Redecoration Creation

So, #92 on my 101 list is: decide how long I'm going to stay in my current home, if its long, paint the walls.  Well, I don't know how long I'm going to be in Cincinnati but I figured that as long as I live here, I will probably live where I do now. I mean, I think my place is pretty awesome. It's a duplex and I have the entire first floor. I have a porch swing on my front porch and a balcony in the back, along with a yard for Paisley. It's a good size and has high ceilings with crown molding. I have a washer/dryer in the basement...and I get free cable (shhhhh!) And its in a great area and in walking distance to alot of cool bars and shops. So, yes, I'm pretty content with my place! Soooooo...I painted! And not only did I paint, I also redecorated a little too. What do you think???

Here's my living room:

I recently added a new coffee table, three small mirrors by the front door, a side table and some other things. AND I also finally got my Blue Horses Painting professionally stretched! (#60 on my 101 list) Yay!

Here is my front door, and this is the view of my living room from my dining room:

And also spiced up Paisley's corner a little bit too. Before it was just her pillow and a basket....now I have added a little table, along with some pictures and accessories.

I also painting the dining room. It's hard to show the exact colors of both rooms with a picture...but it's pretty I promise!

Unfortunately, I chose not to paint my bedroom but I did hang a new picture above my bed....and cleaned!!

Seeeee people, I have plenty of room for you when you come visit....so plan a trip puullleeassee!! I'll even bake "welcome to cincinnati" cupcakes! :)

Les voyages sûrs à Paris!

I was actually planning to venture down to Memphis this weekend but unfortunately things just didn't work out as planned. It's kind of a bummer, I definitely miss my friends and want to see them as much as possible, but the 14 hour roundtrip drive in 2 days just wasn't in my best interest. Ohwell...I'll see you guys next time I visit.

On the other hand, there is one friend I won't see next time I visit as he is moving to Paris, France next month to attend photography school. (So proud of him!) This weekend was his going away party and I'm very sad I am missing it. Sorry Kyle, you know I wish I was there throwing back jager bombs with you! Have fun! (And if you end up at The Pony....please don't give any girls $100 tips again!) Haha. I'll miss you and les voyages sûrs à Paris!! :)

Speaking of other friends I'm missing this weekend...my BFF, my LP...Stephanie. When I go to Memphis, I usually spend 90% of my time with this lady, so I'm pretty sad I won't be seeing her this weekend. I haven't seen her in two months AND I MISS MY LP!!

And I also miss all my other girls: Kimmy, Nat, Tate, Kel, Shem, Hay, Lynds, AB, Van, Jo, Cupples, LB, Raines....you know who you are! :)

And ofcourse I can't forget the boys.

Crap, this post really makes me wish I was in Memphis right now...celebrating with KDawg, drinking mimosas with the boys at Majestic followed by dog races, drinking call-a-cabs with my LP, and seeing my girls. Miss you crazy fools...nobody in Cincinnati compares! :(

First Pitch!

Last night, the Cincinnati Reds played against the Washington Nationals and guess who got to throw out the first pitch?!?!?!?! ME!!!! Ha. Just kidding. Christopher actually had the honor of throwing out the first pitch of the game and his best friend, also named Chris, got to catch it.

 

It was a pretty exciting experience. I was definitely anxious to see him take the field and throw out a great pitch! And I'm not going to lie...the pitch was pretty hot. Knee lift and all! :)

And I eventually got to sit on the first row right behind home plate in the diamond seats. Uhm...best seats ever!!!! How am I supposed to go back to my cheap-o seats after sitting in this section??? Ohwell...it was nice while it lasted! :)

Anyone see my face on TV? hah. :)
Happy Tuesday, everyone!

#94 Buy New Chairs for my Dining Room

Let me give you the little history of my dining room tables:

The first one I owed...I LOVED. It was glass, chrome and black leather and was very modern and trendy. It was sooo beautiful. BUT...when I moved to Cincinnati I ended up selling the black leather couches and the glass and chrome coffee tables that matched them. So, there stood my lonley, yet pretty, dining room table. It just didn't fit anymore, so I sold it. Then, just for a temporary replacement I went to IKEA and bought a plain table and four chairs until I found something I really liked.

Well, that was TWO YEARS ago. I hadn't found anything worth buying in two years so I was just planning to upgrade my chairs only, just to give the room a new look. BUT I was browsing online and finally found a dining room table I liked. I must say, I liked it so much I bought it immediately, without even seeing it in person! But it was a good decision because this table is quite gorgeous. It's a counter-height table and seats six. It has an attached leaf that makes the table a perfect square (60'" x 60") and seats eight. Huge Table!! I can't remember the last time I had EIGHT people over...looks like I will have to throw some dinner parties!

