New Years Resolutions

So far I only have two...

1. Create an awesome outfit at least once a week from bracelets to shoes. (December 2012)

2.  Make a new dessert at least once a week. (1.10.13)

I'll keep adding as I think of more.  Overall I just want to be less stressed and enjoy the little things more. 

Pets + Carpet = Mess

I love my two dogs, I really really do.  But, they are messing, stinky, poopy puppies.  With Suki being sick and Nunia also sick at the moment I had throw up, pee, poop and blood all over my carpet.  Yucky!  Suki threw up all over my upstairs two days ago.  Yesterday she had diarrhea all over the stairs and during the biopsy process she bled all over the upstairs, stairs and dining room.  Nunia has a UTI and peed three times on the carpet in the living room.  Long story short... I either have a very disgusting house or a secret weapon. Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to meet my personal carpet cleaner. 

The Bissel LittleGreen Proheat Deep Reach. This amazing little machine has cleaned up my carpet so many times that I can't even begin to tell you how much money I saved.  It takes about thirty minutes to properly clean up the spot but if you don't rush the process it cleans up anything... even dried up throw up.  (Yucky I know) Bissell's website (Little Green) has given it four and a half stars, I personally would give it four stars since the process takes about 30-45 minutes but again it works really well.  I bought it from Target for about $90.  This is the second one I've bought.  The only down side is that these guys don't last more than 2 years but for the price and for what they've done for my home they make sense to buy every two years.  Absolutely worth every penny.   

Brown Palace - Tea Time

Just a few little pictures from Tea at the Brown Palace. 

The entry way into the hotel.

The Christmas Tree in the main lobby.

The Chandelier (This picture does not do it justice)

The Tea, Champagne & Crumpets

A few fun facts about the Brown Palace taken from their website. If you aren't from Colorado I highly suggest staying or touring the Brown Palace (www.brownpalace.com). It's one of the most interesting places in Denver with some of the most important history as well.




On Aug. 12, 1892 - 120 years ago - The Brown Palace Hotel opened its doors in the heart of downtown Denver. The hotel has remained open and welcomed guests every minute of every day since opening.

Every U.S. president has visited The Brown Palace since Teddy Roosevelt (1905), with the exception of Calvin Coolidge.

The Brown Palace contains 12,400 surface feet of onyx, a semiprecious variety of quartz, which was the most ever used in a single building at the time the hotel was constructed.

The hotel's original artesian well is located 720 feet deep beneath the Ship Tavern floor and still provides water to every faucet in the hotel.

Four of the hotel's suites are named for famous guests: The Beatles Suite, Eisenhower Suite, Reagan Suite, and Teddy Roosevelt Suite.

Before the Beatles' visit in 1964, the hotel saw a great surge in applications for housekeeping by young girls. After the Beatles' stay, monetary offers were made for the dishes from which they ate and the sheets on which they slept.

In 1937, the hotel opened the Skyline Apartments which housed permanent residents in suites with kitchenettes on the top two floors of the hotel. The last of these residents moved out in the mid-1980s.

The Brown Palace Club, located on the second floor, served as campaign headquarters for Dwight D. Eisenhower prior to his election as president.

Two of the cast iron grillwork panels on the railing surrounding the hotel's eight-story atrium are upside down.

Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division tried rappelling from the roof during a visit to the hotel during World War II.

Except for crackers and sandwich bread, the hotel prepares all of its own baked goods in a unique, carousel oven - catalogued at more than 65 years old. The oven is one of only three in the world known to be in existence and is still used every day.

President Eisenhower hit a wayward golf ball while practicing in the room and made a dent in the fireplace mantel in the Eisenhower Suite. It remains today in a shadowbox as a souvenir.

Strapless - Backless

I love love LOVE backless dresses and shirts.  I just recently bought this little number from Express for my firm dinner party. 

 Long story short, I couldn't wear a normal bra and I wasn't about to let the ladies hang free. (He he he).  So I stumbled upon this little gem at Target.  

Basically it has sticky sides that peel of and attach to your ribs.

The support is decent, better than the jelly bra thing that attaches right to your tatas.  (P.S. that jelly mold hurts when you pull it off, been there... done that)

This bra doesn't hurt when the sides peel off.  It doesn't fall off.  The first time I wore it for about four hours the second time I wore it for over six hours and I was constantly picking up my three year old niece. The stickiness did not change from the first time on to the second time on.  Which, quite honestly, I was surprised.  Overall I highly recommend this backless strapless bra. It costs about $20 at Target and I for one am VERY pleased with this product!  (Only drawback, I can't find it in black at Target and I sorta want to have two of them...) 

