Platform Beds... Still Confused

Really, I just do not understand all of the rage for platform beds these days.  Why?  Who would really want one.  They are less expensive (most of the time) because you are not required to have a box spring, but is there a reason you want to be low to the ground?  Perhaps, it would be good for an adolescent, but when you become of age and are ready to play house...still?  Yes, you can opt to have the dresser drawer option underneath of the mattress which solves the height issue.  That style would make sense to me, a nice way to stow and go.  But aside from the stylish and space-saving option under the platform, I still just do not get platform beds for adults.  Ew.

I'd be happy to entertain opinions as to why platform beds are a benefit.  Maybe you can change my mind and I'll go buy one.  I am in the market for a new bedroom set.  Any rebels?

~Angela O'

The Red Party



Throw a Red Party to entertain your friends this Valentine's Day.   A red party is the destiny for adults as were a Valentine's Day Party is for youngsters.  Make it sultry and daring, sassy and sweet, black and red.  These are images for the Red Party that I planned for an event client a few years ago.  I hope you enjoy.  Happy Valentine's Day!
The Invitation:

 Your presence is requested at Le Rouge de Maison,
scarlet and crimson are the look of the night,
you'll be be dazzled by garnet, rubies and wine of your delight.

 We'll see you at the boldest soiree of the season,
where ladies in red lips and gents are sure to charm,
the beauty of the night will have you arm in arm

 Repondez, s'il vous plait, for the 
(Your Name Here) Red Party by February 3rd.



The Menu:

 Chocolate Sauce Drizzled Beef Kabobs
Peanut Butter Sauce Drizzled Chicken Kabobs
Raspberry Chipotle Sauce Drizzled Shrimp Kabobs
Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Garlic Roasted Potato Skewers
Bacon-Wrapped Queso Jalapenos
Feta, Spinach, Red Pepper Stuffed Mushrooms
Cilantro Lime Salad
Sweet Whipped Deviled Egg
Apricot Cayenne Cheeseball
Roasted Red Pepper Cheeseball
*All skillfully designed by myself and the head chef, 
always find a caterer who will customize a menu the way you want it *
The Dessert Table:

 Red Velvet Cake Balls
Chocolate Mousse Parfaits
Red Wrapped Lammes Valentine's Chocolate Mints
Red Jordan Almonds
Red & Black Sixlets
Chocolate Covered Strawberries

 Unique Features:

 Handmade and Artfully Scavenged Decorations
Chefs in Red Coats
Crushed Velvet Table Linens












Red & Black Gumballs, Red Candle Holders, and Red & Black Nerf Footballs in the Game Lounge


Ribbon added to the everyday decor (Giant Human Sized Chess Pieces)




The beginning stages of the dessert table.  It's an easy build.

The beginning stages of the dessert table.  It's an easy build.

The beginning stages of the dessert table.  It's an easy build.

The beginning stages of the dessert table.  It's an easy build.
Sweet Whipped Deviled Egg (Strawberries and Raspberries)

Red Velvet Cake Balls
With Angela O'

New York City Party



Earlier this year I organized a New York City themed party for a high school Post Prom (after prom) event.  I ordered cardboard stand-ups online and made a few other decorations.  The food bar included popcorn with a 1920's styled machine, bagel bites (NYC Pizza), hotdogs (Coney Island), Pretzels, Apples and Jelly Beans.  Ice cream bars were part of the plan but we decided to avoid the mess and served a tray of cookies instead.  I handmade man holes by using aluminum foil, cardboard, glue, paint, foam alphabet stickers and $1.00 round pizza pans from the Dollar Tree.  One activity that was planned was New York City trivia.  After a long search I determined that I could not find a satisfactory trivia game for NYC so I decided to make one and today I am sharing it with you. 


~ With Angela O'

_______________________________________________________________



NYC Tourist Photo Center

NYC Decorations


NYC Decorations

NYC Food Carts

Pizza, Popcorn, Pretzels, Bagels, Giant Pickles, and Other Cart Goodies

Old Fashioned Popcorn Machine

NYC Mocktails for Underage Guests

A Bit of Breakfast for Morning Survivors

_______________________________________________________________



Manholes:

Completed Manhole. (See larger photo at end of this blog post)


$1.00 Pizza Pan from Dollar Tree


Cut cardboard pieces glued on to pan.  Foam Alphabet Stickers.


