly bat with glitter wings

Catori's beatutiful creation

Catori & her daddy carved this one with it's tongue sticking out

Fashion Friday - Fall's Most Fabulous Hats

In honor of my very first Fashion Fridays feature on the blog, I thought I would start off with one of my most favorite Fall obsessions for this year ... the hat! There is no better way to complete an ensemble than with the most flattering head wear. This fall the stores are flooded with wool and felt hats in an array of color and I can not get enough! Try dressing them up with a floral dress and tights, or casually with jeans and a chunky sweater.  There's no way to go wrong with this chic trend so have a little fun with it! Oh, and I haven't forgotten you men either. Hats have always been a staple to the gentlemen wardrobe so find the style that suites you best and channel your inner fashionister!
 *fashionister- male version of a fashionista           Urban Dictionary                                                                                                          http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fashionister

Staring at Stars $39

Urban Outfitters $49

Eric Javits $375

Genie by Eugenia Kim $83

Anthropologie $48

Rag & Bone $175

Brixton $77

Nordstrom $39

Brixton $57

BCBGMaxAzria $78

Urban Outfitters $39

Free People $68

August Hat $38

Free People $134

Brixton $57

Free People $58

BCBG MaxAzria $78

Debate-ably the Best Broccoli Ever!

So I have a confession to make..as much as I try to make my daughter eat her veggies and be a good little girl, I've never really been a fan of broccoli myself. It seems the only way I can remotely enjoy it and feel good about 'eating healthy' is in its raw state dripped in creamy dill dip. I know, it's better than nothing, but I figured there had to be a way to cook broccoli for dinner and we both enjoy it.  Since greens are important to our diet and I was sure all the added spoonfuls of dressing couldn't be the healthiest way to consume it, I started my search.  Of course, it didn't take long on Pinterest before I was flooded with an array of recipes and suggestions, however this one has beaten them all!  The broccoli is absolutely delicious and I cook it at least one to two times a week. I'm even guilty of eating it all by itself as a late night snack.  It is simple, easy, healthy and ready in 20 mins with minimal prep time.  This is a must try.. and oh...my daughter loves it! Enjoy.

1) line baking sheet with foil and spread broccoli apart so they aren't on top of each other

2) drizzle extra virgin olive oil over broccoli

3) salt and pepper to preferred taste (you can even add extra seasoning if you like)

4) cook in oven at 400 degrees for 20 mins. Edges will start to brown a little..that's perfect!

5) drizzle broccoli with lemon juice, but don't over do it or it will overwhelm the flavor

6) sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese cheese 

and ....voila!

Unforgetable Photos

I am blessed to say that my grandmothers, both my mom and dad's mothers, are still here with us.  At the age of 34 that can be a rarity these days but I am one of the lucky ones and have shared so many wonderful memories with them through out my life that I will always cherish.  Now that I am a mother myself, it has been an amazing experience to share my daughter with the most influential women in my life.  I watch Catori with my grandmother and mother and get a sense of pride as to where it is I come from.  This long line of strong and courageous women flows through my blood and now its legacy will continue and carry on through my own children.  My roots run deep and are grounded in decades of sacrifice, bravery, humbleness, pride and amazing examples as what it means to be a wife, mother and grandmother.  Although it is not often since we all live in different states, when us women do get a chance to get together, it is full of laughter and love and increasing memories to take home.  This picture represents my life, my lineage, my past and my future.  

From the age of 2 all the way to 90, here is a glimpse at the cycle of life. 

My daughter Catori's hand, age 2
My hand, age 34
My mother Debbie's hand, age 58
My grandmother Gwendolyn's hand, age 90

Make a Statement!

To say that retail is the best therapy may not be too far off from the truth.  I have always found it be be extremely therapeutic...in any case. So if you find yourself out and about this Fall looking for a little pick me up, just remember that this season is all about making a statement and the bigger, the brighter, the bolder...the better! Whether you are adorning your neck or strutting in a bedazzled sweater, this season's funnest trend will be sure and add a pep to your step.

Here are some fabulous finds to assist in your shopping pleasure!

 

 

 

 

 

Banana Republic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kate Spade

Kate Spade

Anthropologie

Anthropologie

Make it Spooky..

Make it Spooky.. by sara-emberson featuring an enamel ring

Rags to Rugs!

I always thought these rugs were super cool, but I assumed it was only for the elite of the knitting or crochet community.  That's why I love Pinterest! (as I'm sure most women in the modern world of technology do today). This rag rug was no more than cutting strips of fabric, braiding and a simple whip stitch..oh, and time...yeah, lots and lots of time. ;o)  I have to admit, it was fun and quickly became a soothing project that I could mindlessly do while unwinding at the end of my day. The best part about it, you really can't mess it up!

1. Start by collecting all those old tshirts you were about to throw away or donate to Goodwill
2. Lay the tshirt flat and cut 2 inch wide strips going from one side of the shirt to the other in horizontal rows. This will create several loops of fabric for you. (I avoided using the upper portion of the tshirt, stopping right below the arm holes so that my strips could be as long as possible)

3. Cut each loop, preferably along one of the seams if there is one, allowing them to now become a long narrow strip of fabric.

4.  Do this over and over with each tshirt until you have a sufficient pile of fabric strips.  The more colors and patterns the better if you are wanting to make an eclectic rug like I have here.
5. Take 3 strips of fabric, tie one set of ends together in a big knot and start braiding. And keep braiding!  When you get to the end of a strip of fabric, simply take another one, tie the ends together, and keep going.  I love the ends of the fabric to stick out a little, giving it that more rugged appeal.
6. Keep going until all your fabric is joined together in one braid long enough for the size rug you are trying to achieve.

7.  Now for the stitching part.  Take one end of your braided fabric and start to roll it into a circular pattern.  You'll want to start your whip stitch at the very center and hold tightly together.  Only stitching the very edge of the sides together will help it lay down the way you will need it to.  Keep stitching...and stitching...until there is no braid left to stitch! 
side note:  don't worry about your whip stitch looking perfect or aligned just right.  I found that the more random and natural the stitches were, the more authentic and unique the rug looked.
8.  and finally...Ta Da! (as my 2 year old would say), you have a nice new rag rug!

Fly high with cosmetics on the go!

Okay, so you barely made it in time to the airport for bag check, but luckily you are a pro at operating the self check-in kiosk and you proudly avoided that pesky line at the counter with the grumbling travelers. Sure you forgot and had to toss your bottle of water at security, but you've finally made it through and are heading towards the nearest Starbucks for a cinnamon dolce latte, your favorite way to relax before boarding a flight. Then it hits you...BAM! You forgot your entire make-up bag on the bathroom counter in a last minute rush to make it out the door! Now what?
Have no fear my jet setting beauties! Benefit Cosmetics has come up with the perfect idea to save you and you won't even have to leave the airport. Rolling out into just 25 US cities, DFW airport now has the Benefit Glam Up & Away airport vending machines dispensing 30 of the beauty company's top products. These adorable pink contraptions, that look more like a vintage ice-cream truck, landed in our great state as of late August and can be found at terminals C22 and D21.
Even if you're one of those that cautiously pack your bag and have every item you need, you'll still enjoy browsing the Benefit cosmetics and all their adorably girly products.  You'll love items such as "They're Real" Mascara, "Hello Flawless" powder coverup and "That Gal" brightening face primer.  Or one of my favorites, "Take a Picture-It Lasts Longer" silky glimmering body balm. Enjoy!

**article as seen on Features page in Swagg Magazine October issue -- http://www.swaggmags.com/