A Ninja Riding a Unicorn Pinata!

I've gotten back on a sewing kick recently and have been making things for friends and for my new Etsy shop. I've made a few custom patterns and dabbled with a few ideas...but one of my absolute favorites has got to be a little ninja stuffed friend that I made for my friend Bethany!

I love ninjas! She loves ninjas! Okay...everybody loves ninjas...don't they?

{well...all I can say is...if it's wrong to love ninjas...then I don't want to be right!}

So...today I came home from work...checked my email...and saw that I had been tagged in a picture on Facebook. When I clicked it...I saw something epic!!

...A ninja riding a unicorn...piñata!! Yes...I'll say it again! A Ninja riding a unicorn piñata!

Seriously...check it out!

All I can say it that if that doesn't make you happy...then you're way too serious and need to lighten up! Thank you Bethany! You're awesome! You have combined three of my favorite things into something epic! {and given me the urge to make more ninja stuffed friends...and maybe unicorns...}

Happy Monday!! I hope that you all have an awesome week!

Happiness + Butterflies

The past week has been incredible! New job. New outlook. New attitude. New excitement!!

{enter...happiness...bliss...and serious butterflies!}

Yes...I've been waking up an hour earlier than I normally do...due to sheer joy and excitement!

Yes...I have stumbled into the wrong conference room...on more than one occasion in the past week. 

Yes...I'm the new girl and feel like I'm asking a million questions. 

Yes...I'm falling in love with my job a little bit more everyday!

For those of you who know me...you probably know that I left my job of nearly 5 years a week and a half ago to embark on a new adventure with one of Memphis' most amazing organizations.

The decision to leave what I knew and try something different was not an easy decision to make, but the mission of the organization that I've moved to pushed me in the direction to make a change.

{talk about a whirlwind!}

So...I'm a week in and know in my heart that I made the right decision. In so many ways, it's such a blessing to have the opportunity to wake up, go to work, spend the day doing something that I love and know that at the end of the day, what I'm doing is helping others. I feel like this is where I'm meant to be and feel so thankful to have found it.

{hmmmm...that's great! but...what does this have to do with me?}

Good question! The short answer is...take a chance on something if you think you'll love it. Or...if you think there's a slight chance that you might love it...do some research and figure out if it's something that you want to do. Life is too short to put your happiness on hold.

Sometimes you have to stop and consider bringing back the butterflies. I'm sure that the solution is different for everyone. Maybe it's getting a pet...or learning how to sew...or even going on a trip. In theory...it could be anything that brings you joy!

For me...it was making the decision to join an incredible organization who's work and mission I truly believe in. In short...the butterflies are back...and I'm thrilled!

So...go find yours! I'm sure that they'll be happy to see you...and will stick around as long as you'll let them!

Happy Monday!

Kitchen Adventures: French Desserts

I've recently become beyond obsession with Julia Child and have decided that I would like to take a stab at mastering the art of french cooking. With this in mind, my awesome and adorable husband got me two Julia Child cookbooks for Christmas...and this lady has been in heaven.

After some serious reading, I put my game face on last week and took the plunge...and learned a few lessons that I'd like to share with you.

Part I: Vanilla Souffle
I've never had souffle. My husband has never had souffle. I'm feeling ambitious. It's Valentine's Day. I took a chance. {maybe i should of re-thought this...} It started out awesome! I measured out all of the ingredients...preheated the oven...and had no mercy! ...until...the egg whites just didn't seem fluffy enough...or were they?...maybe that's how they're suppose to look...I've never done this before. I'm sure they're fine. {wrong} Forty minutes later when the "glorious" souffle came out of the oven, it fell...to about an inch and a half tall. {what happened?}

...time to consult Julia...

This is what I learned:
• if any yolk intermingles with the egg whites...no deal! you can whip those egg whites into submission...and they will still fall flat!
• if any grease {including butter} touches the egg whites in the process of whipping {maybe from the whisk that you just whipped butter into the egg yolks with}...you're in for a bad time...
• you can't use a glass bowl to whip the egg whites...they will never reach their true potential and will slide down the slippery bowl.

Hmmmm....thinking back...I did all of these things. A tiny spec of egg yolk may have made it into the egg white bowl. It was a glass bowl...and I know that I used the same whisk...awww...snap! Maybe I should of consulted page 159 {again} before attempting the recipe in the back of the book...new plan...start over!

With the knowledge gained in round one...I made a lovely vanilla souffle {again} and felt relieved that it worked. Sadly...the Mannerings learned that they are not souffle fans that evening, but it was worth trying it out. Now we know, and knowing is half the battle.

