A "sneaky pete" into the future...

Remember last time when I promised you some sneaky pete?  I knew you would.  Well, unfortunately I can't sit with you on the porch while we spoon it into our mouths in an effort to stay cool during a hot summers day.  However, I can provide the means to get you there.  So, take this recipe, make this delicious adult beverage, and please, please sit outside and drink with friends.  Perhaps put on a record, might I suggest some Bon Iver, and a round of scrabble?

{Looks yummy yummy right?}

Sneaky Pete

2 Cups Cranberry Juice

12 oz. Frozen Orange Juice

12 oz. Frozen Lemonade

1 1/4 Cups Powdered Sugar

3 32 oz. Sierra Mist

1 fifth Gin or Vodka

Stir well and freeze overnight.

On another note, I have a "sneaky pete" into the future for you.  I've been doing some soul searching and something I am learning to accept about myself is that I'm really not all that creative in and of myself, which is ok.  I absorb a lot of my creativity from other people.  Every once in a while I will have a seemingly original idea, but more often then not, I saw it somewhere and decided to re-create it.    Maybe that still counts as creativity.  I mean, does creativity have to get caught in the transcendance of traditional ideas, or can it also be the interpretation of those previously transcended ideas?  I'm hoping the latter can be included because I would define myself more as an interpreter.  This concept brings me to introduce a new section of the blog.  Ok, so this section is still in the "idea" stage more than anything else.  Translation: I haven't started yet.  I'm just throwing this out there.  Do what you will with it.  While this blog is developing, I don't want to limit what it could be.  Therefore,  there may be new "sections" that come and go as quickly as they began.  I have a short attention span.  I am sorry.

The inspiration for this new section comes from feeding off others creativity.  I get so excited about the projects I see on other blogs.  There are some incredibly talented and creative people out there and I want to take what they have to offer and, in return, offer my own interpretation while learning a few things in the process.  So, I will be using some of the ideas I find out there in the blogosphere, creating them, and then sharing them with you all. 

Of course this won't solely make up the contents of each post.  I will still be sharing some of my side projects, thoughts and ramblings because, like i said before, I have a short attention span and can't focus on just one thing.  I mean, what's the fun in that really?

For now, because I like books with pictures, I will share one more with you before I go.  Last weekend was wedding weekend and my incredibly talented friends made their own wine.  Here is one of their delectable bottles complete with homemade labels.  I only wish you could have a taste.

Welp, now that my taste for pictures has been satisfied, I must bid you adieu.  I'll be seeing you soon.  I can't wait for our next adventure!

All you need is Love.

Well hello there, it's been quite a while.  A lot has happened since we last chatted.  It's been a fun few weeks full of weddings, job changes and the subject of today's post, showers.  No, not a literal shower, a bridal shower, one in particular that I have been delighting in planning for a while now and of which most of my projects and brainstorming has been devoted.  As I have mentioned before, a dear friend of mine is getting married (in t-minus 3 weeks! Woot!) and it has been my joy to plan a shower for her.


I just love they joy and excitement that comes with a good wedding.  I love the process of planning a wedding and listening to the floating ideas.  I love the camaraderie and support of friends and family coming around the couple to celebrate their union.  And of course, I love the decor and the way it tends to express the couple.  This is  what I looked forward to most about throwing a shower.

That being said, my favorite part of the shower (besides the actual party itself!) was setting up for it.   After months of daydreaming about it, the day finally came, and besides not quite giving myself enough time for prep (as is one of my less flattering traits), it turned out just as I had imagined.  Take a looksie.

Ben, being tall like he is, and an excellent helper when I'm in pursuit of an idea, hung the frame in the  tree for me.  It added a sense of whimsy to the display and also made for some fun picture taking later!

I painted an old bed spring white and used it to display pictures of Dan and Sonja.  The vintage suitcase (I love vintage suitcases) held all the prizes which rest nicely on a lace tablecloth I filled the bottom with.  

In an effort to protect us from the harsh warmth from the sun (I use the word "effort" because let's face it, it is July in hot humid Ohio), my Dad put up a tent for my living room display.   It also allowed me to hang some of my paper fans, adding some additional whimsy to the day - a tutorial for the paper fans will follow at a later date.

I displayed one of the games we played, using the letters of Sonja and Dan's names to give practical and funny advice, on a vintage frame.

The living room with gifts including the fantastic white trunk I found at my favorite antique spot.

Drinks were served on the porch.  I forgot to take the lid off the "Sneaky Pete" for the picture, but I assure you it is a pretty and delicious adult treat perfect for a hot summer day.  Recipe to follow in an upcoming post.

