Beckham & Bloom

Beauty is in the eye...

2012-02-09T12:28:00.000-08:00

Source: portable-magic.tumblr.com via Melly on Pinterest

"Mind is the master power that molds & makes, and man is mind, and evermore he takes the tool of thought, and shaping what he wills, brings fourth a thousand joys, a thousand ills: He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass: Environment is but his looking-glass." - James Allen

There have been a shift in my life. Apparently this is something I was just missing before! I had a different perspective all together of life...I was totally missing it's BEAUTY, ____, _____, ____(insert all wonderful things here)!

How could this happen? I fawn over and desire beautiful things. Awe! Now I'm on to something here!

Before I "righted" my thinking I would have be able to recap this trauma I "suffered" once at the hands of mad man and his gun blah blah. It HAD stripped away all personal security for years & turned this beautiful women ME into a complete basket case! (still a basket case but more in a romantic comedy, charming way - it's really haute!)

I can't recall the moment & what it was that flipped the switch - It would make this post ~~longer~~ more interesting. That is irrelevant, point being "switch=flipped". I was living ~~going thru the motions~~ a "normal" life and all that it implies. BORING! I was missing so much...joy! I was missing life!

Source: Uploaded by user via Melly on Pinterest

I want more! I want it all! So I started with my inner monolog. What was I thinking? What did I "think in secret"? I stood up and challenged myself to face my thoughts. I was shocked! REALLY! How was I to live if all my thoughts were focused on fear & death? The surface was, well...superficial!

I took an active roll & "righted" my thoughts to reflect the person I know I am. I have been released from fear, doubt, failure, debt, stress, etc! I live a truly charmed life these days! I acquire all that I desire of more & more daily. I've given myself an amazing life. I laugh like never before. By my will I "mold & shape" my "environment" as I think it to be, and so it shall.

"The mind is the master-weaver, both of the inner garment of character & the outer garment of circumstance, and that, as they may have hitherto woven in ignorance & pain they may now weave in enlightenment & happiness." - James Allen

Farm Rich Winners!

2012-02-06T15:16:00.000-08:00

Congrats to: aunteegem@ & tjandbcd@! You can forward your mailing information to me HERE so I can get the free product coupons out to you!

Cupcake Love & Birthday Wishes!

2012-02-02T10:54:00.000-08:00

Source: google.com via Melly on Pinterest

Today we are celebrating "B's" 6-year Birthday! We just can't believe how old he is! Time really flies when you're ~~cleaning up barf, poopy diapers, and running a biz from home~~ having fun!

This is his wish! A Mario cupcake motif - Ummm, has he met his mother???? Right, we'll file this request with a bakery and call it a day. (Darn you pinterest!!)

I'm not all thumbs in the kitchen, I can make a mean Cakeball! Make you wanna slap someone, really...that good!

So here are my favorite cupcakes I've found and maybe I'll make an attempt to make a pretty cupcake for once...or call a bakery.

Source: cutesiecraft.tumblr.com via Melly on Pinterest

Source: happy217.wordpress.com via Melly on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Melly on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Melly on Pinterest

You're #1!

2012-01-31T14:28:00.000-08:00

Isn't she sweet! So cute perched up there on that frog all charming & what not!

SHE JUST FLIPPED ME THE BIRD!

Ug! That naughty baby! In her ballerina outfit & everything! I was mortified, I thought they'd kick us out & ask us never to come back!!

OK - here is the thing, I'll take responsibility for the naughty language, but where she picked that nasty habit up ~~DADDY~~ I have no clue!

This is how it went down:

ME: Mimi, it's time to go now brother has to go to school.

L: I'm doin' something!

ME: Yeah, yeah I know, but we gotta get, brother has to go to school.

L: Yeah! Yeah! I'm doing something!!!

ME: OOOOH! You naughty thing! Lets go!

L: Go away! I'm doing' something!!!!

ME: "L" NOW! OR NO DANCE CLASS WITH YOUR BABY NEXT WEEK!

