Back to School with the G-Dub!

Day two of the phots and she was officially "over it."
Hollister

Lucky jeans!

That was fun!!

Consignment

Gap Jeans (My Best Friend's Closet-Consignment)

and NY&Co top (yes! we went "regular" shopping as well!)

Her favorite? Juicy Couture Jeans found at "My Best Friend's Closet" in the Southlands Mall in Aurora, CO (they don't have a website yet) I had a credit and we found some great back to school staples!!

People are shocked at the brand names that I can find. But really you just have to look. My niece had some brand names in mind and we found most of them. I will be on the lookout for the other things she wanted. My two boys could care less what they wear, so they are easy. Levi's, t-shirts, athletic shorts. Done.

Goodwill Boutique Day 3

The price tag says $6.99 but the DRESS was 50% off on Saturday at the Goodwill.
Three dollars and fifty cents?

How


cute

is she? (her outfit is pretty cute too!)

Click below to see the other outfits we picked up!

Goodwill Back to School Day 1

Goodwill Back to School Outfit Day 2

G-Dub Boutique Day Two Outfit

Khaki Levi Jacket $4.50 (half off sale)White Eyelet Forever 21 Dress $3.00
Lace up Suede Boots Originally $10.99 (I paid $5.50)
Altogether Cuteness

She wasn't having nearly the amount of fun I was having. "It was toooo hooooott foooorrr thiiisssss jaaaacket!"

Back to School with the G-Dub!

My niece came to visit this past week and I introduced her to my favorite store. I was so excited to tell her that the G-Dub had a half off everything sale and 99 cent jeans on Saturday. She was thrilled and then said, "Yay! What is the G-Dub?" I told her to just let me show her and luckily she was game.


She even agreed to try things on.......watch for that cute dress on top in tomorrow's post
Ruffle Black Top $2.00 (with the sale) Industrial Cotton Jeans 99 cents!

The cutest $3.00 outfit ever!!
Want to see more? Watch for a new outfit each day this week!

Project CURE

Yesterday I hosted a table for an amazing organization called Project C.U.R.E. It is an organization that provides the medical supplies and equipment that medical personnel need to deliver care to people in countries that can't provide adequate health services. This year’s luncheon, sponsored by MillerCoors, honored and welcomed Mrs. Marta Martinelli, the first lady of Panama. The annual fundraising event raises awareness of global health care needs and supports the delivery of life-saving medical supplies and equipment to medical professionals, and patients under their care, in Panama and other countries that cannot afford to offer it themselves.

The First Lady of Panama Marta Martinelli gave an amazing talk about the inability to give health care to Panama's indigenous people. She gave her speech entirely in English, it was evident that it wasn't easy for her but she took the time and effort to make everyone feel like we all were one North American Family.
Check out their website here: http://projectcure.org/

First Lady Marta Martinelli with Dr. Doug Jackson
Check out their website here: http://projectcure.org/

Gail, Missy, Me, Lisa K, Gabrielle

It was a lovely experience. I was invited to host a table because Dr. Doug Jackson the President and CEO is a friend of ours. He lives next door to my "staycation" house and his mom makes the most delicious strawberry rhubarb pie that you have ever tasted in your life. Oh by the way, I went out on a limb and invited Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom and she graciously said yes! I loved meeting her, and she really is an adorable lady. *she just had baby number 6 two months ago!*

Ellen with a young lady in traditional Panamanian dress.

Dr. Doug Jackson and me after the event.

Champs!

Colorado State Champions!

I shot this photo at the championship game for the State Title. I was waiting on the fence with my eyes closed because the other team was sloooowwwlly making their way back run by run. I heard celebrating so I opened my eyes and pushed the button down and hoped for the best! I was shooting in "Sports Mode" so the camera takes a million shots back to back. Somehow I got my son flying in the air about to hit the dog pile without even trying. Pretty amazing!

Oh Boy....

So the other night I was waiting for Sweet P to come home. His curfew is midnight but I was texting him and asking for him to come home early. It was 10:30 and I was sooo tired that I wanted him to be in his bed already!! Here are the texts that transpired.

me: It's 10:30 start making your way home, you have an early game.....

P: I'm busy....

me: Wrap it up! It's time to come home.....

P: I have a surprise....

me: I really don't like surprises....especially this late at night........

P: nothing....................

