Blue Eyed Yonder

Secret's Out

2012-01-19T02:15:00.000-05:00

After lots of whispers and secrets about a little behind-the-scenes project I've been working on, I'm happy to finally announce...

Blue Eyed Yonder has a brand spankin' new website and we're now offering one-of-a-kind vintage rentals!

Whew! After months of hard work we are now happy to share our latest project with you. I've got lots of behind the scenes details to share and more about the new vintage rental branch of BEY, but most importantly check out the new site at BlueEyedYonder.com and bookmark the new blog address.

This will be my last post on Blogger. All the previous posts have moved over to the new website so you can still find past projects, recipes, etc. Hopefully you'll find the new blog layout a lot cleaner and easier to navigate.

We are still in the process of working out little kinks here and there, but I hope you like the new look and of course our growing collection of vintage goodies!

Here's to 2012! It's gonna be a great one!

New Year, New Start

2012-01-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

One of the best parts about a new year, is a new calendar. There are so many awesome calendars out there, I don't know how anyone can be expected to actually make a decision.

If you're like me and haven't bought a 2012 calendar yet, take a look at some of my favorite calendars I gathered on Etsy.

Clockwise 1 2 3 4

There's something so beautiful about the dainty imperfections of hand drawn art work. These calendars made my heart smile. I especially like the seasonal vegetable calendar, what a great way to remind yourself each month what foods are in season.

Clockwise 1 2 3 4

Of course my heart goes thump-thump for all things vintage. I get a good chuckle each time I check out the "Careless Love" calendar. So creative and hilarious at the same time.

Clockwise 1 2 3

These bold, retro calendars are so unique and would brighten any home or office. The red phone kills me, is it the cutest or what?

Decisions, decisions. I'm dying to know which one you fancy.

Guess who's on twitter...

2012-01-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

via here

Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder likes to take his time. He got his ipad back in July and is still warming up to the wonderful world of apps (I keep trying to tell him, apps are where it's at.) This past weekend he made a big leap and joined twitter! Whoa now horsey, he's getting all Mr. snazzy pants on us.

So show him some love and follow him @Mister_BEY. I'm sure he'll be posting lots of fun behind-the-scenes at the House of BEY. Most likely he'll take my sugar-coated versions of how our projects unfold and give you the real-life nitty gritty.

Happy tweeting Mr. BEY!

hello!

2012-01-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

image via Pencil Shavings Studio

I hope everyone had a great holiday break! You usually have to drag me back kicking and screaming, but this year I am excited to kick things off. I think great things are in store for 2012.

Sadly, my new iphone did not kick the new year off on the right note. Just a few minutes after midnight, she took a plunge... in the toilet! That 'splash' had to be one of the worst sounds I have ever heard. *Note: Don't keep your iphone in your back pocket, ladies.

After grabbing her out and quickly drying her off, I stuck her in a bag of rice and waited... and waited... and waited. The wait was the hardest part. I would walk by the little bag of rice and just give it a little pat every now and then. So sad to see her buried there.

After 36 (long) hours later, I took her out and pressed the power button. YAY! It worked! I have never been happier to see that home screen. Whew!

So, to celebrate her 're-birth', I thought I pass along a special savings to you. Leave a comment telling me about your worst phone nightmare, I know you've got some good ones. I'll pick a name at random to receive a 20% off coupon to the adorable Pencil Shavings Studio. I ordered the super cute yellow+white striped phone case pictured above, it puts me in a good mood every time I pick up the phone.

Can't wait to hear your stories!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

Now that most everyone has received our Christmas cards in the mail, I thought I would give you a little peek at our "festive" photos.

I mean it looks all authentic - roam through the woods, find a tree, cut it down. Simple, right? At least that's how it all played out in my mind. Unfortunately, life's not quite that perfect, so you just make do. Stand in your Dad's yard, with your tree from Home Depot and hold a saw from your Dad's basement. That's real stuff.
We had every intention of cutting our own tree this year, but to make a super long story short, it just wasn't in the "cards" this year. Ha!
We still had a little fun with it...

What's that you say Mr. BEY? Did I get my tickets?

Photos by Blue Eyed Yonder

Whether you're near or far this Christmas I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. See you in the new year!

Shiny+Brite Christmas

2011-12-23T08:29:00.000-05:00

Oh no she didn't...

Oh, yes I did.

I totally plastered my walls with loads of vintage Shiny Brite ornament boxes and smothered my tree in silvery tinsel. It's the brightest, shiniest, happiest Christmas this house has ever seen!

I hung my very own vintage stockings by the chimney with care. (When you're thirty, I'm pretty sure your handmade childhood stocking classifies as 'vintage'.)

Now, for the real retro action... ding!

I set the tree ablaze with tons of terrific colored lights. Big colored bulbs and even a few strands of vintage bubble lights. (You know, these guys.)

I've always been a 'white light girl'. I don't know what came over me this year. I guess I was feeling brave and just wanted something colorful and over the top, something a little outside of my comfort zone. I've been collecting Shiny Brite ornaments at flea markets and yard sales and wanted a way to debut them in style! I had no idea how many I had until I started unpacking them all. I love them! (And I may be just a little bit addicted.)

So I went big. I went bold. And I think I ended up with the cheeriest living room ever! It's totally normal to keep it up all year, right?

Photos by Blue Eyed Yonder

Do you have any photos of your Christmas decor? I'd love to see what your neck of the woods looks like this time of year. Post a link in the comments section or feel free to post pics to the Blue Eyed Yonder Facebook Page.

Hoping your Christmas is Shiny & Brite!

Warm+Cozy Christmas

2011-12-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

I usually keep most of my Christmas decorations downstairs, but this year I decided to let a little Christmas cheer tip-toe upstairs to our bedroom...

There's something about having too much to do that forces me to add even more to my plate, it's a problem, I know. But I have to say I'm glad I added this extra project to the list. There's something quite cozy about twinkling lights and warm fuzzy spools of yarn in the bedroom. I mean, I couldn't let all of my decorations from last year's Winter Whimsy just sit in the attic.

I was glad to finally be able to put some of my industrial spools to use. Now my Dad can take back that "what-are-you-gonna-do-with-those" look he gave me when I bought them.

If you ever have the hankering to wrap some wooden spools of your own, I'll give you a little helpful hint: Wrap the spools with a small hand towel first to "thicken" it up a bit, that way you don't have to use your whole week's salary worth of yarn to make it look full.

Photos by Blue Eyed Yonder

I'm happy to have more than one tree in the house, but vow to never be that I-have-a-tree-in-my-bathroom lady that I ran into at Home Depot. Yikes.

Do you decorate your bedroom or (cough, cough) your bathroom?

30

2011-12-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

William Pinckey Shingler House circa 1857

So... amidst all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I turned 30! What's that you say? I don't look a day over 25? Aww shucks, you're making me blush.

For the big 3-0, we skipped over to Charleston for a fun weekend full of sweet, southern charm. Mr. BEY found the most charming little cottage for our stay, and it was historic to boot! (That boy knows the way to my heart.)

We strolled the streets of Charleston, did a little shopping, a little site-seeing, and a whole lot of good eatin'. For my birthday dinner we went to Husk. Oh lordy! Wrap me in a dinner roll and send me down the Ashley River! I'm still trying to rack my brain and to see if I've ever had a more delicious dinner. The menu changes daily, and for that night I had the Bev Eggleston's Heritage Pork with Smokey Field Peas, Braised Greens and a Beer Mustard Glaze and Mr. BEY had the North Carolina Duck Breast with Foie Gras Buttered Farro, Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Napa Cabbage with Edisto Island Chestnuts. Making you hungry?

For dessert I had a slice of sweet potato pie with gingerbread crust and a dainty dollop of caramel ice cream. It was the perfect birthday "cake" for this southern gal.

So, hello 30! Lookin' good so far.

Giddy

2011-12-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

Source 1 2 3

Whew! Are you guys getting slammed with all this last minute holiday craziness?

I thought I'd take a quick break from all festivities to let you in on a super cool project I've got in the works for the new year. Remember the handmade business cards I had last year? Well this year BEY is stepping it up a notch with new letterpress cards! Weeee!

This is my first letterpress project and I am super excited to see how they turn out. I've been working with the ever-talented Megan of Clark & Co. She's such a dream and is quickly becoming my West Coast bestie.

The cards, the logo, it's just a little part of a much bigger announcement I have coming in the new year. I know, I know, what is it with bloggers and all their big secrets? I promise I'm not hiding anything, it's just sometimes it's easier to get all your ducks in row before you let the cat out of the bag. (Whoa, lots of animals in that last sentence.)

I hope you're keeping your head on in these final days leading up to Christmas. I've got some photos of our Christmas decorations coming your way (hint: it's gonna be shiny and brite). Stay tuned!

DIY Vintage Ornament Wreath

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

I love DIY projects! Especially when they're easy as pie! Last year I had my eye on several vintage ornament wreaths. I loved their bright colors and sparkle, but their price tags made them not shine quite as bright. Most of them were around $200 and up. Yikes!

I decided I would make one of my own this year and kept my eye out for good deals on ornaments throughout the year. I found the vintage silver tinsel wreath at a flea market for $15.00, it has little white lights in it too. The ornaments were found at yard sales and flea markets, most were around 50 cents each.

DIY Vintage Ornament Wreath

What you will need:

Tinsel Wreath (Mine is vintage, however any ol' wreath will do.)

Vintage Ornaments

Hot Glue Gun

Now listen real carefully, this is where is gets tricky... Arrange the ornaments on the wreath and hot glue into place. Ha! Told you it was easy.

The most time-consuming part about this project is finding all the vintage ornaments. It's not as tricky as it sounds. You'd be surprised at how many you will stumble upon at flea markets and yard sales throughout the year. Just keep your eyes out, I found most of mine in August. (Prices are a little better that time of year as well.)

Photos by Blue Eyed Yonder

What kind of fun holiday crafts have you made this year? I'd love to see some pictures, share your links in the comment section.

Happy Crafting!

Happy Birthday Blue Eyed Yonder

2011-12-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Photo via Sweetest Occasion

I can't believe it's been two years already! It's so fun to look back over the years and see all of the projects you've completed, all the yummy dishes you've cooked, all the fun vintage treasures you've found, and of course, all the shinanigans you got yourself into!This year in honor of BEY's birthday, I thought it'd be fun to share a little sneak peek at a fun and exciting project I've been working on...

That's right... Blue Eyed Yonder has a newly designed logo! A huge thanks to Green Olive Media for all of their endless creativity, loads of patience and true Southern spirits. Colleen really rocks the logo world! After lots of emails, calls and comfy chats about flourishes, serifs, shadows and other fun stuff, we finally arrived at this beautiful, hand-drawn, vintage-styled illustration. I think it's a perfect fit for little ol' BEY. Hats off to you, Colleen!

Lookie Lookie!

2011-11-29T13:37:00.001-05:00

Look who's featured on the Hostess with the Mostess blog today! Don't forget to check out the DIY party tutorials here, here and here.

I hate to say it, but I think BEY is blushing. Thanks to Jen for including this fun, sparkly party on her site. Totally made my day!

Scenes from the weekend

2011-11-29T00:45:00.001-05:00

I can't believe Thanksgiving is over! It's like the whole country is now is full-blown Christmas gear. I'm getting to that point, but wanted to share some photos from our family's Thanksgiving celebration.