L:______________________________

ME:I'M TAKING A PICTURE OF YOU BEING NAUGHTY FOR DADDY TO SEE!

L:________MIDDLE FINGER__________

It hasn't reared its ugly head again, but how does that even happen! Not just the naughtiness of it but technically speaking how does a 2-yr-old even more those chubby little digits into that position!?! Ugh!

Well this tops the time she handed me her "iPhone" & so casually demanded "Hold my sh**!" Yes she so did!

So I have a sailor for a toddler! Its only ever been on those 2 occasions but man! Is it bad I'm more impressed she knows how/when to use it.

Farm Rich: Recipe & Give Away!

2012-01-29T14:39:00.000-08:00

With the super bowl coming up I wanted to give a super simple party pleaser recipe! I know of NO MAN that can resist a delicious meatball in ~~any sauce~~ General TAO's sauce that I grabbed 50% off HERE!

I used Farm Rich - Turkey Meatballs (nutrition facts) because I'm a ~~wonderful, devoted, wanna-be Martha~~ busy mom and ~~slaving away all day in front of my stove~~ the crock pot is my best friend!

Our friends at Farm Rich will also be generously giving two(2) of my WONDERFUL (have I told you how wonderful you are lately) readers FREE product coupons! And lets face the facts people = IF IT'S FREE IT'S FOR ME...and now you too :)

SUPER MEATBALLS with RICE
*recipe doubles!
{1} Bag Farm Rich Meatballs - I used turkey
{1} 16oz Jar General Tso's sauce or recipe HERE
{2} TBSP minced garlic - I like garlic...a lot!

Add all ingredients in crock pot on low 3 1/2 hours or high for 1 1/2 house. Serve with white rice or toothpicks!

********* Official Entry Rules *******

"Like" Beckham & Bloom on Facebook HERE

Subscribe to Beckham & Bloom RSS

Leave a Comment Below {ON THIS POST} letting me know you have done BOTH the above to confirm your entry.

***The FREE product winners WILL BE CHOSEN FROM THE COMMENTS! One entry per person please***

My {2} Lucky Winners will be picked on February 6, 2012 from a random draw. Good Luck!

Scrappy "Taco Bow" Tutorial

2012-01-16T13:43:00.000-08:00

Yes! I called it a "Taco Bow" it's a technical term! When describing it to a friend the only words that I could come up with for the construction process was "fold it like a taco", now it's officially "The Taco Bow"! You don't have to call it that...but you can!

{fabric scraps + 2-yr-old = independent play}

I have the kids home from school today & during some down time I decided to dress up my youngest bow collection (a girl can never have enough bows) - ok it was that or check out my sons' newly acquired & ever growing (where the H** does he find all these) rock collection, you do the math!

I wanted a rough/scrappy bow so I really just threw it together without any precision. Here is a cheap picture tutorial of the process. Along with my ever exciting & technical way of explaining just how I did it...enjoy!

1) Find something that resembles a small circle & trace it out on your fabric (I made 12 circles) 11 for my bow & 1 to fasten all folded pieces upon & to secure to the clippy. (pic 7)

2) Cut them all out - fun right!?!

3) One at a time, dab a dot of hot glue in the center of the circle & FOLD IT LIKE A TACO

4) This is the tricky part & where I lose most people: you are going to make an "S" shape by folding the right side of your "taco" towards the middle. Make sure you glue & then fold

5) Flip over and repeat. Step 4

6) In pic 6 you can see it looks like an "S" - yours should to!

7) Remember that 12th circle I mentioned in step 1 - it's time to use it! Once all your circles are now "S" glue 6 of them to the 12th circle

8) Stack the the remaining 5 "S" on top of the lower layer for more dept

9) I found a coordinating ribbon (no clue how I did that lol) and wrapped the clippy (also technical term) in it. I also "rolled" a tid-bit of the ribbon and glued it to the top center of the completed bow to finish it off.

