tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46977600103181160082024-02-21T12:35:38.072-05:00Auntie FiFihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239625946939806181noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697760010318116008.post-88524986193119055632012-01-29T23:04:00.010-05:002012-01-29T23:39:04.660-05:00Hiding the stuff<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Unless you have been to my place, you have no idea about all the little surprises it has to offer... one being the murphy's bed in the living room. Perfect for overnight guests!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The doors that hide my guest bedroom (haha!) are original to the house, 18-pane leaded cast glass. So, they hide the innerworkings of the bed a decent amount, but without something behind the glass, the bed is still visible. See below for my quick and budget friendly solution.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIg7snCn9Gs4Z5Uu4aUbtvaTBtUCrHjjAtDcr4irYgGjJ4xM1HpQnU5oD7b5L2_R3ZIJZoPtxD14iwg2SxKT1sJCYbRj_5YRVglUG-lgJuXFeTc7qvXX5b7TWAu1E-aRe6am9uvywPFn8/s1600/both.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIg7snCn9Gs4Z5Uu4aUbtvaTBtUCrHjjAtDcr4irYgGjJ4xM1HpQnU5oD7b5L2_R3ZIJZoPtxD14iwg2SxKT1sJCYbRj_5YRVglUG-lgJuXFeTc7qvXX5b7TWAu1E-aRe6am9uvywPFn8/s400/both.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To hide the bed completely, I decided to cover the inside of the windows with fabric. Lucky for me, someone who lived here before had the same idea, so the sash curtain rods were already installed at the top and bottom of the windows.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6X4Wzv5ysesfVoldu48ZxqJmFyNW8tIGYeypVWOpJSyrrs1igTyALLMZp5zsOplR-ervvFGMochMuPC7z5WSyl-8_r9ZyqLeBVOyeBdjc4dRTZk05QU-pmnVplwCiQ1RELQ9YL3RLro/s1600/rods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6X4Wzv5ysesfVoldu48ZxqJmFyNW8tIGYeypVWOpJSyrrs1igTyALLMZp5zsOplR-ervvFGMochMuPC7z5WSyl-8_r9ZyqLeBVOyeBdjc4dRTZk05QU-pmnVplwCiQ1RELQ9YL3RLro/s320/rods.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I shopped around for some fabric, initially looking for a large-scale graphic print. However, I stumbled upon a textile at JoAnn Fabrics with large scale scripty foreign words, and immediately knew that was the direction I would head. Unfortunately, that textile was selling for $40+/yard... not in my budget. The DIY in me immediately knew I could pull off the look for much less.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTUcw-GavsWl_d-Eu7DmHhR0BmrMfCOw3nzVXel5XyDRuc_uL6Aibfi66rZofCT3HpJCB9pglxMhol2g1vYXkOMhP-oQcIfFBp70Me1Xif5TwE7A9INWWxv2was2ec6V9J2f-1FsM3D8/s1600/fabric_ban.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTUcw-GavsWl_d-Eu7DmHhR0BmrMfCOw3nzVXel5XyDRuc_uL6Aibfi66rZofCT3HpJCB9pglxMhol2g1vYXkOMhP-oQcIfFBp70Me1Xif5TwE7A9INWWxv2was2ec6V9J2f-1FsM3D8/s320/fabric_ban.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I headed to the $1.99/yard, 36" muslin... much better... and snagged 4-1/2 yards of it with a 40% off coupon and headed home to begin my project. (I didn't need to buy any markers for this project, as I had a slew of permanent markers to choose from at home).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next, I needed to find a scripty font to trace onto my muslin... I didn't trust my freehand enough to pull this one off. I visited http://www.dafont.com and decided on a free font called Signerica Medium, which looks like this </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zltc-tFGd-U7R-96xZueTUdgSveJDgPifZuKEv88bq-tbIeE0wTaug-2LcSA-GDmiTV9esPrzBXWoLYOrJvj1L2H0HrE8t2XoLDqM32KnZURLabI_861rp1nr_Z2TmR2zA09yf7NW1U/s1600/signerica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zltc-tFGd-U7R-96xZueTUdgSveJDgPifZuKEv88bq-tbIeE0wTaug-2LcSA-GDmiTV9esPrzBXWoLYOrJvj1L2H0HrE8t2XoLDqM32KnZURLabI_861rp1nr_Z2TmR2zA09yf7NW1U/s320/signerica.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">From the get go, I knew I would write the words in German. It's my favorite language for many reasons and has a special place between me and my bestie (she even sent me a German Christmas card once!). I printed a handful of phrases about sleeping, dreaming and spending the night in different point sizes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next, I turned to the muslin. First, I washed (to take care of shrinkage) and ironed it. Then, I folded each end of the fabric over and sewed a straight line on my machine to make a pocket for the rod at the top and the bottom. After I tested the fit of each panel, I set out to trace the words.