{Gone pinning} Last-minute Halloween decor

Posted in Crafts, DIY, Gone Pinning, Holidays by mszerwo

So…did you realize that Halloween is in six days? Six days! If you’ve been as busy as I have, it’s possible that October zoomed right by and this weekend is your last chance to dress up your house for the holiday. Without further ado, here are some of the best last-minute, low-energy, no-creativity-needed DIY decorations ideas for Halloween. Check out all of my Halloween inspirations over on Pinterest.

Here, I’ll even give you the link to a JoAnn’s crafts coupon. Now there is no excuse not to celebrate:

Some red paint and a new shower curtain and bath mat make for a very Halloween bathroom.

Broom? Check. Three witch hats? Check. Some string to hang them from? DONE! Perfect for the entryway or a Halloween photo booth

Classy, easy-to-make “wicked” candles.

Possibly the cheapest napkin holders ever… Eight vampire teeth for $1 at Target

Wreath + hot glue + snakes + spray paint = Perfect, scary wreath

Cheesecloth + styrofoam heads + fabric stiffener. I bought the supplies for this project years ago. Maybe this year I’ll actually make them!

More cheesecloth and fabric stiffener. He’s just so cute mummified! (And then maybe sprayed with glow-in-the-dark paint!?)

23Oct2013

{Wine Wednesday} Drinking for a cause!

Posted in Drinky drinky, Exploring Seattle, Uncategorized, Wine Wednesdays by mszerwo

It’s Wine Wednesday and I know you’re looking for a heads up on the next drinking hot spot.

I found one! I was recently invited to drink for a cause, the Friends of VA Puget Sound Fisher House, at Northwest Cellars, in Kirkland and now I invite you:

When? Saturday, November 2, noon – 3 p.m.

Where? Northwest Cellars Winery, 11909 124th Avenue NE, Kirkland, 98034

More information from the website:

Join us for a fundraiser for The Friends of VA Puget Sound Fisher House, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) raise funds to augment the operations of the House, provide for the needs of guests during their stay and support the Fisher House Foundation in building other Houses around the country.

Since 2008 the VA Puget Sound Fisher has been providing a “home away from home” for Veteran and military families who have a loved one receiving inpatient care. Located on the campus of VA Puget Sound Healthcare system, the 20 guest suites allow guests to be near their loved ones while having a comfortable, peaceful place to find rest and support for themselves.

More than a convenient and beautiful place to stay, the guests of Fisher House share common experiences, form friendships and become a unique kind of family, a Fisher House family.

Your $10 admission [ $15 after Oct 31 ] is 100% donated, plus we will donate 40% of the sales of 2 private-labeled wines. Your Admission covers your wine tasting, usually 5 or 6 wines.

I hope you’ll consider attending this fundraiser and drinking for a cause!

22Oct2013

What does the fox say!?

Posted in General by mszerwo

So… I’m totally obsessed with Ylvis’ new song “The fox” and I will apologize in advance for anything you might see that may get stuck in your head. The song has only been stuck in my head for going on two weeks…

I discovered this glorious song through my new phone and itunes radio…and by being a slacker and not loading my itunes playlist onto my new phone. It was weird enough that I took a screen shot and sent it to Brandon, so he could take a listen. He’s not an itunes fan, so he went to the internet and happened upon the glorious video. I didn’t realize the weirdness until we watched it the next morning in bed. So. Freakin’. Weird. And fun!

Ever since I discovered “The fox,” I can’t stop seeing fox items! I so want to buy them, but have resisted thus far. I just don’t know how long I can contain myself…

A fox costume, complete with UW Husky-colored tie (from Old Navy)

A fox costume from Old Navy

More fox love from Old Navy: socks!

(Hint: Brandon: I want those socks for a stocking stuffer!!)

Old Navy has a lot of cute kid fox items, but this sweater is totally legit for a 31 year old woman.

This teal cookie jar from Target looks a lot better in real life. Does the fox say “Cookie, cookie, cookie, cookie…?”

Target also has Fox Socks. Foxes are all the rage!

This was one sturdy fox! So sturdy that he’d be perfect for holding open the door… Love West Elm!

I’ll leave you with yet another Fox video, this one of staff at Schmitz Park Elementary in Seattle. Have a great day!