It has always been my dream to have a Thanksgiving where the entire family sits at one table. We have a pretty big family, so for logistical reasons we have usually stuck to the buffet-style dinners. But this year, we rearranged some furniture, grabbed a few extra chairs and had dinner at one long table. It was the best!

Each family member brought their "signature" dish. For me it was chicken and dumplin's. My sister made her famous sweet potato souffle with marshmallow and cookie topping. Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder baked homemade yeast rolls (those things never last). My Mema made her delicious dressing (for all you yankees, it's kind of like "stuffing" only way better.) We kind of cheated and had a professional chef cook the turkey, haha! (We were lucky enough to have my sister's boyfriend join us for Thanksgiving and yes, he's a chef, so naturally his dishes were over-the-top!) We placed all the dishes on the table and passed the food around, family style.

The food was insane! It was one of those meals where you had to choose each bite carefully so you would be able to taste all the yummy dishes before getting too full. I think Papa said it best, "I'm so full I don't even know my name."

Inspired by the gorgeous Thanksgiving table of Camille Styles, we set the table with beautiful fall arrangements in Mema's vintage milk glass containers. We also used Mema's vintage Harvest Wheat dinnerware. The rustic boards running down the center of the table came from the farmhouse cupboards of my great grandfather's sister, Aunt Vira. It was so special having that small bit of history at the table with us.

Before dinner began, Papa asked each one of us to go around the table and say one thing we were thankful for. There's so much to be thankful for, lots of us got a little choked up. I guess we're a sentimental bunch.

Photos by Blue Eyed Yonder

It was definitely a Thanksgiving to remember. A celebration of our country, our family and our faith.

Glow

2011-11-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Swoon... don't you just love a romantic man?

Last week we slipped down to Lake Blackshear to help our buddy Reece with a romantic proposal to his girlfriend, Katie. He's a huge outdoorsman, so naturally he asked her to marry him on the water in his fishing boat. He tied the ring to her fishing hook! How cute is that?

As an added element of surprise, he asked me to spruce up the room a little bit while they were out for dinner. Gorgeous white tulips, dainty desserts, rose petals and tons of votives (hey, I watch the Bachelor... you can't skimp on the votives.)

Not only was the room all dolled up, Reece managed to slip in a sweet sentimental gesture as well. (You know I am a total sucker for the sentimental stuff.) On their first date they picked up a bottle of wine (for her) and some beer (for him) to have as they spent some time chatting and getting to know each other better. After a few sips of wine, Katie said, "Actually, can I just have one of your beers?" Reece said he knew right then that she was his kind of gal.

So in the room, we placed a bottle of wine (the very same type of wine they had on their first date) and Reece brought two very special glasses. No, not crystal or a snazzy fluted number, he brought two plastic wine glasses... the very same glasses they drank out of on their first date. (Aww!) And of course we had a bucket of beer, in true country boy fashion.

Photos by Blue Eyed Yonder

Congratulations Reece and Katie! We were so flattered to have a small part in your special day!

Georgia On My Mind

2011-11-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes don't you find yourself so busy, you fail to notice some of the most beautiful things around you?

I know I'm guilty. At times, everything seems so fast paced, like the world is actually spinning faster. Sometimes I force myself to just stop what I am doing and look up at the sky. Most of the times it's only for a second or two, but in those brief moments the world slows down and I'm all alone. Just me and the sky. There's something quite comforting about that.

A week ago, we had the opportunity to take a quick trip to Lake Blackshear to help a good friend with his marriage proposal. When we arrived at the lake, we had some time to ourselves so we slipped down to the lakeshore to get a few moments in before the sun set. We were only out there about 30 minutes, but the beauty of the lake and the sunset was so renewing.

What a beautiful place to propose! I mean, could you say no to this sunset? Unbelievable.

As the sun sank lower, the sky swirled with pinks and blues. I absolutely could not stop staring at it - completely mesmerizing.

Photos by Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder

Stay tuned... more fun details of their proposal to come.

Say it ain't sew!

2011-11-17T14:30:00.001-05:00

Photo by 4swirledpeas

Have you missed me?

I've been super busy this week sewing and sewing. Trying to wrap up the curtains for this year's little kitchen orders. I've got lots of fun stuff planned for the next week: a darling engagement story (candles, and roses and fishing, oh my!) plus a little surprise in honor of Blue Eyed Yonder's 2nd birthday (she's mighty sassy for a two-year-old).

Have a great weekend!

Today is brought to you by the Number 11

2011-11-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

1. 2. 3.

Wishing everyone a very happy 11.11.11 and a fantastic weekend. Enjoy the brisk fall weather!

DIY Cotton Anniversary Tassels

2011-11-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

Year 2 - The Cotton Anniversary

I had so much fun making these Cotton Anniversary tassels. They were actually quite simple and as I got the hang of it, I could really churn them out. There was something kind of therapeutic about it - cutting strips and strips of cotton, seeing the mounds of cotton take shape. So beautiful.

Cotton Anniversary Tassels

What you will need:

Cotton Fabric cut into 18"x24" squares (1 yard makes 4 tassels)

Rotary Cutter

Twine (to hang all of the tassels)

Fabric marker

I used Jaime's tutorial for "No Sew Fabric Tassels" and chose cotton fabrics in our wedding colors. Her tutorial is very well written and easy to follow. I opted to make my tassels out of 18"x24" squares, that way I was able to get four tassels out of a yard of fabric. Using a fabric marker, I simply wrote special memories on each tassel.

Now we have a spiffy little tassel garland to display in our house to always remember our "Cotton" Anniversary.

Cotton Anniversary

2011-11-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Let's face it, I'm a sucker for tradition.

I'm sure you've heard of the 25-year Silver Anniversary or the 50-year Golden Anniversary, but did you know there is a gift theme for almost every year? I'll be the first to admit it, some of the themes are just plain funny, I mean who wants to celebrate with the gift of tin? Random, huh?

Nevertheless, each year on our anniversary we have fun finding ways to incorporate that year's theme into the festivities. Last year we celebrated our 1-year Paper Anniversary by making our own paper together. This year I wanted a unique way to represent the Cotton Anniversary.

What's more beautiful than tons of cotton tassels?

I created cotton tassels using colors from our wedding. Each tassel had a special memory written on it, starting with our first date and going through the memories from our wedding.

I secretly made these tassels as a surprise for Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder for our anniversary. I couldn't just throw them in a box and wrap them up... I had much bigger plans for these tassels.

I hurried home from work and strung the tassels from the handle of the front door, all the way into the living room. It kind of made a Hansel and Gretel trail, he would have to read each memory as he made his way into the room. In the living room, I hung a white "cotton" sheet as a homemade projection screen and made a slideshow of our wedding photos. The sheet was surrounded by tons of tiny twinkling candles. I had some Hawaiian music playing to help take us back to that special day on the shores of Oahu. It was such a romantic scene, I think I even surprised myself!

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

He was floored to say the least! We popped the cork on our favorite bubbly, watched the slideshow, laughed a little and even teared up a bit. It was such a fun way to remember that day and kind of go back for a moment.

Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder is going to write in some of his wedding memories on the tassels and we'll hang it in our home as a way to always remember our "cotton" anniversary.

Glitter Ball

2011-11-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

Source: ohhappyday.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Is it Friday yet?

When I find myself feeling like one big ball of stress, I try to envision myself as one little egg full of glitter. Sounds much better, eh?

Peace, Love, Beatles

2011-11-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

I'm a firm believer that you're never too old to dress up. In fact, it may be the secret to staying young.

To celebrate my Aunt's 50th birthday, we all donned our best hippie gear for the Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles concert. By chance, we sort of embodied all types of hippies. Littlest Sister was the sweet, innocent flower child, Aunt Gina was the psychedelic groovy hippie, I was the passionate activist, and Mom was the feminist hippie ring leader. I still can't look at this photo without laughing.

In typical 13-year-old-fashion, littlest sister was quite embarrassed to get out of the car with us at the concert. After all, we were the only ones dressed like true hippies, but once she saw how much everyone loved the costumes she warmed up to the idea.

I'm convinced our costumes made the experience a thousand times more fun; we sang, danced, and waved our peace signs in the air. It was like taking a trip back in time. I had the best time watching my mom and aunt really get into it. Priceless.

So happy to share this special memory with them. Peace, Love, Beatles.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T12:00:00.000-04:00

Photo by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

We carved a pumpkin on our first date.

He called, "Hey, I picked up a pumpkin. Want me to bring it over and we can carve it?" Man, he had no idea what a sucker I was for Halloween. That's the night two study buddies hung out with no books involved. We carved the most awesome pumpkin. Ever. (Ok, he basically carved it while I yapped away and marveled at how intricate he was getting with the details.) He carved a headless butler, it was unbelievable. I'd give anything if we had a picture of that first pumpkin.

Little did I know, eight years later we would still be carving pumpkins together. I know everyone likes the tradition of carving pumpkins at Halloween, but I guess for us it's a little more than that. Just a little reminder of who we were: two young college kids, staying up late working on projects, cramming together for tests, sitting together in my little apartment studying Structures over a plate of brownies.

Every time I see the glow of a jack-o-lantern I think back to that night. Each year we look forward to the pumpkin. We decide on a design together and Mr. BEY works his magic in the details. Once he's close to being finished, he won't let me peek. Then, he'll turn off all the lights and light the candle inside for the "reveal". We just sit there and watch the flame flicker for just a bit. A special moment shared together each Halloween.

Here's to many more pumpkins, Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder. Happy Halloween everyone!

Halloween Parfait

2011-10-31T10:00:00.000-04:00

Who says all Halloween treats have to be bad for you?

I was looking for a fun way to bring some Halloween colors into breakfast and decided on a black and white striped parfait. I spied these very dark colored dried raspberries in the bulk section at Whole Foods. Add a little pop of orange and voila!

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Halloween Parfait

Vanilla Yogurt

Honey Granola

Dried Raspberries

Clementine (for garnish)

Layer the ingredients in a small glass and garnish with a slice of clementine.

Pumpkin Waffles

2011-10-31T00:00:00.000-04:00

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

If you want your kitchen to be filled with the most wonderful aroma of baked pumpkin - make these pumpkin waffles! The house smelled so delicious and warm, the kind of morning where you just want to put on some fuzzy socks and curl up with a mug of hot chocolate.

We used this recipe from Smitten Kitchen, however substituted regular milk for buttermilk. We gave the waffles a little black and white Halloween flair with fresh blackberries and dollop of whipped cream. Delish!

Heirloom

2011-10-28T08:36:00.000-04:00

Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder and I picked out some of the most gorgeous heirloom pumpkins to display around our front door this year. We went to the farmer's market with the full intention of buying regular bright orange pumpkins, but after spying these beauties, we couldn't resist.

I am just fascinated by the intricate colored veins of this pumpkin. I love getting real close to it and just staring.

Now, call me crazy, but I can't help but think that the stem of this pumpkin looks just like Roadrunner (the cartoon). I see the neck, eyes, beak and even feathers on its head. Somebody please tell me you see it too.

In addition to the pumpkins, we added another 'heirloom' piece to our display - a vintage black and white chippy paint chair. I bought this chair during our trip to Virginia. I'm sure people thought I was crazy for buying a chair with no seat and the roughest paint job ever, but it's perfect to me. I love looking at the worn layers of paint. It's so beautifully distressed. I wouldn't change one thing about it. I don't even think I want to add a seat.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

I'd love to see what fun decorations you have out this Fall. If you've posted pictures of your fancy-work online, shoot me the link in the comment section.

Have a safe and happy weekend!

