chanelandchapstix

Passion for Photography

2010-02-16T10:18:00.000-08:00

Photography has become more of a passion since I have gotten older. I was in the concrete city (New York City) when I discovered how much love I have for Photography. I was taking a tour with my mom when she whipped out her Nikon D3. It was love at first sight. My mom has taught me everything I know about Photography. Since then I have been buying books and magazines to educate myself of the Technical and ever so confusing hobby known to mankind. My favorite book is Exposure by:Jeff Wignall and many others I will make record of.

I will continue my journey to learn the ins and outs of Photography in order to perfect my photos as the years go on. Who knows maybe I will become a Professional Photographer! Dream Big and love what you do :)

Besides doing fun things with CS4 and PSE I found this website http://www.photofunia.com/ and I created an image using their graphics. Check it out! Loads of fun if you are bored or want to create something unique.

Blogging is a blast!

2010-01-19T08:33:00.000-08:00

I love how we can fly in and out through blogs located for the world to view at their time. I found this blog by following another blog and fell in LOVE with it. She is a christian who has a love for the Lord and family. I wanted to document this recipe that she made. Check her out http://www.flythroughourwindow.com/

Cinnamon Honey Butter!
You’ll need:
2 sticks of butter at room temp
1 cup of powdered sugar
1 cup of honey
2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
Directions:
I used the whisk attachment for my mixer and whipped the butter {make sure it’s soft and room temp}. I added to it the powdered sugar, then the honey, then the cinnamon. Whip it good.

Use mason jars and fabric and finish it off with a tag.

Learning as you go along!

2010-01-06T11:59:00.000-08:00

Today has been very inspiring in so many ways!

First, Technology amazes me in so many ways! I don't know what I would do with out my ipod, Bluetooth, computer, and my nikon SLR camera!! They are my life and beyond words why I love those items so much. Well, these are the COOLEST beyond coolest sites www. bloggled.com and www. mozy.com
First site CAN SAVE your blog and make your very own blog into a book. Can you believe it?
I was so excited I was jumping up and down with glee because some genius created this site for all the non techies out there.

Second site is a place where you have an external harddrive online. I think I hear angels singing behind me or is that my work phone going off like crazy. Either way! It is the best invention since the OVEN!

Kudos to the smart people behind the TECHIE world.

Second, I just rel-earned(this that a word) that you can BOOKMARK your favorite websites and photos you find "googling or binging" in cyber space. Oh my holy moly, Batman! So, I was creating documents in my YAHOO cloud so if God forbid I get a brain freeze or lose my memory I would have access to my favorites.

You learn or RE LEARN something everyday!

(Side Note) Scrapbooking News

Jessica Sprague is the best scrapbooking DIGI chicky out there. I love love love her website www.jessicasprague.com I feel now It is possible to keep up with the PS and PSE junkies in the world without feeling completely and utterly lost. THANK YOU and you are a GOD SEND!

Recipe FIND:
I was craving my Christmas William Sonoma Peppermint Bark when A rat no... A rugrat named Erik A.K.A. hubby has eaten every last bite of my candy. I was so bummed and utterly crushed I went to my handy dandy computer and started researching how to make it. I came across these delish- treats.

M apologizes in advance: Blogging is a entirely different world I just recently dipped my feet into. I still have a list of things I need to research and learn to do:

Play with my SLR camera
LEARN Photoshop ELEMENTS 8 CS 4
Hybrid Scrapbooking
much much mor

I will one day RESEARCH and learn how to make separate cutie tags to put all my ideas in their appropriate places. Until then Enjoy!

This is from the best scrapbooker in the world Becky Higgins Blog site. Here is the link http://www.beckyhiggins.com/recipes/ and more recipes to drool over.

peppermint fudge

PEPPERMINT FUDGE

[ fudge layer ]

3 tsp. butter, softened (yes tsp. ... not Tbsp.)
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 c. powdered sugar
6 Tbsp. baking cocoa
1 tsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

[ peppermint layer ]

2 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. milk
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1/4 c. crushed peppermint candy (about 10-12 candies)

Line the bottom and sides of a square baking dish with foil. Grease foil with butter; set aside. In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, cocoa, milk and vanilla. Spread into prepared pan. Chill for an hour until firm. For peppermint layer, beat cream cheese in a small mixing bowl. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, milk and extract. Stir in peppermint candy. Spread evenly over chocolate layer. Chill for an hour or until firm. Using foil, lift fudge from pan. Gently peel off foil and cut into squares.

