Colored Tights

So today I bought my first pair of colored tights. I wasn’t sure what I should wear them with, but figured I would get them anyway. I got magenta tights that are about the color below, and looking at the other images seems like the colored tights are best worn with neutrals or small accents of color. Although there is an image below with purple tights and a yellow skirt; except I don’t have a colored skirt at the time. What do you think? Have you worn colored tights? With what??

Here are a few other colors I like!!!!

all images found on Pinterest

Butternut Squash Soup with Apple & Bacon

I made this soup yesterday and it was very good. My sister-in-law suggested sprinkling some croutons in there for a bit of a crunch, and it turned out very good! Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• 8 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips
• 2-1/2 lb. butternut squash (about 1 medium), peeled, seeded, and cut int 1/2-inch dice (to yield about 6 cups)
• 1 small Granny Smith or other tart-sweet apple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch dice (to yield about 1 cup)
• 1-1/2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh sage leaves
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 4 cups homemade or low-salt chicken or vegetable broth

DIRECTIONS

In a 5 quart or larger pot set over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels.
Increase heat to medium high. Add the squash to the pot with the bacon fat and cook until lightly browned, 4 to 6 minutes (resist the urge to stir it too often or it won’t brown). Stir in the apple, sage, salt, and pepper and cook for about 4 minutes (you’ll see more browning occur on the bottom of the pot than on the vegetables). Add the broth, scraping up any browned bits in the pot with a wooden spoon. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, and cook until the squash and apples are very soft, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool somewhat.
Add about half the bacon to the soup and purée, using a stand or immersion blender (you’ll need to work in batches if using a stand blender). Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Reheat the soup and garnish each serving with the remaining bacon.

CREDIT

Felt Headband

Last week my sister-in-law, Alena, and I created this head band for her daughter Sophia.

It’s SO easy and SO cute! You can find the DIY right here.

We made the flower a little bit bigger than in looks in the DIY, and then Alena added the additional brown flower and button for a little bling! :) You can probably do this with other fabrics also!

My Church Home…literally…

So my all time life dream is to one day buy a beautiful abandoned church or firehouse and transform it into my dream home…and this church to home renovation in Australia is making me what it more!!! It’s actually for sale for $1,100,000 if anyone would like to donate it! :)

Please enjoy and dream with me…of this gorgeous place I would love to call home.

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No Bake Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake

I made this quick and simple dessert a little while back for my Bible Study girl. This dessert is SO quick and easy. The only recommendation I have is to use less lemon; it came out a little too lemony for myself and some of the girl. But you can also make this dessert with strawberries, blueberries, & pretty much any fruit. This recipe was taken from My Baking Addiction. Enjoy!

CRUST

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tablespoon sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

FILLING

2/3 cup sugar
zest on 2 lemons
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup fresh raspberries, slightly mashed with a fork

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs and 1 tablespoon of sugar and melted butter. Evenly divide the crumbs between your individual serving dishes and press into the bottoms of the dishes to form a crust layer.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the sugar and lemon zest until the sugar becomes moist and fragrant. Add cream cheese and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add lemon juice and vanilla mixing to combine. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the whipped topping until well blended, then fold in the raspberries.
3. Evenly pipe or spoon the filling into individual serving dishes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. If desired, garnish with fresh raspberries and a sprig of fresh mint.

Credit

Wearing Color!!!

So have been really into bold color clothing, and I have noticed a few trends and tips for color blocking…from starters to one in the middle and lastly full on rick takers.

#1 Color + Neutral – This I think would be the easiest and a good way of beginning color blocking. Notice the either the top of bottom is in an intense color and then all the other parts of the apparel is neutral. But all the neutral pieces don’t need to match, it could be different intensities of neutrals. Neutrals include: Browns, Blacks, Grays, Whites, Metallic, Navy, & Denim.

#1 Color + Color – I think this is middle ground…something to the next level. Wearing color on both top & bottom. My tip here would be wearing both colors in the same color intensity – Bright+Bright, Muted+Muted, etc. Also feel free to add color to your jacket, purse, & shoes.

#3 Color + Pattern – This for me seems like probably the most risk taking of all three. Adding color and pattern seems kind of intense, but I wouldn’t mind trying it. Here Color is put together with pattern, but with neutral patterns…that includes all the neutrals listed under #1. Feel free to add colored accessories to these outfits also.

If any of you try color blocking…send me pics! I would love to see it on you all!

Click on images for credit

What should I do with my hair??

So as I mentioned yesterday, this Sunday is the Russian Thanksgiving at our church…and I cannot decide what do with my hair!!! I have a few ideas below, but I cannot decide…so I was hoping you could help…which hairstyle would you like to see me wear on Sunday??

Leave a comment below! Thanks ladies!

1 Braids into a sleek ponytail

2 Waterfall braid with soft waves

3 Soft curls pinned up

4 Braided bun

5 Chiffon