DIY Tissue Paper Tassels

2011-10-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

I think one of my favorite DIY projects from littlest sister's birthday party were the pink and gold tissue paper tassels. I pinned Confetti System's gorgeous tassel banners to my inspiration board on Pinterest and immediately began looking for ways to create something similar myself.

I stumbled upon the perfect tutorial.

Jesyka of Visual Vocabulary had a great DIY with lots of easy to follow, step-by-step photos. For the most part I followed her instructions, however I used jute twine instead of the rope trim. Her tutorial also mentions how long the tassels take to make, don't let this scare you. I sat down with the cutting mat and made a 12-foot section over the course of an evening.

Click here for the step by step instructions. Happy tassel making!

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Piece of Heaven

2011-10-26T10:15:00.000-04:00

Oh lawdy! Is that a 13-layer cake? Why yes, yes it is.

Just had to share this heavenly picture. It's littlest sister's birthday cake and I'm pretty sure I dream about it every night. Thirteen layers of pure chocolate bliss.

Is there such thing as a 30-layer cake? Hmm...

DIY Sparkly Balloon Streamers

2011-10-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

I know I'm not the only one that has drooled over Geronimo's gorgeous sparkly balloons creations, they're just so glittery and full of charm! While I would've loved to have been able to click "add to cart" on tons of their products, let's face it, sometimes hundred dollar balloons are just not in the budget.

With just a little creative thinking and a whole lot of time (yeah, this is not for those of you in a hurry), I created my own Geronimo-esque balloons and now you can too!

Sparkly Balloon Streamers

What You Will Need:

1 metal key ring

1 metallic gold door curtain (Found at Party City, similar to this)

1 package metallic Christmas tinsel garland (Found at Hobby Lobby)

Tissue paper fringes, paper hearts & other miscellaneous trimmings

Makes 5 balloon streamers.

Basic Summary: To make these streamers, all of the foil, tissue paper, trimmings, etc. are tied to a metal key ring that is then secured to the base of a 36" balloon.

To do this, start by tying a string to the key ring and hanging it from the ceiling. Adjust the height of the key ring so that it is similar in height to where you want the base of the balloon to be. (This way, you can build your streamers without having to hold they key ring and it will allow you to adjust the lengths of your streamer material accordingly.)

Attach the metallic gold door curtain to the key ring first. The metallic gold curtain is key in this project. It will give you that beautiful "puddling" effect at the floor that is so indicative of the Geronimo balloons. Begin by laying the curtain out on the floor and cutting it into 5 equal pieces, lengthwise. You should end up with 5 - 8' sections. Feed the top portion of the curtain through the key ring and secure with ribbon.

Once the gold curtain is secured to the key ring, the rest is pure imagination. There really is no right or wrong way to decorate the streamer. If you can tie it to the key ring, then chances are you can add it to the streamer. (Just be careful that the decor doesn't get too heavy. Too much weight could cause the balloon to droop.)

I added pieces of metallic Christmas tinsel. The tinsel had a wire center, so I used that wire to attach it to the key ring. I cut out paper hearts and glued them to a long, pink ribbon that I tied to the key ring. I made different style tissue paper tassels and attached them to some ribbon as well.

Once you are satisfied with the look of the streamer, use a piece of curling ribbon to tie the metal key ring to the base of the balloon. Make sure the balloon is weighted down enough so it won't float away. These balloons hold tons of helium and most likely will need something kind of heavy to hold them down. We tied ours to bricks.

Viola!

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

That's all there is to it. Put on your creative hats and fill your next party full of sparkle!

Sources: I purchased the balloons from Shop Sweet Lulu in blush, rose and ivory. Warning: Their site is packed full of gorgeous goodies, you'll be tempted to buy lots!

Whoopie!

2011-10-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

So I guess I have the start of a new Fall tradition on my hands. Last year we made these delicious pumpkin whoopie pies, and, with fall in full swing, we decided to make them again. Just couldn't resist.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

If you're looking for something yummy to whip up to satisfy a hankering for that irresistible, it's-that-time-of-year pumpkin flavor... make these. Everybody like a little whoopie. (Unless your name is Shea, and then you like whoopie, just not the pumpkin variety - wink.)

I made a little adjustment to this recipe from the last time I made it. The amount of frosting was never enough to fill all of the pies, so I doubled the vanilla icing recipe below to make sure you don't run out.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Joy of Baking

Pies:

3 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tbsp. ground cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. ground cloves

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1 c. unsalted butter, room temperature

2 c. light brown sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 - 15oz. can pumpkin puree

Vanilla Filling:

1/2 c. vegetable shortening

1/2 c. unsalted butter, room temperature

2 c. confectioners' (powdered) sugar

3 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 c. light corn syrup

For Pumpkin Whoopie Pies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place rack in center of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment (you can also use a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract and pumpkin puree. Beat in flour mixture just until incorporated. Drop heaping tablespoons (can also use a small ice cream scoop) of the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. With moistened fingers or with the back of a spoon, smooth the tops of the cakes.

Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the tops of the cookies, when lightly pressed, spring back. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Filling: Beat the shortening and butter until soft and creamy. With the mixer on its lowest speed, gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar. Increase the speed to high, and beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Then, with the mixer on low speed, beat in the vanilla extract and slowly drizzle in the corn syrup. Continue to beat until the filling looks like soft mayonnaise.

To Assemble: Take one cake and spread a heaping tablespoon of the filling on the flat side of the cake. Top with another cake. The assembled cookies can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for several days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Makes about 14 Pumpkin Whoopie Pies.

DIY Ombre Caramel Apple Sticks

2011-10-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Okay, so this DIY is so super easy, you're gonna say to yourself, "Did she really need to post directions for this?" Nevertheless, you can make these and host your own fabulous caramel apple bar this Fall and make everyone think there was a lot of skill and complicated artistry involved. (It's our little secret.)

We were originally going to use plain wooden dowels for the caramel apples, but had a last minute light-bulb moment and decided to jazz these babies up with a little girly ombre effect. Oh! Did I tell you these caramel apples were made in a crock pot? Gotta love that simplicity.

Ombre Caramel Apple Sticks
What you will need:
Wooden dowels (6" sections)
Spray Paint

For the wooden dowels, I purchased the 3-foot long medium wooden dowels from my local craft store and cut them into 6" sections. Once they were cut, I took the dowels, one by one, and sprayed the ends with pink spray paint. I sprayed the paint in light strokes, concentrating more paint on the end of the dowel (opposite of the apple) for the "ombre" look. (Be careful to not get any spray paint on the area of the stick that will touch the apple.) Once dowels have competely dried, insert them into the stem area of the apple. Tip: If the dowels are stubborn going in, you can use the light tap of a hammer to get them down into the apple.

Caramel Apples
What you will need:
8 small Granny Smith apples
2 packages (14 oz. each) caramel squares
1/4 cup water

In slow cooker, combine caramels and water. Cover and cook on high for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until caramels are melted, stirring frequently. Once the caramels were melted, we unplugged the slow cooker and brought the caramel outside to the caramel apple bar. (It was hot enough that it still worked well in coating the apples for about an hour.)

Dip the apples into the caramel, turning to coat evenly. Continue holding the apple above pot, scrape off excess accumulation of caramel from bottom apple. Roll coated apples in toppings of your choice. We used rainbow sprinkles, mini-chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Get creative! Don't feel limited to just using one topping. Once you are finished, place the apple in a cupcake liner. This is a great way for guest to be able to remain mobile and mingle until they are ready to chow down.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Sparkly 13th Outdoor Movie Party

2011-10-20T00:11:00.000-04:00

I have to say, littlest sister's 13th birthday party was one of the funnest parties I have ever been a part of. Girly invitations, vintage charm, sparkly giant balloons, shimmery tassels, ombre caramel apples, cozy quilts, mounds of confetti, s'mores and a 13-layer cake... I think I'll just hit "replay" when it comes time for my birthday.

The girls played charades, ate to their heart's delight and then snuggled up for a movie under the stars - such a perfect way to celebrate 13.

Photos by Mr. & Mrs. Blue Eyed Yonder

Keep your eyes out for some fun DIY tutorials coming your way: tassel garland, ombre apple sticks, balloon streamers and more!

Birthday Girl

2011-10-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

Photo by Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder

I'm still busy, busy sorting through photos from littlest sister's birthday party. Whew! So many to choose from. I'll have to put on my editing hat and make some decisions.

I didn't want to leave you hanging, so I thought I'd share a photo of the birthday girl herself, littlest sister, Kameryn. She was such a doll in her cute birthday outfit: sparkly sequin top and oh-so-girly ruffled bolero. I figured, she's 13, that's old enough to have your first Anthro purchase, right? She wears it well... uh-oh, we might have another Anthro addict on our hands.

On a side note, I just have to give a little shout out to Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder. His photos of Kameryn had me weak in the knees. I think I need to hand over the camera more often. Muah! you talented man you.

You're Invited

2011-10-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Grab your favorite pink drink and dust off your sequins, I've got a week full of glamourous girly posts that will have us all wishing we were thirteen again.

Littlest sister's sparkly outdoor movie party was such a blast. Lots of glitter, giggles and girls - such fun! To kick off this week of party posts, I though it appropriate to put first things first - the invitation.

I love dreaming up unique invitations and always look for ways to add interactive elements. This special invite featured a movie screen with a custom designed "13" movie countdown, a spinning movie reel, and a ticket dispenser... oh, and lots of hearts and glitter.

The movie screen was mounted on wooden dowels and even had a tiny patch of green grass.

The movie reel pulled out from a sleeve on the side of the card. The reel spins, providing guests with fun details about the party.

A custom designed movie ticket was tucked into a sleeve at the bottom of the card to reveal the movie they'd be watching. The serial number on the ticket was the date of the party.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Making these invitations was so much fun. I haven't had a girly project in a while. I couldn't help but smile when I realized that littlest sister turns 13 and I'll turn 30 this year. Just a little ironic, don't you think?

Stay tuned this week for pictures from her party and some snazzy DIY party tutorials.

13th Inspiration

2011-10-13T12:00:00.000-04:00

1 2 3 4

I’ve been busy, busy and up to my eyes in glitter, tinsel and tassles! I’m working on littlest sister’s 13th birthday party. (Whoa, 13… I could cry, but I better suck it up for another time. Too much to do!)

She’s going to have some friends over for an outdoor movie. They’re watching 13 Going On 30, too cute huh? Outdoor movie, popcorn, charades, corndogs, cake and a caramel apple bar... oh, and loads of sparkle! This is a little sneak peek of some of the inspiration behind the party. Check out more inspiration for the party on my Pinterest Board.

The party is this Saturday, so keep your fingers crossed for perfect weather and hopefully some fun pictures.

New Addition

2011-10-12T11:00:00.000-04:00

There's a new handsome fella in our house...

We found this charming industrial cart at The Longest Yardsale in August. It's such a perfect addition to our living room. So much character, so much history.

Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder had the bright idea to put some rubber pads under the wheels to keep it from sliding all over the place. (It also saves my wood floors from getting murdered by those heavy wheels.)

I love the patina on this piece. You can see the faded blue paint that once covered the cart. Just a little splash of color and richness. You can't help but wonder how many heavy loads this baby has seen.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

I'm pretty sure it's not normal to get this attached to your furniture... I think it's a keeper.

2

2011-10-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today marks two years since Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder and I said our "I do's". In some instances it seem like we were just there yesterday and other times I feel like so much has passed and changed since then. It's fun to grow together. Even after being together for 8 years, there is still so much to learn about each other - both of us ever-changing.

