Sweet Potato Pancakes

Like most kids my monkeys love pancakes; however, I still worry their are eating too much junk instead of good nutritional foods. I decided to take their favorite foods like pancakes, fish sticks, scrambled eggs, brownies, and hide puree vegetables in them. They don't even know it's there, but I do. Here's how to make sweet potato pancakes:

1 c. pancake mix

1 c. water

1/2 c. puree sweet potatoes

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together, and grill as usual. I usually take whatever vegetables I have in the frig, and puree them. On a freezer bag I write the vegetable name, measurement, and what recipe it's for. The quality is so small that they are easy to defrost.

Yellow tipped Nails Design

Every thought about yellow tips??? I put silver glitter on top of the tip. In person it really sparkles. Love it! Call me if you need your nails done....

Premade Trail Mix

I love trail mix. It's a quick on the go snack for myself, and the monkeys. I always have a lot of nuts, and dried fruit in stock. I like to premade my trail mix batches and storage in the frig, so when it's time to leave the house. I just pour a into plastic snack bags, and toss it in my purse. Its better than stopping at the drive through.

Organizing the Pantry

I have a large family so I bulk shop; however, the one thing I hate is waste, and buying something I already have. One of the things I do is put everything in clear containers so I can see it. Pastas, grains, flours, dried fruits, cereal, and nuts (Store nuts in frig). Some of the grains and pasta I buy are packages in plastic bags. I hate guessing on how to cook these items, so I cut out the cooking directions, and tape directly onto glass jars. NO guess work involved. With can goods I organize in rows by group, so it's easy for me to see what group I'm running low on. A organized pantry will help make cooking easier, and less stressful.

High Heel Pumps for $9.88

My shoe secret... I love high heels, but I always wish I had more. This would sound crazy to my hubby since my heel collection is taking over our closet. I have a TON! Anyhow... the fact remains is I love purchasing heels, so I always hit my favorite shoe warehouse. Every single shoes is only $9.88!!! Unbelievable!!! I had to share this secret since I know many of my gal pals would love to collect more heels at an amazing price. Here's their website Wholesalefashionshoes.net. This will show you all the new shipment they have received, and they will send you a updated everytime they get new stuff. They are located on Thomas Road, and 44th Street in Phoenix. I hope you heel lovers check it out next time your visiting the valley. My little secret is out!

Hair accessories from Hula Leis

School is getting ready to start, so I decided to make hair accessories that match my little monkey's new school clothes. I went to our local dollar store, and purchased two leis. I dismantled them, and rearranged the petals. I added a button on the top, and a square felt piece to the back, and hand stitched together. Then I added a hair clip to the felt backing. You can hot glue or hand stitch. This project was fast, and I saved $$$ by hand making them. So cute!!!

Glitter Toes!!!

I love Young Nails gel products! I've been going crazy giving everyone I know glitter toes. What I really like is you get to customize your glitter colors, add decals, stamps, create fades, or just plain choose one overall glitter color. It's so fun, and they last until they are removed with filing. Come see me if your interested in glitter toes!

Create Artificial Toenails

I recently took a gel class showing me how to improve my skill level, but the best thing I learned was how to create an artificial toe nail. Many women make the decision to remove their toe nails due to ingrown toenail problems. Sometimes this can leave a person with less self confidences especially if they enjoy wearing open toed shoes. Well I discovered a product that creates a temporary hard nail which looks and feels like a real nail. The temporary nail can last up to 2 weeks, but it's great for special occasions, or summer time. Let me know if you know someone who has this problem. I would love to help...

Pesto Lasagna

OMG!!! This turned out so awesome... The only bad thing is the monkeys didn't really like it, but John and I sure did! It's more for a grown up palate. Here's how:

Box of dried lasagna noodles

15 oz. part skim ricotta cheese

1/3 c. fresh basil (chopped)

1/4 c. roasted pine nuts

3/4 c. pesto sauce (I buy mine at Sam's Club)

A bag or block of mozzarella cheese (shredded)

Salt and pepper

Non stick spray oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook noodle until al dente. Mix ricotta, basil, nuts in a bowl and set aside. Spray baking dish with non stick spray. Spread a thin layer of pesto sauce at the bottom of pan. Layer lasagna noodles, then spread ricotta cheese mixture, drizzle pesto sauce, then top with shredded mozzarella cheese, and sprinkle salt and pepper on top. Continue next layer with noodle, and follow same steps. Final layer should be noodles, pesto, and mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25-3o minutes until top is golden brown. This dish really tastes great and it's low fat. Enjoy!

More Nail designs...

I'm starting to use decals with my gel nails designs, but here are a few new designs all done with gel products.

My favorite Frittata...