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVzRGghaEF06WZ4LurVKuVj0hDcP9cBL_5tVCPzFbe38hKyVywPwKX5VQRYNrXoLJG1eNdWX-BQJ9fwpsIStsTJ4VfiopguBJUMACx6HwAMLnlhR4Se0UZmEkmIrn2SVCCZMnT6C6fWI/s1600/fabric_close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVzRGghaEF06WZ4LurVKuVj0hDcP9cBL_5tVCPzFbe38hKyVywPwKX5VQRYNrXoLJG1eNdWX-BQJ9fwpsIStsTJ4VfiopguBJUMACx6HwAMLnlhR4Se0UZmEkmIrn2SVCCZMnT6C6fWI/s320/fabric_close.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There was no rhyme or reason to my placement of the words, only that I tried not to use the same phrases near each other and also tried to vary the phrases of different size for a random look.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7hwAcRapfszyim9PFKPm1pXy2Ga6hpjenhVNOxmjoCFMTcCQATSVtX3nHa4InI4nKpFiAZQzA5LDGbgz-SPAOEai-I7yqfINjUKs4v_4JrzFku-CKyBP51xMVBuoC845_Sm4-4ydPuw/s1600/fabric_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7hwAcRapfszyim9PFKPm1pXy2Ga6hpjenhVNOxmjoCFMTcCQATSVtX3nHa4InI4nKpFiAZQzA5LDGbgz-SPAOEai-I7yqfINjUKs4v_4JrzFku-CKyBP51xMVBuoC845_Sm4-4ydPuw/s320/fabric_large.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once all the words were traced, I hung the curtains and my project was complete! In just under 4 hours and for only about $5, my guest bed is hidden... unless someone wants to put it to use, of course! And an added bonus: when I move, I will be able to easily repurpose the fabric as a pillow cover or curtains for a guest room at my next place!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5YQCXvWvrDQtnlkToT8bmdOor8xLvpnTrdprkAMEvAR_W2_vLKkFRk2xKffuz3G_P9KmmBl5sK0M_oxRJNLCdOkrikJD7L2Y0Pwc8Y3lRNcsWA7mHZN_VRnFCnuPy04GeDJiLdHCWRs/s1600/murphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5YQCXvWvrDQtnlkToT8bmdOor8xLvpnTrdprkAMEvAR_W2_vLKkFRk2xKffuz3G_P9KmmBl5sK0M_oxRJNLCdOkrikJD7L2Y0Pwc8Y3lRNcsWA7mHZN_VRnFCnuPy04GeDJiLdHCWRs/s320/murphy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Have you DIY'd a print on a neutral fabric using markers or paint? Are you willing to splurge on a high end textile for a small project?</span>Fihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239625946939806181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697760010318116008.post-8151761977137678512011-12-23T11:03:00.001-05:002011-12-23T11:10:10.522-05:00Christmas Eve Eve<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How is it already December 23rd? Somehow I have managed to keep up with the hustle and the bustle of the holidays in the past month even while I was working <i>lots </i>of extra hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Some of those extra hours came from a trip I made to Germany for business. While on the way back to the States, I had a layover in Amsterdam. The Dutch had some pretty magical decorations...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Check out this wreath, it's a pretty simple concept, just a mass of decorations on one side of a wreath, leaving half as a simple version of itself. The photo doesn't illustrate it well, but the wreath is more flat than it is round... please forgive me, as I snapped this while walking to catch my connecting flight. And it has a very thick form (i.e. the center hole is very small in proportion to the overall size).</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLqsJzeqVMbzoMqJ8kB4IKmniYOYX7SoMtHE9QoUXZGBjvgfShWhouqNvrM0jPSzkmum35zD8zfgVh6nrrf5BhC57UeVrhhoo7j0sJ85_NusyQZ4VXcM0ifqKk_-pwZ7LCWCR5LYAypo/s320/wreath.jpg" width="291" /></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It would probably be a pretty easy DIY, I'll have to give it a try next year... hopefully I can score some supplies during after-holiday sales! My plan is to cut a donut shape from a piece of heavyweight cardboard.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkklTenYUsQFQLgJ4fhS-zru6zUTw8mfz-sHiJyY6M8ieQ27yvqelGWUqIzb2H4GDHGTYNK-bL3S5u1TI996fa8-ZiqE9Jl3Lu8oQRLRWP1FphiiEo85Xeh5o_X6-Ng3C8LO2-ChbfNY/s1600/donut.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkklTenYUsQFQLgJ4fhS-zru6zUTw8mfz-sHiJyY6M8ieQ27yvqelGWUqIzb2H4GDHGTYNK-bL3S5u1TI996fa8-ZiqE9Jl3Lu8oQRLRWP1FphiiEo85Xeh5o_X6-Ng3C8LO2-ChbfNY/s1600/donut.gif" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then wrap the shape with simple garland to create a stylized version of a wreath. Once all the cardboard is covered, attach strings of beads, ornaments and other festive oddities to half of the wreath. Seems pretty simple, eh?