Have An Awesome Independence Day!

Woo hoo, it's a gorgeous 4th of July Saturday and a great day to celebrate America, Freedom, and Hot Dogs. Hope you spend the day enjoying the sunshine with friends, family, or just some peaceful alone time. I'm off to the Katy Trail for a bike ride and then later trying my hand at Spiked Watermelon Lemonade for a party treat. I'll let you know how it goes.

Still needing some last-minute red, white, and blue? Head to your nearest Old Navy or get some ideas for men here or ladies here.

Special shout out to AAAD Reader Amanda who is celebrating the big 2-8 today. Happy Birthday Amanda! Live it up.

USA! USA!
Pia The Pig

Have An Awesome Weekend! July 4th Style

Here's a quick roundup of links to let you know how to live it up this weekend.

Today's events.
4th of July events.
More happenings around town this weekend.

Today I am antiquing with Mom and then packing the Kleenex as we see My Sister's Keeper. Last night I saw Away We Go and totally loved it.
Escape the heat and catch a flick. Away We Go was worth my $10 and then some.

TGIF!
Pia The Pig

MORE CORN. Another Awesome Corn Recipe: Corn Dip.

I *almost* ate the whole bowl.

Corn Dip ( a.k.a. The Dip That Has No Name)

2 cans of Mexicorn (drained)

1 bunch of chopped green onions

6-8 oz. of chopped jalapeños (the nacho sliced kind) to taste preference

6-8 oz. container of sour cream (I use 8)

8-10 oz. mayo (I use 8)

10 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

salt and pepper to taste


Serve with Fritos scoops


Can adjust jalapeños for spice.

Tastes better if make the day before and store in fridge but can make fresh.

YUM-O!
Pia The Pig

I Want A Home This Awesome

This article totally inspires me to personalize my living space even more. Check it out.

New Balance + Sesame Street = Awesome Kicks For Kids

I am loving this delicious mashup between New Balance and Sesame Street. They've created stylish and supportive shoes for kiddos, sizes 2-8. I can't even wait to buy these for my nephew Jack. The hardest part will be deciding between Cookie Monster and Ernie. Decisions, decisions. Check 'em out here.



Run fast!
Pia The Pig

Awesome Corn Salad For All Your Weekend Party Needs

Enjoy this Fresh Corn Salad recipe from The Barefoot Contessa. So fresh and colorful. This. Is. AWESOME.

Don't ya think, Rach?

Tonight: MJ Party at House of Dang!

House of Dang! rocks. Sounds like a party tonight. I have plans to watch Airplane while enjoying Poolside Movies at the Belmont. Don't sit inside. Get out there!

AWESOME idea. Not even messy!

Cupcakes, bupcakes. I'm making these for work tomorrow!


Frozen Watermelon Pops, via The Hungry Housewife

Happy July and 100th AAAD Post! Cheers!

Woo hoo! This marks the 100th post of An Awesome A Day. I am having the best time with this blog, and whether 3 or 300 of you read it, I'm always thinking about new things to share. Keep the comments coming and keep sending me your "awesomes!" Want to guest blog about something? Let me know!

I'm super pumped for July and the second half of 2009. A fresh start. That's hot. Tomorrow we are having a salsa challenge/concert by Dustin's band, Shoot Low Sheriff/potluck at the office. I'm making red, white, and blue cupcakes and will be sure to send photos. After work, I'd love to celebrate the long weekend with one of these glorious looking Boston Pops Martinis.

Yes, those are POP ROCKS on the rim. YES!

Lots of July 4th recipe ideas coming your way.

Thanks for reading!
XOXO,
Pia The Pig

Awesome Sale at Paper Source

Paper Source is my happy place. I could do some major damage in there and walk out with nothing more than greeting cards and adhesive rhinestones. Who pays $6.95 for a card? THIS GIRL.

Well, I'm pleased to share that PS is having a great sale online. Stock up on paper and envelopes now for all your invite-Jill-to-your-pool-party-or-lakehouse-wherever-there-is-water-besides-my-bathtub needs.

XOXO!
Pia The Pig

PS-Tomorrow marks my 100th post. If you want in on the giveaway, reply to this thread with a number for me to put in a hat. I'll draw a number and send you A MARVELOUS PRIZE. :)

Bonus Monday Post: MIOBI: An Awesomely Tweenaged Gymnastics "Drama"

Gymnastics is awesome. Stick It was awesome. Nastia is awesome. Did I mention, gymnastics is awesome?

It's about time some brilliant tv execs came up with the idea for a gymnastics television series. Leave it to the folks at ABC Family behind such hits at The Secret Life of The American Teenager to introduce America to Make It Or Break It, the first series about aspiring Olympic hopefuls training at "The Rock" in Colorado.

The story is sorta familiar and loaded with every gymnastics stereotype in the book, but it's nonetheless enjoyable. It's on Monday nights at 8pm Central. Catch the first part of episode one here and follow the links for the rest, or download it free on itunes through July 6.


UMMMM, did I mention is stars Candace Cameron Bure as one of the hot gym moms? I'd watch a show about softball if it meant DJ Tanner was rocking a starring role. Wait until you see what a MILF she is now!

Watch it tonight so we can discuss!

You Perfect 10, You!
Pia The Pig

Awesome Easy Cakes For Summer (Or Anytime)

Yesterday (Sunday) was my awesome friend Carrie's birthday. Carrie is the Queen of Cakes. Not so much in cooking, but in enjoying them (while maintaining a slammin' figure thanks to running and great energy). So, in honor of Carrie, I asked my friend Gina (the most amazing baker) for some summer cake ideas.

Here's Gina's informal guest blog on the topic of Quick Summer Cake Ideas. Enjoy!

Lemon Lime Cake
1. Make a Lemon Cake (easy from the box)
2. Take a packet of lime jello and add the boiling water.
3. After you stir it, and all the powder is dissolved. Stop there. Do not refrigerate.
4. Then poke holes in your lemon cake.
5. And pour the lime liquid evenly over the cake.
6. Wait for it to cool.
7. Then cover with cool whip for a very refreshing summer dessert.

--You can use the same technique with any combination. ex: White Cake mix, and raspberry jello. (But the lemon lime is simply the best)

-----

Here’s another recipe for fun: Homemade ice cream cake
(Which I saw made when I was like 11, so don’t quote me on this).

Homemade Ice Cream Cake

1, Get your favorite flavor of ice cream, in the old-fashioned box carton.
2. Get a bag of Oreo’s.
3. Crush the Oreo’s until all you have is the black cookie powder.
4. Remove the box from the ice cream block.
5. Roll ice cream block in black cookie powder till covered.
6. Slice and serve.

Thanks, Gina, and Happy Birthday Carrie!
Pia The Pig

PS-I love this poster for Cake Hair Salon in SLC. Lovely!

Awesome Jewelry at Urban Outfitters: Part 2

But wait, there's more! Lots of fun for your ears, too!

Yep. Love these. Online only, Beveled Button Studs, just $12

Animal Studs, $16, Haaaaay! (Also in Turtles)

Floral Printed Studs, $12, pretty
East of the Sun Earrings, just $9.99
Finally, these Enamel Feather Earrings, just $12.99, are a great color and sure to stand out


What, I can't hear you? Oh, yeah, my ears were distracted...

Happy Shopping!
Pia The Pig