Fab Find

Attention all OKC iPad carriers!  Thanks to my sweet friend Hailee, I got this beautiful, shiney, black patent Michael Kors iPad case for $49!  Run to the Tuesday Morning on May.  I was there this weekend and they had about 20 left.  It's on the Michael Kors site for $129! Isn't it darling?  I love the gold metal logo, and it has a gold zipper and gold interior lining.  Go getcha one!

Are you getting creamed?!

So, about a month or so ago my sweet friend Allie motivated me to start following some easy low-carb habits she's started.  To tell you the truth, the low-carb thing isn't really that hard.  It's been about 6 weeks and I've lost 6 pounds.... which I'm happy with!  I try to keep really focused during the week and allow myself to cheat on the weekends.  Before, cheating to me would mean eating anything and everything I wanted.  Now, if I cheat with chips at lunch, I still eat my sandwhich with lettuce instead of bread.... making sure that not everything I put in my mouth is a "cheat"!  At a Thunder watch-party I ate the toppings of the pizza without the crust. (I know, not exactly healthy, but it was better than eating the whole thing!)

Anyway, my friend has helped me find ways to substitute bad things in my diet for better choices.  One of the best tips she gave me was to use half-n-half in my coffee instead of flavored creamers like Coffeemate.  Looking at the nutritional labels, you might think the coffeemate isn't that much worse for you.  But they trick you!  The serving size for the coffeemate is 1 tablespoon, while the half-n-half serving size is 2 tablespoons!  You can have twice the amount with half-n-half with still less of the bad stuff than coffeemate.  I found this article that is very informative!

Pinterest, anyone?

So who is on Pinterest?  I am already totally, completely sucked in by this awesome virtual pinboard.  It's like sensory overload for the eyes.  Everywhere you look or click there's a delicious looking recipe or fun home decor idea.  I can tell this is only the beginning of a long love affair....

Take your chip for a dip in this!

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, I'm sure everyone has plans for the lake or lounging by a pool.  Well, here's an easy dip that everyone will love!  I can't take credit for it, as it came from a great friend and tailgating buddy.  It's known to all of us as CRACK DIP.  That's right. It's as addictive as CRACK. Trust me. 

Mix all ingredients and serve with tortilla chips:

1 24oz. tub of sour cream
2 packets of Hidden Valley Dips Fiesta Ranch
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (approximately)
1-2 small cans of sliced black olives, roughly chopped

***TIPS:  Be sure to buy shredded, not grated cheddar.  Grated is too fine.  Also, buy sliced olives and chop them.  The can of chopped olives is also too finely minced for my taste.  I like a little texture in my dip!

Mr. Espin Lawson

I was asked by dear, dear friends to do a painting of their sweet dog, Espin.  My friends are avid sports fans, so the name is so fitting!  I love doing pets in this Andy Warhol kind of style.  Below is the picture she emailed me, and then a pic of the painting!  (I took it on my phone, so its not the best quality...)  I gave her the option of painting the background a fun, bright color, but she loves it the way it is!  Can't go wrong with black and white.  What do you think?

Contact me at 405-761-3500 or margaux.lippoldt@gmail.com for info and pricing to paint you favorite pooch!  (...or feline, if that's your kinda thing!)

Extreme Makeover- Chandelier Edition

So, a few months ago it dawned on me how much I hated the chandelier above our kitchen table.  After seeing it at Home Depot for under 40 bucks, I realized the builder must have just picked the cheapest thing out there.  Not my taste at all:

I decided to make a trip to the Habitat For Humanity Store downtown.  If you haven't gone, go.  It's full of randomness!  I've bought cool old hardbacks, spray paint, you name it.  This trip I left with this beauty:

Ok, so brass isn't exactly the look I was going for so I decided to spray paint it.  The great thing about spray painting an old $25 chandelier is that if you hate the color, you can just spray over it.  Before you start, be sure to remove the little white plastic tubes.

And, voila!

It actually looks almost wrought iron at night, but during the day it's very purple.  Totally not for everyone, but I enjoy how kinda funky it is. :)  I actually installed it myself, which makes the husband happy.... he's not too into home decor!

Zig Zag! Just a fad?

Chevron. Zig Zag. Whatever you call it, I'm obsessed!  I don't care if it ends up being a fad, I want it and I want it now!  I'm going to sew some pillows for my patio furniture, but I have to decide which color.  So many choices and they are on sale at Fabric.com