DIY: Coffee Table

If your like me you probably think everything is either over priced  for what it is, just plain boring or for us to expensive to buy for our temp situation.  We have been going back and forth about getting furniture for our patio because we will be moving soon and do not want to buy twice if it doesn't work out at the new place.  I wanted to share the steps of this do it yourself built in succulent table that I made for around $50.00 (includes the wood, plants, nails, rocks, stain and brush).  I also had some wood left over and made 3 flower boxes.   

DIY Succulent Table

First you have to draft the plans and decide on the size.  Then take your measurements/plan to Home Depot and pick out the wood.  You most likely will need to make cuts depending on the size of your table.  I asked them to cut the wood for me (I do not have a power saw), they are super helpful and will actually cut it for free, its the Home Depot way!  I had left over wood, and took it with me to make flower/plant boxes.

Flower boxes (used leftover wood)

Unloaded all the materials and started constructing when you get home (see picture below).  First frame the outsides of the table, next add the top planks, middle box, table legs and last add the succulents.  I stained it after I added the succulents.  I would recommend staining first but I was not sure I wanted to and decided to stain last minute.  You can be inventive with the center box, I went with succulents surrounded by rocks (saw the idea online).  You can take them out and repurpose for an ice and drink holder for chilling your summer drinks or whatever you decide.  Make sure to leave holes in the built in box wood for watering drainage.

Our backyard patio is still a work in progress, next I am considering making cabana drapes and some fun pillows to add accent colors and comfort.  Surprisingly just by adding chairs and a table, we went from spending no time outside to spending lots of time.  We have coffee and work on the patio in the morning, and summer drinks and dinner on warm summer nights.  I am glad we decided to move forward and enjoy where we are today rather then just waiting, waiting, waiting till we move.  I'm sure the day I finish the whole project will probably be the day we get our place.  At least I can do it ALL over again! :) 

Bananas TO Bread!

I bought a ton of bananas (they were really really really on sale).  Some of them were going bad so I decided to make a bread... Super moist and super yummy and super easy!

Ingredients: 

• 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup to 1  cup sugar (experiment, I used 3/4 cup)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Directions: 
No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F. With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 min (depending on your oven). Enjoy!

Its In the Detials

2012 Summer Priorities!  

Its always easier to accomplish things when you make a check list.  I make a checklist every morning before starting work (SIM) to eliminate forgetting important tasks, prior to the grocery store to help me stay focused so I do not only buy sweets, for errands so I can get them done quickly, etc. etc... basically, I make a lot of checklists!  Sometimes going as far as adding things I already did, just to check them off... haha!  This morning, inspired by Cupcakes and Cashmere I decided to make a FUN based checklist for a great way to kickoff to the 2012 Summer that is just around the corner.  

 

Number Six, looks like the perfect start.  Maybe a first day of SUMMER purchase, better start my research NOW! 

To Do
1. Spend a day in Chicago like a tourist.
2. Host Oyster and Champagne housewarming party. (When we finally move in!!)
3. Go to Salon for blow-dry and style for no occasion at all.
4. Take Spontaneous vacation!
5. Babysit Avery to give Xtina and Robert a break (this includes burping and changing her diaps.. haha)
6. Buy a nice handbag that I will LOVE and CHERISH forever.
7. Have a styled photo shoot with friends to dip back into my fashion roots.
8. Finish "COLORS" photography project.
9. Play a FULL round of golf with GMAY
10. Take a gardening, cooking, baking and painting class.
11.  Visit the local winery's (part of GMay's Xmas gift) 

Now Back to WORK! 

Best Turkey Burger (base recipe)

Turkey burgers are much healthier than red meat so we try to make them as often as we can. If your like me and feel they lack flavor, I have a recipe on what to add to them before you grill them. Here you go...




