Happy Halloween.

We celebrated Halloween very simply this year. I didn't even know what my boys were going to dress up as until the day before. My husband decorated our front porch only hours before the trick-or-treaters arrived, feeling a little embarrassed in our neighborhood whose porches were decorated to the hilt. Not sure why, but the spooky spirit didn't bite until a week before, and by then, I didn't feel that decorating was worth the effort.

Still, we had a fantastic holiday. We spent the morning at IKEA. Left the older two with IKEA's babysitters and shared an almost-intimate lunch and shopping trip together. (The baby's babbles were welcome addition to our conversation.) The pumpkin carving happened without a hitch. I used my handy pumpkin carving knife, while my husband brought out his power-tool of choice. A true manly-man, I suppose. My husband decided to make an elephant out of one of our pumpkins that sported an extra long and thick stem. We had at least 4 people take picture of it. Way to be creative, Hubs. The kids looked adorable in their last minutes costumes. The food was delish and the after-kid's-bedtime movie was fantastic.

I may have cheated a little on my sugar fast. I feel kinda bad about it. I had a bite of pumpkin cookie without thinking. Dang. Recommitted today and didn't cheat. One more week, then Red Mango, here I come. 

I'm officially ready for November. It's a favorite month of mine. My birthday will arrive in 23 days. The big 2-8.

*Is anyone else ready to pull out their Christmas tree? I'm usually anti-Christmas decor until after Thanksgiving, but I've been humming "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" for two months now.

Candy Corn Pizza

Another Halloween food idea to share. Homemade pizza, styled as candy corn. A crowd pleaser to be sure. Even my daughter, who is anti-combined foods, was excited to eat this this. (Which is a miracle, to say the least.)

How To:
Shape your favorite pizza crust into a circle.
Add sauce.
Place mozzarella cheese in the center, cheddar (or your favorite yellow cheese) around the mozzarella.
Add pepperoni, ham, or tomatoes to the edge of pizza crust.
Cook, then cut.
Voilà! The slices look like candy corn.

Wishing you a Happy Halloween. Will be back later to share our simple festivities.

Witch Hat Cookies

Happy Halloween-Eve. My daughter requested that we make these cookies yesterday, and I couldn't say no to her sweet face. These are the epitome of junk food, but they are ultra-kiddo friendly. (And, I must add, husband-friendly.)

You will need:
• Fudge Stripes Cookies
• Hershey Kisses
• Orange, red or purple frosting (I bought gel frosting on accident. These turn out must cuter with an opaque frosting.)

How to:
01. Melt 1/2 of the Kisses by boiling water in a pan and melting the chocolates in a bowl sitting over the boiling water. (A trick learned from my sister.)

03. Dip a Kiss in the melted chocolate and place on the bottom of one of the Fudge Stripes cookies.

04. Make a border with the frosting around the base of the Kiss. If you have the opaque frosting, you can draw a cute bow onto the border.
05. Let dry then enjoy & share.

Tip: 
My daughter requested that we add sprinkles to the hats...and the gel frosting ended up being great for that since it is super sticky.

Easiest Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER.

Halloween is mostly about the sweets...and we take that very seriously in my home.

Today my kids and I made two different batches of cookies. Yes, TWO! Both are super simple and not exactly from scratch. Not my normal kind of cooking. But it is Halloween, and we can get a little scary on here, can't we?

This first cookie uses a cake mix. (Seriously! It does. I thought that I didn't really believe in cake mixes, but this is the second cookie-from-a-cake-mix recipe I've posted. I'd be embarrassed if they weren't yummy.)

The best thing about this recipe? Your work is done for you - everything is pre-measured. It is a dump-dump-dump-done recipe.

You will need: 
• 18 oz box of Spice Cake Mix
• 15 oz can of Pumpkin Puree
• 12 oz bag of Chocolate Chips (Pumpkin cookies are the one time I prefer Milk Chocolate chips.)

How to:
01. Dump, dump and dump the three ingredients into your mixing bowl. Stir until combined. (Don't over mix. These are basically a quick bread, and you know the drill with those.)
02. Spoon onto a cookie sheet.
03. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes.
04. Devour.


Tip:
You can make this as muffins or a bread if you'd prefer. Same recipe. Bake for 20-25 minutes in muffin tins; 55-60 minutes in a loaf pan.

*Come back tomorrow for another super easy cookie idea!
*No...I did not eat any cookies today. I'm still on a sugar fast. Two more weeks! I'm counting down...

Wplus9 Catch Up.

I have been out of my normal routine and am just now posting a couple cards I made a couple weeks ago for Wplus9.

This first card is a bit crazy, and even busier in person.  I'm not sure what I was thinking when I was putting it together. So much going on...but I kind of like it. Dawn asked us each to use our current favorite Wplus9 stamp set to make a project. I, of course, picked Ever After for the flowers and pretty sentiments.

