I am super bad at blogging....

I never blog anymore, maybe because I am too busy with school.Yep that's the reason! I have no time to eat, sleep, or hang out with the fam. I feel like I am in medical school or something but its just interior design! I should probably be cleaning up the enormous mess I just made while I was doing my homework, or cleaning my insanely messy house...or I should be doing more homework, but its 9:54 and I have been working since 3 so I guess I can take a break. I really wish I had time to watch some TV. I have Mad Mens to watch, and 30Rocks and plus I would love to just not think or cut things out with an xacto knife for 30 minutes. I really need an office for all my design stuff. its getting crazy in here.

French Fridays with Dorie! I know I know, its Monday...

I just started the French Fridays with Dorie, even though I know it's Monday. I just got back from The Epicurious Entertains New York event where I participated in the Home Cook Cook-Off, and won! Super cool! Dorie was one of the judges and I was so honored that she liked my recipe! I got her book while at the event and absolutely had to try out these Gougeres! I actually made them last night, but they didn't turn out so good because I didn't beat my dough enough. Also, last night when I made them I used Gruyere which I love, but I felt they were lacking in some cheesey goodness so today I used Cabot Extra Sharp White Cheddar. The only bummer now is that I am home alone and no one is around to eat them with me. They turned out pretty delicious but I think I am doing something wrong, for one thing...my oven is crappy and it burns things. It is a serious problem, but that's apartment living. they are nice and fluffy and eggy inside though, but not like the picture in the book. I am going to try them again tomorrow before we go to the Belle & Sebastian show at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. They will be perfect for the cold night with a bottle of wine and other snacks. We will have the best picnic in the whole place!  

VOTE FOR ME!!

Ok, attention EVERYONE! This is very exciting news I am about to share with you.
I am very pleased to announce that I am on of the 15 finalists for the Epicurious 15th Anniversary Recipe Contest! My Rosemary Pistachio White Chocolate Chip Cookies need your votes! You don't have to register or sign up for anything, all you need to do is follow the link above and scroll down to the bottom and VOTE for my cookie recipe.
I will be making some more cookies to share with everyone, but I need your votes!
Ok, love you all. Happy Voting!
P.S...I don't know all the details about voting multiple times or only once, or only once per day but rest assured I will figure it out and let you know!
Thank you so much EVERYONE!

Garden Party

Garden Party Succulent Arrangements is now in business. I recently just participated in my first craft/handmade show that was put together by the Handmade Brigade of Orange County. It was so much fun and I got a lot of really great exposure. I have been working on some new arrangements and have also decided to start making handmade cards for various occasions. So far I have made a few Thank you cards that I think are really adorable. They are available for purchase individually or in a pack of 5. Once I get a decent amount produced they will be up on Etsy.
I will be participating in another craft show coming up in September. I don't have all the details yet, but once I do they will be up here.
Ok, well here are all the new arrangements and a sneak peak at the Thank You cards!

New Stuff...

My goodness, its been ages since I've blogged...like real blogging, not on my tumblr so much new stuff!
Today I started a new batch of succulent gardens (pictures coming tomorrow).  They are really amazing looking if I do say so my self. I am really looking forward to the up coming flea market at the LAB on June 27th. Its going to be so much fun (I will send out details and a flyer soon enough)!
I have also started working on my ipod monsters, and will make some ipad monsters as soon as I win this @smilegen constest which ends on Monday. 

I love that its summer time officially, so many fun things to come!

Environmentally Friendly Cleaning

Seventh Generation
I recently started buying the Seventh Generation family of products. I instantly fell in love with the lavender & mint dish soap, and decided to get other cleaning products for the house. I am by nature a total neat-freak OCD person. I love having a clean house, and I also feel that every person should do their part for the environment. I also hate the smell of chemical cleaners. They give me a headache and make it hard for me to clean the entire house in one day. I just cleaned everything with these amazing products and my house smells amazing. It smells clean and fresh, and its also like using aroma therapy. My bathroom smells like Thyme, my kitchen smells like mint, and I am in love! I highly recommend using these products, not only because they are good for the environment, but because they are good for you as well and they are only a few cents to a couple of dollars more than the generic brand. I find that Target has the best price on these items, at only a small amount higher than their Up&Up brand.Its a win!

Babycakes!

So excited about this cookbook. I bought some bananas the other day and I am letting them get nice and ripe on my counter so I can make her Vegan Banana Bread recipe. It looks so good. This book is really well written, detailed, and put together really nice. She includes all the information on the products she uses and the science to baking with unconventional ingredients and substitutions like coconut milk, agave syrup and spelt flour.