Uhm, hello delicious friend...

Chex Lemon Buddies

http://www.chex.com/recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=49162&CategoryId=447

I just saw this recipe and can't wait to try it.  I love the normal chocolate version using the chex cereal.  Yet this sounds even better!  Who wouldn't love this, there is lemon in it!  Click on the link to view the recipe at Chex's website.



Chicken Tortilla Soup

So I've been super obsessed lately with the Fry's brand of Chicken Tortilla Soup.  So stinkin yummy!  I've never had it before I had it from there, so I didn't know what to expect.  Theirs is creamy and just plain good.  But at $3.99 a pop for a 32oz. container it can get pricey.  So I decided to make my own.  And yes I know it's a bazillion degrees here in Arizona today, but I've been craving this.  Keep reading for the recipe.

Perfect Curls with NO Heat! Seriously the best thing ever!

Okay let me just start by saying I'm so incredibly bummed I cut all my hair off before I saw this tutorial!  Had I known about this incredible technique I may have not cut my hair!  Although I did cut it for a good reason...I donated it to Locks of Love.  Hopefully my hair will grow fast so I can try this on longer hair.  I've had friends with longer hair try it that love it and are amazed!  So give it a shot and tell me how you like it, or send photos of your results.  Happy curling!

P.S.  Get ready for this sweet girls accent. 

http://youtu.be/aYxS1ohz4Ao

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Here are some more lovely haircuts & styles on my Pinterest board for you to look at.  There are some really neat ideas and tutorials.  I also put the Pinterest board featuring hair accessories.  There such a huge trend right now, and really simple to make even if your a bit crafty.  Click on the links below the pictures to take you to my pinterst account.  If you'd like an invite let me know and I'll send you one and you can start "pinning" too! 

http://pinterest.com/randglopez/hairstyles-i-love/

http://pinterest.com/randglopez/hair-bow-and-accessories-galore/

Coffee Cozy's - Perfect for you Starbucks lovers!

Okay so I've seen some super cute coffee cozy's a few times on Etsy and some other sites.  Super cute, and I guess you could consider it recycling and doing your part since you won't have to use the paper one they give you at Starbucks or your favorite coffee shop.  (Starbucks is my fav, big shocker right!)  So I decided I should try and make one too, everyone else is doing it...and you know what they say....if everyone else is doing it, I should too!  ;D  So without further delay, I give you the super stylish..yet incredibly earth friendly coffee cozy!  Don't you love the magnificent "Mustache" cozy.  That's probably my fave!  I love all things mustache:  Tom Selek, mustache necklaces, mustache tattoos, fake mustaches, you get the idea.  If you want to see how to make your own coffee cozy, click on the read more link. 

Back to School - My Pinterest Favorite's

With the kids getting ready to head Back to School in just a few short weeks I thought I would create a Pinterest board featuring some cute ideas to help make it fun for you and the kiddo's.  While your looking at the board, if there is something you like just click on the photo and it will take you to that site.  So before you head out to do your shopping check out the board.  Just click on the link below the picture.

http://pinterest.com/randglopez/back-to-school/



Raspberry Cupcakes with Raspberry Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting

Another year, another birthday has come and gone...

Yesterday I celebrated my 32nd birthday with the ones I love and adore.  The day started with church as does every Sunday morning, it has to be said Sun Valley Community Church is a really great church.  The speaking pastor yesterday is new to the church, his message was great.  Then I was treated to lunch at one of our favorite places - Texas Roadhouse (Great steaks, free peanuts and bread...what more could you ask for).  I was able to share the day with my hubby, two of the most handsome and wild boys ever, my incredibly awesome Mom (aka BFF), and super sweet family friend Sylvia.  The only thing missing was my 92 year old Grandma who happens to be vacationing in Sedona. 

