20 July 2010

I Adore Necklaces!


If you've been reading my blog for a while now,
you may have observed my obsession
for necklaces.

I've made one using empty tape rings.

I've made one using a bunch of lockets.

And I even made one using old t-shirts
stuffed with dryer lint.

This week, I'm making new
necklaces out of old necklaces.

I disassembled the old necklaces &
grouped the beads in this egg carton.

Lately, I've been liking "long & thin",
so this is how I strung my new necklaces.

Here's another version with the
bronze beads closer together.

Wear them together for drama.

And throw in a more modern piece.

Accessories that you can take
from beach to boardroom!

19 July 2010

What's Old is New Again


Happy New Week to all of you!

Let me tell you about my necklace collection:

These are souvenirs from Asia, Africa & Latin America.
Here's what's blah about them -- I haven't worn them in years.
Maybe because I've put them on so many times, or
they don't seem to match my outfits anymore or
sometimes, I feel they are too "ethnic".

Do you feel the same with your jewelry, too?

If so, I think it's time for some blah to TADA!

Since these aren't precious heirlooms,
I decided to remove them from their strings.
{Empty egg cartons come in handy for this!}

Then I strung different beads together
giving them a new look.

This is a long red necklace
accented with two gold beads.

This one combines red & bronze wooden beads
with yellow gold Swarovski-like crystals.

I knotted a gold chain on this pendant
for a more modern look.
I can wear them individually or
mix them up.

Here's another combination.

All three necklaces layered together
can add sparkle to a simple attire.

More tomorrow!

16 July 2010

Sweet Still Life


I hope you all had a wonderful week!
Last Monday, we went cherry picking
and we've found some TADA! ways to
use up all those cherries.

It's unfortunate that cherry season
is brief and fleeting.
So blah.

It's this reason why I decided to
bring out the paint & pick up the
paintbrush.

As a child, I liked to paint but I
never did after that.

Secretly, I think I wanted to again.
I frequented art supply stores, little by little,
buying paintbrushes & blank canvasses
because, "I'll paint again one day."

And TADA!, I finally did!

This is called, "Cherry Branch".

This one's called "A Bowl of Cherries".

I know I'm no Picasso but I think summer is
the best time to try something new.

I hope you're slowly crossing off
those exciting things on
your summer list!

Have an exciting weekend!

15 July 2010

Cheerful Cherry Cake


Hello there!
It's all about cherries on my blog this week.

I think I got carried away cherry picking
that I've got a few extra cherries
for an easy but scrumptious recipe.

I love pancakes and I can eat them
at any time of the day.

Today, I decided to make them
special by topping them with cherries.

It's a cherry pancake, and I served it
right in the same pan I cooked it in.

A dusting of powdered sugar makes it even more special.

You can even turn it into a birthday cake
if you have no time to run to the bakery.

Have a delicious day!

14 July 2010

Cherries Aren't Just for Eating


Last Monday, I took you cherry picking.
Wasn't that fun?

Trees & buckets full of cherries...keeps us
thinking of new recipes & different
ways to use them.

Today, before eating the cherries,
let's stop & admire them.


Let's make them the subject
for a photo shoot!


Aren't they gorgeous?

They look like edible jewels.

Let's make them last longer
with some Photoshop magic.

Then turn them into gift tags
or greeting cards.

It makes the perfect
finishing touch to a present.

Indeed, the cherry on top!

13 July 2010

Cherry-Berry Pops


Yesterday, I took you on a road trip
where we got to take home a lot
of cherries.

And when I say "a lot", I mean, a lot!
When life gives you cherries...

Turn them into popsicles!

I melted some vanilla ice cream,
added the cherries {pitted & chopped}
and threw in some chopped strawberries &
blackberries. Mix well & pour into
popsicle molds.

Leave in the freezer for a few hours
then unmold.

TADA! Homemade Cherry-Berry Pops!

Make some using fruits that are abundant this summer.
Because letting them spoil is a big blah.

It's also a wonderful way to beat the heat!

12 July 2010

Inspiration: Cherries


Happy Monday!
Today, let me take you on a little road trip.

We're going to Terhune Orchards in
Princeton, New Jersey.

We're going cherry picking!

If you've never gone fruit picking before,
we'll need to pay a little fee &
we each get a bucket.

Here are the many cherry varieties available.

Look at the trees!
They're overflowing with the
reddest, ripest cherries!

There are yellow & orange ones, too.

I think I picked about 2 pounds.

Wash them & they're ready to eat!

But what happens if you've got too many cherries?
Turn that blah dilemma into a TADA!

Here are some great breakfast ideas
that are tasty, healthy and you'll
get to use up those cherries
rather quickly.

Add them to a bowl of muesli.

Pair it with some warm oatmeal.

Or use it as a topping for your yogurt & granola.

Please come back tomorrow for
more ideas inspired by cherries!