Keep it Krafty

Wine Glass Charms

2013-04-29T10:26:00.000-04:00

April has been a crazy month.

My boyfriend went on a ski trip in March, had an accident, and broke his knee. He'll be in a wheelchair/crutches for about 3 months. We moved into our beautiful 2 story townhouse, so it's been quite difficult to say the least.

As if a boyfriend in a wheelchair in a 2-story house wasn't enough on my plate, we completed our family with Bandit, a 2 or 3 year old basenji mix.

He's quite the little character! It broke my heart to see all the scars on his face and legs (the shelter owner thinks he was bait dog- to learn more about this senseless abuse, click here) and it's the most amazing feeling to be able to give this little guy a loving home.

This past Saturday was our housewarming party. It always feels like there is so much to do and no time, but luckily we got the backyard cleaned up, put up our gazebo (a house warming present from my mom) and entertained about 20 guests. The theme was skeleton keys (I wish I would've remembered to take photos of the actual party) and I made the most adorable set of wine charms for the event.

What You'll Need:

- Wire Hoops (I purchased Earwire Hoop Rings 25mm - 20 Gauge for $2.99 from House of Joiwind on Etsy.)

- Small pliers

- Jump Rings (you may not need them if your charms already have jump rings)

- Tweezers

- Charms & beads galore!

Steps:

1. Open your wire hoop and flatten the top. I left it at a bit of angle where I could still put the beads in but could close them without bending them again.

2. If your charms require jump rings, add those now. (For a great tutorial on how to use jump rings, visit My Girlish Whims)

3. Start adding beads

4. Finish adding your beads, close the ring and you're done!

I made each charm different. I can't decide which is my favorite!

These make the perfect housewarming gift, hostess gift, stocking stuffer, office gift, whatever! I'm totally hooked and am thinking of creating an Asian set with some left over charms I have from other projects.

Come Party With Me:

Chicken Tortilla Casserole Recipe

2013-03-06T15:54:00.000-05:00

I found this Chicken Dorito Casserole recipe from Bev Cooks in one of my (many) Sunday Pinterest binges and thought this would make an awesome dinner. I finally got to test it out last night when my mom and sister came over.

This is the PERFECT I-have-a-crap-load-of-stuff-to-do-tonight meal. If you're decent a mixing stuff, you've got this in the bag.

What You'll Need:
1/2 a bag of blue tortilla chips
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 can of Rotel (Funny story: I bought the hot Rotel thinking Oh, this won't be all that spicy. HOLY JALAPEÑO, WAS IT HOT! So, if you prefer a milder flavor, opt for the original Rotel. I like spicy food, so I thought it was great)
3 cups of cheese
1 packet of taco seasoning

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the ingredients in a big bowl. I added in 1 of the cups of cheese when mixing (it was really by accident since I skipped through the instructions.) You're looking to get this to a slop/dog food consistency (appetizing, I know).

2. Spread the chips out on the bottom of your casserole dish.
3. Spread the mixture over the tortilla chips. Top with the left over cheese.
4. Stick that puppy in the over for 30 minutes and you're done!

The surprising part? This could potentially be a really great dip too. Just be sure to really shred the chicken to avoid huge chunks if you're opting for the dip application.

Hope y'all enjoy it!

Keep On Keepin' it Krafty

Come Party With Me:

Wedding DIY: Save $$$ on RSVP Cards

2013-02-14T09:56:00.002-05:00

This may not be your typical hot glue, glitter and scissors wedding DIY, but it'll definitely save you a lot of money when planning your wedding (and with today being Valentine's Day, I'm sure lots of couples will have wedding planning in the near future).

With the average wedding guest count at 153 for 2012 (Reference) and postage going up to $.46, traditional RSVP card costs can start adding up, for your wallet and the environment. We do everything online: book flights, order food, post pictures- why not RSVP online too? Welcome to the wonderful world of QR codes.

QR codes are an easy and extremely cheap way to keep track of your RSVP list. Here's a simple how-to using Google Docs (and best of all, it's free!)

Example from Mighty Vites

1. Go to docs.google.com and sign in using your Gmail account.
2. Click "Create" and select "Form" from the drop down menu.

3. Enter a name for your form and select a theme.

Don't like any of the themes? Check out their template library

4. It's time to create your fields. These are totally customizable. Having a kid's menu for the little ones? You can add a field for number of children. Here's a sample of what I think should be included:

Name

RSVP


Number of Attendees. Remember to add an option for "0" for those not attending!

5. When completed, enter a confirmation message. This is what your guests will see when they've filled out the RSVP form.

