Altered Notebook for 2012 Memories

I'm pretty sure the older I get the less I remember.  My kids are always doing or saying funny and cute things and I don't want to forget them!  I'm realizing more and more how quickly kids grow and how much I want to remember these precious moments with them.  So one of my New Year's Resolutions is to WRITE those things down.  I do this sometimes, but it's only in texts to my husband or on Facebook or other random places.  So I created this notebook in the hopes that I will make the time to record those moments.  :)

First, I started out with a spiral bound notebook -- you know, one of those ones you can get dirt cheap during back-to-school sales?  (Yeah, we may or may not have a HUGE stack of those.)  Then I tore out one sheet to use as a guide.









I cut a piece of white cardstock to the size of the paper and used the holes as a guide to make holes in the cardstock using an eyelet setter.

(In hindsight I would recommend doing this next step BEFORE making the holes -- I ended up having to do the holes twice!)  Next, glue on some cute scrapbook paper, pictures, and any other embellishments.

I found this quote online and thought it was perfect!  "Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose."










Then cut a slit up each one of the holes so that it will slide right onto the spiral binding.

All that's left to do is glue the cardstock onto the cover and it's done!  Hopefully my cutesified notebook will make me want to pull it out often and record those memories. :)

Frugal Friday - Dollar Store Necklaces

We thought we'd start a new feature here at G*Rated called Frugal Fridays where we will share with you some of our favorite cheap finds, ways to save money, or cute crafts for little cost.  Cuz we could all stand to save a little money here and there, right? :)

I found these cute necklaces at the 99 cent store and totally fell in love with them.  I like that they are chunky but totally simple.  Seriously, how can you go wrong for a buck?  But there wasn't a huge selection of colors to choose from.  So I bought a bunch of them and decided to spray paint them in the colors I wanted.

First I taped off the chains and gave them a good coat of paint.
 

Then I let them dry in the sun and they came out perfectly!  I am so happy with how they turned out and now I can make one in any color I want.

For this one I used Valspar Exotic Sea.  It is a BEAUTIFUL turquoise color!

This one was done in Valspar Cut Ruby.  It is a bright, bold red and I love it!

Smoked Fish Crescent Rolls

One Dip - Three Different ways

Try these ideas for your next party....I needed a quick recipe, with several ways to use the few ingredients I had on hand, and yet make it look like I planned it that way. Easy & Elegant...just saying

Here's what I came up with using "Smoked Fish Dip"

1 - Filled Crescent Rolls

2 - Served warm with crackers

3 - Broiled stuffed Mushrooms

"Smoked Fish dip"

1 8oz  pkg Cream Cheese

1 Can Brunswick Golden Smoked Seafood Snacks

Heat cream cheese in microwave (approx. 30 sec.) till soft enough to blend the fish smoothly with a fork ,  then use dip in your favorite treat. Enjoy !

Brunswick in the Gold Can.

Place a teaspoon of dip on crescent roll dough and cook according to directions on the can of rolls.

 -Buff -

WIWW- Comfy Cute

 This is my favorite go to outfit! I love the way this gray shirt is loose but cute. I really love to pair up a loose shirt with some skinny jeans.


Shirt-TJ Maxx
Jeans- Nordstrom Rack
Booties- Discount Shoe Factory
Scarf- Target
Bangles- 99 cent store
Earings- 99 cent store

I love the gray and soft pink colors together.

I love these booties. I wear them all the time and i love the way they look with a skirt as well.

The earings and bangles are not bad for being from the 99 cent store right?!?!

-chelz



Linked to:

WIWW: Skirt & Boots

I really love So Cal weather. It's the middle of winter but I can still get away with wearing a skirt! And paired with my boots, I'm really loving this look.















Cardigan: Target
Navy tank: Styles For Less
Denim skirt: Papaya
Boots: Discount Shoe Factory
Necklace: Midway Swiss Days













I love everything going on in this necklace!



















Linked to:

NEW SPONSOR

We have a NEW Sponsor and we want to welcome them to our team!

Welcome, Shabby Apple!
Check them out.
They have amazing clothes and jewelry!

Here are just a couple of our favorite items:

Nantucket
I love this simple yet stylish black dress.  It would be perfect for adding just a pop of color with a necklace or shoes.  Very classy.













With Honors
I am in LOVE with the color of this dress! It is sleek, form-fitting and I love the little bow at the waist.

English Toffee

Quick, easy and yummy, is my favorite

Need a quick delicious fancy candy to share?

Try this "English Toffee"... ooohh an old family recipe we love to share...

We double this recipe to fill a whole cookie sheet

 2 sticks butter              1 C. chopped nuts

1 C. sugar                    Milk choc. chips

3 Tbsp. Water

Put butter, sugar & water in heavy pan over high heat, stirring constantly. Cook until mixture changes color (amber) and smokes. Take off heat quickly & pour out on buttered cookie sheet with sides (it will only fill about ½ or 2/3 of a small one).  Spread chocolate chips  on hot candy and when they melt spread chocolate over hot candy. Sprinkle nuts on top, cool in fridge till hard & cold, then break up in pieces. Best kept in fridge until serving.

                                                                                                                   - Buff -

Chocolate Caramels

Amazing that a chocoholic like me, had to be reminded by hubby, that there is such a thing as Chocolate Caramels.... Thank Goodness for Nestle's recipes and ingredients.... You have to know, that I had to double the recipe and it turned out perfect.  I googled a recipe and found this wonderful one, on Nestle's Chocobake site. It is creamy & very easy.

Hubby, family and our friends love it and that makes me smile......

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter 
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 can (14 oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 2 packets (1 oz. each) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® CHOCO BAKE® Pre-Melted Unsweetened Chocolate Flavor
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

LINE 8-inch-square baking pan with foil; grease.

COMBINE butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and corn syrup in heavy-duty, medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil and butter is melted. Add sweetened condensed milk and Choco Bake. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for 25 to 35 minutes or until mixture reaches 245° F on candy thermometer. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Cool at room temperature. Makes about 2 1/2 pounds.

LIFT from pan; remove foil. Cut into about 1/2-inch squares or size desired and wrap individually in plastic wrap, twisting ends. Store in refrigerator or at room temperature; use within 7 to 10 days.Adapted from Nestle's Chocobake

                                                                                                               -Buff-