CONGRATULATIONS
Stamps: Wplus9 (Ever After)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Cardstock: Neenah
Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket
White Gel Pen: Uniball Signo
Markers: Copic
Jewels: Michaels (Clear, colored with Copic markers)
Circle Punch: Stampin' Up (For bottom scallops)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Dawn chose some very appropriate colors for October's Color Cue! Come check out the challenge. I'd love to see you participating.

GRATEFUL GREETINGS
Stamps: Wplus9 (Background Builders: Hearts, Season of Thanks, Woodgrain Silhouettes Additions)
Ink: Colorbox (Charcoal & Rouge)
Cardstock, Button: Papertrey Ink
Scallop Punch: Stampin' Up (For bottom scallops)
Ribbon: American Crafts
Tag: cut freehand by me


***Both of these cards were based on cards in the magazine that I am the graphic designer for: CARDS. Thanks to Ashley Cannon Newell and Maile Belles for inspiring me so often!

Rick Rack Rosette Necklaces

I finally got my craft on this weekend. I made two matching necklaces: one for me and one for a craft exchange I'm participating in. I've been spotting these necklaces everywhere and had to make my own version.

They are so simple and easy. I chose to make mine with dark wooden beads and navy & sky blue rick rack. I was picturing wearing it with a white t-shirt and jeans...until I realized I didn't own a white t-shirt. (How weird is that? I've added it to my "must purchase soon" list.)

I used two strands of embroidery thread. (I'm sure there is a more professional-jewelry thread that you should use, but alas, I am no jewelry-making pro.) To make the rosettes, you roll up 4-5 inches of rick rack, adding glue to both raw edges to prevent fraying, and pierce through the center with a needle and thread. I alternated between light and dark rosettes with small and large wooden beads in between each one. Tie the ends of the thread once the necklace is your preferred size. Tuck the threads into a bead to hide ends.

I love the way it turned out. Thinking about making a pink and yellow one next...

Oct May I Suggest: Fashion.

Today is our final installment of October's May I Suggest series. Meg, Marta and Lindsay did a fantastic job! I've loved reading their advice, tips and suggestions. 

Today, we are discussing fashion. I found it funny that each of these girls say that they aren't qualified to give fashion advice, but this is one of the main reasons I wanted these girls on the panel! I love their taste! They each look completely stylish and comfortable in their own skin. I love that these women are true to themselves and to their own style. And they each have superb taste!

MEG
I am not one to give fashion advice... that's for sure! To be totally honest, I am a recovering jeans and t-shirt mom (didn't you know that was a condition?). What that means is, I usually wear just jeans and a t-shirt... no jewelry, no fun textures or designs... just a plain old pair of jeans + t-shirt (oh... and flip flops). I say recovering because I'm trying really hard to break free from this cycle, because it doesn't make me feel very cute or flattering that's for sure. Something kind of unique (or maybe not so unique) happened to me last year to pull me out of this rut. I was diagnosed with cancer, and lost all my hair from chemo. It's one thing to not feel super cute cause you're wearing just jeans + t-shirt... but to be in jeans and a t-shirt and be bald is a whole different level. I did not feel very good about my physical appearance, and I realized that I was not taking very good care of my self esteem this way. I made a little promise to myself that I was going to try a lot harder to look nice and to put myself a little higher on the priority list instead of never buying cute things for myself for whatever reason I had. It's important to feel good about yourself and to feel good about your appearance. Turns out, it doesn't have to cost a lot of money to get a few cute things for yourself to turn a drab outfit to a fabulous one. Here are a few tricks and "rules" that I try to live by now...

1- A little bit of color goes a long ways - I really like keeping my outfits pretty neutral. I like to wear black, brown, gray, white, cream, denim... pretty bland huh? Well, I've learned that a little bit of color can go a long way. Slip on a pair of yellow shoes, or wear a red necklace. Throw in some color somewhere and you will feel less drab and more pulled together. I love to add color in my accessories, belts, cardigans, necklaces, shoes, the possibilities are endless.
2- Cardigans are your friends - I love a good cardigan. They are one of my favorite things ever! I can still wear my jeans + t-shirt and throw on a cute cardigan, and I feel a million times cutter. I really love them. I've found some really cute ones for under $20 from Old Navy, Target, Wet Seal, and Kohl's. And I don't think you can ever have too many cardigans... so start piling them up!
3- Wear some earrings - I guess this only applies if you have your ears pierced. But I really try hard to wear earrings everyday. I like simple style so I usually wear just a simple pair of diamond or pearl earrings. Nothing too flashy, but enough to feel feminine. There are also lots of cute colored flower earrings that are popular right now. I feel a lot more put together if I have a cute pair of earrings in.

Now if I wear my jeans + t-shirt, and a cute pair of flats, with my cardigan and some simple earrings... I feel cute and I still get to wear my jeans + t-shirt... nice.
{Images from Old Navy (cardigan), Target (earrings), Flats (DSW.com)}

Thank you Hannah for this fun experience and for inviting as a guest on your blog!

