Tova The Party Planner

Money Saving Tips- Facials

2012-02-27T09:20:00.000+01:00

So it is day 6, I think, since I have decided to stop spending the money unneccessarily. And with frugality comes desperation. And since I love me some facials, I decided to research (search Pinterest) for a cheap alternative. And I found a replacement for microdermabrasion... (they say). This is the poor man's microdermabrasion.

All you need is some baking soda and some water and a hand (your own preferably). Take a couple of tablespoons of baking soda, mix it with water until it is paste like and then scrub your face with it in circular motions. Do this for about 5-10 minutes and then rinse off. You skin will feel pretty darn awesome after. I did it last night and my skin feels great.

After the scrub I did the Aspirin facial which I wrote about ages ago: Apirin facial

So there you have it. Cheap methods to make your skin smooth and shiny. And then layer it with tons of make up like I do.

What's for dinner?

2012-02-25T07:06:00.000+01:00

Day 4. Still haven't bought anything. Heading to a brunch on Sunday and saw a perfect little dress for it but I said no! As God is my witness I will wear something/work on something I already own! I will! And that is what will be the plan this morning. Which I will most likely write about tomorrow or Monday.. But in the meantime. Here is an easy potato au gratin recipe that worked out incredibly. The secret is in the layers...

Easy Potato Au Gratin (serves about 6 peeps as a side dish)
6 medium sized potatoes
1 cup cream
2 cups shredded cheese
1 large onion diced finely
salt and pepper
grated nutmeg

Preheat oven to 190 Celsius. Butter baking dish. Peel uncooked potatoes, slice said potatoes thinly. I use that slicer gadget thing that always make me think I am going to slice off my finger tips. Take some slices and cover the bottom of the baking dish completely in a single layer. Then pour some cream over, some of the the cheese and onion, salt and pepper and nutmeg and then layer with potatoes again and cream and cheese etc. Keep doing this until you've used up all the potatoes and other things. Then bake for about 45 minutes to an hour until slightly brown and bubbling on top. Do it.

And there you have it. A sinful cheesy potatoey dish.

Enjoy!

So Much to Talk About!

2012-02-22T12:27:00.000+01:00

Bonjour!!

It has been pretty busy and hectic this past month. Started my new job that I really do enjoy and therefore have very little time to do things I love; like stare at Pinterest for hours on end. But, I have been busy with a couple of projects and I had time to make my ball dress that turned out A-OK.

But eventhough I am making the money, babysitting costs and balls, birthdays and anniversaries are starting to take a toll and it is time to tighten them purse strings and find ways to cut back. Unfortunately the child is not coordinated enough to make fake designer wallets so I will have to find another way. And I have. And I will hate myself for this.

The Not Buy Anything New For Myself Until June (save for flip flops and heels for work) Challenge

That's right kids, I am not going to buy anything save for tampons and deoderant and toothpaste and shampoo and conditioner... I have a horrible habit of buying new things for every party/get together and that is not good. I have closets stuffed with clothes I only wear a couple of times and it is a waste. So I am going to start deconstructing pieces and try and look trendy and pictures will be posted of what I do and what I am trying to do. Goal:1 new piece a week. I am so stupid to do this.

Also, stay tuned for a project that I am working on with a friend that will probably happen at the beginning of April.

It is an exciting time!

Hello 2012 and Hello New Wardrobe and New Wants

2012-01-14T11:29:00.000+01:00

It's a new year and I am psyched. I started working again and I love my new job. It definitely is a struggle; balancing kid and a full time job but in the end it will all work out and I will have enough money for his therapy. Now I just need to find the time to work on projects and add glitter to things.

Now that I am working, I've had to do a complete wardrobe overhaul. For the ten months I was at home, I generally lived in jersey dresses and leggings with sweatahs. Comfy and practical. But now that I am in front of people all day, I figure it is time to forgo the elastic waistbands and go for something more tailored.

Two weeks ago I went on a shopping binge at Forever 21 and H&M and was able to stock up on some office basics; blouses and pants. But the one thing I forgot to get was the three quarter length sleeved wrap dress in black and another colour and maybe one in a print. I lived in these in the past. So in the next couple of weeks I will be a hunting again. Exhibit A

Now, I'm in the mood for Spring. And maybe it is because we haven't had snow until yesterday. I will allow snow for the next four weeks and then we better be havin some melty action happening because by then I will have purchased a trench. This elusive item has been on my list for years. There is this one here that I want so badly that I would gladly give up my first name for a month and allow myself to be called Stumpy or Chesty La Rue... Either/or. Jillian Lewis Trench.. Mah Gawd. Simply Gorgeous!

