Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Calling Guest Bloggers!

Calling guest bloggers!

I'm looking for a couple of guest bloggers for tomorrow and Friday!  Any takers???  You can be a repeat guest or a new one.  Comment here with your email address or email me at slpreppy@gmail.com.

In the meantime, A Place to Dwell posted about this lovely designer Anne M. Cramer.  Loving her style!  Very SLPS professional if you ask me (as in, what I'd wear to work because I can't always get away with wearing Lilly to the office).


Happy Wednesday Y'all!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Best Brush Ever

I'm always running across blogs talking about hair products, hair dryers and curling irons, giving reviews and tutorials.  However, I've never seen anyone talk about their actual hairbrush.  As I was fixing my hair this morning, it hit me that I've been loyal to one particular style and brand of hair brush since I was a freshmen in college.  I won't divulge how long I've been out of college, but it's been a while! 

I am from a smaller town in Kentucky and there is a mall, but back then it was not a mall with higher end retail and fashion.  So, when I first moved to Lexington, Kentucky and visited the mall there, I discovered Aveda.  I had never heard of it before, but they gave me a sample of their tea (which I bought), took home a few product samples and purchased this hair brush.
 

Since I have gone through at least 6 of these brushes (with proper maintenance and cleaning, a hairbrush can last quite a while).  By the time I'm finished with one, the wood is all beat up and chipped from my hair dryer hitting it and from travel and general abuse.  I've always vowed that if Aveda quits selling this brush, I will buy a lifetime supply of them. 

Now why do I love this brush so much?  It's thin, flat and lightweight, easy to clean and the bristles are just far enough apart, yet close enough together to deal with my fine and curly hair on a daily basis without ripping it all to pieces (yes, I have very LARGE naturally curly hair which I rarely wear.  I straighten nearly everyday.  I tried to find a picture but it's so rare, I couldn't find one!).  It's a special detangling brush that massages the scalp as well (and let me tell you, it does massage and it feels great!  Like you're in a salon getting your scalp massaged by the shampoo girl/guy). 

I will never buy any other brush for my hair.  And at $20.00, it's not a huge extra expense to pay for quality versus a $10.00 drug store brush. 

As a side note, I'm not saying drug store products aren't wonderful, I love drugstore products and will probably never buy expensive mascara (Maybelline Great Lash) or Powder (Cover Girl here). 

Do you have a particular brush that you just love and would recommend?

Happy Tuesday Y'all!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Summer Fun Coming to an End

Here's some pictures from the past couple weeks of the kiddos.  Lallie and her Godcousin are in dresses I made as a trial run for Ashleigh's flower girl dresses.  I wanted the extra practice and Lallie saw Sophie's (the flower girl up north) dress and wanted one.  Then Lallie's "aunt" asked me to make one for her daughter and I had the extra fabric, so here they are!

Hope everyone had a nice weekend and for those up north, hoping that everyone is safe and sound and that not too much damage occurred from Irene.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Lallie-isms

A list of the most recent and cutest Lallie-isms.  I guess they're cuter in person when this little four year old is looking you in the eye so matter of fact, saying these things.
Lallie: "I'm the boss!".
Daddy: "Really? Who are you the boss over?"
Lallie: "Daddy and Mommy."
Daddy: "Hmmmm. Who made you the boss?"
Lallie: "God."
Daddy: "Uuuuuuhhh."

Lallie: (we were in the car) "What are these things?" I told her she was pointing at the armrests. "You mean they're taking a nap?"

"Are we driving through the piggy bank so you can get pennies?"
 
"If I drank pop all day long, my hair would fall out like daddy's."

Lallie loves alien movies (not Alien, but one of her favorites is Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
"I like aliens. But not hairy ones. I only like regular aliens.".
 
Lallie's hair bow kept falling out of her hair at school and her teacher kept putting it back in.  After a few times, Lallie finally said:
"I really think my bow is just tired."
 
We were in the car on the way home and Lallie was whining about something and I had told her she needed to stop whining and fussing before we got home.  This was her response (and we will be going to granny's in a couple weeks).
Lallie:  "FINE (crossing arms and pouty face)!  I'm not going to fuss and whine anymore until we get to granny's house!"
Me:  "Sounds like a plan!"
Lallie:  "What's a plan?"
 
Happy Friday Y'all! 
 Prayers going out to everyone up north as Irene heads your way.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Nothing causes this girl to remove her pearls!

 Okay, I've thought and thought and thought about posting this picture.  I look positively atrocious (and goodness knows I hope I don't look like this on a regular basis)! 

But let's consider the facts.

  • I'm working out
  • I'm outside in the heat working out
  • It's raining, very windy and my hair is frizzy (why?  One word.  Irene.)
  • Yes, our skinny trainer makes us workout even during hurricanes. 
  • I'm balancing on one foot with a 5 lb. weight ball and squatting to make the ball touch the ground (it's a wonder you got a smile out of me at all!)
  • There's a camera in my face while I'm trying to complete said balance (in heavy winds), said squat (with said 5 lb. ball), smile (at said *lovely* camera) and oh yeah.....deal with the cramp that is eaking into my rear as I'm trying to do all this.
So, can you blame me for having a bad picture?
BUT, not one of these things caused me to take off my pearls.  Not one!

