GCF Blog Hop!!! I'm Co-hosting!!! (Sorry for the Exclamation Overload)

It's Tuesday again which means it's time for the GFC Blog Hop! I have been a hopper (is that the right word?) in this Blog Hop ever since I discovered it, and I am so excited to be able to co-host it now. So hop on (haha, very punny).

I love Google Friend Connect because it makes following someone and keeping track of her blog so easy. 

One side note- Did you know you can follow through GFC using your Twitter Account? TRUE, it's definitely an option!

If you are interested in co-hosting the next GFC Blog Hop send Melissa an email at melissa@thelifeofanotsoordinarywife.com

Ok, so let's get to the party, shall we?

RULES are simple:

1. Follow your host via GFC

The First link below

2. Follow your co-hosts via GFC

The Next 8 links below

3. Link up below using your main blog url not a specific post.

4. Make sure to visit some of the blogs in the link up and follow them via GFC 

and if you want to leave them a comment, I'm sure they'd appreciate that as well.

5. Tweet about this blog hop

Tweet

6. Share about this blog hop by grabbing a button and putting it on your sidebar!

<a href="http://www.thelifeofanotsoordinarywife.com/search/label/gfcbloghop"> <img src="http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z237/melissaenault/gfcbloghop-1.gif" border="0" /></a>

Giveaway...Trincar Uvas

I did this sponsor spotlight a couple of days ago, and I am sure you have been coveting an item from Joana of Trincar Uvas since then. So here is a thanks-for-following-me / back-to-school (a little late, but still) giveaway. You can enter to win the item below. I know you want it.

Isn't it gorgeous? I would style it with a simple white tee, my rust-orange cardigan or trusty olive blazer, jeans, and riding boots or with a simple tee-shirt dress with combat boots and a vest to seem edgy (key word, seem). Click below to see the rules for the giveaway so you can enter!!!

FINE PRINT: (Yes, I will draw that much attention to the fine print) While this post is sponsored, all opinions presented are my own.

This giveaway is listed at All Things Bloggy.

Sweet Potato Un-fried Fries

So spicy (too spicy really), but if you don't put too much chili powder,these are perfect. I am a sweet potato addict. They were a bit laborious because I was experimenting with soaking then boiling then oven-roasting then cooking in the pan, but cooking the potatoes until close-to- but-not-quite-cooked in boiling water, drying, rubbing them with the spice poultice, and pan-roasting them creates tender, flavorful, healthy (yes, healthy fries, a miracle!) fries that are all too addictive. Make in small batches to prevent over-consumption.

Click Below for the recipe

Sponsor Spotlight...Trincar Uvas

I found Trincar Uvas on Etsy, and the store is amazing. My favorite items from the store include...

Guest Posting

First of all, I gave my blog a makeover. Again. Clearly I am indecisive. Like the poor spork in the image below.

(Cartoon) Anyway, I would love to have people guest post on my blog. I think it would be a great way to get to know other people. Plus, everybody procrastinates. I need inspiration. Because I totally do not waste enough time. (Of course, I am writing this post with my binder open next to me. Not doing the work I should be doing. Cue nervous laughter). Anyway, I would like to ideally have one person guest post each month. Go here for details and send me an email at asiliapatel@gmail.com. I know you procrastinate. Write about it here. I mean, don't you want to waste time by talking about wasting time?

Roasted Red Pepper and Carrot Soup

This soup was just a conglomeration of delicious spices and veggies and a bit of milk. It was absolutely delicious with some easy homemade garlic bread (literally bread toasted with a spread of mashed garlic, salt, pepper, and a little fresh basil on top) and mozzarella sprinkled on top. I will not pretend that it was not laborious to make, but it was delicious and nutritious. So worth the 2 hours.

Click Below For The Recipe

Spaghetti Squash with Marinated Cherry Tomatoes

I have always wanted to try Spaghetti Squash, so I made my mom get it when I saw it at the farmer's market. This dish is perfect for people who are trying to cut carbs. Really, it is just delicious, regardless of diet. The tomatoes add the acidity and sweetness that go with the, uhhhh, squash-i-ness of the squash. That works. Ish.

Click Below For the Recipe

Inspired by...Trend Overload

Trend Overload here is a good thing. Why? Because I saw a girl at school who made neon and lace and military and friendship bracelets AND a bit of color blocking look really good. Like really really good. Glam meets grunge meets innocent meets high fashion. A strange combo that is absolutely a yes.

