building built-ins: in progress

Let me tell you about the state of things....

THIS:

THIS is the state of things.  With a little of this...

 ...and a little of that....

Because, ya know, the perfect time to make a built-in is when you are 110 days out from your wedding....



Anyone surprised?

xmas 2011: ho ho ho

I don't think you're ready for this jelly.....but get ready, cuz here it comes.

We decorated for Christmas.  Which, I never used to be crazy for... UNTIL the beau came along and UNTIL I was slapped in the face with so much internet-blogland inspiration.  And let me tell you, I am loving what we got going on!  Now, there is more I would love to do, but budget, time, and space to store the other 11 months of the year is keeping me under control.

First, I put out some Silver & Gold (by ways of my spray-painted pine cones featured before.)

just like the clay snowman sang about

Second, I filled 3 vases with silver ornaments and silver Mardi Gras beads.

glam BAM!

I LOVE these.  I would love to make some fake presents (in shiny red wrapping) and place around the base of the vases and under some vases to give more dramatic height.  But I couldn't justify this when I had no room to store these empty boxes in the off season.  Next house, for sure.

Third, we got a tree.  A fake tree.  A fake, white tree.  Oh you better believe we got funky up in here!

won't you take me to FUNKY CHRISTMAS TOWN?! 

Yup, sparkly white tree + all red ornaments = the hotness.  I am in love.  The reason why we have a pint-size ghost tree is because Xmas will be hosted by another, and we didn't want a real tree to die while we were away, and we wanted to enjoy the holiday cheer.... so, obviously, this was the only logical answer.  Please tell me you love it and want to be like me.  Or, you know, lie.

Fourth, the peace wreath from last year (seen/done here)?  It's inside.  MADNESS, I KNOW!  But we needed to balance out an empty space & add some height so onto the wall it went (hung with a 3M removable hook.)  

kum-bay-yah, yo

I figure, this is a more stylized wreath that could rep the hippy indoors and match the circular plate on the other wall.  Oh!  And we did think about mounting the wreath ON the gold plate, but it didn't look as good as we thought it would.

Fifth, the bar got blinged. 

erm, the garland is level... the angle is just, um, messin with the view

That's a basic lit garland draped along the frame (with 3M hooks,) and strings of beads (usually for the tree) hung through the glass racks.  It took a bit of finagling to get the beads to stay and more to get them the right lengths.... I scrapped having them all the same length because that would talk TOO LONG.  Look at it all lit up!  I love how the garland really frames the bar.

Sixth, the table.

The bowl is Ikea.  The filler is, yup, more beads.  The napkin rings?  BEADS AGAIN!  (Bet you didn't see that one coming!)  And that lovely, delicate table runner was a gift from a very close family friend.

beads, beads... GLORIOUS BEADS!!!!!

adding some quaint to the otherwise glitz-fest

I have also, when we were using the chargers but not the fancy-pants napkins (I use those only for foreign dignitaries,) I put them all in the center bowl.  I kinda like this too... like a pick-your-poison of, um, hand towels.  Whatever.

So, there you go!  This is how we deck our halls and bring out the figgy pudding.  What did you do?  Anyone hate a non-green tree??

(See Link Parties page for list of who I've linked too)

modg's wana

I'm sure you are all tired of me NOT posting.  Then saying I'm back.  Then not being back.  Hell, you've all probably forgotten about me.  No matter!

Posting something amazing:

priceless art from MODG

I admit it.  I follow a personal blog of someone I don't know.  I blame her awesome nursery for it.  But, it's a hilarious blog, so doesn't matter.  Anyways, I am drawing attention her her blog, and specifically this post, because it's something I want to support as much as I can.

what it is: 
 Essentially, a "forum" or place for those who want to help others to connect with those in serious need to help (like, I-can't-afford-a-present-AT-ALL-for-my-child families).  This means anything from sending used clothes & toys to sending brand-new gifts or making care packages.

why:
Other than "Tis the Season" and all, there was a judgmental comment on MODG's post about the birthday party thrown for her son regarding her personal finances.  MODG responded with a post sarcastically saying she's Donald Trump's mentor, only to be met with comments from readers supporting her and ones explaining the hard or good times they are in.  The magic came when other commentators responded to those down on their luck offering help.  And from the spirit behind those comments, this drive was born.

So, if I can help by spreading the word, then that's what I will do.  Should you want to help a family in need (or just want a good tear-jerker (whatever, it's dusty in here)), GO HERE.