OMG! I can't stop making these. They are so quick and easy to make. I was recently watching an episode of Bethenny getting Married, and I saw her making these frittata for her new in laws. They looked so delicious, so I checked out her website Bethenny.com. Not only did I find this great recipe I found other recipe that I can't wait to make as well. Now I'm hooked, and I'll probably purchase her books also. What I love best about this recipe is I usually have leftover veggies from the previous night's dinner, or I just chop up whatever veggie I have in the frig. Prep time is about 5 minutes. Here's how:

1 c. vegetables of your choice (this may need to be adjust depending on eggs used)

2 egg whites

1 whole egg

red pepper flakes

salt and pepper

non stick spray oil

shredded cheese (I used Parmesan)

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. What I usually do is double or triple the egg portions depending on how many people I'm serving. I usually chop up any vegetable I have available. The photo above has leftover, roasted corn, sun dried tomatoes, and spinach leaves. I scramble the eggs, add spices, then incorporate the veggies. Spray a frying pan with the non stick spray. Pour egg mixture into pan, and place in the oven. Cook until top is golden brown, and firm to the touch. Remove from oven. Slide on to a serving plate, and add shredded cheese. So easy, and yummy!

Kaya's bedroom makeover

The finished room. I repainted the walls a deep pink color which Kaya and I both love. Reorganized the room, and made new decorations. It's not quite Pottery Barn, but we got a lot of inspiration and ideas from the Pottery Barn Kids Magazine.
This is what I was working with...

I preserved the handmade stenciling job. This is what I said to Kaya every night before she goes to sleep. Dream about "Ponies and Cupcakes." Click on link to learn how to make your own.
Inexpensive homemade art work.

I love making fabric corkboards. It's a simple project, but they look great in any room. I bought new fabric. Made push pins and hot glued rhinestone butterflies. Very cute. Click on the link to learn how.

My Target copy cat prints.

Well if it wasn't for the inspiration of a single fabric flower none of this would have happened. Kaya would have started the school year in a messy,disorganized room. Now she's starting off the school year heading into 3rd grade feeling like a big girl with a super cute big girl's room.

Homemade gift bags

I love giving presents! Lately I've been buying and wrapping in a rush, and I hate doing that. It's so impersonal, and I always feel bad that I didn't take the time to make the gift special. After all, we can always count on disappointment in life, but really how often do we get the chance to celebrate successes??? Now I'm a big fan of brown gift bags. I love making homemade cards out of them and wrap presents in them. I decide I was going to making cute novelty pictures out of leftover scrapbook paper, and thread. I love how my first two efforts turned out, so I'm preparing to make more... Now when I'm in a rush again. I can grab one of premade homemade gift bags, and feel great about presenting my personal gift. Here's a great blog I get inspired with ideas from its call Print & Patterns. Check it out.

Black tip French Nails

I get bored with the classic hyper white French tip, so I decided to edge it up with a black tip. It's very sharp and vampy looking. I love it. Anyone need gel nails done... give me a call.

Playing with Glitter Nails

I felt like playing with glitter today, so I created a different glitter design for each one of my nails. It was a ton of fun!!! I love how funky they look. Anyone up for gel nails give me a call...

My favorite breakfast & dessert

I've fallen in love with Greek yogurt... It's tart, and creamy heaven in a bowl. My favorite store brand is the Brown Cow, but I like buying the plain Chobani Greek Yogurt at Safeway, and make my own toppings. With all the fresh blueberries in the market. I make blueberry sauce to top my yogurt with roasted granola. Instead of ice cream I make this for John and I for dessert as well. Here's how I make the sauce...

1 pint blueberries

3/4 c. sugar

3/4 c. water

1 tsp. vanilla extract

A squeeze of lemon juice

In a sauce pot, add all ingredients, and mix together. Let simmer on stove top for 15 -20 minutes. Stirring occassionally. Pour into a storage contain and chill until the sauce firm up. This process also works with strawberries as well. Go Greek!!!

Open faced tomato, mozzarella, & basil appetizer

Since it's summer time I like to make light appetizers. This is my favorite one to make since it is easy to assemble, and doesn't require any cooking. I usually like to make this for unexpected company, or for a quick last minute invite to a pot luck party. Here's how:

3-4 Roma Tomatoes

french bread

pesto (I buy at Sam's Club)

garlic clove

fresh basil leaves

soft mozzarella cheese (I buy at Sam's Club)

extra virgin olive oil

salt, and pepper

First slice french bread loft, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. Then I take one garlic clove and cut in half. I take 1/2 of the clove and rub against one side of the slice bread pieces. Then layer...first pesto sauce, sliced tomato, 1 or 2 basil leaves,sliced mozzarella, drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper last. Super easy, delicious, and everyone will love them.

I sometimes do a quick broil on the french bread slices in the broiler just to let the garlic absorb, and give it better favor.

Circle runners

1st trace two different size circles on to manilla folders. Cut out with x-acto knife on mat.

Place circles on to ironed fabric, and cut fabric 1/2" from edge. I also cut corners off.

Place circle outline, fabric, and in close into aluminum foil, and iron edges. Let cool.

Remove fabric circles. Iron on heat & bond paper on to smaller circle to adhere to the larger one. Apply heat & bond to larger circle. Embroider edge . Now add same size fabric circle to the under size, and iron.

While we were in Albuquerque I was able to purchase some beautiful fabric for Kaya's room. I wanted to make these circle runner which I saw a tutorial for on Anna Marie Horner blog site. I've been wanted to do this project for a while now, so I was really happy when I finally got the chance to use this idea in my monkey's room. They really are unique. Now I just need to figure out when else to add circle runners???