Weekly Project!

I have been watching WAY TOO Much HGTV. Last week while shopping for discounted Halloween Decorations at Goodwill Brice and I came across this broken down, but promising 2-Door White Cabinet. The Doors were hinged weird, it was missing a back, and the shelves needed some work, and, oh yeah, it was white…not our choice of furniture color. For a whole whopping 9.99 and a cautious trip home our “Fixing-Up” Adventure began.

For months I have been complaining about our bookshelf that has been holding our DVDs since we were married. It worked great in the beginning, but, after being hit by the most popular of Christmas gifts, our DVD collection was overflowing. The unorganized look wasn’t the only thing: for someone who is OCD and a perfectionist, all those colors were throwing me off and hurting the scheme of the room.

Paint, Brushes, Wood, Hinges, Knobs, and Shelving was the checklist for our trip to Home Depot and all we needed to make this cabinet what we wanted.

Under $40 and the Room Looks Tons Better!

Fall in Love!

Does Anyone really understand the point of “Taking a Drive” when I was younger my parents would take us all on these mini road trips every Sunday. I’m not sure if we went on them so we would actually take our Sunday naps or because my mother loved the scenery of Utah. The canyons were beautiful year round, but they really made an impression in the fall. Right around the middle of September the mountains would undergo a transformation. What was once filled with lush green soon turned into a canvas to a vast array of colors. Reds, Oranges, and Yellows filled the scenery and worked their ways into your own home décor.

I love a flirty dress and heels as much as the next girl, but there is nothing more comforting than throwing on those old True Religion Jeans (only a mass unbearable rip in the booty will ever tear you apart), heeled boots, and that CASHMERE SWEATER. That Sweater which holds the smells and memories of long walks and the many leaf jumps you have taken in the last few years. I love the colorful sights, the crisp sugary smells, the warm spicy taste, and the anticipating sounds that come with the month of fall.

This year I am dedicating myself to getting creative and sharing some of the fun ways you can spend those cold days in; Canning, Painting, Decorating, Sewing, etc. Halloween in just around the corner and Thanksgiving is a hop, skip, and jump from there! I look forward to what this fall has to offer.

Did You Know Mother Nature's Birthday is in May...or at Least it Should be. Good Weather, I Hope!

In the last month I have been stuck in snow boots, taking Kujo for a walk in 4 inches of snow, and I have had a bachelorette party snowed out. You would have never guessed its April, but when you live in Utah the weather can be a little bipolar. I was trained at a young age to believe summer started in May. I don’t know if it was because school got out or I was preparing for summer vacations in May, but when ever I see the calendar about to turn to May I automatically start digging out bikinis, skirts, and dresses. After the bust last summer was I am very much looking forward to these summer months.

A year ago Brice and I were engaged and planning out our life after we got married. The date was set for September 4^th and, at the time, we were planning to make our home in Phoenix, Arizona. As the summer drew closer to ending we were forced to make a decision that could change a lot of our plans, “do we go to Arizona…broke, or do we live somewhere we can afford?” Obviously we made the smart decision and moved to Utah where cost of living was a whole lot cheaper. Even though this messed up a lot of our plans and for Brice it put off school for one more year, once we got to Utah things started falling into place.

Within meeting up with one of my bridesmaids for a fitting I was told about a job opening at the Olive Garden she worked for. Later that day, on my way to my Bridal Shower, I had a quick interview…two weeks later I was offered the job. Within two weeks of living in Utah, Brice got a good paying job with a collections agency. We ended up living in a mini basement apartment with some of the best owners and rent ever. The Schwendimans, have been a life save for us many times. They took us in, let us have a dog, and still love us even when were loud and not big fans of BYU.

In the last year we have made some of the best memories, made the greatest new friends, and have gotten back on our feet. A month from today, we will be loading up in the “Wiley Family Bus + Trailer” and making a move to somewhere we can start our lives. Brice will be starting school in the fall in Salem, Oregon and I will be working and getting It’s A Date! Wedding and Event Planning started! We have been planning this for the last few months and now that it is creeping up on us, I am scared, but excited. For the last while we have been living in limbo, so to say, not sure of what road we were going to take, but I am so excited that we are starting to make a life for ourselves.

