Sunday, October 30, 2011

Ryan and Victoria's Cancun Wedding Part 2

Victoria and I at the Social Distortion Concert. 
"Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest. It's about who came and never left your side."  -unknown


I am truly blessed to have Victoria in my life. What has bonded us close was her Thanksgiving turkey (she forgot to take the neck and giblets out of the turkey, Opps!), experiencing "Black Friday" at Target together and taking off on the guys to go drink wine. Also, our husbands are in the same profession and we understand each others concerns and frustrations that it entails. 
Ryan and Victoria in Malibu
 What I love about Victoria is that we are different in some ways:


 She likes sweater dresses and I wouldn't be caught dead in one. I LOVE high healed glittery shoes, she thinks I am crazy especially when I send her pictures of the ones I am trying on when she is at school.


But we are the same people when it comes to our morals, beliefs, and outlook on life, love and friendship. 

"When a girl tells you about her problems, it does not mean that she is complaining, it means she trusts you."   -unknown

Ryan and Victoria have asked Lance and I to be there witnesses at the wedding. It was such an honor to be a part of the big day, we just know how happy they are together. *And Victoria is making Lance dress up one more time. :-) As the Matron of Honor, I was so excited to help in any way that I could and put together a kick a$$ gift for the bride.  
Ms. Engberg will now be Mrs. White

It is so weird to see your new last name for the first year.
Since we are traveling to Cancun, Mexico I thought it would be appropriate to put together a beach bag for the bride. I had found this great canvas bag and had it embroidered with Victoria's new last name. 


 Then what is a bag without towels? So I had matching "his" and "her's" towels embroidered with their wedding date. As you can see I went with a nautical theme of red, blue and white colors. 
  


"I am sure he won't mind you reading the bible as long as your are wearing something inspirational in bed."   -Steel Magnolias


Something for the honeymoon.
Something for the Wedding Night.

I was unable to attend the official bachelorette party and was surprised no one had gotten her lingerie. So I went and got something "Naughty" and "Nice".
So I also bought a cheesy bride coozy for a cold drink at the beach or pool. And knowing that Victoria likes to cook but not a fan of reading a novel...I went for a book about friendship and recipes. Even if she doesn't read the book part she has some recipes. 
One of the best gifts as a new "Lineman" wife was my first lineman wife t-shirt.  This one I purchased from Cafepress. For those of you who don't know, our linemen turn on your lights if there is a storm or electrical outage. So "yes" our husbands do turn you on. 
Made with love for my friend.


Outside of the bag


 I couldn't give this gift without having made something special with my own two hands. So using this great Make-up Bag tutorial from skiptomylou.org. I made this coordinating makeup bag to hold some essentials for the beach. 


Red, white and blue nautical theme. 
As you can see I used blue canvas and red and white plaid oil cloth. I did add handles to both sides of the bag for easy grabbing.  





 Want to know what's inside:
-Wet ones
-baby powder (helps take sand off)
-Body wash, lotions, etc.
-Purple bandana for those ocean breezes
-Water camera for taking photos in the water
-I made one of my button bracelets out of shell buttons to top it off.(seen hanging on the wet ones)


Couple of things I still want to grab before we leave are a cute pair of flip-flops and sunglasses. We arrive two days before the bride and groom so I am hoping this gives me a chance to finish it off. 
~Amanda


Friday, October 21, 2011

Ryan and Victoria's Cancun Wedding Part 1

Ryan and Victoria have been close friends to Lance and I for years now and we are so excited to be a part of there big day. This is going to be a multiple part blog series because it's a wedding and will have lots to share. But let me introduce you to the happy couple.  
How They Met:  
"When Victoria worked at Kaufman Chiropractic, Ryan came into the clinic as a patient .  She always looked forward to his appointments and when he missed his appointments or was late, she was sure to give him a call. Victoria would even make excuses that the doctor was running behind so he would stay in the lobby longer and she could ask him a million questions.  Ryan eventually asked her out on a date."    


"Throughout life you will meet one person who is unlike any other. You could talk to this person for hours and never get bored, tell them things and they won't judge you. This person is your soulmate, your best friend, don't ever let them go."      -Unknown
                           

the PROPOSAL: Ryan was working up in Penticton,Canada and Victoria was still living and working in Seattle.  She had gone up to visit him on August 25, 2010 when on there way to dinner he had a helicopter waiting to take them on a ride and in Victoria's words...
"Ryan introduced me and then asked me if I wanted to go for a helicopter ride.  I looked at the helicopter and said "no."  Ryan said, "too bad.  get in."  As we were up in the air, he looked at me with a huge smile.  However, I wasn't smiling.  I was really scared to be in the helicopter.  Within a few minutes, the pilot told us he was going to drop us off and come and get us in 15 minutes. As the helicopter landed on top of a mountain at sunset, Ryan poured us a glass of wine and got on one  knee and said, "I love you and want to be with you forever.  Will you marry me?"  And I said, "YES!""

