Tuesday, August 31, 2010

GOrganic

HOME GROWN...




I just returned from an amazing trip to the mid-west. It's amazing what a trip to a genuine farm will do to your desire for fresh food.




















Not only did the farm have corn as far as the eye could see... (mostly feeder corn, check out documentary King of Corn. It's great to see where all that mid-west corn actually goes.)










But Uncle Richard had the most amazing garden... even at the end of his season.



For all of my youth I have wondered why grape soda tastes the way it does. I have had many grapes in my day but none of them taste anything like a grape jolly rancher either. Well I discovered it! A Concord grape plucked right off the vine! So that is what I have been missing all this time. And that artificial flavoring finally made sense. 


You say tomato... I say ORGANIC tomato!


If you have never had an organic tomato, please leave your house immediately and go to your nearest market and pick one up. I recommend just a little salt and pepper on top, cottage cheese if you like it. 
If you have the ability to grow them yourself I highly recommend it, the flavor is even more intense straight from the garden.



Just a few other summer garden finds... Banana Peppers & Armenian Cucumbers!

      
Of course no trip to a farm is complete without a ride in the John Deere! And yes, that is me in the driver seat... watch out!



As summer is drawing to an end, we rapidly approach a new planting season! 


My Richard and I find UofA's planting guide very useful. They have a planting guide by month specifically for Maricopa County. Check it out... and get started on your fall planting!

http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/t-tips.htm


If you're not a Do It Yourselfer when it comes to gardening, try Singh Farms in Scottsdale. It is a 20 acre organic farm just east of the Loop 101 and Thomas Road, close the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation.


Also, support your local Farmer's Markets. 

Scottsdale: The Old Town market located at 1st and Brown st. is closed until Oct. 23rd, but the summer market is open in the Giant's spring ball stadium on Osborn. Saturday 8 to 12.

Tempe: the ASU market opens again October 5th. 

Phoenix (Ahwatukee): Open year round on Warner Rd. west of 48th st. Sunday 8 to 11. 

For more local markets check out the Arizona Community Farmers Markets website. It has all the details you need.
http://www.arizonafarmersmarkets.com/  




One last note: "It's not (real) food if it arrived through the window of your car." - Michael Pollan



Ciao, 
M.E.





 

Monday, August 30, 2010

Interiors 101


Fall Frenzy


When school starts and the weather starts to change a bit of inspiration comes over me, and this weekend I took on
several tasks....









My new red door is ready for fall!

We all get in the mood to spruce-up and modernize our
homes, sometimes all you need is a little paint and
a couple of great accessories to get the look and feel of something quite expensive.

_______________________



This literally cost me $3.00! A trip to Home Depot for a
can of Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint, and badda-bing....badda boom, new outdoor lights!

  • By the way, I also used this paint on my door knob, peep hole and door bell...such a huge difference for such a small cost



____________________________


I also decided to visit my local (and favorite) antique store in search of the "perfect" crocheted blanket (you know, like Grandma used to have)...and boy did I score! These snugglers are making quite a comeback and can be found at garage sales, antique stores, and online at sites such as etsy.com. Some are vintage and some are new, but who cares as long as they are bright, cozy and fun! I do recommend dry-cleaning these items, as you never know where they have been:)...here are a few we have found that are fabulous and make a statement in any room!


Check out our pics, and have fun hunting!


Ciao,
M.E.




Friday, August 27, 2010

Shop 'til you drop...

Friday Fun Day! 
755086.jpgThere is nothing more enjoyable on a Friday afternoon than Happy Hour and Shopping. Of course my favorite pre-spending spree cocktail has to be Z Tejas margaritas! For some reason those frozen concoctions make the shopping so much more fun,I suddenly look fabulous in every outfit and my spending guilt seems to slip away. Hmmm.... I wonder why? However, with the Holiday weekend approaching the DUI crack down has been stronger than ever. So I have this fantastic idea, homemade margaritas and online shopping! Check out these sites that I love! 






imgres.jpegIf you love vintage like I love vintage check out this amazing site, but act quickly because true vintage items never last long... 
http://shop.adorevintage.com/




imgres.jpegFor some great unique clothing check out mod cloth! Bonus, there is a great fashion blog on the cite too! 
http://www.modcloth.com/






imgres.jpegAnd, believe it or not... I have a direct report from a very reliable source, that Kim Kardashian's shoes website is amazing and the shoes are really cute. 
http://www.shoedazzle.com/






imgres.jpgThere is of course, the classic... ETSY! Just incase someone has been living in a cave for the last 5 years... this site has everything you could ever possibly need or more importantly want! 
http://www.etsy.com/










Check out this site for a million great margarita recipes! 
http://www.drinksmixer.com/

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Hostess with the Most-est








Diaper Cake Diva

We all want to look like a perfect host when throwing a party.....especially when throwing a baby shower for a friend or relative. What better way to wow the guest of honor, and new baby, than with a diaper cake? It not only makes a great decoration for the party, but will provide a perfect gift as well.



List of supplies:
  • box of 96 diapers
  • rubber bands
  • wooden dowels
  • round cardboard cake display
  • ribbon
  • baby bottle
  • any adorable small baby accessories
  • glue gun or double sided heavy duty tape
  • YOUR IMAGINATION!


