Sunday, November 15, 2015

Beach themed cake

About mid 2015 we found out that my mother in law was getting married ! Naturally I wanted to make a cake!! So the plan was that they would have a reception at home but get married at a beach. So I asked her what ideas she had. She said beach themed. We talked about a few things and as followers is what we came up with. I loved it and so did she.
The first thing that came to mind was chocolate seashells. I went to a few craft stores and found the mold. Then I picked up some candy melts.
I also had some gold dust that I thought would look good in the little creases of the shells. Then I got to work.
Here is a few pics of the process. Candy molds are fairly easy, I have done a few before. As soon as they came out of the frige I put a little gold powder on them.
So I didn't take any pictures of making the cake as it turned in to a really long cake due to a bad batch of cake mixes. I wound up making 3 tiers of yellow cake with a gradually changing blue from bottom to top.
Then we placed the seashells around and on the cake with tiny piped balls around each tier.
We then put a few gram crackers in the food processor and blended till they looked like sand. I think it turned out great.
For the very top I found a tiny bottle at hobby lobby and placed a note inside. It turned out to be a wonderful beach themed wedding reception cake. We were hearing praise about it for weeks! 

-Mj

Monday, November 2, 2015

Monday November 2.

We had a wonderful Halloween! All three kids had a great time. My husband and I grew up in this neighborhood so it's kind of neat to take our kids trick or treating where we went. The day after a holiday is always a mixture of emotions. Sad that the holiday is over but excited for the next one to come. I'm really hoping to be on top of things the next few weeks. Going to be a little crazy with all that's going on. I'm super excited though. A wedding cake, first birthday, and thanksgiving !! Plus some Christmas crafts! I hope you will stay for the journey!
-Mj

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

$5.00 flash sale!!

Ok so I really need to move some of my items from the store so I can start working on holiday items!! What better way then to have a flash sale!! Originally it was going to end the 23 of October but I decided to extend through the weekend!!  

Flash sale Sunday 10/18 -Monday 10/26

Stop on in and see what's on sale!! 

Friday, October 2, 2015

Friday night finds.

This week has been a rough one. To make along story short I have been put through the ringer. Maybe I'll explain in another post. Or two... When going through hard times I always think of my family and how wonderful it is to have a family that is there for me. With the holidays around the corner I have Christmas crochet on the brain. The hubby is out with the guys for the evening so I was browsing Pinterest for inspiration and came across some really cute stuff! So I figured, why not share ? 
Here are a few fun Christmas crochet finds. Enjoy! 
( note : These are not my crochet projects. Links to each pattern/item are below picture)


                              Peppermint ornament  


                                  Christmas socks

                                Jingle Bell Garland 

Wine Bottle Cozy
The last item on my Friday finds list is a beautiful crochet blanket. It is from an etsy store and seems to be sold out but its but too beautiful to not share. Maybe the seller will make another!

                          Christmas BabyAfghan 


Let me know if you enjoyed this post. If you know me you will know I love sharing and would love to make this a weekly post! Until then live romantically.

Mj

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Waiwow.

Waiwow: baby blanket and hat to match.


I can't believe it's almost time for my newest niece to be here! The time really flies when your not pregnant! Anyway this week I'm working on some beanies and a blanket for her! 

For the blanket i just used a traditional granny stitch pattern until it was 36"x36". Size I needle.  I started with 2 rows of raspberry then switched to pink camp for one row. Then every 5th row I changed to the pink camo color for one row then back to the raspberry !
Click HERE for a tutorial on the granny square from the crochet crowd!

I am just in love with them! I'll let you in on a secret.... I made these both in one sitting! I got all my tools together made sure everyone was taken care of and got to work! Of course with three kids and a hubby I had to get up a few times but I got it done! 

I hope she loves it. I just can't wait to meet her!

Mj 

Friday, September 4, 2015

My crochet breezy purse.

I love crochet and I love crochet with tassels. I needed a quick , fun, stylish , gift for my sil who was turning 16. I took all these elements and created my crochet breezy purse. 
I absolutely love it! So did she! She told me after the party that she had been looking for a new purse and it was a perfect fit.
So I shared it on Instagram and got a request for a white and orange version. It turned out great also. Within a few days of that one being done I received another request.
The third was a request for pink and purple . I then remembered I had a great purple multi colored yarn that would match the pink. Every time I finish a purse I'm blown away at how adorable they turn out. Wonder what color will be next?  

-Mj

Monday, July 13, 2015

Make it Monday.


During the summer we try to do activities at home to avoid boredom. The heat is rough and can drive us a little crazy if we don't add some excitement to our life. 

So this was actually 2 diferent projects I found from Pinterest . One is the 3D hand and the other is a contrasting photo (those are the links for the pins but the pages are gone for some reason). So I explained what we were doing and both of the kids looked at me like I was crazy.

