New Blog Location

My new blog is up and running!  Yay!  After lots of changes, you can check out my new website and blog at www.rubyjewelstudio.com.

I will no longer be using this blog, so I hope you will keep following me over here.  

facebook blogging

Until I resolve my blog issues, I will be blogging from my Ruby Jewel Studio Facebook page.  Be sure to hop on over there and "like" the page to receive menu plans and recipes....and other posts from me!

oklahoma extremes...

I was going through photos from earlier this year and stumbled on to this one....

It's hard to believe that the pic above was a mere 4 months ago and now we are experiencing triple digits!  Here in Oklahoma we like to take everything to the extreme. 

what's cookin' this week

Sesame Beef Stir-Fry
Chicken Enchiladas & Salad
Some sort of panini sandwich with garlic rosemary bread and provolone cheese...we'll see what's in the fridge at the time
Grilled Chicken with Vegetables & Tabouli

And we are off to a stinkin' hot week....good news is....next weekend is 3 days!  Got to love the 4th of July.  What big plans does everyone have?  Lake?  River?  Any good 4th of July themed recipes????  Send them my way, please!

Yummy PH Day...and the new Starbucks review

I have been such a slacker with my blog lately and it's so frustrating to me!  I am on a mission to get much better....and try to figure out what platform to switch to so that my photos will work.

Moving on....today is my day over at Prairie Hive where you can see our raspberry picking from last friday.  And you can ge a super yummy fruit pizza recipe!

Today I am working at the newly renovated Starbucks down at Utica Square.  I was so excited to see what they changed, and sadly, I'm a little disappointed. 

It just doesn't feel like a Starbucks.  Don't get me wrong, it's really pretty, just not the same feel as before.  Everything is very neutral, cream walls with grey ceiling accents.  Lots of wood, but not the espresso wood like some of their stores now.  It's a dark, more traditional looking wood. 

I do like the floor.  It is a wood plank tile {not wood, just looks like wood} and they laid it in a herringbone pattern. 

All of the lights have changed from the fun, funky colorful shapes to simple opaque white cylinders.  And the backsplash is now a cream 2"x6" {approx.} subway tile.  No glass tiles or marble mosaics.

All of the artwork is sepia toned photos of coffee, in the field, being picked, etc.  Oh, and finally, the furniture.  The tables and chairs are all a cherry wood color.  Only two comfy chairs to relax in and a wall with banquettes.  There are so many tables and chairs that it feels like more like a restaurant than a fun coffee shop.  So not the same "homey" feel as before. 

So there you have it.  My take on the new and improved Starbucks.  They say it's the new "flagship" store...hopefully some changes will be made before all the stores change.

PH Day, Good Cookin', & Newborn Hudson

You saw on Monday that I was at my grandparent's farm.  Well, check out my Prairie Hive post today to see what I found!

In other news....last night I made up a recipe....Bruschetta Chicken.  And it was super yummy.  Wish I had taken a picture, but I didn't so I'll just tell you about it!  Grill chicken breasts seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic salt.  Once they are done, place them in a casserole dish and top with pesto {you can skip this step if you don't like pesto....sarah}.  Then top with fresh bruschetta {tomatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil, balsalmic vinegar, fresh basil, pepper and salt} and finish it off with grated mozzarella cheese.  Pop in a 350 degree oven until the cheese is nice and melted. 

I served the chicken over farm fresh garlic and rosemary mashed potatoes.  Even myMichael liked the mashed potatoes {he hates potatoes, so that means alot}!

Trust me, it was tasty. 

My blog is still messing up my pictures, but I just have to share a few from a newborn session.  Even if they are small.  Meet Hudson....

We worked very hard to get a shot with daddy's guitar!

happy thursday!

Waking up on the farm...

Today I am at the farm.  I love waking up here.  Beautiful bright, sunshining morning with fresh veggies coming in from the garden.  The first tomatoe of the season!!!!  You can't beat that.

I'm down here to interview for a school job, but I'm also doing some Prairie Hive research.  Grandma has a plethera of antiques that I am itching to snap photos of and get the great stories behind them.  So excited!

