New Necklaces!

Earrings are undoubtedly a top seller in my Etsy shop, and I think the same goes for most other jewelry sellers. My Earring section is loaded up, with new additions on the way. I do think I've been slacking in the Necklace category, though. So, I've decided to focus on some stellar new necklace designs. Personally, I love necklaces! I try to wear a different one every day. I love to coordinate a piece with what I am wearing ~ it can make the difference between a so-so outfit and one that is "WOW!!" Not to mention that earrings often get hidden behind my hair, but a necklace stands out and people really do notice them.

These are two new designs to my shop ~ you will see that they are vastly different. One is made of Vintage Lucite beads, while the other is made with a stone called Crab Fire Agate. I recognize that everyone's taste is different, and I love to be able to offer something to suit your individual style.

Keep an eye on my shop in the coming weeks, especially if you're a fan of neck jewelry. I hope you'll see something that you love!

Milkshake for the Big "Kids"

Just in time for football season and those tailgating parties where the beer is usually flowing! If you're like me and not so much into massive beer consumption, here's the perfect alternative. It starts with beer, and a few other simple ingredients are added. I'm willing to bet that you've never had anything like it before ~ at least, I had not. It reminded me of a root beer creme soda float. Give it shot!

Vanilla Beer Shake

Ingredients:

12 oz of your favorite beer

1 shot vanilla extract

1 can "Reddi whip"

2 shots vanilla vodka

1 shot heavy cream

Directions:

Pour beer into a 16 oz beer glass (any glass will work, just make sure it's big enough!) Add the vodka, extract and the heavy cream. Top the glass with the "Reddi whip". This recipe makes one shake as pictured above.

Wine Wisdom

On my desk at work I have one of those “Page a Day” calendars that seem to be so popular. Not surprisingly, it is about wine ;) One day last week the topic was a quote from novelist Jay McInerney that has really stuck with me. It went like this: “Bottles of wine aren’t like paintings. At some point, you have to consume them. The object of life is to die with no bottles in your cellar. To drink your last bottle of wine and go to sleep that night and not wake up” The point is that most of us, myself included are guilty of saving “special” things for that proverbial “rainy day”. In the process of doing that, we deny ourselves the pleasure of enjoying things we deem too “good” for daily use. So . . . ya know those stilettos you spent way too much on and haven’t taken out of the box??? Wear them to work tomorrow. Or, how about those pearls that haven’t seen the light of day since your High School prom ~ be sure to put those on the next trip to the Grocery store. And that fine china that was given to you as a wedding gift and collects dust somewhere in the basement ~ start using it daily. What are you waiting for?? As for me, well ~ there are about 4 bottles of wine gathering dust in my wine rack that were purchased on a winery tour in September 2007. I think I’ll start by cracking one open with dinner tonight ;) ** On a side note: Be sure to check out my friend Kay’s blog ~ she is giving away a pair of earrings!!! **

Shop Update

I've been asked about when I will be adding some new items to my shop ~ the answer is, quite simply ~ "Soon!" In fact, I've already started to list a few exciting new pieces (there's two of them on the right). I have quite a few more to add, and will be doing so over the next week . . . or maybe longer, depending on how fast I can type :)

Also, keep a look out for the "SALE" section ~ you never know what might show up in there :) It's a great opportunity to get your hands on some one of a kind, handmade creations for a steal!

As always, thanks for looking!

Must Try: Lychee Martini

For the past several months, I’ve been on a quest to try a Lychee martini. I had first read rave reviews about this amazing cocktail and then received an overwhelming testimonial from Janna of jac jewelry as to just how delicious they are. I believe her exact words were “You’ve got to try one ~ NOW!!”

And so I did. The picture is proof ~ it is an “Amici Lychee” from Amici’s Living Room, located in Berkley Michigan.

I must say, locating a venue that serves this fine beverage was a challenge. Many a bartender looked at me as if I was from another planet when I requested it. In case you never heard of one, a lychee is a fruit bearing tree that grows primarily in Asia. The picture shows what the fruit looks like. The drink tasted refreshingly fruity ~ both sweet and a little bit tart. It went down with no problema. So be careful not to overdo it, and make sure you have a DD :)

In case your local drinking hole doesn’t yet have one on their menu, here’s a recipe I found so that you can make one yourself:

Ingredients: Ice 3 ounces lychee nectar or juice 2 ounces vodka 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1 1/2 teaspoons Simple Syrup

Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the lychee nectar, vodka, lemon juice and Simple Syrup and shake well, then strain into a chilled martini glass.

