tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12663996820112483882024-03-13T00:40:05.537-07:00It's Going to Be Legen...wait for it....daryMelissa's Awesome Life!Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-67387074026809931522014-06-22T21:40:00.000-07:002014-06-22T21:40:20.741-07:00Mad Tea Party Baby Shower<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My beautiful friend Meredith is pregnant and she is having a GIRL!! Meredith is so sweet and we LOVE her, so my friend Crystal put on our baby-shower-throwin' hats yet again! This time, we chose a tea party as a theme. Meredith is, quite literally, a princess (she worked at Disney World for a few years after college as Cinderella AND Aurora). Because we chose a tea party, and Mere has such a heart for Disney magic, we chose to make the tea party an Alice In Wonderland style Mad Tea Party!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I made invitations, menus, tea labels, and place cards on microsoft word. If any one reading this is interested in buying printables, let me know. If there is interest, I was considering putting them in an etsy shop. The menus said "Eat Me" and the tea labels said "Drink Me" to go with the Alice In Wonderland theme.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The invitations say: "The Queen of Hearts requests the honor of your presence at a mad tea party baby shower for Meredith. Don't be late for the very important date 12 o'clock noon June 21. Arrive in your best tea attire for all of us to admire!" and then it gives the address. I made a little teabag & tag to add for the RSVP and registry info. The RSVP says: "RSVP by June 18th to [my email address] or off with your head!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here is the menu:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Crystal and I combined our collections of china and serving dishes and we filled the tables with beautiful flowery dishes, silver flatware, tea pots, and tiered tea treat servers. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We made all of Meredith's favorite things, including my homemade cupcakes! I made a corsage for Mere with silk flowers with a little clock to go with the theme. We covered Crystal's house with different types of whimsical flowers and I literally painted some roses red for the table. I had a ton of little tea cups that my grandmother left me when she passed. We filled them with hummus and veggies so each girl who attended had their own personal serving and got to chose a unique cup and saucer. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If anyone has questions, please feel free to comment!! Enjoy!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The above photo is one of the games we played: name that baby food! Some ladies chose only to use their noses, but some actually tasted!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-35963466081947859342014-06-22T20:50:00.000-07:002014-06-22T20:50:51.989-07:00Max and Ruby Birthday Cake<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My beautiful niece turned 5 this June. She is my little-bestie. I love her, and she loves her "Meme." This year, she chose strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream and wanted a Max and Ruby birthday party. I pinned several cakes on Pinterest and discussed options with my Sis-in-law. She and I decided to use <a href="http://hopessweetcakes.blogspot.com/2011_08_01_archive.html" target="_blank">THIS CAKE</a> and <a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/8c/65/fb/8c65fb1ce413635286c746aff912cbeb.jpg" target="_blank">THIS CAKE</a> to model Emma's cake after.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have usually made my own fondant for all of my cakes in the past. However, with my internship going on and because I had so many things to mold, I opted to buy it. I bought Duff brand and Wilton brand fondant. My fondant tends to be slightly dry as well, and with molding characters, I knew I would need something moist and pliable.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I got the blue Duff fondant to cover the cake. It tasted GREAT, just as good as my homemade fondant that is made with marshmallow, water, powdered sugar, and almond extract. I bought a pack of white Wilton fondant and two multi-packs of Wilton fondant. I used the Wilton on all of the cake decorations.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I used edible markers to draw on Max and Ruby's clothes. The pack didn't come with a black marker, so I used a felt tipped pen and made sure no one ate Max or Ruby's head (haha). My friend Laura helped me mold Ruby because I had never made 3D models like this before, but I made Max all by myself :) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The coolest technique we used was for the pine trees. We made green cones with fondant and took scissors and snipped all over the tree to make it look more like a tree.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Emma let out the most heart-warming squeal when she saw her cake and she told me a thousand times that weekend that I was the best cake-baker in the world. Man I love her!!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For those of you who are like me and know nothing about kids' cartoons these days, this is what Max and Ruby look like:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoQC7icbMY9fLsOSVO-3ZiUDnFbYpyhkHVlHvcFM2YukFKMGb2hPxIItpb3gzIO1TA7xSIBQRbZ_jEYZV2xZS7uINrPc8eDcY2rojzdyKiMZ-xe_26Y5ttOjSAhxE7x0TjBbpasInA_E/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-06-22+at+11.47.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoQC7icbMY9fLsOSVO-3ZiUDnFbYpyhkHVlHvcFM2YukFKMGb2hPxIItpb3gzIO1TA7xSIBQRbZ_jEYZV2xZS7uINrPc8eDcY2rojzdyKiMZ-xe_26Y5ttOjSAhxE7x0TjBbpasInA_E/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-06-22+at+11.47.37+PM.png" height="320" width="309" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here are the pictures of Emma's Cake!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-31023473709380566132014-06-22T20:19:00.000-07:002014-06-22T20:21:08.705-07:00Team Umizoomi Birthday Cake<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my niece Emma and nephew Evan. They are the sweetest, most kindhearted, and bright-eyed little children ever! I have the ultimate privilege of making their birthday cakes each year. This year was no exception. Luckily, Evan's birthday party fell the weekend on the end of my spring break from law school, and Emma's birthday is in June, while I'm out for summer [see my next post for Emma's cake].</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Evan had chocolate cake with chocolate ganache covered with fondant in a Team Umizo</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">omi theme. Evan loves the cartoon (and I've never seen it haha). I used a lot of bright colors and basic shapes on Evan's cake. I printed some images of Geo and Bot and took them to Lowe's Foods and had them printed onto edible paper. I transferred those images to fondant and put them on the cake. This way they would be pretty exact. While I think I could probably make the images with fondant after a lot of hard work and intricate cutting, I am a hopeless perfectionist and its much less stressful to use an actual image.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I made a pennant bunting with Evan's name on it and a fondant "2" and used those for the topper.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The cake went over SO well and Evan and his Momma, my sweet sis-in-law, loved it!!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let me know what you think!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-55093351739704624462014-06-22T19:54:00.000-07:002014-06-22T19:56:18.109-07:00Beau or Bow Baby Shower<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My sweet friend Betsy, who has since had a gorgeous sweet little boy Atticus, was pregnant back in March. She and her husband had elected to get the ultimate surprise and wait to find out the gender of their baby. My friend Crystal and I threw her a baby shower with a pretty neat theme:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Beau or Bow: In May We Will Know</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Most people use the blue and pink theme for a gender reveal, but because Betsy was equally excited to have either a boy or a girl, we chose to have a boy-girl themed shower. We chose mustaches and bows and, of course, pink and blue to accent the party.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As for food, we had cheese and chocolate fondue. We made two kinds of cheese: a cheddar cheese and an italian white cheese. With the cheddar, we served kielbasa, roasted broccoli, homemade pretzel bites, and apples. With the italian cheese, we served pepperoni, homemade meatballs, bread, and roasted asparagus. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For dessert, we had the chocolate fondue with strawberries, pineapple, rice krispy treats, marshmallows, and cheesecake bites. I also made two kinds of homemade funfetti cupcakes: pink and blue.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Crystal made a beautiful pennant bunting with blue and pink fabrics and I made a corsage for Betsy with a pink and blue theme. I used microsoft word to make the menu with images I found on google. The formatting was tough, but I made it work! I framed the menu for the party. It was a hit!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Enjoy these photos!! If anyone has any questions about how we made something, please comment!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh one last thing....Here is a photo of the sweet baby boy at about a week and a half after he was born!</span></div>
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Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-32781138050795255272013-08-17T05:30:00.001-07:002013-08-17T05:30:44.747-07:00Law School!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It has been over two months since my last blog post. SO much has happened and I wanted to post an update...and sadly, probably a "goodbye" for at least a few months. First, and the most exciting news of all, I started LAW SCHOOL!!! I had written several posts before regarding this upcoming life change, but it has finally happened. This past year has been a test of faith and a lesson in trusting the Lord and my family and friends. I left the police department in May 2012 to pursue a career as a legal assistant, take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) and then apply for law school admission for the fall of 2013. I achieved all of those goals with the strength I sought in God, hard work, and the support of everyone around me, namely my incredible, loving, amazing beyond my wildest dreams, and Godly husband! I applied for 5 law schools in December 2012, Duke, UNC, Campbell, NC Central, and Elon. I was accepted to Elon with a scholarship, but it is 1.5 hours from our home, so it was going to be a difficult venture commuting so far each day, so that was a last resort. I then was accepted into Campbell Law which was my second choice. I had visited Campbell several times and met with some amazing people in the admissions office to discuss my candidacy. I felt at home, welcomed, and loved at Campbell Law from the very beginning. My one and only qualm about getting my legal education at Campbell was the cost...for the first time, I was to be accruing student debt and both Jordan and I were fearful about the staggering cost of any legal education, especially that of a private school. I did not get into Duke Law (no real surprise there lol), and I also didn't receive admission into NC Central Law (which, honestly, did surprise me, but God has a plan). Central though, was the smartest financial choice, at half the cost of UNC Law and one third the cost of Campbell Law. I was waitlisted at UNC which really did surprise me immensely because I was almost certain I would get rejected.</span><div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To be honest, I wasn't sure I could perform satisfactorily on the LSAT, let alone, with my less than stellar undergraduate GPA, and only my work experience to show an admissions staff, gain admission to ANY law school. I can look back and see that while I was as unsure as I had ever been of anything in my life, taking the chance and trusting the urging of the Lord to step out in faith and follow what I felt called to pursue was the best thing I could have done. Not only was I not guaranteed a good LSAT score or admission to law school, but I had left my career in a shaky time in our economy with no job lined up to help contribute to our household.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have worked since I was 14 (during the summers off from school, and later in high school and college, some during school). It was instilled very early in the depths of me to work hard, earn what you have, and keep commitments by my mom and dad. For that, I am SO grateful. Work ethic is a fading attribute in our culture and without my parents, I fear I would be lacking in that as well. With that being said, it was very hard for me personally to be home with nothing to do and earning no income. I would have liked to say that I got my value from my identity in Christ and not from the fact that I was a police officer or that I was contributing well to society and my household, but the truth is, being unemployed rocked me to my core. In retrospect, I think I was struggling with some depression during the few months between leaving the police department and finding my job as a legal assistant. I applied for many positions, but heard nothing.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finally, in July of 2012, after two and a half months of couch sitting and sorrow, I got an interview with a law office, a stellar one. I nailed it and got a part-time position 25 hours a week. I was ecstatic. I wasn't going to be earning much, mostly because I didn't ask for much. I told the attorney from the beginning that I planned to go to law school in 2013, and I didn't feel right asking for anything close to what I earned as a police officer with the knowledge that this was a stepping stone and I would be leaving in a year's time. I loved my job though! The attorney, the other assistant, and the attorney who shared office space, and would later hire me as his assistant as well and increase my hours, became a family to me. I miss them already and have only been gone a week. I gained invaluable experience with the, they nurtured me during unsure times, celebrated with me upon my admissions into schools, and cried with me when I didn't get in off of the wait list to UNC Law. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">All in all, God had a plan for me. I made thousands of mistakes in my life, but He has worked them all for good. Strange circumstances led me to become a police officer, and stranger circumstances led me leave that career to pursue law. I feel totally in the right place at this moment an have only God to thank. I know for sure, as evidence by so much of my life, that when I try to do it alone, I fail, but when I trust my heavenly Father, things work for good. I am not always happy, and things are not always going perfectly, but joy pervades in my life when I follow him, and I am so thankful.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wanted to add one more thing about the UNC Law wait list. I prayed daily about getting in to UNC. The school has a reputation for excellence and the cost was ideal for me. To be honest, I really really wanted to get in. I was so honest with God about my fears and desires, but I still wanted his way, not mine in the end. I stayed in contact with an admissions staff member at UNC law bi-weekly, and the last time we emailed was mid-July. I asked candidly if she thought the wait list would progress in a way that would allow me to attend UNC Law, and she answered candidly as well, (I'm paraphrasing...) "probably not." At that moment, with a single tear, I prepared myself to attend Campbell Law. I was able to put UNC Law's wait list out of my head and start to get excited for the school that actually accepted me :) Truly I loved Campbell Law from the start and the only thing holding me back from it being my first choice was the cost. Through all of this, I have learned that finances are secondary, God will take care of it. He has led me here, and He won't keep food off of our table when I get out of law school. He provides for all of his creatures and this is no exception. I trust him (and my wonderful husband) to lead me financially. I feel so free and so very happy to be beginning my legal education at Campbell Law.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Orientation was this past week and it was a whirlwind!! I did everything from hauling a rolling suitcase FULL of 1L books from my car (which was about 3 blocks away) to my locker to having the opportunity to meet the chief justice on the Supreme Court of NC and asking her how her career in law led her to become a judge. I even got to have a conversation with a superior court judge in Wake County about his journey from Campbell Law to where he is now. I am a little intimidated by all the talk of "you will have no free time ever again" and "1L year is the hardest thing you will ever do in your life" but I am really excited at the same time. I know I can do this. God has equipped me well and will lead me through this.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today is Saturday, and while I planned to sleep in before beginning mountains (no seriously...) of homework, I woke up WIDE awake at 6:30 AM (an extreme rarity for me) and all I could think about was "oh man, I gotta start reading...like NOW." I made a cup of coffee, and typed my heart out here, and now begins preparation for my first (real) day of classes Monday. Wish me luck, pray for me and my family, and thanks for reading...I'll see y'all in December!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Melissa </span></div>
Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-83846717347465004472013-06-03T12:49:00.002-07:002013-06-03T12:53:42.556-07:00Moscato Cupcakes<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I made moscato cupcakes before using a <a href="http://brooke-bakes.blogspot.com/2012/04/moscato-cupcakes.html" target="_blank">recipe</a></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">that I found on Pinterest. They were okay and I liked them, but the sweet tangy moscato wine flavor didn't really shine through for me then. Also, I found a few things in the recipe struck me as odd...adding vinegar when you already had buttermilk in the recipe, frosting with not enough sugar to be piped, no baking powder...etc. At any rate, I decided to make them this past week for a summer cookout with friends because the flavor of moscato is so light and delicious and perfect for outdoors and summertime. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This time, despite being pressed for time and without a backup for the dessert I promised to bring, I completely overhauled the recipe and started wingin' it...I've been baking at least once a week with (and a few times without) recipes for about 2 years and a half years so I thought, "Hey, I know what goes in cupcake batter and what ratios work best, right?" and I just went with my gut feeling. It turned out that I DO in fact know pretty much what makes them good, fluffy, sweet, and nearly perfect. I wanted more wine flavor, and that is certainly what I got!! I changed up her recipe, and I hope she wont mind, but here is my version :)</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CSKG8h1VPMc/UazykqpMIoI/AAAAAAAAAho/_1wZuOURG3w/s1600/13+-+3" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CSKG8h1VPMc/UazykqpMIoI/AAAAAAAAAho/_1wZuOURG3w/s1600/13+-+3" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Moscato Cupcakes</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 1/2 cups of All Purpose Flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3/4 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 1/4 c of sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 c of vegetable oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2/3 c of Moscato wine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 c of milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/4 c of sour cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 eggs</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine and whisk together dry ingredients (first 5) in a large bowl and set aside. In another large bowl, add oil, wine, milk, sour cream and eggs. Beat on low, increasing to medium until combined.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry mixing as you go. I add about a third at a time. Mix until combined. Line two and a half cupcake pans with liners and fill 1/2-2/3 of the way full using an ice cream scoop. For me, this recipe made 30 cupcakes exactly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bake for 16 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While your cupcakes are baking, you can mix up this light and delicious moscato frosting:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Moscato Frosting</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 sticks of butter at room temp</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4 oz of cream cheese at room temp</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 tsp vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">about 1/3-1/2 cup of moscato wine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4-6 cups of powdered sugar</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cream together the cream cheese and butter. Add in vanilla and combine. Add about 2 cups of powdered sugar and combine. Add a few splashes of wine, and mix. Add more sugar, and mix again. Keep alternating between wine and sugar until the frosting is at the right consistency. Taste test and if its too tart, add more sugar, if you can't taste the wine, add more wine. If its too thick, add more wine, too thin, more sugar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My frosting turned out light and fluffy and piped beautifully with a closed star tip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I topped my cupcakes with a sliced strawberry to garnish. Beware though, strawberries release moisture when they come into contact with sugar, so top them with the berries at the last minute before serving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Enjoy!! If you try them please let me know how they turn out for you!</span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-83163630521970112322013-05-06T09:48:00.001-07:002013-05-06T09:48:59.851-07:00Dinosaur Wedding<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On April 27th I had the pleasure of baking 7 dozen cupcakes and a 5 layer top tier wedding cake for a lovely couple Melissa & Marcus. I met them through a friend, Pete, who was in my Bible Study. I make cupcakes almost weekly for Bible study because I love to bake and that is a great way for me to love on my friends :) Anyway, Marcus' brother Pete told Marcus that he just HAD to try my cake for their upcoming wedding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I did a tasting for them at the beginning of November 2012. I made several different flavors for them to try; I brought everything from vanilla to cinnamon toast crunch, to almond with chocolate buttercream. The bride, Melissa, fell in love with the cinnamon toast crunch, ordering 3 dozen, and at her future brother in law's urging, decided to get 2 dozen S'mores cupcakes as well. She also ordered a dozen each of vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream, and chocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream. She wanted a top tier, but didn't have a flavor preference so I just used left over cake batter and frosting from the other cupcakes to create a decadently delicious S'mores cake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I used 3 layers of chocolate cake and two layers of cinnamon cake with marshmallow buttercream in between each layer. I iced the whole cake in rich chocolate buttercream and topped it with Melissa's original handmade toppers. She and Marcus were to be wed in the NC Museum of Natural Sciences with all of the Dinosaur bones, so a T-Rex Groom and a Velociraptor Bride with a Sabortooth cat carrying purple flowers to represent their pet cat were a perfect fit. I threw in a little M & M banner and some chocolate cake "dirt" to finish off the look. Melissa sent me the sweetest message the week after her nuptials to thank me for the cake and cupcakes and said they were the highlight of her day :D what a compliment!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In other news, I got waitlisted at UNC Law School, which is a top tier school and would be an amazing one-in-a-million opportunity for my legal education. I am really excited for the chance to still attend there, but I am really happy with Campbell Law as well, so either way, my dreams are coming true!! Thank the Lord for his faithfulness and guidance; trust in him, and he will direct your path like he has mine :)</span><br />
<br />Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-63290344206143757392013-04-03T15:04:00.002-07:002013-04-03T15:04:48.185-07:00It's been a while....<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have a TON to update...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First and most exciting (for me)...drumroll....<b>I got into Campbell Law!!</b> It is closer to my house and although it is more expensive, I LOVE everything about Campbell from their amazing facility and location in the heart of Downtown Raleigh, to their stellar Trial Ad program...I already bought a sweet hat to commemorate Admitted Students day...I'm a total nerd...I know...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As I blogged about in an earlier post, I have been baking up a storm. In March, I baked several dozen cupcakes (butterfinger, dirt cake, cookies and cream, [homemade]funfetti, and cinnamon toast crunch), a two tier (huge) lemon cake all covered in fondant, a 9 inch (white cake with caramel buttercream) cake cover in fondant, and a 6inch funfetti cake with buttercream and fondant details. All of this baking was for some adorable boys and their 1st birthday parties. Here are some pictures! The construction themed party was my nephew's on the first weekend in March and my sis-in-law did an amazing job putting together every detail of the party. I was SO pleased that she asked me to help!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The football cake was for my husband's coworker's baby. She emailed me and gave me my biggest baking challenge to date...a two tiered wedding style birthday cake all in fondant with a football theme! I had NEVER made or worked with fondant before she asked and I said I'd give it a try. Her baby's birthday was the second weekend in March, along with my good friend Katie's baby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I knew I was doing a cake and 3 dozen cupcakes and an owl smash cake for Katie's little one's party but I took on the challenge anyway. I started to experiment with fondant well before March rolled around so I was ready and didn't get (too) overwhelmed when it came time to put it all together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here are some of the blogs I used from Pinterest to help me with all issues Fondant:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://shawntheparsonswife.blogspot.com/search?q=fondant" target="_blank">marshmallow fondant recipe</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://sugarteachers.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-color-fondant-to-deep-rich-hue.html?m=1" target="_blank">coloring fondant to a deep hue (used the candy melts method)</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://candy.about.com/od/phototutorials/ss/fondant_cake_sbs.htm" target="_blank">tips for covering a cake in fondant</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, something I haven't posted about in a long time, fitness/dieting...SO hubby and I bought a juicer around Christmas when all of the small appliances went on sale. We got a TRU brand from walmart and it has been great so far. We only used it a few times until I felt so gross from eating non stop and too much of everything about 2 weeks ago. I asked hubby if we could juice for dinner and re-watch the documentary Fat Sick and Nearly Dead (the doc that inspired our juicer purchase from the beginning). We did and ever since I have been juicing for 2 meals every day except Monday (we have bible study and pot luck dinner...cant really pass that up lol) I do a fruit juice in the morning with whatever suits my tastes for the day adding spinach and sometimes carrot for extra nutrients without extra sugars/calories. For dinner, I do an all veggie juice. If you're interested, I'll whip up a blog post with some juice recipes and links to some helpful info (*disclaimer* I'm not a doctor or diet expert so seek the advice of your physician before following any of my advice ;) )</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the same "health" vein, I got a wild hair on Monday (April Fools day, coincidentally) and decided it would be a good idea for hubby and I to sign up for a half marathon....YEP 13.1 miles....of running....which I hate....epic....I hate running (like I just said) but I WANT to like it. I feel like SO many people I know are getting healthy and in shape and becoming awesome runners, I want to be like them, so I signed up for a fairly near impossible task...running 10 and a half miles longer than I ever have in my whole life. But I am proud to say that I started training TODAY and the race isn't until April 2014...It sounds far away but believe me folks, I <i>absolutely</i> need a whole year, make no mistake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At any rate, it sounds like a fun race and it has been really popular all over the country and its new to Raleigh. It is a Rock N Roll marathon where they have local bands playing along the course...I think that could be really fun. </span>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-1HBCvKwj3mc%2FUVyWvnCoG4I%2FAAAAAAAAAVQ%2FNiGJxOF60rU%2Fs1600%2F13%2B-%2B4&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1HBCvKwj3mc/UVyWvnCoG4I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/NiGJxOF60rU/s1600/13+-+4" -->Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-27762408372974075042013-03-01T13:21:00.000-08:002013-03-01T13:35:53.687-08:00My Little Black Bag of Tricks...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It has been a little while since I posted so I thought I'd share some more of my makeup stuff with y'all </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />PS. for the cake/cupcake lovers out there, I have conquered FONDANT and will be sharing a post soon about that, but I can't reveal the birthday boy's cake until after his party this weekend ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">PPS. I got into Campbell Law School (woot!!) So now I have choices! Still waiting to hear from three others... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">SO, I know its crazy, but in my (giant) purse, I keep a cute little black Mary Kay bag, incidently lined sweetly in powder pink silk, that is filled absolutely to the MAX with lip products. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I thought I'd give you a peek inside my little black bag to see what I lug around with me everyday. For whatever reason, I have never been one to put on my lip product while I do the rest of my makeup (only exception, red lips on wedding day). I am usually the girl who is at the stoplight with her visor mirror down missing the green signal because she is still painting the perfect pout. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I'm driving and my husband is with me it takes several descriptions of the packaging and failed attempts for him to pull out the product I want to wear because of the sheer number of different options...I can't simply ask, honey can you grab my lip gloss for me? ;) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span>Some say lip products are addicting...I can certainly say I agree. Even when I was a police officer, I kept my Burt's Bees lip balm in my pocket at ALL times. When my lips are naked, I feel naked. So without further ado or distracting digressions, here are my necessary lip loves, or at least all the ones I keep in my little bag:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutePYh5kXL4HEee3LV8ZHZdCzHCd7mxE-63IpxJQuKHrkL1xEmMa0t3eV0icHqgQ2VU0LsH8QOBVfb9iAR6ag1frwJcYQ2t_Ezsy94A3jyCGuzH1zwz-WkqqlSgUe80RsAO4x-QdXBmc/s1600/Picture+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutePYh5kXL4HEee3LV8ZHZdCzHCd7mxE-63IpxJQuKHrkL1xEmMa0t3eV0icHqgQ2VU0LsH8QOBVfb9iAR6ag1frwJcYQ2t_Ezsy94A3jyCGuzH1zwz-WkqqlSgUe80RsAO4x-QdXBmc/s1600/Picture+001.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Clockwise from the top Left: A trio of Lancome glosses (a gift from my friend Katie), three Mary Kay lipsticks, a Revlon lip butter, a Rimmel lipstick, a Revlon gloss, 5 Mary Kay glosses, 4 lip balms, a Mary Kay gloss, and an e.l.f. gloss.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The three Lancomes were given to me after Katie read my first makeup blog post and thought I'd enjoy them more than she has. Well folks, I'm not sure how much Katie enjoyed them, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE these glosses. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpnM11A1h9oOUyyR-kzrC0zUPKxIv5UaMkV38KUq9RqItkq08xtRu_bLwF30KUeNZKop3hhs-v410wV2Ut2VbD856wAGNh9HgXHVdDQ806s4KyqQBegW74JmV63cbrLbbFkSN6Ww6iew/s1600/Picture+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpnM11A1h9oOUyyR-kzrC0zUPKxIv5UaMkV38KUq9RqItkq08xtRu_bLwF30KUeNZKop3hhs-v410wV2Ut2VbD856wAGNh9HgXHVdDQ806s4KyqQBegW74JmV63cbrLbbFkSN6Ww6iew/s1600/Picture+005.jpg" height="320" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">From top to bottom they are Beach Plum, Coral Rush, and Simmer. The Beach Plum has a beautiful pomegranate (I think??) scent and it is glossy, but with no glitter or metallic finish. Its a lovely plum/burgundy shade and I have come to adore it for a quick lip look that pops.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Coral Rush has a peachy smell and slight shimmer along with its glossiness. Its a neutral peach shade to go with any look. The Simmer gloss has a lot more shimmer in it and the pigment is nude. I can't put my finger on the scent, but its deliciously sweet. I don't know what these glosses retail for because I rarely shop the makeup counters at department stores, but if its under 15 bucks, they are SO worth picking up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My tried and true brand: MARY KAY! I have been using their products since I was in middle school. My mom is a Mary Kay lover as well. When I was in the 6th grade and wanted to start wearing makeup, I had some acne and the drugstore brands of foundation were breaking my skin out pretty badly and I was self conscious. My loving mother brought me to her faithful Mary Kay lady for a tutorial and bought me all the products I needed. I've been adorning Mary Kay ever since!! Not to mention, now that my mother-in-law is a Mary Kay rep, I get to look at their new book every time it comes out and she keeps me stocked up on all the moisturizer, foundation, eye products, and lip products I could ever need by texting every so often asking what I'm out of. Man I love having another Mom...who says you cant be great friends with your in laws?? :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, the three lipsticks I have are (L to R...or top to bottom for whatever reason Blogger wont let me post it upright lol) Dusty Rose, Shell, and Frosted Rose. Dusty Rose is anything but dusty in my opinion. It is an orangey pink with great pigment and a slight shimmer that makes for a really fun lip, especially paired with the MK pink pearl gloss. My fav softer shade of MK is next, Shell. It is a matte shade that works really well with my skin tone (fair). The Shell color is a deep rosey-purple blush pink very similar in hue to my Rimmel lipstick (in Paradise). Frosted Rose was my go-to shade for years, hence the obvious wear on the packaging and the fact that, while you can't tell from the picture, its about half gone. It is great for day or night with a deep plummy pink shade and shimmer. I love this lipstick, always have, always will. For my mom, it was Strike-A-Pose-Rose (until it was tragically discontinued) and for me, it will always be Frosted Rose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next up, some drugstore favorites: Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet, Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Paradise, and Revlon Colorburst gloss in Rosepearl. At the urging of Emily from Beauty Broadcast, I picked up the Red Velvet and Rosepearl. Although her skin tone is much more olive than mine, we both are brunette and brown-eyed so I thought those colors would work for me too. I was right, they are awesome. The red velvet is a perfect red and the gloss is great too, very long lasting. I've already blogged (and raved) about the Rimmel lipstick (and I think the Rosepearl gloss was mentioned as well...) but anyway, still love it :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">MK Glosses!! As I said, I love me some Mary Kay...any of it, ALL of it. Here is most (read some) of my collection of MK glosses. (From top to Bottom as pictured above) The first is actually a liquid lip color in Raspberry Ice. So not actually a gloss, but MK nonetheless. Next, Berry Sparkle. Similar in hue and shimmer to the Frosted Rose lipstick that I <3 from MK. Then there is my peachy neutral gloss, Pink Pearl. Love this one for a down played lip that still shines. Its great over any lipstick or on a plain lip. If I'm rocking a particularly smokey or done-up eye, I go to this gloss every time. My clear gloss from MK, which is a little dingy from being applied over so many lips painted in pinks and reds, is an absolute favorite and necessity for me with its beautiful shine, without being loudly mirror finished, and yummy vanilla scent. The tiniest gloss there is part of a holiday box set with 6 or so glosses I got from my mom a few years ago. Its a deep burgundy rose color called Berry Tart. The sample sized packaging is super cute with a jewel on the top. I usually wear this out at night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last but not least, my all time favorite MK gloss. It was a limited edition that was sent to me as a gift and its the Dual Lip Glaze in Warm Coral. It has a double chambered squeeze package with clear gloss in the outer chamber and a sparkly deep coral gloss in the middle. When you squeeze from the bottom, both glosses mix as it comes out onto the plastic applicator. This gloss has a WONDERFUL pigment and feels so luxurious on the lips. Its a little sticky, but I don't mind that (as long as my hair doesn't get on my lips and get stuck in it ;) )</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have (several, and admittedly, an addiction to) lip balms laid out next. From top to bottom, Blistex Melon Medley, my trusty Burt's Bees, Aquafina (yes, the water company) FlavorSplash in Raspberry, and Aquafina lip balm. Both the Bees and the Aquafina are minty and refreshing. Both Aquafinas came in my Christmas stoking from my mother-in-law and I adore them. They are smooth and hydrating without that waxy feel and give my lips a silky texture. The Blistex hopped in that bag on its own accord, or my husband threw it in there because it was most likely laying around the house with no home so he thought it belonged in my purse. Its not a go-to for me...it leaves a waxy feel and I'm not huge on the scent. Burt's Bees, what can I say about Burt's Bees other than that I love it, it's my favorite, and regardless of the price I will continue to buy tubes of this minty refreshing balm til the day I die. In fact, one of my fav Mary Kay glosses has actually been layered over BB so many times (because I cant get enough of the minty tingle) that the gloss itself has become minty from the applicator transferring residual balm from my lips back into the gloss tube...its actually quite nice :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last but not least, my lip plumping gloss from e.l.f. in Plum Pout. Its a little more sheer/natural in color than I was expecting, but I like the plumping effects without the cinnamony taste.