This is my fave "Taco Bow" I've made. I stacked fabric on top of tulle then folded & glued as one. I often use this one myself & secure the clip to a headband. You can find the original pin below:

Source: thehouseofsmiths.com via Melly on Pinterest

going with it...

2012-01-02T16:56:00.000-08:00

Yup...that's me! Soak it in folks! HAUTE RIGHT!

Sometimes you just have to go where to moment takes you!

Well this is where I ended up when I let a 5-yr-old boy take the drivers seat.

Not my hottest moment & it definitely wont score me any "mommy+daddy time" with the man. However it made my son laugh (& lets face it, you're probably laughing at me too)!

Sometimes I get carried away with the tasks of the day or just plain wrapped up in my own world to STOP...and PLAY. After all that's what most kids really want! So this is me stopping & playing with a wonderful, handsome, charming, A-mazing, will grow up to be a great man!

Merry Christmas + Recipe(s)

2011-12-25T13:46:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

We're sending our Christmas wishes to everyone celebrating FAMILY, LIVING LIFE, and SHOWING LOVE TODAY!

I didn't get the chance to take pix of the Prime Rib I roasted for Christmas Eve dinner - but I highly doubt they would do it justice! It turned out amazing! I used tips via allrecipes & the information was more then helpful. You can read the tutorial & recipe if you'll be making your own. I think we will even have another one for New Years! The left over meat we'll use tonight for Christmas dinner enchiladas (yummo!).

We prepared Santa a batch of these delish sugar cookies. As you can imagine he ate them all! This was by far the best sugar cookie recipe I've come across. I rolled out half the dough & wrote baking instructions out & sent to our lovely neighbor & her three boys. They are grown but you're never too old to indulge in the magic of Christmas!

* I added 3 Tablespoons of Marshmallow Cream to the basic recipe along with 1/4(or 2oz) of package of cream cheese. I'm a sweet tooth _____!

Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com via Melly on Pinterest

Sugar Cookies

1 cup sour cream

2 cups white sugar

1 cup butter

4 eggs

1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla (I like almond)

6 cups flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine sour cream, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla/almond. Beat for 2-3 minutes.

Add dry ingredients and mix well. Let the dough chill in fridge for 25 minutes or until firm.

Roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick and use cookie cutters to make shapes or circles. You may have to add a little flour to roll them out so the dough is workable but remember the less flour you use the softer your cookie will be.

Bake 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven when edges begin to brown lightly. Bake longer to have a more crisp cream cheese & 2 Tbsp marshmallow cream & splash of milk****

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, cream butter until fluffy.

Add sugar and continue creaming until well blended.

Add salt, vanilla, and whipping cream. Blend on low speed until moistened.

Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffcookie.

Makes around 4 dozen

Buttercream Frosting
1 cup butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp almond extract
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

....................................................................................................

Breakfast is always a special event on Christmas morning. This year I went with this simple (yeah for me) recipe. It's dubbed cinnamon-roll-cake but I liken it to coffee cake. Which by the way it pairs very well with! I was expecting a good turn out but didn't hold my breath only because we enjoy The Cracked Eggs' coffee cake & it is divine!

Source: life-as-a-lofthouse.blogspot.com via Melly on Pinterest

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

::batter::

3 cup Flour

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1 cup Sugar

4 teaspoons Baking Powder

1 1/2 cups Milk

2 Eggs

2 teaspoons Vanilla

1/2 cup ( 1 stick) Butter, melted

::topping::

1 cup ( 2 sticks) Butter, softened

1 cup Brown Sugar

2 Tablespoons Flour

1 Tablespoon Cinnamon

::glaze::

2 cups Powdered Sugar

5 Tablespoons Milk

1 teaspoon Vanilla

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 glass baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

In an electric or stand mixer add the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Once combined well , slowly stir in the melted butter. Pour into the prepared 9x13 baking pan.