But alas, I might just have to settle for one from H&M. Trenches are awesome.

When choosing clothes, I try to keep in mind a colour scheme. I seemed to have gravitated to a lot of camel coloured items this year. Not sure it is my best colour though so I try and pair it with another colour....Feel like I need to embrace burgundy and royal blue more- those be my best colours. If you aren't sure what your colours are then ask a good friend to help you out. According to my mother, who has done my colours, I am a summer. The best way to find out for sure is to Google how or ask me. I'll tell you.

Stan on a Shelf: Day 8

2011-12-13T10:40:00.000+01:00

Dude, you touch my jewelry one more time....

Dammit Stan!

Home Alone The Movie: Me, 10 vs. Me, 30

2011-12-09T10:06:00.000+01:00

Last night miraculously, I was able to convince the Husband to watch Home Alone with me. He fell asleep pretty quickly but boy oh boy I was in heaven. The film is 21 years old which makes me sad. I've seen it at least a dozen times but usually just as background noise. It is fantastic. But as I was watching it last night I realised that I, alas, have aged the last 21 years. Yes, shocking. So here is a bit of 10 year old Tova vs. 30 year old Tova.

The House:
10 year old me: Holy crap that house is huge!
30 year old me: Holy crap that house is huge! But if it were my house I would have decorated it differently and what is up with the green wallpaper and how on earth do they afford that house with all those kids and then they fly to Paris with 15 people, 4 of them in First Class! I wish I was rich.

Treatment of Kevin:
10 year old me: Oh man, everyone's so mean to him. I love cheese pizza, too.
30 year old me: I love cheese pizza, too.

The Plane Ride to Paris:
10 year old me: That is so unfair that the kids have to fly economy while the parents live it up in first.
30 year old me: Why that's, that's BRILLIANT!

Kevin's Mom:
10 year old me: She's pretty but she was sooo mean until the end. Then's she's cool.
30 year old me: I love Catherine O'Hara. She rocks. And she's dressed really well. And how on earth do they afford that house AAAND she has a Rolex?! I like her hair colour. I want to watch Best in Show again. I wonder if she's had any work done recently. I'll Google her tomorrow.

Kevin talking to Santa:
10 year old me: Cheap jerk gave him Tic Tacs.
30 year old me: Dude, some kid just told you he wants his family back for Christmas and you drive off? Call CPS you moron!

Kevin's last meal of Mac and Cheese before the bad guys come:
10 year old me: Mac and Cheese?! And you're just going to leave it there? Not even have a bite?!
30 year old me: Mac and Cheese?! And you're just going to leave it there? Not even have a bite?!

The Grande Finale with the Bad Guys:
10 year old me: Oh man this is hilarious! Falling on ice, BB gun to the crotch, paint can to the face, nail through the foot? Cinema gold! AHAHAHAHA!
30 year old me: Wow, that fall on ice really looked painful. I'd go to the doctor like immediately.

Oh did I have fun last night. I should have taken notes because there is so much more to discuss. It is interesting to see that my taste in food has not changed... at all.

I can't wait til next week when they show Home Alone 2. Tim Curry is in it. Tim Curry! Nuff said.

Stan on a shelf: Day 7

2011-12-09T08:36:00.000+01:00

Oh how adorable... Stan and the kid hugging it out..

Wait, what the hell?

Dammit Stan!

Stan on shelf: Day 6

2011-12-08T09:54:00.000+01:00

We're not puritanical in this house. Booze is a ok. But for the love of gawd don't drink the good stuff.

Dammit Stan!

Stan on a shelf : Day 5

2011-12-07T10:54:00.000+01:00

Stan was busy the last few days but the jerk is back.. Obviously Stan and I are related...

Dammit Stan!

Stan on a shelf: Day 4

2011-12-04T15:27:00.000+01:00

Apparently Stan can't deal with competition when it comes to cuteness. The interrogation lasted for hours.

Dammit Stan!

Stan on a shelf: Day 3

2011-12-03T09:41:00.000+01:00

The weather has gotten so cold. Couples are snuggling up on the sofa and a touch of romance is in the air.

Dammit Stan!

Stan on a shelf: Day 2

2011-12-02T06:33:00.000+01:00

I'm really looking forward to today and the weekend. I am dropping off the kid midday and then meeting a friend for lunch. I haven't "done lunch" in like, forever. Lunch is usually me standing in the kitchen inhaling whatever is available before the child wakes up from a nap. But in about a month I will be working again and I will have time for lunch 5 times a week!!!! Woot. woot. I think I will wear my redone coat today.. I should probably learn how to focus again.