_______________________________________________________________


Cash Cab Trivia:



1.  What supernatural action movie from the 1980’s starring Bill Murray filmed a scene inside the New York Public Library?

A: Ghostbusters
2.  Name three famous talk shows based in NYC?

A: The Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon, Late Night, The Today Show, 
Rachel Ray, The Colbert Report, Good Morning America
Late Show, The People’s Court
3.  What actress is famous for her little black dress, black gloves, sunglasses, and her up-do when she walks up to Tiffany & Co. with a pastry in her hand?

A: Audrey Hepburn

 4.  Name the four female characters of Sex and the City?

A: Carrie Bradshaw
Charlotte York
Miranda Hobbes
Samantha Jones

5.  Name three epic film couples of New York City.

A: Carrie Bradshaw & Big – S&TC
Chuck Bass & Blair Waldorf – Gossip Girl
Ross Gellar & Rachel Green – Friends
Maria & Alan – Sesame Street
Peter Park & Mary Jane Watson – Spider Man
Jay Gatsby & Daisy Buchannan – The Great Gatsby

6.  What show holds the record for the longest-run in the history of Broadway?

A: Cats

7,  List two old-timer shows that were set in New York.

A: I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Welcome Back, Kotter
Different Strokes, Bewitched, Family Affair
All in the Family, The Cosby Show

8.  What was/is the tallest building in Manhattan?

A: One World Trade Center

9.  What are the names of the pizza-loving, crime-fighting, skateboarding turtles that reside in the sewers of NYC?

A: Leonardo, Michaelangelo
Donatello, Raphael

 10.  What show is famous for their deliveryman who drives a brown truck dropping off packages before coming home to his wife in Queens?

A: The King of Queens

11.  What show about nothing was filmed and takes place in NYC?

A: Seinfeld

12.  Which animated tv show that takes place in the year 3000 (aka the 31st century) takes place in New York? 
A: Futurama

13.  Who plays Doug Heffernan in The King of Queens?  He also played in Grown Ups and Mall Cop.

A: Kevin James

 14.  In what community does Peter Parker live with his Aunt May?

A: Forest Hills, Queens NY

15.  What currently aired television series takes place in NYC during the 1950’s through the 1970’s?

A: Mad Men

 16.  What is NYC’s nick name?

A: The Big Apple

17.  What movie took place in New York during the Revolutionary War era? Hint: It starred Johnny Depp

A: Sleepy Hollow 

 18.  List how many and name the professional football teams in the state of New York.

A: NY Giants
NY Jets
Buffalo Bills

19.  Who is the biggest rival team of the New York Yankees?

A: Boston Red Sox

 20.  Name the two baseball teams in NY.

A: NY Mets, NY Yankees

21.  What is the name that is collectively used for the 5 communities that make up New York City?

A: The Boroughs

 22.  What are the five boroughs of NYC?

A: Manhattan, The Bronx
Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island


23.  What NYC baseball team did Jackie Robinson play for in the late 1940’s to mid 1950’s?

A: The Brooklyn Dodgers

24.  How I Met Your __________ takes place in NYC with the architect named Ted and the Canadian news anchor named Robin?

A: How I Met Your "Mother"

25.  What foods are NYC most known for?

A: Bagels & Pizza

26.  The famous movie featuring Macy’s and the Macy’s Parade during the Christmas season, took place on what street?
Hint: Miracle on ______ Street

A: 34th

27.  What movie starred Audrey Hepburn at a now extremely famous jeweler in 1961?

A: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

 28.  What large animal is legend to live in the sewers of Manhattan?
Hint: Because people would flush these down the toilet as baby pets

A: Crocodiles

29.  Who directed The Godfather?

A: Francis Ford Coppola

 30. Who played the Don in The Godfather?

A: Marlen Brando

31.  Who played Michael Corleone in The Godfather?

A: Al Pacino

32.  Home Alone 2 is _______ in New York.

A: Lost

33.  This Real Estate Tycoon is famous for his tagline “You’re Fired” on The Apprentice.

A: Donald Trump

 34.  What NBA team does Jay-Z partially own?

A: The Brooklyn Nets

35.  Name three films that New York City is devastated?

A: King Kong, Independence Day, Planet of the Apes,
Armageddon, End of the World, Godzilla,
        Ghostbusters, The Day After Tomorrow,
War of the Worlds, I am Legend, Cloverfield

_______________________________________________________________


Zoomed View of Manhole.  Finished by covering with aluminum foil, pressed and then grey paint.