LINDSEY
Somehow, somewhere, a pig must be flying: I'm giving fashion tips. I'm a little out of my element, so bear with me...

Maybe it's funny to mention "scrubs" and "fashion" in the same breath, but since I wear them five days a week, it was important to me to find some that didn't make me look like a 12-year-old boy. For anyone else out there who wears scrubs frequently, I recommend Med Couture by Peaches. They're comfortable, high quality, modest, and even moderately attractive. They're on the pricier side, but, for me, feeling confident and feminine every day is worth the investment.

Some women like shoes. Some like purses. I like jackets. Love them, actually. The Old Navy trench pictured above is one of my favorites. My white AE trench shielded me from a rainy May in London. My grey pea coat kept me warm and classy as a missionary in drizzly Oregon. My spring green blazer looks fantastic with jeans. Now I'm getting nostalgic--my jackets have been woefully neglected for the past three years. How sad is it that I live in a land with no winter?

I like dresses. Maybe it's the 50's housewife in me, but I think they're beautiful and classy, and generally pretty comfortable. The dress pictured is last year's oceanfront maxi dress by DownEast basics. It's flattering and comfortable enough to sleep in. Modest dresses can be tricky to find; I usually have the best luck at DownEast, Old Navy, Kohl's, or Target.

Thanks, Hannah, for this opportunity. I have had a lot of fun sharing some of my favorites with all of you!


MARTA
i'm the last person anyone would want fashion advice from, but i am happy to add a few tips that i've learned along the way.

01. my favorite store for cute clothes has to be H&M. i highly recommend shopping a store near you! the prices can't be beat and the styles fit my frame really well. (the kids clothes are adorable too!) my recent favorite find was a boyfriend tee v-neck from target. super comfy and soft and flattering. i wear it all the time; to yoga, to sleep, to run around in. i need five more!

02. for jeans, i love banana republic. my sisters and i laughed when we showed up for a girls weekend all wearing banana republic jeans! the fit, the little bit of stretch and the streamlined design is the best. i also love the skinny jeans from anthropologie, my hip cousin introduced me to the brand pilcro and the letterpress. really comfortable pants! sometimes you can find them on super sale too.

03. my mom is such a fashionista. she taught me to layer. think in threes when it comes to putting an outfit together; a top, pants & a vest (or chunky necklace, cardigan, scarf, etc.) to make the ensemble look more pulled together. try it, it works wonders for my plain jane lifestyle. however i must admit my third item is usually a hoodie sweatshirt (i am big on comfort)!

04. i also think it's key to splurge on classics (items you can wear forever like leather boots, a pea coat, a lovely sweater) and be thrifty with trendy clothing that might only last a season or so.

05. as a busy mom, i find myself depending on a few favorite accessories to keep me looking a little less slobby (i hope); a good bag (mine are all giant), cute sunglasses, a couple hats, fun nailpolish and comfy kick around shoes (i love converse brand).

thank you, hannah for such a fun series!! am happy i could suggest a few favorites of mine this month.
 
Do you have some entertainment suggestions? Please do share in the comment section!
Want to know more about May I Suggest? Click Here to read all about it.
Interested in participating in the future? Please email me.

I've Been Thinking.

• Back from our short vacation to Idaho. I think this is the most beautiful October that Idaho has ever seen. The weather was marvelous during our stay. Seriously spectacular. And being in a farm town during the harvest? There is nothing like it.

• Thank you for indulging me in a lengthy blog break. It's been a while since I actually wrote. I've been in a bit of a "blogger burnout." And busy with life. (Teaching my 5-yr-old to read. A school fun-run. Picking out books from the class book order. The local pumpkin and raspberry patches. Hugs. Kisses. Snuggling babies. You know...all the important things that cannot wait for me to write a post.) I don't want my life to revolve around my blog, but rather let my blog revolve around my life. I do love to blog. And I've missed it. Thank you for sticking around.

• Remember when I used to be crafty? Me too. It's been a few weeks since I've created anything but cards and I'm starting to get the itch. (Be prepared for some crafty posts!) I am a fickle hobbyist. Sometimes (a lot of the time) my time waster of choice is crafting. Then, something else pulls my attention and my craft scissors are put back on the shelf. Right now, my current distractants are books. I'm a bit obsessed, really. I can't stop. Every other day, I start a new one. Finished "Atonement" last night (meh) and picked up two more books today. (Crime & Punishment and Memoirs of a Geisha.)

• I've received quite a few emails asking about my allergies. Thank you, thank you for your concern. Here is your answer: I'm ignoring them. It is true. Last night, I had sour cream after being off dairy for 5-6 weeks. I was up all night with a severe stomach ache. I laid rolled up in a ball on my bed, holding my stomach all night. I panicked thinking my dairy allergy results must be right. I wasn't ready to give in, though. So, today...I ate leftovers with sour cream for lunch. (I know...stupid. But, I needed to confirm to myself that it was the sour cream causing the problems.) NO side effects today. It must have been a bug or food poisoning. I am rejoicing. And still ignoring my allergies. I'm not giving up.