Anyway, I woke up this morning and had to use the facilities. Unfortunately someone was already there.

Damnit Stan!

Coat Makeover

2011-12-01T08:26:00.000+01:00

I've been working on this for quite a while. I saw a coat with a petticoat thing and thought it was adorable and I had this old H&M peacoat and then I was like, awesome, let's do this thing!

So here it is before

And now

A better shot

Crazy! I painted the buttons with acrylic paint. To make the petticoat, I took strands of tulle and sewed it onto a rough ribbon. Then I attached the ribbon to the inside of the coat. Yes, it took a while but I like the look. It's ballerina like and I'm not sure when I will ever wear it. Excelllent!

Stan on a Shelf: Day 1

2011-12-01T06:50:00.000+01:00

After a night in the new bedroom, I have come to the conclusion that I need to remove the schmutte things hanging there. It was an experiment but I no like them. A new daylight picture might be posted this afternoon. Anyway. It is December 1st and I've heard that Stan is in town and planning to pull all sorts of crap. Being a Christmas bear, I did not expect this.

Dammit Stan.

Bedroom Makeover Morocco Style

2011-11-30T16:33:00.000+01:00

Many hours of work and it is finally done. The pictures aren't great but I am really happy with how it turned out.. I will sleep the sleep of champions tonight... And so here it is.

This was our room before. Boring and functional.

And now here is how it looks like now.

A close up of the bed.

And another angle.

Now I am tired

Morocco Makeover; Oversized Pillow and a Grand Couvert Dings Bum

2011-11-29T10:33:00.000+01:00

So I think tomorrow I will do the room makeover. I've gotten a lot of prep done and I cannot wait to get started. Here are a couple of things I have made over the past couple of days.

This here was a great tablecloth from my friend Debra. But since our colour scheme has changed in the living/dining room I thought I could recycle it and make it into a big ol pillow. I just sewed on material on the back (smaller than the tablecloth) and stuffed it with pillow stuffing. Ta da!

Pretty pretty. Total cost; about 7 Euros

And since our duvet covers are not exactly Morroco-ish, I decided to make a grand cover for the bed. I bought some velour material and then sewed on brown jersey on each side. Obviously that's all I could really afford. To finish it off I added Christmas ribbon to cover the seams. I'm super pleased with how this turned out!

So niiiiice. Total cost; about 18 Euros

So one more day! Yay!!

Morocco Plans; Making Over A Chest

2011-11-28T06:32:00.000+01:00

As I mentioned last week, I'm making over the bedroom in a Moroccan theme and step by step it is all coming together. And I have to do it step by step so the Husband doesn't catch on. I wanted a place for all my baubles. Currently they are kept in 3 jewelry boxes and it is a pain to find anything. Last year I did this to my necklaces and it has been great!

We had an old Ikea side table filled with crap.

I then painted it in a mixture of brown and black.

Then using gold paint and a gold pen I added a design. Different angles.

And then I glued in black fabric in the drawers and filled it with my jewelry.

Yay! Fun! Cheap and easy!

Bras and Panties and Stockings, Oh My!

2011-11-25T09:19:00.000+01:00

The other day I spent 9 hours organising our walk in closet. It was a mess and there was just so much crap to get rid of. It is now, I am happy to say, the perfect space to hang up our laundry rack. So no more laundry hanging in the bedroom! Woot woot! I also decided to organise my unmentionables as well as all my crap in the bathroom... So I bought a few of those shoes organiser things booms.

I put all my stockings in one like dis.

And I put all my bras and panties in one like dis.

They are hanging up in the bedroom and it makes it very easy for me to find my hot pink leggings should I ever have a reason to wear them. Oh thank gawd! In the bathroom, I hung one up beside the sink and in it is hairspray, body lotions, face creams, brushes and so on. It's great! I give it a month until the system breaks down. But until then I can be smug and all organised and stuff...

Cheap and Easy Homemade Runner

2011-11-23T08:10:00.000+01:00

I like runners.. They are like the mini skirts of the tablecloth family.. but flattering. I decided to make one and cut down on costs. All you need is a rectangular piece of material (I had left over material that I used for the curtains and some ribbon and well, a sewing machine. Line up the ribbon to the edge and just sew a straight line. Ta Da! Done.. It bunched up a little but I don't care. It is pretty and sparkly.

And this here below is this year's Christmas centerpiece. It is woodsy. Woodsy like if Liberace had gotten lost in a forest with a can full of glitter..

I love the Holidays!