We still laugh until we can't breathe.
We still have a parade of goodbyes in the mornings.
We still find the need to rename every thing in our own little lingo.
We still lay awake at night and talk in the dark.

...but there are a few new things we've learned this year:

He likes to listen to classical music as he drives on long car trips.
She can really haggle those dealers at the flea markets.
He has a secret love for motorcycles.
She is not an animal lover, but is warming up to the idea.
He knows the words to almost every song, just too shy to sing.
She can be a morning person if antiques are involved.

Last year I shared this very special piece written by Oriah Mountain Dreamer and still I like to read it and really soak in each line. Each time I read this, the words get stronger and stronger. I encourage you to take the time to read it, and better yet, read it to the one you love.

The Invitation

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, ‘Yes.’

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

–Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Photos by: Tec Petaja

Bring home the bacon

2011-09-26T23:52:00.001-04:00

I just love trying something new.

I've had this 30-Minute Supper magazine lying on the coffee table for about two months now. It's packed with yummy looking recipes that I've been itching to try. Sunday's weather was just perfect for grilling out, so we decided to try the bacon-wrapped scallop recipe.

It was perfect.

I mean anything wrapped in bacon is awesome, right? The recipe called for apple jelly, but I decided to substitute the jelly with my homemade fig preserves. I really liked the smokey, fire-grilled flavor paired with the richness of the figs. It was a great slip-into-fall taste.

But wanna know the real star of the meal? It was the celery-apple salad. The crunchiness of the celery combined with the sweet, tartness of the Granny Smith apples was such an interesting combination. The entire meal was packed with flavor and texture. I couldn't help but stop every other bite and exclaim, "My gosh this is good!"

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder} and her Mister

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Scallops Skewers with Celery and Apple Salad
adapted from America's Test Kitchen 30-Minute Suppers

4 tbsp fig preserves
8 slices bacon, cut in half crosswise
16 large sea scallops (about 1 pound)
Salt and Pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
3 tbsp cider vinegar
4 tsp Dijon mustard
5 tbsp olive oil
6 celery ribs, sliced thin on the bias, leaves reserved
2 Granny Smith apples, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch matchsticks

In microwave safe bowl, microwave fig preserves on high power until bubbly, 30-60 seconds. Set aside to cool slightly. Meanwhile, spread out bacon pieces on microwave-safe plate over 4 layers of paper towels and cover with 2 layers of paper towels. Microwave bacon on high power until bacon fat begins to melt but is still pliable, 1-2 minutes.

Rinse scallops and pat dry with paper towels. Whisk 2 tablespoons fig preserves, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and cayenne pepper in bowl. Toss scallops and bacon in fig mixture. Wrap piece of bacon around each scallop. Using four, 10-inch metal skewers, skewer 4 on each skewer.

Whisk remaining 2 tablespoons fig preserves with vinegar, mustard, and olive oil. Toss dressing with celery, celery leaves, and apples. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

Grill scallops, with surface of bacon touching grill, over medium fire until scallops are cooked and bacon is crisp, about 2 minutes per side. Serve with celery-apple salad.

ViewMaster

2011-09-22T06:16:00.000-04:00

Growing up, my sister and I had a box full of view-master slides. Actually, it wasn't a box, it was a little, red "Going to Grandma's" suitcase. (Which I have spied more and more at flea markets. It's funny when the toys you had growing up are considered "vintage".) I'm really not sure what ever happened to our slides. Hopefully we still have them somewhere buried amongst our baby clothes and old stuffed animals.

While on our flea market vacation, as I plundered through tables and tables of flea market goodies, I stumbled upon a box full of view-master slides. Apparently whoever had once owned this slide collection did a lot of traveling. There were slides they had collected from all over the world: London, Egypt, Hawaii and more.

Of course the Hawaii slides were special to me. That's where Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder and I got engaged, and one year later that's where we got married. Who would have ever thought that such a tiny island in the Pacific would hold such special memories for us?

I didn't know what I would do with these slides, I just knew for some reason they were special to me. A tiny souvenir of someone else's travels, now a keepsake and reminder of our time on the island.

I can't help but wonder... What was their trip like? Where did they stay and what did they see? It feels kind of neat having this connection to people we will never know. I think that's part of the allure of collecting pieces from the past. It gives us a glimpse into history and allows us to touch a part of time that has long passed.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Number Crunchin'

2011-09-19T08:54:00.000-04:00

If it works, how it works... that's all secondary.

It has little buttons, little numbers, and the paint's been"loved" off - that's pretty much all that mattered to me.

I get a smile on my face each time I walk by and spy the little vintage adding machine. In my head I can hear the clickity-click of her buttons. Such a fun conversation piece. As a bonus, I just found out my Dad has a manual for a similar machine in a box of stuff from back in the day when he use to own an antique store. I can't wait to flip through that manual and learn more about the piece. Who knows, a little elbow grease and I may get it to work.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Goodbye Summer

2011-09-02T00:00:00.009-04:00

Well folks, summer is sadly coming to an end. I guess that's why Labor Day weekend is always kind of bittersweet to me. Gone are the lazy days by the pool, the backyard barbeques, staying up late and catching lightning bugs.

Summer is so sweet and always holds such fun memories. So get out there this weekend and have yourself one more summer hoorah before we welcome that crisp fall weather.

(On a total side note, I keep singing the title to this post to the tune of Bye Bye Birdie. Man Men anyone?)

Have a wonderful holiday weekend everyone!

These vintage summer pics are from the lovely site of Miss Moss. I fell in love with her site the first time I laid eyes on it. It's such a playground for vintage inspiration. Her 'vintage' category is one I return to again and again.

Grit and Steel

2011-09-01T00:00:00.004-04:00

Photo via Grit and Steel

While I'm out browsing fun vintage treasures, I thought you should get to peek at a few yourself. Thanks to a tweet by Ginny, I discovered the beautiful world of Grit and Steel. Such lovely, industrial-style pieces. Definitely a dip into the more rugged and raw side of 'vintage'.

What kind of vintage treasures are you drawn to? Do you like the soft and pretty look of shabby chic or the hard and streamline look of industral pieces. I have to admit I'm torn, I like a healthy mixture of both.

Junkin'

2011-08-31T00:00:00.008-04:00

Source: brookegiannetti.typepad.com via Maryann on Pinterest

Some people choose camping or fishing at the lake, others opt for sandy beaches or a snazzy resort. I’m a little different than most. For vacation, I’m hitting the road to go junkin’. That’s right, endless hours scouring through unair-conditioned spaces, plundering dusty shelves looking for those long forgotten treasures of the past. Sounds perfect, right?

I’ll be the first to agree, it’s not for everybody. I know some people would laugh at the rusted, chippy pieces that make me giddy. There’s just something about the thrill of the hunt, the element of surprise, never knowing what you just might find.

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter to see fun updates from the road!

Buh-buh-buh-bye

2011-08-26T00:00:00.001-04:00

Photo by Katie Hollingsworth

It's funny to think it's been over a year since we made our first {little} kitchen. Since then we have shipped kitchens all over the East Coast and even to the Lonestar state of Texas. What started simply as a fun gift for a little girl's birthday, turned, by chance, into a blossoming production. These {little} kitchens have been a great source of laughter and believe it or not, a lot of tears. (Late nights running on fumes can get the better of you sometimes.) You become so intimate with each piece that it is somewhat sad to see them shipped off. I always peep into the box one last time to tell each and everyone of them goodbye.

We have met so many great families and have been so happy to be a part of the joy a {little} kitchen brings. Hearing about their sweet reactions and even getting to see the smiles on their little munchkin faces.

This is why it's a little bittersweet to announce we will no longer be making {little} kitchens after December. While we've enjoyed our time in the world of {little} kitchens, we are growing new ideas and focusing on different adventures. We thank all of you for your support and love for our {little} kitchens.

We have 5 additional spots left for kitchen reservations for Christmas. If you are interested in having a {little} kitchen of your own, please convo me and arrange for a custom listing to reserve your spot. Quantities are limited. First come, first serve. Thanks!

Blue Eyed Yonder on Apartment Therapy

2011-08-25T12:00:00.003-04:00

Check out Apartment Therapy today for a feature on my DIY drawer liners. This site has always been such a "go-to" for home inspiration. I'm so flattered to have my cute little drawer liners grace their pages.

Cashew Chicken Stir Fry

2011-08-25T00:00:00.001-04:00

Source: marthastewart.com via meredith on Pinterest

First things first... no, I did not take this picture and no, I did not make this recipe. I did, however, make something that looks pretty darn close I just forgot my camera's memory card at work. Ugh, I know, the ultimate bloggy no-no. Oh well, sue me.

Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder and I tried our hands at a little Thai cuisine and made Cashew Chicken stir fry. I even dug into the back of the cabinets to find these adorable asian-styled bowls and plates that I've had forever but always forget to use.

I know most people would gasp at the idea of not serving rice with an Asian-style dish, but in addition to spending some time sans sugar, we're also steering clear of processed flours and grains. Just trying to pack a little more wholesome goodness into our diets. We skipped the rice and added steamy bowl of coconut soup to the meal. To tell you the truth I didn't miss the rice at all. This dish really packs in the flavor!

Cashew Chicken Stir Fry
adapted from Darlene Schimdt

Ingredients:
2-3 chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces or strips
1 small cooking onion, diced
3-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 to 3/4 tsp. dried chili flakes
1 lemongrass stalk, pale section sliced and minced
4 green onions, cut into thirds
3 cups chopped broccoli or baby bok choy, chopped into square bite-size pieces
1/2 cup cashews, dry roasted, unsalted
2 cups shiitake mushrooms, sliced
marinade: 2 tsp. cornstarch dissolved in 2 Tbsp. soy sauce + 1 Tbsp. water
1/4 cup chicken broth or white wine (or white cooking wine or sherry)

SAUCE:
3 Tbsp. white cooking wine
1 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
1 Tbsp brown sugar

OTHER:
1 Tbsp. cornstarch powder, dissolved in 3 Tbsp. water
1-2 Tbsp. oil for stir-frying

Preparation:
Stir together marinade and place in a medium-size bowl. Add chicken pieces and stir well to combine. Set aside to marinate.

Combine all stir-fry sauce ingredients in a bowl or large cup, stirring well. Set aside.

In a large wok or frying pan, fry the onion, garlic, chili, minced lemongrass and green onion in oil over medium-high heat (1-2 minutes).

Add the marinated chicken plus mushrooms. Continue stir frying until chicken is cooked (2-5 minutes). When the wok or frying pan becomes dry, add a little of the broth or cooking wine, 1 Tbsp. at a time.

Add the broccoli and continue stir frying until it softens and turn bright green (about 3 minutes).

Finally, add the sauce you made earlier, plus the cashews. Then add the cornstarch powder dissolved in water. Continuing stirring until everything is well combined and the sauce thickens (1-2 more minutes).

Do a taste test for salt and sweetness (the sauce should taste tangy and a little sweet). If you prefer a darker, richer sauce, add 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. more soy sauce.

Tufted

2011-08-24T00:00:00.004-04:00

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Is there a design element that just makes you get giddy? For me, I swoon over anything tufted. It's such a classic look that never goes out of style. I pretty sure I will continue to come back to these gorgeous images time and time again. Look at those dimples, I could just eat 'em up!

