FRIDAY FAVORITES >> # 4 The Ballad of Alex

Hello everyone! It's you're marvelous, best friend, Alex.  When i'm working I tend to have my headphones in and zone in to focus on what I'm doing.  It also helps break the monotonous sound of hydraulic pumps which run 24/7.  To be honest, I listen to music at work constantly for at least 5 hours a day.  I'm a rather huge fan of any form of art, though some is kind of pushing it.  Music is by far my favorite. Alex Fact #43: I wish to create a song and a video to correspond with it. 

So let's take this walk together, please watch your step.  Arms and hands within range of the keyboard. So that you can write these ones down, they're great!  Though you're reading this, so I assume you are on a keyboard since we haven't hit the big screen yet.

Let's get things started shall we?  Okay, first up on my list is a song that Meg and I both heard when we saw the Wes Anderson film, The Darjeeling Limited.  

Peter Sarstedt - Where do you got to (My Lovely)

It was wonderful, so unique.  It definitely has its own set of charm.  So let us move onto the next song. This is one that I found from a remix of another song that I like, It's also my ringtone. But it's not the one that I wish to show off to you guys today (Here's a link though!) Mark Ronson remixed that song, and he's also involved in this one!

Mark Ronson and the Int'ls - Bang Bang Bang

(I really like this music video)

What'd you guys think?! I'm not a huge fan of talking in music. I'm just that kind of guy.
So this next band is totally awesome.  I found these guys via Pandora, and this song totally is awesome.
M83 - Midnight City

It's catchy in a new way.  I just saw the music video for the first time uploading this! And it definitely gave me some chills.

Okay the next song is one that, as well as the one above, popped onto my Pandora while I was working. Any song that makes me stop and give it a thumbs up is an excellent song.
Young The Giant - My Body

Okay. This last one has gone viral! And I just heard about it last week and I've seen it about 8 times. By myself.  I keep showing people and cannot get enough of this music video or this song.  I'm totally all about foreign music, I think it's brilliant.
Psy - Gangnam Style

It's totally different. And definitely stands out amongst the five songs I've picked out as my favorites for this week! I hope these will help broaden your musical horizons!

Variety is the spice of life!
And music is good for your soul!
Be well my friends.

PS. Meg is having her wisdom teeth taken out today. So please keep her in your thoughts for a speedy recovery!

INSTA-WEEK >> Lately

We have been super busy in the Dameron/Clark house. Cleaning, cooking, trying to be active, preparing for my wisdom tooth surgery, and updating the shop. Heres some snapshots for you to see.

1. Trying to wear tons more dresses. 2. This guy is the love of my life! 3. Our new little windmill shelf holds my cactus perfectly! 4. I made a dragon mobile for my friend neffy. 5. Alex made me a lovely dinner, sandwiches of course :) 6. My new glasses from Firmoo! 7. More dress wearing! 8. Lots of hot tea in pretty mugs! 9. Morning sunrises from the new couch! 10. Finding lovely cameras while thrifting. 11. The corgi got spayed. Shes better now though. 12. I stained some shelves! 13. Alex put the shelves up and I covered them with lovely things! 14. I cuddled with BMO. 15. We got a new rug! 16. We found this little kitty outside and he had a small wound. We are healing him back and trying to find him a new home!

I hope your having a good week! Im not exactly excited for my wisdom teeth on friday and I keep having awful dreams about it. Im hoping to get some shop updates done today or at least photographed, so while im snoozing in bed all weekend, I can upload them. Also, we have lowered our sponsorship costs and we would love to have you! All costs are going toward us sponsoring others! Another thing! Im hoping to do a home tour when I recover! Cant wait to share our little condo with you guys! Im going to try and fit in one more post before friday, after that Alex is taking over. Have a good day!

FRIDAY FAVORITES >> #3 Teal Vintage Edition

Here we are! Once again, another Friday. Just so you all know, Alex will be taking over the Friday favorites for next Friday, as I will be undergoing surgery for my wisdom teeth! Boo!