The Decorating Bug

2011-11-22T10:03:00.000+01:00

I have it.. After the living room redo I am now starting to get itchy again... The bedroom is still a disaster and I really dislike it.. It is functional- when I don't have my clothes spread out and piled up... and when the Husband has to ask why we have a closet when I don't put anything away.. he's right.. I'm crap at hanging up my clothes. So the next mega project is the bedroom. I've thought long and hard on what I want to go for and how I can do it without the Husband noticing until it is completely done. I figure I will work on it in steps. Invisible steps.

The theme is, wait for it, Morrocan. Now, I love the rich colours of Morrocan styled bedrooms and the slight harem feel. And it is sensuous which is perfect because we just sleep and watch TV in there. We've been to Morroco once and I'm sorry to say, we lasted about 30 minutes. We were on a cruise and we stopped in Tangiers. When I stepped out onto the deck and looked at the city I got super excited and couldn't wait to hit the streets in search of caftans and spices. We got off the boat and were met by dozens of "official" tour guides offering their expertise. We said "No Thank You!" proudly because we are dumbasses. We're both good travellers: the Husband having done safaris with his friends in Kenya and me staying at a low budget motel, once. Yet we were not prepared for Tangiers and I still regret it. We made our way out of the port and were immediately accosted by other tour guides and we just couldn't shake them. We turned back when one man forcibly grabbed me... The Husband made a run for it but I caught up with him... ha.ha. So we headed back to the boat and drank Pina Coladas.

Now, my friend Alix and her husband went to Morroco this year and fell in love with it. They had a (for lack of better term) kick ass tour guide and stayed at a beautiful hotel. They got a rug and she got a cool jacket and it seemed like the kind of trip I would have loved. And so I want to give Morroco another chance and one day I will go back and get my gosh darn Caftan and maybe some slippers, and some silk and perhaps spices and maybe a little couscous and tea and more silk to make like a dress and people will be all like "where'd you get that dress?" and I'd be all like "bought the fabric in Morroco, yo" and I'll be all smug. So that's the plan.

Anyway, there's a lot to do regarding the room makeover and I am really excited that the Husband is off from the 20th to the 7th of January which means I will have time to turn our bedroom into an over the top brothel! Yes!

The Tree- it burns!

2011-11-21T15:05:00.000+01:00

Yesterday the Husband and I celebrated tens years of being together... So awesome, so happy! Best 10 years ever... Anyway, I got a Kindle and earlier in the week we went out for dinner and on Saturday night he surprised me with an Underground Vienna Walking Tour that was awesome! I am spoiled but hey, I got him Roxette tickets.. We also marked our 10 years by visiting a Christmas market and then decorating the tree. We have matured over the past year and we didn't snap at each other once while decorating. And so my loyal reader(s?) Hi Mom! I present our wacky tacky Christmas tree. I am in love.

So now, as I sit on my sofa beside this gaudy wonderful white tree, I realise I have a crapload to do in the next few weeks and a lot of involves hard work. I can't wait to pass the kid off to the husband tonight so I can get down with some crafts... Holla!

Meet Stan

2011-11-18T06:51:00.000+01:00

I stumbled upon an awesome Christmas idea on Pinterest. Some have heard of it, some have not.. Elf on A Shelf. That's the name.. What it is, to paraphrase; you take an elf like figure and have him pull all kinds of crap around the house..You as the parent do this while the child's job is to wake up and be giddy with joy and say stuff like "Gee Stan! Whatcha do this time?" while they smile at you adoringly. Right..

Ideas include; the elf dyes your milk green.. puts kids underwear up on the tree... drinks all the wine in the house...throws out Daddy's old tshirts that he will never wear again and I don't care if you have a great memory of snorkeling in the Bahamas I wasn't there and the neck is all stretched out...you get the idea.. If you don't, Google Elf on a Shelf.

Anyway, we have our elf. His name is Stan and as of December 1st all sorts of sh*t will go down. This is Stan.

Now Stan has a cool story. A coworker in Canada bought me Stan the day the Husband left for Christmas (to see his family in Vienna). His work visa had been rejected and we weren't sure what our next step was going to be. There was Stan, sitting on my chair. It was a super sweet gesture and I never forgot about it.. Thanks Nadia!

The second best thing about Stan, is that he freaks the bejeebus out of the Husband. I don't know what it is but there is real animosity between the two.. The Husband's voice raises an octave whenever he sees Stan sitting in his spot.

So as of December 1st, Stan is going to be all up in our crib doing stuff and I will posting it here.. I cannot wait to start this tradition that might end up just lasting a week.. Wish me luck..

