Lake Highlands (dot) Info

Baked Yellow Squash...

2009-08-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

So, most of you know that I do not usually cook with many measurements at all. I am a make it while you cook it gal. All my meals are extremely simple, yet I am a lover of food and believe that you should completely be excited about cooking or don't do it at all. Love it. I promise your food will taste better if you do. So today, I prepared one of my favorites. Slice up your yellow squash(I buy organic and use a veggie cleaner to wash it well before cutting). Place it all out on a big baking sheet sprayed with a canola or olive oil cooking spray.drizzle olive oil all over the squash. throw a large handful of pine nuts all over. Pinch parsley flakes all over each piece of squash. Cover with some salt(I love super salt by sun fire super foods). Cut a fresh lemon in half and use half of the lemon drizzled all over everything. Top with fresh grated mancheso el trisal cheese. And at last bake in the oven at 325 for about 10-15 min until they look ready to eat(ha!). So good. Let me know if you love this side as much as we do!

Black Beans...

2009-08-04T06:00:00.001-05:00

We love beans. Everyone. We eat them for breakfast with eggs and corn tortillas. The kids eat them all the time for lunch and snacks. We are a huge bean family. Today I made black beans and would love for you to try this scrumptious side. Totally yum!

I cheat and never ever do the overnight soak. Seriously who has time to do that much less who can plan out their meals that far in advance? Not me! So I always rinse the bag of beans and throw them in a pot with lots of water. I bring them to a boil, turn heat off and let them sit for an hour. I drain them and clean the beans well before they go back on the stove with fresh water, lots of salt and a pour of olive oil. I boil them and let simmer for about 2 hrs adding water if need be along the way. towards the end I add a can of Salsa Verde. stir at random, and add my super salt and about ten shakes of valentina salsa picante and about ten turns of fresh ground pepper.

Serve over brown rice, or however you like. I love it mixed in with Quinoa(that will be another recipe, another day...I just discovered Quinoa and am crazy about it).

Cheryl Calvin + The Store in Lake Highlands...

2009-07-29T23:29:00.007-05:00

Name: Cheryl Lindley Calvin
Shop Name:The Store in Lake Highlands
Website:http://www.thestoreinlh.com/

If you live in Lake Highlands you must know about The Store in Lake Highlands. I am so excited to spread the word about their amazing(must see)expansion. I was blown away, and am super anxious to see the finished space at the end of August. The Store has always been a favorite of mine for those last minute birthday gifts and wonderful unique creative finds that you can only find in a small boutique store like Cheryl Lindley's Store in Lake Highlands! Well...not so small anymore, pretty huge actually! Cheryl was kind enough to do a little interview with us for our Lake Highlands Community. Thanks Cheryl for being with us today!

So tell us a little us bit about your business and how it got started? My mom had a store in Salado, TX. I was the buyer for her store and went to market with her and helped in the store on BIG weekends. Allison and Gregg had reached Elementary school, I thought I needed something to do. So I considered opening my own store. When friends found out they encouraged me to open The Store, since Lake Highlands desperately needed small stores. I guess you could say "the rest is history".

Could you have imagined having this business turn into what it has over the last 7 years with the expansion and all your new products you are carrying? The Store is doing really well right now. I had hoped to do this well, but is always a happy surprise when your hopes become reality.

How would you describe in one simple sentence what you sell in your store? We sell sophisticated clothing and gifts you want to give and receive.

I know you carry a store full of everything. All of it is so fun and I would say more on the creative side. I noticed a few local vendors have displays in your store. Is this something you are always trying to find for new things? I am always looking for the "next thing" to have in The Store. Sometimes I find things at market and some are local, like BOYMOM designs tshirts.

Where do you go for inspiration? I attend the Vera Bradley Premiere each year. They provide lots of details about the market and they are lots of fun, too.

What are 3 things you have to have in your work space? telephone (it always seems to be for me), very large inbox, and a shredder/recycling box.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? Shane and I running The Store and hopefully children in college about to be out on there own.

When are you expecting to open the new expansion side of your store? Do you have an expected deadline for completion? I think we will be able to start rearranging The Store sometime the end of July. I have order some new items to arrive around August 1st. So we plan to have an Open House the last weekend of August the 28th and 29th.

What is your favorite item you have ever sold in the store? I love Trollbeads, (I wear 2 bracelets everyday) and Vera Bradley is such bright colors, it is fun to sell.

The expansion is going to give you the opportunity to do some new things with the additional space....what are most excited about? I am most exited about getting some "breathing room" we were a little tight in some areas. Vera Bradley will be expanding, we are adding a Lake Highlands/Collegiate/Sorority section, and the body care line, Thymes. I also have been asked over the years for "petite clothing" so we are in the process of finding items to add that section to the store.

