It's Good to be a Girl

This blog post comes after a quick trip to ESPN headquarters in Bristol, CT. Not to drop names (but I will anyway) I'm just pretty lucky to have walked across campus with Chris Fowler and discussed the weather with Bob Ley. Ahhh. Nothing like a little brush with fame to start off an epic Halloween weekend. 

I grew up with a fantastic brother who helped make sure that I was well-educated on the finer things in life - a great macrobrew, the 1992 Dodgers starting line up, the patience to watch 3 NFL games in a row, how to bet a trifecta, etc. Couple this with a love a skiing and hatred of chocolate and *chatting* on the phone and well... sometimes I don't feel like the typical girl.

However, after a trip to the heart of the mans sporting mecca - I'm appreciating everything that I like about being a girl. My house (aka My Barbie Dream Home) is taking on a decidedly girly touch that I am absolutely loving. The previous owners had 2 small girls - each with there own cotton candy pink bedroom. Since being a girl requires a fantastic collection of party dresses, purses and shoes, I've turned one of the bedrooms into a closet room.

Much of the room's decor is still in progress, but my latest project involved revamping a vanity chair to fit the color scheme. Nice thing about this project is that since I am on the "my car unexpectedly required new brakes budget," it could be done on the cheap.

The chair was a TJ Maxx find - and I must admit for home decor I am a *Maxxanista." Shopping TJ Maxx, Ross and Marshalls can produce some finds as good as your local vintage store or flea market.

I picked up this small vanity chair for $25. I removed the seat with a handy-dandy Phillips screw driver, then recovered with a $5 pink ultra-suede remnant from the local fabric store using a staple gun and a bit a patience. Since antique brown just doesn't say "girl," I repainted the chair in chrome spray paint that I picked up at the Home Depot.

All and all the entire project was done in 1 day for less than $40. And I think I did Barbie proud. Somehow this looks quite similar to the one they are selling for America's blonde princess at Toys 'R Us these days!

Finding Time for the Small Things

It’s been a busy week - from happy hours to co-planning a meeting for 300 women at Benaroya Hall to volunteering at the Harry Potter Opening Gala tonight to gearing up for trips to the east coast and LA the next 2 weeks.

While it is wonderful to get out and about, I love to keep myself centered by making time for the simple pleasures – a great walk around the park, a late night run in the along Lake Washington, homemade raviolis and parmesan and Wrestlemania VIII with my schnauzers.  (BTW, if you can’t tell I really love lists. Perhaps, maybe someday I will blog about why there are always at least 3 lists going at any one time in my house.)

Also, as you all know, one of my simple joys in life is baking. It’s a stress reliever, a way to channel my creativity. I know I said earlier that I was off baking and focusing on other things but  I decided to make a quick, simple fall cookie. Recipe below –

Oatmeal White Chocolate Chip with Coconut and Pecans

*Ingredients*

1 cup butter

1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 cup rolled oats

2 cups white chocolate chips

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup coconut

*Instructions*

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease baking sheets.

2.  Sift together flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda.

3.  In an electric mixer, cream together sugar and butter. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Slowly, add in flour mixture. Mix on medium speed for 3-5 minutes.  

4.  Stir in oatmeal, chocolate chips, pecans and coconut.

5.  Spoon drops of dough onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 12 – 15 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

Chalkboard Pumpkin

It’s time to start getting serious about my absolute favorite holiday – Halloween. Today is going to be dedicated to costumes and getting the house spookafied.

Here is one if my projects -

Pumpkins can add festiveness to your porch, mantle or table. On my walk yesterday,  I noticed many pumpkins were already out on doorsteps but not carved. Jack O’ Lanterns are fun, but carving pumpkins too early can lead to a rotten, moldy mess way before Halloween.

For those wanting to add a little early October festiveness, try this idea… chalkboard paint and chalk!

Pick out your favorite pumpkin and paint with chalkboard spray paint. I used Rust-Oleum Black, but green might be an interesting choice as well.  Then use chalk to create a scary face or saying.  If you goof or change your mind on the look, simply wipe with a damp cloth and start again.

For my art, I did a traditional version and then a vampire schnauzer for Haasenpfeffer. (He’s a crazy little dog and now just obsessed with the Twilight movies.)

Note: these pumpkins are best to keep dry. Set undercover to avoid a rainy day ruining your masterpiece.

Cupcake Craziness

The challenge: 1 night - 70 cupcakes. My first *catering* gig. Two canine sous chefs. One dishwasher who’d rather be a taste tester.... we worked out a good compromise. Don't worry.

In my day job, I work in the technology division for a major media company. I've got a great team who has been awesome sports about playing lab rats for my desert creations. I've had some winners and losers, but I guess a few more of the former as I was asked to provide some *professional* cupcakes for the strategic services all-hands meeting vs. one of the other famous "cupcake houses" in Seattle. Honored, I accepted the challenge. Well, who in their right mind would ever decline?

As someone who is not a choco-holic, I like to provide a selection that has a variety of tastes.

*MENU* 

·    Snickerdoodle (in dedication to my awesome mom who I missed so much over the last 2 ½ weeks… She makes A TO DIE FOR snickerdoodle cookie)

·    Spice Pecan Cake with Orange Icing (something yummy for fall)

·    Gingerbread with Cream Cheese Frosting and Sprinkles  (a look forward to the holidays)

·    Chocolate Peanut Butter *Surprise* with Chocolate Drizzle (the surprise is a peanut butter cup hiding in the cupcake... it’s a little "Family Circle" vs. Martha Stewart, but sometimes the simplest things are the best.)

And after tonight, I think I'm moving on from cupcakes.

A little bit of adventure and a little bit of sparkle

Just wrapping up a pretty fun weekend. Friday kicked off with me walking into the Alice in Chains concert sans ticket. I always like a little bit of adventure and the expereince brought back some memories of Lollapalooza 1993 at Portland Meadows. Sadly, this time I was without my 20 eye Docs and didn’t arrive by VW bus. Yep, I’m sure Martha S. can’t claim those fun facts but maybe more folks would like her if she could.

On Saturday, I celebrated Alaina’s birthday. Whether dancing with tortillas, rocking NYE or captaining a vessel, she’s been a wonderful friend and there have been a ton of laughs.

Presents for special people in your life can be challenging. I love to give handmade gifts, something that I have spent time preparing with the person in mind. These gifts can range from jewelry to scarfs and mittens to homemade jam. Even preparing a great dinner or great breakfast can someone know how special they are to you.  

For Laina, I made an amazonite and smoky quartz necklace with sterling silver chain. A few beads and some wire-wrapping completed the project. I’m a little obsessed with the seafoam color of amazonite right now in clothes, curtains and in jewelry. Plus, blue and sparkle always looks good on blondes.