Here is my new Summer Wreath

My girlfriend, Leah came over with some shakes & her boys today to craft with me!  We made our summer wreaths for our front doors.  Leah is also a fellow blogger who has amazing kid ideas, interior design ideas & interesting things that come her way!  

Check out her blog at www.mommyinthemountains.com

I used all the inspirational photos that I shared with you all the other day to help me create my own Summer Wreath!  I got the girls to paint watercolors on card stock on the front & back of the flowers in our garden.  Then we cut out 6 - 4.25" squares & made the pinwheels.  I used leftover chevron fabric to create the ruffled sleeves.  I pinned & glued the pinwheels in place.  Then hot-glued the vintage buttons in place.  I wrapped the other two sides in some aqua fabric.  I used straight pins to hold all the fabric in place.  I am sooo happy to how it turned out.  Plus the girls' artwork is priceless!

Evelyn was so cute while I took pictures.  We exchanged kisses through the glass front door.  She thought it was hilarious!

Time for a New Summer Wreath

I need help on narrowing down my summer wreath inspiration!  Which look do you like the best?  I might even combine some of these ideas.

Decisions... Decisions...


So if any of my friends want to come hang & do a little craft wreath morning then just let me know!!

Here is what I ended up doing.  HERE

Strawberries & Cream

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Patriotic Ragtime

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Floral Ticking

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Mussel Shells or use Oyster Shells

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Bright Pinwheels

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Favorite {Cocktail} Fridays & a Giveaway

Fridays are the perfect day for a fun & festive cocktail.  TGIF!!  And on top of that, it's Memorial Day weekend so I think a delicious drink concoction is in order.  Here are a few of my favorite beverages!


Strawberry Rhubarb Mojito


Canyon Creek B&B is my favorite garden bar with Live Music here in Montrose, CO.  And today (5/25/12) they are having Donny & Glenn playing on the front porch.  They are so much fun to listen to & Donny has a sound similar to John Popper.  Kendra who owns the B&B and who happens to be my best friend always has the most delicious cocktails in town!!  And I am not just saying that because she's my bestie - you can ask anyone in town.  She is also known her for regular mojitos, blueberry martinis & a fabulous margarita martini.  Right now the rhubarb in her yard is in FULL force so she decided to utilize it.  She has been making strawberry rhubarb mojitos that I just can't get enough of.  They are so good that I have considered taking a growler of them home :)

Since I can't stop thinking about this cocktail, I want you all to experience the deliciousness as well.  The first 5 blog followers of mine who go to Canyon Creek B&B tonight (starts @ 6pm) gets a Mojito on ME!!  That's right - A FREE DRINK!  Just tell Kendra that Krista sent you.

Moscow Mule

I had this drink for the first time a couple of weeks ago at the Bridges in Montrose but without the copper mug.  It is so delicious and refreshing.  The ginger, mint & lime combo makes this drink taste like a trip to some exotic country mixed with a feeling of old-time nostalgia.  I highly recommend it!

Beer Margarita

This is just two wonderful classics combined into one great drink!  The zip of the beer mixed with the tang of the tequila make it so easy to drink.  Maybe too easy :)  This drink is great for camping as you can see below in my red solo cup!  You can make a huge pitcher that everyone can pass around the campfire.

1 lime, cut into 8 wedges

1/4 cup coarse salt

2 (12-ounce) bottles Tecate or Corona, chilled

1/2 cup frozen concentrate limeade, thawed

1/2 cup chilled tequila

Ice cubes

Sake Guacamole

This is such a fabulous & easy recipe that my other self (Mehana, my soulmate friend) introduced to me!  I make quite frequently and I am making it tonight for the 21/40 Young Professional Mixer tonight at Canyon Creek B&B which is my favorite little garden bar.  I highly recommend you give this a try!!

From Sunset

Sake Guacamole:

makes 1 1/2 cups

2 ripe medium avocados, pitted

1 serrano chile, seeded and finely chopped

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons finely grated ginger

1 tablespoon sake

2 tablespoons minced fresh shiso leaves* (optional)

1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Preparation

Scoop avocado flesh into a bowl and mash with a fork (leave slightly chunky). Stir in all other ingredients except sesame seeds. Sprinkle with the seeds.  Serve it with daikon sticks, taro chips, corn chips, rice crackers or radish slices.

Great Tip: Leave a pit in the avocado to keep it from browning!

Layering & Button Down Oxfords

I love the button down oxford!  It is so versatile for so many seasons esp. here in Colorado.  The staple ones to have in your closet are the chambray/denim shirt, gingham, white or grey, and a polka dot.  Here are some of my favorite button down inspirations!  You can even layer your oxfords with each other!

Pink Peonies Blog

Love her preppy style with lots of color!  Love how she mixes two oxfords together with contrasting colors and patterns.  Also take note of her accessories - they just make the outfit!

















