Welcome 2012!

Just want to wish everyone a Happy New Year today and welcome to 2012!

There are some major things going on this year and I'm so excited for them.  I graduate college this year with a Bachelors degree and hopefully make plans to continue my education in getting another degree. I plan on really improving my shop by providing quality items and some new awesome thrifty/handmade accessories. There are a few minor things that I'm looking forward to this year but I can't go into too much detail (otherwise I'd take up the whole blog).

Anyway, I am not sure if the weather man said anything about snow but I saw a superstition that is suppose to mean snow will come in the next few days. My grandma saw it last year on Christmas eve when a bunch of birds were in our neighbors little field then it snowed on the next day! Yesterday while driving to work I saw a bunch of birds in this little field, so if I don't see snow in a few days I'll be a little disappointed :(

Well I actually woke up on my own at 7:30 so I'm going to try and be productive before going to work at 3 today. I hope everyone has a great day today and wish you all a great 2012!

Recipes | Black Beans and Rice

I found this budget friendly and great lunch idea from a health magazine a few years back. At first I was a little hesitant about trying it because I'm not big on black beans, but at the time I was willing to try anything that would save me money. After adding a few spices and extra veggies it became one of my favorite meal for lunch that gets me full without feeling bloated in the end.

What You'll Need:

• Brown Rice
• Can of Black Beans
• Choice of Spices (I used chopped dry onion and garlic powder)
• Can of diced tomato* or Salsa

This makes a lot so it's perfect to refrigerate and heat up for lunch during the week.

1. Start by cooking about one cup of rice (usually yields 3-4 servings after cooked) according to instructions.
2. Strain any extra water out and put back in the sauce pan, set burner on low and return it to the stove top. 
3. Strain the black beans and mix into the rice.
4. Add in your spices; I usually guess the amount, but I'd say I use about two teaspoons of dry onion and teaspoon of garlic powder.
5. If you want to keep it simple strain the chopped tomatoes in with everything or to spice it up mix in about 1/4cup salsa. 
6. Mix well and let sit for a minute or so until everything is warmed up.
7. Finish with a little bit of sour cream.
8. Enjoy!

*if you don't like pieces of tomato in your rice feel free to use tomato paste instead

New Years Resolutions

Save More Money. I'm generally good with money but sometimes those few trips to the store (i.e Walmart) tend to add up at the end of the month. I want to manage my money and find a way to save more. My three major things I'm saving for is a down payment on a car, new and bigger television, and another tattoo as a graduation gift to myself this summer. 

Have More Faith. As a Christian when times get tough I look to God to give me the strength to get through it all, but sometimes I just stress myself out. I'm a very critical person who likes to know what is ahead and plan things out, so when it doesn't I panic and get overwhelmed. I need to remember that God is there for me when things go wrong and that I don't have to go it alone.

Read More. The only time I read any more is when I have to do a book report for class and even then I find myself missing just reading for fun. My grandmother lent me The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo plus the next book The Girl Who Played with Fire so I'll kick off with those. I also have a stack of books I got when my friend Casey and I would visit the used book store downtown that I would really like to read. 

Get Back On Track. I need to get back on track when it comes to eating healthy and exercising. I was doing so well at school but now I need to make a plan that works with  my life now instead of back then. By doing so I can be more focused and more likely to stay on track. 

Do More for the Blog. I would love to do more articles or more posts in general. Maybe take more photos, write more personal post and do more style/outfit ones. Also it'd be great to work with other blogs to do articles on my blog that way I can share some of my favorites with you and get my blog out in the world a bit.

Work On Craft'n Bettie. There is so much I want to do with my little etsy shop! There are a lot of pieces I'm bringing in and some going out for good, but the most part I found what I want the store to be and I want to stick with it. I also want to expand it an add accessories such as vintage/upcycled purse, hair accessories and other fashion accessories. Maybe even later in the year start making my own metal charms but that's a different story.

Thrift More. I don't go thrifting nearly as much as when I was a teenager and I really want to get back to checking out stores regularly. Now I know I mentioned saving more and how can I save if I spend it going to thrift stores? Well I don't buy junk and I'm really good at saying no when a piece is cheap but would just be put in storage or it being what I want and out of my budget. In a way it'll keep me from spending too much on the vintage pieces I want like a mountain/forest paint by numbers or a mid century credenza.

Finish Projects. Last but not least I want to finish some of my projects like decorating the bedroom and the vintage wall in the living room. I got some of the small ones done before Christmas but I want to get the big projects done before the summer time!

I'll be working on New Years Eve and so will le boyfriend so we don't have anything major planned. It might just turn out like last year, a few mike hard lemonades, pizza and sitting in the drive way watching fireworks. What are some of your resolutions or plans for the new year? Feel free to link them!!