We started with the hands. Once I did a few lines they caught on and were all for it. I was so happy they were enjoying themselves.

Then we moved on the the second part and this is where I got confused. It made sense in my mind but it didn't on paper. So after 2 diferent sized papers we figured it out! ( the orange was the first try. We finished on the larger sized white)

They were so patient with me and really enjoyed them selves too! So the finished project showed both of their and my, pictures in one piece of paper. Just have to turn it to the right or left!

I just love spending time crafting with the kids. They are both very creative and I can see they love it as much as I do. Follow me on Pinterest Here.

~Mj

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Whip it up wednsday! : fruit rolls

I always try to come up with something to do during the summer that's not just sitting in front of the tv. So I have my special board on Pinterest just for "Summer Fun" with all kinds of great ideas.
Sometimes it doesn't always work out as planned though. For example this week I wanted to make fruit rolls with apple, carrot , and strawberry. So I go to the frige to pull out my goodies and were out of apples!!! Also our water cooler has been out for a week now so if we do anything in the kitchen/living room, it has to be early.
So I just used strawberries! Next time I'll try them with the other goodies! I followed a few recipes I found. 
Since I was using the toaster oven (no way I was going to a add to the heat in the house) I didn't need as much supplies.  So I gathered what I had and got 
to work. 
Only 20 mins to prep and 2 hours in the oven. Easy peasy ! Well I thought is was supposed to be anyway.
I would of loved to share an adorable finished picture but it just didn't work out that way. It was a disaster! I used parchment paper, I'm sure I read the instructions right! It would not come apart. I only got a few pieces with no paper on it.
Live and learn! Next time I'll use my baking sheet pad! Until next time .
-Mj

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Sonic, moonshine, and Elmo.

 









Mjs Sweet Things
We have had quite an eventful few weeks. The first thing I'm going to share just happened the other day. We bought our first car! we might be late bloomers but it is truly amazing!! Our Old truck was literally on its last leg. So we went to the Chevy dealer and left (9 hours later) with this!
 
A few weeks ago a good friend of ours invited us to meet her horses. It was an amazing experience. I have never really been around horses other than maybe the zoo. We were able to get up close and personal with them. They are quite amazing. They listen to commands pretty well and are not as scary as I thought.
The horse above with my husband was friendly. Josh really liked her.


Vincent was very unsure about the whole thing at first he said he didn't want to go, then he didn't want to ride, then his sister said she would so he had to. He enjoyed it and would go again! He was really glad he faced his fears and tried. I was so proud that he didn't back down!


Emee was a natural, and she LOVED it!! She walked around with moonshine for quite a while. She didn't want her turn to end! I couldn't believe how well she did. She also said she would love to go again.I think we just might!.

It was a very different experience out there. Almost a slower pace. The air was sweeter and the wind softer.  The sky was beautiful and the temperature was perfect. When we left we all felt great. Maybe it was being closer to nature, maybe being with friends. Probably both.


Our little Lanee is almost 6 months old now and getting in to everything. In fact she is helping type right now! The other day I just happened to put on Sesame Street while I was checking emails and she was laughing and smiling! She loved the music and the colors.

I just had to snap a few pictures to send to her dad!! She doesn't really watch the TV so I was surprised she stopped to watch.


Life is good here! Vacation soon and some summer tutorials to come! Stay tuned!!
-Mj

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

30 of 30: Day 30

Conclusion
30 days turned in to 466. I gained another year, a third child , and lots of wonderful memories. Things really are diferent now. I am so grateful to have learned all I have in my 30 + years. 
Life can be sad and angry, but it can also be joyous and beautiful. I think it's up to you how you live it.  
All in all this was a fun series of posts . 30 posts of my 30 years. All about the life I have made with my husband and the people who helped shape me. It truly is me, I'm a huge procrastinator . I always get things done though! Maybe next series will be a little shorter. Thank you for following if you did. 

Mj

30 of 30: day 29

Dreams and goals. 

It's funny how your dreams change as you grow. When I was fresh outbid school all I wanted to do was hair and shop! 
I didn't have the want to own a salon or settle down. Then I met Josh and everything changed. Now we have a home together. Children, a dog, and dreams together. 
 Someday I do hope to have my own place to do hair on my own terms. I still love doing hair, that will never change.
 I also hope to keep growing as a wife, mother, and crafter. Hopefully a writer also. 
 Over the years my dreams and goals have changed immensely but I wouldn't change a thing. I learned from every one I accomplished and the ones I didn't! 