End of the Year

Well the last few weeks have been hectic.  Our puppy (she's an 11 year old pitbull) got very sick and right before Christmas we found out she has a mast cell tumor.  Needless to say we were in tears for many days... BUT, as of today the tumor has shrunk, the bleeding has stopped and she is feeling much better.  I joined an amazing community called Tripawds it's an online area where people with similar stories have come together to give support, advice and love. I really don't think my family could have made it through Christmas without all the wonderful people on Tripawds! 

If you want to follow my puppy's treatment please visit Suki's Story

Folks, if you ever have health problems with your pet please check out this website,  Tripawds.com they give you so much information and the best part is that people have gone through what you have and they can help you through it.  Alright, speaking of puppies, I need to take both of mine for a walk plus given them their meds.  Here's hoping to a great new year with tons of laughter, love and health for humans and puppies alike.  

Holiday Nails - Candy Canes

Yay! First set of holiday nails... I should have at least four sets to post this month each holiday themed.   Nothing as fancy as other blogs but they still make me smile. 

Tomorrow

Sometimes, there is just no getting around the fact that you are having a bad day, or month or even year. But everyone needs to remember that in the near future, if you work hard at it, life will be better and as my mother always says, if it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger.

So, in honor of tomorrow, the lyrics from Annie.

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There'll be sun!

Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none!

When I'm stuck a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,
Oh!

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way!

Vinegar VS. Baking Soda

So, I don't know how many of you have heard that pouring a cup of vinegar into the laundry is the best way to get rid the mildew smell in laundry if you let it sit in the washer to long.  I am soooooo guilty of this.  I've gotten a lot better but it still happens at least once a month.  So for the last two or three years I've been dumping a cup of vinegar and re-washing with decent results.  However, recently I read the baking soda works better.  Guess what?  It really does.  So, ladies and gentlemen, baking soda is the clear winner.  Just throw in a 1/2 of baking soda, re-run and no more icky smell.  Now, if you washer machine starts to smell a little funky for no reason (happens quite a bit with front loaders) try out Tide's Washer Machine cleaner.  Works wonders.  Another great product.  Hope this helps. :)

Attempt Number 1 - Pumpkin Creamer

Hiya Folks,

I read a blog recently by Ms. Kim at http://theysmell.com/ on how to make your own pumpkin creamer.  I'd adapted the recipe a little bit and honestly it came out great.

1 Cup Milk

1/2 Cup Pumpkin

2 tbsp Sugar

1 tbsp Vanilla

1/2 tsp Pumpkin Spice

1/2 tsp Cinnamon 

Step 1:  Heat milk. sugar and pumpkin in sauce pan on medium heat until bubbly.

Step 2: Stir in Vanilla and spices.

Step 3: Pour into jar and chill over night.

Step 4:  After pumpkin has settled, strain the liquid from the pulp.  

Step 5: Pour into cute container and enjoy!

One Candle Many Seasons

FALL 2012

First fall project, update my many seasons candle.

So, two years ago I bought this candle, I think at Walmart for at most $5.00. This candle (five inch diameter) is honestly nothing special. Although with a little love, it can be a perfect accessory for every season.  It has been through two Halloweens, two Christmas and summer, spring, winter and of course... FALL!  Last year I put it into a hurricane glass and filled it with candy corns, it was super cute.  I'll try to find the pictures.  

This year I decided to do some fall leaves. 

I bought little leaf gems at Michaels for a buck a box and they come with little sticker backs. I just created swirly designs on the sides.  I think I'll do an additional two candles for a cute center piece for my dining room table. 

Blank Canvas 

The Leaves

Swirly

Tada!

Getting ready for fall!

Yay! I'm so ready for fall. I can't wait for the cool crisp days and crunchy leaves.  And the smell of Autumn in the air.  I'm ready for pumpkin pie and apple cider. Unfortunately, it's still 90 degrees here.    

So... in hopeful anticipation I've started the first autumn touches for my home and life.  I even changed my blog toward some fall colors.  I'm going to start making fall pillow cases and changing some small  details around the house in anticipation for the first frost.  I started by painting my nails. Nothing to special, but I like them.  

  

I'll add posts as I go... hopefully. 

Basic facts that I didn't know...

Did you guys know all these little things... cause I didn't.  I wish someone had told me.  I mean honestly, I know that this stuff comes naturally to some people but I need to be shown these type of things or told.  Okay so I'm in the process of making a huge lists of tips for myself regarding clothing and accessories.  Here's the first few things I learned today..

1.  If a skirt is business skirt heels should be worn. (I know this seems like common sense, but as my boyfriend likes to point out, I wouldn't last a day on the streets... I lack both street smarts and common sense, so again people need to spell things out... oh well.)

    

2. If the top is solid funky color keep the bracelet simple and go for a interesting necklace. ( This seems so backwards to me... did I get this wrong?)

3. The easiest outfit  ever, is a collared shirt with a pencil skirt.

4. Sandals should match the shirt (well for all ya'll who have a fashion sense this doesn't apply, but if you're like me, stay safe and match the shoes to the top.)  