As for this week's menu....well.....it's going to be interesting b/c once again, I didn't make it to the grocery store on Sunday.  Oh well.  I am sure I will come home with bags full of garden veggies. 

Oh, and can we talk about Pinterest for a minute?  I am in love with all the ideas.  I'm thinking I will do a whole week's menu based on finds from there, get excited!

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

Prairie Hive Day & Blogging Issues!

It's Thursday....my day over at Prairie Hive!  Be sure and check out some Color Pop's with PH's Issue One Mag.  Lots of lovely colors!

In other news, I am having issues with blog spot.  About a month ago I posted photos from a session and noticed that when I made them bigger the color got washed out.  I didn't have the time to figure it out that day, so I left them small and went on.  Well, I have more pics to post and I am having the same problem again.  I have done some googling and have seen where others talk about this problem, but I can't find a solution.  I know some of my readers are blog spot bloggers, so, are you guys having this problem?  Do you know how to fix it? 

So frustrating!  If I can't figure it out, I may have to switch blog hosts.  Doesn't really work for me to be a photographer and only be able to post small photos.  Argh! 

It's also annoying that all of these free programs and services have absolutely NO customer service contacts.  No number to call and ask a question, they might have an email address but it's followed by a statement that says "we don't answer all emails....", nothing!  I mean, how in the world are you suppose to get help???

The good new is....tomorrow is FRIDAY!

Prairie Hive Mag, Issue One

And, it's done.  After a super long week and weekend, we finally got the Prairie Hive Mag, Issue One, up and running at Prairie Hive.

It has been a super fun & learning process along the way.  Not gonna lie, last night around 10:00pm {after having worked since noon on sunday and 11am - 3:30am satuday, oh and 4pm - 10pm on thursday, and all the days before} I wasn't sure it was actually going to happen.  We kept hitting wall, after wall, after wall when dealing with all the file compression, uploading, linking, etc.  BUT, around 11pm last night...it worked!  And then we saw a couple of corrections that needed to be made, so another hour later it was finally done.

It is very exciting to see something you have worked on for so long finally come to completion.  That's one thing that I love about interior design.  You start with something, or sometimes nothing, and in the end you have results that you can see and be apart of.

So, all that to say, take a few minutes and check it out!  Our next one will be out in August and will feature a totally different style of house and everything.

Due to all of the above, I haven't made it to the grocery store for this week.  Probably needs to happen soon.  For my sake, here is what I'm thinking for meals this week....

Sauteed Shrimp w/ Sherry and Chiles {didn't get to it last week}

Indian Food - Tikka Masala w/ Basmati Rice & Naan

Beef Taco Salad

Grilled Chicken & Vegetables w/ Red Potatoes

Have a great Monday!

Sweet Thursday...Recipe & PH Day

Oh yes, this is definitely a dessert you will need to try.  Do you love chocolate chip cookies?  Then this will be right up your alley.  I give you.....Chocolate Chip Pie.  Super tasty and super easy.

Chocolate Chip Pie
1/2 cup margarine, softened
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup chocolate chips {I use 1/2 milk chocolate and 1/2 semi-sweet}
1 cup nuts {I use chopped walnuts}
1 9 inch unbaked pie shell

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  In mixer bowl cream butter; add eggs and vanilla.  Combine sugar and flour in separate bowl and slowly add to creamed mixture in mixer.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts; pour into unbaked pie shell.  Bake 45 to 50 minutes until golden on top.  Great served warmed or room temperature with ice cream.

Try it and let me know what you think.  This was my sister's favorite dessert growing up!

It's Thursday so it is Ruby Jewel Day over at Prairie Hive!  Movie to Reality - Sex and the City 2....must see beautiful blue sofa find.

Also, get excited b/c Monday we will be launching Issue One of Prairie Hive's online magazine!  If you have been to the site, you know the "coming soon" on the home page?  Well, it will no longer be coming soon, the magazine will be front and center.  You will definitely want to check out our feature story about a couple in mid town with a great mid century modern house..and then how to take that style and use it for entertaining.  Lots of eye candy and inspiration coming your way!

Hope you have a great Thursday!

