Our first place

Hi there.  Holy cow batman... moving sucks.  Last week was a little crazy with the move.  Tall Tan Man kept saying we just need to throw our stuff in some bags and move it.  I think I believed him a little too much and we I had a stressful move.  All of our stuff is finally in one place which is absolutely wonderful, but I really miss our first apartment. :(  I wanted to dedicate a post to some of our most memorable moments in apartment 304!!! 

1.  Tall Tan Man is usually really smooth so it was pretty hilarious when he spilled 1/2 a can of dark wood stain in our living room.  I channeled my inner domestic diva and removed it ALL {it just took 3 hours and an entire bottle of resolve}.

2.  Tall Tan Man stepped onto the patio and this little guy {Charles} decided he needed a bath. TTM named him Charles, but Charles laid eggs... Something is wrong with that.

 3.  Charles didn't get enough of our apartment so he/she decided to come hang out with me.  I guess I screamed louder than TTM because we got a call from the police department.  A neighbor was worried about the livelihood of the woman living in our apartment.  

4.  Note to self.  You can't sear steaks in an apartment.  Especially when your cook-top doesn't have a vent.  Also, you shouldn't open the door to the hallway where the building fire detector is located. 

5.  Tall Tan Man is wildly talented.  He was commissioned by a friend to make some charcoal drawings.  Our living room didn't see natural light for over two months...and I accidentally almost ruined one of them, twice.  These two dancers caused some major tension in the 304.  

6.  Apartments are not always the nicest built homes.  Our drawer size really lowered my standards for any kitchen.  This was our biggest drawer!

7.  Our nice Denver view.

8.  We learned throwing throwing a container of green chili isn't a good idea {especially if it hits the ceiling}. 

9.  There is one thing we would like to forget completely.  Most of our accidents ended in laughter but when Tall Tan Man got in a bike wreck no one was laughing.  He had 1 bad concussion, 3 broken bones in his face, 1 broken tooth, 1 dead tooth, 2 hours were completely lost, and a liquid only diet for 4 weeks.  Talk about a TOUGH way to start living together.  Thankfully most of the bad stuff from the accident is resolved, and the scars are faded.  We were really lucky, it could of been so much worse! 

10.  I am thankful for all the dinners we ate together, the projects we did, lazy Saturdays, watching OU beat OSU, learning how to fold TTM's socks, our fantasy football draft, cooking a couple terrible dinners, waking up to a foot of snow on our cars {no garage for us}, and learning how to live together! 

Thank you for stopping by!  Tall Tan Man and I are headed on our honeymoon tomorrow {just a year and a half late}!    

{LJ}

ahhh

Sorry!!

Sorry!!

Sorry!!

I got back to Denver last night and just opened my computer for the first time in a long time.  Last week was wonderful.  I spent lots of time with friends and family in Dallas {waaay to many chips with salsa}.  My heart and stomach feels so full!  Tall Tan Man and I are moving on THURSDAY and I have not PACKED... Ahhhhh Do you want to come help?  Or bring me packing tape? Ahhh...  Oh and we are leaving for our "honeymoon" on next Tuesday.  My head is spinning!  I will try to get back here when I can!  

{LJ}

Red Velvet Cookies

Oh my goodness.  These cookies are ridiculously good.  I promise they will be a huge hit at any bbq you throw this summer!  I was brainstorming red/white/blue food ideas, and red velvet cake was one of the first things that came to mind.  I have made cookies before from cake mixes {chocolate, lemon, funfetti, carrot cake} and the result are always good. 

Red Velvet Cookies with White Chocolate Frosting

Cookie Ingredients:

Red Velvet Cake Mix
2 Eggs
1/3 Cup Oil
1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips

Cookie Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.   

2.  In a mixing bowl combine cake mix, eggs, and oil.  Mix on medium speed for about 30 seconds.  

3.  Stir in the chocolate chips. 

4.  Using a 2 TBSP cookie scoop, scoop dough onto cookie sheet. Bake for 6 - 10 minutes. 

I used this {white chocolate buttercream frosting} and added sprinkles. 

You could choose to not add sprinkles if you are want to be boring simple. 

I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as I did!  Please can I send you some? They are not helping me get bikini ready!  

{LJ}

Linking up with Skip to my Lou, A Southern Fairytale, Jam Hands, Say Not Sweet Anne, Jembellish, The Blissful Bee and  Uncommon Designs

1 Pizza Crust 3 Ways

I love pizza.  