I've always thought tufting looked quite difficult, but I have seen lots of great DIY tutorials online (like here, here and here). I have hopes of eventually getting around to making a tufted headboard. Wouldn't that be dreamy?

(And can we get a big "yes, please!" to that gorgeous aqua ceiling in image No. 9? Whoa.)

Check out my Life's Tuft pinboard on pinterest for more pretties.

Hello Yard Sale

2011-08-23T00:00:00.002-04:00

via

August has totally been my yard sale month. I started off the month heading up to Signal Mountain, Tennessee for the 127 Sale and have been spending the rest of my time getting ready for my own yard sale. I have to say, I'd much rather be pickin' through items at someone else's yard sale instead of running my own. It's such hard work! I'm even sporting a sweet farmer's tan after the long, hot day of wheelin' and dealin'.

via

We got up around 5:00 on Saturday and stuck with it until 3:00 that afternoon. That's when we heard a little thunder and the wind picked up all of the sudden. We had to chase place mats and plastic bags all over the parking lot. It started to drizzle and we had to scramble to get everything inside before the sky opened up and unloaded on us. We just barely made it inside.

So needless to say, I'm plum tuckered out. Sometimes the "busy-ness" catches up to you and you just have to curl up in the bed and watch Cold Case Files with your hubby; doze a little while and let your batteries recharge.

What about you... do you enjoy the thrill of the sale or the thrill of the buy?

29 Ways to Stay Creative

2011-08-17T00:00:00.001-04:00

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

This video makes me smile. Lots of these tips give me a little "ah-ha" moment, especially #25. So whether you're on top of your creative game or in a rut right now, give this video a peek. It never hurts to have a little reminder to boost those creative juices.

Which tip is your favorite?

Sprinkles

2011-08-16T00:00:00.001-04:00

1 & 2

Hi.

My name is Krista,

and I'm addicted to sprinkles.

That pretty much sums it up. The more the merrier. Spoon 'em on and pile 'em high. Their bright colors bring an instant smile to my face. It turns boring desserts into a party. And they're just so little and cute.

I guess it's mostly the texture that I love. My favorite is the soft, rainbow sprinkles. You can never have too many of those.

via Style Me Pretty

So why all the talk about sprinkles? Well, it's been three weeks (gasp!) since I have had any sugar. Just a little effort to live more on the healthy side. Which basically means I have been trying non-stop to discover a way to make 'healthy' sprinkles. Don't get excited, I didn't figure it out. I'm pretty sure 'healthy' sprinkles are an oxymoron anyway.

To satisfy my curiosity, I just had to find out... how do you even make sprinkles? Believe it or not, you can actually make sprinkles at home. It sounds a little painstaking, but I do like that with homemade sprinkles you can create your own custom colors and you also skip all of the harmful preservatives and chemicals found in store bought sprinkles.

I have to admit, at first the idea of making your own sprinkles sounded a little nutso, but it's slowly growing on me. Unfortunately, homemade sprinkles are not in my future just yet... I'd be tempted to dump them on top of a double dip strawberry ice cream waffle cone. So for now these pretty, pretty pics will have to do.

via Carter and Cook Event

{But if you're really in the mood to torture yourself, check out these bad boys. And if you make them, don't tell me or I'll say a little prayer that the Sugar Fairy sends all of the cake batter balls straight to your thighs.}

Do I live under a rock?

2011-08-12T00:00:00.003-04:00

via USPS

I caught a glimpse of these stamps and thought, "wow, what a great idea for custom stamps", only to realize they're not custom stamps they're issued by the USPS. They're so unbelievably hipster, I love them! I jumped onto the USPS site and ordered a bundle of these babies. Now, I just have to figure out which one is my favorite.

Which one do you like best?

Fig and Ginger Jam

2011-08-11T00:00:00.001-04:00

Last week, while I was knee deep in figs, Amy was kind enough to share an intriguing fig recipe for fig and ginger preserves. I'm such a ginger fan and love the surprising twist it adds to dishes. This recipe called for crystallized ginger.

It make look all sweet like candy, but pop a piece of this in your mouth and you're guaranteed to get lock jaw. (Trust me, I looked like a goof ball in Whole Foods.)

Super simple ingredients for a preserve packed with flavor. I can't wait to try some of these preserves over a grilled pork loin, doesn't that sound good? Thanks again Amy for the sweet tip. Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder and I are both big fans of this recipe.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Fig and Ginger Jam
adapted from Tasty Kitchen

2 quarts fresh figs, coarsely chopped
4 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cups water
Juice from one lemon
1/2 cups crystallized ginger, chopped fine
1/2 teaspoons salt

Begin by rinsing the figs and removing the stems. Coarsely chop figs and combine will all other ingredients in a large pot. Heat the mixture until boiling. You want a good roiling boil that does not fade when stirred.

Reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for approximately 30 minutes. Stir frequently.

Remove from heat and immediately ladle fig mixture into prepared mason jars, fill to 1/4" from the top and seal tightly with lids. I did not process my figs in a water bath, the heat from the figs was enough to cause the jars to seal. If for some reason the jars do not seal, simply store in the refrigerator.

Scenes from the 127 sale

2011-08-09T00:00:00.001-04:00

Road trips can be such fun. Cooler full of snacks, a tank full of gas and vaguely remembered directions.

This weekend we loaded up and hit the road to see what kind of treasures we might find at the 127 Sale. The 127 Sale is the world's longest yardsale, running from Gadsden, Alabama to Hudson, Michigan. After going for the first time last year, I knew there was no way I was going to miss it.

I mean where else can you plunder for goodies in a 100-year-old barn?

As usual, we kind of just went to see what we could find, and left there wishing we had brought a trailer!

Just for the record, they only thought I was ready to leave at this point. I ended up spying eight precious vintage wood+metal school chairs at a sale on the side of the road and had to sweet talk them into turning around. What's the fun if you're not having to make a pit stop at the local hardware store to buy additional straps?

Yeah, I got a lil' hillbilly in me.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Women are from Venus, Grapes are from Mars

2011-08-05T00:00:00.001-04:00

After picking our fill of figs at The Happy Berry Farm, we decided it would be a sin to leave with out at least trying some of their delicious Mars grapes. We noticed the dark clusters of grapes hanging from the vines as we drove into the farm. The vines were loaded.

We snipped to our heart's delight and came home with a gorgeous bushel of Mars grapes. Just look for the darkest clusters and pluck a berry or two for a quick taste test.

These grapes are super sweet, however the skins have a slightly tart flavor that balances it out nicely. If you're ever in Six Mile, SC stop by The Happy Berry and say "hi" to the sweet Miller family for me.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Liquid Gold

2011-08-04T00:00:00.002-04:00

“She can make buttered toast taste like a delicacy.”

That’s what my Aunt Gina always says about Mema. It’s true, even the simplest things taste better when Mema makes them. Of course she’s so modest about her cooking. Always critiquing it, saying how she could have made it better. Like I said, I think she overdosed on humble pie. She always tells stories about her mother’s cooking, about the way her biscuits would turn out, how her cakes would taste. I can’t even imagine the dinner spreads they must have had.

I wonder if it’s normal to always compare your cooking to the generations before you. There always seems to be such a tremendous, yet joyful, burden to feel you have to carry on the traditions, the recipes, the secrets. You often wish those women were still around so you could ask them, what did you use to put in that peanut butter dessert?, how do you get your biscuits to rise so perfectly?, what’s really in your turkey dressing?

Questions we’ll never know the answers to. The only thing we have are the memories and, if you’re lucky, some faded recipe cards. It’s up to us to continue to make their recipes, work to perfect them in the same way.

I think that’s why doing things the old-fashioned way is so important to me. I couldn’t bare to think those delicious dishes and memories could be lost. That’s why you’ll probably never see me opt for the “quick” solution. I wouldn’t dare show up at a family reunion with a bucket of KFC under my arm. Lord help us.

It’s not only that homemade food tastes so much better, it’s that I feel a little part of those women are with me in the kitchen each time I work hard to make a special dish. I’ve had lots of epic fails, but I like to think they may have had those too. If they were watching me, I’m sure they’d let out a little chuckle every now and then. Like the time I dumped a pot of fresh chicken stock into the collander to strain, only to realize I didn’t have a pot under it to catch the broth. Or the time I baked a sour cream pound cake, only to pull it out of the oven and watch it deflate before my eyes. Or this week when I cooked fig preserves way too long and ended up with something more like figgy hard candy. (Ugh, that one still hurts.)

Mistakes are part of the fun of cooking. Lessons learned, dishes improved. You just have to keep at it. I made an additional three batches of figs until I got the hang of it. Papa always calls Mema's fig preserves "liquid gold". They're really something else! Only special guests get the fig preserves placed on the table during breakfast at their house. Maybe one day my children will think my buttered toast is something to talk about, and it just might be if I smother it with figs as delicious as Mema's "Liquid Gold".

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Mema’s {Liquid Gold} Fig Preserves

2 quarts figs (halved)

6 cups sugar

2/3 cup water

juice of one lemon

Begin by rinsing the figs and removing the stems. Slice figs in half length-wise, leave any small (or tiny) figs whole. In a large pot, combine sugar and water over medium-high heat and stir until the sugar is combined with the water. Add figs and stir them into the sugar mixture. Heat the mixture until boiling. You want a good roiling boil that does not fade when stirred.

Reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for approximately 30 minutes (33 minutes was the magic time for me, but cooking times will vary). The simmer should be very bubbly and create a foamy layer on top of the figs. Stir frequently to prevent figs from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Keep an eye on the figs and once they get very soft (limp) and the juice thickens a bit to resemble a light syrup add the juice of one lemon and cook for one minute longer.

Remove from heat and immediately ladle fig mixture into prepared mason jars, fill to 1/4" from the top and seal tightly with lids. I did not process my figs in a water bath, the heat from the figs was enough to cause the jars to seal. If for some reason the jars do not seal, simply store in the refrigerator.

Makes 4 pints.

The Happy Berry

2011-08-03T00:00:00.001-04:00

It's funny the places a blog can take you.

A little while back during my week of blueberry bliss, I had a sweet comment from Zoe about her family's farm in Six Mile, SC. The farm is called The Happy Berry, isn't that sweet? They grow blueberries, blackberries, grapes, figs and several other yummy treats. So this past weekend, we decided to take a little drive across the state line for a visit to The Happy Berry.

The farm is nestled in the quiet town of Six Mile, near Clemson. A rustic, "tenant house" sits atop a hill where they sell jams, eggs, and berries right off the front porch.

For this trip I was on a mission for figs. It's so funny how many people turn their noses up at the mere mention of a fig... I guess they've never had the pleasure of tasting delicious homemade fig preserves or never really gave the fruit a second thought. Nevertheless, I had my mind set on coming home with lots of figs to make tons of preserves, or "liquid gold" as my Papa calls them.

The figs grow on trees and you want to look for the ones that have started to sag. You can tell by the bending of the small stem at the top of the fig. We slowly made our way down the row, reaching under the large leaves to find the ripe beauties. The air was buzzing with bees hard at work. I moved one branch and a bee swooped right down and stung me on the temple. Ouch! Good thing I'm not allergic. I guess he didn't want to share his lunch.

We picked for a while and ended up coming home with around 20 pounds of figs. So as you can imagine, I have been busy, busy chopping, boiling, stirring, and packing. We've tried two different recipes, Mema's "Liquid Gold" and Ginger Fig Preserves. I'll share the recipes a little later this week.

