Weekend Recap: All Settled In!

The move went pretty smoothly and everything made it in one piece besides my TV. I think the drive broke things inside it. My dad carried the extremely heavy TV up into my apartment to plug it and turn it on and it made this awful screeching noise and started to smoke. So as of right now I am without a TV or Internet. I posted most of the photos below. I still have to take a photo of my bedroom.

Kitchen

Living Room.

See the wall art? I will post about that tomorrow!

The chair my mom re-upholstered.

(This was the chair before.)

Bathroom

I painted this painting last night. So the wall has two nails already in it. Do I paint another painting similar to hang both of them on that wall. Or remove both nails and hang my one painting centered on the wall?

TGIF! Moving Weekend

Tonight I will be trying to organize my new place a little before my parents come down with the big things tomorrow. I'm so excited to be moved into my first apartment alone. I can't wait to decorate and make it all cute. My mom is so handy and re-upholstered a chair for me, is helping me create wall art, and has spray painted everything she can get her hands on- furniture and lamps.

Since my new place is on my way to work I have been dropping off a carload the past few days. I don't know what is easier to do it all at once or a little each day. Either way I have almost everything from my current place into my new place and now I'm just waiting for my parents to bring my bed, couch, table, coffee table, etc. I'm hoping to get everything settled in this weekend and will hopefully have photos to share on Monday!

Muscles For Move

Have a great weekend!

Telemarketers

This explains my frustration pretty well. For the past two days I have been harassed by a telemarketing number claiming to be out of Phoenix, Arizona. The first day I talked to someone 5 times out of the ten that they called and asked to be removed. I have talked to the "manager" whom I have told that I don't know how they got my number and that I would like to be removed. I am still getting these calls. I'm about ready to shut off my phone. I am so frustrated and don't know what to do. I received ten calls the first day, eleven yesterday and and have already received three calls today.

Each time I talk to them they sound excited to tell me I won a $200 gas giftcard. And each time I tell them I don't want the card and I just want to be removed. One friend told me to report them to the FCC. I have done that and now waiting to see if anything happens. I have also added my new number to the Do Not Call registry. Someone please help make it stop!


I am now googling ways to get them to stop:

Change Republic: Tired of Telemarketers calling you? Here is how to get rid of them.
This website didn't work for me US Cellular blocked it.

Stop Junk Calls:
Here is a sample script to use:

May I have your company's name, address and telephone number? If you are calling on behalf of a client, may I have the name, address and telephone number of your company, as well as the name, address and telephone number of the company that you are calling on behalf of?

Put me on your "Do Not Call List". You are hereby ordered to share my "Do Not Call Request" with your affiliates, associates, and related entities. If you are a third-party service bureau (telemarketing company), put me on your company's "Do Not Call List" as well as your client's "Do Not Call List".

Send me a copy of your "Do Not Call Policy". If you are a third party telemarketing service bureau, send me your company's "Do Not Call Policy" as well as your client's "Do Not Call Policy".

If you call me again, I will use your product or service and not pay for it. My denial of payment will be based on the fact that your future calls are a violation of an act of Congress, and any contract that is entered into as a direct result of an illegal act is unenforceable.

Do you understand what I have just told you?
Will you comply with my requests?

I may have to try this sample script and see what happens!

Are you being harassed by telemarketers or were in the past? What did you do?



Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Dip

Oooo Spinach artichoke dip! A must have appetizer at any restaurant. Today's recipe and photos will be all about the dip and variations of the dip.

Cheesy Artichoke Bread

Spinach & Artichoke Mac 'N' Cheese From Rachel Ray

Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad

The Best Spinach Artichoke Dip

*Makes a 9X13-inch dish of dip

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces cream cheese, light or regular, softened
16 ounces frozen, chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
2 (15-ounce) cans artichoke hearts, drained
1 teaspoon hot sauce (like Tapatio brand)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch or similar sized baking dish.
In a large microwave-safe bowl, whisk together the cream, flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Microwave the mixture in 1-minute intervals, whisking fully after each minute, until the mixture is thickened, about 4-5 minutes.
Stir in the remaining ingredients until well combined. Spread the dip into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbling and golden on top. Serve warm with bread or tortilla chips.
Recipe Source: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Love: Ferris Wheels

I love photos of ferris wheels. I love the bright colors and the old feel of most of the photos. These photos evoke memories of summer days and nights and local carnivals and park district events. They make me feel like a kid again!

