Week In Pictures: Trece

1 A new patterned midi skirt perfect for the start of summer.  I was going to get a black and white one, but didn't have my size.  I opted on the turquoise and navy blue, and I am glad I did.

2 Had dinner with my Ma at my favorite Thai restaurant.

3 Official start of the summer means a gigantic iced coffee!

4 Summer is not complete without sunflowers.

5 My husband and I had dinner with our friends at a Mexican restaurant.  I had shrimp quesadillas.  It was nice to catch up over drinks and great food.

6 Non fat (tart) frozen yogurt with mango, blueberries, raspberries, mochi, and chocolate rocks.  Yea I had to see what was up with the chocolate rocks.  Not a bad addition.

7 Checked out The Webster Collection that's on sale at Target.  Not bad, but I kind of just bought a dress recently.  Ok, not kind of...I did buy a dress a few days ago...and shoes.

8  Another blogger meet up success with local bloggers.  Got to hang out with familiar faces and met new new blogger friends.  What a great day.  You already know that there's a post coming up about this!

9 A relaxing end to a busy week and great weekend spent with In Style and Essie.

How was your week?

Newport

Summer officially started yesterday and I can't help but feel the need to plan a trip to one of my favorite places - Newport, Rhode Island.  There's beaches, nightlife, great food, and history.  This New England town is our favorite spots to visit and unwind even for just a few days.  I hope that we get to go there this summer.  Cross your fingers for me!

The "Cliff Walk" overseeing Easton Beach.

The Breakers Mansion was a Vanderbilt summer cottage.

Handmade Baby Shower Presents

Because I love making handmade gifts, it was important to me to give my friend handmade items for her baby shower.  The baby will be due sometime in September, and he will be ready for the cold chilly weather with some crocheted hats and a cozy blanket.  Of course, since the baby's nursery is whale themed, I had to make some whale hats.  What do you think?

Whale Themed Baby Shower

Over the weekend, I attended a baby shower for a friend.  The future baby's nursery is whale themed, so her friends and family decorated the same theme for the shower.  I had to show you all the wonderful details; some of them were handmade and some were store bought, and it all came together so nicely.  It was a beautiful day to shower the parents-to-be with wishes for a lifetime of happiness to their future family.  Move over owls, I think whales are the next big thing!

The shower was at the family's beautiful Christmas tree farm.  

Whale and sea creatures paper plates.

Whale gift bags used as decor around the room.

Handmade whale diaper centerpieces.

How many gum balls??

Yummy cupcakes.

Treat favor bags decorated with whale stickers

Color coordinated candy buffet.

Wishing the best for the parents to be!

Week In Pictures 12.0

1  Found another pair of black flats that I found under the bed.  These are from the Philippines.

2 Crocheted baby hats.

3  Handmade crocheted blanket for a baby shower gift.

4 Whale prop for a baby shower party....post to come this week!

5  Rest area in CT.  

6  My cousin hijacked my phone!

7  Pretty flowers at my uncle's house.

8.  Little pup sporting her new harness with pink skulls & crossbones.

9  Hydrangea at my uncle's house.

How was your week?

Happy Father's Day

What my Papa taught me:

The importance of learning basic things such as knowing different tools in a tool box, how to put air in tires,   how to use a drill, how to ride a bike.

Doesn't matter what happened in the past, it is what you do with the present that will make you who you are in the future.

Don't expect someone to do things for you, learn how to do it yourself.

When there's a problem there is a solution.  If there isn't a solution, the love of family will always help.

The American Dream is possible.
With perseverance, $200 in pocket and family in tow....it does happen.

Love you Papa and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I'm Not a High Roller

This past weekend my family took a "quick" trip to MGM Foxwoods Casino.  I wasn't expecting to go until last minute when I was guilt tripped by my younger cousin to go.  Oh alright.  I can be a pushover sometimes.  I'm not a big fan of gambling and have a difficult time parting with my money, but I went along for the ride anyway.

MGM Foxwoods Hotel lobby.

Dinner at Juniors Restaurant: famous for their cheesecake.  Located at the MGM Hotel.

While the old folks gambled my cousin and I hung out here.

Even though it's famous for cheesecake, we had some martinis and red velvet layer cake.

I had $20 and played for an hour and came home with $19.50 haha.  Told you I'm not a high roller!

Are you a high roller?!

No Noodle Lasagna

Sometimes I feel like having the taste of Italian food without the pasta.  Well, I've found a great no noodle lasagna that's light and perfect .  Whether or not you're watching calories or carb/gluten intake or just want something good, this would be a great recipe to try.  This was very simple to make and just as good as it looks.

Roasted eggplant

Roasted zucchini and yellow squash

First layer of sauce on the bottom of the pan.

Eggplant slices.

Added more sauce and ricotta mix and mozzarella cheese. 

Layer of zucchini and yellow squash. 

Added the rest of the sauce and cheeses. 

Pop it in the oven for about 45 minutes. 

Don't know about you, but I love the edge pieces.

Added a little more sauce on top as a finishing touch.  Delish!

If you'd like to try this recipe please check out this link. 

Covered Clementine Crate Tutorial

Do you love to buy clementines at the store and don't know what to do with those crates?  Hope this post will give you the push to recycle those wooden boxes that can be used for so many things.   For this project, I've made a centerpiece or decoration out of the crate with paper flowers and a watering can with "water" sprinkled on the small garden.  Perfect for a bridal or baby shower, or just brighten up an office or a corner in a home.

You will need:

clementine crate 

burlap or any fabric you want (1/2 yard will yield for 2 crates)

scissors

hot glue gun w/glue sticks

stapler w/staples

Labeled parts of the clementine box.

Place the clementine box in the middle of the burlap.  Make sure that
all of the sides are even and that there's enough fabric to go over the panels

Cut from the corner of the burlap up to half an inch before you
get to the clementine box.  I did this for one of the short sides first

Apply hot glue between the posts.  Don't go past the posts!

Pull the burlap up making sure that it is stuck on the box.
Be careful that you don't burn your hand.

Turn the box around, working on the inside.  Cut the burlap right along
side of the posts for each side

Still working on the inside of the box,
Add hot glue to the panel and fold down the flap between the posts.
Now, do the other short end of the box.

The end result would look like this for both short ends.

Time to work on the short end corners.
Tuck the extra flap inside.

Make sure to line it with the edge of the panel, the posts showing.

Add hot glue on the panel

Fold the corner triangle of burlap over around the corner.

Make it go around the post.  It should end behind the post.
Now, do the same for the three other corners.

Now time to work on the longer sides of the crate.

Fold one corner along side of the box.

Now, do the same for the other side.  You will have an isosceles trapezoid
on the side of your box (oh man I went mathematical on you).

Put the box on it's side which will make it easier to fold down the fabric.

Add glue on the panel, and fold down the fabric making sure that the
fabric stays on the wood (watch out for the hot glue).

Put the box right side up again.  To make the folds look neat, staple on the folds.
Repeat Do this for the other side of the box. 

Et voila!! The covered clementine box.