Through the woods

I have been adventuring and taking trips to randoms places. This place is only about 5 minutes from my house it is where 2 rivers flow into the Columbia River so it is a cool little early. I saw three dead fish, tons of bugs, frogs, and lily pads. It was a fun little adventure until I started to get eaten alive by mosquitoes in this shady area where the photos were taken. It was awful so I walked ran back to by car and my adventure was over.

Also, I absolutely hate when I look back at outfit photos and there on my wrist is a pony tail. I usually always have a pony tail close by so I can put my hair up at a moments notice. But I hate seeing it on my wrist during photos. And no this is not a new fashion statement. On another note, Lousia from The Heart Beats Faster interviewed me view it here. 

love, Carlee

Ideas notebook

Don't you hate it when you think of a great idea for a recipe, outfit post location, DIY, etc etc and you don't have anywhere to write it down! I do. I either end up forgetting the idea all together when I go back to write it down or I end up with 30 different random notes on my iPhone. I thought it was the perfect idea to make a cute little Ideas Notebook for all my ideas, thoughts, goals etc for my blog. And of course make it small enough to carry around in any bag.  

What you'll need.

Directions

1. Buy desired size notebook. 2. Make tabs for categories. -Fold colored paper in half. -Staple about 1/2 inch down. -Stamp or write on name of category. - Place and tape tabs desired pages apart in notebook. 3. Make cover for notebook. -Cut scrapbook paper to size of notebook cover. -Put desired word on cover. -Superglue onto cover and use pattern tape to cover the seem. Done!

Now I have a place for all my thoughts for this here blog. And I can stay more organized as well. I have already started to write ideas in it and I am wondering how fast it will fill up! 

love, Carlee

Fudgesicles

On my last popsicle recipe post I stated that I wanted a good fudgesicle recipe. Then it kind of just slipped my mind and I went on with my life. Well then one day my mom and I were digging through her recipe box and I found a fudgesicle recipe written down by my grandma. I knew I had to try it. By the way I need a cool recipe box. 

Directions 
-Mix 1 pouch instant chocolate pudding, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup whipping cream, and as much milk as the pudding package calls for. Mix for 2 minutes on med-high. 
-Pour in popsicle mold. Freeze. 

Super easy huh? And delicious if I do say so myself. I hope you enjoy. 


love, Carlee

Cooled down

It cooled down just enough for me to wear my favorite wide leg jeans yesterday. Which I was excited about. This is also the first time I wore this vest. I wore it has a tank top and I love it. I got it at a yard sale about a year ago. Isn't it lovely! And what do you think of my straight hair?

Outfit details

Vest: Yard sale

Heels: Old Navy

Jeans: IT Jeans via Hautelook

Camisole: Nordstroms

Belt: JCPennys

I was angry yesterday. Like angry to my core. I had woke up for 7 mornings in a row at 430am to work in the cherry orchard. I was unbelievably tired. There has been drama at the pool I work at. And two of our lifeguards quit. So I am now working 13 hours everyday. I just wanted to break down and cry. I also wish I had my boyfriend around to tell me everything will be okay. But today has been better. I didn't have to wake up at 430 am this morning, I got to sleep in until 8am. So today is already looking up! Everyday is a new day. 

Today I plan on making some yummy breakfast, rocking out to my ipod on the way to work, and if I am feeling up to it making a dessert when I get some from work! 

Blog of the summer: The Heart Beats Faster

I have decided to start blog of the season. This here is Louisa from The Heart Beats Faster and she is my featured blogger for summer 2012. I have had such a fun time getting to know her and I hope you enjoy getting to know her too. I love her sense of style and also that she lives and has traveled all around the UK. How cool huh? Enjoy. 

When and why did you start your blog The Heart Beats Faster?

I started The Heart Beats Faster last March, just after I moved to Edinburgh. I’ve enjoyed following lifestyle and fashion blogs for the last few years and I finally decided that I wanted to start one myself, to share my personal style and adventures and also to keep a record for myself in the future. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog.

I always freeze up at interviews when people ask me to tell them about myself! So here’s some random facts. I’m 22. I was born in England, but spent most of my life in Ireland. I’m trying to grow my hair long again, but it’s taking forever. I sneeze reeeeeally loudly and dramatically. I love bright ballet pumps. I will love you forever if you feed me red velvet cake, or pancakes with nutella and marshmallows. I never leave the house in the morning without perfume. And I’m usually laughing, often at myself.

