“Our house is walking distance to one of the nicest and most private white sandy beaches in FL
(Indian Rocks Beach)! It’s kid friendly, smoke free, and approx 2,000 sq ft. with a huge back yard. The house is 3 bedroom 2 bath.
The children room has a toddler bed, and the guest room has a full sized bed, master bedroom has a brand spankin (no pun intended) new cal king bed! There is a huge playground right down the street. The house would be cleaned by maid service before guests arrive, and there are offices with wireless internet downstairs in the man/cave and upstairs as well. The house is straight out of the 70′s with a modern interior design flair! ”

It is available for rent @ 1,650 for a month during the summer, or $500 for the week.
Or we are also open to a house swap in OC or SD area for a week to two weeks…

Harbor Dr. S
Indian Rocks Beach, Fl 33785
Call Dianne @ 727.510.6013

You can also check out her amazing blog at Vanerwin.com

Indian Rocks Beach is located on a barrier island on the West Coast of Florida, only a 30 minute drive from Tampa International Airport.
Convenient proximity to many Florida Attractions including Busch Gardens, Walt Disney World, Universal Studio, and Sea World.
The area provides an abundance of outstanding restaurants, and a variety of gift and convenience stores.

Here’s what you need:
• a clean wall or surface (you can paint this stuff on anything)
• brush or paint roller
• paint tape (for clean lines)
• chalkboard pant
• chalk
• and a creative idea for your first writing…

The paint looks so good even on it’s own w/out chalk, but who can resist drawing on the walls like a kid again?!

While browsing the web, I found a few other cute uses for the chalkboard paint. (these photos were pulled from various blogs)

This past Sunday a few friends and I visited the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena.
I was looking for some new rhinestone pieces for Cleeo (my jewelry line) but what we all ended up with was some great household items. Tables, lamps, stools, and a metal jewelry cabinet. We definitely scored… but not with the weather it was freezing!

The Rose Bowl has some amazing furniture, knick-knacks, any and everything you could imagine.
I ran into so many people I haven’t seen and it was fun getting caught up with Valerie from Bleach Black, Josh and Tanya from Dainty Hooligan, Steve from Better Shelter and a few other friends.

As a typical prom night would go we went to our friends house,  had corsages and boutineer’s for the couples (carnations, of course). Slammed a few beers/ drinks, took some group shots and loaded into the big SUV to a prom style dinner at A restaurant. It was a full house and we received many stares, which of course is all part of the fun… a few burgers, martini’s and laughs later we were on our way to “prom.”  Arriving fashionably late, we mingled, had our couples photo taken against the backdrop and drank a few, unchaperoned beverages…

AND Prom night ended, how every prom ends… we passed out!

Cheers to Ronée and a Happy 40th Bday!

to view more festive shots from the night

The Laundress makes a ton of detergents, fabric care and specialty products that solve your most annoying clothing issues- hence the SWEATER STONE.

It’s so easy to use, the pumice like stone is very light and you use downward motions to “shave” the pilling away. Its so easy and stores away in the sleeve for no snagging. This little miracle has saved me some $$ and resurrected my previous season’s sweaters and clothing. I am so pleased with the sweater stone and the laundress brand, that I just wanted to share.

If you order online enter “2009Catalog” and get 15% off your first order.

The Laundress was started by two women in NYC, who started the eco-chic line. Frustrated that the majority of their own personal clothing called for DRY CLEAN only they researched and sourced for more options. Upon their discovery they used ingredients that were free of toxic chemicals. They value the importance of properly cared for clothing and home linens. Both have backgrounds in fiber science, textile and apparel management.

Last week we celebrated my 30- ish bday at our house, the theme was Pizza+Beer+Cupcakes. It was so fun seeing old friends and getting caught up. I spent almost 2 entire days cooking cupcakes from Martha Stewart’s cupcake book. Everyone showed up bearing wine, champagne, or a gift even though the invite specifically stated NO GIFTS. So to all of you who who didn’t listen and even those who did- THANK YOU for making it such a festive evening.

freshly baked

ready to enjoy

Butternut squash, Sage and Ricotta Cannelloni
(serves 4 prep time 35 min, Total time 1.25 hrs)

Ingredients:
3 tblspns olive oil + more for baking dish and sheet
coarse salt + pepper
8 wide lasagna noodles
(to achieve the right shape make sure to buy wide lasagna noodles instead of regular)
1/2 butternut squash (about 1lb) peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 shallots, chopped
1/4 cup + 2 tblspns milk
1 tspn finely chopped fresh sage leaves + 8-10 whole leaves
1/8 tspn ground nutmeg
2 cups ricotta (15 oz)
3/4 cup grated Parmesan

1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a 2-quart or 8″ square baking dish.
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente (4-5 min). Using tongs, transfer pasta to a lightly oiled rimmed baking sheet. Add squash to boiling water and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
Drain squash and transfer to a bowl.

