Oh, I Love That!

Love #142- Apple Orchards

2008-10-11T09:07:00.000-07:00

I just love going to the apple orchard every year. I went to one that's about 10 minutes from my house this year, and I had the best time. As soon as the weather starts to get cold, I start craving apple cider and hot, fresh, crispy donoughts. The orchard makes for a great date, or fun for the whole family.

We fed the goats (greedy little guys aren't they!), picked (and ate) oodles of apples, went on a hayride, pigged out on cider and donoughts, and got good and lost (and kind of muddy) in a giant corn maze. It was so much fun!

At one point I was sitting on top of shoulders trying to reach the apples at the very top. We may have looked like we wanted to try out for Cirque du Soleil, but we got the biggest, reddest apples in the patch!

The only hitch was when a hornet decided to make itself at home inside of our donought bag. Since I'm not too thrilled about bees, I may have had a minor freakout at the surprise visitor.

(me picking away------------------>)

At the end of the day I was happy and exhausted, and had an amazing apple crisp hot out of the oven made with my freshly picked apples.

So how about you?

What's your favorite thing to do at the apple orchard? ( surveys)

News #24- Just a reminder!

2008-10-07T13:40:00.001-07:00

Go check out the last blog post: Happy 200th Post

All you have to do is follow the rules to play!!! Free stuff from the gals at Oh, I Love That! And you get to pick the free stuff!

Oh, we have some awesome new posts coming up soon to assist you in your Holiday shopping too...

My favorite is Thanksgiving... Stuffing! Yum!

News #23- Happy 200th Post! EDIT!

2008-10-06T11:07:00.000-07:00

I'm still amazed that this blog has made it to 200 posts! I just love it! I love stuff... and love to share!

Well, for our special 200th post, I'm going to do something a little different.... I'm going to let you pick your prize. I'm going to pick the shops. You get to pick your faves!

Go to each of these:
#1: Ok, from Christopherand Tia, you get to pick your favorite set of recipe cards! Make sure to tell us the name of your favorite set!

#2: And... from Barefoot Bath and Body you get to pick your favorite soap! I can't wait to try the seasonal ones!

#3: Oh, and a pair of earrings from me! Go to Jenny Bunny Creations Earring Section and pick your favorite pair!

Tell me a favorite from each shop and I'll draw a winner from everyone who plays!

I'll draw the winner on Friday night, October 10th, so get to picking! Due to a family member passing, I'll be determining the winner on Sunday.... Have fun.

Friday Fun #5, Love #141- Engrish

2008-10-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this is something that's for Friday Fun, but it's also a serious love of mine. So I had to combine the two. So this week it's a Friday Fun Love!

Engrish.com is one of the funniest things on the internet. It's called Engrish because it is english found in other countries, but it's not quite right. Most of it is Japanese, and since they have a hard time saying our "L" sound, it comes out Engrish. They get our language horribly wrong, but they still insist on slapping it on everything in sight. Clothing, signs, food, everything. Also, sometimes just reading the captions written underneith them is enough to put you into fits of giggles. Here's a few I just came across today. Enjoy!

Ummm.....Sir?

Fresh, but gritty

Yo-ho-ho-ga! Breathe out....now Shiver me timbers!

Today will be ready tomorrow

Ok and one more:

I won't use public breastrooms

Hope you had a good laugh! Happy Friday!!!

Remember to comment to be entered to win our monthly giveaway!

Contest Winner #8- ihchicky!

2008-10-02T06:53:00.000-07:00

I'm a day slow! Sheesh! What a putz!

Well, I love Random.com! It makes it so easy to pick the winner, especially now that we have so many subscribers and commenters! Is commenters a word?

ihchicky has been a subscriber for a long while! Since April! Yay for her! We love her.

Love #140- Meatballs

2008-09-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

I have a sick love for cooking. More often than not I go overboard and make too much. I waste food sometimes and that makes me feel guilty. What I've been trying to do lately though is to expand my menu to include items that are just more time consuming and a little more difficult to make.

