Challenge Recipe: Chicken Kiev

This post is brought to you by Challenge Butter.
When Challenge Butter asked me to create a recipe post for them I had a hard time deciding what yummy concoction I could whip up with their all natural real cream butter. Initially I planned on doing a simple dump cake but when I stumbled across this recipe for Chicken Kiev, I knew I had to try it!

DIY Refinishing Cabinet Hinges

So I wanted to pop in and share an easy DIY that can save you money on a kitchen remodel. At $1+ a piece, cabinet door hinges are one of those necessary evils. Well here's an easy way to not waste any money on new ones, just clean or refinish your old ones!

Home Plans: The Kitchen Update

Just wanted to share an update on the kitchen remodel progress...
It's going slow but we made huge strides this weekend. It already looks a million times better, even with a sink full of unpacked dishes to wash.
Of course it hasn't been without incident and I'll be sure to share all that later. As for now, here's what we still need to do...

Enduring Love

I kinda wanted to ball my eyes out when I read about this farmer who grew a heart shaped meadow for his late wife and was able to keep it a family secret for the last 17 years until a hot air balloonist took this photograph 2 weeks ago.

The $20 Grocery Week

As I've shared recently with you guys, we live on a very strict budget. Part of that means that we only grant ourselves $50 a week to spend on groceries, health & beauty items, and dog food. Well with my new diet, we spent a big chunk of our overall monthly grocery bill in the first week. I hate how new diets trick us that way :-/
This meant that at the middle of the month we had very little left over.... like only $25 max to spend this week O_O
Despite this, I wanted to get started on my deal with mom of cooking dinner for the whole family (4 - 5 of us), in exchange for her housekeeping services.
So how did I manage to buy groceries for 7 dinners for 5 on only $20.08 as pictured?

The Smart Phone Diet: Week 2 & 3

So it has been just under 3 weeks that I have been on my diet. And at my last weigh-in yesterday I had lost another 6 pounds O_O And that's despite a huge cheat day last weekend at Olive Garden.
I am super excited because am 20% of the way to my goal and I am no longer considered obese according to my BMI... Woohoo!

Summer: A User's Guide by Suzanne Brown

Summer: A User's Guide by Suzanne Brown
Artisan (May 9, 2007)
ISBN-10: 1579653162
ISBN-13: 978-1579653163
224 pages
All Ages
My Rating: 4/5

Weekly Intentions: July 15

• Design my own letterhead stationary (inspiration)

• Write my talk for Tuesday

• Hunt for 1.5" Burgundy ribbon for Gene & Jasmine's Invitations

• Finish the twins' blankets (inspiration)

• Enroll in a e-course (inspiration)

• Cook for the whole family most every night (inspiration)

• Stay focused on my diet ;)

Home Plans: The Bathroom Makeover

Our bathroom was the nicest room in our new house when we moved in. It had been remodeled for my great-grandmother in '09 to make it handicap accesible so everything was new and clean.

That being said it still needed some help...

Things I love Thursday: The DIY Edition

I am absolutely loving these DIY projects and cannot wait to try them :)

Router Disguised with a Book

Dry Erase Calendar

Poem Script Scarf

Sharpie Mug

The Smart Phone Diet: Week 1 Meals

So I have been on my new diet for a little over a week now. I have only lost a pound but I am feeling a lot better about myself. It's amazing how portion control affects us. At first when I finish my plate I think, "That was it? I am still hungry!" I wait 30 minutes and then it's like "Wow, I'm full!" Totally crazy! But I have really been enjoying my meals :) Here's some of my favorite things I ate last week...

Sushi

No Butter Shrimp Linguini

Green Salad Sandwiches

Taco Salad

Frozen Yogurt (Yum!)

For Breakfast Everyday

Another new thing with the diet this week is that we have installed the Evernote Food app to keep track of our meals and send each other photos. Absolutely love it and I'll share screenshots in my next update ;)

Improving my Productivity: Office Organization

Last Friday, I came home and spent a good 5 hours cleaning and organizing my office. Since then I have felt so productive and at peace when I come in here to work. I love when my environment is neat and orderly even though I hate the process of getting it there :-/
Part of what took me so long is that I wanted to arrange everything in a way that worked with my small area, looked good, and was logical to find and use :)

Home Plans: My Office Phase 1

Check it out... after 8 weeks of living in our new house I finally have a room that is for the time being done :)
When we moved in, the office was a pretty ugly ducking...

The Smart Phone Diet

So I have been talking about dieting for as long as I have been married but instead each month I have steadily gained weight. Now I am at my breaking point. According to my BMI I am officially obese and that is just ridiculous for my small framed body.

My Homemade Gift Exchange Gift

This month was the first time I ever participated in the Homemade Gift Exchange. I found it a nice way to do a craft project, I probably wouldn't otherwise. 

Hello Summer!

This post is underwritten by Old Navy. Whether you're looking for a tankini, bikini, or a one piece, Old Navy has you confidently covered at a great price.


Summer is officially upon us and with that comes swim suit season! Our move to the RGV area of Texas means we are only an hour away form South Padre Island and we definitely are planning to take advantage of that year round.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Harlequin Teen (July 31, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0373210493
ISBN-13: 978-0373210497
416 pages
Ages 16 +
Buy Here for $11.74
My Rating: 4/5

Road Trip Wednesday #135: How'd You Spend Your Summer After Graduation?

showing off my diploma and tassel since I didn't get to walk

I have decided to finally participate in Road trip Wednesday over at YA Highway this week. There prompt today is: How'd You Spend Your Summer After Graduation?
I absolutely cannot believe that my summer after graduation was 6 years ago O_O That really makes me feel old when I say that, and I KNOW I am not old!