Being in retail is a way of life...how is your family involved in the your business? My husband, Shane, is the financial guy. We both have accounting degrees but I let him handle the CFO responsibilities. He would also tell you he is the "trash man". Our daughter, Allison, has started working occasionally, since we have Vera Bradley. Our son, Gregg, just likes to stop in and say "hi".

Did your mom teach you the business? My mom had a store in Salado, Texas, but I was actually the one to inspire her to open her store. I worked at The Limited in high school and college. Later, when she wanted to open a store in Salado, I helped her with all her buying.

Tell us one thing about you that we don't know:
If I didn't have The Store I wish I had pursed singing Christian music. I always have on KLTY in the store and I sing on the worship team at our church.

Thank you so much again for being here today Cheryl and sharing these wonderful bits and pieces of you and the threads behind your magical store.

Cheryl Calvin owner, The Store in Lake Highlands Mon. - Sat. 9:30am - 5:30pm 214-553-8850

Left Overs+Potato Salad

2009-07-28T05:00:00.000-05:00

I decided to whip up another recipes with the left overs and boy was it yummy.

Using any red potatoes chopped and sauteed, must be chilled over night to use for this salad. Mix in a salad bowl as many cold potatoes as you would like, chopped fresh baby green beans, cold cooked asparagus(may use left overs or prepare the night before with potatoes), bacon crispy, cut up plum tomatoes, a pinch of fresh dill, chopped cold hard boiled egg also(make night before too), salt & pepper to taste and top with a Chipolte ranch dressing. There is no right or wrong amount for the portions of this salad. A little fresh salmon or tuna would be lovely in this as well. You could also add some fresh spinach leaves for more greens.

Tuesday's Community Recipes: Buffalo Burgers

2009-07-21T06:00:00.001-05:00

Buffalo Burgers
Buy however much ground Buffalo meat as you need and make patties covered with salt and lots and lots of pepper. Place them on a plate and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, mix the following
6 TBS unsalted butter(melted)
2 cloves garlic(smashed!) I smash in a zip lock bag with a meat grinder
1 tsp ancho chili powder(or reg chili powder fine)
1/4 c salsa of choice
kosher salt (a big shake)
2 TBS canola oil
Black pepper(lots)

heat the above in a pan or in microwave to make HOT
Using a grill brush. Brush the mixture over meat patties as you are grilling on both sides using ALL of the mixture to add a yummy flavor to the meat.

Tuesday's Community Recipes

2009-07-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Easy Chicken Bean Salad

Mix in a Salad Bowl:

1 pre-cooked rotisery chicken(take all chicken off bone ,shred and put in a bowl)

1 cup chopped tomatoe

1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion

1/3 cup fresh basil

2 cans of rinsed cannelli beans

1 avacado

Dressing:

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 TBS extra virgin olive oil

1 TBS fresh lemon juice

2 tsp Dijon Mustard

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

2 minced garlic cloves

Dallas Observers Best of 2008 LH

2009-07-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

I was reading The Dallas Observer online today & stumbled across their Best of 2008 list. I was happy to see so many of our Lake Highlands folks. I just wanted to share the list with you.

Best Civic Architecture
City Shade Pavilions
Faced with a need to refurbish many aging shade structures and build more new ones, the Park Departm... More >>

Best Outdoor Kids' Retreat in 110-Degree Weather
Lake Highlands North Recreation Center
Two words: spray park. One more word: free. Really, of all the city-owned-and-operated rec centers, ... More >>

Best Cup of Coffee
White Rock Coffee
Flying in the face of the Starbucks-ification of America, Bob and Nancy Baker built a cool new build... More >>

Best New Neighborhood Lunch Spot
Highlands Café
The owners of Highlands Café were fed up with the dearth of non-chain restaurants in Lake Hig... More >>

Best Scenic Drive
Anywhere along White Rock Lake
Maybe that sounds like a give-up to you, the ultimate no-shit statement. (Or perhaps you would hav... More >>

Best Place for a Kid's Party
ASI Gymnastics, Lake Highlands location
You've done your Chuck E. Cheese's, your Fun Fest, your rain-soaked birthday party at the neighbor... More >>

Best crab (and otherwise) cakes
Sweet Temptations Bakery & Café
Sweet Temptations' wonderful crab cakes are served over salad or pasta in an intimate European setti... More >>

Friday's Home Tour: Erin

2009-07-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

What fun this home tour was! Erin is just as cute as she is in her photo and her home just exudes creativity. Thanks Erin for sharing your beautiful house with us.

What do you do with your time(job,daily activities)?

I'm a stay-at-home mom and I feel so completely blessed to be doing so. I also have my little card business and look forward to developing it more. Right now I'm doing some tutoring at our neighborhood elementary school. I'm feeling a little scattered at the moment, but I just can't complain at all. I love my life!

