nyonyamansor09

Over the weekend, my sister, Kate and I hosted a baby shower for our other sister Anne Hunter. I was really rushed to get everything together so I didn't get a ton of pictures. See below for one of the table. I got lilies and put them in glass baby bottles from Babies R Us. Our menu... Krispy Kreme doughnuts (requested by the preggo) Dales Black Bottom cupcakes Sugar Cookies in the shape of baby carriages Cucumber Sandwiches Pretzel crisps topped with tomato, mozzarella & basil Chicken Salad Cups Cucumber Sandwiches Peel and cut cucumber into thin slices. Cut white bread into the shape of circles, cover with mayonnaise, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, top with cucumber. Very easy!

The words BARGAIN PRICE - OWNERS MUST SELL!! don't inspire confidence someone is having a good time in the real estate theme park. You're half way down the big dipper, when that pasty white kid four rows ahead loses his lunch. You just know you've done your dough when the vomit smacks you square in the face. Cleaning off after such a ignominious end is someone's experience in Turners Beach right now. Turners Beach is one of those lifestyle areas, where real estate agents can lay it on real thick. Close enough to the job, but far enough away to .... well I can't keep a straight face to even write such crap. Let's just say the lust, the fear and the pressure gets the better of people. It's why someone plonked down $346,500 for this 4x2 'home in a dream location'. Now that was 2-1/2 years ago. Imagine the capital growth so close to the beach, to not just live a life, but to live the lifestyle you deserve... 150k? Lower; 100k? Lower; 50k? Lower; 25k? Lo...

If you want to see the dangers of overpaying for real estate, you've come to the right place and you've definitely come to the right place if you're a Tasmanian. You're in the market for a house, but you're looking to set yourself apart. You can taste the newly acquired status, showing off to friends, proudly telling co-workers where you've just bought. It's a seductive mix, but stop and think when that real estate agent whispers in your ear, trying to press your real estate arousal buttons: - open plan, alfresco dining; - can't go wrong with property; - granite counter tops; - get in now before you miss out forever; - property only goes up *Cough* what? Sure, thanks to a massive credit expansion over the last 10 years there's been some amazing gains in property, but how long can that continue? Because those who bought in the past two years - the last ones to the party - have really gotten ahead of themselves -  that 500k house on the North-West coas...

I have been meaning to post this Caesar salad recipe for a while now. It is a pass down from my mom and we serve it with grilled chicken and I have actually made homemade croutons. Caesar Salad Simplified 2 quarts of greens, torn in manageable pieces 1/4 cup olive oil 1 cut clove of garlic 1/4 teaspoon salt plenty of fresh ground pepper 2 dollops of mayonnaise 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated if possible 1 cup croutons This is properly made with romaine, but any combination of greens may be used. Ahead of time, measure the olive oil and put in the cut clove of garlic. Let sit for 30 or more minutes. Note...remove the garlic clove before pouring oil onto the greens. Put the greens in a large bowl, grind plenty of pepper over them, sprinkle on salt, and the garlic flavored oil. Put the dollops of mayonnaise in the middle of the greens, pour the vinegar over the mayonnaise, sprinkle the cheese over the entire salad and toss gently until ever...

I feel like my living room has come pretty far from this... to this... My grandmother just moved to a retirement community and I acquired this new chest. The mirror I had stored in my attic and I love it...not sure why it was up there. Here are some more pictures of the room...next project...the dining room.

We had a great time at the beach last week. Here is a family photo attempt. Camille has to take a family photo to school and this one will have to do. We have a lot going on in the evenings this week so we are doing quick and easy meals. Monday - Summer Corn and White Bean Soup (Recommendation from Ada at Spark!) Tuesday - PF Changs frozen meal Wednesday - Barber Chicken Cordon Bleu, Risotto, Green Beans Thursday - Wine Club Friday - Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad and Bread

Back to school is right around the corner. There is a great Groupon today. Get $50 worth of Gap Apparel for $25. After reading September's Lucky and seeing an ad for Gap's black pant colllection, I have my eye on the Perfect Trouser or the Really Skinny . Or you can always find a good pair of jeans there. Click here to take advantage of this deal.