For obvious reasons, I've avoided them in the past. I'm busy #1 and lazy #2. Ok, well maybe not so much lazy as busy-busy. Now, though I've found that taking the time to make a great meal that is not only healthy, but well-done is so fulfilling!

I like to watch those morning cooking shows on our public access channels. It amuses me to see what I could be making.

One of my favorite shows is America's Test Kitchen because I get to learn a lot about the everyday items you can use baking and also the ones that I'll probably never buy. Oh, and the recipes! You can browse through their free recipes! It's amazing what they make!

I was watching Cook's Country when I saw a magnificent recipe for Giant Meatballs. I didn't write it down as they went, but managed to create my own, similar ones that were so lovely.

Unfortunately, Cook's Country doesn't give out free recipes... It's still intriguing to look through.

Ok, the recipe I used (off the top of my head):
2 slices of white sandwich bread, torn into small pieces (I used the equivalent of some homemade french bread)
1/4 cup of milk
2 lbs hamburger
1 lbs Italian sausage
1/2 medium onion, chopped finely
seasonings

Oven at 425 for 25-30 minutes.

1) Put bread and milk in bowl, use potato masher to combine. It shouldn't be too runny, but a constency of mashed potatoes.
Note: I added the seasonings before the sausage. I used Fresh Ground Pepper and lots of Garlic. Fresh Garlic would have been great too!
2) Add the Italian Sausage and mash into the bread mixture.
3) Add the hamburger and onions. Use your hands and really mix it all together!
4) With tinfoil on the pan, I made 14 roughly 2 inch round meatballs.
5) Bake until done completely. I used my meat thermometer to check for full doneness!

Oh, and if you like your meatballs a little less crusty and done, you can lessen the heat to 400 or 350 degrees and just cook them until they are done!

Cooking is such a fun thing to do!

Oh, and I am freezing most of the meatballs so they don't go bad!

Friday Fun #4- Charlie Bit Me

2008-09-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

I just love this video...I could watch it over and over.

Happy Friday everyone!

p.s. Leave a comment to be entered in our monthly giveaway as well as a way to contact you if you are not a subscriber.

Love #139- Post #200

2008-09-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we are up to 200 posts already. I've been trying to decide what to write about that would be suitable for the 200th post... And I just couldn't come up with anything!!! I'm just so elated that we made it to 200 posts.... and it's been so fun.

So, maybe I'll have a fun extra giveaway to the people who comment on this post... I'm not sure what yet, but you'll like it!

Comment! Show the love!

Love #138- The Lash Comb

2008-09-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

I have incredibly long lashes. They are invisible yet very long. Unfortunately I have to wear mascara everyday or I look like... well, someone with no lashes!

I couldn't find a picture of the one I purchased at Target, but I found this Folding Ilashcomb from Tweezerman that is very similar!

I have to admit, I like the one from Target better. It's made by Sonia Kashuk and actually has a brow brush on one end! It folds at both ends too, so both brushes are free from getting random lint on them. It was also about $2.00 cheaper! Just be careful since it's metal and pointy!

As you can see from that pic, I didn't use my separator! I didn't have it yet!

How to use it: Layer on a thin coat of mascara, from the base of the lashes to the tip. I let mine sit for just a second or two and then comb through, again, from base to tip! Be careful to not poke yourself! I've done it! It hurts! Don't let it sit too long though, or your lashes will dry and you won't be able to comb through! Then let your eyelashes dry... When you apply a second coat (as you should!) you'll notice that you have less clumps and they are neater looking! You will get mascara on the brush, but it's really easy to clean with some make-up remover!

I'm slightly obsessed with my eyelashes as my eyes are one of my best features!

Love the idea of combing your lashes!? Or is it just silly!? Am I just weird!?

Friday Fun #3- Ouch!

2008-09-19T06:57:00.001-07:00

I mean, c'mon... This is just hilarious.

Love #137- Keno

2008-09-19T06:57:00.000-07:00

Not the gambling game....

These Keno platforms from Nine West!!!!