Moving aside, the next few months are going to be EXCITING!!!! Next week starts the race for the “Crazy Fun Summer” a head of us. My sister is competing in the Miss Teen Arizona Pageant in Tempe next Sunday and we will be there to support her. This has called on some serious creativity from Yours Truly for “Good Luck Presents” and “Support Items/Campaigning Tools”. I will also be seeing my fabulous friend, now a Bride-to-Be, Jessica Adams and presenting her with the torch of wedding planning, stay tuned for that fun present.

Then between packing and cleaning, I will be pulling out my Tortilla Chips and Sombrero for Cinco de Mayo, wishing my amazing Mommies a Happy Mothers Day, and tapping into more creativity with Birthday Parties and Mission Farewells.

May Flowers are Here and you know I will be making a STELLAR Bouquet out of them!

Oh.....Yeah.... GO MISS TEEN FLAGSTAFF!!!!!

Happy Easter!

Growing up my dad taught me some very valuable lessons. “Always Give 110%!” “Never Tickle the Tiger”, and, most of all, “if it Costs Too Much, Try to Make it Yourself”. My dad is an accountant, so spending money never made it too far past him. I spent many of my young days shingling roofs, painting, staining entertainment centers, holding the nail gun, and even holding the heavy end of a beam while my father used the saw to cut it up just to save money. I look up to my dad for his determination and imagination when it came to the manly things like wood, wires, and a shop, but as for cutesy things, he left it up to the girls…unless of course there was a prize involved (like spending 5 hours frosting a teddy bear cake for a ward bake sale…yeah dad I remember! Man were you pissed when it only sold for a few dollars).

Today I walked out of my house to find a lovely box sitting on the door step: Our Easter Care Package from Mom and Dad Wiley! Since I am working my hardest to cut sugar out of our weekly grocery list, I was very much looking forward to the treats bestowed in this box. As I opened it my heart melted, sitting there oh so cute were little Rice Krispie Treat Eggs my dad wanted to make us. Sure enough it wasn’t just a Rice Krispie in the shape of an egg there was frosting to make little decorations on them.

I have never grown out of the excitement that comes with a Care Package, I guess its one thing I want to take from my childhood into adulthood. So thank you Mom, Dad, and Austin! It really made my day! Oh and Dad I would pay tons of money for your little eggs!

There Are So Many Girls, Yet So Few Desserts!

“I Can Resist Everything Except Temptation.”

-Oscar Wilde

Ahh Bachelorette Parties! For some it’s an excuse to drink and tempt the fate of her soon-to-be Marriage, and for others it’s a celebration to get away from family and have fun times with your girlfriends before the stress of the wedding hits. How women come about this is a total reflection of their personality, and completely up to them. No matter how this celebration is executed, it is one that can not be forgotten or minimalized.

It was a Spring April Afternoon filled with snow and cold weather in the Sandy Valley. The lucky bride was Natalie Cook, a sweet coworker of mine that couldn’t be more excited to be sealed for time and all eternity to her handsome fiancée Spencer Sheets. She wanted something classy, but sexy and preferably in the afternoon. So we settled on a brunch in the park. Pressed with the rushing wedding date and crazy work schedules, the time for planning was 2 weeks, and they went by fast.

Before I knew it, it was early Saturday morning and the rain and snow were falling down hard outside the window. The Park was out of the picture, so with some quick polishing and swift runs with vacuum I was able to convert my mini apartment into a usable space. (Please let my new place be better for entertaining, Please, Please, Please!)

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

April 9^th, 2011

Colors: I like to spend some quality “Me” time during my week and during that time along with mani/pedis and a facial mask that always ends up in my mouth, I love reading the new additions of Bridal Magazines. Of course with my job I have to be up to date with all the new trends and styles, but there has been one that has just stolen my heart and I have been so excited to use it.

Black, White, and BRIGHT BLUE!

Invitation: I would like to thank my Dear Husband, Brice for helping me with these crazy invitations. To add a little excitement to a normal piece of parchment, I decided to crack into my non-existing Asian Heritage and try some Origami. By folding tiny dresses that hung on hangers (made by my dear Hubs) that were linked onto the invitation, it added a 3D take on a classic invite.