As for my blog, it is filled with outfit posts, and I like to experiment with taking the photos in different, interesting locations whenever I can. I also write about my daily life and the random things that happen, as well as including recipes for things that I bake.

How would you describe your personal style?

My style is very mixed. I love to be comfortable and stylish at the same time, so generally I tend to wear a lot of dresses with cardigans and boots. However, I’m just as happy in my boyfriend’s hoodie and a pair of jeans as I am in a short dress and heels for a night out. The key for me is to feel good in what I’m wearing, and that changes daily.

What is your favourite part about living in Scotland right now?

I’ve only been in Edinburgh for six months, so there are always lots of exciting new things to see and do. Some of the things I’ve enjoyed so far include wandering around the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, browsing at Stockbridge Market, and picnicking on a hill overlooking the city at sunset. I’m looking forward to travelling around the rest of Scotland too.

You’ve mentioned your boyfriend on your blog, can you tell us more about him?

I’ve known my boyfriend for over four years, but we’ve only been together for nine months. Funnily enough, we only realised we were right for each other after we both moved from the same city in Ireland to opposite sides of the UK! We’ve been living together now for six months, and couldn’t be happier. Although sharing my closet space with a boy has been a bit of an adjustment!

What is your favourite thing to do with your free time?

When I’m by myself, I’m usually reading, writing (mostly short stories), or cooking. I’ve always been good at keeping myself entertained, because growing up I was an only child (I have four half sisters, but they are all much older than me). I also spend a lot of my free time with my boyfriend and we love going for long walks around the city, curling up on the sofa and watching True Blood, or going dancing. Not that either of us are very good at dancing! I also love spending time with my friends, whether it is meeting up for coffee or Skyping my closest friends who live in Ireland.

What are your future goals and dreams?

I just hope that wherever I end up and whatever I end up doing, I’ll be happy. I definitely want to travel as much as I can: I love exploring new places, and ideally I would like to spend a year or possibly even more travelling. Especially America (North and South) and mainland Europe. I also hope to make it to Prince Edward Island one day: Anne Shirley was definitely my main literary kindred spirit growing up! I’d also love to have some of my writing published one day.

Any tips for new bloggers just starting out?

I’ve only just stopped feeling new myself! My main tip for new bloggers would be to stay true to yourself, and create posts that you enjoy creating and that you are interested in. One of my favourite things about blogging is meeting new people, so I would definitely encourage new bloggers to interact with other bloggers as much as possible. You never know who you’ll meet next, and there are so many wonderful people in the blogging community. 


I hope you enjoyed getting to know Louisa as much as I did. Isn't she just lovely? Remember to head over and check out her blog. You can also follower her on bloglovin, 

Raspberry Chocolate Shortbread Bars

My mom found a recipe similar to this one in a Weight Watchers magazine. We all enjoy eating healthy so it is fun to make healthy super yummy desserts. These crumble bars are so yummy and super easy to make. You probably will need to go to the store for a few items on the ingredients list, we had most things but I even had to make a trip to the store. 

Ingredients

2 cups low-fat buttermilk baking mix (I used low-fat Bisquick)

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp unsalted butter melted and cooled

2 tbsp milk (fat-free or 1%. I used 1%)

1 (14 oz) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk

1 and 1/4 cups chocolate chips

3 tbsp chopped pecans

1/3 cup seedless raspberry jelly, jam, or preserves

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 9x13 baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray. 2. Mix butter, baking mix, and brown sugar together. Transfer 1/4 cup into small bowl for final topping. 3. For crust, drizzle milk over remaining mixture and stir in until evening moistened. 4. Press evenly in pan to cover bottom and bake until edges brown, about 15 minutes. 5. For filling, microwave condensed milk and 1 cup of the chocolate chips for 1 and 1/2 minutes. Stir until chips are melted. Spread evenly over hot crust. 6. Stir pecan into rest of topping, sprinkle over filling. Add jam by 1/2 teaspoons over topping, 2 inches apart. Sprinkle the rest of the chocolate chips over topping. 7. Bake until filling is set, about 25 minutes. Cool. Lift from pan using foil. Cut into 30 bars. 

