A Divided Home: Football Sunday

Today it gets a little crazy in my house. We are a house of loved ones usually harmoniously cohabitating until  twice a year when the San Francisco 49ers {my team} battle it out on the football field with the Seattle Seahawks {my husband's team}. We become a house divided. Today's game should be interesting both on and off the field! The Seahawks with an 11-1 record...the best record in the NFC and the AFC. It is sure to be a tough game {but not impossible} for the niners. Regardless, I believe they  will overcome and their defense will be stronger than ever. They know what they are up against especially only having an 8-4 record. Today we have something to prove. To defeat the Seahawks and gain a big win & prove that they are a playoffs worthy team like last year. I predict the final score will be 21-13 niners. Let's go red & gold!!!

Even Fluffy got into the spirit of our household rivalry, but he's obviously on my side.

Fun with Fluffy: Our Elf on The Shelf

Fluffy is our Christmas Elf on the Shelf. He came to us only one year ago on a chilly winter morning circa 2012. He travelled from the North Pole to watch over my little kids and report their good and sometimes bad behavior back to Mr. Santa Clause. It is a big deal and my kids love it! Especially my youngest who has been waking up extra early for school just to see what Fluffy has been up to....a definite bonus in my book.

I discovered the Elf on the Shelf craze on social media when it blew up my Pinterest feed last year. It looked like so much fun that I had to make it a tradition. It's hilarious and heartwarming to see my kids light up at the sight of him and all his shenanigans. Even my husband (shhh don't say I told you so) has gotten into helping me! 

If this is the first you are hearing about it you can read the back-story here  and can purchase your very own on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Target for $30. 

This is what our Elf has been up to since zip-lining back into our home on December 1st. 

Fluffy's Grand Entrance

He and a few of his friends got into a sticky situation with army men.

Fluffy is all about education and is teaching all of his fellow BFFs (best fluffy friends) the importance of reading & Christmas.

Caught racing down our hallway in honor of Paul Walker & The Fast & The Furious Movies #RIPPaulWalker

Holiday Home Tour

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Iman house! My tree is shining brightly, the mistletoe and stockings are hung with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there. Okay, before I break out into Christmas songs and a lot of fa la la la la...let me give you a virtual tour of my decked out holiday home.

This year's color inspiration came from none other than one of my fave apps {Pinterest}. I loved the modern twist on classic colors and that is just what the pop of aqua/teal did. It really complimented the classic red & green. 

My Color Board

I created a fun winter wonderland chalk-scape on my pantry door. Added cut tree branches {they give them away for free @ Christmas tree lots} and some ornaments to the chandelier above my kitchen table and strung red ribbon and wreaths along my windows. 

I took my DIY glitter banner idea from a few weeks ago and made a similar one for above my mantle.

My favorite addition to this year's decor

The tree all decked out.

and last, but most definitely not least...our Elf Fluffy. He kicked off the holiday season by sailing in on a zip line and brought snow from the North Pole for the kids. :)

Black Friday Fab Finds

I'll be honest...I went out to a certain store on Thanksgiving night at 8 PM. It was against my better judgement, but because I couldn't let Santa down. He asked me to do him a favor & pick up the kid's Razor Scooters which were to be marked down to under $20 as a doorbuster. I figured it was a kind gesture so the slave elves could focus on making two less toys this year. However, I had no idea what I would be walking into. It was crazy. Not sure how crazy...this link is on point. Click here.  I don't know if it was the bulls-eye hypnotizing normal citizens into becoming crazy savages like wild hyenas attacking innocent prey or a fat kid vying for the last piece of chocolate cake, but it.was.nuts. Needless to say I may not do Santa anymore favors next year. 

Despite the entertainment of my "Grey Thursday" adventure...my favorite BF deals were of course for my big kid {hubby} and kids. The best part about it was that it was done from the comfort of my own home. No crazy mob of doorbuster drama kings and queens. No sir. Just me, my bank card and the amazing World Wide Web. It was amazing & a big sigh of relief. I scored a Madden 25 video game...you can only guess who that is for...and a street hockey set. The video game was the exact sale price {only $35; normally $59} as an in-store ad. Also, the hockey set was $39 a week ago and was only $17.99 today! Thanks to Amazon and my FAB Amazon Prime account I got this amazing deal and got 2-day FREE shipping! Can I get an AMEN to the Black Friday Gods?!?! My next writing assignment will be to Santa to let him know that he need not send his parent-helpers out into the wild when they can get the same deals right @ home.

Hope you scored some Fab Deals and happy holidays!!!!!

Thankful

I woke up this morning contemplating what to be thankful for and then I stumbled across this little gem on Pinterest. 

It really put things into perspective.

