Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen

I've been looking at kitchen ideas for my mom here

and ran across some images to keep in my back pocket.

Some wood beams for character.

Blackboard refrigerator.

Easy way to keep up with grocery requests.

Love a space saver.

I hate appliances on the counter tops and cords even more.

One installed toaster can solve this problem.

Pantry heaven.

The only way to store pots & pans if you ask me.

A place for the pups to rest in between dropping scraps on the floor.

Oh the convenience of spices by your stove!

Another space saver!

 

Just loved this one.

Lazy Sunday

Just downloaded to the pod.

I can't wait to make this for dinner.

via

The next two things I will be purchasing are...

1. The Great White

via

2. Beach Poncho

via

[Random] [Lazy Sunday]

I Want One

So I'm really into Diane Keaton's turquoise ring right now that she wears in Family Stone.

I've been searching for my own version here.

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This is the mac daddy.

I REALLY want this one.

[tagname] [tagname tagname]

Happy Friday!

I realize I'm jumping on this train a little late

but I have decided that I must read the Harry Potter books from start to finish

as it is a big part of my generation's subculture.

So on my way to Columbus today,

I will listen to my freshly downloaded first audio book.

As recommended by a friend who loves the series dearly,

(discovering Hogwarts did not exist brought her to tears plus her dog's name is Potter)

books 1 & 2 can be via audio book

and 3 - 7 should be read.

Mexican has become a Friday night routine.

Tonight Cos and I are making fajitas and margaritas and I CANNOT wait.

This actually makes some sense to me right now

and the current thoughts racing through my head at the moment.

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[Random] [HappyFriday]

Happy Plate

A well-seasoned, fresh meal makes a delightful dinner

and enjoyable lunch the next day at work.

Below is one of my go-to dishes.

Chop up broccolini and new potatoes.

Combine in a bowl.

Drizzle olive oil over the top.

The most important part about this step is remembering a little goes a LONG way.

Then sprinkle

dill (sometimes I substitute with rosemary),

onion powder,

and S&P.

Stir.

Spread evenly on a cookie tray.

Put in the oven at 425 degrees.

I don't have a set time.

I cook by how it looks, smells and tastes.

My favorite salad.

Arugula,

fresh strawberries,

feta

and a homemade balsamic dressing.

Now for the chicken.

I got this recipe from my boyfriend's family.

Melt a stick of butter,

garlic

and one fresh squeezed lemon.

While your chicken sauce is melting,

S&P your chicken and put on the grill for 2 - 5 minutes.

Your sauce should be melted and your chicken should have been on the grill briefly by now.

Periodically dip chicken in the sauce and flip until chicken is cooked.

Enjoy

[Favorite] [Easy Recipe]

NYC Proposal

LUCK - NYC Marriage Proposal from Aria Melody DJ on Vimeo.

[Video] [Marriage Proposal]

Hannah

Kids are just hard.

Pretty sure I'm minus some maternal genes in the kid department.

Patience being one,

letting the kid manipulate me creating kid over adult domination

and trying to build Rome in 1 day with a child

are just a few of my struggles.

Regardless,

I recently signed up for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program

and my little sister is teaching me so much, 

thus filling in the genetic gaps I guess.

I adore her and she makes me laugh.

If she asks me about one more song or artist that I have no clue what she is talking about,

I'm going to cry!

When things come up that she worries about,

I want her to understand things the way I do now

yet she just looks at me with a blank stare.

Before we get together,

I anxiously asses what we will do and if she will like it.

And when I need to be stern,

I back down!

It's sad.

However, it's the best thing I've ever done.

I can only hope that I will impact her life as much as she has impacted mine.

[Hannah] [Big Sister]

Recap

For the fourth we headed to the mountains.

Marley's favorite spot.

The Cartledges were having a dinner party

so we got up on Saturday and started decorating.

There are two posts that guests pass to enter the home

and of course the girls and boys did not agree on how they should be decorated.

So we decided to have a contest and let the guest vote....

Everyone felt bad for the boys and voted for them.

I loved Duke's table decorations.

On Sunday night we played Headbandz.

You have to try and guess what is on your head

but you have a limited amount of time

and people can only answer; Yes, No, Not Sure.

If you haven't guessed when the timer runs out,

you have to wait until your turn again.

On Monday we went to a lovely 4th of July party in Mountain Top.

Anyways, there were carnivalesque rides and food.

My shrimp was amazing, I wish I had taken a picture.

Then the boys found the bull ride...

A fireworks show on Mountain Top's Driving range ended the night.

Going to Rihanna tonight!
Rhi Rhi post tomorrow!

[4th] [HolidayRecap]

Some Sunday Shopping

Hope you had a lovely weekend.

Mine was quite relaxing and am looking forward to my full week ahead.

Stella & Dot Fall 2011 Collection is here.

Below are my top 5.

I have linked the name of each piece to my site.

Any purchases can be made through my website or feel free to contact me here

and I will be happy to place an order for you or answer any questions.

Amelia Drop Earrings

Contessa Jade Necklace

Corso Cuff

Graceful Nomad.

This piece is my top choice.

The different textures and sizes are larger in person.

When featured in the video above, you get a better idea of how the necklace looks.

Pegasus Necklace

[Fall] [Stella Dot]