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thanks for reading (hubby) and check back in the next few weeks for the adventures in fondant work for my first baby birthday cakes (1 this week and two next week)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-65195779183692434112013-02-11T12:04:00.004-08:002013-02-11T12:04:38.983-08:00e.l.f. Haul and Review<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy February!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In January I was browsing E.L.F's website and saw that they were having a free shipping promotion. My only qualms about buying e.l.f products before was that I would be paying for shipping, which would make the less expensive e.l.f. products essentially the same price as other drug store brands. Without shipping costs though, I was able to get TONS for only $15!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nNA1Ah6XKAsx2lox3OIG9BRQv1eie6Db1hlMIhzxae7nPZTdFsVQ6PpZfdhPF2uBBCascVmi65LML9FfU6E7nbnHUNfeW4g55RI4WSdIZf8JOL7KhVDgznEvXM5PzyMW-8y4KVNQXCY/s1600/IMG_1053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nNA1Ah6XKAsx2lox3OIG9BRQv1eie6Db1hlMIhzxae7nPZTdFsVQ6PpZfdhPF2uBBCascVmi65LML9FfU6E7nbnHUNfeW4g55RI4WSdIZf8JOL7KhVDgznEvXM5PzyMW-8y4KVNQXCY/s1600/IMG_1053.jpg" height="320" width="304" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I ended up with some great products and a few that are mediocre...but for $15, a makeup lover with a budget is VERY pleased :) Here is a list of products I ordered and the prices I paid:<br /><a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/eyes/eyeshadow/endless_eyes_pro_mini_eyeshadow_palette_limited_edition" target="_blank">Studio Endless Eyes Pro Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Everyday</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">$5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/elf/eyes/eyeliner/waterproof_eyeliner_pen" target="_blank">Essential Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Ash</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">$1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/elf/eyes/eyeliner/shimmer_eyeliner_pencil" target="_blank">Two Shimmer Eyeliner Pencils in Gunmetal and Plum Passion</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">$1 each</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/elf/eyes/eye_brushes/smudge_brush" target="_blank">Essential Smudge Brush</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">$1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/elf/lips/gloss/plumping_lip_glaze" target="_blank">Plumping Lip Glaze in Plum Pout</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">$1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/elf/nails/elf_nail_polish/3-piece_nail_polish_set" target="_blank">3 Piece Nail Polish Set in Vacation Trio</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">$3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/elf/nails/elf_nail_polish/matte_finisher_clear_nail_polish" target="_blank">Matte Finisher Clear Nail Polish</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">$2</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'll start with the products I wasn't super pleased with. The Matte Finish polish seemed like it would be great. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4TWcHdZi_y58eg5VAQLzFlhwVzNiVZQSABWYiM8-z8xWAfW5PE1_TW1Ofzdr0YKVjHYc8-KoD8bU2FSUdmxavMRty2NsYRph912gLs0-7ZvjOH6px0V6h1jc6TfNFCljRR68wrhRVLQ/s1600/IMG_1057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4aPs0nxUTSNsi-E8aJHtFGSyxnMbVdhHET2biA4mbTmysL3NIaon_mxF1CnIg77TzUnh2zlivmVxdibCGZZE48Sd_OKFVKXPc8IlV89OzMaz3fTyEnF8oEETejsgKKkhiOGPXT0G0BE/s1600/IMG_1066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4aPs0nxUTSNsi-E8aJHtFGSyxnMbVdhHET2biA4mbTmysL3NIaon_mxF1CnIg77TzUnh2zlivmVxdibCGZZE48Sd_OKFVKXPc8IlV89OzMaz3fTyEnF8oEETejsgKKkhiOGPXT0G0BE/s1600/IMG_1066.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4TWcHdZi_y58eg5VAQLzFlhwVzNiVZQSABWYiM8-z8xWAfW5PE1_TW1Ofzdr0YKVjHYc8-KoD8bU2FSUdmxavMRty2NsYRph912gLs0-7ZvjOH6px0V6h1jc6TfNFCljRR68wrhRVLQ/s1600/IMG_1057.jpg" height="173" width="200" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have seen pins all over Pinterest about the trend of matte finish nail color so I was pretty excited to find it for 2 bucks. I painted my nails after shooting these (great quality....) photos with the dark red color from the Vacation Trio then decided to try one nail with the matte topcoat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> As you can see (maybe...sorry, used iPhone camera) the matte polish did some crazy crackle like effect on my nail. At first I was pretty sad, but then I was okay with it and thought the texture was kind of cool, so I painted every nail like that for the texture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I think my issue was that I used the top coat before the red polish was completely dry. I plan to try it again and making sure its dry next time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With that being said, I LOVED the red polish from the Vacation trio set. the kit also came with a mint green and a lavender shade that look awesome. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> On to the next one that didn't really blow me away....the Waterproof Eyeliner Pen.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiF0a1sn68RN0XGNbj4zk1lrpjo3bnzsrHd8djP1VP4fJh1gqIObcm72myHpp7d5gDtq9StVl71klmIeiumE1k2X3s5qwrKGJEVzZgPVGr6gNxQtOQd-qa6g34c8Cp7Z6n5FLvVrgKW8/s1600/IMG_1063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiF0a1sn68RN0XGNbj4zk1lrpjo3bnzsrHd8djP1VP4fJh1gqIObcm72myHpp7d5gDtq9StVl71klmIeiumE1k2X3s5qwrKGJEVzZgPVGr6gNxQtOQd-qa6g34c8Cp7Z6n5FLvVrgKW8/s1600/IMG_1063.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The pen has a great tip that is super small on the end. At first, when I swatched it the color was a rich charcoal and I thought I would LOVE the product.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've tired it several times with the same results each time. The pen works great for the first line when I start out lining my eyes, the top lid on my right eye (where I always start) glides on smoothly with good pigment, but when I get to my waterline, it takes more effort to get color out of the pen, like it is running out. Then when I go to my other top lid, it is nearly impossible to get it to draw. Lining my left waterline is like pulling teeth!! I don't really understand the problem with this pen. It is definitely not out of ink, as the first line I draw each time goes on great. Its really strange...I do, however, really like the staying power. They mean it when they say waterproof. My lower lid line on the waterline doesn't budge, which I love. I wish it was easier to make pigminted lines each time though. I also really like the tip. Its small and easy to make a thin line. I have used it to make a "guide" for black liquid liner and it does really well here since I don't really need a dark line if I'm going to draw over it. All in all, I probably will steer clear of this one in the future, even though at the bargain price of $1, I've gotten what I paid for.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFlU68MtE9eyZtzOozaAPdxR26e1LOCp1fyLvtNveuyA3Cslp8QCmLGPEYIQvi1HwbZM3muGpbx7vpIleLfT0uxoMbMer-HcQm_qHsIyyCWDpp-A743gomPfnQlrD1wn5SJYKU59PpaI/s1600/IMG_1060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFlU68MtE9eyZtzOozaAPdxR26e1LOCp1fyLvtNveuyA3Cslp8QCmLGPEYIQvi1HwbZM3muGpbx7vpIleLfT0uxoMbMer-HcQm_qHsIyyCWDpp-A743gomPfnQlrD1wn5SJYKU59PpaI/s1600/IMG_1060.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, the products I have enjoyed!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have really liked the shimmer eyeliners. As you can see (maybe...) from my picture, and definitely from the pic on e.l.f.'s website, these pencils are wooden, but they conveniently come with a sharpener built in to the cap. I chose the gunmetal because I have brown and black liners already. I like darker liner but I also LOVE LOVE LOVE variety in my looks. I would be that I wear a different eye look daily and don't repeat a look for several days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am a "brown eyed girl" so the plum wasn't a difficult choice for me. I usually do a look with neutrals, purples, or greens. I haven't used the plum yet, but I am wearing the gunmetal color today. Its not super dark, but I chose a look today with a gold lid with rose-gold crease darkened with matte black in the v-crease and it compliments it well, allowing my dark lashes to silhouette against the bright gold in the shadow. I am usually not a wooden pencil girl, I love twist up liners that are soft and glide on easily, but I went for these because of the price. I love them and would definitely recommend them. The sparkle is also great. Like I mentioned, I love variety in my makeup options, and these are such a fun option :) <br />In the swatch above, the waterproof pen in Ash, then the shimmer pencil in gunmetal, and finally the shimmer pencil in plum.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5o7AP9ZGYjlBGNxusGBQ2DgHqF-lc6MI4vSYGPOksDI45jQmE3B_U9qlaBpDWlPD8fdhNDQLJnfwJxd9rfId_p_IEr6MivGIbgZlPU-l2isvtZJ0mXG0X_Tkoh3hKJgf5bYK8X_sAkI/s1600/IMG_1065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ljEzxcycoC9h2XAY5aelWHdaKNuMvi08EQP1Ntz3QEqTyQvbtfw_HHVtiqmnHI1WC4DWbSMJbnQoHDsfJdbf5cNKJqFEK7tHJnOP8xkd9hfwCdXiBChkRuDY6HRGfPK5DJej988eJCc/s1600/IMG_1062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ljEzxcycoC9h2XAY5aelWHdaKNuMvi08EQP1Ntz3QEqTyQvbtfw_HHVtiqmnHI1WC4DWbSMJbnQoHDsfJdbf5cNKJqFEK7tHJnOP8xkd9hfwCdXiBChkRuDY6HRGfPK5DJej988eJCc/s1600/IMG_1062.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5o7AP9ZGYjlBGNxusGBQ2DgHqF-lc6MI4vSYGPOksDI45jQmE3B_U9qlaBpDWlPD8fdhNDQLJnfwJxd9rfId_p_IEr6MivGIbgZlPU-l2isvtZJ0mXG0X_Tkoh3hKJgf5bYK8X_sAkI/s1600/IMG_1065.jpg" height="200" width="182" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Another good product from this haul that I've used frequently since my stash came in has been the plumping gloss.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It has a tingly feeling when applied that reminds me of mint mixed with Vick's vapor rub. I LOATHE cinnamon so I was apprehensive about this gloss because all of the plumping products I have used in the past were cinnamon flavored. This one has no cinnamon flavor! The directions on the gloss packaging recommended using the clear gloss under the colored gloss. I love the look of these, together and separately. They feel neat and make my lips feel plumper, even if they don't look all <i>that</i> different. I like this product and I would buy it again. The color is kind of sheer though, so if you're looking for extreme pigmentation, look elsewhere.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LC98MJSkvpraxh6sntg6dzl_jZ65oJ1c3BjyXisiBO0lL4xLPGl1G9UI1yK4qDroy7eLjXBOWT0dKLsXfHmorpmEyOJpAoWh5i1tcistu00VVI8Gz2bKof9_i9yqNY43H2wcSLbgbZ0/s1600/IMG_1054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LC98MJSkvpraxh6sntg6dzl_jZ65oJ1c3BjyXisiBO0lL4xLPGl1G9UI1yK4qDroy7eLjXBOWT0dKLsXfHmorpmEyOJpAoWh5i1tcistu00VVI8Gz2bKof9_i9yqNY43H2wcSLbgbZ0/s1600/IMG_1054.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And now for my two FAVORITES!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The 32 shade palette is AWESOME. There is a big variety of matte, shimmery, and glittery shades. I have really enjoyed the multiple looks I have been able to get from the palette. The packaging really impressed me first of all. The plastic is thick and durable and the mirror in the palette is large. I expected it to feel much cheaper because of the low price. I don't love the organization of colors, because I don't really understand how they decided on the arrangement of colors because they don't seem to flow from lightest to darkest or anything. Otherwise, I have really loved this palette. I have used it everyday since I got it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have especially enjoyed the matte black (I outlined in yellow). It has been great to darken my v-crease and make some night-out looks. This is my first time actually using black shadow with any confidence and its been great. Also, the goldish-bronze shade I outlined in green is good for neutral eye looks. I've used it for the lid and the crease with success. The shade right below that one, that I outlined in blue is a rose-gold shade with some sparkle in it. I am wearing it now and I love it. It is GREAT for bringing out brown eyes and I am sure it is a good color for any eye. I usually use this for the lid, but I opted to use it in the crease today, and I'm loving it so far. The shade outlined in red is a really glittery shadow. It isn't super pigmented but it adds a TON of sparkle. Its a neutral gold and it is unlike anything I've ever used. The only thing I wasn't sure about at first with this shade is that there is a lot of glitter fallout, but it kind of lights up the whole eye area, and when I finished the look, I liked the added shimmer. Last but not least, the white shade I lined in purple, is a shimmery highlight that I've used almost daily to highlight my browbone and the inner corner of my eyes. LOVE LOVE LOVE this shade.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now for my other favorite, and something I've used daily since it came in the mail...The crease brush. It is great for getting shadow right where you want it because the bristles are short and dense. I have used this for the crease as well as putting shadow under my lower lashline. I would have paid up to $10 for this awesome brush so for $1 is has been amazing!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hope you enjoyed this haul/review post. I love makeup, so as my (limited) budget allows, I will continue to post them from time to time. Have a great day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-43816577178707316092013-01-18T12:16:00.001-08:002013-01-18T12:20:04.091-08:00I'm Gonna Be A Lawyer!!<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Well
I have wonderful news friends...I got in to <a href="http://www.elon.edu/e-web/law/" target="_blank"><b>Elon Law</b></a>!! </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<br /></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">It is
the first school I heard back from, and its a yes!! Its likely that I
wont get in to all 5 of the ones I applied to, but now I know I WILL be
an attorney by 2016!!! </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<br /></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Praise the Lord...He has strengthened, sustained,
and comforted me over the last tumultuous year as I have changed
careers and decided to follow this dream. Celebrate with me friends! I
am beyond excited!!</span></span></span></span><br />
