tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84707626445108347542024-02-19T07:50:15.958-08:00A Domesticated QueenDomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-60108668251444304972012-02-23T07:51:00.001-08:002012-02-23T07:51:26.497-08:00pop of pink<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='position:relative;width:600px;height:600px;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/pop_pink/set?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=44291678'><img force='1' border='0' height='600' title='pop of pink' src='http://embed.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/44291678/id/OywUDDXsRg6Gv-WKgFTXpQ/size/y.jpg' alt='pop of pink' width='600'/></a></div><br/><div><small><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/pop_pink/set?.embedder=3207142&amp;.svc=blogger&amp;id=44291678'>pop of pink</a> by <a href='http://domesticatedqueen.polyvore.com/?.embedder=3207142&amp;.svc=blogger'>domesticatedqueen</a> featuring <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/embellished_tops/shop?query=embellished+tops'>embellished tops</a></small></div><small><div style='padding-top:16px'><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=50297812' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/50297812.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=50297812' rel='nofollow'>Monsoon drape cardigan</a><br/>£55 - monsoon.co.uk<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=49488443' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/49488443.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=49488443' rel='nofollow'>Mango cropped skinny jeans</a><br/>£40 - mango.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=50297338' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/50297338.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=50297338' rel='nofollow'>Wedge boots</a><br/>boohoo.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=50798283' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/50798283.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=50798283' rel='nofollow'>Chanel black wallet</a><br/>consignofthetimes.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=50676049' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/50676049.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=50676049' rel='nofollow'>CA LOU couture jewelry</a><br/>€455 - colette.fr<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48459329' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/48459329.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48459329' rel='nofollow'>Chanel jewelry</a><br/>€376 - lindestore.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=49763513' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/49763513.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=49763513' rel='nofollow'>Stone ring</a><br/>$30 - witchery.com.au<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p></div></small></div>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-19258982776020588122012-01-10T06:42:00.001-08:002012-01-10T06:42:29.098-08:00Sweet and Casual<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='position:relative;width:600px;height:600px;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/sweet_casual/set?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=42039944'><img force='1' border='0' height='600' title='Sweet and Casual' src='http://embed.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/42039944/id/EDceUZk74RGHQZG45H5Mtw/size/y.jpg' alt='Sweet and Casual' width='600'/></a></div><br/><div><small><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/sweet_casual/set?.embedder=3207142&amp;.svc=blogger&amp;id=42039944'>Sweet and Casual</a> by <a href='http://domesticatedqueen.polyvore.com/?.embedder=3207142&amp;.svc=blogger'>domesticatedqueen</a> featuring <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/platform_wedges/shop?query=platform+wedges'>platform wedges</a></small></div><small><div style='padding-top:16px'><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48106168' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/48106168.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48106168' rel='nofollow'>Alexander McQueen cardigan</a><br/>€759 - unger-fashion.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47382322' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/47382322.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47382322' rel='nofollow'>Agent Ninetynine long tank top</a><br/>$30 - generalpants.com.au<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48605251' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/48605251.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48605251' rel='nofollow'>Lace skirt</a><br/>¥5,480 - jshoppers.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47619090' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/47619090.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47619090' rel='nofollow'>Giuseppe Zanotti platform wedge</a><br/>$695 - couture.zappos.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47504971' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/47504971.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47504971' rel='nofollow'>Clutch handbag</a><br/>wallis.co.uk<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47159545' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/47159545.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47159545' rel='nofollow'>Kate spade jewelry</a><br/>$248 - katespade.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48108527' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/48108527.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48108527' rel='nofollow'>Silver jewelry</a><br/>nelly.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p></div></small></div>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-76736834146427678572012-01-09T11:15:00.001-08:002012-01-09T11:15:02.377-08:00Pop!<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='position:relative;width:600px;height:600px;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/pop/set?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=42008152'><img force='1' border='0' height='600' title='Pop!' src='http://embed.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/42008152/id/oIT7KvY64RGoL5HSGTccnw/size/y.jpg' alt='Pop!' width='600'/></a></div><br/><div><small><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/pop/set?.embedder=3207142&amp;.svc=blogger&amp;id=42008152'>Pop!</a> by <a href='http://domesticatedqueen.polyvore.com/?.embedder=3207142&amp;.svc=blogger'>domesticatedqueen</a> featuring <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/yves_saint_laurent_shoes/shop?brand=Yves+Saint+Laurent&amp;category_id=41'>yves saint laurent shoes</a></small></div><small><div style='padding-top:16px'><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48104331' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/48104331.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48104331' rel='nofollow'>Marc by Marc Jacobs silk polka dot blouse</a><br/>$230 - net-a-porter.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47356738' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/47356738.