I took this photo at Navy Pier two summers ago.

Redbubble

Etsy

A Beautiful World

Cherry Bam

Do you like ferris wheels? What is your favorite ride at Carnival fairs?

Weekend Recap! SOS

Wow what a weekend! My weekend followed pretty closely to my previous post. Friday night I went over to Erica's for wine, pizza and a movie. Saturday I did a little apartment shopping and then went out in Chicago. Sunday I worked and then saw "Think Like A Man". I loved, loved, loved the movie. I highly recommend it for guys and girls.

On Jamie's "Crafty Scrappy Happy" blog I found this post and instantly thought of my sister. Actually I instantly emailed her told her she HAD to enter. Even at my parent's house when we were little her bedroom was always a mess. I will show you the photo she submitted below. Last week her apartment in Milwaukee was broken into and the intruders only took a couple things. The policemen thought they rumaged through her bedroom- nope that's just her messy self. So it made for the perfect story and entry submission! She needed the money so she could not only buy storage supplies, but she needed the money for a new laptop! Unfortunately she wasn't picked as one of the finalists or you can imagine I would be asking everyone to help vote for her!

That is an original Alicia Carpenter painting on her dresser!

Good luck to the finalists. You can see the top 5 and vote for them here:

https://apps.facebook.com/outwiththemess/contests/207849/voteable_entries

TGIF: Movie Weekend!

Island Girl Forever

Brr cold start this morning! TGIF everyone! I think this weekend will be a movie watching weekend. Tonight I'm going over to Erica's apartment. Saturday I may go out in the city, and Sunday I picked up a shift at Fieldwork and then will see "Think Like A Man" with Tiffany.  Sometime this weekend I think Christa and I are seeing "The Lucky One". I'm also hoping to finally get the keys to my new apartment so I can slowly start bringing things over there!!

OOOO I'm so excited to see "The Lucky One". Are you going to see it?

Have a great weekend!



Washi Tape Art

I have seen people posting images and blog articles on Washi tape. I've seen it but I guess I never the name of the tape. For starters, “Washi Tape” comes from Japan, is a paper tape that comes in pretty colors and patterns. It comes on a roll like regular sticky tape, and is often translucent. You can find it in 1/4″ widths up to 2 1/2 inches, and it feels more like masking tape than true “paper.”

Chiclectic

WOW! This is a whole pinterest board of Washi Tape! Definitely go check out Amanda Panda's site!

You can buy the tape online here: cute tape, etsy, or happy tape.

Wrap the tape around any size canvas for easy wall art!

Sketch 42

You could do this for every holiday!

my sister's suitcase

I'm am loving anything chevron lately!

Ringology

Forget putting the tape on paper... put the tape on your walls for easy wallpaper application!

Conversation Occasional

I'm all about easy art!

Ok so after reading the article the washi tape is on the lamp shade. The framed art is placemat.

Teal & Lime

This is how to make the lampshade. I really like this idea and may try this in my new living room!

Teal & Lime

Just think of the gift wrapping possibilities!

Erinzam

Washi tape candles!

Sarah Hearts

Recipe: French Dip

I love french dips. I used to get them all the time back home at Arthur's. I love the combination of thinly sliced beef, cheese, fresh bread and the au jus that you dip it in. I think the best part is the soggy bread! The problem is not all restaurants make it right. I found this slow cooker french dip recipe. When I get a slow cooker I will have to make this recipe and see how it turns out. Are you a fan of french dips? Where do you like to go to get them? Have you made french dips at home?