It's almost winter here, so I'm browsing the closed-toe shoe sections... sadly. These would be great with the nice tailored pant or jeans! They'd look especially cute with tights and a cute little dress!

They are a little (very little) on the spendy side at $89.00, but they'll last many a season if you take care of them! Mary Janes always go in and out of style!

Eeek! And there is a matching clutch! Yes, I just squealed.... I love purses just as much as I love shoes!

The adorable Too Hot to Cross Clutch even has a detachable shoulder strap... Ok. It's the perfect night-out purse.

Is it sad that I'm excited for tights!?

Love #136- BigRockMosaics

2008-09-17T07:34:00.000-07:00

You all know that I love to cook... Obviously from the recipe and cookbook posts, right!!??

Well, I just came across something in BigRockMosaics shop that I don't have... And, I'm thinking that I'm a freak for not having one.

If you don't know what a Trivet is, you can click that link. Usually I use a towel or pot holder, but they still make my table warm and sometimes I worry about the finish. I live in a small(ish) apartment and finding room to really get into my baking/cooking is difficult.

I especially love this Opus Tesselatum Mosaic Trivet in Earth Tones because it's functional and a piece of art. I love that it looks stunning, but I can set a burning hot pan on it and not have to worry about it, well, blowing up... :)

Here is a piece from BigRockMosaics that just floors me... This stunning Mosaic Mirror- The River of Paint is only 10 x 10 inches. So many tiny little tile pieces create this wonderful mirror! The time and care put into it just makes me feel so lucky to have come across her shop.

I really appreciate well-made, handcrafted art. BigRockMosaics does just that! What item do you love from her shop?!

News #22- Poll

2008-09-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

Just posted a new poll to the left! We'd like your input! If it's other, could you please comment what the "other" is!?

Oh, and if you clicked the "Another Blog's Links", could you maybe tell us which one you clicked from!?

Wow, we are asking a lot aren't we!?

You are fantabulous! We love your input!

Love #135- 500 3-Ingredient Recipes

2008-09-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, this book is amazing. I bought it with the idea that I'll be able to spend less time cooking.... And I'd find some great simple recipes that taste great!

I'm not even close to disappointed! The cool thing about the book, is that it states, there are some things you just have to have! Like, water, butter, flour, salt, sugar are necessary for each recipe, right!? So, keep in mind, if you have a fairly well stocked pantry, you'll be able to make almost everything in the book within minutes. You just have to have the extra 3 things!

I made the granola! It even says in the book that granola, in stores, is incredibly expensive. I've never bought store granola, except in bars, so I don't really know... I added a little bit of cocoa and cinnamon with some nutmeg to mine and it turned out great. You can add pretty much any other seasoning or fruit you normally like in your granola, too.

Here is the link on Amazon: 500 3-Ingredient Recipes

If you have a favorite cookbook, let us know! We are always looking for great recipes!

Friday Fun #2- Taylor the Latte Boy

2008-09-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

This video is something one of my best friends shared with me recently. She met her fiance when he was working at Starbucks, so they are going to have someone sing this song at their reception (and change the names of course). I laughed so much when I saw this, so I decided to share it with you guys!

So how about you? How did you meet your significant other (or previous significant other)? Share it with us in a comment and you'll be entered to win our giveaway. Be sure to leave your email if you're not a subscriber so we can let you know if you win.

Happy Friday everyone!

Love #134- wickedchilddesigns

2008-09-11T08:24:00.000-07:00

I know that I've been posting A LOT about etsy shops, but I just LOVE them! I can't help it!

How could you not love wickedchilddesigns, too! To the right is Zombie Zac and he's, well, a zombie and he bites. I really love his expressive eyes and how simple he is.

What I find extra super fantabulous about wickedchilddesigns' work is that my nephew who is 18 months can play with them with no worries of choking... And my dad (who loves zombies) would find it suitable for his desk!

Messy Matilda is a little more my style... Sweet, a good dresser and fun!

