Things that make me smile...

I don't think there's a single person out there who wouldn't love to soak in this tub...

Centsational Girl

Some Personalized Art...

I've had a few canvases laying around for awhile and have been wanting to do something with them, but could never settle on what. Enter a 50% off Michael's coupon & some great inspiration from YHL. I also came to the conclusion that I'd love to attempt something for a gift. My little brother is getting married this fall & I thought it'd be fun to try and make something for their new place. And since I helped them register I thought I had a pretty good sense of what colors they'd like...so this last weekend I went for it. Went and got a large canvas at Michael's and some tester paints at Home Depot. (Paint at Michael's is like $8.99 for a small bottle and you can get a tester sample at Lowe's or Home Depot for about $3 - plus then you can make it any shade you want :)) I got brown, white & red for this project. (The white so that I could make different shades of brown) I started by creating lines horizontally on the canvas with a yard stick.

I just made each section the width of the yard stick so it was quick and easy.

I then took the corner of a postcard and made some 'arrows' throughout each line...and then I hand drew (scary!) a large heart in the middle, as you can kinda see in the next picture.

Then it was time for the paint. I did the brown first, without any mixing. Then I made a lighter shade and filled in some more sections...
All together I did four different shades of brown. I hope they're enough different that they're distinct but not so much that there's too much contrast. There was no method to the shades I just kept adding drops of white & brown until I found a shade I liked.

And then I just filled in the heart...

I think it turned out pretty cool...

The only thing I'd like to change is the dark brown section right above the center of the heart. I think if it was a lighter shade the heart would stand out better. I'll work on that... :)

Happy Memorial Day!

I found a recipe for cheesy pesto bread on pinterest this week and knew I had to try it! It was DELICIOUS!!!! And with only 3 ingredients I will definitely be making it again! You could make it with any number of variations but pesto sounded so good so that's what I stuck with.

The recipe came from ourbestbites and you can check it out for more detailed instructions but for the quick version...use sourdough bread and cut it into squares like a checkerboard, but don't go all the way through the bottom of the bread (you want it to all stay attached) then take the pesto and squeeze it into the cracks...don't worry about getting all sides or each piece, it will seep through. Then stuff mozzarella in the cracks as well. Top with extra pesto & cheese and bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes. Ta da! You are done! It is so easy and so incredible yummy, I think I ate half the loaf! (don't judge me until you make it yourself) And if you can stop after a couple bites I commend you...you have much more self-control than I!

Things that make me smile...

This room makes such a statement! And yet its still so wonderfully understated...love it! Especially that chandelier!

A thoughtful place

2 weeks...

And I'll be landing in New York City!!! I am SOOOOO excited! Ridiculously excited!

image found on pinterest

Things that make me smile...

This room is so soft & relaxing. The wall treatment & dark light fixture help add some contrast to all those neutrals! I love the blue accents and of course the duvet! (I love mine--in a different color)

inspiration for decoration

Things that make me smile...

I'm really liking round tables lately, too bad my dining room is way too small to attempt that...unless you know I wanted a two seater cocktail table, but lets face it, that's not very practical. bummer.

I've also always wanted a ladder in my house...of course that would mean there needs to be shelves high enough that a ladder is necessary! I'll just keep dreaming about that one :)

knight moves

Progress...

I purchased 2 more packs of ring clips to try and improve the curtain situation in the living room...

I think it looks a WHOLE lot better now that they're all hung the same way...but it created another problem...there's curtains that are purposefully too long to look wonderful, and then there's curtains that are too long and look retarded. I think you know which one this is...

Guess I just created another sewing project for myself. Hmm...we'll see how brave I am...

But from the top...much better! that is if you can handle my "quick take a picture with my phone as I run out the door" pictures. Yeah, sorry bout that.

Things that make me smile...