19Oct2013

{Gone Pinning} Crocktober

Posted in Food, Gone Pinning by mszerwo

Did you know it was “Crocktober”? Neither did I…until I arrived at QFC and saw the signs in the meat section! And here we were celebrating without even knowing about it! We’ve had several great crock pot meals this month (pot roast x2, corned beef x2) and “Crocktober” is a reason to get even more crock pot meals on the menu. We’re still eating leftovers from last weekend’s big party (think hot turkey sandwiches and French dip sandwiches…we didn’t even touch a whole Costco-sized package of meat!) but come next week, we’re hittin’ up the crock pot.

What will we be enjoying? Let’s go to Pinterest and see what looks tasty! Check out all of the potentially-delicious recipes that would apply for “Crocktober” on my “Crock Pottin'” board on Pinterest.

Cashew Chicken. So good lookin’ that I pinned it twice… Ooops.

French onion soup. LOVE!

Desserts!?

Pork tenderloin in the crock pot… delicious looking!!

Happy Crocktober… at least the last 12 days of Crocktober that’s left…

16Oct2013

{Wine Wednesday} Party pumpkins

Posted in Crafts, DIY, Drinky drinky, Holidays by mszerwo

Holy cow!! Look at what I found while cruising the interwebs earlier this week: the best party accessory ever (besides a pinata, of course): A pumpkin keg! Yes, it’s not wine per se, but it’s booze-related and it’s awesome and technically if you wanted to fill the pumpkin with wine, you totally could. Or cider or something non-alcoholic, the possibilities are endless!!

This tutorial is taken from Celebrations. Watch their video tutorial here.

SUPPLIES

One large pumpkin
Marker or pencil
Carving kit
Plastic Spigot (aka tap)
Lots of Sam Adams Octoberfest beer

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: First, draw a ring around the top of your pumpkin. This will be your guide to carve the lid. Try to keep this pretty close to the top of the pumpkin so you optimize the hollowed out space that will hold the beer.

Step 2: Once that’s done, carve it! If you’re sans carving kit you can use a serrated knife. Whatever your tool of choice, poke it in at an angle and work your way around the ring.

Step 3: Pop the lid off once you’ve gone all the way around and clean out your pumpkin. Make sure you get all the seeds out and most of the pulp, but don’t worry if some of that’s left behind since it’s responsible for flavoring the beer.

Step 4: Now, find the spot where you want to place your spigot. Using your pencil or marker, trace around the rim once you’ve decided upon the spot. Cutting the hole here will require a pretty fine serrated knife, so the carving kit proves really worthwhile at this point.

Make the hole as clean cut as possible, then pop in your spigot. If your pumpkin is as thick as ours was you’ll have to thin out the pumpkin’s inner wall to fit the spigot properly. Don’t be afraid to dig in – the pumpkin can take it.

Step 5: Once your spigot is secured, you’re ready to go! Pour in your Sam Adam’s Octoberfest (because that IS the official beer of fall as far as we’re concerned) and pop the lid back on your pumpkin.

Step 6: Celebrate fall and all your hard work with a cold brew from your pumpkin keg!

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The possibilities are truly endless on this project. I am headed to buy a spigot right now for seasonal gourd/watermelon drinking fun. Have a wonderful, festive Wine Wednesday!!

11Oct2013

Birthday eve…

Posted in Holidays, Photos by mszerwo

Sorry for the blogging hiatus: it’s birthday week and I’ve been super busy recovering from the cold that’s going around and prepping for the spectacular birthday party tailgate Brandon and I are throwing tomorrow. I’m biased, of course, but it’s going to be awesome. Please think positive, anti-rain thoughts for us!

I hope you have a great weekend. Think of me on Saturday and give me an air cheers!

I believe this photo was taken nearly 29 years ago…

4Oct2013

{Gone Pinning} Falling into fall

Posted in 2013 Pinterest Lifestyle, Food, Gone Pinning by mszerwo

Fall is officially here — it seems like it hasn’t stopped raining since the actual official start of fall — and it gets me in the mood for some down-home, crock pot-style comfort food. And wine tasting. And a weekend day that consists of both, hopefully sometime in the near future.

Brussels sprout mac ‘n cheese. Thanks for the pin recommendation, Liz!

Lasagna!

Risotto

Butternut squash soup

Adorable apple pies

And fall isn’t complete without CANDY CORN!

Check out all of my fall-related pins on my “falling into fall” board. I hope you have a great weekend and I’d love to hear what seasonal deliciousness you’re pinning and enjoying!