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47356738' rel='nofollow'>French Connection hot pants shorts</a><br/>£34 - johnlewis.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47025381' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/47025381.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47025381' rel='nofollow'>Gucci canvas bag</a><br/>€1.290 - veryeickhoff.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47118072' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/47118072.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47118072' rel='nofollow'>Kate Spade stackable jewelry</a><br/>$248 - katespade.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48459362' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/48459362.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48459362' rel='nofollow'>Chanel logos jewelry</a><br/>€1.289 - lindestore.com<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47246854' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/47246854.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=47246854' rel='nofollow'>Lanvin hat</a><br/>€673 - ekseption.es<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p><p style='clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48414965' rel='nofollow'><img force='1' height='50' style='border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;' src='http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/48414965.jpg' hspace='4' align='left' width='50'/></a><div style='margin-bottom:8px'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=3207142&.svc=blogger&id=48414965' rel='nofollow'>Stargazer - Lipstick (Bright Red) - Make-up - Stargazer</a><br/>£2.99 - attitudeclothing.co.uk<br/><br style='display:none'/></div></p></div></small></div>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-77953302823578049292012-01-08T05:26:00.000-08:002012-01-08T05:26:53.026-08:00Week # 1 Organization Challenge<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The first week's challenge was focused on the kitchen countertops and sink. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/kitchen-organization.html" target="_blank">(Week # 1)</a> This one wasn't too involved in our home, as we don't have a lot of counter space to speak of, and tend to keep them pretty clear to begin with. I did remove a few unnecessary canisters, to the "baking cupboard", and also cleared out the drying basket that we keep in the second side of the sink. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As the article states, "Definitely, if you have room, keep out appliances that you use daily, like a coffee maker or toaster (if you truly use them daily). Depending on the size of your kitchen, you may even decide you have enough room to keep out appliances you use on a weekly basis. However, anything you don't use <b>at least weekly</b>, should not be on your counter top." Keeping these tips in mind, my counters are clear and functional. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This was a great task to tackle first, because it was simple and the results are still noticeable. It's an encouraging way to start a year's worth of organizing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></span>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-6103773116930313802012-01-04T09:52:00.000-08:002012-01-04T09:52:13.755-08:0052 Weeks to Freedom!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>... From clutter, that is.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I recently came across a wonderful "challenge" to get your home/life/whatever completely organized over the course of the coming year (thanks, yet again, Pinterest!). I am super excited to get started with this. I will try to update my progress each week, and include any pointers or lessons I learn along the way. The link to the site can be found <a href="http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/organized-home.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKLo0CaXWrOZZ8uX-G0mfMChAkat1tXXCFKGbr4I0jgt6q8SZJCU5nF0Ul8jEOT6douz6dNtrPAJpSI2EJQY5tUQoe-D4uloi_-Gp4cQPVN70WJDqhyB9IzAbX7LMByTGBbzM0evx2To/s1600/messy-house-cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKLo0CaXWrOZZ8uX-G0mfMChAkat1tXXCFKGbr4I0jgt6q8SZJCU5nF0Ul8jEOT6douz6dNtrPAJpSI2EJQY5tUQoe-D4uloi_-Gp4cQPVN70WJDqhyB9IzAbX7LMByTGBbzM0evx2To/s320/messy-house-cartoon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> I believe most of us could probably benefit from a little more organization in our lives, but being the owner of a small house has me especially interested in streamlining our operation around here. We don't have a lot of clutter to begin with, but again- a small house makes any amount seem overwhelming in a short amount of time. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> If I have any success, I intend to try these methods out in our garage, as well. Shhh- don't tell my husband. I don't want to falsely get his hopes up. Besides our house being entirely too small for our family, I would say the condition of our garage is my husband's greatest frustration. They do go hand-in-hand, however, because the garage is packed full of stuff we will "need" when we have a bigger home **(FINGERS CROSSED THAT THIS IS IN THE NOT-SO-DISTANT FUTURE)**.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>But I digress... </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>So, here we go. A new year, a new method of operation. A 52-week commitment to de-clutter and reorganize our "cozy" abode. </i></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Wish me luck. </i></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>-------------------------------------</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>PS- Happy New Year! 2012 is going to be <b>GREAT</b>. <u>I can feel it</u>!</i></span>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-66078580854333861502011-11-15T11:19:00.001-08:002011-11-15T11:19:14.579-08:00Nap time decorating :)Before D took his nap today, I told him we had a special visitor coming to spend the holidays with us. This is what he will wake up to :)<br />
<br />
<br />
Super easy- construction paper, scissors, double-sided tape, scarf, magnets, and a few safety pins to keep the scarf from separating. <br />
<br />
Much nicer to look at than the usually cluttered surface of our ancient fridge!<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP8p5XbGtrGBm5XU03Fhl8fhFow-j9yHNEpbq-6vFuQ8M89T-uUjW_tDVywpz-sE20hLa9i1a4RU1vx55q6PbSLMeL-YkXQggsjFBi4QEXJ3MvxUZ8PqeE7yTWc6aC6OVQ5AyJTm9sSs/s640/blogger-image-1684868118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP8p5XbGtrGBm5XU03Fhl8fhFow-j9yHNEpbq-6vFuQ8M89T-uUjW_tDVywpz-sE20hLa9i1a4RU1vx55q6PbSLMeL-YkXQggsjFBi4QEXJ3MvxUZ8PqeE7yTWc6aC6OVQ5AyJTm9sSs/s640/blogger-image-1684868118.jpg" /></a></div>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-7392385339343919092011-11-04T11:17:00.001-07:002011-11-04T11:17:54.764-07:00Up-cycled storageFeeling crafty this morning, and always needing more toy storage, here's what I came up with...<br />
