Think twice

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A gentle reminder to think twice before you flip the bird to someone who cut you off, who didn't smile back, or who seems to have a rainy cloud hanging over their head. 

New favorite

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For Christmas, my amazing sister chose this beautiful necklace for me. I haven't taken it off since, and love pairing it with my other dainty {mostly Dogeared} gold necklaces.

Check out Jenni's Etsy shop for her other beautiful pieces.

Puppy treats

This is the second year I've made puppy treats for friends with dogs, and I much prefer this 4-ingredient, better smelling recipe. So far the pooch LOVE his treats.

Peanut Butter Puppy Poppers {recipe here}

2c whole-wheat flour 

1 tsp baking powder

1c peanut butter

1c milk

Preheat oven to 375'F. 

In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk, then add to dry ingredients and mix well.

Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. 

Bake for 20 minutes {I did 12..perfect} on a greased baking sheet until lightly brown. {I put them on parchment paper - less messy and easier cleanup.}

Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container

SOS

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Morse code necklace and other jewelry...beautiful.

Make this NOW

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When I was in Wisconsin with my sister, brother in-law and baby niece, I wanted to make sure they were fed with tasty and hearty meals. I found this recipe on Pinterest and made it for them twice {and even more once I got home}. 

Mini German Pancakes {recipe here}

1 cup milk
6 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. orange zest (optional)
1/4 cup butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Blend first six ingredients (milk thru orange zest) in a blender {whisks work well too}.  Be careful to see that any flour clumps get well-blended.
2. Blend in butter a little at a time in order to temper the eggs.
3. Grease muffin tins well {like REALLY well} and distribute batter evenly between 24 tins...fill each about 1/2 full. Bake for 15 minutes, or until puffy and golden on top.
4. Served with your favorite toppings. 

Triple Berry Topping {recipe here}

4 cups frozen berries
1 cup water
1/2 cup agave or honey {I think it's still delightful without this}
2 Tbsp. cornstarch {+/-}

Put berries and agave in sauce pan and bring to boil.  (If using honey had have to water at this point.) Reduce heat to simmer.  Mix cornstarch with water and stir until lumps are gone.  Pour cornstarch mixture into berry mixture while stirring slowly.  Stir until thickens (about 1 to 2 minutes) and begins to bubble.  Serve hot over breakfast.

{keep leftover berry sauce!! pour over yogurt, ice cream, toast, whatever!}

Optimism rules

I just saw this on Apartment 34 and instantly loved it. Gosh I love optimism :)

Glossy + white

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NYE

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Happy New Years Ever, world!

Instead of empyting my pockets, risk being too {un}classily shmamered, or having a panic attack about a)a giganto crowd, b)no ride home c)lost friends, I think we are staying in and hosting a small party for fellow plan-less friends.

I dream of a ceiling covered in balloons, but I also love the photo with scattered, anchored balloons at different heights.

We'll share mini apps {I'm making mini pulled pork sliders}, drink champagne, and toast / kiss to 2012. 

Cheers!

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{my nye dress}

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{noise horns + party hats of course}

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{nye party can't be complete without sparklers} 

The loo

With some extra down time today, I thought I would share my favorite part of my bathroom. I renovated the bathroom and was going for more of a sea blue-green, but ended up feeling like I was inside a Tiffany's box. Kind of shocking at first, but it's totally grown on me. Will I ever do it again? Of course not, but for now when it's just me using this WC, it works.

 I made the chevron prints on wood blocks (like canvas ones, but all wood, kinda cool!) with metallic gold paint and white. Kind of tedious but worth it in the end.

I love this shelf...perfect size for my owl, a candle, and most used scents. {yes I need to dust it, I know}

I love the branch/coral hooks for hanging necklaces + bracelets from. 

Healthy winter dishes

Now that I have something to be extra motivated by {beach + bikini} to be healthy, I'm on the hunt for hearty and tasty wintery meals. Last night I made broccoli cheddar soup {or choccoli as I kept calling it} and it was super easy and yummy....and seems somewhat 'healthy...ish'

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Here are some other dishes I hope to make soon...

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{enchilada casserole}

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{chicken tortilla soup}

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{spanish chicken}

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{slow cooker chicken taco chili}

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{nectarine pizza with drizzled balsamic...OHMYGOSH}

Cutie cupid

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I don't know what it is about this photo {the head-to-toe black, sleek hair, etc} but I loved this photo as soon as I saw it.

DIY spa gifts

Although I feel stretched for time {and funds}, I would love to make gifts for my girlfriends for the holidays some year. I found these and love how simple they sound!

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{glittery, of course}

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Long distance love

I  miss my new niece. A LOT. Like a ton a lot. I can't wait to see that cute little face again and give her some serious smushies and love. 

{yes that is a "My auntie is the best" onesie. Little girl clothes are the cutest!}

Hello, December

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Hello December! I head to Wisconsin on Saturday, and although there are only a few flurries in the forecast, I'm a bit excited for super chilly {freezing} temperatures and crisp air. Takes me back to my time in Colorado. *sigh*

Although I don't expect to leave the house a whole lot {my niece will be born ANY day!!!!!} I can't wait to snuggle up with my sister and her baby.

{and count down till Christmas, and listen to Christmas carols, and bake cookies, and....etc etc}

What the doctor ordered

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Just what I needed today.

Channeling Martha

Now that I have a sewing machine, I'm finding it harder to shop. I pick up a top and may carry it around for a while, but ultimately I convince myself I can make it if I want it bad enough. I've done this a few times so far, but now that it officially feels like Fall, I've dug out my needles and yarn for a little bit of knitting. I just finished a chunky grey looped scarf {just in time to get a sore throat} and have a ball of rich plum I want to make arm warmers and a headband/earwarmers with. 

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Here are some other accessories I want to make...

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...and other things for the holidays...

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{use an old cookie tray to make it yourself! I can imagine this in silvers and golds for the holidays...loooove}

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We are never too old to make wishes on wishies. Or stars. Or at 11:11. 

Fighting the icks and ughs

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Migraine, tickle in the throat, chest congestion...helloooooo cold weather sicknesses! 

Since yesterday I felt like I have been dragging my feet and praying the rave in my head ends. My appetite went way down and all I wanted to eat tonight was one of my smoothies. I have been hooked onto the Green Monster Smoothies and here is my favorite combo:

frozen blueberries

banana

almond milk

ground chia seed

plain greek yogurt

raw spinach*

{sometimes I'll add apple too}

*spinach you say?! yuuuuup. I promise you won't taste it as long as you add that banana! Mine have also never turned out such a pretty green...probably the blueberries that make it stranger looking but still tastes great!

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Usually when I feel like I'm about to get sick, I head to my favorite local produce mart and get myself my favorite kombucha {trilogy or gingerberry}. If you haven't jumped on the kombucha train, I found the guava goddess to be more fruity/less severe and definitely let it breathe for a few minutes about you unscrew the top!!

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Rest, eat cleanly, listen to your body, and smile!

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Well hello stranger!

Well, I'm a little upset at myself and embarrassed in general I haven't done anything with my own blog for over a month. Total silliness. Although life has been a total roller coster lately, doing this makes me feel good, so I'm reminding myself to steal a little extra time to work on my own blog and my own happiness in little ways.  

I've also become consumed by Pinterest, and love that it's easy to find quotes and photos of things that make me giggle and add an extra smile to the day.

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Weekend festivities

{rooftop for fleet week with old friends and new}

{Top Gun music + Blue Angels = amazingness}

{Oakland farmers market...elephant garlic. who knew!}

{such a rich beautiful color}