DIY Mexican

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Lately I've been craving Mexican food and margaritas.  Ok, who am I kidding.  Change that to ALL the time.  I just can't get enough of a good margarita and chips and salsa.  I decided to try my hands at making some homemade hot queso - a personal fave and a tall order considering I've had some excellent queso at restaurants lately.  After a little recipe research, I ended up concocting a delicious batch that turned out just as good, if not better, than anything you could order.  I rarely measure when I cook, so note that everything is approximate.

:: Hot Queso Dip ::

1/2 lb White American cheese (from the deli counter)
1/2 10 oz can of Rotel Diced tomatos (I used the lime and cilantro version)
1/2 4 oz can of diced green chiles
~1/4 cup milk

Simply melt all the ingredients in a sauce pan on medium low heat and voila!  Add more milk to thin it out, or vice versa.

Naturally, what's queso without margaritas?  I took a little help from the store, and churned out one delicious modified skinny margarita.  Take some Skinny Girl Margarita from the bottle, add the juice of one fresh squeezed lime, and a splash of club soda.  Cheers!

Design On A Discount Dime

Why hello there 2013!  Blogging radio silence has ended!  This past month or so has been crazy busy (complete with some international traveling), hence the blatant lack of posting.  I'm finally beginning to feel re-energized, inspired, and ready to roll.  Speaking of inspired, I went on a recent browsing trip to Marshall's, and that's what has inspired this post.  TJ's, Homegoods, Marshall's - all pretty much the same thing, yet there are some differences in inventory.  I was so pleasantly surprised on the plethora of pieces I saw, I wish I could have snapped them all up!  Who says decorating needs to break the bank?  I love Room+Board and Jonathan Adler as much as the next, but when it comes to adding a few key design pieces to add a punch at discount prices - Marshall's certainly can foot the bill.

This little beauty stopped me dead in my tracks.  

Why hello there coral chevron throw.
I would have purchased you if not for risk of clashing with my chevron pillows.

WHAT?! In every color?!  Ah temptation.

I love a good ampersand.

How chic is this wooden martini shaker?  I need you for my non-existent bar area.

My love for mercury glass is unwavering. 

Ok, I had to take ONE thing home.  $6.99 folks.  Done and done!