it's a Pretty Modern life

It's a PrettyModern life

To me, living a life that includes doing the things you love, looking after yourself and being surrounded by family and good friends (furry and otherwise) is the best life to live.  I love DIY, sewing, creating healthy juice, smoothie and food recipes, social networking, fashion, beauty, my fiance and my chihuahuas (I'm a big supporter of dog rescue and adoption). One of my favourite things is sharing with others to help them learn something new. Please enjoy this peek into my PrettyModern life and please share your thoughts about my posts, tutorials and recipes here. 

Amanda

Pretty Modern Products

I am excited to announce the launch of Pretty Modern Products...

Pretty Modern Products is a collaboration between me and my amazing hubby, Brett.  Here's what it's all about:

Brett - Industrial Designer and owner of Squint Innovation and Branding +
Amanda – Tweeter, Instagrammer, and sewing tutorial blogger known as PrettyModern =
Pretty Modern Products 

Brett and I have a love of design and a passion for sharing. We've always wanted to work together and Pretty Modern Products will be our opportunity! We want to create affordable products that will help solve life's litte problems (and make it easier to live a Pretty Modern life). 

We enjoy helping friends and family to bring their product ideas to fruition. My mom invented our first product that is currently available (talk about a family project!). As we design more items, they will be available on the site; we have plans for many more products.

Thanks for taking the time to look and thank you for all of your support with this little site.  I never thought it would ever grow and I am grateful every day for the many link backs, tutorial shares and thousands of visits every month.
Amanda 

 

It's so Pink!!!

This drink turned out to be super delicious and a super, vibrant pink colour...

In your juicer, add:
2 granny smith apples
2 large chunks of watermelon

In your blender, add:
One handful of spinach
1.5 cups of frozen raspberries
One small container of flavoured yogurt
One tablespoon chia seeds
The juice you just made above
Some of the wet pulp (if any) from the juicer 

Blend and enjoy! 

Baby Bunting - How to sew your own pennant flag garland

My dear friend Heidi is having her first baby. Her and her husband are going to be the most amazing parents! I wanted to jump on the trend and make them some baby bunting for their nursery (and it also doubled as decoration for their baby shower). Her nursery will be super colourful, focusing on red, mauve, teal and pink, so these are the colours I used for the flags. This was very simple and super fun to make.

Start by picking the fabric you will use. I decided not to repeat any fabrics and to just use numerous different patterns and colours only once. I like the look of repeating fabrics too, but Heidi is super colourful, so I chose not to repeat.

Cut out two traingles from the same fabric. My triangles were 6 1/4 inches x 8 1/4 x 8 1/4.

Put the right sides of the fabric triangles together and sew up the 8 1/4 sides using a 1/4 inch seam allowance (leave the top of the triangle open). 

Turn the triangle right-side-out and press it really nice and flat with your iron.

I laid all of my triangles out to get the order of the flags all set up:

I bought bias tape because it comes in long lengths and is so much easier than making my own.  Insert the triangles into the bias tape and sew it shut.

Here is a short video clip of the making of this fun project. This was recorded using the super, fun app called Vine.

 

Spaghetti Squash in Cream Sauce

I recently fell in love with spaghetti squash and I don't know why I ever needed to eat noodles. Zucchini noodles are also amazing (I make them using my Saladacco).

Anyway, here's a photo I recently posted on IG and I've gotten requests for the the recipe, so here it is :)

Preparing the Spaghetti Squash:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Cut the squash in half lengthwise (be very careful...they are difficult to cut and a serrated knife helps)
Scoop out and discard the seeds
Spread some olive oil on the squash and then place face down on a cookie sheet (skin side up)
Bake for 45-55 minutes (depending on how al dente you like your squash)

Ingredients:
10 smoked turkey rashers
1 shallot (chopped)
2 garlic cloves (diced up)
2/3 cup vegetable broth
200 grams of cream cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Some kind of sharp cheese (I like aged white cheddar or parmesan with this dish)

1. Cut turkey rashers into small pieces.  Fry rashers in a non-stick pan on high heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the shallot, garlic and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 5 minutes.

2. Add the cream cheese. If it gets too thick, then slowly add a little more vegetable broth (or add a bit of milk).

3. Once the spaghetti squash is ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool so you can touch the squash. Take a fork and rake it throught the squash to losen the squash and create the "spaghetti".

4. Add the squash to the pan with the cream cheese sauce. Toss the squash, parsley and sauce together until everything is coated.

5. Add a bit of your favourite shredded cheese to the top of your dish.

Enjoy!

 

Strawberry Lemonade

This was one of my favourites, ever. I love strawberries and lemon together and this was sweet and creamy and just lovely.

In your juicer, add:
2 granny smith apples
1 large chunk of pineapple (about 1 cup)
1 slice of lemon with rind (about 1/6 of a lemon)

In your blender, add:
1 dinosaur kale leaf (take out the stem and chop it up)
1 handful baby spinach
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 of an avocado
I added some of the wet pulp from the juicer as well

Blend and enjoy this refreshing drink