We had such a great time at The Happy Berry. We enjoyed walking through their farm and enjoying the country air. It's always fun to visit new places, you never know what you might find.

Thanks Zoe for letting me know about your family's farm. It's always great to connect with new people and share in the places they hold dear to their hearts.

Figgy

2011-08-02T00:00:00.003-04:00

Photo by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

I'm knee deep in figs over here.

After yesterday's failed attempt at fig preserves, I was bound and determined to get it right today. I'm happy to say, I think I've finally got it! I've got a sink full of sticky pots, fig stems scattered about and a counter lined with fig-filled mason jars.

I'm not through figgin' yet, I've still got another flat of figs to cook. Whew! Hard work, but the pay off will be totally worth it. Stay tuned, I hope to post my tried-and-true recipe this week.

Manic Monday

2011-08-01T00:03:00.000-04:00

I wish it was Sunday...
'cause that's my funday.

Source: etsy.com via Tami on Pinterest

I've definitely got the Bangles running through my head this morning - busy, busy day at work. But Sunday, ahh Sunday...

- We hit up the outlet malls and scored some really great deals.

- We drove two hours to South Carolina to pick fresh figs (where I got stung in the face by a dern bee, but had a total blast nonetheless.)

- We got home and decided to try our hand at fig preserves, which turned into fig hard candy (ugh, I know... more on that later.)

- I checked my email before goingt to bed and saw BEY's pallet sign was mentioned on Centsational Girl, which totally made my day! (and all of your sweet comments made me not so sad about my botched batch of figs, thanks guys!)

So yes, Sunday was my funday. What were you guys up to?

Little Moments

2011-07-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

Sing your song.

Dance your dance.

Tell your tale.

~ Frank McCourt ~

I can't believe it's Friday already. This week has really flown by. I've got a busy weekend ahead (with work actually, boo!) Whatever you guys are up to this weekend, I hope you slow down long enough to enjoy the little moments and soak up what's left of the summer.

{I have to say, it took forever to sneak up to this dragonfly and take a picture, but I'm so glad I did. It had so many gorgeous colors and beautiful details. They fly past me all the time, I'm glad I took the time catch this "little moment."}

Happy Weekend!

Sisters: a mix tape

2011-07-28T00:00:00.003-04:00

You'd have to know my sister, Katie, to know that she's not what they call the "sentimental type". So as you can imagine, I was floored to receive a package from her in the mail. No snazzy packaging, no detailed cards, just a single cd crammed with lots of love.

It was a "mix tape" of our childhood. Hand written on the cd were different memories or key words that corresponded with a song on the cd. Reading through the list I would laugh, have huge flashback moments and even come close to shedding a tear.

The whole thing was such an emotional overload. On one hand my heart was about to explode from the amount of time and love that went into creating this cd, and on the other hand my heart ached with nostalgia, the memories and pains of growing older.

So if you're curious, here's the playlist (with Katie's titles and my mini explanations). Click around. If you're an 80's baby like us, you might hear a little bit of your own childhood.

Sister's Mix Tape

1. Jumping off a chair in the garage A Barbie that comes with her own tape? Yesssss!

2. Gone, gone with the wind We use to stand up in the seat of Dad's pick-up truck and practice our "clogging" to this song.

3. "What are y'all the Wonder Years?" We loved to roll around and pretend to wrestle in our cul-de-sac imitating the opening scene from the Wonder Years.

4. "He can't beat me in this Jag" One of Mom's famous driving lines. She wore out that car's tires and her Judds tapes.

5. Almost to Cady's Store

6. Car Shows and Poodle Skirts We use to dress up in 50's gear and go with Dad to car show. Pretty sure this has something to do with my love for oldies music.

7. Especially at Beauty Pagents

8. Didn't realize those WERE the good ol' days

9. Mom, please let Sandi Patti do the singing Sunday mornings before church mom would belt these songs out. Lord help us.

10. Randy Travis' hair Mom was obsessed with Randy Travis. We had to listen to all of his songs.

11. Corey and Shafia's Fun times hanging out with the neighborhood kids.

12. "Do y'all even know what that song is about?"

13. Seven Old Men We use to dance around the living room singing "Blow, blow seven old men". Totally not the right words. Hilarious.

14. Fernandina Bound We picked up this cd while at the beach one year. For some reason it became our "travel tunes".

15. And we thought Mom couldn't sing

16. Back when MTV played music

17. Too much television watchin' got me chasin' dreams

18. Exit song for a compilation If I've watched Gone with the Wind once, I've watched it hundreds of times. This one pretty much sums it up.

What song comes to mind when you think of your childhood?

Snowden's Jig

2011-07-27T00:00:00.002-04:00

It's rare, but every so often a song will catch your ear and demand your attention. I can't explain what it is about this song, but as it began to play, I dropped what I was doing, walked over to the computer and just stared at it. I was in awe.

Carolina Chocolate Drops: Snowden's Jig from Tom Ciaburri on Vimeo.

At times the song seems so sad and full of such despair, and at other times it's quite mysterious and even seductive sounding. I just had to find out more about it.

One of the most difficult songs on the record is a four-minute instrumental called “Snowden’s Jig,” subtitled “Genuine Negro Jig.” The Oxford American Dictionary defines a jig as a piece of music for lively dancing, but this song is anything but that. Starting with Robinson’s ominous rhythm of claps and stumps and progressing into a minor-key melody on Giddens’s fiddle that loops into elegant variations, the song asks for more than one emotional response. Does it convey despair, anger or pensiveness? Or perhaps it is all of the above — an attempt to capture the complex emotions felt by blacks living in the antebellum South.

The history of “Snowden’s Jig” is just as complicated as the melody. Songwriter and minstrel performer Dan Emmett, who received credit for “Dixie” (what later became the Confederate anthem), had learned the song from the Snowdens, a musical black family who composed by ear. Recent research on Emmett and his music suggested it was possible that the Snowden family had contributed to Emmett’s composition “Dixie.” What irony! - Yale Daily News

Give it a listen and let it transport you to another place and time. Of course I'm curious to know, did it grab you the way it did me? Either way, I have to say the Carolina Chocolate Drops just shot to the top of my favorites list.

DIY: Pallet Sign

2011-07-26T00:00:00.001-04:00

It's no secret - I don't live at the beach.

In fact, I don't even live close to a body of water. (Unless you count the Chattahoochee, and I'm not exactly ready to sip Mai Tai's on her banks.) Nevertheless, each summer I like to give my house a fresh dose of "ocean air" and display some of my favorite rustic beach collections. I have jars of shells we've collected from different vacations, even some shells collected by my Grandma during her years spent living at the beach.

This year, I've added a new piece to the display - a distressed, pallet-style sign.

The wood was actually given to me by Aunt Barbara. You see, she's not actually my "aunt", just a precious lady and I couldn't dare call her anything else. The wood pieces were simply beadboard scraps left over from a paneling project at her house. At first I had no idea what I would do with them, but it didn't take me long to cook up a little project.

We took the beadboard strips and created a simple frame to support them from the back, similar in style to a pallet. We then rubbed on a light coat of Minwax wood stain in "Dark Walnut". Just enough to give it some color.

Once that was dry, I experimented with several acrylic paint colors, brushing on light coats of paint for a worn look. After I was satisfied with the finish, I stenciled one of my favorite quotes onto the sign with foam letter stencils. Easy peasy, right?

Aunt Barbara doesn't know it yet, but I have pallet sign built just for her. {Surprise! Just name your color and send me a favorite quote and it's all yours.} I think a sign like this would be darling outside on a patio. The more weathered it gets the better!

Photos by Blue Eyed Yonder

One man's trash is another man's treasure. What have you transformed lately?

Run Away With Me: Boulangerie Poilâne

2011-07-22T00:00:00.001-04:00

Once upon a time in a tiny bakery in the heart of France, a young french boy alone in a dim, bakery basement buried himself amongst sacks of flour and cried as he dreaded his future life as a baker.

It's hard to imagine this is how it all started for Lionel Poilâne, one of the most renowned bread makers in all of France. He couldn't imagine his life as a baker, spent underground slaving over a hot oven. However, the story goes, that one day Lionel opened the oven door, looked into the red-hot hearth, and thought,

"This will either be the door to my prison or the door to the world."

Today, every where you look restaurants and stores proudly display signs, "Ici, pain Poilâne" ("Here, we serve Poilane bread"). His bread is a cornerstone in French cuisine and known throughout Europe.

During our trip to France, we had the pleasure of visiting the original Poilâne Bakery. After quite a long walk, we finally found the sweet little bakery quietly tucked amongst townhouses and small businesses on an otherwise unnoticeable street.

I had the biggest smile just gazing into their beautiful, glistening windows. I thought of the history of this place and of all the people that must have visited here and enjoyed this man's hard work and labor.
It's true when they say things are just dreamier in Paris.

Poilâne is famous for their sourdough loaves, made from four simple ingredients - sourdough, flour, water and sea salt from Guerande.

In addition to bread, Poilane is also known for their deliciously simple butter cookies, called Punitions. Where does their name come from? ‘Punition’ is French for ‘punishment’ and the name comes from a little game Pierre Poilâne’s grandmother used to play. She would call over her grandchildren seemingly to punish them and, instead, would open her palm to reveal a handful of butter cookies!

Of course we couldn't just visit the bakery and not leave with a treat or two. We decided to sample the apple tartlets. Apple desserts are Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder's favorite!

I think it's safe to say this little tartlet didn't disappoint. The layers were perfectly flaky and the center was full of rich, lightly sweetened apples. The perfect accompaniment to our morning stroll through the streets of Paris.

Photos by: KHJ

The wonderful story of Poilâne can be found on their website. If you love sweets and you love Paris, you'd definitely love the book Paris Sweets, by Dorie Greenspan which features this story of Boulangerie Poilâne as well as many other stories and recipes from Paris' best pastry shops.

Pucker Up, Part II

2011-07-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Grab your juicer and get your lemon squeezin' hand ready, we're taking life's lemons and making more lemonade today!

You've got to admit, there's just something about homemade lemonade. That fresh-squeezed taste makes all the difference. If you love lemonade, but usually stick to the Country-time, Minute-Maid or Crystal Light varieties, promise me you'll give real homemade lemonade a try. Pretty please? Your smackers will thank me.

While you can't beat the refreshing taste of yesterday's Rosemary Lemonade, I have to admit the Strawberry Basil Lemonade was a real show stopper. Everyone dug around in the ice to find the "pink" jars.

Fresh lemons, fresh berries, fresh basil - I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Strawberry Basil Lemonade
adapted from Lux Eco Living

Ingredients
Basil simple syrup:
4 cups sugar
2 cup water
2 bunch basil, washed and cleaned
2 lb strawberries washed, hulled, and sliced ½ inch thick

Lemonade:
4 cups lemon juice- about 30 lemons
4 cups basil simple syrup
4 cups cold water
strawberries, raspberries, sliced lemons and basil for garnish

For the basil simple syrup, combine sugar, water, basil, and strawberries in saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and refrigerate until cool. Strain.

Pour fresh squeezed lemon juice, basil simple syrup, and cold water in 3 equal parts in to mason jars. Add strawberries, raspberries and basil as garnish. Place jars on ice until chilled. Makes about 12 pint sized mason jars.

Pucker Up, Part I

2011-07-19T00:00:00.002-04:00

Lemons, lemons, lemons. I've had lemons on the brain lately. I mentioned that I juiced sixty lemon halves - why? For lemonade of course!