 "She asked him, "What kind of wedding would you want?" He replied, "The one that would make you my wife."    -unknown


There road to this wedding has had its ups, downs, speed bumps, pulled over and got a speeding ticket, drag raced and are drifting into the final destination. October 28, 2011

 Victoria's favorite things about Ryan:
"He works hard to be able to provide for us and he laughs at my stupid jokes and sayings. And he is always willing to try new books or things to better our relationship."
Ryan's favorite things about Victoria:
"She is so sweet, innocent and loving and puts me first and I can always trust her. I also love her big heart and blue eyes." 
 Excited yet? I sure am. Bags are going to be packed, passports in my pocket and love on my mind (And a dog-sitter for my babies). Look for my posts on my gifts for the bride/groom and Wedding day. 
 ~Amanda


Friday, October 14, 2011

Third Annual Picking Pumpkins and Pumpkin Cupcake Recipe


 McGrath Pumpkin Patch


McGrath Pumpkin Patch 2009
His first time violating a squash. 
Lance and I didn't get to have a honeymoon right after our Spring wedding in 2009. So on my Fall Break when I was teaching in Arizona, we decided to go on our honeymoon in Malibu, California.  On our first trip to Ventura, we passed this pumpkin patch and I asked Lance to pull on over because I wanted a pumpkin to take back to Arizona. 

A couple of pumpkins later and a pumpkin spice latte, I remember Lance saying "You know, it would really be nice to work here and live next to the ocean."

McGrath Pumpkin Patch 2010
 Now look at us here in 2010. Not only does he have a beard. But we had moved to Ventura six months prior to the pumpkin patch.  Again, he took me out for a Pumpkin Spice Latte and my pick of some pumpkins. 
McGrath Pumpkin Patch 2011
    Now look at us...thank goodness he lost the beard but he traded it for the hair. Looking at these photos, I haven't changed much but Lance has gone through a transformation. 
Still violating squash. 

Sugar Pie Pumpkins are the best to bake for pies. 
The day we went this year was nearly 90* so instead of a pumpkin spice latte, Lance took me to 711 for a cold slurpee. (What can I say, he is a keeper!)
 So in the "Harvest" spirit, I thought I would share one of Lance's favorite pumpkin recipes. I cut this one out of magazine years ago and unsure of which publication. But it is used lots and has the stains on the page to prove it. May I also add that using fresh pumpkin puree gives it the real "pumpkin" taste that we prefer over the canned pumpkin puree. 

 Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting


-1 box of yellow cake mix (plus ingredients called for on the box)
-1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
-1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree or 2 cups of                   fresh pumpkin puree
- 2 8oz. bars of cream cheese, at room                        
                 temperature
               - 2 cups of confectioners sugar
               - Candy Corn for decoration
*Instead of making your own cream cheese frosting, you can just by the pre-made to save time. If you do, skip buying the cream cheese and confectioners sugar. 




Heat the oven to 350*F. Line muffin tins with paper liners. Prepare the cake mix as directed but instead of the water that is called for on the box, substitute the can of puree or two cups of fresh puree. Add the pumpkin pie spice.


Divide the batter among the prepared muffin tins and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Let cool. 


Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. If you want a arm workout skip the mixer and let your arms burn as you beat the heck out of the cream cheese. Or skip this whole step by purchasing a jar of pre-made cream cheese frosting. 


Spread on the cupcakes and top each with a piece of candy corn. 



Sending some llama love your way from McGrath Pumpkin Patch. 
 Hoping everyone has a wonderful Halloween! Don't forget to sign up for my Halloween Apron Giveaway!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Halloween Hostess Apron Giveaway

WIN this festive hostess apron. 
 After attending the SoCal Social this past weekend. One of the wonderful shops that we stopped at and then had a cocktail party later was Heavenly Hostess


Cynthia Wadell, our host and founder of Heavenly Hostess was a true inspiration at the cocktail party she gave after our event. With games, martini's and giveaways as we walked through the door, I couldn't help but be amazed that she was bringing the 1950's housewife glamour back to a time when we find ourselves entertaining more at home.

