I'm Sitting in a Coffee Shop...

... Posting from my phone!

This is mostly a test post to see how the Blogger app for my phone works, but since we are here, I thought I'd let you know that I'm planning a real post to be published tomorrow... Oh, and to share a cute Toby picture.

Also, an adorable old man told me that I look really focused and intent. I told him that it's hard to type on this keyboard. (Which is precisely the reason that I am going to end this post!)

Labor Day Shopping Finds!

First of all, I apologize for the horrific delay in posts. However, I can PROMISE that there are a whole slew of posts coming up over the next few days, and I'm preparing for a REALLY SUPER AWESOME series of posts that will take place during the entire month of October. It's going to be spectacular! (... Yes, I know I'm biased.)

ANYWAY.

I just thought that you might like to see my amazing finds from our Labor Day shopping expedition to IKEA and Whole Foods... and to be honest, regardless of your opinion, I really want to post them. So there. Feel free to skip this post if you so desire. ;)

For starters, here are my finds from IKEA:

The two jars on the left are for Toby's dog food and treats... much nicer looking than the bags the food comes in! In front of them are new bath scrubbies and beneath is a cushion for my computer desk in the living room - both on sale! Next is my new favorite inspiration source - a coffee table book called "Love for Textiles," followed by a new set of Ikea Pruta food storage containers and some super cute owl shaped chip clips. Then, in the front are three candle holders that were on clearance that I intend to repurpose - you are sure to see another post about them in the future. :)

Next, my Whole Foods finds:

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Whole Foods' prices were comparable to Publix's prices. :) The shampoo and conditioner on the left are paraben and sodium lauryl sulfate free and the ingredients are naturally derived. I am excited to see how these work with my hair. On the right are my crackers from my new favorite organic snack brand - Back to Nature - they were on sale this week! In the middle are walnuts, rolled oats, and pumpkin spice granola... all, of course, organic. Dustin picked them out! We tried the pumpkin spice granola tonight and it was AMAZING! :)

One last find:

I picked up this sweet deal at Publix this afternoon thanks to a tip from the Nails and Sales blog. Unfortunately, my coupons didn't work out quite as well as predicted, but I managed to get them for $1.67 each. (Quite a deal considering that they are usually $3.97 each.) I'll be sticking these in my pantry for holiday cooking. :)

Did anybody else go shopping today? Find any great deals?

FALLing For You: Fall [Crafting] Fails

Time to be real. Not everything you pin on Pinterest is as easy as it seems.

Take for instance this VERY easy looking tutorial for an ombre candle holder.

I really hoped this one would turn out. Using some cream colored tissue paper I had on hand, I did a quick mock-up, and while I wouldn't say that it's a complete FAIL - it certainly doesn't look bad - it just doesn't have the same type of effect. It was also WAY more difficult than it looked (have you ever tried to cut tissue paper in a straight line?)

Here's my take:

See? Only a hint of ombre. I dressed it up with some twine and a few wooden acorns. Not bad, just not great. I'm going to give this project one more go with some brightly colored tissue paper before I officially declare it a dud, but in the meantime, here's the moral of the story...

Don't count your metaphorical Pinterest chickens before they hatch! ;)

FALLing For You: My Favorite Fall Recipe

I'm not going to lie, most of my favorite meals are made in my crockpot. (I'm pretty lazy!) My favorite fall food is chili, and it's given a new twist in this recipe, adapted from one I found on this blog: The Architect & The Artist.

The Perfect Pumpkin Chili

Ingredients:

1/2 Bag Bird's Eye frozen Pepper Stir-Fry (contains bell peppers and white onions)

1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 cups chicken broth

1 can black beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can solid-pack pumpkin

1 can Italian-style diced tomatoes

2 tsp. dried parsley flakes

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. cumin

Directions:

Place all ingredients in your slow cooker. 

Stir, then cook on low for as little as 4 hours or as many as 8 hours. If you want to eat even more quickly, just put all ingredients into a stock pot and heat thoroughly (although I will add that the longer your chili simmers, the better it will be!)

I serve this chili over tortilla chips (my preference) or corn bread (Mr. Morley's preference) and top with shredded cheese and sour cream (though we'll be trying Greek yogurt this year!)

FALLing For You: Subway Art

August has arrived (and at this point is nearly halfway gone!)

I don't know about YOU, but I'm about ready to start celebrating fall. Sure it's still 95 degrees outside, but in the mornings when the air conditioner is still cranked down low from overnight, and there is a hint of dampness in the air, I make myself a cup of hot coffee and I'm all about fall.

This week seems like a great time to beat the heat and start planning some fall decor, style, and food... so I'm starting off today with a post that's filled with fun (and FREE) fall subway art. Grab yourself some coffee and make sure that your printer has plenty of ink. :)

Clockwise from Left: Thirty Handmade Days, It is What It is, Simple Crafter

Clockwise from Upper Left: Hopscotch Studios, Betty Crocker Wannabe, eighteen25

If framed subway art isn't your thing, do a quick Google for subway art crafts. I've seen a couple of cute ideas online including using them to wrap candy bars, top goody bags, create cards, and even make a table runner! As for me, I'll be framing mine. Check back to see which art I chose to print! :)

Meet Toby

Toby is...

       ... our rescue puppy.

       ... approximately one year old.

       ... full of energy and completely spastic.

       ... a bit of a star, having performed as "Bruiser" in Legally Blonde: The Musical.

Toby has...

       ... been officially nicknamed #Taco by online friends.

       ... stolen the hearts of many ladies with his GIANT ears.

Toby thinks...

       ... that he's actually a Great Dane.

       ... that we don't feed him enough (even though he definitely gets MORE than enough).

       ... his Daddy is one of his litter-mates.

Toby loves...

       ... car rides.

       ... Dentastix.

       ... the Chick-Fil-A drive thru.

       ... his tennis ball and his baby, "Hedgie," a blue stuffed hedgehog.

       ... playing chase, or as we like to call it, "Tasmanian Devil."

One Year!

Sorry for my lack of posts as of late!

We moved ... and then our one computer that moved with reasonable speed crashed.

I'm back now, though, and I'd like to wish a very happy first anniversary to Mr. Morley. :)

Love you, honey!