Part II: Ladyfingers
With the souffle disaster and recovery a day behind me...I decided to try something new. My Dad kept talking about ladyfingers at Christmas time, so I thought that I'd give them a whirl. With my new and exciting egg white discovery in my hip pocket...I had no fear! They turned out delicious {first try}, but were not the prettiest pastries that I've ever seen.

Next time...I know to:
• Use a pastry bag! {not a spoon...and my fingers} The recipe told me to use a pastry bag, but in the excitement of the batter turning out how it was suppose to...I just winged it!
• Only place them in the upper 2/3 of the oven. With two trays of pastries, I placed one in the upper 2/3 and one in the lower 1/3. The lower tray turned out a little crispy...lesson learned!

All and all it was an awesome adventure of trying new things out. I'm no Julia Child...but I'm working on it. I hope that my new knowledge helps you out if you're a rookie like me.

So...be adventurous! Try something new! And don't let the yolk touch the egg whites when you're whipping them! Happy Friday!

The Chili Bowl!

Chili has always been a cold weather favorite...and I love a good bowl of chili! {Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall}

So...where am I going with this...yesterday at work we had a chili cook-off of epic proportion! {at least for us}. People at my office love to eat, so any excuse to cook and hold a contest where we all get to graze is widely excepted among my co-workers. Add in a Super Bowl theme and people are pretty stoked!...thus the name...The Chili Bowl!

I went out on a limb this year and tried something new {aka made a recipe up as I went and crossed my fingers}. I went Italian...and am really happy with the result! {and...I actually came in first place this year!...awesome!}

If you're interested in trying it out...here's my {not-so-secret} recipe! 

Amber's Italian Chili
What you'll need:
1 white onion {diced}
1 pkg Jimmy Dean Sage ground sausage
1 pkg mild Italian ground sausage
16 ounces tomato sauce {2 cans}
16 ounces chili beans in mild sauce {2 cans}
16 ounces black beans {2 cans}
16 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes {2 cans}
1 pkg mild chili seasoning
4 large mushrooms {diced}
butter {just pull out the tub...and use your best judgment}
oregano {to taste}
fennel {to taste}
Italian seasoning {to taste}

First add a decent size spoonful of butter into a large pot. Turn stove top on medium heat. Once butter is frothy and melted, add diced onion to the pot. Cover and stir occasionally until onions start to get soft and golden brown. Turn heat down to somewhere between low and medium and add both types of sausage. Brown sausage stirring occasionally. Once sausage is browned, add your can goods! {no specific order...just get them all in there and mix well} Once everything is mixed well, add your package of Mild Chili Seasoning. Then, add oregano, fennel and Italian seasoning to taste. Now...for the mushrooms! While your chili is simmering, get a large skillet and add a decent size spoonful of butter to it. Turn heat to medium. Once butter is frothy and melted, add diced mushrooms. Don't crowd them. Make sure that they are evenly placed and that they have room around them. Allow them to simmer for a few minutes and turn them occasionally. {they're delicious if you sprinkle them with oregano and sage after they're coated in butter}Once they are golden brown, remove them from heat. Allow them to stand for a few minutes, then add them to the chili pot. Continue stirring chili occasionally until it is warm throughout. Serve hot! {yum!} Great with bread and maybe a little cheese on top!

If you're looking for a yummy dinner to make you feel all warm and cozy during this burst of winter weather...try it out! It's a twist on traditional with an Italian flare that may just bring your taste buds a smile! Happy Saturday! Hope that you have a wonderful day!

The Magic of the Sweet Groundhog + WIWW!

It's been really cold lately {and I live in the South} so I know that if you're any further North than Memphis...you're feelin' it too.

So...when will it warm back up?

Enter...the Groundhog...aka Punxsutawney Phil! I know that it's not scientific...but I believe in the magic of the groundhog! Will we have
6 more weeks of Winter...or will Spring come early? This morning...Phil did not see his shadow...so that means that he has chosen Spring! {nice one Phil...I agree}

Yes...there is a massive blizzard going on all over the U.S.

Yes...there were snow flurries blowing around downtown Memphis on my voyage into work this morning.

Yes...I'm a Spring and Fall kind of girl...so...even though it looks and feels like Winter is sticking with us for a bit longer...I choose the optimistic vision of the groundhog and am super stoked for an early Spring! {yay!}

What does this mean for you? Joy & Excitement! Dreams of putting away those heavy coats in exchange for a light jacket...thoughts of planting vegetables, herbs and flowers, firing up the Bar-B-Que grill and actually being able to feel your hands while you cook something delicious over an open flame...in short...awesomeness and bliss! {unless you're a Winter person and hate Spring...in that case...my apologies...enjoy the next few weeks and soak it all in!}

With that...I'm moving on to WIWW {what i wore wednesday}!

