Working on my room still...

 

EDIT: Thank you, technology, for making me look silly. All of my labels were crazy and I didn't even notice until right after I published this post the first time.

I managed to pull together every piece of paper I have laying around with ideas for my room ,and managed to compile it all into a Word document so I can keep inserting and deleting things without the ugly scratch-throughs and erasures. I even made a cute little diagram of my room (see above)! I am hoping to have the list complete soon, so I can start sharing it on here as I start working on the projects. But the main thing is this: I have to change my wall color. Again. The white is too light for me, but I am still using it elsewhere in the room. The color I chose is Creme de Caramel (Home Decorator's Collection) and I think it will complement the red carpet nicely. Stay tuned for more details on my room makeover (changed again!)

Natasha

I said I was done, but...

I used to sell reborn baby dolls, not regularly, but I sold them. I have 5 dolls living with new mommies and most of them were enjoyable experiences. I have three kits left in a box in my closet that I have finally decided to try and finish and sell. I will try to post progress pictures here, but it will be slow progress as I don't have much time to work on these dolls. And let's not forget to mention to $$$$$ involved!! These dolls are expensive to make! I may just price them low to make a quick sale (therefore, the prices on my website will change) and get rid of them, but I would be eating all of the expenses involved. 

I have the following kits on hand:

Kiri by Denise Pratt - I just found out a few days ago that she was discontinued...sad...

Brooke by Aleina Peterson - I always thought this kit was ugly. I am trying to make her cute. This is not an easy task. 

A Random eBay Berenguer Doll - This one is the same face as the first doll I ever completed. It definitely shows already how much I have improved in five years. 

You can see my adopted dolls here:

http://natashaskeepsakebabies.webs.com/apps/photos/

Weddings and Whatnot

I love weddings. They're so beautiful! I have never been to one, but I am obsessed with shows like Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta and Bridezillas. I spend hours reading stories on Etiquette Hell in the different wedding categories, and I follow Intimate Weddings on Pinterest. My wedding board has over 500 pins and counting! You could say that whenever I meet the right guy and he eventually pops the question, I'll be very prepared. 

And since Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 Extended Edition recently came out on DVD, I thought I would share which elements of Bella's wedding I would incorporate into my own:

• A statement hair accessory - I used to make hair bows and fascinators, so this won't be a challenge...
• An elegant updo - I hate wearing my hair down for special occasions unless it's curled so it will stay in place. But then it also has curling wax in it, because my hair doesn't take too well to curling.
• A unique gown that you don't see everywhere - the typical gown I see these days is strapless and lacy, with or without 'bling'. Bella had a simple, long-sleeved beauty with lace detailing. I may just go after a statement dress that I haven't seen anybody wear yet; something crazy. It just may be the most expensive part of my wedding. Who knows, really?
• Having an outdoor wedding - the idea scared me at first, but it can really be beautiful! Especially with botanical gardens pretty much EVERYWHERE, you can still get a floral backdrop without dropping thousands to get a cascading ceiling of wisteria. 
• A beautiful song to walk down the aisle to - there are a few songs I wouldn't mind walking to the instrumental of, if it were available, that is. 

 

 

{Foodie Friday}: Italian Chicken Dinner (Slow Cooker)

I made this recently, totally made up, but it turned out DELICIOUS. Measurements are approximations.

This meal cooked for about 8 hours total on Low. It was impulse with me being up that early, but it was nice to have a clean kitchen and not have to worry about cooking later. and, of course, my mom is always happy to get a break :-)

Italian Chicken Dinner

Ingredients:

• 3 Chicken Thighs
• Seasoned Salt (Lawry's) and Black Pepper
• 2-3 tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• Baby carrots, sliced lengthwise in fourths
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/4 c. white wine vinegar
• Italian dressing packet
• 1 tbsp. Honey Butter  - store bought or homemade
• 1 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 sliced Roma tomatoes

Directions:

Season chicken thighs with seasoned salt and pepper. Heat 2-3 tbsp olive oil over med-high heat and sear thighs, getting them as brown as possible.

Flip thighs over. Aren't they beautiful, besides the sickening raw pink? :-)

Remove the chicken to a plate and add 1 medium onion, sliced. Saute until lightly browned and translucent.

Add several sliced baby carrots and saute'. Then add 2 chopped cloves of garlic; season with salt and pepper. Add 1/4 c. white wine vinegar and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits. Let the 'sauce' boil until it reduces by about half. Remove from heat.

I made a "butter concoction" for the chicken. It is a homemade honey butter  plus soy sauce, and  an Italian dressing packet (the actual dressing, not the mix). I whisked this all together and set it aside.

Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Be sure to pour in any juices on the plate.

Add the butter mixture, spooning or pouring, whichever. I make sure to get the whole top of the chicken thigh coated and spread it around with my fingers just a little.

Add two sliced Roma (plum) tomatoes.

Add the veggie-sauce mixture over top.

After about 6 hours, I took a peek.

Remove the chicken to a plate so you can thicken the sauce.

 

Thicken the sauce however you like. I did a cornstarch slurry with some of the juices. Once it's stirred in, replace the chicken and any juices. I let it go another hour and a half or so and served it with white rice and some pumpernickel bread with more honey butter. I apologize for not getting a good picture of the finished dish, it totally slipped my mind! Enjoy!