Fashion

Okay, so if you haven't guessed by now I'm very into clothes, boots, jewlery, FASHION! And what's more? I'm into being sure of yourself and standing up for who you are, CONFIDENCE. Which is why I'm loving this line right now: Modern Cowgirl

About Modern Cowgirl

How it all began.....

Modern Cowgirl opened it's virtual doors in 2000 and has been growing ever since. The idea was simple bring together unique artisans from all aspects of the western industry and make their goods available to a larger audience. Modern Cowgirl focused on this concept for 3 years and noticed that there were several areas in which we could not get the unique and high quality products that we were searching for. So we set off to design several different lines that we think are truly "Modern Cowgirl". Our apparel line is the epitomy of "cross-over". In addition to our apparel we have a line of truly unique jewelry. Modern Cowgirl is constantly changing and growing to meet the demands of today's cowgirls. For a list of stores that carry our products please click on the Find a store link. 

Shana Gibson founder of Modern Cowgirl

A Modern Cowgirl is adventurous confident and strong.  She is a free spirit and true to what she believes. Shana Gibson is a Modern Cowgirl.

Born in Texas and raised in New Mexico. Shana Gibson has lived the life. Growing up in the wide open spaces of New Mexico and learning to ride at a young age, she has the purest respect for the land and its beauty.

Shana won the title of Miss Rodeo New Mexico in 1998 and competed for Miss Rodeo America.  Her skills and experience lead to personal coaching for other contestants.  Shana gives clinics on speech, modeling and interviewing for potential Rodeo Queens. 

While competing in rodeos, she met many talented artisans and decided to start an online business, Modern Cowgirl. Her site offered products that were not typically found in your local Western store. Shana began to create her own concepts, beginning with a few t-shirt designs. Her business quickly grew. Modern Cowgirl is now in over 400 retailers in the US and Canada.

I wanted to create a line that would be classic and speak to women of all backgrounds.” says Shana. The Modern Cowgirl line has fun edgy tees and a fantastic line of jewelry. The jewelry line incorporates unique stones and bold chunky necklaces. Shana and her quarter horse, Leaner, compete in reining. They travel to events in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Time on the “open road” allows Shana to relax, and create. “Sometimes, while I’m driving, new design ideas come to me and I pull the truck over and jot them down!”

Currently, Modern Cowgirl plants a tree with every purchase sold to support Trees for the Future. Someday Shana would like to create a program for girls and women of all ages that focuses on hope, inspiration, learning, teaching, growth and empowerment. “I gain so much inspiration and strength from other women. I am amazed on a regular basis at the determination and character of the human spirit. I call it your inner cowgirl!”

Merging the boldness and moxie of the cowgirl with sophistication and style of chic couture, Modern Cowgirl focuses on celebrating the spirit and strength of the cowgirl within every woman.

"Empowering the Cowgirl Within Every Woman"

She rides the open range finding serenity and strength on her white horse, a free spirit, the wind in her hair, and the world on her sleeve.

She is a Modern Cowgirl.

She works in the city and longs for the open road. She is strong and true to what she believes. She loves with her whole heart, and gives with every moment she has.

She is a Modern Cowgirl.

She knows what she wants and she takes life by the horns. She has an edgy strength that empowers her to carve her own paths and create her own destiny. She is a maverick in her own right.

She is a Modern Cowgirl.

Through merging the boldness and moxie of the cowgirl with the sophistication and style of chic couture, modern cowgirl focuses on celebrating the spirit and strength of the cowgirl within every woman. She may live freely in her everyday life, or she may come alive on the weekends. But with out a doubt Every Woman, in every walk of life, has a passion for life, for love, and for giving.

We believe that wherever you are, you walk your own walk, inspiring others as you go. The Cowgirl has evolved within each of us.

Embrace, love, celebrate, and set her free. She is within you.

So make sure you check out their website and get in touch with your inner Cowgirl! 

 

Heaven

Oh. My. Goodness. I LOVE coffee, but better then that? Iced Coffee! And to have it stocked away in my fridge, there for whenever the desire hits me?! Hence the title, Heaven. ☺ This post, by one of the people that inspires me, is the answer to every morning's coffee need. Or afternoon delight. Or midnight snack! Excuse me while I take care of this drool...

