Tropicos update!

So, my 20 something coworker received her box from the Tropicos company. They  next day aired it... They must really care about satisfaction! So here's what we got...

We got a new box of Tropicos, which I got to say looks a lot more like the disgusting cereal than before! And we got a complimentary box of ancient grain flakes which I'm sure tastes exactly how it sounds!...5$ in coupons and two amazing pins! So basically I have more disgusting cereal than I ever wanted and free money to buy even more! Next time maybe we should just keep our complaints to ourselves!

Pinterest picks

So lately I've been "pinteresting" more than just craft ideas and recipes on Pinterest! I've been feeling like my closet is full of work clothes and on the weekends I dress like a slob because I don't have enough casual but cute clothes. So I decided to Pinterest surf and find some casual cute outfits to wear when I'm not at work...or when I am at work on Fridays. So far I found two outfits and have mimicked them....not 100% exact... I had to throw some Sue style in there to make it my own! I got some compliments on my Pinterest looks and thought I'd share them here to inspire those of you who hate shopping and don't know what to get...you could do the same thing! I didn't have to leave the comfort of my home...,I got the majority of my outfits online! So without further adieu....here's this month's Pinterest pick! What do you think? Stay tuned for more!

Tropicos... Cereal or bird food?

I try to keep a box of cereal at work for breakfast emergencies. This weekend I went to Sprouts which is a local grocery store that carries mainly organic products. I came across a box of Tropicos and thought it would be a healthy cereal option because it's low sugar, gluten free, no preservatives or flavoring, and naturally colored. The picture on the box looked like fruit loops so how bad could this be?  This morning I had a breakfast emergency and reached for the box only to discover the cereal looked nothing like the pic on the box! The color of the cereal wasn't bright tropical colors they were dark and drab, and the shape look like plastic beads instead of cereal Os, and the smell was pretty much the scent of bird feed! So one of the 20 something's took a picture of it, and promptly found the email address for the company and expressed my dissatisfaction!  We weren't really sure what to expect since the company is in Australia

She received a prompt reply from the company! The email began with a proper Australian greeting , "good day" and then they assured us that they created a new box with a picture on it that was taken with the real cereal. They also said they changed a few of the colors and offered to send us coupons and a complimentary box of cereal. I'm not sure any of us are interested in eating the cereal but we definitely are interested in checking out the changes! Stay tuned!

First ever Halloween party....at 40!

So I work with a lot of 20 something's and I find that they keep me young at heart... Mostly because they tell me wonderful things like "there's no way you're that old!" Ok so maybe that sounds like a cross between a compliment and an insult, but hey I will take it! Anyway, one of the 20 something's invited me to a HalloweenHouse Party  replete with a black light and techno music bumping in the garage!  At first I thought perhaps I was too old for this party but the 20something assured me that attending was not optional! So, I began my search for the perfect costume...after all it was my first Halloween party except for the ones we used to have in elementary school.  So after a lot of Pinterest-ing I came to the conclusion that 98% of Halloween costumes for women are slutty and homie doesn't do slutty!  So instead I found inspiration from this adorable baby!

Now my friends were a little skeptical...I mean, sure, the baby is ridiculously cute in this costume.  But how cute would this be on a grown adult?  I was convinced that I could make it work...So despite the popular opinion, I went to Hobby Lobby on Friday night and bought approximately 150 puffy balls to glue on an old beanie, some sparkly felt and a red long sleeve t-shirt.

  An voila! Here we have it folks...an adult version of the gumball machine costume!  Now, am I as cute as the baby version? Ehhh not quite.  However, I got a few high five and a few "that's an awesome costume" and "oh my Godddd, she's a gumball machineeee!"  So overall, the costume and the party was a huge success!  I laughed more than I have laughed in a good ten years and I got to spend a day in the life of a 20 something again!  Now could I do this every weekend?  Most definitely not...but every once in a while...it's fun to be a kid again!!

Chocolate covered strawberries

So I am bored...and I have this really cute heart shaped tray...I used to use it for ice cubes but have since gotten a fridge that handles the ice making stuff. So I decided to make chocolate covered strawberries.

1. I filled each heart with cut pieces of strawberries.

2. Next I melted chocolate chips in my makeshift double broiler.

3. And stuck it in the fridge to cool.

* word to the wise...they've got to be eaten pretty quickly so, they are perfect for girls night or sweet treat for kiddos.

A tart treat...

This was my July 4th dessert!...Pink Lemonade cupcakes....not very patriotic, but a perfect summer treat!  I saw the cake mix at Target the other day...I think baking cakes/cupcakes from scratch is pretty silly when you have easy box cakes that are just as moist and delicious.  But, I refuse to use can frosting...I think they should be banned from the stores.