A summer party just isn't complete without the tangy goodness of homemade lemonade. I made two different flavors, Rosemary Lemonade and Strawberry Basil Lemonade, and served them in pint sized mason jars. Just throw the jars on ice and you have a refreshing, icy cold treat. Guests can just grab a straw and enjoy.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Rosemary Lemonade
adapted from Herbal Gardens

Ingredients:
3 cups water
3 cups sugar
3 cups lemon juice
Grated rind of two lemons
Four sprigs of fresh rosemary
Cold water
Lemon slices, rosemary sprigs and raspberries for garnish

Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Boil the liquid three minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice, lemon rind and rosemary. Refrigerate the mixture at least one hour or until very cold. Strain the mixture into a storage container.

Fill the mason jars about a third full with the lemon syrup, add water to the top of the jar, stir and place jars on ice until chilled. Makes about 10 pint size mason jars.

Stay tuned... tomorrow I'll share the other lemonade recipe that had everyone smacking their lips for more.

Season's Harvest: Lemons

2011-07-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

1. 2.

I have to admit, my entire life I've bought lemons and have picked them out based on their shape and coloring. I guess I just looked for ones that looked picture-worthy. I didn't really think about any other criteria being that important.

After juicing 60 lemon halves (oh yeah, talk about a sore hand) I have come to find out that all lemons are not created equal. Here are some handy dandy tips for selecting the juiciest and best pucker-worthy lemons:

1. Choose lemons that are no more than 3 inches from end to end that are heavy for their size.
2. The skin should be taut and thin; avoid those with very hard skin.
3. The lemon should give slightly when pressed.
4. Avoid wrinkled, dry-skinned, or dull-colored lemons, those are past their prime.
5. Store lemons in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for two to three weeks.

Now you guys will be able to find the best lemons in store! Squish those babies up and make some lemonade.

Create

2011-07-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

Sometimes you just get in a rut. You know what helps me get out of a rut? Creating.

Just make the decision to do something. Bust out the glue guns, the paint, the pencils, the yarn. Pour yourself into a project this week. I know it always turns my frown upside down.

What kind of creative dreams do you have for the week?

Pie in the Sky

2011-07-15T00:00:00.001-04:00

Source: etsy.com via Iveth on Pinterest

Can you imagine my surprise when I got a call saying my sister's flight from Jacksonville to Baltimore was delayed? Guess she'll miss her connection in... ATLANTA! Whoopie!

Here's to celebrating life's small victories. Have a fan-tabulous weekend!

snip snip

2011-07-14T00:11:00.000-04:00

Forget goo-goo ga-ga, I've gone goo-goo da-da!

A little while back I finally made the cut and donated my hair to Pantene's Locks of Love. After seeing Lesley's post on Dada salon, I knew I just had to give them a try. I browsed through their rave reviews on yelp and read lots of great things about all of their stylists. (I couldn't decide which stylist to request, so I counted up who had the most mentions. Yeah, I'm real technical like that, ha!)

Based on my uber duber scientific method, I chose Marie. It's actually quite funny how things worked out, Marie couldn't have been a more perfect choice.

I wanted to go in for a consultation to see what she might recommend, but thought, geez, am I being a little too high maintenance? So I decided to just forget about the consult. When I gave her a call to make the appointment, Marie actually suggested that I come in for a consult. "It's a big change, you should feel good about it." - I knew right then she and I would hit it off.

She's the brightest ball of sunshine. You can't help but be in a good mood while you're around her. Her fun, quirky outfits make me smile and that girl knows how to rock some amazing shoes. She keeps it real and is not afraid to tell you the truth (which I love). For example, she promised me I wouldn't walk out of there with a "mom bob". Did I mention she was a hoot?

Da-da in a nutshell

1. Small, cozy environment. You won't find hundreds of stuffy looking stylists all dressed in black here.

2. Independent stylists working under one roof. No receptionists here. They all schedule, greet, cut, color, and check out their own guests.

3. Wine, beer and other sipsters. You'll feel at home here. The stylists chip in to provide guests with a little refreshment during their visit.

4. Italian hair products line. If this stuff were edible, I would totally eat it. Smells so divine.

5. Free Hair-cuts. When you donate your hair, Marie will cut it for free.

6. Communication. Need to reach your stylist? Shoot them a text, drop them an email, just like having a new best friend.

7. Industrial Chic. The atmosphere has an urban vibe, but you will find little vintage touches throughout the salon.

8. Music. No blaring techno over the sound of blowdryers here. I almost felt like they had my ipod on shuffle; like being at my favorite coffee shop.

9. Baby disco ball. C'mon, who doesn't like a disco ball?

10. Happy Hair, Happy Heart. All of the ladies here are so hip and genuine. There's no way you'd leave feeling anything less than happy.

So here is my long, no wait... loooooooooooooooong hair.

Littlest sister was with me and actually made the big cut! Here we're just goofin' off beforehand.

Yikes.

And here's the new do, all short and bangy! Love it!

Do you have a stylist that you're just goo-goo for?

This Land is Our Land

2011-07-13T00:00:00.001-04:00

via Etsy

Nothing like a controversial illustration to get your Wednesday going! The bright colors and lettering of this print first caught my eye, but as I actually started to read it, I have to admit I let out a few snickers. Okay, so Cali I know you guys are happy with your stereotype, but what about the rest of you? Do you think your state's description holds any truth?

I'm still laughing that Snooki made the map, geez.

Happy Hump Day!

Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

2011-07-12T00:00:00.004-04:00

I love the tangy flavor of lemon in desserts. I've been wanting to make a dessert with lemon and blueberries, so I decided to give this Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake a try. I popped this in the oven while Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder was outside working on new pavers for our patio. I knew he would love to walk into the house and smell this in the oven.

Any recipe that directs you to poke holes in the top so it can absorb the yummy, sugary glaze - you know you've got a winner.

This cake is SUPER moist and has a nice tangy top crust. I walked outside to give Mr. BEY a taste test. He started talking as I popped a big bite in his mouth and it sounded something like this. "Is that a blueberry --- Mmmmmmmm!"

Guess that pretty much sums it up. Blueberry Mmmmmmmm.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

adapted from Cooks.com

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. lemon peel
1 1/2 cup sifted flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cup blueberries

Cream butter in 1 cup sugar. Add eggs and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix well. Sift flour, salt and baking powder. Add alternately with milk to creamed mixture. Stir in lemon peel and blueberries. Bake in well greased loaf pan at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until golden brown.

GLAZE:

1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsp. powered sugar

Mix lemon juice and sugar - use a toothpick to make holes in top of cake and drizzle lemon glaze over warm cake.

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover

2011-07-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

This year, I had big plans for Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder's birthday. We have only one computer at home and when you're married to a blogger... well, I'll let you guess who's on the computer most of the time. He's always so patience as he waits for me to finish so he can jump on and do his thing - look at espn, check the weather, read the news, etc.

This year I decided to surprise him with his very own ipad - woot woot! But you know me, I couldn't just wrap it. Nah, that would be too boring. We love to do little quirky things for each other, so I thought I would disguise his ipad to look like a book.

He opened his present and thought he was getting a photo book of Normandy. I made this book jacket to disguise a text book and make it look like a book he might actually receive for a birthday present. He loves photography and he loves France... but if you look real close you will see the author is "A.J. Tsirk Sanoh", ha! That's just my name all jumbled up.

I even had a birthday note typed on the inside of the jacket.

As he turned the first page... "You've GOT to be kidding me!" Those were his words exactly. (And he had a smile the size of Texas.)

With the help of my awesome co-worker, Reece, we carved out enough pages in this text book for the ipad to fit flush and wrapped it up like a normal present.

Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder was floored to say the least. Now I just have to keep reminding myself that it's his ipad. {Greedy blogger.} It's just so bright, shiny and tempting.

Here's to many more birthdays, many more sneaky surprises and many more happy memories together!

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Happy Birthday Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder

2011-07-08T00:00:00.002-04:00

{little} Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder

Look at this little cutie pie! He turns 28 today. Can't wait for a weekend full of Happy Birthday singin', candle blowin' and hopefully a piece of birthday cake... or two.

Have a happy weekend you guys!

Pantry Reveal

2011-07-07T00:02:00.000-04:00

It's been a little while, but I am happy to say we're finally finished with our pantry redo!

What used to be a sad, cluttered pantry is now one of the brightest, most cheerful spots in our kitchen. We love it so much, I think I'll leave the door off permanently!

To start we made a few structural changes...

Then we added several features for organization and aesthetics...

To have a pantry that appears this clean and tidy, it's all about hidden storage. I utilized several vintage canisters to hide everyday small items. This floral tin holds bags of chocolate chips, baking chocolate, and nuts.

Metal wire baskets and mason jars give food storage an industrial chic vibe. They're quite charming, yet practical at the same time.

The vintage wire locker basket holds miscellaneous dried pastas, muffin mixes and popcorn.

The vintage oatmeal canister holds sugar packets that I don't use everyday, but might need to quickly grab for a guest.

The blue wooden crate in the top of the pantry holds all of my baking decorating supplies: sprinkles, icing, decorating tips, etc. All of the supplies are in one place and the crate's easy to grab when I'm decorating.

To clear up much needed shelf space, I put all of the oils, vegetable sprays, syrups, etc. in one large vintage enamel pot. The pot slides easily under the bottom shelf and out of sight.

Last but not least, I had to have a place to hang my aprons. One bronze hook on the inside of the pantry and voila!

Say buh-bye to this nightmare of a pantry...

...and hello to this darling little kitchen nook!

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

I hope you like our little redo. If you have any projects you've been working on, share a link in the comment section or on BEY's Facebook page. I'd love to see what you're up to!

thank you

2011-07-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

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Just wanted to give a big ol' thank you to all of you that submitted delicious recipes for last week's Blueberry Bliss. I've had berries running out of my ears!

We have stewed, and baked, and dried and muddled. Who knew there were so many ways to prepare blueberries! We made a trip down to my grandparent's farm over the long weekend and picked even more blueberries. Looks like there is going to be a lot of jam in my future.

Hope you guys enjoyed the recipes. Don't forget to grab some fresh blueberries while they're in season. If you make something yummy with them, please share on Blue Eyed Yonder's Facebook page.

Scenes from the 4th

2011-07-05T00:00:00.001-04:00

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

There's no such thing as a simple get-together in my family. Lots of fun, laughs and, of course, way too much food.

Hope everyone had a fabulous 4th! What did you do to celebrate?

Happy 4th

2011-07-02T00:00:00.001-04:00

Blue Eyed Yonder Fire Cracker Burgers

Wishing you guys a safe and happy 4th of July!

What's an American celebration without a good ol' fashioned hamburger. Spice things up this year and make these Firecracker Burgers. They're one of my favorites.

And if you're in need of one more blueberry dessert idea for this weekend, try this blueberry cobbler suggested by Sobrina of Quiet Like Horses. It's sure to sweeten your 4th celebration!

Blueberry Cobbler
Adapted from Ad Hoc at Home by Thomas Keller

Topping
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk

Filling
4 pints (8 cups) blueberries
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

Cinnamon Sugar
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.

Put the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle (I just used a hand mixer and it worked fine) and mix on low speed to combine, then beat on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until the mixture is light and creamy, scraping down the sides as necessary. Beat in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Add the dry ingredients in 3 batches, alternating with the buttermilk in 2 batches. Scrape down the sides and mix again to be certain that all the ingredients are combined.

