mismikado down the sidewalk

Home Palette Thursdays

2012-02-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Newest Member of Our Family

2012-02-08T10:05:00.000-08:00

Meet Blue Bell. We call her Blue and she joined our family this week. She is an adorable 8 week old Pit/German Shepherd puppy. Miss B has adjusted to being a very loving big sister although she is not cool with sharing her food and wants to be able to do whatever Baby Blue is allowed to do as a puppy.

More pics to come once I get them uploaded from my camera.

Seeing Dallas on the Cheap {Trammell Crow Center}

2012-02-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

The Trammell Crow Center which features a gorgeous Sculpture Garden. You can find this lovely area at the base of the Center. It is always free though donations are accepted and you will be able to enjoy over 20 statues from the French masters, including Rodin.

Tues. - Sun. 10 am - 5 pm
Thurs. 10 am - 9 pm

Downtown, 2010 Flora Street, 214-979-6430

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Home Palette Thursdays

2012-02-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

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Seeing Dallas on the Cheap {Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center}

2012-01-30T09:01:00.000-08:00

After celebrating our 1st anniversary at a Ben Folds concert at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, I can't help but rave about this gorgeous venue! And they offer some amazing tour options. Not only are all their private and public tours free. But they also offer a free monthly organ recital. Be sure to check out their website for schedule information :)

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Home Palette Thursdays

2012-01-26T07:09:00.000-08:00

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Seeing Dallas on the Cheap {The M-Line}

2012-01-23T09:03:00.000-08:00

Want to act like a tourist for a day? Well the M-Line Trolley offers free old-fashioned transportation through Dallas' Uptown neighborhood.
Check out some of the stops on the route:
West Village
Magnolia Theatre
Hotel ZaZa
Th Meyerson Symphony Center
Dallas Museum of Art
American Airlines Center
Dallas World Aquarium

Home Palette Thursdays

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

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Vintage Wedding Dress Refashion: The Finish

2012-01-18T14:04:00.000-08:00

So it's done! All in all it only took 1 day (an evening and the following afternoon) to refashion the vintage wedding dress I found.

Confessions of the Process:
The process was kinda daunting once I started cutting because I had to take a dress that was originally half my size and make it fit. I knew cutting out the back would help this but I initially cut too much and had major side boob going on. So I had to reattach the back and try it again.
I also had to alter my intended bodice b/c of how the original was constructed but I think I found a nice solution. I ended up deciding to attach some accent lace that I had on hand but apparently my lace was 100% cotton while the dress had some polyester so they didin't dye the same. In the end though, I think it looks intentional instead of a mistake.
I think the fit isn't the most flattering for my body right now but all in all I do love this dress and can't wait to wear it. And I have to say the back is gorgeous in my humble opinion!

Oh I also whipped together a pair of glitter shoes that I formerly wrecked the leather on via a fall so I am quite excited! Best $27 outfit ever!

So what do you guys think?

Seeing Dallas on the Cheap {Bryan Street Tavern}

2012-01-16T09:05:00.000-08:00

Bryan Street Tavern not only scores 94% likes on Urban Spoon for their pizza but they also offer free pool table use and all day Happy Hour on Sundays. Sounds like a fun night out with friends to me :)

Home Palette Thursdays

2012-01-12T07:08:00.000-08:00

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Aww the magic of fotoshop!

2012-01-11T17:51:00.000-08:00

Fellow blogger Alma shared this amazing video and I just had to repost it here too :)

Vintage Wedding Dress Refashion: The hunt

2012-01-09T23:29:00.000-08:00

So as soon as I came across this gorgeous refashioned dress on Where Did U Get That, I knew I wanted something like it!
The most mentioned that the dress was originally an 80's wedding dress with puff sleeves. I've totally seen that kind of dress a million times at thrift stores so I thought it would be an easy find.

WRONG!
Of course when you are looking for something you'll never find it. After trying to Goodwills, Craigslist, and my local Freecycle chapter I was feeling very disheartened.
Finally today I went to check out the local My Sister's Closet. This store hadn't failed me before. I mean I seriously live in a pair of sweater clogs I found their for $3 back in the fall :) Well when I walked in I saw NO DRESSES! So I just did my usual book run and as I checked out decided to just ask if they ever have vintage wedding dresses. To my pleasant surprise the lady said they keep them in the back and took me to see their selection.
Sure enough they had several 70's and 80's gown and one with the exact same bottom as I was hoping for! When I asked the price she told me $20 which was what I was anticipating spending. But when we went to the register she decided to give it to me for $15. I was over the moon!
Ready to see it???

Don't you just love the dramarama of that skirt?!

I also picked up a $3 purse for the rings that I will use to attach the straps. This was a real score because it also had a big metal lobster clip that I plan to use on a future project (a diy macabi skirt knockoff)

So my plans for it are as follows:

Cut out the back and create a soft low scoop
Remove the collar and sleeves and possibly the bust ruffle
Stitch in a seam across the front to create a faux waistband and convert the bodice in to a triangle halter
Add long ribbon straps with metal rings
Possibly shorten or add some form of bustling system
Dye it!

I have less than 2 weeks to finish it for our cruise so stay tuned for updates :)

Seeing Dallas on the Cheap {La Buena Vida Vineyards}

2012-01-09T09:07:00.000-08:00

Last week we talked about budget-friendly wine tastings. This week I wanted to share a cool look into the process of making wine :) La Buena Vida Vineyards in Grapevine offers free self-guided tours of their half-acre vineyard that features beautiful landscaping, patio areas, and water fountains. Saturday afternoons from 2 to 5 p.m. you can enjoy free live music from local bands in the climate-controlled Mediterranean pavilion on site. You can call ahead at 817-481-9463.