What I think is misunderstood about aprons is that they are a lot like shoes. Some we wear everyday, some we can get dirty and a special one that we wear to impress. 


One of my favorites, I was sad when I sold it. 
 Half Aprons are cute as they are versatile. I find that a lot of women wear these when cleaning around the house or cooking in the kitchen. 


My mother, a first grade teacher, wears one everyday in her class room.  Adding pockets make it easy to drop in pencils, stickers or candy. (*Perfect teacher gift around the holidays!)


Half aprons are just half the size of a full apron. Some can sit higher on the waist so that when cooking it covers the bottom portion of your shirt. 
One of my midnight "ah Ha!" moments happened when I thought to sew "Hot Pads" into the pockets of my aprons. How frustrating is it when that beeping won't stop and you are searching for the hot pads. VOILA! Hands in the pockets and just pull that pie out of the oven.  You can check out my "Hot Pad" aprons in my Etsy shop


Hot Pads built into the apron, works also around the bbq. 
Used a vintage tablecloth to create this one. 

 Full Aprons fit the whole front of the body. 


These can vary into the ones you give your husband that say "Kiss the Cook" or the ones little ones wear when finger painting. Cooking aprons that have stains or those large plastic aprons you see fishermen wear. 


Now they come in styles that make the chest area go "HELLO, Here to COOK" and ones that even look like Disney Princess characters. 


Here is one of the only full aprons that I have made in a previous posting using a pre-cut "jelly roll". Check out how to make this "Antropologie" Knock Off Apron


Here is the Giveaway!


Win This Hostess Apron
Hostess Aprons are the "little black dresses" of the apron world. Don't you DARE cook in these ones. They are the ones that can cost up to $100.00 and can be made with fine fabrics and often look like a prom dress with taffeta and sparkles. Other versions, such as around the holidays, are a little simpler and are often match an outfit or theme and worn by the person hosting the party. 


So I want you to look fabulous this Halloween. Whether you are handing out candy or hosting a little get together. Look fantastic wearing this little hostess apron. 
To Enter:


-Entry No. 1 MANDATORY
Leave a comment letting me know how you follow.

-Entry No. 2
Leave a comment if you are a Public Google Friend Connect follower.

-Entry No. 3
Leave a comment if you follow on Facebook.

I will announce the winner on October 18th, which is my ONE YEAR Anniversary of my shop opening. I would like to have at least 20 comments for there to be a winner.  Best of Luck to you.




Saturday, October 8, 2011

Vintage Chair transformed into Pet Bed


For the first six months of 2011, my husband's job was moved to San Francisco. So on weekends or various weeks through out that time I spent with him exploring the area. We went to this little flea market that was under an overpass, almost in downtown. 
This is the chair bought in a flea market in San Francisco. 
So I bought this beauty of a chair and my dear husband packet it to my little car. Needless to say the rest of the trip and all the way home my car smelled like "old man" as my husband would describe it. 
I had bought the magazine "100 Ideas Flea Market Style" 2011 by Better Homes and Gardens. Inside they had this photo of a chair that they had transformed into a dog bed. I had to create a pet bed with this chair.  Mr. KofColors was going to have fun creating this pet project. 
Taking the chair apart. That is Mr. KofColors.

He is so strong!
This is where my "Mr.Right" did most of the work (another great reason why I married him). What can I say, he doesn't trust me with the sharp power tools (neither do I). He took apart the chair piece by piece. 
Keep the small decorative pieces, don't throw anything away. 

Here is the headboard for the pet bed. 
This project took a couple of weeks. Mostly because Mr. KofColors worked on it when he felt like it. Also, I don't like to bother him when he is working so my pictures were taken when he wasn't in the garage. :-)


Layout of what the bed was going to look like. 
So after weeks of anticipation, a few trips to the hardware store and Mr. KofColors buying a table saw "because I need it to finish your bed". 

TAAA DAAA!
Finished pet bed. 
This is my little "Meja" trying out the creation. 


I would have liked to give you more of a description of exactly how he made it but I really don't mess with him when he is working. But all I can say is that Mr. KofColors is AMAZING. 


Here is my princess. I made a removable pet bed with matching pillow and blanket. 
"Mom, trying to get some beauty rest!"




If you have any questions, please let me know. I would be happy to ask him for you and respond promptly. He is amazing and I am so proud of his work. 


~Amanda

Going to submit this project for the CSI project as my best project of 2011.