What is your favorite color?

Red has been my favorite for as long as I can remember, but I'm liking blues and bright greens as of late.

Up to this point what has been your biggest design challenge in your home?

Updating our kitchen... We've had a hard time agreeing on a design and deciding just how far we want to go in renovating it, while still working within our budget.

Does a budget have a big play in how you decorate your home?

Yes, definitely. We've always worked within a budget, trying not to go into debt for any of our purchases. This translates into s-l-o-w progress!

What is your favorite detail of your home if you could only pick one?

The hardwood floors... A necessity with kids and dogs!

Do you have any design projects for 2009? If so what are they?

We have a long list of things we want to do. When the economy turns around for us, I'd say the kitchen renovation is at the top of the list... Of course, it's been there since we moved in 9.5 years ago! Other things on the list: updating our master bedroom, landscaping the front yard, recovering some chairs, a new sofa in the family room, office furniture...

Who do you look to for inspiration?

Other homes, magazines, blogs

Do you have kids, if so how many?

Yes, a six year old daughter and 20 month old son.

Please share with us how you have made your home more comfortable for your kids?

We utilize all of our space, so there's little that is off limits to them. We've also made the backyard an inviting, fun play area. Most days the back door is open and the kids go in and out as they please. It also serves as space for them to have their friends over and we can sit and lounge while they run around and have fun.

White Rock Local Market...

2009-07-09T05:00:00.001-05:00

Be sure to make it over to White Rock Local Market this Saturday between 8-12 for yummy local food vendors & craft tables. I will have a table set up with some of my photography and would love to meet you! It is at the corner of Lake Highlands Drive+Buckner at The Green Spot gas station parking lot.

one of my photographs

Today I Love...

2009-07-08T07:48:00.003-05:00

these pools...
Enjoy the heat! All images from here.

Chips, Salsa & Grilled Corn

2009-07-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

One of the best simple meals for us when we really don't feel like cooking is to snack on chips and homemade salsa while you are grilling out corn on the cob. Corn on the Cob, Mexican style...is so simple & the absolute best way to eat corn ever.
Grilled Corn:
You keep the corn in the husks and wrap tightly with tin foil. Place on the grill at medium heat and rotate while grilling for about 15-25 min. When finished on the grill remove foil and husk and add butter and drizzle with sour cream and fine grated Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper and then any Cajun hot sauce. We like Cajun Chef Louisiana Hot Sauce 6 oz. Seriously, you will love this corn!

*please email me your favorite recipes and I will post them next week!

Beach, Books + Jumping on Beds...

2009-07-06T06:00:00.009-05:00

I have been thinking...

We just got home from the most wonderful trip to The Outer Banks, NC. Seven days of bliss. Pure relaxation..well, as much as possible with three kids eager to get to the beach at 6am every day, ha! But I did have a smidge of time to clear my head a bit and think about some of the things that have been on my mind lately. Now I am home & would love to share some thoughts with you. Do you remember when you were kids how simple life seemed? How relaxed & happy our parents were? I actually have memories of my Mom reading books! Books! Seriously, who has time to read today with our crazy lives we lead of being super parents & super friends-volunteering at our kids schools-working-keeping the house clean, going to Saturday sports game(s)? So. Where am I going with this you ask. I have personally decided to start carving out 30 minutes a day to read, to unwind, to loose myself in something slow paced. Do you all find time to read in your busy lives? Here are the two books I will be starting with...

I can not remember where I found this image below(ug), but I will be doing this today too. Can you remember the last time you jumped on a bed? Okay friends, I want you to go do this and tell me just how fun it was, okay?! How many times have you told your kiddos not to do this? Ok..so sneak it.

*I would love to have you all start commenting so I don't feel like a lonely blogger. Come on Lake Highlands! Lets get this community sharing recipes, books, stories and inspiration! Hope you had a great 4th of July weekend!

Lake Highlands Pride!

2009-07-03T14:01:00.001-05:00

Have a great 4th of July! See you all at the parade on Church Road Saturday morning...

LH Home Tour: Debra

2009-07-03T07:00:00.006-05:00

What do you do with your time(job,daily activities)? Where do I start? I own a small graphic design studio (http://www.irisdesigngroup.com/). I am a partner in an online stationary business (http://www.inkchic.com/). I am also a partner in The Cake Ball Company (http://www.cakeballs.com/). And, most importantly, I am the mother of a wonderful 5 year old. Needless to say, I am pretty busy.

What is your favorite color? As a designer, I love green (specifically Kelly green). As an individual, my favorite color has always been light blue.

Up to this point what has been your biggest design challenge in your home? My biggest design challenge is not knowing where to start. I also have a tendency to do so much research where I get a ton of ideas, but in the process get overwhelmed and give-up. I have heard this is a trait of an artist. I'm not sure that this is the case, but it sounds like a good excuse to me.

