Dearest Friends! New and Old

I'm reunited (to blogging!!!!!!) And it feels so goooood! (haha, please tell me you sang that line!)

I wanted to introduce myself to those that don't know me! My name is Viktoria and I was born in Uzbekistan. When I was about 2 years old (or not even) my family, which consisted of my parents and 5 other siblings, moved across country. First to Italy for a few months, as part of our sponsorship and than to California where my youngest brother was born and we lived for a few years. We than set off across country again to Virginia. I have now lived most of my life here in Virginia! I am married to an amazing husband  that still claims to loves me after 7 years of torturing him ;) and we have 3 beautifully incredible kids.

Photos by the SUPER TALENTED Lavender Dreams Photography

 

I love the thrift store hunt and the clearance find but I also enjoy DIYing and remaking someones trash into our treasure. A lot of that was instilled in us because growing up with so much siblings, my mom often shopped in thrift stores.. But it wasn't just to get us "clothed". (although maybe at a time it was). My parents were both hard working and we always had everything we needed. What was more surprising as I got older and actually understood it, was that my mom was buying us fashionable clothes.. with name brands... that all the kids in school were wearing! We didn't stick out and our clothes did yell "THRIFT STORE" but instead dressed and looked like we were like everyone else. I finally, after many years ,began to appreciate it and stopped being embarrassed of shopping there. Know I proudly proclaim it! My parents also remade and refinished antique furniture (and sold it in our local farmers market!) and my dad was always DIYing or remodeling something around the house. It was a magical childhood indeed!

I have really missed blogging!  But I needed to rethink my purpose and direction. My blog "fromv.blogspot.com" was my baby. I started it one night on a whim, without much thought to the name or what I was trying to show to the world. I wasn't sure I would love it. I wasn't sure if YOU would love it or find something worth your time. The more I created, the more I wanted to share it with you! But my dream was always to share it in a clear, simple way for those that were busy with little minions (like myself)! For those that thought sewing or beautifying something was beyond their skill level or their creative realm. I wanted to share the simple joy you get when you make something. The satisfaction of saving money doesn't hurt either! ;) I wanted my blog name to represent that.

I wanted you, the reader, to see my blog name and understand exactly what this blog is about. It's about an EYEFUL of Lovely.. The name was something I thought about for months and months (and it finally formed into a title with the help of my sister! Aren't sisters the best!?).

One definition is :

1. as much as one can or wants to see   

I hope you will get an eyeful of lovely every time and keep coming back to get more and more lovely inspiration in your day!

Thank you so much for joining me! I hope you will come back soon!!

 Love,

Viktoria 

Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Bouquet

Hello Friends!

Have you tried chocolate covered pretzels?? It's amazing how something so simple can taste so good. If you've never had them: you have GOT to try them! I have made these before just for the sole purpose of eating them all or if I was craving chocolate (which is always).

I had planned to post this before V-Day but we went on a trip and I didn't get a chance to before we left. Gift giving and showing love shouldn't stop just because Valentines Day has passed. I would accept chocolate covered pretzels any time of the year (especially if they are pink and white and glittery) :) I also thought it would be fun to make them into a "bouquet" to show how they can be a fun gift or just put them in a vase and watch them disappear. (because everyone will be eating them... you got that right?)

Aren't they pretty?? You can use any topping that will stick to melted chocolate. I used slivered almonds, and different types of sprinkles. I also left some plain and drizzled chocolate on chocolate.

I doubt you need a step by step but here's what I did:

Melt chocolate (Follow directions on package to proper melting. If doing it in microwave, careful not to over melt and burn! It's such a sad sad sight to see wasted chocolate)

Dip pretzel stick into melted chocolate. It's easier to dip into a deep cup or bowl for better coverage of chocolate (For the bouquet version I left the pretzel sticks long but usually I break the pretzel in half and dip the broken end in. This gives you more chocolate, less pretzel. More chocolate is always a good idea)

Place on parchment paper and sprinkle topping. Or let cool and drizzle with additional chocolate (Or caramel?!)

Put in fridge for fast setting or let harden on counter for a few hours. 

 

EAT! or arrange into a bouquet, tie with a pretty ribbon and you have the perfect gift!