I think this room is so cool. The patterned flooring may be a bit much for my taste, but I love the beds! How fun would it be to sleep in those? And pull the curtains shut? It'd be like sleeping in a fort all the time! Plus the view? Yeah I'm thinking I should find out where this room is and move in!

inspiration for decoration

Things that make me smile...

Talk about glam! This room just screams luxurious to me...I think its gotta be the chandelier! Wow!

citified

Things that make me smile...

Isn't this kitchen beautiful? And so functional!!

a thoughtful place

I did it!!

Sorry for the bad pictures, it is ridiculously difficult to get good shots while facing a sun-filled window! But I couldn't wait any longer to take some.

For now they're operating as purely decorative, and I might add they make my window look much bigger! Never a bad thing, I'm thinking. Hopefully someday they'll get to have the spotlight to themselves but for now they're enjoying backing up their friends--the white curtains :)

And I must say I definitely love the ring clips. Not only does it require no sewing for the top, but I love the way it looks...I might have to adjust the other curtains so they can have ring clips too! (plus I think that'd go a long way in making this look more cohesive...the differences in how they're hung is kind of driving my type A personality crazy!)

Things that make me smile...

There are too many great things in this kitchen...I don't even know where to start! The open shelf island? The light fixtures? The hood? The faucet? The stools? The cutting board inset on the island? The glass cabinets? And then there's the archway framing this beautiful room!

knight moves

The final lesson...

good things come to those who wait! :)

I made these sugar cookies for my cousin's bridal shower...pretty cool huh? I love how personalized they are! (of course, that is the point!)
good thing there weren't any left...I have a serious weakness for sugar cookies...

PS: The message cookie cutters are from Williams-Sonoma if anyone's interested in making their own. It come with 3 cookie shapes & endless possibilities!! Check it out here.

I'm willing it so...

It is time for spring!

I'm hoping if I get all ready & pretend it is spring then maybe the weather will follow suit!

It's at least worth a shot!

okay weather...I'm ready! Bring on the sunshine!

Things that make me smile...

Everyone needs to experience a bath like this sometime! Don't you think!?

a thoughtful place

Life lessons learned from making cookies...

its messy...

there are consequences...

yields rewards along the way...

and forces patience...

really? they really have to chill for 2 hours?! really?

A new project

I started my second sewing project this weekend...wow, look at me, I'm ambitious! If you remember from this post, I got a clearance tablecloth at Target with the intention of hanging it as a curtain. Well I've since decided I'd like to cut it in half to make two curtain panels. Curtains are always more functional as two pieces, right? And now that I have some faith (granted very little) in my sewing ability I figured I could attempt it!

I've gotten it laid out, and measured...

Cut in half...

Ironed & pinned...

Now I just have to work up the courage to do the actually sewing :)

Things that make me smile...

It kind of amazes me how many beautiful kitchens I come across. I think its pretty cool that with how often they're used they can still have their time to shine :) Just check out that chandelier! It is all about the shine! And it looks good doing it. The pops of coral add so much to this room, but without the beautiful white/gray backdrop they'd be lost. Its just so perfect. And I'm thinking these chairs are the way to go...maybe I'd actually eat dinner at the table if I had nice chairs like that...hmm...

marcus design

Before 25 List: Second Month Progress

Well sewing isn't the only thing on that list of mine...and if nothing else I at least have to update you on that one monthly item :)

As for new recipes in February...I tried two new ones, both of them were delicious but one of them was also an epic failure. Surprisingly enough its the one I have pictures of :) It was a nutter-butter banana trifle, and let me tell you, it was yummy! However, two of the layers are a homemade pudding...some of you probably know what the problem was just from that one line...but I have never made a homemade pudding before, in fact I'm not sure I've ever made pudding of any kind, even that instant stuff :) (Next time I try this recipe, I WILL be using instant!) So needless to say, the pudding layers did not set....which wouldn't have been so bad if I had had any idea that this was the case, but no, it looked just fine! I mean look:

I thought it was fine! And it sure looked tasty! But as soon as we started spooning it out it was quite clear that something wasn't right...it was a runny mess! boo :( Yet we still ate the whole thing! haha. It was that good! Even as a soup :)

The other recipe was a broccoli, cheese casserole in the crock pot...it was also very tasty and as a crock pot meal SO easy! I love it when I do use my crock pot, but don't seem to use it very often...I should work on that. No, I should say, I am working on that :)

And in other list accomplishments, I finished my Europe scrapbook while I was at my parents last weekend!! It feels so good to be done!! So now its on to catching up the other stacks of pictures I have everywhere!