Wipey box turned toy bin. Quick, cheap and pretty cute, I think. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMpIXXMBG-2l0daNEix8vEJ3Jq3c7w4o4BkYb11U11xg7SAxTZrwEJWM_8N9OP7p79PwYL2pJBw3BTBNWkyyAUYPPaL2V1fez8ABK_2CkkGPjZPnGpV3O0AziqSzmROgLclMoGub-Zjc/s640/blogger-image--629051128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMpIXXMBG-2l0daNEix8vEJ3Jq3c7w4o4BkYb11U11xg7SAxTZrwEJWM_8N9OP7p79PwYL2pJBw3BTBNWkyyAUYPPaL2V1fez8ABK_2CkkGPjZPnGpV3O0AziqSzmROgLclMoGub-Zjc/s640/blogger-image--629051128.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOsCSvjyJEOORuftpPR5jiUJmwZ-JGRPP-7eF59hZ64uDL2hn1L_cEio3wKJGTg_scaTQU-rMUXEnawTibY9vgBIgPoZh_gUyKH0EuFfcrtqaEvWeblFFD4zIZ9aGBpPYLLbqDAaWoj8/s640/blogger-image-157793929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOsCSvjyJEOORuftpPR5jiUJmwZ-JGRPP-7eF59hZ64uDL2hn1L_cEio3wKJGTg_scaTQU-rMUXEnawTibY9vgBIgPoZh_gUyKH0EuFfcrtqaEvWeblFFD4zIZ9aGBpPYLLbqDAaWoj8/s640/blogger-image-157793929.jpg" /></a></div>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-5575173103471338522011-10-21T10:02:00.001-07:002011-10-23T05:14:10.876-07:00What's cooking tonight!WHITE CHICKEN CHILI<br />
- 1 Tbsp. veggie oil<br />
- onion, chopped <br />
- 3 cloves of garlic, diced<br />
- 1, 4 oz can diced jalepenos<br />
- 1, 4 oz can chopped green chiles <br />
- 2 tsp. ground cumin<br />
- 1 tsp. dried oregano <br />
- 1 tsp. ground cayenne <br />
- 2, 14.5 oz cans chicken broth<br />
- 3 cups cooked boneless chicken breast, chopped<br />
- 3, 15 oz cans white beans (white kidneys, cannelloni, chickpeas, etc) drained<br />
- 1 cup shredded Monterrey jack cheese (more is OK, too)<br />
---------------------<br />
Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium-low heat. <br />
Add onion, cook until tender, stirring occasionally. <br />
Mix in garlic, jalepenos, chiles, cumin, oregano and cayenne. <br />
Cook, stirring, until tender (3 min or so)<br />
Mix in broth, chicken and beans. <br />
Simmer 15 min, stirring as needed. <br />
Remove from heat. <br />
Slowly stir in the cheese until melted. <br />
Serve warm, with a crusty bread or corn bread.DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-52597023720006285632011-10-17T08:23:00.001-07:002011-10-17T08:23:37.826-07:00Now Taking Orders!<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I'm a big fan of supporting local businesses, crafters and artists. Their products are made with talent and love. The same certainly can't be said of some machine in a factory somewhere, programmed to make whatever mass-produced crap it was intended to. My sister is also a supporter of this cause, and gave me a good idea. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> In thinking about the holiday shopping season soon to be upon us, she said she might have to commission me to make some gifts for some lucky recipients on her list. And I got to thinking, why not see if anyone else is interested as well? On my blog are several examples of the things I have made in the past. There are also quite a few items I haven't posted about, but I will work on getting some of those photos up as well. One of my favorite things to make, and give as gifts, are the hobo totes. Every time I do, I have someone else ask me if I would make one for them, as well. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Long story somewhat shortened, I am now taking orders. Give a heartfelt, quality, handmade gift to someone you love- Or to yourself :) Check out the "Past Projects" page, as well as any of the other posts to see what I can do. If you have something else in mind that I haven't posted about, just ask. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Here are some ideas and prices:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hobo tote (large) - $35/ $30 (medium)/ $25 (small)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Baby girl dress/toddler tunic - $20</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Baby girl skirt - $15/ Toddler skirt - $20</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Burp-clothes - $15/two large-sized</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Table cloth - $20 (small)/ $25 (medium)/ $30 (large)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Table runner - $15 (small)/ $20 (large)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Place mats - $30/set of 4</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cloth napkins - $20/set of 4</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Grocery bag holder - $15</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Throw pillow - $15</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pinwheel pillow - $20</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Curtains or drapes - depends on the size of the window </span></li>
</ul><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">*When you contact me about placing an order, we will discuss what colors/styles/patterns you are interested in. I can then send you photos of fabric options.</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">*I also refinish and repurpose furniture and other items (lamps, etc). If you have an item that needs some new life breathed into it and aren't sure where to start, I'd be happy to help.</span></blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">***With any of the above listed sewn products, prices may be negotiable if you supply fabric you would like me to use***</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLMvIWanWbRL0EfGcqgketF7fhb3dRz-T-_87yfwCG6Z2WDb998fETh1DSuse1L4ecCeGA8mKWx9At7FuZrkdx9tz6iwLuqstgkeM08SHe2H2J7iHVrSMq7hHSzLcGB3iLbfFHfsPHrA/s1600/d84ee40fd5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLMvIWanWbRL0EfGcqgketF7fhb3dRz-T-_87yfwCG6Z2WDb998fETh1DSuse1L4ecCeGA8mKWx9At7FuZrkdx9tz6iwLuqstgkeM08SHe2H2J7iHVrSMq7hHSzLcGB3iLbfFHfsPHrA/s1600/d84ee40fd5.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-88440201131149002562011-10-07T08:42:00.000-07:002011-10-07T08:42:35.241-07:00ANYONE PLANNING TO BUY AN IPHONE 4S-READ THIS! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I just ordered my iphone 4s, at the "upgrade" price because I was patient enough not to jump at the iphone 4, when I first became eligible. I wanted to share this with any of you who may be thinking about buying one, because some requirements have changed. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> This info applies to AT&T customers, and I am not sure if any of these changes have occurred with other carriers, as well. If you are new to AT&T, or this is the first time you are buying a smart phone, then this info doesn't really apply to you, either. However, if you already have an iphone (or other smart device) and are attempting to buy the 4s online, you will see a message saying your data plan is no longer sufficient and AT&T is trying to replace it with a comparable one. My old iphone plan had an <u>unlimited</u> data plan, which is no longer an option. If you also currently have an <u>unlimited</u> data plan, DON'T BUY YOUR 4S ONLINE. CALL AT&T to purchase it! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The existing customers who already have an unlimited data plan are going to be "grandfathered" in to their new plans, and are able to keep their data unlimited, for the current price they're paying. If you buy your phone online, your unlimited plan will be removed when you choose the new option, and you will NOT be able to get it back. If you call AT&T and order through a representative, they will make a note of this in your file, as well as send you a confirmation email, that you are still going to receive UNLIMITED data with your plan (make sure you ask your customer service rep. to specifically mention the data plan in your post-call email).