I remember in my not so distant past (circa 2005) I was a single mom. I wished to be able to finish college and find a great job to support my son Tyler on my own. To someday travel the world and own a home and to "complete" our broken family. To spend more time with him because every second together matters.

Through some rough times I graduated college with a 2.5 year old son and a 3.4 GPA. I was and still am very thankful for my amazing friends & family that helped me through it all.

Then Mr. Dave Iman came along and he fell in love with us. He even followed us around the world and met us in Italy the summer after I graduated! I had known him for 6 years prior, but this was the year that changed everything. He came along and loved us and cared for us. He completed our little family...until Miss Audrey came along in 2008. She was the icing on the cake!

In 2012 we said enough is enough and I was able to quit a job I loved to spend more time with my kids and raise them. We bought a home and here we are today. 

I am SO thankful for my broken road that lead me to where I am now <cue Rascal Flats song> I could have never imagined being where I am today because of all the trying times. So instead of being thankful for all the stuff I already am thankful for (health, friends & fam, etc.) I am thankful for my past and where it landed me on this very day. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

cranberry cravings

I don't know about you, but I am so excited about Thanksgiving and all the delish food that will be in my belly this time tomorrow! 

One of my favorite foods is cranberry sauce. It's not too sweet and a little bitter yet completely savory. mmm.

I hate to admit that a 30 something like me has NEVER had homemade cranberry sauce. I've only had the canned stuff. I figured this year would be my cranberry coming out party and my chance to break away from the fake stuff. I did a little online surfing and found so many easy recipes! I took a bit from all of my research and starting cooking.

I am proudly tooting my own horn because even my kids loved it...Here's my {new} favorite cranberry sauce! 

Ingredients:

2 bags fresh cranberries (24oz)

2 cinnamon sticks

2 cups water

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 TBS vanilla extract

1 TBS salt

Juice from 2 Satsuma Mandarin oranges 

Directions:

Dump all ingredients into a medium pot on medium-high heat. Listen for cranberries to "pop" open. They will literally make a popping sound. Stir occasionally. Remove cinnamon sticks once all cranberries are popped & saucy. Remove from heat, put in serving dish. You can refrigerate and serve later OR serve warm right away. It's that easy and I will NEVER buy canned cranberry sauce again.  

Hope you all have a great Turkey Day! 

DIY Monogram Door Mat

I love DIY projects and am thrilled to show you my take on a monogram door mat. After searching for the perfect one for my home and being disappointed by the price tags {Pottery Barn has one for $100} I decided to make one of my own...for UNDER $10. Yeah...that's right...UNDER $10. BOOM.

When I shared my DIY savings plan mat to my older sister she {relentlessly} asked me to make her one since she had just moved in to her new home. Well...the actual project only took me about an hour and a half, but it took me over 6 months of procrastinating to make it for her. oops!

Here's how to make it...

Supplies:

- Ikea Sindal Door Mat $4.99 purchase here

- Acrylic Black paint $3.47 purchase here

- Scissors

- Monogram {I used my google machine to find an image}

- foam paint brushes {you can get these @ any craft store}

- q-tips 

- painters tape

- small bowl

- circle to trace (I used a plate)

- measuring tape

Step 1: 

This is probably the most tedious step of them all, but I assure you...once it's done it is smooth sailing from there on out! It also doesn't help that my monogram was all fancy, curly and twisty.

Step 2:

Measure the mat from side to side & top to bottom to find the center. Lay down your plate to trace the circle.

Step 3:

Place your cut out monogram in the center of the circle and trace. Okay...so I may have fibbed to you during step one. Tracing the monogram might be a tad tricky...but I promise this is the last of my shenanigans! Don't forget to keep the monogram aside...you're gonna need it again.

{yes this is the same mat, but I've put my professional photography skills aside to help you make this}

Step 4:

We are almost done! Now it's time to paint. Break out your small bowl and pour the acrylic paint into it. Dab the paint brush into the paint and fill in the lines that you traced on your mat. Be sure to keep the monogram close by so you can reference which lines to fill in. It can be difficult to remember which lines to fill in when looking at the mat. After you fill in the monogram trace the circle with paint.

* I used the bigger sponge brush for the bigger lines and  a q-tip for the smaller ones. 

** Push down into the mat to make sure you really get the paint into the fibers. This will make the paint hold up better since people will probably be walking all over it!

Step 5: 

Hooray! You're in the home stretch. You have your letters and circle outline painted. Now you have to do the border. I measured 1" around all sides and used my blue painter's tape as an edge. You can make it smaller or larger if you choose. This one's all personal preference.

Step 6:

Let it dry for a few hours and ta-da...you just saved $90 + shipping and have a custom {gorgeous} doormat that will be the envy of all your neighbors. 