Never stop dreaming.
Mj
 


Monday, March 30, 2015

30 of 30: Day 28

Baby # 3

I was diagnosed with endometriosis a few years back and with the years the pain just got worse. We had decided at the time of diagnosis that we would wait to take any action until we had another child. Well after the big 30 the pain was starting to bother me constantly. So we decided to try for a baby. The next month I got a positive! When I started this challenge I never would of thought I might be pregnant in the near future. 
Pregnancy is very different when you are 30 compaired to 21! I enjoyed every day though. From the joy of first kicks to the terror of a last minute cesarean section. It doesn't always happen how we plan but it's worth it. 
This sweet girl has changed all of our lives in so many ways. Both of our older children were so excited to welcome her in to the world and our family. They are very helpful and have so much love for her. She has brought my husband and I closer also. I love seeing the way he makes her smile every chance he gets and the way her face lights up when she sees him.  I have felt a change in myself as well. She has me wrapped around her finger, as josh says. Although I am barley getting caught up on every day things I have more drive , more goals, more fire. And I know I can get things done! 
Life is a little more hectic with 3 children, especially after a first cesarean section. I fell like I'm being pulled in a few different directions. Somehow though, at the end if the day, we get it all done . Together . 

Our little Lanee Grace has truly been a blessing. 

-Mj




Sunday, March 29, 2015

30 of 30: Day 27




Marriage 
 

This year my husband and I have been married for 10 years. That is a long time. A decade. 120 months. 3,650 days. That also means when we were first married we were only 21 and 18. We have been through a lot, 3 homes, 3 kids, addiction , disease, new friends, old friends, family ups and family downs, lots and lots of patience and understanding and most of all , love.

 I can Honestly say I love him more today than I did the day we got married. When things are going wrong or I'm having a panic attack he is the one person I know can bring me back. He always supports me in every little plan or idea I come up with. He never doubts me. He always pushes me to be better. He at the end of the day is my constant.



We have grown up together. A lot of people we went to school with have been married and divorced already. I understand things don't work out but, I am so proud that we never threw in the towel and gave up. We keep pushing through. We are not perfect, we have had our downs in life but we cherish the ups so much we forget the hard times.

The most important thing we have is communication. we always talk! Sometimes we only get a few minutes alone to talk about the day or concerns we have but we make the time. I always know how he is feeling and he always knows what is going through my mind. Not just because of a look or a touch but because we ask. I see a lot of people who don't talk and I causes so many problems.

Second most important thing is the care we have for each other and our family. If one of us is feeling down or under the weather the other will do what ever we can to help. If I'm feeling sick or stressed Josh will take care of the kids or dinner so I can have some time to get my head together. If he comes home from work and had a bad day , from crohn's, ill do what ever I can to make him comfortable ; like take the kids to my moms or make sure were all quietly working on things so he can rest. It might not seem like a lot but it makes all the difference.


Our best advise for a happy marriage and relationship is to always be honest, understanding, and to  think of the other. Secrets, lies, and ignorance get you nowhere. It is so true, Honesty is the best policy. we have to be honest with each other to know how the other feels. Weather it be what's for dinner or how to discipline our children. Then we understand how the other feels and can talk out what our next step will be. when were not together, we still should be. If making plans or decisions, at the end of the day the other person will be with you when you are following through. Bad decision or good. This accounts for all decisions big or small.

In short, were a team. Always cheering for the other and knowing we can count on each other for anything. We have a beautiful life and a beautiful family. I am so lucky to have him by my side for anything, and I know he feels the same. So Love your spouse, talk, understand, be with them every day you can. In the end you wont regret it.

-Mj

Thursday, February 19, 2015

30 days of 30: day 26

Mj's Sweet Things Etsy store
My Etsy shop was opened November of 2011. It was an idea given to me by many clients and a coworker. I have always been one to make things for myself and others so I figured why not offer it to the world! I have a lot of great ideas and have had many things in my store but just not enough traffic to my store. i really want to make 2015 great for my store. Im working on items to put in the store and have started to use pinterest to advertise!
I love making items that people will love. Sometimes i dont want to give an item away cus its just too cute. Here's to a great 2015!!!
-Mj

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

30 days of 30: day 25

Salon


When I was first doing hair I had no intentions of owning my own salon. It was easy to just work for someone else. I was flexible and carefree (mostly) as the years have gone on I have found what I like and what I want to give to people. When you work for someone you have to follow their rules. I think I'm getting to a point in my life where I'm ready to write my own rules. 
I almost jumped in to owning a salon but life happened and I missed my chance. Their will be another chance. For now I'm taking lots of notes, pinning lots of ideas, and of course still doing hair. My next step will be to rent a chair ! Then I can build myself up to take that plunge!
I love doing hair. The look on someone's face when you have achieved what they drscribed. To turn someone's day from a crappy one to a great rest of the week. It's an amazing feeling! 
-Mj