2Oct2013

{Wine Wednesday} Red wine chocolate fudge brownies

Posted in Food, Wine Wednesdays by mszerwo

Yes, you read that right: red wine chocolate fudge brownies. Don’t those sound great? YUM! I haven’t made these yet, but they’re for sure on my ‘to make’ list.

This recipes comes from a friend of mine named Lillie who writes Butter Me Up Brooklyn, an award-winning baking blog out of Brooklyn.

Butter Me Up Brooklyn’s Red Wine Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Red Wine Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Makes one 8×8 pan

For the brownies:

4 ounces (120 grams) semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup (113 grams) butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup (60 ml) red wine
2 eggs
1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
1/4 cup (53 grams) sugar
1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla
1/2 cup (62 grams) flour
1/4 cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

For the glaze:

2 ounces (60 grams) semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon (21 grams) butter
2 tablespoons (30 ml) red wine
pinch of salt

Preheat the oven to 350. Butter an 8×8 pan and line with two sheets of parchment paper, then butter the parchment. Set aside.

Melt the chocolate and the butter together in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until melted and smooth.

In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, sugars and vanilla. Whisk in the chocolate mixture and then the wine. Add the flour, cocoa powder and salt and stir until the batter is smooth and has thickened slightly. Fold in the chocolate chips, if using.

Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 15-20 minutes or until a tester comes out mostly clean with just a few crumbs attached. You may need to bake the brownies for a few minutes more, but set your timer for 15 minutes and then hang out in your kitchen for the last few minutes of baking time just to make sure they don’t over bake. An underbaked brownie is better than an overbaked one.

While the brownies are baking make the glaze. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water until melted. Add the butter, wine and salt and whisk until smooth. Pour the glaze over the warm brownies and spread it to the corners so the top is evenly coated.

Cool completely and cut into squares.

1Oct2013

Stella & Dot visits Megan’s Island

Posted in General, Parties! by mszerwo

The Megans (Look at all my baubles!)

You’ve probably heard of Stella & Dot, a “social selling company that creates flexible entrepreneurial opportunities for women.” Take the idea of a Tupperware party and substitute boutique-style jewelry and accessories for containers. If you don’t personally know a “stylist” yet, then you’ll hopefully meet one soon and be invited to a party.

I personally know two stylists and this past weekend I hosted my — and her — very first party. Her name it Megan too, so I hope this doesn’t get too confusing.

Megan is a friend and colleague of mine and she just started “styling” for Stella & Dot. I was honored to be the guinea pig as she pimped out the line.

Here are some photos of the spread:

Megan Erb: Stella & Dot Stylist with the mostest

Stella & Dot goods. Ohhh! Awww!

More Stella & Dot goods

More Stella & Dot!

And the real spread: Meats, cheeses and wines:

The real spread

What were my favorites?

Serenity earings

Haley necklace

Want to shop with the Megans? Use this link to check out the catalog and place an order. Check it out soon, since the holiday line made it’s debut TODAY! Happy shopping!

25Sep2013

{Wine Wednesday} Anniversary drinks

Posted in Drinky drinky, Wine Wednesdays by mszerwo

Happy Wine Wednesday! To finish up my mini series on our second anniversary (here and here), I’d like to share our special anniversary drinks!

We went to Salty’s for dinner and enjoyed a 2011 Erath Pinot Noir. It paired most nicely with the Smoked Salmon Pappardelle Pasta (pesto cream sauce, heirloom tomatoes, pine nuts, asiago cheese) that we had. We also had the Northwest Seafood Paella (wild salmon, prawns, clams, alaskan cod, smoked chicken and house-made sausage “dirty” rice) and the light pinor noir complimented it, although it wasn’t as good of a pairing as the pasta. Here it is, with my handsome husband:

Once we got home, we lit some candles, popped in a really boring documentary about the Northern Lights (and fully realized how utterly cold it’s going to be on our trip) and uncorked a bottle of the Lambency red blend, from Chelan Estate Cellars. We picked it up on our recent trip to Chelan.

We didn’t quite finish the bottle last night, so we’re continuing to enjoy it tonight. I wish you a very happy Wine Wednesday and will leave you with this glorious photo of our cotton-ball covered #2 and the Seattle skyline from the spot where we got married two years ago.

Megan's Island

Welcome to my island!

Author Archives: mszerwo