• My sugar strike is still going strong. Have been off for 6 weeks now. 4 more to go. This is a huge feat for a sweet tooth like myself. I don't think I have ever made it even a week before now. Am very proud of myself. But, I do frequently have dreams of eating ice cream. And Costco's huge chocolate cake. (Have you had it? You SHOULD. It is the best.) I wonder how I'll survive Halloween. Maybe we'll be the annoying neighbors who hand out toothbrushes.

Have a fantastic week. Will be back. I have some cards, crafts and more thoughts to share.

Lift a Life in Haiti.

I think we have all been touched by the trials that the Haitian people have had to go through; especially after their horrible natural disasters this year. I was glued to the TV in horror as I watched those poor people suffer through such a devastating tragedy. But, as we live in such comfort, it is easy to forget that they are still struggling. There are still thousands of people trying to rebuild homes. Children without parents. Families who can't afford to feed themselves. It is humbling to think about.

My dear friend, Amy, volunteers for a non-profit organization called IASK. It is a service group for child advocacy and humanitarian aid in Haiti. They were founded in 2002 and have done so much good, but they really need your help. If you live in Utah, they are putting on an amazing concert this Saturday. The price is $10 now or $15 at the door. The headliner is Alex Boye (who is absolutely incredible.) Jason Hewlett, a hilarious comedian, will also be preforming.

$10/$15 for a concert is a great deal already, but knowing that the money will be donated to children in Haiti makes it a steal! Come out and support!

If you can't make it to the concert, please take a moment to check out their website. There is so much good you can do, and they will have more information for you there. Remember that even the smallest contribution can make a difference.

Oct May I Suggest: Entertainment.

HANNAH
I am posting this while on vacation to Idaho. We planned it last minute and headed up for some good, autumn, farm-country fun. I love it up here during this time of the year. The air is clean and crisp and the weather is surprisingly warm and comfortable. These people know how to celebrate Halloween. Straw mazes and pumpkin patches to rival anywhere.

I've been reading like crazy over the past 2 weeks. (8 books started and finished within the month of October.) I go through spurts with reading. I'll go 2 months without finishing a book and then will read a book every other day for the next two. Currently in the midst of the later. I've finished the first two books in the Hunger Games series. Fantastic. I love juvenile fiction. (What does that say about me, I wonder?) I also read "These is My Words." One of the greatest love stories I've read in a long time...without being cheesy. A REAL love story. Just started Atonement and am enjoying it thus far. A friend informed me that it is sad. Not sure I can deal with another tragedy, but I'm being brave.  I'd love to hear any of your book suggestions!


MARTA
i come from a big family who loves to play games. some of my favorite memories ever are gathering around our table together. we love the classics; Scrabble, Phase 10, Apples To Apples, Settlers of Catan, Rummy-O, and Catch Phrase. my mom and i are also known for creating a custom version of $25,000 Pyramid for the family to play. we love staying up late and brainstorming a fun game to re-create and play as a group. dan and i love playing checkers, so last christmas i surprised him with a large rug checker set, the same kind i had when i was a kid. we love it and hope our kids will get it out to play someday too!

LINDSEY
Books: I am an avid reader, and I love a good book. Novels are my weakness. Here are two I've read in the past year that have changed my life: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and The Help. Both are absolutely beautiful, full of characters you really miss once you're finished--or am I the only one who does that? (They're not in the picture because they're currently lent out to friends--I couldn't keep them to myself!)

Games: My husband and I love board games. Even though we're both pretty competitive (we've had to ban Monopoly in our house more than once for the sake of our marriage), we often spend leisure time playing games with friends or each other. Here are a couple of our favorite recent acquisitions: Roll Through the Ages (45 minutes, 1-4 players, ages 8+; wooden dice and pieces, different every time you play) and Alhambra (tile laying game, each player "builds" their own city; 2-6 players, 60 min, ages 8+)

Internet: I'm probably stating the obvious with both of these suggestions, but they're so awesome I'm going to mention them just in case there's someone who's late to the party like I was. Google Reader: subscribe to blogs, pages, news sites, you name it--it's free, and you can check for updates on all of your favorite sites in the same place. Hannah mentioned Amazon Wish List a couple weeks ago--if you haven't looked into it yet, you need to. I am horrible at remembering specific things I want for Christmas/birthdays, but now I add items to my wish list any time I see something on the internet that strikes my fancy--and it doesn't even have to be on the Amazon site! Forward the link to your list to whoever you want. Voila!

MEG
I'm going to give some entertainment ideas that are not "technology based". These are things that are fun for your whole family to do together...