Recipe {Cucumber Salad}

Growing up, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents farm.  During the summer both Grandma and Grandpa plant gardens.  One of mine and Grandma's favorite veggies are the cucumbers.  I remember Grandma picking a cucumber from the garden, slicing it up, and sprinkling it with salt and pepper.  So simple and so delicious!  We actually had some last week while sitting on the porch of our condo in Destin, Florida. 

There is such a difference between a homegrown cucumber and those huge things you buy at the grocery store...no comparison.  What we have found is that the smaller the cucumber is, the better it tastes.  Many of the big ones can get bitter.If you can't get your hands on homegrown cucumbers, the next best thing that I have found are the mini cucumbers.  I just bought some at Sam's.  They are much smaller than the typical ones you buy and they taste a whole lot better! 

I love them just with salt and pepper, as mentioned above, but I also love them in this Cucumber Salad....

Cucumbers

Onion

Vinegar {can be any kind, this time I used apple cider vinegar}

Ranch Salad Dressing

Salt

Pepper

Slice your cucumbers & onions {as many as you want}, toss with vinegar, ranch dressing, salt, & pepper.  I just eye ball it.  You don't want them floating but you really can't mess it up.  These are great right away, and also after they sit for a little bit and marinate.

This is a great crisp and cool side to any summer dish.  Oh....and EASY!

What's Cookin' This Week?

We are back from beautiful Destin, Florida.  Such a great vacation....doing nothing but laying on the beach.  It doesn't get much better than that!  But alas, it is back to the real world.  Last night we painted our whole living room and hallway...took foreva but it is done! 

Now I need to get groceries so we can eat around here.  This is what's on my menu for this week...

Memorial Day Dinner with the Hays'....Herbert's Chicken stuffed with crawfish & jalapenos, Red Beans & Rice, Asparagus, Beer-Cheese Bread and finish it off with Chocolate Chip Pie

Pita Pizza & Salad

Sauteed Shrimp with Sherry & Chiles - new recipe to try

Mushroom & Swiss Patty Melts with Sweet Potato Fries & Salad

MyMichael's Grilled BBQ Chicken & Fresh Green Beands, with Homemade Macaroni & Cheese

Are you trying any new recipes this week???

Miss S.....Two years old already!

It's hard to believe that Miss S is already 2 years old.  Her mamma is one of my good friends from college and is getting ready for baby #2...a boy!  It was a super windy day when we took these....by windy I mean one side of their 6' tall privacy fence blew over!  But we still had fun, she loves her little play house.

Are you kidding me with those eyes and lips?  Love them!!!

Check out her nine month photos and one year photos, if didn't get enough!

Also, you can still enter my interior design facebook giveaway!  Go to the Ruby Jewel Studio facebook page and leave a comment under the giveaway post.

Facebook Giveaway Details!

Do you want help with your house?  Great!  Go to facebook, "like" Ruby Jewel Studio's facebook page and then leave a comment on my Giveaway status. 

Tell me what your biggest design challenge is in your home. 

Don't live in Tulsa?  Not a problem...you can still enter and I can help through my E.Design services.  The internet & email are fabulous tools!

-Can't figure out what color to paint? 
-Need help with an overall color palette?
-Can't figure out how to arrange your furniture?
-Thinking about renovating your kitchen or a bathroom and need input?
-Have a large wall that needs attention?

The sky is the limit for one whole hour!  Here are a few favorite spaces from past projects......

Furniture & accessory selection

Custom built home assistance

Selection of fabric for baby bedding & nursery

Go enter....NOW! 

avery lyric

Miss Avery is getting so big {see her 4 month photos on the farm here}!  My aunt asked if I would snap some photos of her last time I was down at the farm....of course I said yes!  This first photo of Kathy and Avery is my favorite....that special bond between a Nana and her grandaughter. 

She was cracking me up with the cell phone, just blabbering away!  Beware Colby and Kassie....I think you have a talker on your hands.

They are headed to Destin with us as well....expect to see some adorable beach pics of this one!

what's cookin' this week?

This week is going to be fast and furious.  With bookclub and a Prairie Hive meeting, Friday is going to come fast...and Friday we head to Destin!  So excited.  So, here is what I have on my menu...

