DIY Weekend

Hello all! Hope everyone had a great weekend. Even though it is Monday...at least its the tail-end of it. As you can see Monday's are dreaded by dogs too...or at least Dez.

This past weekend was pretty good in my book. Friday, Renee and I met some of her friends up at Kelly's for the Get Pink breast cancer fundraiser and dinner. Great food, music, and dancing...well...we didn't dance, but watching people dance was a hoot! Saturday, we got up and started some Christmas shopping...and MAN did we get stuff for a STEAL..love my discount! Then we all (add Dillon and Steve) went to eat at Food Dudes for some yummy dinner. While we were there we saw great artwork that we for sure could make...

...after dinner we went home and got to work on our Saturday night DIY project. Sunday is dedicated for church, family, food, and football...which is exactly what we did. We all went to Pete's Pour House and ate nachos, wings, and drank some brews to watch the Cowboys win, and the Redskins lose. After the games we all went home and began brainstorming our next DIY craft idea...

Winter Harness: DIY Project
Dezzie hates the cold...and lately, with these chilly nights she comes in shivering. So I thought that I could beat the $30 price tag of a winter coat/harness and make my own (with the help of Renee). I just traced her harness she already has, added an inch to each arm, and made it longer by 2inches to cover more of her back. See pictures of the process and end result!!!

 Cut out pattern of old harness. Bought velcro, thick thread, ribbon, and D-rings...and of course warm & snuggly fabric.

 Pinned cut out of pattern to reverse side of fabric, and cut

 Sewed on ribbon/D-ring to the right side of the pattern fabric. This is useful if you will be using the coat as a harness. D-ring is to clip on the leash.

 Dez waiting patiently for her new winter harness...and on standby for sizing...she feels special she is getting a custom "outfit" made for her

 Sew together the two patterns. Remeber to sew the two inside out and leave a hole big enough to fit hand in to turn right side out. When pulled through right side out...then sew up the hole! Lastly, we sewed on the velcro.

Dezzie proudly modeling her new cozy winter harness!

Anyone do anything fun this weekend?

Here's a peek at the next DIY we will be trying...so excited! Any guesses? If not...stay tuned for the finished product.

Until next time...have a great wk

Enjoying My Sand-wich

Today I didn't feel like going home for lunch, and it was so nice out I decided to eat a quick lunch and go walk on the beach and soak in some sun. It is so crazy how quickly the seasons change...a month and half ago we were ending our summer season spending our days on the beach. Now, all you see are trucks on the beach, beachcombers, and zero umbrellas or vacationers. I love fall, but I hate to see summer go. The cool breeze, warm sun, and cold sand was a good escape for an hour to distract me from my work day. I also tried to get a little crazy and took some pictures.

I think some sand even sneaked into my pocket :)



Gathering in Orlando

Happy College Game Day! What could be better than football on TV, sun shining, cool breeze, and sweats? LOVE FALL...now all I need to make me 100% happy is a week of warm weather to get my tan back....

This past week I was in Orlando for another Souvenir/Toy show, The Gathering. It was a smaller show than others, but is a good place to make appointments with your vendors to get some work done. A plus to this show...free food (delish), free brews (thanks to our vendors and Urban), and 2 bags full of awesome stuff (woven winter hats, scarves, totes, etc). From Saturday-Wednesday we spent our days buying stuff for the 2012 season...and our nights chatting with our great vendors and drinking brews by the pool. I won't complain about the accommodations, but it certainly wasn't anything compared to my room/The Cosmopolitan in Vegas. My only complaint is that I actually had to work instead of taking advantage of the warm FL sun. It was a good week, and I am glad to finally be home. I have been waiting for a free weekend to just relax-I am taking full advantage of this and I am not going to do ANYTHING...except maybe go for a run so I don't feel so guilty :)

 The Gathering 2011

 So good I had to take a picture...tiramisu & Italian rum cake

 Before our flight Wed. we traveled down to Cocoa Beach to see the infamous 

Ron Jon Surf Shop, open 24 hours to try and get some good ideas 

on how to improve KHK merchandising & more product ideas.

Wanted to give a shout out to the VT Hokies & hope you guys have a great Homecoming! Good Luck Kels & have fun!

Hope everyone has a comfy and relaxing Saturday...I know I will!!!

I love you, Friday

FRIDAY, I am so glad you are here! It has been 10 straight days since I have had a day off from work....the downside to business trips. So, this Friday is especially welcome! Pics and details about my latest trip to come later.

Like last Friday I will close the week with Three Things:

 1. It's cool again, so having the windows open all night/day with a cool breeze blowing in is the best!

2. Having this view of the sound from my balcony

3. Seeing Dezzie has bounced back after her surgery Monday. Here she is "chasing" the reflection on the wall from the metal oscillating fan. She's a loon.

Happy Friday everyone! We're not free yet, but I know we can make it! Looking forward to a relaxing weekend of friends, fam, beach, pumpkin spice coffee, cool air, puppies, sunshine, and halloween costume hunting. What are YOU doing this weekend? Anything fun/exciting?

Pumpkin Cheesecake!!!

OK...so today I was going through recipes, and I found this one that looked delish from Coffee Mate's website. Pumpkin Cheesecake! What could be better than combining two of your favorite things into one recipe...so excited!

At lunch I decided I wanted to try the recipe so I went to the store to pick up a few things I needed (see web link at bottom of page for ingredients and recipe). 

When I got home I went straight to work. I laid out everything I needed! It didn't take long at all to mix everything up and put it in the oven safe dish. It only took about 20 minutes in the oven to set...you then need to put it in the fridge once it cools for a few hours before you can properly enjoy your fall inspired cheesecake!

 I couldn't take a picture fast enough before a small corner was enjoyed...by me and Dez!

Who says all the yummy things have to be just for humans...

pumpkin cheesecake please!

If you love pumpkin and cheesecake as much as I do and want to try this great fall treat CLICK HERE for the recipe! ENJOY

Game Day

I know, I know...We are supposed to not like VT (The Pirates that is). I try to think that I have a free pass (only on game days we don't play them) since my sister, Kelsey, is a VT cheerleader.

Brrrr, I will tell you--it is football weather up there in Blacksburg! About 55 right now and a high of 63...hoping it doesn't rain up there for you guys! Not sure who Arkansas St. is, but they sound kinda wacky.

I just wanted to wish Kelsey & the Hokies a good luck for today....see you up there for the Clemson game!

 Kelsey before her first game

Cutie-patootie!

 Before the VT/Arkansas game...New Uniform debut

During the parade