6. Once you're happy with everything, submit the form. This will generate a URL for your form.
7. Copy and paste the URL into your address bar and check it out!

8. Go back to your form and select "Create Response Destination". Enter the name of the spreadsheet and select "Create".

Now you have all your responses in one easy to reference spreadsheet. No need to shuffle through cards with illegible handwriting- this does it all for you!

You're not quite done at this point! Now it's time to generate a QR code. I know you might be skeptical at this point, telling yourself you don't want an ugly black bar code on your pretty RSVP card design. Not to worry! QRStuff.com allows you to pick the color of your QR code to perfectly coordinate your design. This site is easy to use: select the type of link (this is a Website URL), paste your form's URL into the content bar, select the perfect color and pick "download" for your output type. Save the file and you're ready to place it on your RSVP card's design and print!

This is the QR code I generated for the fake form above:

Go ahead, scan it. I dare you.

I know, I know- you're impressed.

So, what do you think? Is this a great money saver, or are you too traditional to go the techy route?

Hoping everyone has a fabulous Valentine's Day!
Keep on Keepin' it Krafty!

Come Party With Me

Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

2013-02-10T19:57:00.000-05:00

I found this amazing recipe on one of my pinning binges the other day:

Source: sweettreatsmore.com via Jazmine on Pinterest

I knew I had to try it! I didn't follow the exact recipe though, here's my variation:

What You'll Need:
1 box spaghetti
Salt (for cooking the pasta)
2 tablespoons of olive oil (for cooking the pasta)
Ground Turkey
1/4 can tomato sauce (for cooking the ground turkey)
Adobo & garlic salt (for cooking the ground turkey)
1 bottle of your favorite pasta sauce
Pre-cut pepperoni slices
3 cups mozzerella cheese
1 cup bacon bits, divided
1 baking dish

1. Follow the box instructions for cooking your pasta al dente. Typically, you boil 3 quarts of water in a large pot, sprinkle some salt and add the olive oil. Then add the pasta.
2. While the spaghetti is cooking, add large spoonfuls of the ground turkey to another pot. As you add the meat, sprinkle some Adobo and garlic salt. Do this until all the turkey is the pot.
3. Cooking the pasta and browning the meat takes all about 15 minutes. Once all the meat is browned, add 1/4 cup of tomato sauce and stir.
4. Now it's time to layer! Drain the pasta and put it in the baking dish. Be sure it evenly coats the bottom.
5. The original recipe called for the next layer to be the meat, but next time, my next layer will be the spaghetti sauce. The original way left the pasta too dry. Since you're cooking the meat with tomato sauce, it won't dry out.
6. Then, add the meat. I sprinkled some bacon for added flavor (then again, I sprinkle bacon bits on EVERYTHING!)

Doesn't this look DELICIOUS already!?

7. Add a hefty layer of pepperonis. I completely covered the meat
8. Add a layer of mozzarella cheese and (of course) a bit more bacon.
9. Heat your oven to 350ºF. Place the baking dish in and bake for 30 minutes.
10. Enjoy!!

He couldn't wait to dig in!

It's hard to believe, but I think the leftovers were even better! This is the perfect dish to make on a Thursday night- no need to worry about cooking on Friday! That's a great way to start the weekend if you ask me.

Will you try this out? Have any other casserole dishes you absolutely love? I'd love to try them out!

Always Keep it Krafty,

Come Party With Me:

Valentine's Day Breakfast

2013-02-07T22:01:00.000-05:00

I'm a big sap when it comes to Valentine's Day. My boyfriend and I usually celebrate by finding a new hole-in-the-wall restaurant to explore for the first time. This year will be the first year we spend Valentine's morning together as well. So, I want to wake up early and make a fabulous breakfast.

This is a big deal for me guys, because I usually look like this when I wake up in the morning:

And I'm always running about 20 minutes late.

Here are some ideas from the wonderful world of Pinterest that I'd love to try.

Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls via Spiced Blog

Valentine's Day Eggs in The Basket via Reclaiming Provincial

Conversation Hearts Toast via Hungry Happening

Banana Nut Heart Muffins via Kiwi Crate

What are you doing for Valentine's Day? Will you be Keeping it Krafty?
With Love,

Simple Broiled Churrasco

2012-11-30T16:55:00.001-05:00

My poor boyfriend has been eating chicken for the past 2 weeks. Honestly, I've just been too lazy to make much of anything else. So on Wednesday, I decided to surprise him with a nice, delicious skirt steak! I post all my dishes on Instagram and Facebook, and received such great feedback, I had to share this super simple recipe.