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Weekly Intentions: January 8

2012-01-08T15:51:00.000-08:00

I rocked last week's intentions hardcore by accomplishing every single item I listed. Booyah! I really think I should rename these lists to "A weekly 7 things to a more productive and creative person." So here is my list for this week:

Start querying one of my current non-fiction projects :)
Research redesign ideas for my blog template. (inspiration)
Find an 80's wedding dress to refashion into a cute dress for our cruise. (inspiration)

Get started on those chandeliers I want to make. (inspiration)

Spend $25 or less on groceries.
Work on the invitations for my Hot Cocoa Party. (inspiration)

Make a case for my e-reader. (inspiration)

The Best Cake Ever

2012-01-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

Now I am sorry there are no pictures of this cake because we totally devoured it but it is seriously the most amazing tasting cake I have ever made. Rich and Creamy! And super easy!

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

Yellow Cake Mix

1/4 C Butter (melted)

1-1/2 C Vanilla Yogurt

2 Eggs

1 Tbs Vanilla (I use the good dark Mexican pure vanilla)

Rich & Creamy Milk Chocolate Fristing from the tub

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix the first 5 ingredients together until smooth and creamy.

3. Pour into a greased pan.

4. Bake for 30 mins or until a tooth pick comes out clean when poked in the center.

5. Let cool.

6. Frost and enjoy!

365 Outtake 1.6.12

2012-01-06T18:54:00.000-08:00

I am quite proud of myself that I have kept this project up all week. Todays photo is a totally out of place castle we came across in service today.

Seriously, 2012!

2012-01-06T15:59:00.000-08:00

So the last 2 weeks have been pretty rough for us...
First we were robbed on the 24th.
Then we got a flat tire in my parent's car on the 28th and the spare was flat too so we had to wait for assistance from AAA.
The irony was almost too much when exactly one week later on the 4th when we got a flat too! And I didn't have a 4-way with me so we also had to wait for assistance.
But the real cherry was what happened today....

After a pretty enjoyable day in service we finished up at 3 and met back up at the hall. Luke decided to ride home with a friend since I had some errands to run. So there I am turning left from Terrell to Wesley and proceeded down the left lane. I wasn't texting, looking down or even messing with my ipod (I had found my song at the red light). I'm not even 100 ft down Wesley when this minivan pulls right out in front of me from Brookshire's. I knew I didn't have enough distance so I laid on my horn and slammed on the breaks. Then the impact came.
My car died on impact and the guy didn't even stop. He just kept completing his turn which increased his damage. Fortunately he did stop after a bit and I was able to turn my car back on and pull into the turning lane. I was so shaken up and my chest instantly felt bruised from my seatbelt. My airbag didn't deploy and every item in my car flew forward and entangled me.
I was so mad when I got out of my car and I started to ask the guy why he cut me off and quickly realized he didn't speak any English and his passenger was his mentally handicap son so he wasn't much help either. The old man honestly shouldn't have been driving at all because it was like interacting with my Alzheimer's grandfather :-/
Fortunately the car who had been next to me pulled over and they walked over. It turned out to be the sweetest couple and the husband was a fireman. They were the best witnesses possible.
The police showed up in no time and Luke came back to meet me.
In the end the other guy got the ticket for failure to yield and I can file a claim with his insurance once I get the police report on Wednesday.

The best part of it all was that as Luke says, "The guy cut Nina off and she made him pay." My ghetto old Saturn managed to TOTAL the side of his minivan. The driver door couldn't even open and my little car only got a dent and some scratches in the bumper. A minor ding in the hood and a broken day light running late, Nothing else. So I am very thankful to Jehovah that it turned out as well as it did.

Home Palette Thursdays

2012-01-05T07:05:00.000-08:00

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365 Outtake 01.03.12

2012-01-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

Day 1 of Meals for a Year was a success! I made the Vegetable Wraps with a twist. They spelt and tasted so yummy! We made them non-vegetarian friendly by serving them with lunch meat. Plus we topped them with mozzarella cheese and spicy ranch dressing. Muy Delicioso :)

Corgi Tuesdays

2012-01-03T09:58:00.000-08:00

“I’m curious about the whereabouts of my breakfast.”

365 Outtake 1.2.12

2012-01-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

My precious Coco Puff. I can't believe she is almost 12 now!

Luke's nunchuck sausage at Smitty's Market in Lockhart, TX. Yummiest BBQ ever! nom nom nom!!!

Seeing Dallas on the Cheap {Landon Winery}

2012-01-02T08:22:00.000-08:00

So here is a great place a little out of Dallas. With 2 locations (McKinney & Greenville) Landon Winery is offers yummy food while specializing in local Texas wine. And to top it off they have a great taste-testing deal of 5 glasses of wine for $5. Don't forget their delicious bruschetta and you have a wonderful cheap date night! :)

365 Outtake 1.1.12

2012-01-01T21:48:00.000-08:00

Family game night and Luke's first time of ever playing Life... This was insane to my family because we played it all the time when I was growing up. Mom ended up winning and I had 5 kids O_O

Twenty Eleven in Review

2012-01-01T13:39:00.000-08:00

I can't be another year has gone by! In the same fashion as last year I want to review my year via blog posts...

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

So that was my year! I definitely want to share more personal and creative posts this year. And we are seriously hoping to travel more too! :)