Sticker Storage

I'll admit I am sticker crazy.  I loved to put stickers all over snail mail as a young child and still do!  But there was also a time when I was an extreme scrapbooker which required a ridiculous amount, more of an over-abundance of stickers.  After 15 solid years of hardcore scrapbooking I got burned out and I demoted myself to paper-crafting only.  Literally fifteen years of scrapbooking, from 15 years old to 30 years old, from 1998 to 2013.  During that time, I created a divided sticker box to control the clutter and to make them easy to find.  

  No longer do I own this box but I wanted to share with you a great way to organize your stickers.  This is perfect for anyone who owns stickers, not just scrapbook and paper-craft hobbyists.  We are all too well aware of how sheets of stickers can become overwhelming to take care of.

**Disclaimer** This is not my best work.  I created the box years ago with whatever I had lying around the house and did not use exact measurements.  Please excuse the sloppiness.



Materials Needed:
Large storage box 
Poster board
Pencil or Pen
Self-Adhesive Tabs
Ultra Fine Sharpie
Staples
Stapler


Titles to List on Tabs:
Letters
Words
Phrases
Quotes/Sayings
Celebrate/Party
Seasons
Holidays
Travel
Family
Animals/Pets
Food
School/Education
Wedding/Religious
Flowers/Nature
Hearts/Romance
Fashion
Vellum 
Borders/Designs
Congratulatory
"Licensed" (for things like Major League Baseball or Disney)

Instructions:
1. Measure the poster board down to whatever size you need to fit inside your box.  Make sure you have cut enough for all of your categories.
2.  Hand write or type the categories for your tabs.
3.  Attach the tabs with staggered positioning so that they are easy read.
4. You may need to reinforce the tabs with staples.



Tips:

  • Use a fun fabric covered storage box.  These are easily found for a low price at stores like Home Goods, Marshalls, and T.J. Maxx.  
  • Create as many tabs as necessary for your collection.  Everyone's is different.
  • Putting all vellum embellishing sheets in one tab makes it easier than several separate tabs for pictures or sayings.  Unless you are making a separate box just for vellum.
  • "Licensed" would be for various stickers like Major League Baseball or Disney.
  • Label the outside of the box as "Stickers" for easy access.

Fabric box with fabric lid



Various titles are labeled and staggered.

All Vellum in one area

Due to tabs not adhering well, I stapled them in place


~With Angela O'


Tarragon Chicken Salad

This is a very simple recipe that requires little time and effort to make it delicious.  It can easily be altered from a one person dish to a twelve person dish.

Ingredients:

  • Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts 
  • Dried Tarragon
  • Mayonnaise
  • Almond Slivers
Instructions:

 Boil the chicken breasts in a pan of water on top of the stove.  Once fully cooked, drain water and let chicken breasts cool.  Note that you can keep this water for another recipe!  You have just made homemade chicken broth. Once the chicken breasts have cooled to touch, shred them into small to medium size pieces.  In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken, mayonnaise, almond slivers and tarragon. Chill.  Serve with bread, buns, or crackers.
Rules for this Chicken Salad:
  • Do NOT add any type of flavoring or bouillon to the water when boiling the chicken.  You will RUIN the recipe.  Obviously, fresh chicken boiled in water makes a fantastic flavor on its own. Don't ruin it with additives.
  • I prefer the method of stove top cooking rather than crock pot cooking for this recipe. Crock pot is unnecessary, messy, and lengthy.  The stove top method will only take 20 minutes to one hour depending on the amount of chicken breast you are cooking.
  • Do not add cranberries to this recipe.  Save the cranberries for a separate walnut chicken salad recipe.  I've seen a mix and feel that these salad identities should stay separate.
  • It is possible to substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise if you desire.
  • I feel very strongly about using a generous amount of tarragon.  It is delicious and I tend to have the most compliments the more I use.  The last time I made 8 chicken breasts I actually dumped the entire brand new bottle of tarragon in.  Boy did that go over very well!!!  However, it should also be known that it is not required to use an entire bottle.  Start with a medium amount and then you will learn your preference.
  • For a better flavor, make the salad the night before and store in refrigerator.  This will allow the tarragon flavor to penetrate the chicken.
  • You may choose to add salt or pepper but I typically do not add.  People that love sodium never complain about zero salt in this recipe.  The tarragon fulfills their senses.
  • How much salad do you want?  Enough for one person for two meals? Then cook one breast of chicken (if you are a culinary guru then that would be a half of breast...just make one filet!!)

