Holiday table decor

For me, holiday table decor is always about finding what is around and using it. Today I ran out with scissors into my parents backyard and clipped several eight inch long branches from my parents shrubs. I shaped them into circles and secured them into tiny wreaths using my glue gun. I broke out my dad's typewriter circa 1990 and typed out "give thanks!" Added few berries from nearby shrubs and voila! A sweet place setting for your table. 

Fresh Avocado Salad Recipe

I know...I know. It's been ages since I posted on my blog.

What can I say? Actually, I have a good excuse. Ready for it? Here goes: I moved across the world and was so busy learning Spanish and selling all of my worldly possessions that I forgot to blog.  Then we started a training program and life got incredibly busy.  All that to say; I'm back and I have some incredible recipes and ideas to show you.  The first of which, is one of the most amazing Salad's I've ever created.

But first, a story.

On my first trip to the grocery store here in Ecuador I cried. Talk about culture shock.  Beyond the isles and isles of food labels that I could not read was the startling realization that I do not know how to cook.  Not at all. Not even a little bit.  I never thought I was one who relied on prepackaged foods much, but was I wrong!

I did. A lot.

For example, I wandered to the salad dressing isle and saw that I only had two or three choices.  Italian and Ranch in two brands.  Neither of those generic dressings really appealed to me.  Where was my Paul Newman's Italian Blend dressing? Sigh... not here.

Then there were the mystery isles of the store.  The entire isle dedicated to yogurt.  What does one do with that isle? (Answer: a lot.) Then, there was the additional yogurt isle of yogurts that you drink.  Another mystery isle for me was the isle of "Flour." Yes. An entire isle of different types of flour- each one used to make something amazing.  I am also living at close to 10,000 ft elevation so the pre-packed and imported Betty Crocker Cake Mixes flatted to cookies when I made them.  Baking Soda is also not sold in stores here- which makes for interesting recipe substitutes. No jarred salsas here,  and my regular food staple of Spaghetti sauce would cost close to $8.00 to buy.

So, as time passed and my family could no longer stomach Quesadillas and sandwiches I rolled up my sleeves and decided to learn how to cook.  Here in Ecuador I have access to some of the most AMAZING fruits and vegetables. From farmer markets to street vendors, the produce here is in abundance.  It's mostly organic and Ecuador specializes in Hydroponic grown vegetation as well. All that to say, you can't really go wrong when everything tastes amazingly fresh.  

This is one of my first creations.  It's fast. It's easy. It's fresh. I hope you like it!

Avocado Salad Recipe: Serves 2

Ingredients:

For Salad:
1 Cubed Avocado
1 pkg of Grape Tomatoes
1/2 large Cucumber (Cut into small cubes)
Spinach or Romane Lettuce (Your preference)
Cubed Mozzarella Cheese
Grated Parmesan Cheese (for topping)


Dressing:
2 TSP Dry Oregano
1/2 TSP Garlic Salt
Salt & Pepper to taste
2 TSP olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar (1 per salad)
1/4 TSP Ground Red Pepper

Directions:
1. Prepare salad by combining Avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, Mozzarella and Lettuce together on two separate plates.
2. Sprinkle all dressing ingredients on top of each salad.
3. Mix well and top with Parmesan cheese.
4. Enjoy!

Freebie: Downloadable quote

Such a great quote. I'll never forget the day that I was venting some heartache to my mom and she said to me, "Perhaps you will find out what real love is if you have the courage to stick around long enough." It's true that sometimes our culture has very strong misgivings about love and what it really is. Thankfully, I can say that my Greg and I have stuck through things that most others wouldn't and our marriage is strong... not because we are perfect. No, because we know that neither of us are and we choose to love each other not in-spite of that fact but rather because of it. Two imperfect people who are perfect for each other.  It's quite lovely.

I designed this for my instagram the other day (my user name is @christabaca if you are on and want to be friends!) and one of my friends loved it and said that she wanted one for her house. So naturally, I made this 8X10 for her and I thought you might want to download it too! Click the pic to download!

xoxo,
Christa

New Years Letter

Every year I write a letter to myself on New Years Day to read the following year. Its a great tradition that always amazes me each year as I read the words that I wrote the year before.

This year I invite you to join me in this holiday tradition. I've even made a stationary that you can use.

To download the stationary click here.

Holiday Cheer!

Made ya something to send to your pals! Right click to download. 

xoxoxo,

CB

Freebie! Downloadable phone wallpaper

Double Click the image and save for a unique wallpaper for your phone or computer! 

Enjoy! 

xoxo, 

CB

Coast to Coast Challenge

You have to check out this amazing blog that two of my best girls started! It's called Coast to Coast Challenge. Click here to check it out! 