Does a budget have a big play in how you decorate your home? Yes, budget is huge for me. I, like the majority of the country, have felt the hit of the economy. So, now when I look for inspiration, I look in different places. I'm also inspired by different things than in previous years. I am really trying to get back to basics. Simple is better. What I can't afford, I just don't need.

What is your favorite detail of your home if you could only pick one? I have this creepy portrait of a lady that I purchased at an auction in Michigan for $35.00. I love it for so many reasons. The detail of the painting is amazing. The colors the artist has chosen are perfect. But, I love it mostly because the woman in the painting looks like she has experienced so much in her lifetime and the painting is a small window to her soul.

Do you have any design projects for 2009? If so what are they? I want to create a playroom for my daughter. I want it to be a space that we work on together and create memories in.

Who do you look to for inspiration? I love to find inspiration in everyday objects, such as a coffee cup stain on a white table.

Do you have kids, if so how many? I have one. A wonderful, creative daughter named Avery. She is five.

Please share with us how you have made your home more comfortable for your kids? I work from home and many times my work requires me to work nights and weekends. Mostly, I try to work after Avery goes to bed, but there are times where I can't. So, I try to make my office "Avery" friendly, and I'll ask her to help me with my work. I have a chalk-board wall in my office and a craft closet full of activities. I give her a project that relates to what I am doing on the computer, and she thinks she is going to work with Mom. That way it is fun for both of us and I don't have to miss a precious moment with her.

Tell us one thing we don't know about you, anything: I am overly obsessed with magazines. I love to look at them, and I have a hard time throwing them away. The funny thing is that I never read an article. I just look at the pictures. It's a good thing that I am an art director and not a writer.

* Don't forget about The Lake Highlands 4th of July parade at 9 am tomorrow on Church Road!

Julie Peek+ Her Bows

2009-07-02T06:00:00.008-05:00

Okay! These bows are too cute...& how excited am I to support a Lake Highlands Mom! Now, if only I could get my little gals to wear bows! These would make great gifts too! Thanks Julie.

Your Name:Julie Peek
Your Shop Name: Julie's Bows and Kelly's Kids Clothing
Your Websites: http://www.juliesbows.com/ + http://www.kellyskids.com/

So tell us a little bit about your business and how it got started? I used to make and sell bows years ago and once my first child, Ellie, was born, I decided to start the business again. It made sense to sell Kelly's Kids because I love the clothes for my own daughters, and my hair bows fit well with their clothing line.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? And could you have imagined having this business 5 years ago? 34 and yes:)

How would you describe in one simple sentence what you make? Beautiful, custom hair bows. Kelly's Kids has darling clothes for boys and girls, ages infant to 14.

Where do you go for inspiration? all over the web

What are 3 things you have to have in your work space? ribbon, hot glue gun and wire

Do you work from home or out of a studio? If you work from home do you find it to be a challenge? home- not so much. My girls are at a good age, so they can play by themselves for a little while.

Do you have another job or is this business your primary income? The money I make is my "mommy money" that is for fun and frivolous things I might not otherwise buy.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? Enjoying my 2 sweet girls and my husband, making bows and selling Kelly's Kids on the side and helping at WRE, the LH community and our church.

Tell us one thing about you that we don't know: I love baking and gardening.

Brain Fog Blog+Meal Planning

2009-07-01T07:00:00.007-05:00

image via real simple

I recently discovered the blog Brain Fog Blog and have a few of her organization products that have changed my life. Very blog worthy! These paper pads teach you how to meal plan(which I am just now learning) and simply put: organize & manage your busy lives. Check her store out here. As much as it helped me, I am hoping maybe it can help a few other crazy busy folks here in Lake Highlands getting their week planned from food to errands, to honey-do lists.

*Have an inspiring day! Don't forget to submit your own stories that you find to be helpful & inspiring. Email me as we would love to share them in future posts.

Tuesday's Community Recipes:

2009-06-30T06:00:00.004-05:00

Mozzarella & Tomatoes:
simple & yummy

There is no rhythm or reason to this dish as far as amounts go. It is as simple as they get. We love to snack on this all the time. Sometimes I find myself eating an entire bowl of it for lunch. It is a must try +my kids now love tomatoes. Something I never believed would happen.

Mix in a Shallow bowl~
Fresh Mozzarella cheese cut up into small bite size pieces
small cherry or plum tomatoes
lots of salt & pepper to taste
olive oil

* Please send any fabulous recipes you & your family love to me so we can share them with our Lake Highlands community!

Sarah's Story + Paying it Forward...

2009-06-29T06:00:00.008-05:00

image via here

What is your Name?
Sarah

How long have you lived in Lake highlands?

I've lived here for about a year and a half.

