Handmade Shower Invites

Reason #137,485,092 I love my Mother? She gets me business! One of her co-workers is throwing a wedding shower for her daughter and couldn't find just the right invitation. So my mom mentioned how I might be able to help and within three weeks I was shipping her the final product.

Since only 30 invites were needed, I decided to print them at home on two-sided scrapbook paper. The shower is going to be decorate with potted herbs and is at the local Women's Club, so I decided to go with the floral paisley pattern, doilies and coordinating embroidery floss. The guests have been asked to bring the recipe card filled out for the bride-to-be. Instead of buying boring old white index cards, I used the same fonts and created three different designs. I'm so happy with the way they came out and would love to keep doing more of the same! If you have any interest, please shoot me an email at ashley.fairviewpl@gmail.com.

Salads made Simple: Day 4

 How are your salads coming? We're already at Day 4! Are you through all your ingredients yet or have you divided them up properly? For a change of pace, I sometimes like to cut my salads with a pizza cutter. You mix everything in the bowl and add the dressing. Then, run your pizza cutter through several times to make a chop salad. It really helps the lettuce to soak up all the flavors and makes it easier to eat at your desk.

  

Salad No. 4

Salad:

Few handfuls of spinach

3/4 handful of carrots and red pepper combination.  

Garbanzo beans 

4 to 6 grape tomatoes, halved

Sprinkle feta

Sunflower seeds

Ground pepper

 

Dressing (in a separate, no leak container)

1 part balsalmic

2 parts olive oil

 

Meal time: 

Drizzle dressing over salad and enjoy.

 

For Shawn's complete shopping list and other tips and tricks, see the first post of the week here.

 

 

Salads made Simple: Day 3

Onward with Day 3. I didn't have any lemons, I tried using a lime instead. Made for a tasty change of pace!

Salad No. 3 (same as No.2, but mix up the greens)

A few handfuls of greens

3/4 handful of chopped carrots and red pepper

4 to 6 grape tomatoes, halved

Feta

Sunflower seeds

1/4 thinly sliced apple

Ground pepper

Dressing (in a sperate, no leak container)

Minced garlic with lemon juice (maybe a table spoon) and olive oil. Shake and let the flavors mingle.

Meal time: Drizzle dressing and enjoy.

Salads made Simple: Day 2

We're back again with Day 2 of Shawn's simple salad recipes. Yesterday, she showed us her shopping and prep list, which you can find here. Today's recipe has a little sweet and sour taste with an apple and a zesty lemon dressing. Enjoy!

Salad No. 2

For the salad:

Few handfuls of kale.

3/4 handful of chopped carrots and red pepper

4-6 grape tomatoes, halved

1/4 apple, thinly sliced

Feta

Sunflower seeds

Ground pepper

 

Dressing (in a separate, no leak container):

Minced garlic (as much as you can stand) with about a tablespoon of lemon juice and tablespoon of olive oil. Shake and let the flavors mingle.

 

Meal time: Drizzle dressing and enjoy.

Color Therapy

Mustard Yellow! I'm not sure where my love of this color came from...it certainly doesn't look good on me. And it's not a pleasing word to say "mustard." But I love how the color makes me feel warm and cozy. It can be paired with any color and look gorgeous, and it's very vintage presence. 

1) bathroom towels, 2) deer fabric, 3) pumps, 4) shelf, 5) Indiana poster, 6) skirt

 7) deviled eggs, 8) boutineers, 9) pillow, 10) couch

There, now don't you feel better?

Monday Musebles

For as much as we did this weekend, I certainly don't have the photos to prove it! That's okay though, it was an extremely fun and productive weekend which has made me feeling ready for bed at 10 p.m. We started the weekend with homemade calzones, card & invite making and a Breaking Bad marathon on Friday. Yes, I'm hooked again. But, I was able to finish 10 packs of greeting cards and the wedding shower invites I was commissioned to make last month (more on that later).

Saturday was the start of our friend Mark's 40th Birthday Celebration. We went bowling and I actually had the third highest score! That bowling league in 5th grade really paid off - thanks Mom :)

We headed to the delicious Luna Maya for dinner and drinks. Someone made a fabulous raspberry crisp for dessert, which I must find that recipe, make and share. It's definitely been a raspberry-heavy week and I'm loving it!

Sunday definitely arrived in a hurry. I was able to finish up the last of my felt projects for the weekend just in time to go decorate for the Superbowl party. We had loads of pizza, chips, salsa and guacamole. More delicious desserts and adult beverages. I think I consumed enough this weekend for two people...but it was totally worth it.

Salads Made Simple

I'm so excited for this today's post. My very good friend Shawn, who has been a longtime inspiration, mentor and wealth of knowledge is going to share some of her favorite salad recipes. Over the years, we have spent hours and hours of trading recipes and cooking tricks. On top of working nights, she rides her bike to work (20-30 minutes each way) so having food that is easy to make and transport, healthy and won't bore you is incredibly important. So...take it away Shawn!


Over the years, I've found that getting a good mix ingredients and dressings is key to making a salad a successful meal. At the beginning of each week I purchase my ingredients. I prep the ones that need cleaned and chopped, then I set them in individual containers (note: carrots and peppers are fine to mix). This will take a little time, but it's worth the lack of stress when it comes to putting together your lunch each day before work. 

Before you go to the store, make a list of what you'll need. I have a few standing items that are always included in my salads (carrots and red peppers) other ingredients changed based on the season. Same goes with the leafy element. My standby is romaine lettuce and red or green leaf. But, since it's winter those cost a little more so I've switched it up to kale and spinach (which each pack in a lot more vitamins and minerals). 

Shopping List:

Kale (two bunches)

Spinach (one bunch)

Carrots (one bunch)

Red pepper 

Grape tomatoes

Feta

Braeburn apple

Sunflower seeds

dressing (if you aren't ready to make your own)

Lemon (if you want to make your own dressing)

What I have at home:

1 can Garbanzo beans

Olive Oil

Balsamic vinegar

Dijon mustard

Fresh garlic

Ground pepper

Wash and chop greens (kale in 1/2 inch strips). Place in container with a lid.

Wash and dice three carrots and the red pepper. (I typically cut the apple day of so it won't turn too brown.) Place in a container with a lid.

 

 

Salad No. 1:

In large bowl grab a few handfuls of spinach. 

Grab 3/4 handful of carrots and red pepper combination.  

Garbanzo beans (I typically use quarter of a can or so)

4 to 6 grape tomatoes, halved

Sprinkle feta

Sunflower seeds

Ground pepper

Dressing (in a separate, no leak container)

1 part balsalmic

2 parts olive oil

Meal time: Drizzle dressing over salad and enjoy.

 

Like this recipe? We do! Stay tuned for more salad recipes throughout the week!