Holly Jolly Christmas

As much stressing out that I was doing before Christmas yesterday was the total opposite! Even though we had to go to two different places that day and us running late in the morning it was a great day. I still have some family and friends to visit for the holidays but the last few days were filled with plenty of food, sweets and family time.

Friday I spent basically all my time baking sugar cookies until I went to work then came home and finished decorating them. I tried my hand at homemade frosting again (my first time was a bad experience) and it turned out so well. On Christmas Eve we went to my great Grandma's for Christmas dinner as always. It was fun and we all had a good time. Then Christmas day started with church service and then lunch at my Grandparents. Instead of turkey we did things a little different and had everyone bring in BBQ from where they lived in NC. After opening presents we headed down to Dustin's Grandparents for Christmas dinner and had turkey and all the fixin's. We hung out and listened to everyone play guitar, including Dustin, and just talked. It was a great day and I am kind of sad to see it over but so excited for next Sunday! I hope everyone had a good day :)

p.s- more pictures to come!

Holiday Wishes!

A Christmas morning from long ago

I'm going to be uber busy baking and working until Christmas and just wanted to take some time to wish everyone a  Happy Christmukkahwanzaa and hope everyone has a safe time! Well I guess I need to roll up my sleeves and make some sugar cookies :)

Catching Up

One thing that sucks about having your friends live far away is when they live in a different state. Luckily my friend Casey extended her visit here and I got to do some catching up with her in our old "stomping ground"...The Waffle House.

We spent basically all our time there when we were sixteen; talking, drinking coffee and eating hash browns. We all would load up in my tiny car and hang out for a while before going to the Good Will or the Habitat Store. 

We met some interesting people there and collected a bunch of interesting stories. Oh to be a teenager again!

As per usual we found an interesting pairing near the book section at Good Will and found a bunch of sequined sweater/cardigans. 

It was so nice to get to hang out with Casey again and get to just sit down an talk (which is why I didn't take so many photos). I hate she lives so far away but I'm so glad she likes her new home so I'm happy for her! 

Vintage Finds

This isn't a vintage find that I stumbled upon  but more of a gift from my Mother. I did find one of these guys at the thrift store for $1 but he needed to be repainted and it would have cost too much to get his other half. My Mom found these on one of her finds and was going to give it as a gift. She noticed one of the tales was missing so she gave it to me early instead.

As you can see I've yet again moved the antique wall around. I had a paint by numbers, which was my first, but it was winter theme and I just want a neutral one either mountain theme or in the wood kind of feel to it. If anyone is interested in a paint by numbers swap let me know! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Feel That Vibe

I bought this dress last week on a trip to the mall with my dear friend Desiree. I tend to hold back on major spending for myself such as clothing asides from simply things but I had some extra money after paying bills I thought it was time to pick up a dress or two. Pacsun was having a sale buy one get the other half off so I couldn't resist and picked up this lovely dress and a beautiful green one.

 

Dress: Black Poppy Boho Dress,Pacsun

Necklace: Gifted

Shoes: Dollhouse Oxford Flats, Rugged Warehouse

Tights: Walmart

Sorry for the poor picture quality but my camera was being difficult.

My First Craft Show

Earlier today was my very first craft show! Like I mentioned before my boyfriend's co-worker, Martha, invited me to share her table at the Christmas Craft Show at a local church. 

She makes wonderful purses, small bags, guitar straps anything that involves sewing. 

It was a neat experience and though I didn't sell as much as I wanted I did sell somethings. 

A lot of people liked my jewelry but next to me was a very experienced jewelry maker that had a table full so my little pieces were kind of overwhelmed by that. I know next time to be prepared! 

I have a lot of Christmas/Holiday jewelry left so I'm going try and put that up on the site by Monday so don't forget to check it out.

Vintage Finds

Another project and homework done and now a book report and two exams to go! I stayed up über late, well basically stayed up until morning then took an hour nap before going to school, to put the finishing touches on a business plan. As soon as I came home I went to bed and I'm not going to worry about starting things until tomorrow.

Anyway I wanted to share my vintage find from the end of last month. I went to Goodwill to find pieces for my witch costume but did not find much except for this wonderful embroidered photo for $2.

I haven't figured out where on my vintage wall collage I was going to put it so it's hanging where an old photo was. I think it'll go great with the two embroidered duck photos I got and when I find a non-winter theme paint by numbers I think all the colors will come together!

Also wanted to share my chalk board media center mural for Halloween before I change it out for Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone has a great weekend and I'll be back to my regular posts in two weeks!