Laying Low

I have been laying low since January. Not that I have been missed, or did it to be missed. Just needed to concentrate on what was going on in-house. I still have been following all of your blogs, just not posting here.
I didn't blog for so long it took me forever to figure out how to change my background. I was beginning to feel like my parents must have when they couldn't figure out for to make the VCR stop flashing 12:00.
I am happy enough with the new look and more happy I finally figured it out!
I am hoping to post again (maybe tomorrow-you never know!) to show you some pictures of what has been going on the last 8 months.

Spring Fever ~ Shoes

I have spring fever for SO many reasons. I had a touch of it before Christmas day.

I bought a super cute pair of red, open toe shoes after Christmas. I don't normally buy heels or red shoes for that matter.

(Confession- I own a total of 3 pairs of red shoes. One is a strappy summer sandal and then these flats - $6.00 at Walmart in the fall)

Anyway - I saw them at the store (Ross) one day and then thought about them all week. I went back for one more look and had to get them. When I was trying them on a lady complimented me on them and said how she wished they had them in her size.

A sign right?

So, I got the shoes and I keep thinking about when I can wear them and what I can wear them with.

I am getting a bit ancy. I don't think I can wait till it gets warm...

Can you wear open toe shoes with tights??????????

Well, I found a helpful article on Blogher and the short answer is YES!

Here is what she says-

Pair peep toes with tights, NOT panty hose. Sheer stockings are perfect with closed-toe shoes, but with an open toe, you need something with more substance. This is a look that HAS to be intentional, not accidental; pairing stockings with open toed shoes will look like you just made a mistake. But go with tights -- opaque tights, with a minimal toe seam -- for a thoughtful look.

Here is the link for the full article-

http://www.blogher.com/wear-your-peep-toe-shoes-tights-shocking-i-know

There is a picture of a very similar pair of shoes from Kate Spade in the article. I really like mine more and not just because they were only $19.99 and the Kate Spade are $295.00.

And, not that these are Spring shoes, but I got these in the mail last weekend and luv them. I have worn them twice now and they are SO comfortable.

I had been wanting a pair of cowboy boots for about a year and did a lot of research on them. What I found is that they can be really expensive. I am not a big ebay shopper, but found these and got them for a sweet price - $26.00 (+$10.50 shipping). REALLY!

Do you have Spring fever yet? Any new spring shoes in your thoughts or shopping bag??

Soups On!

I love soup in general, but really crave it this time of year.

French onion, Pho (Thai noodle soup), Vegetable Beef, Chicken, I could go on and on...

Friday nights I fix some sort of Mexican food - tacos, nachos, enchiladas, fajitas. I added tortilla soup this past Friday night and LUV this recipe!

I just googled tortilla soup recipes and found this one on the Food Network.

I left out the black beans (didn't have them) and cooked the chicken in a skillet separately and used chicken strips instead of breasts. I also used Wholly Guacamole instead of avocado.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 small onion, diced
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 jalapenos, finely diced
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (14.5-ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 (14.5-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
3 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
2 limes, juiced, plus wedges for garnish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 (8-inch) flour tortilla, grilled, cut into thin strips
1 avocado, pitted, sliced
1 cup shredded Monterrey cheese

Directions
In a large saucepan heat the vegetable oil. Add the onions and cook for 2 minutes. Once the onions have softened add the garlic and jalapenos and cook for another minute. Pour the chicken broth, tomatoes and beans into the pot and bring to a boil. Once at a boil lower heat to simmer and add your chicken breasts. Cook the chicken for 20 to 25 minutes. Once chicken is cooked remove from pot. When cool enough to handle shred it and set it aside. Add lime juice and fresh cilantro to the pot. In a serving bowl add a mound of shredded chicken. Ladle soup over chicken and top with a lime wedge, grilled tortilla strips, avocado slices and cheese.

I will be having some leftover tortilla soup for lunch today!

Enjoy!

In the Pink

I have not had much time for blogging lately, but I did manage to change the background on my page. Luv it. Check out the link at the top - they have really cute blog designs.
Have a good week!

