Monday, August 27, 2012

In the studio





We've got a hodge-podge of all kinds of crafts going on in the studio right now. It's the perfect time to craft, being stuck inside because of Tropical Storm Isaac. I'm so excited about some cute autumn-y things Katie and I have been making. I've been making lists of Christmas crafts, autumn crafts, etc. Life is pretty nice right now. 

Basically, things are beautiful. You just have to look for it.
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Saturday, August 25, 2012

A toss-in kind of recipe..the best Taco Soup ever.

Sometimes, when it's raining and there is a hurricane blowing in, all you need is your mom's soup. I love my mother's cooking (who doesn't?) and we joke around with her about the fact that she never makes her dishes the same way twice. Her taco soup however, is an awesome exception. It tastes just perfectly spicy and tex-mex every time. She also doesn't measure; everything just gets tossed in. Here's the recipe-and my suggestion is to add a few toss-ins of your own too. 

1 lb of ground turkey meat
1 packet of your favorite taco seasoning
a handful of red potatoes
white or brown rice
1 lb bag of pinto beans

1. Place your rinsed pinto beans in the crockpot, covering them with water and cook on low overnight. 
2. 2-4 hours before serving, wash and chop potatoes into small chunks, toss into beans.
3. Brown turkey, add taco seasoning, then add this into the beans and potatoes.
4. Cook 1-2 bags of instant rice, or 2 cups of regular rice, and add to soup. 
4. Serve hot and spicy!

Notes: My mom also always makes cornbread to go with her soup. I love it just the way it is, but she likes to add in chopped tomatoes, corn, and onions too before serving. I also like to top mine with grated cheese of any kind. This soup freezes really well too, it makes great leftovers. 
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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

I need Coasters. Cute Ones.

So I'm realizing there is moisture e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e in Florida. Hence the need for coasters. I stumbled upon this cute list of DIY coasters on the M&J Trimming diy blog. The color blocked ones are my favorite and the citrus coasters are adorable!




What kind of coasters do you have? It is time for a diy restyle?
-Taylor

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Sunday, August 19, 2012

Scrumptious 3-ingredient PB Cookies


If you've had the perfect peanut butter cookie, you're living a wonderful life. If you are searching for one, keep reading. Most importantly, if you want a peanut butter cookie that is perfect for a rainy day and an empty pantry, you've found it. (In case no one noticed...this is the perfect "just-moved-into-my-apartment" cookie).

Ingredients:
2 Eggs
2 cups of Sugar, granulated
2 Cups of Peanut Butter, creamy

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix together eggs and sugar, then add in all of the peanut butter until completely combined.
3. Drop onto greased cookie sheet, criss-cross with a sugar coasted fork if you like and bake for 12 minutes or so.




(image source)
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Saturday, August 18, 2012

Saying thank you.

Here are my thoughts on saying thank you. Do it. Often. It means so much when it costs you so little. The number of people who are close to me is very small but they mean the world to me. It is the least I can do to say thank you for a lifetime of kindness and support of my dreams. I'm sending out handmade cards to my dear ones who showed me so much love and congratulations during my graduation celebration. I believe handmade cards are to be cherished by both the maker and the receiver. They create a paper connection between an act of kindness and a heart of gratefulness, which is so beautiful.
I am so grateful right now for everything...for my life, my school, my job, and especially my dear ones. I feel honored to say thank you.

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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

this day only happens once!

This week has been super crazy, insanely busy. I also have no internet in the new apartment yet...so my blogging is done by the pool at the wi-fi hot spot. I wanted to share a few pictures from graduation and my party, and new party decoration diy tutorials will be coming soon!


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Saturday, August 11, 2012

I did it!

