Friday, January 29, 2010

Swimming Seas

After a very productive jewelry making day, I decided to cook a nice healthy dinner for hubs and me. I decided on Sea Scallops, salad and bread. I must tell you that there is a story behind the scallops. The first big fight hubby and I had was over scallops. Therefore, I have not even attempted to make these in the past 3 years. What happened you ask? Well, while hubby and I were still in the dating stages I tried to show my domestic kitchen skills through a fancy scallop dinner to prove I was marriage material. (Notice I said "tried.") I got to his place before he was home from work so I could get the stuff ready. However, once hubs got home he began to tell me all that I was doing wrong and said "well, that's not how my aunt and mom do it." This led to me storming out of the kitchen and letting him finish the cooking. Okay so yes, it's funny looking back on it and we even now joke about it. (carefully) But my domestic ego took a hit. However, after 3 years I can happily say that we are able to cook scallops again!! Hooray! Which means I can now safely share the yummy recipe with you... I'll keep working on my domestic skills but please share your tips on other scallops recipes!

From the kitchen of :Ina Garten

Ingredients

Directions

If you're using bay scallops, keep them whole. If you're using sea scallops, cut each one in 1/2 horizontally. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, toss with flour, and shake off the excess. In a very large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter over high heat until sizzling and add the scallops in 1 layer. Lower the heat to medium, and allow the scallops to brown lightly on 1 side without moving them, then turn and brown lightly on the other side. This should take 3-4 minutes, total. Melt the rest of the butter in the pan with the scallops, then add the shallots, garlic, and parsley, and saute for 2 more minutes, tossing the seasonings with the scallops. Add the wine, cook for 1 minute, and taste for seasoning. Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon juice.


Picture of Scallops Provencal Recipe

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Lite Brite

Well I must admit that I have a huge love for chandeliers! HUGE! I can't wait until we have a house so I can go the flea market and find the perfect one. However, we might not have a house for years if we move to NYC and therefore I will just have to talk my mom into getting a new one...which of course is even better since I don't have to pay for it. hehe sneaky sneaky Anyway, I'm also hoping that at some point someone in the family will have a girl and will let me create a cute little-girl chandelier for them. I've always wanted to do this and have fantasized about what I would do if hubs and I had a little girl nursery. Although, my sister has an awesome light in little boy Spencer's room, so either way the lighting will be awesome! Here are some chandeliers I have taken pics of over the last couple of months...
Aren't they just gorgeous?!?
Cotton Chain/Cord Cover - Set of 2 - 4.5ft SLIP ON - White, Cream, Black, Brown, Tan, Hot Pink, Baby Blue, Baby Pink
I would love to buy this and paint it for a little girl's room. Although, it's so cheap ($13) I kind of want to buy it and just figure out what to do with it in our apartment... Check out etsy for this deal.
I've never seen one like this before... etsy

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Relief Shopping

I've found some popularly awesome products which are giving 30-100% of the purchase price to charities working in Haiti. Since they're already items that we love it should be fun and easy to shop and help out!!! Some could be great to have on hand or as a house warming present, etc. So check them out...

Tocca fig and cucumber scent and Candela Da Viaggio candles: 30% goes to Doctors without borders
Havaianas "Slim little Birds" sandals: 30% goes to American Red Cross
C&C California: 30% of these great t-shirts benefits Partners in Health, enter CCHELPHAITI at checkout
Philosophy Blackberry Sauce line: 100% of proceeds go to the American Red Cross

If you don't really want to buy anything then you can always just go to websites such as World
Vision or through your local church and donate.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Cupid Fun and Michigan???

SMD has some exciting news I've been not so patiently waiting to share with you...There are actually two things. Drum roll please. First off, SMD has begun the annual Valentine's sale! If you did not receive the email then make sure to sign up on the website because you have to enter the promo code to get the sale! Before shopping, click on the side link "enter promo code" and enter "VDAY" sale. Once you continue shopping, all the items will then be 10% off. The sale will run until Feb 10th at midnight. Last but not least, SMD is now up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan!!! So for all y'all up in the cold states drop by Village Palm at Lilly Pulitizer and show some love! It's a great store. Watch out because SMD is on the move...


Are you getting in the spirit yet??

Monday, January 25, 2010

Fudge Pudge

So on Friday I was telling you about my sweet cravings and now I get to tell you how I indulged!!! Hubby had dinner with one of his college friends on Friday night which left me alone with the tempting oven. So I decide I should definitely go to the store to get something sweet. Well, since I had already told you about the ice cream recipe I decided that I also needed some chocolate to top it off. However, these brownies were guilt-free!!! I have even been eating them for breakfast! haha I've heard about this brand before but never gave it a try until Friday. They're called, No Pudge! Fudge Brownie and totally ended up hitting the spot for very little calories and fat! I of course added some chocolate chips (which I basically do in everything I bake whether I should or not) so I'm sure that added a few more calories. Oh well! I didn't give that a second thought. They're also super easy to make. So all in all I'm quite happy with my now fulfilled sweet tooth! Here's what it looks like....

