A Quilted Flower Pot.

I have seen tutorials for this AWESOME project a few different places, like here and here.

I needed a fun, easy, and CHEAP craft to tackle on this lazy Saturday afternoon I am having! As I browsed through my pinterest boards, I was reminded of this gem and said BINGO!

So here we go, my version of the coolest looking pot around! 

What you will need:

• Some sweet fabric (the thinner the better), I used remnants of an old, ripped, Anthropologie quilt I had laying around. (apparently those things aren't machine washable)
• Mod Podge, AKA a crafter's best friend!
• a paint brush, any one will do
• a terra cotta pot
• scissors

Okay so check it, this tutorial is so easy that is almost doesnt even require steps. However since I guess I am trying to make this post all legit, I will attempt to tell you the "steps" to this project!

Step 1: Gather all required accoutrements

Step 2: Use scissors to cut fabric to appropriate size. (you want it to completely cover the exterior or your pot and fold over the top and bottom)

Step 3: Use Paint Brush to coat the pot with Mod Podge.

Step 4: Cover Pot with fabric, smooth as you go.

Step 5: Carefully fold fabric over the top and bottom of the pot (tip: it helps to cut vertical slips in the fabric)

Step 6: Coat the entire pot with Mod Podge to seal it

Step 7: Watch it dry and . . .

 VOILA, you have a beautiful new planter!!!

As you can see in the above picture, I decided to fill mine with some gravel and use it as a make up brush holder!! Have fun with this one folks, I know I cant wait to make many many more!! And bonus, I knew that I was holding on to that old quilt for a reason!!

What other easy crafts should I give a whirl today???

ARM SWAG BY C+I

CHECK OUT MY STORE FOR ALL OF THESE AWESOME BRACELETS!!!!!!!

Kitchen Love.

I have been having some serious kitchen envy lately!! I can not wait till I own my house and have the absolute freedom to decorate however I want!! Here is a handful of spaces That I have been swooning over recently!!!

I Love It.

Okay. So I know the responsible way to deal with a bad day is to read inspirational blogs/pinterest quotes and take deep breaths! But lets be honest, we dont always want to be responsible, especially on a bad day. Alas, I have a different solution!!

Crank your stereo as high as it can go, put on the following song and jump around until your hearts content!!

After all, in my book of medicine, music cures all!

I'll admit, Im a wee bit embarrased to say it, but this song is my current musical obsession. When jamming to it, I instantly feel as though I am transported to the hippest club in London circa 1990! I cant help but fist pump, swing my hair, and jump around like a crazy person wearing ripped fishnet stockings and a crimped pony tail!

So thank you, Icono Pop, for curing my ills and turning my frown upside down!

Today is going to be a great day!

WHAT SONGS CHEER YOU UP??

Snowmobiles are Fun.

This weekend, I went snowmobiling with Sage Outdoor Adventures near Wolcott, CO! We had such a blast. First of all, I am not going to name any names but because of a certain someone, we were almost an hour late. Luckily they weren't too mad at us!!

With our guide, Jason, we were barely able to scratch the surface of Sage's 6,000 private acres! It was so amazingly beautiful!! I hope you enjoy the pics we snapped along the ride!!

I totally want to buy a snowmobile now!! By the end of this excursion, I believe I am an expert and I am ready to pull back flips at the X-Games. Okay maybe I'm lying to myself a little bit, okay a lot! But regardless of my abilities, it was an awesome adventure and I cant wait to go again!!

Have you ever been Snowmobiling? Have a sled you want to let me borrow?

High Altitude Cookies.

So now that I have been living in the mountains for quite a few years, I can finally say that I have learned how to bake at high altitude!!! It is quite a feat, trust me!! After many many trials and tribulations, I have perfected the 8,150 ft. chocolate chip cookie! These are by far the most delicious chocolate chip cookies I have ever tasted, and I have tasted a lot!! I am so excited to share this recipe with all of you!!

(And don't worry you low landers, at the bottom I have included the adjustments for you!)

Here is what you'll need:

2 1/2 cups all purpouse flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp kosher salt

1 C (2 sticks) butter

2/3 C granulated sugar

2/3 C brown sugar (light or dark)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 Tbs Vanilla

2 large eggs

1 2/3 C Dark Chocolate Chips

1 C dry oats

2tsp water

You can add some nuts if you are feeling particularly frisky

* If you are at regular altitude, omit the water, decrease flour to 2 1/4 C, & increase both sugars to 3/4 C.

Here is What You Do:

1) Preheat the oven to 375.

2) Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into a small bowl.

Add the water and mix into the dry ingredients.

3) In another, slightly larger bowl, beat the sugar, brown sugar and butter.

Add eggs one by one.

Add vanilla.

4) Gradually combine the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

5) Fold the chocolate chips and oatmeal (and nuts) into the dough until it is well combined

I use a 1in ice cream scooper and place the cookies 2 in apart on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.

Grab a glass of ice cold milk and enjoy these bad boys!! YUMMMMMM!!!!



phun.

{just a random fun photo strip for your saturday pleasure}

All Dogs Go To Heaven.

So I have known since starting this blog that in order to let my readers get to know me a bit more, I am going to have to do a post about my late dog, Koda. I have not known however, when the appropriate time would come. Well this morning, I received some sad news that led me to believe today is the day.

Let me digress, my next door neighbor's dog's name is Mr. Briggsy. Mr. Briggsy was the sweetest, most well behaved gentle sole. He went everywhere with Greg. I loved having the opportunity to dog sit him and walk him as often as possible while mourning the loss of my dear friend Koda Bear. He really helped me through that difficult time. This morning I ran into my neighbor and he gave me some heart wrenching news. Last week, out of the blue, Mr. Briggsy got cancer and passed away. I instantly started crying. (I am one of those people that almost gets more sad when animals die than people) I know from recent experience, just how difficult it is to lose your four legged best friend!! Here is a picture of Mr. Briggsy cuddling with my kitten, Moglie.