A Day of Reflection

With today being the 7th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, I wouldn’t deem it appropriate to blog about anything else. Much has been written and spoken about the events of that day, and even though life has gone on, it has changed in so many ways. On this day I find myself recalling where I was at the moment I learned of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center. Seven years later, the memories are still vivid. This morning on the drive into work, the radio station I listen to was interviewing the author of “Tower Stories”. I found myself completely drawn into the gripping accounts of those who survived the WTC attack. It brought me back to the events of that day as if they were happening all over again. I find it very hard to focus on anything else today; I suppose it all seems so insignificant in the scheme of things. Personally, I think 9/11 should be declared a “National Day of Reflection”, but that’s just my two cents. Let us not forget the innocent lives that were lost on that day ~ those who were simply going about their routine and never made it out alive. Likewise, let us not forget our Service men & women who fight for our security every day, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. God Bless them all, and their families!

Welcome, Fall

I'm baaack!!! The last few weeks have been jam packed, and I've been neglecting my blog, my Etsy shop, and a few other things. I hope everyone had an enjoyable and fulfilling Summer. Now that Labor Day is behind us, I'm ready and raring to buckle down and get to work :) Spring and Fall are my favorite Seasons. Spring because it is always welcome after a long, rough Winter. I love to see the trees awaken and hear the birds chirping. Although nature goes the opposite way in Fall, I welcome the cooler temps and crunching leaves beneath my feet. It is always fun to take a trip out to the Cider Mill and experience the traditions that come with it. For me, a new Season signals change and the chance to start anew.

Since I love cooking (and eating!) about as much as anything, I thought I'd start with this simple, delicious recipe. I actually saw this being made on the local TV news channel this morning. Since I had all of the ingredients on hand, I whipped this little treat up myself. Take advantage of the wonderful crop of apples that are plentiful this time of year, and make one for yourself!

"Apple Blossom"

*Cut an apple into slices (I used a Granny Smith)

*Drizzle with hot caramel ice cream topping, cinnamon and chopped nuts.

*Enjoy with someone you love!

Don't Forget to Say "Hello!"

If you've stumbled upon this blog, don't forget to sign my Guestbook at the bottom of the page. C'mon, don't be bashful ~ I know you're out there! At the very least, I'd love it if you would take a quick second and answer the survey question at the top right. I'm always curious to know how people find me :) On the jewelry front, I've created some new pieces for my Etsy shop, which I hope to start listing this week. Stay tuned for those!

Weekend Getaway

We all need to get away sometimes, and my hubby and I did just that a few weekends ago. We extended our weekend by a few days and headed to the town of Port Austin, MI. This scenic area is situated near the tip of the state's "thumb" ~ right on Lake Huron. It is roughly a 2.5 hour drive from where we live, but it is a different world altogether. It is a place that is very near and dear to my heart, for it is where Tony chose to pop the all important "question" back in May 1998.

These photos show the beach where he orginally proposed marriage to me as the sun went down over Lake Huron ~ what a romantic guy, eh?! Even back in those days when we were fresh out of college and very low on funds, he found a way to make the moment special.

This is proof that a vacation doesn't have to be costly and elaborate. Sometimes, simple is better. Just getting away from the daily routine can do wonders for the soul. I hope I've inspired you to start planning your next getaway!

The Perfect Summer Dessert

We're more than knee deep into July ~ that means heat and humidity in most places. This week in Michigan we experienced some near 90 and muggy days (this after I was just saying how pleasant our weather has been!) That aside, we still need to eat, right?! If you have a sweet tooth like I do, then your craving for dessert doesn't subside just because it's warm outside. However, I did learn my lesson a few years back when I baked a chocolate layer cake for my mother in law on a super humid day. The frosting melted instantly and the whole thing basically fell apart ~ it looked like a mudslide!

This Chocolate Mousse Torte is the answer to any summer dessert dilemma. It is rich in appearance, but light and airy. You can garnish is with raspberries, or practically any fruit ~ thereby taking advantage of freshly grown summer berries that are out there. It requires few ingredients ~ on my first attempt I found that ladyfingers were not exactly easy to find in the local grocery store. Eventually I found them at a nearby produce market, which has an excellent selection of ethnic and International foods. Feel free to experiment with the different flavors of mousse that are out there, too. You might notice in the photo that I added crushed Heath bars as a topping. I can't help it ~ I'm a supreme chocaholic! :)

Chocolate Mousse Torte

Ingredients:

2 (3 ounce) packages ladyfingers -- split

2 cups cold milk

3 (2.8 ounce) packages chocolate mousse mix

3 cups whipped topping -- divided

Fresh raspberries

Directions:

Line the bottom and sides of a lightly greased 9-in. springform pan with ladyfingers (save remaining ladyfingers for another use). In a large mixing bowl, beat milk and mousse mixes on medium speed for 1 minute; scrape sides of bowl. Beat on high for 2-3 minutes or until thickened and lighter in color. Remove half of the mousse to another bowl; fold in 1/2 cup whipped topping. Spread over crust. Fold remaining whipped topping into remaining mousse; carefully spread over first layer. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Garnish with raspberries.