Sausage & Rice Casserole with Salad
Chicken Tostadas
Turkey Sausage with Black Beans and Rice

Have you tried any new recipes lately?

Prairie Hive Day

It's Thursday!  My day over at Prairie Hive.  It's T.V. to Reality featuring one of my favorite fabrics right now...I am desperately looking for someone's home to use it in!

I also want to share some phots from the IIDA {International Interior Design Assiciation} Color & Couture Fashion Show that I photographed.  You can read more about the details of the show here, but the basic idea is that there are multiple design teams that are made up of local OKC architects and interior designers.  Each team is paired with a sales rep and they have to use the products from that sales rep...carpet, tile, vinyl wallcovering, fabric, or plastic laminate.  They are also given a color for the dress from Sherwin Williams.  So, needless to say, the architects and designers get to be very creative with their designs!  Oh, and the model is one of the architects or designers from the team.  Onto the fabulous project runway-esq dresses.....

Glass tile...and her "wings" lit up!

Vinyl Wallcovering...

Rubber base and jute backing of linoleum...

Fabric....

Carpet backing and fibers....

Plastic Laminate....

Fabric.....

Vinyl tile...

Carpet and fibers...

Three of the Prairie Hive girls were there...Sarah helped organize while Dawn and I photographed.

My good college friend, Jenn, was able to come as well!

A super fun night!  I've heard rumors that they might try and do this in Tulsa next year.  I think that's a GREAT idea.  What a fun girls night out, crazy fashion, runway, drinks, and dancing!

What is E.Design?

Many of you may not be familiar with the term "E.Design".  I wasn't either until a year or so ago.  E.Design is an Interior Design service that is done through the internet and email.  When I started my own company, Ruby Jewel Sudio, I did some research and decided that it would be a great service for me to offer. 

Ruby Jewel E.Designs are exceptional interior design services that you can receive no matter where you live. I communicate with you through email, phone conversations, and snail mail. 

This is perfect for clients who desire a customized design plan that don't mind doing a little legwork themselves and just need a good "design map" to follow.   Depending on the type of package selected, you may have to send me measurements or your room and furniture.  But don't worry, I will email you the "Ruby Jewel Guide to Measuring & Taking Photos", so you will know exactly what to do.  The E.Design packages also allow you to make product purchases as your personal budget allows.

The pricing for E.Designs is super simple because it is a package price.  You know exactly how much you will be spending for my services, before we start.  The type of package and size of your room determines your price. 

Here is an overview of the different E.Design packages and a couple of previous Inspiration Boards:

Ask A Designer: 
-do you need a designer’s opinion? don’t know where to find something or need a quick idea for one specific area in your home? this service focuses on a single design problem or question.

Color Selection
-selecting a new paint color for your home can be an overwhelming task! whether it is a single room that you are wanting to repaint, or your entire house, i can help you pull together, one or twenty, colors that will work with your existing home accessories and furniture.

Space Planning & Reorganization
-do you have a room in your house that just doesn’t flow correctly? you can’t seem to figure out a good arrangement with your furniture? or did you just buy new furniture and have no idea how to place it? if yes, then this is the perfect option for you. it is amazing how a room can change by simply reorganizing it.  i can give you a plan showing what works the best for your space. it can be existing furniture you have or if you are wanting new furniture and want to know what would fit best in your space.

Simply Accessories
-simply accessories is for the client that has all the basic furniture in your room, but you need suggestions for accent pillows, window treatments, rugs, accessories for book cases, art, etc. simply accessories will give you the finished, designer look that you want for your space.

All the Above {& More}
-this is your complete room design. a color palette, selection of furniture {all or individual pieces}, space plan, selection of accessories, and a shoppting list with every product listed and where it can be purchased. this will be a complete "design map" for you to assemble your newly designed room.

For additional information and pricing, please visit my website http://www.rubyjewelstudio.com/. 

I would love to help you with any of your Interior Design needs....residential or commercial....big or small! 

rubyjewelstudio@gmail.com
http://www.rubyjewelstudio.com/

 

fun weekend & what's cookin' this week

My, what a busy weekend!  Saturday Sarah and I hit up the Jenks Church Arts & Crafts show where we both picked up some pretty cute finds.  We also headed to downtown Jenks and did a little bit of antique shopping...love downtown Jenks!

