What's In My Purse?

One of my favorite blogs is The Small Things Blog, featuring Kate and her fabulous hair tutorials. If you haven't checked out her blog, I highly suggest heading on over there...you will get hooked watching her YouTube videos for HOURS! Believe me, I've done it! :) Anyway, just recently she did a fun "What's In My Purse" series, which featured some of her (and my) favorite blogs - their purse posts are listed toward the bottom. But so, I just thought it would be fun to do my own (assuming you all care what is in my purse :P )...

Currently, the purse I'm carrying:

Bueno from Marshalls
It's big, has lots of pockets, and is neutral (so it goes with pretty much anything)

(1) iPhone & iPod (don't ask me why I carry both, I have no clue) (2) Sugar in the Raw packets - this is the only sugar that I use, so I carry a few packets with me at all times (3) MAC pressed powder, Carmex (can't live without this stuff), travel-size Very Sexy perfume from VS, Revlon Lip Butter in Creamsicle (my new favorite), & Listerine breathe spray (4) Tissues, Shout wipes (um, I spill on myself very regularly) & hand sanitizer (5) Coach wallet (matches my winter purse...probably need a new one, maybe one that's a little more springy/summery) & a small, black business card wallet (6) Gussy Sews checkbook cover & checkbook (7) Backcomb or teasing brush (to give the hair a little volume from time to time) (8) Current recipe/grocery list I'm carrying around - this week it was a list for grain-free chocolate chip cookies (they were DELICIOUS) & a few pens (9) Miscellaneous lip gloss pouch (see contents below) (10) Collapsible umbrella, in leopard print :) Everyone always laughs at me when I tell them I have an umbrella in my purse...but then I whip out that little thing (from Target, I think) and save the day!!

 

 Inside my pouch: B&BW Aromatherapy Energy - Orange Ginger lotion (smells so good), Aveda Hand Relief (works so well), & 3 different lip glosses

 

 VS Beauty Rush Lip Gloss (Sugar High), Rock & Republic Luxe Lip Gloss (Trust Fund), VS Lip Plumper

And I just wanted to give you a close-up of my lovely...

...Gussy Sews checkbook cover...isn't the black/white contrast so pretty with the pale yellow?! I've had it for about 3 years now, so it's quite worn. You hear that Maggie, you need to post some new checkbook covers...I'll be your 1st customer, I promise!! :P

Wanna see what the other gals had in their purses?? 

Check them out over at Kate's "What's In My Purse Series":

Kate @ The Small Things Blog

Lindsey @ The Pleated Poppy

Allyson @ Allyson, Recipe Ranger

Jessica @ allora handmade

Carrie @ Chasing Big Dreams

Lauren @ From My Grey Desk

Haley @ The Tiny Twig

Maggie @ Gussy Sews

Katy @ Katy Loves

And another blogger friend of mine also just did her own "In the Bag" post:

Bhrett @ lost in relocation

What are some 'must haves' that you carry around in your purse??

Addicted to Pinterest!

My name is Kristin and I'm addicted to Pinterest. There, I've said it!

And honestly, I'm not ashamed one bit. :)

Do I check it first thing in the morning to make sure I haven't missed anything that my other friends have pinned? Yes.

Do I check it before I got to bed to get one last fill of it? Yes.

My simple, daily Pinterest routine: (1) Check the pins from my followers & repin/like any that I choose, (2) Go to the Popular tab and repin/like any that I find there.

Here are some of my favorite pins from recently:

*My sister's art:

Pinned here (Art/Print Board)

*Portobello, broccoli & red pepper melts...Mmmm!

Pinned here (Favorite Recipes Board)

*DIY "Where I've Been" corkboard -love this idea!

Pinned here (Craftiness Board)

*Great summer look - I'm really into blazers right now!

Pinned here (My Style Board)

*Great idea to make sure you get your water intake for the day!

Pinned here (Fitness Board)

*These are just adorable little cupcakes & perfect for a spring party

Pinned here (Entertaining Board)

"A Homemade Life" Indeed

After posting about my book purchase at Borders the other day, I told you that I would come back and give a review. Let's just say...I couldn't put this book down!! A Homemade Life was such a lovely read, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves to cook/bake.

Molly, from Orangette, begins each chapter with wonderful life stories that can make you laugh out loud...make you shed a few tears, and definitely make you feel very "at home". You can tell that she really enjoys sharing with readers a little piece of her world. Her writing is incredibly inviting and each story flows nicely into the next one. One of my favorite quotes I took away from the book was a chapter entitled: "Whatever you love, you are". I mean, it makes so much sense (to me)...everything and everyone we love are pieces that make up who we are or who we have become.

And another thing I really enjoyed from her book was her take on sharing vs. not sharing recipes. She genuinely believes that cooking and recipes are meant to be shared (I agree!). How else do new recipes get created?? And recipes can always be tweaked or changed in just a little way to make it taste completely different...it's all about experimentation. I'm not quite there yet...I feel more comfortable following a recipe, but hopefully one day I will be able to look in my fridge and take whatever random ingredients that I have and make something magnificent.

Hopefully some of you will check Molly's book out...if nothing, at least get it for the recipes. I haven't tried any yet, but they all sound amazing!

Veggie Chili

Last week I decided to take a shot at making vegetarian chili in the crock pot! It turned out pretty good and was super easy to make.

I modified this recipe here

My modifications:
NO onion, bell pepper or cayenne pepper
I used garlic powder instead of garlic cloves
I added elbow macaroni pasta to mine

My Ingredients

I let it cook on Low for 4-5 hours

End Result! MMmmmmmmm!!

It was definitely yummy...although, I think next time I'll leave the pasta out. The chili turned out pretty thick (not soupy like chili usually is) because I think the pasta soaked up all of the juices. It was still great though and I had leftovers for days! :)

Salsa Lessons!

Harley thought that I should post a delicious recipe for salsa. It is easy, can be spiced up or spiced down and is quite tasty!

Ingredients:

3-4 jalapenos*
1 lg can of stewed tomatoes
1/4 of an onion, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves (or you can use substitute garlic powder)
1/4 cup of cilantro
1 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. salt & 1/4 tsp. pepper

Recipe:

• Boil jalapenos for 20 minutes (their color will change a bit). Let cool and chop up (getting rid of stems).

• In a blender or food processor, add jalapeno pieces, can of stewed tomatoes, onions, garlic and all spices. Blend well for 1-2 minutes.

• Serve with chips or add to tacos/burritos/salads/etc.

*Go with 4 peppers if you prefer spice, 2-3 if you like your salsa more mild! 4 jalapenos will knock your socks off!

As you can see, Harley likes it with chips! ;)

~Recipe: Compliments of my good friend, Marion~
~Enjoy~