Feast Your Eyes > Lighten Up!

I've been noticing that Pinterest has been overloaded lately with a flood of dieting and exercise tips, and low cal recipes. This has made me feel A) Inspired to get on a treadmill and B) Like I want to stick my head in the oven to block out all this annoying dieting talk... When I do get into these random health kicks, my brain gets all gun ho and Billy Blanks bootcampish but then my mouth wimps out like a traitor, and eats the leftover Valentine's day candy in the back of the pantry.

My only saving grace is that I make dinner for my family almost every day of the week and we eat fairly healthy and always homemade. We just had the best baked salmon with a yummy coleslaw side which everyone had seconds (and some thirds) of:

 Doesn't it look good?


This is a great low cal side dish is one of my smeazy (smart, easy, lazy) recipe standbys, that you can make under 6 minutes.

Jazzed Up Slaw

• 1 bag of coleslaw cabbage mix with carrots, or one head of green and red cabbage, shredded plus 1 1/2 C. matchstick carrots. 
• 1/2 C.- sliced almonds, toasted.
• 1/2 C. - Dried cranberries or raisins
• 4 - green onions with stalks, chopped
• 1/4 C. - chopped parsley
• Coleslaw dressing, Asian vinaigrette, or honey Dijon dressing.

Sometimes coleslaw dressings can have alot of sugar in them, and not be very low cal friendly, so check out different vinaigrettes or make your own, if that's an issue.

It's ridiculously good.

Seriously.

~Angela

Manic Monday

Things have been crazy around here lately. Thankfully not the bad kind of crazy that involves mug shots, medical attention, vet bills, or threats of, "We will never mention this again...", but the good kind of crazy where you realize that your life is just truckin' along and your whole family is in the warp speed carpool lane, with you. It seems like now my weekends fly by and then I spend all Monday still trying to process all the things I did with my family. Kinda like a busy life hangover!

But do I ever have the cure for those shell shocked brains! Check out some cool sites and goodies to revive you from that weekend jet lag.

1. First up is a great site that some of you savvy stylista's already know about: Design Seeds

This site by blogger, Jessica Colaluca, posts gorgeous color schemes from selected photos, to "plant" seeds of inspiration for the rest of us schmo's. Genius! This site is great for finding inspiration for anything color related like wall colors, decorating, planning a party or wedding, even fashion. You can also select a specific color that you are wanting a color scheme for and Design Seeds with show you all the palettes that will work with it.


2. My friend recently got an adorable mother's necklace that I've been envying, so I've been scouring the web for the perfect one for me when I found this:  

 I have a couple of wonderful friends that have adopted amazing children and this would be such a great gift for anyone of them. It reads, "Chosen. To Belong. To Be Loved." Isn't that what everyone wants? Check out Lisa Leonard's Shop to see all of her great jewelry pieces.

3. I've found true love! In a mascara that is. I have long lashes to start with but they were looking a little ragged of late, probably after years of abuse by eye lash curler and harsh mascara. I've spent a whole lot of money (more than I like to think about) on expensive mascaras. Usually they get the job done, but not a whole lot of bang for my buck, if you know what I mean. That was until I tried Almay's, One Coat Triple Effect Mascara: 



 It lengthens, thickens, and nourishes your lashes with aloe and B vitamins. On my lashes it was conditioning and clump free; giving me great length without looking like Tammy Faye. It's basically a little TLC for your lashes! **Disclaimer: I was not paid to say nice things about mascara. It's just my personal opinion, although I wouldn't mind getting paid for my opinion...

4. I'm also loving this St. Patrick's Day lucky clover wreath, made from boxwood clippings and some wire from the crafty, Blue Leaf Confections. She gives a great DIY on how she did this:

Well I'm off to start my crazy week. Happy Monday!

~Angela

Frock Me Friday > Leaving On A Jet Plane...

 I've got a bad case of the winter blahs. It's not that I can't stand the winter weather, it's just that I can't stand the winter weather here. So I'm outta here.

Yep, me and my fantasy wardrobe are blowing out of this frozen popsicle stand and are going away to a fantasy, weekend getaway.  I'm thinking of a great couple of days in Seattle or Portland. Wanna come?

