Ok, so this will be a really quick post today. Two weeks ago I decided to upgrade my son's room into a bonafide big boy room and it was a major success! Now I want to decorate my sleeping quarters :-) Anyways, the hardest thing to find was, DUN, DUN, DUN, artwork.
With my son really wanting Thomas the Train everything, I knew that the pictures on the wall would make his space complete. As luck would have it, none of the stores had pictures, posters, canvases, or wall hangings of the popular stem engine. Even the internet was scarce when it came to options, and I was pressed for time.
I only had about four days to pull this all together, and Tuesday after he came home from school, it all needed to be done. I may have procrastinated just a wee bit *shrugs* No, actually it wasn't me. Furniture stores try to deliver way too fast these days. Do you want it tomorrow? Nawl bruh, I want you to chill. A fast turnaround time should be a good thing, but not when you're not prepared. I digress...
So needing things fast, I decided to make my own art! All you need is a computer and a printer to do it. Obviously, the easiest thing to do is find pictures that you like and print them. Pinterest has a variety of FREE printable art. However, if you're looking for something more specific it can get a bit tricker.
I wasn't in love with any of the Thomas prints that I came across, and honestly, they were probably copyrighted anyways. So I decided to create prints of popular Thomas sayings in cool and fun fonts. By coupling the prints with matted frames it really brings it together in my opinion. Here's a look:
The frames are pretty large, although it may not come across that way on the picture.
I selected a different font for each frame.
I really liked the detail. Since his bed & dresser is also cherry wood, I wanted matching frames that would kind of ground the room while still being fun and playful.
I lucked up and found this ready-made engine themed print.
I knew I wanted this frame right away as the shape reminded me of a rail road crossing sign (see how my brain works?). This frame sits on his new dresser, along with a vase of wasted money Thomas minis that my son doesn't play with.
And just for good measure, here's a pic of some of the frames in use.
When discussing my latest DYI, I was shocked to find how many people didn't know that printing your own "art" was an option. I know that my brother-in-love would kill me for saying this, but art doesn't have to expensive or fancy. Sometimes it's just about liking it. My prints look awesome in my son's room--even if I say so myself ;-)
Making your own frugal art isn't just limited to prints either. You can use pretty pictures from calendars, post cards, fabrics, or any other thing you can think of. The key is just to have fun. Well that's it for this week's post. Hopefully, I can find some more creativity to tap into soon. XO until the next time guys!
Hello! I hope all is well. Today, I'll be discussing recipes! One of my favorite things to do is EAT. Sounds greedy doesn't it? Well, I am! Another favorite of mine is travel. Mixing the two together is just pure delight. For times when I can't get away, it's always fun to try to recreate dishes from places that I've travelled or places that I want to go. For Valentine's Day my husband and I created an authentic Jamaican meal for some very special valentines--the women in my life :-) *Mother, Granny, Aunt*
Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to get in the kitchen and whip up something good. I would like to think that people would appreciate a nice, hearty meal more than some hit-or-miss chocolates. So without further ado, let's get to it:
On the menu this year:
Jerk Chicken
Caribbean Rice & Beans
Island Cabbage
Fried Plantains
&Whipped Banana Pudding
For the sake of time, I'll just go over the chicken and rice--that's a meal by itself :)
Let's talk about the chicken first. This crockpot recipe is soo easy that it should be a crime; it's also 100% delish! Here goes:
Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken recipe
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Author: AfricanBites
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Caribbean
Serves: 5-6
Ingredients
I lime or lemon
6-7chicken thighs or 3 -3½ pound chicken cut up
2 teaspoons creole seasoning (replace with salt and pepper or chicken spice)
1 or more Scotch Bonnet Pepper (Habaneros)
6 garlic cloves, chopped
½ tablespoon cinnamon powder
½ tablespoon allspice coarsely ground
½ teaspoon coarsely ground white pepper
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
3 medium scallions, chopped
1 sprig of fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped
1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
½ cup pineapple juice or pineapple
1-tablespoon bouillon powder (optional)
Salt and pepper to season
Instructions
Trim chicken of excess fat and pat dry with a cloth or paper napkin. Rub with lemon, and 2 teaspoons creole spice or season with salt and pepper
In a food processor or blender, combine the cinnamon, thyme, green onions, onion, habanero pepper, soy sauce, Maggi/bouillon, brown sugar, onion, nutmeg, allspice and pineapple juice or chunks. Pulse for about 30 seconds until blended
Drench the chicken with ¾ of the jerk marinate, place in a zip lock bag and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight. Try not to touch the jerk blend with your hands because it extremely spicy hot- If possible use gloves or just place the chicken pieces and marinate in the slow cooker so that they are tucked tightly. Cover the slow cooker, turn it on to high, and let it cook for about 3- 4hours.