P: nothing............................................

Now I'm starting to make up things in my head.......did he get a ticket?...........thank G-d his girlfriend is out of the country at the moment.......wait.......they wouldn't let a 16 year old get a tattoo would they?..........oh man...........

A mohawk? I'll take it!

Goody Bags

My son's high school baseball team is in the State Tournament right now so I thought that I would put together some "good luck" goody bags. YES he is in high school, and past the goody bag stage, but I am not. So there.

One of his teammates is an amazing home run hitter. His last name happens to be Bird, so I made little bags with "Welcome to Bird's House" on the top and a bird whistle inside.

About 5 years ago when our boys were playing little league together (half of the high school team played together as little boys) there was an unfortunate comment regarding someones peanuts but it came out wrong and it has been a joke ever since. "Have you tried Ed's (pea) nuts?" So now they are good luck.

Goodies for the goody bag. My son likes to put an ENTIRE package of Big League Chew in his mouth for the games. We told him as long as he stays away from real chew, he can have as much gum as he wants. See you can even pick up parenting tips here as well!

I think my son enjoys it when I yell "Way to Go Sweet Pea!" as loud as I can. Now the other moms call him Sweet Pea too. Awwww......

Thank goodness there were only 15 bags to assemble. I used to own a stationery company that put together these for parties. 15 is fun, 150 is a nightmare!!

Mango Salsa

Do you have a Qdoba Mexican Grill close to you? We live about a mile away and I could eat their mango salsa every day. I looked on their website and they kindly gave up the recipe!! Now I can eat it without scaring myself in the car!! Yeah!

Get your ingredients together
Chop up all the veggies, fruit and herbs about the same size
Soooo pretty.....
Stir her all up....I put about a third into the food processor......
Salsa two ways......I added about half of the blended back into the chopped...
Mango salsa on homemade baked chips......Deeelicious!!
Healthy snack for the new mom next door.....
Watch out for hitchhikers on your garden lettuce!
Grilled chicken and asparagus salad with mango salsa.......

Holy Moly that was good!!

Mango Salsa

(from Qdoba Mexican Grill)

2 cups of mangoes, fresh or frozen; cut into 1/4" to 1/2" pieces (I used both)
1 medium red pepper, diced into 1/4" to 1/2" pieces
1 medium cucumber, diced into 1/4" to 1/2" pieces
1/4 of a red onion, diced into 1/4" to 1/2" pieces (I rinsed mine to remove the caustic bite)
1 jalapeno, finely minced
*1/4 cup pickled jalepenos from the jar (optional)
1/4 cup of chopped cilantro (or more!)
1 lime, juiced (or approximately 2 tablespoons of juice)
2 celery stalks
*1 tablespoon of sugar (I used a few tablespoons of limeade concentrate instead)
a pinch of salt
This salsa is a sweet alternative to typical tomato-based salsas. The recipe is great year-round, although
it’s best when mangoes are in season each May. It pairs well with seafood, poultry, or simple tortilla chips.
A NOTE OF CAUTION:
If your hands are sensitive to heat from peppers or if you wear contacts, it is suggested that you wear
gloves or coat your hands in salad oil to make rinsing the pepper from your hands easier.
EACH BATCH YIELDS AROUND FOUR AND A HALF CUPS
1. If using frozen mangoes, thaw and then cut into 1/4" to 1/2" pieces; place in mixing bowl.
2. Cut ends of cucumber and peel skin. Cut in half lengthwise. Using a spoon scrape out seeds. Dice
into small pieces and add to the mixing bowl.
3. Dice 1/4 of a red onion and a whole red pepper; add to bowl.
4. Mince the jalapeno and add to bowl. If you like heat or spice, leave the ribs in. If you don’t want
extra spice, cut out ribs and seeds. If your skin is sensitive to the heat, wear gloves or coat hands
with a small quantity of salad oil, which makes it much easier to rinse the pepper from your hands.
This is a must for contact wearers.
5. Chop cilantro and add to bowl.
6. Squeeze juice from one lime (approximately 2 tablespoons) and add to bowl.
7. Add sugar and salt; stir.
8. Refrigerate until needed.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I like a crazy garden. No trimmed, perfect hedges for me. It makes garden bouquets so much prettier. We have had plenty of rain in the past few days, and my garden is loving it!! (so am I)

How is yours coming along?