Epicurean Style

Quick Fix. {tutorial-ish}

You know those shirts that get stains on them or end up with little holes or something wacky like that?  Or maybe you are just wanting to take a shirt and rev it up a little, give it a boutique look or a more unique look... 

Such an easy task since ruffles are ALL the rage. 

I had a full tutorial for this little project, but a little monkey got his hands on the camera and deleted most of the images.  I guess kids are good at things like that, but luckily since this is pretty easy, I think you will be able to pull this off without much guidance. 

All you have to do it make ruffles and then start layering them from the bottom (of the shirt) up.  For advice on ruffling go here.

Sew them on like so...

Interesting

I am not sure why this is so interesting to me, but it is. 

(click on it to see it better) 

 
 

Create Your Own Pop-Up Books {review}

I was excited when Growing Tree Toys asked if I would be interested in reviewing this great pop-up book kit, but when I actually got this kit in my hands…I was floored by how awesome it is!

First, I love how educational this toy is withOUT trying too hard.  Sometimes I want to let Jackson sit down and be creative and have fun, without him thinking he HAS to learn something.  So its great when learning just happens.  I don’t have to push it on him and he asks questions and I know he is thinking (and learning how to put a story together draw pictures etc).     

Second, it has got to be of the most fun toys/projects ideas.  Jackson and I sat down a few days ago popped open the kit and I was in awe by the detail…all the pop-ups included, TWO books to work on, markers, and stickers.  All you have to do is add a story and art.  We are still working on our first book and we have spent a good hour using the kit.  Not a frustrating hour, but rather a very entertaining hour of coloring, writing a story, and starting to draw pictures and make pop-ups. 

Third, $19.95 for this great kit.  Seriously, you can't beat that for all the fun and learning that is going to take place.  Plus, it will be a keepsake that will capture the child's imagination and artwork at whatever age your give it to them.  

I am thrilled by this kit and would recommend it to anyone with a child or looking for a fun and unique gift for a child (the only warning I would give is the younger they are the more hands on the parents will have to be).   Growing Tree Toys has a great selection of educational toys--this toys comes from a line of toys called Creativity For Kids.

Gain winners.

 

 

congratulations to our winners.

Jenna Wood

LAMusing

(Please email me at epicureanstyle [at] gmail [dot] com in the next 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn)

Stacks of Chili

This may not look delicious, but we really enjoy it.  I am actually quite pleased by how well both Bennett and Jackson eat this meal and it has quite a few decent things in it--corn, beef, beans....

Anyway, my kids devoured this last night and this takes about 5 minutes flat of prep time.  Use on one of those nights you are running in every direction and don't feel like you have time to make dinner.  It may not look like the prettiest thing you have every made, but it is warm and it tastes good.

Stacks of Chili

Using a baking Sheet layer the following...

1 large tortilla

1/2 can of chili ( I love the stagg chili brand)

1/2 can kidney beans, drained

1/2 can of corn, drained

Grated Cheddar Cheese

Sliced Olives

Repeat those layers.

Loosely cover with Foil and Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.  Serve with Salsa and Sour Cream.

Halloween.

I just got this

and this

in the mail...not sure which Bennett will be yet, but they are both really cute on him. 

dang.

I am starting to think that my beautiful Wedgwood Bone China Cereal Bowls may have been a mistake.  I love them, Oh I love them, but when my husband dropped one this morning and it shattered...I think a little piece of my heart broke too.  dang. 

I am thinking that I should have gone with the Corelle Plates and bowls that my Mom had all of our growing up years.  I've never seen one of those things break before.  I am pretty sure they don't (okay so I am sure they do, but my Mom, in all of her married life and raising five kids on them, has never had one break). When Jackson was little and we would do the dishes at my parents home, we would let him bang on the plates with a fork/spoon while we were loading the dishwasher (that's pretty child proof, if you ask me).

Maybe I'll just buy my husband his own set of Corelle bowls for his cereal in the morning.  ha. ....So I won't really and I know we have gone a LONG time since our last incident, but oh my heart breaks. 

I know i will get over it, it is just a bowl.  but, dang.

 

stress relief.

If your day is going anything like mine, you should really head to your nearest Trader Joes and pick these little bad boys up.  They can take away any stress (okay maybe not really, but they are delicious).  Chocolate covered Peanut Butter filled pretzels---yes, it doesn't get much better than that.  And if you don't have a Trader Joes near you, I just discovered you can order these online here.

Quick Tip #33

Trying using newspaper or tissue paper (for gift wrapping, not kleenex) for washing your mirrors and windows, instead of a towel/rag.  The windows are streak free, doesn't leave a trail of dustiness, and it won't scratch the surface. 

 

 

Sniff, Sniff, Hooray! {giveaway}

 

  "This product review was based on a complementary Gain product provided by P&G through My Blog Spark.  I was also given Walmart gift cards and t-shirts to hand out at my discretion.  P&G does not represent or warrant the accuracy of any statements or product claims made here, nor does it endorse any opinions expressed within this blog site."

You may have heard that there is a New Gain Dishwashing Liquid and I recently received a complimentary bottle of the New Gain to try out.

Let me start with a little story....We currently reside in an apartment complex with a community laundry room, not my favorite thing, but I can't complain too much because I will say it was using this community laundry room that I discovered the wonderful smell of Gain Laundry Detergent.  I haven't quite convinced my husband, since he grew up using a different smelling detergent, but as soon as I heard they had a Dishwashing liquid detergent I was excited!  I could have the scent another way! And it smells as good as the laundry detergent.  

This liquid dishsoap comes in three scents...Original (my favorite), Lavender, and Citrus.  Okay, so I know this might sound a little nuts, but with a small apartment smells can travel and when our sink gets a little smelly, I have been turning on the disposal and slowly pouring a little of the Gain liquid dishsoap down the disposal.  It bubbles up and around in the sink and leaves the best smell in the apartment.  

The only thing that would make this product a little higher in my book would be to add anti-bacterial to the label.  I love a product that can do two jobs at once, saving me a little time. 

The Gain liquid dishwashing soap bubbles and gets very sudsy with only a few drops and I like that, because it saves me a little money in the long run to not have to buy it as often.  

But don't take my opinion on all of this.  Wal-mart carries this for just 97 cents and Two lucky people can try it out from themselves.    

The Giveaway:

The thoughtful people at P&G and My Blog Spark also sent me a few extras to share, so two lucky readers can win an I Heart Gain T-shirt and a $5 Wal-mart Gift Card.

To enter:

1. Leave a comment below

2. Become a Fan on our Facebook Page (2 extra entries)

3. Follow my blog or twitter (2 extra entries)

I'll pick two winners on Tuesday Sept. 21, 2010 (midnight).  Good Luck.