Tell us a little about what you do during the day between 7am-7pm:

I'm a stay at home mom, but we try to stay pretty busy. I often over commit our schedule with bible studies, clubs, meetings, and play dates. I love play dates, especially ones with a purpose, like when my friend Katy will be there to cut hair or the one where I learned to knit. I have an obsession with my new Nikon camera, and it's likely that my son is developing vision problems from the constant flash. My favorite part of the day is when my husband comes home for lunch.

Do you have kids? If so how many and what are their ages?
I have one little boy (4yr) and a little girl on the way.

I heard about you through my husband and a deal you worked on together and was told by him, that not only you were one of the nicest LH residents he has ever met, but the most giving and inspiring. He said you buy people in line behind you coffee at Starbucks, meals at Wendy's, etc... I would love to hear how this all started and more about why you do this!
Several years ago, someone told me that they had their meal paid for in the drive-through. At that time I was a struggling single mom, and the idea still captivated me. Money was usually tight, but figured if I had enough to go out to eat, I had enough to pay for someone else, too. It made me feel really good to bless others, even when I was having a tough time myself. I pay for my order, than I ask the cashier to add on the order of the car behind me.
It's not just a free drink or french fries. I think about how many people can be affected by this small simple act. From the bewildered cashier to the unsuspecting driver behind me... this can affect the way they treat the rest of their day and the people around them. One time at a Starbucks, the cashier asked me why I was paying for someone I didn't know. She went on to tell me that this had happened before at her store, and the following 7 cars each paid for the car behind them. Hearing this really inspired me to keep it up. Paying for the person behind me gives me a joy I can't describe. It gets no recognition or thanks. I joke that I've never had MY meal paid for, but I truly believe that I am more excited and thankful by paying twice than by getting something free.

I am so impressed with you and how you must be instilling amazing values in your children just by your simple acts of kindness. How do your kids feel about what you do? Do they get involved at all or do you see things that they do that have come from your teachings?
I grew up watching my parents practice random acts of kindness for others. They are "behind the scenes" givers, and humble about the things they do. This impacted me in a much bigger way than if they just told me to be nice. My husband and I try to be good examples of how to love, serve, and show grace to others for our little boy. We have only recently told him about our special little secret. To him, I hope it shows a real life way to love and give to someone else, without any selfish intentions. We call it making someones heart smile.

Thank you so much for sharing this story with us today Sarah! It is so nice to know that Lake Highlands is full of inspiring stories like these. I hope we can all think about this and begin to "pay it forward" in our own works as the world would be a better place if we all did something like this. Maybe we can think small...think Lake Highlands, and start here!

*please email me any LH stories like these that may inspire others or simply make them smile.

LH Home Tour: Stephanie D.

2009-06-26T07:00:00.007-05:00

What do you do with your time(job,daily activities)?
I am a homemaker. It is a huge change for me and I am loving it! I have totally embraced the role of mother and wife and all that I am missing are some of those adorable waisted shirt dresses and vintage aprons. I spend my days taking care of Carson. I am cloth diapering and making all her food myself, so she keeps me pretty busy. I am usually working on a sewing project of some sort and I love to cook. My new years resolution this year was to "go green", so I have been working hard to switch all of our products to non toxic all natural and buying and cooking with all organic and local foods when possible.

What is your favorite color?
Lately I have been drawn to blues and greens: cobalt, periwinkle, avocado. I am liking saturated colors, especially in large repeating prints. And always shades of grey.

Up to this point what has been your biggest design challenge in your home?
Patience! Who doesn't want to move into a home and immediately begin the work. This house has great bones...a great floor plan, tons of space and amazing details like the fireplace in the master bedroom. Unfortunately, it also has purple Formica counter tops that aren't going anywhere for a while.

Does a budget have a big play in how you decorate your home?
Absolutely. We have lived in this house for a year now and our budget for decorating has been pretty much nonexistent. As frustrating as that can be sometimes, I do feel like it has saved me from some major design mistakes. Living in a space first before renovating and decorating can be essential! It forces you to be extremely thoughtful with your plans and get creative with what you already own in the interim.

What is your favorite detail of your home if you could only pick one?
I have tried really hard to avoid decorative objects and instead have meaningful collections. I am so proud when someone compliments my vintage cheerleading photos or my grandmothers iron candlesticks and there is a story to tell.

Do you have any design projects for 2009? If so what are they?
The list is too long! I hope (and pray) to have major renovation started on my kitchen by this time next year. Other then that I plan to just slowly acquire things that are unique and special. I find I do better when I purchase things that I love and let them come together instead of trying to plan a room and search for things specifically.