 Here's the link to the complete blog: The Pioneer Woman {Perfect Iced Coffee}

 

Recipe: Perfect Iced Coffee

Prep Time: 8 Hours  |  Cook Time:  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 24

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground Coffee (good, Rich Roast)
• 8 quarts Cold Water
• Half-and-half (healthy Splash Per Serving)
• Sweetened Condensed Milk (2-3 Tablespoons Per Serving)
• Note: Can Use Skim Milk, 2% Milk, Whole Milk, Sugar, Artificial Sweeteners, Syrups...adapt To Your Liking!

Preparation Instructions

(Adapted from Imbibe Magazine)
In a large container, mix ground coffee with water. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature eight hours or overnight.
Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and set over a pitcher or other container. Pour coffee/water mixture through the strainer, allowing all liquid to run through. Discard grounds.
Place coffee liquid in the fridge and allow to cool. Use as needed.
To make iced coffee, pack a glass full of ice cubes. Fill glass 2/3 full with coffee liquid. Add healthy splash of half-and-half. Add 2-3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (can use plain sugar instead) and stir to combine. Taste and adjust half-and-half and/or sweetened condensed milk as needed.

Edible

Okay, so do you remember my blog about cake pops? Well I made my own a few months back for a friend and they turned out A-mazing and so delish! One of my favorite box cakes is Funfetti and I wanted to see how it would taste as a cake pop. Here's how they turned out:

It was very simple. Just follow the cake box recipe, once the cake is baked remove it from the pan and let it cool. I broke the cake in half and then crumpled it up into little pieces in a mixing bowl. I then added 3/4 of a can of cream cheese frosting from Pillsbury and with my hands mixed it in well with the cake. Next was the fun part! Taking small sections of the mixture and rolling it into balls about an inch and half round. If it doesn't stay in a ball then you didn't add enough frosting.
I had already melted some white chocolate with color specks in it, keeping with the funfetti theme. Then I dipped each stick about in inch on the top into the melted chocolate before putting the stick into one ball. Let it dry for a bit then once it's somewhat secure on the stick you can dip the cake ball into the melted chocolate. I took a spoon and spooned melted chocolate over it as well, just so it could get coated evenly. Then place it in styrofoam. I put sprinkles on top then let it dry. I found that if I placed it in the fridge it helped the drying process.
My sister-in-law helped me, which made the whole process even more fun. If I've discovered anything new about baking it's this: It's so much more entertaining with a friend or a group. It just amps the whole process up and it turns into a baking party! Which is never a bad idea in my book.

Floral Sense: The Blog: Experience This!

This stupendously creative company is run and owned by a very dear friend of mine. Her talents and imagination make me a tad bit green with envy, but for the most part inspire me to be greater, to stretch my mind, to take something ordinary and turn it into a new creation! This blog post below captures that feeling and sensation that FloralSense emits! Please take a moment to read it. You'll feel refreshingly inspired to expand and dig deeper into your own passion!
Floral Sense: The Blog: Experience This!

Fashion

I am loving this dress from Twilight Cowgirl!

 What do you think?!

Edible

We're moving right along in August and the next season is one of my absolute favorites! Fall! I know it's still summer...but I'm anxious for the crisper weather, the leaves changing, scarves, boots and the like! I'm a Fall baby so maybe that's why I'm so in love with this time of year. Pair that will my love of baking and you get the Autumn Spice Cake...

 Makes 16 servings:
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup shortening
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon Dutch-processed cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Heat oven to 350°F. Line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper and lightly butter. Beat butter, shortening, and sugars together until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until smooth and light. Stir the buttermilk and vanilla together. Sift the flour, coca, baking powder, baking soda, and spices together in a large bowl. Alternately stir the flour mixture and buttermilk, in thirds, into the beaten butter. Blend well with each addition. Pour batter into the pans and bake until center tests clean – about 35 minutes. Cool cakes in the pans on a rack for 30 minutes, unmold, and cool completely before frosting.

This is sooooooo yummy! And of course we need frosting! To make this luscious orange hue, add 1 drop of red for every 5 drops of yellow coloring to butter cream, cream cheese, or whipped cream frosting; all pair well with a spice cake. I've provided a butter cream frosting:

Ingredients: 

1 cup butter, softened 

8 cups confectioners' sugar 

6 tablespoons milk 

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

Food coloring, optional 

In a large bowl, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla (frosting will be thick). Add food coloring if desired. 

Yield: 5 cups.  

Buttercream Frosting RecI hope you enjoy this delicious Autumn cake!