Put the blueberries in a large bowl and toss with the sugar, flour, and zest. Spread in an 11-inch square baking dish or a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Spoon mounds of the batter over the berries, leaving space between the mounds.

Combine the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the batter.

Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the juices are bubbling and the topping is golden brown and cooked through. If the top becomes too brown before it is cooked, lay a piece of aluminum foil over the top of the cobbler.

Let the cobbler stand for at least 10 minutes before serving. (Any leftover cobbler can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.)

Mema's Blueberry Cheesecake

2011-07-01T07:00:00.001-04:00

I think there's some kind of unspoken rule amongst Grandmas that you must always have something delicious baking in the oven.

I've always loved the fact that 99% of the time Mema has some sort of homemade dessert on her counter. It may be a caramel layer cake, a pound cake or a freshly made banana pudding, but when blueberry season arrives there's one thing that is sure to be cooking at Mema's house... her delicious Blueberry Cheesecake.

Just walk into her house this time of year and there's a pretty good chance the tangy, sweet smell of cream cheese will be lingering in the air. Just walk past the oven and you will smell the golden graham cracker crust beginning to bake.

Smelling the cake as it cools is pure torture. I'm not sure if any of her cream cheese cakes has ever completely cooled before we dived into it. It has the creamiest blueberry filling hidden under a silky sour cream topping. Absolutely divine.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Mema's Blueberry Cheesecake
adapted from Southern Living Magazine 2003

What you will need:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tbsp. butter, melted
1 tbsp. sugar
vegetable cooking spray
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
1 cup sugar
3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
2 egg whites
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. grated lemon rind
1 1/2 cups fresh bluberries
1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/4 cup sour cream

Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a small bowl. Press mixture on bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 350-degrees for 5 minutes. Remove from oven; set aside.

Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.

Combine 1 cup sugar, flour and salt. Add to cream cheese, beating until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add egg whites, beating until blended.

Add 8-ounce container of sour cream, vanilla and lemon rind, beating just until blended. Gently stir in blueberries. Pour mixture into prepared pan.

Bake at 300-degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until center of cheesecake is firm. Turn off oven, and let cheesecake stand in oven, with oven door partially open, 30 minutes.

Remove cheesecake from oven; cool in pan on a wire rack 30 minutes.

Cover cheesecake, and chill 8 hours. Release sides of pan.

Stir together whipped topping and 1/4 cup sour cream. Spread over cheesecake.

Blueberry Dumplings

2011-07-01T00:00:00.002-04:00

This has to be one of my all time favorite blueberry recipes. Just saying the words Blueberry Dumplings makes my mouth water. If you love desserts that are ooey, gooey and warm all over... drop what you are doing and make this right now! I mean it... scoot!

Just imagine the softest, plumpest dough balls that have soaked up the most delicious berry juice. This dish has so many great "Southern" qualities: fresh picked berries from the farm, homemade dumplin's and you don't even have to chew it! (Which I have to admit is true for most southern foods.)

If you really want to put this dessert over the top, add a big ol' glob of vanilla ice cream. I promise you will eat this until your teeth turn blue and your mouth hurts from smiling.

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Blueberry Dumplings
from Tasty Kitchen

For the dumplings:
1 cup flour
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 pinch salt
1/2 cups butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cups milk

For the berries:
1 quart fresh blueberries
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 cups water

In a medium bowl combine flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir it to make sure it is good and combined. Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter and vanilla into the dry ingredients. Add milk to form dough. Set this beautiful dumpling dough aside.

In a large pot, dump in your washed berries, 1 1/4 cup of sugar, and water. Bring this to a boil. Drop dumplings by the spoonful into the hot boiling berries.

This is the most important step in making the dumplings! Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and cook slowly for 20 minutes. Do not, I repeat do not, remove the lid before 20 minutes has passed, and do not stir the dumplings. They should be sitting at the top of the pot cooking.

Serve warm.

Oven Dried Blueberries

2011-06-30T00:00:00.001-04:00

If there's one health-conscious blogger I always admire, it's Lesley of Homemade Grits. She shared this super simple and healthy blueberry recipe.

Toss the berries with honey and spread them on a baking sheet...

Pop them in the oven on low heat and bake. Told you it was simple!

These dried berries are delicious sprinkled over yogurt or cereal, but also make a sweet snack just by themselves.

Too bad the leftover parchment paper is super sticky, it could pass for a funky piece of modern art. Don't you think?

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Oven Dried Blueberries
from Whole Living

What you will need:

1 cup blueberries
1 teaspoon honey

Heat oven to 225 degrees. Toss blueberries with honey in a bowl. Bake berries on a parchment-lined baking sheet until shriveled but still supple, about 2 hours. Let cool. Berries will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 month. This recipe yields 1/2 cup of berries.

Tip: Do not place too many berries in the oven at once. The amount of moisture released will cause the drying process to take FOREVER.

Blueberry Mixology

2011-06-29T00:00:00.004-04:00

Photo by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

When I asked everyone to share their favorite blueberry recipe, I can pretty much guarantee you I didn't think I'd have to bring out the rum! Lucky for us, Terri reminded me of her delicious blueberry mojitos.

Mr. Blue Eyed Yonder was grilling some delicious ginger-teriyaki glazed chicken skewers so I thought I would try this unique twist - Blueberry Ginger Mojitos. Yum!

Blueberry Ginger Mojito
adapted from Food Network

What you will need:

For the Ginger Simple Syrup:
1/4 cup fresh grated ginger
1 cup sugar
1 cup cold water

For the Mojito:
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 lime, cut into wedges
20-24 fresh mint leaves
4 ounces ginger simple syrup
4 ounces Rum
5 ounces club soda
ice cubes
blueberries, for garnish
mint sprigs, for garnish

For the Ginger Simple Syrup:

Peel and grate the ginger and add it, together with the sugar and cold water, to a saucepan. Bring it to the boil and stir until the sugar dissolves. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain and cool in the refrigerator when done.

For the Mojito:

Add the blueberries, lime wedges and fresh mint leaves to the glass (or pitcher). Muddle with a wooden spoon so the blueberries are broken and the mint and lime release their juices and flavor. If assembling pitchers you can cover them at this stage and leave in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

When ready to serve, add the simple syrup, vodka and top off with club soda. Give it a quick stir and then pour into glasses with ice cubes. Garnish with a handful of fresh blueberries and a sprig of mint.

The recipe outlined above is for 2 tall glasses, but you can use the ratio to make pitchers (depending on how big your pitcher is double or quadruple the recipe).

Blueberry Buckle

2011-06-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

To kick off this week of Blueberry Bliss, Natalie shared one of her favorite blueberry recipes: Blueberry Buckle. Why is it called a "buckle"? Some say it's because of the way the crumb topping buckles as it bakes and others say it's because you have to loosen your belt buckle after having a couple of pieces. Either way, the recipe sounded too good not to try.

When we were little Mom use to make us Martha White blueberry muffins in the mornings before school. I'm not sure where we picked up this hankering, but we would always beg her to leave the muffins a little bit raw in the middle. We're definitely "gooey" people when it comes to desserts. If the world were full of only crumbly desserts we'd all be quite a bit thinner.

As soon as I started mixing the batter for this Blueberry Buckle, the smell of it reminded me of those early morning muffins. We use to dip our little fingers in the empty mixing bowl and scrape out what was left of the batter. I do believe the batter was better than the muffins, but again, I think that's true for most desserts.

As the batter baked, the house smelled like there were a thousand blueberry muffins baking in the oven. This buckle took the Martha White muffins out back and smacked them around a little bit. The smell was so delicious and buttery.

This loaf baked very similar to a muffin. It was moist, warm and cake-like in the middle and the topping was sugary with a soft, crumbly texture.

A cup of coffee or a scoop of vanilla - your pick. I think it's excellent for breakfast or dessert. Thanks again for the awesome recipe Natalie!

Photos by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

Blueberry Buckle
from MommyCoddle

What you will need:

3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
2 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cup blueberries

Cream sugar and butter. Add egg. In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients and stir into the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Fold in berries, and pour into a greased or parchment-lined 8 x 8 inch pan or loaf pan.

Crumble :

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
4 tbsp butter, softened

Mix together and sprinkle over top of buckle. Bake at 375˚ for approximately 25-30 minutes.

Season's Harvest: Blueberry

2011-06-27T00:00:00.001-04:00

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It's here! Blue Eyed Yonder's week of Blueberry Bliss. With all of these blueberries I am starting to feel a little like Violet on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. "Violet! You're turning violet, Violet!" Classic.

Thanks so much for all of the fabulous blueberry recipes you shared! I've got some of your favorites lined up for the week. Stay tuned!

Love all

2011-06-24T00:00:00.001-04:00

Source: ffffound.com

I can't believe it's Friday already. This week has really flown by.

I always look forward to weekends, but I love them even better when company's coming to town. My Mom and littlest sister will be here this weekend and as a double bonus, Kameryn is staying with us all next week too! She's going to Georgia Tech's Summer Tennis Camp. I guess there's a little perk to your big sister living in Atlanta, you don't have to spend the night at camp in a grungy dorm room.

I don't know who is more excited. Just reading all the camp details makes me get all giddy. I can't wait to hear how she likes it.

Source: mechantdesign.blogspot.com

So, we'll be getting into "camp gear" for next week AND we'll be trying out lots of your blueberry recipes for next week's Blueberry Bliss. It's not to late to send your favorite recipe my way, we'd love to give it a try!

Happy Weekend!

Blueberry Round-up

2011-06-23T00:00:00.003-04:00

Photo by {Blue Eyed Yonder}

I had an extra special delivery this week. My Grandpa drove up from South Georgia and brought me a cooler full of fresh picked blueberries from my family's farm. With all of these blueberries, I thought it would be fun to have an entire week of blueberry bliss!

Here's where I need your help...

Leave a message in the comment section with a link to your favorite blueberry recipe or if your favorite recipe is not online, shoot a quick email to blueeyedyonder{at}gmail{dot}com with the recipe.

I'll pick several of these recipes to make next week and feature them on Blue Eyed Yonder.

So dig deep into your recipe files and share that blueberry recipe that keeps you coming back time and time again. I can't wait to see your favorites!

True Grits

2011-06-22T00:00:00.002-04:00

Sisters - Atkinson County, Georgia

I have the funny suspicion these ladies really knew the meaning of a DIY wedding.

I just love pouring over the tiny details of this photo. Their outfits, their faces, the food, the cake! It reminds me of the many family gatherings I went to growing up. Those ladies could lay down a spread like the good Lord himself was coming for supper: fried chicken, creamed corn, fresh zipper peas, squash casserole, cornbread and biscuits. Oh the biscuits!

A scattering of pots, pans and platters. Tables loaded down with the bounty of the farm. A warm breeze blowing off the field, wrapping around you like a hug. You'd listen as the men raved about the cookin' and watch as the ladies bashfully said, "Aww, it ain't no good."

These people didn't drive to town and pick up their dinner at a drive-thru. They didn't hire a fancy caterer to feed the crowds. They bent over on their own two legs and picked the beans in a misty morning field. They walked through the hot, sticky rows of corn, grasping through the wet stalks for the plump ears. Did they go to the deli and ask for a rotisserie? Uh-hem, I think not. They walked outside and grabbed that hen by the neck.

Life was so much tougher, so much sweeter, and definitely not a place for sissies!

I love looking at these ladies and imagining what life would have been like for them. Their personalities seem so very different, but I like to think that the time they spent together held some of the best memories of their lives.