For topping, In a large bowl mix the 2 sticks of butter, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon together until well combined and creamy. Drop evenly over the batter by the tablespoonfuls and use a knife to marble/swirl through the cake.

Bake at 350 for 28-32 minutes or when a toothpick inserted near the center comes out nearly clean.

In a medium bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together with a whisk. Drizzle evenly over the warm cake. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Peppermint Bark Cookie Recipe...and holiday crazy!

2011-12-20T10:04:00.000-08:00

I think this has been my busiest holiday season on record! For some reason it seems like twice as many parties & activities as any other year before.

I one thing I look forward to every year is the gingerbread deco extravaganza! (I need a echo machine when I say that for the full effect)

40 of us gathered this year to decorate gingerbread houses, potluck style. No fancy table top party set-ups here (I find them cute but rather stuffy & posh). This was friends coming together to reflect & have a good time...the perfect end to any year. Snow was shipped in for the children which I think really made it feel like Christmas time.

I knew of all the dishes being prepared so I opted for a treat instead. This is literately the first X-Mas treat I've baked all year (not like me)! Well worth it too! So on to the recipe:

Peppermint Bark Cookies adapted via grin & bake it

1) Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix
1) Stick of unsalted butter
1) Large Egg
1) Bag Andes Creme De Menthe baking chips
1/2) Bag Ghirardelli semi-sweet baking chips
3) Candy Canes, crushed

Prepare cookie mix according to packages directions. On a parchment lined cookie sheet, smooth out dough flat and perforated with fork. Bake
*I watched this like a hawk & made sure it didn't bake too long as the cookie would become brittle and dry

Remove from oven & immediately cover cookie with both bags of baking chips. As they melt smooth them over the entire surface

Top with crushed candy cane and place in the freeze to harden the chocolate (20 mins)

Break into pieces and store in an air tight container

**my notes**
Like all recipes the fewer the ingredients the better quality you should use. I used the premium chips & doubled up for that reason. The chocolate will be the main focus. I also found the smaller the candy cane the better for the little kids enjoying it.

Join the linky party:

Melly Meal Plan

2011-12-05T18:22:00.000-08:00

How unfair is pinterest right now!?!

Dessert after dessert...all so delish!

I've been on a mission - 10 lbs...that's all I ask!

So with all the uber yummies out there it was hard to find meals

this week without the fudgy distractions!

See what I'm talking about!

A night out with good friends...

2011-12-03T11:12:00.000-08:00

So tonight is my monthly "Bunco Night"! If you have a group of girlfriends I highly suggest getting a bunco night together - it's MOMMY SANITY ! Once a month a group or 15-30 women get together for a dice game called BUNCO.

But this month is something different! As a way to celebrate another years passing we are gathering for a night out on the Las Vegas town! We've all chipped in for limo/dinner/dancing. I think it's great to have us all together the last month on 2011 to reflect on this past year with friends, food, and girly fun :)

So in honor of this great time here is what I've put together for tonight...enjoy! Melly~

1st some music to set it off right!

The Hair

The Outfit

The Nails

The Bag

I can't decide! I want the POP of COLOR but the grey bag is so darn cute!

.................................................
find these bags HERE & much more!
.................................................

You can follow all my PINS HERE

{ happy thanksgiving & a recipe }

2011-11-21T17:54:00.000-08:00

--------- So first off - Happy Thanksgiving! ----------

I skipped out on Meal Plan Monday because I'm selfish - sorry...still love me?

I'll make it up to you later in the post!

My family & I will traveling so there is not point to it this week!

But hey people gotta eat so I though this would be a good time

to share my yummy Roast Beef Sammie recipe!

Afterall it's cheap & easy - gotta love that right before Thanksgiving!

Plus I'm going to save you money right now...(now I feel the love)

There should still be prints available for the extra awsome $1 off 1

coupon for Kings Hawaiian Rolls if you print off & it's gone please let

me know so I can pass it along!

