Buffalo Chicken Dip & Jalapeno Poppers Wrapped in Bacon from Home. Made. Interest.

Today's post comes from Kat and Melinda of Home. Made. Interest. who are regular Do Tell Tuesday linkers and make some amazing recipes and crafts!  In fact, I have featured them twice, so you know I'm a fan.  :)

Check out their two awesome recipes below!

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Hi all!  We're Kat and Melinda from Home. Made. Interest. and we're so excited to be guest posting on Vintage Zest today!

Melinda and I were sitting around the other day talking about recipes, trying to come up with something different...but still delicious, when we came up with these buffalo chicken jalapeño poppers. Buffalo chicken is one of our favorite, easy-to-make, dips and it is loaded with hot sauce, and cream cheese. It seemed like the perfect thing to stuff inside of a jalapeño, especially if you like things spicy! We decided to wrap it in bacon because, well, obviously everything is better wrapped in bacon :).

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5 Vegetarian Dishes for July 4th from Rini!

This is one of the last recipe guest posts for the month, and it's a special holiday round-up with a collection of five recipes.  Yep, it is ending with a bang from today's post courtesy of Rini of Healing Tomato!  As you already know, I love tomatoes and many of the recipes I share here vegetarian or rely heavily on vegetables, but Rini has the vegetarian thing all wrapped up!

Today, she is sharing some great dish ideas for your July 4th bash for vegetarians and veggie lovers alike!  I am drooling over the corn, and laughing over her vegetarian woes.  :)  Check it out!

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What To Feed Vegetarians On July 4th

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DIY Wood Round Ring Holder from Erica

Today's amazing post comes from Erica of Dwell Beautiful!  Remember the fallen wood that I wasn't sure what to do with?  Well, I have (at least) one slice set specifically aside for this project!  It looks so good, but Erica explains step-by-step how to make it, so you can whip one up lickety-split.

Now, over to Erica!

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Hello Everyone!

I'm super excited to be guest posting today at Vintage Zest!  Diane is a fabulous blogger and I'm honored to be here.

A bit of background info about me - I'm Erica over at Dwell Beautiful and I specialize in DIY craft and home decor tutorials and decorating your house on a budget!  Today I'm bringing you a special tutorial on how to make your very own wood round ring holder.  I had several rings that were just sitting getting dusty in my jewelry box and decided they needed a good place to be displayed when I'm not wearing them. This is a super easy and quick tutorial that anyone can make!  Let's get started :)

Materials

• Wood Round (I found mine at Michael's for a few dollars!)

• Drill with 3/32 size drill bit

• 3/4" gold cup hooks

• China marker or pencil

• Optional: hanging or stand making materials

Step 1

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Dark Chocolate Macadamia Cherry Bark from Sandi!

When I put out the call for guest posts, Sandi of Fearless Dining asked me if she would like to contribute.  Of course!  I have seen her recipes and loved so many of them, so I just knew she would make something amazing for you guys.  :)

I don't know if I have mentioned it before, but one of my least favorite kitchen tasks is melting chocolate and butter.  I am so impatient that I usually end up burning it and having to start over again.  However, this recipe for Dark Chocolate Macadamia Cherry Bark looks so good that I am willing to patiently wait and watch.  Need I say more?

Take it away, Sandi!

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Are you a choco-aholic?

Don't feel guilty, I am as well :-) .

When my friend, Diane, said she needed some help with guest posts while she was studying, I knew just the post to share with her readers.

I can't help it, give this girl dark chocolate and I am happy as can be. I recently fell in love with these Pound Plus chocolate bars at Trader Joe's. They are available in Dark Chocolate, Bittersweet, or Milk Chocolate. They are only $4.99 for the giant bar, a fabulous bargain. This chocolate is made in Belgium and is really good.

And even better, it melts down really nicely, making it perfect for making candy.


For this recipe, I used just three ingredients:

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Perfectly Purple Summer Dress from Natasha!