Who do you look to for inspiration?
I find inspiration in homes and rooms that have unexpected color combinations and an eclectic mix of furniture and art. I think that when things are too coordinated it can be very contrived and labored looking. I love to look through magazines for different ideas. My collection of Vogue is a prized possession. I think that fashion gives me direction in my home when it comes to fabric, color, and pattern.

Do you have kids, if so how many?
Our daughter Carson Lane is 8 months old and our two weimaraners Macey and Maddy are 5 and 3.

Please share with us how you have made your home more comfortable for your kids?
Lucky for us there were plastic (laminate) floors in the house already! The downside of that being that they are hideous, the upside being that my dogs can bring in mud from the backyard and Carson can slop food and formula anywhere. No worries...wipes right up.

Tell us one thing about yourself, anything we don't know about you:
I am a retired beauty queen. In 1989 I was crowned Little Miss Hopatcong. I won my title wearing the princess dress my mom had made me for Halloween the year before and I was missing my two front teeth. I still have the sash and tiara to prove it.

The Cake Ball Company

2009-06-25T07:00:00.001-05:00

Debra, Charlotte & Robin

So my good friends Deb & Charlotte partnered up with the amazing baker Miss Robin with The Cake Ball Company not too long ago. These little cake balls are a must try & their storefront on Northwest Hwy (just next to Tandy Leather) is way too cute. For more information their website is here. They were recently written up by Daily Candy here. & featured in Modern Luxury Magazine! I am so proud of these Lake Highlands Moms, aren't you?! Leave a comment on your favorite flavors if you have tried them, if you haven't go on now....

Kristy Crawford +Two Funny Girls

2009-06-24T06:00:00.010-05:00

There are so many creative small businesses in Lake Highlands. One of my favorite is our LH neighbor's Kristy Crawford's of Two Funny Girls. They have something for everyone & great gifts for all ages. And I can speak from experience, a very user friendly site & fabulous customer service! Go check them out here.

Your Name: Kristy Crawford
Your Shop Name: http://www.twofunnygirls.com/

So tell us a little bit about your business and how it got started?
Out of lemons comes lemonade. That cliché fits the beginning of Two Funny Girls better than any other. In the Spring of 2000, a funny girl named Kristy received word that her mom, who also happens to be quite funny, had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Five days after that diagnosis, Kristy's grandma died unexpectedly - if dying at 88 is ever unexpected. Before you get too depressed by this run of tragedy, know later that summer, Mom defeated breast cancer and has since lived as a survivor. Grandma is still missed, but she lived a full life and left a tidy little sum. Mom decided to purchase an embroidery sewing machine with a bit of that inheritance. With that sewing machine Kristy and Sara - the daughter and mother who comprise Two Funny Girls - began personalizing clothes and other goodies. The single, never married, Kristy must be friends with every girl of a certain age in Texas and has been in all of their weddings and then attended their subsequent five million baby showers. She began hooking up her fertile friends with personalized gifts, stitched by her mom on that sewing machine. Of course, her friends loved the sweet stuff, but when Kristy's friends had personalization on everything that would sit still, Kristy and Sara decided to try out selling their wares. After selling out of merchandise at several local craft shows, they took their talent to the web and now serve clients all over the country.Despite their success, neither Kristy nor Sara considers Two Funny Girls their day job. Kristy's "big girl job" is working as a privacy/data security consultant. Should the most unfortunate crime of identity theft befall you, email Kristy for tips and she'll point you in the right direction. Sara is an active retiree who enjoys golf and plays bridge. They run the business with the help of friends and family, including Sara's husband Jim, who serves as an occasional handy man and errand boy for the Two Funny Girls. Kristy's dog, a sweet boxer named Max, wants Two Funny Girls to fail miserably. His walks are often neglected as his dog-mom and dog-grandma spend some nights and weekends in front of the computer or sewing machine. As a compromise, the girls donate a portion of their proceeds to the Boxer Rescue in Dallas. Max approves. Kristy's an Aggie (that's Texas A&M alum for you non-Texans). She's single, so if you know any single guys who might be interested in chatting with a funny girl who's a privacy expert and runs a side business with her mom.....

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? And could you have imagined having this business 5 years ago?

37 and yes! we are 7 years old.. stared in 2002.

How would you describe in one simple sentence what you make?

We are dedicated to creating unique, one-of-a-kind, personalized items for you to show off or to give as gifts.

Where do you go for inspiration?
anywhere and everywhere

What are 3 things you have to have in your work space?
a computer, a printer and our font charts

Do you work from home or out of a studio? If you work from home do you find it to be a challenge?

home. no.

Do you have another job or is this business your primary income?

I have another job. mom does not.

Do you have a favorite item that you have created that you had a hard time parting with?

We love the monogrammed mocs. the smaller the shoe, the cuter they are.

Tell us one thing about you that we don't know:
We started this business with $100.