Christmas Dinner

2011-11-17T15:10:00.000+01:00

Our white tree was delivered yesterday and the Husband was giddy (he smiled slightly) and put it together. I'm shocked at his excitement. I am bedazzled by our tree. And yes, this Sunday we are going to decorate it because gosh darnit why not? And since this is our first Christmas with the Kid, in utero doesn't count, we are going to do things a little differently.

On the 20th we're heading to Berlin for two nights to be with my parental units and then on the 24th we will be at the inlaws and then on the 25th will be our Christmas. There will be Santa gifts in the morning with pancakes for breakfast. Then a midday walk for the Husband and kid (while I cook) and then presents and then bed for the kid and then Christmas dinner for the two of us.. There will be breaks taken for spiked eggnog and internet browsing. Usually we have cheese fondue in our jeans for Christmas but not this year.. oh no no no.. I bought a nice tablecloth.

We will eat at the table with wine in nice new glasses and the meal will be comprised of 4-5 courses.. And the table setting will be opulent and I'll brush my hair and wear something nice because there is something nice about putting on a bra even at home. I originally considered making a roast chicken with potatoes and veg and stuffing and blah blah but I'm not really a fan of roast chicken and veg(on Christmas) and since it is Christmas I want to eat what I want to eat so here is our Christmas Dinner 2011:
(please note that all courses will be miniscule)
1st Course:
pizza with fresh mozzarella
2nd Course:
baked mac and cheese
3rd Course:
curry with rice
4th Course:
Roast beef dip

Yup- 4 courses of general unhealthiness... Win! The presentation will be gorgeous. You'll see.

Christmas Gifts for My Nieces

2011-11-14T08:40:00.000+01:00

My nieces live across the pond and that makes me sad.. But at least I can give them cool presents every year. Usually I buy them Barbie because Barbie rocks, but this year I am doing something different. I be making gifts yo. Their mom, my sister, is a fabulous cook and I have no doubt the kids can already make souffle. So to encourage their culinary skills, I am making them personalised aprons, chef hats, and recipe boxes. Lest anyone think I be sexist, the boy child will be learning to cook as soon as possible. I wish I had known how to cook back in the day, I would have been thinner..

Anyways, here's how to make cute recipe boxes for little girls who will treasure them until something cooler comes along..

Go to a shop and buy plain wooden boxes. In the pic here I've already started painting.. That's supposed to be orange, my camera would disagree.

Then keep painting.

Then add crystals for their initials. We all love bling.. I would assume.. And add a shiny glue at the end to make the boxes shiny and stuff..

And then write out a couple of recipes- your own or stolen from the internet and make extra blank cards with the title "Bob's Recipe" but use the child's name.. Bob is not my niece.. But if he were I would love him just the same..

So there you have it. Easy and pretty recipe boxes. Fun for everyone!!

A Tacky Wacky Christmas

2011-11-11T07:03:00.000+01:00

I admit it.. I've changed over the years. I've gotten more relaxed about things and rarely raise my voice anymore.. Part of me thinks "Meh, not worth the effort" and the other part is the absolute power in silent simmering rage. Muahhahaha.. but I digress. Every year we head around the corner and pick up a tree for Christmas. It involves a good 40 minutes of arguing until we arrive at an agreement (I win, I can cry on cue).

Every year the Husband carries the tree that I picked and mutters "it's too big, I don't think it will fit" and every year it does fit. And then he has a snit thinking about when he has to take it down and out of the apartment which always results in a trail of pine needles. Then we put on the lights and he bitches and then I put on the garland (which, might I add, is totally overpriced here) and then we put on the ornaments and every year I get ticked off because he doesn't spread the goddamn ornaments out.. And it REALLY GRATES ON MY NERVES AND I WAIT UNTIL HE GOES TO BED AND THEN I REARRANGE THEM!!!

But when it is all said and done, I wake up every morning and turn on the tree lights and sit with my coffee and I am in a happy place.. Weeeeelll, this year we're doing something so unspeakable and I don't know if I am having serious post post post partum but we're ordering a fake tree! OH THE MADNESS!!! AND IT IS WHIIIIITTTTEEE! I have to thank my friends for having suggested white the other night when we were out for drinks.. It stuck and the Husband seems ok with it.. That, or he's trying to appease me before he leaves me for blonde twins. Actually, I know he's up to something because he's ordering a green tree too, just in case I change my mind... on Christmas Eve at midnight, hopped up on candy canes and eggnog..

Sooo we're ordering it today and hopefully it arrives soon and I can check it out and break down in tears at its tackiness! Oh Yes! White Christmas Tree!!