Ingredients (Yields 4):
*knead all ingredients into turkey meat
1lb Lean Turkey meat
1/2 Teaspoon Cumin
Pinch of Garlic Salt
1/3 Teaspoon Black Ground pepper
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
Dash Hot Sauce
Dash Worcestershire Sauce
add in chopped jalapenos if you like spicy
(I also sometimes mix the cheese in right away with it, I did not this time)

As you can see here, we topped it with all sorts of good stuff. The recipe is a great base for the burger and you can add on from there. Toppings in picture; Colby Jack Cheese, Sprouts, Avocado, Banana Peppers, Pickles, Ketchup, Mustard all on an English Muffin!

Healthy Chicken Pot Pies!

It is hard to mix healthy and yummy! But I think my Homemade Chicken Pot-Pie Recipe combines the two very well! Hope you ENJOY them...

Makes 5 mini pot-pies and ONLY 375 Calories each!


Ingredients
1 lb grilled pulled chicken
1 bag of frozen mixed veggies (recommend: carrot, green beans, peas (I pick them out..lol), and corn. you can also use chopped fresh)
20 ounces of *low sodium chicken broth
10 ounces of cream chicken or mushroom
1 baked potato cubed
1/3 teaspoon pepper (we like a lot)
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tubes low fat crescent rolls (you will have extras)
(5) 1 lb mini loaf pans for individual servings


Preparation:
(see cooks notes below before preparing) Grab all Ingredients and preheat oven to 375. On high heat in a 4 quart saucepan whisk together chicken broth and cream of chicken dissolving all lumps and bring to a low boil. Add in, diced potato, pulled chicken, veggies, pepper and oregano. Bring back up to low boil. Spoon mixture in evenly across the 5 mini loaf pans while mixture is still pipping hot. Place 2 low fat crescent rolls on each pan covering mixture leaving slight overhang on sides of pan. Bake for about 20 min until crescent rolls turn golden brown. ENJOY!


* Cooks Notes*
I prepared extra grilled chicken a few days before for an Enchilada dish I was making--immediately taking it off the grill I pulled it apart in about 1 inch chunks using 2 forks(it pulls apart easier when it is still hot). I also baked the potato in advance when I made pizza the night before. I like to plan all meals out a week before. Therefore, this makes grocery shopping less expensive because you can use ingredients from previous meals in addition to being less wasteful. It also saves you time because it is less trips to the grocery store.

Healthy and Tasty Patsta

Ingredients:
12 ounces bowtie pasta
1 cup chicken broth
1 lb spicy Italian sausage
1 cup broccoli
2 cups fresh spinach (packed)
1/2 white onion
fresh grated parmesan cheese
1 tbs olive oil
(pepper, sea salt, garlic salt to taste)

To Make:
Boil water--cook pasta (meanwhile) warm skillet on medium heat with 1 tbs of olive oil. Chop onion and saute till onion becomes translucent. Add in Italian sausage turn up to med/med-high and saute another 10-15 min, drain fat. Add in chicken broth, spinach, broccoli, and pasta and continue to cook over med-high stirring until liquid reduces. Add seasoning and cheese to taste. Serve and Enjoy!

Project Runway....Project Sukara

Austin and Santino are in Chicago promoting their show, On The Road With Austin and Santino (www.lifetime.com/austinsantino) and doing some local runway shows. This evening they had a show at Block 37, and I went to check it out. I was fortunate enough to meet them and get some feedback from them about my designs. They loved the dress that I was wearing Scarlet, which is one of my designs and can be purchased here: www.SukaraSterling.com --Austin made a great point and said.....it is great to wear from day to night! He went on to say, you could do a more casual look during the day and pair it with flats, colorful tights and a blazer--and for night change the flats to some sleek edgy heels and remove the tights and blazer. I agree!!!! Great fashion advice Austin!

I watched both of their project runway episodes. My favorite design from Austin was his cornhusk dress he made for the grocery store challenge--I also loved all the capes he wears, so cute!

Santino was also a favorite of mine because all his garments are flawless and so beautiful. I was so sad when he didn't win, but he did get runner up--he should have won! He also made me laugh with his jokes on the show, He does the best Tim Gunn impressions.

I must say I have not watched their current show, On The Road With Austin and Scarlet--They are a great duo. Austin speaks the fashion language very elegantly and Santino makes jokes.....they complement each other well...I might just have to start now :)