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've been snapping photos of commercial decorations around town all season for inspiration.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYt0OANIZAl6GpwP4DhRFuWF_1oYSsEa990udxxLd0NOgJ7WyjuGhG0hZbBHrjczmK7vo1MmjVb4Wl5vWigyYNARPbH98fjaoTgwtjithyphenhyphenwZZWTleObWTG_EIyPhp8H7I8nJOA7wOPOsA/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYt0OANIZAl6GpwP4DhRFuWF_1oYSsEa990udxxLd0NOgJ7WyjuGhG0hZbBHrjczmK7vo1MmjVb4Wl5vWigyYNARPbH98fjaoTgwtjithyphenhyphenwZZWTleObWTG_EIyPhp8H7I8nJOA7wOPOsA/s320/tree.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is another decoration in the Amsterdam airport... a small tree made to feel tall in a vertical planter. This is a great way to add height to a short tree, not to mention it allows you to use your tall planters all year long and saves some dough since you're only decorating half a tree!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4UER2kOUiJB_8G3HRYd_twOgWOkAzcbp0Qbp7zT5maKeu4gps0cc8bxCuN0ggxxZyYh4TGoGAz_i7yGeyOVZnJFGImahG4T1hmrC5HhnsiJm7UexJuvWLYkSYHl4e8RAIKNHtzPagbo/s1600/branch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4UER2kOUiJB_8G3HRYd_twOgWOkAzcbp0Qbp7zT5maKeu4gps0cc8bxCuN0ggxxZyYh4TGoGAz_i7yGeyOVZnJFGImahG4T1hmrC5HhnsiJm7UexJuvWLYkSYHl4e8RAIKNHtzPagbo/s200/branch.jpg" width="145" /></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwSCjxOY-kDBF0VJgG0pvzs7Belffd4ONaQFSVuXMzEhgo7_bEakWyLPPduPnYZ3i051TLixfnNf9OSptfM0FDpBH0HhmW_sWLC0_H4ha7xGkbH7Lt-GwFWrJgFnefXdk0i5Bw9WBiX8/s1600/woodtrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwSCjxOY-kDBF0VJgG0pvzs7Belffd4ONaQFSVuXMzEhgo7_bEakWyLPPduPnYZ3i051TLixfnNf9OSptfM0FDpBH0HhmW_sWLC0_H4ha7xGkbH7Lt-GwFWrJgFnefXdk0i5Bw9WBiX8/s200/woodtrees.jpg" width="121" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli6_WPfIh2OzXOI0KIlVHPPwVFSiUq5KFWvCLz-5V8Zg-rz02xhh2YPNXBK8JUVTeSSHmHMKAHdp4_j39mfCNuy09leTF1tCJM7WIu3mpbrSOcHHSquP7MUzkFOrtgWvt1ibW0I9apdc/s1600/snowball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli6_WPfIh2OzXOI0KIlVHPPwVFSiUq5KFWvCLz-5V8Zg-rz02xhh2YPNXBK8JUVTeSSHmHMKAHdp4_j39mfCNuy09leTF1tCJM7WIu3mpbrSOcHHSquP7MUzkFOrtgWvt1ibW0I9apdc/s200/snowball.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I snapped these three photos at Sears while I was shopping on Black Friday. Sears sure has stepped up their game. Check out these chic decorations! I planned to paint some fallen sticks in my yard to add to my tree, but never got to it before the weather got too cold. The wooden trees would be pretty easy to cut if you had the right power tools. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And those "snowballs" in the galvanized tub are too cute! </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm keeping all these ideas in my back pocket for Christmas 2012!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Where do you find holiday decorating inspiration? Magazines? Commercial spaces? The internet?</span></div>Fihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239625946939806181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697760010318116008.post-6062724248921453632011-11-17T18:30:00.004-05:002011-12-23T11:04:53.299-05:00Wonderful Winter Cocktail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bfvTpYm1f8pN_aKoSLH3k-YRTTdNi1bUhEY0U31nP2R-2lOOjXlF3Uf6G8NDCv3K5zt5N1orzFCEhyphenhyphenCGqAYDCgKYKKHoUOpAfgaHP636RNhRP3xYcU164xPuZ4OjYAcytXNQNUu0bUo/s1600/winterwhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bfvTpYm1f8pN_aKoSLH3k-YRTTdNi1bUhEY0U31nP2R-2lOOjXlF3Uf6G8NDCv3K5zt5N1orzFCEhyphenhyphenCGqAYDCgKYKKHoUOpAfgaHP636RNhRP3xYcU164xPuZ4OjYAcytXNQNUu0bUo/s320/winterwhite.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I stumbled upon the yummiest winter cocktail last week and just had to share.</span><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I met some friends for drinks at Bonefish Grill for happy hour. When I arrived, they all had cloudy-white martinis in front of them. I knew I would be joining the bandwagon as soon as I read the cocktail menu.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So what was the drink? A Winter White Cosmopolitan. It was <i>delish </i>to say the least. <i>So</i> delish that I snapped a photo of the menu so I would remember to buy the liquors and try to make this myself!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One google attempt and I found a recipe and photo! The photo above is from <a href="http://www.thisteacherslounge.com/2010/12/baby-its-cold.html">This Teacher's Lounge</a>, who also loved the drink in 2010.