Me in Melange

Yummy AND pretty cake!

My sister's birthday party is tomorrow and I'm making this gorgeous strawberry cake.  Hope it looks this pretty!!!  Recipe is below!  Signed, ME {lv}

 

   

 

Southern Style Strawberry Cake

     from: Sweets

1 (18.5 ounce) box white cake mix (without pudding)

1 (3 ounce) package strawberry jello

1 Tablespoon self rising flour

4 teaspoons granulated sugar

3/4 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup fresh strawberries, finely diced.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  

To make the cake, combine to cake mix, Jello, flour and sugar in a large bowl.  Mix well.  Add the oil.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition  Add the water and strawberries and mix well.  Divide the batter evenly into 2 8-inch round baking pans that have been oiled and floured.  Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean and the layers pull away from the sides of the pan.  

Transfer the layers from the oven to wire racks.  Let them cool, still in their pans, for 10 minutes.  After 10 minutes, run a knife around the inside edge of each pan, then unmold each layer onto the racks to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese, softened

2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened 

2 (1 pound) boxes powdered sugar

pinch of salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

pink food coloring

4 sliced strawberries

To make the frosting, in a bowl combine the cream cheese and butter.  Beat until soft and pliable and no lumps remain.  Add one box of the powdered sugar, salt and vanilla extract.  Beat until incorporated.  Add the second box of sugar and mix until incorporated.  If you would like a smoother consistency, and a slash of milk.  If you would like a thicker consistency, and a bit more powdered sugar until the desired consistency is achieved.

Put the coconut in a small bowl and sprinkle with two or three drops of pink die.  Mix with hands to distribute the color and wash hands immediately.  Once the cake is frosted, decorate the top of the cake with the shredded coconut and sliced strawberries. Enjoy!  Happy Strawberry Summer!

Ingenious!

Were you the person who sang Creedance Clearwater Revival's Bad Moon Arising, "There's a bathroom on the right" ?  Right now someone is thinking, "huh?  You mean it isn't??"   We are officially the song lyric destroyers.  We hum through sections of songs that we don't know, or in the alternative, make up stuff that is "close enough."   The coolest thing EVER is that thanks to our friend the internet, we will never be song challenged again.  This www.LyricsMode.com has the lyrics to a gazillion songs.  I can't tear myself away, it is so much fun to actually see the words of songs I couldn't figure out.  LOVE THIS THING!!  Signed, ME {lv}

My newest obsession for the house.

My latest obsession are terrariums...a lidded glass "mini world" for your plants.  You only have to water them maybe once in 3-4 months (great for me because I usually only water when I see them wilt), and they look really COOL!  You can use any lidded glass container (big crank close glass containers from the container store work), and then you follow these directions http://www.thegardenhelper.com/terrarium.html .  Voila, instant indoor garden.  I've seen my sister make thse for people for birthdays and they turn out really amazing!  Signed, ME {lv}

 Picture of a great one from Smith & Hawken:

http://www.smithandhawken.com/catalog/product.jsp;jsessionid=43F1PQCEAAHAKCTLNKFFAFIKNNVIWUPU?productId=prod400044p&categoryId=cat220059p 

Good quote.

You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. -- Mike Murdock

Saw this quote this a.m. and thought it was good.  Signed, ME {lv}

Cahier de vie!

I thought I would share my summer project with everyone.  During this past school year Ava kept a "Cahier de vie" at school...basically a notebook of her life at school.  It was super, SUPER cute....this 14" x 10" paper notebook with all kinds of drawings, cut out pictures, and little bits and pieces that made up the weekly events of the past school year.  She was actively involved in its creation, and a couple of times during the year brought it home for "group" projects (i.e. mom had to print out pictures and direct the drawing of pictures etc.)  It is a little rough, sort of like a worn in favorite journal you bring everywhere (not a perfectly kept scrapbook) and this I absolutely love about it.  Anyway, we decided to start a Cahier de vie d'ete to chronicle the happenings of this summer.  This morning we went strawberry picking, and I took along the camera so we could print a picture (nothing fancy, I'll probably just do it on regular paper in black and white), and slap it into the cahier--they draw a picture or write something and wham, we've got documentation of a fun day along with the memories.  I thought it would be a fun way to journal one of our summers together!  Signed, ME {lv}

I promise to...

My absolute favorite new accessory are these delicate, little promise rings from Tumbleweed...