Great! Since we are doing a little fantasy traveling, we need to start packing our fantasy wardrobe. Remember these great wardrobe pieces? These are all stylish pieces from my Polyvore boards:

Travel Pieces by laurieglossyflossy featuring leather jackets
 Outfits from pieces

I chose only nine pieces because: A. They are fabulous! B. They will all fit into one, under 50 lbs, suitcase. We don't want those annoying extra bag airline fees, taking away from our weekend fun money, do we? We also need some room in that suitcase in order to cure our winter blues with some retail therapy.

To get the most out of my travel wardrobe, I chose pieces that I could mix and match with each other; while still traveling light, but not giving up great style. And yes, I did pack four pairs of shoes. I just couldn't give any of them up! I balanced it out though by only taking one bag. It's called sacrificing for fashion ladies!

Note that I also packed lots of layering options for this weird Winter/not- quite -Spring weather we're having.

Check out all our lovely options:
 

Travel outfits from 9 pieces by laurieglossyflossy featuring leather jackets


Won't we look great? I can't wait to leave!!

~Laurie

Dress This Mess > 2 Minute / $4 upgrade

We all have them: dollar store vases. 

You probably started off with one or two but then they had somehow multiplied like spring bunnies into 5 or more in your cupboard. (how DOES that happen?!) But before you send them out for adoption at your local goodwill, take a look at my cheap and glam upgrade!

I grabbed two different height candle pedestals  from my local Walmart for only a total of $5, and one candle holder from my dusty garage. Then I borrowed a tube of silicone adhesive from the Hubby. You could also use any kind of strong, water proof, adhesive.

Next, place one dollar store vase on top of one of the pedestals. You will want to try and find the most level position before applying the glue, which may require lots of turning and standing back to see which is the most level position. (Note: they won't be perfectly level but find a happy imperfect medium-just like in life, right?!) Once you’ve found the sweet spot, make a mark on the pedestal and bottom of vase so that you can line it up when its time to glue.

Wipe the bottom of the vase and the pedestal free from dust and grime and try not to judge yourself over the amount of dust that has accumulated....hey- living fabulously doesn’t leave a lot of time for dusting!

Then take your silicone adhesive and spread a thick bead of glue all around the lip of the pedestal. Line up your marks on your vase and pedestal and place together. Apply some pressure for a couple of minutes and then let it sit for a couple of hours.

Next you are ready to accessorize your vase! Add some small river rock and a herb plant for a fragrant window sill bouquet. Or add the plant that your sweet husband bought you for Valentine's Day. (But for the love of decorating, don't leave the tacky plastic pot on it like I did!)

Or add some fruit, real - or not. These could be great for entertaining too!

How about some great Spring decor?

Now give yourself a hug for being so crafty chic for so cheap!

p.s. Check out this similar high priced version from every one's favorite, Pottery Barn (or as my son reads it, giggling: potty barn):

Recycled Glass Footed Vase - $59.00

Feeling preeeettty proud of yourself right now aren’t you?! You're Welcome.

~Angela

Dear Me > Most Important Accomplishments. My Three Kids.

Did anyone miss us?  Usually we post on Monday and here it is Wednesday and we're just getting to it!  February is a busy month as all of Miss Angela Glossy Flossy's boy's birthdays are in seven days.


You might not know this but her husband received the best birthday gift ever seven years ago - twin boys. Yup, that's right twins were born on their dad's birthday. 

(Sorry about the terrible pic - this was before we got our digital picture groove on!)



Anyway we've been a little busy around here with all that celebrating, which in a round-about way brings me to my post.  I've been reading the February O Magazine.  There is a article in there called "You In Six Words."  In part it says, "Sure, your life story could fill a thousand pages - but sometimes a few words are all you need."