Now, as you all know, we are lovers of all thing vintage, I cant show you all vintage that I like so I figured Id color code them, starting with teal, to celebrate the new blog design! I must show you these darling teal favorites for this wonderful friday, Enjoy!

Look at this couch below. Its just DREAMY, though I have my own lovely dreamy couch at home :)

{ via }

Yes, I will take this lovely planter to sit on the table next to my lovely couch! Hehe!

{ via }

These lovely mugs!

 { via }

Oh and these shoes! Just my size!

{ via }

Aaand, from my lovely friend Karen @ Quiet Owl Vintage...This stunning dress, in my size eek!



{ via }

Don't you just love all of those teal items? I love teal, its one of my most favorite of the vintage colors.

I hope you have a great Friday!

What is your favorite vintage color? Maybe I will feature it in our next Friday Favorites!

PERSONAL >> If you really knew me

Ive been seeing this little bit around and I thought hey!? Maybe I should do this. I want to get to know my readers better, and I want them to know me!

So here goes!

If you really knew me...You would know that:

* My father passed away from a heart attack in 2003

* I have two younger siblings who I adore, 16 and 21

* My father wanted to name me Brooklyn when I was born

* I had an aweful bout of depression when my dad passed

* My middle name is wonky but I love it (Its Re Nea)

* Im scared to death of spiders & needles

* My favorite season is fall

* I cant sleep with things on my head or near my face (ex. blankets)

* I adore every Wes Anderson movie created

* Im not a huge fan of dogs

* Im a survivalist at heart

* I would love to live in a small house in the woods

* I have a small intolerance to milk

* I have a day job as an administrative assistant

* My dream is to be a freelance web designer or open my own vintage shop

So, theres a little about me, tell me about you! Feel free to comment and add your link below!

Thanks!



SPONSORS >> This is akward?!

So as you guys know, we havent been in this sponsor thing for long. The month of July went fantastic, we had free ads, and they were used! Then the month of August rolled around and I think we hit the ground, and, well, we werent running.

So, back to the drawing board. Right now I think its best to keep our costs super low. Right now we are getting approximately 1,500 pageviews a month. Thats a far stretch from where we were! So thank you guys!

I believe we have finally settled on a great looking design.(done by both Alex and I), and right now we are focusing on making blogging friends. Our real life friends dont really understand. So basically for now, we will be taking your ad money, and putting it toward a better blog, and advertising on others blogs! Isnt that a deal!?

So, for the month of September and October, here is the deal. We will be starting to take new ads beginning on August 22nd, thats today! Heres the scoop:

LARGE ADS: $6.00 (200x200)

Only 4 available

You will get the following: Our beginning new sponsors feature,top spot on the sponsors sidebar, the opportunity to do a DIY or Giveaway, and a guest Post/About you or Questioneer.

MEDIUM ADS: $4.00 (200x150)

Only 6 available

You will get the following: Our beginning new sponsors feature, middle spot on the sponsors sidebar, and a guest Post/About you or Questioneer.

SMALL ADS: $2.00 (200x100)

Only 8 available

Free during September and October

Use code: SMALLADFREE

You will get the following: Our beginning new sponsors feature and bottom Spot on sponsors side bar. All for FREE!

Visit HERE to sign up!

We would love to just shout out to those who support us. We see many fun things in the near future and cant wait to share with you guys!

RECIPE BOX >> 15 Bean Enchiladas

This recipe is delicious, and vegetarian! 

You will need:

15 bean soup mix

Flour or corn tortillas

1/2 cup of taco seasoning(here) or 1 packet

1 Can red enchilada sauce

2 Cans diced tomatoes

1 packet of cheddar cheese

1/2 cup of Monterrey jack cheese

First, Soak your beans overnight, then cook.

Add your beans, taco seasoning, 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, and diced tomatoes(drain well).

