Farmer's Market Excursion

I have been dying to go to a Farmer's Market for the longest time. I googled it and found one in my area that was pretty close to my house, so I decided I had to make a trip to it over the weekend. I was very impressed with the goods at the farmers market. All the farmers and local growers were all very friendly at each of the booths. I didn't know what to expect so I was a little shocked by how packed it was. 

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After my first ever experience at a farmers market I have a few words of wisdom for anyone new to this experience as well. First of all I recommend bringing some reusable bags. I didn't think to do this so at each booth I was given the crappy plastic bags that start to rip when they are filled full. I also recommend going with a friend. My fiancé was busy helping his dad move a bed so I decided to just go alone since I was going so early on a Saturday. I regret this because I really didn't get to stay as long as I wanted because going alone I could only carry so much while still carrying my purse and my water bottle. Next time I'll wait till my fiancé, one of my sisters, or a friend can come along to carry stuff as well. 

Here's everything I ended up being able to get and carry myself. I got 4 ears of corn, 3 cucumbers, 6 tomatoes, 2 GIANT sweet potatoes, sunflower whole grain bread, and Apricot/Cranberry Brioche. I was pretty excited that I was able to get all of this fresh food straight from the farmers for less than $20. Next time I go back I'll have to stop by the meat and fruit booths to hopefully find some fresh meat and juicy blackberries.

I can't believe how GIANT these sweet potatoes are. I can't wait to cook these up tomorrow night. 

<3 Kelly Jean

Healthy Sunday

After a few days of splurging during the holidays I've decided to be extra healthy on Sunday. I started my morning with a jog through my neighborhood then did a Yoga video on Xbox Fitness. Getting outdoors and enjoying the weather is by far my favorite way to get in an exercise. If not that, then I have to say Yoga is my second favorite. I wish I had a nice Yoga studio near me that I could go to regularly, but thankfully I at least have Xbox fitness and assorted workout videos to get me by.

After my workout I went by Whole Foods to get my groceries for the week. I picked up a lot of fruit and veggies to use for my juices. I also picked up a few salads for my fiancé and I for lunch.

I went with the FILL IT UP salad bar. You can fill the bowl full with anything from their salad bar or hot bar for only $12. It was a huge salad. I threw in mixed greens, broccoli, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, tofu, hard boiled eggs, sunflower seeds, cranberries, with a vinigairette dressing. I picked out a Salmon Caesar Salad for my fiancé. He loves salmon and caesar salad so this was the perfect mix. 

After lunch we got to work cleaning our veggies and fruits and chopping them up to prep for juicing. I used my amazing Breville Juicer to get the job done. 

I used a mix of peaches, oranges, strawberries, cucumbers, ginger, carrots, and spinach power mix. It was a very colorful mix that smelled amazing, and it tasted even better. I feel like juicing is the best way for me to get all the vitamins and minerals I need without having to remember to take a billion vitamins.

Now I can use this boost of energy from my yummy juice to help me finish a few projects around the house.

<3 Kelly Jean

July 4th Festivities

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable July 4th. To me the Fourth of July is the best holiday of the year. I get so excited every year when this time comes around. I love decorating for the 4th and I love all the festivities that come along with it. I especially love the warm weather! 

This year to decorate my front porch I made a patriotic B door hanger.

I already had the paint, painters tape, and wooden stars so the total cost of this project was only $8 for the large B. I had a coupon for 40% off one full price item that I used because otherwise I would've paid $16 for the B. While I was at Hobby Lobby I also bought a few patriotic planter stakes to put in my planters at the front door.

To celebrate the fourth of July my fiancè and I spent a relaxing day together going to a few stores, trying out new restaurants, and finally going to see the fireworks at the Square.

I thought this one was really cool because it was shaped like a sideways UFO/Saucer rather than the typical wide circle

I love this one since it has so many colors in it.

We really enjoyed the whole thing...especially the BIG finale. They did a great job wowing the audience this year. I have never seen a finale like this one. I'm pretty sure at once they had shot off like 10-15 fireworks which were all exploding together creating this amazing explosion of color in the sky.

<3 Kelly Jean

Copycat Smashburger Avocado Ranch Black Bean Burger

My fiancé is a huge meat eater and loves a burger every now and then. Recently we decided to try Smashburger's because I saw that they had a black bean burger I could eat. I love am obsessed with this veggie burger! The mix of the black bean burger with chipotle mayo, ranch, pepperjack cheese, and avocado slices to top it off is perfection. Due to this obsession I decided it was pertinent that I find out how to make it myself at home. I figured a great veggie burger is absolutely necessary with this upcoming holiday that will consist of family, friends, and outdoor BBQ's. Due to that I got to work researching. I found this recipe through Pinterest. I had to tweak it a little, but in the end I was very pleased. 

