Party like a........Circus

Im not one for a circus, but would love to party in this cute little handmade circus hat.

Crockpot Pot Roastin'

I love a great crockpot meal for dinner. Its so easy! You prepare in the morning and dinner is ready when everyone gets home from work, school and sports. Here is my favorite pot roast slow cooker recipe. Enjoy!

4 lbs. roast sliced to your preference (beef tenderloin recommended)

2 small cans Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 bag of baby carrots

1 lb. whole baby potatoes

1 package dry onion soup mix

1 1/4 cups water

Mix soup, onion mix and water. Place roast, potatoes and carrots in Crockpot and cover with soup mixture. Cook on High for 4 hours or on Low for 8 hours. So easy and delicious!

Arm Candy

image via Jak & Jill

I remember how much I loved making friendship bracelets as a child. Although, mine never turned out this good. Luckily, there are such great tutorials available online now. ;-) DIY here.

Just Peachy

Loving my peach leopard Current Elliot Denim. If you know me, Im not a big fan of denim. I don't why. I guess its just much more comfortable for me to wear shorts, skirts, sweats or dresses. But when I do find a great pair that actually fit me, I indulge. Get 'em here.

Peak at Phillip Lim Fall 2012

3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2012 Women's Runway Show from 3.1PhillipLim on Vimeo.

smallable.com

Loving this French website as an online editorial for kids. There aren't many magazines for kids and found the best kiddie news on the web. Check it out here.

Strawberry Bruschetta

If you can't tell, I've been in the strawberry mood. I LOVE strawberries.....any excuse to eat them...and with goat cheese and french bread!? Delish!

Ingredients

1 cup strawberries

1 tsp. sugar

1 French sliced baguette

4 oz. goat cheese

1 tbsp. olive oil

2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup minced basil leaves

Freshly ground black pepper

Combine the strawberries and sugar in a small bowl; toss to combine. Let the berries set. Spread a thin layer of goat cheese on top of baguette slice. Top each slice with strawberry mixture. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Top each slice with basil leaves and cracked paper, to taste.

Scrap Wrappin'

As you all know, I LOVE paper. All kinds of paper..........craft paper, wrapping paper, etc. You name it..........I LOVE it. I also love a creatively wrapped gift. I appreciate those kinds of things. Here are some fun ways to wrap gifts with some scraps of anything. I try not to waste too much paper, ribbon, or flowery things, so I always keep them and what a great way to use all of it. I even know of some creative cool person that wraps gifts from old birthday or holiday cards. LOVE it! Happy Scrap Wrappin'!!

Whip my hair back and forth......

Having kids, you don't have much time to get ready, rather do your hair. I love a natural do anyhow. Wavy hair works for me. Just wanted to share my two current hair product favs.

1.) Bumble and Bumble Quenching Shampoo $29

2.) Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray $3

Collaboration

I love when brands do collaborations. Lovin' these two pieces from Oracle Fox for Billabong.

The Loving You Textured Cardigan and Gypsetty Scalloped Trim Short.

Little Walls

Don't know that I would ever take the plunge and use wallpaper instead of paint. You have to chose the right paper for such a big space, ya know? I guess it just seems much easier and more cost effective to mess up on paint then to mess up on wallpaper. lol. I love these wallpapers for the little peeps. Maybe one day i'll decide. Above: Animal Farm Paper and Marlonette Paper available here. Below: Circus Troupe Paper available here.

Strawberry Shortcake

Happy Valentines Day! Celebrate with one of my most favorite desserts....Strawberry Shortcake.

Ingredients

2 quarts fresh strawberries, sliced

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1 cup buttermilk

1 tub Cool Whip

3/4 oz. box of vanilla jello pudding (make as directed)

Directions

Combine strawberries and sugar; set aside. In a large bowl, cut shortening into flour until crumbly. In a small bowl, beat egg; add buttermilk. Stir into flour mixture until moistened. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead three to four times. Roll out to 1/2 inch thickness; cut with a 1 inch round biscuit cutter. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned; cool slightly. Mix jello pudding and cool whip in small bowl.

Split biscuits lengthwise; top with strawberries and pudding mixture. Replace biscuit tops; top with more strawberries and pudding mixture or cool whip as desired. Serve immediately.

Will you be my Valentine?

Here is what Dominic and I came up with for his class Valentine's Party. xoxo.

