Monday, August 31, 2015

Visiting Prescott: Part 4 *picture heavy*

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? It was a fun and relaxing weekend, over here. Saturday was a little busy, I had plans for a quick day trip to Prescott to take my grandmother out for lunch, but she is still not feeling like going anywhere, until they are more settled in their new place. I did get to bring home with me her Singer sewing machine. This will be a fun and exciting adventure to see how much patience I have for any type of sewing project. Sunday, I just relaxed with the children, I thought I could finish my painting project, which I am getting closer to finishing. My husband said I take almost as long as he does to finish one whole entire kitchen. This is my first fun painting project for the house, and I want it to be just right! This morning, as I was taking the kids to school, I could feel fall in the air. The morning temperature was, and I mean this, slightly cooler than our normal hot and sultry, mornings after a monsoon storm.




This week again, since I was very busy helping my daughter with her school projects, and helping my family up North, I really didn't have time to do the photo prompts this week. Instead, I am finally posting about our trip up North to Prescott from last weekend.

First on our way up, I stopped at the new Natural Grocers in Scottsdale. When we entered, there was a very nice size classroom, where there was a class going on about healthy Back to School snacks for children. Immediately in front is what I thought was a little on the small size , compared to Whole Foods, or Sprouts produce department. Behind that was the Vitamin, Supplement and Holistic Living section with Essential oils, tinctures, and herbal remedies. I was impressed with the size of this department, as there seemed to be more here than other natural grocery stores. What really impressed me, and some of you may think me a little strange, but if you love and eat eggs as much as our family does, ok, for instance, on the weekends, either I pick up or my husband picks up the rest of our chickens' eggs, that I wasn't able to collect when I go out to my in laws, where are chickens are, so instead I bought a dozen eggs, just regular eggs, not organic, not free range. With the bird flu that is causing the price increase for eggs, that is said to bring the price for a dozen eggs up to $6, I paid close to $4. The natural free range eggs at Natural Grocers, cost the exact same amount. I'll update this post with a link to a review to follow.

At my mother's house, the girls and I were checking out her backyard garden, while Josh took a nap.


Apples cascading down her tree. 


Look at the size of this Pumpkin blossom. 
Mine are struggling in this heat wave, but I do have one strong survivor!


My mom has a bountiful supply of Yellow Pear tomatoes that were bursting with flavor! 


One of my mother's Sunflower blossoms. I can't wait to see how beautiful they are when they open up within the next couple of weeks!

The pink rose up top is from one of her rose bushes.

On Sunday, I took the kids antique shopping. I've been to most of the Antinque stores around Prescott's downtown square, but I was looking for a new place to check out.
I asked, dear, sweet Rue,
for suggestions, and she highly recommended Merchandise Mart

This store is amazing. It was almost like walking into a museum or taking a trip back through time. The girls had fun checking out all the vintage clothes, and Josh was amazed to see a record player and a type writer. Lindsay loved all the vintage Pyrex dishes. I loved looking at all the milk glass and if I were to start a collection of something it would be Roosters.



Katelyn plays the viola, and adored this sweet needlepoint chair cushion.


When we drink soda, it's Pepsi, but it just happens that Josh loves Coca-Cola, and
wanted to take these glasses home with us.



One item I did pick up, was this beautiful Indiana marigold Carnival iridescent grape leaf candy dish, that was half off. I found one similar on Ebay.
My mother gifted me with another Marigold iridescent bowl of hers to go with it, as well as an iridescent vase . So starts my vintage iridescent collection.

I'd mentioned before about the poor lighting in the house, so I am on the search for some interesting lighting for the house, and this caught my eye for the entrance to the Master Bedroom.
If it ever goes on Sale! *wink*



With it being Labor Day weekend, I am most likely going back up again this weekend to help again finish moving, and then my family is coming back down here on Monday for a barbecue get together.

Here is to the start of a great week!
Until next time!
xo,

If you enjoyed this trip to Prescott,
You can check out
Prescott Part 3

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Saturday, August 29, 2015

Weekend Notes

Happy Last Weekend of August! Hope you all enjoyed your week?? My week was full of surprises, mostly good, and much busier than I had imagined! I'd mentioned before my daughter Katelyn is in a blended learning program, that teaches her to integrate technology in her classwork. Which I thought would be something she would enjoy {and she does}, that the class room sizes are smaller, with only twenty students to a class, and the teachers are wonderful.  Let's just say, that even though she's been doing all the work, I've had to help in the back ground more than I thought I would be, and that she has had twice the amount of school work, my high school son has. Which is good, I've been saying for a long time now, that children nowadays, really don't understand what we went through in school with using typewriters, and not having google to check out answers, instead of looking it all up in encyclopedias. We couldn't use calculators or our cell phones to do math, in our heads, memorizing formulas. They are living in a different age! Some of what they are learning is good in a different ways, and some things make me go Hmmmmm....With that, I apologize for not getting around like I normally do, and today I am making another quick day trip up North, again to help my grandparents move, but I do promise that I am catching up!