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And here is the recipe from <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/winter-white-cosmopolitan-336547">food.com</a>:</span></div><div><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-align: left;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-align: left;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1-1/2 ounces cranberry vodka (Bonefish uses Stoli Cranberi)</span></span></div><div><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-align: left;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1/2 ounce Cointreau</span></span></div><div><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-align: left;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 ounce fresh lime juice</span></span></div><div><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-align: left;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 ounce white cranberry juice</span></span></div><div><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-align: left;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">3-4 frozencranberries as garnish</span></span></div><div><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-align: left;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-align: left;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Directions:</span></span></div><div><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-align: left;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1. Combine ingredients over ice in a shaker tin. Shake and strain into chilled martini glass. Float frozen cranberries on top for garnish.</span></span></div><div><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-align: left;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I'm considering taking the ingredients for this drink to a holiday party in a few weeks as my pitch in for food/beverage. Put the bottles and garnish on a chic serving tray with the directions in a small silver frame so guests can help themselves!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Do you have a favorite wintertime cocktail? Do you serve signature cocktails at your holiday parties? Have you ever taken the ingredients and directions to make a cocktail with you to a party? Seems like a creative pitch-in item to me!</span></div><div><span class="amount" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-align: left;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br />
</span></span></div>Fihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239625946939806181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697760010318116008.post-16457716668145907132011-11-16T18:34:00.001-05:002011-11-16T18:59:05.837-05:00Is it winter already?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once again, much. too. long. between posts.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What brings me back? Probably the fact that I get all crafty-pants when the holidays roll around and I always want to share my DIYs for others to try out. Last winter I posted about the <a href="http://auntiefi.blogspot.com/2010/11/holiday-door-decor.html">Holiday Door Decor</a> I DIY'd for my boyfriend's front door. This year I hope to post a few items I plan to make.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First, though... today the feeling of the holidays finally set in.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I had lunch at <a href="http://www.tpforganics.com/">Trader</a></span><a href="http://www.tpforganics.com/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">s Point Creamery</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> with a friend and we saw their advertisement for "Christmas on the Farm". It's an event they hold two weekends in December. Activities at the farm include hanging with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Old St. Nick and live Elk, Sleigh-Hayrides around the farm, live music and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">carolling</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, and craft-making opportunities for children. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">know </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm making my boyfriend go with me!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I snapped this photo as I was walking to my car after lunch. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJH1aUb6eBJB1qvDZeeXUNtbn_xaKeeeBWfjafbkcfCo85GbSK6SXx5vOTiu-kHbSnj8Zy6yq4DUdsCFuVXjnmVNmUYE3ugRseEbXssPZmPYXwsU8zeBJ-f5FeiLsalrySIF4m81XINA/s1600/tpc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJH1aUb6eBJB1qvDZeeXUNtbn_xaKeeeBWfjafbkcfCo85GbSK6SXx5vOTiu-kHbSnj8Zy6yq4DUdsCFuVXjnmVNmUYE3ugRseEbXssPZmPYXwsU8zeBJ-f5FeiLsalrySIF4m81XINA/s320/tpc.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Doesn't the Land Rover look like such an expedition vehicle? I was so surprised to see it in Indiana. On a farm! Now Traders Point Creamery is on my list for a warmer-weather outing as well. A tour of the farm in <i>that </i>machine sounds excellent. I've heard when you take a tour you have the opportunity to milk a cow - what an experience!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Point in case? If you're in Indianapolis, or ever here visiting, you should swing by Traders Point Creamery. I swear this isn't an advertisement. I just love it there and wish I would take advantage of being so close to it, more.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do you have fun plans to celebrate the holidays aside from family dinners? Do you have any out-traditions in November or December? Every weekend until 2012 is full on my calendar. How does that happen every year?</span>Fihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239625946939806181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697760010318116008.post-409317590609462362011-05-16T17:30:00.001-04:002011-05-16T17:30:01.153-04:00TablewareWow, it's been a long time since I've posted. <i>A long time</i>.<br />
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News on the homefront: I got a new job [almost 2 months ago, now] and I'll be packin' up and calling a new place home in another 2 months. Lots o' changin'!<br />
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I've decided I'm going to start fresh with a few items in the new place. This weekend I began the adventure with some fabulous new silverware from TJ Maxx. And now, I stumbled upon some plate-goodness this morning. Not sure I'll be purchasing these, but a gal can dream... right?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv94-g0Yt5wUrQQl7lqcI2VO1-p-uWtLXR8DZQPCpf8AMUxgvpWVvL6gYtnopB6PvCdmP40rR9jb5GF1qvWX_gUkPFZszlCwjfxYOQ78rD4Rf2V8iauY0Jo0YIyGWFvZratqwmtJzTKQ/s1600/20727319_010_a+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv94-g0Yt5wUrQQl7lqcI2VO1-p-uWtLXR8DZQPCpf8AMUxgvpWVvL6gYtnopB6PvCdmP40rR9jb5GF1qvWX_gUkPFZszlCwjfxYOQ78rD4Rf2V8iauY0Jo0YIyGWFvZratqwmtJzTKQ/s320/20727319_010_a+%25281%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>These Silhouette Plates over at <a href="http://www.bhldn.com/">BHLDN</a> are so so pretty. I think they would make every-day dinners feel extra special.<br />
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How did you choose your everyday tableware? Did you stumble upon it or search high and low for the perfect pieces? Did you go with a classic pattern or something more trendy? How about color for dishes... do or don't?Fihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239625946939806181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697760010318116008.post-72960041512028513882010-11-26T12:30:00.036-05:002010-11-29T12:13:49.607-05:00So-Pretty Candy Apple Treats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lem3YSvkPgpUm50mo2bRiN0B8jJRKsUTtOqXYzq3QYYK75U-xvXcDOV4cJiJxpkP2aCYSQZG4mAYJ47PpQLpDkxgF-qS6IgUddCT2OI7UvDt5z59gPuldcTReBnOynrlERFGj4HUqNA/s1600/apple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lem3YSvkPgpUm50mo2bRiN0B8jJRKsUTtOqXYzq3QYYK75U-xvXcDOV4cJiJxpkP2aCYSQZG4mAYJ47PpQLpDkxgF-qS6IgUddCT2OI7UvDt5z59gPuldcTReBnOynrlERFGj4HUqNA/s320/apple.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a designer, I am blessed to have product reps visit our architecture and design firm with treats in tow on a daily basis.<br />
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As a designer, I am also <i>cursed </i>to have product reps visit our architecture and design firm with treats in town on a daily basis. Think cookies and doughnuts in your face at least three times per week. Hard. To. Pass. Up.<br />
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Luckily, we have some reps who are wonderfully creative. And sometimes even little health-conscious. Natalie, one of our wallcovering reps, always delights us with yummy and pretty treats. Last week we were lucky enough to have some of her handmade goodness delivered. Before I cut into mine, I took a photo to share with all of you. Then, emailed Natalie to ask for a wallcovering sample and her recipe. If she wouldn't mind sharing it, of course.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
