Up-Side Down Plants!

I'm sure I've mentioned this before but in our new apartment we have an awesome (and suprisingly roomy) patio. In my quest to create my own little garden retreat, I've fallen in love with gardening! I started with flowers and just couldn't get enough! Now I've invested in a couple tomato plants and one banana pepper plant, we'll see how this goes eh? So to grow these on my patio, I've done a diy version of the "topsy-turvy" upside-down planters. Here is what you need:  Scissors or knife Wire or string Plant (tomato, banana peppers, bell peppers) Coffee filter Soil And a large plastic bottle

We drink a lot of juice so I happened to have a bunch of these on hand but anything similar will work. Steps:  1. Cut the bottom or your bottle of, only about an inch.  

2. Now you're going to punch a hole in the two sides (not the front or back). Pull your string through the hole and tie it. The length of it will depend on where and how you are hanging it.

3. Now take your coffee filter and rip a hole directly in the middle about the size of a quarter. Carefully place it over the top of the plant and gently pull the plant through.

4.  If your plant is one of those that can be planted in the container then don't worry about this step. If not, then you are going to squeeze the sides of the plastic container that the plant is in to loosen it up a little,  turn it side ways and carefully pull the plant out of container.

5. Turn plant sideways and place in your bottle with the leaves going towards the opening. This is the tricky part, gently ease the plant throught the opening of the bottle while making sure the coffee filter stays in place.  It's easiest to pull the stems through one by one. Once you're done, give the bottom of the plant an extra little push to make sure it fits nice and snug.

 6.  Fill your bottle up with soil, patting it down a little every couple of scoops until it's about a half an inch from the top.  

7. All that's left to do is hang and water!

I can't wait to see what happens and if it will actually work! I'll post an update in a month or two. I don't know why I'm into gardening all the sudden but it's kind of fun! Maybe it's a mom thing? I just enjoy watching them grow, they're like my little babies! I know, it's a little creepy. Brandon thinks its funny and calls me the "Plant Lady", like cat lady... but with plants. Oh well, when we have delicious home grown vegetables he'll be thanking me.

Helpful Tip: Coffee grounds are said to help them grow

Birthday LOOT

Last tuesday was my birthday! So for my birthday my mom came down and took me shopping all day long. Then later that night, the fiance and I went on a hot date to Pappadeaux, my favorite restaurant. Ever.  I had a lot of fun shopping for just myself on my birthday. It was hard to not think about buying things for the store but it was just what I needed. My poor mother had to chase Eliza around the store all day but we did get in some good mother-daughter bonding time.  Anyhow, here are some of the things I got from a local thrift store and Hancocks:  

I love the "Dream" sign and vintage tin can together, the colors are just fun. The black checkered fabric is actually waterproof and is now being used on my patio (I'll share later).

I bought this fabric at Hancocks, all on sale. The two larger pieces I am going to use to recover two kitchen chairs which I will share in a couple of days. 

I loved the turqouise in this fabric and the vintage candle thing is one of the few things I bought for my store.

It was such a great day and I have to say, although I don't feel much different, 20 is totally better than being 19.

20, baby!

 

Road Trip

The fiancee and I spent the weekend in Austin, TX to visit some friends and take a breather. It was so nice not to have to worry about Eliza all weekend and just have some fun. I also got a smart phone and was exploring some cool photo apps while in Austin. Here are a few pics:

I love how the city is covered in vines.

Someone stranded their bike for a little too long...

Dip Dying Hair: Blonde

I wanted to do a little something with my hair for summer without making a drastic change so I went with dip dying the tips of my hair blonde. Here's how I did it: 

You'll need: Plastic container to mix bleach/dye in Applicator brush Gloves  

 First bleaching: 20 Volume Peroxide (4 oz.)- $1.59Powder Bleach Packets- 2/$5 (I used like half of one though)  Round two bleaching: 30 Volume Peroxide (4 oz.)- $1.59Wella White Lady Toner- $4.79 

1. The first thing I did was decide where I wanted the blonde to start. I divided my hair into four sections and then put ponytail holders where I wanted the blonde to stop.