1- Go on a beautiful drive - Hopefully where ever you live there is something beautiful to see not too far away. We love going on drives and seeing the beautiful outdoors. A few weeks ago we made a day trip out of it and took a 3 hour drive to go and see the beautiful changing leaves in Utah (we live in Nevada and don't get much of that here). We will bring books on tape or I'll make a fun play list of music for all of us to listen too, and we hit the road. I love doing quick little road trips, so fun!
2- Fish Taco Picnic-- I love fish tacos... they are probably one of my favorite meals ever. Something new we've been doing is taking fish tacos out on a picnic somewhere. I'll prepare black beans, pico de gallo, grilled salmon (or whatever meat you want to bring), cabbage, at home and put them in some tupperware. We bring along a little portable butane stove with a pan and our corn tortillas to heat up so it's very little clean up and prep at the site. This makes a picnic so much more enjoyable than smashed bread for sandwiches, promise!
3- Fireplace Peach Cobbler - We have a wood burning fireplace in our house that doesn't get used very often. Something that we like to do is when we are watching a movie or have friends over, we pull out the dutch oven and make peach cobbler in our fire place. It makes dessert so much fun! My go to peach cobbler recipe is very easy. You need one can of peaches, one cake mix, and a can of Sprite. Pour the peaches and juice into the bottom of the dutch oven. Pour the cake mix on top. Pour the Sprite on top of the cake mix and mix it in a little till the dry mix is gooey (don't stir so much that the peaches get incorporated, those stay on the bottom). Bake with coals on the top and bottom of dutch oven until cake is browning and done! Super easy, super fun in your house!


Do you have some entertainment suggestions? Please do share in the comment section!
Want to know more about May I Suggest? Click Here to read all about it.
Interested in participating in the future? Please email me.

Giveaway: Creairtive

I discovered Creairtive when its owner, Senja, left a comment here on my blog. I instantly fell in love with her colorful, whimsical style. I came away wanting everything she offers. Such fun and beautiful pieces that would be a great addition to anyone's wardrobe. And the prices? They are fantastic! Almost shockingly low for how fabulous this jewelry is! I adore the patina butterfly earrings and the darling button earrings. The felted earbuds are to die for. Please take a moment to check out her shop. You won't be disappointed.

Senja contacted me asking if she could giveaway one of her beautiful peices on my blog, and I was so thrilled to share her lovely shop with all of you. She is generously giving away her gorgeous Triple Floral Necklace.


Please comment on this post by Monday, October 18th to enter. Closed.

CONGRATS to: Simply Live!

*Senja is also giving a 15% discount to all Sherbet Blossom readers. Just mention "Sherbet Blossom" in the "message to seller" box at checkout. Thank you, Senja!!

Weekend Wrap-up :: Welcome, Fall.

Fall has arrived. Our abnormally warm weather has fleeted and the conditions are now allowing for sweaters. And the heater. I have the heater turned up to 75 degrees. (I have a bad case of cold hands in temperatures under 65 degrees. I hate chilly fingers, and wearing gloves isn't really conducive to productive designing.) Our slight chill has actually been rather perfect. I've been collecting soup recipes, burning fall candles and harvesting squash. I think October is my favorite.

This last weekend past in a blur. On our weekend's docket:

Purse Party.  I attended. I love purses, so I really should be banned from purse parties. I'm proud to report that I came away with ZERO new purses. I was quite pleased with myself. My checkbook is still blank. Just the way it should be right now.

Work. J studied and I worked all Friday. We've combined our offices so we can do this sort of thing together. I love having him only feet away...even if we are busy doing our own thing. J occasionally breaks out a joke to make me smile and liven the too-serious moments.

My Class. Saturday morning was frantic as I prepared the last-minute details for my "Basic Blogger Design" class at Nicole Hill's SLC Art Weekend. Copying, stapling and uploading away. I left with plenty of time to spare and headed for the darling downtown-hotel location. Half way there, my tire blew. COMPLETELY blew. It was scary, and I hate being late. A sweet policeman saved the day, but once I arrived, my new MAC computer didn't have the right plugs for the projector. Seriously, MAC. The class went great, regardless of the comedy of errors. I had some really nice feedback and requests for an advanced class. Am thinking about it.

Corn Maze. J took me to a corn maze that night. We were desperately lost, even though we used the cheater text-for-clues signs. The "30-minute" maze took us a good hour. We decided against trying the hour maze. Who knows if we would have made it out alive.

Family Time. A yummy, made-up recipe that I hope to be able to replicate. (Why don't I ever write my creations down?) On Sunday, we all crashed on the living room floor. All five of us sleeping. It was a perfect ending to a busy weekend.

Am looking forward to a week of no plans. Maybe a weekend getaway is in order. Who knows. Sometimes living on the fly is a thrill. Especially for a girl who tends to over-plan.

Hope your week is lovely.

Oct May I Suggest: Kitchen.