Mexican Bean Soup

2009-06-23T07:00:00.001-05:00

Thank you to our LH resident Julie Kay for sharing your amazing soup(our family loves this recipe)!

Mexican Bean Soup

1 package of Hickory Smoked Bacon (freeze it over night - makes it easier to chop)Chop raw bacon, then cook in large sauce pan, fry to crispy

1 yellow onion, diced. 1 purple onion, diced.

4 jalapenos, seeded and diced.

Saute above items in bacon grease (remove cooked bacon first).

Add 2 TB pepper and 1 1/2 kosher salt.

Cook until soft.

Transfer to soup pot and add:

2 cans of pinto beans (large size cans) with juice, and when empty fill cans with water to add 2 pinto cans full of water,

1 can drained corn, and tie 1 bunch cilantro to add.

Boil everything above for 5 mins, then simmer for 4 hours (or longer), in the last hour add bacon from earlier fry.

Remove cilantro before serving. If you want you can chop fresh cilantro for garnish to add before serving.

amanda blake soule +The Creative Family

2009-06-22T06:00:00.004-05:00

book from here

If you have not discovered Amanda Blake Soule's incredibly inspiring book called the creative family it is a must read for any family looking for family connections through creative projects that encourage imagination. In a world of Nintendo, wii, computer games, & PlayStation I have a personal mission to instill old school values in my children. This is a book I felt was blog-worthy and one that both parents & grandparents would enjoy. You can also find Amanda's wonderfully inspiring blog "soule mama" here.

*if you have any inspiring neighborhood stories that you would like to share please email me.

LH Home Tour: Angela

2009-06-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

What do you do with your time(job,daily activities)?

I am employed by Knoll, which is what I consider the next best thing to running my own business, since they are such an entrepreneurial company with a huge focus on design. I promote our products to the Architecture & Design community as well as the Health care market segment. Knoll is a furniture manufacturer with a rich heritage in design. I am surrounded by beautiful, thoughtfully designed products and amazing people who are passionate about good design. For over 70 years, Knoll has manufactured products that endure. Good design to Knoll is not just a beautiful piece of furniture or textile but a piece that will function well for the user, complement the architecture of the space, exhibit a timeless essence, make good use of recyclable content and be environmentally sustainable. The most exciting part of my day, however, is picking my kids up from school and playing soccer in the backyard, doing art projects or just learning about their day.

What is your favorite color?

Blue

Up to this point what has been your biggest design challenge in your home?

Finding the right chairs to go with my Saarinen dining table in my kitchen. My husband is not crazy about it, to say the least. I can completely see it making him happy some day if I could just find the right chairs...not too modern, not too traditional.

Does a budget have a big play in how you decorate your home?

Definitely...there are many things on my "wish list" for my home, that we just can't afford to do yet. I usually won't buy anything that I'm not just crazy about. So I do without for a long time and one by one, buy the things I want. That's why none of my dining chairs match. I have one antique chair that I love (they only had one, but I had to have it) and hope to have others made someday to match or find other unique antique chairs that will complement it.I also love to take advantage of my kids' free artwork. I pay them in kisses!

What is your favorite detail of your home if you could only pick one?

The open floor plan. I can be cooking in the kitchen and see my kids playing in the playroom.

Do you have any design projects for 2009? If so what are they?

I have designed my Studio/Garage, but I doubt it will actually be built in 2009...the whole budget thing. I am also helping my mom with a small redesign of her kitchen. I do plan to purge, simplify & become much more organized. (Huh...none of these projects pay anything, do they?!)

Who do you look to for inspiration?

My dad is an amazing inspiration, who by the way does not have a design sensitive bone in his body. He has an amazing work ethic and great determination and has a very successful company that he started with nothing 35 years ago. He also never loses sight of what is most important in life.Do you have kids, if so how many?I have 2 wonderful little boys, ages 5 & 7...completely full of energy.

Please share with us how you have made your home more comfortable for your kids?

I try to keep things accessible for them...keep the books they love to read on their lower bookshelves, keep their dishes in the big bottom drawer in the kitchen. I engage them in the design of their rooms. I try to provide a space that makes them smile or that provokes memories of fun things we've done together as a family.

Tell us one thing we don't know about you, anything:

I find it impossible to sit still.

*Don't forget it's Father's Day this Sunday! I am still trying to figure out what I am getting. Any last minute fabulous ideas? I'm thinking Cake Balls from The Cake Company. Looking for something extra to do this weekend Gals, you may want to stop by Boutique de Garage's Upscale flea market with discounted designer clothes, shoes, and bags +revamped vintage furniture + home accessories. Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. @5431 W. University Blvd. We... are laying low this weekend, and will have the sprinkler turned on at our house for some summer fun with our kids! Embrace the heat..and enjoy Lake Highlands.

