Boxwood Clippings

Back in high school we used to eat at the Pizza Factory all the time, and I’d always order their chicken caesar pasta salad.

One night many years later I got a craving for it, and thought it’d be super easy to imitate, and it was!

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What You’ll Need:

Bow Tie Pasta

Romaine or Green Leaf Lettuce

Chicken (I use rotisserie)

Regular Bread

Caesar Dressing

Tomatoes/Parmesan Cheese/ Pepper/ Salt/ Olive Oil : for garnishing

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Directions:

Boil water,cook pasta and cool. Meanwhile, chop up lettuce and place in large bowl with cooled pasta. Pour dressing over to taste and mix well. Serve on plate, and top with chicken, parmesan cheese, pepper and a tomato. Toast bread (about 1 slice per serving) under grill with olive oil and salt, when slightly cooled, rip apart and place on salad.

This has become one of our favorite go-to meals because Brock loves it so much. It’s not a guilt free salad, but SOOO yummy and awfully crunchy and perfect for any summertime supper!

One of the first things I needed to figure out when we moved house was how to clean my laminate wood floors. I asked a few family members and decided to give this Method wood cleaner a try.

It works amazingly well, has a soft almond delicious smell and is non-toxic. I am addicted. You simply squirt a little of the solution onto the floor and use a microfiber mop like this $10 Clorox one I picked up from Target, to clean your floors. I could clean my floors all day long with this, but as they look great for after one brief sweep cleaning is done in a jiffy!

Thanks Mike, Mumsy and Sar! You can buy Method’s wood cleaner at Target for $4.99.

Any great products you are obsessed with? We’d love to give them a try.

It’s hard to visualize freezing temperatures in this sweltering heat, but winter once again will show it’s face in just about 4 months (at least here in UT).

Yesterday we purchased these Sorel Boots at the Sundance outlet in SLC for only $45 (including tax), down from $150. The same boots on Amazon are still going for $132 and $89, which confirms what a great deal this actually is!

The boots which were originally priced at $150, were marked down to $89.99, then $74.99 and now marked at $59.99, BUT now through the end of June there’s an extra 30% off all their shoes, accessories and men’s clothing, making their final price $44.89 including tax.

If you’re interested, be sure to act fast. The selection was pretty stocked yesterday especically with larger sizes, but it’s sure to dwindle pretty fast with prices like these.

Good luck, and be sure to let us know of your great finds. :)

Salad season is in full swing so we’ve decided to share a few of our favorite recipes over the next few weeks. First up is this decadent strawberry salad. Our sister, Helen introduced us to this scrumptious salad and it’s been a favorite ever since.

What You’ll Need:

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Salad Dressing:

1 c Diced Red Onion

2 c Canola Oil

1 c White Sugar

2/3 c White Vinegar

2 tsp Dijon Mustard

2 tsp Salt

Salad:

Spring Mix

Strawberries

1 c Pecans

1 c White Sugar

Craisins

Cucumber

Feta

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Directions:

I usually start this salad by making the candied pecans. You’ll want to warm a frying pan on low/medium and mix the pecans and sugar until the sugar melts. You have to consistently stir or else you will burn both pecans and your pan, so make sure to do this ahead when you can have undivided attention. Once the sugar is melted, you can spread the pecans out onto foil to cool.

Next, it’s time to make the salad dressing. Blend all dressing ingredients together and store in air tight containers in your fridge until ready to serve. This makes a lot of dressing so you usually only need half for a large salad. I usually make a full batch as it keeps well in the fridge for a week, which also means you can prepare beforehand if you like.

When you’re ready to serve layer salad ingredients on a platter, drizzle the dressing and top with the candied pecans. You can play around with amounts of salad dressings to whatever you like. I like lots of cucumbers and feta!

Be prepared to dazzle your taste buds and your guests, this is a winner every time!

We are two baby-crazy sisters. We are both dying to be mummy’s and are loving anything small and cute. We’ve been researching so many baby things and have collected a list of favorite go-to gifts for all of the new babies in our lives. Here is our top five:

Swaddle Designs receiving blankets make our number one spot! We buy them at Nordstrom with complimentary gift wrap for an easy gift, as well as buying them in bulk directly from their website. We always make sure to check for deals in their clearance section here. Nothing is cuter than a baby swaddled up and ready for a snuggle, especially in such a cute blanket.  Everyone raves about how much perfect they are. Learn about the benefits of swaddling here.

We’re obsessed with Ralph Lauren night gowns. Not only are they gorgeous, but the baby can wear these gowns until they are a year or so as opposed to a normal jammies that they grow out of so fast. They also make for a super quick diaper change in the night – so much easier than having to snap all those snappers!

