Party Dip

We were invited to "watch the game" at a friend's house Sunday, which for me means eat snacks, drink beer, and talk with the ladies. Whenever we're invited to something super casual, I always bring this dip along.

Five Minute Spicy Party Dip

1 Can hot chili with no beans

1 Block Velveeta

1 Can Chili-style diced tomatoes

Cut Velveeta into small cubes, melt in a sauce pan over medium heat with the chili until combined. Garnish with cilantro and jalapeno slices, serve hot. 

Monster Mash

My best friend and I are planning on throwing a Halloween party this year, here are some photos that caught my eye on Pinterest this week.

Source: None via Kristin on Pinterest

Halloween Cocktails

Source: etsy.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Bottle Labels

Source: littlemissmomma.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Pumpkin Cookies

Source: countryliving.com via Sallie on Pinterest

Table Setting

Source: bhg.com via Joslyn on Pinterest

Drink Station

Source: thehouseofsmiths.com via Deborah on Pinterest

Mantle & Candy Bar

Source: nestofposies-blog.com via bethanie on Pinterest

Snack Table

Source: thekitchn.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Pumpkin Cooler

No clue yet for a costume for Ian & I. Do you have yours picked yet?

-Kristin Lynn

Autumnal Equinox

Yesterday we celebrated the first official day of fall with a delicious fall cocktail!

Bourbon Apple Cider

2 parts apple cider

2 parts ginger ale

1 part bourbon whiskey

Garnish with cinnamon sugar

Recipe via The Tampopo Post

Enjoy!

-Kristin Lynn

Chill in the Air

It's getting colder out there.. better decide on a overcoat soon. But with so many cute choices out there, I'm not having an easy time.

Modcloth

Shop Ruche

Modcloth (out of stock for now, boo)

Urban Outfitters

Modcloth

-Kristin Lynn

Thrift Finds

A few things I scored during the week:

Hand-embroidered wall hanging, note on the back is below:

 

Martini shaker & Gay Fad ice bucket

 Pyrex loaf & cake pan (and June)

 Pyrex mixing bowls, set of 3

Decanters

 Mirrored tray & milk glass bud vases/cup

 This was a gift from my future mother in law, how cute is the attached coin purse?

-Kristin Lynn

Kinney Bungalow

Ian & I will finally be tying the knot on June 30th, 2012. About once or twice a month, I'll be doing wedding update posts - inspiration, my planning progress, etc. I guess I'll start with the venue! 

We decided on Kinney Bungalow at Sunset Farms. It is so lovely! Immediately we fell in love with the antique feel of the building, which has all the original hardwood floors and windows. The grounds are beautiful as well, and the little farm stand shop is just too cute. Here are a few photos from the site:

 -Kristin Lynn

The Sweet Things in Life

Two more sweet treats made for Baby V's shower!

Cake Batter Blondies (Recipe via Two Twenty One)

-One box yellow cake mix

-1/4 cup vegetable oil

-1 egg

-1/2 cup milk

-3/4 cup white chocolate chips

-Sprinkle

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine cake mix, oil, and egg.

3. Slowly add milk to bowl.  The batter should be dense.

4. Mix in white chocolate chips.

5.  Pour mixture into a greased pan.

6. Bake for 30 minutes / until edges begin to turn golden brown.

White Wine "Sangria"

Source: highstreetmarket.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

To make this white wine "sangria", I used three bottles of wine, 1 2 liter bottle of Fresca, and apples and strawberries as the garnish. 

-Kristin Lynn

Weekly Pins

I've been feeling motivated lately to finish decorating our apartment. It's getting to where I want, but slowly. Here is what has been inspiring me throughout the week:

Source: flickr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Painted bookshelf. Such a good way to add color.

Source: readingisfashionable.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I would LOVE this coffee table. And the vintage fan is adorable.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Great vintage dinette and camera collection. And I would also commit unspeakable acts to have a pinball machine in my home.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I am going to try to talk Ian into using our closet space as a workspace for me. Such a great use of space.

Source: decoundstyle.de via Kristin on Pinterest

How awesome is this?

Source: thedecorista.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Love the neutral colors and the mirror.

-Kristin Lynn

Red Velvet Cookies

My future sister in law is having a baby shower tomorrow. I immediately thought of these cookies. They are delicious but not too sweet (as sugar cookies can sometimes be) and very rich.

 Betty Crocker's Red Velvet Cookies

1 pouch sugar cookie mix
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 egg
1 container cream cheese frosting

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine cookie mix, coca, butter, sour cream, food coloring, & egg until you have a soft dough.
2. Roll into 1 inch balls, place two inches apart on a cookie sheet.
3. Bake 8-10 minutes until set.
4. When completely cooled, frost with cream cheese frosting and add sprinkles or chopped nuts.

-Kristin Lynn

Taco Flavored Kisses

It's taco night over here, but I was craving seafood. This is what I came up with.

Quick & Easy Crispy Shrimp Tacos

-1 package popcorn shrimp
-Flour tortillas
-Shredded Mexican cheese
-Avocado Slices
-Sour cream
-Lettuce
-Tomato
-Fresh cilantro (to taste)
-Hot sauce (to taste)

Prepare shrimp as according to the directions. Melt cheese on a flour tortilla, fill with selected toppings and wrap up.


Did I mention this was really easy?

-Kristin Lynn

Weekly Pins

Happy Labor Day! I am celebrating the day off with a fun sister lunch & shopping date.

Here are my pins throughout the week.. I LOVE Pinterest. So many great recipe & decorating ideas in one place. Here's what caught my eye:

1.

Source: None via Kristin on Pinterest

This is such a great idea for hanging anything too pretty to be tucked away in the closet!

2.

Source: penniesonaplatter.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies. Seriously cannot wait for a reason to try these. 

3.

Source: thewanderingartist.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Sparkly pedicure. The color is Deborah Lippman in "Happy Birthday."

4. 

Source: midwestliving.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Stencilled Lampshare. Quick & inexpensive way to redecorate.

5. 

Source: plumpiecooks.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad. Yum. Would be great for packed lunches for Ian & I.

Happy pinning!

PS - the blog has undergone a little bit of a face lift. Check it out!

-Kristin Lynn

Fall Inspiration

Even though we are in the last few days of summer, the weather has been cooling off and I am thinking ahead to fall. Here are a few inspiration boards I put together from Forever 21's fall collection.

Fall Inspiration by kristin31200 featuring a stripe cardigan

Fall Inspiration by kristin31200 featuring a wire necklace

This fall I am excited about:
-Fall florals
-Lace
-Muted neutrals
-Chunky jewelry
-Colorful/patterned tights
-Pops of red & leopard print

What about you?

-Kristin Lynn