It's a fun read and a fun thing to do.  Here are some of my faves from the magazine:

• Still fit into high school earrings.  Kimberly Kilroy - okay that might be my favorite cause it's too funny!
• Carjacked in the Tunnel of Love. - Cheryl Diane Kidder - perfect for a February issue.
• Recipe for failure. Changed my ingredients. - Antonee Boykin
• Survived the divorce.  Learned to Live. - Laurel Hadley
• I've made all the best mistakes. - Jessica McKeen-Grabell
• I never say just six words. - Hayley Smith
• Attitude adjustment courtesy of Sara Lee. -Kathleen Olson
• Count my joys, not my woes. - Debra Smith
• Just ate lunch. What's for dinner? - Lynn Andriani (I think that describes my grandsons!)
• Life is short, buy the shoes. - Sara Nelson (Amen, Sister.)
• Aging sucks.  Bangs better than Botox - Clarissa Cruz.
• You have always had the power. - Glinda the Good Witch (Wizard of Oz)

This got me started thinking about my six words.  While working out I came up with this one:

• Love.  Hate.  Love.  Hate.  My elliptical.
• Looking for something. Found something else.
• My heart is pumping for love.

The last two were from some songs I was listening to while exercising.


My ultimate six words are : 


Most important accomplishments.  My Three Kids.  


I have a rich and rewarding life from my three children.  I have their spouses and one soon to be spouse who I love to hang out with.  I have three beautiful grandchildren and more to come, I hope!  And I have grandpets to feed my pet love, without having any myself.  I am a lucky, lucky girl.  


Try out six words for yourself.  It's fun and something of a soul searching activity to do.  


-Laurie

Frock Me Friday > Messy Purse, Messy Life

I know that this is Frock Me Friday, but I'm in need of a confession.

Here it goes,*gulp* :

 I have a messy purse of EPIC proportions.

I get annoyed stares from cashiers who watch as I rifle through 500 receipts for 5 minutes, trying to find my debit card. There have been times that I've pulled my cell phone out of my purse to answer a call, only to realize that there is a wrapped piece of gum, that has now accessorized itself to the back of my phone. Sorta like an IPhone gum barnacle...I've went days thinking that I've misplaced my keys only to realize that they are wedged in the tiniest pocket of my huge purse, wrapped in a tangle of silly bandz, hidden by a layer of hotwheels cars (My purse also doubles as a time out/holding pen for all items banned from school or that are currently annoying me or others).

My purse is a tragic mix of crumpled paper and pointless items. Ask me if I can shine a laser light pen to flash an SOS signal. I got you covered. Need a shark tooth necklace to accessorize your outfit? I got it. Ask me If I have $2....um....Give me 5 minutes to scrounge around the dark pit of my purse and I'll get back to you on that.

Well yesterday, I hit my rock bottom. I was at the store and doing my usual debit card search party, when a waterfall of crumpled receipts fell out onto the check stand and onto the cashier. She, with noted disdain and using two fingers, picked up my mangled receipts like they were snotty used Kleenexes, and then handed them back to a mortified, me. I gave her an embarrassed laugh and ran out of there like I had left a kid in the car.

Well today is the day my messy purse shame comes to an end!
Here are some accessories that will whip any down-and-out purse, into shape. It's a Frock Me Friday for your purse!

First up is this great purse organizer insert from etsy seller Divide and Conquer

Hah! Divide and conquer?! Just what my purse needs! Here's one that I love in a Burberry print, from O Buy Me:

 Or how about one in a hot pattern trend. I do love me some yellow and black. This one is from Etsy seller, Purse to Go:


What about those naughty, out of control, receipts? I'd love to corral them in this lovely holder from Emms Pocket Shop:

 

Kate Spade envelopes:

Pocketed organizer from Barnes and Nobles:




Here's a DIY idea from IHeart Organizing:


Now for the keys:


ATFrey


Etsy


Peng Studios

Or how about this adorable personalized one? There's even a DIY tutorial!






And of course I couldn't end a Frock Me Friday post about purses without...purses!

Clutches at ModCloth
Satchels by Rebecca Minkoff


Remember to look for purses that have lots of pockets to stash lots of contraband, and a shoulder strap to leave your kid wrangling hands free...

Have a great Weekend!


~Angela

Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate - Birthday Party

Hard to believe my oldest grandson is 10 years old.  Check out the "10" on the jeep banner I made for him.

