fifty decor ideas under $50

Finding decor inspiration for your home can be easy, finding it on the cheap, not always so easy. That's why I was super excited when I came across this article in the July issue of Better Homes and Gardens.  If you subscribe to BHG, I don't want to spoil it for you, but if you don't you can read the article online. Here is a sneak peak of a few of the ideas.

  Change out pillows.

I'm a firm believer on this one. It is amazing how new pillows can make an old couch look new again!

 Love Love Love the cabinets in this kitchen, actually the whole thing.

Don't know if I would ever be able be this bold and do a color cabinet other than white or wood.

freebie:Printable Business Cards

For anyone out there who is starting up their own small business and is looking for cute FREE business cards. These argyle motif business cards via How About Orange are super cute and customizable. You can get them in orange, pink or blue.



Click here to snag the how to's on these freebie downloads!



Blueberry Cobbler

I have been craving something sweet lately and since blueberries are in - I thought blueberry cobbler. And I must say this recipe is pretty darn good. It will defintely satisfy any sweet tooth you have. Enjoy!

Recipe via Cooking Light

Ingredients
Filling:

• 6 cups fresh blueberries
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

Topping:

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 5 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup fat-free sour cream
• 3 tablespoons 2% reduced-fat milk
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare filling, combine first 4 ingredients in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish.

To prepare topping, lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (flour through baking soda) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in sour cream to form a soft dough.

Drop dough by spoonfuls onto blueberry filling to form 8 dumplings. Brush dumplings with milk; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar. Place baking dish on a jelly roll pan. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until filling is bubbly and dumplings are lightly browned.

Memorial Weekend

I love summertime - even though it can be HOT, HOT. I enjoy being down at the beach, going fishing and just hanging out family. Memorial weekend always seems to kick-off summer and this year it went off with a bang! Not only did we celebrate all of the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to serving this wonderful country, but also my mom's 60th birthday.

My mom's brother, Alan and his wife Jolene; and her sister, Sharon along with her Daughter Stacy and granddaughter Lynleigh, came to visit. We all had so fun catching up, eating great food and of course, playing cards. (I didn't win, but it was still fun)

My Uncle Alan got a chance to reel in a big AJ on Saturday, as a few of us went offshore. It had to be one of the most beautiful days out on the water in a loooooooonnnnnng time. It was so flat and not a cloud in the sky.

Our catch

Had to sneak in a pic of the cutest littlest boy ever!

Birthday Weekend

Last Friday was Mr. C's birthday and unbeknowst to him I planned a weekend full of surprises, including a weekend filled with two of his very good friends and his sister. Mr. C can sometimes make it difficult to surprise him, so I was so thrilled that everything went as planned and he was SUPER surprised.  We are so lucky to have such great friends, ones that we will share many more memories with. All in all I think Mr. C had a fab 30th birthday. It was a busy weekend and I am so glad that his birthday is over - he was milking it all last week. Uh...he can finally go back to doing his own laundry!



Me and the birthday boy

Everyone on the Miss Behavin' Again

Went with a bourbon theme for the party

Mags on the way home- she had was pooped.

   




It's his Birthday...

It's his birthday and we gon' party like it's yo birthday, we gon' sip Bacardi like it's his birthday
...sorry 50 cent flashback....

Thirty years ago today, Mr. C entered this world. Happy Happy Birthday to my hubby!

Boy he sure was a cutie and still is of course!

Californication Part 2

Well if you remember in the first post about my Cali vacation (you can read that here), I mentioned all of the great places we ate at. Because every place was just so delish I decided to make a post of it's own. Of course we hit up some of the famous hot spots, but no celebrity spotting's.


The Ivy
The restaurant is located on Robertson Boulevard tucked away behind beautiful lush landscaping. The inside is decorated like a little cottage with fresh roses on every table. Oh and I almost forgot, if you do go don't take any pictures - yes, I got in trouble for taking pictures :(



Chrystina and Mom 



yummy pizza with fresh tomatoes and basil

This is the picture that got me in trouble - guess they thought I was taking a picture of someone.

Nobu 
Now this place was a bit pricey, but sure was good and totally not was I expected. I guess since stars dine there a lot, I was thinking it was going to be something fancy, but I was wrong - just like every other sushi restaurant I've been to.

yellowtail with jalapenos

little wonton tacos with spicy shrimp and white fish

Spicy tuna

Saddle Peak
This place was very interesting. The restaurant is an old log cabin and serves everything from steak and seafood to buffalo and antelope. I of course ordered the lamb chops.

We definitely didn't go hungry!

Cheers!