The stories set along with each individual plushie toy are really what make me want one! I love that the creator gives each one a personality... It's just a really sweet touch.

Which plushie do you like from her shop? Leave us a comment with their name and you'll be entered in our monthly giveaway!!!

Love #133- Shades of Gray

2008-09-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

Now that the weather is starting to cool off a little, I'm in the mood for fall. I'm a working woman, so I have been checking out fashions that are classic, stylish, and good for the office. I started noticing, so many of the things I was falling in love with were gray. So I asked myself, what is it about gray that draws me? Well, I think the biggest reason is that gray is classy and chic, but without the weight of black. That makes it one of the perfect colors for fall.

So without further ado, here are some of my gray fall finds!

This clutch from Oktak is gorgeous, classic, and beautiful! I just found it yesterday, and unfortunately it already sold. But! she assured me this morning that she would have more of these in stock soon, and even some handled bags with this fabric as well.

This is a top from Ellainaboutique. I think it's sooo cute with all of it's lovely detail. Just look at those sleeves, and those pleats at the top! Plus, look at how it lays, you can just tell it will cover up any problem areas and give you a beautiful seamless, feminine line. It may be chilly soon, but you can always throw a cute jacket or shrug over it to cover your arms.

I've also found these great items from Target. A Peacoat, a pair of wide leg pants, and these great gray patent pumps. And one of the best parts: all of them are under $30 each! Gotta love affordable fashion.

And remember! You don't want too much of a good thing. So although all of these grey styles look great, please don't walk out of the house in a gray shirt with a gray jacket, gray pants, gray heels, and a gray clutch. The fashion police just may arrest you.

Contest #8- charliemotel

2008-09-08T06:13:00.000-07:00

Oh, we are so happy that Meg of charliemotel is doing this months giveaway! We all love her here! She's such a sweetheart too!

Of course she picked our favorite item from her shop- the Tea makes everything better writing set! The lucky winner will get 10 pieces of thick note paper and envelopes! It's so cute and a perfect way to keep the communication lines flowing with your friends! I love sending little "love" notes to my friends too, so they know I care!

If you want to win, subscribe to the blog to get entered twice! You can also comment on posts to be entered once! If you purchase something from charliemotel, you'll be entered ten times! Just let us know by comment what you purchased and we'll verify it with Meg!

Friday Fun #1- Clown Meat

2008-09-05T07:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, we're kicking off something new here at Oh I love That! Every friday we'll be posting something fun and silly to make you laugh and start the weekend off right. They say laughter is the best medicine, so here's your first Friday dose!

Love #132- Statement Pieces

2008-09-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

If any of you know me, even a little bit, I'm sure you know that I'm not shy. Not at all. I'll tell you if you look fat, but only if you ask. I'll definitely tell you if you have spinach in your teeth. But I will scream for the world to hear if you look hot....

The title, Statement Pieces, is about finding the one or two items that make the clothes into an outfit that looks hot! I've found a couple things that I just love, that would make the clothes really pop.

I found edmdesigns randomly on etsy and instantly fell in love. I know I've talked about Steampunk before, so you know that I LOVE it! This Steampunk Vintage Rose 17 Jewel Swiss Watch Movement Adjustable Ring is what drew me into her shop. Imagine the comments you'd get on it! It's stunning!

And then I saw this lovely Steampunk Vintage Art Deco Watch Dial Necklace which is in my favorite chains- Copper and Brass! It definitely has the Steampunk style, but isn't SO punky that anyone can wear it!

I really love the options that jewelry creates for an outfit. It's the most neccessary accessory when it comes to changing your look just slightly... A pair of studs can create a whole new look... A simple bangle can take you to a whole different level of style.

Now my next fave accessory- the hat! I love being able to cover up a bad hair day with a work of art!

I found terrygraziano randomly also and loved the retro vibe her hats give off... The Sweetheart in Indigo just struck me as perfect for a super casual hat, but also something you could really make as your stand-alone accessory. I was really shocked at all the ways you could wear it too! Terry does an amazing job at making her pieces functional.