I seen this recipe on pinteest & it was a good starting point but not exectly what I needed

so I made it my own here:

Roast Beef Sammie’s serves 5-6
2lb deli sliced roast beef
1-12pk kings hawaiian sweet rolls
1 7-8oz pk sliced provolne cheese
1 14oz can beef broth/stock
1pk lipton onion soup mix
cooking spray

1) Combine onion soup mix with beef broth and marinade roast beef in refrigerate 1-4 hours.
2) Preheat oven 350 degrees and spray 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside
3) Separate rolls in half lay bottoms in baking dish
4) Add roast beef then top with cheese -reserve broth for dipping
5) Replace the top of rolls
6) Bake 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted completely

*notes:
I half the broth & save some for dipping & the other half I add 1-2 tablespoons all-purpose flour and wisk well over high heat to make a super yummo gravy to top mash potatoes! - Just saying this is amazing! Roast some carrots & have yourself a fine dinner!

{ greek turkey burgers }

2011-11-14T11:50:00.000-08:00

See Pin Here

I recently tried these super delish burgers as a part of a meal

plan from pinterest & fell in love!

The one thing I changed was the sun dried tomatoes to

roasted red pepper ~ my 5-year-old son has sworn off

tomatoes for the time being so I threw in this other approved veggie

(no one tell him pizza/spaghetti sauce is from tomatoes!)

Recipe

Sauce:

6-7oz plain greek yogurt

1 med. lemon

1/4 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon dill

Burgers:

2lbs ground turkey = 8-9 med patties

1 med red pepper - roasted

1 small red onion

2-4oz frozen spinach (lagre palm full) - drained

1/2 cup feta - crumbled well

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/3 cup bread crumbs

1 lg egg

S & P to taste

Burger Buns

1 med cucumber - thinly sliced

Yogurt Sauce Spread:

Combine yogurt, 1/4 tsp minced garlic, dry dill, juice of half the lemon and a dash of salt. Stir everything to combine and then refrigerate till later

Patties

Roast your red pepper till outside slightly charred & place in a paper bag

for 10 minutes to help the skin separate from the pepper. De-vain & de-skin +

remove seed & chop

Squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the thawed spinach & roughly chop

In a bowl combine the ground turkey with the spinach, roasted red pepper, red onion, feta, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, egg, bread crumbs, 1/2 tsp of salt and some freshly ground pepper. Stir everything until it is evenly combined. Shape into patties

Grill patties until completely cooked through! Very important to not leave any pink center!

Spread the yogurt sauce on both sides of a bun and top with thin slices of red onion and cucumber

I served wild rice along side it - Delish I must say!

The hubby asked for this again this week

but I was smart & froze (3) of the (9) patties & we used them for lunch this weekend

Enjoy

Enjoying a friends-only pre-Thanksgiving meal

2011-11-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

Guest post written by Camille Roper

My friends are like my little mini family. Sure, my real family will never be replaced, but I love my friends almost as much as my real family and I love showing them that. So around the holidays, we have our own family-type holiday bashes to celebrate together. Thanksgiving this year is no different and right now I'm finalizing the recipes that I'm going to fix for it.

To say that I've been looking forward to this has been a vast understatement and I've been doing so much research for recipes online. A few nights ago I was doing that when I ran across some information on internet providers. I looked through it some and after that I decided to change over my internet service to one of those providers.

I know that I'm at least going to contribute an apple pie. It's always been my favorite kind of dessert, so I think that it's only appropriate. I would be horrified to show up to our bash and find that no one brought apple pie after all!

{ meal plan monday }

2011-11-13T17:57:00.000-08:00

So after the { month of pintrest ~ weekly meal planning } post I

received lots of requests to share this weeks menu.........

See my "fooood" board here

Crock Pot French Dips

served with mashed potatoes (on sale 10lb bag $2.99 @ Smith's)

Skinny Buffalo Chicken Rolls

Served with steamed broccoli ($0.89/lb @ Smiths)

Roasted Salmon in White Sauce

Served with wild rice & steamed broccoli

Chili - I'll make over french fries

Served with corn on the cob

Mongolian Beef

*this is one of my fav dishes on pinterest

Served with brown rice

A big part of my meal planning has to do with the sales!