{Briggsy & Moglie}



{Koda Bear}

Okay, so without further ado, Koda.
Almost nine years ago, I was driving down the street in Denver and happen to see this nappy wolf looking thing wandering on the side of the road. I pulled over and approached him and I noticed he had a collar on. I called the number on the tag only to find a disconnected line. He seemed so scared and sweet and helpless. He hopped in my car without any hesitation and we drove straight to the nearest vet. They found that he had been microchipped and tried to contact Koda's registered owners. He was about three years old. They told me that if I wanted to keep him I could and if they could still not contact his "owners" after three weeks, I could officially adopt Koda and register my information to the microchip.
I guess I just had a gut feeling that this poor soul had been abandoned. It seemed as though he had been on his own for quite some time. I took him to the groomer, who shaved him in order to rectify the disgusting situation which was his dreddy, matted fur. And then we went to the pet store and stocked up on supplies. I spent what seemed like a small fortune on him. My roommate and friends thought I must be out of my gourd to do all this for a dog, I didn't even know if I could keep. But I knew. I just somehow knew that Koda would be my mine forever.
The first few months with Koda were difficult. I had never known a dog like him. He was terrified, unaffectionate, and distant. Not at all like the silly labs I had always grown up with. He spent most of the time hiding in my closet. There was a part of me that feared we would never be connected but still I knew I could never abandon him like his previous owners.
Slowly, with persistent love and care, Koda started to come around. Within a year, we were inseparable. Koda came everywhere with me. He was my sidekick. He became the mascot for the store I was working in at the time. He always rode shotgun as we ran errands. We spent countless hours playing at the dog park. No matter what we were doing, he was always by my side.
Despite his size and intimidating looks, Koda couldn't have hurt a fly. He would let children and small dogs alike tug on his fur and play with his bushy tail until their hearts content. He was without a doubt the most mellow dog I have ever met.
Over the past year or so, he had really started to slow down. He wasn't bolting through the trees quite as quickly on our hikes or diving into the rivers with the same bounce. I took him to the vet as a precautionary measure, they said he was in good shape and overall physical health for his age. About a month later, I went out of town for a friends wedding. The day after I returned, June 7, 2012, was one of the worst days of my life. I had gone to bed around 10pm and Tyler stayed up. He was outside talking to the neighbor when Koda stumbled outside. Tyler came rushing in and woke me up telling me "there is something wrong with Koda" At first I thought he was joking, and as he persisted, I realized that i should probably get out of bed. When I did, Koda was still laying outside, he couldn't move and his eyes were black. I had never seen anything like it and I knew something was really wrong. We carried him inside where he just laid in my arms, gave me a kiss and then stopped breathing. It all happened so fast. I was hysterical. I had never experienced a loss quite like this.
I still mourn Koda's death every day. I miss him so much, more than anyone will ever truly know. He meant the world to me and always will. Looking back, I am grateful for how it happened. I am grateful for not having to put him down, but for the fact the died in my arms, and peacefully. I take comfort in knowing that he is now frolicking in doggie heaven alongside Mr. Briggsy, Buster, Samy, Artie, and all of our other dear pets that have passed. I am confident that he is smiling, and running, and chasing squirrels until his hearts content.
Koda Bear, I love you and I miss You.

 Tell me about all of your pets, past and present! I love love love to hear about what four legged friends mean the most to you!!



Bonfire Brewing.

One of the greatest things about living in Colorado is BEER! It is a beer lovers paradise. I live in a very small town and there are three great breweries right near me!! (Two within walking distance of my house, can you say dangerous!?!?) Well this weekend, Ty and I decided to visit one of our favorite breweries, Bonfire Brewing! Bonfire is one of the most creative breweries that I have visited! They brew what they like to drink and their passion can be tasted!! As a bonus, their beers are often hilariously named, like one of my personal favorites, Demshitz Brown Ale and another, the Tebrew!!! Sheer greatness I tell you! Here are some pics of our outing:

{the brewery}

{the tasting room, filled with happy people}

{Ty & I played some intense rounds of giant Connect Four}

{firepit on the back patio}

{brew dog}

This place is truly one of my favorite spots to grab a tasty beverage, kick back, and chill with some super cool peeps. They also have live music on their patio, which is always a guarenteed good time. If you happen to be in my neck of the woods, I highly suggest you take the time to check out this little gem. You will not be dissapointed.

What are some of your local gems?? Whats your favorite beer?

Chloe + Isabel.

 

Y'all, I am so pumped about this company!!! Have you heard of them!?!?!? Well, I am proud to say that I am the newest merchandiser representing the Chloe + Isabel brand. Their jewelery is amazing and truly has something for everybody!! Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

1) "Your My Type" Typewriter Pendant 2) Organic Teardrop Earrings 3) Three Row Paillette Graduated Pendant 4) Braided Metal + Leather Necklace 5) Coral Branch Pendant Necklace 6) Two Tone Metal Square Stretch Bracelet 7) Coral Stone Ring 8) Layered Scales Metal Bib Necklace 

 9) Pave Circle Stud Earrings 10) The Brave Collection Wrap Bracelet 11) Feather + Stone Ring

12) Wide Ribbon Chain Bracelet

You absolutely must go check out my boutique!!

I hope you all enjoy the beautiful jewelery as much as I do!! I am so excited to be a part of the Chloe + Isabel family and share more of my experiences with all of you!!

Let me know what you think!!!