After assembling my ingredients I got to work prepping everything. I used my Food Network Chopper to crush the blue corn chips and dice the onion. It seems like with my contacts in I have even more issues with dicing onions than I do with my glasses on. Therefore, to make it easy on myself I'll use the chopper.

After mixing everything up and getting my hands really dirty I then formed the mix into 12 small patties. I made my patties pretty thin so that is why I ended up with so many. If you like your patties thicker you'll probably get about 8 out of this recipe.

I normally like my burgers best on the grill, but I decided to try it on my frying pan. My husband just got a new grill and he doesn't have anything I can use to cook my burgers on it without pieces falling through the slots. I was happily not disappointed. You want to cook them about 3-5 minutes per side on medium heat. I wanted to make them like the ones you get at Smashburgers so I "smashed" mine while they were cooking.

The smell was divine as they were cooking. My stomach kept growling so I was sneaking bites off my cooked patties as I cooked the rest. It was so good!

Now you can try them!

Enjoy! They are a great alternative for non-meat eaters or even for meat eaters. My fiancé loved them. I had to slow him down or he would've eaten 4 whole burgers in one sitting. I think the secret to these delicious patties is the blue corn tortilla chips and the chipotle mayo. If you make these you have got to buy Kraft Chipotle Mayo. I love love love this stuff!

My Home Office

I have finally chosen a room in the house to use as my office/craft room. I haven't fully decided how to decorate the whole thing, but I'm slowly updating items to make it look the way I want. I think I want to go for a glitter/gold and pink theme for the room. I've only had the time and supplies so far to update my desk organizer and pen holder. I want to eventually get a white desk and a cute/comfy chair...plus do a WHOLE lot more. 

I got my desk organizer at Target. 

Original Outside View

Original Inside View

At first it was pretty ordinary, but still cute with it's chevron zig-zags on the inside. I really wanted to do something to the outside though so it didn't just look like a cardboard box... So I gathered my supplies. I found a gold paint pen, gold glitter, and modge podge. I love modge podge. I always find so many uses for it.

My end product looked like this...

After Outside View

After Inside View

I was happy with the end look. I may end up changing it a little more, but for now it has it's own little flair.

Going with the glitter theme I decided to glitter-ize {we're going to say that's a real word....even though it's not} my pen holder. I painted the end with modge podge and dipped it in glitter. It helps to add a little glam to my desk.

<3 Kelly Jean

Seasonal Wreath Ideas

Since we've moved into our new house I've been trying to come up with ideas for wreaths that match the season or the holiday. Here's a few I've made so far...

This cute little monogrammed bunny was for Easter. I got the cutout from Unfinished Wood Co. through a deal site called Groopdealz. It arrived a little later than I expected so I only had time to paint it before it was already Easter weekend. Next year I think I'll add a cute little bow.

This one was one I created to Welcome Spring. I made a burlap wreath then added a few floral decorations as well as a burlap bunting that matches the flower color. It looks really nice on our front porch with the pink flowers in the stone planters.

Now, it's almost July 4th and time to celebrate being an American. I'm trying to decide what wreath I want to make now. I really want something patriotic, but I don't know exactly what I want. 

Here's a few of the Pinterest inspirations I have found....

Photo Credits

Photo Credits

Photo Credits

Photo Credits

Now I just have to decide what I want to do for my patriotic wreath for July. It looks like it's time for me to go shopping at my local craft stores. I think the first place I'll hit up is Michael's since they are having 15% off your entire purchase from 3pm-7pm today.

<3 Kelly Jean

Weekend Project: Backyard Water Fountain Makeover

Now that the weather is warmer and I have a few free weekends I am taking the time to repurpose some of the chipped and dated items I am finding around the house that were left from the previous owner. One of the projects I have taken on this week was to re-do the grey chipped water fountain in the backyard that wasn't working.

It looks nice, but it wasn't working and it didn't look that great in the area. I decided the best fix was to patch the holes and repaint it. I first used Rust-Oleum Spray Paint to prime the whole thing.

Since it was my first experience spray painting anything in a VERY long time it took me more cans of spray paint than I had expected. The priming process took about 4 cans of spray paint to cover the entire water fountain. The actual painting took about 8-10 cans to cover the whole thing and create an even finish. 

I chose a textured finish spray paint by Rust-Oleum to give it a "stone" look. I really like the end product. I'm still working on finishing it up so that it works like a normal fountain. Sadly, I have had a lot of rain this last week so I haven't had the time to repair the inside of the fountain where it has a few cracks that cause it to leak.

<3 Kelly Jean