FALLING FOR FLARES RE-CREATION

So maybe I've become a little obsessive or addicted to outfit re-creates, but they have been so much fun! Here is another one of my favorites that I showcased the pic from Pinterest on my Friday favorites a few weeks ago HERE

This is the third one I've attempted. Again, tickled pink that I had most of these things. These flares are from American Eagle and I LOVE THEM. I got them a few weeks ago, I love the contrasting hem on these and the distressed look. They're called the Boho Artist Flare HERE

I did buy the slouchy white shirt from Kohl's HERE in the juniors' section. It is so comfortable and I think I'll wear it a lot this Fall for more comfy with big chunky sweaters and leggings.

I searched and searched for that bag she is carrying as I absolutely love it, the style and the color. However, I came up short so I just used my old favorite neutral Coach bag that matches some old Chinese Laundry Pointy Toe heels that I wore with this. My mom has a plethora of neck scarves so I tied one on the side, like the model and I think I really like the idea of adding a small, colorful scarf to a neutral bag.

 So, I value your opinion, did I do a good job?

 Have a Wonderful Wednesday!!

xoxo

"Jeans represent democracy in Fashion."

~Giorgio Armani

HAM CHOWDER.....THE BIRTHDAY SOUP!

You know, our family is very strong on tradition, especially when it comes to food! Even if we go out for a family birthday, I always have a family birthday meal at home as well! Everyone has a favorite they like me to make; For my husband, BLT's and Corn on the Cob, for the oldest it's Hamburger Steaks with Mushroom Gravy, for 2nd oldest, it's Chipped Beef on Toast and for the youngest, it's this delicious Ham and Potato Chowder. We've been having the soup for years and it seems to get better each time I make it! 
Yum  

The family scarfed it down last Sunday for the birthday dinner   It's easy soup full flavor but I'm sure your family will love as much as ours does. For some reason the best crackers to serve with this soup are the buttery Townhouse originals.

HAM CHOWDER
  
 INGREDIENTS
4 cups diced potatoes
4 cups water
1 cup diced/cubed ham (can add more if you love ham)
1/3 cup diced onion
1/3 cup diced celery
2-3 Tablespoons dry chicken base
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 stick butter
8 Tablespoons flour
3 cups skim milk
Shredded cheese, bacon and/or green onions for garnish.

 DIRECTIONS
Dice celery, onion and potatoes, add to large stock pot and add the water. Boil for about 20 minutes on med-high heat until tender. Add the chicken base, salt and pepper. In the meantime, make your rue by melting the butter in a medium saucepan and slowly adding the flour, whisking until like a paste, slowly add the milk, whisking over medium heat continuously until thickened. Pour into soup mixture, stir well, cook for an addition 10 minutes over med-low heat and serve with colby-jack shredded cheese and bacon crumbled on top.

What the Rue looks like before adding the milk

Mmm, Mmm Good!!

Linking up with Tasty Tuesday // Recipe Swap // Tuesday Talk // Creative Muster // Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop // Wow Us Wednesdays
// The Wednesday Showcase // Party In Your PJ's // Your Whims Wednesday // Worthwhile Wednesdays  // Treasure Hunt Thursday // Wake Up Wednesday
Weekend Potluck //  Meal Plan Monday #120

 xoxo
 "Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world."
~Susan Lieberman 

BOO BAGS!!

Happy Monday! I'm feeling Crafty!! Back when the kids were little, I was always one of the room moms! It was such fun and the kids always look forward to what we put together for their parties! Fall was always such a fun time at school. I miss those days sometimes, but the creativity never ends in my mind.

This was one of my favorites I thought up; simple to make  personalized candy filled "Boo Bags", Yep, I put names on all 32 of them!
32 bags only cost 30 cents each!!

These can be made for anybody and are sooo Easy!! I still make these sometimes for Family and Friends, like these I whipped up on Saturday. While I prefer to decorate in Harvest Theme, I do like to get into the Halloween spirit with goodies like these. You can add other sayings besides names or leave blank. I fill them with candy, cookies, snacks or other tiny treasures like pumpkin scented votive candles. I found the glue and Bat stickers in the Dollar din at Target on Friday.
Everything else is from Michael's or Hobby Lobby.

