Fabric Brooches

The new trend this season seems to be headed towards brooches and vintage jewelry. Vintage jewelry is great and fun to collect, but not always easy to find the good quality pieces. One way to follow this trend is with fabric brooches. They are a fun and inexpensive way to accessorize. No need to match either, the trend is to layer and not necessarily to coordinate which means you can wear whatever you like with whatever you like!

These fabric pins are also a great way to individualize that scarf you love, that somehow half your friends seem to have too. Or to accentuate your one-of-a-kind purse that you just saw someone else toting. I love to pin them on my jean jacket, trench coat, purses, my daughter's backpack, and to keep my scarf twisted and in place. They're also great added to gifts as an extra special treat and an easy way to make your package look extra special.

This is one trend that is easy to follow in these tough economic times. And what a fun way to add color to your day! The ones pictured can be found at thecoralfish.etsy.com.

Hearty Vegetable Soup

This is one of my favorite soups. I make it all through the Fall and Winter months, it is a staple in our home. It is also very easy to customize to your own tastes.

1 lb. lean ground turkey OR 1-2 cans kidney beans
1 1/3 cups sliced carrots
1 cup diced onion
1 Tbsp garlic
6 cups broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable)
2-3 zucchini, diced
2-3 squash, diced
1 1/3 cups green beans cut up or 1 can
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 tsp dried Basil
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp dried Oregano
1/2 tsp salt

Brown turkey in sauce pan in a little Olive oil. Saute carrots, onion, garlic, zucchini and squash on low heat in large pot. Add turkey, broth, beans and remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for about 15 mins. Serve and enjoy.