Honestly I was a little skeptical at first. Raspberry jam and chocolate, weird combination right? But these are SO good! You wont be disappionted. Enjoy.

The Beach

We live on a river. It is absolutely beautiful, great views, and always something to see. These were taken down at the beach in front of my house. My house sits on a hill about 75 feet above the river so it is a pretty long climb back up to my house. But it is still so beautiful!

Outfit details
Shirt: c/o Sugarlips
Shorts: H&M
Hat: old (similar)
Shoes: Payless
Sunglasses: Icing

Life has been pretty good lately. I have been a little more tired then usually I guess waking up at 5am will do that to someone. Teaching swim lessons at the pool has also been good. It is really fun teaching children, although some are stubborn. But I am definitely getting the hang out it and let me tell you it is a lot better then just sitting in the sun all day and watching the kids in the water.

Other then work my life has been rather boring. My mom and I had a picnic today, it was really nice. We had caesar salad and pizza. A little weird for a picnic but I enjoyed it. I also enjoy sitting on the couch at the end of the day and watching movies with my family.

Find the exact shirt from Sugarlips here. This tank is awesome, such a good floral pattern and the material seems really high quality. I love it.

Cherry Season

Cherry Season has finally arrived. Starting tomorrow I will be waking up at 5 am, wearing yoga pants and baseball hats, lugging bucks and punching tickets. Something you might not know about me is that my dad is a apple and cherry farmer. I literally grew up in the middle of an orchard. I enjoy it a lot and it something that makes me unique. It will always be apart of me and definitely has made me who I am. 

Outfit details

Dress: Macys (Similar)

Belt: H&M (Similar)

Shoes: Target

The family all helps with cherry harvest. We work from about 5am to noon (give or take) and it last about 20 days. We are all super tired after it is over but there is definitely a since of accomplishment. I have been doing this since I was about 13 years old. So about 7 years. This year I am helping out like always but not as much as I would like. We are starting swimming lessons tomorrow so I start working at the pool at 9am. So I will only be able to help from about 5am until 8am or so. I am sure in about a few days I will be so tired but for now I am excited for it. 

What do you think of my haircut? I love it. It is so light and everyone says I look younger. 

Reese Peanut Butter Cookies

I have always loved peanut butter cookies but for some reason no one else in my family really enjoys them. So I don't tend to make them very often. Well then the idea hit me to put Reese peanut butter cups into the peanut butter batter. And let me tell you all my family loves them now. I guess a little chocolate goes along way. 

Ingredients

-1 cup shortening

-1 cup peanut butter

-1 1/2 cup granulated sugar

-1/2 cup packed brown sugar

-1 1/2 teaspoons basking soda

-2 eggs

- 1 teaspoon vanilla

-2 1/4 cup flour

-12 Reese peanut butter cups or more if desired. 

Directions

-Mix peanut butter and shortening together well.

-Add sugars, baking soda, eggs, and vanilla, mix well.

-Add 1/2 cup flour at a time until all is mixed in well.

-Chop Reese cups into 8th and mix into batter lightly.

-Preheat oven to 350

-Place cookies 1 inch apart on cookie sheet

-Bake for 10 minutes. 

Enjoy the heck out of these cookies! You can always had more Reese peanut butter cups then I suggested. I think next time I will make them, I will try adding more. These cookies went so fast. Like 30 minutes fast! Enjoy.

Day off

Its my day off today! The way the pool manager has it set up we get two days off a week. Everyone gets off Sunday (the pool is not open) and then we get another day off during the week. Well today is mine!

Outfit detials
Shirt: Target
Shorts: Oldnavy
Sandals: Oldnavy


Plans for my day off: get my hair cut, cliff jump into the river, eat dinner with my friends, most likely make some sort of dessert, have a picnic lunch with my little brother, and relax. Sounds like a good day off right? I agree. 


Enjoy my hair in these photos because in a few hours it will be shorter. I don't know how much shorter. I am usually a wimp and just get an inch cut off. Right now my hair is layered and it has been a while since it has all been the same length. I think I will get it all cut the same length. We will see. Of course there will be pictures to follow.