One of our birthday traditions is that you get to pick your birthday meal and your dessert on your special day.  Sometimes the same meal is picked year after year.  Mr. 2Wicked use to pick turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing (yup, the whole Thanksgiving meal) for years and years.  Then one year he decided to have Salisbury Steak.  The Future Mrs. 2Wicked has had a Seafood Boil for three years.  We're not cake eaters but we are all "dessert" eaters.  Some of our favorite birthday desserts are Strawberry Pizza, Chocolate Pie, Apple Dumplings and Heavenly Cake.


My grandson picked Pineapple Meatloaf, baked potatoes, salad - without tomatoes, garlic bread, and his great Grandma's cherry pie, and last but not least green beans.  He was very specific about the green beans; he wanted the canned, not fresh, short chubby ones - too funny.  That's a pretty sensible meal for a ten year old.  I'm just glad he didn't pick steak and shrimp, that would have been a spendy meal for 15 people.  As it was I made meatloaf using 5 pounds of ground beef - that's a lot of meat loaf.


This meatloaf recipe is the best ever.  A couple of things that make it special are pineapple, corn flakes and the way that it's cooked.  I like to cook mine on a rack or broiler pan so that it doesn't sit in the grease.  This gives it a delicious crust.  I've been making it this way for years and once you've had it this way you won't want to make it in a loaf pan anymore.

PINEAPPLE MEAT LOAF

3 lbs lean ground beef                2 tsp salt

½ c. chopped onions                  1 can crushed pineapple,

2 eggs, beaten                             drained (reserve juice)

1c. crushed corn flakes              2/3 c. ketchup

1 c. ketchup

Combine beef, onions, egg, corn flakes, and 1 c. ketchup and most of pineapple.  Shape into two loafs on rack over pan.  Sprinkle with remaining pineapple.  Combine 2/3 c. ketchup with enough reserved pineapple juice to form a sauce.  Pour over meat loaf.  Bake at 425⁰ for 45 minutes covered with foil.  Remove foil and bake for another 30 minutes.

Note:  That's a large can of pineapple.  When making the sauce it should be thick enough to sit on the meat loaf and not slide off.  Most of the time I use more than 2/3 c. ketchup.  I think because I make it into two loafs and I like a nice covering of sauce.  If you don't have enough just mix up some more.


Enjoy!  I'm going to go enjoy the meatloaf and pie that I plated so that I could take a picture for all of you!


-Laurie

Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate > Valentine's Day Cards

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you all are having a wonderful day filled with love and lots of chocolate. Although, those two are the same thing in my book.

I want to share with you my new family tradition I started this year; Valentine's Day Christmas Cards! You aren't confused by that title, are you?

Typically around Christmas I am one hot mess. Between working, putting up Christmas decorations, Christmas shopping, cooking for the holidays, and trying to maintain a generally jolly attitude; I'm usually just one sugar cookie away from jumping in the local mall fountain. Needless to say, the stress of sending out Christmas cards probably would have sent me over the edge; so for everyone's safety - I didn't. Instead I sent out this for Valentine's Day!

Aren't they cuties? I also included an annual Christmas  Valentine's letter of the all the things our family loved in 2011.

I had so much fun putting this together that I'm sending out Valentine's Christmas cards every year! It was so easy to do, I just edited the photos in Photoshop and added the fun background and banners and sent them to Costco to be printed. I think 35 only cost me around $12. And I still have my sanity!

Happy Valentines Day!

Love,

~ Angela

Manic Monday

Good Morning Lovelies! Hope you all are having a great Monday or at least an okay one at best. I know those Mondays can be ruff stuff sometimes!

This morning I am hobbling around because I "Just Danced" it a  little too hard this weekend. Did you know that pretending to churn butter like a gal from the 1800's is a great dance move? Nope, neither did I.

