Weekend!

Happy long weekend everyone!  I hope you all have plans for a wonderful, fun-filled time with friends and family!

-alison



Something Crafty...Barn Party

Last weekend, we held a banquet...in a barn.  It turned out to be one of the most awesome events ever.  The setting was perfect, the weather was perfect, and I had a ridiculous amount of fun creating all the decorations for it.

When I started planning the event, I knew I wanted to use a color palette that was fun, cheerful, and summery.  I found this on one of my late night Pinterest browsing sessions, and immediately knew I had found what I was looking for.

However, since the party was largely for a bunch of high schoolers, I wanted to knock down the sophistication factor a bit.  I used to try and go super upscale with these events, but I've found that any level of glamour is pretty much lost on them.  So I modified the pallet a little and this is what I came up with:



I found the straws at BHLDN, and I think they were the perfect fun touch I was looking for when I originally came up with the theme for this event.  I also incorporated two of my other current obsessions- bunting, and felt balls.  I'm so pleased with how everything came together.  I think it turned out to be the perfect start of summer event!

-alison

[color palette photo: 100 Layer Cake]

...And the winner is.....

Hey kids. Remember that time when I said I would post the winner of the "A Pearl Richer," giveaway this afternoon, and then didn't?  Well, in an epic blogging fail I wrote the post, but forgot to actually post it. Minor details. Anywho...here's the big announcement in all it's glory:

Thanks to everyone for entering our most recent giveaway from "A Pearl Richer," especially all of our new followers! The winner of the giveaway for the ring is  Amanda McCaw! Congrats:)  Your ring is in the mail!

-alison

Fresh Finds- Architectural Anarchy

How do you spell awesome? Architectural Anarchy, that's how.  Apartment Therapy featured this Chicago store on their site yesterday, and I immediately fell in love.  This spot is definitely on my "must visit" list for the next time I'm in Chicago. Who's up for a little road trip?

One more thing.... don't forget to check back this afternoon to see who has won our "A Pearl Richer" giveaway!  Remember, you must be a follower to be entered in the drawing. For an extra entry leave a comment about what you would wear your new ring with.  Good luck everybody!

-alison

[images: apartment therapy]



She Cooks...Chipotle Beef Taquitos

Sometimes, recipes get scary. Like when they call for a full teaspoon each of garlic and chili powder. Or, when the title of the recipe contains the word "taquitos," a word that usually causes me to visualize dried out tortillas, filled with dried out meat that comes in bulk from the freezer section as Costco. So you can imagine my initial apprehension when I set out to make "Chipotle Beef Taquitos," a recipe that was featured on the website "Our Best Bites," a few years back.

However, the night I made these was Cinco de Mayo, and because I was dead set on serving something Mexican(ish), I put a brave face on, and decided to forge ahead with the recipe.

Once again, my faith paid off, because this dish turned out to be one of my favorites. The meat filling was some of the most flavorful stuff I've ever tasted, and the flaky tortilla surrounding it was  the perfect compliment to all the deliciousness inside.

Baked Chipotle Beef Taquitos

Recipe by OurBestBites.com

Ingredients:

-3 C cooked, shredded beef roast

I didn't have any beef roast, nor did I have the time to cook one, so I cheated and used a pound of ground beef instead.

-4oz green chilies, undrained

-1/4-1/2 t minced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (I use 1/4 t for mild heat. See note below)

-3 t adobo sauce from the canned chipotle peppers

-1 t garlic powder

-1 t coriander

-1/2 t cumin

-1 t chili powder

-zest from one lime

-1 T fresh lime juice

-1 package Queso Fresco (about 12 oz)

-6" white corn tortillas (about 20)
-olive oil or cooking spray

-kosher salt

Note: If you don't want to work with the chipotle peppers, or can't find them, try adding some Chipotle Chili Powder. You can find it by the other spices in the grocery store. It will still give you a smoky spice, so start with a little and increase to taste.

Note to the note: I would HIGHLY recommend using actual chipotle peppers. Yes the powder is good, but it's just no substitute for the real thing. Yes using real peppers gives the dish a little extra kick, but you can handle it. It's time to tell your taste buds to man up, people.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Slice any larger pieces of roast across the grain so the beef is shredded into 1/2-1 inch pieces.

Or, if you are a slacker like me, brown 1 lb. hamburger in a pan with some chopped onions.

Combine chilies, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, garlic, coriander, cumin, chili powder and lime zest and juice in a bowl. After stirring to combine, gently toss together with beef.

Wrap a pile of about 10 tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave for 1 minute to soften (after those are used, do the next 10).

Working with one tortilla at a time, crumble about 1T queso fresco in a line across the center of the tortilla. Top with 1-2 T shredded beef mixture. Tightly roll and place seam-side down on a lightly sprayed baking sheet. Continue to roll until all of the tortillas are filled.

Full disclosure- I used about twice the amount of cheese the recipe called for. What can I say? I'm from Wisconsin; I can't help myself.

Use cooking spray, olive oil spray, or lightly brush olive oil on the top of each taquito. Sprinkle with kosher salt. Place in the pre-heated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on the edges.

Serve warm with sour cream and guacamole. Makes about 20 taquitos.

-alison

Inspiration Friday

It's time for some i.n.s.p.i.r.a.t.i.o.n...........

1. Head Scarves

  

I'm usually not one to hop on the bandwagon with trends, but I've got to say, I love all the head scarves I've been seeing around lately. I keep wanting to try it out, but I'm not sure if I can pull it off.

2. Mini Coopers

I've been in love with these cars, ever since I can remember.  I would like to own one to drive, but if that doesn't work out, I'd be happy to mount one on the wall in my kitchen.

3. Fingerprints

I mean, seriously, how cool is this stuff?

4. Barns

I really can't even begin to describe to you how much I love barns. I want to own one. Heck, I want to LIVE in one.

5.  Sailboats

  

I was in the midst of posting this when I realized that a few weeks ago, I was inspired by ships (specifially those of the pirate variety).  Clearly, I have boating on the brain.  Is it summer yet?

Have a lovely weekend everyone, and don't forget to enter our giveaway! It ends Tuesday, and you must be a follower to win!

-alison

Something Crafty???

You may have noticed several question marks after my blog title today. Why? Well, there are two reasons.  First, I have a penchant for abusing the use of punctuation marks. The more, the merrier, I always say.  Second, I'm not really, truly, 100% sure that what I'm sharing today is actually crafty.  If you were really looking forward to a crafting tutorial today, then I'm very sorry to disappoint. I'll be back to my regular crafting posts next week, with a fun instructional on how to create simple lovely dishes for holding trinkets, jewelry, etc. I can't wait!
Today, though I wanted to go a different route and share with you a few of my favorite shots that have resulted from my recent obsession with photography. I have you warn you- they aren't astounding.  Some of them probably aren't even that great.  If you're looking for great photography, go here. If mediocrity is more your style, well then you've come to the right place!

-alison