Pajama Secrets

Do you love those very adorable and flashy pajamas from Victoria Secret?  I sure do.  But I always have two problems when going for them.  

1.  Sizing in sets is always a problem.
2.  The expense adds up quick, leaving you to only purchase one pair. 

Well I've got the solution for you.  Shop the Victoria's Secret outlet and get the pajamas you want for around $12.99 per piece.  Since it is per piece you are able to choose the size of each item you want to wear.  No more baggy tops to fit your too slender bottoms!  

A full price set at the retail store will run you about $50.00 so by utilizing the outlet you gain two assets.  Perfect sizing and a 50% discount!  What a score!

My favorite outlet is in Orlando, Florida on International Drive.  I do venture to the San Marcos, Texas outlet every now and then.  But if you stock up on PJ's in one visit you are probably set for awhile.

~Angela O'

Priorities. Family. Doing What is Right for You.

To preface this post I want to give you some background.  This entry was originally written last January.  January 17, 2014 to be exact.  It has since been tweaked to focus on the upcoming holidays as opposed to the referencing of the past holidays which was in the original writing.  The exact moment I went to hit publish in blogger, my iPad cut and auto-saved.  I was ticked beyond believe and some of my followers got to witness the following moments of my disappointment and pain as it deleted everything.  So I immediately rewrote and was so frustrated that I couldn't bring myself to re-post that same night.  I planned to go forward with publishing after a few days went by in order for me to breathe it out.  Certainly, the original writing had much more of an impact and was much more deep...but seriously who can bring that out of thin air twice.  The woes of journalism. Then on January 22, 2014 at 7:30 a.m. my world changed forever and this blog really hit home.  The most important person, my very favorite and most cherished person of my entire 30 years of existence died.  My Gramma.  This blog and several others were put on hold.  It became a situation of excuses, oh well I just don't know what is the best title now (specifically for this one), or this such & such, or oh that such & such.  Shortly, after my Gramma left us my dearest friend found out her mother was suffering from very advanced cancer.  So much has happened this year and for the first time in 31 years of my life I experienced what most feel like on a regular basis.  I couldn't be me.  Just me and do what I do best.  I always bring my A game, 300%, I am over the top and I love my naturally creative-self.  But this year was a struggle.  I have never, never, never been able to empathize with someone or anyone commenting "well it is a lot you take on" or "it's too much to do" because I have never had a road block of energy or effort-resistance in my entire life.  It has always been an insult for someone to say that to me because it meant they didn't take the time to know me.  Well now, I have experienced it.  I see what it is like.  In August, I finally realized that seven months had passed by and I was not Angela....I certainly wasn't Angela O'.  Now I am back and I am loving it.  So here is that heart felt blog that was originally to publish in January 2014.  It is far from being the best that it was but I don't fail to present.

***

The holidays are coming up and the biggest pressure that is put on a couple during the season of greetings is dealing with the stress of family members.  Both those by marriage and by blood.  It seems to have been a bit of a taboo topic in recent past but one that has generated enough discussion for society to admit that it has become a serious source of discomfort for new and long-time couples.

{Original: Now that the holidays have passed} We can openly discuss some of the pressures that come along with vacations and holidays.  Or simply put, the demands.  The demands induced by family, the spouse, or your own personal requirements and goals.  The demands to spend time with each and every person or to in fact spend the holidays with only "the other family".