Lucky for you, <i>she shared</i>. I think these apples would be the perfect holiday treat. Using both red and green apples would pretty much make them <i>sing </i>Christmas Carols!<br />
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From Natalie:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">My recipe is kind of loose, especially since I made so many but I’m going to base this on a yield of 6.<br />
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1 - 14oz. package of caramels (Yes, I cheated…I wanted to make the caramel from scratch but I decided I’ll try that when I make a small quantity!)<br />
6 – apples (I use Granny Smith because I like the color and the tartness)<br />
2 T. – milk<br />
Chocolate chips<br />
Vegetable oil<br />
Butter<br />
Craft sticks<br />
<br />
Optional: Vanilla Extract, Chopped Nuts, Crushed Graham Cracker or topping of your choice: candy, marshmallows, toffee, etc<br />
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Prep:<br />
Generously butter a cookie sheet. Clean apples, remove stems and insert craft stick about ¾ into the apple. <br />
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Caramel apples:<br />
Melt caramels in a medium pan over low heat, add 2 T. milk while melting. Stir frequently until fully melted and smooth. (Optional – stir in about 1-2 tsp vanilla) Dip and twirl apple in melted caramel covering about 2/3 + of the apple, wipe excess caramel on the side of the pan, turn the apple upside down and twirl a few more times so the caramel flows towards the top, caramel should cover about ¾ of the apple. (If using toppings, dip the apples immediately into the topping.) Place apple on buttered cookie sheet. Refrigerate about 15 minutes or until caramel sets. <br />
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Chocolate Drizzle:<br />
Melt chocolate chips (1/3 to ½ cup? I don’t measure??) in double broiler or in microwave. If using a microwave, melt in 20-30 second increments (stirring in between) until chocolate is smooth. Stir in vegetable oil, start with a teaspoon and slowly add more if needed until chocolate is glossy and drips in a smooth stream when raising the spoon. Hold apple parallel (or slanted a bit downward) over the bowl of chocolate, twirl apple while drizzling the chocolate. (You could also do a second drizzle in white chocolate.) Refrigerate again for about 10 minutes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Done!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
For the finishing touches, Natalie used cupcake liners to cut down on possible messiness and ribbon to decorate the sticks.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Natalie said I made her day by asking for the recipe.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She totally made my day, too!</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What would you use as a topping for these apples? Crushed candy canes would be super festive! Do you have a favorite holiday treat recipe that is so pretty it's like receiving a gift?</div>Fihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239625946939806181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697760010318116008.post-63286637119757096472010-11-23T18:14:00.000-05:002010-11-23T18:14:09.845-05:00Holiday Door Decor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Last year, after my holiday decorations were complete, I stumbled upon an inspiring image posted by AnNicole over at <a href="http://oursuburbancottage.blogspot.com/2009/12/merry-christmas-and-happy-new-year.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OurSuburbanCottage+%28Our+Suburban+Cottage%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">Our Suburban Cottage.</a> Luckily, I remembered it this year when I assigned myself the task of <i>Christmas-ing Up</i> my boyfriend's house... his multi-colored lights lining the eaves of the house just weren't enough for me last year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">So, while he watched Sunday football, I got to work... see below for details on how to make your own!