After chicken is cooked carefully remove the chicken and place it on a broiler pan or a baking sheet covered with foil. Be careful because the chicken would be really tender. You might have to use a spatula or tongs. Add a little bit of the cooked marinate on the chicken. Adjust the rack in your oven so that the top of the chicken is 4-5 inches below the broiler. Broil on high for about 3 - 5 minutes or until the skin is crispy and deep brown. Don’t walk away from the chicken – this really acts quickly. Broilers can burn food.
While the chicken is getting crisp simmer the sauce from the chicken together with the remaining jerk marinade in a saucepan for about 5-7 minutes. or until reduced to desired consistency.Brush over chicken .
Although the recipe calls for letting the chicken marinate overnight, I've never tried it that way. I'm sure that it would be even more yummy if I allowed all the flavor to really soak in, but trust me it's good as is! Another slight variation, instead of rubbing my chicken with lime I actually peel the lime and throw it into the blender with all of the other ingredients. It was an oversight the first go round, but it was so good the first time that I decided to do it "wrong" again. Don't be worried when you see the blended mixture. Looking at it for the first time, I just KNEW that I was going to have to throw the whole thing out. Honestly, it looks like vomit, but it smells divine.
Yuck &Yum! Hey, that might be my new name for it, Yuck & Yum Chicken ;-)
Now for the Rice and Beans:
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Author: AfricanBites
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Caribbean
Serves: 3-5
Ingredients
¼ cup canola oil (or canola)
2 garlic clove, minced
½ medium onion, diced
2 teaspoons creole spice
2 cups uncooked long grain rice
1 sprig fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
13.5 oz can (1¾ cups) coconut milk
15.5 oz can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 small bay leaves
salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
3¼ cups chicken broth or water
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon (optional)
1 whole scotch bonnet pepper.
1 teaspoons paprika(optional)
Instructions
Wash rice until water runs clear. Drain water.
Heat a saucepan with oil. Then add onions, garlic, thyme, and hot pepper, sauté for about a minute.
Stir in rice to the pan, followed by beans for about 2 minutes, then add coconut milk, bay leaf, bouillon powder, creole spice, with 3 cups of water, bring to a boil reduce heat, cover with a lid and simmer until rice is cooked, about 20 minutes or more. Stir occasionally from the sides to prevent burns , add more water if needed.
Adjust for salt and pepper. Discard bay leaves You have to stir occasionally to be preventing any burns.
Serve warm
So, things can never just go smoothly in my house. There were quite a few little mishaps that sent my hubby back to the store several times. However, in the end everyone said that the food was GOOD! We actually had fun cooking too. It was one of the rare times when we were both in the kitchen with the music going, dancing around, and completing our own separate tasks. It was nice ;-) Here's the finished product.
Never mind the Playdoh cap on the table. I guess that was my little guy's contribution :) Actually, he was really good and played quietly to himself while we made a mess in the kitchen.
The Dessert...
My husband was really concerned with if we were saving any, lol #greedy
Dinners packaged & ready to go!
I even created this corny little menu :)
One bite and we were here again!
We had a great time creating and recalling. If you try out any of the recipes let me know what you think. Until the next time, XO!
We're now only FOUR short days away from Valentines Day, yay! Of course, my décor has been out ever since I took down my Christmas stuff sometime in the middle of January. I feel like if I would have waited until February to decorate for V-day, it would have been a waste of time. Anyways, I didn't do much decorating for the lovers holiday. I largely used things that I already had (that's always a plus, right?). So since showing my décor would have only taken about three and a half seconds, I decided to write about the hottest songs for every occasion. But first, here's my Valentines stuff:
My elephants are back, front and center! I guess that means the holidays are mostly behind us. Come on SUMMER!!!! Again, I wanted to decorate using traditional colors, so I chose gold and red.
This XO sign is the one new thing that I picked up. I got it from Target in the deal section for only $3. To the left is a faux wax candle in a Dollar Tree candleholder that I upgraded a while ago with a band of Sequin. To the farthest left is a glimpse of my great grandmother's candle stick holder that was gifted to me recently by my grandmother. The holders are very special to me and I think it adds a bit of a romantic element. The mates for the candle stick holder as well as the sequin holder are on the other side of the mantel.
I had this heart garland from last year. It was one string, but I split it into 3 simply by taking apart the links. If I ever want it to be all one piece again, it's a simple fix. The two hearts on the bottom are on Christmas hooks so they can hang linked on the doors. And that's that for decorations.
So now that that's out the way, what songs have I picked out for V-Day? I have 15 actually, and I've broken them down by categories. Hopefully, you'll find something that suites you. Let's jump right in!
1. Category: Pop Love Infatuation by Lipstick Gypsy
I am currently kind of obsessed with this song. At first it threw me for a loop that it was a man singing, but I love the MJ/ Justin vibe. This song is super fun and perfect to get ready to for your Valentines day date!
2. Category: Island Love Before I leave by Jah Cure
No list is complete without a little reggae, right? Reggae love songs--even better!
3. Category: Sexy Love Sumthin' Sumthin' (Mellowsmooth) by Maxwell
It only takes one word to describe this song--sexy! From the very first notes, you just know it's about to be sensual.