I'm also breathing a sigh of relief because *gasp* we got our school Valentines done early this year! After last years wails of, "Where's my class list?!" "My ink is wiping off!!" "Why can't I give myself 5 extra Valentines?!" I got smart and did them early and I printed the kids' classroom names and who they were from on labels and then they stuck them on their Valentines. Ya, ya, yeah. I know it's not the same when the kids actually take the time to painstakingly write each name down on the Valentine, but I didn't have the 300 hours that it takes for my kids to write all those names.  And in case you didn't know, fancy names are in! We're talking names with 9+ letters and phonics that don't make sense. I love names with a little creativity, but I don't love helping my 1st graders trying to write it, so no "mommy judging"! Whew. Glad I could get that off my chest.

We are going to be testing out a new feature this Monday! Laurie and I will be sharing with you some of the cool and funky things we've found that we think you, our wonderful readers, might love. Plus we will be saving you all the hours and hours we've wasted looking at said, cool and funky things; and unlike us, you might actually have time for clean dishes and laundry!

Check out:

1. Houzz - We have a project that we are currently working on that we are so excited to soon be sharing with you! In the meantime check out Houzz if you haven't already discovered this awesome home design site. Whether you are looking for paint colors or ideas to redecorate you bedroom this site has it all. Photos and photos of decor and design. *swoon* If you sign up with them you can also save photos that you like into your own ideabook. There's even an app for your IPhone or Android.

eclectic staircase design by chicago media and blogs Kasey Buick

2. Child's Own Studio - takes you your children's drawings and uses fabric and amazing sewing skills and to turns them into a cuddly buddy for your kids! Check out her photo gallery for some inspirational ideas.



3. We are drooling over this! We want summer to be here NOW.

Source: marcusdesigninc.blogspot.com via Laurie on Pinterest

4. We downloaded these free fonts from DaFont and used them in a great project coming up tomorrow. They are super easy to install.

Source: goinghometoroost.com via Laurie on Pinterest

5. We are so going to be make some funky subway art with this cool tool from Tagxedo. It takes any words you choose and turns them into art! Check out their site and see all the possibilities.



Happy Monday!

~Angela

Frock Me Friday > Valentines Day

What will you be doing on Valentine's Day?  Are you cooking a special meal for your sweethearts or are you having a special date night?  If you're going out on a special date this weekend or on the actual day for Valentine's Day, I have three Frock Me Friday outfits for you to look great in!  Because this is a special occasion I have not built on my previous wardrobe - sometimes a girl just has to go out and splurge!

Outfit #1 - Classy

Outfit #2 - Classy but with a little shot of "wild."

Outfit #3 - Definitely for the under 40 crowd if you pair it with those short boots.

I love the skirt in outfit #3 and love, love, love the red leather jacket in #2 and #3.  I will be definitely adding one of these outfits to my Frock Me Friday Wardrobe - if only my Polyvore wardrobe budget was real . . .


-Laurie

Celebrate, Celebrate, Celebrate > Sweet Valentines Day Decor

Are you one of those people that the second the Christmas decor is back in the garage, your house is shellacked in Valentine's red, pink, and white?

I'm a little late in the game this year but I decided to shoot for a fabulous, last minute finish, in the Valentine's day decor department:

I used my Halloween tree because I love it so much, and let's face it- it's too cool to be in a box; and I strung it with a fringed crepe paper garland. You all know how I love feathers, so I put some white ones in clear heart ornaments that I got from Hobby Lobby. Then I added in the sweet little Valentine's Day Banner that Laurie Glossy had made from paint chip samples; and a recycled book page garland that she had given me. (Okay I admit - I stole it. But my tree needed it!) The finishing touch was a sweet little pink sparrow that I roosted in the top of the tree.

I also found this adorable wood rosette wreath that I scored on clearance for only $6!

It looks just as fabulous as the price, hung over my mirror. Better late than never right?

 Have some photos of your own fabulous Valentine's day decor? Send us a pic! We would love to see it!

~Angela

Feast Your Eyes > Valentines Day Floats

I scream! You scream! We all have...kids!
Wait.
Is that how that rhyme goes?
Oh, that's right.
We all have ice cream! (Although I think the other works too...)

Well, Valentines Day Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Floats, to be exact. Gaze upon this concoction of yummy:

How cute is this? All that pink frothy-ness is just perfect for a Valentine's Day treat, don't you think?

First you pour this:

Then you scoop this:

Then you look like this:

Happy Slurping!

~Angela