MAKE THE BOO BAGS:

What you need:

Small White paper bags (3.5" x 2")

Googly eyes

Thin Black Assorted Ribbon 3/8"

Black alphabet stickers
Bat or some form of Halloween/Fall Stickers

Glue

Paper hole puncher

Black Tissue Paper

Pinking Shears

How to make:

Place two hole punches at the top of the bag, front face only, about a 1/2 inch down and an inch apart. While Bag is still flat, glue on the eyes about an inch down from the ribbon holes. Then, adhere a sticker in the bottom corner or anywhere you choose. Place a name, BOO! or saying with stickers in the middle. Open bag and thread ribbon, tying a bow in front. Fill with items. Cuts some squares (about 4' x 4") of black tissue paper with pinking shears and stick two squares in top of each bag. WooHoo, cute little "Boo" Treat Bags!!!

Here are some other things I made for the class/Fall parties over the years!! 

Giant Jack O' Lantern (with cupcakes)

This was a huge hit!!

How To HERE

GHOST SUCKERS 

Been making these forever!!

Use Kleenex, or my fave, plain white cotton fabric you can get cheap by the yard. Cut into squares with pinking shears. Cover Tootsie Blow Pops (forget those lil got tinier over the years Dum Dum suckers), You want a plump little ghosts. lol). Tie with thin colored ribbon and draw the eyes with a sharpie, you can draw a big oval scary mouth too. To display and transport, push them down in a block of Styrofoam.

MUMMY DOGS

Something other than candy!!

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Take a can of Pillsbury crescent dough sheets and cut into 10 stripes. Wrap 10 hot dogs in the dough leaving a little opening for the face. Place them on an ungreased large cookie sheet and lightly spray the mummy dogs with cooking spray. Bake for 13-17 minutes until golden brown and use mustard to put dots for eyes on your mummies.

I hope you go make Monday Marvelous!!

 Linking up with Biana // Inspiration Monday // Inspire-me-Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Tuesday's At Our Home // Two Uses Tuesday
// Lou Lou Girls // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Tuesday Talk // Project Inspired // Creative Muster // Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop
// Wow Us Wednesdays // The Wednesday Showcase // Party in Your PJ's // Your Whims Wednesday // Worthwhile Wednesdays // Treasure Hunt Thursday
// Wake Up Wednesday // Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop // Creative Ways Link Party // Simple Sweet Fridays // Friday favorites #288 
 // Creativity Unleashed // Home Matters //  Kitchen Fun with my 3 Sons // The SITS Girls // Saturday Crafty Showcase // Craft Frenzy Friday
// Amaze Me Monday // Clever Chicks Blog Hop // Friday Favorites #127
xoxo

"It's no use....I'm just a scary ol' ghost!"
~Casper The Friendly Ghost

FRIDAY FAVORITES.....FALL EDITION

We officially ushered in Fall this week and with it came the crisp morning air and the cravings for all things Apple, Pumpkin, and Football! I finally feel like I can wear my riding boots with confidence and decorate the porch with mums, scarecrows and pumpkins. A few hints of orange-ish hues are in the trees and when a leaf crunches beneath my feet, I smile! I hope your weekend is filled with lots of smiles!!!

1. APPLE PIE PUNCH & CARAMEL APPLE BARS
 Apples in all there glory to make this:

• 1 apple, chopped or sliced
• 1 quart apple cider
• 2 cups pear nectar
• 24 ounces ginger ale
• Apple pie vodka (optional) and One brand is Pearl. 
• *If you can't find Apple Pie Vodka, Caramel Vodka is also delicious in this drink!
• 
  
• Combine apple cider, pear nectar, and ginger ale. Stir well. Place apple slices inside pitcher.
• Pour over ice and serve! If you're wanting to serve it warm, heat all of the liquid ingredients in a pot over a stove on low heat. Simmer for a few minutes until warm, place apple slices in the pot, and serve in mugs.
• *If you're craving an alcoholic drink, add one shot (1.5 ounces) apple pie vodka to each individual drink, or 1 - 1½ cup to entire pitcher
•  
• CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE BARS

 Recipe HERE

2. GAME DAY & WORK ATTIRE
The work attire gets boring so this week I added my game day outfit for the Notre Dame Game. They won and better win again tomorrow, Go Irish!!

Notre Dame garb from the ND Bookstore/Jeans are Treasure and Bond Boyfriend from Nordstrom

Cardi and Scarf are Old Navy, tank is Target and Pants from Maurice's

Entire outfit from The Loft

3. OUTFIT INSPO ~ FAUX FUR VEST
Ushering in Fall with a feeling I need a Faux Fur Vest. Love these and tell me if you've found a good one and where!!