4. Category: Supernatural Love No Ordinary Love by Sade
For those times when a love is just too good to give up on...
5. Category: Young Love Sunshine by Lupe Fiasco
"You're my sunshine, you're my moonlight, you're the starry skies above me, won't you please come down and hug me, think I found love in this club tonight."
6. Category: Done with Love Just to Keep You Satisfiedby Marvin Gaye
This is quite possibly one of the realest songs ever recorded. Marvin Gaye actually wrote this song for his ex-wife, and you can feel it in every word! This man sung this song! His heartfelt vocals against that soft melody, really leaves you with the bitter feeling of heartbreak.
7. Category: Classic Love In a Sentimental mood by John Coltrane
Simply timeless! This classic tune sets the perfect tone for dinner for two or a quiet evening in.
8. Category: Fun Love Happy Valentine's Day by Andre 3000
Upbeat, funky, creative--with a song with Valentine's Day in the title it's only right that you give it some spin on February 14th. If you ever wondered about the day from Cupid's prospective then this is a must listen. Favorite line? "Could be an organ donor the way I give up my heart."
9. Category: The Ultimate Love I will die for you by Prince
Awww, boooo!!! So apparently, Prince doesn't want his music on YouTube, tsk tsk. I still have to include this song. I know that it's been debated whether this tune is about God or not, and I am in camp YES IT IS! Who else would love you like that? I mean just look at the lyrics.
"I'm not your lover I'm not your friend I am something that you'll never comprehend
No need to worry No need to cry I'm your messiah and you're the reason why
'Cause you, I would die for you, yeah Darling if you want me to You, I would die for you"
I really don't understand why we can't sing this for alter call :-P I always think of Jesus personally singing this to me when I hear it.
10. Category: Jazzy Love Seduction by Boney James
Seduction, no words necessary.
11. Category: No Good For You Love Insomnia by Jill Scott
"You have managed to turn me from a woman of substance to this." Enough said.
12. Category: Lost Love The Love We Had Stays On My Mind by The Dells
Here's another song that really touches your soul and makes you feel it. These men KNOW they sang this song. Its put a few tears in my eyes when I wasn't even going through a similar situation. It's just so much passion. Them ad libs though! I'm positive this is what regret sounds like.
14. Category: Forbidden Love I'm in Love With You by Erykah Badu and Stephan Marley
Everyone might not always understand your love, but luckily they don't have to."I'm so in love baby, I don't care what the people say."
15. Category: Throwback Love Got to Be There by the Jackson 5
If this song doesn't embody love then I don't know what it does. The whole sound seems like these fellas are floating on clouds. "I got to be there when she says hello to the world." That's pretty deep for these youngins! That goes for "Maybe Tomorrow" too--those lyrics.
So there you have it--whether you want to be with someone, want to get rid of them, or found the love of your life, there's a song for you! Hope you all have a safe and happy Valentine's Day! Until the next time, XO!
I hate anyone that's been enjoying this marvelous invention without filling me in, seriously, I hate them all. My mother recently purchased me my first wax burner for Christmas, and OMG, I am absolutely obsessed! I'm a long time candle lover, but in my opinion, wax burners put most candles to shame! As we all know, candles are often hit or miss. However, my waxes always light up the room.
2. Wax Melts
Ok, so numbers 1 & 2 are kind of a two for one deal, but they are so individually wonderful that it seemed wrong to lump them together. Wax melts are by far my new favorite thing. Going down the aisle fills me with indescrible joy! There are so many fragrances to chose from, and did I mention that you can burn the wax more than once? Not only are wax melts all kinds of awesome, but they're also economical. You don't find that combination too often.
3. Crock Pots
Yeah, the magic of crockpots are common knowledge, but I must have forgotten somewhere along the line. I bet you I won't do that anymore! I recently bought a new slow cooker and I pretty much feel like Betty Crocker now. It's so rewarding to have ALL your meals be cooked to perfection. Pot Roast, Jerk Chicken--you name it, I've made it. Slow cookers are great time savers and they do all the hard work for you.
4. Gold End Tables
Right now little gold tables are super trendy, but I'm normally not one to follow trends. However, these tables (and anything like it) are seriously my style. I love gold-toned anything, and the cool designs make me love them that much more. Target has tables in stock now, and the other day when I was at At Home (it's a home goods store if there isn't one in your area) they had an abundance of styles. I can't wait to pick up a set, but I think I'll hold on to them and set them out once the craze dies down ;-)
5. Faux Fur Throws
I LOVE these things. They definitely add a cozy element to any space. I love texture, and these throws are so nice and soft. I think they look absolutely perfect draped over the back of a couch or chair.
6. Shag Rugs
Much to my husband's disappointment, I've always loved a good shag rug. Again, I love textures, and there's something about a shag that's so inviting. I've lost count how many shag rugs I've purchased over the years, but for me, these never go out of style.
So there you have it. Six absolutely affordable items that will make your home all the more better. What's on your must have list?
