Two Hearts Together Jeff & Samantha » July

Sea Shell Wind Chime

Samantha — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:47:55 +0000

A set of seashell wind chimes is a great reminder of a summer vacation at the shore. Kids and adults love to collect shells, and here’s something creative to do with them!

Supplies Needed:
Whole Seashells (get more than you think you’ll need, because a few may break)
Clear plastic thread (fishing line)
A Phillips-head screwdriver or any tool with a point
Scissors
Sharpie
Something to hang your shells from, like a curved branch or a short wooden dowel

Directions:
1. PREPARE THE SHELL: Wash them! Clean out the sand, the bits of seaweed, whatever debris is stuck to the shell.
2. MAKE THE HOLES: Pick the spot you want the hole to be. You will need one hole at the top of the shell and one hole at the bottom. — mark it with a pen or marker if you need to. Using a twisting motion, bore a hole in the shell. Some shells are thicker than others; don’t use too much pressure or the shell can shatter.
3. STRING THE SHELLS: Measure out the string at desired length. Using plastic thread, thread shells by threading through both holes on each shell and tieing off securely before going on to the next shell. Leave enough string at the top to make a big loop that will be the “hook” to hang on the branch/dowel.
4. HANG THE SHELLS: Using loop on top of the sting of hanging shells, loop around branch/dowel.

Optional: Decorate Shells with stickers, markers, photos, colored sand, glitters, etc..

10 Things to Do with Tomatoes

Samantha — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:21:14 +0000

Summer’s number one bounty and power food, the tomato. There are so many varities to choose from that have orginated many bold and sweet flavors.
Check out this list of 10 things to do with Tomatoes that are from the backyard, your neighboorhood farmer’s market, or storebought delights.

{Click on the title to see the full recipie}

Roasted Tomato and Creamy Goat Cheese Tart

Oven Roasted Plum Tomatoes

Heirloom Tomato Salad

Tomato Spinach Salsa

Spicy Pickled Green Tomatoes

Eggplant, Tomato, & Mozzarella Stack

Tuscan Stuffed Tomatoes

Greek Tomato and Feta Fritters

Herbed Sweet Corn and Tomato Salad

Cucumber-Tomato Bruschetta

July in Portland

Samantha — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:00:03 +0000

Portland has seen summer! It took a while with the sun hiding and temps mellowing in the 60’s, but last week we got our first taste of summer quite brutally with highs of 99! I loved it…until it was time to sleep then not so much. Thank goodness for fans.

Here is what I have been up to so far this summer…

Playing around with sparklers! We set the camera to a S L O W shutter speed, this is my version of TwoHearts!

We got this wooden flag this year at Ross! Under $10

4th of July Nails! I did them myself

cool flower display at my local grocery store!

Ft.Vancouver Fireworks, known to be the Best Fireworks show in the West

Beautiful basket I put together this year, I just grabbed a few things in the hanging basket isle and this is what came out.

Found this at the Dollar Store! They sell bigger versions on TV (two thumbs up for my nails designs!)

Mini Plant Genie

Sephora’s Perfect Summer Pony

Samantha — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:55:20 +0000

Warm Summer months has many of us with long hair in ponytails. Layered hair is popular and common for long and short ends which can make it difficult to pull all hair up and out of the way. Frizzy, frazzled ends that are highlighted, sunroof top down frayed, and pool water drenched doesn’t help to smooth into a sophisticated pony.

Sephora beauty has caught on to the modern girl’s summer dilemma and created a product called HerCut.

HerCut is a ponytail emollient styling lotion that smoothes and controls straight or wavy strands to create the perfect ponytail! I have NOT personally tried this, but sounds interesting and worth a try.

Not only does HerCut have styling lotion product for the perfect summer pony, they have a whole line of conditioners, and other balms for every type of haircut including the bob, the shag, the pixie, and more!

ONLINE FREEBIE: Be the first to try HerCut’s new Ponytail Styling Lotion—FREE with any Sephora online purchase. Enter PONYTAIL at checkout, choose either Straight or Curly formula, and create the sleekest, swingy-est ponytail, ever.

Check out the HerCut line at Sephora {HERE}

Sweet Summer Cocktails

Samantha — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:00:36 +0000

Cool down this summer with a refreshing cocktail that is full of flavor, color, and fragrance. By choosing different varieties of mixers and alcohols, bright and bold flavors quench any thirst.