This week, I have a post from Natasha of The Telltale Tasha.  You might remember the sewing challenge that we had for a Simple Dress.  Well, I can tell you now that the members of Stitch Once, Rip Twice have totally outdone themselves!  I cannot wait to post the round-up for the challenge in a couple of weeks.  You will be floored.

But lucky you, here's a sneak peek from one of the members!  When I saw the dress from Natasha below, I thought she looked just like a movie star.  No joke.  So, I'm just going to keep my mouth shut now and let the pictures and Natasha herself do the talking.  :)  Enjoy!

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"All the other colors are just colors, but purple seems to have a soul..." - Uniek Swain

Hey Vintage Zest readers!!  Natasha here from Diane's sewing group "Stitch Once, Rip Twice" :-D  I'm representing The Telltale Tasha.

Summer style has the ability to be so versatile. Maxi skirts, mini skirts, tank tops, and crop tops, maxi dress and so much more!   I prefer, though, to live in dresses. They're so comfortable and cute!  And super easy because you don't have to coordinate separate pieces!  #win

This dress is McCall's 6752 View B.

I figured I've enough wrap bodices for the time being so I opted for the droop neck lol I got this fabric from Fashion Fabric Club.  It is described as Violet Blue Stripe Activewear ... I just call it purple.  Lol!

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Pattern Drafting Series from Kathy!

For today's guest post, I have Kathy from SewMuch2Learn with a treat for anyone who sews or loves vintage things.  When Kathy asked if she could contribute a post with tons of details from a vintage pattern drafting book, the nerdy seamstress in me was super excited!  She was worried about it being too much of a rambling post, but if you're a reader of mine, you're already used to my long-windedness.  ;)  Besides, I love seeing how items were made back then, and there are lots of pictures in the post below showing each step.  For those of you who have never drafted a pattern, this should be fairly simple for you to recreate yourself.  Sounds fun, right?

Take it away, Kathy!

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Welcome, My name is Kathy and I normally post on SewMuch2Learn but Diane has graciously invited me to host a day for her.  I am also excited that I am guest hosting on one of my favorite blogs, Vintage Zest.  This is my first time hosting so bear with me as I  ramble on.  I am collector of vintage sewing items, where it be buttons, spools of thread, thimbles I love them.  I have managed to collect a few packets that claims to make the perfect pattern, fitted just to your body.  I thought I would give them a try.

Pattern Drafting Series

The Magic Seamstress

Part One

It hails as a home sewing dream come true, an easy way to a perfect fit pattern, all with up to date fashion styling.

My booklet is copyrighted by the American Fashion Institute in 1971

The introduction says that Cinderella solved her fashion problem with a fairy godmother and now Magic Seamstress solve yours.

In essence it is a simple measurement system, using the dot to dot system. It only uses two measurements, bust and hip. It claims that it helps you create a basic pattern, but also offers five variations to create your own fashion styling.

In the back of the book there is a special enlarging rule and a french curve rule.
You will be using these rulers to create your basic shift dress pattern.


Meet Stef, my dress form. She is going to be my partner during this series.

First Step: Measurements 

It is important to use accurate measurements.

Bust Measurement

Place your tape over the bottom part of your shoulder blades and bring forward to measure across the fullest of the breast.

Hip Measurement

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Summertime Wreath from Katy!

Today's guest post is from Katy from An Inside To My Heart, one awesome scrapbooking and card making lady!  When she was interested in guest posting, I asked if she might use some of her skills to making something home decor-related and she whipped up this super cute summertime wreath!  Ready for the tutorial?  Check it out!

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I'm so excited to be helping out Diane of Vintage Zest...her projects have inspired me and I hope I can do the same with this SUPER SIMPLE Summertime Wreath made from supplies you probably have at home.


You will need:

• Styrofoam Wreath (preferably the kind that doesn't flake off)
• Ribbon or Tulle
• 4 sheets of 12x12 Scrapbook Paper (I doubled one of my patterns but you could use 4 different patterns if you want).
• 1" push pens
• 3-D Foam Squares

Directions

Wrap Wreath with Ribbon or Tulle until all the Styrofoam is covered.