We have been trying to eat better lately {no more papa johns waaahhhh} and I was really craving pizza.  I was at Target and stumbled upon a whole wheat pizza crust.  It comes in a pack of two so night one I made a traditional pizza.  Then Tall Tan Man went out of town and I split the second crust in two to try out margherita and bar b que style.  Tall Tan Man does not like either of those...

You need: Pizza Sauce + Shredded Mozzarella +  Chopped Green Pepper + Banana Peppers + Pepperoni

1.  Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  
2.  Spoon on pizza sauce.  Top with peppers, cheese & pepperoni. 
3.  Bake for 5 to 10 minutes. 

You need: Tomato + Basil + 2 Minced Garlic Cloves + Parmesan Cheese + Mozzarella Cheese Shredded + Salt & Pepper

1.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  
2.  Drizzle crust with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic.
3.  Top with mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and salt & pepper. 
4.  Bake for 5 to 10 minutes & sprinkle with Parmesan.  

You need: BBQ Sauce + 1 Cooked Chicken Breast Chopped + Mozzarella Cheese Shredded

1.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 
2.  Spread a thin layer of bbq sauce.  Top with chicken and cheese.  
3.  Bake for 5 - 10 minutes.  

My favorite one was the BBQ pizza.  If you are looking for a fast dinner then this is perfect!  I think these could also work well as appetizers or an easy addition to a summer BBQ. 

{LJ}

Linking Up with:
Shabby Nest
What About
The French Cottage
DIY Vintage Chic

Patriotic Wreath

Hello lovelies!  How is your summer going?  I am loving all my free time to work on projects like this. Teaching definitely has its perks :)  I hope you enjoy this project!

 

Patriotic Wreath
Cost: $8 {I already had buttons & hot glue.  I used coupons.}    Time: 1.5 hour

Supplies:
Straw Wreath
Jute
6 Sheets of Scrapbook Paper
Hot Glue Gun
Buttons
Scissors
Ruler & Pencil {Not Pictured}
Ribbons {optional but so cute}

Directions:

* I did a more detailed post {here} with pictures :) *

1.  Wrap your wreath with the jute.  I tied a knot to start and then began to tightly wrap the jute around the wreath.  This part takes a while so turn on some Netflix and get to work.  

2.  Cut your paper in 1.25, 1.5, and 2 inch strips.  Cut the strips in pairs.  I made 7 "flowers" so I needed 14 strips.    

 

3.  Fold the strips so the width of your flower will be thin.  Fold them like you are making a very tiny fan.  

4.  Attach the ends of your folded pairs with hot glue so that the pattern shows on the outside.  Allow the glue to dry.  Press down on the paper to form your flower and put the glue in the middle.  You will have to hold this down for about 30 seconds to make it stay. Glue the button to middle of the flower.  

5.  Arrange the flowers on your wreath first to get the look you want.  Attach the flowers to the wreath with hot glue.  

 
Thank you for stopping by!

{LJ}

Linking up with Ginger Snap Crafts, Someday Crafts, Polka Dots on Parade, Lady Behind the Curtain, Seven Thirty Three,  Snap Creativity,  Life with the crust cut off, The NY Melrose Family, The Blissful Bee

Patriotic Lemon Oreos

Mornin' :)  I decided to get a head start on July 4th treats this year.  I usually don't think about ideas until the 3rd of July and then I have no time to share them with you.  First off, have you tried the Lemon Oreo?  I looove all things lemon so lemon + oreo = perfection.  I hope you enjoy this cute, fast and easy dessert!

Lemon Oreos Dipped in White Chocolate

Ingredients:

Lemon Oreos {or double stuffed regular oreos}
White Almond Bark
Sprinkles
Lollipop Sticks

Directions:

1.  Insert the lollipop sticks into the oreos. 

2.  Melt 4-6 squares of almond bark in the microwave according to package directions {45 seconds first + 15 second increments}. Depending on how many cookies you want to make you may need to melt more chocolate. 

3.  Dip oreos in the chocolate.  You can use a spoon to make sure the oreo get fully covered.  Some of the oreos fell off of the lollipop sticks... To make sure they stay, dip the stick in the chocolate and back into the oreo. 

