Shop News

I have had the wonderful privilege of working with a professional photographer to get some professional pictures done for my Etsy Shop.

Thank you Annie for taking such great pictures! I can't wait to work with you some more!


*Pictures courtesy of Annie Smith Photography*

Cold

I've never been one to take lots of medicine when I'm sick. I just don't like the thought of pumping my body full of that stuff. But, I'm finding as a mother that in order to survive my days sick while caring for children, cold medicine is a must. It's truly the only thing that has kept me going the last 2 days. Oh cold medicine, how I love thee...

Black Bean Salad

I just made this Black Bean Salad for a salad potluck tonight and it is SO yummy and SO healthy! I wanted to bring something that was a little more unique than just another green salad. I used mango instead of pineapple and that was the only substitution that I made. There isn't a bit of oil and it sure doesn't need any! Thank you Food Network for coming through one more time! I'm eating a little bowl full right now as a snack..yummy!

Bakers Twine

I'm obsessed with baker's twine right now. It's just so pretty! I bought some from an Etsy Shop called Swann and Merlin. Not only is it just so pretty to look at, it also came from Ireland! AND, the packaging alone is just beautiful. I want to order more just so I can get the packing in my mail box again!

There are lots of places on Etsy that you can find it and it comes in lots of different colors! I can't wait to wrap up some brown paper packages with string!

*Picture courtesy of Swann and Merlin. I am not affiliated with Swann and Merlin, I just purchased something from her, I loved it and I wanted to share it with you!*

SUYL: Where I Shop

I am cheap. I was raised to be frugal growing up and now I'm frugal by necessity. My husband is a pastor and I'm a stay-at-home-mom, so funds are limited. The problem is, is that my husband needs to dress nice, I like to dress cute, and I like to dress my two children cute. So, I have to get VERY creative to stretch our meager clothing budget and to dress nicely.

I do the majority of my shopping at my mom's consignment store in Boise, Idaho called ReNewed Expressions. It's a really fun place to shop and only carries the nicest used clothing. They are very particular about what they carry. And, their prices are always good! I frequently have credit there, as well, from consigning my own clothing, so that makes my budget stretch even further. The only problem is, is that I don't live in Boise, so I only get to shop there 3-4 times a year when I go to visit.

For fill-in shopping I frequent our nearest GAP outlet (GAP Generation or something) and can always find great deals on basic tops and jeans. Last time I was in I found awesome jeans for $7.99 and $9.99! Since GAP outlet has changed to GAP Generation I've also been able to find great deals on clothing for my husband there which is a huge plus, because I find men's clothes much more difficult to find cheap.

For more ideas on where other women shop visit Kelly's Korner!

I.Heart.Tea

I LOVE tea. I drink at least a pot a day. I love it for so many reasons. 1. it's calorie free 2. it's healthy 3. it's warm. I can come up with many more, but those are just some of them. My favorites tend to be black tea based, but my husbands love for green has grown on me and I do really like green, too.

I've always appreciated the taste of Earl Grey. It has a sweeter taste to it than just plain English Breakfast. I bought a new box the other day of Bigelow because it was cheaper. I'm actually very disappointed in it. I don't usually like Stash teas, they just seem much lower quality to me. But, in this case, I have to say that Stash Earl Grey is much better than Bigelow Earl Grey.

*Pictures courtesy of Amazon.com. I am not affiliated with Stash, Bigelow, or Amazon. This is simply my personal opinion.*

Cranberry Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

These are a delicious and healthy breakfast or snack cookie.

1 C. whole wheat flour
1 1/2 C. quick oats
1/2 C. packed brown sugar *I use Rapadura (unrefined sugar) instead to increase healthiness*
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
2/3 C. applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 C. dried cranberries
1 egg
1 Tbs. butter

Soak cranberries in warm water and drain before adding them.

Mix dry ingredients together. Add remaining ingredients. Place 2 Tbs of batter on a cookie sheet and flatten until they are about 3/4 in. thick.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 min.

Store in refrigerator.