Sneak Preview

Here is a little sneak peak at a new creation that I will be adding to my shop very soon. I call this the “Pearl Treasure” bracelet. It is made with nearly 300 4mm Swarovski “pearls”. I had a lot of fun making it with a tool called the Coiling Gizmo. I love the classic design of this piece ~ it will never go out of style. This bracelet can be made in any color that Swarovski pearls come in. For this one I chose Burgundy, but I do think that it would look stunning in any shade. Imagine this in Ivory for a bride ~ sooooo elegant and lovely!

This and a few other new designs will be listed in my shop very soon. Stay tuned!

Move Over, Martha!

OK, so I'm having a little fun with the title of this post :) I am no Martha Stewart by any means, but I do have to brag a little about my green thumb. My flowers seem to be doing exceptionally well this year, which is due mostly to the extraordinary weather we've been having, not to my gardening skills! Usually by now our lawn is dried up and we're limited to watering every other day due to lack of rain. I'm glad to say that so far this summer, that has not been the case. So far it's been a balance of sun and rain, with very few days, if any, surpassing the 90 degree mark. As you can see by this photo, the flowers on my front step are loving it ~ they get full sun all day but they look happy and healthy as can be.

I can't claim the genius (and mass fortune) of Ms. Stewart ~ but I think she would be proud. The pot these are planted in (which is not visible in the photo) is one of hers, purchased at that store that begins with a "K" (on Clearance, no less!)

The Monday "Blah's"

I’m not big fan of Mondays ~ who is, right?! This morning it was especially hard to get back into the “routine” after coming off an extended holiday weekend. I’m really, really not motivated today. So, rather than jump headfirst into the events of the week, I’d rather take a minute to reminisce about the past three days. It was the perfect balance of time spent with family and friends as well as time spent relaxing alone. There was a lot to do but nowhere in particular to be at any given time. Those are the best kind of days. I even managed to squeeze some time in there to create a few new pieces for my Etsy shop. Look for those soon. Yesterday my hubby and I went out to breakfast and spent the early afternoon tooling around in nearby Royal Oak. The downtown is home to an eclectic mix of shops, sidewalk cafes and the like. We especially love the Farmers Market, which turns into an Antique/Flea Market on Sundays. It’s always fun to hunt for treasures there ~ you never know what you will find!

Summer Dish: Thai Pasta Salad

A friend of mine has been making this dish she calls "Thai Pasta Salad" for as long as I can remember. Just about every time we see each other, she makes it because she knows how much I love it. Finally I got the recipe from her and started making it for myself. The recipe makes a big bowl which is perfectly sized for a potluck. It can be served hot or cold, and chicken can be added if you wish to serve it as a main dish. I prefer it cold, sans chicken. I make a batch for the two of us, and we eat it for several days, which is a big treat at my house. Essentially, it is very similar to Pad Thai.

Thai Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

8 oz. chopped peanuts

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

1/4 c. olive oil

1 bunch green onions

12 oz. cabbage (coleslaw) mixture

3/4 c. peanut sauce

1/4 c. light soy sauce

1 pkg. cooked spaghetti noodles

1 lb. cubed cooked chicken (optional)

Directions:

In a large pot, saute' olive oil, chopped peanuts and minced garlic. Add chopped green onions and cabbage mixture. Stir and cook until completely coated with oil and cabbage is slightly softened. Do not overcook, causing the cabbage to be soggy.

In a separate bowl, mix peanut and soy sauces.

In a very large bowl, combine cooked chicken, cooked spaghetti noodles and cabbage mixture. Pour sauce over top and toss until thoroughly coated.

May be served as a hot main dish or chilled as a side salad.

Happy Fourth of July!

Just wishing everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July! I hope you're able to spend the day relaxing or doing whatever it is you enjoy, with the ones you love. God Bless our Troops and their families. Thank you for the sacrifice you make!