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Easy Painting Tip from Heather!

I have shared just a few painted DIYs on the blog so far, so I definitely consider myself a painting newbie.  However, I plan on doing more with the new house soon, so I am scrounging for tips everywhere that I can.

Luckily, Heather from Woods of Bell Trees, has a super useful tip to share with you today!  Let's get to it.  :)

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If you're like me you paint and you paint a lot. Even if you don't paint all that often, if you've touched one drip of the stuff you know the woes that come with it. My most dreaded paint issue is when I reach the bottom of the project, whether it's a furniture piece or a craft, because other than throwing a piece of parchment paper underneath it you will absolutely get paint on the surface underneath your project! And then what about the inevitable paint pile up at the bottom of your paint endeavor?

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Turkey Pot Pie from Kreativ77!

For today's guest post, I am welcoming the gals from KREATIV77.  Both Alix and Chelsea post on their amazingly creative blog, with everything from recipes to creative DIYs and family life.  Check them out!

Today's recipe is a Turkey Pot Pie KNOW how much I love pot pie!  Remember the Chicken Pot Hand Pies I made?  Well, this recipe from Chelsea is so good that it converted her from on-the-fence to a pot pie lover.  Besides, it just looks so darn good.  Let's get to it!

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I'm not a huge fan of pot pie.  In fact, it would be pretty safe to say I dislike it immensely.  Maybe because the pot pies I've had in the past, either homemade or store bought, seem to be made up of crust, gravy and a few pieces of chicken and veggies....which always seem to be the same size.  They've mostly been gray in color and almost no taste to them. There's something not right about that to me. So I just don't eat it.

However, I have found the most delicious pot pie ever made in the entire world.  No joke.

My friend Emily (who is a super good cook and my favorite person ever, she's one of the coolest people I know) whipped up this recipe with whatever sounded good to her.  No exact measurements- the vegetables aren't uniformly cut and it has the perfect amount of "gravy" to hold it all together without being so overwhelming.  And it has turkey instead of chicken which I believe makes all the difference.

I call it the Preferred Pot Pie...but Emily and I came up with several names: Lousiana Pot Pie, Turkey Mushroom Pot Pie, Stuff Your Face Full of Heaven Pot Pie....etc.

 

It's pretty easy to make too:

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Apple Summer Salad from Linda of With a Blast!

I am so happy to have this guest post from Linda of With a Blast today!  She is so super nice and just a lovely person all around.  When you go to her website, you will notice right away that she posts a new recipe practically every day!  I don't know how she does it, but I am always impressed!  Today, she is sharing a beautiful Apple Summer Salad, even though it is winter right now in South Africa where she lives.  :)  Get ready to get hungry!

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Hello all Vintage Zest Readers!   Linda here from WITH A BLAST and I am happy to share one of my favorite salads with you today on Diane's blog.

Living in sunny South-Africa we have great weather just about year round - with the exception of a few weeks of low temperatures during Winter {which just started on June 1st}.  That being said, we do a lot of outdoor cooking, no matter the weather, hence me sharing a delicious Apple Summer Salad with you.  We enjoy this salad not only with grilled meats, but as a side salad to many pasta dishes as well.  Pasta dishes are normally filling enough to be served on its own, but I do like to add a small side salad bowl to the meals as well.  Something refreshing and crunchy is always welcome with a saucy pasta.  However you decide to serve this salad, I do hope you enjoy this as much as my family does.

APPLE SUMMER SALAD
Serves : 6

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Wood Quote Sign from Mellisa of The Life of a Craft Crazed Mom

Today is my first guest post of the summer!  It comes from the lovely Mellisa of The Life of a Craft Crazed Mom who has so many creative projects and posts on her blog.  I love the Wood Quote Sign she has to share with you all today.  Check it out!

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Everybody loves a wood quote sign.  Now add the trendy ombre pattern to it and it makes it that much better!  I have quote signs all over my house and what makes a better saying than "This is our happily ever after"!  This is such a simple sign project, give it a try!!