5. If the dress is flowy and soft -  make it heavier with boots for a fall look and add a structured jacket.

6. Flow-y dress? Add a straw fedora to make it chic. 

7.  Grandma dress? Add some super funky heels and go for a 50s look with the accessories 

8. Mustard top, gray skirt, red shoes (maybe??)

9. Lacy (or soft)tops go well with plaid or tweed pants...

10. Navy - Fuchsia, mustard, ruby and aqua are all good color combinations oh and of course cream, gray, silver and gold.

Potted Garden

My younger sister and I decided to try our hand at gardening.  Since all I have is a patio, we decided to do a potted garden.  So far, half the plants have died but the other half are going strong.  I may buy a starter tomato plant that is at least 20in already.  But the rest are looking some what decent.  Who knows, this is the first year so we will see how everything turns out.  Does anyone have any suggestions??  


We started our plants as seeds in early March, but most of the plantings started dying after they sprouted.  Then we transplanted them to the big pots and they all died.  So, we bought starters at Nick's Garden planted them and only half survived.  So, we are going to buy a few more plants and see which survive and produce fruits and vegetables.


See below. 

Confession Time - Cleaning

So as I have already stated before, I hate cleaning.  Despise it.  Not because I don't like having a clean house but because I don't want to waste my energy on cleaning.  I tried all (well not all, but a lot) the quick fix products out there.  Most of them aren't what they claim to be.  Yea, yea I fell victim to the commercial, but honestly who hasn't at one point or another.  I just wanted to give a quick run view of a few products and then..... confession time.  

  First product, Kaboom($3.97), "When it turns white you just wipe away to reveal a deep clean and a sparkling shine with absolutely no dull residue left behind." I call BULL SHIT!  Sorry folks, this product doesn't work at all!  I tried it on my bath tub, and not only did it not wipe clean, but I couldn't even use it as a good scrubber.  Not on my recommendation list.  Same goes for the Scrubbing Bubbles above.  The foam product, doesn't really work.  
          However, the Automatic Shower kit ($17.87), it works pretty well.  Not perfect, but it lets you clean your shower less, which in my book is worth it.  I would still suggest deep cleaning the shower once a month, but hey its better than once a week.  The only draw back to this product, and the reason I no longer use it, is it just looks so ugly.  

Which brings me to my next product, Tilex, Fresh Shower($3.98)

 I haven't really used this one to much yet, since I didn't feel like cleaning my shower spic and span in the first place.  But I will be giving this one a go.  I'm suppose to spray it after the last shower of the day and it will keep your shower mildew and soap scum free.  I have a feeling it will work like the scrubbing bubble shower kit but this one won't have to be an eye sore.  I'll let you know what I think in about two weeks.  

Know my all time favorite product, COMET ($0.79)! Love this stuff.  Yes, you need to put in a little elbow grease and get on your hands and knees but this stuff eats through, mildew, mold, soap scum, rust, hard water stain and anything else.  I love this stuff, well the powder, not the soft scrub.  For some reason the soft scrub doesn't work as well, maybe I need to give it another chance.  

And here's another trick, the lavender comet powder will seriously take the dinge out of your whites.  I highly doubt its a approved for washing clothes,  but one day, I by accident knocked the powder into the washer machine (top loader) and thank god the clothes in the washer were white.  I probably drop a good 1/4 cup into the machine and I couldn't really do anything since it was already dissolving.  So, I ran the wash, and what do ya know, super bright whites.  Now, if you try this, try it at your own risk.  I add a little comet only once every few months.  I don't know if it's damaging my washer, but it seems to do the trick with the whites, so I use it once in a while. 

And for the confession...

I have two cleaning ladies that come every two weeks to clean the entire house.  I know, I know, why spend money on something that you can do yourself.  The truth of the matter, these two wonderful ladies do an amazing job, clean the entire house in just a few hours, and honestly, I rather work an extra shift than clean.  They cost $80.00 every two weeks and I have a clean house.  I don't have to spend 6 hours every Saturday cleaning a portion of the house.  These ladies take care of everything, the baseboards, the blinds, the dusting, the washing, the scrubbing, the floors, the carpets, the kitchen, the bathrooms and every other nook and cranny in my house.  It would take me about 8 hours to do the same thing these ladies do.  The best part, while they're cleaning the house, I take care of the laundry and usually a specialty project, like organizing the pantry or fixing my craft room.  The projects I never have time to do, all of a sudden I can because I have more free time.  Not to mention, I don't have to buy all those cool products on T.V.  Honestly, if you can work into your budget a cleaning lady, by all means do!  The best $160.00 I spend each month.  So, I can't have the outfit I wanted at the mall, big deal a clean house is worth a hundred outfits!

What do you think?  Would you be willing to get a cleaning lady??