MARTA

• small williams-sonoma rubber spatulas (perfect for everything)
• pyrex measuring pitchers (these are a staple around here for melting and measuring)
• mini whisks (awesome for brownie and muffin batter)
• lemon squeezer (i use this way more than i ever thought i might)
• garlic crusher (this one is amazing. thank you, david.)
• stainless steel measuring cups (may as well splurge on the good kind so the measurements never rub off; however benji adores my retired plastic ones)
• cookie spatula (sturdy and thin enough for the most fragile sugar cookie)
• vegetable palm peeler by chef'n (way better than my rusty swivel version)
• slotted wooden spoon (this goes without saying)
• three cookie sheets (i hate scrubbing them, but love having more than two for big batches)
• large container of cookie cutters (my mom gave me an assorted collection when i got married. it's such a great gift idea to a young bride who assumes her days will be full of cookie making and frosting and sprinkling)
• hand egg beater (i feel like a legit housewife with this hand-me-down in my drawer)

LINDSAY
When I'm in the mood for it, I love cooking.  I've discovered so many wonderful kitchen gadgets in the past couple years that it's been tough to narrow them down for this post, but here are a few of my favorites:

Baking stone:  The more you use it, the better it gets (which is why I would never trade mine for a new one, no matter how black and mottled it is).  My favorite application is homemade pizza, but it also works great for artisan breads and cookies.  Stoneware decreases scorching and makes crispier crusts.  Tips: food tends to turn out better when the stone is hot, so preheat the stone along with the oven, and don't wash it with soap--the stone can absorb it and soap takes away the stone's "seasoning."

Fresh Mozzarella:  I am, unfortunately, a cheese wuss--I don't handle strong, sharp flavors well--but fresh mozzarella is something even I can appreciate.  It's very mild and soft, and you can use it on all kinds of things: chunked up in salads, sliced on homemade pizza or lasagna, or as an integral part of this bruschetta, which is one of my absolute favorite foods.

Inside Out Bowls:  When it comes to Anthropologie, I'm more of a looker than a shopper, but I fell head-over-heels for these bowls...so we splurged a little. They're just the right size for fruit or ice cream, and we use them all the time.  And maybe I'm just easily satisfied, but every time I see them in my cupboard, they make me happy.

MEG
I like to keep my kitchen very simple and organized. I find that I enjoy cooking a lot more when I do. And to me simple means not having a lot of gadgets and stuff around if I don't really need them. I really like using my hands in the kitchen instead of letting other things do the hard work for me. With that being said I had to wrack my brain a bit to find some good kitchen things to share with all of you...

1. Wooden Spoons and Spoon Oil: There is something about using a wooden spoon when I'm cooking that makes me feel like a real authentic cook. Or maybe it just reminds me of watching my grandma cook when I was a little girl. I don't know what it is, but stirring a pot of {insert favorite food here} with a wooden spoon makes me really happy. I've started a little collection of them, and it's been a fun thing for me. One thing that is important is that you take care of your wooden spoons, cutting boards, bowls, or anything else wooden that you use in the kitchen so that it doesn't dry out and splinter. It's really simple to whip up some spoon oil and use it to condition your wood. I found great instructions over at 3191 to do this. I used about 2 ounces of beeswax (got mine at Whole Foods) and 8 ounces of mineral oil (found in the pharmacy section of the supermarket) to make the jar of spoon oil pictured above. Want to feel like you're an old pro in the kitchen and making the most delicious home cooked meal ever? Use a wooden spoon!
2. White dish towels: Again, I like my kitchen to be simple yet functional and having all white kitchen towels helps me accomplish this. If they get super dirty, stained, no big deal. Throw them in the wash with some bleach and they come out looking great! It also helps me to really see when they do need to be changed out (hard to keep a dirty white towel around too long). I've found that through the years my taste and style changes and I've usually ended up with a whole lot of mismatched towels that look worn out and, switching to all white solves that problem. There is just something about having clean, white dish towels in the kitchen that makes me want to pull one out to cover some rising dough... I don't know, maybe it's a mind trick, but I strongly suggest it.
3. Homemade All Purpose Cleaner: I like to make my own cleaning spray. I started doing this about a year ago and I don't think I will ever go back. It's super easy, and I love it. Here's what you do. Get a spray bottle from the store. Now you fill it with three ingredients. Water, rubbing alcohol, and vinegar (using equal parts of each). That's it. I used to use 409 but it would make me sneeze every time I used it (not cool), and then I switched to Greenworks which I loved, but I go through so much of this stuff I hated having to buy it all the time. So now I make my own, and I really love this combination. I use it to clean my counters, mirrors, tables, smudges on the walls, you name it. And I promise that as soon as the vinegar dries you wont even smell it anymore.


HANNAH
With so many good suggestions listed above, I feel good about saying I skipped out this week. Am getting ready to teach at the SLC Art Weekend tomorrow, and preparing has been all-consuming. But, if I were to pick some favorite items in the kitchen, I would say:
1. Sugar
2. Wheat
3. Eggs
4. Dairy
Everything I'm not eating (sugar) or have recently discovered I'm allergic to. In my family, Food+Eating=LIVING. Right now, I'm leaning towards ignoring my allergies and living with the consequences. A stomach ache sounds a lot nicer than never eating Gma's cookies again. (Best cookie recipe ever. No really, it is.)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Wplus9 Oct '10 Release.