Atlantic-Pacific

I am always in awe of her layering of jewelry.  It's fabulous!!  I love the gingham button down and the pop of color that it gives to her outfits as well as giving it a summer beach feel.  She has such an eye for detail even with her fabulous nail color choice.  Also, take a look at those yellow striped shoes below - LOVE!













The Mighty Closet

What a fun blog with lots of character!  I love the easy, funky combos that they come up with.  This is a fun layering idea with a cowl neck and throw in the funky pink tights & presto!  For the summer, you could use a bright colored belt and some funky animal print flats.  I also love the last look with the boyfriend jeans, button down and the fun boots!  Very easy to wear.








Damsel in Dior

I love her gingham Uptown look and her slouch beach ware look.  Comfy & fashionable.

Crock Pot Lamb Biryani

OH my Goodness!  I had to get seconds with this dish even though I was stuffed.  Amazing, Amazing Dish!  And my lazy self through everything in the crockpot again and it turned out fabulous!  The aroma during the day was divine and the mix of spices was such a treat & so different than your everyday palette of flavors.  Even my girls gobbled it up!

Crock pot Lamb Biryani: (variation from Anupy Singla's recipe)

Ingredients: 

1, 4-inch piece ginger, peeled and grated

4 garlic chopped cloves

2 jalapenos, stem removed

2 Tablespoons garam masala

1 teaspoon red chili powder

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

2 lbs. boneless lamb leg or shoulder, cut into 1-inch (3 cm) cubes

1 cup plain yogurt 

3 medium yellow or red onions, peeled and very thinly sliced

4 Tablespoons canola or vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups water

2 1/2 cups uncooked basmati rice

1 Tablespoon salt

1/2 teaspoon saffron strands, soaked in 2 Tablespoons milk (optional)

Directions: 

In your crock, mix together the ginger, garlic, green chilies, garam masala, red chili powder, turmeric, teaspoon of salt, cilantro, mint and yogurt. Add the lamb and mix to coat. Marinate at least two hours in refrigerator or, ideally, overnight. * I marinated for about 30 minutes & it was still a lot of great flavor.

Turn the slow cooker on low. Add the onions, 2 tablespoons of the oil and cook for 2 hours.

On the stovetop or use a rice cooker, bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the rice and tablespoon of salt and turn the heat to low. Allow the rice to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, at which point most of the water will have evaporated. If it has not, use a slotted spoon to transfer the rice to the slow cooker. Discard any water remaining in the pot. Level the rice in the slow cooker with the back of a spoon. Drizzle the rice with the remaining oil and the saffron/milk mixture, if desired.

Cook for 1 hour, fluffing the rice once or twice. Scoop and serve this amazing one-pot meal.

Not true Mr. Wilde

I have been seeing this quote on Pinterest a lot.  I think Mr. Wilde has gotten this one wrong!  Very wrong indeed.

I'm not even sure where to start with this one.  First of all you always want to love everyone all the time.  Let me refer back to what love is:

So if you love someone then you wouldn't be holding out like Oscar suggests!

Second of all, if you feel ordinary then it is YOU who feel ordinary.  The other person can't make you feel anyway that you don't feel about yourself.  You have the ability to love & feel loved because....

You LOVE yourself!

That is the key everyone!  You have the power to make yourself feel extraordinary nobody else does.  So if you are truly happy and you love yourself then you will have so much love that it spills over to everyone all the time!  

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If you do feel ordinary with someone you love, you need to work on yourself first. Then, find out how to improve your marriage or relationship - I have got the challenge for you guys!  I guarantee 100% results!  It's what I like to call F*** Therapy!

The perfect linen shorts

I am kinda picky about somethings.  One is Linen Shorts.  I don't like the ties on them at all!  It just isn't practical to always have your shirt tucked in.  I also like a mid-length cut on the leg too. So here are the ones that I like the best.  It took some time trying to find these.  I don't know why this year the linen selection is kinda limited.

This is my post for Favorite Fridays too :)

I am not sure which one that I am going to choose?  I really like the Ann Taylor shorts.  But I really like them all.  Hmmmm... Which one do you like?

I really like Ann Taylor's Breezy Linen Twill Shorts but I can't get the photo on here.  Here is the link.  They are $68.  They come in khaki, black and a yellow/green.

Michael Stars $78.00

Michael Stars $88

Michael Stars $88

Old Navy $24

Heidi Klein £160

Hache Linen Shorts $92

patagonia $59

Need Supply $44

Anthropologie $78

JJill $59

F*** Therapy - adults only

This is a post for adults only so if you are offended by the word Fuck then you shouldn't keep reading!  I am using that word because that's how it is - keeping it real folks!

So I have a challenge for everyone out there that is married or in a relationship.  I guarantee results - hopefully the results that you are looking for.  And if women are reading this - I also guarantee that your spouse will be on board with this marriage counseling!  It saved our marriage for sure and whenever we start feeling too busy for each other or stressed - we get back on board for another go!

