Spring Formal 2010!

I just attended my 4th Spring Formal with Perfectly Polished! Perfectly Polished is an ettiquite class I have been attending for 4 years. I've learned table manners, social skills, and ballroom dances. Some dances I now know are the Fox Trot, the Shag, the Vienna Waltz, the Carribbean Hustle, and the Cowboy Cha Cha. There is a "Spring Formal" at the end of each year. This year was the 25 annual Spring Formal!

Washington, DC!

My 8th grade gifted class and I took a trip to Washington, DC over one of our spring breaks! Above is our nation's capitol building, and the United States Supreme Court buiding.

Winter Fashions

Pea coats are my hero. They're ADORABLE with about anything. Skinny jeans, bootcut, or a long pea coat paired with fun printed tights and riding boots. They come in very handy for those living in bitter winters.

The above "Devin Military Pea coat" from Delia's is precious. I love the look of it with some simple khaki pants.





"Riding Boots" are stylish, equestrian style boots that look professional, no matter what they're worn with. Skinny jeans, fun patterned skirts, and a comfy pair of cords all look nice with a pair of riding boots.

When I think of winter accessories, I think of scarves and gloves. Scarves are VERY "in" this season, and, the good thing is, they can be found at amazingly cheap prices! Big, flowy scarves wrapped around your neck will bring the "I'm Back From Shopping In New York City"-look to your town! The scarf in the picture at the top adds a pop of color to this simple outfit. I love American Eagle's scarves, because they have LOADS of color and pattern in them. Paired with just a plain color tee, an outfit with a scarf has the ability to turn heads:)

Christmas List

Moms and Dads, Christmas is just around the corner. You may be thinking "I only have 3 weeks to purchase all of my relatives' Christmas gifts!"

Well, CAROLINE TO THE RESCUE.

Here are a couple of items on my list, and a couple of 13-year-old-girl MUST HAVES.

• Hollister, Guy Harvey, American Eagle, Abercrombie, JCrew, and Ralph Lauren are always "in", no matter what the gender. Just a tip.



• iTunes giftcards always come in handy.



• Simple but elegant pieces like "Venetian link bracelet in sterling silver" by Tiffany & Co would be nice, or just a heart-shaped necklace from the nearest Target.


• Peacoats (thick wool or cotton jackets with large or extravagant shaped and sized buttons) are in style this winter, any color, any length.


• Curling iron. Girls love to change the shape of their hair.


• Make up, lip gloss, lotion... anything that allows us to pamper ourselves. Bath and Body Works products are excellent.


• Delia's is a cheap, stylish clothing and accessories botique for teens. I would enjoy almost anything out of that catalog on Christmas morning. (http://www.delias.com/)


• Skinny, metalic, headbands always come in handy to dress up a casual ponytail.


• When your princess goes back to school after the holidays, her new charm bracelet would become the envy of the class.

I hope this list will help you out a bit. Now, what to get Grandma?

Heavenly Key Lime Pie by Southern Living

I made this delicious Key lime pie, and it turned out great!

Ingredients

1 (14oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

3 egg yolks

2 tsp. Key lime zest

1/2 cup Key lime juice

1 (9- inch) graham cracker pie crust

1 cup whipping cream

3 tbs. powdered sugar

Garnish: fresh Key lime slices

Preheat oven to 350F. Whisk together condensed milk, yolks, Key lime zest, and Key lime juice until well blended. Pour into pie crust.

Bake for 15 minutes or until pie is set. Cool completely on a wire rack. Chill 1 hour before serving.

Beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer 2 to 3 minutes or until soft peaks form, gradually adding powdered sugar. Top pie with whipped cream. Garnish, if desired.

Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer

Okay, so here we are at my favorite part of the year- SUMMER! I love no school and being able to relax 24/7. But my teacher gave us a summer reading project. I am definitely not a reader, and I only read when I have to. So I was not looking forward to this.

The teacher gave us a list of books, and so I decided to read "Rules of the Road" by Joan Bauer. This book is about a 16-year-old named Jenna who LOVES working in a shoe store- "Gladstone's Shoes". She just got a license and she doesn't even have a car. Her dad is an alcoholic and she lives with her mom and her sister. Jenna is sick and tired of being in Chicago around problems and stress. One day at work, Mrs.Gladstone- the owner of Gladstone's Shoes- asks Jenna to be her driver and drive her to Texas to the other shoe stores. Will Jenna's mom let her get out of Chicago? You will just have to read this book to find out!

I LOVED this book, because it is full of "life-lessons" and experiences. Unlike other books I read, I didn't countdown to the last page. I enjoyed reading this, and I read it in a flash! Now I just have to find two other books to complete my summer reading:)

Chockfull-of-Chips Cookies

I've never been good at making cookies. I'd always read the back of the bag of chocolate chips, but the cookies would never turn out right. I finally found a recipe from "Williams-Sonoma: The Kid's Cookbook".





INGREDIENTs

1c. all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 stick butter

1/4 c. vegetable shortening

1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

1. Heat oven to 350F. In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until well blended.



2. Combine butter, shortening, brown sugar, and granulated sugar and mix on medium speed until smooth. Add egg and continue to beat until well blended. Add flour mixture slowly. Using a rubber spatula, stir until mixed in. Pour in chips and stir untill completely blended.



3. Using a table spoon, drop the batter in small mounds onto a baking sheet, spacing about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake about 14 minutes, or until golden brown. Yum!