Okay, I simply forgot to take them off and didn't realize it until I was in plank position with the necklace hanging in my face and said "huh, I forgot to take off my pearls."

Happy Thursday Y'all and to all my North Carolina, South Carolina (including Ashleigh who is there on vacation) and Upper East Coast friends: hope you all say safe with Irene.  Yes, we're getting it here in South Florida, but it's slight as it's well off our coast but it is NOT pretty.  It's very rainy and very windy.  So please northern friends.....take heed and PREPARE!!  This is one nasty girl!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Get your Low-Rider Toddler Pants Here!

After all the sewing I've been doing lately, I thought I'd try making my own pattern for toddler ruffle pants rather than buying a pattern. 

I will be starting to collect Lallie's winter wardrobe soon and I thought it would be fun to get some cute holiday monogrammed shirts and make ruffle pants and skirts to go with the shirts.  Heck, I might even make some reversible dresses/tops and sew appliques.  Cheaper than buying them from boutiques...by far!

Back to the pants.
  
It shouldn't be the hard right?  I've got the premise down, I have the skills required, so yes....I made my own pattern and with some scrap fabric, I did a trial run. 
(I thought these would be cute paired with a white tee with an appliqued initial and bow). 

So, ta-da!  My pants are finished. 

But, do you notice anything strange about them?  (and note that I haven't even added in the elastic yet).

Yes, I created Low-Rider Toddler Pants!  If you're into letting your toddler strut their stuff and letting their diaper or Dora undies hang out for all the world to see?  Well then.... I'm your pattern making gal!  Aren't they cute?

After thinking this through for a while and absolutely loving my new low-rider toddler pants pattern, I thought "There is no way Husband is going to let Lallie out in these pants.  What am I going to do?"

I cut an extra 3" of coordinating fabric and attached it to the low-rider pants for the elastic waistband casing.  Much better.  Of course, since this went the round-about way, they aren't attached they way they should be (and thus, up close they look a little strange), but I really like the coordinating top look.  

Tomorrow, add the applique to the white shirt and then maybe Friday, Lallie will have a new school outfit (with the shirt covering my make-shift elastic waistband). 

Let's hope I made the pants long enough or I'll have to re-name my pattern
Low-Rider Toddler Waders.

PS - I tried my hand at bow making.  Not bad if you ask me and it cost me zilch.  No $9.00 bows here, they just get lost (Lallie can't stand to wear bows and I usually have to sneak them in while fixing her hair without her noticing).

Happy Wednesday Y'all!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Lilly Endless Summer Sale

Oh my, I was good.  Didn't buy a single thing!  Of course, the sale continues through the 25th, so I may break down (though Husband might have a few words with me!)

I would love this Jillie dress for the annual Christmas party.  $39.00 y'all!!!!!  This is a $328 dress for $39.00 and NO shipping!  Wow (I may just break down to get this, it's a "shoparoonee"!)  I couldn't buy another cocktail dress for $39.00 and certainly not Lilly!


For Lallie, I will take all the Little Lilly shifts please, thank you!  Lallie loves her Lilly shifts and this Sunday for church exclaimed (for the first time) "Yay, I get to wear Lilly like you mommy!"
 

Husband said "Oh help me."

Happy Tuesday Y'all!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Recipes, Recipes, Recipes - My Collection

I have to apologize in advance for my pictures.  It is really bright in my office making picture taking quite difficult. 

After all this time blogging, y'all are going to start thinking I actually do cook!  I do cook, I'm just not a big fan of it and the mood usually has to strike me.  But I LOVE recipes.  I love reading them, clipping them, collecting them and sharing them. 

Just not cooking them (okay, well maybe I cook a few).

Actually, I'd just love someone to come into my house and cook the pre-selected and researched recipes I lay out for them. 

Oh, you mean like an in-house chef? 

Exactly.

In.......my........dreams!

Where am I going with this?

My recipe collection.  My MASSIVE recipe collection.

I clip from newspapers, blogs, magazines, friends, recipe swaps.  You name it, I clip it (as long as it sounds good).  And I have organized them by dish, with an index, in my recipe binder for 10 years now.  To date, I have collected over 600 recipes with those that I've tried highlighed in yellow (on the index) and those that have gotten the boot marked out and deleted from the index.


I am currently updating it so I can make a copy for my anxiously waiting sister-in-law.  Depending on how much it costs for me to copy this massive recipe binder, I just might have a blog giveaway.  It's a whole other cookbook without any themes (i.e. The Big Book of Beef, How to Cook Raw or Meat-N-Potatoes).  Nope, it's just plain ole recipes I thought sounded good over the years and have made the cut.

How do y'all organize your recipes?
(PS - I know you ALL are blowing up the pictures in your browsers to jot down all these recipes. How do I know?  I would do the same thing!)

Happy Friday Y'all!




Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Recipes! Mexican Shrimp Cocktail & Hot Spinach Dip

Good morning y’all!  Yesterday was a big day in the SLPS household.  Lallie went off to school for her first day of pre-kindergarten!  She was the class’ best cutter, line drawer and name writer.  We’re so proud!  Lallie has always been in a learning environment, Montessori since she was 18 months old.  However, this pre-K classroom was slightly daunting…..it looked like, well, a classroom!  They will be learning so much and it’s hard to believe that she will be reading words and maybe some small books by the end of the year! It’s a lot for a recently turned four-year old (and mommy and daddy) to digest! 
Over the weekend, Husband and I attended a friend’s 60th birthday party.  This family is very close to us, so I offered to make a couple appetizers for the party to assist with the planning.  These are both Southern Living recipes and are absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS!!!  In fact, Husband called the Mexican Shrimp Cocktail One of the top ten things he’s ever eaten!  A big hit and definitely worth sharing!  Enjoy!
MEXICAN SHRIMP COCKTAIL

  • 2 pounds unpeeled, large fresh shrimp
  • 6 cups water
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 3 garlic cloves, pressed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup minced sweet onion
  • 1 tsp hot sauce (I used Louisiana hot sauce)
  • 1/2 cup fresh chopped tomato
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Peel and devein shrimp.  Bring 6 cups of water and next 4 ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan.  Add shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink.  Drain shrimp RESERVING 1/2 cup liquid.
Stir together reserved liquid, ketchup and next 3 ingredients.  Stir in shrimp, tomatoes and cilantro.  Chill and serve with avocado slices, lime wedges and saltines, if desired.  (We enjoyed on it’s own, maybe even as an actual dinner dish over risotto).

_________________________________________________

HOT SPINACH DIP

  • 2 (10-oz) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained with ALL water removed
  • 2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese
  • 2 cups (8 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 (14-oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
  • 2 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
  • 2 tsps ground cumin
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
Drain spinach, press between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture.  Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Spoon mixture into a 2 – 1/2 quart baking dish and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until barely browning around the edges.
Hope you enjoy!

Happy Tuesday Y’all!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Lilly Rue La La and Fall Picks

So Lilly loving ladies, what did y’all walk away with from the Rue La La sale?
I was surprised that the sale was a little more limited in selection than prior sales and that there weren’t any skirts (I love skirts!), but was still happy to walk away with a couple items.
I purchased the “Sadie” Bright Navy Curves dress and the “Paley” Cardigan in Deep Cyan Blue.  Figured it was about time I took a break from the pink and green.

The things that got away were the “Shauna” and “Newport” Brewster Blue dresses and the “Norma” Hotty Pink striped wrap.  Goodness knows I tried on the wrap, but it was gone in seconds!

With this Rue La La sale behind us, I’m now pouring over the NEW Lilly Pulitzer website (isn’t it cute?), looking at the fall line drooling over the “Augusta,” “Shauna” and “Adalie” dresses.  The Augusta is my favorite this season with the pink and navy, such complimentary colors. All of these dresses are all gorgeous and perfect for my South Florida job (on my dressy days!)  The fits are flattering, the colors are bright without being daunting in the work environment and the style will fit the South Florida weather long into the fall and winter months.


So what did y’all pick up at the sale? What are your favorite Lilly picks this winter?
Happy Friday Y’all!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Personality in Tervis Tumblers

I love Tervis Tumblers.  They are durable, hot and cold drink holders with loads of personality.  Nowadays you can find a Tervis Tumbler in just about any icon you desire and can even have them personalized with your monogram or family name!

So, what Tervis Tumblers adorn the SLPS household?

My first set of Tumblers were given to us by Ashleigh quite a while back.  A now retired pattern, I absolutely adore our Mint Julep Tumblers.  Of course, this is a throw back to My Old Kentucky Home (trivia of the day: Did you know the original song title of My Old Kentucky Home  was actually Poor Uncle Tom, Good Night  until it was adopted as the Kentucky state song in 1928?)
Here’s another group of Tumblers I have collected (and when I mean collected, that means that they have shown up at my house from my office and go back and forth between the two.  Yes, the technically belong to the office). These are perfect as they represent my current state….Florida.
Tumblers currently on their way are the Cabanas (again for the Florida lifestyle) and Southern Belle (hmmmm, I wonder why?)

Tumblers on my wish list are the Sweet Tea, University of Kentucky, the Republican Elephant, Diva and a personalized set for my family and my brother-in-law and sister-in-law.  I think these all pretty much sum up my personality. 

     
For Lallie, I love these designs:

I wonder what my Husband would choose for himself other than the Elephant and UK tumblers? (I mean, I can’t really see him drinking from a Southern Belle, Diva or Lil’ Sweetie glass, can you?)


For Ashleigh, I would pick these designs (she’s my sorority little sis, thus the sister part):

I think I could actually just do away with all the glasses I have (except the fancy good ones for dinner parties) and fill the cabinets with Tumblers.  They truly last forever and if not, there’s a lifetime guaranty!  They don’t leave rings on your furniture (if that guest forgets to use a coaster), they are microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe and they are MADE IN AMERICA folks!! 
What is your favorite Tervis Tumbler?

Happy Thursday Y’all!