Summer fun....?

Most people look forward to summer all year round, but living in the hot Arizona desert, we just don't. With temperatures that reached 120 last week, it's tough to even step outside. In other parts of the country, summer is a time to go outside and play. So I'm at a loss. What to do during summer? 

I envy part of the country that get to go in picnics in the summer. Or play outside in nature. Or simply get to get inside of a car and not melt. 

With the Fourth of July coming up, I'm kind of bummed. I LOVE BBQs. They are on of my favorite things to do, but it's going to be so gross outside it will be hard to even go out an grab your ham burger. I guess there's always the pool? 

I'm at a loss for fun summer activities for the kids and I... And it's only July 1st. We have a good four months til it starts to cool back down. 

I foresee a lot of ice cream trips this summer. 

What do you do to stay cool in the summers? 

Phoenician Tea.

Every year for Mother's Day, my mom takes me to the hotel Phoenician for a tea. It's one of my favorite things to do each year, but this year it was a little delayed. It's such a girly, feminine little treat for me, and I enjoy the quality time with my mom. Today we went, and we had a blast as usual. I've been thinking about what I wanted to wear to the tea for a while now, and I figured my Trashy Diva dress would be perfect. It was even a Mother's Day gift from my mother in law, so it's like it all came full circle, haha! 

It has little feathers, and masks and bows on a light pink background... And on the left side it has ruffles... Perfect for a girly tea! 

Each year when we go, we always get the couch that faces the giant windows overlooking downtown Phoenix. And we always have the same amazing waitress... Who knows we like ALOT of the little finger sandwiches. 

I usually choose the same tea each year, a delicious vanilla tea... But searching the menu I found something new. 

A chocolate tea! At first I thought it may be a little strange... But it was the most AMAZING tea I have ever tasted in my LIFE! I may have had about five cups. 

 It was a wonderful day full of good company and quality time with my amazing mom. Can't wait to do it again next year! 

Rosemary garlic bread

Today I am in one of those homecooked food kind of moods. I want delicious food on pretty plates, while I stay inside on the hot day. Temperatures are reaching 120 in Phoenix, and it's just too hot to even step outside. I like to fill my days with baking or cooking on days like this, and today I was craving bread. A crunchy crust, soft inside, herby bread. 

I have a rosemary plant in my front yard, so stepping outside was easy enough for me. 

When the bread was done cooking, the whole hose smelled of warm, garlicky deliciousness. 

Recipe: 

3 cups flour

Active dry yeast

3 cups warm water

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons garlic powder

Chopped rosemary 

1 teaspoon sugar

Add the sugar, water, and yeast into a bowl. Stir together and let it sit for 5 minutes until it foams. 

In a seperate bowl, add the flour, garlic powder, rosemary, and salt. When the yeast has foamed, all the water and whisk all together until you have a slightly sticky dough. Put a wet, warm towel over and let it rise for one hour.

After its risen, flour the surface you will work on and add the dough, molding it into the shape you want. I did a round loaf. 

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees, and put the bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 

Put a cup of water along side the pan in the oven to keep moist. 

Cook until knife comes out clean, usually 40 minutes or so.

Enjoy! 

Sedona vacation..

Giveaway winner!

The giveaway winner is.... Brittany! Message me your address to claim your prize pretty lady!

Food lately..

 

 

 

 

 

My Perfect Dress

I have searched long and hard for the perfect dress. Especially one from the '40's, as that is my favorite era. Usually I can find a dress and its either out of my price range, or it has just a little something about it that doesn't look right on me. Mostly, it's the former. Anything from that time period is at least 60+ on Etsy, and I just can't afford it. I'll drool over it, but just can't purchase it. 

Well, the other day I happened to come across this one on Etsy for only $10. Can you believe that? I wasn't sure about it at first.. The neckline was too high for someone like me (larger chest) and the sleeves looked like they were going to be too puffy. Plus, elastic waistline.  But for only $10 I figured it was worth a shot and I bought it. 
 It came amazingly quick. 

I opened it and realized its full potential. 

It was perfect, and it fit me like a glove. The neckline wasn't awkward,

And neither were the sleeves. It looked like it was made for me. 

 

I have long searched for the perfect dress! Sometimes setting the price filter on Esty at no more then $10 really produces results 

-Danielle