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Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-18656421637156087052013-01-17T12:22:00.001-08:002013-01-17T12:22:28.303-08:00Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once again, I am inspired by Pinterest, and my husband's belly rejoices!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I found <a href="http://fabulousfoodblog.com/2013/01/12/philly-cheesesteak-stuffed-bell-peppers-good-way-to-do-without-the-bun/" target="_blank">this</a> blog/photo linked to a pin and was slightly discouraged when there was no actual recipe to follow. I thought, "Aw MAN!! I really wanted to make these..." And then, it occurred to me that I have been cooking while intermittently (and often not at all) following recipes for 4 years. I am not a SLAVE to RECIPES! I AM WOMAN!!...I digress...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I feel like I have a pretty good palate and according to hubby I am "horrible at making bad food." So I gave it a shot using only the picture in my head, from the picture on this blog, as a guide.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">**Note: I generally loathe stuffed peppers...but enjoy sauteed peppers in fajitas, philly cheesesteaks, etc, so I figured it can't be TOO bad...and I was so right, they're not bad, these are AMAZING </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is what I did:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3 Green Peppers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 Packages of Roast Beef sandwich meat (I used Aldi's brand that comes in the tiny tupperware container)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tbsp olive oil </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 and 1/2 yellow onions sliced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 cloves of garlic </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3 small cans of mushrooms</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 cup of beef broth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">salt, pepper, spices to taste</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">a little bit of mayo (optional) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">About 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6 slices of mozzarella cheese (You can sub the shredded for the sliced and use either 2 c of shredded cheese or 12 slices)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First, I cut the peppers in half from the stem to the bottom, like pictured above. I pulled out the seeds and the stem. I sprayed a baking dish with non stick spray and placed the peppers in the pan, open side up. Place some shredded mozzarella in the bottom of each pepper (or one slice if you're using only slices)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I sliced the onion and chopped the garlic while my olive oil was heating in a LARGE skillet over medium-med/high heat. Once the oil was hot, I put the onion/garlic in the pan and sauteed it until the onions began to caramelize. I like deliciously soft onions bursting with savory sweetness so I sauteed mine for about 10-15 minutes. If you want yours firmer, lessen that time. Don't let them burn, if they start to, turn the heat down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I usually use fresh mushrooms, but I cook on a budget, and my favorite discount grocery store, Aldi, was out of fresh mushrooms, so I went with canned. If you substitute fresh, you could probably go with 2 small tubs from the produce aisle. I dumped in the mushrooms and sauteed for another few minutes to let the flavors marry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While this was going on, I took the roast beef out of the packaging an cut it into squares/chunks. This part doesn't have to be perfect, as long as its in bite-size pieces like a philly cheesesteak. I put the meat in when it was cut and stirred it in. I then added a cup of beef broth to the mixture and brought to a boil. I added salt and pepper and a few dashes of Emril's Essence spice because I had it laying around. If you don't, you can use steak seasoning or just salt and pepper and add whatever you like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once most of the liquid from the beef broth has evaporated, the mixture should look like the filling for a philly cheesesteak. Spoon some of the mixture into each pepper, filling them to the brim. Bake the peppers at 375 for about 20-30 minutes until the peppers are soft.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I then took the peppers out, then I spread a little bit of mayo on the tops of each pepper because my hubby likes mayo on his philly cheesesteak, but if you don't it shouldn't affect the flavor. Top each pepper with a slice of cheese or some shredded cheese and put back into the oven for another 10 minutes (make sure the cheese is melted a bubbly).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I would suggest letting them cool a few minutes before serving...they were pretty inside when we ate them and I burned my mouth a little haha I served the peppers with biscuits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Enjoy!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-44445505189314888382013-01-11T14:04:00.001-08:002013-01-11T14:04:09.203-08:00Makeup Post!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So I have been watching a lot of YouTube makeup reviews and tutorials by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/emilynoel83?feature=watch" target="_blank">Emily on Beauty Broadcast </a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/laurenbeautyy" target="_blank">Lauren on Laurenbeautyy.</a></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I recently bought a few products and tried some of the looks on the videos, especially Emily's because she has brown eyes and brown hair like I do. I tried Lauren's New Years Eve silver eye look (minus the glitter) and LOVED it. Emily has several eye tutorial videos that I have really enjoyed emulating. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I went to Target this evening and picked up some e.l.f eye products, a Revlon lip gloss, a Rimmel lipstick, and two eye quads: one Maybelline, and one Cover Girl</span>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilawanEDruZulqC3pLtUzJCHcP0d0sI6HCMFl8hayxaBVFj503I5zwxA0ni1KP7Uy1nN1uE6SSXk7Iq22zcWq_EOaCz3UdSElmL463cqT7FQhNjvPahqRL4uZbW0Rq7_YUMJ9BIG9nXEQ/s1600/GEDC0443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilawanEDruZulqC3pLtUzJCHcP0d0sI6HCMFl8hayxaBVFj503I5zwxA0ni1KP7Uy1nN1uE6SSXk7Iq22zcWq_EOaCz3UdSElmL463cqT7FQhNjvPahqRL4uZbW0Rq7_YUMJ9BIG9nXEQ/s1600/GEDC0443.JPG" height="489" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">e.l.f. Liquid Eyeliner: Black and Copper</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVfbzFPTwulxDKBswKZ1LFQ7ZKMWCKZUjGoawdDHzGBPu0ArM4hRPwW1BphYV0XtDAPBEaTHL95Sg25PrFY-_fZH792Uc9Pie0Aqxi1TVXEy90U-SSS_id8hLhR9mcLcRdp95s2Irk9Q/s1600/GEDC0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVfbzFPTwulxDKBswKZ1LFQ7ZKMWCKZUjGoawdDHzGBPu0ArM4hRPwW1BphYV0XtDAPBEaTHL95Sg25PrFY-_fZH792Uc9Pie0Aqxi1TVXEy90U-SSS_id8hLhR9mcLcRdp95s2Irk9Q/s1600/GEDC0444.JPG" height="200" width="110" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0c5dbU993zriNRbLYObzak1_GXS_QUgZQqrjn1YZtiDKf7TIdCerFobaOyWolruN48kqTSmUuWP-MZmc4d3YBWVBKdYQIw3SC_zX-TwAzy-MNXWEW3yC4QAdpMPF0Rh5MM1swJV9-72o/s1600/GEDC0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0c5dbU993zriNRbLYObzak1_GXS_QUgZQqrjn1YZtiDKf7TIdCerFobaOyWolruN48kqTSmUuWP-MZmc4d3YBWVBKdYQIw3SC_zX-TwAzy-MNXWEW3yC4QAdpMPF0Rh5MM1swJV9-72o/s1600/GEDC0446.JPG" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVfbzFPTwulxDKBswKZ1LFQ7ZKMWCKZUjGoawdDHzGBPu0ArM4hRPwW1BphYV0XtDAPBEaTHL95Sg25PrFY-_fZH792Uc9Pie0Aqxi1TVXEy90U-SSS_id8hLhR9mcLcRdp95s2Irk9Q/s1600/GEDC0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">e.l.f. Cream Eyeliner: Coffee and Plum Purple</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXSu4UYzcK0u4HN9U_NAXHQaYE_NgeUN7gJmfb0NElAuDyn-EjT61RW4HgBWNA0kzjtscNWv1F8iod05YFXBO521y8Jv-KdiW3RIMd0tar7BiEVBWT0ImGnCjwRv5U9sAknKIQHYnzs4/s1600/GEDC0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXSu4UYzcK0u4HN9U_NAXHQaYE_NgeUN7gJmfb0NElAuDyn-EjT61RW4HgBWNA0kzjtscNWv1F8iod05YFXBO521y8Jv-KdiW3RIMd0tar7BiEVBWT0ImGnCjwRv5U9sAknKIQHYnzs4/s1600/GEDC0447.JPG" height="157" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">e.l.f. eye primer</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQGKclJbu7LLilrHCW7keaJHzzJVOacMz-msdbkF0QyWFwFKIIRzvzz6yQUNZ0DysH_ze79vKK4YTutRrO4c82fsN9x_hRG0Wy8HTY5-icM5HfK5iHqAu_ISmDav2mE9dgQgjveDiBww/s1600/GEDC0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQGKclJbu7LLilrHCW7keaJHzzJVOacMz-msdbkF0QyWFwFKIIRzvzz6yQUNZ0DysH_ze79vKK4YTutRrO4c82fsN9x_hRG0Wy8HTY5-icM5HfK5iHqAu_ISmDav2mE9dgQgjveDiBww/s1600/GEDC0460.JPG" height="195" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Revlon Colorburst lip gloss in Rosepearl</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOm84rnYiOsXHNHPLcLmIL-kpnvFkaCHH4ujTL19lASl2o8ZqweIBANJZFWOQHdV1bLhYm_R3TVqwRA_7Dtd8_6mEASPhWrVT2AEJQV6Kyxwnapt-mHNm_ExKOy8A0lsEmXAQ0XO4_-s/s1600/GEDC0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOm84rnYiOsXHNHPLcLmIL-kpnvFkaCHH4ujTL19lASl2o8ZqweIBANJZFWOQHdV1bLhYm_R3TVqwRA_7Dtd8_6mEASPhWrVT2AEJQV6Kyxwnapt-mHNm_ExKOy8A0lsEmXAQ0XO4_-s/s1600/GEDC0456.JPG" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Paradise</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyybwC_enbHKf6sQhKAGAjLiske0Kjv0qTJfZ8dY1Gmk1q_ilJIvFeXYF1RuG5CqXMXi6TJWkiuYfX-vKWAdgNax95ohmuLcF7CNH8RLfDHIHIQ02J6hQynen3K2_Lb9_iFlQekghot4/s1600/GEDC0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaufwygNC3by6hNBj4vdGm5pIM8FKycZATj3sXeAVwnKVfjPbJkZXfCWtgSVh4pvGO3bz1apNIr1M__ZS_ncY2GePLlb2QU6BE7tpKghv2YhlLF9ofbEaVeP-Ro4cSw_JeV-8pEmzIN7M/s1600/GEDC0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaufwygNC3by6hNBj4vdGm5pIM8FKycZATj3sXeAVwnKVfjPbJkZXfCWtgSVh4pvGO3bz1apNIr1M__ZS_ncY2GePLlb2QU6BE7tpKghv2YhlLF9ofbEaVeP-Ro4cSw_JeV-8pEmzIN7M/s1600/GEDC0458.JPG" height="134" width="200" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyybwC_enbHKf6sQhKAGAjLiske0Kjv0qTJfZ8dY1Gmk1q_ilJIvFeXYF1RuG5CqXMXi6TJWkiuYfX-vKWAdgNax95ohmuLcF7CNH8RLfDHIHIQ02J6hQynen3K2_Lb9_iFlQekghot4/s1600/GEDC0457.JPG" height="200" width="173" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Maybelline Eyestudio quad in Smokey Night </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cover Girl Eye Enhancers quad in Crystal Waters </span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq99A_oYeLDFCkEWKlYO7uFtyrCmxCSb5pDZDZpV-Sq_vjgWV2EuGFdNgpQVa3StVIa87_cdoG1yHQRpt2rXRXeN3lE9IXw3bpJ0BjkgSeqsma7cCVZEjO1zyivOywNsQW8cDBfsQ3QI/s1600/1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq99A_oYeLDFCkEWKlYO7uFtyrCmxCSb5pDZDZpV-Sq_vjgWV2EuGFdNgpQVa3StVIa87_cdoG1yHQRpt2rXRXeN3lE9IXw3bpJ0BjkgSeqsma7cCVZEjO1zyivOywNsQW8cDBfsQ3QI/s1600/1.bmp" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">SO,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After having tried (almost) all of these products, here is what I think.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The e.l.f. cream eyeliners are great. I love the texture, and the tiny brush that comes with them keeps things easy because each product has its own brush and I didn't have to buy additional tools to use the product. As <a href="http://www.beautybroadcast.net/" target="_blank">Emily</a> says in her videos, there is a heck of a lot of packaging surrounding a seemingly small amount of actual product. I have found however, that even though it looks like a very small amount in the jar, it doesn't take much to get the desired effect and it looks like the liner will last for a long time. At the bargain price of $3 per jar, this liner is a must!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZapvTz28WFFzf89yozI7dc2K2Ih6MbxR-OJ_rPZ9yM2FK6b59u6PbjCCGAsmH-Ayyz92NsRoTl-1AXdWTei_UERsdcxE9rJ9H0_z2Sp71bUIBgJ4snV8J1vwqLIlXuPQViwDJ_OQTd4/s1600/GEDC0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZapvTz28WFFzf89yozI7dc2K2Ih6MbxR-OJ_rPZ9yM2FK6b59u6PbjCCGAsmH-Ayyz92NsRoTl-1AXdWTei_UERsdcxE9rJ9H0_z2Sp71bUIBgJ4snV8J1vwqLIlXuPQViwDJ_OQTd4/s1600/GEDC0462.JPG" height="320" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As far as the e.l.f. black liquid liner...I have a confession, until this week, I have never used liquid eyeliner before...*NOTE, do not use it for the first time ever when you are getting ready for work in the morning and are on a time crunch...it will undoubtedly cause you to have to start your eyes all over <strike>twice</strike> and be 5 minutes late for work...OTHER than that, I found the brush applicator to be fine enough to make a good line, and the product went on smoothly. I made some mistakes, but that's because I'm a newbie to liquid eyeliner. I'll update when I have mastered it. I haven't tried the copper yet because its rather eccentric and I imagine it will be a special occasion (NYE, Christmas parties, special dates out, etc) staple instead of an option for an everyday look.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/laurenbeautyy" target="_blank">Lauren</a>'s post for her NYE look featured a sparkly liquid liner, so I plan to use it like that for a look sometime as well. I have no qualms about buying either of these to try because both were only $1 each!! If I am going to try out something new, I might as well get a deal on it :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The e.l.f. eye primer was a bargain as well at $1. It has a very silky satin texture when it is blended on the lid and I have used it exclusively since I bought it. It blends in well with my skin tone and has kept my shadow in place and crease-free. Totally worth the price :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I bought my first Maybelline Eyestudio quad a little over 3 months ago after seeing a video from Emily's youtube channel. I didn't get the exact green shades she used, but I absolutely adored the Green with Envy quad I picked up. I love the sponge applicators. One end is thicker and the other is tiny. I use the thick end for lids and the tiny end to add the shadow under my lower lash line. I am usually a neutral browns/pinks/golds or grayscale eyecolor person, but I have thoroughly enjoyed this quad. The shadows have all day staying power, are creamy and very pigmented and blend very well.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03lxbXb3mkaCGVMNq3Ux-eh06N2oNaOZkWMKl9YwYY7zivQCDtgysveURab4qJUu_WB43Vpt6SuWCySnNExWMK5leKMazSdPTVRatqhqgWN-mYmUV5OcHGiY-bqSf_XtxKze4xd3SecA/s1600/GEDC0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03lxbXb3mkaCGVMNq3Ux-eh06N2oNaOZkWMKl9YwYY7zivQCDtgysveURab4qJUu_WB43Vpt6SuWCySnNExWMK5leKMazSdPTVRatqhqgWN-mYmUV5OcHGiY-bqSf_XtxKze4xd3SecA/s1600/GEDC0454.JPG" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For the way I wear it, I apply the light green to the lid all over, then add the dark green to the outer corner and crease. With a brush, I blend the crease area with the copper/gold color. I add the white high light color to my browbone, and the inner corner of my eye near the tear duct. I use the tiny end of the sponge tip to put a thin line of light green under my lashes and then a thin line of dark green to the outer corner right under the lashes. I TOTALLY love this quad. I have brown hair, brown eyes, and fair skin by the way...it may not work for all eye colors/skin tones, but if you're feeling adventurous pick it up.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwoZK87Crxiw2_GANBgiPiKjxAGWG8kdS4ajqtIs9MfKhW4u-8tv-KIBCdkR4O0QwWdivQerPlLMtrMEojpkAlj70BTix_Jmu54DStKkZTtMO-1sPnKgYxOCLFVeXghex8yVG9HfR09w/s1600/GEDC0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwoZK87Crxiw2_GANBgiPiKjxAGWG8kdS4ajqtIs9MfKhW4u-8tv-KIBCdkR4O0QwWdivQerPlLMtrMEojpkAlj70BTix_Jmu54DStKkZTtMO-1sPnKgYxOCLFVeXghex8yVG9HfR09w/s1600/GEDC0452.JPG" height="256" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, because I loved this quad SO much, I wanted to get another color palette in the same formula. I picked up the Smokey Nights quad with the brownish purple, purple, blue, and gunmetal colors. I figured they would be good for a night out look, or a daytime look as a crease color. I was a little disappointed at first. The colors are not as creamy in texture and have bigger glitter chunks than the Green with Envy quad. The first time I used the quad, I hated the look and had to start over...it was partly because I royally screwed up my liquid liner, but I wasn't super happy with the shadow look before I went in with liner anyway.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">HOWEVER, today, I used the purple in the crease with a light gray on the lid and lined with my new e.l.f. purple plum cream liner, and I'm loving the look :) This quad has yet to prove its value of $7.94 like the green one has, but I'll keep giving it a chance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I wanted to try a teal look because I have never had the nerve before, so I picked out the Cover Girl Crystal Waters quad. The colors were unique and looked very pigmented. The price was right at under $5, so I added it to the cart. I used the quad yesterday with the mint green color on the lid, the medium teal on the outer corner, and a blend of the dark blue and teal in the crease. I enjoyed the look, but the shadows weren't as build-able as I had hoped. It took quite a lot of the teal to make it pop like I wanted. Also, as you can see from my love of the Green with Envy quad, I am a sucker for sheen...the Cover Girl quad is almost matte, and I am just not used to that I suppose. It was a good change up, but it isn't my favorite. Additionally, I hate to buy a quad with a color I will not use, and the lightest color in this quad is more blue than I thought. It seemed to be a white highlight in the store, but when I got home I saw that it was a baby blue, and I am not going to highlight my browbone in baby blue...maybe its just me, but that seems a little much :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The lipstick from Rimmel, Lasting Finish Lipstick in Paradise, is probably my favorite of the products in this post (except maybe the Green with Envy quad...but it's very close) The color is outstanding for me. Its like my natural lip color, but just amplified and enriched. The product glides on easily, smells gorgeous, and has beautiful pigment. It is pretty long lasting and the color has me beaming...I will certainly try more Rimmel lipsticks in the future. In addition to it being amazing, it was a DEAL at $3.99!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Per Emily's advice on her video highlighting Revlon lip products, I picked up Revlon's Colorburst lip gloss in Rosepearl. I enjoy the gloss, I just put it on and it glides on beautifully, just the right amount of product comes out on the applicator and the color is richly pigmented. It isn't overly sticky, although I don't mind a sticky gloss as long as it looks good on my lips. I've been so in love with the Rimmel lipstick that I haven't given the Revlon much of a chance for very long so I can't speak much on the staying power, but it seems like a great gloss, with or without lipstick underneath. It was $6.49, but the tube is very long and seems like it contains a good amount of product. I hope it proves worth it's cost :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Below I have swatched all of the products I purchased</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnXwfQFW4CbKW2o8eTtjXqKXvYkvSKhcpFjhQaOAl2bmZvktNNnlD1z2JvBHF5OqWigtjGADK4iBeQuaLLfscH_aCU8cztYb2Xr8hBrwV1UJ-KgDGgdhO2gF2TCbSFPldujRPfRQNCmY/s1600/GEDC0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnXwfQFW4CbKW2o8eTtjXqKXvYkvSKhcpFjhQaOAl2bmZvktNNnlD1z2JvBHF5OqWigtjGADK4iBeQuaLLfscH_aCU8cztYb2Xr8hBrwV1UJ-KgDGgdhO2gF2TCbSFPldujRPfRQNCmY/s1600/GEDC0464.JPG" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F5b6Ns0bX6idxFfoEl7g4OsVbxSqBuaK6np5PaHsfQlJFo0OObD56Ws_1bG3w571svzXchB14VBsYPY5UgoHElOCPpzdZ3OrjIVcbsb6wL1HVnuqE9fEC0hK5P1hFrUDxcWy7SCzrrY/s1600/GEDC0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1F5b6Ns0bX6idxFfoEl7g4OsVbxSqBuaK6np5PaHsfQlJFo0OObD56Ws_1bG3w571svzXchB14VBsYPY5UgoHElOCPpzdZ3OrjIVcbsb6wL1HVnuqE9fEC0hK5P1hFrUDxcWy7SCzrrY/s1600/GEDC0463.JPG" height="320" width="207" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">e.l.f. eyeliners</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Black (liquid)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Copper (liquid)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Purple Plum (cream)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Coffee (cream) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Same order, e.l.f. liners, with flash</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AX0cWG4XpnGaI9i2vjYkp1tWuT41lNb8VkaxDW6JOUTccWVYyxX8oMfYWLDnfYE_569kONACUqMmFDaotTnKIJPSOWdHYGYoUd-53lLAWou_XdpfuSRLKe455kbltJCxZjUoYwvhWmk/s1600/GEDC0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AX0cWG4XpnGaI9i2vjYkp1tWuT41lNb8VkaxDW6JOUTccWVYyxX8oMfYWLDnfYE_569kONACUqMmFDaotTnKIJPSOWdHYGYoUd-53lLAWou_XdpfuSRLKe455kbltJCxZjUoYwvhWmk/s1600/GEDC0468.JPG" height="302" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Paradise</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Revlon Colorburst lip gloss in Rosepearl </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIzAmPEdPm5MMoXdQP6G54c9Q_Xfgt-hRHWqYTQrFm1qfdcuMPtjCEvmbyD9duBK0yjIBhD0b6EDULFDwAyub7UfdWkZDvlmF-jpILA1xhsBIlkbFfKvKnx5vdSc-95oVXYnFWRDFHWg/s1600/GEDC0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIzAmPEdPm5MMoXdQP6G54c9Q_Xfgt-hRHWqYTQrFm1qfdcuMPtjCEvmbyD9duBK0yjIBhD0b6EDULFDwAyub7UfdWkZDvlmF-jpILA1xhsBIlkbFfKvKnx5vdSc-95oVXYnFWRDFHWg/s1600/GEDC0471.JPG" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Maybelline Eyestudio quad in Smokey Nights</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">swatched in order from left to right the same as it is in the packaging. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOu0XpbHuA9_eQXTW9d4JS4dMbPR7yzupl11PTVXxzVy02a2LFnKGUlTGM9rxtc081Z749HGxGs_1nxbYKzZRxUPktrAvBSt6_LtncYA6R3so26t6jEgsvTjsu2bLzywDXTPA8pI5Z7I/s1600/GEDC0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySd4qcuXRNRZxh4OQM69nURQvi4MlGjR07zMYgLsNddrux_RkplL8WVfIx7he12Sm8uWQNVNo96fy5BjRjQ1gXUMF3K3BPlbEyyJHMPJbugNGxoqoG711pz8-hmNuq42qgYyKtKSR81E/s1600/GEDC0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySd4qcuXRNRZxh4OQM69nURQvi4MlGjR07zMYgLsNddrux_RkplL8WVfIx7he12Sm8uWQNVNo96fy5BjRjQ1gXUMF3K3BPlbEyyJHMPJbugNGxoqoG711pz8-hmNuq42qgYyKtKSR81E/s1600/GEDC0473.JPG" height="88" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The first four are the Cover Girl quad in Crystal Waters. You may not be able to see the first shade, but its on the far left of the photo. The colors are swatched in reverse order of how they are in the packaging.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XhvxyH7NP3UQmEZwk0kYo4owAgeHDOnqbBjulbFUbYtt-sNb_LoNsxfZK1vNTRZRKuwvP2jVR2wP75jzYHEqH9xHKQTCzXPq2k5d4x-X3Yedy6WVqYZezF36M8tBkxCBXKznbRMkoiQ/s1600/GEDC0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XhvxyH7NP3UQmEZwk0kYo4owAgeHDOnqbBjulbFUbYtt-sNb_LoNsxfZK1vNTRZRKuwvP2jVR2wP75jzYHEqH9xHKQTCzXPq2k5d4x-X3Yedy6WVqYZezF36M8tBkxCBXKznbRMkoiQ/s1600/GEDC0475.JPG" height="117" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The second four are from the Maybelline Eyestudio quad in Green with Envy. They are swatched in the same order from left to right as they are in the packaging.</span></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-zgO5nkGcKi4%2FUO5Kll0318I%2FAAAAAAAAAMg%2Fz688KH3uGLg%2Fs1600%2FGEDC0444.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVfbzFPTwulxDKBswKZ1LFQ7ZKMWCKZUjGoawdDHzGBPu0ArM4hRPwW1BphYV0XtDAPBEaTHL95Sg25PrFY-_fZH792Uc9Pie0Aqxi1TVXEy90U-SSS_id8hLhR9mcLcRdp95s2Irk9Q/s1600/GEDC0444.JPG" -->Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-41187821601497366922012-12-27T18:00:00.002-08:002012-12-27T18:00:36.099-08:00Snickerdoodle Cupcakes<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Merry Christmas Everyone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have been decorating and baking away this year thanks to no more 12 hour shifts!! I am pleased to announce that our tree is NC State themed! (GO WOLFPACK) and so are our presents...I may have gone overboard, but its Christmas, so I am allowed :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have baked several batches of yummy Christmas Funfetti cookies using the Pillsbury box recipe and my new festive cookie cutters, but the BEST cookies by far, I baked to garnish a new cupcake recipe. I had never made Snickerdoodles before, and I don't think I had had them very often, but they are now my (and Hubby's) FAVORITE!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJQj_oHB-BEBbcujGkUTuT3OkrDCrxvPIltyqGLnWm09fZ7MOWTKrSGhLiJNZkbWxu502yZd71SEaZjvffJkXEPVSq_sRz5lpSGCckDz_OADiiwLwDLG4diMs4lyhFyhuiQc90rnkRwU/s1600/photo(32).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJQj_oHB-BEBbcujGkUTuT3OkrDCrxvPIltyqGLnWm09fZ7MOWTKrSGhLiJNZkbWxu502yZd71SEaZjvffJkXEPVSq_sRz5lpSGCckDz_OADiiwLwDLG4diMs4lyhFyhuiQc90rnkRwU/s320/photo(32).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I did use Pinterest to compile several aspects of recipes from other Bloggers to make these. They are as follows: <a href="http://jamiecooksitup.net/2011/01/snickerdoodle-cookies/" target="_blank">cookies</a>, <a href="http://www.lovefromtheoven.com/2012/09/05/snickerdoodle-cookie-cupcakes/" target="_blank">brown sugar cinnamon frosting</a>, <a href="http://bsinthekitchen.com/cinnamon-toast-crunch-cupcakes/" target="_blank">cinnamon sugar cupcake batter</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">PS: the cake batter is a semi-homemade recipe, but its incredible </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For convenience I will write my recipe here so you don't have to jump around on different pages and tabs to bake these delicious beauties. Give them a try, you and all of the friends you share them with, will NOT regret it :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTien1090YeqnDfwPB1bIVrxL-2gJ5nqdzi5gEOYYmxq_Hs5jZa498XUCbzU1biFQNheHJ75svLtyEJ53Orfoezy2sSk7FF9MvdfcNxP17zoDKcsRbfHAors5aaLDJEAW6D7yyHnWUzs/s1600/photo%252828%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTien1090YeqnDfwPB1bIVrxL-2gJ5nqdzi5gEOYYmxq_Hs5jZa498XUCbzU1biFQNheHJ75svLtyEJ53Orfoezy2sSk7FF9MvdfcNxP17zoDKcsRbfHAors5aaLDJEAW6D7yyHnWUzs/s320/photo%252828%2529.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Snickerdoodle Cupcakes </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For the Batter (adapted from the above listed)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 White Cake Box Mix</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3 eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 stick of (real) butter melted *I use unsalted*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3 tsp vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 c buttermilk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 c water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tbsp cinnamon</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Optional Topping:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 tbsp melted butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tbsp sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 tsp cinnamon </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />Mix all ingredients well in a large bowl. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two cupcake pans with papers. Using an ice cream scooper (<a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&tbo=d&biw=1280&bih=861&tbm=isch&tbnid=0LpAiKI1XyJsJM:&imgrefurl=http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Trigger-Cream-Scoop/dp/B00004OCIW&docid=p0MDSCDdg4gGXM&imgurl=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31E1V2EC1ML._SL500_SS500_.jpg&w=500&h=500&ei=Pp3UUIOcBIb-8ASVtIHgBg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=838&vpy=266&dur=86&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=122&ty=131&sig=106028582834214182481&page=2&tbnh=137&tbnw=139&start=34&ndsp=44&ved=1t:429,r:46,s:0,i:302" target="_blank">like this</a>) fill each cup with about 1/2 a scoop of batter. It should make 24 if you really portion them correctly, but I have had times where I only got between 20-22 so don't worry...They will RISE significantly in the oven, you shouldn't have any that were filled about 1/3 of the way to not rise above the paper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On the first batch of these I made, I brushed the tops with melted butter and dipped them in a mixture of cinnamon & sugar. This is optional, but its a delicious option :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVfNJrg1N_iHmOt5MasafKAP21fFDIyCmeXWSqYwYD3u_oWwrhJTEhTAl7HSLQYGpWrTHk6lWYXDmZ6pDHJPMnmu2WEEN2dSfUbhikqVkG1NpiJ61vf60sszPrLxtFTIoWslG0YlZvBc/s1600/photo(30).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVfNJrg1N_iHmOt5MasafKAP21fFDIyCmeXWSqYwYD3u_oWwrhJTEhTAl7HSLQYGpWrTHk6lWYXDmZ6pDHJPMnmu2WEEN2dSfUbhikqVkG1NpiJ61vf60sszPrLxtFTIoWslG0YlZvBc/s320/photo(30).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For the Frosting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 stick of (real) butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/4 c light brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4-5 c powdered sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 tbsp-4 tbsp milk or half & half</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mix first 4 ingredients well until fluffy. Add sugar a little bit at a time and mix until combined. Add milk to thin out enough to pipe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For the Cookies</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 <span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: small;">c</span></span> butter, softened</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 1/2 <span style="font-size: small;">c </span>sugar</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2 eggs</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">3 <span style="font-size: small;">c</span> flour</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2 tsp cream of tartar</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 t<span style="font-size: small;">sp</span> baking soda</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2 tsp baking powder</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1/8 tsp salt</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cinnamon Sugar Coating: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">3 <span style="font-size: small;">t<span style="font-size: small;">bsp</span></span> sugar</span></span></div>
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</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 1/2 tsp cinnamon</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cream the butter and sugar for at least 3 minutes until fluffy. Use a <span style="font-size: small;">paddle attachment on your stand mixer. Add eggs and cream another <span style="font-size: small;">2-3 minutes. This is an important step to make sure the cookie a<span style="font-size: small;">re <span style="font-size: small;">chew<span style="font-size: small;">y and light once they are baked.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Comb<span style="font-size: small;">in<span style="font-size: small;">e the rest of the dry ingredients (not cinnamon & sugar). A<span style="font-size: small;">dd to butter mixture slowly until combined. Mix together cinna<span style="font-size: small;">mon & <span style="font-size: small;">sugar in a b<span style="font-size: small;">owl. </span></span></span>Make small balls <span style="font-size: small;">(about 1tbsp full) and roll in the c<span style="font-size: small;">innamon & sugar mix</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bake on a grea<span style="font-size: small;">sed<span style="font-size: small;">/parchment lined coo<span style="font-size: small;">k<span style="font-size: small;">ie <span style="font-size: small;">sheet at 375 degrees for 7-8 minutes. They won't look done, <span style="font-size: small;">but <span style="font-size: small;">take them out when the tops begin to crack and set out on th<span style="font-size: small;">e <span style="font-size: small;">cookie sheets until they settle.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">T<span style="font-size: small;">o build the cupcakes, p<span style="font-size: small;">ip<span style="font-size: small;">e the frosting onto the top of the cool<span style="font-size: small;">ed <span style="font-size: small;">cupcakes a<span style="font-size: small;">nd top <span style="font-size: small;">with a snickerdoodle cookie</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>. (you will have a ton of leftover cookies...you're welcome :) )<br />
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Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-13772467360251281992012-11-16T13:13:00.003-08:002013-01-27T14:24:07.373-08:00Maple Bacon Cupcakes<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well folks, I have successfully created a man's favorite desert...a cupcake with BACON in it!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At first you might be thinking, "gross!" but if you're like me, you LOVE breakfast, and if you're like me, you LOVE bacon and pancakes, and the best part of bacon and pancakes is that the yummy sweet syrup gets all over the salty savory bacon and it is a flavor profile so delicious and complex it is hard to match!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have put it into a cupcake...try these, they are phenomenal :<b>)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduqbxTPDho_pzIEEr-CoFHOl2Qp8WblpkQD2RaoBQrNBuYzixwwVgCfhN4PE0t_yQR_D5HDz_gwfeF5DO-9A0THW7Lf_ueF8OSuINLa1JLKGxmso6YKz9MmS2I6kojoKicihwYB2IpjE/s1600/photo(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduqbxTPDho_pzIEEr-CoFHOl2Qp8WblpkQD2RaoBQrNBuYzixwwVgCfhN4PE0t_yQR_D5HDz_gwfeF5DO-9A0THW7Lf_ueF8OSuINLa1JLKGxmso6YKz9MmS2I6kojoKicihwYB2IpjE/s1600/photo(5).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Maple Bacon Cupcakes with Maple Bacon Buttercream</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">12-14 strips of center cut bacon </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For the cupcakes: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 cup butter softened</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3 eggs </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 cups All Purpose Flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/4 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 cup buttermilk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 tsp maple flavoring</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For the Frosting:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4 tbsp butter, softened</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6 oz cream cheese at room temperature</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4 cups confectioner's sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/4 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/4 cup maple syrup</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pan fry all of the bacon and reserve the drippings. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with liners.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the butter for 30 seconds until fully and add the sugar. Add eggs one at a time and combine. Add vanilla flavoring and maple flavoring. Alternatively, add some of the flour mixture, mix, then add some of the butter milk and mix. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Add half of the drippings from the bacon.</span> Continue until all of the ingredients are combined. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 15-18 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Count how many cupcakes your batter came out to be. Mine usually falls somewhere between 20-24. Divide your number by 3 and thats how many bacon strips you should reserve. Chop all of the rest of them very finely! The strips you reserved should be cut into thirds to use as garnishes for the frosted cupcakes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For the frosting, combine the butter, cream cheese, maple syrup, vanilla and powdered sugar. I usually pour the sugar in a little at the time so as not to become covered in it :) Add in the rest of the bacon drippings and finely chopped bacon and combine. Pipe onto completely cooled cupcakes. Enjoy!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-47965535631898763382012-09-27T11:13:00.001-07:002013-01-27T14:32:58.911-08:00Long Week<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It has been a tough week. I was sick Monday, mostly due to my lack of sustenance before & after my first day of <b>30 Day Shred</b> with Jillian Michaels. I couldn't stand up without feeling like I was gonna hurl, and feeling like that makes me not want to eat, which makes it worse, which meant that I called in sick, went back to bed and slept for 4 more hours...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In retrospect it was kind of sad that I had that much trouble after a 20 minute workout...but I got up the next day and did it again, this time with some Trop50 (lower calorie orange juice) thanks to Hubby and I didn't have any problems :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hQ76F8YjShOOBcwhB2i1Bkodl9IfG0MgW2wAgs-OKdT2VzI5AYb17VoPBuQ7JPpiQNtRbyKEkYKEUzRKJHV6PsMj64wHNfL6__oYxTFYqX81_boiQrYLWmbLPy9E4mmYc3wkMB6-OtU/s1600/photo(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hQ76F8YjShOOBcwhB2i1Bkodl9IfG0MgW2wAgs-OKdT2VzI5AYb17VoPBuQ7JPpiQNtRbyKEkYKEUzRKJHV6PsMj64wHNfL6__oYxTFYqX81_boiQrYLWmbLPy9E4mmYc3wkMB6-OtU/s320/photo(4).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Stig <b>Before</b> our walk</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JpIasfyZ4CyJAP8hqLtagEbz820bWyk1nGkykzG8ds66ogKEdO9JNKzRTHvhBMp1EpKPaGDsP97-YM3CoV43t70SIttkAEehVTPb4af-YjjoAK5EYxJcp0PDWLRpJr23Ca5Z3ZPhjsM/s1600/photo(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JpIasfyZ4CyJAP8hqLtagEbz820bWyk1nGkykzG8ds66ogKEdO9JNKzRTHvhBMp1EpKPaGDsP97-YM3CoV43t70SIttkAEehVTPb4af-YjjoAK5EYxJcp0PDWLRpJr23Ca5Z3ZPhjsM/s320/photo(3).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Stig <b>After</b> our walk...passed out lol</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Monday, after Jillian almost killed me, I had class and a paper due, which I had struggled with. It was probably the most difficult assignment I have ever had in school. I am taking Ethical Problems in the Law, a philosophy class, and I chose, on purpose folks, to give myself extra work and take the Honors option, which means 4 additional papers to write on top of the regular classwork. The first paper....didn't quite go as planned, and the second...well I asked for more help along the way, which just held a mirror up for me showing me how inept I am at analyzing and breaking down a philosophical essay. I am disappointed at myself, but I am going to make it. My second paper was due Monday, and I knew it wasn't up to par with what my professor wanted, but I turned it in anyway. She could tell I was disappointed with it, so she gave me until tomorrow (Friday) to re-write and email it to her. I am trying to muster through, but its a tough paper...I can usually figure out how to get through just about any type of writing assignment but this type of gleaning of information and extrapolation is really difficult.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wednesday, and Thursday (today) I worked extra hours at my wonderfully flexible law office to make up the time I missed from Jillian Michaels induced nausea on Monday, so I worked from 9:30-5 both days, leaving less time for other things (PS. I used to work 12 hours shifts...which often turned into 14-18 hour shifts...so I am no stranger to hard work, I am just used to working my little part time job right now :) )</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Friday, our Community Group(CG...bible study group of amazing friends) is putting on a cookout for the neighborhood in which three of the families in our group live. We are doing it up big with burgers, hot dogs, sides, games, and drinks. We are really hoping that we can show Jesus to the neighborhood and love some people. I am stoked...getting to make cupcakes, pasta salad, and grilled zucchini & squash.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeBcfQkzCdD_zsztUerestiW8azHkMHH_9aLFcFk5rT6kn81B_Arzql4kCgSRiwwEAvCnqTQDm8CBuh2mI-nwHXC3P-F4GcBnQOIzgo19PpNyPU-DzC83nfleWtCklBSkFvZizyG5d94/s1600/photo(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeBcfQkzCdD_zsztUerestiW8azHkMHH_9aLFcFk5rT6kn81B_Arzql4kCgSRiwwEAvCnqTQDm8CBuh2mI-nwHXC3P-F4GcBnQOIzgo19PpNyPU-DzC83nfleWtCklBSkFvZizyG5d94/s320/photo(2).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I stepped out of my office for a few minutes a couple weeks ago, and I came back to find these from Hubby</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Saturday, Hubby and I got (cheap groupon) tickets to go see the Carolina Ballet. He is such a great date :) He always comes up with fun and enriching things for us to do together. We go to the Art Museum, Go Karting, out to new restaurants...Hubby is always coming up with fun things for us to do together. We are also going out to dinner beforehand with our friends Josh and Ashley. Cant wait, but I'll be so glad when Sunday comes and I can take a BIG breath and relax...