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> You will have to call AT&T to activate your phone when you receive it, and mention the unlimited data plan you are eligible for, as a previous customer. As I said, there will be a note in your file, and also an email to help you prove you deserve to be on the unlimited data, once again. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">IF YOU DON'T DO THIS WHEN YOU BUY YOUR IPHONE 4S, YOU WILL END UP WITH A NEW, <u>LIMITED DATA</u> PLAN. IT WILL BE EXPENSIVE, AND IF YOU GO OVER YOUR LIMIT THEY WILL CHARGE YOU FOR ANY ADDITIONAL DATA USED. </span>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-47619700841698284572011-10-03T12:51:00.000-07:002011-10-03T12:51:39.299-07:00How I Got Crafty This Weekend<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once again, I decided to make a baby girl's skirt, that certainly isn't going to be worn by any little person in my house. Maybe I'm just stock-piling these adorable duds in the hopes that one day I do have a daughter to play dress up with : )</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBL5kcTAkWeay3PS1hrHc62AexqXy_9hfsdCOYDYwXgJngmfnPlsJQdLtngEF5_VwP1ah8jx51r8P1UlmUVeBjiob_M2h6063wULRlBnHcxmLHML45UuCeY3kN38VAzP8Hqb4kbghqcH4/s1600/shirtskirt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBL5kcTAkWeay3PS1hrHc62AexqXy_9hfsdCOYDYwXgJngmfnPlsJQdLtngEF5_VwP1ah8jx51r8P1UlmUVeBjiob_M2h6063wULRlBnHcxmLHML45UuCeY3kN38VAzP8Hqb4kbghqcH4/s1600/shirtskirt1.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Front<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyy-ZfxEG9oVcmIHoacPXhq2MMy_TneHsSNdi-2cIwfVgs_8CRDwc7CxOzhYDosX9tZYxRPjbK2Sbkw4XbtmNkLeK7yNGjcyKUrqf_7gpXtKAMxbI_83NREkBZ82LRf_DTmm5WRNIxuY/s1600/shirtskirt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyy-ZfxEG9oVcmIHoacPXhq2MMy_TneHsSNdi-2cIwfVgs_8CRDwc7CxOzhYDosX9tZYxRPjbK2Sbkw4XbtmNkLeK7yNGjcyKUrqf_7gpXtKAMxbI_83NREkBZ82LRf_DTmm5WRNIxuY/s1600/shirtskirt2.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Back<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-55218739635429869002011-10-03T12:38:00.000-07:002011-10-04T11:27:04.708-07:00What's Cooking Tonight...yum!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Grannie's Potato Soup</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 pound of bacon, cut into small chunks, 1/2" wide</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 large Russett potatoes, cut into 1/2 " cubes (skin on or off)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 medium onion, diced</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 Tbsp. flour</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups chicken stock</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 cups milk</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">salt, pepper and garlic powder (to taste)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup half & half</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 green onions, finely sliced</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup shredded mozzarella</span></li>
</ul><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In a large skillet, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">fry the bacon until it's very crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and place a few tsps. of the grease in the bottom of a large, stock pot. Reserve the rest of the grease to add small amounts back if needed during the next step.</span></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">In the stock pot, saute half of the potato cubes until they are starting to soften. Add the onion and saute about 2 minutes until they start to soften. Finally add the remaining potato cubes and continue cooking until they are starting to soften. By then the first batch of potato should be starting to brown lightly. Cooking the potatoes in two stages is called "layering" and results in some very soft and some moderately soft, so the soup has texture.</span></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Sprinkle the flour over the onions and potatoes and stir it in a but to get all the flour moistened with the bacon fat. Add a bit of additional fat if needed. Allow the flour to cook for a minute or so to cook off the flour taste but don't cook it until it starts to darken. Add the chicken stock and stir gently to mix. As the stock heats it will start to thicken from the flour and some of the potato. Let simmer for 15 min. Add milk in 1/2 cup increments to keep the mixture soupy, and continue to simmer another 10-15 min.</span></span></blockquote><blockquote> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16px;">Adjust the seasoning to taste with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Add in the half & half to adjust to a thin, creamy consistency. Continue to simmer, checking to make sure all chunks of potato are cooked thoroughly. Finally, add about 3/4 of the crisp bacon bits and the shredded cheese. Reserve the rest of the bacon for garnish.</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16px;">Simmer for another few minutes and serve. Top each serving with a few bits of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16px;">bacon and slices of green onion.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16px;"><b>*I'm serving this with grilled monterrey jack cheese and tomato sandwiches*</b></span></div>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-90597045930829426832011-09-28T09:54:00.000-07:002011-09-28T09:56:04.221-07:00Coming to you from on location...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's what I'm looking at right now:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli-9gdHH7VJXREwxeoW7wZfsUG1V6RiJkYlK-jzkcf8ARyZ1w_cXvNeOHXS5o7MShfvavDG9xoMm4s9oath3mgq-g2YHDjACGRlR-KxPhURFTvexRnZGmCjQBX-UTkd9bnXUA3M61P1Y/s1600/DSC03535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli-9gdHH7VJXREwxeoW7wZfsUG1V6RiJkYlK-jzkcf8ARyZ1w_cXvNeOHXS5o7MShfvavDG9xoMm4s9oath3mgq-g2YHDjACGRlR-KxPhURFTvexRnZGmCjQBX-UTkd9bnXUA3M61P1Y/s320/DSC03535.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">View from the back patio</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Any of you who have been to my house know it is far from perfect. It's tiny and it's on a busy road. Our growing family desperately needs more room, and our eyes are always on the market for something bigger! The one thing I will miss when we move (besides all the wonderful memories we have from living here), will be this view. You can see for miles down the valley, with only one far away house in sight. We love to watch the small airplanes fly overhead to the municipal airport, whose light can be seen circling in the distance, at night. There is plenty of privacy for our little ones and their dogs to play and make as much noise as they want, and for Mommy and Daddy to have late-night bonfires. It seems like every 5 minutes my two-year old is asking me if we can go outside, and we usually do.