Over at West Elm I found these cute fringe pillows and they are on sale for $15. Love the Fall color 'Sweet Potato' one is my favorite.

Where has this salad been all my life. Avocado and Tangerine Salad with Jalapeno Vinaigrette via Bon Appetit

One item I have always wanted was a Chalkboard Menu. I am updating my Autumn Bliss Pinterest board, and this pin is my absolute favorite!

I found a new series on Netflix to watch, called Chef's Table. If you like Travel and enjoy food as much as I do, you'll love this show!



Thursday, August 27, 2015

DIY Antinque Candlesticks


The other day my husband and I were out shopping, and out of the corner of my eye, I spied a pair of unfinished pine candlesticks, and they were on sale for $4 each. Oh, I scooped them right up. Another obsession of mine are, candles. When we lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I must have owned close to a hundred of them. Votives, pillars, candlesticks in every color and scent imaginable. The best part about this was they were a blank canvas, and I could do what ever I wanted with them. My original idea was to simply white wash them with the extra Miss Mustard Milk paint in Ironstone, I had left from my painting project {to be revealed soon}.



Then on our recent trip up North, we had some time to burn, so it was my son that suggested we stop in World Market. First place I always head to is the bath and beauty section to put  try on some lotion, and check out their candles. That's when these beautiful antique looking candles caught my attention. They were the same size as the wooden ones I bought. I checked the price and they were, Can you believe this they were $20 each!



Wow! I thought to myself, I can do the same with my candlesticks,
 I already had the milk paint. I just needed to buy some antique wax.



All I did, was paint  the candlesticks with two coats of Miss Mustard Seed Milk paint in Ironstone. By the way, I found working with Milk Paint very easy! 
Distressed them with a medium grit sandpaper. Using a slightly damp cloth, I gently applied small areas of Antique wax where I wanted the worn areas of the candlestick showed. Then with the same slightly damp cloth, I buffed the wax around it.

I loved how they turned out. I seriously can not wait to use them to decorate for Fall!






Until next time,



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French Inspired office a White to Bright Style Challenge with Chairish

Happy Thursday! Hope your weeks are going fabulously! Last week, I shared with you my Master Bedroom Coastal Palettes, this week, I am excited to share with you my White to Bright Office inspiration board. For those of you that have been reading my blog for any amount of time, know that I love color. I definitely shy away from neutral colors, and an all white room for me personally, would drive me crazy staring at those white walls. I want my office to be fun and energizing, a place where I can find creativity, and going bold and bright sounded perfect for me!
 I was recently introduced to Chairish, and I am ever so happy I did!
 
Chairish is a fabulous, curator approved, online marketplace for vintage furniture. It’s a wonderful way for design lovers to sell and purchase pre-owned pieces. I am and have been since high school obsessed with anything French, which when I saw these Antique Victorian Eastlake Velvet chairs, it was love at first sight!  Since this is going to be my office, my husband and I had this talk about how he has his office at his shop, the office at the house should be mine. Only fair, right! Which is when I saw these chairs, I knew, my office was going to be a romantic and charming in varying shades of pink, and it has to have a chandelier!

French Inspired office with Chairish

French Inspired office with Chairish by christyaz214

Here are all the lovely details!


Antique Victorian Eastlake Velvet chairs 

Pink color Pallet by BHG I'm leaning towards the Barely Blush by Glidden GLR20
(the large blush pink, 3rd from the top)

Minature Cranberry Lamp

19th Century Louis XV Style Ladies Writing Desk

Magenta Chroma Overdyed Rug 9' 12'  

Maple and Iron Side Table with Antique Mirror Top

Pink Velvet and Chenille Pillows

Vintage Brass and Crystal Chandelier

19th Century French Giltwood Mirror

Bjørn Wiinblad Pink & Gold Mounted Print


It really was fun designing with Chairish products. I love color, but found that even brighter and bolder colors, really do have that uplifting and energizing feeling! 

If you are in the market to buy or looking to do a little window shopping, you can 

SHOP MORE CHAIRISH ACCENT CHAIRS HERE !

Connect with Chairish:

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your week!
Until next time!
xo,



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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Everyday Detox by Megan Gilmore and Cheesy Jalapeno Casserole

Happy Wednesday! How is your week going? My week has been going pretty good so far! Today I am excited to share with you a book on a subject that I'm learning more about; Detoxifying my body, with a cleaner eating lifestyle.


For me, the word diet does not mean cutting calories, or any other fad eating meal plans, that promise you will lose weight if you eat more protein, or eating less carbs, and I'll be honest, the idea of eating only fruits, vegetables, soups and salads all day does not appeal to me either.It's funny that I received this book, and my brother in law was looking for more information on detoxifying. I'm only slightly skeptical on the whole idea of clean eating for as little as three days. I did try Dr. Oz's 3 day Detox and I did feel better it's just that going to school for my Nutrition's degree, I lean more to eating a well balanced diet, cutting out all the chemicals out of the food we eat, eating less sugar, and I'm so happy to see that Organic food is not only becoming readily available, but I've noticed it's not as expensive to eat organic as it used to be, as more people become aware of GMOs and are creating a demand for eating a healthier lifestyle.