[Click the titles below to see full recipe]

Mint Margarita

Sparkling Sangria

Watermelon Mango Martini

Basil Lemonaide

Bloody Mary Punch

Cran Tea Cocktail

Summer Must Haves

Samantha — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:00:09 +0000

These are my SUMMER MUST HAVES that I am reaching for the most when the sun is out and I want to show off a little skin! I have tried all these products and in my personal opinion have found they work best for me. My favorite *new* item I added specialy this summer were the ball earrings (see below). I have had so many compliments on them and on a day that I forget to wear them I am bummed and feel naked without them!

Click on the links to see more info on the item.

Q: What are you wearing this summer?

Cute Style- Sundress from Old Navy Plus

Stunna Shades- Sunglasses from Forever21

Sun Protection- Sunscreen by Neutrogena- UltraSheer SPF55

Glowy Skin- Bronzer by NARS- Orgasm Blush & Laguna Bronzer Duo

Smooth Lips- Chapstick by Burt’s Bees- Lip Shimmer in Watermelon

Cute Toes- Nailpolish by OPI- Summer Flutter Collection 2010

Silky Skin- After Sun Lotion by Hawiian Tropic: Lime Coolada with Shea,Coco, and Aloe

Luscious Smelling- Body Splash by Victoria Secret- Berry Kiss Body Mist

Glamor- Round Ball Earrings by Target

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/

What’s Going On In Our Neck of the Woods!?

Samantha — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:16:17 +0000

Things have been a little busy and super HOT here in Portland consistently for over a week now. Some days have gotten up to 106 degrees! Today I think they said we are going to “cool off” to 100 degrees. It’s definitely the hottest I’ve ever seen it here and the whole town has had enough. Most local stores are completely out of air conditioners, thankfully we bought one for our bedroom a few years back. This is our first summer in this house so we are still getting acquainted.

Some other BIG NEWS is that I have recently decided to retire my job as a child care taker and enroll into Cosmetology School! This has always been another passion of mine but I had been struggling with finishing up college financially and emotionally. I have been going to the same community college going on 4 years taking a class here and there in between working full time. I have been so burnt out with taking courses and being many credits away without reach of the degree. The inspiration and motivation wasn’t there, I hated pursing something (Early Childhood Education) that provided NO guarantee and the instability of placing my career into the hands of the school districts. Some say that there is never a guarantee with any job, which is somewhat true in today’s economy but education in Oregon the Educators are always the least priority. I have met so many certified teachers who have their bachelors and masters degrees and are on “sub status” because there aren’t any openings in the districts for new teachers. Many districts are downsizing their staffed schools and actually eliminating one teacher per grade, some combining grades to be a 3rd 4th split with class sizes in the 30’s! I could go on and on about the issues of Oregon Education, but I wont because I don’t want this post to be me ranting and raving this is about closure and moving on.

It will be nice and such a relief to move forward with something that I love learning about and will be considered a true career. It will be sad to leave the YMCA company and Elementary school I have worked for 5 years, I have had so many bright memories and friendships working with children and watching them grow in my presence. My Cosmetology Classes start September 8th (THE DAY BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY!!) so theses next couple of weeks I continue to work part time doing summer camps and relaxing at home.

I plan to take the full set of Cosmetology Courses to become licensed in Hair/Hair Design, Esthetics, Nails, and Barbering. All courses will take 66 weeks which is about a year and a half program. I do plan to continue to post kids crafts and projects because I love that too! Who says you cant have more than one passion?

Thanks to all my friends (and some family) who have supported my decision to change career paths and stand behind me 110%!

And thanks to all my readers who stop by each day to see what I think is post worthy and who bring a little cheer by leaving comments!

Tooth Fairy Bags

Samantha — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:00:26 +0000

Oh boy do I wish I had one of these when I was little and occasionally toothless! How adorable are these little felt drawstring tooth fairy bags?! It’s so exciting for a child to loose a tooth and become one step closer to being that “big kid” they have always wanted to be. I remember anxiousally waiting and wiggling in hopes to put it under my pillow and gain a few cents to add to the piggy bank.

For a full tutorial with pictures and supplies needed visit The Purl Bee {HERE}

Create your Own Crafty Hot Plate

Samantha — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:00:24 +0000

Make a unique hot plate for your kitchen that friends will ooh and ahh over by using flat marbles and leftover wood. The blog Oh!! I like that!! came up with this great idea that just takes a few supplies and can be done on a lazy Saturday afternoon!

Visit the Oh!! I like that!! {HERE} for the full tutorial