I use Grocery Smarts to plan most of my shopping/saving

Today I saved 48% or $60.55 + received $4 catalina back!

The Almond Milk is very pricey as anyone who may drink it

knows! This week @ Smiths it is part of the Mega 10 savings event

@ $1.99 WYB10 participating items

I used $0.55/1 HERE, or 8/07 SS, or $1/2 10/16 SS

Buy 4 get $4 cataling back! Which makes it

$1.76/4 or $0.44ea after coupons & catalina.

My diapers came from CVS @ 2/$19 on sale get $2 ECB's backs

(ECB's are basically CVS bucks or CVS coupons)

I used $10 in ECB's from last weeks sale

combined with $2/2 manufacturer coupon 10/30 P&G insert

& $4/$20 purchase CVS coupon - email

my total was $1 + tax & I got $2(diapers) + $1(green bag tag) in ECB's back!

= FREE Diapers!

{ month of pinterest ~ fudgy brownies }

2011-11-10T15:35:00.000-08:00

see my pin here

amazingly fudgy

Beware! These are highly addictive!

I wanted to do something nice for my sweet man who works

so hard & gives so much to his family!

He loves brownies - so when I seen this recipe on Pinterest I

ran out to the store for the MMMM chocolate needed (& whip cream)

It totally wow-ed him :)

So on to the goods:

1 1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup cocoa powder

3 eggs

3/4 cup melted, unsalted butter

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

*author advised to use a very good quality chocolate such as Ghirardelli

(1) Preheat oven to 325°

(2) Line a 13x9 baking dish with parchment & set aside

(3) As always mix all the dry ingredients in the bowl first - I sift my cocoa & flour into the bowl so I do less stirring as this will produce gluten (we don't want that!) I also stir the dry ingredients well before adding any wet to the mixture for the same reason

(4) Mix in all the wet ingredients - just combine but don't beat

(5) Add the chocolate chips into the batter

(6) Bake 20-30 mins

__________________ my notes ________________

I dusted w/ powder suger & topped with cool whip & cherries.

These are very fudgy but if you insert a toothpick it should come

out clean but if you hit a chip it will be gooey.

I also may have over baked because of the dense fudge - so

I'd keep a close eye on them & don't just set & forget on these ones!

I opted for the cooking spray instead of parchment - mistake!

They stuck to the bottom of the dish so deff go with the original

post suggestion of lining the pan!

You can follow along with my pins HERE

{ black friday ads ~ wal-mart }

2011-11-10T06:23:00.000-08:00

FEAST YOUR EYES ON THIS!

Wal-Marts black friday ad was just released @ 12am

last night!

I'm sooooo excited! See what you can find here

{ month of pinterest ~ weekly meal planning }

2011-11-08T14:24:00.000-08:00

I'm a big fan of menu planning! But man-oh-man

what a drag it can be!!

I'm not a fan of organization! (even bigger drag )

I also use GROCERY SMARTS to meal plan -

it is a great resource to use! Hit the "Start" button

& then click on the lil' red star to highlight the best in-store deals

plus if there is a coupon for it they will let you know!

I saved $69.07 @ Smith's this trip using that site!

So when I'm asked how I

get my weekly menu plans done so fast.......

"Pinterest!"

That is NOW my answer! I'll show you what I mean:

MONDAY

I changed it to Roast Beef Sammies because my store was having a

sale this week (extra savings in my pocket). I also changed few tiny details

I'll be posting recipe later

TUESDAY

I cant wait to try tonight!

WEDNESDAY

Onion Burgers on Texas toast - my 2-year-old is on a

"Burger Cheese!" kick right now so I rather

make them at home then buy out!