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> One of my favorite aspects about having this incredible view to enjoy is watching it transform from season to season. Though the leaves are just beginning to change, within a few weeks this same picture from above will look like this:</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30MzbdAl1kbcNvU5jSOKE5iGgjfXtDIIe09r6nLU0Ls5J-UfnkaCh5YdVsNfbMW23WgGWD53hpjW9Wp5Af9nqwPhlp2kf1cf8bqVO95JYdwP9vn0XEqnFgnJr7N8XNVDMTUCFZHi87JA/s1600/DSC01213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30MzbdAl1kbcNvU5jSOKE5iGgjfXtDIIe09r6nLU0Ls5J-UfnkaCh5YdVsNfbMW23WgGWD53hpjW9Wp5Af9nqwPhlp2kf1cf8bqVO95JYdwP9vn0XEqnFgnJr7N8XNVDMTUCFZHi87JA/s320/DSC01213.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Red, orange and yellow as far as the eye can see</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And a few short weeks after that, it will look like this:</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOwplinVHEHoY76NMHg6CfZr_ciNxh3rON-jpH204kNxLt1jd46VvrVVv2q-rPbZfXxfZN8vhQkh8QGLShSeEb3IK_ivjv2wJRtpbu-i_xNxDGH6h6TCu-3ATT6bU4scJjaJRyyPeyGM/s1600/DSC01595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOwplinVHEHoY76NMHg6CfZr_ciNxh3rON-jpH204kNxLt1jd46VvrVVv2q-rPbZfXxfZN8vhQkh8QGLShSeEb3IK_ivjv2wJRtpbu-i_xNxDGH6h6TCu-3ATT6bU4scJjaJRyyPeyGM/s320/DSC01595.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We get to watch the deer in the garden all winter</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Since I became a mother, the years are truly flying by. Everyone always warns you that this will happen, but it's hard to believe until you experience it first hand. It seems like every time I look out the kitchen window (at this view), it has changed to the next season. Soon, winter will cover us with it's frosty blanket and we will be able to watch the storms roll down the valley, just as we do in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Each season brings its own view, its own gifts. It's so beautiful to see the land slowly peel back the brown layer left behind from months of snow and cold, to reveal the bright greens of Spring that promise new life and new beginnings.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkp6wkR55Y-3xg1bFChdz_RwAU_lpo2Dt_5mumPSD-eaIeIYjyckwrxgFSdgpZpS49tI2O4XSAO1jf-P1s7Wf2wubEnDb2GQO5Yp-azyGiQVRshhA5gHq9965qE0M_9Y_uij5nA89IQk/s1600/DSC02248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkp6wkR55Y-3xg1bFChdz_RwAU_lpo2Dt_5mumPSD-eaIeIYjyckwrxgFSdgpZpS49tI2O4XSAO1jf-P1s7Wf2wubEnDb2GQO5Yp-azyGiQVRshhA5gHq9965qE0M_9Y_uij5nA89IQk/s320/DSC02248.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Springtime!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I get ready to finish our Fall cleaning and to button up the house for the cold months to come, I know in the blink of an eye we will be excited to see the buds on the trees and my two-year old will be asking me if we can go outside. </span>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-76711498032288154032011-09-15T05:27:00.000-07:002011-09-15T05:27:07.254-07:00An Easy Way to Warm Up On a Rainy Day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">HEARTY BLACK BEAN SOUP</span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 Carrots, halved and sliced</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 Celery ribs, sliced thinly</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 Medium onion, diced</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 Cloves garlic, minced</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15.5 oz. can chick peas, drained</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15.25 oz. can black beans, drained</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2, 14.5 oz. cans low-sodium chicken broth</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15 oz. can crushed tomatoes</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 1/2 tsp. dried basil </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp. dried oregano</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp. ground cumin</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp. chili powder</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Makes 6-8 Servings</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cover. Cook on low, 9-10 hours.</span></li>
</ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">May be served over rice. If you prefer a thicker soup, use only one can of broth, instead.</span></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL7PNGJFyPLUTM6hUtnjMTfIjUM5GVj5gWOd7_5GYGJ-sZtW1sVh19SL1wgJBjQWrzRAeehnj04c_dAeKb31I7Q40TglCptXSkIKE6bZEK9FrcgAym0WLA3ssk59FgWSqLCsfk5kbKrc/s1600/black+bean+soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL7PNGJFyPLUTM6hUtnjMTfIjUM5GVj5gWOd7_5GYGJ-sZtW1sVh19SL1wgJBjQWrzRAeehnj04c_dAeKb31I7Q40TglCptXSkIKE6bZEK9FrcgAym0WLA3ssk59FgWSqLCsfk5kbKrc/s320/black+bean+soup.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Garnish with Parsley and some reserved tomato and onion, if you like.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-89312884446988129772011-09-14T12:25:00.000-07:002011-09-14T12:25:18.244-07:00Because I have 2 sons...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was feeling creative this morning, and decided to construct a baby girl's dress out of some leftover fabric I had laying around. I recently refinished my sewing desk, chair and lamp, and had some beautiful black and white fabric leftover... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are some shots of the sewing desk:</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVeNhLwhqjZYTgkQihMLdj1dGdb5nquvDDTTlYflfGltV-QtNo54bkyQMi2iPQ2kUsfpvhfs19-K1RdCp8iyyOG69fZMSX-mz0dxRVv0oGupmBskaasxAYMKxyKKZNKOW49PieDPoH5E/s1600/DSC03179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVeNhLwhqjZYTgkQihMLdj1dGdb5nquvDDTTlYflfGltV-QtNo54bkyQMi2iPQ2kUsfpvhfs19-K1RdCp8iyyOG69fZMSX-mz0dxRVv0oGupmBskaasxAYMKxyKKZNKOW49PieDPoH5E/s320/DSC03179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3YlPbOpW26B82GFxlsgLJuyiGCOCKJBH0p-13gj_Ru7m_jmc8jFf39NhxnHva3HDz_GqWtIqOGjYBUHD_e28yVMupnmEuLDauyH5EzOndKLnFNSLqS7Xdr_1XfO3EOr-ufcP6xE-rnA/s1600/DSC03190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3YlPbOpW26B82GFxlsgLJuyiGCOCKJBH0p-13gj_Ru7m_jmc8jFf39NhxnHva3HDz_GqWtIqOGjYBUHD_e28yVMupnmEuLDauyH5EzOndKLnFNSLqS7Xdr_1XfO3EOr-ufcP6xE-rnA/s320/DSC03190.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After<br />
