Today I took some senior photos for my nephew and his friends. I think they turned out pretty fun!
Travis (the nephew)
Austen (friend 1)
Alexis (friend two)
Overall, I’m pretty happy with how these came out… and it was a beautiful day here in the PNW. 🙂
Today I randomly decided I was going to start blogging again. Coincidentally, I also decided to do something with my over-ripe bananas. As I’ve been making banana bread like crazy lately… I thought I’d try something different today. Banana cupcakes it is! One of my favorite things to do is look at what ingredients I have in my cupboards and try to make something that requires only what I have. I like to do this partially because I’m too lazy to go to the store, and partially because it’s so thrilling. Yes, thrilling. I used this Banana Cupcake recipe that I found on Pinterest.
These were actually pretty simple to make and ended up being quite tasty. I did want to mention a few alterations I made though. The recipe… like most baking recipes, called for vanilla, but of course we’re out of vanilla. After a quick google search I found out that one could substitute maple syrup for vanilla, a one to one swap! Did you know that? Am I the last to know about this sorcery?
I also used brown sugar instead of regular sugar… because we were out of sugar you ask? No. Because brown sugar is superior. I also did not add the suggested cinnamon into the frosting. Why? Because the husband does not love cinnamon… if you know what I mean. I thought cinnamon being in the cupcake recipe would be enough for his delicate tastes.
As I had never considered making banana cupcakes before… I must ask, what is your favorite recipe for ripe bananas? Aside from banana bread of course? Let me know!
Well…. it’s been a nightly long time since I lasted blogged, and to be honest- it’s felt like no time at all.
Time has been flying by, can you believe it’s almost Christmas? Then it’s going to be 2014! It’s hard to believe that this time last year I was in graduate school, and now I am an official teacher!Â
Anyway, due to said job… my posting has been lacking severely! Sorry about that… I’m not making any promises to the 2 people that read this blog anymore, but from this day on I will be trying harder. 🙂Â
Lately I have been finding some really good deals and thought I would share them!Â
First of all, Gap is having a serious sale right now! An additional %40 off of sale items. SCORE! I picked up some clothes but was definitely most excited about the new shoes I picked up.
I picked up two pairs of the “favorite flip flops” in bright pink and periwinkle, which were on sale for $15 and then of course were an additional %40 off! Then I picked up a pair of these eye-lit balllet flats in nude which were on sale for $24 with an extra %40 off of that! I was pretty pleased!Â
Next, I went to store I hadn’t stepped foot in since high school, American Eagle. There were some super cute things on sale, however, I was most intrigued by the adorable jewelry! I picked up these XO earrings which came with two sets of X’s and two sets of O’s. I decided to mix and match and am currently wearing a pair! These would be super cute if you had double ear piercings in your ears!
American Eagle was having a sale on jewelry which was also %40 off at the time! 🙂Â
Recently, I also hit up H&M. Amazingly enough, I never really find anything I absolutely must have when I stop in. But this time the sale section of accessories was crazy! They were having buy 2 get 1 free, as well as just already ridiculously cheap prices. I have been loving pops of neon, so I decided to pick up this neon and faux diamond necklace.
Similar necklace found here.
Yesterday, one of my best friends came down for a girl’s day filled with shopping and pedicures. We hit up Ann Taylor Loft and were very pleased to see that their sunglasses were on sale 2 pairs for $25… considering one pair is usually $24, it’s practically buy one get one free! I do not by any means have a face for sunglasses… it’s rare that I find a pair I really like on myself. So when I do, I have to scoop them up! I was just happy to see such a great sale!
Lastly, recently I went to my friend’s bachelorette party and her sister had accidentally bought an iPhone 5 case for her iPhone 4s from J. Crew. She offered it to me and of course I couldn’t turn it down! A free iPhone case! I love this paisley print, and noticed last time I hit up J. Crew that it was on sale for about $10! Can’t beat that!
What are some of your favorite fashion finds for summer?
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In Costa Rica with the husband… Crashing his business trip. Be back soon… But first another cocktail by the pool! Follow my trip on Instagram! @mrskhanson
New heart shaped sunnies from Nordstrom sitting on top of July’s Glamour.
How have I lived without Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream?? I have been using it on absolutely everything!
Summer scented candle.
Cozy couch corner.
New agenda that I can’t wait to start using in July.
Tomorrow is my 24th birthday! To celebrate, my husband is taking me out to a delicious restaurant known for it’s amazing desserts here in Portland, Papa Hadyn. I am so excited! He was also very excited to give me my gift and gave it to me early…. he heard no complaints from me! 🙂Â
He got me the Kate Spade Gramercy Grand in Gold! I have adored this watch for about a year now and was sooooo excited when he handed me that perfect little box! I told him repeatedly that this was my first “real” watch and I couldn’t be more pleased!Â
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I am now looking forward to the rest of my birthday weekend in style! Sister and her family, as well as my parents will be down for a day of shopping and eating delicious food!Â
This candle makes my house smell like Anthropologie, and I love it! It is the Capri Blue Volcano Candle in No. 6!
Coach iPhone 5 case, similar here. I am loving this bright color. Plus it’s easy to find in my handbag!
I am still loving this goodwill lamp that I wrote about not too long ago.
At our Starbucks here in Portland in the treat case they have a delicious coffee cake titled the “Portland Coffee Cake”. Well the husband is obsessed with it so I decided to try and make my own at home using this recipe. We’ll see if he likes it!
I pulled out my Speedy 30 the other day and have been using it non-stop. I am loving it for summer… this bag seriously goes with everything!
“Thank you kindly” cards found at Marshall’s.
Seed Cluster Drop earrings found at Anthropologie on clearance… am I the only one who can afford to shop there when it’s on clearance??
New Union Jack wall hanging courtesy of Tristan’s cousin’s new shop, The Queen Bee!
On my nightstand: a new book to read before bed, Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me, as well as Soap and Glory’s Hand Food.
Last, if you’re going to drink water at home, you might as well be fancy and drink with with a straw and lemon, right?
Ever since I read this post via Cupcakes and Cashmere I knew I needed a tassel garland in my house. I spent hours googling where to buy one, finding the cutest ones I could find on Etsy…but never went through with the purchase. Then, my sister made an adorable one for her house which made me realize I should just make my own!
Conveniently, I had all of the supplies on hand, all I needed was a bit of motivation. Here are the items you will need to make your very own tassel garland:
1. Fabric (This part is really dependent on what you’re going for, you could use one color of fabric, you could use five. I used three because I had exactly three fabrics on hand that all coordinated well with one another.)
2. Fabric Scissors (I used scissors and cut roughly 1″ strips… not exact or perfect, it doesn’t really matter. Sister also told me that you can even just use scissors to start the strip and then rip the remainder for a vintage look… neat!)
3) Something to attach your tassels to, I used jute rope that was left over from my wedding.
4) An eager spirit and a nice comfy place to sit!
I am clearly a terrible blogger… because I didn’t really take any pictures of the process… but it’s really quite simple.
All I did was take 6 of the fabric strips, fold them in half, tie another strip around the tassel at the top to hold it in place and voila! That was it! Then I Ieft about 6 inches of space between each tassel. All of this is really dependent on the look you are going for. I am very pleased with how it came out! When my husband came home he said it looked like we were having a party! What do you think?
Instagram shot of my tassels hanging proudly in the distance:
She Moves In Her Own Way 