THURSDAY

This I have wanted to make for some time & I'm just going

give it a try this week! I think I may add some meat to it

& red sauce ~ not sure yet :0

FRIDAY

With a week of "heavier" meals I though this would be a good

change up.

I will be making some sort of soup on Saturday

in the crock pot but not sure on which one.

It makes it nice to plan a slow cooker meal

for the weekends when we are running around

{ month of pinterest ~ nutella hot coco }

2011-11-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

Something a bit fitting for the chilly weather!

See MY PIN HERE

I didn't have the chance to get to the store & my (3) children

were begging for Hot Coco....

Perfect I seen one on Pinterest! The only change was

I used Almond Milk. We no longer drink cows milk (and much happier for it)

So to make this yummo goody treat heat (1) cup

any kind of milk you choose (careful HOT)

Stir in (1) Tablespoon Nutella (2) if you have a sweet tooth like me!

- I got my Nutella very cheap w/ coupons!

Add mini marshmallows or whipped cream -

but really doesn't need any :]

------------------ Voila -------------------

{ month of pinterest ~ DIY picture canvas }

2011-11-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

I picked this easy tutorial because I indented these to

be X-mas gifts for the Grandparents but after seeing how super

cute they turned out I will be making a set for my home as well.

You can see MY PIN HERE. Just click on the pic to go to

the instruction!

Here is what I did:

I bought the 8x10 canvas (2) for $5.xx along with the

(2) 8x10 pix at Wal-Mart. I ordered the prints from my pc

and choose 1-hour pick up in-store for about $6 for BOTH 8x10 prints.

I trimmed the photos edges to be just a hair smaller then the

canvas. In the original tutorial scrapbook paper was used on

the edges. I choose to just paint with a black acrylic paint I

had on hand but can be purchased at Wal-Mart also

for around $2.

Use Matte Mod Podge to cover the top (face) of your canvas.

Lay the photo on top of the wet face and the brush on a light layer

of Mod Podge on top of the photo. I will look hazy but that's okay

it will dry clear!

Let dry completely & then paint the edges. I drug the paint up with

a damp sponge to create a aged look. Make sure to dab your

paint off a little bit to get more aged look.

{ month of pinterest ~ newspaper nails }

2011-11-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

So to kick off my month of Pinterest I chose something

I desperately needed!

A MANICURE!

It's also very fitting to start with this because this

tutorial was what introduced me to Pinterest in the first place.

You can find the pin HERE

What you'll need:

nude polish

clear top coat polish

newspaper

rubbing alcohol

{1}

3-4 coats of nude polish,

I used Revlon - Sheer Translucide that was

a FREEBIE I "couponed" (love free)

{2}

after it dried completely dip one nail at a time

into Rubbing Alcohol

{3}

firmly press a piece of newspaper on top

of the dipped nail & hold

(20 seconds should do it)

*if you don't like it just wipe off with finger

{4}

let dry and top with a clear coat

This was my first attempt at this. Next time I will do extra

coats of the sheer polish as I only did 2 this time. I really

don't have patience to let 4 coats of polish dry & with

a two-year-old the TIME!

All-in-all I really like how simple it was to get a neat

paint job! I really like it & have got many complements on them

so far!

Let me know how it works out for you!!

You can follow my pins HERE

{ i'm back }

2011-11-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hi again....

Well I have took some much needed time away from writing.

We traveled lots & have had a wonderful summer!

Now that we have settled into a routine again (about time)

I'm ready to return to my "Blog Baby"

Beckham & Bloom

Just a short back story "Beckham & Bloom"

came from 2 - of my 3 childrens' names.

So as I return a few things will change.....

I will no longer (as if I was still during my break or something)

host a weekly hop. I think this was a part of

the burn-out I was feeling!

Lets be honest I really don't fit into a schedule and the fun

had become a chore - never good!

As much as I enjoyed the hop I was not enjoying the

work & I write for the love of it; once it becomes a

chore I no longer enjoy doing it ha ha!

Hey who needs more work!?! Not this mommy!