Feelin Crafty

I have been in a crafty state of mind lately. I don't really sell my crafts, but decided to do an artists market that is close to work. There weren't a ton of people, but it went well. I sold a good number of things and had some great comments on them. YEAH ME! I am my worst critic...

This is one of my favorite coaster sets. I like the font and the numbers. I did the same kind of thing on my front door for the house numbers.

These are my girly ones.

Christmas coasters!

I also made a basball one - very cute!

Here are the glass tile pendants that I have been making for a while now-

FUN! I am drooling over the Infinity Scarf and can't decide whether to make it or buy it...

Okay, have a good evening. I am off to laundry and get ready for the week!

Catch Up

I can't believe that I haven't posted in over a month. Things have been busy. Work, home - just not enough hours in the day! The time change hit me hard and I have been pooped. I am getting up earlier, which is a good thing, but dragging by early evening.

Here is my catch up post-

1st off-many thanks to Anna at Pinkadots. She gave me my first blog award!

And now my apologies to Anna for just now getting around to it!

Halloween - luv Halloween!

See my sweet Daisy peeking around the pumpkin? Cutie pie.

I was a little nervous we wouldn't have any trick or treaters. We had zero last year. I was thrilled that we had about 20 and it was raining. It was enough to leave me too many fun sized treats to eat.

I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving. (I am looking forward to the moment the food is on the table and we are ready to sit and eat!)

I know this was probably the most boring post ever! I am working my way out of my funk and am getting my bloggy butt back in gear. I have been working on some neat projects and hope to show them to you soon!

I WANT MY TAP SHOES!

On the way home Friday evening I went to my bargain stores. I was on a mission to find Halloween decorations. I went to the thrift store first. I was so excited to see right when I walk in 5 large plastic plug-in Halloween decorations. They are on top of a large stand - I was on tip-toe trying to read the price. I was about to start jumping up in the air to see the price when I see NFS. SAD - not for sale...

Okay, this place is into Halloween - they must have decorations for sale - right? I found 1 thing, 1 thing. It was not bad for its purpose and the price couldn't be any better.

Bless that little child's heart for scribbling on this pumpkin. (I am sure his mom didn't say that). 69Cents. Deal of the day.

I am going to paint it white and either put text or polka dots on it, not sure yet. I am not sure how the dots or wording will turn out, so I am happy I have invested a whopping 69cents for this project.

Went a few doors down to an antique store. I found this cool iron pumpkin. The candle would have cost more than I paid for both. I next found this large paperclip. I am pretty sure that it was from Pottery Barn and the$4.00 they were asking was not. I couldn't carry anything else, so I went to the front and dropped off my finds. I began again and found a pair of black tap shoes in my size. $9.00. Okay, I don't know how to tap dance and had never thought too much about it.

I decided that $9.00 is a deal and these shoes may just change my life. Way too long to explain and I can't remember my whole convoluted internal conversation, but the shoes were coming home with me.

I had almost reached the back of the store and was heading to the register and to pick up my oh-so life changing tap shoes. I passed two young girls (20's?) as I rounded the corner, next I see the shelf where my shoes were and it is now empty. EMPTY. How, how can this be??????

WHY, why did I not pick them up? I know the rule - if you want it, pick it up immediately and guard it with your life. Come on!

The nice lady at the register asked if I need anything - YES, make those girls give me back my $9.00 tap shoes!!!

Okay, I did not say this. I really, really wanted to. I did tell her of my intent of buying the shoes and how I foolishly did not pick them up. She was very nice about it and took my number in case they changed their mind.

No call.

I know that I did not need these shoes. But when I tried them on and they fit and made such a neat little tapping sound, I really wanted them.

My consolation prize came courtesy of Big Lots. I got these two signs and this cool metal skeleton.

These are cute and I LUV Halloween and were all together only a tiny bit more than the shoes. I am still nursing my bruised super shopper, deal finding, no tap shoe wearing, ego.