A deadline, a break, and a giveaway!

I said "yes". Yes to making over 25 smocked dresses in seven days. About a month ago I made a smocked dress for a baby shower, and remember how I mentioned I impressed some of the ladies? Well one of them asked me to participate in her boutique this coming weekend. So seven days to make the dresses, figure out how to display them, make logos & hang tags, possibly fit some ties in there, and ultimately decide if this is something I really want to do.

So far, so good. I haven't begun pulling out my hair yet. But, I need to take a blogging break. I need some time to smock my brains out, get caught up on some other projects I have slacked on (mother's day), and recover from my sewing rampage.

In the meantime though, I want to giveaway a couple of my labors. I really enjoy blogging, and I have been so happy to make so many new friends and connect with the old because of it. So, for those of you I haven't met yet and those that I have, all you have to do is leave a comment, and on Friday I will randomly draw two names. The first name I draw will have the first pick between the dress and the tie, and the second will get the left over. Check back Friday at noon, and don't forget to spread the word!

*The dress is a size 12-18 months, and the tie fits a 2-7 year old.

Cravings

I have been trying to eat healthy lately, not allowing myself to have many indulgences. For the most part I have enjoyed it. I feel better, I have a bit more energy, and have been able to finally fit more comfortably into a few of my jeans from last year. But I have two food cravings that are really getting in my way of  fitting into my last two pairs of skinny jeans: pizza and sweet rolls.

Both of these foods are possibly the worst foods to crave in my endeavors towards a healthy lifestyle, but the pizza I have been craving actually in my head seems like it could be actually good for me. What I really have been wanting is a thin crusted pizza  piled high with fresh veggies, either light or no sauce, and just a sprinkling of cheese. I have been to many pizza joints this month, they have definitely been tasty, just not exactly what I've wanted.

So last night I gave it a shot. Thin whole wheat crust (I improvised on this one), no sauce, lots of veggies, & light on the cheese. I still have some kinks to work out on the dough, and I would have liked to have added more vegetables if I had had them, but overall it was quite good, and I don't feel like I have a huge lump of dough lingering in my stomach.

I used a recipe for the crust that I found here on Cooking light. It called for bread flour, didn't have of that on hand, so I used whole wheat flour. It could have been a bit crunchier and thinner, for next time, but I really loved the flavor of the whole wheat, and will definitely use it again.

For the topping mixture, I used onions, fresh garlic, green peppers, tomatoes, and mushrooms.  I will probably try to add a few more veggies for the next go around, maybe some zucchini or red peppers, but this mix felt fresh and healthy. To give it a kick, I spread  a mixture of apple cider vinegar, olive oil, fresh garlic, and one teaspoon each of basil, rosemary, and thyme on the top of the crust before adding the veggies, and on top of the pizza right after taking it out of the oven. For the cheese I used a handful of mozzarella and a sprinkling of parmesan. But the best part about the pizza besides the taste was that it only took 15 minutes to bake at a temperature of 425.

And the sweet rolls. I don't feel so healthy about this craving, but it won't go away. Maybe it's just because I have yet to find the perfect one to indulge this craving once and for all. I've tried though, there have been a few unnecessary trips to Ikea, Great Harvest, and Kneaders, and I even picked myself one at an Australian BBQ, but I'm not satisfied yet. Can someone please pass along a recipe, one that is tried and true?   

Come on, help a girl out, I'm dying here....

Have you checked out Madras?

If you haven't, you should.

Very much in keeping with A.P.C.'s simplicity, but with a lower price point. I debated and debated about getting the plaid shirt, everything was pre-order up until yesterday, with no word as to when they would be coming in. And in my typical obsessiveness, I checked again today and everything was sold-out. I freaked, and called the store. Phew...they just got their shipment in today. Why is it the second I realize I can't have something, especially a clothing item, I drive myself mad until I can. I have an obsessive nature sometimes....

But really, this stuff is cute. I just might have to run to my sewing machine.

* Click on the above A.P.C. link to take you to Madras. It is a second line of A.P.C.

We traded in the city

For a gas hogging, earth polluting, unnecessary, but we really love it, SUV.

For a house three four times the size of our NY apartment. It's finally ours!

And for a boy (and mom) who love their new fenced backyard!

packages = happy

I love a good package. The anticipation while tearing it open, hoping it will be as great as you imagined, or not having the slightest clue as to what it could be, in all forms, they make me happy.

This week was particularly good.

The fabric for Luke's quilt finally arrived. And I say finally, because it took me 2 months to make a decision.  Red polka dots for the back, and an orange solid for the binding. Thank you to everyone who made suggestions...it was tough.

And a surprise. This one was for Luke, and it didn't disappoint. A handmade superman/superLuke cape made by Katie for Luke's birthday.

He won't take it off, and really, do you blame him?

Meet the new additions to my salt water family. 

Ok, I didn't really get this in the mail, but I did win it, and would have if I didn't see Kelly regularly.