Bunnies by the Bay: The softest, cutest baby toy you will ever find. Read Sarah’s bunny post here.

Manhattan Toy Classic Toy Beads: Fun wooden toy for baby that can double as a funky bracelet for momma.

We still love baby mocs for a stylish and soft way to keep your babies tiny feet warm.

We hope this gives you a few ideas for next time you are baby shopping. What’s your favorite gift to give for a baby?

Em prefers her designer shades, but I’m such a fan of cheapo sunglasses. I like how stress-free they are, and it doesn’t matter if they get lost or scratched.

Plus they are so fun to switch out with different outfits, or plant in different locations. There’s always a pair in my glove box, and by my keys.

These are a few I’ve had my eyes on this season:

 [Charlotte Russe ones found HERE / Target ones HERE / Forever 21 ones HERE.]

So which theory do you favor: one designer, or lots of cheapos?

Last week we threw our sis-in-law, Kimberly a small baby shower. With four boisterous boys, we are thrilled Kimberly is having a girl for her last baby.

We kept the party very simple with just a few decorations and of course some very delicious food.

We found a pink, orange and yellow petal wrapping paper at Target and decided to theme our shower around it…very “spring-y” and girly. For decor, we decided to wrap her presents in coordinating colors for a simple display. We also hung a few Chinese lanterns and pom-poms for a festive entrance.

Kimberly’s eyes say it all…we think she’s excited to be having a girl too :)

I’m sure Baby Catherine will win all of our hearts, but for now her big brother, Teddy has us totally smitten.

We also kept the food very girly with fruit, an over-the-top salad, a variety of Mum’s quiches and Sarah’s legendary lemon buns and meringues.

Such a fun afternoon with some great ladies.

Congratulations Dan, Kimberly and boys, we can’t wait to meet your little baby girl xxx

Another year has flown by and I get to wish this fella a Happy Anniversary today!

I get super excited when our anniversary rolls around, and this year to celebrate we’re getting bikes! There are a lot of trails in our new neighborhood and it’ll be so fun to go riding around town together.

I am looking for a cute cruiser bike like this one:

sixtwelveplace.blogspot.com

Shopping has been a little more challenging than anticipated. Here are my needs/wants:

Cute factor (preferably white).

A few gears to get me up those hills.

Around $200.

I am leaning towards this Schwinn. Any suggestions of bikes you’ve loved or things I need in a bike?

Happy Anniversary, Brad! Love you lots xxx

Over the last 2 years, Pinterest has squeezed it’s self into my everyday life. It’s an amazing resource of visual overload and inspiration, but also full of fascinating tips and tricks I can’t believe I ever lived without!

These are my top 3 life changing tips!

Placing a wooden spoon over pan when cooking pasta:

Somehow this prevents the boiling water not to spill over, incredible right? The bubbles fold over the top and not down the pan. Obviously, still be cautious and keep a close eye on the heat and pan!

Ironing ribbon with a hair straightener:

I always felt guilty throwing away bits ribbon that I receive on gift wrap, but because it was winkled from bows it was unlikely I could put it to use. This was a real ahha moment to see I could just swipe it through my hair straightener, it totally gives the ribbon new life good enough to reuse.

(Although seen on Pinterest, but originally posted by Real Simple HERE.)

Easy way to clean panini press:

After use, unplug the press and place a damp paper towel in it. This steam cleans then all you need to do is wipe with another towel when it’s cooled.

What are you guys finding over at Pinterest?

We just love the quick fixes, and doable projects please share.

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(To follow Em’s boards click HERE, and mine HERE.)

Come spring I am dying to pull out my pink and coral clothes from closet hibernation. The same holds true for my toes! I have been obsessed with NYC’s Prospect Park Pink for the past few weeks.

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It’s the perfect blend of peachy pink and has my toesies excited for the months ahead. It dries in a rapid 60 seconds and cost only $1.99 at Target!

What colors do you gravitate toward this time of year?

There is no question that no matter the budget most people are disappointed in their closets. Here are a few tips that have helped us have semi-decent wardrobes through tight financial years.

First: Everyday, Neutral Basics

Black leggings, two pairs of great fitting jeans, two black tees…two white…narrow down your weekly basic wardrobe and spend your money maintaining basics before anything else. You’ll always feel and look great if you have an awesome pair of jeans. Make sure to sign up for emails from your basic clothing brands so you know of sales, coupons etc. Shade Clothing, Old Navy and Gap are a few of our favorites for basics.

