Surprise!

I’m back! Now that it’s officially been one year since my last post I thought I would check in. So, what have I been doing? A LOT! It’s amazing once you stop blogging how much time you have. I remember when I first started, I read a lot of posts that talked about why people stop blogging within their first year and the number one reason was the time commitment. At the time, I thought, “what time commitment, it’s just writing.” Oh how my thoughts quickly changed.

Writing one post alone could take me an hour or two. And then there’s the time it takes to take pictures, edit them, and then upload. And then promote your blog/post on various social media sites, and participate in blog hops/parties. It got exhausting and I forgot why started blogging in the first place.

So I had to get back in tune and remind myself what it was about this blog that I really liked.

1) Writing is a creative outlet for me. A lot of times it’s easier for me to put “on paper” what I really want to say and feel.

2) I love taking pictures! I always have. When I was younger I worked at the Picture People for two years and I loved it. Even while dealing with all the screaming and snot filled kids and the dog that peed on me during a shoot, it was still really fun.

3) Having a blog is like having a journal. It helps me preserve and cherish memories. And for what I blog about, it’s also a practical tool that reminds me how I did something.

So how often will I be writing? I’m going to keep it simple and aim for about once a week. I’ll write about the same stuff I was writing about before (home decor, organization, crafts…) but I’m also excited to have a new topic to write about – my Etsy shop! I think I had mentioned in a couple posts last year that I had been thinking about opening one. Well, I finally did two months ago. I really really like it. Not that I’m selling like crazy. Although I have had more sales than I anticipated. But it has encouraged and motivated me to really start thinking outside the box in terms of my creativity, passion, and goals. So go check out the shop (Silberez Creations) if you haven’t already. I appreciate any and all feedback and constructive criticism.

I look forward to writing more and posting pictures in the coming weeks.

Another year older

Not me.  I  turned 30 in June and I intend to stay that age for the next few years. Dan, however, is free to continue aging. In fact, I love it. The older he gets, the younger I feel. Thanks baby. So with much pleasure on my part, I’d like to say happy birthday to my beloved husband! My big love muffin turns 35 today. With all joking aside (at least for a little bit) I’d like to tell you a little bit about the man I love.

Dan is a kind hearted person with a gentle soul. He’s easy to be around and will just go with the flow. Some will say he’s on the quiet side, but start talking about a topic he loves (ahem football) and you may not be able to get a word in. He’s so loving and sweet and really is my perfect counterpart. He puts up with me and the things I make him do for my own amusement, like this

and this

and this

and this.

He takes risks like this

and still manages a smile when things don’t go so well.

He looks forward to our Halloween costumes.

He’s amazing on the piano.

He loves a good game night.

He loves beanies and actually wears the ones I make him.

Football is his passion. He’s currently 6 – 0 in his fantasy league #proudwife

He plans amazing birthday weekends.

When things like this happen…

he steps in to protect me.

And last but certainly not least, he’s just so devastatingly handsome.

Happy birthday Dan. I love you and appreciate you so much!

A Chocolate Martini Silberez Style

Far from home decor and food recipes but equally as fun and delicious, comes a wonderful chocolate martini recipe.  It’s sooo tasty. It’s also lower in calories than traditional chocolate martini’s.

I stumbled upon this recipe on accident the other night. I had this bottle of chocolate coconut flavored vodka (Stoli’s brand) that I was eager to try but I was low on mixers. Then I remembered I had just opened a carton of chocolate flavored almond milk. So I thought I’d give it a try.

How do these ingredients taste together? Divine! And because I’m so awesome, I’m going to name this concoction after myself. I can already picture Dan’s eyes rolling.

Elena’s Cinnamon Chocolate Martini

1.5 oz Stoli’s chocolate coconut flavored vodka
2 oz chocolate almond milk
Whipped cream (optional)
Cinnamon sugar (optional)

Add vodka and almond milk to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake, shake, shake. Pour into your favorite martini glass and top with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon sugar.

So tell me, what’s your poison? I want to hear about your favorite cocktail/martini/beer/drink of choice.

Crocheted dishcloths

******************9/1/14 update: My etsy shop is open! Check out Silberez Creations! ***********************

 

Have you checked out Rachel’s blog over at Useful Beautiful Home? I kind of really like it. She writes about organization and home decor and she works in healthcare, kind of like…me! Maybe that’s why I like her =) Recently she decided to  write for 31 days straight on the topic of creating a healthy home. I really admire her blog writing tenacity. I couldn’t do it, obviously, this is my first post in over a week.

But back to why I’m mentioning Rachel’s blog. One of her recent posts, The Dish on Dish Washing, really got me rethinking  our use of sponges. I’ve wanted to try out crocheted dishcloths for some time now. They seem to be more efficient, inexpensive, reusable, and more hygienic (if replaced often). This post was the final push I needed. After I read it, I went to work and started crocheting.

I made seven in total, one for each day, and different colors. I told Dan (the Silberez household master dishwasher) that a new dishcloth in a different color everyday would make dishwashing more exciting. He looked at me like I was crazy. Secretly though, I think he is excited. I’m sure he’ll be going to bed wondering what color will I get tomorrow?! 

The pattern I used for the dishcloth is really simple. I got my inspiration from this post over at Design Sponge.  Using a 3.5 mm hook, and 100% cotton yarn, chain 34, work a half double crochet in the third chain and continue all the way down to the end. Chain two and then finish the row with half double crochet, going through the back loops only. Working through the back loops only gives that ribbed look and adds nice texture, perfect for scrubbing dishes. I found 16 rows to be perfect. The finished dishcloth measures about a 7 inch square.

If you like what you see here, you can purchase them in my Etsy shop. Kidding. I don’t have one. But I am thinking about starting one if there’s any interest. Here are some links to past posts that contain handmade items by me, that I may consider putting on Etsy.

************9/1/14 UPDATE: My Etsy shop is now open! Check out Silberez Creations!******************

Napkins and towels

Table runner

Pillow cover

Let me know what you think!