Wood Quote Sign

Whenever I see wood signs of any kind, I always grab them in hopes that some day I'll come up with a project to give them new life!!  Usually there's something hideous on them, maybe from the 80's or even older!!  As ugly as it is, just remember, you can just paint right over it.  This one I paid fifty cents for at Good Will.

To start the process, I took a few shades of yellow and painted them on in an ombre pattern across my sign.

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Call for Guest Posts & Weekly Synopsis!

Happy Monday!

As you know, I am studying HARD for my test and that means that I have less time to blog.  Boo!  This test explains one reason that my normal Sunday Synopsis was pushed to Monday this week.  Oops!

I will be back full force in a month, but until then I want to spread the love with a few posts from my favorite readers!  I have a few spots available, so I want to make a call to all of you out there to guest post on Vintage Zest!

I have a few spots open starting next week, so get back to me ASAP!  If you are interested, send me an e-mail with a link to your blog, the post topic(s) that you have in mind, and hopefully I can fit you in!  Thanks so much!

Lastly, here are last week's posts in case you missed any.  :)

Weekly Synopsis

Monday:  Memorial Day wishes to my readers and their families

Tuesday:  Do Tell Tuesday #25 along with awesome features from last week.  :)  Come link up and try to get featured on all six blogs next week!

Wednesday:  Need an easy summer recipe?  Try Veggie Güveç, a delicious Turkish Eggplant Stew!

Thursday:  Check out my tips on how to get started on Social Media in 8 simple steps!

Friday:  A recap of the week including the always awesome Patchwork Show!

Saturday:  Wood Brain's feature and giveaway on this week's Shop Small Saturday Showcase!

Sunday:  A delicious recipe for super easy grilled Balsamic Steak and Vegetables!

On The Episodic Eater:  Delicious tacos at Chronic Tacos!

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Guest Post: Summer Salad Ideas for Busy Bees!

Sorry with the lateness of this guest post, but I have to say that we can still enjoy these tips now, even though it's technically fall! Personally, my tomato plant is still going strong, and I am still buying super sweet plums from the markets. Perfect for these two recipes! 

Read on for Danielle's great tips!

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Even when you’re on holidays, time can get away from you pretty easily. Before you know it, the shadows are getting long and it’s evening time, and you haven’t made any movements toward dinner. That’s what long days will do to you. So, here are some simple summer salad (great alliteration) ideas that will have you throwing your evening meal together quickly and easily. Healthy, simple, easy meals can also be delivered to your home year-round.

Summer salad with mozzarella and fresh herbs

2 cups of any type of tomatoes, cubed

1 cup green grapes, halved

1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1 cup fresh mozzarella, cubed

1 cup washed and dried basil leaves

2 Tbsp. minced thyme leaves

For the dressing:

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. honey

2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar

1 tsp. mustard

Just mix the salad ingredients together, whisk the dressing and pour on top. Yum!

Here's another beautiful looking salad!

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Guest Post: Foil Packet Jerk Chicken from Plucky's Second Thought

Hi everyone!

Today's guest poster is Plucky from Plucky’s Second Thought.  Way back in June, I co-hosted her link-up party, so you may remember her from back then.  :)  Like I mentioned, she had an amazing series of blogging tips that you definitely should check from the big names in blogging, whether you are just starting out like me, or a seasoned pro.  :)

Check out this recipe for foil packet jerk chicken first, and then pop over to say hello on her blog!

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Hello all! I'm Plucky from Plucky’s Second Thought…but most call me Jess. :) Why "Plucky" you may ask? Well, it was a nickname when I was younger and it was one that was never forgotten! At Plucky’s Second Thought I try to post easy craft projects and recipes that anyone could accomplish. Yep, you don’t have to be Martha Stewart or Rachael Ray to attempt anything on my blog! There are also a variety of travel and product reviews as well as some awesome giveaways and link parties! :)



This is a YUMMY summer recipe that everyone in the family will for sure love! You could make this on a grill or even in doors in a skillet! Did I mention that it was easy to make? :) ENJOY!