Second: Seasonal and Colorful Accessories

We add color and fun to our outfits mostly through scarves, jewelry and shoes. Accessories are the perfect way to keep up with current trends, and requires only a small budget. Target and Charlotte Russe are our go-to shops for affordable accessories. See here, here and here.

Buy Out of Season

The best shopping deals usually come at the end of the season. If you wore out your boots this winter, now is the best time to get a steal. I just bought a similar pair to these Enzo Angiolini leather boots at Macy’s for $30.

Shop Discount Stores

If you’re a shopper like us and often feel the urge to hit the shops try the thrift store, Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx instead. You’ll have to hunt for a good find, and get a thrill from spending a fraction of what you normally would. Em’s coat was one of her all-time favorite Rack finds!

If You Don’t Love it, Don’t Buy it!

If you don’t love it, don’t buy it! It doesn’t matter if it has 95% off the original ticket, guaranteed you won’t wear it if it doesn’t both look and feel great…trust us on this one and save your pennies!

Patience is a Virtue

We are big believers in if you fall 100% in love with something to buy it. However, make sure to ask yourself how often you will wear it, and what you will wear it with. If your answers are “everyday” and “I could wear this with anything” then it’s probably a good item to invest in. If your answer is “maybe if I ever go on a cruise, or “when I lose ten pounds” run away. Believe us, it is always a good idea to think about a big purchase for a week or so before purchasing.

Support Great Stores

If you can’t wait for for sales and discounts, make sure you are buying from a great store. We love Nordstrom and are happy to pay full-ticket price for a great customer service shopping experience and return policy.

Do you have any tips on budgeting for your wardrobe? We’d love to hear your thoughts! We hope our tips will help you love your wardrobe once and for all!

Williams Sonoma is one of those stores that is totally inspiring. I’m not a chef by any means, but with only one foot in the store I can feel my domestic goddess setting in.

Their prices are higher than our usual places, but these products are my faves and well worth the investment.

No.1 Assorted Kitchen Towels, oh so lovely and thick, and a pack of four matching is very rare and ubber cute.

No.2 Pot Holder, adorable and sturdy but I’m mostly in love because it matches the apron.

No.3 Apron, forget the super cutie ones, this one makes me feel like a pro…hum I wonder if my food actually tastes better when I use this in prep?! Oh, and of course keeps me clean…even when hot grease comes a spittin’.

No.4 Ice Cream Maker, this one was a gift and we’ve LOVED it. Simple ingredients turned and chilled together makes a guilt free treat. Why is it that EVERYTHING is better homemade?

No.5 Gourmet Knife, we received a whole block for our wedding, but find ourselves using this one 50 times more than the others. Cutting tomatoes has never been so blissful.

No.6 Cook Books, to die for photography and do-able recipes. I love the few books I have, but this one is a fave to give at weddings, for that couple who already seems to have everything.

No.7 Le Creuset Dutch Oven, you know we love these babies. Sold everywhere, but we always tend to love their colours best.

No.8 Swissmar Peelers, gift from daddy-in-law who’s a Williams Sonoma snob! When he bought these over, I thought they were totally unnecessary at $18 but they are seriously a dream. Now I kinda look forward to peeling my potatoes…kinda!

No.9 Panini Press, another gift and this one seriously changed my life. Cooking for two, this is used almost every night, especially in the summer. Grilled cheese has never been so good, or easy!

No.10 Personal Embosser, this one is on my wish list. Hello Santa, did you get that?

Although their prices are pricey they have amazing sales. Seasonal clearance is especially great, and often find things 75% off, sometimes more.

It’s a great place to window shop and if nothing else, and they have delicious samples!

I’ve always loved clothes pegs, maybe because I loved washing day when mum would hang the yummy smelling laundry out on the line, (ha, sometimes when I tell stories of my childhood Brock asks me what century I grew up in!). Anyhow, these are super versicle little tools, here’s how they I like to put them to use.

As a place setting:

Helping to organize my ribbon ends:

 As a label for my plants:

As a tag on a gift:

Plain old chip clip, or in this case marshmallow:

A pack of these run about $1…holler, I can’t think of any think more handy for that price.

How do you put yours to use?

I used to be grossed out about food from the Dollar Tree, but since I’ve been stopping in there more regularly I see the stock gets turned over really fast it’s all new and fresh.

The verdict is in; they are ubber yummy and a steal for a dollar…holler!!!