They are so sweet and just lovely!   I mixed up one set of silver with a set of gold, they are available here and here.  We will be getting in more sizes (5-8) by the end of the week.  I'm in the midst of making promises to myself, but I think they would make such a beautiful gift to give to someone with a little written promise for each ring.  signed, me {CA}

Thought I would share my favorite October Nanette Lepore dress....isn't she lovely? 

AND...this was my favorite October Nanette Lepore sweater....knit, with lace sleeves, cowl neckline and rosette.  Can't you see it paired with a black pencil skirt looking sleek and savvy.  SO pretty!!  Signed, ME {lv}

The power of PLEASE!

We leave on Thursday for my in-laws' house.  So I started tonight while driving home from dinner on the "manners refresher course".  So we start off with the basics, I asked them what kind of "good manners" they were going to use.  Please and thank you were on their short list.  I then diced it up and gave them a scenario.  "O.K., what do you do if they put something on your plate that you don't want to eat?"  I envision them picking it up and throwing it across the table, right onto a perfectly pressed tablecloth, so I figure this is my opportunity to verify that throwing it is not the solution.  Lucia says, without skipping a beat and in her cute toddler drawl, "I would say, 'PLEASE take that yucky stuff off my plate RIGHT now.'"   :-)  Signed, ME {lv}

Cool site for rugs!!

I'm on the search for a new entry rug for my home...I wanted something fun, colorful and different.  I came across this site and there are some great prints--the colors are fantastic!!  http://www.laylagrayce.com/searchresulthome.aspx?CategoryID=988&view=all  (laylagrace.com).  FUN!  Signed, ME {lv}

Closet cleanout--a girl in need.

I have a dear friend, who finally two days ago, let me clean out her closet with her.  She is going through a divorce, so I'm thinking that this might have spear-headed her need for some feng shui clearing of clutter and "crap", specifically in her closet.  Wow, what an experience.  There is nothing like letting someone into your closet to really make a girl vulnerable.  I thought I was going to have to tranquilize her (or at least sedate her with several glasses of wine).  We had a field day, approx. three big trash bags full later (one for donation, one for goodwill and one for her mom) we were done.  I made her swear to stay away from Liz Claiborne, Chadwicks, and Karen Kane.  Part of her problem was that most of what was hanging in her closet was bought on her personal self-conception as a top heavy, very big busted woman--she went with boxy tops that draped her bustline rather than hugged it and her motto was "hide".  She then proceeded to loose a bunch of weight and dropped two cups sizes.   She has a totally different body than she did 6 months ago, but she still sees herself in the same way and can't really conceive of the fact that those same things no longer look good (to be honest I'm not sure they ever did though--way to matronly).  I made her try on a huge stack of things that while they might have been o.k. from a style perspective, needed the boot if they didn't fit.  It was hard for her to part with certain pieces despite the fact that they were bought way too big (probably too big for her even when she was bigger).  She wrestled a St. John knit jacket back from my clutches and I'm pretty sure she snuck a couple out of the bags to be donated when I wasn't looking.  But overall she did o.k. and felt great after the purge.

It is so important to regularly go through your closet with a brutal and objective eye (a good time to pull in a best friend for some "truth" time).  Make a pile of things that don't fit, don't look good, or were fashion "oops I can't believe I bought that" pieces.  After you finish, ask yourself if you have worn ANY of those pieces in the last year....if the answer is yes to anything, take a closer look.  If the answer is no, dump it.  I'm so excited to go replenish her wardrobe with her (our first stop will be Melange of course)!!   There is nothing better than being able to replace things you don't like with things you DO like....I know she'll feel like a brand new woman and that is just the boost she needs!!  Signed, ME {lv}

My proud moment!

Last night was the final school performance for both kids.  They do it every year, and the school makes a big "to-do" about it.  They dress up, they do a song/dance number (each class) and we all pile into a large theatre at the Lewis & Clark College.  We buy flowers.  You get the picture.  So, we have the video camera rolling when the cute little class that Lucia is in came out on stage.  The music starts and this sweet little sound of children singing French echoes through the autorium.  We are in the way back, but through the zoom on the video I spy it.  IT being Lucia....picking her nose, not singing, and looking dazed.  No joke, for about 95% of the song she held one side of her pretty floral dress, twirled slightly, and picked her nose with the other hand.  We were laughing so hard the video is shaking constantly.  Yes, that is my kid....I'm so proud   I have the kid that all the other moms use as a reference point...the "low" point...."well, at least she didn't pick her nose the whole time" :-).   Signed, ME {lv}

Mikey Stars is here!

