New this week...:)

Juuuust take a gander at these fab terrariums I got at FOUND this weekend:) I think that's what they're called? I could be wrong, because when I went to the nursery to buy plants for them, I had 2 people ask me if I was putting animals in them!!! What the?? Cold blooded what?? Slimey, slithery WHAT?? Ewww NOOOOO!!! I'm getting shivers just writing about that. Moving on... while the terrariums (or whatever) were beautiful like they were, I thought they just needed a little something- you know, to make them adorieable:)

So I went a hunting in my trusty box of orphaned hardware in the garage. Came across these two knobs that, while they were not old (they were actually hideous bright shiny brass-the horrors) I knew I could paint them up and they'd be cute:)

I painted them Rustoleum Oregano and the hubby screwed the bases into the wood tops, and then I gorilla glued the glass knobs on the top:)

Took myself to a nursery in these parts and got totally depressed when they had no "terrarium"plants. I mean really, who am I kidding? This is AZ for heaven sakes! I think the guy was looking at me, mocking me, thinking- sure lady, we have what you're looking for! Right over there! By the hydrangeas! And the peonies! And all those other plants that you dream about having in your yard! Muuuahahaha!! Cackle cackle!! Head down and sniffling, I headed for my car and went to.....yep. Home freaking Depot. Where they carry all kinds of lovely AZ drought tolerant plants:(

At that point, I didn't care. Just get me some stinkin greenery that I can shove through a hole that I can barely get my chubby little hands thru, whilst sweating away half my body weight (that wouldn't be a bad thing) and GET IT DONE!!!

And here we are! 2 sweet terrariums (until someone corrects me) creature free and steaming their little hearts out:)

Theeeeen, true happiness. Right here. In this beaut mustard color granny purse! Me loves!! My always coming up with things to do to occupy her already busy life daughter Rio, fired up a little purse biz:) She sells these fab purses on her website- ChasingRio. Ohhh yesss. That little cutie is mine:)  

Aaaand this one too:) Isn't it the cutest?? And the best part? They're ALL $39!! Yep. $39!

Check em out! ChasingRio. That girl of mine- ridiculously creative and always doing something! And obviously wasn't raised in a "terrarium".

Aaaaahhh! Feel that??

Thank you Jesus for this cool weather. Amen. And I reeeally mean that! This last weekend it was beeeautiful here in AZ. Temps were in the high 70's, and I came alive. You see, I'm a weather driven gal. The long summer heat leaves me feeling the same thing every year...why the *bleep* do I live here?? And then came the cool off:) Soooo, this little happy girl did some baking:) Chocolate Chip cookies with Sea Salt. I just follow the regular recipe on the bag of chips, and sprinkle coarse Sea Salt the minute they come out of the oven:)

And they never......ever.....

Disappoint:) Yummmy!

 Then Rio and I turned on Food Network and....

Turned this......

Into THESE!!!

 If you want to purchase these, or any of Rio's fabulous jewelry, or some sweet $39 handbags from her newly launched website, we'll be here: The Boofest Flea Market:)

Kristin is hosting another fab event this Friday and Saturday. Don't miss it! It's another one of those things that doesn't ever.... disappoint:)

For times,directions and info click here:)

Oh yessss....:)

  All my Halloween goodies are out and I'm a happy girl:) Now if only the weather would cooperate:(

 Cute witchypoo:)

Sorry for the dark pics:( my house faces north/south with a wrap around porch. Translation- the darkest house to photograph ever! NO! It has absolutely NOTHING to do with my lack of photography skills.

 My mantle. I'm convinced that everyone has that one thing. That thing that no matter what you do, you feel like it's never right? I'm mantally challenged. There. I said it. I have the worst time with this stinkin mantle! Anyway, here's the result.

 Just take a gander at my china cabinet. I love her:) She's an old beaut given to me by my sis in law. It was her grandma's:) I filled her with my black and white china and whatever fakey pumpkins I had:)

 This little dresser sits just inside my front door.

 And my fav of all- velvet pumpkins. Found at...FOUND! Kristin's having another one of her fab sales October 14-15th! You don't want to miss it! Info here:)

 I planted mums this past weekend:) LOVE the color!

 Put out my Halloween pillows on my porch furniture:) I just wrapped the seats in fabric that I had.

 I bought this vulcher guy years ago and lug him out every year:)

 And last but not least, my daughter Rio gave me these sweet old rusty urns a while back. I filled them with mums and the hubby ran a drip to them so they don't die a slow painful death when I forget to water them:) What a guy:)

Did I score or what???

And she's off and running... :)

Yep. I did it. I got in the garage and pulled out those bins. The orange ones with the black lids:) Why yes of course my bins are color coded!! Psh, why the heck not?? It actually started with this wreath I made on Saturday. It's not quite finished yet, but it was enough to get me going.

And don't ask how I made it. I have no idea. I just cut scraps of fabric, wrapped and glued, wrapped and glued. I have no idea how to make fabric roses. Just wrapped and glued, wrapped and glued.

Glued some feathers on, stuck a bird in it. Done. Kinda. I'm thinking it needs something at the top. Like cute letters that say Boo or something?

This is when I get all Scarlett O'Hara and say to myself- " I'll think about that tomorrow..."

I've got way bigger fish to fry:)

I'm melting... :(

Oh my goodness it's still stinkin hot here:( It's that time of the year when everyone in AZ has HAD IT with the heat. I'm pleading with you Fall. Please hurry up. I just want to open my windows and let in some fresh air for heaven sakes!! I want to turn on my oven without turning down my ac! Is this just too much to ask? I swear this heat is melting my brain.

I bought this new plug is scent and it's fantastic. But man it makes me want to bake a pie!

I tried to wear this sweater today. Tried being the key word here. I started to sweat the moment I put it on, which nearly resulted in me lying in the fetal position crying for cooler weather!! :(

Fall weather can't come soon enough for me.

Until then, can you help a girl out? I'm in need of some blog ideas. Got any? I need em. Like fresh freaking air.

A deal...and a meal!

Last weekend while I was in Cali, I thought I'd take a trip to my fav TJ Maxx in hopes of finding my bird dishes. Sadly, I came home without the birdies. But... holy score! Look what Rio's bf Chase found on clearance and so graciously let me have it:) Yes. All Clad. Huge. For $69!! If you're an All Clad fan, you are totally feeling my joy right now:)

While sitting watching endless hours of Food Network a few weeks back, I saw this episode of Rachael Ray and she made this most scrumptious of dinners:) The episode was called Tangy and Terrific. She made this Orange-Balsamic Glazed Chicken with Lemon Risotto.

If you have the patience for risotto (something I've just newly acquired) it's a must try. It's easy and deeelish:) And just look how happy those chickens are in the awesomeness of that pan:)

Oooh, and it helps if you have a huge crush on your sous chef:) makes cooking sooo much fun:)

The finished product:)

Ta-a-a-sty I tell ya!!!

And go ahead and follow that tastiness up with the bomb of all cookies. Chocolate chip with Sea salt sprinkles. Sweet and Salt. It doesn't get any better than that!!