(dress) This dress is a little too short for my taste, but I am pretty conservative (compared to many people in public school, has anyone else seen way too much to feel comfortable? Or am I just really awkward?). However, it mimics this girl at school's dress perfectly. Obnoxious, in a good way, girly, and just gorgeous. To tone it down wear...

(jacket) This awesome jacket. Just perfect. Glam and trendy and just amazing. Just amazing.

(Yellow Shoes) I love these shoes. They are affordable and perfectly colorful. I would go with orange if you want to make more of a statement, but yellow is just happy.

So cool. Or one with studs...anyway, only criteria? Must be colorful and handmade or made by a friend (or enemy, if you choose to wear one from an enemy. Keep them closer, right?)

And the Winner is..

The winner of my Bindu Designs giveaway is...

Lisa Vladika! Congrats! I will contact you today. Please respond within 7 days so I can give you the details.

Keep Calm and...Covet Harry-Potter-Themed Clothing

Go here to find the best nerdy Harry Potter shirts ever. Perfect for obsessed fans like myself. My favorites are below.

Oh Fred and George, let me count the ways you are awesome. You steal the map from Filch. Then you just guess the password.Out of like a billion choices. And then you transform Ron into a canary. You really are up to no good. Hence I love you.

Weasley is our king!

This one is good. Perfectly nerdy. So true. But now the best for last, the shirt that explicitly states my attitude about school and life.

If only the shirt could speak. Then we could hear Hermione ie the-most-adorable-and-coolest-9-yr-old-on-the-planet Emma Watson speaking in her perfectly high-and-mighty accent, chastising the young, mischievous Ron and Harry. Oh, I am such a Hermione at heart. Speaking of Hermione, and therefore school, my back to school giveaway ends tomorrow. Enter now or forever hold your peace.

Inspired by...Sneakers

When I went to pick up my sister from the airport, I saw so many people wearing trendy items. High low dresses, sneaker wedges, everything. I have decided to showcase sneakers. Comfortable, and finally, cute. And while many say sneakers-and-a-dress is a sacrilegious idea, I wear what I want to wear. To quote Demi Lovato, "who says I can't wear my Converse with my dress...that's just me" (La La land, ie the song I chose as a song that represents me for English in 7th grade).

(High Tops) These high tops are not wedges, but I can' find any affordable pair of sneaker wedges to showcase. However, these are edgy and very cool. I am more of a high tops converse gal, but you cannot pretend that these are not a statement. Still, if I wanted to wear fashionable sneakers I would stick to my brown studded converse or the cool pair of color-blocked ones from Asos below.

(Color-Blocked Sneakers)

(Gingham Sneakers) These just scream rebel. I would style these with simple jeans and a flowy white button down, untucked to be just the right amount of messy. Add a studded bracelet, a long necklace (like this or this, ps I am doing a giveaway from her store soon!), and a headband for a pop of color and you have the perfect grungy-meets-girly-with-a-sprinkle-of-preppy-and-boho look. Love it.

(Printed 1) Urban Outfitters has the best sneakers I love these for their girly charms. The ones below are more daring. And awesome.

(Printed 2)

(Lace Print) And here are my dream sneakers. Wow. Just wow. And you though sneakers were reserved for gym.

Ridiculously Delicious Eggless Banana Scones

Hi! Sorry I have been MIA. I am now starting my junior year, so everything is all-too stressful. I really do not have time to post more than 1-4 times a week,but I will try my best. Anyway, on Labor Day, I made breakfast and lunch. These scones, perfect for breakfast. I halved the recipe from here and used milk instead of almond milk and butter instead of vegetable shortening. I also used a bit more milk than called for to loosen the batter. This made 4 very hearty breakfast servings at 381 calories each, but they had very little fat. Divine with coffee. I need my morning caffeine boost. Late nights + caffeine = somewhat survive school. And speaking of school, don't forget to enter my back to school giveaway!

GIVEAWAY News

Because I have been so busy getting ready for school and enjoying the remnants of summer vacation, I have not been able to keep up with my blog. To make up for that plus give more people a chance to enter, I am extending my current giveaway until next Monday 8 pm Eastern Standard Time. You can just leave a comment, or comments, here to enter for the earrings above. See below for criteria to enter.

GIVEAWAY Reminder

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for the earrings pictured above HERE. Ends tomorrow at 10 AM Eastern Standard Time!!!!!!!