Sunday, April 25, 2010

Mango Mojito

The majority of this blog is dedicated to design projects, crafts, home decor, etc. However, this drink was SO good I could not wait to pass it along. It is so easy to make and perfect for spring or summer. Enjoy!

I am back with the promised recipe for the mango mojito.

Ingredients:
  • Mangos (2-3)
  • Fresh mint
  • Sugar
  • Bacardi
  • Sweet & Sour Mix
  • Club Soda
1. Place a small handful of mint leaves into glass.

2. Add a tablespoon of sugar.

3. Grind sugar into mint leaves.

4. Add a spoonful of fresh mango.

5. Fill glass with ice.

6. Fill glass 3/4 full with sweet and sour mix (you can buy it already made or make your own. To make your own follow this recipe.

7. Add a shot of Bacardi.

8. Top off with a splash of club soda.

9. Shake

10. Serve and Enjoy!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Helen's Baby Luncheon

If you read my previous post about my busy, yet exciting year, then you know I have a lot of showers and parties on my calendar. I already hosted my friend Dawn's bridal shower in Pennsylvania (check out all those details here).

This weekend my friend Pam and I put together a mini-shower/luncheon for mom-to-be Helen to celebrate the upcoming birth of baby Matthew.

We had a great afternoon of amazing food, fellowship, and laughter.

The Decorations-simple and personal.

A colorful welcome sign
Here is a close up of the adorable mini clothes pins that worked perfectly for attaching the letters to the ribbon.
The Table
...and a few balloons (and Helen enjoying her virgin mango mojito)
Doesn't she look amazing for being 35 weeks pregnant?
We opened presents and "awwwed" at the cute baby clothes. The clothes alone make me excited for a little one someday. No folks...not anytime soon.


The Fabulous Food
Thanks to Pam (and Misha for putting together the delicious menu)
Fresh salad with strawberries, walnuts, and goat cheese (this picture was taken before it was all mixed together) This salad is perfect for spring or summer and was so yummy and easy to make.
Dessert
The cake was very rich, almost fudge-like and was topped with homemade whipped cream. Again, so good!
Drink of the afternoon- Mango Mojito (virgin for the mom-to-be)

We had a great time talking about pregnancy, labor, our husbands, the Lord, and what little Matthew will look like. Only time will tell, but we are thrilled to meet him.

So there you have it-an afternoon "showering" baby and mom.

Stayed tuned for the mango mojito recipe!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

2010: Weddings and Babies

Weddings

I am beyond excited for year 2010! Good things are happening to the people I love. I am attending 5 weddings this season and I'm a bridesmaid in 4 of them (and 3 of them are in September!) Wow, how crazy it that?
  • My dear college roommate, Dawn, is getting married next Friday on April 30th
  • My sister-in-law, Becca, is getting married September 4th
  • My oldest brother, Adrian, (the last of 3 children to tie the know) is getting married on September 11th
  • My lovely college rooommate, Vicki, is getting marred September 25th
I will be posting details about all the weddings, showers, and parties to share all the decorating, food, and fun we have this year.

for those who aren't getting married, they're having babies...

Babies


Nothing is more special than celebrating the gift of new life.
  • My other sister-in-law, Katie, is having her 2nd baby
  • My close friend in bible study, Helen, is having her first son (due in 3 weeks!)
  • My dearly loved friend in Oklahoma, Lesley, is having her first daughter
  • My high school friend, Kendra, is expecting her 2nd child
I am planning a small shower this Saturday so stayed tuned details, pictures, and perhaps a recipe or two.

Whether it is the joining of two loved ones in marriage or the arrival of a bundle of joy, life is full happy moments.

2010 will be an unforgettable year. Anyone else have a big year coming up? New house or maybe getting married? Know someone getting married? Do share.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Caitlin's Master Bedroom: Before & After

I am back with my 2nd spring break post. I had the lovely opportunity to help my friend, Caitlin, completely transform her master bedroom.

She said, "I am so sick of my boring room. I can't sleep at night, and want a bedroom where I can relax. I want something fresh, clean, and soothing."

So here is Caitlin's room BEFORE:
This view is from the doorway.


This is inside her room looking from the bathroom (It's important to know so you can see how we flipped the bed in the after photos).

So how did we do it??
Here's the run down...

She pretty much gave me free range with colors, layout, and design. The only thing she had were the mocha colored sheets (a Christmas present from her mom that she kept in the package awaiting our big makeover).

I thought a light blue wall color would be perfect for a calming retreat. After a couple of flips through the paint book we decided on Optic Blue from Duron.

Day 1-Shop Shop Shop

We went to almost every store between Damascus and Germantown. About 5 hours later, we got almost everything we needed. That night she and her hubby painted the room and repainted the trim for a crisp, new look.

Day 2-Put it all together

With a few more stops to purchase the blinds and coverlet, we were finished with our purchases. Back to the ranch or farm I should say (she owns 2 sweet Golden Retrievers and 2 not so sweet cats :) to complete our masterpiece.
Tiko and Tug watched the entire time.
As you can see the cats continued to walk on the new, freshly dusted furniture leaving the evidence behind. The cause of a few good laughs.

Back to the transformation.
After we hung the blinds, set up the furniture, hung the artwork, made the bed, fluffed the pillows, and vacuumed, we stepped back to admire the beautiful transformation.

Here is Caitlin's bedroom AFTER:

This is the same view as the 1st before picture. The view from the doorway. We flipped the bed to the other side of the room.

At the foot of the bed is this gorgeous new dresser (not a planned purchase, but how can you pass up such a beauty?) This is where the bed sat before. They plan to hang the mirror just above the dresser once they get some wire.
Close up of the new bamboo roman shade blinds.

Isn't that the perfect color scheme for relaxation? The room looks so much bigger. The coolness of the light blue is complimented by the warm shades of brown. I love the white trim against the blue walls and the clean lines provide a contemporary feel. The artwork and accessories finish the room making it cohesive and complete. This is my favorite make-over to date.

So how much muh-la did we spend?

Price Breakdown
  • 2 nightstands $140.00
  • Dresser $300.00
  • Artwork $50.00
  • 2 lamp bases $40.00
  • 2 lamp shades $ 34.00
  • Mirror $19.99
  • 2 square decorative pillows $40.00
  • 2 king size pillows $26.00
  • 2 white king pillow cases $18.00
  • Accessories $20.00
  • Coverlet after 20% off $105.00
  • 2 Bamboo roman shade blinds- $50.00
  • 1 gallon of paint $30.00
Grand total: $872.99

Not too bad for a complete, head to toe, or paint to furniture make over. Especially since the $300 dresser was an extra included expense.

I'm sure Caitlin will have a much easier time falling asleep in her newly renovated master bedroom.