The solution to this headache is to commit to two separate setups.  No one has the right to pressure or guilt you into your choice because it is not wrong.  There should be no reason that this would cause a riff with your in-laws.  It should only cause appreciation that you are willing to share your significant other and recognition that you can allow him/her to to have freedom from being around you 24/7.  It is okay to share and to be shared with your family and their family.  You will soon enough be going back home to your couple status to conduct business as usual.  The purpose of this blog is to share the words and emotions to let you know it is okay. You are not the only one caught in the middle and wondering what to do.  And this isn't something new, just never openly discussed.

It is hard enough taking time off of work and coordinating your spouse's career schedule along with having to divvy out the cash to make an anticipated trip.  You should be able to cherish those special bonds and relationships with the people who mean the most, knowing that you are on limited time.  So if it means that you visit your parents while he visits his parents during the holiday season, that is okay.  Truth be told it is however you are comfortable.  And the true reason is because we don't have a very long life and our elders have a lesser length of time so why do we want to miss out on what we can partake in. 

Two family members of mine, a couple that are very experienced in marriage and even mathematically wiser in age would make regular visits to Illinois.  They would pack up their one vehicle and drive for 19 hours to visit family.  Both sets of parents lived in rural towns approximately 30 minutes from one another.  However, the wife would choose to spend the nights with her mom and the husband would choose to spend the nights with his mom.  It was fair to both of them.  While they saw each other during the day sharing various activities on their calendars they knew in their heart what was comfortable to each of them and where their heart called home each night.

The second couple grew up in a neighboring Midwest state but did not meet and marry until both moved far away.  Occasionally, they would make trips to see both of their families over the holidays. When the time came they were confident enough to go their separate ways and each stay with his/her own parents.  A couple hours distance was between them both, but their hearts never faltered for one another.  

Another Midwestern couple who moved far away to better their career and livelihood would still make regular trips to their hometown.  Both of their parents believe it or not, lived only blocks from one another.  You might assume that this would make their stay so much easier.  But the fact of the matter is that sharing time and relationships is never easy-peasy-Japanesey.  For several years, the couple would spend their nights slumber with only one parent and during the day spread out their affection with everyone.  Suddenly, this year they decided to transition into a bit of a family split.  She stayed spent the nights with her parents, and he spent the nights with his.  It just made for ease of visiting everyone with the best quality time as possible.  The sweetest couple you will ever know made a tough decision that was just the best thing for the couple.  Oh yeah, and they had a baby!

The truth is that you have to do what is right in your heart for you.  Spending the time with your family and friends who were a great part of your life.  Whether it be your bestest friend, grandmother, grandfather, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or group of best friendsThose bonds and relationships will be forever important and when you became an adult you don't get to encounter them the same way as you did in childhood.  You never know when that opportunity will be permanently taken away from you.  No one should give you any grief, guilt or pressure based on your decisions.  Not parents, step-parents, in-laws, or whoever because you are the adult of your existence.  Period.  

With Love, 

Angela O'

True or False? Chiggers Burrow Into the Skin

A lot of people say that chiggers burrow into the skin.  That is why we have such a high level of discomfort when encountering them.  That is completely FALSE.  Chiggers do not burrow into the skin.

Chiggers are the larvae stage of mites.  They have sharp little mouths that digest enzymes into your skin which break down the cells so that they can feed (or drink!).  It is that digestive enzyme that really bothers a person.  It will sit in the skin after the chigger has released it and intensely get worse as the hours go by, thus causing the reaction of swelling.  The swelling reaction can surround the chigger on your skin so much to give the false impression that it has burrowed.

When "chiggers" are adults they feed on plants and don't bother humans.  Thank goodness.

Here are some excellent articles for your reference if you would like to read more on these annoying but useful creatures.  It's all about the eco-system.  Those pseudoscorpions and other soil animals need food too.


Texas A&M: 
This one is my favorite breakdown.  TA&M always has very informative articles.

Wikipedia:
This is always a fun go to site but may not always have the most accurate information because it is collectively built by users and relies on us to point out if something shows incorrect.


The Missouri Government:
This site can be very interesting to many of my readers who are from the Mid-West.