Here it goes:  I challenge ALL of you to have sex with your partner everyday for a month!  Yes, that's what I said EVERY DAY!  If a month is not doable then start out with 2 weeks first.

Now, you can see where the word Fuck comes into play here.  Somedays that's all it is.  Other days it is more intimate & sensual.  Some days you initiate & other days he does.  Some times you might have a 3am wake & do it.

The point is that you are intentionally making important, scheduled time every day for each other.  And an added bonus of an orgasm every day!  Do you how much better your life will be and your relationship?  I will tell you - it is going to be Fan-Fucking-tanastic!!

And for all of you guys who already Do It daily, then your challenge will be to try a new position for 2 weeks minimum!!

I look forward to hearing about your story when it's over and the results!  So go out there people and start a Fucking Revolution.

My favorite smoothie

I love this smoothie combo!  It is healthy, packed with tons of nutrients, and NO sugar.  It's great for breakfast on the go or a snack to tide you over til dinner.  I love using fresh almond milk that I make but regular milk, kefir, coconut milk or soy could also be used.  I make these for my girls too!

If you guys haven't tried Barlean's Omega Swirl then you are missing out!  I LOVE it.  You can buy it in Montrose at the Natural Grocers.  It comes in lots of flavors.  This one is strawberry banana.  I also have chocolate raspberry too.  You can also use it to flavor yogurts or drizzle over ice cream.  Omega-3 is good for sooo many things - read up on it if you aren't familiar with this essentail fatty acid!

Protein Powder helps bulk up the smoothie and to allow it to "stick to your bones" as they say.  I also like Nature's Life Green Whey Powder.  It is loaded with 10 raw green foods of organic wheat grass, organic spirulina, barley grass, broccoli, spinach, kale, broken cell chlorella, chlorophyll, artichoke and blue green algae.



I mix it in this to go container that has one of those awesome whisk balls!  You could throw that whisk ball in any container that you have though.  These containers & balls are called Blender Bottles.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider in my Window

I am not sure if you can see in the two pictures below but I have an itsy bitsy spider who has made a little home on the pot in my kitchen window. 

I just can't seem to want to get rid of him either.  I am not a fan of spiders at all!  But this little guy is so cute & little, and he is catching annoying fruit flies!  So, I just can't seem to want to clean up his little home.  I keep wondering if Andy will spot him & get rid of him.  But after several months it looks like he is here to stay for a while.  Each morning I come to fill up my coffee pot and see if he is out on his web.  I also look for him when I wash the dishes.

I wonder if Andy has noticed or not?  I wonder what I should call him?  The sun glistens on his web which I think is so lovely.  It looks like lace.  It reminds of some homey vintage cabin.  I love that!

Not sure if you guys will think wth? Or maybe you have your own little itsy bitsy that you watch over?

Favorite {Mompreneur Giveaway} Friday

I love it when I find other women out there who have tapped into their inner selves & are doing what inspires them!  Elizabeth is a mom who is making & selling handcrafted jewelry.  Her creations are all one of a kind and she even makes custom pieces too.


I have enjoyed chatting with her about motherhood and spring 'colds' with both of our families!  This giveaway was supposed to happen several weeks ago, but between her family and my family getting sick and it slowly making it's way through each person in the house - it has taken til now for me to get her fabulous work out to you guys!  


Here is a little note from Elizabeth herself:


Elizabeth Alta Jewelry started just under a year ago when I realized there would be no "perfect" time to launch my jewelry business.  With two young boys, a full time job, and a graduate degree to complete, I had a feeling it would be a long time before life would be in a "settled down" state, so why not now!  I started by creating many beaded necklaces and earrings with no real direction other than what I decided to make at the time, and had booths at some local art fairs.  In just a few short months, my focus has changed to personalized, custom jewelry, and I have launched my own product website, gained a decent sized fan base on Facebook (They LIKE me! :P) and received over 60 custom orders for personalized necklaces and bracelets!  Elizabeth Alta Jewelry will be at many Central Indiana art and craft fairs this summer (including the Vintage Indiana Wine Festival...yes, please!), and continue to take orders online and participate in many fun Facebook giveaways and contests.  I've enjoyed starting up my business, creating jewelry that means something special to my clients, and participating in so many fun events, and I can't wait to see where my business takes me next!


Here are some of my favorite pieces.  I really love this scripted necklace.  I want to get her to make one custom for me but I am still thinking on just the right sentence.  This saying is so true & close to all of our hearts - Wherever You May Journey. My Heart is always with You.

Elizabeth is GIVING away a $40 SHOP CREDIT!  Find out how one of her pieces could be yours!

For this fun GIVEAWAY - here's what you have to do:

1) "Like" Elizabeth Alta Jewelry on Facebook.

2) Follow A Marmie Life Blog.

It's that Easy!!

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