Monday, January 31, 2011

new chair..

well, it's week five of my bible reading and it's going really good.. it has been such a blessing so far and i have learned so much already. i can't wait to see what else i uncover in there! i'm excited. i just finished the book of Genesis.. so many amazing stories packed in there. if you've never read it through i'm telling you.. do it! you won't be disappointed.

on another note.. i got a new chair for my room today! i've been eying it for months now! finally it went on sale for so cheap i couldn't not get it. it is so incredibly adorable and i love ittt!


it's totally got this 1950's vibe goin' on




xoxo mandie


Wednesday, January 19, 2011

drip..

i was in burien today and i came across the coolest little coffee shop there.. i got an 8oz drip with steamed half and half.. mmhm.


i'm in love with their cups

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

vintage sheets..

happy tuesday!

i found this picture a few weeks ago and i haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.. i think i might just have to create a collage of my own for my bedroom wall..

you can find the tutorial here

xoxo mandie

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

daydreaming..

here are a few items i have been wishing for lately.. i don't know if i'll get them but i like dreaming about 'em =]



deborah lippmann "today was a fairytale" nail polish



Hobo International Clutch
i love the inside too!



i heart washington necklace from etsy
i found this necklace a few months ago and have been eying it since..



murad skin perfecting lotion
this is my favorite moisturizer.. it feels so good!



cole hann black pump.. love.


xoxo mandie


Monday, January 10, 2011

falling in love with Taylor..

Taylor and Rach..


last week i heard that Taylor Swift was going to be on The Rachael Ray Show.. i don't normally watch the show, not because i don't want to.. mostly because 3 o'clock in the afternoon is kind of an inconvenient time and because i just don't think to turn it on.. anyways i was excited that Taylor was going to be on the show.

i started liking her sometime last year. i would say there were three events that led up to this..
1. i had heard a song of hers that i liked and downloaded it from itunes.
2. i decided to watch "Saturday Night Live" one night (which i rarely watch) and Taylor Swift was hosting the show. she was in several of the skits and i thought she was really funny and did a great job.
3. i saw the movie "Valentines Day" (i had no idea Taylor Swift was even in it) and i thought she was hilarious.

so monday afternoon i watched Rachael Ray and i absolutely fell in love with Taylor. she was adorable. she seemed really sweet and down to earth.. i was very impressed with her.


they played a game with Taylor called "swift decisions".. it was cute and i thought it showed some of her personality. click here to watch the clip.

xoxo mandie

Saturday, January 8, 2011

birthday girl..

today i attended a birthday party for my niece, madeline. she just turned 1 year old and she is just about the most beautiful baby girl i ever did see.. but i suppose i'm just a wee bit partial =]

i have been waiting for one of my sisters to have a baby girl so i could make them this little sweater.. so i finally bought the yarn and decided to knit it for madeline for her birthday present. it turned out really cute, a little bit too big but she'll grow into it.. i thought i would show it to you.



sweet baby madeline

















i love wrapping pretty packages =]







and here is the sweater i knit..
























xoxo mandie

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

chapped lips and chapstick..




my lips have been soo dry lately! i guess it's that time of year. hmm..

anyways. i am really picky when it comes to chapsticks and lip glosses.. as well as many other things =].. it is so hard for me to find one that feels good on, works, and at the same time makes my lippys look pretty.

well, i finally found one! i came across this little gem about two years ago.. it is the only chapstick i'll buy anymore. i absolutely love it! if you've been dealing with a little chapping this winter or just want a little shimmer to your lips, you should definitely give it a try. it seriously feels like butter on your lips.. in a good way.


a kiss of smoothness by NIVEA

xoxo mandie


Monday, January 3, 2011

gluten free granola..

today I decided to make gluten free granola!

i have been living gluten free for a little over 2 years now. it was hard in the beginning but now it's a piece of cake.. especially when i find yummy recipes like this one! i found this one in Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine (which i love! if you've never looked at one i'm telling you, buy it. you'll love it too!).. the recipe wasn't originally gluten free but i made a few adjustments here and there and vwhalla! 100% gf.. 110% tasty!

here's the recipe.. try it!


to make it you'll need:
  • 6 cups Bob's Red Mill old fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped raw pecans
  • 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped raw almonds
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 6 tablespoons melted butter
  • 2/3 cup honey















#1. in a large mixing bowl add the oats








#2. add pecans, almonds and salt.. stir the dry ingredients together


#3. add the melted butter, and honey.. mix well to coat evenly


i absolutely LOVE this pan. it's the most amazing pan i've ever cooked with. it's great for cookies.. i like to make roasted veggies on it.. granola.. even pizza! it's a great multi purpose pan and if you want one of your own, click here to buy one!


#4. spread granola mixture onto baking sheet and put into a 300 degree oven. cook for 30 minutes stirring half way through


#5. let cool completely on wire rack and store in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks
(believe me.. it WONT last that long)
enjoy!


xoxo mandie


Sunday, January 2, 2011

a peek into my closet..

happy sunday! i hope your day was as lovely as mine.

i feel like i am constantly working on making my wardrobe a better place.. my goal is to have a closet that i can't wait to wake up to every morning! it's a challenging job.. but a fun one, and it takes a lot of work and a true sense of your own personal style.

i thought i'd share a few of my recent and beloved purchases with you..




Buffalo check boy shirt - J.Crew

i think this is like.. the cutest shirt ever. i love it!




























Hudson Jeans Triangle Pocket Bootcut Stretch Jeans (Petite)

i am absolutely in LOVE with these jeans! they are the softest most
comfiest jeans i've ever owned! and they're supah cute too!











UGG Australia 'Bailey Button' Boot

besides the fact that these are completely adorable
and the coziest thing i've ever put on my feet
the name is what sold me on them.. i took it as
a sign that i needed these!
i love 'em.





Ribbed tee - Old Navy

i bought this baby for 10 buckaroos the other
day.. wasn't 100% about it and then i wore it!
omgoodness. it's uh-maz-ing!






RELIC Starla Black Watch

i got this as a christmas present from
my mom and dad =]
ain't it perty!





xoxo mandie rose

Saturday, January 1, 2011

happy new year!

i don't know about you, but i'm crazy about the new year! ..it's a fresh new beginning ..it's another year to live ..it's chance to make new goals for myself (and hopefully reach them!) ..and it's the absolute perfect day to start a blog!

i am one of those who always has to make "new years resolutions". there is something about it so appealing to me.. i don't know what it is but i just love it! here are a few of mine..

mandie's 2011 new years resolutions:

1. read through the entire Bible
this one is going to be really tough but i really want to do it. so i will try my best and say a prayer that i can stick with it! along with reading the entire book i would also like to memorize verses that can help me in my daily life.

2. get a job
i have been looking for a job for several months now. so far, no luck. i've been really picky though. i only want to work at a. nordstroms or b. starbucks. and the location must be the one of my choosing which makes for slim pickings. hopefully patience will land me just the job i've been waiting for!

3. get on a budget
i have been wanting to create a budget for myself for a while now.. the truth is, i spend too much money on whatever my little heart desires! and i tell ya.. it's a blast! ..but i know it's not very responsible. and i have some new expenses i'm adding to the mix so i need to be more careful with the moulah.

i have a few others but i'm trying to keep it simple this year.

xoxo mandie rose