 

This frosting was easy, tart, and delicious!  Believe it or not, I couldn't find a recipe for pink lemonade icing that I really loved...so I just made up my own.  Here's what you'll need:

1 stick of butter

1 block of cream cheese

4 cups of powdered sugar

1/3 pkg of pink lemonade drink mix envelope

 

I blended the butter and cream cheese together, then the pink lemonade crystals...and then the powdered sugar.  If the frosting is still to tart...just keep adding powdered sugar until you are satisfied with tartness/sweetness.

 

Celebrating the red, white, and blue...

 I didn't make this myself...It was actually a gift from one of my co-workers.  I thought it was really cute and festive though...so I asked her how she made it.  Basically...she put the rice in bowls and dropped a few drops of food color into each bowl and then layered the rice into mason jars. Easy. Breezy.  What I like about this is that you could basically do it for every holiday...orange, yellow and white for Halloween, green white and red for Christmas, red, white, and pink for Valentines...etc, etc!  So, thanks Tandy...for this July 4th inspired craft!...and stay tuned for some 4th inspired recipes this week!

It's not so much about the Present...as it is the Presentation!

I was invited to go to a baby shower this past weekend.  I get more requests to decorate showers than I do to actually attend them.  So, I was very excited to go to this one.  I typically try to flex my creative muscles a bit and try to come up with some clever/creative way to package my gift.  This time, In  enlisted the assistance of my friend, Sonia.

She sent me a link to a very ingenious idea...creating a closet for baby clothes as the gift's packaging.  I instantly loved it.  But the picture on just the link wasn't very cute (they just left the brown box as is)...and the how to was unnecessarily complicated.  So, I thought I'd create my own "How To" right here:

Here's what you need:
A sturdy box that is both wide enough and long enough to fit your outfits
Shelf paper
Wooden knobs

I stood the box up length-wise and cut the shorter lids (or flaps) of the box.  So I was only working with two flaps which would become the doors to my closet.  Lining the box with shelf paper is probably the easiest and cheapest way to change the color of your box.  This avoids messy glue or dealing with too much tape.  I embellished with scrapbook paper which I had cut in circles for a previous project.  You can embellish in a variety of ways...(just flex those creative muscles!)

I found the perfect wooden knobs at Wal-Mart in  the craft section.  There were several in a package for maybe a dollar or two.  I decided to paint the knobs to match my embellishment...and then hot glue them on the "closet doors."  Afterwards, I hung a little sign from the knobs which I constructed with scrapbook paper and stickers. 

Now for the inside...if you want to get fancy,you can line the inside as well.  I decided NOT want to get fancy. ;)  The original how to said to purchase a closet rod and saw off to size.  I thought that was silly...because a gift wrapping roll is perfect for the project and much easier to work with.  I cut it to size and wedged it in the box...there was no need to glue it in or anything!  Then I hung the real gifts inside.

Yes, it takes a little bit more time and effort than sticking your gift in a bag with tissue...but, it's worth it to hear the "awwwww's"...afterall, shower gifts are 50% present and 50% presentation!

First...here's a picture of the completed project...



 

And the inside...





 

A New Start

For years now, my CCL (cray-cray cousin Lisa for those of you just joining me) has been urging/pleading/insisting that I pull the plug on this blog and start anew.  And finally, I had to breakdown and agree with her...well, partially.  It's impossible for me to pull the plug on SueVee blog.  There's a lot of history here...funny history at that!  But, I have to admit that my life is totally different now than it was when I first began this blog.  I can't write about the same things...I have a different lifestyle, different interests, and well, different things on my mind.  So, instead of reading about the antics of a 20 something single trying to find the right job and right man...you'll be reading about the antics of a married 30 something who loves crafting/cooking/writing.  Hope you'll come back and join me to see what's happening in a day in the life of SueVee!

Character Profile...Birthday Edition

Name: Sonia
Nickname: BF

Favorite Food: Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Ice Cream, and Chocolate Chip Cookies (do you see the common denominator??)
 
Best known for:  Her million dollar smile...

Guilty Pleasure:  Watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette...and suckering me into watching it.

Super Power:  She knows everything that goes on in Facebook...and she doesn't even have a Facebook account!  How does she do it?!?

What you don't know about her:  She's one of those girls who scopes out People while standing in the grocery check out line...and loves to share the latest celebrity gossip...But she also is one of those braniac who sets her mind to something...and accomplishes it, regardless of how difficult it is. She is one of the most strong-willed humans I know.