Also I will be changing B&B layout! This will be a work in progress but

I'm will be taking that slow! After all this time of year is

crazy & I don't know how some women do it all!

Call me realistic....

Also you can follow me on Pinterest

(my new obsession)

I will be doing a "Month on Pinterest"

where I will be trying the crafts, recipes, & more!

.......................................................................................................

Costume Discounters Review

2011-06-24T11:51:00.000-07:00

So summer is upon us & that calls for our annual garden tea party!

Basically we have a tea party for my daughters' close friends.

This year she wanted a hint of High School Musical to

be incorporated into the party. Which in her world calls for-

you guessed it COSTUMES!

She choose High School Musical 3 Gabriella Prom Costume

(pictured above)

from Costume Discounters

It looks just lovely on her! She was very pleased with the fitting and

comfort level it offered. With so many costumes for girls she considered

changing the theme, 8-year-olds!

With October looming in the distance we will be looking

for more kids Halloween costumes soon...

I will looking here first this time!

The selection is vast which is great because with 3 children

of different age/sizes I can never find all their costumes in one place

& end up driving all around town.

Shipping was certainly fast- good because I put it off to the last

minute (I'm afraid of a sudden growth spurt)

All-in-all both myself & Joss were very pleased with Costume Discounters.

{ a happy husband }

2011-03-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

With all the craziness of a bustling household it seems to be increasingly harder to

find "quiet" time for my husband & I

Lately with all the kids spring activities starting up again we can't seem to find a moment alone.

We don't do a "Date Night" often.

We don't have family in the area to babysit and spending money on a sitter then the actual date would kill the budget.

So, I dusted off my "thinker"! Why not put effort in our personal space, i.e. our bedroom!

After all this is our space and this is the space reserved just for us!

"Wine and Dine" really isn't all it's cracked up to be in my opinion. I'm sort a homebody anyhow. I also have to say my mind is at home & if the kids are being properly cared for if we DO go anywhere.

While speaking with a close girlfriend about this she suggested I might look into

"romantic" items to show him he still lites my fires (insert school girl giggle here). She once upon a time did "girly parties" and said it's not all "crazy stuff" I may be thinking it is.

I have to say that I was a bit taken back about it, but then thought what's the worst I don't see anything I like and get back to thinking :)

A great adult site is edenfantasys.com

This is my first time on an "adult" fantasy site and really didn't know what to expect from it.

We live in Las Vegas and just walking along the strip we get handed these pretty "X" rated things; so I guess I was kinda of expecting to see that sort of stuff.

The site is discrete and I wasn't offended looking through it. I was happy to see they carry items like this:

It's a called "Kneed Me and Massage Kit". Which is perfect for some close personal time with the man!

I was able to find it under the "Romantic Night" tab that can be found here on edenfantasys.com

So if you may be caught in the hustle and bustle of daily life too it just may be the thing to slow you down together and remember why you started this crazy journey together in the first place!

Also I wanted to mention that they have Facebook freebies as well, that may be worth checking into.

I know that me spending the money on a lil' kit like this will make me indeed set aside time for us to enjoy the company we give to each other....I may even be able to stash a few strawberries away from the kids long enough to make a sweet "I Heart You" treat too!

Happy "Husband-ing"

{ mixed bag monday }

2011-02-06T19:46:00.000-08:00

MIXED BAG MONDAY WILL BE OFF THIS MONDAY

OKAY...LETS GET HOPPING!!

I LOVE, LOVE TO SEE COMMENTS! SO PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE SOME

( IT'S LIKE MY ~~CRACK~~ CANDY )

BE SURE TO VISIT MY CO-HOST AND IF YOU HAVE THE TIME WELCOME THEM

YOU CAN GRAB THE HOP BUTTON (LEFT SIDE BAR) BUT ITS NOT REQUIRED

IF YOU'D LIKE TO CO-HOST GO HERE

AND LET ME KNOW I CAN RESERVE YOU A SPOT