Today...it's cold in Memphis {to the tune of about 26°}...so I'm bundled up! {and trying to amp it up from my usual t-shirt & jeans...no skirts today though...my legs feel the need to hibernate at anything under 30°...}

outfit overview
houndstooth jacket {holidays}
purple sequin ribbon shirt {wal-mart}
black skinny jeans {alloy}
black suede boots {alloy}
white gold hoop earrings {a gift from my parents}
red winter coat keeping it cozy! {alloy}

winter + cozy boots that my jeans tuck into=warm toes!

Attempt at full outfit shot...

warm & toasty in my happy red coat

Well...that's it for now! Hope that you had an awesome day in general and that the magic of the groundhog brought you a smile or two!
Happy Wednesday!

{new...awesome...different!}

Hey there strangers! I know...it's been a month! {and I have been one busy lady...in need of a little down time...}

I decided after the Cheese Ball Snowman {and DIY December} to take a little break from the excitement of the blogging realm. {work + school + DIY projects + life in general = girl needs a cupcake + a nap} So...I decided to take a month off {from blogging}...and in that short span of time...lots of awesome stuff has gone down!

I graduated from my year long certification venture...Interior Decorating
...YAY!!! {diploma is itching to be framed and my certification package should arrive any day now!}

Also...I've been dreaming of opening an Etsy shop...and am in the process of making it happen! {fun, crafty and creative little projects are filling my spare moments!}

I finally got the promotion that I've been working toward at work.
{hello Senior Production Art Designer!}

Other than that, renovations are moving along again at our house and so far...2011 has been kind of awesome across the board!
{no complaints over here anyway!}

With that...there will be a few tweaks to {change of venue} starting today!

Can this still be my happy place? Yes...this is a happy place. It will continue to be. Forever. {or as long as I'm running the show}

Will I have something to look forward to everyday? I hope so...but you may have to find your own happy place every now and then...as this lady may be out of touch from time to time.

Will there be recipes and DIY projects? Absolutely...maybe not everyday...but from time to time...okay...you know me too well...it'll be happening a lot!

What about "WIWW" {what i wore wednesdays}? Yes...it's on! I've recently defaulted back to t-shirts, jeans and sneakers again and feel the need to amp it up a bit! 

So...what's changing then? To be honest...not much. Just the "everyday" aspect. Who knows...it might be everyday. It might be every other day...it might be a couple times a week. We shall see...that keeps things exciting...right?

So...stay tuned! Welcome back! I hope that 2011 is treating you well and that you're having a great day!

To close...I'd like to leave you with a thought:

The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.

Happy Friday!!

DIY: Cheese Ball Snowman

Every year my family gathers on Christmas Eve to share some food, fun and gifts. This year...I was in charge of the cheese ball. Though it may not seem like a big deal...it kind of was to me. Cheese ball is one of my favorite holiday foods...and my Mom is normally the one who makes it. This year...when I asked for a food assignment...and she mentioned that I could bring the cheese ball...I was kind of excited!
{it makes me feel like a grown up to be the one to bring this important dish to the shen-dig!} On top of the assignment...she had mentioned that a few weeks earlier she had made one for my brother and his family...and turned it into a snowman...genius! {that's it...I was a lady on a mission to make something cute and delicious!}

Queue visual aid...

What you'll need:
an 8 ounce package Philadelphia Cream Cheese {I use 1/3 Less Fat}
8 ounces shredded Colby Jack Cheese
a few sprinkles of garlic powder
a few sprinkles of oregano
{I sometimes add BBQ rub or paprika...but opted out for this little guy}
2 strips cooked bacon {I used turkey bacon}
7 whole black peppercorns
2 small pretzels
1 small carrot

Mix the cream cheese, colby jack cheese, garlic powder and oregano together until you have an even mixture resembling a ball. {this will require you to do a little kneading with your hands} Now...it's time to shape your little snowman up and decorate him! First, make three balls descending in size for the body and the head. Then, use remaining cheese ball mixture to form a hat. Once you have your basic shape, cut your turkey bacon up into appropriate shapes and add to the snowman in the hat area and to create a scarf. Cut a few small thin strips to make a smile. Then add peppercorns for eyes and buttons. Lastly, add the carrot nose and pretzel arms. Serve with crackers.

Fun, festive and yummy! The only problem...it's so cute that people make not want to eat it! {it's true...my husband and I came home with 2/3 a snowman...and destroyed it! sorry Mr. Snowman...but way to fulfill your Christmas destiny!}

So...if you're looking for a fun treat for a cold winter party...try this little guy out! I'm sure that your friends and family will get a kick out of it! {thanks mom!}