Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Picture update

I haven't updated in a while, so I thought I would share some of what we were up to this past weekend.

 Rainy Friday. Pancho in his Poncho.

Cheering on the Hoosiers Friday night! 

 
Grilling out on Saturday. Guacamole burgers, drinks, and Brownie Trifle.

Margaritas on the patio Saturday night at La Margarita in Fountain Square.

First car ride to Grandma and Grandpa's on Sunday.
Mini Birthday Cake. 

 Frites and mussels for my birthday dinner on Monday at Brugge Bassierie






Brownie Trifle

I wish this had turned out prettier, but presentation or not, it was AMAZING! This is really easy to make and if you're not in a hurry like I was you can layer it much better.

Brownie Trifle
Ingredients:
-1 package of brownie mix + whatever ingredients it calls for (usually eggs, water and oil)
-2 tubs of Cool Whip thawed.
-1 package of instant chocolate pudding + milk it calls for on package.  
-1 package of Heath candy chopped. (found with chocolate chips in grocery)

Directions: 
Bake brownies as directed on package. Let cool and crumble into small pieces. Set aside.  Prepare chocolate pudding. Fold in 2 cups of cool whip (maybe a little more). 

Layer brownies, chocolate pudding/cool whip mixture. Top with extra cool whip and Heath candies. 

Enjoy! 

 
 

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Seersucker Napkins


I saw this idea in magazine advertising the napkins at a local store in Indianapolis and I thought they were adorable. The magazine advertised them for $14 a piece, which is sorta outrageous! Cloth napkins are the simplest thing to make if you own a serger sewing machine. All you do is sew along the edge with a rolled hem (setting on machine).

We don't use cloth napkins in our house, although I wish we would! So I thought I would make them for my mom who entertains quite a bit and uses cloth napkins all the time! I already have a few colors of fun thread so I went and bought the fabric. I estimated 20x20" for each. I think they turned out a little large so I would go with 18" if you make napkins. Since I knew my mom would need a complete set I made 12 napkins. Four in each color.

I think they turned out awesome! I showed them to Dan whom I didn't think would be that impressed and he asked if I would make us some as well! I think they are perfect for Easter and the Spring-Summer season.






Thursday, March 15, 2012

One Ingredient Ice Cream

Have you heard of this? One ingredient recipe for ice cream?!? How could it be? How could it possibly taste like ice cream and not be bad for you? I felt like it was a myth and I needed to try it for myself.

I have read on several websites and blogs about freezing a banana and then processing it into ice cream. So recently I discovered The Londoner my new favorite blog and girl crush. She made the ice cream chocolate! I followed her instructions here.

Ok, this must be simple and I can't wait!

Here is what happened...
 First I chopped up 2 bananas and froze them in a tupperware dish for a couple days.

 Next I pulled them out of the freezer and put them in my mini food processor. 

 Here is where something went wrong. I processed and processed and it just never got that creamy. So I continued. I also kept trying it to make sure, and it still tasted like a banana. (more about this later)

Finally, I got concerned with the banana taste and added 3 tsp of cocoa powder as the Londoner suggests. I processed and processed and next thing I know... smoke!!! Something is not right! My processor wasn't making the right noise. I burned the motor out. 


So this is my finished product, and while it does LOOK like ice cream it sure didn't taste that way. It tastes like a banana with cocoa powder on it. Ick! I didn't even end up eating it. I kept thinking maybe I should add chocolate syrup, or peanut butter. But then whats the point in healthy ice cream? Might as well go pick up some cookies n cream at the grocery.

What I am more bummed about it my food processor. I love that little baby, and I hope I can find the recipe with warranty. 

So has anyone else tried this recipe before? What did I do wrong? Was my only wrongdoing expecting it to not taste like a banana? I SWEAR I have read online something about the acids or whatever is in a banana creams together to taste like ice cream. Unfortunately I can't find that website again. Damn.

Fail.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Things that I need

want, need, want, need... NEED! Do you fall in love with clothes and HAVE to have them? Here's what I'm obsessed with right now. I think it's the warm weather and the bright colors of spring that are making me want to shop. Thankfully my birthday is this month!


*Greenish skinnies!- I'm obsessed. I want every color.
*Watch- really a necessity! Mine broke. 
*White blazer- goes with everything.
*Colorful statement necklace
*New cell phone cover 
*New gym shoes. I like Asics for running. 
*Kelly Green cross body bag. 
*Bright blue handbag
*Leopard heels. I don't know why I don't already have these?! Wardrobe staple.  

Do you also rationalize why you NEED every purchase until it's yours? And then write a brand new list!


 

Turkey Stuffed Peppers


I've never had stuffed peppers, but I have always thought they sounded good! When I found this healthy recipe via Pinterest I knew I had to make it and I'm sure glad I did. They were awesome! I would recommend adding an additional 1/4 cup of tomato sauce.


Tears

Does everyone else dramatically cry their eyes out chopping onions?!?! I can't handle it. Yes, those are onion goggles. 

Monday, March 5, 2012

Chevron Mini


I found this dress on a fashion blog. I looked it up and it was sold out, so I thought I could make it! I had to hunt down the fabric and finally found what I wanted at Mood Fabrics.

I used New Look 6068 pattern to make the dress. I swear the dresses you think will be the easiest end up the hardest or most work. I made a size smaller knowing that patterns tend to be incorrectly measured for my size and that this dress was very A line. It turned out to be WAY too A line and I ended up re-stitching the sides. I have to admit, I still think it sort of looks like a muumuu. I think I am going to have to belt it just to reassure people I am not pregnant.

 A look at some progress pictures...

 Here is the dress before I took in the sides. I had to belt it to find the waist. 


I have it hemmed here, but I'm wondering how to finish the sleeves. (Don't mind the dog gate)


Here is the finished dress. 

Friday, March 2, 2012

Trend: High/Low Dress

I had to look up what the term was for this dress. I was going to compare it to a mullet. Short in the front, long in the back.

I think I really like the look!



 

I found a few patterns for the look as well! 

 

What do you think? Will you be wearing a mullet high/low dress this summer?