With Angela O'

Snails for You

blogger-image-212315230.jpg

One of my favorite things to do is to send letters to all my friends and family that have local stickers plastered all over them.  Any time I visit one of my favorite places I grab some of their free stickers.  I usually tell the company what I'm up to and they have always been happy to hand them right over.  It's so much fun to share my favorite spots!!!  I have so many.

With Angela O'

blogger-image--999304608.jpg

Topics of Disgust: Girls who Pee in the Shower

Peeing in the shower is disgusting to matter what gender.  BUT, hearing that women do it too (no i'm not sexiest) leaves me completely appalled.  When I say women I am referring to adult women, not little drunken college students. I had a friend admit to me one time that she does it (or perhaps did, she may have grown out of it).  It was the first time I ever heard of the idea of urinating in the shower.  "To save time", I think was the reason? Not so sure.?.?!?. :-/  Well, it had been a few years then randomly while out and about the topic was brought up again, by a separate source.   Seriously!  Urinating in the shower is a hot topic of disgust for me.

So as I write this blog, it occurs to me that I have never even done a Google search of this topic.  Maybe I'm a little scared too?  No.  The truth is that it has never even crossed my mind.  So Googling now.  Results.....AHHHHH.  In 2009, Glamour magazine did a poll on bathroom health and one of the questions was "Have you ever peed in the shower?".  75% replied yes!  This particular question's results were not broken down between male and female like some of the others but what gender do you think typically reads Glamour!

See the excerpt from Today Health that was updated by Glamour on May 11, 2009.  


"Have you ever peed in the shower? 
Almost 75 percent of poll-takers have.

Let’s start with a few facts: Toilet flushing accounts for almost 27 percent of indoor water use in a home. The amount used per flush ranges from a gallon in eco-friendly models to a whopping seven in older types. Where are we going with this? We beseech you: Save water. Save the planet! Pee in the shower! OK, we won’t insist. But it isn’t really that gross. Unless you have an infection, urine is sterile and nontoxic. Proponents of “urine therapy” even believe it can help treat athlete’s foot. Heck, Dr. Billy freely admits that he is a shameless shower squirter."


Hmmm, apparently the good ole doctor doesn't agree with me.  That is fine, he is more than welcome to urinate in his shower all he wants.  But please, when visiting someone else be courteous because they might not be into that type of recycling.  Just because your urine is sterile doesn't mean the rest of us want to share it.

Glamour was not the only positive tap for this subject.  Several threads are out there.  And it seems like I may actually be the only person who wants to vomit these days.  Sigh....

Dear gal friend who broke this sad truth to me.  I still love you even though I have just found on of your tom boy flaws.  

~With Angela O'

DIY Glam Pinatas


Friend and Blog Guest Jenna Holtschulte whipped up these cute pinatas for her sweet baby Micah's first birthday. Super easy to make but the her only requirement: Just make sure you have a little extra time on your hands the day you take on the task. Jenna made this from 100% scratch! However, if you are short for time then you could go to Jo-Ann Fabrics and stock up on the premade paper kraft letters for about $2-$3 each.

The Letters:
Scrap Cardboard Boxes
Pencil
Exacto Knife
Brown Packing Tape

The Fringe:
Glue
Scissors
Tissue Paper
Tacky Glue Pens
This pinata is perfect to hang over the dining room table

The Finishing Touches:  Micah' Gold Bow, Micah is One Cake Topper, The Pom Garland













DIY Baby Bumpers




Did you know that in some states traditional bumper pads are actually illegal to sell due to their lack of air flow babies get?

There are two alternatives:

1.  Mesh bumper pads that allow air to flow (but are kinda ugly)

2.  Wonder Bumpers (that cost usually over $300 to fit an entire crib)


The cards have been dealt and my friend's project has been completed and ready to share with the world!!  

Homemade Customized Wonder Bumpers for less than $95!!!


Thanks to my dear friend and guest on this blog Tracy Cook, you will now know how to make your own stylish baby bumpers!

Materials Needed:

  • 3/4 inch Self Adhesive Foam Tubular Pipe Insulation
  • Thicker Cotton Fabric or Felt (Choose one or two designs)
  • Coordinating Ribbon or Lace
  • Scissors
  • Measuring Tape
  • Hot Glue Gun (Don't worry...it is on the inside so baby can't get to it)

Step 1: Gather the materials.