Have you seen Dawn's full reveal of this month's fabulous stamps? It not, take a moment to check them out! They will not disappoint!!

TO: FROM:
Stamps: Wplus9 (Poinsettia Patterns)
Ink: Colorbox
Dies: Nestabilites
Rhinestones: Michaels

Check out the other Wplus9 Design Team projects:

• Dawn
• Elise
• Maile
• Jinny
• Kerrianne
• Savitri

Blog Sale!

Check out the STAMPING sale HERE.

Marta's How To Posts.

I was thrilled when I received an email from cute Marta asking me to participate in her How-To series. Today, I'm talking all about my chore system! ("How to Run an Efficient Household.") Head over there to check it out.

*If any of you are interested in downloading or purchasing my chore chart, you can buy the printed one here or buy the file here and print it yourself!

Wplus9 Oct '10 Release Day 2.

Am loving Dawn's pretty fall set. Dreaming of pretty placecards and Thanksgiving centerpieces made with it. I can't wait to stamp more!

GIVE THANKS
Stamps: Wplus9 (Season of Thanks)
Ink: Colorbox
Cardstock, Twine: Papertrey Ink

Want to see more of this pretty set? Stop by to see what the other Design Team members are up to:

• Dawn
• Elise
• Jinny
• Kerrianne

On My Mind Today.

 a. LDS General Conference was fantastic and uplifting. Am ready to re-watch many of my favorites. Motivated to be better and do better. The best thing about General Conference is it feels like a new start. I recommit myself to live more fully and be more kind. Hubby was home all weekend, which is better than Christmas for the kiddos. Even Baby D has developed a strong attachment for his sweet daddy. He crawled over to his sleeping-on-the-floor dad and put his cheek on J's cheek to cuddle. It was the cutest Baby D moment to date.

b. A call from my doctor on Friday. Am officially allergic to everything. Well...it feels like everything. Wheat, dairy and eggs. Seriously? I don't even know what to eat. I don't get sick when eating them, it is just causing some severe vitamin deficiencies because the allergies aren't allowing my body to absorb them. I really don't have motivation to avoid them. I don't know what to do.

c. Haven't eaten sugar in 5 weeks. Am excited for this challenge to be over. A few neighborhood friends keep mentioning their trips to Red Mango. I think that will be my first stop when this no-sugar challenge is over. I miss that place.

d. 5 days until the Art Weekend. I have some work to do before I am ready to teach. Am very excited to share my blog-designing knowledge with others.

Wplus9 Oct '10 Release Day 1.

I know I say it every month, but this Wplus9 release is the best yet. I love Dawn's stamps! She is so fantastic. Today, we are all featuring one of the three stamps sets to be released; Damask Frames. It is a lovely and versatile set.

FOR YOU WITH LOVE
Stamps: Wplus9 (Damask Frames)
Ink: Colorbox
Cardstock, Ribbon, Buttons, Twine: Papertrey Ink
Punch: Stampin' Up!


Want to see more? Stop by to see what the Design Team is up to:

• Dawn
• Elise
• Jinny
• Kerrianne

Oct May I Suggest: Beauty.

Loving the suggestions this week! I've already added a few items to my wishlist. Hope you enjoy!

MEG
1. This last year I've tried to branch out from Burt's Bees as my go too for lips and have been trying out different lipsticks. I really like Boots N07 Sheer line from Target. It's nice and smooth, leaves a great color on your lips without being too thick and cakey. I have a few of their colors and have liked every one of them.

2. I'm sporting a super short hair do these days, and I really love the texture and hold of Short Sexy Hair. I've been using the "slept in" product and I'm loving it. It's not super sticky, it holds all day, and you can put it on either wet hair or dry hair and it still looks great!

3. This might be a stretch here... but I'm going for it! I think that if you take a few minutes to exercise a few days a week, it will do more for your beauty and make you feel better than any potion or lotion that is out there. There are so many great benefits to regular exercise. I'm a busy mom like many of you and have to get creative to find time to exercise. I really love Jillian Michael's workout DVDs. I've tried a lot of workout DVDs and I get a great workout out when I do one of her workouts. My go to for a good home workout is The 30 Day Shred. It's only 20 minutes, you can do it in your home with just a set of light hand weights. It's quick, yet effective. It's easy to fit into nap time or before my little guy wakes up, and it makes me feel good all day! Not to mention my clothes fit better, my skin looks better, and it makes me a happier mom and wife. Now that is a beautiful thing...