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">2009 inspiration </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3w1NTVaewkC33WnBq7_8sENIvjYQfgDLcHwqfW7-xEJEVV-9Exk2HqsG1pWweg8tnT_4UWsF6xyRF_3vFEvLrZTpXBfQfB8xNH6srNsO-tphziAUAgc36ZCi-fmC37KtlAzgdpBVxA4/s320/inspiration.jpg" width="250" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">2010 creation</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQ8p_SyndYujEB3CoS-FJmgeAvNKvNCU963acjKC3m-6v1T3fBxBlHrK3nmkyI_gVdThIQYozTRLtPhtQQcf3gfHtsK07j9y3jT8yP9HAAdhUYbGzqSluOozU7_rx8lhut9AXTcot24M/s320/closeup.jpg" width="240" /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since his front door is red, I chose two colors of green ribbon to hang pine cones from. I would have loved to use a ribbon similar to the purply-red color used by the folks over at Country Living. It is so pretty. Very Holiday, but not traditional red or green.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next, I hot glued the ribbon to the top of nine pine cones varying in size (nine because odd numbered things are usually more pleasing to the eye). I cheated and purchased a bag of pine cones instead of collecting them from the yard. <i>I won't tell if you do the same</i>. To figure the length of the ribbon, I measured from the point the knot would be hanging at the door. I intended to use a wreath hanger or 3m hook, but to my surprise there was already a nail in the door.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAKuAP-KvTJD6maR1ceu2TVdG6fuw_FgwjMDpBT7R7VszImIvqMkingDJDsAGd4esdBespTnPDeYpSHqNnR1JFHQr21vLaHs0bzUvXBkgGgEXr5piWmybHaqOhj5tzOkF4jsjl11tSqU/s1600/construction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAKuAP-KvTJD6maR1ceu2TVdG6fuw_FgwjMDpBT7R7VszImIvqMkingDJDsAGd4esdBespTnPDeYpSHqNnR1JFHQr21vLaHs0bzUvXBkgGgEXr5piWmybHaqOhj5tzOkF4jsjl11tSqU/s320/construction.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After all the pine cones were securely glued, I held all of ribbon in one hand while pulling each strand until they were all varying in lengths that would lay nicely together. Once satisfied, I tied a knot in the ribbon. And, <i>tada</i>! A new, very cost effective decoration that is the perfect amount of holiday for a bachelor's door.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTz1kC0hXIEK5vRFsh0j2jVub8ypDHUs_rkEpjVyPtw0G8ZITRDhUaNa0cBlyz96a2ExELIfg-i6Yt7kgnr7Dz7fB_PUalivaYlNikTILb3CwuEyIl4Ia4hg4p-vKYp4w6AAncF47lMM/s1600/door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTz1kC0hXIEK5vRFsh0j2jVub8ypDHUs_rkEpjVyPtw0G8ZITRDhUaNa0cBlyz96a2ExELIfg-i6Yt7kgnr7Dz7fB_PUalivaYlNikTILb3CwuEyIl4Ia4hg4p-vKYp4w6AAncF47lMM/s320/door.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Fihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239625946939806181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697760010318116008.post-29027454282264430772010-11-04T23:36:00.000-04:002010-11-04T23:53:23.959-04:00Ein. 1. Uno. One. First.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNef9R5-3tVHF1ZztYr7yFgvzXOFa1u-U7UoNHW9dqNxPjw9dMFbA-sCc2RRD0QpEXqFL1kqEC57RmFvkmVlD-8txVrnB5H8-_HjD3PF86a1rLB6j01l6TJIqfOIiY2zXeHz1eFpfEcuU/s1600/balloons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNef9R5-3tVHF1ZztYr7yFgvzXOFa1u-U7UoNHW9dqNxPjw9dMFbA-sCc2RRD0QpEXqFL1kqEC57RmFvkmVlD-8txVrnB5H8-_HjD3PF86a1rLB6j01l6TJIqfOIiY2zXeHz1eFpfEcuU/s320/balloons.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here. We. Go.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">First post by Auntie Fi. Ever. This calls for a hip-hip hooray. And balloons. Lots o' balloons.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I've been dreaming of my blog life for quite some time now. This week I had three [count them: three!] ideas for posts before Wednesday was even half way over. So, now it's Thursday evening and my adventure is underway.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I sweetly asked my IT Guy [read boyfriend] if he would hook me up with a computer I can use solely for internet. He so sweetly obliged. I think he was actually a little excited to put his techy skills to work. Outside of work. I'm more than a little excited to be able to use something other than my Sonyvaiosauraus laptop that I have owned since the internets started. Ok, not really that long. It just seems like it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So read on, readers. Read on. I've got some exciting things tucked away in my back pocket.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">Photo:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/345653550/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">D Sharon Pruitt</span></a></span></span>Fihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239625946939806181noreply@blogger.com1