It is here...Mikey Stars, the very first delivery by Michael Stars of a small collection for babies!  I fell in love with these little sleeveless dresses, both the dip-dye and the solid supima.  I promptly bought Gia one today and we took pictures of her in it with her chubby little legs and arms hanging out (so cute I wanted to take a big bite out of her), and we'll be posting her first fashion shoot on an outfits page soon!!  The collection is still small, but I am hopeful that he'll grow the line because it is really hard to find baby clothing in great colors WITHOUT a bunch of graphics, or "same-old, same-old" kid stuff on them (i.e.  animals for boys and flowers for girls).  I love seeing simple silhouettes in great colors (and fabrics).  These are just adorable, I can't wait to see what Michael Stars does for our little ones this fall!  Signed, ME {lv}

Daydreaming...

of this heavenly set from West Elm!  Doesn't it just look dreamy and perfectly suited for summertime?!  signed, me {CA}

the best way to start a Monday is with...

And don't forget coupon code "replenish" for an extra 20% off all tees and tank, good until tomorrow!  Happy Monday!  signed, me {CA}

Packing reminders, get vacation ready!

Having just returned from vacation, I'm armed with recent (and not so recent) packing errors that I'm ready to pass on.  First, I will acknowledge that I'm not a naturally skilled packer.  Whatever abilities I have gained in the packing arena have been after years of hideous packing errors and a current strategy that includes numerous lists and weeks of advance planning.  If you realize that at one point I managed to go to Mexico for a week with one pair of shorts, you will understand just how far I've come.  So...reminders for your future summer packing endeavors:

1.  Don't pack too light; there is nothing worse than not having what you need.  Having the attitude that you will "buy something if you forget it", never works because if you really need something it is a pain to run around trying to find it, and chances are it won't be nearly as good as what you could have easily brought.  If you have to check luggage, who cares if it is one piece or two?

2.  Pack for weather cooler and warmer than you predict.  The evenings are always colder, and the days always warmer than you remembered.

3.  Bring lots of extra outfits, seems like every time you are on vacation you end up changing frequently and each day requires more than one outfit.  Especially true of beach vacations!

4.  Make sure to review your shoe selection....classic rookie packer mistake is to forget the shoes that go with the "event" or the "evening" attire.  Also remember your clutch for evening events.

5.  Call me crazy, but I always bring slippers...why you ask?  Because hotel room rugs are nasty, seriously dirty, and being slightly obsessive, I prefer to protect the piggies from hotel rug filth :-).

6.  When in doubt, make lists...it will really bum you out not to have clothing you want to wear on your precious vacation, so even if you think it is overkill, plan, make lists and pack like a superstar!

Signed, ME {lv}

ps  AND...finally, for those beach or lake bound gals, if you get mosquito bites, think ahead and take those homeopathic pills that change your PH balance--they actually really do prevent you from getting bites.  EVERY single time I've been to Hawaii I forget that the mosquitos are aggressive, and I always end up with a body full of bits. 

Excellent book!!

I just finished the book, "The Post-Birthday World", by Lionel Shriver and it was GREAT.  A really, REALLY well written book about the psychology of relationships and the choices we make, or don't make (fiction).  One of the best books I've read in a long time!!  Signed, ME {lv}

Pete is here!

I've been waiting for this new designer to come in... Pete, and finally he-is-a-here!  I love how these tee fit, and the texture of the fabric, and the little details that make them special.  I'm always a sucker for the basics, but better, and that sums up these.  They are done in a textured, pointelle-esq rayon blended knit, with a tulle trim along the neckline (and armholes of the tank).  The seams are reversed with contrast stitching, and the body length is nice and long on most of them.  The fabric is thinner and stretchy, and is the kind of thing I can see layering under things constantly.  It is light enough to wear now, but will definitely be something you'd wear in a few months under a cardigan.  These look simple, but they really are adorable on and one of my new favorites!  Signed, ME {lv}

                  

survey says...

So I'm taking a poll....  there's is this fab-u-lous dress from Velvet that will be cut in the up coming months and I'm already in full blown lust for it.  Question is, is it appropriate for an evening wedding in November??  I might have to have it regardless... I have a weakness for sequins, I will admit!  signed, me {CA}