4.  Apply SPRINKLES!

 Enjoy :)

{LJ}

Linking up with Skip to my Lou, A Southern Fairytale, Jam Hands, Say Not Sweet Anne, Jembellish, and  Uncommon Designs

DIY Sunburst Mirror

Happy Friday to you!  I have been wanting to make a sunburst mirror for what seems like a LONG time.  Recently I found a tutorial on one of my favorite new blogs {A Beautiful Mess}.  Now that I have some free time {hello summer} I headed over to Lowe's and Hobby Lobby to get all the materials.  A Beautiful Mess's tutorial was written all the way back in 2012 so I am a little late to this party... Here is what you will need:

DIY Sunburst Mirror

Cost: $13 {I already had: hangers, both glues, and paint}      
Time: 2 hours 

Materials:

14 inch Mirror
6 inch Wooden Circle
Picture Hanger
Contractor Wood Shims {I needed a big pack and one extra small pack}
Epoxy Glue or Gorilla Glue
Hot Glue
Spray Paint {I used Krylon Metallic Gold} 
Paper and Paint Tape {not pictured}

Directions:

1.  Attach picture hanger to the front of the wooden circle.  

2.  Using epoxy or gorilla glue, attach the wooden circle to the back of the mirror.  Make sure it is perfectly centered!  I placed a stack of books on top of the wooden block for 5 minutes to make sure it wasn't going to go anywhere.

3.  The wooden shims are too long so you will need to break them.  Yes, break them!  You will want short, medium, and long ones.  For the long ones I took about 2 inches off from each shim and the short ones I took off about 3.5 to 4 inches off.  I broken them using our coffee table {sorry honey!} like this:

4.  First arrange all the small shims around the wooden circle.  Attach them with hot glue.  

2.  Now start filling in the gaps with the medium ones.  

5.  Now add the large ones {and this is where I ran out of shims and had to go back to lowe's}.  The smaller pack of shims are shorter but the length worked fine. 

   
6.  Carefully flip your mirror over.  I kind of loved the wooden look, but I had already committed to the gold paint.  Now very meticulously cover the mirror with tape and paper. 

7.  Spray paint the mirror.  I did two coats. 

 Hope you have a wonderful weekend and thank you for stopping by!

{LJ}
  

 Linking up with: Remodelaholic, Shabby Nest,  What About , French Country Cottage, Chic on Shoestrings Decorating

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Pancakes

I am on a breakfast kick lately.

Last weekend we had some {Ham & Veggie Casserole} left over in the frig, but I really needed wanted something sweet to compliment it.  I had already tried {whole wheat strawberry pancakes} and they turned out yummy, but I wanted to try adding chocolate chips.  Holy cow. Life changing.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Pancakes 
Serves 2-3

Ingredients:

1 Cup Milk
1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Cup Whole Wheat 
2 Tsp Sugar
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Salt
1 Egg
2 TBSP Melted Butter
1/2 Cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
Peanut Butter & Syrup {optional}

Directions:

1.  Combine milk and vinegar.  Allow mixture to curdle.

2.  In a large bowl mix together the flour, sugar, soda, powder, and salt. 

3.  In a smaller bowl mix together the egg, butter, and milk.  

4.  Add liquid mixture to the dry mixture.  Whisk until combined, it is okay to have flour chunks.  Lightly mix in chocolate chips.  

5.  Preheat a griddle to 350 - 375 degrees.  Grease the surface with butter and scoop batter with a 1/4 cup.  The batter started a little lumpy but smoothed out while the pancakes cooked.  Flip the pancakes once you start to see bubbles in the middle.  

6.  Top with peanut butter, syrup or both if you are feeling wild.  I am always feel wild.   

I think I need to make these again real soon.  They were some of the best pancakes I have ever had. I am being completely serious.  

I don't joke about food. 

{LJ}

twenty eight

Hello!  It is the first Monday of SUMMER!  Earlier today I told someone to have a great weekend.  Yep, it must be summer.  :) If you follow me on Instagram you know I had a little birthday on Saturday.  I have just one more little birthday before my first big one!  Saturday started out with a tough workout at my new gym Park Meadows Fit.  In honor of me turning 28 we had had to do 2 burpees every 28 seconds during one circuit.  It was such an honor, I almost threw up... Saturday was filled with most of my favorite things: coffee, brunch, a funny message from my parents, cake, and a swirl margarita. :) 

Tall Tan Man did a great job planning everything {i didn't give him any help ;) ...}

My sweet friend, Kelli, sent me these goodies and they are already gone...

Here's my favorite new purse :)

 Last thing we did on Saturday was book a trip to PUERTO VALLARTA!!!  We have been talking about going on a trip since last summer and we finally are doing it!  I already started shopping for the trip... 

{LJ}