Everyone came with recipes that they filled out on these fancy pants recipe cards from Rifle Paper Co.  They later were purposed to fill this fabulous recipe box that was a gift from everyone to Sonja.

She LOVED her box.  Her exact words were "I've been pining for this forever!"  Which makes for a comical statement when thinking in the context of another game which took her statements as she opened gifts and used them as statements for the honeymoon talk.

A great group of women to share in this exciting experience.

What a fun day it was.  I can't wait to celebrate the real deal!  Let the countdown begin.

Never too cool for stool!

I am ashamed to look back on the date of my last post.  I apologize for my absence, but it has luckily not been due to lack of projects.  Ok, maybe the first couple weeks were.  Rain everyday for 2 weeks straight does not appeal to my motivation.  Luckily, the sun has chosen to show its face a bit since then and I have a few things to share with you.  In this post I'm going to start with how my fantastic find in dollars and cents came to be a fantastic find in the visual world.


A couple weeks ago, Ben's family came to visit.  They haven't seen our place since it was just Ben living here before we were married, and it was so fun to share how our living arrangements and lives have changed since our last visit including meeting the newest, cutest and favorite addition to the family.  (Insert opportunity to brag on my cute puppy)

{I mean, who can resist that face?!  Side note:  One of my favorite things that he does, because I think it's just too funny, is trying to hide his biting habit.  He knows he's not allowed to bite people or our stuff (specifically my wedding shoes, may they rest in peace), but when he forgets, as puppies do, and is biting on me, or something else he shouldn't be biting, as soon as I tell him "no" in my big gruff mean scary voice, he starts licking whatever it is he chose to use as a chew toy, pretending that he wasn't really doing anything wrong.  Sneaky little bugger.} 

Ok, enough rambling about my baby, back to the subject.  One of Ben's and my favorite things to do is frequent antique shops.  Most of the apartment is decorated in finds from our favorite store down the street and we really wanted to show it off to my in-laws.  It's usually hard for me not to buy something, however on this particular trip, we found something amazing.  Two stools for four dollars.  Some people call that a steal.  We've been looking for stools for our counter since the wedding, but they tend to be at least 40 bucks a pop.  The only catch about these is that they were hideous.  Take a look for yourself.  Hid-e-ous:

Needless to say, I couldn't take these sitting in my dining area for long without some tender loving care, so I pulled out some paint I bought back on the first warm sunny day in spring.

{mmmm orange sherbet, or creamsicle, whichever you prefer.  Perhaps both?  Nothing wrong with 2 deserts!}

Because of the dark colored areas the previous "artist" chose,  I decided to prime the stools before painting.

Then for the fun part, and let's be honest, colors that remind you of a frozen treat, are good colors.

Gus Gus helped too.

{Sorry, I had to put in another picture of my boy.  I accept that I am an annoying mom}

After the paint dried, I distressed the stools a bit with a sandpaper block rubbing it on areas that would become worn with time.  I can't help it, I like things old, and making them look old if they don't already. But I'm so happy to have these delectable pieces of furniture grace the edge of my countertops.  The perfect spot for my morning bowl of oatmeal.

Stay tuned for my next post of actual food as opposed to food colored furniture.  A yummy tomato basil pasta bake.  Mmmm Mmmm good!

An affair to remember.

Weddings make me happy.  The design, the friends, the excuse to get all dolled up and dance all night (I've become a recent convert to the joys of dancing.  Know me? Be surprised)  As one of my dearest friends was recently engaged, I have been doing a lot of thinking about weddings.  I've already begun plans for her shower and I can't wait to help set up a beautiful affair in her backyard not to mention run with the excuse to do crafty wedding projects!

As I have been helping her get ready for her big day, I can't help but reminisce about my own.  Dreaming up tablescapes.... 

....remembering what it was like to shop for the dress.... 

...and the seemingly endless hours of craft time with my now hubby.  I miss it.  Is one year too soon to renew vows?

I learned a lot about myself during the process.  Of course, something I already new was that time management is not my best quality.  We had a short engagement and I had a lot of plans that I was not able to put into action since delegating is also one of my weaknesses.  Advice to all you brides out there:  Don't be afraid to share tasks with people!  More than likely, they want to help and you will be far more likely to achieve everything you want with far less anxiety.


Without a doubt, the most time consuming process was also what turned out to be my favorite representation of the wedding.  My wedding invitations.  I don't even want to know how many hours Ben and I spent trimming and sticking, punching and weaving, but it was worth it in the end.  I was proud to send out my hard work to my loved ones.  All that time was an expression of my love to them and the product was a representation of me.

