Candy Cane Centerpiece

Candy Cane Centerpiece

 What an easy way to make a great holiday centerpiece without a huge amount of effort. Seen on Pinterest, I made my own with a Grey Poupon jar and a box of candy canes.

Santa to the Sea, Half-Marathon

'Tis the season for some Christmas Cheer!

Taking part in the local Santa to the Sea Half Marathon was a part of my planned marathon training...deciding to dress like Will Ferrell's "Elf" was the fun part. 

Pinterest Disaster: Turkey Turnovers

Normally when I try recipes from Pinterest, they are amazing. However, this was the first one that was a complete bust!

You can find the Turkey Pot Pie Turnover recipe I tried in my "When Autumn Leaves are Falling" Pinterest board. If you have better luck OR have a fool proof recipe I would LOVE to know. 

East Coast after Hurricane Sandy

Mr. KofColors spent nearly four weeks on the East Coast for Hurricane Sandy relief. When his work was over, I flew over to bring him home...and spent the weekend in both Philadelphia and New York City. 

"Gobble, Gobble" Thanksgiving Outfit

Another outfit for my little sweetheart, Samantha. This time I wanted her looking adorable but playful for this year's Turkey Day. 

Santa Barbara International Half Marathon

Signed up last minute for the Santa Barbara International Half Marathon. Having to run 14 miles for marathon training, what better way to run the miles with thousands of people?

Spiced Slow Cooker Applesauce

It is Fall! And what a better time than to make your home smell delicious by simply throwing some apples in your slow cooker and making scrumptious applesauce. 

My Birthday at The Getty Villa

My birthday is today. 

With my husband in New Jersey working on the recovery of Hurricane Sandy, this birthday will be celebrated solo. Since he is gone I went and did something that I ALWAYS wanted to do- visited The Getty Villa in Malibu, California. 

DIY Spider Witch Halloween Kids Costume

This was a post that was originally posted at The CSI Project. Samantha's photos are just to cute and I wanted to share them with you. 

SoCal Social 2012

 Can't tell you how excited I was to attend the SoCal Social for a second year in a row! It was so much fun the previous year that I couldn't wait for it again. 

Pumpkin Pillow Case Dress

 My girl Samantha, spoiled yet again! This time I wanted her to look festive for October in this adorable Halloween version of a pillowcase dress. 

Canned Spiced Green Beans

This will be the second canning recipe that I use all the time from Farmers Market Cookbook. You can see my first recipe, Cracked Black Pepper and Lime Corn Relish. 

San Francisco Giant Race, Half-Marathon

"The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will  beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit, its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done." 

-Rocky Balboa

Crisp, clear and chilly morning. Bay area fog and the smell of sea in the air. Perfect conditions for a race. 

This was a race that I was physically primed for. Although, after losing my first pregnancy and subsequent depression, this was a race that had many mental hurdles.  

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint 101

Yesterday I did my first Annie Sloan Chalk Paint piece of furniture!!

Excited, definitely. After my class and coming home I sat and looked at my finished piece and it just got all my brain in marathon mode with ideas. 

To put it mildly, I was planning on repainting all of my furniture. 

Pinned #14: Samantha's Football T-Shirt

Stats for Week #14

30 Boards

2,029 Pins

337 Likes

This week's project comes right off of my "For Samantha" board. She is my best friend's only daughter and I am now referred to as her Fairy Godmother because bibbity bobbity she has whatever it is she wants because I will give it to her and by-golly I will make her any outfit her heart desires. 

I love to spoil her. 

Under $10.00 Children's Chalk Boards

I like to recycle, make something new again or re-purpose. 

So when my best friend wanted some chalk boards for her darling children, I couldn't help myself in making some chalk boards that were durable and cost effective. 

Finally of 2012 Fall Series of DIY Tutorials

Happy Fall Y'All!

I hope that you enjoyed this week of Fall DIY tutorials. It was so much fun to create all of these wonderful items and it has inspired me for even more Fall decorating/projects. Here are the tutorials:

Harvest Two Tier Treat Stand

Day four of my Fall series of DIY tutorials. 

If you missed it-

Day 1: From Pallet to Distressed Harvest Sign

Day 2: Outdoor Fall Table

Day 3: Harvest Burlap Chair

I have a table and chair, now the table needs something. The inspiration behind this project was from Pinterest. 

Harvest Burlap Chair

Day three of my Fall Series DIY tutorials.

If you missed it-

 Day 1: From Pallet to Distressed Harvest Sign

Day 2: Outdoor Fall Table 

Outdoor Fall Table

Day two of my Fall series of DIY tutorials. 

Check out Day One: From Pallet to Distressed Harvest Sign

From Pallet to Distressed Harvest Sign

This is part of a five day FALL series of DIY tutorials. 

Pallet Projects-They are EVERYWHERE!!

Although I would love to create a ton of them, I refuse to pay for a pallet, much less make my own. 

Alameda Point Antique Fair

Alameda Antique Fair is one of the largest fairs and has been featured in tons of magazines. It is my favorite!!

Pinned #13: Crock Pot Shredded Buffalo Chicken

 Stats for Week #13

 29 Boards

1,848 Pins

322 Likes

It has gotten to a point on Pinterest where I can tell when my friends are hungry because they pin everything they are craving. 

Santa Barbara Triathlon

Mr. KofColors, Lance, was a participant in the Santa Barbara Triathlon. Let's just say it has been a few years since his last triathlon, but with lots of training, dedication and perseverance he finished strong.  