Marianne Gargour

2009-06-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Marianne has been busy as a bee this year as I have run into her at every craft fair around town these last few months. If you don't know her work...she is the best kept secret in town. You can view more of her work on her blog here. And her website is here. She has been teaching art to Lake Highlands kids for years and just gave up teaching to paint full time. We have one of her prints in my kitchen & we just love it! I am all about supporting our local artist. If you know of any artist in the neighborhood email me or leave a comment as I would love to feature them too.

Baby Bean Vintage

2009-06-17T07:00:00.002-05:00

Baby Bean Vintage Bio:
Baby Bean was created in 2004 by Christine Visneau, a designer and mother of two with a passion for vintage fabrics, vintage children's clothing and patterns. Christine studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and worked as an accessories buyer before moving to Dallas, Texas, to be with her husband Steven. Inspired by her own Baby Bean, Miette and her new baby girl Amelie, Christine wanted her daughters to have one-of-a-kind, cool, girly clothing that is cozy and hip, using 100% vintage fabrics.

Are these dresses not the most precious things you have ever seen! I met Christine last weekend at the new local green spot craft market in old Lake Highlands & she seriously could not have been nicer. Check her online shop out here. I heard she was opening a shop up soon in East Dallas (yippee). Isn't this adorable? Go check out her awesome blog too here. And her website here. Please enjoy getting to know more about Baby Bean Vintage below & thanks Christine for being here today to let all our Lake Highlands residents know about your sweet designs!

Your Name:christine

Your Shop Name: Baby Bean Vintage Day wear

Your Website: http://www.babybeanwear.com/

So tell us a little bit about your business and how it got started? When my daughter Miette was born over 5 years ago I made her a few dresses but did not like the new fabric offerings so I started buying vintage fabrics on Ebay. There is something about the feel of vintage fabrics that cannot be duplicated in new textiles. So my business begin by word of mouth.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? And could you have imagined having this business 5 years ago? 34. I started Baby Bean 5 years ago but could never imagine it growing into a full-time job. And now we are opening up a brick and mortar shop! I also started an online magazine called Small because of the frustration of getting press and finding affordable advertising for my company so, no, I never would imagine so many things coming from sewing a few dresses in my bedroom!

How would you describe in one simple sentence what you make? A little girl's clothing collection using simple, modern silhouettes crafted from vintage fabrics.

Where do you go for inspiration? Of course my daughters, Miette & Amelie. They test run all my designs! But I get most of my inspiration from vintage fabrics. When I am on a buying trip I see the fabric and know exactly the type of silhouette it should be made into.

What are 3 things you have to have in your work space? My inspiration board, tons of framed art from etsy, and LOTS of vintage fabrics.

Do you work from home or out of a studio? If you work from home do you find it to be a challenge? I worked from home until about 8 months ago. I realized I needed a separation from work and home. I am a workaholic so I would be in my studio (our 3rd bedroom) all day and night.

Do you have another job or is this business your primary income? Baby Bean is my primary income but I am also a freelance fashion stylist.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? I am opening a store called Little Bean in Dallas that will carry my designs as well as other designers I admire so hopefully with a successful store! I will also be starting a line called Little Bean which will be a mix of new and vintage fabrics that will have lower price points.

Do you have a favorite item that you have created that you had a hard time parting with? I have a hard time parting with dresses I have made. Each piece is one of a kind so I fall in love with the vintage fabrics knowing that I will never see that print again.

Tell us one thing about you that we don't know: I do Jazzercise 3 times a week. I love it!

Tuesday's Community Recipes:

2009-06-16T09:16:00.004-05:00

Let's talk about Brussels sprouts! Who grew up and cringed when your Mom put them on your plate? And worse...made you eat them. I think Brussels sprouts were given a bad name and need to be given a new chance. Here is an absolutely amazing recipe that my entire family loves! Enjoy it & I would love to hear how you feel about Brussels Sprouts-After you try this recipe please. Oh and...Tuesday Community recipes has been created so that Lake Highlands residents can share all their too delicious recipes here for everyone to enjoy. So please email me recipes & I will post them on Tuesdays. Happy cooking neighbors!

Brussels Sprouts

ingredients
1/2 package hickory bacon chopped into 2 inch slices
1 1/2 Pound Fresh Brussels sprouts
1 TBS Olive oil
2 Cloves garlic, peeled and diced
1 Medium yellow onion, peeled and diced
1/4 Cup Balsamic vinegar
2 TBS Butter
1 TBS Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions
saute the bacon in a pot on the stove. set aside.

trim off the stems and remove any limp leaves from the Brussels Sprouts and cut them in half. Blanch the sprouts in boiling water to cover for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Add olive oil to saute pan and garlic and onion and butter and then the chopped sprouts...stir & add the balsamic vinegar, salt & pepper. And then add the bacon that was set aside.