I’m always on the hunt for great beauty products that won’t break the bank. When I notice someone’s pearly whites or luscious locks you bet I’m the first to ask what they use. My brothers are no exception to this, and last year I noticed Luke’s head full of curls looking a little fuller and bouncier. Luke shared his secret of this product for taming his curls:

Yes, it can be used on our horsey friends, but is also fantastic for any hair type. I am in love with this product! I use it as a clarifying shampoo about once a week. It strips product build-up, brings body and life back to my hair and really does result in “shiny, manageable hair”. If you want your mane to look and feel like a superstar, you need to give it a try.

laineygossip.com

Pick up a bottle of Mane n’ Tail on sale right now at Rite-Aid. You can also find it at Walgreens and Sally’s. Thanks for the beauty tip Lukey!

What is your favorite hair product?

I know we just did a post about 10 Things you Should be Buying at Crate and Barrel, but little did we know this new line was about to appear.

Crate and Barrel’s new line Clean Slate’s motto is “utility made beautiful”

Bravo, you did it!

Honestly, this new line has me in a giddy…yes I’m giddy about cleaning and organization products. I bet you’re thinking that’s nothing new; but it’s as if I’ve died and gone to heaven, cleaning heaven! I want, no NEED the whole collection!

Take a peek:

Wow, right?

To check out their whole line, click HERE.

A few weeks ago, I had a baby shower for my good friend Brea. I wanted a quick and different way to decorate the party cupcakes, so went through my ‘scrap box’ and ended up using remnant ribbon and washi tape:

I simply tied knots of ribbon and folded washi tape in half around toothpicks, the result being easy and festive.

The cupcakes looked so great grouped together, and the toppers worked out to be considerably less expensive than store-bought versions! Do you have any thrifty tips for party planning? We’d love to hear!

Today we’d like to share a few tips on designing a playroom. By following just a few rules you can ensure a space that both you and your child will love…

COLOR

When we design a playroom the process starts quite similar to any other room: Surprise! A neutral foundation. However, unlike most of our designs there is no denying that children love color, so we always add a healthy dose in accessories. Light and bright rooms encourage play time, so we also make sure to take advantage of the natural light available, as well as adding lots of lighting fixtures.

Neutral room + bright bunting and rug

warmhotchocolate.com

GREAT STORAGE

Storage is incredibly important in a playroom. Every item should have a home to eliminate clutter and create a happy environment. Closet organizers to utilize existing storage or adding additional storage, with bookshelves, storage totes and baskets are a must. Our beloved, Expedit is usually our number choice and is a very affordable option.

centsationalgirl.com

OPEN SPACE

The most important function of a playroom is to have open space, and this is often the first problem we notice when we start a project. It is so important to have open space where kids can pull out and run around in. With adequate storage only large items should be left on the floor to maximize every inch of open space. We usually add soft rugs and floor pillows to create a soft, inviting environment and also encourage a toy rotation schedule so the space is not cluttered and the child doesn’t tire of the same toy every day.

Open space + rug + poufs

We hope you find these tips helpful! Please email us at mail [at] boxwoodclippings [dot] com if you need help designing and/or organizing a play space for your family.

Today I thought I’d share a few tips on thrift shopping. There is no doubt that one of the number one things I have saved money on by thrift store shopping is supplies for the kitchen. I know I have saved hundreds of dollars. Here are a few things to keep your eyes peeled while shopping to save you oodles…

Whiteware

Mixing bowls, platters, porcelain utensil holders and pitchers all cost at least $20 at a regular store. They all cost less than $5 at a thrift store. I have a slight obsession and have a collection Martha Stewart would be proud of…Who can pass up a cute, white pitcher for $1?!

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Vintage Glass

macys.com

A close second thrift store favorite! Vintage stemmed glasses, cake stands, vases and dessert plates are all frequent finds.

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Small Appliances

Remember the famous Dualit find? The beauty is still my favorite find of all time. Thrift stores are always stocked with crock-pots, blenders, toasters, juicers etc that are usually working fine, in great shape and are looking for a new home.

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Professional-Grade Cookware + Bakeware

Other prized thrift store possessions are my Le Creuset dutch oven, professional cake pans/cookie sheets/cooling racks. These high quality items cost a fortune brand new, I feel lucky to have found them at a fraction of the price.

It is easy to go overboard and buy a lot while thrifting. Always remember the golden shopping rule:

Do not buy anything you do not need or cannot live without!

There is no point even spending a few dollars on something at the thrift store because it was a good deal if it is never going to be used.

I hope these tips are helpful. Happy hunting friends!

Today we’d filled our caffeine quota before noon, yikes!!! Later, we stopped by Sonic, so I could introduce Em to my new treat, their lime slush…YUM!

Their slushies and drinks are half off at happy hour (between 2-4 daily), so this little bad boy was just under a buck (for a medium). It’s so refreshing!

We’ve found our new pool-side treat! Whoot whoot!