And add an egg...
It's very thick
The side of the box has all these little tips for your brownies!
Don't worry this was only my first bite...half of them were gone by the end of the night!


Friday, January 22, 2010

Sweet Treat

Well, I have had quite the sweet tooth this week so I decided that today I will finally give in and make something sweet to satisfy these cravings. I'm debating between a couple of things and one of them is Joe Joe Peppermint Ice Cream! We made this over Christmas and it was some of the best ice cream I have ever had. So here is the recipe in case you want to indulge this weekend like me! What's the weekend for anyway??

Ingredients:
5 eggs (warning- they will be raw)
2 cups sugar
1 14oz condensed eagle brown milk
1 12 oz evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 pint whipping cream
1 quart Half an Half
1 1/2 cups Oreos (or Joe Joes from Trader Joes)

Beat together the eggs. Add sugar and remaining ingredients. Pour in ice cream maker, add milk to the fill line and churn. (You will be able to walk away while it churns) Then enjoy every bite! If you really want to go all the way then make some brownies or chocolate cake to finish it off! :)






Thursday, January 21, 2010

HOPE

I've been wanting to help out with everything going on in Haiti but have felt quite helpless. Well, I just found the perfect opportunity! Everyone should check this out. Etsy, if you haven't heard of it is a site based for artists to setup shop for their talents, have come together and created a shop for Haiti section. Many artist have donated some of their items to the shop for anyone and everyone to buy. ALL proceeds go to the Doctors Without Borders. The shop contains cute kids stuff, home, art and more. You don't even need to have a shop if you want to donate handmade items. If you're not the creative type, no worries, you can just buy! Check it out!! Here are some of my favorites.

Black and White Brocade Coptic bound book
Prayer Journal, Diary, Client Log...
Harry the Sock Monkey
What kid doesn't want a sock monkey?
coin purse
No more loose change...
bird onesie

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Sailor Day

Everywhere I look I see Spring/Resort 2010 wear and I'm loving it!! The Nautical trend is great since I love stripes! Always have and hopefully always will. So obviously, I'm excited that they are in style. But the color combinations for the Spring are also all so pretty and refreshing. They make me want to get outside, jump on a boat and sail away! (Then I walk outside and realize it's still freezing) So here's a sneak peek from a nautical few designers...

What's your favorite Spring trend?




Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Painted Talent

I hope everyone had a wonderfully long holiday weekend. I sure did! So I wanted to share an incredibly creative and talented find with you. JoAnna Gillander, is super talented when it comes to anything painting! However, she specializes in painting floors as well as cute stools and chairs for the kiddos. I am already drooling over some of her designs for when hubby and I actually move into a house...although that might not be for a while! So if you're needing an updated look for your house, patio, or new shop or restaurant JoAnna is your person. (Don't forget about the decorations for the kiddos) Did I mention that her prices are also affordable?! Have fun checking out some of her designs... (if you're interested then email JoAnna at joAnna.gillander@gmail.com)

So pretty!
Can't you imagine this in a swank hotel or restaurant?


Monday, January 18, 2010

Unraveled

You might have already heard about this cool business but I just learned about it and had to share with you! Reknit.it is a great ever-changing site about turning 'knits' into something new to wear or use! So creative AND useful. So this month, they are taking your old sweaters that you can't bear to throw out but also can't really wear anymore and turning them into new and beautiful scarves! Just send in your old sweater and they do the rest. You'll receive your new scarf in 7-10 business days. I have one of my dad's old cashmere sweaters that a little moth got a hold of and was planing to make gloves out of but I think I might just "reknit" it instead!
Send me pics if you "reknit"

Thursday, January 14, 2010

New Collection for 2010

I'm so excited for Spring to get here! (And I don't even technically live up north!) However, it has been super chilly here and all the magazines and stores are ready with their Spring and Resort wear. Therefore, Spencer Morgan Designs is proud to announce the first installment of Spring 2010. I am continually working on more as well as the wedding parties that I have for this Spring. So keep checking back for new items and check out the website today for all of them, but for now here are a few...



Wednesday, January 13, 2010

50/50

I have finally begun to clean out and organize our little apartment! It's such a great feeling. However, now I have clothes, etc all over the floor which in my spare time I need to take to Goodwill. I'm looking at this cleaning not only as a New Year's cleaning but also as a "do I want to move this?" cleaning. So that means going through our apartment hard-core!
OK, so call me crazy but I LOVE organizing! Now I know that I shouldn't like to organize since I'm creative but I've come to the realization that I am 50% left brain dominant and 50% right brain dominant. Yep, right down the middle! I actually just took the test and it came out literally right down the middle.
Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz
The higher of these two numbers below indicates which side of your brain has dominance in your life. Realising your right brain/left brain tendancy will help you interact with and to understand others.
Left Brain Dominance:16(16)
Right Brain Dominance:16(16)
Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz
How does that happen? I love artsy things, taking adventures, not looking at maps and being spontaneous BUT I also love having things clean, my to-do list, believing things are right or wrong and my wonderful routine. So those don't go together at all (obviously) and I don't fit the stereotypes of an Artist or a Type A person. I feel bad for my husband who has to figure me out. Good thing we have our whole lives , right?! I could go on and on about all the crazy things I love about organizing but I'll stop here...

