Month: August 2010

by Allison

watermelon salad.

I first tried watermelon and basil salad at The Canyons a few weeks ago and instantly fell in love.  It’s the ideal combination of salty and sweet and would be perfect to serve at a late summer get together.

watermelon salad dish
watermelon salad ingredient

Ingredients for Watermelon Salad:

  • 1 seedless watermelon
  • 1 red onion {I used white and it wasn’t ideal}
  • 3 oz. feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil {not pictured here, my bad}
  • fresh mint {I’m slightly slow, also not pictured here}

Slice your watermelon in half.

I didn’t use a seedless watermelon but I wish I had, those little seeds are prohibitive to full watermelon salad enjoyment.

watermelon scooper

Scoop watermelon out of each half.  I used a cookie scoop for a watermelon scooper, but you can cube the watermelon and it would be equally delicious and easy.  Put it into a bowl where you’ll add the rest of the ingredients.

sliced onion

Thinly slice your onion.  Very very thin slices.  Put these off to the side.

fresh mint

Isn’t this fresh mint gorgeous?  I think so.  Wash it, pull the mint leaves off, and stack the leaves one on top of the other.

how to mint

Once the mint leaves are stacked, mince the mint to … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

fall boots for 2010.

You’ve noticed a lot of boots on women around town, yes?  I’m so excited this boot trend hasn’t gone anywhere because I’m a huge fan of the boot and it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the fact that Utah is snowy 9 months out of the year.  I don’t think.

Anyway, I’m thrilled boots are here to stay.  Here’s a round-up of a few of my favorite styles of fall boots for 2010.  I put a few price points in there too, boots can be an expensive proposition, but keep in mind it’s almost universally true that you get what you pay for.

1. Suede Booties, Forever 21 $27.80

2. Ugg Boots $200

3. Ankle Boots, Macy’s $59.00

fall boots for 2010

4. Heel Boots,Old Navy$49.50

5. Women’s Buckled Boots, Zappos $69.95

6. Peep Toe Bootie Shoes, Overstock.com $47.67

I’ll go into what to wear with boots in another post, but simmer on these ones for a while.  Which ones do you like the best?  All of them?  None of them?  Do you wear boots where you live?… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

park city, utah.

I got lost on the way to EVO this year.  This, despite the fact that I live only an hour and a half away from Park City {that’s Utah in case you’re wondering}.  It’s because I haven’t been to The Canyons since my teen years, for a Sting concert if you can believe it.

park city view

Sting is pretty boring in concert if you want my humble opinion.  It’s hard to fall asleep standing up, but I gave it my best.

Anyway, it’s been a few years since I’ve been up that way, and a lot has changed.  None of this was there the last time I checked.  It’s pretty impressive really.  All these beautiful hotels gathered together right up against the beautiful ski mountains.  And since EVO was such a whirlwind of classes and phenomenal social media networking, I didn’t really get much time to see my surroundings.  This is true of every conference I attend.  I’m okay with it.  I’d rather hang with amazing women than see where I’m staying, but if I could figure out a way to do both I’d be golden.

I actually got a second chance with The Canyons because I live so close, and … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

cheap fall tunic.

A trip to Kmart can yield adorable results.  Full outfit details below:

Cheap Fall Tunic: Kmart $12.99 {on sale}

Slimming Tank: Shade Clothing

Jean leggings aka jeggings: Miraclebody Jeans $88

Ballet Flats: Nordstrom Rack $25… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

What’s in Your Purse Series: Week Thirteen.

This week’s What’s in Your Purse Series purse is from Jill Mortensen of Freshly Squeezed Designs.  Cute stuff.

whats in my purse

contents of purse
Purse:
Urban Outfitters {I get compliments on it ALL the time}. uh, hellllooo? ruffles…what’s not to love?
Contents:
  • lime green wallet. target, 7.99 on clearance. score!
  • coupon organizer. yep, I’m frugal like that.
  • ghetto Motorola cell phone with cutting edge alpha-numeric texting! holding out for the white iPhone 4 and losing patience, hear that Mr. Jobs?
  • lip gloss. never leave home without it. this is about one tenth of my total collection. and I’m not kidding.
  • Aveeno lip balm with SPF. a must in the scorching desert we call home.
  • clean + clear oil absorbing sheets. if there were a contest for the shiniest face, I’d win. every time. thanks-a-lot-mom.
  • floss. comes in handy.
  • gold bond hand sanitizer + moisturizer. i have young children who touch the ickiest things. i use this frequently.
  • other essentials not pictured: extra peppermint gum + my coach sunglasses. they were a bit of a splurge, but worth every penny. i sometimes feel famous when i wear them.

Love it all.  Thanks Jill!  What a cute purse.  Seriously.

If you want to play, … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

how to: votive candle holder.

votive tea light

Not too long ago I read an article in Better Homes and Gardens or Martha Stewart, I forget which, about how to make your own votive candle holder.  I loved the idea for the 4th of July, so I made this one with coordinating holiday colors.

Two months ago.

Hey, it’s been a busy summer.

At any rate, this super easy project could be transferred to fall colors, Christmas holiday colors, Valentine’s Day, you name it.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

glass votive holder

1. Buy your elastics in a bulk bag with every color in the rainbow.  I bought my elastics at Kmart for less than 0.65 cents a bag.  Times three.

2.  The glass votive is from IKEA, 0.99 cents.

3.  Alternate thick and thin bands around the bottom 2/3 of the glass votive until you have a pattern you like.

4. Decorate as many votives as you please.  Grab some tea lights {mine are from IKEA as well, in a big fat package of 50}.

5.  Scatter as centerpieces on a table for some lovely ambiance or a romantic dinner and you’ll look like Martha herself came to decorate.

Sit back and have a cool drink and … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

family weddings.

My little sister got married today.  And while family weddings are usually a nightmare, this one was a pretty low-key affair.  My sister bought her wedding dress at a prom dress store for $90 on clearance, no one wore anything matching, and flowers were only purchased for the parents and the bride and groom.

bride

This is my favorite shot from the whole day.  They both look like the cat that got the cream.

wedding flower

The bouquet was beautiful.  Made by a family friend to my sister’s specifications including diamonds and feathers.

wedding photographers

Photography by only the best, Justin Hackworth.

kisses

A borrowed necklace from a friend of my mother.

gardenias

A gardenia.  To remember and honor my deceased grandmother.

brother

A rare smiling photo of my father and his Irish twin brother {they’re 14 months apart and alike in more ways than I can count}.  This is the smiliest and warmest they get.  It’s captured forever.

cousin

And a nod to future generations of family.  Two smiling cousins with fans to beat the heat {a gift from the bride}.

It was a wonderful celebration, and I’m thrilled for my little sister and her new husband.

Congratulations!… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

dollar store beauty.

I wrote an article for BabyCenter a couple weeks ago about dollar store makeup, and I want to know if any of you buy makeup there.  Beauty products?  I buy makeup from the dollar store on a regular basis, truly.  Nail polish, nail polish remover, eyeliner, and most recently, eyeshadow and liquid liner.

dollar store beauty

I’m not saying you have to get all your beauty supplies on the cheap.  I’m as apt to spend $18 on a good eyeshadow as the next girl {M.A.C. anyone?} but I think it’s smart to economize once in a while.

And would you like to know what?

I really like their eyeshadow.  It leaves me room in my budget to buy magazines, a Diet Dr. Pepper, and a Redbox or two on the way home.… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Wedding.

fresh flowers

My little sister is getting married today.  In….. an hour actually.

I’ll be back later with lots of fun things to share.

Cheers!… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.