First I want to start by saying I am not a doctor, this post is only my review on ( affiliate)
Everyday Detox: 100 Easy Recipes to Remove Toxins, Promote Gut Health, and Lose Weight Naturally !

Here's what I liked about Everyday Detox; even though this book is written with a focus on clean eating, it also gives the options for the recipes to substitute, omitting or adding certain items to make them Gluten Free, Vegan, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Soy Free, or Omnivore friendly by adding a high quality meat to a dish.

The core of this book, is based on my belief as well, that Megan Gilmore points out, "Short term cleanses and detox programs are just another form of procrastination allowing you to avoid the real task at hand~ making lasting life style changes!"

There is a 7-Day Detox menu to jumpstart your detox, full of fresh fruits, vegetables and salad, one day for dinner is a Maple and Mustard Grilled Salmon, personally, I'd be adding more high quality proteins and Gluten Free recipes to the menu. There are some delicious sounding recipes on the Detox menu, like Banana Coconut muffins, Go-To Greek Salad, and Dark Chocolate pudding. Megan also suggests for those with a sweet tooth, that it is ok to indulge in a few pieces of Dark Chocolate with at least 70% cacao.

What I liked best is Megan Gilmore, makes it easy to understand and how to customize each meal, with fruits, non- starchy vegetables, starches, proteins, including nuts, seeds and dried fruit, as well as neutral items, picking one item, except non-starchy vegetables which you would use to fill the rest of your plate. It is very general, but easy to follow, especially when I really don't like cauliflower, or walnuts, what type of high quality meats to use and starches are good for me and my digestion.

Three Things I liked about this book:
  • Simple, easy and quick recipes to follow. No complicated steps or ingredients I don't know the names of. Most ingredients I already had on hand.
  • The photographs are bright, clean and although they are minimalistic, almost rustic and earthy looking, they are very beautiful pictures, that are easy to look at.
  • I love that you can customize your approach to detoxifying, without having to follow a set plan.
To read more review of (affiliate link) Everyday Detox at Amazon via the picture link below



  • Paperback: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Ten Speed Press (June 2, 2015)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1607747227
  • ISBN-13: 978-1607747222
  • Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 0.6 x 9 inches

  • One of the recipes in the book reminded me of  a comfort food, I would love when my mother made it , was spaghetti squash. She'd always top it with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Here I added, jalepenos, goat cheese and cheddar cheese. The jalepenos really gave the squash a kick and the goat cheese calmed it down. My family loved it, and some of you may know, that both my son and husband are Type 1 Diabetics, and some of you may know of someone that is too. In all the years, I'd known that squash is very good for you, I had no idea, just how good. For my son and husband, they pay attention to the amount of carbs, and it's really hard because I am addicted to pasta and fresh baked breads, I could eat them at every meal and every day, when I found out that 2 cups of spaghetti squash has the same amount of carbohydrates that a slice of bread has, I was thrilled. It's easily digested and helps managing their diabetes so much easier.


    Cheesy Jalepeno Casserole (adapted from Everyday Detox by Megan Gilmore)

    1 tsp. of unsalted butter
    1/2 a yellow onion, chopped
    1 small jalpeno, seeded and diced
    1/4 cup soft goat cheese or chevre
    1 cup plain non-fat yogurt
    1 1/2 tsp. sea salt
    1 (3 1/2) pound spaghetti squash, halve and seeded,
    baked for 45-60 minutes in a preheated 400F oven

    1 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
    1 pound of chicken breast, cooked and diced

    1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
    2. Melt the butter in a 10-in skillet, over medium heat. Add the onion and jalapenos and sauté until soft and the onion becomes translucent, about 8-10 minutes.
    3. In a large bowl, mix together the chevre, yogurt, and salt. Add the sautéed onion and jalapeno and stir well. Using the times of a fork, scrape the cooked spaghetti squash flesh, and cooked chicken into the bowl and stir well to mix.
    4. Transfer the mixture to a 3 1/2 quart casserole dish and top with the Cheddar cheese until the edges are golden 35-40 minutes. Serve warm.

    Looking for more delicious and healthy recipes, Megan also blogs and Detoxinista, and has posted some Labor Day recipes.

    Connect with Megan:

    Facebook     G+      Instagram       Pinterest       Twitter

    Wishing you all a beautiful week!
    Until next time!
    xo,

    This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing through them help support this website.
    I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.
     

    Tuesday, August 25, 2015

    Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday #43

    Oh-My-Heartsie-Girls-WW

    Happy Tuesday! Hope all of your weeks are off to a fabulous start!
    I'm still working on finishing up that milk paint project, and
     later this week I will be sharing about my Antinque finds and Visit to Prescott!
     More to share!

    If you missed last week, this is what I was up to!




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