Pretty Little Under Things

Just a few of my current under thing favorites.

From top left to right:

1.) Eberyjey Tux Lux Cami $71 and Brief $40

2.) 3.1 Phillip Lim Crossback Tank $175 and Leopard Cheeky Brief $85

3.) Honeydew Lace Bralette $36

4.) Hanky Panky Classic Boy Short $29

5.) 3.1 Phillip Lim Ultramarine Cheeky Brief $75

6.) Eberjey Sabrina Teddy $78

7.) Kiki De Montparnasse Wrap Teddy $195

8.) Commando Thong $20

9.) Eberjey Cat's Meow Teddy $77

Staples

Some closet staples.....black raceback tank, denim cutoffs, denim shirt, leather bag and boots.

Mr. Handsome is Having a Birthday!

Im always looking for great boy party ideas, since I have boys and boy themes are hard to come by. I thought this was a very cute boy birthday party idea. So fun and cute for a little man! Get all the info here. Happy party plannin'!!

Le Creuset Cookin'

Im already feeling like grill cooking. Although the weather is not quite outdoor BBQ weather, how about some indoor grilling with Le Creuset?!?! Try this.

Lemon and Honey Chicken with Apricot Compote, Asparagus and Grilled Bruschetta

(Cooked with the Le Creuset Square skillet grill)

Ingredients

2 tbls. lemon pepper

1 whole chicken cut in 8 pieces or 2 lb. chicken breasts

2 cups honey

salt and pepper to taste

1 each red, green and yellow pepper

1 small onion, diced

1/2 cup apricots

10 chives

1 bunch asparagus

1 baguette sliced

1 cup canola oil

For the Chicken:

Combine lemon pepper, 1 cup honey and salt and pepper to taste. Rub honey mixture generously on chicken. Place onto pre-heated skilled and grill for 10-12 minutes on medium-high heat. Turn over and repeat. Set aside.

For the Asparagus:

Place asparagus on preheated grill with 2 tablespoons canola oil and salt and pepper to taste. Cool 8 minutes turning asparagus constantly. Set aside.

For Apricot Compote:

On the preheated grill place each whole pepper with two tablespoons of canola oil and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 6 minutes, turning constantly or until charred. Set aside and cool. Once cool, chop peppers, apricots and chives into a small dice. Combine small diced onion, 1 cup honey and salt and pepper to taste. Combine onion and apricot mixtures in a bowl and set aside.

For the Bruschetta:

Generously coat the 4 baguette slices with salt, pepper and canola oil. Grill on medium-high heat until toasted as desired.

Assembly:

Place the chicken on a plate and spoon apricot compote on top. Add the asparagus and grilled baguette along side the chicken. Serve and enjoy!

Color Swatch Valentine

There is about a week to go until Valentine's day. Thought this was a quick and cost effective way to create some Valentines. Get the color swatches from your local hardware/paint store and some cute little stamps and ink from your craft store and voila you have some homemade Valentines. I heart you! xoxo!

Billy's

If your looking for high-end contemporary or simply just want to splurge on a great pair of jeans, Billy's is your go to boutique........especially if your just that valley girl and can't make it to the city for these finds. Billy's carries some of my favorite contemporary brands such as, Alexander Wang, Rag and Bone, Phillip Lim, Elizabeth and James, Helmut Lang and much more. Check out their new site. Happy shopping'!! PS......Don't forget to check out their most talked about Super Bowl sale this Sunday!! 50-75% off. Open 10-3pm this Sunday!

Spring 2012 Color

Just a little color inspiration to work into your wardrobe or home.

Commandos

So most of you know how much I love to watch my oldest son, Dominic play baseball. Its been such a pleasure to watch him grow as a player. He absolutely loves to play all sports, but baseball is his #1. He plays on a year round travel team, The Commandos. They actually had a pretty good fall travel season. They entered 7 tournaments. Overall record 22-5. They were 4 time Tournament Champions and 2 time Runner-up. What I enjoy most of youth sports is not the record, but the friends he has made. Thank you Commandos for all the good times!! For some laughs....had to post our Runner-Up prize at one of the tournaments.

Dear Tournament Director,

Did you really think it was necessary to plaster Runner-Up (rather "Your the loser!!") on the back of the shirts? Just wondering.

Love, Baseball Mom