Boot Tights?! Where have you been all my Life?!

These are one of those products that you say - why didn't I think of that?!

I always put socks on with my tights- it makes my boots more comfy and keeps my toes toasty. Well some smart cookies must do the same thing because they invented a tight that has a sock attached!

The pics above are from the main boot tight website http://www.bootights.com/


As soon as I saw these I needed to try some. I picked up a pair at yellow Boutique in Saratoga http://shopyellowboutique.com/ - I sell my jewelry there and am a frequent shopper.

They are true to size and were super comfy all day (Christmas Eve to boot *pun intended*). The socks wicked away moisture without getting gross. And they haven't been washed multiple times yet but I had no rolling of the top or discomfort all day.
I'm psyched and plan on picking up more!

Have you found any great fashion inventions lately?

Handmade Holiday

Hopefully everyone had an amazing holiday filled with lots of love, family and food!

It will come as no suprise that handmade gifts are my favorite and my son received a very special one this year.

My grandfather made each of his grandchildren a toy chest with their name on it for their first Christmas. And this year Jackson received his.

I still use mine almost 30 years later to store blankets and I know my little man will cherish his as well! What's your favorite handmade gift? (Given/received)

Twist on No Bake Cookies

Ingredients
2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 stick butter
1/2 cup skim milk
1 cup chunky peanut butter
1/3 cup Nutella
1/3 cup flax seeds
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups oatmeal
Waxed paper
Directions
In a heavy saucepan bring to a boil, the sugar, cocoa, butter and milk. Let boil for 1 minute then add peanut butter, nutella, flax seeds, vanilla and oatmeal. On a sheet of waxed paper, drop mixture by the teaspoonfuls, until cooled and hardened.
Devour!!!

Mug Rug

There are rings from my coffee mug all over my desk. Eek! In an attempt not to show the world how bad my caffeine addiction is I crocheted "mug rugs."

These will be joining me in Troy in December as well! Would you like them in pairs, sets of four, or singles???

Happy October!

I admit, I'm obsessed with my son's feet- little wonder footprint art appeals to me.
What you need:
Non toxic white and black paint
Paint brush ( I used a sponge one to paint his feet and a regular but you can just use a regular one )
Metal bucket
Extra person to help wrangle :)

One person holds your little muse the other Paints the bottom of their feet white.
Press the foot against the bucket ( heel at the top toes pointing down ).
Clean off those toes.
Paint Boo!! Next to the imprint.
Let it dry.
Paint eyes and a mouth on the imprint in black.
Let it dry.
Done!

Optional- tie a ribbon on the handle or fill with candy.

Nutella and PB Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Ingredients
3/4 cup Nutella
1/2 cup Peanutbutter
½ cups Sugar
1 cup All-purpose Flour
2 Eggs
Blend all ingedients together well. Drop onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 12 minutes or until set.
Makes 1 dozen.

These were adapted from a recipe found on the Tasty Kitchen website :
http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/nutella-cookies/
Not to shabby for a quick cookie, they need a bit more tweaking . Suggestions?

Tater Tot Casserole

This is the best version I've come up with so far!

1 can crm of mushroom soup
1lb ground beef
1 can pinto beans (omit beef and do 2 cans beans for vegetarians or cheaper dinner)
1 can of mushrooms
1/2 small bag frozen corn
Small white onion chopped
4oz shredded cheddar cheese
2 cloves garlic chopped
Adobe
Italian seasoning
Garlic powder
9x12 pan greased

Oven at 450 - brown meat- season with italian and adobe seasonings, sweat onion and garlic in pan at end of browning( doesn't need to cook through).

Put meat mix in pan with soup, beans, and mushrooms - mix.

Top with tater tots, sprinkle with garlic powder, and the cheese.

Bake 25 minutes and enjoy!!!

Autumn in Air

Apples, leaves, frost in the air, not to mention boot weather! Are you ready for fall?

Instagram- and another fun find

Now that our little guy is getting into a schedule I have time for things like showers and new aps.
If you missed the boat like me jump on to Instagram- super fun photo effects for your pics, add them to ones as you snap or pics you have. Like this pic :)
Song Pop- challenge your friends music knowledge. Also links you to iTunes if you want to buy the songs that played...smart move.
What is keeping your fingers busy?

Simple

Have you ever wished to take a step back?
Do things a bit simpler?
A friend of mine is doing just that. If you want to follow her journey check out her blog- http://homesteadingiswheretheheartis.blogspot.com/

I'm not sure if I'm ready to completely jump ship and go back to the basics but I know Shannon will be inspiring me to look twice at quite a few things in my day to day. I hope she can do the same for you!

Do you follow any inspirational blogs?