Here are the steps:

I like to sort my diapers into three piles according to the height of my cake ( I like to make a 3-tiered cake)

Start by rolling a diaper like a sleeping bag to create a cylindrical shape. Wrap a rubber-band around the first diaper to keep the shape. Continue rolling your diapers and inserting them into the rubber-banded tier to create your desired diameter.

Place the layer of diapers using either a hot glue gun (the diapers will not be useable afterward:)) or double-stick tape onto the cardboard disk.

Continue with the next two layers, and then dowels inserted through the middle of the cake to create stability.

Next, use ribbon to cover the rubber bands. I prefer to glue the ribbon on.

Then pull out a diaper in your top layer and insert the baby bottle as your cake topper.

After the basic shape is complete have fun! Add themed accessories for the shower, or use the color scheme from the babies room to create....it can be as fun and creative as your own imagination....the finished product is so worth the hard work you have put in, and the look on the mommy-to-be's face will be priceless!













Event Planning Tip:

Visit websites online, such as http://www.marthastewart.com to get amazing ideas for themes, menus, games and decorating. It is the fastest and easiest way to get yourself organized for the main event!

Ciao,

M.E.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

HEY ALL YOU HEALTH NUTS!!!

Okay, so we all want biceps like Ms. Meghan. At least I do!! She has been kind enough to share her workout regime with me, and will share with you. Join me in my effort to get bodacious biceps!
You will need some 8 lbs. hand weights to get started....

Round 1: With a weight in each hand do bicep curls. BUT only take your hands from shoulder to waist, creating a 90 degree angle. Do not fully extend your arm. Continue with 10 arm curls like this. 

Round 2: Take a weight in your right hand, bend at the waist at a 90 degree angle . Start with your arm bent at the elbow at a 90 degree angle, push the weight back toward the wall behind you. Fully extend your arm and full follow through. Continue with 10 triceps kicks, switch to your left hand and do the same. 

Round 3: Again take the weight in your right hand. Lift the weight straight above your head, then bend at the elbow so the weight is behind you. Lift the weight straight above your head and bring back down, in a slow controlled movement. Continue with 10 reps of this, and switch to your left hand and do the same. 

Take a break between reps... a great time to do some abs or squats. Do four sets of each round, and you will have Meghan's arms in no time. Too much weight will make you look like the Hulk, and too little you won't see results. It's all about lower weight and high reps. 

Keep us posted on your progress!!




Food consumption tip of the day is....
Only shop on the perimeter of the grocery store.
This will help to ensure that you only buy fresh "real" food, rather than processed  foods that are over loaded with high-fructose corn syrup. Because, who really knows what high-fructose corn syrup is anyway??!?


Caio,

E.M.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Food For Thought


Hola! Tuesday is almost over, so pull up a chair a margarita and some fresh ingredients; we are making mouth watering ceviche...my personal recipe!



What you will need:

1 lb fresh shrimp
3 chopped fresh tomatoes
1 cup fresh chopped Cilantro
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 chopped jalepeno
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 squeezed fresh lemons
3 medium avocados-cut to decent sized chunks
1/8 cup extra virgin olive
garlic to taste
salt to taste (I like kosher flake for a
nice texture)
pepper to taste

How to make: (it is so easy!!!!)

-de-vein and de-tail your shrimp (boil the tails and shrimp separately, you will use a little of the boiled tail juice to flavor the ceviche)

-boil shrimp until pink and curled, chop shrimp to bite-size pcs.

-add a small amount of boiled tail juice, all of your other chopped ingredients, lemon, and spices to taste

-cover and refrigerate for at least an hour....this is important to let the flavors mingle and fall in love:)!

Serve in a hollowed out red pepper or avocado for extra pizazz....get out your chips and enjoy!

M.E.

Monday, August 23, 2010

INTERIORS 101

Happy Monday!! Here are a couple Do It Yourself projects we have 
been working on.





Before... not so good.





After... Hello Sunshine!!


Tips:
Step 1: Remove hardware
Step 2: Find a fun, and here's the trick, SPRAY PAINT color. 
Step 3: Spray 2 coats in a well ventilated area. Trust us, you will need the extra air!
Step 4: Re-install hardware. Idea!! Painting the hardware or adding new hardware updates your look even more!  






This one required a little inspiration from Real Simple magazine...


Tips:
Step 1: Layout your frames in an alternating or random pattern.
Step 2: Measure the length of your photo collage, and find the center. 
Step 3: Place the center of your collage measurement on the center of your wall.
Step 4: This was the best idea! Take a level and draw a center point line on the wall. And don't work because your pictures will cover it!
Step 5: Start in the middle and hang pictures outward from there! 
Now you have a fantastic, and original photo display! Mix it up with bright colored frames or mattes. 


 















Have fun creating your own masterpiece. 

Ciao, 
M.E.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The Birth

Welcome to our root awakening...in which vision and inspiration will be the starting point of your creative birth.

Little black dress meets fresh picked ranunculus aka bread n' budda, the staples of life.

We met fresh out of Design School at an impressionable age, ready to take the world by storm... and we have only gotten as far as this blog. Our ideas are plentiful, our spirits are vivacious, and we want to share them with you. 

We hope this blog serves as stimulation for your life.   


Love,
Meghan & Erin (ME)