michelle my belle

little dinner party & table setting

so a few weeks ago we had a few friends over for dinner.
we try to get together with these two couples about every other month, rotating houses.
this time it was my turn.
let me just say, the two other gals are AMAZING cooks.
i'm not so much.
i try. really hard.

i've slacked in the past, but this time...
i even set the table.

which, i still felt needed help!
please tell me.
what am i missing?
a runner? colored mats? table cloth?

for food, we went with an asian theme.
i successfully made wonton soup.
fried tofu... mediocre success
gary made stir fry from this cookbook... amazing!
fried bananas... a little much.

in the end- thankfully it isn't about the food. or the table setting.
it's about getting together with friends and enjoying each others company.

and, we full hearted-ly did.

farm fresh eggs & artsy egg cups

my friend reenie of peculiar ambitions gifted us some beautiful eggs from her farm the other day.

these little guys were even standing on their heads they were so excited!

the fabulous egg cups are by artist alison palmer.
i'd love to visit connecticut and take one of her workshops someday!
i've had an obsession with ceramics for as long as i can remember.
i did take some classes once.
i very quickly came to the realization that...
i should just stick to purchasing other people's.

all this really makes me want chickens!
my husband would NEVER go for it.
i will have to settle with living vicariously through you reenie.

what's- old, yellow, functional and super cool?

it's my latest find on etsy, of course.
i've always wanted a vintage coffee pot.
when i finally searched etsy to acquire one, this was one of the first ones to pop up.
and it's perfectly me.
it was a "meant to be".

and, it even works!

i plan on serving many batches of hot tea punch out of this big yellow beauty.

i'm a happy girl.

this weekend i'm DETERMINED to be productive & inspired.
i plan on running for one, since i've fallen off the wagon and didn't run a SINGLE day this week.
painting for two, still many paintings to finish.
but mostly, just using my time wisely.

xoxo-m

green party & sour grapes!

i'm having a bit of a love/hate relationship with pinterest right now.
my love of it- awesome ideas like Pure Sugar's SOUR GRAPES.

these are the easiest thing EVER.
a box of lime jello, washed WET grapes, toss in a plastic bag to coat them and viola-
you're the hit of the party!

a pretty, fairly healthy and simple snack that can even be enjoyed by adults.

wasabi peas, watermelon licorice & sour grapes
in lieu of st. patrick's day,  i was going with the theme of green.

i also tried this recipe for greek spinach dip with pita bread.
not my favorite.
but it looked pretty.

st. patrick's day cupcake toppers (free)!

st. patrick's day is already almost here!
these cute & funky st. patrick's day cupcake toppers are ones that i previously designed for a party.
i've included the free downloads for them at the bottom of this post.
i haven't quite gotten around to this years yet... not sure if it's going to happen.






do you have any big plans/traditions for st. patty's day 2012?

 
download free st. patrick's day clover cupcake topper.
download free st. patrick's day frog cupcake topper.

 

red & green and healthy!

it hasn't been all cookies around here... (just mostly)
i've also made this salad a few times.
the grape tomatoes seem to be good right now- and at costco.
along with english cucumbers, which i love that peeling isn't necessary since their skin is so thin.
adding that bit more pretty green to the salad.

some spices, feta, red wine vinegar, olive oil- and pretty much whatever else sounds good to you.


yum.

holiday treats & i'm gettin' FAT!

for some reason, no idea why (hmmmm?), i'm feeling horribly fat these days!
maybe, it's all the garbage food we've been making around here and my super-sugar addiction.
i think i'm, just maybe, done over-indulging.
too many evening of my belly feeling sick! oy!

just a few of the treats we've been making... rolo, pretzel m&m bites.
easy & festive.

and candy covered pretzel sticks for teachers & friends.
something simple & fun: use a pack of $1 old maid cards from michaels for the gift tags.

and you?
or are you one of those good self-disciplined people???

yummy fall treat mix!

have you tried this combo we call Mary's Mix?!
it is a glorious snack that contains candy corn (which are now on sale!) and dry roasted peanuts!
now a studio favorite thanks to our shipping/warehouse/clock maker extraordinaire-- Mary!
spice up the mix even more--
serve it in our charming ceramic Allen Designs Crow Box to make a fun fall gift for your neighbor or yourself!

SALE PRICE= $10 (hurry-limited qty. available)
regular price: $32

cute & colorful popcorn balls

i love to look back at what i was doing at this time last year...
like, for one, i was making these super cute popcorn balls.
super easy to make and fun!


hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
may i suggest a game of spongebob uno? :)

happy bday & french toast stuffed with nutella!

my youngest turned 11 yesterday.
she makes me smile.
her freckles, enthusiastic personality and her big heart.

she can't get enough of soccer.
says she wants to be a pro.

nutella stuffed french toast was her request for breakfast!
good choice. yum!!!

we celebrated her birthday and 4th of july with a full mexican feast.
it was a good day.
hope you had a happy and safe 4th.
God Bless America.