</span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-87590919498324634102012-09-20T10:03:00.000-07:002012-09-20T10:03:23.953-07:00Well That's Embarrassing...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last night Hubby and I were talking about how much we have both changed our eating habits over the past few months. It really has been a complete turn-around for me...when I was still working as a police officer I had crazy hours (6AM-6PM) for about 4 days a week and I couldn't count on my scheduled days off because we were having to pull a lot of overtime. I used that as an excuse to quit playing in my kitchen, as I so love to do...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hubby and I joked that we were going to calculate a "typical day" of eating into My Fitness Pal to see just how many calories we used to eat daily without even thinking...I did</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">is</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">so</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">morbidly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">embarrassing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">BUT</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I will share this with the world, because I never want to eat like this (regularly) again! Indulgences have their place and I definitely want the freedom to splurge on a sweet treat or a big restaurant meal sometimes, however, this type of eating would have eventually killed me...which is scary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I didn't eat this badly on days I wasn't working, but seeing as I worked about 18 out of every 30 days, it was still pretty detrimental.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is a screen shot and calorie count for my breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and dessert</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">YES YES I ate donuts as cop...don't hate ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Donuts are delicious...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ugh...I feel so bad for ever having done this to my body...I have made a change though...and as of this morning, lost another 1.5 lbs...yay! Not to mention, I was subpoenaed to testify for an old arrest I made in a case from my police days, and I was able to wear a skirt & suit jacket that hasn't fit for a year...NSV! (for those who don't know, that means Non Scale Victory...I had to Google to decode most of what people post on my fitness pal message boards lol)</span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-49374109229173844442012-09-19T08:21:00.003-07:002012-09-19T08:23:39.860-07:00Hubby Said...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So apparently, I haven't blogged in about a month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My husband is going to lose his mind over it, so here I am :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(I know you're reading, so loooove you hubby ;) )</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have been feverishly reading <a href="http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/" target="_blank">Can You Stay For Dinner?</a> It is a blog written by the gloriously eloquent and hilarious Andie Mitchell, who lost 135lbs and has kept it off for about 5 years. She has been inspiring with her recipes and memoirs about weight loss and maintenance as well as her humor and zest for life. It has been a joy to get to know her through her blog and I have <i>almost </i>read it all the way to the beginning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On that note, my own journey with weight loss has been quite the slow moving roller coaster, if you will. In all my years of being the chubby girl, I have never lost a significant amount of weight...probably because I have never lived with much sense of moderation in my eating either. I can remember one summer during high school, between my freshman and sophomore year when I lost some weight because I was working from 7:30 AM until 10 PM most days and eating only one (fried/takeout) meal a day. I was about to start school and my second season of cheerleading with Manteo High School's JV squad. It had been my dream since middle school to don that pleated black and gold skirt and I made the squad for the first time for basketball season in 2001. I couldn't be happier, but I became painfully aware of how different I was than all of the other girls on the squad with me. I wasn't "popular," not that I was a total loser in school, but I knew I wasn't going to be best friends with the girls I cheered with...high school just doesn't work like Clueless folks, lets be honest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> epic bangs...and silver eyeshadow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Not only was I not as cool as the other girls, I was definitely not as thin. Looking back, I wish I could have that body again, because now it would be an improvement, but then, I was just as uncomfortable in my skin as I am now. I wonder if it will ever get better? Anyway, coming back for Football season, I was feeling a little better about things sans-15lbs, but I was nowhere close to where I should have been to "fit in" among the 100lb chicks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today, 5lbs less than I was a few weeks ago, I am on my way. Slowly, surely, but mostly slowly...my goal is approaching. I have a long way to go, but I want to do the things that Andie Mitchell has done. Find my perfect weight, and keep it, forever hopefully. My Fitness Pal has been a great help... the mobile app along with the website make it easy to log foods and keep myself accountable for the amount of calories I eat daily. Like I said, I have never lived with any sense of moderation to my eating. I ate what I wanted when I wanted to eat it and mostly when I wasn't hungry. Now though, I am monitoring my eating with success, so far.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I had the same issues that Andie talks about in her blog, in that I ate to feel good instead of for sustenance alone. If I was sad, or lonely (which was a lot, as an only child with two working parents), or happy, or bored, I ate something yummy, which rarely manifested itself as a veggie or a salad. Chocolate was my sister and pizza was my brother growing up. They stuck with me (mostly around the middle) all the way through college and into my 20's, but now, I am done.* I have begun my transition into a healthier relationship with food, where it provides me with energy and I eat only when I am hungry, not when I feel some (in)significant emotion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*<i>not with pizza and chocolate completely...everything in moderation :)</i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am hoping that in a years time (or less?), I can blog embarrassing before photos and empowering after photos and I will be happy and comfortable with my body...for the first time since I was 5 years old, I will be thin, or at least able to classify myself with the "normal" people. Thanks for reading (Hubby).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">cute 5 year old me...last skinny year I had lol</span></div>
Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-52527572396145490912012-08-25T20:13:00.001-07:002012-08-25T21:48:31.504-07:00Fancy Dinner: Salmon Wellington, Beef Wellington, and Fruit Tarts<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tonight (Saturday) Hubby and I had my Aunt Randi and Uncle Scott over for dinner and I decided I wanted to be a lil' gourmet chef :) The menu was <b>Beef Wellington</b> (for the men...Uncle Scott doesn't like salmon much) and <b>Salmon Wellington</b> (for my aunt and me), garlic grilled asparagus, and garlic redskin mashed potatoes. For desert I made cookie fruit tarts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> PS. I also used my fine china to add some class ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have made the tarts, potatoes, and asparagus before but the main dishes, the Wellingtons, were both new to me, so it was an interesting day. I also decided to try something new with my tarts and both the Wellingtons and the desert turned out <i>awesome</i> so I thought I would share what I did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I loosely followed these two recipes for the Wellingtons: <a href="http://jbugskitchenantics.typepad.com/jbugs-kitchen-antics/2010/03/salmon-wellington-with-spinach-and-sun-dried-tomatoes.html" target="_blank">salmon</a> and <a href="http://www.yumsugar.com/TV-Dinners-Hells-Kitchen---Beef-Wellington-486092" target="_blank">beef</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">for the tarts I got the idea from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pillsburyrecipes/3251854062/in/photostream/" target="_blank">this post</a> on Pinterest, but I made my own recipe that doesn't waste a whole container of limeade concentrate. Here are <i>my</i> takes on these recipes. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Salmon Wellington</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 pieces of Sockeye Salmon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 sheet of thawed Puff Pastry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 Tbsp (about) of Sun Dried Tomatoes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fresh Spinach (about two handfulls)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">minced garlic</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Extra Virgin Olive Oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Alfredo Sauce </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Egg*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Saute the spinach with the garlic in the olive oil over medium heat until the spinach is wilted and tender. Set aside and let it cool for at least 20 minutes</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Using a VERY sharp knife, filet the salmon skin off of the meat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Unroll the puff pastry sheet and roll it out with a rolling pin. Slice it in half lengthwise. Place a salmon filet onto a half of puff pastry and put sun dried tomatoes on top. Add half of the spinach mixture to that and wrap the whole thing up. Place in a greased baking dish, seem side down. Slice a slit or an X into the puff pastry to let out some steam while the fish is cooking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />*I forgot to do this, but for a golden brown crust, it is ideal to remember it :) beat the egg with water to make an eggwash and brush the puff pastry with eggwash.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bake at 375 degrees for about 20-30 minutes until the puff pastry is flaky and golden.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Serve with Alfredo Sauce on top. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I baked the beef in a separate dish at the same time and temperature.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Beef Wellington</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 8oz packages of Baby Bella mushrooms</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3 tbsp of Spicy Brown Mustard</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 tbsp of Garlic Herb Kraft Mayo*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 packaged Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 sheet of Puff Pastry </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 Egg </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">FINELY mince the mushrooms with either a "slap chop" type of slicer or a food processor until it is almost like a paste. Put them in a HOT pan and saute until the water/moisture boils out, but not until they burn. Set the mushroom paste aside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sear the steaks on each side (I did it for about 1 min on each side). Mix together the mustard and mayo. Once the steaks are seared, brush them on all sides with the mustard mix. On two pieces of plastic wrap, put about 1/3 of the mushroom paste on each. Put the steak down on top of the mix and put the remaining mushroom paste on the other side of the steaks. Wrap each steak tightly and place in the refrigerator.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Roll out the puff pastry with a rolling pin and cut in half lengthwise. Take the steaks out and put one on each half of pastry and wrap it. Place the meat seam side down in a greased baking dish. Cut a slit into the top of the pastry</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Beat the egg with water to make an eggwash and brush the top of each Wellington. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 375 degrees or until the pastry is flaky and golden.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Fruit Tarts</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 package (24 ct) refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8 oz Cream Cheese</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4 tbsp (about) of Lime Juice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3 heaping spoon-fulls of Confectioner's Sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sliced Fresh Fruit (I used what was ripe/on sale: peaches, strawberries, blueberries, & kiwi)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Preheat the oven according to the package directions on your cookie dough. I used a mini muffin pan and turned it upside down. I pressed each cookie over the bottom of each cup so that when the cookies baked, they would make tiny bowls. I baked them according to the package directions and they came out like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I let the cookies cool completely on the pan, then I <i>carefully</i> cut the cups apart and removed them from the pan, a couple broke, but there were only four of us needing to eat, so I knew we would still have plenty.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEp8KYu1yRH46rRyVUNXWiRkrw5m7ulUS1LbbKdAKK-2P0vo0UUPOxaKed-LUJPgxPINMggsGGcrG_aKFkJ53M9JqjVsfx5Hq4ZssKICJ7WswEy5CdpicW0pK2xzJQXkABMDhG9Cbiyd8/s1600/photo(22).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEp8KYu1yRH46rRyVUNXWiRkrw5m7ulUS1LbbKdAKK-2P0vo0UUPOxaKed-LUJPgxPINMggsGGcrG_aKFkJ53M9JqjVsfx5Hq4ZssKICJ7WswEy5CdpicW0pK2xzJQXkABMDhG9Cbiyd8/s320/photo(22).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I let the cream cheese come to room temperature and whipped it with a hand mixer. Then I added some lime juice and some sugar, mixed it again, then added more, tasting after each addition, until the cream cheese tasted tart, yet sweet. The measurements in the ingredients are approximations, it is hard to mess this part up :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I washed and sliced (except the blueberries) my fruit and got it ready to go in the cups. I spooned a little of the cream cheese mixture into the cups and filled them with a slice each of peach, strawberry, and kiwi, and then two blueberries. They came out beautifully :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On another note,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My hubby has been using MyFitnessPal to track his calorie intake and exercise for the past several months. Since January he has lost about 30 lbs. He has told me probably a hundred times how cool the app is and how easy it is to use, but I never remembered to download it. Well last time we were visiting his hometown, my sister and brother in law said they use it too and they can all "add" each other as friends and share food diaries to keep each other accountable. I thought that was kind of neat, but then they said you can scan the bar code with your phone on most any food and it automatically comes up with the nutrition facts...WHAT that is so cool...technology is awesome. SO I finally downloaded the app and I'm loving it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I cleaned the downstairs of our house today for about 2 hours and according to my app, burned like 498 calories! Not to mention, I have decided to get back into the habit of logging what I eat, even if its not all good stuff like the a fore mentioned delicious gourmet meal I made today :) I had a sensible breakfast and lunch today though, so I am still under my calorie limit for the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-7716523614291622332012-08-18T17:33:00.000-07:002012-08-18T17:33:06.542-07:00S'mores Cupcakes<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hubby and I went to his parents house to visit this weekend. We had a family dinner with his sister and brother in law and their two sweet children. I baked these awesome cupcakes for our dessert.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTO1Es1a7tfT8Ly0cGuBkok-4TzjUSsYuDsPIUKZuQ2SY5_s09sTYnnP2S-5WnGWCZIktuKUx2d8KywipwBHlyPoTs2cbZTGU-FMLyPVIUDFIGID9TyTTlf3rxmno3IjVxhTW_bVjiOI/s1600/photo(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTO1Es1a7tfT8Ly0cGuBkok-4TzjUSsYuDsPIUKZuQ2SY5_s09sTYnnP2S-5WnGWCZIktuKUx2d8KywipwBHlyPoTs2cbZTGU-FMLyPVIUDFIGID9TyTTlf3rxmno3IjVxhTW_bVjiOI/s320/photo(1).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I used the cake recipe from <a href="http://bsinthekitchen.com/cinnamon-toast-crunch-cupcakes/" target="_blank">this blog</a> and the icing recipe from <a href="http://bakedbree.com/marshmallow-buttercream-frosting" target="_blank">this blog</a>. For the filling I made some heavy chocolate ganache.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is the recipe:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>S'mores Cupcakes</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">makes 24 cupcakes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 box of white cake</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 cup (one stick) of melted butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 cup of milk*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 cup of water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3 eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tablespoon of cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3 tsp of vanilla</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Preheat the oven to 350. Combine all ingredients with a mixer until well combined. Spoon into a lined cupcake pan and bake for 13-15 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Let the cupcakes cool completely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">*the fat content of your milk doesn't seem to matter, I have used several different milks (skim, 1%, whole...etc) and they all worked fine </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Chocolate Filling</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 cup of heavy cream </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 to 1.5 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 bars of Hershey's chocolate</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Heat the cream in the microwave for 1 min and 30 seconds. Add in the chocolate and stir. Once the chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, put in the freezer for about 5 minutes or so to thicken it up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Marshmallow Buttercream</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 cup (two sticks) of butter at room temp</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 7oz jar of marshmallow fluff</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 cups of confectioners sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cream the butter, then add the fluff. Whip until combined (2 minutes). Add in the sugar and whip again for a few minutes until well mixed. Add the vanilla and mix for one minute more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For a garnish I used 2 graham crackers, broken into 24 pieces and two bars of Hershey's. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To assemble, I cute a well into the cupcakes and filled it with the chocolate ganache. Then I piped the frosting on using a star tip. I then placed a chocolate square and a piece of graham cracker.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is another picture of the finished product :)</span><br />