Simple Broiled Churrasco Recipe

What You'll Need:

- 2 pieces of INSIDE skirt steak (outside skirt steak is thicker and has more fat, but they both taste great!)

- Sea salt

- Pepper

Yes you read right, just 3 ingredients. The night before, cut slits in to the meat and rub sea salt and pepper into the meat. Then refrigerate.

To cook:

1. Set your oven to Broil on low.

2. Line your pan with foil paper. Arrange steaks in a single layer.

3. Put pan in oven for 25-28 minutes, turning occasionally.

I know it's the perfect recipe- 3 ingredients and 3 steps. I paired mine with potatoes and pasta (who doesn't love a good carb overload?)

I'm in love with my oven's broil setting now (kind of how I was in love with frying stuff about a month ago. Weird phases, I know).

Have a great weekend everyone and Keep it Krafty!

Come Party With Me:

Thanksgiving 2012

2012-11-23T14:11:00.000-05:00

The holidays are finally here and since this is the first year I live in my own apartment, I really wanted to host Thanksgiving dinner. It was also the first year mine and my boyfriend's family got together for the holidays.

I knew I wanted to take the disposable route, but I didn't want the generic paper plates with a painted turkey and paper cups that dissolve with 2 sips of soda. So, like any respectable first-time holiday hostess, I went straight to Pinterest. A few (okay, many) hours later, I found the perfect tablescape.

The lime green is a great contrast to the
brown and berry.

To recreate this look, I went to my local Party City store.

My tablescape

I bought 2 berry colored plastic tablecloths and matching guest towel napkins. I also bought a white plastic tablecloth. The tablecloths come folded in rectangles- to create a runner, simply unfold the long way to the desired length. I purchased chocolate brown woven chargers. The plates and cutlery (yes, that's disposable too!) are from Party City's premium party collection. I topped each place setting with a quail's feather (from Michael's) to bring out the color of the charger.

The wine glasses were the only "real" parts of the table setting.

I found the daisy bouquets and lime green pumpkin at Michael's during their after Halloween sale. Don't you love the pop of color that pumpkin gives? The candle sticks and Publix salt & pepper shaker are borrowed from my mom.

Full view. I loved having a square table vs a long one.
Everyone felt a lot closer.

The sunflowers were a must. Thanksgiving was my grandma's favorite holiday- I miss her most on this day. I hope they have turkey in Heaven!

Recipe from Sweet Verbena

This dessert has become a staple in our family- pumpkin muffins. Just 2 ingredients- canned pumpkin and vanilla cake mix. This year I topped it with powered sugar, last year I used a caramel drizzle. I think next year I'll use both ;)

15 dirty dishes , 2 Swiffer wet jet bottles and 1 noise complaint later, I have successfully hosted my first holiday dinner!

Keep it Krafty! Love,

Come Party With Me:

Inspired: Spray Painting Fabric

2012-09-19T11:06:00.000-04:00

I've been on a bit of a spray paint binge lately. I keep looking around at all my garage sale and hand-me-down furniture and thinking, "Can I make you fabulous with a few coats of spray paint?" My dining room table is the latest victim- I just decided on a color, now I just need the time to do the painting (stay tuned for photos).

I was scouring Pinterest for ideas when I cam across Pinterest Addict's post about spray painting an upholstered chair.

I almost fell off my chair (pun intended).

So I'm planning a new project: turning my hand-me-down Victorian chairs

into something fabulous! Here's my inspiration:

Source: etsy.com via Jazmine on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Tracy on Pinterest

Source: citysparks.tumblr.com via Charisse Lyn on Pinterest

Source: fabricadabrablog.com via Jesa on Pinterest

What do you guys think? How do you feel about spray painting upholstery? Keeping it Krafty, Jazmine

Ikea Hack: Tarva Dresser

2012-09-09T16:00:00.000-04:00

Leading up to my return to the blog world, I was surfing Ikea Hackers a lot, looking for inspiration for projects. I was lacking storage in my bedroom and money in my wallet, so I sold a desk that was serving as a catch all in my room and used the money toward a dresser.

The only dresser that looked similar to the other furniture in my room was Ikea's Tarva dresser. Only problem? It's sold in an untreated, light pine finish.

Before

I went with some two in one primer and spray paint to make the job go faster. I lightly sanded the dresser, then began adding the paint.

I went with a satin finish to avoid a shiny finish

Can't lie, this stuff stinks!

One bottle painted the entire surface, but some of the original pine was showing through. So, I used another can to cover everything nicely.