MARTA
01. i grew up rifling in my mom's overflowing cosmetic bags, so i love the topic of makeup! (she was nice to always let me experiment with her fancy stuff.) a favorite of mine has to be Kiehl's Body Lotion and Bumble & Bumble hair products. if you weren't born with thick, luscious locks, your hair will love you for taking good care of it. my B&b brand picks are Prep Spray, Styling Creme, Thickening Spray, and Spray De Mode hairspray. they have an exceptional prodcuts like grooming creme and defrizz for those of you with coarse hair. whenever i move to a new town, i check their website to find one of their salons. after working in a B&b salon, i am a big fan.

02. i also highly recommend MAC and Bobbi Brown cosmetics. the MAC eye kohl pencil called Teddy is my favorite every day eyeliner these days. it's always fun to go get a free makeover and see what shades an expert makeup artist chooses for me that i likely wouldn't have picked out on my own. however, they always try to get me to wear bright lipstick and i can't ever pull it off. my recent light lip shades are Blush lipstick by Bobbi Brown and MAC Love Nectar lipgloss.

03. another tip i might suggest is to read up on whatever you'd like to know more about. the library is packed with good books on beauty; inner beauty, homemade remedies (i have actually tried a banana mash hair mask!), and makeup application tips. my latest reads were excellent resources: Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual and The 5 Minute Face by Carmindy. both had excellent ideas and suggestions for your every day woman. i even learned the art of creating a smoky eye, both of these books give a step by step tutorial!!

thank you, hannah for letting me in on all the fun of your new series!

LINDSAY
When I was 20, I had things together in the personal care department: I applied conservative-but-nice makeup, spent an hour straightening my hair every few days, wore uncomfortably tight but oh-so-cute jeans and traipsed around campus in platform sandals. Now, several years later, I wear comfy jeans, flats and a t-shirt nearly every day (when I'm not in scrubs), and I'm hard-pressed to apply even minimal mascara to my transparent eyelashes before I bolt out the door. In some ways, I'm sad about my descent into near-frumpiness, but I'm also content because, though it's a bit ironic, I'm much more confident and self-assured than I was at 20. So, with that in mind, here are my picks:

Aussie "Aussome Volume" Hair Gel - Those of you with tight, curly tresses know how difficult it is to find a hair product that holds curl without frizz, but also without crunch. It's a fine line that few products, in my experience, can walk. For me, mousse and light gels don't hold well enough, waxes and pomades are too greasy, and the "maximum hold" and "sport" gels give my curls too much sticky crunch. I've tried several professional ("expensive") products, but none of them felt right. Aussie gel, though, works nicely: soft, flexible curls that hold their shape with minimal frizz. "Second day" hair isn't bad, either. Oh, and did I mention you can snag a bottle for $5 or less?

Dove White Beauty Bar - Yes, I realize this is "just" bar soap, but let me tell you why I love it. It's smooth. It has a creamy, rich lather. It moisturizes. It has a light, fresh scent. And it really makes me feel clean. I use it for shaving, for washing, and even, on occasion, for my face. And, as you may guess, it's very affordable, especially considering it can double as shower gel and shaving cream.

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Creme Lotion SPF 50 - I have very fair skin and tend to get sunburned with ridiculously regularity. Since I don't like the smell or texture of most sunscreens, I'm quite picky about them. I picked up a bottle of Hawaiian Tropic SPF 50 right before Girls' Camp this summer. South Texas in late June is unbelievably hot, humid, and sunny. I was outside in the hottest, brightest hours of the day for five days straight, and I didn't get sunburned. Not even a little bit. I only applied the sunscreen once or twice a day. It takes some time to rub it in, but the smell is nice, the lotion is creamy, and it's sweat- and water-proof. And, for sunscreen, the price is reasonable.

Thanks, Hannah, for this fun opportunity!

HANNAH
a. BIG SEXY HAIR POWDER PLAY. Oh my goodness. This is a miracle-worker for fine hair. It is a powder that you sprinkle onto your scalp. Then, you take your fingers and massage the area and it becomes a sticky consistency that gives you instant volume and texture. Seriously fabulous stuff.

b. FACE STOCKHOLM. A new-to-me brand. Their stuff is a bit better than M.A.C. quality! I love everything I've tried. (That silver velvet bag is also from there. It holds all the small things that usually get lost in the bottomless pit that is my purse.) Other products I love: Eye Fix, Liquid Foundation, Green Tea Creme, and the Precision Eyeliner.

c. NUTRASONIC. This product is AMAZING. It has done incredible things for my skin. On my first day using it, I washed my face as normal. It looked like all the makeup, dirt and grime had been removed from my face. Then I reached for my new Nutrasonic and began washing. I was appalled when I saw how much more makeup and dirt it removed. It also made my skin flawless. I've never really had an acne problem, but I did have bumps and uneven skin. They are now gone. All gone. My skin is more glowy and healthy than it ever was before. Of any beauty product I own, this is the one I'd be most sad to part with. Highly recommend it. **Costco has it on sale with cleanser for $99.

Do you have some beauty suggestions? Please do share in the comment section!

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