Step 2: Measure the tubular foam.   Here we have shown 16 inches which is the half size for a standard crib.  Half size bumpers were convenient for this mommy because she did not want the bumpers to be too close to Finleigh when she needed to drop the crib into a big-girl bed.  However, you may choose to have your crib bumpers at full length of 32 inches for the 32 inch rails.  It is simply personal choice.


Step 3: Cut down the tubular foam to your specified size.  Remember 16 inches or 32 inches.  Whichever is best for you and your baby.

Step 4: You should end up with a pile like this.


Step 5:  Cut the fabric to the diameter of the tube.  Begin by putting the fabric on one side of the slot but be sure to leave some excess at the end.   Remove the adhesive film.  Wrap it around the foam, tucking the fabric edges into the open slot down the center of the tube.  The fabric should adhere to the adhesive.  Once done you may cut the fabric to the length of the tube leaving about one inch to one and a half inches of spare fabric at each end.


Step 6: It should look like this when you are done.  



Step 7:  Now take one fabric covered tube and place it on the crib rail.  Have your hot glue gun heated and ready to go.  Next you will need to add some hot glue to the inner portion of the tube where the excess fabric is located, then tuck the fabric ends inside.  Yes you will be doing it while the covered tube is on the crib.  This seals the bumper and prevents the fabric from fraying.  Take care to not get the excess glue on the crib rails.  Repeat this step to seal off the opposite end of the bumper.   Once complete with this one rail, repeat step 6 for each of the crib rails.  IF you have chosen to use two different fabrics then take the first fabric and do every other rail like below.  Then follow by adding the second fabric to the remaining rails.  **Note the glue should be on the inside so that the baby cannot access it**



Step 8:  Once complete tie ribbon to the tops of the bumpers.  The bow ends should be on the outside of the crib rails so the baby does not pull them.  TaDa!  Beautifully done.  See how mommy Tracy used the two different fabrics in a coordinating way?  Pink solid with a white and pink print.

Pressed Pennies Tastefully Secured



Do you know all those pressed penny machines that people get suckered in to using while they are visiting a tourist attraction?  They are everywhere...Disney, Universal, zoos, aquariums, skyscrapers, some gas stations.  You know?  The ones that you had so much fun as a kid making and your parent couldn't say no because it was the one souvenir that was actually affordable. Fifty-one cents. Two quarters and a penny.  Hopefully you had a shiny penny.

Well, I have a lot of pennies from when I was younger and I really enjoy the memories for each one.  During the first few years of my marriage we were on an extremely tight budget.  If we ever visited a tourist location the trinket that we knew we could afford (and too avoid bringing home excessive junk) were the pressed pennies.  As silly as they were we are delighted to look back at them.  

At home and in the workplace I love having everything exactly in its place.  I do not like junk everywhere but junk itself can be okay if setup tastefully.  I have never had a nice way to store the pressed pennies and I never liked anyone's suggestions.  Even the little penny books sold in the tourist retail stores were out of the question for me.  So for a long time they sat in a photo box on our bookshelf.  Well, eureka!  I happened to come across some heavyweight page protectors that were made for slides and they measured at 2"x2" and were three-hole-punched.  The accessibility to use binders for keepsakes are very important for me. All of my albums have been transferred to cloth D-ring binders by American Crafts.

Materials:
  • Scrapbook Paper
  • Small Labels
  • Acid-Free Marker or Pen
  • Glue Dots, the larger size
  • 2"x 2" Slide-style Sheet Protectors, sized for 3-ring binders
  • Scissors or Fiskers Photo Cutter
  • 3-Ring Photo Album or Binder

Instructions:
Measure the paper down to the size of the protected pocket and cut into the 2"x 2" squares.  Write a description on the label and attach it to the cut paper.  Then secure the penny to the cut paper by using a glue dot.  Super easy and very quick.



This is also a great craft project for kids who collect their pennies!

Angela O'

ADULTS Strawberry, Basil, and Honey Punch




A delicious alcohlic refreshment that I made for our Cupcakes & Cocktails ladies meet-up group this July.  It is a great way to end a hot summer day and to start a hot summer night!

