Potted Orchids Centerpieces

I have been seeing a lot of potted orchids lately and I LOVE it! I love the elegance and simplicity of orchids anyway, it seems like such a perfect match. Not to mention how cheap you could build this look.

You can pick up a variety of different types of orchids at good ol' Trader Joes for less than $15! (I know this because I continue to buy them and am okay if I accidentally kill them because they are so inexpensive.

Here are a few different looks. You can very easily add to them to build up a centerpiece as well as add height which is ALWAYS a good idea when decorating.

This has the look of a potted orchid but is just stems in pots. I do love the paper wrapped container.

I love how clean it looks and how many textures they used.

this is a very tonal table but works well together.

Added tea lights and single orchids make a full centerpiece.

The Healthy Cookie

I am back on the health kick with a new cookie that I am bringing with me. It's a whole wheat, sugar free cookie. It's very different but pretty good and a lot of texture!

Here's the recipe:
Healthy Oatmeal Cookies (with Honey)
Ingredients:
Dry ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour (a pinch more depending on the moisture of the mix)
• 1 1/2 cups of Large Flake Rolled Oats (smaller flake is ok too)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Nutmeg

Wet ingredients

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup oil (I used grapeseed oil)
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1 egg (beaten with 1 tsp water)

  Yummy ingredients (you can use any varieties of these ingredients)

• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 crasins

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together.
2. In a medium bowl, mix all the wet ingredients together. Hint: when measuring out the honey, spray the measuring cup with oil or baking spray--your honey won't stick).
3. Mix the wet stuff with the dry stuff. Add the raisins and walnuts and mix. If the mixture seems too wet, add a bit of flour. If it isn't binding together very well, you may wish to add an egg white.
4. COOL the mix for 20 minutes in the fridge.
5. Preheat the oven to 335 degrees (lower temperature due to the honey in the recipe which will burn more easily).
6. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto your baking sheet (I recommend lining the baking sheet with parchment paper). Press down with a fork to ensure even cooking.
7. Bake for about 15 - 20 minutes or until golden on the bottom of the cookie. The cookies freeze very well and make a great snack! Enjoy.

Coupons

I went to the grocery store today (like I always do) and noticed that the woman in front of me handed the clerk a handful of coupons. I was intrigued A I have seen about 3 different segments on shows in the past 3 days all about a little thing called "stockpiling".

That's when I got nosey and decided to see what she was saving. Her balance (pre-coupons) was $42, after her handful of coupons were rung in...$26!

I instantly was upset at my balance for my 10 items and decided that enough was enough, if they can do it why can't I. I came home, signed myself up for all the coupon websites and will now be getting my coffee AND Sunday paper then sitting down with my scissors.

Check this video out, this is going to be my new thing!

Tulips!!!

While picking myself up some fuchsia tulips today I came to realize (again) how much I LOVE tulips and how I am going to need to plan a spring wedding so that I can they can surround me.

So delicate, so simple, and they're SO cheap!

Balloons at a Wedding

This balloon thing is really starting to grow on me...I first fell in love with it when I saw this photo.

Check out the whole wedding HERE...totally awesome!!

Then I was going through Style Me Pretty and saw these photos. If you do it right I think it makes quite the statement and is cheap!!

It sure beats this look...don't you think?

Rustic Masculine Family Room

I have a new client who just bought a new home. He is going for a rustic look (in a suburban area). I am typically not one who does "Rustic" so this was definitely a challenge.
sidenote: he actually said he wanted a cabin/mountain theme...then he bought THIS house! You can't do cabin in the burbs...

Here is what I came up with...

The grey tones down the black and white tile and adds a masculine feel with all the light wood. I tired to add the leather and hides for the "rustic" feel. I have not shown it to the client yet but I am hoping he goes for it.

What do you think? Are you feeling Rustic Suburban?

New Years Eve

I had a wonderful New Years with old and new friends, very special. We had everyone over to our cozy place where Kir Royale were the signature drinks, and herbed Boursin stuffed dates were served.

the boys indulged in Forloko's

(NOT RECOMMENDED)

My high school girlfriends

(0ne is a neighbor & one up from Austin)We had a fabulous time, thanks for sharing with me girls. I have a good feeling for the 2011 year.

PR in Review

Sorry it took so long to post these...time flies when you're still on vacation time! :)

Here is our plane beverages, traveling partners, and final destination for the week.

We found ourselves a coffee plantation outside of Ponce. Guided all in Spanish (which I don't speak!)

Fort San Cristóbal

My room mates~views of the resort and the orchids that grew on the trees~ My Sista

Our daily activities~the woman who slept with her mouth open...all day, every day ~ sunbathing

local Puerto Rican cuisine, Mofongo, and Sangria

Daily beverages...you start off with the fresh coconut as it is loaded with all natural electrolytes, then fill it with local rum & pineapple juice and you have just made yourself a fresh pina colada.

the local flair, communities, people, and Caribbean beaches

In review: I will never complain about 80 degree weather, white beaches, and an ocean. But, it is a borderline third world country and there really wasn't anything that was totally memorable about the island. There are a few (a lot) other places that will be on the list of places to go before we return. I would however suggest Puerto Rico if you were looking for a cheap place in the Caribbean that is a United States territory.