We then headed home and I decided it was only appropriate that I have a cupcake on my birthday, it would be completely unjust if I didn't...Right?!  Well no one else in this house was going to make me one, so out came the ingredients and the bowls for me to tackle the task.  I didn't have a particular cupcake in mind, I only wanted 1 cupcake to eat...Gonzalo will usually eat the rest, or Kaison if he sneaks them all before anyone is awake (this has happened several times).  First off I should warn you I don't normally make cupcakes from scratch, the cake usually is from a box mix (shhhhhh), but the frosting I do make!  So I came up with Raspberry cupcakes, with a Raspberry Buttercream Frosting.  I had never attempted these before, but I gave it a shot. They turned out pretty good, not the best cupcake I've made...but I didn't hear complaints from the the savage boy who looked at it and ate it like it was his last meal.  One guess who that was??? - Yep Kaison!  Corbyn liked them too, but he's more reserved on his consumption of the cupcakes.  Cupcakes were followed by haircuts for the boys.  All in all a pretty normal day, I love my family. 

What I've learned this year...

 Who my real friends are, and that having friendships out of convenience isn't something I want at the age of 32.  I want true friendships with those whose hearts are pure and who have no intentions of using me, who love God, and think I'm ridiculously funny!  ;D 

That couponing is extremely confusing at times, but the joy you feel when you've saved a ton of money is exciting!

The first time you ever see your child's face light up with excitement, and complete awe when they see Shamu for the first time at Sea World is completely priceless and will most definitely make your heart melt. 

That starting a blog is harder than I thought, but the enjoyment of hearing feedback from friends who enjoy it...it's so exciting to me and makes my heart even fuller.

There's so much more, but that's enough for now. 

More Hair Awesomeness...

Yep I was busy last night making cute bobby pins and clips.  Man I wish there was a little girl in this house sometimes to model this stuff.  Unfortunately Corbyn wouldn't appreciate me making him model these things.  Kaison on the other hand would gladly do it...and that is only because he thinks anything Mom makes is so stinking exciting!  Seriously!  :D

I LOVE these colors.  I made two different kinds of rosettes, I think I'm starting to like the rolled one (on the right) better.  What do you think?



May have to replicate this!

I have been thinking of possibly changing up our master bedroom a bit, not quite sure when....when $$$$ permits, and let's be honest I've got to finish Corbyn's room first.  When I finally do get the chance to work our room I'm thinking of replicating this simple and cute idea of a family tree done a bit differently. 

http://www.cornerhouseblog.com/2011/01/new-family-portrait-kinda.html

This would be easy and inexpensive to do with two canvases, and coupons from Michael's!  Although we'd only have four birds on ours, so I may have to add a flower or two to bulk it up a little!

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And I'm totally in love with this DIY headboard idea I saw.  I'm totally going to try this, I will have to start looking for a door at the habitat for humanity store.   Obviously mine won't be this color (even though I LOVE it...it's just not for my color palette right now.)  I switch accent colors so much in my bedroom I have to do neutrals, so mine will be black most likely!  Our bedroom furniture currently is an orange-ish wood color, hard to describe...it's going to be that color for a while seeing as how I don't like refinishing furniture.  Maybe one day I'll be brave.  Ha. 

I still haven't decided yet what colors to do in the room, I've had chocolate brown bedding for a few years and I always love it...I just switch up the accent colors (currently eggplant).  So I'm not sure if I'm ready to give up the brown.  I've seen so many things I like, just can't decide.  I may start this project after Christmas so keep watching.



Rosette Hair Clips

I made the these two rosette hair clips for my friends new baby.  They can attach to a crotchet headband, or be worn alone.

I made these two headbands a while ago, and I've had no one to give them to so I will be sending them in the gift as well. 

More rosette hair accessories will be available soon under the "shop" tab.  As well as other kinds of hair accessories.



Stamped Jewelry & Other Stamped Awesomeness

I've been stamping jewelry for over a year now.  It's such a hot trend, especially with Moms.  It's a super cute and creative way to wear our kids close to our hearts.  I just made this necklace today for a sweet friend, she and her hubby were able to finalize the adoption of their awesome son who they have had since birth almost three years ago.  They now have four children and such a heart for them, they set such a great example of how to be loving parents.  So I wanted to surprise her with a gift that honored their family.  Hopefully she is not reading this, she should still be on the plane here to Arizona...they are coming in tonight for a month long vacation.  All four sides of the bar are stamped with her kiddo's names, then I added two charms with her and hubby's initials.