Notes: A double batch fits well in a 9â€� x 13â€� pan and makes about 7-8 dozen little squares of fudge. Also, to crush the peppermint candies, I place them in a thick zip lock bag and use a rubber mallet (soft hammer). This is where my kids like to help!

Added comment: I recommend storing your fudge in the refrigerator. Chilled is always yummy! It's probably fine at room temperature.

Attention: Man room is in for 2010

2010-01-04T09:45:00.000-08:00

It is official and into play... Erik is getting a man room! It was not an easy journey to say the least. It took a lot of strategic planning, countless hours debating, and a lot of praying for Erik to even consider turning the guest room into a "man room."

It all started when Erik and I decided to SHARE a room for our hobbies and loot. The brilliant idea was for Erik and I to have this room for each other. It was the master plan as we called it.

Well, the master plan soon begin to be a nightmare from hell. Anyone who knows my husband knows that he likes to drum. Let me define"drum" to anyone who does not know what I am talking about.

Lauren's Definition of Drumming- obnoxiously, a person uses any body part to make noise.

Somehow my husband thinks if he bangs on any surface that is noise in his book.

We are in our room when I hear Erik drumming to some Casting Crowns song. Meanwhile, I am trying to be inspired by all the happy things that is located on my side of the room while hearing all this "noise." I thought to myself he needs to be in the other room while I scrap in peace or at least listening to a chick flick being played in the background.

I had to break it down slowly to him that the master plan was off! After 8 months of countless hours of reasoning, praying, and debating the MAN ROOM IS IN FOR 2010!

LIFE HAPPENS literally...

2009-12-11T08:49:00.000-08:00

I have learned over the years that the older you get the MORE you appreciate the TIME you wish you could get back.

It has been awhile since my last post, however as my mom always tells me "Life Happens." Definitely, those words are very true. This past year has been amazing, and I would have to say God is in control. I was tested and tested again by statan. However, I survived with God, love, and family along the side of me.

In 7 days I will walk across the stage and FINALLY graduate from college. As I have been pursuing my "dream job" I have come to realize a few things I love about life.

My new quote I live by is " How can you HATE life when you love life's little moments that take your breath away and think that was GOD working!

I'm not sure if that is a quote or not, but I really like it. This semester has been very challenging in so many ways. I have learned a lot about the future, life, and blessings. God has blessed me beyond my wildest imagination. I could not have finished what I started if it wasn't for God, family, and my husband. I love you guys with all my heart.

I have decided to redo my MEANING of my blog "chanelandchapstix." If anyone who is following me is curious to what my "chanelandchapstix" means just ASK. The breakdown is quite simple if you know me. Chanel is a classy designer, and if you know me I love DESIGNERS and shopping. The meaning behind chapstix is for my husband. He is such a guy's guy! He is manly and loves to do all the manly events(football...Gaming, GUNS, you know MAN stuff most girls don't do) This blog will be mostly about us, me, and anything that comes to mind)!

It will be a hodge podge of my ideas, thoughts, and Ew I like that moments! Come aboard and enjoy the fun of the new adventures of blogging my daily, weekly, monthly, OR quarterly life. Who knows when I will have time! IT will be an online diary of my life and the good, bad, and ugly moments. Tune in next time...

First Time Blog!

2009-02-02T12:09:00.000-08:00

I dedicated my first blog to my mom! I love you, Mo! She has made me the person I am today* She is my solid rock, foundation, and life long Best Friend!

Actually, this blogging thing was my mo's idea! So, I hopped on and here I am today. I think it is a great way to share ideas and keep updated with happenings in your life. I guess I will give you a peep into my life. I'm a senior at Sam Houston State University, and I will be graduating this December(2009) with a BA in Academic Studies. I'm going to be an Elementary teacher somewhere close to home. I would love to teach Kindergarten or Second grade. After my one day children are grown I will pursue my dream of being an Adminstrator or professor at a university. I would also love to also get into interior design someday. My interests are: shopping, traveling, scrapbooking, cooking, and much more! I'm addicted to anything black, jewelry, and cars. I'm newly married to a wonderful and loving husband, Erik! We got married June 14th of last year. We recently moved into our beautiful home and currently decorating it. Erik and I are both hard workers and love being married to each other. Erik has his work cut out for him because I shop with out looking at price tags. One day we will have children, but for our future we see a lot of traveling, shopping, and enjoying each other. I'm no where close to wanting children of my own. I'm going to enjoy the freedom of no obligation of pets and children for now!