Still not quite there

I finished the dresser off with a clear gloss coat spray paint, then added new knobs I purchased at The Home Depot.

After

I finished it off with decorations I had around the house.

I might actually like this hack more than my coffee table hack! What do you guys think?

Keep it Krafty, ladies!

-Jazmine

Come Party With Me:

Living Room Reveal

2012-09-06T10:36:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe it's been 4 whole months since I've updated my blog. I have been working a lot lately, trying to get into the fast paced swing of things in the communications world. I haven't had much time, money or desire to do anything crafty.

My boyfriend randomly suggested I start blogging again and that's all it took to get the creative juices flowing again!

I shared my Bathroom Reveal with you guys back in April and now it's time for my living room.


Remember that coffee table hack?

Until last weekend, my walls were almost completely bare. I realized I had a number of mismatched frames lying around my apartment without photos in them.

Nothing a little bit of spray paint can't fix.

I'm in love with how this turned out!

See that TV stand? Found it at a garage sale for $40. It used to have weird plastic silver legs and doors falling off the hinges. I took the doors and the feet foot. Everything fits perfectly.

Another reason it took so long to get everything into place was me thinking I had to buy furniture. I had this little black table in a corner in my room and other than collecting dust, it wasn't doing much of anything in there. Now, it houses my old lamp (with a fresh coat of robins egg blue) and all my magazines.

And in case you didn't notice...

I have a slight obsession with birds. They're all over my apartment!

I'm excited about a few new projects I'm working on, including another ikea hack and spray painting furniture (yes, you read right). Stay tuned!

(Still) Keeping it Krafty,
Jazmine

Come Party With Me

7 Tips to More Money in Your Wallet

2012-05-01T21:41:00.000-04:00

I have a secret dream I'll share with you guys- I wish I could be an extreme couponer. I watch the TLC show all the time and revel at the thought of these people literally getting paid to shop. While I wouldn't say I'm a seasoned pro, I've picked up a few tips I use to make sure I never pay full price.

1. Open an e-mail account for coupons only. Most stores (like The Limited, Express, Macy's, etc.) send you a coupon just for signing up. Check it daily, there are a lot of online exclusive coupons that can be used in store or free shipping deals that offset online buying.

2. Not a fan of online shopping? Make a list of stores you plan to hit up and Google printable coupons for those stores. Print and take with you.

3. Guys, I'm looking after you too! With the average cost of a traditional dinner and a movie date at about $130, deal saver sites like Groupon, Living Social, Couptessa, GottaHalfIt and even small time ones run by your local paper (Miami has Miami Herald Deal Savers) can give you a nice night out on the town without blowing your entire paycheck.

4. Round up your credit cards if you have any. If they have a cash back reward system, sign up and use the card only for qualify purchases YOU WOULD MAKE REGARDLESS. For instance, I have a Discover card. Every 3 months, they offer 5% cash back on purchases made in certain categories, like groceries and gas stations. For the time the cash back is in effect, I'll use my Discover to pay for groceries and gas, then go home and make a payment online from my bank account to avoid interest charges. I'm literally getting paid to shop, and can eventually apply my cash back bonus to gift cards or a statement credit.

5. Find out about places that offer student, military or senior discounts. Stores, hotels, restaurants, even cell phone companies sometimes grant these.

6. Comparison shop. Looking to buy a camera, for example? Look online for the best deal, but if you can go in store, do it. Flash sales, clearance deals and sometimes open box discounts (especially for electronics) could get you up to a 20% discount on big ticket items. Another easy way to comparison shop? Purchase store brand vs. big name brand.

7. Finally, keep a calculator with you. Just because a BOGO sale sounds good doesn't mean it is. I ended up saving $11 at The Limited last weekend by doing a little bit of math in the fitting room. If two separate transactions will reduce the overall price, ask the sales associate. Very few times do they give you a hard time about it.

Following these easy steps can save you a good chunk of change every time you shop, meaning in the long run, you can save a lot. What are your couponing tips?

Keep it Krafty (and Kheap, lol)
-Jazmine

Come Party With Me:

Dishwasher Sign

2012-04-26T22:15:00.000-04:00

I don't know about you guys, but with everything going on, I find it hard to keep track of whether I've run the dishwasher or not. Since it's just me (and sometimes my boyfriend), I rinse my dishes and run my dishwasher about every 4 to 5 days. But sometimes, I honestly can't tell if the dishes are dirty, which has resulted in running my dishwasher more often than necessary.

The answer to my dilemma? A cute sign that matches my kitchen decor and keeps me organized!