Funniest moments shared:  Most of our funny moments shared are due to stupid things I do...and I could produce an endless list of that stuff...but  Sonia very rarely makes a fool out of herself...give or take one or two times (like the time she created a sensational singing group called Snaple (no, not the juice drinks...6 girls named Sonia,Nancy, Annie, Priscilla, Lisa, and Elsa)..there was just one problem..they didn't sing sensationally) 

They say that pictures are worth a 1000 words... I'm not sure what in the world was so hilarious...but this picture definitely captured the essence of our friendship...we crack each other up...usually about things that other people don't find quite so amusing...

Through thick and thin...the good, bad, and the ugly...she's been by my side...Always there to listen, laugh with me, and pray for me.  Whether we were in the same city or miles away...we always remain close in heart.

Happy Birthday, BF. 

Thanksgiving 2012

Typically Thanksgivings are spent in Okc...and they're pretty quiet...because we don't have a lot of family here.  But this year, one of my cousins in Dallas invited us to his brand new house, which sits on a few acres of beautiful land....to enjoy Thanksgiving with the whole family clan. 

I wasn't sure how this trip would go...First off, driving in the car with 6 people didn't sound like an amazing way to spend 3.5 hours.  Secondly...I knew my cousins in my age range wouldn't be there...and I am just not used to being at family functions with out them.  Usually it's the other way around.  Thirdly, driving back the same day with 6 people who just filled themselves up with turkey and pies..didn't sound like an amazing way to spend 3.5 hours either.


And so I was right about a few things...the drive there and back was slightly on the hellish side.  But the time spent with my family was awesome.  I got to really sit down and talk to my aunts, my uncles, my cousins, and nieces and nephew.  And...I'm thankful for each and every one  of them...

My beautiful nieces and cousins...

 

It was just me and these guys for Thanksgiving this year...

 

The trip was definitely worth being packed like sardines...although I definitely missed my cousins in my age range and my sister...

I'm thankful for a lot of things Thanksgiving...but maily for God's grace....because without it...there would be nothing else to speak of.

Happy Thanksgiving, blogosphere!

Oodles of Noodles

 My friend Shelley at work ordered several packages of noodles from groupon...and was nice enough to give a few of us girl a bag to try it out. Apparently these noodles have no calories, no carbs, no gluten and no fat. She's been wanting one of us to try them out and give her a review of how they taste. So, I decided to make them tonight.

 

 This is what the bag looks like..

 

The slogan on the back made me chuckle...

 

This is a blurry shot of what they look like before I added sauce, spice, meat, veggies, and eggs...so basically put...this is what they look like when they're truly fat free, carb free, calorie free state.

And this is what it looked like after I made a meal out of it.  I guess this proves I can make even the best of things fattening.

In short, my review of the noodles pre-good stuff is...they're completely tasteless.  it's like chewing water.  Ater the good stuff...it tastes like chinese lo mein....not too bad.

I work at a place where a lot of young, college grads work.  The girls are really fashionable and trendy...and put my cardigans to shame.  There's three particular girls who I think dress so super cute...and I make a point of making mental notes of what they wear and how they mix and match.

Well, yesterday, I was in the bathroom...and I could see from under the stall that someone was standing at the sink.  This someone had on black tights and some mustard colored peep toe pumps.  The shoes were super cute, but I totally thought pumps and tights were a no-no.  When I left the stall and went to the sink...I realized it was one of the girls that I think is particularly fashionable.  I was shocked!

I went back to my department and asked one of the girls whether wearing tights with peep toes was acceptable.  She said definitely not.  I thought I would look into this a little more.  I mean peep toe tights girl definitely seems like she would know about fashion do's and dont's...so maybe...just maybe she knows something my friend and I didn't.

So I researched the subject and found this article. Looks like I won't have to save my pair of peep-toe wedge heels for the spring!!!

 I interrupt this way back Wednesday post to show off my new toy...

Yes...it's my very own...brand new, purple, ecraft cutter!!

For those of you who have no idea what this contraption is...it cuts images, shapes, icons, letters, etc.  (I'm sure my sister is a little annoyed right now because when I lived in Florida for a while SHE was my ecraft cutter! Ha!)This will save me so much time and energy for my parties!  I'm so stoked and ready to try it...but I have very specific things that I need it to cut, and have been calling customer service for assistance, but the offices are in Long Island and have been closed due to Sandy.  Damn, Sandy!!

I've waited 4 years to get this baby...I guess I can wait a few more days!

 

Never fear...I'm still here.  I've been trapped in a bathroom for 3 days...painting, that is.  My mom was going to hire some painters for the job, but Matt volunteered us to do it instead.  *Sigh*  So, I spent the better part of the weekend taping, painting, cleaning...Bleh!  If I never see a paintbrush again...it will be too soon!!

