Scavenger Hunt Sunday 9.29.13

Rule of Thirds

We were learning about the Rule of Thirds this week in my photography class and I found this shot from our anniversary weekend that fit the bill.  There are also some nice leading lines in it.  I struggle with shooting this way, I'm much more likely to center my subject but I am working on it.

Made Me Smile

Giving me some sassy realness during our brief photo shoot.  This is an example of shooting from a different angle rather than always straight on.

Lines

I was able to capture some nice leading lines in this shot.  I didn't get her in perfect focus, again..I'm still working on adjusting everything in manual.

Alone

This is my version of a creative crop and it also looks like she's all alone at the playground (or feeling alone).

Together

A fun selfie from our anniversary weekend away.

Linking up with:

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

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Expedite Expedition

I posted this photo on Instagram as my quickest Ikea trip ever(including our $17 dinner for three and during a holiday weekend!).

We were in search of an Expedite shelving unit. I'd heard (read) so many good things about this versatile piece of furniture and we needed something to corral the growing number of music books Miss Middle School has collected.  

 My husband put it together so quickly that I didn't even get any photos of it being assembled.

I also picked up two of the Knipsa baskets that fit perfectly in the unit and are great for storing her notebooks away.  I like the texture next to texture of the baskets and wicker stools.

I use one for her notebooks and one for a few of the smaller games that we keep upstairs. 

It's been fun to accessorize the shelves with things we had around the house. 

 

 My thrifted crate has found a home.

You can see my Upcylced Trophy Cup has also found a new hang out.

I really love how this room has come together since we got the new piano,changed the layout and gained a lot more space.  Since then, we've put up new curtains and rods and added these stools and pillows as well as this garden stool.  A gallery wall behind the sofa is still in the works.
Linking up with:
Masterpiece Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Seasonal Sundays
Wicked Awesome Wednesday
Blog Stalking Thursday
Catch a Glimpse

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Insta-Love {July}

I may have posted some of these photos already but hopefully they are more of the 'everyday' variety of  photos I find on my phone that you haven't seen unless you follow me on Instagram.

@heather_ourlife

First day of summer stock, that nervous excitement in the air!

 Elvis in the 4th of July parade.

My daughter making patriotic macaroons for 4th of July.

 A pretty house that we'd pass every morning on our way to summer stock.

 Summer Bucket List item: s'mores on the deck!

 Enjoying coffee and a book on the deck.

 Panera dinner date with Lovely Long Tresses.

Cutting up a dragon fruit.

 

Some items in the Spy Exhibit at the Franklin Institute.  On the left is a piece of the Berlin Wall and on the right is the only gun I'd ever want to carry (check out that camera!).

 Birthday fruit tart+sparklers (maybe our friends wouldn't notice that we had already dug into in the night before).

 Tomatoes getting a shower.

Italian Night goodness

 Mother-Daughter selfie at Italian Night

 Rydell High (performance of Grease by summer stock)

First batch of Pioneer Woman's brewed iced coffee.

A shadow selfie at the beach in Southampton, New York.

Hamptons Girls Trip Part 1

Hamptons Girls Trip Part 2

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Wordless Wednesday:Growing Up and Pretty Hair

More photography practice--and with a willing model.  She had just had her hair blown out and it was looking so pretty!  

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{Recipe}Crispy Black Bean Tacos

When I pinned this recipe (here) I didn't know how popular it would become in our house.  Now I make it a few times a month. It's so quick and easy to throw together, especially since I keep the corn tortillas in the freezer for Creamy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup.

 The original recipe can be found here, I changed them from Crunchy to Crispy.  

Ingredients:

2 cups black beans, rinsed and drained(I use one can)

1/2 cup red onion, minced (mine are roughly chopped)

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

2 TBS cilantro, chopped (I used frozen) from Dorot

4-6 oz grated Mexican cheese blend(I use reduced fat)

2 TBS olive oil(or canola)

salt & pepper

8 corn tortillas

Toppings:

1 avocado(optional) or guacamole

Salsa

Sour Cream

 In a medium bowl, add beans spices, onion and salt.

 Lightly mash ingredients together (I use a potato masher).

 Heat oil in large skillet, add one tortilla at a time and let each get hot.  Flip one time.  Add bean mixture and cheese to half of each tortilla. Carefully fold each tortilla in half, pressing down gently with a spatula.  

 Move the folded tortillas to the side of the pan to continue cooking while you add tortillas to the pan.  Continue cooking until browned and crispy. 

 Move to oven to keep warm while cooking the rest.

Serve tacos with toppings like salsa, avocado (or guacamole) and sour cream. They look small but are very hardy and flavorful!
Linking up with:
Too CuteTuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Catch A Glimpse
Metamorphosis Monday

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Scavenger Hunt Sunday 9.22.13

What You Wore

{Iphone}

This was my Pinterest inspired fall outfit.

Reflection

We went to Spring Lake for our anniversary last weekend and got to see these vintage mini yachts racing along the lake. I caught a little reflection in the water.

In Your Fridge

Practicing focus for my photography class.  Not technically in my fridge but the milk had been.

Routine

Babysitting my niece once a week this month has become part of my routine.

Morning

My husband took this shot in the morning as we were walking along the boardwalk in Spring Lake.

Linking up with:

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

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Thrifty Buys, Steals & Deals

I found quite a few bargains over the summer of thrifting, shopping and antiquing.

This crate and old mayo jar came home with me after we dropped College Girl off at school.  We had visited a great 'funky junk' store there last year and were really bummed when it wasn't there anymore.

Luckily we found its new location.

I didn't even notice the salad dressing recipes on the lid until the store owner pointed them out. 

"Variety Peps Up Salads!"

I have a thing for old jars.

I put it up over the microwave with my other old jar filled with gumballs.  I also scored an old straw holder at Goodwill that I filled with brightly colored straws.

The little ceramic pot on the end is also a 'new' acquisition from Goodwill.

 It says A pot (t-ps-n).  I have my theory, what's yours?

The nut grinder is also from GW years ago.

My mom offered me this silver candle holder when I was at her house one day. I said 'sure!'.  I found the crystal single candle holder at GW and it's from Crate & Barrel!  I like having different heights for my candles so I don't mind getting single candle holders. I look for crystal and silver to mix together.

I tried it out with all of the candles a blazing and I love it!

Here was my stash from another thrifting adventure that I took with my mom and Miss Middle School.

I scored three Martha holiday books, the brown flower pot (looks very fall-like to me), the little silver candleholder and a navy duvet cover. The queen sized duvet cover was $5!  I couldn't resist it for the fabric alone! I'm using it as a throw on the foot of the bed right now.

Speaking of hard to resist, Old Blue Eyes came home with me from Goodwill one day for .47c.

 The album is in perfect condition.

This is all I came home with when I took College Girl to Ikea (minus the apple).

I always check out the clearance section at Anthropologie for cute home goods like these bright napkins.  Cloth napkins can be turned into accent pillows but right now I'm just using them as napkins for my food photos.

Have you gotten any good deals lately?

Linking up with:

Tablescape Thursday

The Weekly Creative

Thrifty Thursday

Thrifty Things Friday

Junkin' Joe

Too Cute Tuesday

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Inspire Me Tuesday

Catch A Glimpse

Masterpiece Monday

Metamorphosis Monday

Alphabe-Thursday

Seasonal Sundays

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