What You'll Need:
- Piece of wood
- Paint
- Letter stickers
- Ribbon
- Hot glue gun
- Scissors
- Paint brush
- 3M Command Hooks

First, attach your hook to the
dishwasher cover. Be sure to follow
the package's instructions.

First, paint the wood your desired color.
I picked a golden mustard.

Apply stickers.

Apply gun and attach ribbon.

And you're done!

I'm happy to say, the sign is on the
"Clean" side today :)

Am I the only person that forgets to run their dishwasher? Maybe I need to start taking memory supplements, I have too much on my mind.

Keep it Krafty, ladies!

-Jazmine

Come Party With Me
Kojo Designs

How to Stop Sliding Furniture

2012-04-22T17:26:00.000-04:00

I feel like I've been neglecting my blog, but I had another big event happen in my life- I got a new job! I started working as an account executive at an advertising company. I am so incredibly happy and blessed to be able to start my career in the field I studied. But, it's definitely a lot of work, leaving me really no time to do much of anything.

So, instead of a craft, this is more of a tip. Last week, I finally had my couch delivered, completing everything I needed for my apartment. I bought a big comfy sectional that comes in 2 sections. After laying on it and trying to sit up, I quickly realized my smooth tile wasn't the best flooring and the two sections kept sliding apart.

What You'll Need:
Scissors
Hot Glue
Rubber drawer liner

Flip the furniture. Apply hot glue to the legs.

Apply strips of the liner to the legs. Allow the glue to dry.

It works like a charm! Stay tuned this week for a cute kitchen project I can't wait to show y'all!

Keep it Krafty & have a great week!
-Jazmine

Come Party With Me:

Bathroom Reveal!

2012-04-14T10:00:00.005-04:00

The apartment I moved into isn't the Miami glam type you may see on TV. It's an apartment built in the 1970's with very little upgrades (I think the appliances are maybe from the 90's). The great thing about older apartments is the incredible amount of square footage you get for a good price. Here are pictures of my bathroom and an easy tip for updating any dated shower.

One of the few upgrades my place
has are these granite countertops.
I love the color!

Here is a great view of the bathroom. I'm in love with that
shower curtain from Target. See that weird shadow
coming through the curtain?

It's the frame for the original shower doors.

The shower doors made the bathroom feel dull and dingy. They were vintage- and NOT in a good way. My boyfriend helped me safely remove them from the frame and they're now in my storage closet. By adding a shower rod just above the frame, the room instantly looked taller and roomier. The curtain complements the tans and browns in the granite countertop and updates the bathroom all in one!

Recognize those bottles?
Find my tutorial HERE.

I have a weird obsession with birds,
so they're all over my house. Just because it's
a bathroom doesn't mean your personality
can't be added in the details.

That's my little space! I am still in the middle of getting everything ready, but soon I'll show you the dining and living room area and kitchen!

Have a great weekend & Keep it Krafty!

-Jazmine

P.S. I am so happy my blog has reached more than 10,000 views! Thank you so much for everyone pinning, reading and commenting! You guys rock!

Come Party With Me:

Lemon Chicken For One

2012-04-10T20:53:00.001-04:00

This is the first time I really cook for myself since I've moved to the apartment. It's mostly been take out, frozen foods and left overs. I've been excited to try this out and I'm happy the way it turned out.

What You'll Need:
- Individually wrapped chicken breasts (I made enough for dinner & lunch tomorrow)
- One Lemon
- Lemon Pepper
- Onion Salt
- Pepper

Since it was just me, I opted to use my toaster oven-
less electricity & less clean up!

Unwrap and thaw chicken overnight. Wash in warm water,
top with lemon pepper and onion salt.

Follow your chicken's cooking instructions. I set my toaster
over to 375 degrees and pre-heated for 10 min.

After cooking, cut lemon in half. Puncture with fork
and spritz over chicken. Add extra pepper for flavor.

Voila!

Pair with your favorite white wine and
a Law & Order marathon ♥

Keep it Krafty, lovelies!
- Jazmine

Come Party With Me:

Welcome Home Plaque Tutorial

2012-04-08T17:40:00.011-04:00

I'm back! I've finally unpacked my last box and everything is in its place. I don't have a couch as of yet, the one I ordered is on back order and won't get here for another week. But in the meantime, I made my first creation in my new home. The great thing about this is you can use it to frame anything important- baby's foot print, collectibles, photographs, you name it.