Table Setups: I wanted to create a spectacle that started from the ground and worked its way up. I started by using Black Table Cloths that were fitted on the table, I then angled a square smaller table cloth with a fancy design, both keeping to the black and white. On top of the table is where I let the bright blue come in. Blue Boxes, Blue Flowers, Blue Utensils, etc.

Food: Since the party was happening mid-day I wanted to keep the food light and more like light snacking. So the menu was filled with the ever traditional Veggie and Fruit Trays, with Blueberry Muffins, and Blueberry Parfaits. Water was available and so was a Vintage Lemon/Limeade.

Dessert:  It’s the inner geek in me that whenever I see a book store going out of business I hit the shelves hard, especially for fun books you wouldn’t expect. My kinky cupcakes were inspired by a book called just that “Kinky Cupcakes” by Joanna Farrow. If you get a chance, find this book. It will leave you laughing and, of course, ready to throw a bachelorette party.

Details: To add to the theme I attached little bows to all of the glasses and to the parfait cups. I also dipped all of the rims of the Drinking Glasses into Blue Sprinkles and Sugar…It tasted like Rock Candy! I also did Menu Cards that I placed near all of the food. I kept them simple only naming the food items, but if you feel like getting creative and coming up with names, by all means let those creative juices flow.

Music: I kept the playlist girly and fun. Songs from Madonna, Lady Gaga, the Pussycat Dolls, and Beyonce all graced the list. Creating a playlist for a bachelorette party comes down to the music preference of the bride and the friends involved.

Bachelorette Parties can range from Insanely Crazy to Sweetly Classic. All ranges are fun and worth attendance. I really had a fun time getting to know Natalie better and I wish her and Spencer the best of luck in their marriage and their brave move to Hawaii later this year. For those who attended: Thank you and for those who couldn’t: Eat your Hearts Out!

March Madness is More Like March Insanity!

"The secret is to have eight great players and four others who will cheer like crazy."

- Jerry Tarkanian

Women are not big fans of March Madness! Husbands are constantly getting mad at the teams we pick for our Bracket, any great plays worth watching 3 hours for will be featured over and over on ESPN, and after the season when is the next time you can use Jimmer Fredettes stats without looking like a stalker. It used to be the only good thing that could come from March Madness is being able to go shopping with all your girlfriends and be home before your man even noticed.

I don’t know if it was the need to cheer for my old alma matter (GO AGGIES) or the ongoing hype over ball hog Jimmer Fredette I wanted to tune in and get involved this year. Amongst it all I discovered one important fact that is looked over by women. When was the last time you could eat all the junk food in the world, feel (and act) like you’re back in college again, and still look sexy. Unless you are haunted by memories of Super Bowl Night at the local Frat House and that one “brother” whom couldn’t handle spicy salsa, March Madness is our time!

March Madness Mania

Even if you have a team going to the NCAA Showdown or you don’t know the different between Offense and Defense March Madness is a great time to pick a team, invite friends over, and have some good food on top of good conversation.

Colors: Picking colors depends vastly on whether or not you have a team playing. If you don’t use the basic orange, black, and white colors for your theme, However if you do use your teams colors. For this example I will be going with my team, the Utah State Aggies: Black, White, and Blue!

Invitation: Give your guests admission to the game by giving them tickets to your viewing of the game at your house. Invite your guests over about 30 minutes before the game starts so the smack talking can begin and the food can be devoured before the attention turns to the big screen.

Write-Up:

March Madness Round ___ Viewing

Team

Vs.

Team

Date and Time

Address

Live From:

Stadium

City and State

Buffet Set-Up:

1. Water Jug
2. Water Bucket/Beer/Powerade
3. Cake
4. Cups
5. Cupcakes
6. Plates
7. Napkins
8. Chips
9. Salsa
10. Popcorn
11. Chicken
12. Pizza Rolls
13. Candy Bowl

For Decoration on your table show your team support by making a sign or a flag poster featuring your schools name or their mascot. Also a giant poster board basketball is a great centerpiece for your table; although it won’t be visible until you look down at the table it will add a fun flair to your table.