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Circle Skirt Tutorial from Who Is That Girl Mo?

Hello!

Today's guest poster is Mo from Who Is That Girl Mo? and another member of Stitch Once, Rip Twice!  She let me be her "plus one"at Mimi G's conference, which she mentioned in this post.  So basically, we're fabric shopping buddies now.  :)  I even shared a few tips on how to bargain with the fabric vendors, like I do when I head to the swap meet.

First check out her post below on how to draft and sew your own circle skirt.  Then, check out her blog for her fashion and sewing tips!  She's a full-service blogging sewist, for real!  Drafts a garment, shares the tutorial, sews it up, and shows how she styles it.  Awesome!

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Hey! I'm Mo and my blog is all about sharing my personal style and diy projects.  I started my blog just before Christmas last year and since then my style has evolved tremendously. I also love to refashion pieces of clothing with little to no sewing. Easy and fun is what works for me. I'm also a beginner sewer and today I'll be sharing a tutorial on how to make a circle skirt. I hope it will inspire you to make one of your own. :-) Thanks!

You should know by now how obsessed I was with skater skirts. If you didn't you can read about it in this post. Since I didn't have a skater skirt I decided to make one on my own. I read some blog tutorials and watched a couple of youtube videos and took different pieces of info from what I learned and combined it. It was pretty easy to make. The most tedious part for me was sewing the hem of the skirt. It was so long all I kept thinking was "FML" and when I finally finished, of course I didn't like the skirt. I was extremely tired but I actually do like it and now that I have made my own I am no longer obsessed over the skater skirt trend. Yeah, I know it's only been a couple of weeks but that's me, I get over some things quickly. Here's my tutorial.

Supplies needed:

1 1/2 - 2 yards fabric

7 in or longer zipper

matching thread

chalk or marking pencil

measuring tape

scissors

sewing machine

1. Make sure fabric is at least 50 inches wide. The wider the better. My fabric was only 44 inches but I got lucky.

2. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise. Make sure the raw edges are lined up and the fabric is smoothed out.

3. Fold it in half again. You should have a square shape or something close.

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Guest Post: Rainbow Goulash from Debra

Today's guest post is from Debra of Granny's Southern Cooking.  Remember how I used to live in Nashville?  Well, there's a reason why I gained so much weight when I lived there.  It's the cooking!  I didn't have a Southern granny whose recipes I could recreate, so Debra's blog is a fun one to visit.  :)  Check out her recipe for Rainbow Goulash below!

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Debra Ann Elliott is a published author, blogger, sassy Southern cook, and grandma. Debra currently lives in Alabama with her family. When not cooking, Debra is busy writing and spending time with her family. Her style of cooking is passed down from her sassy Southern grandma.

If you grew up in the South one of your go to comfort foods was goulash. Goulash originated in Hungary, but somehow this yummy in your tummy goodness found it's way to the South. As my grandma used to say, "Good goulash can be made a thousand ways to Sunday, but great goulash needs a little sass." 

My mama made it with elbow macaroni, corn, ground beef, tomatoes, and onion (which I love). When I married my husband, I learned to make goulash with bread (my mother-in-law added bread to her goulash). I never knew why, but it sure tasted good y'all!

Over the years, I've made goulash a thousand ways to Sunday like my grandma, especially when my cupboards were bare. One of my favorite ways to make it is to add a little sass( like grandma) to the South. I love decorative pasta and rainbow rotini pasta is one of my favorite's plus it's the one ingredient that adds the sass to this yummy goulash.

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Guest Post: Giveaway from Rachel of The Hollywood Sew

Hello everyone!

It's Thursday and time for another guest post.  Today, we have Rachel from The Hollywood Sew, and yes she is another member of Stitch Once, Rip Twice!  Whether or not you sew, if you love vintage garments, you will adore her website.  Today, she's sharing a bit about her website and letting you in on the giveaway that she's hosting!

