refashioning

I think the person that invented the internet should be made a knight or something, or maybe a superhero.  And then the person that invented Pinterest can be his trusty sidekick.  Usually while I'm watching tv in the evening, I'm also browsing Pinterest. Find all kinds of inspiration and ideas on that site.  One of my favourite things to search for is refashioning (aka recycling but it sounds so much more chic when you say refashioning lol).  Whether its a piece of furniture like the Union Jack Dresser I did earlier, or clothing, its so much more satisfying - and economical, to make it yourself.  Case in point.

For my grandson's cowboy birthday party I wanted a cute plaid shirt.  This was not it!!!  BUT, it is a great cobalt blue and bright yellow colour that I loved.  A men's XL dress shirt that I found at a thrift store for $4.00  Since I couldn't find a shirt that I wanted with regular shopping, figured this will have to do. So using that Pinterest inspiration, some scissors & a sewing machine, that went to this.

Obviously more fitted, and definitely more girly.  I like girly :-).  Paired it with some jeans and a yellow cardi (since it was winter), but can certainly wear this summer with shorts, capris, or even a cute denim skirt. 
This was my first attempt at altering anything, I think it turned out ok.  Learned a few things along the way (like I'm not a box so leave room for the boobs lol) so will probably try a few more things.

What a busy month it has been.  Start off the month with The Bug's birthday, followed by my oldest son's birthday, my daughter's birthday, my brother's birthday, and fit in a trip to Mardi Gras!  Whew!!!  But finally home, unpacked, laundry done and put away. Needless to say, I haven't had a lot of time to do much of anything.  But I will be back into my grove soon enough.  Will return with more projects, maybe some recipes, and of course lots to say.

Valentine's Treats

I'm returning to the Big City this weekend for The Bug's 3rd birthday party (my grandson).  Will also see my kids while I'm there.  Although they are all in their 20's, they still like to get treats from Mom.  As I won't see them for Valentine's Day, thought I'd take a little treat with me to give to each of them.  Made these cute, easy, and OMG so delicious little nibbles.

 To start you need some small pretzels (the smaller the better, some places have square pretzels but they were not available at my local store, Hershey Hugs (you could also use kisses but I like the sweetness of the white chocolate hugs), and some M&M's.  M&M's are usually available for whatever the holiday - green and red for Christmas, pinks & reds for Valentines, pastels for Easter, but I could only find regular ones at my local store (surprised?  Not really, country hick remember!)

Anyway, I digress.  Heat oven to 200 degrees, place parchment paper on a cookie sheet and a single layer of pretzels on the parchment paper.  Next, the hardest part of the process, unwrapping your hugs!!  Place a single hug on each pretzel and stick it in the oven.  Watch your oven, let the chocolate heat up until it looks shiny.  It only takes a few minutes so keep an eye on them. Try not to let it melt too much.  Take it out of the oven and place an M&M in the chocolate.  The M&M should sink into the Hug.  If not, the Hug is not soft enough. If its not melted enough, stick it back in the oven for 30 seconds or so.  Again try not to let it melt.

Let them cool and enjoy.  I'm telling you, the sweetness of the chocolate, the saltiness of the pretzel and the crunch of the M&M and pretzel is a combination no one can resist.  My brother, who is not a sweet lover, has to stop himself from eating these!!!