This is the necklace I did for Gonzalo for Christmas this past year.  He has always worn gold jewelry since the day we met.  I can honestly say yellow gold isn't my favorite, every once in a while it's fine..but not ALL the time!  He has always had this unique gold chain from Mexico, and a gold crucifix that was an abstract design.  I loved the design of the crucifix, just not that it was from one of his old girlfriends...but I liked it too much to tell him to stop wearing it.  So when I decided to make him a stamped piece I looked very hard to find a crucifix that was unique and cool that I thought he would like.  I was pleased when he opened it and has worn it everyday since then.  :)

This is just a small key chain that the boys gave Gonzalo.  Nothing fancy, but it says what they think!

Yes I take custom orders for stamped jewelry if your interested.  Currently they are all custom orders so just email me with questions if your interested. 



Taggie Blankets

I finally finished the rest of a baby gift for a friend.  I've been under the weather this week so my energy level is non-existent.  Especially since I usually do all my work when the kiddos go to bed.  So by the time I've been putting them to bed...I'm too tired to do anything!  But I did it, I finally finished...just waiting on the crochet headbands to arrive in the mail to send my gift off.  I really hope they enjoy it.

So here's the Minky Taggie I made their new bundle to snuggle with.  I loved these when I made them for Kaison.  They are super soft and the perfect size for them to hold and carry around. 
I will eventually do a tutorial on them, so keep watching. 
They are 16" x 16" square and all four sides have little tags sewn on.  I usually like to mix and match the textures of the tags by making some out of coordinating fabrics, then using different ribbons for the rest.  I always use a Minky fabric on the top, and a satin for the underneath side.  Two of the softest fabrics ever! 

I previously posted the burp cloths I made to go with them.  Here is that picture again because you know you want to see them.  :)

In case you were wondering yes I sell these products.  And I hope to have them made soon enough to just order from this blog under the "shop" tab.  But for now if your interested just email me and I will do orders individually.



Light up the night

Here's a fun super easy project to do with the kids to light up your summer nights.  These are perfect out in the backyard or even in the house for movie night. 

Here's what you will need:

- Mason jars (any size, baby food jars would be perfect)

- Glow sticks (head over to the Dollar Tree and buy a bunch, they will probably work best!  The ones I used from the 99cent store apparently have glass tubes with the glow agent on the inside, so it makes for a mess when you open them.  Ha Ha..lesson learned!)

- Scissors & paper towels

Step 1

Make sure your jars are clean and dry.

Step 2

Break 2 glow sticks per jar and shake them until they are lit, then cut the tip off and pour into the jar.

Step 3

Put lid on jar and shake it up so it coats the whole jar.

Step 4

Turn out the lights or enjoy them outside, you may even be able to put them into the freezer over night and have them work again the next night.

The kids will LOVE these! 

Taking care of my Bambino!

It's almost 10pm and I've been with Kaison in ER since almost 1pm.  He has pneumonia again. This is his second visit in a one month period. Last time we were super lucky and he got weened off the oxygen and was able to go home.  This time...not so much!  That huge Haboob or whatever it's called did a number on his breathing.  Within an hour after the storm he was already coughing and having problems.  So were staying hopefully for only tonight and we'll see in the morning how he's doing.  Please keep him in your prayers that he recovers 100% by tomorrow morning so he can go home.  His "Bubba"(Brother) was quite upset when he left since he's never been away from him, and he didn't want to see him hurting.  He's such a great brother!  I will be back to posting some cute stuff when I know my Baby is in perfect health! 

Happy 4th of July

As your all having incredible bbq's with family and friends, and eating so much delicious summer food...I hope you take a moment to remember what July 4th has given this country.  We are an incredibly blessed nation.  I hope you all have a fun and super safe holiday enjoying your family and all the traditions that go along with this day of Independence.  Please don't forget to also take a minute at some point today to pray for the men and women who are serving our country to protect our freedom.

Every time I read this I get chills.  I wonder if that's how they felt when they wrote it.