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I'll be back this weekend with a post about how I took crap around my house in attempts to make it look less like "crap" and more like "holiday cheer".  Peace out.

Cilantro: The Evil Divider

This post isn't about the pros and cons about cilantro (or the record: PRO- it tastes awesome; CON- some people don't like it and this makes cooking for the masses a pain in the pa-tooey!)  This post IS about a genius idea I had for keeping cilantro longer.  Please witness the miracle:

it's alive, ALIIIIIVVVEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

I decided to try and keep cilantro as I keep fresh-cut flowers.  And. It. Worked.  This bunch of cilantro has been with me since September 9th.  It is now September 30th.  DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?!?!??!  Cilantro is hands down the fastest-spoiling herb I have used.  Two-Three days after purchase, and portions start getting slimy & wilt-y.  Not cool.  I never make it though a whole bunch (which are always fairly sizable!) before it gets tossed.... UNTIL NOW!

Here's the low-down:  put stems in water (but not enough to submerge any leaves).  Every couple days snip off the bottom inch (give or take) of the stems.  Keep refrigerated.  Use as needed.  VOILA!!!!!!!!!!!

...

And if this is some kitchen secret that everyone knows about and no one has told me, than you all can go suck on a lemon.  Am I the only one who didn't know this??

our wedding inspiration, v1

Soooo, INSPIRATION:

Our Wedding Inspiration, v1 by csmenke on Polyvore.com

1) The paper lanterns (tent and aisle)

2) The pompom/tissue paper flowers (fancy-ing up the house)

3) The cake buffet (oh man, EPIC)

4) Sparklers... somehow.

5) Lemons & lemony-yellow 

6) DIY chalkboard signs

7) I don't know why I had to include that table setting... I really only tagged it because I liked how they placed/arranged the napkins.  But dammit, napkin arrangement is IMPORTANT!

Our colors: peacock blue & lemon yellow & white (and lots of spring green from, ya know, the spring and plants).

TA DA!!!!!!!!!!!!

photo collage via polyvore

life- it happens

Why hello, my friends, it appears life has kinda gotten in the way of blogging.  A damn shame, if I do say.  So, here's a quick update of why I have been on sabbatical:

1. Baked cakes (yes, plural - 6 of them) for a friend's wedding.  Plan on sharing these details, which is slightly hard because...
2. Lost my camera.  Yup, the one with all the cake pictures and all home DIY pics waiting to be uploaded.  Wrench, please meet my plans.  You make great bed-fellows.
3. Went on a week vacation to the beach.  Much needed.  Yay relaxation.
4. GOT ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!  So, needless to say, I am somewhat distracted.  My love of food, party planning and DIY are getting me carried away in a WHOLE new direction!  

So please, excuse the absence.  I hope to have some posts about home updates and the cakes.  I will definitely share wedding prep when that gets going, as we plan to infuse as much of ourselves into this day as humanly possible.  Excitement! :D

restaurant reviews: debut & ren's ramen

I've been neglecting half of this whole "cooking and renovation" concept.  Not that I haven't been eating.  I have. And not that I haven't been cooking.  I have.  I just haven't been documenting (writing & remember recipes and taking pictures).  I must confess,* this is mostly laziness and hurried-ness to get dinner on the table before 10pm.**  I promise I have a beautiful spring dessert that I will post in the next week and a re-cap on how I baked cakes (plural) for a friend's wedding and lived to tell about it soon after that.***

ANYWHO, something I have been trying to do? Yelp reviews.  Why?  Because I use them when looking for a restaurant, and figured I should add to instead of just take, take & take.  I am a selfless saint.

Plus they make a pretty little map for me of the places I've reviewed.  I like maps.

I've made a page for these reviews for anyone interested (i.e. lives around here.... though I will review anywhere I go on travels!)

everyone loves the lipsticked ducks more than my projects :(

Latest review is of Ren's Ramen in Wheaton, MD!  An awesome noodle joint that opened a little over a week ago after moving here from Bethesda, MD.  Go on & check it out!!!  (my reviews and the ramen joint, that is!)


*That my loneliness is killing me no-oo-o-o-ow!  Don't you know I still believe that you will be here & give me a si-ii-i-i-ign....
**Yeah, that's happened before.  WORTH IT!
***So, the wedding hasn't happened yet.  The whole "lived to tell about it" may be counting my eggs before they chicken out, or something.