Please excuse the ugly blue carpeting- a project my husband will be tackling this winter (maybe I should tell him?)<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Here is the chair:<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjcyd8dWeKZyRx-bQ-ih7AScVMxwpPut0hg5yj4OvxYVocz3jGlKWN8IRqZTbCkNnzNFmk12EB7uh9QyqYdEUR7cfMdqIkhivqSv8z6znUOMx4cXVIRV3Q4l1aNTbhybwiKzCTRfKZyI/s1600/DSC03181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjcyd8dWeKZyRx-bQ-ih7AScVMxwpPut0hg5yj4OvxYVocz3jGlKWN8IRqZTbCkNnzNFmk12EB7uh9QyqYdEUR7cfMdqIkhivqSv8z6znUOMx4cXVIRV3Q4l1aNTbhybwiKzCTRfKZyI/s320/DSC03181.JPG" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRHwwHf535a2oVdwXnUsVOJxXyROgmywHybO1hoexn8ZVNQ56FN5XLzSvT2XCyFcDMHRVdK2rxT1iId1XlkOT3Ubo5HQ9HkI2qDJ_KkivN7O63T_ewUwWM_LXX26p8mR0XYidZT-femg/s1600/DSC03187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRHwwHf535a2oVdwXnUsVOJxXyROgmywHybO1hoexn8ZVNQ56FN5XLzSvT2XCyFcDMHRVdK2rxT1iId1XlkOT3Ubo5HQ9HkI2qDJ_KkivN7O63T_ewUwWM_LXX26p8mR0XYidZT-femg/s320/DSC03187.JPG" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And, finally, the lamp:<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNCfSvtI-1kPi2yI2p1BRtPal9edx5kwXJo9_TTJ4S9fclVsRUNkZ117Hb6aS0U6ttyR5x83FBi3OtZe_xydxuQ8CD1qqPqvcmSQUqP8PkQtYRLiWIuJT45sJROtsY6ermT0y0UFfHis/s1600/DSC03477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNCfSvtI-1kPi2yI2p1BRtPal9edx5kwXJo9_TTJ4S9fclVsRUNkZ117Hb6aS0U6ttyR5x83FBi3OtZe_xydxuQ8CD1qqPqvcmSQUqP8PkQtYRLiWIuJT45sJROtsY6ermT0y0UFfHis/s320/DSC03477.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before- very juvenile, I know!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwc7suLWjDeoA5IGmcl54P3hnuPNIhJqdnNDsbbSCd8WZWVNk-g6hBwtQ1gbSaC3IDoSaFXw8Nz4H9Rzymh4McCzizkQqWIfZefJEe2MJtmIZtVFA92E5A7KzAX9nacSqPbJMKMrHrIVw/s1600/DSC03478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwc7suLWjDeoA5IGmcl54P3hnuPNIhJqdnNDsbbSCd8WZWVNk-g6hBwtQ1gbSaC3IDoSaFXw8Nz4H9Rzymh4McCzizkQqWIfZefJEe2MJtmIZtVFA92E5A7KzAX9nacSqPbJMKMrHrIVw/s320/DSC03478.JPG" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After- it's hard to see how many beautiful details there are in these two ribbons<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>SO, anyway, I had these materials leftover and decided to make them into a dress (funny, considering I have two little boys). Here is the dress, it is now listed in my Etsy shop for sale, because I'm pretty sure my husband won't like it if I let our youngest wear it, instead :)<div>The resulting dress:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhm1pYZJY3nJ6Bkd09_whyphenhyphenSEH8psit_PFSWrwLKQNNPbN_UWTvtEcJkcn-sRS-BxapDBVzpWzCBrZ-B3D9LwnSgN3T1I9itSpp5aCDXKy9d0t74z2SZ_0tUFIEwL9LOqgWOq3gluSugg/s1600/securedownload-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhm1pYZJY3nJ6Bkd09_whyphenhyphenSEH8psit_PFSWrwLKQNNPbN_UWTvtEcJkcn-sRS-BxapDBVzpWzCBrZ-B3D9LwnSgN3T1I9itSpp5aCDXKy9d0t74z2SZ_0tUFIEwL9LOqgWOq3gluSugg/s1600/securedownload-2.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQiU1tKT_Up5sW-9_APg_Jq2cRdzzPsaUZ7sAjQY9OHFZhNW1PUaTZnrUEKGbaTauA8pUargw5bMaSWvlykElBlH1PaHRp2G72ju6zZB4aG12-a88YJmBYxHfw1Nf8cC1zj_me9wNh2Q/s1600/securedownload-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQiU1tKT_Up5sW-9_APg_Jq2cRdzzPsaUZ7sAjQY9OHFZhNW1PUaTZnrUEKGbaTauA8pUargw5bMaSWvlykElBlH1PaHRp2G72ju6zZB4aG12-a88YJmBYxHfw1Nf8cC1zj_me9wNh2Q/s1600/securedownload-1.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NdQWKt7WRTnVy1XHIbS8UuA551G9JVe0sQ_CM5iw3uAfGbF7YT3imDWcRavCt2Mvbujcfy-HLvxCHNAP6yIxCHI1DN9S0ywkSsBL_W-lkMynejJk3E9qpf5CHBpy7baNJuYFAR4iQ-s/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NdQWKt7WRTnVy1XHIbS8UuA551G9JVe0sQ_CM5iw3uAfGbF7YT3imDWcRavCt2Mvbujcfy-HLvxCHNAP6yIxCHI1DN9S0ywkSsBL_W-lkMynejJk3E9qpf5CHBpy7baNJuYFAR4iQ-s/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br />
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<div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If any of you feel so inclined and know a little girl in need of a sweet dress or top, feel free to click <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81783719/gorgeous-black-and-white-baby-girls">here</a> and buy it!</span></div></div></div>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-18090451649323206512011-09-13T06:06:00.000-07:002011-09-13T06:06:40.009-07:00Repurposed Skirt<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last week I wrote about a skirt I loved, and ruined, that I planned to turn into a bag. Well, between chaotic days of flooding, wind, broken tree branches, plus all the usual stuff that comes along with taking care of two little boys all day (+ their dad), I actually got it done. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you have a skirt that you love, but can no longer wear, this is a great way to keep it a part of your collection. I started by taking my seam wripper to both sides of the zipper, to remove it. Then I continued down the rest of that seam so the skirt was completely open (I did the same to the lining). I then cut off the waist of the skirt, to expose the top of the pleats, and opened those as well. I saved the zipper and hook and eye closures to use on a different project. At this point I had one gigantic rectangle of fabric. I took the pattern I made and plotted where I wanted the design on the skirt to be positioned on the bag, and pinned and cut all the pieces accordingly. This skirt was made of linen, and I can't even begin to tell you how much pressing it took to smooth the original pleats. I then constructed the bag the same way I do all the others, and ended up with truly beautiful and unique bag. I think I'll keep this one for myself :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSykUEdvyL8TI1UhXkrCOjkM63qE5KtxVN8ftq1eLXpN5cLzSGPCF_qmW_bOHX0_nMVS2hEpfM-Q84pVEkcg_il8YPQdLFAQLyL2tBAw9kUVmYt5xSW0Ce_6Wj16FJRz4jpkhkHFFVs8/s1600/skirtbag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSykUEdvyL8TI1UhXkrCOjkM63qE5KtxVN8ftq1eLXpN5cLzSGPCF_qmW_bOHX0_nMVS2hEpfM-Q84pVEkcg_il8YPQdLFAQLyL2tBAw9kUVmYt5xSW0Ce_6Wj16FJRz4jpkhkHFFVs8/s1600/skirtbag1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">LOVE how this turned out</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uHC85NJ3AsUgbUBMMM0hFu1o5_QDsNeCZc_C2YDORX-In4komJbUbHOvvnjtBmGbLH3i-W3PoV6HmHO8Tp47wuCBgTNTFx9lrAv6nqNC85HUVr29LrB5JvCUhmQu7lYVYbXdpO3LLtk/s1600/skirtbag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uHC85NJ3AsUgbUBMMM0hFu1o5_QDsNeCZc_C2YDORX-In4komJbUbHOvvnjtBmGbLH3i-W3PoV6HmHO8Tp47wuCBgTNTFx9lrAv6nqNC85HUVr29LrB5JvCUhmQu7lYVYbXdpO3LLtk/s1600/skirtbag2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">I added my own pleats, after taking the original ones out of the fabric</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebmdhTX7R1JMplgEmpowdCy9NmNUsXwWXh7fZCfDFsxl6QlSqydoR03KDdzr4YjetQzFujRiv-vk9AkgOKpKmBpO2REZHsZQsB64YhZClw8Nmys6XGPVTV4Ydtkb-YO8fGib60p-tnGM/s1600/skirtbag3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebmdhTX7R1JMplgEmpowdCy9NmNUsXwWXh7fZCfDFsxl6QlSqydoR03KDdzr4YjetQzFujRiv-vk9AkgOKpKmBpO2REZHsZQsB64YhZClw8Nmys6XGPVTV4Ydtkb-YO8fGib60p-tnGM/s1600/skirtbag3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">This bag is super light weight, yet spacious and strong.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I wore this bag out the other day for the first time and got so many compliments. I am so glad I was able to take a skirt I loved, and missed being able to wear, and gave it a second life.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><3 Domesticated Queen</span>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-74176214749687656052011-09-07T09:04:00.000-07:002011-09-07T09:07:38.885-07:00Fashionable Rainwear<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">With the recent weather we've been having, and all of its consequences, let's take a moment to look at one of the positive aspects of all this wet weather- fabulous rainwear! Ladies have been finding fashionable ways to stay dry for decades, and I think most of us would love to borrow some of their looks, even today.