Coast to Coast Challenge is carried out every Tuesday and Thursday as an innovative way for girls to try out the latest hair, makeup, and fashion trends. The challenge allows girls to reinvent their wardrobes, try new things things, and connect with girls around the globe. Want to join? Check out the blog or the Instagram hashtag #coasttocoastchallenge every Monday and Wednesday evening at 7pm central to get the next day’s challenge!

How did this start anyways? 

The story goes like this:

After both relocating from Tulsa, Oklahoma to opposite coasts, two friends: Lauren and Lindsey, were on the hunt for a tradition that would allow them to stay connected despite the thousands of miles separating them. Working for Marilyn Monroe Spas & Salons, Lauren spent a lot of time researching various hairstyles for the salon look-book. After continuously flipping through magazine pages, Lauren decided that it was time that she brave the waters of new hairstyles and try out the charming crown braid. Naturally, being in a long distance friendship, Lauren snapped a photo of her experimental braid and sent it straight to Lindsey. Always up for new things and in the spirit of living life together while a part, Lindsey decided to attempt mastering the hairstyle as well. Naturally, the photos were uploaded to Instagram [IG]  and the hashtag #coasttocoastchallenge was added. The two friends decided  to continue to challenge each other with different fashion, hair, and/or makeup trends throughout the week as a means of staying connected. Little did they know what would come from these two IG posts.

The following day presented a new challenge and again the girls uploaded their photos of the challenge to IG. As the day progressed several of the girls’ friends across the country saw photos of the challenge and quickly wanted to be a part of what these two had began. The next day their girlfriends joined the challenge, with each girl uploading a photo of their creative spin on the challenge to IG and included the hashtag #coasttocoastchallenege [in order to keep up on everyone's looks].

The rest is history as more and more girls have caught on and joined the challenge.

Join the challenge this week by following @c2c_central and if you join in be sure to tag me in your pic: @christabaca

Today is a great place to start

Made a little phone screen saver for ya. 

XO, 

Christa

House for Sale

My beautiful house is for sale! My husband, son, and I are planning on relocating to Ecuador for a year and we have decided to sell our house and most of our furnishings and live among the people of the Andes Mountains.

If you, or someone you know is in the Tulsa area and is looking for a house, consider ours! Here are some pictures:

Open floor plan 

Fireplace with gas logs 

Artistic touches such as chalk boards 

Pergo laminate flooring 

 Master Bedroom with master bath, garden tub, and duel walk in closets

 Bed room #1

 Guest bath with shower

 Spare Bedroom #2 (We use as office) 

Spacious backyard

Spare Bedroom #3 (We used as Nursery) Crown Molding, wood plank, vintage chandalier

Price is $135,000 

Email: gbaca@gointernational.tv for more details or to set up an appointment to view the home. 

Bow-dacious

I love bows. Big bows, small bows- it doesn't matter! I love 'em! Here's a little post of some of my favorite bows.  Scroll down and I'll give a quick tutorial on how to make your own hair bows.  It's easier than you think!

 All images from we heart it. 

And now for the tutorial.... drumroll please!

 Cut two small rectangles of fabric. One you will use for the actual bow and the other will be a small sash that goes 'round the middle of the bow.

 Fold the fabric in half.

 Make a tiny triangle at each of the ends.

 Fold the ends to meet in the middle.

 Scrunch it with a pinch in the middle.

Wrap the middle with a thin florist wire.

 Make a little sash and fold the middle.

 Wrap it around the bow and dab the middle with a tiny bit of hot glue.

 Hot glue a little tiny clip to the bow.

 Smile and say cheese! 

(It's me!) 

Guest Bedroom Redo

Just redid my guest bedroom.  I wanted to do a beachy theme, with a vintage flair.

Above is my vintage fan that I picked up for a steal ($5) at this (see pic below) little flea market on my drive home from Kansas City. 

I decided to forgo the traditional headboard and opted for these vintage windows ($3 each) from a "secret spot" that my friend over at Third Story Apartment told me about. Who by the way, is moving from our beloved Tulsa (waaaaa! sniff, sniff). Which is actually good news for you because she is selling a bunch of her stuff! Click here to check out the goodies. 

I watercolored and punched with a 3/4" circle the dots that are on the frame, I wanted it to capture the sea foam bubbles that you see rising from the ocean. 

 I made this little frame from a vintage frame I picked up for three dollars. It was super cheap because it had a huge dent in it.  Which is absolutely noticeable when in it's original gold foil leaf- but is completely camouflaged when covered with ivory paint.

I was inspired by Restoration Hardware's frames. Which lovely as they are, I am never willing to throw down $500 for a cork board.   I made it using a $1 piece of foam core covered with white burlap and framed with my white frame.

Gotta show you one last thing; my vintage chair bought and recovered for less than $5.

Hope that can give you some inspiration for a room that you need to redo.  Things don't have to be super expensive to be put together well. Seek inspiration in things that you see and ask yourself if you can make it yourself cheaper!

That's all for now, 'till next time.