Housework Can't Kill You...

"Housework can't kill you, but why take the chance!"-Phyllis Diller

I am home sick. My head feels like it is full of cotton and I am currently slipping in and out of a neo-citran induced coma. On a much brighter, less hazy note, here are some little things I am currently la-la-loving! It is all in the details folks!
-m

Key shaped cookie cutter from a bestie who knows me too well!

Not only was the champagne delicious, but check the secret shooting star detail!

Lattes at home in plaid china! What not to la-la-love!

Witty coffee mugs...brimming with fresh ground coffee of course!

If You Can't Stand The Heat...

"If you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen."-Harry Truman

My kitchen was not a selling feature when I finally (after months of looking) found my house. Don't get me wrong, I love my middle aged house. I love the character, the neighborhood and my neighbors (I am one lucky lady!). The kitchen however, leaves a lot to be desired. It is about the size of a postage stamp and as my mother has been known to say "you can't swing a cat in there". That is only part of the problem. The cabinets, two cabinets exactly, are hung too high, I can't reach them. There is little to no storage so I have incorporated a hutch as a pantry. My neighbor is actually building me new upper cabinets (open and easy to reach!) and my storage should double (wa-hoo!). I am going to attempt to paint my lowers this evening. A Friday night (you would think I would have something better to do wouldn't you?) with a glass of wine in tow. Wish me luck and happy weekend! Do something wonderful!
-m

Cheap pressed wood....in oak....sigh. Not to mention no black splash and beige-yellow walls. I am so not a beige kinda gal!

These kitchens are a little more my speed...note the punches of color!

...I Didn't Know That!

"We get mail on a Saturday? I didn't know that!"- Bam Mergara

I love mail. By mail I mean note cards, post cards, letters, magazines and all that good stuff. What I do not like are bills...but they just come with being a responsible grown-up. My friend Janna and her parents treated me to a most wonderful evening a month ago. We saw Matt Andersen at the Indian River festival Church....if you have never been or never heard the likes of Matt Andersen, I would highly recommend both!  I wanted them to know I appreciated the wonderful evening and thought I would make them cards to let them know they rock! Some scrapbook paper, glue and some stamps and voila! Try it sometime!
-m

You Are Only....

"You are only as good as your last haircut!"-Fran Lebowitz

Growing up, mother always impressed the value of a good hair cut. Think about it, no matter what you are wearing, whether you have makeup on or not, a decent hair cut makes you look at least a little pulled together. People get their hair cut for job interviews, first impressions matter. Hair can make you blend into a crowd, or stand out...

I have always had hair on the shorter side and generally I rock a short bob or a pixie. When my best friend was getting married, I decided to grow my hair. I grew it for a year, she had a beautiful wedding and then I just couldn't cut it! I wasn't afraid of the scissors, that was just a lot of commitment! A year is a long time, especially when half of it is spent in awkward stages of a gorwing out haircut! I continued to grow it...for another year. I cut blunt bangs to try and mix it up but when I was home to visit, mom told me it just had to go and that I didn't even look like myself. It resonated and I had to agree with her. I was being lame and my hair looked like a bad hat, or a mousy brown broom. The curls were easy, the pony even easier and I was slowly turning into everyone else! Gasp!

Two hours, two cups of coffee and a lot of snipping later, I was back to my old, fun, self. Next time I talk about growing my hair, someone show me a picture of myself from the last year and refer me to this post. If I still ignore you, tape me into Brian Hart's hairdressing chair at BH2....
-m

First few snips..

I had a lot of hair!

Ha! Liza Minelli esq.

No One Looks Back On Their Lives...

"No one looks back on their lives and remembers the nights they got lots of sleep"-unknown

Halloween has come and gone as has my very first house party (in my very first house). Thirty party guests, lots of munchies, sangria, wine and the door finally closing as the last guest left at around 3am. I think I will deem it a success! Costumes were great, conversation was flowing and I even got to meet some new people!

Decorations were just a little last minute, as in four hours before the party was to get going and last minute means getting creative! My fireplace ended up draped in black tulle and lights and the inside was filled with orange and the same. Cheap and effective (how I like things!).  I also really like easy, as in easy appetizers. I served cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto, strawberry bruchetta, sangria over-flowing with fruit and the party favorite was bacon wrapped rosemary roasted potatoes. I can't wait to throw another big bash, maybe a wine and cheese at Christmas? Pictures of decor and the number one munchie recipe follows!
-m

Bacon Wrapped Roasted Potatoes

I used a bag of mini red potatoes. I cut the large ones in half and boiled them until they were tender when punctured with a fork. After they were finished, I drained them, tossed them with sea salt, fresh pepper, basil infused olive oil and just a little bit of fresh rosemary. They were then blanketed in half a strip of bacon and broiled until crispy. I served them with spicy sour cream (rooster sauce and low fat sour cream!). Mmmm...