DIY Baby Food

I can't believe how easy it is to make baby food! Jackson's first meal was this week- on the menu, sweet potatoes. Steam them (10 min in the Baby Bullet steamer), pop them in my chopper (I have the Baby Bullet chopper too) with 1 cup of water. Done. 5lb bag sweet potatoes $3, 1 small potato made 4 containers of food! 15 minutes tops. Up next Apples!

Hip to be Square

I was always intimidated by taking credit cards. It was going to cost too much money- I don't do shows every month so how can I handle the fees, overall it would be too scary for my small business. Then I met the square.
Changed my world and perspective! It is a simple ap to use and it automatically transfers the funds into my accounts the next business day. I've used it at all of my shows this summer and (knock on wood) haven't had an issue yet! I wish I would have taken the plunge earlier. If you are a small business I HIGHLY recommend this new partner :)
How about you? Do you use the square? Maybe another equally awesome piece of technology?

Ap Happy

I <3 Aps- but who doesn't? My latest fave is Postagram - this ap lets you upload a photo from your iPhone or Android and create a real postcard that will be sent to whoever you choose. For a $1 and they mail it! After you read the post card the picture pops out and can be displayed.

Here is one I made for the 4th of July:

Have you found any fun new aps lately??

Put a Feather in your Cap/Hair

NEW NEW NEW and kind of old.

When I was younger my Dad taught me to tie flies for fly fishing. Fast forward to my now late 20s (eek) - I'm obsessed with fascinators and bird cage veils and wish I knew how to get away with wearing them daily.

Here is my step in the right direction... feather hair clips. But I didn't want to just glue feathers on to clips, so I use fly tieing methods to bind them together for a longer lasting snazzier piece.
Thanks Dad! I remebered how to do it (but, I may have forgotten how to change a tire, let's have a refresher on that lesson :0) )

Oh How I Miss New Orleans

Have you ever gone on vacation and it feels like home? That is what New Orleans did for me. I've been there twice and am itching to go back. Above is a picture I took of St. Louis Cathederal and below is a skelton key necklace I made with NOLA on my mind (old and new as well as a hint of Mardi Gras colors).

Have you found your ideal vacation spot?
Miss you Big Easy- I'll be back soon, promise!

(Above is from a Capital Area Artist- Capow - A copy of it now hangs in my kitchen )

Getting to Know Me :)

Ever wondered what goes on in a crafty mind?
I was featured in SSNE's blog and scarily they tapped into mine- EEk! Don't mind the cobwebs and unfolded laundry :)

Check out the Article Here

Dressing Up Everyday

As a new mom I'm low on time, but still need to rock! Maybe scarves will help. Intro this cute tutorial on tiring head scarves. keiko lynn: Head Scarf Tutorial

How do you spruce up your everyday?

Latest Project- Our Son

Someone decided to arrive early! This is our lil man Jackson Sherman- his hat is from etsy seller RockerByeBaby.

How was your Valentine's?

The DH and I went to a lovely dinner at my favorite restaurant here in Albany, Athos. Sadly we missed the movies this year but rented Moneyball.  The fella sure enjoyed it, and it allowed me to put my ever swelling pregnant legs up! 5 week's till our little guy joins us.

How was your Valentine's Day? Hopefully everyone got to see someone they loved (furry faces count too!).

Lighten Up a Decadent Breakfast

This pregnant lady loves french toast right now. I first had this bake at a bridal shower and fell in love. Here is the original Paula Deen recipe http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/baked-french-toast-casserole-with-maple-syrup-recipe2/index.html

And here is my version - next time I think I'll swap butter for margarine and a couple eggs for egg whites. Both the original and my tweak version are super yummy! If you can think of anymore calorie savers I'm all ears!!

 Ingredients

10 pieces of wheat bread torn in half 

4 large eggs

 3 cups skim milk

1 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Sprinkle nutmeg

Praline Topping:

1 stick butter chunked

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions
Arrange slices of bread in a non stick sprayed small casserole dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Prep praline topping- Chunk butter over bread (with egg mix poured on). Mix dry ingredients and sprinkle over the entire dish.

 Cover with foil or cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup if desired

In Love with Sweet Potatoes

Currently I cant get enough of sweet potatoes! This baby has healthy taste. I'm trying to perfect my fries and I think I'm almost there.....

-Peel and cut sweet potatoes
-Microwave for 5 minutes
-Bring an oven with a baking stone in it up to 375
-Place potatoes on stone
-Drizzle with olive oil
-Sprinkle with paprika, adobo, and kosher salt
-Bake 20 minutes and flip
-Bake 20 more
I served my portion with light cottage cheese ( with pepper ) - what a great light lunch!

1st Dinner of 2012

Chicken tenderloins
Roasted red peppers
Capers
Onion
Mushrooms
Olives
Garlic, Adobo, and Italian Seasoning
Served with wild rice and corn

What did you have for dinner New Years Day ?