Two Hearts Together Jeff & Samantha » Featured

Ann Taylor vs. Ann Taylor LOFT

Samantha — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 23:19:40 +0000

As I approach my middle 20’s my style is transitioning from main stream teen to more a sophisticated working woman with unique style. Ann Taylor clothing has such beautiful and sophisticated pieces that any woman can wear while feeling feminine and professional at the same time.
When I was beginning to search for Ann Taylor in my area there were two separate stores; Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor LOFT. Both stores looked somewhat similar with their design, shape, style, and color of clothes, but I was unsure what the difference was…

Here is what I have compiled:

Ann Taylor: Your Mother’s Store. More conservative style, business professional. Size 0-18, XXS-XXL, Wedding & Events Collection,

Ann Taylor LOFT: Your Store. More “sexy” casual designed for the younger buyer, middle to younger business woman. Less expensive than Ann Taylor. Size 00-18, XXS-XXl. Beach Collection,

Below is a picture of items I picked off both Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor LOFT online store so you can get a feel of the looks both stores have.

[click image to view larger]

Q: Have you ever shopped at Ann Taylor or Ann Taylor LOFT? If so, what is your favorite piece?

http://liveloveloft.com/

http://www.annthinks.com/

Inexpensive Wedding Flower Ideas

Samantha — Sun, 23 May 2010 03:18:37 +0000

This post was inspiration to a few people asking me where to buy and how to arrange inexpensive wedding flowers. In additon to food, and venue, flowers is the #3 money ditcher for weddings! They are oh so beautiful and no way to get arond paying a ton for beautiful flwoers, but maybe some things I found onine can give you inspiration to cut a little corners with your wedding flowers and save your money for the real important part of the wedding…THE HONEYMOON!

Be unique and either go simple and buy less flowers, OR think outside the box and use other objects as you centerpiece or accent.

candy apples that are edible for gifts guests!

create crafty fake flowers and accent with twigs/branches

use other bright accents such as candy

re-use old soup cans and add flowers from your backyard

colorful fruit adds a pop of color

Fish! Guests can be encouraged to take them home

Other tips:

Go Simple
Ask for help arranging and delivering
Buy In-Season flowers and arrangements

Local Places in Portland Oregon to buy flowers:

Trader Joe’s

Whole Foods

New Seasons

Portland Saturday Market

Saturday Farmer’s Markets

Online:

http://www.organicbouquet.com/Info.aspx?pid=36

http://www.myportlandwedding.com/portland/flowers/

Wish Upon a Flower…

Samantha — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:00:20 +0000

Flowers bring such joy and freshness to life! This kids craft/game from 5 Orange Potatoes brought nothing but smiles to my face because the concept captures how innocent children are and brings hope by wishing on “frozen” flowers. 5 Orange Potatoes explores art and nature through many unique projects that I would have never thought of or dared to try. Check out the blog you will be encouraged to think outside the box and fulfill your dreams by creating something from your heart without boundaries and endless possibilities!

Supplies:

Flowers
Muffin tin
Yarn
Water
A Tree to hang wishes

Directions:

Place flowers in the muffin tin, add yarn and freeze.When frozen and ready for use, place the tray in warm water to loosen the flowers from the muffin tin.

Wishing Rules:

1. Make your wish as you hang the flower in the tree. The object of this game is to catch the flower before it hits the ground.
2. You are not allowed to rub the ice with your hands in order to make it melt faster, however, you may use your breath. And catching icy drops with your tongue is a MUST!
3. Watch over your wishes, you’ll want to keep a good eye on that piece of yarn! Making predictions by looking closely at the yarn can be a big help in determining which wish might fall next.
4. If you catch the flower before it hits the ground, your wish will come true.

Summer Vegetable Soup

Samantha — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:00:28 +0000

With tons of fresh summer fruits and vegetables in season using them in a homemade soup creates a wonderful flavor and a hearty meal if you’re craving something to fill your tummy with warmth! Angry Chicken posted this recipe which looks so delicious and is easy to store in an extra mason jar to fill bowls later.

Ingredients:
-1 fennel bulb sliced super thin
-1 onion sliced
-1 carrot diced
-2 leeks sliced
-3 new potatoes diced
-5 cloves garlic sliced
-3 radishes sliced
-a bunch of fresh herbs and a can of diced tomatoes (fresh tomatoes would be best, but they aren’t ready here yet.)

Directions:

Saute the fennel, onion, carrot, leeks, garlic, and radishes in olive oil and salt and pepper for about 15 minutes. Then add the can of diced tomatoes in their juice, covered it all with water and simmered it for about an hour. Then add about 1 cup corn and chopped herbs from the pots outside-rosemary, basil, dill and oregano. Serve it with little toasts from the homemade bread with a lot of grated Parmesan on top. It made a boatload, about 4 mason jars full. Really yummy.

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

Samantha — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:00:26 +0000

This post is somewhat of my tribute to April Fools Day. Today one of the kids at the school I work at brought in Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes for their birthday celebration! The treats were sugar ice cream cones filled and baked with cake batter then topped with frosting and sprinkles. I though that was such a cute idea to serve something familiar as the traditional classroom birthday treat (cupcakes) in a fun and unique way! This is an easy recipe that can be baked up the night before a birthday celebration or party, while sending frosting and sprinkles off with the birthday boy/girl to have their classmates decorate their own “ice cream cones”. As soon as I got home from work I was on the search for a recipe to try for my loved ones at home. This could be a good April Fools joke to serve “ice cream cones” and then have the taste tester bite into their treat and get one surprise that their ice cream is not what they expected. Funny but yummy prank.

Cupcakes By: Cupcake Bake Shop
makes 24 cupcake ice cream cones / 350 degree oven

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs

1. measure out everything but the eggs directly into your mixer bowl
2. mix on low speed just until incorporated
3. beat on high speed for 2 minutes
4. add eggs, beat on high speed again for 2 minutes
5. transfer batter into a container with a pour spout (like a pyrex measuring cup)
6. pour batter into ice cream cones, leave a good half inch between the batter and the top of the cone
7. bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean

How to Create Marble Magnets

Samantha — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 20:40:00 +0000

Want to make unique chic magnets to showcase on your refrigerator, bulletin board or work space at the office? Try this project that is easy for kids or adults to enjoy and get a little creative! All the materials needed are fairly inexpensive and easy to find at almost any store. Below are some examples found on Flickr to give you an idea or maybe a little inspiration.

Supplies:

- Flat marbles/ glass gems
- Round heavy duty magnets
- Modge Podge decoupage glue
- Small paintbrush or foam brush
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks or E6000 glue
- Scissors or circle punch
- Decorative scrapbook paper

Directions:

1. Cut your image to the same size as the marble.
2. Brush Mod Podge over the photo with brush.
3. Place the gem onto the image (flat side down) while wiping away any extra glue on the side.
4. When glue is completely dry, use hot glue (or use E6000 glue) to adhere magnet to the flat side of the jewel.

The possibilities are endless!

Other ideas:

* Instead of using magnet backs, use push pins for bulletin boards!
* Use fabric, wrapping paper, photographs, newspaper, old maps
* Place magnets in a mini gift tin for a gift or easy storage