My new exposed cabinet!

After testing Mr.ShabLu for months without him knowing it I have decided that we can keep our kitchen cabinet organized enough to remove the doors!  This is VERRRRRY exciting to me (ahhhh, the little things!).

So here it is!

I also hung beadboard wallpaper, YES IT EXISTS!!!!, on the back side of the kitchen counter.  It looks amazing and so much prettier than just a painted wall.

Protein Bars

My sweet friend Kristy (and fellow Pilates instructor) taught me this recipe.  I alter it everytime I make it by adding something new or using different nuts.  Once you get the hang of it you can create any flavors.  The prego girls at the studio are dying for the recipe so here you go!

Start with:

Medjool Dates, about 8-10 seeded (I buy mine at Costco)

1/2 cup Chocolate chips

1 cup of nuts (I like to combine cashews and almonds)

1/2 cup flax seed

I like to use craisons, dried cherries, coconut (the healthy kind from

 the health food store).  I just add about 1/2 a cup or so.  :)

1. Put the nuts, chocolate chips and flax seed (and any other DRY ingredients) in the food processor and grind.  Remove the mixture and set aside.  

2. Place the dates, vanilla and any other dried fruit in the processor and grind.  Be careful not to overwork the motor (I did and needed a new processor).  The mixture will become a paste.

3. Add the nuts and grind them together.  You're mixture should look something like this:

4.  I make a loaf out of the mixture and cut it into bars. I do this by mushing the mixture together in a big ball and loosely wrapping it in saran wrap. 

5.  Then I use a large knife to make flat ends on the smooshed loaf.  I put the loaf (still wrapped) in the fridge to harden a bit.

6.  Remove the loaf and cut into bars.

I sometimes end up with a mixture that's too dry.  When that happens I just add water 1 tablespoon at a time until it holds together in a ball.  These taste just like Larbars and are sooooooooo much cheaper!!!!

ENJOY!

Carrie

Southern Sipper Wine Glasses

ShibbyShabLu presents...

Southern Spirit Sippers!

and water bottles!

To order contact Carrie by responding to this email or

by phone (910)228-9112

shibbyshablu.blogspot.com

Prices:

Wine glasses: $12 

Set of 6 glasses:  $50

Water bottles with acrylic straw:  $10

Happy Holidays!

It's Christmas and I LOVE IT!!!!

I guess this post is for my Grandma and Sia since I'm pretty certain they're the only folks who read it.  I suppose it's a bit for me too!  I had the best time decorating for Christmas this year and here are a few photos.

This is a close-up of the butterfly's I made out of brown grocery bags and my coffee filter "pom-poms".

My new bar stool upholstery.  I loooooove it!!  

I also made all new pillows for the sofas!

Some of the pictures are fuzzy because I am not great at taking pics without a flash.  I hope my enthusiasm for the season comes across though!  I am soooo looking forward to a month of joy, family and thanksgiving.

Smooches,

Carrie

A day of thrifting and inspiration!

Today I had the pleasure of taking one of my dear friends on a thrifting trip.  She was in need of new office furniture, and I was thrilled to help spend money that wasn't mine :) !  We found great stuff for her office and I saw an item that I just kept returning to.  I was inspired by a pinterest post recently and here's what I did.

Galvanized Steel Bowl ($1 Woot!)

Hanging, Magnetized Make-Up Display 

Admittedly, it's a bit silly!  It is however fun, different and convenient.  Particularly because maniac #2 loves to use my eyeliner to write on his face.  Now the cosmetics are up and out of the drawer.  I used about two small magnets (from the WalMart craft center) per item.  I also grabbed the small magnetic tins you see in the pic and hung the bowl with twine.  I'm pretty sure Frenchy thinks I've lost it.  I have no comment.

Lastly here's my vanity that's now painted blue.  I have disliked the white since I painted it.  Now I just need to paint the walls a super light blue or simple white.  I'm currently praying for more time in my days...

Smooches,

Carrie

LINKED TO:

Mama's going green.....(at least I'm trying!)

I am soooooo proud of myself!  I have been making tiny adjustments in our household lately by trying to waste less, buy less and enjoy what I have more.  As a part of that process I started noticing how many plastic baggies we use in Little Mamas lunchbox (she started year round school this July: KINDERGARTEN!!!).  I have seen re-use able lunch baggies at the store but since I am trying to buy nothing but groceries these days I had to use my brain (and the web).  I would do a step by step tutorial but honestly it was trial and error with no measuring or pattern.  Basically I sewed two pieces of fabric and two Hefty freezer bags together so it made a "laminated" material that will be easy to wipe clean.  Then I used an old school sandwich bag as inspiration for the design.  I am tickled by the result and can't wait to see how they hold up!

My Baptism

This picture was taken at my Baptism
at Port City Community Church on
February 6, 2011.

I went to my first Christian retreat this weekend and it was amaaaazing!  I was completely frightened of what I had gotten myself into as Lisa (who insisted I go with her) and I were pulling into the retreat center parking lot.  I was simply not prepared for the blessing God had in store for me.  I spent 24 hours with the most real, kind, hysterical and cool women I have been around in a long time.  As a new Christian I am still weary (absolutely terrified) of the stereotypes that quite honestly kept me from ever wanting to live a Christ centered life.  If I could share one thing I've learned about my new life (and was unexpectedly confirmed this weekend) it would be that focusing on the hypocrites and all the negative things about Christianity is a waste of time.  Look at the women in your life who truly inspire you.  Look at the mama who truly adores parenthood, the girl who arrives at every function with a smile on her face that's contagious, your girlfriend who has cancer and is drawn closer to the Lord everyday, your Grandmother.  These are the women who inspire me and THE common denominator, whether it makes sense to me some days or not, is a strong faith in Christ.  I always thought Christianity was about rules and shame and restrictions.  Y'all Christianity has opened me up to a life of hope, joy and love like I never knew existed.

Thank you to Ann, Christie and Nicole for this event.  It was too much.

The link below is to my baptism video.  I want to share it on my blog because I want to express how FREEING having Christ in your life is.  All you have to do is receive him

Click Here to view my Baptism video

~Carrie