KofColors Finished Workspace Make-Over

Wow!! It is finally finished. 

I can't tell you how much more organized things are and that you can now see the floor. *Not that you will always be able to.

Cost of the make-over:

$10.00 Metal Drawer Storage

$5.00 Table

$7.00 Cherry Oilcloth

$8.00 Spray Paint

TOTAL: $30.00

Before and After: Metal Drawer Storage

Day 3 of Workspace Make-Over, Day 2 was Thread Organizer and Day 1 was Five Dollar Craigslist table. 

It was about time that I found something that could hold all of my trims and notions. 

Thread Organizer Tutorial

Day 2 of my Workspace Make-Over. Yesterday was my Five Dollar Craigslist Table, today is my thread organizer. 

Before and After: Five Dollar Craigslist Table

Ah Craigslist...my husband can seem to find me just about anything on there. Including this $5.00 table that I was using for shows.

KofColors Workspace Make-Over

 How embarrassing!!

I should be ashamed of the mess that is displayed in these photos. But sadly this has been my workspace for the last two years. And even though I have made some small changes and added bits of charm. 

Carpinteria Farmer's Market

It was the first Thursday, in a long time,  that we were able to make the Carpinteria Farmer's Market. It was a beautiful, warm summer afternoon and a great time to walk around and sample some fruit. 

Pinned #12: Vintage Velvet & Lace Bookmarks

Pinterest Stats for Week #12

28 Boards

1,749 Pins

311 Likes

Hello, my name is Amanda and I am a book hoarder. 

No joke. If there was more time in the day I would spend at least three hours reading. Stacks of books sit on my bedside table, my request list for the library is at least three books long...

Baseball Bookend

My dad loves baseball. Childhood memories are filled with being at the baseball field watching my brother, going to Seattle Mariner games in Seattle, and in the summer if I wanted to see my dad...I could find him at the field mowing the green. 

Back to School Teacher Gifts

School has started for some already and about to begin for others. It is that time of year when back to school shopping is everywhere, supplies, clothing and dorm room decor. 

Sunday Farmers Market Finds

This past week, the weather has been its HOTTEST!! So this Sunday morning was spent walking through the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market. 

Pinned #11: Easy Crock Pot Lemon Chicken

Ingredients

 Pinterest Stats for Week #11

28 Boards

1,646 Pins

295 Likes

This recipe is super simple and easy to make when life is busy. 

Lineman Insulator Decor

 Living with a lineman, he seems to come home from work with treasures. 

Glass treasures, that come in all shapes,sizes and colors. Some are huge, some are broken, others gorgeous colors and most are clear or green. 

With a garage full of insulators and lots of ideas online on how to use them as decor in the house. I thought I would share some of my creations. 

Some of these insulators are really rare and are worth a lot of money. 

My New 1950s Hoosier Cabinet

My last blog post was in June. WOW! Time sure does fly by when you are having fun. It has been a busy month and I have completed so many projects...now I just have to find the time to blog.                           But it is so difficult when the weather has been so beautiful outside. The beach, my bike, flowers and my dogs have been just calling me outside. Let's just say that my nose is sun-kissed, I've read more books in a month than last year combined and I have only killed my mint plants once *big improvement on my green thumb. 

You're a Grand Old Flag Wreath

One of the fastest holiday wreaths that I have ever put together. With only FOUR things that you need to complete the project, this can be done right before your Fourth of July party. 

What you need is:

a grapevine wreath, mine was 30"

a retired flag, I purchased a well worn flag at a thrift store

raffia

Star, you can either buy a metal star, I used a wood one

All I did was wrap the flag around one part of the wreath and used safety pins to hold in place. 

Then joining the end of the flag at the opposite end of the wreath and tying with the raffia. 

After painting/distressing the wood star, I hot glued the Star in place to the raffia knots. 

The only problem I had was "where to display"? I tried my front door, but it was too large. The front gate was also an option, but I didn't want anyone to steal it. (Maybe I will move it out to the front on the Fourth of July)

My favorite place was above my fireplace in my living room. There is a light that illuminates the wreath at night and it really looks beautiful (see below). 

Hope you make your own wreath, let me know if you do, I would love to see them. Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. 

~Amanda

Pinned #10: Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars

Pinterest Stats for Week #10:

29 Boards

1522 Pins 

248 Likes

I ran across this delicious recipe on Pinterest. It is from Anna at Blissful Whimsy. You can find the recipe:

HERE

This is such a simple recipe, with so few ingredients and takes no time at all. When I made these my house smelled like "Cinnabon" and my mouth was drooling. 

I would add an extra tablespoon of milk when making the frosting.  Also, spreading the batter in the pan is DEFINITELY an arm workout. 

Enjoy!

~Amanda

Freedom Flowers

If you remember way back in March, I purchased this crate with my mom and did an Spring centerpiece. If not you can find it HERE. 

This crate has endless possibilities for floral arrangements and what a better holiday to display some great summer flowers than for the Fourth of July. 

Pinned #9: Itty Bitty Baby Dress

My Pinterest Stats for Week #9

29 Boards

1503 Pins

237 Likes

My best friend Amy has the most adorable children. I just love them and like to spoil them every chance possible. Her littlest princess was making her first trip to Disneyland and I wanted to make her an extra special dress. 

The Itty Bitty Baby Dress from Made-by-Rae.com is on my Baby Stuff Pinboard. It is a free pattern for sizes newborn to six months. 

The first dress attempted was the largest size, but it was a little tight around the chest.