I heard something so startling today...NEXT WEEK IS THANKSGIVING!  Seriously?  Where are the days going?  What's even more sad is that our plans are not quite nailed down yet.  I would love to join the fam in DFW, but I have to work the next day.  And driving back and forth in one day doesn't sound appealing...but what do you do?  Last year, the maternal unit and I went Black Friday shopping after turkey dinner.  We weren't after awesome things like TVs or laptops...we bought dumb things like towels and tupperware...Boy was I lamenting the next morning after I went into work after only 4 hours of sleep.  That won't be happening again...Ever.

Life seems to be moving in fast foward...and it's a little scary.  It was 20 somethin' degrees this morning, which means it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  I'm no where near ready for it.  Bahumbug!

So one of my favorite accessories to wear in the fall is tights.  Those of you who know me know that I've had an obsession with tights since I was a little girl.  I was born in Chicago and lived there until I was 5...and remember wearing tights around the house to keep warm...and sliding around the house was just an added bonus. 

So, today's post is dedicated to TIGHTS!...and to learn more about the do's and dont's on how to wear them...click HERE!

Thanksgiving in Okc is usually a little on the boring side.  We don't have a lot of family here, so it's not a very big gathering.  Usually it's just my family and aunt's family...and we're typically kind of a quiet group.  We just eat too much and then kind of lounge around in a sleep induced trance.

This picture was taken during Thanksgiving 2009.  We had just eaten...and I went to the room to lounge...and this is what I found...my kid cousin Les lying on my bed IN MY WEDDING DRESS, reading a magazine...just like it was a normal thing to do.  

Gotta say...it definitely made me laugh....and it still does!

S'more, Please!

In my house, smores are a much enjoyed treat...I used to just put a piece of hershey's and marshmallow on a graham cracker and nuke it in the microwave.  And yes, it was delicious and easy...

But then I discovered a new way to make smores...and I thought I'd share it with you because the result is even MORE delicious!

Line a cookie sheet with graham crackers...sprinkle mini marshmallows over it, and then sprinkle chocolate chips over them.  Put in oven under broiler...I would watch them because the marshmallows get toasty realllly fast.  Once the marshmallows are browned, pull cookie sheet out of the oven...and place graham crackers over the top and press down soo the ooze which will help the chocolate chips continue to melt.

Then enjoy!....my favorite thing to do is dunk them in milk!!

Oh, and by the way...I rocked the vote....did you?

I spent the weekend with 2 of my favorite girls...my cuzzies, Lisa & SueTee.  Sadly, it's been  2 years or so since I've last seen them...so it was a much needed, but extremely short visit.  SueTee was kind enough to score us some tickets to the very first home game of the Houston Rockets.  It was slightly weird to see Houston fans with beards cheering James Hardin on.  And although the Rockets lost...It's always fun to watch an NBA game...especially with these two.

Before the game, we had dinner at a fancy new burger and crepe joint called Guru.  Lisa and I had left early morning and had skipped lunch, so we were starving.  A nice juicy burger and fries were exactly what both of us needed.

I decided to order a "shroom burger."  On the menu, it was described as a burger with portabella mushroom, sauteed onions and peppers and swiss cheese.  I took my first bite, and wasn't highly impressed.  I was shocked because Lisa kept saying her burger was amazing.  And I totally wondered why mine wasn't.  I took the bun off, and added some salt...hoping that would do the trick.  I cut my burger in half and ate one half.  Then, I cut the other half in half...and after I did that, I took the bun off again because I noticed something was missing....MEAT!  Yes, I ate half of my shroom burger before I realized that it was made entirely of a portabella mushroom without any meat!  Who woulda thunk it?  I totally was expecting a mushroom burger with a meat pattie...not a portabella pattie!  Sooooo disappointing.  My cousins couldn't stop laughing because they knew that the shroom had no meat and thought I was just making a healthy choice. 

I don't know what was more bewildering...how my cousins who've known me my whole life could possibly think I'd order a vegetarian burger or how my mushroom burger had no meat!

Friday Funsies...

I've worked quite a few places since I started working at 16...and I've befriended many-a people these past 22 years (I hope I did my math right)...and actually have maintained a few of those friendships.

In all my jobs...the hilight has always been the people I work with and Paycom is no different.

Below is a pic of me and one of my favorites...Shelley.  She brightens my day every day with her wit and sunny disposition!

  

 Me @ work on Halloween.  My department dressed like animals...and I took the chance to dress up like the world's cutest puppy...Mousse! I was so sad cuz I got no treats!

 The whole gang...the gorilla in the back is actually my boss!