You've heard me say it before.  Texture, texture, texture!  Surprised?

I used a crochet ribbon that I wove jute through on the main invitation.  For the text, I used a typewriter font and distressed the paper using Tim Holtz distress ink.  Awesome stuff.  Buy it, and make stuff.  The edges of the paper in which the text lies were "deckled"  to achieve a torn look.

Again, we deckled the edges of the postcard, text was distressed.  I used masking tape to ensure that when we got the postcard back, we knew who was or wasn't coming.  Double points, turned out to look great.  We also used a variety of tissue tape to line the edges.  Again, buy it and use it on everything, really.

The information card edges were trimmed with something like this.  Not my greatest idea.  Looked just as I wanted it to, but I was certainly thankful to be marrying a man like Ben who took that punching head on.  Haha, get it?  Punching?  Head on? No?  Ok, you're right, bad joke.

My favorite part.  The back of the invitation.  We stamped them with the awesome oak and then used a customizable stamp we found at staples to inscribe "Handmade with love by Ben and Ashley."  PLUS we were able to use that same stamp to do all our return addresses.  GENIUS!  

The postcard stamp was one of my favorite finds.  I had the idea in my head, but I find that my ideas often don't exist in reality.  I was overflowing with joy when I found this one at hobby lobby.

The finished product was arranged just so and paper-clipped together with a small gold clip.  Hoorah!  Finished!

When I told people I was making my own invitations, I know this isn't what came to mind.  Not the average wedding invitation, but worth every minute invested into it, and that's what I wanted the whole affair to be about.  I was about to bind my life with Bens' and wanted to invest in all the people that have invested in me and been a part of who I have become.  That's what it's all about.

Things that make me smile.

Introducing a new segment.  Things that make me smile.  This will potentially, and hopefully be a weekly post complete with pictures and commentary of things none other than, you guessed it, things that make me smile during my week.

Smile #1

Let's start with the fabulous surprise I came home to last night.  Tomorrow, my husband and I will have been married for 6 months.  Wow, crazy, gasp!  It's hard to believe that much time has passed already!  We have spent many nights snuggled up in blankets on the couch trying to keep warm during the frigid winter nights, fantasizing about our definition of the perfect warm summer evenings so seemingly distant.  Now that spring has sprung (at least temporarily, it is Ohio, I'm being realistic) perfect nights are on the horizon.  In my mind, that consists of sitting on our porch sipping wine and engaging in conversation, maybe while playing a vigorous round of scrabble while Gus chews on his bone by our feet.  Soaking in the night air, the sounds of crickets and the flickering of lightning bugs in the tree span behind us.  However, until last night, we would have been sitting on the ground.

Ben surprised me with my dream outdoor café table!  I have the best husband in the world!  It's a vintage piece found at our favorite antique mall made of black rod iron intricately woven into delicate swirls reminiscent of one you may see outside a café in Rome.

{Gorgeous right?!  I can taste warm night air now}

{Can't forget the antique watering can for the garden we're working on!}

BIG SMILE!

Smile #2

I am a firm advocate in promoting the maxi style for women of lesser stature.  For those who may not know, the maxi is a garment that reaches the ankles.  Depending on the formality, it may touch your feet or skim the floor.  Many shorter women think it will be too long and therefore accentuate their smaller build.  On the contrary, it actually elongates the body and gives the illusion of height - flats or heels depending on the appropriate selection for the particular skirt or dress.  All it may need is a quick hem.  If you can't sew, go here for a shortcut.  

A few days ago, I found a maxi skirt that I fell in lust with at American Apparel.  It's gloriously swirly and nude in color and I can't wait to debut it this Sunday for Easter.  Pictures are promised.

{you can find this skirt in a variety of colors at your nearest American Apparel or click here}

Pearly whites are gleaming.

Smile #3

Comfort food.  When I don't know what to make for dinner, sloppy joes are usually my fall back plan.  My mom makes the best sloppies and they make me smile because not only are they delicious, but they remind me of being a kid again.  Of course the leftover red mustache and sticky hands aid in that trip down memory lane.

{I made it extra shhhhlllllloppy for ya!  Name that movie}

{We ran out of bread, so I had mine Megan style.  Gluten Free with a cheeeeesy topping}

Closed mouth smile going on here due to the engorging of my delicious meal.

Don't worry.  I will share the smiles.  Follow the recipe below to find yours!