Mix Well.

Add to your tortillas.

Continue and roll tortillas.

Add your Monterrey jack cheese and whats left of your cheddar cheese.

Bake for 20-30 Minutes @ 350 degrees.

Enjoy!

RECIPE BOX >> Stuffed Zucchini

This is a great summer recipe. Especially when you go to the farmers market and see all the wonderful fresh veggies. I love it! 

For this recipe you will need:

2 Medium Zucchini

4 tbsp butter

1 cup of diced onion

10 oz sliced mushrooms

1/2 cup of ham diced

2 tsp parsley

1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup of bread crumbs

1/3 cup of Parmesan or Italian cheeses

Cayenne or spices to taste

Begin first by scooping the seeds out of your zucchini, you need the sides and bottom about 1/2 of an inch thick. (Dont forget to clean all your veggies)

Then steam your zucchini( I put mine in the microwave for about 1 minute)

Melt butter(3 tbsp) in your skillet and add your chopped onions and mushrooms. 

Once they are tender, add your ham, parsley and Worcestershire sauce.

After cooking, add your seasonings. 

After you have done this, mix your bread crumbs and cheese.

Stuff those zucchini!

Add your topping!

Then add 1 tbsp of butter(melted) over the tops of all.

Bake for 20-30 Minutes.

Enjoy!

FRIDAY FAVORITES >> #2 Cats Edition

Everyone knows how much we love our cats. Did you also know that I love ANYTHING with cats on it. Yes, yes I do. Heres a great little set of lovely things for you to obsess over! This week has been a bit of a bummer for me with my car dying (She will be back soon!) and just a bunch of sleepless long nights. Thats okay, its the weekend right? Oh and happy Friday! :)

This darling sweater.

{via}

This necklace. Just darling.

{via}

This. I would buy for Al.

{via}

This guy. I want him. His tie will do as well :) Beemo would look dashing in one.

{via}

This ring! Adorable and simple!

{via}

Well, I hope you all enjoyed that, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend. 

WHAT I WORE >> Bottle of Clouds

So. I recently won a great gift from Bottle of Clouds on the Lazy Explorers blog. Let me tell you how surprised I was when I opened it! I cant express the way this gift made me feel. I felt like this gift was specifically made for me.

Initially I won these amazing fox earrings. When I got my package I was completely floored when I got so many lovely extras!

My absolute favorite item had to be the wonderful key chain!

Beemos favorite was the bookmark!

Well, he also liked the whale! How about that!

Thank you so much, Bottle of Clouds! 

If you haven't visited the site, you must, I have my eyes on this beauty for my nook!

Isn't it adorable!?

RECIPE BOX >> Homemade Taco Seasoning

Everyone uses taco seasoning at some point. I love the 5 Dollar dinners blog, and a while back I snagged this easy recipe for Homemade taco seasoning. Its a little healthier than those packets you buy at the store, and is packed with tons of flavor! 

Heres the recipe!

1 part chili powder

1 part ground cumin

1 part garlic powder

1 part onion powder

1/2 part red pepper(I didn't use any)

This is a great recipe and you can make as much or as little as you would like! 

I also use this in many of my Mexican food recipes.

Enjoy!

AT HOME >> A Dandy Dapper Party

A few weeks ago we threw a fun little mustache/dapper party. I must show the good fun times to you!

It all started with a little cheese.

Some extra goodies!

Cake pops for dessert!

Some yummy fruit!

A little popcorn and pretzel bar!

Some great friends!

Me and a cute pup!

Pin the mustache on the Burt Reynolds!

More cute pup pics!

Two guys named Ben.

One of my favorite couples!

Of course, no party would be complete without the infamous Guppy & Whaleshark.

Pirates & Fun photo booth props.

Some hat tossing!

Nothing would be complete without the cops being called. :)

What a fun time! I hope you enjoy looking at these as much as we enjoyed making them :)