Cards: I have been and seen so many parties in which they label their food or make a themed twist on what they serve. It’s up to you if you want to go to this extreme, but it is also fun for your guests to read and laugh over the names.

Water- “Water Break”

Cake: “Blow Your Whistle”

Cupcakes: “Traveling Cupcakes”

Popcorn- “Air Pop”

Chicken- “That’s a Fowl!”

Pizza Rolls- “Pass the Pizza Rolls”

Candy Bowl- “All Hands In”

Other Decorations: Don’t be afraid to go a little crazy! A Basketball Hoop (Toy) over the garbage can, A Giant Poster Scoreboard over the T.V…get into the “Madness” of the sport.

Menu:

He Shoots, He Scores! Salsa!

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs Ripe Tomatoes (Diced)

1 ½-2 cups Mexican Blend Cheese

1 Can Black Beans (Drained)

2-3 Green Onions (Chopped)

1 cup Italian Dressing

2-3 tablespoons Chopped Cilantro (Optional)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a Medium Serving Bowl.

Mix well and Cover.

Served Best Chilled after Over Night Refrigeration

Crunchy Chicken Fingers

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

1 large Egg

1 lb Chicken Tenders

1 cup Crushed Potato Chips

¾ teaspoons Paprika

¼ teaspoons Salt

Directions:

Heat oven 450 degrees. Line pan with aluminum foil.

In small mixing bowl beat egg until well blended, and then place to the side.

In a medium mixing bowl combine Crushed Potato Chips, Paprika, and Salt. Mix together well.

Take a piece of Chicken, place in egg bowl and cover the piece completely, then place in breading bowl and press the chicken into the potato mix covering the entire chicken tender. Then place on pan.

Repeat.

Bake for 10 minutes

Get off the Bench Pizza Pockets

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

Crescent Rolls (Your Favorite Brand from the Store)

Pizza Sauce

Blended Cheese

Pepperonis (I prefer Mini Pepperonis)

Directions:

Follow Preheat Preferences made by your Crescent Roll Brands.

Roll out all of the crescent rolls on wax paper or a really clean counter top.

Over half of the crescent roll spread pizza sauce thinly.

Top with cheese and pepperonis.

Fold Rolls in half, pinching to seal the ends and place on pan.

Bake according to time allotments on your crescent rolls.

Desserts:

Orange Ya Glad We Won Cupcake Frosting

Ingredients:

3 Cups Powdered Sugar

1 tablespoon Soft Butter

3 tablespoons Orange Juice

1 tablespoon Clear Vanilla Extract.

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and mix. Frost after cupcakes have cooled.

For favors have your guests take the cupcakes home with them. They will enjoy having something sweet to go with the taste of victory….or defeat.

Take a Time Out from Every day life and take a few hours to yell at bad calls, cheer over 3 pointers, and spend some time with your friends and family. Sure there’s only those few times when a day shopping with the girls is ignored, but hey March Madness is 3 weeks long…there will be plenty of time, of course until Baseball Playoffs!



Taste the Rainbow

Rainbow Cupcakes

Ingredients:

White Cake Mix                       Baking Cups

Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green Food Coloring

Directions:

Prepare your favorite white cake mix. The divide white cake batter evenly in 6 separate bowls. Following the chart below, dye each bowl of batter a rainbow color.

Color	Drops of Coloring
Purple	9 Red, 6 Blue
Blue	12 Drops
Green	12 Drops
Yellow	12 Drops
Orange	12 Yellow, 4 Red
Red	18 Drops

Line 12 muffin pan wells with baking cups. Evenly distribute the purple batter among the cups, then the blue, and so on following the order in the chart. Using the back side of a spoon smooth each layer before starting a new one.

Bake cupcakes according to your recipes directions.

Buttercream Icing

Ingredients:

½ cup Vegetable Shortening                 ½ cup Butter or Margarine

4 cups Powdered Sugar                        2 Tablespoons of Milk

1 teaspoon Clear Vanilla Extract

Directions:

Mix in a large bowl, using a mixer.