What's In Your Purse?

It's been a while since I've thoroughly cleaned out my bag and I have been in transition between a few totes since the move. Tonight I had finally had it and decided I needed to clean out my bag and move everything back into my long time favorite purse.
Of course this provided the perfect opportunity to share all the stuff I lug around on a daily basis...

Obligatory Outfit Post 1

So here is my first ever outfit post featuring one of the creative ensemble I put together for Project 15x2x2. I also styled my hair in a pretty braid bun... here's to the occasional dressy Tuesday.

One Moment by Kristina McBride

One Moment by Kristina McBride
Egmont USA (June 26, 2012)
ISBN-10: 160684086X
ISBN-13: 978-1606840863
272 pages
Ages 14 & up
Buy Here for $11.35
My Rating: 3/5

Weekly Intentions: June 10

So while I didn't get everything I wanted done last week I got to scratch off some big ones like going to the Chisholm Trail Roundup... whoop! whoop! :) My Instagram stream was load with fun pics from the weekend :) I have a lot of work this week but I want to balance it out with some simple personal projects and other responsibilities...

• Work on my Handmade Gift Exchange gift (inspiration)

• Finish Liam & Lianna's Mini Blankets
• Make some hand scrub (inspiration)

• Install a shelf over our bathroom sink
• Finally make some progress on my Spring/Summer 2013 collections
• Edit Kasey's Wedding Photos

• Write a personal styling post (inspiration)

Let's Talk Money

So I know I have mentioned that Luke and I live on a very tight budget. I know everyone has their own definition of tight and that's why after much thought, I've decided to share a glimpse into our finances. I hope this can help others in a similar situation see where they can cut costs and consider saving money.

The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen

The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen
Bethany House Publishers (January 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0764204807
ISBN-13: 978-0764204807
416 Pages
Buy Here for $9.67
My Rating: 5/5

Our 2nd Anniversary: The $25 Date

So Luke and I  celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary last Tuesday on the 29th. I knew I didn't want the day to pass without doing something special but living on a tight budget limited what we could do. I turned to trusty google for some date ideas and found a wicked sentimental and special idea for under $25.

Project 333 Update and 15x15x2

So it is officially June and my Project 333 is over. I am sorry I didn't post any outfit pics but I found life was just too hectic to remember to do so. But how did my challenge fair? Let's recap...

• I had only 33 articles of clothing for 3 months
• I felt incredibly liberated because getting dressed in the morning was a breeze
• I confidently knew everything in my closet would match, fit, and look good on me
• I never felt bored or restricted
• I did buy a couple new things but would swap them out for other items
• My last month had considerably less than 33 items because of our move
• I would definitely do this project for every season of the year :)

So there you have it, a complete and utter success! :) So now I want to try my hand at a 30 day challenge. There are lot of them out there but none really resonated with my fashion or lifestyle. So I have decide to create my own called 15x15x2.

Here are my rules:

1. Select 15 articles of clothing that will comprise of my complete wardrobe for one month.
2. Not counted to the 15 are shoes, jewelry, accessories, underwear, pjs/house clothes, and RBC clothes and gear.
3. I will begin this project and it will last from June 1st - 30th.
4. If I purchase a new item or decide to add an article to my closet than I must permanently swap it out for another article.
5. All my other clothes must be boxed up and out of sight.
6. I must pair my 15 articles into 15 different combinations of outfits.
7. I can only repeat a combination twice throughout the month.

Since this challenge require more creativity and detail to pairings I will try to have Luke take a photo of each combination I wear.
On Friday I sorted through my clothes, which was easy since most stuff is still packed. Over the last 3 weeks I have had to reassess and replace a lot of what I did own to fit our new climate. The weather here is in the 100's already and will stay that way through August. It has even been in the high 90's in December O_O Plus we have humidity that rivals Houston because of the Gulf and crazy high winds like the Santa Ana's. Basically I say it's like living inside a mouth, warm moist air constantly lapping at your skin :-/
This means my wardrobe has to consist of cool breathable fabrics. No polyester for me! Only 100% cotton or rayon. Linen is good to but we all know I don't iron so that's just not an option! So considering these factors here is what I selected for the month:

• 3 Solid Straight Skirts - Gray, Maroon, and Turquoise
• 2 Capri Pants - Both are dark wash denim but one has pockets and the other doesn't
• 2 Dresses - Pink Chevron A-line and my Brown Ethnic Sheath
• 2 Cover-Ups - Peach Sweater and a Brown Bolero
• 2 Camis - Black and Turquoise
• 3 Tees - Navy, Turquoise, and Gray Stripe
• 1 Swimsuit - TBD

Can't wait to see what combinations I come up with and feel free to join me in this challenge! :)

Weekly Intentions: June 3

I cannot believe how fast the last 3 weeks went by! Things have been insane and while I didn't accomplish everything I had hopped to, I did do other important things too :) Here is what I hope to accomplish this week:

• Finish Jaime's suite order
• Continue refinishing kitchen cabinets (inspiration)

• Design 2 new invitation suites for my Spring/Summer 2013 Collection
• Write our family mission statement (inspiration)

• Go to the Chisholm Trail Roundup (if we don't get called in for the RBC project) (inspiration)

• Read and review one book
• Blog about my new 30 Day Wardrobe Challenge (inspiration)

The Handmade Gift Exchange

So this year I have decided to participate in Craft Anonymous' Summer Handmade Gift Exchange. I have never doen so before, but it sounds like a very fun collaborative effort and I love the idea of having a personal, non-work related craft project to work on :)
Anyone is welcome as a participant. All you have to do is sign up through Elfster.
I'll share pics when I know who I am assigned to and what I'll be making :)