4. BIRTHDAY BOY AND HEART SHAPED SUSHI
Our youngest and precious boy turned 15 and the requested dinner out was Sushi at Woochi!
Of course, no Birthday would be complete without the REESE PEANUT BUTTER CAKE!! Recipe HERE

 We Love YOU!!

Beautiful Sushi and YUMMO!!!!!

5. PUMPKIN SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE
GIVEAWAY
Beautiful Pamela over at A Little Glitter
had the wonderful idea to do a Give Away for the First day of Fall. 
This giveaway ended 9-30 at 6am
But check out these pretty ladies and their fantastic Blogs!!

Hosted by: The Sequin Notebook, Jessi's Design, Twin Living Blog, A Little Glitter, Living On Cloud Nine, By Kari Parker, Pink and Fabulous, Lisa Loves John, Green Fashionista and Meet @ the Barre

  Linking up with Amanda //  Friday Favorites // Oh Hey, Friday  //  High Five for Friday // Friday Fashions // Fashion Friday..Jo-Lynne Shane // Favorite Fashion Friday // The SITS Girls // Trend Spin

xoxo

 

 

WEAR WHITE YOUR WAY!!

Fashion Taboo boo-hoo Hoo! Of course you CAN wear white after Labor Day! The way I see it as long as you're not trying to make it look all SUMMERY, there are so many ways to wear white and look fresh and chic for Fall!!
Linking up with Ageless Style

   

The crazy thing about these high waist-ed white skinnies I got last year at Target is that I never wore them! For some reason I kept putting them on and they didn't quite look right, until this year when I rolled the bottoms up, wore a cute little T-shirt to a football game and thought how comfy and cute they were! I decided to add my LUSH tunic from Nordstrom's, my new cognac I.N.C. Boots from Macy's HERE and this adorable military vest I got last year from a boutique. 

 Necklace is from the Loft

Wear white year round friends because I know with all of your good tastes, you'll wear it so well!!!

Love this and will feature more Faux fur vests later this week

Check out how to wear white on Pinterest and you'll find all kinds of wonderful inspiration.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy // The Mummy Chronicles // Whatcha Wearing Wednesday // The Stylish Housewife
// Shopping My Closet // Oh Hey Girl // WIWW // Color and Grace // Trendy Wednesday // WIWW // Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop // Throw Back Thursday 
// Wednesday's Wardrobe

xoxo

"White is as easy as black, now that people are wearing it year-round."

~Reed  Karkoff

 

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE MOUSSE PIZZELLES

I know, we are in pumpkin overdrive! There are pumpkin recipes everywhere! When I check my Pinterest feed, every other pin is Pumpkin something. AND I LOVE IT!!! I adore everything pumpkin, except, believe it or not, pumpkin pie! Never been a fan. Yum  

Linking up with The Weekend Potluck

My husband and I were recently at a Large Farmers market where they have lots of unique goodies. I was overjoyed to find the Pumpkin Spice Pizzelles (Italian Waffle Cookies). These things are amazing and only 23 calories each.

After asking hubs, "can we get them?", I was quickly inspired to make a healthy version of pumpkin mousse to top them with and of course add a little cool whip and candied pecans on top!! The result, yummy and light, just the right amount of sweetness and crunch pumpkin goodness!!! So EASY too!! Enjoy pumpkin time friends and fans!!!

INGREDIENTS
8 Pizzelle Cookies
4 containers of Greek Pumpkin Yogurt (this Oikos Pumpkin Pie is the BEST I've had)
1 package Cheesecake pudding Mix (I used sugar free)
1 8 oz tub cool whip
1 teasppon vanilla
Pumpkin Pie spice
Honey Roasted Pecan Pieces (I make homemade candied pecans at the Holidays and will share that recipe later on) 

DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, mix yogurt, vanilla and cheesecake pudding mix. Fold in cool whip. Place a large spoonful on each pizzelle, then put a dollop of cool whip on top and if desired, sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice and pecans. Note, make sure to assemble these Right before serving as the pizzelle with get soft. Enjoy!! These are super yummy!!

 Mmmm, another Tasty Tuesday!!

 If you are not a pumpkin fan, I bet this would work great with other Greek yogurt flavors as well!!

Linking Up with 

// Inspire Me Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Tuesday's at our Home // Two Uses Tuesdays // Lou Lou Girls // Totally Terrific Tuesday
// Treasure Hunt Thursday // Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons // Weekend Potluck
xoxo