What You'll Need:
- Modge Podge
- Paint
- Wooden frame (available at Michael's Craft Store)
- Pretty paper
- Letter stickers
- Special item to display (I used a copy of my key)
- Glitter
- Paint brush
- Hot glue gun

I used chalkboard paint to get a rustic feel

Apply Modge Podge to key.
My boyfriend was upset I covered the
Miami Dolphins logo

And drown in glitter!

Outline and cut out paper.

Attach paper to wooden frame.

Add letters to plaque.

Hot glue key and you're done!

Perfect entry way :)

I can't help but to smile when I open the door and see this cute welcoming.

Keep it Krafty,
Jazmine

Come Party With Me:

Moving Day

2012-04-02T08:45:00.000-04:00

I've been on a bit of a hiatus this week while I was getting ready for the big move to my new apartment. In 3 days I've painted, packed, moved, unpacked, (half way) set up and stocked my house with all the comforts of home. It took a few trips to Costco, Walmart, Lowes and Target to get it all done and while there's still more to be done, I'm happy it's coming along so well. I really couldn't have done this without my boyfriend, he was so great with helping me unpack, clean and just get established into my new place.

Now that I have more than enough space to craft and cook, get ready for some great recipes and projects! I already have one in mind, I just have to figure out which box all my supplies are in :(

Side note- I am so happy with everyone's comments about my coffee table reveal! I was so excited to see it being featured and all the comments it was getting. You guys rock!

As always, Keep it Krafty,
-Jazmine

Coffee Table Reveal!

2012-03-26T09:41:00.013-04:00

Finally! After a million bumps in the road, my garage sale find coffee table is complete!

I found this Ikea Hemnes coffee table in a garage sale for just $20. All my furniture is black, and this looked too brown. Time to hack! First I painted the table in black and then added some visual interest.

What You'll Need:
Miniwax PolyShade in Classic Black Satin (or whatever color you want)
Paint roller
Krylon's spray on clear coat (or any other type of clear coat you have lying around)
Sand paper
Gloves

I have to admit, I'm not a fan of the stain. It's smelly, sticky,
has a ridiculous drying time and it's impossible to remove from
skin, clothes, walls (yes, I learned that the hard way) and
paint brushes. Next time I'll just use regular ol' paint.

Sand down surface so that stain may stick better.

Roll on stain. Don't use too much at a time as this is thicker
than normal paint. Be sure to evenly coat your surface.

Let dry (for at least 24-48 hours)

Like I said before, I wanted to add some "visual interest" to the table top. I originally thought I would stencil a design. So I went out and bought all my supplies.

But I soon realized I didn't know what the heck I was doing! So I scraped that idea and bought a decal instead. I bought my decal from Loren Lagasse's More Than Words Vinyl Etsy shop. She was more than helpful, customized an order just for me and the price was one of the best I'd seen. I loved the French vintage signs and decided it was exactly what this table needed. Once I received my order, I got to work.

I unrolled the decal and let it flatten for about an hour.

Using a Swiffer cloth, I cleaned off the dust and dog hair
that had managed to get on the table.

I cut away at the excess paper

Turned it over and using a plastic card, smoothed out
the decal so that it would stick to the top cover.

I began slowly removing the backing and using the same
plastic card, smoothing the letters onto the table. Once done,
I removed the protective top layer.

FINALLY! I am in love with the result.

So many pictures, I know, but this table is one of my most proudest accomplishments yet! I am so happy with the way it turned out and can't wait to move in (hopefully this weekend!)

Hoping everyone has a great week & Keep it Krafty!
- Jazmine

Come Party With Me:

Simple Chicken Cordon Bleu

2012-03-22T22:18:00.004-04:00

It seems all the recipes I've made lately are of chicken. I promise next week I'll bring you a yummy steak recipe! This is my sister's favorite dish, but the boxed version sold in grocery stores weren't cutting it. Since I'm not sure how much longer I'll be living here, I thought it'd be nice to make this for her.

What You'll Need:
Thicker chicken breasts
Slices of deli ham
Slices of Swiss cheese
1 egg
Bread crumbs
Cooking oil

Pre-season your chicken the night before for a quick meal.
I used onion salt and pepper.

Using a sharp knife, butterfly your chicken.
How to Butterfly Chicken-Youtube

Spread the chicken after cutting.

Add half a slice of Swiss cheese, a wrapped sliced
of ham and top with the other half of the cheese.

Dip in egg mixture and coat with bread crumbs.

Fry chicken on each side for about 5-6 minutes
on a medium heat.

Serve and enjoy!

I forgot how delicious fried food can be. For a healthier version, crank up that oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30-35 minutes. Your chicken should have an internal temperature 165 degrees.