We are having a great time at the beach this week. Today, we were the typical vacationers and took our kids to Chuck E Cheese. They had fun...we ate pizza and played games. Camille won a plastic ring, two lollipops and some stickers. She was thrilled. This afternoon in between thunderstorms, I took the kids to TJMaxx and found some Levis for $9.99 and two Ralph Lauren polo for $12.99 each...all for Clyde. I am dying to go back because I didn't have time to check out anything for myself. Tonight, Michael and I made fish tacos....delicious. I highly recommend. Check out the recipe here . We added Pico De Gallo as a topping.

I have been thinking recently of trying to get some family photos taken...Clyde is 15 months now and Camille three. I was hoping (fingers crossed) we might be able to capture a good one. Layton Grier is a portrait, event or wedding photographer. She specializes in black and white environmental portraits and photojournalist wedding photography but also has some pretty cute children's photos. Check out her website here . Her portrait sitting fee is $400 and her wedding fee is $2500. She includes a high resolution disc with both so you can make your own prints without having to come back and pay her more for reprints.

It was a great weekend at the Richmond Jazz Festival . I hadn't worked an event in a while and it was fun to be back in the mix. I am off to Sandbridge today for some R & R with Michael and the kids. I will have some scheduled posts later in the week and next week I will be back with a menu planner.

Richmonders....great Groupon today! $10 for $20 Worth of Fine Wine and Craft Beer at Corks & Kegs . Click on the link to the right to redeem.

Camille turned 3 over the weekend. Here are some of some pictures of the decor at her party. We decorated purses and cupcakes. Very fun! I found instructions on how to make tissue paper flowers here . This is much cheaper than real flowers especially because in this case, I already had the dowels. We had a Dora theme and I got all the Dora gear from the Ukrops clearance sale. My uncle is a store manager and gave me everything for $.25 each. So for $2.50, I had everything from napkins to party hats to wrapping paper. I made these Dora Cupcakes. I followed these decorations and mine didn't come out quite as cute.

I have put my event planning hat back on and took a contract position with HandsOn Greater Richmond working on volunteer management for the Richmond Jazz Festival at Maymont. It is going to be a great event and is coming up rather quick...August 14-15. If you are interested in volunteering, click here . Volunteers get their admission to the festival free on the day you volunteer. If you want to attend, click here to purchase tickets.

Even after the sweltering humidity yesterday, I am still dreaming of fall...football,first days of school, Halloween...all the fun things that come when the leaves begin to change. I got the L.L.Bean Signature Catalog today and am loving these things. Now if my budget would only allow. Wool Tartan Pants Signature Outfit with Tweed Skirt Stretch Denim Flare Now that I know what I like....I can be on the look out at my favorite discount stores for similar items.

Sunday - Joan Munson’s Sweet White Corn Soup With Poblano Puree , Bar Grilled Cheese Monday - Spinach & Brie Chicken with Tomato Orzo Tuesday - Kate's Italian Sausage Pasta Wednesday - Crustless Tomato Ricotta Pie , Salad & Bread Thursday - Pork Loin with Mango Salsa, Black Beans & Rice Mix and Corn (recipe below) This recipe came recommended from my friend Lindley. Which got me thinking...do you have any easy recipes that you love? Send them my way....astoakley@gmail.com. Pork Loin with Mango Salsa Ingredients: - 1 pork loin - 2 teaspoons chili powder - 1/2 teaspoon natural cocoa powder - 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil - 1/2 medium mango (sliced and cut into chunks) - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - 1/2 small shallot (minced) - 1 pound white or brown crimini mushrooms Directions: Preheat oven to 425 F. Rinse your pork loin and trim any fat to make the surface of the loin smooth for rubbing. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder an...