  {top right: my original doormat bottom right: today's project}

Plaid is Rad.

If you follow me on Instagram you may have noticed that I'm partaking in the KikiLa'Rue photo a day contest. If you post pictures according to the list {see list here for the entire month of November you are entered to win a $100 gift card! My competitive nature just wouldn't let me NOT participate. It's actually the first "photo" contest I've done and it's been a lot of fun! Today's photo requirement was to post a picture of your "style inspiration". I just had to choose one of my fave people Jillian Harris {from ABC's The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and HGTV}. I religiously follow her blog and on social media. Ever since I saw her post {here}for these amazing plaid leggings I just had to snag a pair of my own!

My Jillian inspired #OOTD

Here is where you can snag a pair too! I included a good, better and best price selection for all of you recessionistas (aka: ladies on a budget). ;)

Happy shopping!

{from left to right}

1. Forever 21 Standout leggings

2. Asos leggings

3. TOPSHOP red & green check treggings

wine & friends

I always come across great wine quotes. A few of my faves:

"wine is win with an 'e' on the end"

"friends don't let friends wine alone"

"every empty bottle is filled with memories"

Now, if you've ever been to my home or come across my Pinterest boards you would notice my obsession with chalk. In fact, I have an entire board dedicated to chalk boards. LOL

Anyway...you can imagine my excitement when a great friend made these lovely chalk wine bottles for me! They are so fun  and I can wipe off the quotes whenever I feel a new one is needed. ;) 

Cheers to good wine, great friends and crafty ideas.

the little coffee table that could

There's nothing like a fresh coat of paint to make something fresh, new and fabulous. Take this old drab leather topped coffee table. Oh yeah...I said leather topped. Think of 1970's wood paneling on walls, but instead it's leather...on a coffee table. I bought this little gem off of craigslist for a whopping $15. I saw the potential and with a little (and by little I actually mean A LOT) of love it has a new found purpose in life. After months of procrastinating and frustration trying to peel, strip, cut and yank off the leather top...it was ready to be sanded and painted. Here's my labor of love which brings a lot of sunshine into my sitting room.

bling on the holidays!

I'm back and what perfect timing...the holiday season has miraculously come once again! I'm not sure about you, but I've been fully immersed in red holiday coffee cups, jingle bells rocking the halls of my local Target and every single store for the past month or three decking the halls (aisles) in seasonal decor. I truly love this time of year, but cannot believe how it snuck up on me so darn fast! 

Along with all the festiveness surrounding me are the amazing catalogs I receive (thanks a lot pottery barn). I came across page 75. That sparkly letter 'M' on the right side of the page just spoke to me. Who WOULD'T it speak to? It was my inspiration for my blingy Thanksgiving banner...and all ten of my letters cost the same amount as the one letter in the magazine (not to discredit PB, but I like a good deal if I can find and make one). 

Happy holidays!

Sugar & Science

Sugar & spice science & everything nice is the perfect description for my latest find! The L.A. Based ice cream lab is defying the laws of sugar, cream and ice. Their unique take on creating this classic favorite is done by using liquid nitrogen to flash freeze their organic ingredients in special mixing bowls. The best part is there are no secret ingredients so you don't have to feel as bad about eating additives, preservatives or chemicals! Everything is made to order right in front of your very eyes! It's like your own little scientific ice cream lab!

Who could resist flavors like angeles apple pie {organic vanilla ice cream mixed with homemade apple pie filling and graham cracker} or coffee brittle {fresh roasted intelligentsia coffee, homemade dark chocolate toffee brittle and almonds}. My mouth is watering just writing about it!

Next time you are in la-la land you should make it a priority.

address:
9461 Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
phone:
310.795.6505
hours
Sun-Wed: 12pm - 11pm
Thurs-Sat: 12pm-12am
website:
www.icecreamlab.com

Check out the video below to see the lab & how the ice cream is made.



Original post found on PureWow here

Avocado Feta Dip

Happy {belated} St. Patty's day!

This past weekend some of my amazing neighbors hosted a {fitting} green themed St. Patty's day party.

The menu included corned beef cabbage {mmm}, black & tans, Irish car bombs, lime Jell-O shots, green whiskey frosted bundt cake, Irish soda bread, jalapeño cornbread muffins {amazing} and my contribution: avocado feta dip.

It was such a hit! I received early morning texts with requests for it! So...here's the recipe.

ingredients:
2 avocados, peeled and pit removed
1/2 cup feta cheese
1/4 cup onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 jalapeños, minced
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
Juice of 1 lime
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

directions:
1. Place all ingredients in a bowl & mush together until combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

2. Break out the pita chips and dip away.

Super easy.

*recipe loosely based from here

{iphone pic}

The MOST fabulous find. Ever.