Things that make me smile...

How awesome are those windows?! And the dark floors? With that sheepskin rug and beautiful sofa? I'm so in love with the elements of this great room! It is gorgeous! And looks so inviting...I think that throw is there just to say "come lounge around with me"

flourish design + style

Before 25 List: Second Month Progress

I did a really big thing this weekend! Okay, maybe its not SO big...but I'm proud. Kind of ridiculously so. I attempted that huge scary goal on my list! My first sewing project...and...it was a smashing success!! As I mentioned here, I spent last weekend at my parents house. And seeing as my mom gave me her sewing machine to use we both figured this would be a good time for me to actually try it out. You know, when there's someone around who actually knows what they're doing! And can thread the machine on their first try...little things like that, yeah they make all the difference in the world :) First she got the machine working again, yes, it had been in my possession for all of 2 months and I had done nothing but make the entire machine inoperable. Good work Michelle. Don't ask me how it happened, I'm just that talented I guess! But luckily it was nothing mom couldn't handle! Five minutes and it was as good as new...

You want to know what I made? I just got so excited typing that :) Yup, I made something!

So, I have this little travel pillow, that I've had since I was really little...my aunt gave it to me and it has a pillowcase that she herself made, however after 20 years it was looking a little sad. And by sad I mean transparent, yeah this fabric wasn't quite doing its job anymore. But I still love the pillow, and I had some leftover fabric from this project so I figured...why not make a new pillowcase?! Maybe that would be a good first attempt at this sewing thing!

poor, sad, little pillow :(

Here's proof...there was sewing machine involved!

The cuff...after the fact I know that I should have measured a little better and then I would've known I had an inch or two to spare as a cuff, rather than trying to make this only 1/2"...oh well, next time :)

Mom taught me that I needed to reinforce the edges so the fabric won't come apart after multiple washings, she's so smart :) Check out that zig zag reinforcement!

I just love this fabric :)

And the finished product!!

Milestones

I like to think there are many different kinds of milestones in our lives. We all value different things, and we reach them at different times. Nobody's milestones are the same...they are each unique to us. Which you gotta admit is why they're great :) Well this might seem weird, but my car (or Torree, as she's more affectionately called) reached a milestone of her own this weekend. As I was driving home from my parents house she hit the big 55,555! Yup, she's in her late 50's now. Oh, you didn't know that was milestone? Hmm...guess that ones all mine then! I've been waiting for this for a long time :) When I got Torree she already had 8,000 miles so this is my first opportunity to see her with all 5's across the dash. It's a big deal people!

Don't worry, I realize how weird I sound. Anyways...the actual event only lasted about 56 seconds, but fear not...I have forever preserved this milestone! In fact in that 56 seconds I managed to get about 8 different shots, so if this one doesn't do it for you I can offer you some other options. I will warn you though, they're all at about this same level of awesomeness :)

Pretty cool, huh?! :) Oh and I accomplished a few things of my own this weekend! Stay tuned!

Things that make me smile...

This kitchen is beautiful! I love the tiled blacksplash all the way up the wall...the gray cabinets--perfection! That faucet is pretty stinkin' sweet as well! And I love the contrast the light island gives to this space. The final touch: a vase of pink tulips makes anything better!

Cape 27

Things that make me smile...

TGIF! I'm dragging this morning! Time for some perfect espresso!

Cape 27