Quote of the Day

"The caterpillar does all the work, but the butterfly gets all the publicity." 

-George Carlin

DIY: Flower Pens

Aren't these flowers cute? The best part is they are functional, too! They are flower pens stored as a beautiful bouquet. Here's how you do it. 

First, get your supplies:

*Faux flowers

*Stem Wrap Tape

*Pens

*Vase/bowl

*Scissors

After you wrap the tape around the pen and stem, begin arranging your bouquet. You can use different flowers (ie. roses), but these are what I found on sale at my local crafts store. 

Quote of the Day

"A fool for love is a fool for pain."

-Lisa Fischer

Meatless Monday: Curried Tomatoes & Chickpeas

Tomatoes are in season, so it only makes sense to enjoy fresh ones as much as possible before the Summer comes to an end. This recipe is the perfect opportunity :) This uber-satisfying dish is as simple as it is delicious.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 scallions (sliced; white and light green parts separated)

1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated)

1 teaspoon curry powder

2 pints grape or cherry tomatoes

1 can (15 1/2 oz.) rinsed chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

salt and pepper

Directions:

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the white parts of the scallions, the ginger and the curry powder until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes). Add the tomatoes and cook until beginning to burst (about 5-7 minutes). Add the chickpeas and lime juice. Sprinkle in the scallion greens and add salt and pepper to taste.

Bon appetit!

[Recipe and Image from RealSimple.com]

Quote of the Day

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."

-Anonymous

DIY: Jewelry Redo

Don't be so quick to get rid of those older pieces of jewelry you never wear anymore! Here's a fun and easy way to revive those old pieces of jewelry with new life.  Or take that impulse buy you have since lost interest in and make it into something you'll actually wear.

Take a look at some of my old items, although pretty, have become boring to me over the years never to be worn again. This "jewelry redo" took about the time it takes to paint my nails, and I can't WAIT to put these on! The secret... nailpolish!

Don't you just love those DIY projects you can do immediately? No need to go to the crafts store. Just grab some of that polish and get creative! I put 2-3 coats of super cheap ($0.99) white nailpolish as a base; allow to dry completely between coats.  Then add color.

I happen to be a huge fan of the ombre trend and I also adore oceanic colors, so I went with both. I started in the middle with the in-between shade (turquoise). I then blended above and below with the lighter green (mint) on top, the darker blue at the bottom and blend, blend, BLEND. Using a cheap makeup sponge helps do the trick. It doesn't need to be perfect because no one will notice but you.

I'm so glad I was able to enjoy these pieces then, and can adore them even more now. I like the fact that the polish leaves such a shiny finish (and I didn't even use a top coat). I also can use the same shade(s) on my nails if I really want to coordinate. Best part is, I have the ability to take most pieces of jewelry (ie. very inexpensive) and customize them to what I like instead of limiting myself to what someone else created. Now my accessories evolve with my own style and without spending hardly a thing.

If you're like me, you have alot of polishes to choose from which makes this "jewelry redo" even more fun! The possibilities are virtually limitless.

This is also a good way to use up some of those old polishes you have lying around that you don't wear on your nails anymore.

I can't wait to get my hands on more of my old pieces :) Just make sure with the bigger earrings that you paint the back (either the same color/s or different ones)!

Meatless Monday: Spiced Peas with Cilantro and Lime

I love citrus and spice- especially in the Summer. Peas are healthy and have such a wonderful creamy and satisfying texture- alot like mashed potatoes. Serve this unexpected dish as a side at your next BBQ or dinner party and it'll knock your guests' socks off!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. fresh peas in the pod shelled (about 2 cups) or 2 cups frozen peas
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic (sliced)
1/2 tsp. curry powder
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1 tsp. fresh lime juice

Directions:
If using fresh peas, fill a large saucepan with salted water and bring to a boil. Add the peas and cook until just tender, 3-5 minutes. Drain. Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the peas, garlic, curry powder and 1/4 tsp. salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and warmed through, 2-3 minutes. Add cilantro and lime juice. Toss to combine.

[Recipe and Images via RealSimple.com]

Quote of the Day

"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves."

- Buddha

DIY: Recycled Containers

Do these look familiar? Well, if you shop at The Body Shop, they probably do. They are containers for their famous body butters! I finished these two off and thought they would be perfect for small clips and ponytail holders. Just peel off the labels (which come off very easily and without leaving glue residue behind) and give them a good wash. I am little obsessed with labeling things so I added that too, but you can leave them plain if you wish. If you have different colors, you can distinguish the contents that way. They are also great for stacking so you can keep the clutter factor at a minimum. Don't you just love to recycle? :)

Throwback Thursday: "How Can I Ease the Pain" Live

I heard this Lisa Fischer song on the radio while driving back from Vegas a few months ago and fell in love with it all over again. Here's the live version, which I fancy the most :)

Quote of the Day

"There shall be eternal Summer in the grateful heart."

-Celia Thaxte

DIY: Leafy Greens for Cats

This Martha Stewart DIY pet project looks like so much fun. I grow herbs for my own consumption. Why not for my cat?

[Via MarthaStewart.com]

Meatless Monday: Thai Coconut Cucumber Salad

The Summer heat is in full effect! That means we all want to eat a little lighter and healthier, but we still want to be satisfied, right? This recipe is all of that and more. I love the brightness and color it has. You truly eat with your eyes first and this dish does not disappoint. You can have this either cold or at room temp, making it ideal for the season.

Ingredients:

(Dressing)
1/3 cup coconut milk
1 tsp. red curry paste
1 tsp. fish sauce
1 tsp. soy sauce
juice from 1/2 lime
1 tsp. agave
1/4-1/2 tsp. sriracha
1/4 -1/3 cup water

(Salad)

1/2 cup chopped cucumber

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1/2 cup cooked edamame

1/2 cup tofu (baked)
1/4 cup scallions (sliced)
1/2 cup basil leaves (Thai preferably)
4-5 mint leaves (chopped)
1 cup arugula
1 cup rice noodles (cooked)
1/4 cashews (toasted and chopped)
1/4 cup coconut flakes (toasted)

Directions:
In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients except for the water. Add water, a couple of tablespoons at a time, to thin out the dressing to your liking. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly. Place in the refrigerator while you chop the salad ingredients.

Toss all salad ingredients, except for the cashews and coconut flakes, with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly. Add the cashews and coconut flakes on top at the end so they remain crunchy. Squeeze the other half of your lime from the dressing on top (or slice lime and serve as garnish). Serve and enjoy!

Bon appetit!

[Recipe and Images via Bldg 25 Blog]

Meditation Music

With all the stresses of our daily lives, it's nice to get away from it all. I have heard alot about the benefits of meditation, but I don't think I have the patience for it. That's probably an indication that I could use it, right? Well, before I take that leap, I decided to download some meditation music to listen to at my leisure. After all, you don't have to sit in the lotus position to reap the benefits of listening to nature sounds. :)

Usually, I have the TV playing in the background while I clean the house, get the laundry together, etc. But now I've opted for meditation music instead and I find it so soothing. I particularly enjoy it while I'm falling alseep in bed. I also love to play it while I shower, believe it or not. There's nothing like using my fancy bath products while listening to birds chirp amidst sounds of a cascading waterfall. I'm virtually transported to a tropical rainforest or high end spa in some exotic locale. So if you're feeling stressed, give this a try! :)