Then I saw the Incognito in Indigo and fell head over heels in love/lust for it. It's another super functional and ever changeable piece! It's perfect for those days where you just don't want to look at everyone on your way through the mall or on your way to work... or if you didn't do your makeup (I do that a lot).

These two hats are really perfect for everyday. A cute little bun at the nape of your neck or curls, jeans and a t-shirt... or a cute little sun dress. I'm going to have to buy one, I think....

And onto one of my favorite accessories.... The Purse. And to one of my favorite cities, Minneapolis. I was again, randomly browsing shops on Etsy when I saw ao3designs and the wonderful handbags she makes. Of course, I love my Minnesota shops too, since I'm from there!

I had a really hard time choosing which of the Alexis cluthces to show you, but I settled on the Mocha Retro Floral simply because the colors are perfect for summer and fall. I think it'd really liven up a winter outfit too!

The Oversized Hobo was a little easier to choose, but only because I love the little details. The shoulder strap is satin cording which looks great next to the cream, blues, green and bit of pink of the fabric. Again, it's the perfect bag for every outfit! Incredibly easy to dress up or down!

As I've already told you, I'm from the great state of Minnesota. It's starting to get cold already. The best jackets for winter tend to be boring and tend to make you look "fluffy". I'd, personally, rather be warm than worry about freezing to death, so I choose accessories that make the rest of me look fashionable!

Some of you may not HAVE to wear big, bulky jackets, but you can still perk up any outfit with great statement pieces!

Comment with your favorite statement piece from this post or one of their shops! Leave your name and email and you'll be entered in the monthly giveaway!

News #21- OILT on Facebook

2008-09-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

I created a group on Facebook just for the wonderful fans of Oh, I Love That! Join the group, discuss the blog, or just watch the Love Train go by!

Oh, I Love That! on facebook

As a group member, you'll know what the monthly giveaway is FIRST! Maybe we'll even let you vote on what it should be!

Toodles! Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!

Love #131- Laura Ashley Malena Bedding

2008-09-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

I saw this on Kohl's website today, and I am absolutely in love! I am planning a new bedroom, and this is now my inspiration for the whole room. A warm creamy colored rug, some black box shelves and sepia photos, candles on sconces, some asian inspired lantern lamps, a nice table water fountain, warm ivory walls, a matching black dressers, bookshelves, and desk for a craft area....all my ideas are flowing. I just had to share, in case anyone else was in the mood to get decorative.

Contest Winner #7- browneyed.lmstudio

2008-08-29T08:36:00.001-07:00

Here's the winner of the August Giveaway: browneyed.lmstudio

I'll be emailing the winner also! Here is what she won: Adorable!!!

She was the winner out of 162 entries! You get two entries for subscribing, which she does! You also get one entry for each comment you post during the month!!!

News #20- Early

2008-08-29T06:06:00.000-07:00

I think we are going to draw the winner of the contest early! Like, today! It's a holiday weekend in the U.S. and I just want to sleep on Monday... Ok, I'll probably still be working, but I want to draw it early!!!!

You can win this! Just comment on our blog during the month..!

Guest Love #1- Pink

2008-08-27T14:04:00.000-07:00

I went to the Etsy forums because I just couldn't pinpoint a love today. I'm feeling a little restless unfortunately.... So, I decided to just pick a color and let them pick any thing they could possibly dream of! I am surprised yet amazingly amused by what they picked!

Tia of ChristopherandTia was the first to want to play!!! The first thing she said was a pink travel trailer... and I was thinking "Do they even make them!?"! To my surprise (and delight!) they do! Look at how cute they are!!!!!

Then K, as I call her, of kcroteau found this knit tank. Before I clicked on it, I was thinking it was going to be a tank-top... Not an actual tank. I wonder if the tank-blankie makes it warmer...? You think?

Here's the fun part: Find something you love in either of their shops and comment about it! You comment, you get entered in the monthly drawing! Sweeeeeeet!

Thanks to them for letting me rope them in to alleviate my boredom! :)