2 In a small skillet, heat 1 tblspn oil over med. Add shallots, season with salt and pepper, cook until soft about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl with squash and add 2 tblspns milk, chopped sage and nutmeg; season with salt and pepper. Mash with a fork until a rough purée forms.

3 Spread 1/4 cup squash mixture crosswise down the middle of each noodle; roll up noodle and place, seam side down, in baking dish. In a bowl, combine ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan and 1/4 cup milk and season with salt and pepper. Spread ricotta mixture over cannelloni and top with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Bake until warmed through, about 25 minutes. Broil until top is browned, 2-3 minutes.

4 Meanwhile in a small skillet, heat 2 tblspns oil over medium-high. Fry whole sage leaves until crispy, 15-20 seconds. Drain on paper towel. Serve cannelloni topped with fried sage.

Voila! Delicious.

DAD’S LIFE LESSONS

PERSISTENCE: Never, never, never give up! Most obstacles can be overcome, eventually.

CHANGE: the only constant is accelerating change! Be prepared to learn and adapt at an increasing rate.

FRIENDSHIP: Good friends are rare, can last a lifetime. Lucky to have two or three. Judge people by what they do, not what they say; talk is cheap.

WORRY: 99% of things are not worth the time and trouble. A hundred years from now, who will care or remember?

TIMING: Very important and is based partially on luck, but also judgment. Can not be forced and better to be a little ahead.

MENTAL STRENGTH: Think for yourself, you must be tough! “Life is great, as long as you don’t weaken”–Roy L. Epner

DECISIONS: Make them based upon instinct, knowledge, experience, and rationally—not emotionally. It is better to make a wrong decision than none. You will learn from your mistakes.

RISK/SECURITY: There is a direct relationship: more risk, more reward. Life is a risk. There are no guarantees. Security has a price: time, money, independence, etc.

WORK/CAREER: Find something you enjoy that is challenging. Don’t settle for less, especially when you are young.

INSTINCT: Go with your gut feelings, both mental and physical. A very high percentage will turn out to be the right choice.

TIME: Most precious resource we have. Don’t waste it! We cannot get more. Get and stay organized.

MONEY: Very important but will not bring happiness alone. Can enslave you to material things but can create greater freedom and independence.

FREEDOM/INDEPENDENCE: After time, our most precious commodity. Must try and maintain your personal and physical time from society’s nonsense.

GENDER DIFFERENCES: Men and women are different and not equal. Understand the difference and you will have greater success with people.

PERSPECTIVE/ PRIORITIES: Learn what is important and not important. This takes time, age, and wisdom. Hard to do but invaluable for life.

LOVE & HAPPINESS: Third most important thing. Don’t think it is normal or easy to find. When you do, feel fortunate, especially if it lasts for a long time.

COMMUNICATION: Learn to listen. Body language is most important. How something is said; tone is more important than what is said.

SUCCESS: Set achievable goals based upon your own criteria, not others. Be yourself.

RESPONSIBILITY: Accept it if you want to be treated equally. Admit when you are wrong.

thanks dad, words to live by

Lemon Lavendar Cupcakes ( I just love the name)
Serves 12
Prep Time: 30 minutes + or -
Total Time: 1 hour

FOR THE CUPCAKES:
1 cup white whole-wheat or all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons dried lavender buds, roughly chopped
(I couldn’t find these anywhere, so I picked some lavender from my neighbors yard!!! washed and dried it out in the sunshine- seems to have worked just fine)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
*3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed and brought to room temperature *(DO this step first- it always takes so long for butter to get to room temp)
3/4 cup granulated sugar ( I used Bakers sugar- it’s super fine)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/2 cup lowfat buttermilk

FOR THE ICING:
1 cup loosely packed confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar)
5 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Fresh Lavender buds for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place cupcake liners in 12-cup muffin pan.
To make batter, whisk together flour, lavender, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on med speed for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy.
Beat in egg, lemon juice and zest. Beat in one-third of the flour mixture until just combined.
Beat in half the buttermilk, followed by another third of the flour, then the remaining buttermilk and flour.

Fill cupcake liners about two-thirds of the way up and bake for 24-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.

To make icing, stir together confectioner’s sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Stir in zest Drizzle over cupcakes and garnish with lavender. (let frosting set for 30 minutes before packing or serving) Serve right away or store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

NUTRITION INFO:
(1 cupcake): 152 calories, 4 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 27 g carbs, 2 g protein, 30 mg calcium
WHO CARES ABOUT THAT… just eat and enjoy!