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Hi my name is Rachel and I run The Hollywood Sew, a website dedicated to sewing wearable outfits inspired by popular television shows and movies.

When Diane reached out to our sewing group Stitch Once, Rip Twice about guest posting I jumped at the chance to feature my giveaway.

The projects I sew are designed to be a translation of the costumes on the selected show or movie to a comfortable, flattering and less conspicuous look, but still have a recognisable flare.

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Guest Post: Top 10 Packing Tips from Brittany Ruth of The Rococo Roamer

Can you believe it is time for another guest post Thursday?

Today, we have a great travel post from Brittany Ruth of The Rococo Roamer!  I stumbled upon her blog before I headed to my Europe trip and it was so fun to see her stories on the places that I was about to visit.  Not only is she a traveler, she loves antiquing, DIY, and vintage.  A girl after my own heart!  Definitely check out her pretty blog (her blog banner is SUPER cute) for some international inspiration.  Read below for a word from the girl herself and her Top 10 Packing Tips!

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About me:  I began The Rococo Roamer to keep friends and family in touch while I moved overseas to Germany as a newlywed.  Quickly I discovered that I really enjoyed blogging and began to incorporate posts about my love for antique and flea market traveling all around Europe.  You can check out my European Flea Guide tab here.  I also write about DIY projects and DIY inspiration.  I have a passion for travel and plan to visit as many countries in Europe as I can. I love to help others plan their trips and discover new places.  I am also working full-time while in Germany and attending school.  I have the cutest French Bulldog on the planet named Louis,  that does the funniest things.  He is a mini monster!  Stop by my blog and say "Hi!"

My three favorite posts are:
Traditional English, German, and French Furniture
Tongeren, Belgium Flea Market
Santorini, Greece

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Here is my contribution of what my top 10 MUST HAVES are for any trip around Europe or Stateside.

(The link to the original article can be found here!)

Top 10 Packing Tips for the International Roamer

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Calling for Guest Posts!

With summer plans with friends and tons of time being taken up by career obligations, I have been a busy little bee lately!  For the past couple of weeks, I have had a few guest posters by non-bloggers who contacted me out of the blue.  It has been a great way to get some inspiration for myself and to my readers!

However, I thought it would be even better for me to ask all you guys (my readers) who have blogs/shops/projects of their own to share some of their favorite posts!  It will definitely be a great way to share creative inspiration and get some exposure from the peeps who spy on my little piece of blogland.  :)

Interested?  Here are more details:

• Any post topic is welcomed!  Recipes, sewing, fashion, organization, home decor, and travel tips are some favorite areas of interest.  Topics that I haven't covered like photography tips or sewing tutorials would be great too!  Of course, I will have to approve whether or not the topic will suit what my readers would like to see, but I'm pretty lenient!
• Blog posts can be old or new!  I will link back to your blog and your original post (if it has been previously published).
• If you would like to sign up, email me here.  There will be a limited number of slots, so they will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

What do you need to send to me?

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Guest Post - Summer Cooking: What’s in Season Now!

Here is a great guest post from Meredith K. who is going to share some great seasonal cooking tips for the summer as well as an amazing recipe for Pan-Grilled Veggie Pasta Primavera.  How apropos, considering yesterday's post on my mom's productive veggie garden!  Read on for the details!

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Summer is all about sunshine and being outside, and with gorgeous weather comes something just as exciting: gorgeous seasonal produce. So many fruits and vegetables come into season during the summer that it only makes sense to take advantage and go crazy in the kitchen with them.

If you’re overwhelmed by your summer cooking options, try getting started with this list of seasonal summer fruits—you’ll have plenty of options to choose from!

Peppers 

If you’re looking for a healthy snack this summer, slicing up a pepper and dipping it in hummus or ranch is a great option. Red, orange, yellow and green peppers are a fantastic way to brighten up any dish and can add a spicy kick to everything from sandwiches and burgers to casseroles and dips.

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