Keep it Krafty lovelies!
-Jazmine

Come Party With Me:

Knock off Michael's Decorative Bottles

2012-03-19T23:24:00.011-04:00

I've had a few "I can make that!" moments lately, which have lead to a number of Joann and Michael's trips, my wallet being totally empty and a lot of half way done crafts.

Remember that Ikea table? Still working on it. I've learned stencils and I are not friends.

Today's "I can make that!" moment happened at Michael's. I found these decorative bottles each for $8.99.

Even with the sale going on, they were too expensive to justify. Walking around aimlessly, I found glass bottles with corks for just $.99! I was sold. Using things I already had I home, I created a custom vintage look for less.

What You'll Need:
Glass bottles
Glue gun
Decorative stuff like fabric flowers, ribbon, rhinestones, stickers, etc.

See those 2 little silver things? They were beads
on clearance for just $1.00

I hot glued the corks to the metal beads.

If you don't have a cover,
you can spray paint or cover in glitter.

I added stickers, lace, fabric flowers and rhinestones using
my trusty glue gun.

Voila! They're going to make a
cute addition to my bathroom.

What would you use to decorate these bottles? Coming up this week are chalkboards and (hopefully) my complete garage sale coffee table.

Until then, Keep it Krafty!
Jazmine

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Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

2012-03-15T22:26:00.004-04:00

Before I dive into this delicious recipe, I have some important news!

I found an apartment! Finally a place that satisfies my entire wish list: gated, top floor, good size, great neighborhood, manageable rent amount. Not to mention some added perks, like a gym, pool, and cable TV included. Pending approval from the association, I'll be in my own place by April 1st!

In preparation of living on my own, I'm making a list of tried and true quick and easy (and of course tasty) recipes. This recipe is a great way of getting that serving of veggies in that can otherwise be hard to do. I paired it with some gluten free pasta in Alfredo sauce, Parmesan cheese and bacon bits.

What You'll Need:
3 boneless chicken cutlets
1 box frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 cup mayo
2 tbsp onion salt (the original recipe calls 1 chopped clove of garlic, but I'm allergic)
1 handful of shredded cheese
1/4 cup bacon bits
2 eggs
8 tbsp cup Alfredo sauce
1/2 cup whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
(Makes 4 servings)

For a healthier & gluten free version, opt for
egg whites, light mayo, reduced fat cheese and
gluten free bread crumbs.

Fastest way to thaw frozen spinach: place in colander and
run hot water over spinach, making sure to melt all
frozen clumps. To drain, grab small amounts in your fists
sqeeeeeeeeeze tight, allowing all the water out.

On a separate plate, mix bread crumbs & Parmesan cheese

Mix spinach, mayo, onion salt and parmesan cheese

After cleaning chicken, spread spinach mix over chicken.

Roll chicken breast, dip in egg and coat with bread crumbs

Top with each with 2 tbsp of Alfredo sauce, cheese and bacon
(I'm sorry, I have to add bacon to everything.
Just call me Paula Deen!)

It tastes as delicious as it looks!

At least I know I'll never starve when living on my own. I can't wait to dive into all the crafts I have in mind. Right now I'm working on this ikea coffee table I found on Craigslist:

It's taking longer than I thought to finish, but I plan on wrapping up this weekend. Stay tuned!

As always lovelies, Keep it Krafty!
-Jazmine

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Sunflower Cake

2012-03-11T20:00:00.011-04:00

Today would have been my grandma's 84th birthday. She passed away 6 months ago and being that she was like another mother to me, it hurt a lot when we lost her. But, rather than be sad on today, I took it as a way of celebrating her and everything she did for me and taught me.

Happy birthday Abuelita!

Sunflowers were her favorite flower and sort of became a "thing" in the family when she passed. I got a sunflower tattooed on my wrist with "Abuelita", Spanish for grandma.

When I saw this sunflower cake floating around on Pinterest, I knew I had to make it for today.

Source: tasteofhome.com via Jazmine on Pinterest

What You'll Need:
- Classic Yellow cake mix
- Chocolate icing
- Yellow Peeps (2 packs)
- Chocolate chips

Bake cake according to package. Let cool.

Add chocolate icing to first layer.

I totally forgot to level the layers on this cake,
so I had that dome look to my cake :(
Finish applying icing to entire cake.

Without pulling Peeps apart, curve and apply to cake.

Push down to make sure they stick.

After applying all peeps, apply chocolate chips to center.

A little rough looking, but you get the point!

