Challenge

It being the last of the month and all, I decided to do something exciting with my everyday style. Something that brings me out of the monotonous rut I have been getting into.  I was inspired by this post on a charming blog, "Bow Ties and Bettys". I decided to make my own 31 day challenge of sorts, and came up with this:

Getting out of a rut: May style
1. all one color
2. boots and shorts
3. go crazy with florals
4. neon nails
5. make jeans look fantastic
6. patterned tights
7. do something funky with your hair
8. plaid
9. dress like your best friend
10. anything with studs
11. ginormous earrings
12. dress up a t-shirt
13. scarf it up
14. go tropical
15. bunch of rings
16. rock your shades
17. dress and feel bright and cheery
18. fun colored pedicure
19. get fancy
20. more than one necklace
21. something with a bow
22. go dot crazy
23. inspired by something you found on the internet
24. Sixties 
25. lace, lace, lace
26. fun socks
27. new colored lips
28. something sheer
29. inspired by something Disney
30. favorite pair of shoes
31. dress and live as classy as Audrey Hepburn

At the end of the month I'll post some photos of my favorite ones. Feel free to join me, and let me know if you do! It's okay to start a little late. (:
<3-GM

Garden Party!

Basically, I'm the fanciest person the East Coast has ever seen.  A few weeks ago my friends and I had a garden party.  According to a lot of people, Martha Stewart is the only one who has Garden Parties. We proved them all wrong.  Ours consisted of lawn games, good food, fabulous clothes, and a bonfire.

Just a look into how Grace Marie does a garden party. (:
<3-GM

Easter...two weeks late

My busy/lazy self just realized that I still haven't posted about Easter! Although it feels like it happened months ago, here is a quick post on the subject. Easter is one of my favorite holidays. The gorgeous start of spring, the flowers in bloom, sugar overload, and the thing that warms my heart the most- celebrating the life of my Jesus. Here are a couple little pictures showing what my Easter was like this year.

My Aunt made funfetti Easter basket cupcakes!

For the first time in a long time, our family had an egg toss. If your family has never had an egg toss, I recommend it.  Family members throwing raw eggs at each other....what could be more entertaining?

That's all there is to show. It was a very relaxing, pleasant day with my Church family and my extended family. Happy 16 days after Easter! (:

<3-GM

MUFFIN FEVER.

  My parents are the best! I woke up this morning to my mom moving my door back and forth so that I could smell these fantastic beauties. After shoveling down two of them, I decided the world needs to experience the tropical-party-in-your-mouth-goodness that is....Orange Coconut Muffins.

Makes: 12 muffins
Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: at 375 degrees for 18 to 21 minutes

Topping:
1/3 cup sweetened flake coconut
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp margarine (we use butter), at room temperature
1/2 tsp grated orange rind

Muffins:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup orange juice
1/4 cup (a half of a stick) margarine or butter, melted
1 egg
1 can (11oz) mandarin orange segments, drained


1. Heat oven to 375. Coat 12 muffin-pan cups with nonstick vegetable-oil cooking spray or line cups with paper liners.
2.For the batter, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
3. Mix together orange juice, melted butter and egg in a medium-size bowl.
4. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture. Add the orange juice mixture to the well. With a wooden spoon, stir the liquid into the flour mixture just until combined and the flour mixture is evenly moistened. Gently stir in the drained mandarin orange segments.
5. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, dividing batter equally, about 1/2 cups each.
6. Now for the topping. Gently stir together flake coconut, sugar, butter and orange rind in a small bowl until well blended. Sprinkle topping evenly over top of each muffin.
7. Bake in preheated oven for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centers of the muffins comes out with a few crumbs clinging to the pick.
8. Let muffins stand in muffin cups on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Gently remove muffins from pan, loosening sides with a small metal spatula if necessary. Let muffins cool upright on wire rack.


This isn't a secret family recipe or anything. I think we got it online. (: Nevertheless, if you make them, comment and let me know what you think!
<3-GM

Celebration!

In the next 8 days, we are having two parties at my house. Yes, two. Easter with my extended family, and a Garden party. This means cleaning, shopping, cooking, a bunch of time on Pinterest, more cleaning, planning, playlist making and excitement. Get ready for a whole lot of fantastic pictures! Most importantly, though, we are celebrating the Resurrection of my Lord! Don't forget what this holiday is all about, everyone! Rejoice, for He is alive! <3-GM