2. READ THE DIRECTIONS FOR THE BLEACH. Pour the correct amount of peroxide into your bowl.

3. Mix in your bleach till it's blended.

 

4. Apply bleach to tips and wrap with foil to keep it from getting everywhere else.

5. I have this plastic cap that I got from Sally's but you can use seran wrap to trap in the heat which will speed up the process. I left mine in for about 45 minutes.

6. This is after the first round. Next I did the same thing but with 30 volume peroxide and white lady toner (takes out the yellow).

And here's another after picture:

I wasn't aware of how many times it would take to bleach it. I should of gone with a higher volume of peroxide but that's ok! I know for next time! Also since I stopped using shampoo as part of my Going No Poo it doesn't hold the toner so well. You can use special shampoo to enhance it but that's all you.

Here's a great hair bleaching resource, I did a ton of research before I dove into this and am pretty pleased with the results! My original intention was to bleach it and then dye it a bright color but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. We'll see I suppose (;  



Easter Weekend Part 2

This was Eliza's second Easter but the first one she could actually do stuff! It was fun and I'm glad she got to enjoy it with some other little kids.  We had an Easter Egg hunt. 

 

She did pretty well even though the other kids helped her out quite a bit.

But I think the part she enjoyed the most was EATING her candy!

And here's her little Easter basket, this is the part I liked the best! I was so busy taking pictures of Eliza that I didn't even think about taking one with us together. Oh, well. How was your Easter?

 

Weekend in New Orleans Part 1

Every year we go to New Orleans to run in the Crescent City Classic which happens the day before Easter. Also, because my Grandparents live there. Although I didn't get to run (aw, shucks!) I had a really great time. So here are some of the highlights of my weekend.    

Watching my grandpa and Eliza play, i love seeing him so happy!

I got to see my awesome cousins! 

We ate at this cute little cafe at Algiers point on Easter Morning. I got the "Bermuda Triangle" which consisted of wheat toast with avocado, feta cheese, cucumbers, and tomatoes and boyyy was it delicious! I would never pair feta cheese with avocado but I love the combo!

Eliza and I inherited this cute little wagon. It's old and worn but we love it regardless! It makes a great little addition to our garden oasis (aka our patio).

But I think Eliza's favorite vintage toy was this little puppy. It kind of moves up and down and squeeks when you wheel it around. She must have been playing with it atleast half the time we were there!

And one last little tid bit that I thought was funny. My grandparents hose was leaking but its ok because it's landing spot happened to be right on the zuchinnis! You couldn't see the water too well so I traces out the drops with yello via photoshop... (:

Hope you guys had a good one! Part 2 is on the way!

Punchy Fun Surf Time

Story behind the title: We live about 30 minutes from the beach and my brother got really into sufing a couple years ago so when it starts to heat up a little he likes to keep track of the surf conditions.

He checks it on this local website created by the surfers that live on the beach and report the surf everyday and forecasts for the rest of the week. So I guess when he checked it today, they said it was "punchy fun surf time". We totally didn't get it but joked about it all day long.

My brother surfing with his friend, I apologize about the plumber's butt he's got goin' there.

Here are some more pictures of our "Punchy Fun Surf Time"! 

I guess this one isn't too fun but aren't they pretty? They're called Portuguese Man o' Wars and are the worst jellyfish of them all!

A wittle baby man o'war! I just can't get over their pretty colors...

Sand is kind of a new concept for Eliza...

She doesn't quite get it, especially how funny it acts when wet.

But she sure does like to dig in it!

my little family.

Saved the best for last! This picture might be my favorite one of her... EVER! Props to the fiance!

The water was a little cold to get in for Eliza and I but hopefully in a few warm weeks it should be just right! I guess it wouldn't really of mattered much because I think Eliza was a little put off by the waves. She didn't like all the pushing and pulling which is ok for right now. I'm perfectly fine with not having to jump in after her!

Only four days until my birthday, woo!