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

approx 3 1/2 lbs beef chuck roast
16-oz. beef broth (1 1/2 cans)
1 10.5-oz. can condensed French onion soup
6-oz red wine
1 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper, to taste
4-6 French rolls
sliced provolone cheese, optional

Trim excess fat off of beef roast and season meat all over with salt and pepper.
Pour beef broth, condensed French onion soup, red wine and garlic powder into slow cooker and place beef roast into liquid.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Slow cookers have different time intervals that you can select, so work with your cooker. Depending on how the settings on your slow cooker work, the time will vary. Since this is cooking in liquid, you don’t have to worry about the meat drying out in the same way you might if you were roasting the meat in the oven. Mine took 7 1/2 hours and was falling apart tender.
Take beef out and rest it, covered with aluminum foil, for about 15 minutes. Slice beef and return to slow cooker on low or very low for 30 minutes.
Lightly toast the bread and evenly distribute cheese between rolls, if using. Divide beef onto rolls and spoon the beef juice* into ramekins or other small bowls and eat everything while it is hot. Serve each sandwich with its own dip.

Serves 4-6.
Recipe from: Baking Bites

Green Stimulates Creativity

I read an article last week that the color green stimulates creativity. I couldn't find the video that I watched relating to the article but you can read an article on this topic here: Miller-McCune.  The results are from a German study. Psychologist Stephanie Lichtenfield said "“has implications beyond aesthetics.” Specifically, a glimpse of green appears to activate “the type of pure, open (mental) processing required to do well on creativity tasks.”

Very interesting article. If you feel like you struggle coming up with new creative ideas the article suggests "You might want to take a stroll through the park, eat a spinach salad, or catch a few minutes of the Muppets — keeping your eye on Kermit the Frog."

Some images to get your creative juices flowing this morning:

Pretty Stuff

The Simple Luxurious Life

FanPop

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Now some green things for your desk to help spark creativity!

Green clock

Etsy

Green Lamp

Kaboodle

I love this! What can be more creative than a plant in a light bulb?!

Etsy





Weekend Recap: Lilacia Park

Well it's Monday! A crazy rainy, windy Monday. I was very happy that the rain held off until late Saturday night so I could go to Lilacia Park. What did you do this weekend?

Friday night I met Heather and her husband Richard at Cibo Raccanto. I was surprised to see it right next to the Allstate Arena. My pasta dish was $8.95. Very reasonable price for Italian food. The portions were large, it was very good. I got the pancetta, rigatoni, onion, sundried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese. We then tried gellato for the first time. I got the caramel. It was so good. It had this whipped consistency to it.

Saturday Jen and I went to Woodfield Mall to find her some dress pants. Wow was the Mall crazy on a Saturday. We then drove 20 minutes to Lombard to walk around Lilacia Park. It was a very cute park with lilacs and quite a few different kinds of tulips. Here are some of my photos from Instagram! O yes have you heard? Instagram is now for non-IPhone users!! :) Follow me @ a_carp

Saturday night I rented "The Muppets" and "Drive". I was hoping Erica would be free to join me for pizza and movies, but she was called in to work. So it was just me Saturday night. I didn't really like either of the movies.

Sunday I slept in, watched a lot of tv and then went into work at Fieldwork 1-7pm. Watched the Amazing Race, and Celebrity Apprentice when I got home.

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Photos from my camera:

House to Myself!

TGIF! Who has big plans for this weekend? I have a busy weekend planned and I have the house to myself! That rarely happens! Christa will be in California and Steve is away for a military thing.

Tonight I am meeting my friend Heather and her husband for dinner at Cibo Racconto. I can't wait to see Heather and try this new Italian restaurant. Tomorrow my friend Jen is leaving the city to come see me in the burbs! She wants to go shopping, and I want to check out a winery tour and or go to Lombard and walk around the Lilacia Park. The website says they have a Lilac Parade May 20th. I will have to remember that. Then who knows maybe we will check out the "Hunger Games" Movie. I may also be hanging out with Erica Saturday night. Then I work on Sunday.

Carole Knits

I really hope the rain stays away so we can walk around the park.

Wallpaper

Michigan In Pictures

 Have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday Christa!

GraphicsHunt

Happy Birthday to my roomie Christa! How cute are the little dancing jalapenos I found?! I'm bummed I have to work tonight and can't join the Mexican festivities! I know you guys will have a blast. Today I dedicate my blog post to my very good friend Christa. I am so glad Erica set us up on a "friend date" what is it about 2 years ago now?!

And now images of Christa's favorite thing: TREES!

Favim.com

Style Addict

Etsy

(This would fit with your living room color scheme!)

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTA!!!