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k0ZRXM7-DiCZ6KVF6LReBndccPQ_xpUQ59C312xPa1JvXJHmevhqE5cimSnUeXZqjtZqtREDWKRyACBK8kYa4OTGmLWfrLI2AVUmyodDsLOwWTnepcD0QsxyTNCAKk41UVvlE6r0N7Q/s1600/leopardraincoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k0ZRXM7-DiCZ6KVF6LReBndccPQ_xpUQ59C312xPa1JvXJHmevhqE5cimSnUeXZqjtZqtREDWKRyACBK8kYa4OTGmLWfrLI2AVUmyodDsLOwWTnepcD0QsxyTNCAKk41UVvlE6r0N7Q/s320/leopardraincoat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fab 1950's Leopard Swing Raincoat</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB00fjdCFRPhZyBESyHsyl7gfJ0FvIkIhk2xE6bh0PzzfAT3EiJCHgsPvYH3k1MNag1U7l-0uvVO7kyw2fRIySR1YU108Kxawbt_3pYLkXh0FqNmerQ53wXDXg7voTfILsEwHSPYMcro/s1600/redpatentraincoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB00fjdCFRPhZyBESyHsyl7gfJ0FvIkIhk2xE6bh0PzzfAT3EiJCHgsPvYH3k1MNag1U7l-0uvVO7kyw2fRIySR1YU108Kxawbt_3pYLkXh0FqNmerQ53wXDXg7voTfILsEwHSPYMcro/s320/redpatentraincoat.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">I love the bell cuffs on this red patent leather one</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKuL3mtOD9_HbjuVqWOndlKBAAt7gc5beWMcMw6_thnr89-MXngnAn_fBUSIVpIa3FFfUambo7VpnxxoYidUCTIQwOhMuSwasLA0bJ3xQeuqVyqbfwIVT2W12CJSUwPEc7nLLOlGHStU/s1600/blackbuttonraincoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKuL3mtOD9_HbjuVqWOndlKBAAt7gc5beWMcMw6_thnr89-MXngnAn_fBUSIVpIa3FFfUambo7VpnxxoYidUCTIQwOhMuSwasLA0bJ3xQeuqVyqbfwIVT2W12CJSUwPEc7nLLOlGHStU/s320/blackbuttonraincoat.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Super cute, structured coat</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8cjtOcdXQ913hfpLjmt2oDXkaUp4Beajx-RSc_8I5fVF0jfxBGobCfJJRz2cCiNsrPNe5-sYliUlY-rf11zrw9R-Qa6PRQF0KoVq6VR_sk56QiaJ0sVMrwxQhm4U9UXXxZvNlX6hNAM/s1600/coralraincoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8cjtOcdXQ913hfpLjmt2oDXkaUp4Beajx-RSc_8I5fVF0jfxBGobCfJJRz2cCiNsrPNe5-sYliUlY-rf11zrw9R-Qa6PRQF0KoVq6VR_sk56QiaJ0sVMrwxQhm4U9UXXxZvNlX6hNAM/s1600/coralraincoat.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Coral is such a cheery color for a rainy day</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguwjNhYvV3qPeXYlUNkLlUt6EWvmgPJfzOxvlrhmf__FpaddqGw8_xMyzgGbsuiCllX1JE-2FAzIBLERIc2_YMU-ezeHRfdMC1O4A13XYbsb496jjOf3Dyz7vks5EN8uOCUjJFidSDqk/s1600/yellowpolkadotraincoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguwjNhYvV3qPeXYlUNkLlUt6EWvmgPJfzOxvlrhmf__FpaddqGw8_xMyzgGbsuiCllX1JE-2FAzIBLERIc2_YMU-ezeHRfdMC1O4A13XYbsb496jjOf3Dyz7vks5EN8uOCUjJFidSDqk/s320/yellowpolkadotraincoat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">POLKA DOTS- which I always love + sunshine yellow!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2hV5-EKurmIB0oijJ_WH92yhMMadHSEToOKiZUDmPP4i0CrXjmrpEfH4AW7VPQ4OSjsEZNMeUQQvf8koFNjkUiqv90zOJoBMYBQv26TH7UafYM1OHLIXP91UGKrfGqd4ya5B06dC_WE/s1600/vintageraincoatad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2hV5-EKurmIB0oijJ_WH92yhMMadHSEToOKiZUDmPP4i0CrXjmrpEfH4AW7VPQ4OSjsEZNMeUQQvf8koFNjkUiqv90zOJoBMYBQv26TH7UafYM1OHLIXP91UGKrfGqd4ya5B06dC_WE/s320/vintageraincoatad.png" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Great vintage Rheingold raincoat ad</span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Do yourself a favor and go look around your local vintage or goodwill shop to try to find one of these gorgeous glimpses into the past. I was lucky enough to find one a few years ago (mentioned in a previous post as the one I finally mended), and I fully intend to search for another one as soon as I get a chance...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Today would be the perfect rainy day for a new raincoat, but I think I'll stay snuggled inside with my little ones, instead :)</span></span>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-30550408209674706812011-09-02T11:27:00.000-07:002011-09-02T11:27:34.340-07:00A Serious Note for the End of Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As the long Labor Day weekend is upon us, marking the unofficial end of Summer (boooo), it's time for everyone to take a few minutes to save a life- your own! We have all been spending as much time out in the sun as possible, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who wasn't most the cautious under the rays. This summer actually offered up a lot of beautiful days to enjoy the great outdoors; let's hope memories are the only thing we took from them. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">PLEASE- Take a few minutes to really look at these photos of different types of skin cancer, and make sure none of your "beauty marks" match up. If any of them do, get to a dermatologist STAT!</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlQ9zbaxdWaze2hzNwWd4F3SsGm6qbNXpN4lDcAL9oF5Dij24pSIL7XAxr_tWqidyZ7GjuV_4rV44AYVm4WC1zGs50U8cZWgmw2szvEUdYBiB285xGG86BpViSrpVnuBlqT1Zry3Bui0/s1600/Skin_cancerABCD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlQ9zbaxdWaze2hzNwWd4F3SsGm6qbNXpN4lDcAL9oF5Dij24pSIL7XAxr_tWqidyZ7GjuV_4rV44AYVm4WC1zGs50U8cZWgmw2szvEUdYBiB285xGG86BpViSrpVnuBlqT1Zry3Bui0/s320/Skin_cancerABCD.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learn the ABCD's of Skin Cancer!<br />
Also, pay close attention to any moles that seem to be "evolving"- getting bigger, wider, etc.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r2jE25z-3K8xVuSTDg8444x2u54bPSrOeSF8J7Qr7ASZOX1oYRyzy37b9Gl-3l1IHXcKmzuaUVS8HhOB5P2If1z-J1G6tdPyPXsp0OhZf3o0WgEJwBjdXFJ8Rj9cNQnjVfY4BCkDMsg/s1600/moles2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r2jE25z-3K8xVuSTDg8444x2u54bPSrOeSF8J7Qr7ASZOX1oYRyzy37b9Gl-3l1IHXcKmzuaUVS8HhOB5P2If1z-J1G6tdPyPXsp0OhZf3o0WgEJwBjdXFJ8Rj9cNQnjVfY4BCkDMsg/s320/moles2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These carcinomas are usually found on the most sun-exposed areas of the body (shoulders, neck, chest...)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeGENaGkb1eZsa-fIkYqNhRSgbZVZKfdccC0QkYa0Txy8BzwDn5qGFO1FaoNXVcvRwLkNsrsBKY3igXAofk3zqVaoHTRc1l5QIhCQ-MoLzMQXXMHYapywVxw0t9TxHPM7FgI1idjkFoU/s1600/moles3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeGENaGkb1eZsa-fIkYqNhRSgbZVZKfdccC0QkYa0Txy8BzwDn5qGFO1FaoNXVcvRwLkNsrsBKY3igXAofk3zqVaoHTRc1l5QIhCQ-MoLzMQXXMHYapywVxw0t9TxHPM7FgI1idjkFoU/s320/moles3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you notice similarities to any of these, please do yourself a favor, and CALL A DOCTOR!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">It only takes a few minutes, so please check yourself over and encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same! If this post helps save the life of one person, it was well worth the time. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Remember... BETTER SAFE, THAN SORRY!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-56719512537888161812011-09-01T05:08:00.000-07:002011-09-01T05:08:36.013-07:00Trending Now<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I admit, sometimes when I see the new trends that come out of Fashion Week, I wonder to myself, "What were they thinking? Who would actually want to wear that?" I am happy to report that I am actually in love with some of this fall's trends!!! I can only assume that my fondness for vintage looks can take the credit, as many of the fads are reminiscent of decades past. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZJYusQCQQ1h7-YRLl8gterfkd4oHkeMTxlduqzgQ49wwBB09yt5dRbl3rbhPCwq1Y-zfBmZyixkC_lUEGKSlNEMeCElSkL4ZQ01XShy2TuqmvivDwlwgKn7CM4KPd8hMz6wRK9CPxYE/s1600/polkadots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZJYusQCQQ1h7-YRLl8gterfkd4oHkeMTxlduqzgQ49wwBB09yt5dRbl3rbhPCwq1Y-zfBmZyixkC_lUEGKSlNEMeCElSkL4ZQ01XShy2TuqmvivDwlwgKn7CM4KPd8hMz6wRK9CPxYE/s320/polkadots.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My first fav is polka dots!!! They were all over the runways and have made it to the streets, and they. look. great!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP9W0x9zjQPc0H5mti7G1Bonj5Gi-OefjsMly7d6O739ufbPPWCodp3EUiDFS_3Mx6EZzU6qh4j8Hl6CJJBSRQcqtb_MxnBXZdY0o_Mn7oP0Qyk2_NJACrBToHSrTYKYGxLaLdovYqeo/s1600/Rustcoats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP9W0x9zjQPc0H5mti7G1Bonj5Gi-OefjsMly7d6O739ufbPPWCodp3EUiDFS_3Mx6EZzU6qh4j8Hl6CJJBSRQcqtb_MxnBXZdY0o_Mn7oP0Qyk2_NJACrBToHSrTYKYGxLaLdovYqeo/s320/Rustcoats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rust-colored garments also made a big impression, and I am digging the natural, autumn inspired looks.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhBGFsYCaUa7KUbiiMb6rtiaJ_oA4nwU4FfYEMTe9KszFypPfTym31yLaOMUweDZ6AP8oxAOvZtJAuJaVBlkuHn5JCY3W1NRzgxipGKKQhW7OjIcY8wwVqFWPgOi9yLN3KSRMzkqLQlk/s1600/maxisweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhBGFsYCaUa7KUbiiMb6rtiaJ_oA4nwU4FfYEMTe9KszFypPfTym31yLaOMUweDZ6AP8oxAOvZtJAuJaVBlkuHn5JCY3W1NRzgxipGKKQhW7OjIcY8wwVqFWPgOi9yLN3KSRMzkqLQlk/s320/maxisweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pairing a great maxi dress with an uber comfy sweater is a fantastic way to bring some of your summer favs into the fall. Add a belt and your frame is instantly elongated!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Y1ZkjvYEpjjGzpO9zstcYzD8-61VcnWKpnlkPUP3ozcLDOj6vCUQk3ocEuP9wf7esYzsin8JdVICcOVC7ayHC2UoLmx0E5H7uQjbCUS_JQEGOtuYqQlgmzKGG9gd6rm5MjgH_zXaxzM/s1600/lace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Y1ZkjvYEpjjGzpO9zstcYzD8-61VcnWKpnlkPUP3ozcLDOj6vCUQk3ocEuP9wf7esYzsin8JdVICcOVC7ayHC2UoLmx0E5H7uQjbCUS_JQEGOtuYqQlgmzKGG9gd6rm5MjgH_zXaxzM/s320/lace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">LACE! Beautiful, classic, feminine lace. Add it to the black and white combo and I am head over 3" heels in love!!!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir558hYqH3lX9kiTZICmxil2OmFeQah3zhwUGYXDapYXYxRFdDB2jf7LL266NKzJvgSwrePsYz-ZxHsiOoHYNlBdnkEsDPAe5kAb6WvQ05zXYf8fztpEAWloLS-YW6XOEtG0IHAEEavPg/s1600/pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir558hYqH3lX9kiTZICmxil2OmFeQah3zhwUGYXDapYXYxRFdDB2jf7LL266NKzJvgSwrePsYz-ZxHsiOoHYNlBdnkEsDPAe5kAb6WvQ05zXYf8fztpEAWloLS-YW6XOEtG0IHAEEavPg/s320/pants.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bright pants. Anyone who knew me in high school will not be surprised I am into this. They may recall a pair of magenta pink Esprits I scored while in Munchen, Germany.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Be bold, try something new- embrace one or all of these trends and heat stuff up as it starts to cool down out there : )</span>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-38692074737954297332011-08-31T11:51:00.000-07:002011-08-31T11:51:54.359-07:00Got Gas? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> As the title of this post suggests, this isn't going to be a very glamorous entry. I am sharing a photo with all of you that, although not pretty, represents something beautiful- CLEAN ENERGY. Our family has been on a mission this year to make our 45 year-old home more energy efficient. The process began in April, with the installation of Energy Star-rated replacement windows, which have already proven to make a tremendous difference over the summer months. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> Another aspect that also began last Spring, was our attempt to replace our ancient, ugly, hot, loud oil boiler, with a gas-burning one. I am happy to report that FIVE months after the fact, our local utility company showed up today to hook us up to the natural gas line. This is a huge step in making our home more efficient, and just as importantly, less expensive to heat over the brutal upstate winter months!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix55i_ehcO8TdX_kUAyNXi1-KU7LE5j9wbEKjIpuSBToSUdDPUeatRxgGQYuSC0GJt1XrDgxUBeUcIoIwqFJB7GBBKCZOe8HHdwByDhjavfTSdClyEZQc4k0k-42mMwXw3e3WjjPfsSgU/s1600/nyseg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix55i_ehcO8TdX_kUAyNXi1-KU7LE5j9wbEKjIpuSBToSUdDPUeatRxgGQYuSC0GJt1XrDgxUBeUcIoIwqFJB7GBBKCZOe8HHdwByDhjavfTSdClyEZQc4k0k-42mMwXw3e3WjjPfsSgU/s1600/nyseg.jpg" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">(Notice the gigantic oil tank on the left... Bye-bye!)</span></span></div><br />
DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470762644510834754.post-62299521379329389722011-08-31T09:23:00.000-07:002011-08-31T09:23:59.916-07:00Fall Rebirth<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Spring isn't the only season that can bring fresh, beautiful changes. I am taking the opportunity this autumn to breathe some new life into some old things- clothes, furniture, recipes... the list goes on. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Some of these projects were are simple as mending garments that have long-awaited the good old needle and thread. In particular, a gorgeous, expensive- had it not been a vintage, thrift find, pale-yellow, ****** ***, 3/4 sleeved, rain coat that started to come apart at one of the arm seams. After (and I admit, this is sad) more than a YEAR- not to mention two rainy spring seasons, sitting in my closet, waiting for repair, I </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">finally</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"> got it all fixed up a few days ago. It looks great, again, and I am grateful to have it back in rotation :)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Other projects are a bit more complicated, but fun. One I am really excited to see the end product of is a skirt-bag transformation I am currently working on... in between taking care of two youngsters, a husband, a home, two dogs, two hermit crabs and a fish. It was one of my favorite skirts ever, that suffered a mysterious stain that even the dry cleaner couldn't remove. Rather than toss it up to bad luck, I decided to turn it into a beautiful linen hobo-ish style bag. Though I didn't have enough foresight to take a photo of the skirt </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">before</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"> I cut it up, I can show you a glimpse of the fabric:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckF7WSP1MhUkc-yr4sBGH9qYmobV8hZsfd8V3DBmktadeyPMxD2mLZuMZdhLW5ELj4OGyaBnBC9XU9v4d6UIZVyLem_BRXI5TZPRqjLPPlbo7qhMmNgSDZyBiDylWwODnjTVS02puTJI/s1600/skirtfab1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckF7WSP1MhUkc-yr4sBGH9qYmobV8hZsfd8V3DBmktadeyPMxD2mLZuMZdhLW5ELj4OGyaBnBC9XU9v4d6UIZVyLem_BRXI5TZPRqjLPPlbo7qhMmNgSDZyBiDylWwODnjTVS02puTJI/s1600/skirtfab1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finished bag photos to follow...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Have a beautiful day, and as always, don't forget to be the queen of your own realm!</span></div>DomesticatedQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103732862602652888noreply@blogger.com0