For the sauce:

- Small onion, chopped

- 1-2 TBS oil

- 2 TBS cider vinegar

- 2 TBS brown sugar

- 1/2 tsp mustard

- 1 cup ketchup

- 1/2 cup water

For the meat:

- 1 - 1/2 lbs ground beef

- Onion, chopped

Brown small chopped onion in oil.  Add cider vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, ketchup and water.  Simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.

In the mean time, brown your ground beef with your chopped onion.  Drain well and add the sauce.

Enjoy!

How to: Bib Necklace

A month or so ago I was inspired by a fabulous woman I work with.  She came to work sporting a beyond fantastic necklace that I soon came to find out she had, in true Anthropologie fashion, made herself.  I went home that night inspired for the first time since the wedding.  That necklace wasn't the first on my list of projects to begin, but a few weeks later, I began gathering the tools I needed to make one for my bestests birthday.

I will warn you right now.  This project is not for the faint of heart.  The finished product is inconceivably fabulous, but I don't even want to know how many hours I spent hovered over this venture.  Needless to say, it didn't arrive quite in time for Megan's birthday candles to be blown out, but I DID finish and she DID finally receive it.  This is positive, and we like to think of the positive.

Anywho, now for the fun part.  I tried to document the process as thoroughly as possible.  Forgive me for the photography.  I had three lessons on how to use Ben's fancy pants camera, and zoned out through what I am sure was important information during all of them.  I miss my digital point and shoot!

Step one:  Gather supplies.

You can use old unwanted jewelry if you choose (reduce, re-use recycle!) or buy beads at your local craft store.  I realized that I sold all of my "teen" jewelry in the garage sale Ben and I had last summer to help fund our honeymoon.  Side-note: This is why I'm a hoarder.  Eventually, I can find a use for any of my old junk.  Kind of.  Maybe.  I'd like to think that anyway.  However, with no old jewelry to sacrifice,  off to Michael's I went with my wonderfully patient friend Mandie to buy beads.  I title her wonderfully patient because she proceeded to walk up and down the 2 aisle of beads with me for at least an hour.  This is what I ended up with:

faux pearls, green sparklies, pink gems and a stain-glass like round bead

Step two:  Create the neck band.

Originally, I had planned on using some thick ribbon I thought I had.  I got home and realized that I had about 2 inches left of the aforementioned ribbon.  I decided to make straps out of some silky taupe fabric I had in my possession.

I cut the fabric  to about 2 1/2 inches using my handy dandy rotary cutter and self healing mat.

I then folded the fabric inside out and pinned it to keep it in its proper place.

Finally, I stitched down the frayed edge and turned it inside out like you would do if you were making a pillow so the sewn edges don't show.

Lather, rinse, repeat for the other strap.

Step three:  Cut your mesh and attach your straps.

I cut two pieces of mesh into identical crescent moons for the base of the necklace.  I then sewed the straps in between the pieces of mesh for stability.  

Side-note:  If you want to put a backing on your necklace to hide all the ugly threads, like I did, I recommend cutting that fabric now to the shape of your mesh, like I did not.  It will save you some trouble and guesstimation frustration in the end.

My straps were wrinkly.  Perfect excuse to whip out my midget iron.

It doesn't look like these match in shape and size here, but they do.  I used the old kindergarten trick of folding and cutting in order to get symmetrical moons.  You know, like you used to do to make hearts for your Valentines cards.

I sewed one end of each strap into a triangle to blend better with the mesh.

Necklace skeleton complete!

Step Four:  The tedious task of beading.

This is the part that will take you the longest amount of time, but it is so worth it in the end.  My pearls were 3 different sizes and 2 different colors (ivory and taupe), so I sewed them on as a smorgasbord intermittently incorporating the other beads.  Voilá, you have yourself a necklace that says, "yes, I am awesome," unveiled from your very own blood, sweat and tears.  Literally.  Blood.  Sweat.  Tears.  It's the only way to make it worthwhile... right?

I also sewed little pearls on the end of each strap so when it's tied, it dangles pretty.

Step five:  Apply backing.

Once you're done sewing all those little beads, the back will look something like this:

eww, yuck, gross.

I simply selected a fun piece of scrap fabric and hot glued it to the back.  My initial thought was to sew it on, but my oh so wise mother saw the tears a brewing and recommended the much easier and just as good alternative of glue.  

So there ya have it.  A tremendous task to keep you busy for a while with a jaw-dropping outcome.  Probably one of my favorite gifts I have given in a long time.

Wrapped and ready to go!

It only suits that Megan be the model for the finished product.  Plus, it looks great with just a plain white tee like she just so happened to be donning the night she received it.  I just love her dearly!  Isn't she beautiful?!  

Special thanks to Caitlin for the inspiration!