12/12/12

So today is a cool day, in fact the last of its kind until next century. Enough about the day , I am sure you are just dying to know what I have been up to (ha). I have been up to my eyeballs in glitter, but I love it. The shop is coming along swimmingly and there are big talks for the future. http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSheaShoppe Keep your fingers crossed. It the spare time that I am not running to the post office or other errands, I managed to do some cool things. I went to a Chalk Festival and it was AMAZING.

 

Have you met …. Finn?

So ever have those weeks that just fly by? Like you meant to do 10 million different things but then none of it happened. Instead, I got sidetracked like 100 million times and ended up doing many side projects like helping out at a craft fair and getting a puppy. Yes a puppy. The most adorable scared stubborn puppy (yes, he can be both). His name is Finn O’Malley Shea. He is a Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier and will get to about 50 pounds of adorable fluff. So please excuse me as I overload you with cute photos of Finn.

P.S. I have updated the shop! Be sure to check it out. http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSheaShoppe?ref=si_shop

Weekly Wonders: November 14th, 2012

I love festivals, one only needs to glimpse here, and there. I love seeing new stuff and different stuff and well, just stuff stuff. I am constantly like this otter, much to the chagrin of my boyfriend on occasion. Well image how happy I was at this place: The Siesta Key Master Sand Sculpture Contest. It was amazing! I walked around in awe, apparently they spray the sand with a mixture of Elmer's glue and water to keep it from blowing away. So what about you? Been to any great festivals lately? Know something I should go check out?

The Shea Shoppe

There has been a lot of attention recently given to my Holiday Headbands. This traffic has convinced me to set up shop. If you would like your own Holiday Headband, check out my new etsy shop!  Feel free to send me suggestions!

Go vote!

It saddens me that America has a historic low voter turn out rate. So go vote! Exercise your rights! I don't care how you vote (in truth I do, but that's not as important) so much as the fact that you do vote. If you don't vote, you can't complain in my book.

In a strange turn of events, I was without a car today. I did want any normal citizen would do: rode my little brother's bike! Truth be told, I tried to ride my Dad's bike but it was too big and my Mom's bike was too small (lol, it had a flat tire). It rained the whole time but voting is important! So go vote!

Mini Caramel Pecan Pie

Fall is finally here, right? All the hubbaloo of Halloween has gone (not that I don’t love Halloween, but orange is not my best color), and temperatures are dropping. Though currently, it has dropped from 90 to 85, but I will take what I can get. Anyways, fall seemed like the perfect time to break out pies, but not just any pies. Mini pies. Because everything is better in miniature form, right? I am a sucker for mini anything, I saw mini eggplants the other day and almost died with excitement. But for the moment, I am content with my mini pies. Mini caramel pecan pies = love. Because no one can eat a whole pecan pie, but four minis, bring it on.

Ingredients:

1 ready to roll piecrust

1/3 cup Caramel sundae topping

2 tbsp. milk

2 1/2 tbsp. butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1/8 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup pecans (chopped/ diced)

Directions:

1) Spray a mini muffin tray with non-stick spray (cause I’m paranoid). Heat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Use the top of a mason jar (or other circular glass or cookie cutter) to cut pie crust. Smush (yes, that is a word) the circles into the greased mini muffin pan. It will not be perfect. And your fingers will leave marks in the crust.

2) On the stove over medium heat, combine milk, butter and caramel topping until mixed and heated through.

3) In a  heatproof bowl, mix sugar, egg and vanilla. Then add caramel mix. Once combined, add pecans.

4) Pour mixture into crusts until 2/3s full. Bake for 10-15 minutes.

5) Enjoy!

A Few of My Favorite Things: Crepe Maker

So I got this a few months ago, and immediately started using it. See it was a birthday gift, from a pretty good giver of gifts. I love FRANCE. LIKE LOVE. This summer, we were over in Europe and he saw these being used by the crepe vendors there and saw my love of it. Thus it made the perfect birthday gift. It’s actually made in France, or at least the box says so. It has the stick like real vendors use and its flat. The best part is it comes with a great recipe book to make all sorts of things like spring rolls and other international crepe like things. Plus cleaning it is quite easy! Can’t beat that! So have you ever had a crepe maker? Will my love of it soon wear off? Can one get sick of eating crepes? (Personally, I cannot believe that but I am naïve)

Birthday Candles

I love sparkle. I like to think I am the perfect amount of classy and glittery! Take these birthday candles, they are are perfectly boring in my humble opinion. Enter sequins and modpodge. Instant upgrade! Don’t you just love inspiration?

P.S. Don’t use hot glue. I tried that first and it did not work!

Weekly Wonders: October 11th, 2012

It's funny how some month just fly by and others creep by slowly. This past month has been crazy! I was gone 5 weekends in a row. This week I took some time to check out a new farmers market and visit an Italian grocery store with my grandparents. The market was a blast even if the heat was a bit unbearable! I love exploring speciality stores, something about imported things makes me think things are more genuine. I had to walk away from like 15 different things! Oh well, there is always next week.

P. S. When's the last time you visited your local farmer's market? They aren't your grandmothers market anymore! I always find the coolest new stores there!

Weekly Wonders: September 12th, 2012

Last weekend, I went to West Virginia to visit my grandparents' hometown ( and no, they aren't cousins). They have an annual Italian festival and it was a blast! Good food and times all weekend. We bought 10 dozen pepperoni rolls. We went to their childhood homes, and other memorable places. I also think I gained five pounds from all the Italian food. Totally worth it though!

Running with Duke

I have a very lovable dog, he's not the brightest star but he may be the fluffiest! Recently, I have taken up jogging with him. Well, in reality I want to walk and he wants to run so we compromise. The funny things is as we jog, I constantly get stopped by neighbors. Not because of how cute he is ( though true) but because I make him carry his own bag. I just tie it to his leash since I have no real way of carrying it.

Weekly Wonders: August 29th, 2012

This week, I have founds tons of inspiration in crafty things. I have been trying to stay away from Pinterest, because sometimes I just feel overwhelmed by all the crafty things there. Like somehow I am not crafty enough. Does anyone ever feel like that as well?

I found sequins in bright colors.

Glitter Paint. Enough said.

These little toys are screaming for me to do something to them.

Why do I keep finding more cards? I was finally using up a bunch and now find myself buying more.

Halloween is apparently allowed to be displayed now. I am thus allowed to by things. Right?

Lace. Be it scrapbook paper, handkerchiefs or actual lace.

So what’s been inspiring you?

Easy Mason Jar Margaritas

So Hurricane/ Tropical Storm Isaac is supposed to be upon us today in Florida,  the aptly Sunshine State. This past weekend, I tried to get in the most of the sunshine while I could. My friend (of the French picnic theme fame) and I had another picnic but this one was themed Mexican. She made delicious tacos, I was in charge of drinks. So Margaritas seemed like the best idea. However, I had a few constraints: I had about a 30 minute drive to the place so they needed to stay cool and not spill. My solution: Mason Jars and Popsicles! Well it worked! They were delicious!!!!!

Ingredients:
Tequila
Whole Fruit Lime and Strawberry Popsicles


Directions:
1) In a mason jar, pour 1 oz of tequila. Cut one lime and one strawberry popsicle  and place in jar.

2) Shake. Once before you pack and once when at your location!


I hope you enjoy these easy Margaritas for your next outing!