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Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-84915254261613930422012-08-17T11:50:00.000-07:002012-08-18T09:16:39.697-07:00Update and Steak & Mashed Taters Cake<br />
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Hello world,</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A lot has happened in the month or so since I blogged last<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. Here goes</span></span>...<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I got a JOB at an awesome law firm in downtown Raleigh where I am a legal assistant. This was SUCH a blessing from God because now I am both bringing in some income and gaining invaluable experience that will help me in my future career. I have been working here for two and a half weeks now and I absolutely adore it. I look forward to learning more as time passes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Also, I have signed up for two classes this fall at my Alma Mater, NCSU (GO PACK). I am taking some extra classes to beef up my transcript in the hopes that a law school who is considering me for admission can see that I have more academic potential than I showed during my undergraduate degree pursuit. I am taking a Political Science class, Problems in American Democracy, and a Philosophy class, Ethical Problems in the Law. I hope they go well and that I can pull off two more A's :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My Lovely and Beautiful cousin Michelle is getting married in September so I have been doing some fun things to get ready for her wedding in the past month as well. I blogged the making of her bachelorette invitations and everyone totally loved them. Her bachelorette went off without a hitch (except some guy tried to accost me outside of the bar we went to in downtown Richmond at 3 AM...of all of the girls I was with, he chose the former police officer and current RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) instructor...bad move pal, he came very close to being badly injured, but he let go after we had a "come to Jesus" meeting). The next weekend I went to Richmond again for Michelle's bridal shower and we had a blast. The food was great and my mom and aunt did a wonderful job decorating and planning cute games. Michelle loved it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My husband and I also went to and two awesome weddings. Our friends Laura and Seth got married and are huge comic book nuts, specifically, Batman, Nightwing, and Batgirl. They had a Batman Themed wedding and a unique reception. Both their bridal party and groom's party were comprised of girls and guys which was really neat. They wore batman-like masks and stood at the altar of the church in the shape of the Nightwing symbol. Their reception was like a carnival at a farm with inflatable jump houses, tons of toys/candy decorations, and fair food. It was a blast. It rained shortly after the bride and groom arrived but that didn't phase them, in fact a rainbow touched down in the field next to us so we all got to see the end of a rainbow...no pot of gold, but it was still neat :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The second wedding was that of our friends Sarah and Matt. They had a lovely church wedding with one of the most fun receptions we have ever been to. The food was amazing and the decor was beautiful. The colors were shades of purple and Sarah had decorated with purple gingham and made an indoor picnic with mason jars filled with wildflowers. They had yummy pulled pork and grilled chicken with green beans and potato salad. Everything was served family style in antique bowls. They had a HUGE amount of guests and after we ate we all danced the night away while one of Sarah and my husband Jordan's college friends James DJ'ed. It was a blast and they sped off in Matt's white Corvette at the end of the night to enjoy their honeymoon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The last bit of news is that my friend John had a surprise birthday party thrown by his lovely fiance Meredith. Knowing that I am and avid baker, she asked me to make his cake and had an unusual request...Apparently for their wedding John had asked for a steak cake as his grooms cake, but being the ultra classy southern belle that Meredith is, she had to decline because their wedding is going to be the epitome of Southern Charm and Beauty...it just didn't fit into the theme.</span><br />
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<a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/s720x720/190148_10100813492326769_1224840022_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/s720x720/190148_10100813492326769_1224840022_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Meredith said that they would have about 12-15 guests over for the surprise party and so I suggested making cupcakes to go with the cake. I had a great idea to make mashed potato cupcakes because what man doesn't love steak & taters? I know my hubby does :) I saw Paula Deen make TV dinner themed cupcakes on her show once, and I knew it was the perfect accent to the steak.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is what the cake and cupcakes looked like displayed. Apologies for the grainy pics, the lighting was not great. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> For the cake, I used a scratch red velvet cake recipe found </span><b><a href="http://pinchmysalt.com/red-velvet-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" target="_blank">here</a></b> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">so that when we cut into it, the cake looked like a perfectly cooked steak</span>. <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Instead of baking cupcakes according to the directions though, I just poured the batter into a well greased pyrex rectangular dish and baked until it was done. After the cake was done and fully cooled, I cut the cake into the shape of a steak and plated it onto a large platter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next, I whipped up this amazing homemade <b><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/03/chocolate-buttercream-frosting.html" target="_blank">chocolate buttercream</a></b>. I iced the cake liberally. Next I made the cupcakes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I wanted to do something fun and different for the cake flavor so I decided instead of simple white cake, I would do Almond Cake. Here is the recipe:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Almond Cupcakes</span></b><br />
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<span class="heading4">Ingredients</span> </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
1/2<span class="unit"> cup</span>
<span class="name">butter</span> </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
4<span class="name"> egg whites</span> </div>
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2<span class="unit"> cups</span>
<span class="name">all-purpose flour</span> </div>
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1<span class="unit"> teaspoon</span>
<span class="name">baking powder</span> </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
1/2<span class="unit"> teaspoon</span>
<span class="name">salt</span> </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
1/4<span class="unit"> teaspoon</span>
<span class="name">baking soda</span> </div>
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1<span class="unit"> cup</span>
<span class="name">buttermilk</span> </div>
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1 1/2<span class="unit"> cups</span>
<span class="name">sugar</span> </div>
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1<span class="unit"> teaspoon</span>
<span class="name">vanilla</span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1/2</span><span class="unit" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> teaspoon</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><span class="name" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">almond extract</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="textInstruction" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<b>1.</b> Allow butter and egg whites to stand at room
temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, line 20-24
muffin cups with paper bake cups (or coat with cooking spray). Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.</div>
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<b>2.</b> Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing
bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30
seconds. Add sugar, vanilla, and almond extract; beat until combined.
Add egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to beaten mixture,
beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.</div>
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<b>3.</b> Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling
each about two-thirds full. </div>
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<b>4.</b> Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until tops spring
back when lightly touched. Cool cupcakes in muffin cups on wire racks
for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from muffin cups. Cool completely on wire
racks.</div>
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<a href="http://www.sweetbakingsupply.com/rsc/thumbnails/300-280/large-pastry-tip-plain-round.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.sweetbakingsupply.com/rsc/thumbnails/300-280/large-pastry-tip-plain-round.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>5. </b>Frost using a round tip like the one pictured here. I used my <b><a href="http://melissaislegendary.blogspot.com/2012/06/lets-get-it-started.html#" target="_blank">cream cheese butter cream</a> </b>for the icing.</div>
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<b>6. </b>I then made a small well in the top of the cupcakes and drizzled caramel in the wells making it look like gravy. To top it off I used unwrapped lemon Starburst candies to make pats of "butter"</div>
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Next, I used some of the leftover cream cheese butter cream and piped it in the shape of a T-bone onto the steak. Finally, I melted some chocolate chips I had in the pantry to make the "grill marks" on the steak. I put the melted chocolate in a small sandwich bag and snipped a tiny piece off of the corner. Using this, I piped the "grill marks" onto the cake. Because the chocolate chips didn't have any cream or liquid added, I knew it would harden back up and keep the lines clean. I refrigerated the steak cake uncovered for about 30 minutes to make sure the chocolate and the buttercream had set so the would not get ruined by plastic covering. I placed the cupcakes in a large foil pan and covered them (since my cupcake carrier was full).</div>
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Here are some brighter pictures of the finished product!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvvwQ2d55SsVXo5VMlJiVR9v3iuRprzuXCpxiMKInZGffL0AhbExyx2kdEQP2pVZGpGAUBDWS3KJAIMi8BWcRJrK-sBneJhSLNJ8ACoT70gZTurYJYpJtRQI4KF1y7vEwgBZO3NUOnm4/s1600/steak.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvvwQ2d55SsVXo5VMlJiVR9v3iuRprzuXCpxiMKInZGffL0AhbExyx2kdEQP2pVZGpGAUBDWS3KJAIMi8BWcRJrK-sBneJhSLNJ8ACoT70gZTurYJYpJtRQI4KF1y7vEwgBZO3NUOnm4/s640/steak.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-57103970988788780792012-07-19T14:39:00.001-07:002012-09-27T10:48:42.788-07:00Bachelorette Invitations!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So it has been a while since I have blogged...a lot has happened :) My husband and I went to a wedding and I baked one of the cakes. It was a pink lemonade cake and it was DELICIOUS. I'll blog the recipe someday :) The wedding was so beautiful. It was outside in the mountains of NC on a family farm. There were sunflowers growing in the background of the ceremony and we sat on hay bails...it was so cute.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We also went to Smith Mountain Lake and then to the mountains of Northern Virginia for my maternal side's family reunion. We tent camped and enjoyed the outdoors. It was a fun four days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now to the subject of this post...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My beautiful cousin is getting hitched in September and I made invitations for her bachelorette party based on some things I saw on pinterest. Here is a tutorial of how I did it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds0vs04rAhfCdzgA2SAAl_5zhwi9NrG_WJ-qwGnp-g_nfwSHeH_xJUUxnHgMzbTSHdvQTTWXoX-kqN7wGJSc7dlu8Wh5xbdFiG-g6pzjgJIenFYKOvCXT4O6FNUGzs47j-F_VuZqDve8/s1600/photo(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds0vs04rAhfCdzgA2SAAl_5zhwi9NrG_WJ-qwGnp-g_nfwSHeH_xJUUxnHgMzbTSHdvQTTWXoX-kqN7wGJSc7dlu8Wh5xbdFiG-g6pzjgJIenFYKOvCXT4O6FNUGzs47j-F_VuZqDve8/s320/photo(8).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I needed 18 invitations so here is a list of supplies:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">18 pieces of black 8 1/2" x 11" card stock</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1 piece of a 8 1/2" x 11" card stock of a contrasting color for template</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">9 pieces of white 8 1/2" x 11" card stock</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">9 sheets of silver scrapbook paper (I used 12x12 and cut it down to size)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2 sheets of hot pink 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">clear stamps (numbers and letters)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">silver ink</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">lace ribbon with pearls</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">hot pink ribbon (1/4 inch) I used about 1 and a half spools of 10 yrd</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">scissors</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">a pencil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">a ruler</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">a hole punch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">hot glue gun</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">glue stick </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I started by making a template for the outside paper. I measured 2 and 5/8 of an inch from the left side of the paper (landscape) and made a tic mark for the fold. I did the same on the right side and folded the paper so that the flaps were the measured width. I then measured 6 inches from the bottom of the paper and marked each flap on the edge. This is where I would draw the diagonal for the cutouts to make it look like a corset.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I drew a line using a ruler and a pencil from the top left corner to the mark on the edge of the left flap and did the same for the right. I cut out the triangles. Next, I used the ruler and measured to make the holes that the ribbon would lace through. If you spend the time on the template, the rest of the actual parts are cake. The edge of each flap is now 6 inches long so I made a dot with my pencil 1/2 inch up from the bottom and then on each inch until I reached the 5 1/2 mark on my ruler. I repeated this for the other flap. Using the hole punch, I punched out where I had made the marks. The template comes out like this (please excuse my messy craft table...):</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRcCty4s-xkW0F4hz4mGYVYw_MMvInqvNlNGRbOAjDKpvopJdcdB8gKXC26M8ZQBUwOkb4GBpRsWqLWqxq6Eno2vF0SV3z2U74WZsKH2nm6n1p2INV7kxMfw8YmsBoKnDPBHBFvRmbFo/s1600/photo(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRcCty4s-xkW0F4hz4mGYVYw_MMvInqvNlNGRbOAjDKpvopJdcdB8gKXC26M8ZQBUwOkb4GBpRsWqLWqxq6Eno2vF0SV3z2U74WZsKH2nm6n1p2INV7kxMfw8YmsBoKnDPBHBFvRmbFo/s320/photo(10).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Make sure you make good creases in the paper. I use the handle of my scissors to crease my paper.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I laid the template onto the black card stock and marked it to look like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7SHjzE_jfAy9pmLOsZVpuDccfzKW3BDAKPAmERsFvr2LiW4rmdlpeY5OVYki7y49abB42Nl1ZTsRV4jkifj5jSyOwXYmp8kff1Qifw7l6yXkGtbtNUDELDDLdXxrTGFjUmND-PoNT-Y/s1600/photo(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7SHjzE_jfAy9pmLOsZVpuDccfzKW3BDAKPAmERsFvr2LiW4rmdlpeY5OVYki7y49abB42Nl1ZTsRV4jkifj5jSyOwXYmp8kff1Qifw7l6yXkGtbtNUDELDDLdXxrTGFjUmND-PoNT-Y/s320/photo(11).JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then I folded the paper and cut across the diagonal and punched out holes where I had dotted</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Next I set out to make little bustiers to put my cousin's bra and panty size for those who wanted to get her lingerie. I drew out a template on heavy card stock and traced it 18 times onto the hot pink paper. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfv5W26TWD9sWqo944PD5iNHu-lvwZqKb4Sdy1A2qci98U_71JBNBDkhw7Ot0bxCtBXUEgk0KiyfYoFqS8w31V4lblbONu-i664fj4tNbV5zajkah_uQ3s6PMbOvIonCDkzsdWd8Vsfjs/s1600/photo(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfv5W26TWD9sWqo944PD5iNHu-lvwZqKb4Sdy1A2qci98U_71JBNBDkhw7Ot0bxCtBXUEgk0KiyfYoFqS8w31V4lblbONu-i664fj4tNbV5zajkah_uQ3s6PMbOvIonCDkzsdWd8Vsfjs/s320/photo(9).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To make the template I used a giant glue stick as my top "boob" circles. I then used the ribbon spool for the sides. I used the glue stick again for the leg holes. It was pretty easy once I drew that out. I then cut out all the little bustiers</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Next I stamped on my cousins bra and panty size with clear stamps and silver ink.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoPQqc4IA6d6s8SVBBGh6zhpr86EEFPHxY6mSp6slB34AZQm_gqHfnWcMy0bZfIE0hCPFOO0dCBkIVKWSlLW-b-yTQ_ga5TtQrI1i5lZwlrTSE-roGzz1_Z1DwS1UWRJ-8T-izcWM5hQ/s1600/photo(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoPQqc4IA6d6s8SVBBGh6zhpr86EEFPHxY6mSp6slB34AZQm_gqHfnWcMy0bZfIE0hCPFOO0dCBkIVKWSlLW-b-yTQ_ga5TtQrI1i5lZwlrTSE-roGzz1_Z1DwS1UWRJ-8T-izcWM5hQ/s320/photo(12).