Once I got home myMichael and I headed down to the Harley Davidson store here in Tulsa.  MyMichael has wanted a bike for years.  He really wanted one when we lived in Dallas and I just wasn't too keen on that idea w/ the crazy traffic and all.  Since being back in Tulsa {4 years} we have gone a couple of times and looked.  You see, he is the more financial savvy, "is this a good idea", one in our relationship and has talked himself out of getting one multiple times.  When it came up again about a month ago I was curious to see if he would actually go through with it!  As of Thursday afternoon he had talked himself out of it...as of Friday morning it was back on the table but we were just going to "look" on Saturday.  Well, he finally pulled the trigger and got himself a bike!  He got a 2011 Harley Davidson Sportster Nightster.  Here is an extremely blurry iphone pic of us ringing the bell {when you buy a bike you have to ring the bell}.

To say the least, he is a very happy guy right now!  I'm kind of excited as well...I've never been on a bike.  He's going to get good and comfortable and then we will look at a different seat for both of us to ride!

Mother's Day is always fun.  This year I had a Prairie Hive photo shoot, for our online magazine, in the afternoon, so we did Mother's Day dinner.  KJ {my sister} was in town, so we both cooked dinner which was a blast...and a mess.  I managed to overflow a pitcher and she dumped my salt bowl over onto the floor.  I made Cherry Pepper Chicken {get the recipe here}, rice, and roasted brussel sprouts, and she made the stuffed peppers.  Friday night I made some sugar cookies, so for dessert we made ice cream sandwiches with them.  Summer Berries ice cream filling, rolled in sprinkles.  Yummy!

I am way behind on all things food for this week.  Usually Sunday is my grocery/menu planning day, but that didn't happen.  So, here goes...I want to try making an Indian dish in the crock pot.  I found a recipe that I am tweaking, so we will see how that turns out. 

Indian Beef Korma w/ Basmati Rice & Garlic Naan

Chicken Quesadillas

BBQ Chicken & Grilled Vegetables

Grilled Pizza

Hope everyone else had a fabulous weekend!  Oh, and how about this muggy weather.....already!?!?!?

Prairie Hive Post & Randomness

Today is my day at Prairie Hive.  I got a tad bit sappy over there talking about Mother's Day, so be sure and read!

In other news....this Saturday is the Arts & Crafts Show at my church, Jenks Church.  The perfect place to find a unique Mother's Day gift and a boat load of other great things.  More details at their website, http://www.jenkschurch.org/ and below...

My facebook page is up and running {finally}!  I have some photos posted of my interior design projects, photography clients, and travel photos.  If you, or anyone you know, needs commercial or residential interior design help, please give them my name.  There is a lot more information on my website:  http://www.rubyjewelstudio.com/

I'm going to do a post soon on my e.design services.

Also, when you go to my website I have a new category under photography, "prints".  Certain photos from my travels are for sale.  I am still adding to the collection, but it's a start.  Does anyone have an etsy shop?  I'm thinking about maybe getting one, but would like some feedback on it.

And finally, Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!  If you want to throw together a quick fiesta tonight, check out this Prairie Hive Post.

Happy day-before-Friday!

lost and found

just the other day i found my new york city photos that i had *temporarily* misplaced.  to say the least, i was ecstatic!  i blogged about the trip in this post, but i didn't have my pics done.  so, although extremely late, here are a few photos from my fun girls trip with my sister kelsi and her college roommate abby. 

you can write on confetti that is released on new year's eve in times square.

beautiful central park

frozen hot chocolate at serendipity.....get it....it's awesome.

store desplay in soho

dinner in little italy...fab-u-lous!

yummy cannoli

my friend francie from college...totally ran into her walking around the upper west side!

francie's apartment and super cool wallcovering!  i love it...and totally gushed about it in this post.

what happens when you have a camera, time to play, and a beautiful fall day....

we are completely out of focus on this pic....but i love it!

i do have to admit that it was quite fun going through the photos so many months later.  it totally makes me want to go back.....i really do love nyc.