 Active Time: 15 min
Total Time: 30 min
Serves: 12

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups honey
  • Zest of 1 orange, peeled in wide strips
  • 1 1/2 lbs fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped (about 3 cups)
  • 3/4 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh lime juice (from 15 to 18 limes)
  • 1 1/2 cups hot water
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) silver tequila, chilled

Directions:
Stir together honey, zest, and hot water in a bowl until honey is dissolved.  Let cool.  Muddle berries and basil in pitcher just until basil is fragrant.  Stir in honey mixture, lime juice, and tequila.  Add ice and serve.
Tips:

  • Lime juice from the big limes in a bag are about 8 limes or roughly one bag of limes.
  • The time to prep the strawberries and orange zest will take approximately 45 minutes.
  • I find that the fancy strawberry huller available for purchase in kitchen stores works great!
  • Purchase a medium silver tequila.  Not expensive as Patron but not as cheap as the rubbing alcohol spirits that will give you a headache in non-pure tequila.  It should be 100% pure agave.  Stick to about $18 dollars and you should be good.  If you think that is expensive the Patron Silver is $45 for the same size bottle (750 ml).
  • Use a fairly large pitcher.  If not it will be hard to stir and you certainly will not be able to manage the ice inside.  This drink does need to be iced.
  • I'd like to find a way to strain some of the items but it may be because my basil was not chopped.  They say to only muddle the basil but perhaps littler pieces would prevent the straw from being clogged. 
  • I absolutely detest honey.  I do not like the flavor.  This drink was a great balance and was very delicious so if you do not like honey do not be afraid.
This recipe is from Martha Stewart Living.  It came from a 2014 issue during the Spring/Early Summer.  In their magazine picture the drink is much lighter in color but I honestly do not see how that it is possible with the amount of strawberries in the recipe.



BabyWatch - O'nly Glamorous for Our Future Offspring

In passing, both online and physical I have heard quite a few ladies complain of nice baby gear.  Specifically, making fun of the baby product and decor from places like Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and other high-end retailers.  True that the items can be rather expensive for someone who is going to quickly become too big for them but still they are so beautiful.  However, none of those women complained about the price, they were complaining about the type of parent that would actually have a nursery that looks so fancy-pants.  Whether or not they believed their personal parent category was "super-mom" or "anti-mom", it had no relevance on the topic.

It is honestly no surprise that I have had a Pinterest board that circles around little ones and families for years.  The way I like to create, organize, plan and share...Why would you expect anything else?!  It doesn't matter if it is for my best-est of friends, nieces, nephews or eventually us.

But what a lot of people don't know is that I have never been a fan of traditionally cutesy baby things.  I am happy for all those out there who do like the traditional style because that is what makes that person happy and that parent will know what is best for their baby.  But for me...let's set the record straight before it all starts.  When envisioning our future little ones duckies, buggies, and baby animals just are not going to be a highlight in our nursery.  Seriously, dump the little price and princess talk. 

Our future babies will be beautiful, bold, glamorous, tough, and handsome. They will be the diamonds, opals, pearls and onyxes of our eye and their nursery should reflect that. They will be Emperors and Empresses, Dukes and Duchesses.  So forget to swallowing pastels and bring in the deep colors, mix it up a little.  

Honestly, that goes for any baby gathering as well...showers, what have you.  Oh please, it has got to be tasteful.  Not a fan of stuff thrown together.

Call me pretentious if you want at least I know what I like. (And at least I don't hate on other mothers who don't match my sense of style)

~ With Angela O'

SOME EXAMPLES OF AWESOMENESS:



Dark Colors!!!









Girlie Girls & Hair Bows

Hair Bows that are super easy to make!  Most of the materials you probably already in your home.  My now Arizona-based friend Michelle Pettit and I got together one night to make these for a private elementary school's fundraiser.  It was so much fun!  

 A sampling of the creations are below.  We did this last October so you will notice that the holidays are making an appearance in a couple of the designs.

Materials Needed: Ribbon, Hot Glue & Hot Glue Gun, Barrettes, and Embellishments


Created by Michelle Pettit

Created by Angela O'


Created by Angela O'

Created by Angela O'

Created by Michelle Pettit

Created by Angela O'
Created by Angela O'

Created by Michelle Pettit

Created by Michelle Pettit