I have 2 other piles like this! I'm thinking of doing an auction for some of the designer pieces here on the blog. What do you think?
Simple Division Garment Organizers
Some of the nerdy organization things I love and want!
Look at how clean and organized those pictures are...

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Smith to Sturge

Whew! What a weekend. One of my best friends tied the knot this weekend is chilly Greenville, SC. Who knew it could get so cold in the south? All the coldness aside, it was a gorgeous wedding with not a detail missed! Miss Whitney Smith finally became Mrs. Whitney Sturge! Mr. Sturge was quite excited, as well. After having a weekend full of wedding festivities, it got me pumped for the future weddings I'm making the jewelry for this Spring. I now have the needed inspiration that I was lacking after such a busy holiday season. I unfortunately did not have time to take any pictures so all the pics below are courtesy of friends and of course check out Amy Free's website for awesome pics of the bridesmaid luncheon. (I wish I had been able to make it for this since I hear it was absolutely breathtaking.)

Now that I do not have any travels in the near future, I will begin organizing like I claimed last week...
Cool loft we got our makeup and hair done
pics before the reception
beautiful wedding cake
Gorgeous bride and honorary bridesmaids

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Once Again

Well, I apologize once again for my spotty posting. There has been a lot going on! We have been traveling for the past 3 weeks for UNC's Christmas break (yes, that is the joys of having a hubby who is a student. Although, this time next year we'll be lucky to get 3 days off for Christmas since hubby will have his MBA and be back to working full-time.) However, the last week I have been sick in bed with a horrible and gross stomach sickness called, C Diff infection. (Warning- if you look it up then you'll be grossed out) Luckily, we were at my parents house and I had my mom (and my hubby) to take care of me. I think my mom should have some sort of degree in medicine for all the times she's taken such good care of me over the years! So with all this said, I haven't even begun to get organized from all the travels. Hopefully, next week I'll be back on track and have a normal life again!! However, tomorrow I'll be traveling to Greenville, SC for one of my best friend's wedding! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and I'll see you on Monday morning...

Some pics of wonderful and caring parents...

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Resolutions

Well, I'm not big on new year's resolutions (actually I never make them) but I figured that there are a lot of things that I need to work on and so why not put them on paper. It's always good for me to reflect and figure out where I need to make improvements in my life so here are a few, 25 to be exact... Feel free to add your own!!

1. Be an encouraging wife
2. Eat healthier (I've learned this from my California friends)
3. Keep up with friends even when life is busy
4. Learn how to cook more than chicken (which I have a head start on thanks to my aunt in-law)
5. Continue expanding Spencer Morgan Designs
6. Move somewhere so we can have a yellow lab
7. Tell my parents how much I appreciate them and all they sacrificed for us growing up
8. Support my hubby even after a frustrating day
9. Learn how to put on makeup, most people my age know how to do this already
10. Memorize bible verses
11. Read other books than murder mysteries
12. Learn how to enjoy watching basketball for the hubby (I love football but not basketball)
13. Be more compassionate
14. Tell people about my dad's smart new business, The Spencer Group (website coming)
15. Trust the Lord about where we will be come May when the hubs graduates B School
16. Tell my in-laws that I love them more
17. Work on my photography skills (I have a lot of room for improvement)
18. Give the glory to God since it's not because of anything I do
20. Fix my sewing machine so I can create home designs(I like to have my hand in lots of things)
21. Perfect my yoga poses
22. Make this blog larger and get more followers!!!
23. Only wear 50 SPF or higher (goodbye skin cancer & wrinkles ...too bad I already have both)
24. Continuing learning how to run and grow a business
25. Let everyone know how much I care about them!!

So these are my 25 "resolutions." What are some of yours?

Monday, January 4, 2010

Ebay Alert

Well, I haven't started the new year off quite as I had planned but I'm getting there. I have actually been sick with some sort of stomach thing for 3 days now. I was finally able to get into the urgent care center today who then sent me to get some lab work done at a different place. However, I think I am on the mend! So my New Year's resolution post will have to be tomorrow since this day is almost done. However, I did just list a wonderful brand new bag on Ebay for sale. It's a great deep purple color with lots of fun zippers and sorts. Check it out! The bidding only lasts 3 days... Be back tomorrow!




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