Today is my college graduation. I am so proud of my accomplishments. I now have a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from the University of North Texas with a 4.0 GPA, graduating with highest honors, summa cum laude, and I did it in only 3 years. I am so thankful for my support-my boyfriend, sister and my parents have done so much for me. Thank you. So, in looking back, here are some of my musings about the experience:


  1. My mom is going back to school and it tickles me that she gets so excited about textbooks. I remember when I used to be that excited :)
  2. Group projects are designed to allow people who only want to be carried along by others to continue doing so.
  3. Every once in awhile, someone in a position of power (professor, advisor, etc.) will realize that taking a risk on you is worth it.
  4. Funniest thing I ever heard in college: "So...George Washington is the one who invented the equator, right?" 
  5. Eventually, being the best student instead of just a good student pays off. Because of my hard work and my gpa I had several job choices and graduate school offers to choose from. I got to choose my future.
  6. College is not about learning; college is about mastering the skills needed in a course-test taking and paper writing. 
  7. Sit in the front row. Always. Those are seats of power and respect. 
  8. Smile.
  9. Never buy a textbook from the college bookstore. Never buy the current edition. Most of my textbooks I only paid $2 or $3 dollars for. I usually pay more in shipping than the cost of the actual book.
  10. Try new things.
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Thursday, August 9, 2012

Pinterest + Party Planning

Pinterest is no secret to most bloggers, blog readers, crafters, and pretty much everyone else on the internet. If you don't Pin, your friends probably do. I've been using it for awhile now, and I just love it. It's such a great way to find craft inspiration or to build up a collection of ideas. If you want to see my pinterest, check on the button on the sidebar. I thought I'd share some photos from one of my current boards, my Graduation Party Board!

The party is on Friday so I'm working on the cake and most of the decorations have been put together. I've been so inspired by all of the tissue paper, streamers, and paper laterns I've seen...basically anything with glitter and layers! The color scheme will be Kelly green, gold and white. Next week I'll definitely post photos.

See my pinterest for photo sources.
-Taylor
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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Product Review: Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Nail Polish

Manicurists' watch out because DIY nails have just gotten a makeover! If you've got shaky hands, aren't good with a brush, or just aren't patient enough to let your nails dry (like me), then you have got to try these! I love love them. Here's how it works:
1. File up your nails and push back your cuticles using the file and cuticle stick included in the package. Swipe your nails with polish remover to make sure they're clean.
2. Choose a stick on that best fits each nail. Remove plastic film and tab and stretch the polish a bit as you stick it on your nail. File off excess.
3. That's it! So easy and they're so pretty. I'm in love with how quick these are and they come in so many designs.
find them at: Target
-Taylor
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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Blogs I HEART

Here's a happy, middle-of-the-week round up for anyone who likes to do some blog surfing.

cute diy's!

beautiful home design inspiration!


this blogs makes me want to craft right now!

my sister's blog...can't help but love it!

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Monday, August 6, 2012

Making plans.

This week is graduation, and moving to Florida. It's going to be quite busy! I can't wait to share lots of party diy's and photos of the cake, which I'm making this week. I'm afraid blogging may be a bit lacking over the next few days...but no worries, there will be plenty of cute coming soon.

I'm still working on the direction this blog is going to go in. Any suggestions as to what you would like to read?
-taylor

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On taking a few days.

Sometimes it's just nice to take a break. On the beach is even better. If I've been too subtle, that's where I've been. I took a few days off from everything and went to check out my new apartment in Florida. It's so nice. Pictures soon! -Taylor
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Thursday, August 2, 2012

Glittered Toy Animal Magnet DIY

So...you know when you've got a cute craft idea and you've just gotta do it right then? This was one of those. I love how they turned out. I'm particularly pleased with my diy. These would be so magical in rainbow glitter. If you are inspired to make your own, please tweet me a pic!
Supplies:
spray adhesive
glitter
toy animals
old refrigerator magnet
1. Spray toy animals with adhesive. Make sure you cover it really well!
2. Dip in glitter! The adhesive will be so sticky so watch your fingers or you'll end up coated in glitter too!

3. Glue a strip of an old magnet to the back of the animal.

cute, don't you think?
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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

My first monthly challenge + discovering instragram


A photo a day...does anyone else want to play along? this sounds fun. I'm so excited!
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