A few things I have been working on this week

Couple of things going on this week. Made a dinner I had forgotten I used to make often. I'll share with you and it will become a favorite with adults and kids. I started painting a few pieces I have been thinking about.

My mom has dubbed these Italian Hamburgers. 

I use turkey chop meat. You can use regular hamburger meat if you like. Add an egg, salt n pepper, some parmesan cheese, small cubed potato pieces. Form into a torpedo shaped serving and roll in bread crumbs. Fry or bake at 350 degrees. You can serve with a light marinara sauce. YUM!

This plant stand is at the bottom of the stairs in the foyer. It is a dark cherry color. I am painting it white. 

Deciding if I should paint the mirror a chalk paint in a light gray maybe?  It is an antique from my grandparents bedroom so not sure if I should change it or not. The walls need arranging as well.  Searching for a new piece of pottery for the plant stand. 👀 

The calm after the Christmas decorations are put away

It has always been a long process to get my house back in shape after the holidays. I pretty much have decorations in every room in the house, even the boy cave in the basement. I love how it looks but it is a real pain to clean up. Anyway, after the holiday items are all put away, then I fight with myself as to what to put back where it was prior to Christmas, and what to rearrange or just buy something for a certain spot. That is where I am at right now. UGH!
Wanted to share with you two quick spots I brightened up with literally 12.00 worth of items from the floral shop at the supermarket.

Baby's breath, curly twigs, and pussy willows

Used a large glass vase for impact and to take up a big space, visually. You can insert decorative grape vine balls to help fill the vase. 

The baby's breath went in a round glass vase for  alittle color above the cabinet. Pair it with a tall candle holder. Still searching for a pretty white ginger jar. Then the painting will go on the wall.

Here is where the large vase wound up. Still trying to find something to go above the Jaxblvd sign. Was thinking a big wishbone but I haven't had luck finding one yet.

Happy New Year--Happy Fresh Starts

Happy New Year. I am not organized but after the Christmas dishes are put away for another season I need to organize my tabletop cabinet. Throw out the junk and make room for fabulous new items. I just love pretty table settings. My mom and grandmothers always had amazing tables set when I was young. I wanted to share a few finds I came across to take a look at.

Williams-Sonoma has a budget friendly line called Open Kitchen. I love it. Microwave and dishwasher safe. This set comes in a red stripe as well.  Cute for Christmas too. Set of four bowls are just 24.00.

I bought these champs glasses in the summertime last year. They hold a bit more bubbly than the regular glass. Perfect for Prosecco.

Dressing your Windows

The holidays will soon be here and with that brings lots of entertaining family and friends. Everyone thinks to update a space or two in their homes. How about our windows? They are a big focal point in a room and pretty easy to update.

 This first window is an example of Puddled drapes, which are my favorite. The rod I hung as close to the ceiling as possible and the fabric lays in a puddle on the floor. Works best with softer fabrics. The width of the curtains should be 3 times the window for a fuller effect. Measure ceiling to floor with a metal tape measure,for accuracy. Add 8-10 inches to the height.

These have a pretty wood rod with rings to match

These are puddled as well, with an embellishment.

These are hung close to the ceiling and touch the floor. For this look, measure 1 inch above the floor to height above the window frame where rod will go. Can be 6 inches above the frame or to the ceiling if you like.

The higher you hang the rod, the fuller the curtains should be. Width would be 1 1/2 to 3 times wider than the window

There are so many options at many different price points. You can have a more casual look with the metal grommets or a more formal look with wooden rings and a matching rod. I also like the tabs that are placed in the back of the rod, so you see pleating but it is a good I between casual and formal style.
                 Have fun Dressing your windows. Email me if you have any questions.

Plaid and more Plaid

Plaid reminds me of a few things, but when the weather starts to turn to Fall and cooler temperatures, I feel cozy with plaid. Whether it's a soft throw that I am nestled under, or a plaid scarf I have wrapped around my coat, I just love the feeling that plaid evokes in my crazy little mind.  This Fall season I gave found more Plaid to check out than ever. Wanted to share some finds with you. Check out my Instagram as well. see below.

 Target has some awesome plaid going on. This pouf is 50.00. Looks great with a cream sofa or chair, or a black leather chair.

Saw these trays in Target and was instantly thinking where I could use it. Comes in orange for the Fall. Would be great in the center of a table with a vase and some flowers and a small candle.

For your bar.

WestElm is showing this modern version of Plaid with a broken line design.

So many to choose from

To me, plaid is somewhat of a masculine design, but not here in the soft pink 

Bed covering. Also, West Elm

Saw this throw months ago during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, but forgot to order it. So comfy looking. 

More of Target's offerings.

I always say fashion mimics what we style our homes with. These pumps are so perfect.

They are Coach

Ah, saw this on Anthropologie and fell in love. It s a big splurge, 1500.00 but such eye candy!

Thoughtful Hostess Gifts

Last week on my Instagram account I posted a great Hostess gift idea. Wanted to add a few more ideas. This is the time of year we start opening our home to watch Football games, Holidays, and just to gather family and friends for a great meal.

Here are a few ideas for you hostess, that canbe easily put to good use and they don't give your hostess extra work.

First, I love the idea of pretty hand soap. Your hostess can use right away in the bathroom, or save for a special addition to the powder room at a later time.

This one is from Bath and Body Works. 

Next, who doesn't enjoy, Chocolate! A box of Godiva never disappoints.

Candles are my all time favorite to give and receive, hint, hint.

This one is from Le Labo

Cocktail napkins are such a thoughtful and useful gift. So many styles and colors to pick from. These are from Kate Spade. I found them at Nordstrom.com.

Decorating Tailgates and my family Pizza receipe

The next few months are ALL about Football. Seriously, my two boys play, and if we aren't attending a game, we are watching a college or NFL game on TV.
Last week I instagramed a photo of my mantle, complete with both my boys teams represented.

These banners are readily available at all the craft stores and Target too. Just be creative with how you incorporate the team colors.

An easy idea for a snack for tailgating is any treat like, candy, popcorn, pretzels and decorate these little brown paper bags with stickers and Team name. I found these at HobbyLobby.

These mason jars are great for drinks at your tailgate. The lids are good to prevent spills and bugs. The colored straws can coordinate with your team colors. You can even add white tape to mimic the laces on the football.

Here are a few great examples to check out

This one courtesy of piggyback parties.com

This is courtesy of creative home.mohawkflooring.com

Finally, the FOOD. I'm sharing with you my family's homemade pizza receipe. It is great for a tailgate because it can be made the day before, easily transported, and SO TASTY!

Purchase the fresh dough from a pizzeria or food store. I buy two at a time as two will fit on one baking sheet. Take them out of their baggies and sit them, separately in a bowl covered with a towel and let rise. 

Take a baking sheet  and spread with alittle cornmeal. Spread the dough, after it rises, square n thick. Two will fit on one large pan. Cover and let rise some more. For the sauce I use whole tomatoes in a large can. Break them up with your hand. Then in a pan sauté some garlic,onion,parsley,oregano and a few fennel seeds. Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, salt n pepper. Add some grated cheese. Bring to a boil then simmer on lowest setting. You want it thick, so do not cover it. 

Back to the dough, make little indents in the dough with your finger, as it will help the sauce grab onto the dough. After sauce as simmered for at least an hour, spread on the dough ,and spread grated cheese over it as well. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then follow dough directions on the package for temperature. When it looks like it is almost done, move to the top rack in the oven for a few minutes, you want the sauce to be dry. Let cool and cut with a scissor or a pie cutter. Enjoy! It transports easily in a container to your tailgate.