The cake was delicious and was truly special to make. I hope there's cake in Heaven :)

Keep it Krafty!
- Jazmine

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Quick Gluten Free Pasta Dish

2012-03-07T22:13:00.014-05:00

Digestive disorders are something I hold dear to me. I know the pain, discomfort and frustration that come along with them. Ever since my last trip to the ER, I've been more conscious of what I eat- more fiber, more yogurt and more gluten free alternatives. Gluten free isn't just for Celiac patients. For more on gluten intolerance, check this out.

Reducing your gluten intake doesn't have to be expensive or hard to do. I threw this meal together in just 15 minutes with things I already had.

What You'll Need:

- Gluten-free pasta

- Olive oil

- Grated Parmesan cheese

- Bacon pieces

- Black pepper

Boil water and cook pasta (about 8 minutes).
Drain water and return to pot.

Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil and stir.
Add 1/4 cup cheese and stir until melted
Add another 1/4 cup of cheese and stir.

Add as much bacon as you'd like.
I wanted the whole bag...

Garnish with black pepper and...

ENJOY!

The best part of this recipe is you can change up the ingredients to your liking. Don't want bacon? Add cubed deli chicken. Want a bit more kick? Add chopped red peppers. The possibilities are endless!

As always, Keep it Krafty!

-Jazmine

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Tagged I'm It!

2012-03-07T16:37:00.000-05:00

Jen at Frazzled Five has tagged me! It's a great way to meet fellow bloggers and learn more about them (not to mention, it's a nice break from the fifty million things I've had to do at work today). Thanks again Jen and I'm hoping the bunch is feeling better from the flu :)

Here are the Rules:

You must post the rules.
Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you and then create 11 questions to ask the people you've tagged.
Tag 11 people and link them in your post.
Post their button on your post if they have one.
Let them know you have tagged them.

Here are Jen's 11 questions for me:

1. What is your favorite food?- Vaca Frita with white rice & tostones. It's a traditional Cuban dish- think stir fried shredded beef. Tostones are the Latin equivalent of french fries- they're fried green plantains.

2. If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be? Martha Stewart

3. How did you start blogging & No 1 reason you continue to blog? I started blogging after I gradated college in December 2011 mainly to keep track of all the DIY projects I was doing in my free time. I love sharing beautiful things with the great people I meet through my blog.

4. Ice Cream or Cake? Wait... I'm supposed to pick one!?

5. Dream vehicle? Mini Cooper.

6. Dream job? Creative Director at a large advertising agency.

7. Favorite Movie and book? My favorite movie is Serendipity. My favorite book is The Secret Garden.

8. Greatest Strength? I'm extremely resilient.

9. One to word to describe yourself. Dreamer.

10. What is your idea of having fun? I love to go shooting. My favorite gun I've shot is the AR-15.

11. Your One True Love. My boyfriend, Julen. We met in our first semester of college and have been together for over 3 years now.

That's us celebrating the new year!

Now it's my turn to tag 11 bloggers:

And here are the new 11 questions:
1. What has been your favorite post from your blog so far?

2. What is/was your favorite class in school?

3. List 3 places you'd like to visit.

4. How many kids do you have/want to have?

5. Detail your favorite outfit.

6. What's a quote you always go to when you're having a hard time?

7. Are you more city or country?

8. What is your favorite color?

9. If you had to be an animal, which would you be?

10. What TV do you drop everything for?

11. What's a goal you have in life?

Thanks again to Jen for tagging me! I'll be crafting again tomorrow so stay tuned for an early weekend post!

Keep it Krafty!
-Jazmine

DIY Jewelry Box

2012-03-04T16:47:00.011-05:00

My mom bought me an awesome lingerie chest for Christmas to store all my jewelry and perfumes. But there are a few pieces of jewelry I always wear: stud earrings, a necklace and a bracelet my boyfriend has given me. This tutorial is for a small jewelry box to keep on your night table or in the bathroom to store your everyday jewelry.

What You'll Need:
- Container with top
- Decoration
- Hot Glue
- Spray paint
- Clear coat spray paint

See that star? Found it in Michael's and was
given an awesome 75% off for the "damage".
It cost just 54 cents!

Hot glue your decoration to the top of the box.
You can use a child's animal figurine or a tiny Buddha

Spray paint 2 layers, covering completely and evenly

Once dry, spray on a clear coat. Let dry

And you're done!

I love the way this turned out. Not only is all my daily jewelry handy, but the box is so pretty, I can't help but smile when I see it. The great thing about this is you can really use these cute boxes anywhere,

Don't forget to check back for another easy DIY project and a recipe, coming up soon :)

Keep it Krafty and enjoy the rest of this beautiful Sunday,
♡, Jazmine

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