Honeymooning

My honeymoon isn't for a couple more months, but for some reason I'm way better at planning that part than the actual wedding. I'm really looking forward to the relaxation and time off of work in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Here are a couple of sets I put together using mostly stuff I own in real life!

Tribal Toucan

Martini

Coral

 

 

Eye-Kat

Tourist

 

Hibiscus

Parrot

Think Pink!

 I've been feeling pink lately. Maybe it's spring. Or maybe I'm just trying to be girlie. Here are some cute pink things!

Pink cake pops! I made these for my sister-in-law for her birthday. It took forever. I recommend getting a cake pop maker!

Pink on pink nails! Everybody loves some glitter.

Drunk AND nerdy pink flower we met in Vegas last May! Silly little guy!

Disorganization

Anyone out there have a tiny closet? That they share with a Jamaican guy? Well, I do! So I've been trying to get organized... in a cute way. The cute part is possibly more important than the practical part.

Since we don't have much space, I basically have to just let it all hang out.

I hung my necklaces as decorations on the wall. I just used clear plastic tacks. You can't see them, and they don't leave much of a mark. You could even try putting a gold picture frame around them or something.

Yep, I used the same clear plastic tacks to hang my my belts in my closet. It actually brightens up my closet (and yes, you can see my entire closet in this shot).

This gold tray is a nice place for my rings and perfumes... on his side of the counter. Maybe he puts up with it because it's cute?

 

 This array of bangles hangs out on a paper towel dispenser. No, I don't wear half of them.

And finally, this cute jewelry tray organizes my earrings, odds, ends, and essential oils in my bathroom drawer.

April Showers

Today my mom and I threw a shower for my sister-in-law. She's expecting a little one at the end of May. Here is just a little taste of HOW MUCH we've been pinning and making on our own in preparation for the event.

My cookie-making friends Beth and Julie, along with a set of their sister friends, have dubbed themselves the Sister's Bakery. They helped me out immensely with the cookies.These little monsters have been in my freezer tempting me for days because I think they might actually taste better than they look! Thanks for your mad cookie skills Julie, Beth, Rachel, and Ashley!

I also perfected the tissue paper pom pom throughout this venture. I made little rain drops out of paint chips, which took approximately 3 minutes. Really.

We attempted a DIY cupcake tray, which mostly worked... if we had better epoxy. The top tray come off, hence the singular cupcake on the top for balance. I used little marshmallows to make the spots on my toadstool cupcakes.

Woodlandy invites!
 

Just some tree candle holders we picked up from Hallmark!

Ducky Punch - There was a lame duck floating around in there, so I had to crop him out!

My birds nests didn't work out exactly as I'd hoped. I let my melted chocolate/butterscotch/peanut butter chips set too long before mixing in my chow mein. Oh well. They still looked and tasted pretty good.

These acorn cookies were super easy and cute, although they are kind of a boring eat.

This diaper tree was about the only original idea we had. Original meaning we didn't find it on Pinterest. Instead of a diaper cake, my mom wanted to make a tree. She made these little animals on a whim without any patterns, and she plans to make a mobile with them after the shower. Impressive.

 Whew! Was that a bunch of stuff or what?! Thanks to the Korean Presbyterian Church for donating the space and snacks! Can't wait for my little nephew!

Rebirthday

Today we celebrated my mom's birthday combined with Easter. The day started out with a church performance by my parents. They played "Have I Told You Lately" by Van Morrison. It was originally written as a prayer, not a love song, so it was actually very fitting. Who knew? Then we continued on the day with eating, a geocache Easter egg hunt, a poisonous snake discovery, and such.

I made a strawberry shortcake trifle and actually made my own whipped cream! No Cool Whip for this chick! Unfortunately, I didn't make enough, but I guess it still looks okay.

Cute Direct Imports from Hallmark! So fitting for an Easter BBQ.

Smoked Gouda...

 Sausages...

Geocached! My parents make Easter hard!

Bright colors/self photo while learning to geocache!

Cookie Time

My Pantshood Sister, Beth, and her real-life sister, Julie, make excellent sugar cookies. These cookies are great to bring to holiday events because they are A) delicious B) adorable and C) deliciously adorable.

Beth and Julie got their recipe from a friend of theirs, Janice Grubb, and they make the perfect, tasty canvas for a creative cookie decorator.

Janice's/Beth's/Julie's Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups butter

3 cups sugar

4 eggs 2 tsp vanilla

6 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

4 Tablespoons milk 

Directions:
Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then beat egg and vanilla in well. Add flour, salt, and baking powder. Then add milk. Chill for about an hour. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface. Bake at 375 for about 9 – 10 minutes.

Frosting:

1/3 cup melted butter

3 cups powdered sugar

2 Tbs milk

1 ½ tsp vanilla 

So acquire some holiday spirit, some cute sprinkles and some festive cookie cutters. Maybe display your cookies in a basket, take them on a plane, or give them to coworkers!

Being Chi-Rish

The Ya-Ya Sister Pantshood spent St. Patrick's Day weekend in beautiful Chicago. What better place to take in the holiday than the Windy City?! Sadly, we missed seeing Obama. However, we did take a limo to McDonalds, crawl under the Bean, and do a lot of interpretive dancing.

So here's a compilation of totally unhelpful tips for taking on the city. First thing I suggest is to stay at the Swiss and get an awesome view like we did. You can drink mimosas in your room while watching the river turn green. No need to fight the crowd.

You'll probably want to bring some food coloring to dye your own drinks. Make some festive cookies and bring some flare.

Try to wear some poorly-applied glittery green nail polish. Don't forget your metro pass!

The most important part of St. Patrick's Day is the outfit. Your friends will take lots of pictures of you standing in front of the river, being flexible on various objects, or simply sitting on a sidewalk. You must looks good at all times. I suggest head-to-toe green with rainbow accents.

Other things you'll need to do: 

Eat Chicago-style deep dish pizza!

Go to the Wiener Circle!

Drink at a rooftop bar!

Take a limo to McDonald's For a Shamrock Shake!

Watch a KU game at Kincaids!

Try not to get too schnockered and embarrass yourself and your friends!