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I found some super cute lace ribbon at Michaels that had pearls sewn onto it. I figured I could make half of the bustiers lacy and the other half trimmed in pearls. I plugged in my hot glue gun while I cut the pearl string off of the ribbon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVm6h6Ruv3LFRk8PREhJayGlYs_WBwDmQKWEKkriU5byaYyEpZnrrTh_K0tVtFSmBznVbWxvfSTwmiZjT0PoNh5uKEiioQ2cd1cQ5HwqhOBFxBdBw16I5d15PnNsY7V4kQ85D6YZ-pmE/s1600/photo(14).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVm6h6Ruv3LFRk8PREhJayGlYs_WBwDmQKWEKkriU5byaYyEpZnrrTh_K0tVtFSmBznVbWxvfSTwmiZjT0PoNh5uKEiioQ2cd1cQ5HwqhOBFxBdBw16I5d15PnNsY7V4kQ85D6YZ-pmE/s320/photo(14).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2A5HQcZpjFEgA_I-8mPbPgYzqSKhEt0iSQZa-zyEQhAcGilv0L-J7sUA1WU5B3aq7Nx-3NiTYuwnuyAdQEwOmkquep3PqrUDf58QWuTMHa47ex0DCJkklcGIsjqcSqzKPKhic06kdK0/s1600/photo(15).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2A5HQcZpjFEgA_I-8mPbPgYzqSKhEt0iSQZa-zyEQhAcGilv0L-J7sUA1WU5B3aq7Nx-3NiTYuwnuyAdQEwOmkquep3PqrUDf58QWuTMHa47ex0DCJkklcGIsjqcSqzKPKhic06kdK0/s320/photo(15).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I measured the pearl strings and lace to fit on the top of each bustier. Then I clipped each piece of lace in the middle about 3/4 of the way so it would curve around the bra top.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU6kGKJRZL7ADw5mbdBNpp8-HIkAj45gW9lCxVBwYe85fOAOZpk3e0uw4SeZmtVrehr1q4HgArlWMAzTb_vEVYt6WbvYojvmzjXdsUItsfS2ghksAnEJgX-Qgicfoll5qGWsANTgx8N4/s1600/photo(16).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU6kGKJRZL7ADw5mbdBNpp8-HIkAj45gW9lCxVBwYe85fOAOZpk3e0uw4SeZmtVrehr1q4HgArlWMAzTb_vEVYt6WbvYojvmzjXdsUItsfS2ghksAnEJgX-Qgicfoll5qGWsANTgx8N4/s320/photo(16).JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I hot glued the lace to the back of each bustier and the pearls to the front. When I finished they looked like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibR4BbkL5tqLwr30dTgZbTXVY1AWweiKtYImsx5ZSgQJyEQNeQGF0RQy4gLBj-jPwZfhFCmy7YJG4XPuIMsVLSx7456nLXcu9B6vQWiYbmr4WshvxdSx3Maqg-45UcSKyFk31CAkuSuG8/s1600/photo(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibR4BbkL5tqLwr30dTgZbTXVY1AWweiKtYImsx5ZSgQJyEQNeQGF0RQy4gLBj-jPwZfhFCmy7YJG4XPuIMsVLSx7456nLXcu9B6vQWiYbmr4WshvxdSx3Maqg-45UcSKyFk31CAkuSuG8/s320/photo(17).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I made a really layout for the invitation itself using Microsoft Publisher. I put two to a page to save paper and printed them on the white card stock. I then cut them all out along the border. They were just over 4" x 6 1/2"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I measured and cut the silver card stock to about 5"x7 1/2". Since I used 12" x12" I was able to get two from each piece.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I glued the silver paper down first, then glued the printed paper on top. I glued the bustier to the inside flap so that people could see it when they opened the invitation. Make sure not to cover your holes and leave room for the fold!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2qQZFX-y1Y1my4c0uobHN74fsfUyighkBXPCD1cuwBenaTjgRIyj-heO9-e0DLNSlfaMZzVyVG06sC5ww20SF3k_anD85scaQfKYmuK5iSc-46sHCrZp9T1Xb-C0N4ZLCjaVfC9AHS0/s1600/photo(18).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2qQZFX-y1Y1my4c0uobHN74fsfUyighkBXPCD1cuwBenaTjgRIyj-heO9-e0DLNSlfaMZzVyVG06sC5ww20SF3k_anD85scaQfKYmuK5iSc-46sHCrZp9T1Xb-C0N4ZLCjaVfC9AHS0/s320/photo(18).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Next, I cut the hot pink ribbon into about 28 inch pieces. I used a lighter to barely melt the ends to keep them from fraying while I laced the invitation. Then I laced it up and tied it in a bow!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8Lc4BNSnhsTwFMNC1iNyPd93jKA7iZttWM8e0qrpNop7fB1Tkb2kMIDjeBx-JlMwkqXFPnfhmSxpXnVjvWls1r-d2EKzGGcC8x6fycjA_KmXwwTKchAhvLu0IPoZYWKV-QR3JC0rkIw/s1600/photo(19).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8Lc4BNSnhsTwFMNC1iNyPd93jKA7iZttWM8e0qrpNop7fB1Tkb2kMIDjeBx-JlMwkqXFPnfhmSxpXnVjvWls1r-d2EKzGGcC8x6fycjA_KmXwwTKchAhvLu0IPoZYWKV-QR3JC0rkIw/s320/photo(19).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM2fvPbt7zRMSpmhL_hZkanyuyjKPyabNR5hBqTvKjAU11mB99vAcEDG-oeQ6bX_24fFerfXjwm935lVsR4OZxogUgOogC-Ku5A9dFfP3puDEshUQTqn9XqHbJezbu-2NYm6HzqREr-s/s1600/photo(20).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM2fvPbt7zRMSpmhL_hZkanyuyjKPyabNR5hBqTvKjAU11mB99vAcEDG-oeQ6bX_24fFerfXjwm935lVsR4OZxogUgOogC-Ku5A9dFfP3puDEshUQTqn9XqHbJezbu-2NYm6HzqREr-s/s320/photo(20).JPG" width="312" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I hope you all can give this a try! If you're not a crafty person but you still want these for a bachelorette party I would be glad to make them for you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is the finished product again:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds0vs04rAhfCdzgA2SAAl_5zhwi9NrG_WJ-qwGnp-g_nfwSHeH_xJUUxnHgMzbTSHdvQTTWXoX-kqN7wGJSc7dlu8Wh5xbdFiG-g6pzjgJIenFYKOvCXT4O6FNUGzs47j-F_VuZqDve8/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds0vs04rAhfCdzgA2SAAl_5zhwi9NrG_WJ-qwGnp-g_nfwSHeH_xJUUxnHgMzbTSHdvQTTWXoX-kqN7wGJSc7dlu8Wh5xbdFiG-g6pzjgJIenFYKOvCXT4O6FNUGzs47j-F_VuZqDve8/s320/photo%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-20423319274662333182012-07-03T19:59:00.001-07:002012-07-09T12:34:40.603-07:00Happy 4th Everyone!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I love the 4th of July...SO much :) I love the colors, I love the fireworks, I love coordinating red white and blue outfits and hair ribbons, but most of all I love America and Freedom. It is a wonderful holiday and I am really excited about it this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hubby and I are going over to our friends' place to grill out, chill at the pool, and relax until fireworks. I got some turkey brats that are really healthy, whole wheat buns, zucchini, mushrooms, and corn on the cob to throw on the grill. Jordan and I have been going to the gym twice a day this week: cardio (running) in the AM and weights/circuit training in the evening. I feel pretty good about it. However....I got festive this afternoon and decided to make cupcakes...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Its Independence Day, we can have cupcakes right? ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyway, they are pretty cool. I changed a semi-homemade cake recipe to make it my own and topped it with delicious cream cheese butter cream. I used a bunch of different tricks to decorate too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>July 4th Cupcakes*</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 (18.25oz) box of white cake with red & blue sprinkles*</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup All Purpose Flour</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup Granulated Sugar</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3/4 tsp Salt</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 1/3 cup Water </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 tsp Vanilla Extract</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup Sour Cream</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 Tbsp Canola Oil (or Vegetable) </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">4 egg whites</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line cupcake pans with between 30-36 cupcake papers. I used blue to go with my red, white, and blue theme.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whisk together the dry ingredients (first 4). Then add in the rest and beat for 2 minutes on medium speed until well combined. Fill the cupcake papers 3/4 of the way. I got 30 cupcakes exactly.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bake for 20 minutes.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">*this recipe could be altered for any holiday using any combo of sprinkles and a box of plain white cake </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mix up the butter cream icing recipe found here : <a href="http://melissaislegendary.blogspot.com/2012/06/lets-get-it-started.html#" target="_blank">my cream cheese butter cream icing</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, it is time to decorate!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I used this technique with red and blue gel food coloring : <a href="http://www.chicaandjo.com/2008/09/18/colorful-swirled-cupcakes/%20" target="_blank">rainbow swirl icing</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">But it is pretty hard to re-fill the bag and still get the color in the icing, so I only did a few cupcakes with that technique.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">For the rest, I used several different decorating tips and some sprinkles I got on sale for $0.99 at the grocery store today.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is how they turned out :) Oh and FYI, we ARE going running in the morning so I won't have any qualms about eating one of these babies tomorrow :)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b> </b></span></span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-4165311052872287172012-07-03T10:48:00.000-07:002012-07-03T11:06:38.970-07:00Next Step!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well, yesterday afternoon I went to see a movie with a friend and when I got home, I checked my phone for texts/emails. I had like 3 junk mails and one other email...it said in <span style="font-size: large;">big <b>bold</b><span style="font-size: small;"> scary letters....<b><span style="font-size: large;">LSAC SCORE</span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I almost dropped my phone...I was petrified. Of course the score would come today...right after I blogged about how worried I was about it. I prayed for peace and I know for sure several others had as well. I couldn't open the email though. I was paralyzed with doubt. I had a mini convo with the Man Upstairs and said that if I scored badly, I'm not supposed to go to law school and I will move on and pursue his will. Then I texted my husband and told him the email had come, and I was too chicken to open it. He was so comforting...he said "just open it baby, no matter what I support you and you're still amazing." </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I opened the email with tears running down my face and took a huge breath in...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">moment</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">of</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">truth...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">155 in the 63rd percentile</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had been hoping for the 150's. I didn't want to get my hopes up and I had done some research into what a decent acceptable score would be, so 150 was my goal. I wasn't elated with the score, as I am pretty used to scoring in the 90-99th percentiles all throughout school, but then I thought some about it. What kind of people go to law school (or try to at least...)? Mostly some of the smartest people from college. So of the smartest people from high school, who got into college, and then the smartest of those, I did better than 63% of them...not too shabby. I couldn't have done any of it without God...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">So I then went online and began comparing my icky GPA and my decent LSAT score with several NC law schools' acceptance data. There is at least a <i>glimmer</i> of hope. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I don't want to take the test again, as it is a logic based exam and you really don't get much better with multiple tries and it is cumulative so even if I scored much better, which is unlikely, a school would be considering all of my scores combined.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not to mention that test was BRUTAL. It was pretty long...from about 12:30 PM until about 5:30 PM with only one 15 minute break and it was very mentally straining. You basically are trying to sort out really complex logic from long wordy paragraph-formed questions and answer choices or reading long passages and then answering equally long questions about them in a very short amount of time. Then there was the writing sample...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, I am 24 so I have been using a computer since kindergarten. Writing by hand pretty much went out the window after my AP english exam senior year of high school. Everything in college with exception of one or two blue book exams, was typed, to include class notes, emails, papers, and even conversations with friends. By the end of that LSAT after all the bubbling, and bubbling, and then writing and writing, my little hand would not move!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">So needless to say, I will most likely not take the LSAT again...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">NEXT STEP:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Apply to UNC, Campbell, NC Central, Elon, and Duke (idk why, because there is nooooo freaking way Duke will let me in, but hubby says don't worry about "wasting" 50 bucks on the application fee, cause you'll always wonder and it never hurts to try....gah I love him!)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here goes...well...everything! Thanks to all who read yesterday and supported me with prayer :)</span></span></span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266399682011248388.post-43892277497252680292012-07-02T08:03:00.000-07:002012-07-03T10:48:28.557-07:00July...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well folks, it is July 2nd. That means a couple exciting things and scary things are coming up for me. First, I'll start with the exciting things :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have 2 sets of awesome friends that are tying the knot this month. Scott & Kelsey on 7/7 and Laura & Seth on 7/28. I couldn't be happier for these four people. They are so in love and have a God centered relationship. I can't wait to celebrate with them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also, July 4th is Wednesday and I think we might cook out with some friends so that will be awesome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My mom's side of the family is having their Family Reunion on the 14th and we are going to spend some time at Smith Mountain Lake and then on Herald Mountain with them. Gotta love sleepin' in a tent, going out on the boat, shootin' skeet, and most likely cooking a pig...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now....dun dun dunnnn...for the scary part of July</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">THE LSAT</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I took the LSAT (law school admission test) in June and I am projected to get my scores back this Friday. I'm so nervous about it. I have always been a good test taker and usually I don't freak out about testing or school stuff at all. I enjoy academics and have been pretty good at it when I tried (those college years got away from me somehow...). I guess this is really the first time I am having this type of reaction to a test. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I wasn't too worried about the test before I took it, when most people have their freakouts, I just prepared using some books I borrowed from a friend and didn't think too much into it. I packed my little ziplock bag the night before and made sure I had everything ready. These test people were kind of crazy btw...we had to have a new passport photo attached to our admission ticket, only wooden #2 pencils (no mechanical...I don't think I've written with one of those since like elementary school), tissues, chap stick, a snack, water in a clear bottle and an ID, all put inside a clear gallon sized baggie. If you brought something not on the list, a calculator, a phone, any electronic etc etc, they would like kick you out and hang out upside down by your toes in the lobby...it was wild. Anyway, I got plenty of sleep, got to the test site way early, then sat and thought...eek...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This test is HUGE for me...quite possibly the biggest test I have ever taken. It means the most to me of anything I have ever done. I graduated from college and became a law enforcement officer. I loved my career, but I just didn't feel right. I needed more challenges intellectually and I wanted to work harder. I felt a little stifled by my job so I decided to suck it up and stick it out...I didn't bust my bum in the academy to quit. Six months passed but it got worse...so bad that I would break down in tears the night before going back to work...I was truly unhappy. My husband is amazingly supportive and so we worked out a plan for me to go back to school. I turned in a letter of resignation, and left the police department on good terms. It was a mix of emotions...I was happy, excited, nervous, and honestly I felt a little like I was a failure...I am putting a lot of pressure on myself to succeed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I can't justify leaving the great field of policing to go on to not get into law school and wait tables again...I just can't...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want this so badly...I know I can be a fantastic lawyer, the best one possible, if a school will just give me a chance. My LSAT score will be a ginormous factor in whether or not I have a snowballs chance in...youknowwhere...of getting into law school. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I. AM. FREAK. ING. OUT.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I can't do anything about it now, except to just worry, so that is what I am doing. My whole life rides on these results...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have prayed a ton about God's plan for my life in the past 12 months...I know he has a plan and I know it is perfect. I just wish I knew what it was sometimes. Other days I am so glad that stuff is not in my hands. I know I can't do this without God and everything that is good and perfect comes from Him. I was really nervous when I quit my job as a police officer because I thought I might be going against God's will. I realized though, that if He wanted me to stay there, I would not feel so miserable about it. I also realized that God sees all of time, the beginning all the way through the end, all at once and His plan is perfect. There is NO way I could mess it up. He foreknew everything. I know that if I get into law school, His will is for me to do it, and if I don't, it was never what He had in store for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I can't do it on my own, that I know for sure. So if you're reading this, and it is before 7/6/12, say a prayer for me that I will stop stressing, and have more trust in the Lord...He is a good Daddy and I need to remember that He will take care of me. </span>Crafting More Than Just An Argument...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04103794841854987508noreply@blogger.com2