Cali Here We Come!

We are going back to the BAY AREA tomorrow!!! I am super stoked! We have been in Utah since December and I've not seen my mom or any other family member for 7 months! Yes, I know that is not that long to some people, but it is to me!! I can't wait to eat yummy sushi, assortment of Asian food, and In n Out!! We have a lay over at reno that's gonna suck, wish they would have baby sitting at the airport so I can play slots to pass the time. (shhhhh yes I know that makes me a bad mommy, but I hate waiting!) I guess it's back to the old stand by for passing the time, readying Harry Potter. I'm on The Order Of The Phoenix, and that Umbridge woman is FAUL!

Anyways, can't blog without posting a picture... Sami broke my 50mm 1.8 lens, that I'm still depressed about, so this was not taken by me but by my father in law. We were visiting Aunt Linda's family in Salt Lake and they live in this community call Day Break. Seriously nice place: lake, bridge, playground, paths for walks. But what is up with this toy??? It's like this big slider.... but to me, that is just a lawsuit waiting to happen!

Meatloaf A La Paula Dean

My good friend Nicole suggested this meatloaf recipe by Paula Dean when I asked for a good meatloaf recipe, so I decided to try it! It was super easy even though I don't really good or even made meatloaf before. It was yummy, and cheap to make! Follow the recipe below :

Preheat your oven: 375 degrees F (I always forget this part for some reason!)

Gather your ingredients:


1 pound ground beef
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1 egg, lightly beaten
8 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

Topping:
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard

Mix all meatloaf ingredients well and place in a baking dish. Shape into a loaf, or put meat in a loaf pan like I did!

Topping:
Mix ingredients for topping and spread on loaf.

This is what it looks like before it goes in the oven:

Put it in the oven for 1 hour ( I think for high altitude, like me, need an additional 10 minutes)

Voila, this is what it looks like an hour later! I really need to work on my food photography :)

It was really yummy! Serve it with a side of potatoes and dinner is ready to go! Try it sometimes :)

Brand New Attitude

Here is Samantha modeling for me for the first time, since the hair cut. She just looks so sassy doesn't she? I've also made a Foofa dress her size so customers can see what it looks like on a real live girl instead of just laying there on a bed. I used a grey card for the first time too, I must say the pictures look warmer and much better than not using it. I really need a better photography assistant. Sean, who is only 6, does not a good assistant make! He steps on my reflector and wiggle around and makes his sister, the model, loses focus! I told him he was fired, and that made him upset. I really need to be more sensitive! Anyways, here is the result! The dress is currently for sale in my etsy store right now :) Go check it out!

Customer Sportlight: Madison

A fellow ABSD member and YCMT author, Jen, has made this oh-so-cute top from my Sweetheart Dress ebook pattern! They are going to Disneyland (did I mention I am SUPER JEALOUS!) next month and Jen is getting Madison's special wardrobe ready. Going to Disneyland is so special, if you ever plan on taking your kids, check out Etsy or Ebay for special custom orders! Or, if you are crafty, make one yourself!

Customer Spotlight: Lily Rose

I got this photo a couple of days ago from Amy, showing off her adorable daughter Lily-Rose in one of my creations! Amy contacted me through Etsy asking for a Foofa dress for Lily-Rose's birthday party. We love Yo Gabba Gabba at our house, so of course I said YES!! I was so please to see the picture because I rarely get photos back from customers! Thank you so much Amy, for sharing this with me! Happy Birthday Lily-Rose :)

A new haircut

Here is Samantha in her brand new haircut! Gaylene cut about 4-5 inches from the bottom and gave her A cut bob. I just LOVE IT! It looks modern and adorable! It will be a while before I can put it in pigtails or ponytails but I think she looks so chic! Daddy and grandpa won't like it though, (they haven't seen it yet) they like traditional long hair on girls. Rhead was teasing her that she won't be a "princess" anymore! What a mean thing to say lol But if he really knew his princesses, he'd know that Snow White actually has short hair! Well I like it and Samantha likes it. The new hair cut will make our lives easier now that we don't have to battle the rat's nest that she wakes up with every morning!

Miss Samantha turns 4!

We celebrated Samantha's 4th birthday early at Park City, UT. She picked out her favorite cake, chocolate with chocolate frosting and sprinkles, and grandma baked it for her. She wore her fancy birthday party dress that I got from Nordstorm(40% off wooo hooooo!!) and opened presents! Park City was sooooo fun! It's about 30 miles from Salt Lake City, where all the celebrities stay during the sundance film festival. We shopped at the outlets, got an Oreo cookie covered apple at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory(yummmmm!) and swam in a half indoor half outdoor pool at the condo! The weather was perfect, and we sat on the hill and watched a beautiful firework show. It was a great, fun-filled, weekend! Check out the slide show on the side!