Anyways, I'm pretty excited about my table. I thought my level of excitement for a table made me pretty lame, but Stephanie reassured me that it meant the little things in life make me happy. Thanks Steph! Haha.

Regardless, another item marked off my list. Go me!
Here is the table...it doesn't have the leaf in so it's not at its greatest. But trust me...with the leaf in..its massive! Isn't it pretty???

And thanks to Christopher, I got fresh yellow daisies this weekend to match my newley painted yellow walls (painting post will come later) and my new table. The flowers tied the whole room together....I kinda wish they were fake so I could keep them forever.

xoxo!

Top 2 Tuesday: Summer Recipes

Well, I've decided to participate in Tay's "Top 2 Tuesday" this week. Today's topic is Summer Recipes. Hummm...what are my two favorite summer recipes????

1. Sweet BBQ Chicken Kabobs - Mmmm...why does meat on a stick taste soooo good! I really need to invest in a grill so I can make these again!

Ingredients:

1 lb. Boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces

2 cups fresh pineapple chunks (1-1/2 inch)

1 each red and green pepper, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces

1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce

3 Tbsp. Frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

Directions:

Heat grill to medium-high heat. Thread chicken alternately with pineapple and peppers onto 8 long wooden skewers, using 2 skewers placed side-by-side for each kabob.  Mix barbecue sauce and juice concentrate; brush half evenly onto kabobs. Grill 8 to 10 min. or until chicken is done, turning and brushing occasionally with remaining sauce.

2. Strawberry Pie - It's light, fluffy, cold and perfect for summer! I make it every year and get rave reviews!

Ingredients: 
2 cups fresh strawberries, divided
2/3 cup boiling water
1 pkg. Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
Ice cubes
1/2 cup cold water
1 tub cool whip, thawed
1 graham cracker crumb crust

Directions:
Slice 1 cup strawberries; refrigerate for later use. Chop remaining berries; set side. Add boiling water to gelatin mix; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to cold water to make 1 cup. Add to gelatin; stir until slightly thickened. Remove any unmelted ice. Whisk in cool whip. Stir in chopped berries. Refrigerate 20 to 30 min. or until mixture is very thick and will mound. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate 6 hours or until firm. Top with sliced berries.

To participate in Top 2 Tuesday, visit The Undomestic Momma.

Let's Make Fireworks

Happy (belated) Fourth of July, everyone! How was everyone's weekend? Let's see if I can remember what I did...

Friday, I got to leave work at noon (woohoo) and had dinner at Deweys and drinks at The Pub with a bunch of fun people. Saturday, I laid by the pool with Amanda and Bethany (Hi Amanda, Hi Bethany!). Sunday, I went to the pool with Christopher and his friends during the day and then later that night we walked to Ault Park and watched the firework show. Monday I was off work so I laid by the pool again with Jen and Andrea. Sooo...basically, my weekend was alot of laying by the pool and spent time with a lot of friends.

And I literally went from pale to tan in 1.5 days! (Sorry to brag, Natalie, I know you are jealous!) :)

Well, that was my weekend. I hope everyone had a great weekend too! And I must say, I am very happy that my meatless month is over....because damn...that hotdog I destroyed was DEEEE-LISH! :)

A Snapshot of July

Isn't there something about July that makes you happy? Pretty summer days, the long daylight hours, cook out parties, vacationing, fireworks....all on the list of my favorite things. This month I hope to take some time and relax, do more outdoor activities, spend more time with friends and basically just enjoy my summer.

I've got a few things planned for this month: celebrating the holiday, repainting my apartment, volunteer events, a special Reds game to see a certain person ON the field, a little weekend roadtrip to Memphis to attend my friend Kyle's going away party and to celebrate my friend DB's (belated) birthday...and much much more. I'll keep you posted! Happy July, everyone!

#99 Be a Vegetarian for one month

Well, I did it! I completed number 99 on my 101 list!

I gave up meat (beef, pork, chicken and turkey) for 30 DAYS, which means I've been eating a LOT of unsatisfing meals!!!

Boca soy burgers = yuck. Fake "Chik'N" sandwiches = yuck. Fake "Chik'N" nuggets = vomit. Tofurkey sandwiches = disgusting.

I did eat alot of good seafood, salads, fruits, and cheese pizza (and brownies)...but to be honest I am soooo excited to have meat back in my life. Props to all the vegetarians out there...but I am not (and will never be) one of them.

Sorry Hippies! :)