Crafty Part 1

Since joining pinterest, I have become much craftier.  I now own a hot glue gun, an array of ribbons, buttons, card stock paper, glitter, stickers, and scrapbook paper.  I even put together my own cleaning solution using white vinegar and dawn dish soap. (works like a charm by the way!)  Pinterest makes all of my DIY dreams come true with the help of their endless ideas and blogs. 

Back in May, I threw my friend Megan a shower for her little girl Ava (see previous post for cute pictures).  The theme was "onesies" which had DIY crafts written all over it.  For the invitations, I made them into the shape of an actual onesie.  Below I will show some pictures, and write out some directions.

Sorry for the poor quality of picture.  As you can see-I chose different paper for each invitation, to keep it exciting!

Using a onesie template (which I found on google images after typing "onesie template") Trace  and cut template from 2 identical pieces of scrapbook paper.  Make the design show on the front and back.  Hole punch on each shoulder (through both sheets).  Using a color coordinated ribbon, make little bows, slipping them through the holes (essentially securing the sheets of paper together).  Hot glue 2 buttons on the top.  Insert message inside.  And....taaa-daa!  You officially have the cutest baby shower invitations EVER!   

Summer Smoothies

This whole getting healthy thing can be fun!  Don't get me wrong, it's tough and I fall off the band wagon from time to time, but summer really helps me focus on getting outside and being active.  What better way to cool off from the hot summer sun then to throw back a tasty-HEALTHY- smoothie.

I've never been a vegetable girl.  I wish I were, and when I see others eating salads I get jealous.  I've tried to like vegetables, but they just don't mesh well with my taste-buds.  This smoothie will blow your mind with how good it is...and how good for you it is!  It's sneaky, because you don't even taste the vegetables!

What you will need:
-simply orange with mango juice.  Seriously...it's fabulous!
-lemonade (the perfect summer drink)
-baby spinach
-baby carrots
-blueberries
-strawberries
-water (to make the smoothie less thick)

Okay, pour about half a cup of orange juice and a splash of lemonade into the bottom of blender.  Add a heaping handful of baby spinach (rinsed of course).  Add half a cup of baby carrots, blueberries, and then another heaping handful of strawberries.  The measurements can vary according to YOUR taste-buds.  I really like strawberries, so I use a lot!  Now blend away!!  As you're blending, add water to make it less thick...or if you like thick smoothies, keep it as is!

                                                                  Finished Product!
                                 The blueberries and strawberries turn it a nice shade of purple!

Birthday and Babies...oh my!

May has been quite the eventful month!  Daniel's musical closed with a bang!  SOTA did Hairspray, and it was phenomenal!  Many people congratulated him on such superb performances (8 performances to be exact).  The Resig's were here for 5 days.  It seemed more like 2-it went by super fast!  I hosted a baby shower for Megan and baby Resig.  It was great catching up with friends, and spoiling the soon-to-be here Ava!  I will post some pictures of the event.  Seems like yesterday that I was attending and planning bridal showers/bachelorette parties.  Now, it's "babies everywhere!"

Daniel's birthday was on May 10th.  He worked until 10pm that night.  He had a senior showcase where he accompanied many of his students.  I nonetheless wanted to make sure he got to celebrate his special day.  I made him a gluten free/dairy free/egg free cake.  Below I will post the recipe.  It was fluffy and delicious!  This recipe will definitely be repeated for future events.

Daniel's expression makes me laugh every time I look at this pic!

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup dairy free/soy free butter
• 2 egg (use energy egg replacements)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose gluten free flour
• 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup goat/coconut milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x9 inch pan or line a muffin pan with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and non-dairy butter . Beat in the egg replacement, then stir in the vanilla. Combine GF flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Finally stir in the non-dairy milk until batter is smooth. Pour or spoon batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. For cupcakes, bake 20 to 25 minutes. Cake is done when it springs back to the touch.  

Some pictures of Megan's baby shower:

 

Making up for my lack of postings this month

I cannot believe it's been over a month since I avidly posted on my blog.  April has been a crazy month.  Daniel's musical season erupted these past 3 weeks, which has kept him at school until 9pm most nights.  I got promoted to Front Office Supervisor at Hochstein, we are two front office assistants short, and it's our busiest season (registration time).  Every day, both of us come home like zombies.  Our eating habits have been on kind of a roller coaster ride.  For the most part we have been good, but the month of April was the first time that we intentionally broke our diets.  Afterwards, we felt horrible, which is a great sign that this diet is for the best.

Fortunately, I have still been going down in weight (hallelujah!).  I am now 15 lbs down, and really starting to feel the benefits of weight loss.  I am stronger, and able to sustain longer workouts.  My digestion has been better as well.  My friend, Brittany, got me to buy a groupon for Bounce Aerobics.  Here is their website.  So far, I have tried zumba and turbo kick.  I'm really in love with turbo kick, as it is a crazy aerobic exercise that will have every muscle in your body hurting the next day.  The instructors are fun and energetic, and the atmosphere is very city chic.