Giveaway!: Gwynn Wasson Designs!

Sorry bout the computer hiccups...

But I'm BACK with a new giveaway!!!

I am thrilled and honored to be giving away some lovely goodies from Gwynn Wasson Designs!!

Ecrandal Winner!

The winner of 3 fabulous Ecrandal Cutters is...

SimplySweetsbyHoneybee{Melissa} said...

I'm already a fan of Ecrandal & I stopped by their FB page and thanked them for the giveaway. I love their cutters. The corset has been on my wish list. lissahnybee76@yahoo.com

March 13, 2012 9:03 PM

Congratulations Melissa!  Email me at alibeesbakeshop.com so I can get your cutters out to you!

WFD? Guinness Chocolate Cake with Baily Scented Cream

EAT ME!  I'M IRISH!  That was going to be my alternative title...but I figured... yeah maybe not. 

St. Patty's Day is this weekend, which means we're going all Irish this week.

Remember St. Patty's last year?

yes, that's my hubs with his St. Patty's Day version of "green beer".  Green Chardonnay.  Just to class it up.

or was that the year before??

Anywho, I was just thinking about that St. Patty's Day and how my husband was the only one getting festive.  Trying to cheer me up after a bad day by being his usual silly self. 

So I thought maybe this year I should do something for him for St. Patty's Day.  Cheer him up after a long day at work.

Tutorial: Hand Painting - The Basics

So a couple days ago I posted these:

And I instantly got questions about these:

Giveaway!: Ecrandal! - CLOSED

Welcome to Giveaway Week #2!

Thank you for helping me celebrate 5,000 Facebook Fans!!  :)

This week I am honored to give away 3 GORGEOUS handmade copper cutters from Ecrandal!

Sugarlicious WINNER!

Well the first of 5 giveaways to celebrate 5,000 Facebook Fans is over!
And the winner of Sugarlicious is.....

Notes From A Kitchen - Bonus TUTORIAL

I was trying to thin of some clever, cute, witty way to start this post, but I'm blanking.  So let's just jump to the good stuff.  Save the witty banter for later. 

  

Oh La La! Fashion Fund Raiser

There is a foundation here in Joplin called The Lafayette House.

Founded in 1978 by a group of concerned volunteers, Lafayette House began as a short-term option for women who needed a safe place to stay overnight to escape abuse.

Today, Lafayette House is a 55-bed sanctuary for women, children and families who are victims of domestic violence or who struggle with addiction.

Through our residential shelter facility in Joplin and outreach office in Neosho, Lafayette House offers a full scope of services to support women and their families. Domestic violence intervention, substance abuse treatment, children's services, and child care are all available in a caring, nurturing environment.
 

 It's the only shelter of this nature in the southwest corner of the state and capacity has risen 30% since the tornado.  A safe place for women and children to go.  I can get on board with this.  Which is exactly what I did when I got a phone call asking if I would like to donate cookies for the annual auction.  No brainer, I said yes.  

This years auction (and I believe the previous years too) had a fashion theme and was called "Oh La La"!   There was a silent auction that led to a fashion show showcasing local clothiers, a buffet, and of course cocktails.  This year the guest of honor and MC was designer Anthony Williams from Project Runway fame.  

Now, originally I had planned to do handbags, because they have a handbag theme going on with their auction.  But I started Googling (aka texting my boyfriend), and watching past seasons of Project Runway.  I even have Project Runway All Stars on my DVR.  Mr. Williams was a contestant on the All Stars too, as well as a finalist on season 7.  So we can't deny, that the saucy southern designer has talent and style. 

So I ended up doing a set that features my interpretations of some of his Project Runway designs.  

WFD? Pasta Fresca

There are a lot of things that I miss about living in Dallas.

First is the shopping.  No more needs to be said about that.

The second, is the food.  I miss the vast variety of fine dining and casual eateries.  Don't get me wrong, food in Joplin is good, but there are restaurants I miss desperately.

So speaking of shopping and dining, I found myself thinking of The Grand Luxe Cafe last night. It was a place I would stop in often while shopping in the Galleria (that I used to live only 2 short exits away from....oh yes, it was dangerous).

I recently made a trip to D-town for my bestie Kim's big 30th celebration.  While I was there, I filled up on as much Tex-Mex as possible, of course.  I hit up the N Bistro at Nordstrom (the fries and olive aoli - my god).  I even managed to sneak some Pinkberry in.  But I never got around to visitng the Grand Luxe Cafe.

I also hit up Central Market.  One of my greatest thrills in life is shopping at a fabulous grocery store.  I often walk into Central Market, breath it in, and I am convinced that it is the happiest place on earth.  It truly rivals Disney World for me.  And while I was there this last trip, I picked up the most beautiful baby eggplants and colorful cherry tomatoes.

Giveaway!: Sugarlicious - CLOSED

It's Giveaway Day #1!!

Let's start out with a bang shall we?  This week I am giving away one copy of the NEW book by Meaghan Mountford:  SUGARLICIOUS!

THE BIG GIVEAWAY!

OVER 5,000 FACEBOOK FANS!  I can't believe it!!

Tutorial: Blue Butterflies

I received an email from a family friend last week with an interesting story:

After the tornado, I was following the Humane Society adopt-a-thon on Facebook.  There was a senior dog with health issues that kept getting passed by.  The Humane Society posted his picture and a large group of people were following the picture to see if someone would adopt him.  Finally, a woman named Wendy posted "I'm on my way".  Everyone went insane and was so excited.  The Executive Director of the Humane Society met Wendy at the gate and Wendy and her husband Rick adopted Max.  They in turn set up a Facebook page called Max's Miracles Page and a core group of people followed Max and donated to his care and upkeep.  Unfortunately, Max passed away in August.  A group of seven women that followed Max, Wendy and Rick got together and gave Wendy and Rick gifts from ashes I was able to get from Max's Vet.  We called ourselves Max's Aunties.  Shortly after Max passed, Wendy and Rick had an even more horrible tragedy ... Wendy's 23 year old son died in his sleep.  The group of aunties supported Wendy and Rick and have been there for them trying to help them through this horrible period.

The Aunties are from all over:  Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kansas City, North Carolina, Louisiana and three from Joplin.  Most of us have not met.  Next Sunday, this group will all be together for the first time here at my house.

I just thought this was so touching I just HAD to make cookies for her.