It's been a rough week. This past Monday a dear friend finally lost her battle with cancer. This is my letter to her:

Dear Melissa,
I know it's only been 4 days, but I miss you more and more as each day goes on. On Tuesday, I missed messaging with you about Hart of Dixie and how much we love George. BTW...he really is such a hunk! #teamsuit&tie

I also missed telling you about how I am finally caught up on Carrie Diaries. It is getting really good and feels a little more SATC (Sex and the City) with each episode.

On Wednesday morning I had a crazy workout at the Crossfit gym. You were always so good at keeping me motivated and helping encourage me to keep at it because you believed I was strong enough to reach my goals. You were really the strong one.

On Thursday I found this awesome Pinterest DIY project that I KNOW you would have loved. You always offered to come over and help me decorate, paint, shop and do DIY projects, but these projects won't be the same without your input. I truly valued your opinion.

It's Friday and usually I write about a "fab find" whether it be a recipe, drink, beauty product, shoes or clothes. Today, because of the empty place in my heart since the heavens took you away...I am writing about one of the MOST fabulous things I have ever found: YOU.

I miss your smile.

I miss your humor.

I miss your strength.

I miss your optimism.

I miss your selflessness.

I miss your forgiving heart (even though sometimes it took some time for you to forgive, rightfully so).

I miss your beautiful smile.

I miss your fashion savvy-ness.

I miss talking to you.

I miss shopping with you.

I miss your silly sayings.

I miss your love for Beyonce.

I miss reminiscing about our crazy days.

I miss our friendship.

I miss you.

Although you were taken way too unbelievably soon...nothing will ever take away the place you hold in my heart. We may have gone our separate ways for a few years before, but you were always close at heart. I will cherish each moment I got to spend with you and look forward to someday reuniting, having another girl's day and picking up right where we left off. I love you friend.

In memory of the strong & beautiful Melissa Williams 

{1982-2013}

Spring for Lace

I love a great deal. Plain & simple.
Saks had this adorable yellow lace girl's dress. Perfect for Spring. It retails for over $100! I wanted it, but I could not give in to the splurge for my 4-year-old who is growing as fast as Kim Kardashian's baby belly. So you can imagine my excitement when I stumbled across this fab find.

{Saks Hullabaloo dress via; Target brand dress via}

cloudy with a chance of sunshine

My kid's bathroom is just that: cloudy (grey) with pops of sunshine (yellow).

This space was inspired by canvas art with the song "you are my sunshine". It was perfect. Actually, more than perfect because it's the song I have been singing to my son since he was a baby every night when I tuck him in to bed.

Neutrals + a pop of color + sentimental value = design love.

Happy decorating!

{my inspiration}

{the details}

un-Valentine's days are the best

My hubby is NOT a fan of Valentine's day. So a few years ago he made a deal with me. If we stopped celebrating valentine's day he would plan a special date for us 4 weeks before or after the "non-holiday". It has been a win-win situation. He doesn't have to celebrate the over hyped Hallmark holiday and I get a romantic weekend planned all for us.

Friday night fancy dinner @ Ella in Sacramento

Saturday hiking day @ Bidwell Park

fun fact: it's the largest park in the U.S. within city limits

Lunch @ Nubby's in Chico.

Two words: crunchy cheese.

Alumni {bar} Tour in Chico

I'm not a beer girl, but Apricot micro brew & Sierra Nevada Torpedo were awfully tasty.

 

**special shout out to our friend who made it on the Hall of Foam @ Riley's Bar back when he was in college. If you don't know what that is...you should go there and find out. :)

DIY chalkboard love

Who doesn't love a chalkboard accent in their home these days? It's a really big trend right now & a super easy update to your home! Here's my updated "chalk-tastic" kitchen pantry door. It only took 3 coats of paint and I did it on a weeknight.

DIY love note frame

How I spent my weekend:
1. early morning baseball tryouts
2. girl's day shopping with one of my best friends and daughter
3. a 49ers win!!!!
4. liars dice and wine
5. a little more shopping, relaxing & family game night
...and what I am most proud of...
my DIY I love you note frame {idea courtesy of Pinterest & my friend}

Now it's time to leave some love notes!

fab find Friday: custom cuteness

A few weeks ago I did a write-up on my search for a new iPhone 5 case. I thought I had found the perfect cases until I discovered Sara and her products on Etsy. She had a huge selection  and the cases are only $20! Perfect for all those recessionistas looking for an amazing deal.

She customized my case exactly the way I asked, sent me a proof to make sure it was perfect and it arrived in 3-4 business days.

Check out her shop {here} and hurry to get your custom iPhone/iPad case. She also sells other adorable products like coasters, serving trays and cutting boards.