Oh My, Oh Me!

Pantry Envy:

2011-07-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

A super sweet Oh My, Oh Me reader named Kelly wrote:

Hi Cristina!

... Do you have any ideas or inspiration photos for organized pantries? Yes. Pantries. We are looking into redoing and expanding ours, but we have NO idea! We have a couple of photos (that we found in magazines) but we aren't crazy about them. Can you help?...

Of course! Thanks again for contacting me, Kelly. Hearing from readers like you makes all of this worth while! So let's get to it - here are a few of my favorite pantry inspirations:

The one above is very cottage like. Notice how everything is placed in glass containers! Makes a HUGE difference.

*Categorize! Sauces are with sauces, cans are with cans - everything in it's own section.

baskets are a great way to categorize things that come in individual packaging like chips and cookies. They are also a great place to store your napkins/napkin rings.

LOVE the labeled glass jars. This could be a fun DIY project!

the break down:

- cardboard packaging isn't very appealing. Recycle what you have and check out places like: World Market and the The Container Store for glass and plastic containers. Joann's and Hobby Lobby have jars in bulk - use an online coupon for greater savings! mommysavesbig.com

- if you're not comfortable with mixing different styles, go for a simple and classic color scheme... Something that will be timeless.

- the style of your pantry should match the style of your kitchen :)

- remember to categorize everything accordingly.

Hope this helps, Kelly! Keep us updated - we would love to see your final results :)

Table Spruce-up?

2011-07-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

I recently found this lovely table on craigslist
for $10 buckaroos!

It definitely needs some tlc, but for a price like this - I'll take IT! I contacted the seller and he verified that it is indeed made from solid wood and completely sturdy. Yay! We all know it's so hard to find solid pieces these days for a decent price.

So, I'm thinking of sanding/staining it a dark color like this:

... above is a picture of what our nook currently looks like. This table was the only affordable solution at the time, but I always intended our white chairs to be paired with a dark wooden table.

What do you guys think - yay or nay?

Kerri Russell's Brooklyn Home

2011-07-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

Amen - It's almost Friday!

Today, I'm reminiscing the good ole' days while listening to this:

Seriously, I listened to this song at least a billion times my junior year of high school - with the windows down and the music blaring. I spend less time in my car and more time on the train these day's, but songs like this make me want to hop in my car and JUST drive.

Speaking of reminiscing... are any of you hard core Felicity fans? Can't say that I am (sorry)... HOWEVER, I am in LOVE with her Brooklyn Brownstone home. INSANE. Take a gander:

I've been dying to get wire chairs like these! This place sells them for $255 each.

Note the kitchen's simple light fixture, the floating shelves and drop-down towel handle - simple touches that makes this space unique.

I can't get enough of the living room's crown molding and the Ochre light fixture. Just can't.

Isn't the neutral color palette perfectly executed throughout the house?

Nursery Inspiration {part 2}

2011-05-27T08:11:00.000-07:00

Remember when I posted about Jenna's nursery-request? Well here are a few more that are share-worthy:

Isn't this room adorable? KDF painted the walls with stencils for her client's nursery.

Cloudy with a chance of RAIN

2011-05-27T07:28:00.000-07:00

Check out our view last night during the storm? INSANE. Now you see:

Now you don't!

As many of you know, the south and midwest have been hit with devastating tornadoes the past few weeks. My heart goes out to all of the families who have lost their homes, memories and worst of all - loved ones. I can't imagine what they are going through.

Atlanta: Restaraunt {reviews}

2011-05-26T05:42:00.000-07:00

The Mr. and I recently celebrated our first year of marriage (wojdnsajte$%^o!)! It was such an amazing year filled with countless blessings, infinite amounts of love and great beginnings. Thank you all for your sweet emails and encouraging words! It still amazes me how I can connect and grow from loving strangers all around the world.

So how did we celebrate? Well, in honor of our honeymoon destinations - we ate A LOT. For those of you who live in Atlanta here a a couple of restaurant reviews:

- Anis Cafe: Parisian. Highly recommend!
We had Sunday brunch there and it was delicious! Nutella crepes, Moules Marinière, Salt-Cured Salmon, Eggs Benedict - you name it. The prices were fair, however the atmosphere was a bit stuffy. Just sayin. Expect to pay valet and take advantage of their dessert menu. Yum.

- Pricci: Italian.
Portions were a lot larger than I expected. They have a great 3 course meal with wine pairings that changes each month (which is what I ordered). $39 per person - not bad at all! They bring out a delicious bread and tomato/cheesy-goodness/sauce appetizer so I was full by the time I reached my main entree. Lucas ordered the Spagetti Frutti di Mare - it wasn't as spectacular as the one he had in Italy, but it was still delicious. Very simple. Valet parking only.

Baby-Mania {shower inspiration}

2011-05-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

It's been a super exciting time for our family. My oldest brother and my insanely gorgeous sister-in-law are expecting their first baby - Ehhem - THE very first baby in the family. Words cannot describe how thrilled we are to become aunts, uncles, and grandparents... you can only imagine the amount of shopping we have been doing ever since we found out it was a baby GIRL - soon to be known as Gabriela. It's a perfectly bi-lingual name for spanish, Portuguese and English don't you think? Just don't call her Gabi because my mom is already having fits about that! ;)

Next week is the baby shower and we are ready to go - all out. It's been such a blast planning this little one's shower. She's not even born yet and we are celebrating like there is no tomorrow. Here are a few inspiration photos for Gabriela's shower:

A lot of the decor will be DIY projects like the hanging pom poms, the table runner, flower arrangements, party gifts... so stay tuned to see how it all turns out! CAN'T WAIT!

p.s. I will be posting pictures of Faith's new master bedroom next week!

DIY Projects on a $0 budget.

2011-03-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

My latest projects require 100% found objects. My challenge was to make something functional and/or decorative without spending a dime.

So what did I make?

A pendant light fixture out of coffee filters and ribbon.

and decorative pinecones made out of cereal boxes.

I'm not quite sure where to hang the pendant fixture... what do you guys think? Should I place it in our master bedroom or in our dining nook?

Happy Tuesday! :)

My Best Friend's [Master Bedroom]

2011-03-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

Remember this handsome couple? I bragged about

their adorable wedding...

Well they want to update their master bedroom, and asked me if I could help out. They have been working hard on decorating their

home for the past year and now it's time for their MB to look AHHHHMAZING.

Color scheme of choice: white, black and red

Here are a few inspiration photos that I suggested:

#1 item on priority list: West Elm's hand-blocked jaipur quilt .

oh, how I love this quilt. It looks even better in person.

What's left on the to do list:

lets see...

-paint the ceiling white

- paint the existing bedroom furniture black

- buy new hardware

- complete bedding (pillows, duvet, sheets etc.)

- assemble art pieces

- antiquing for decor

- new lamps

- DIY curtains (4)

- window hardware

- rug

- accent chair

Fewf. Can't wait to get crackin on this project!

Weekend Score!

2011-03-22T08:13:00.000-07:00

Look at what we scored this weekend while

antique/thrift shopping?

$15 buckaroos!

Isn't it pretty? Paris on Ponce had a basement full of left behind items and allowed customers to look for hidden treasures... It hadn't been open to the public in 8 years or so... A lot of it was damaged furniture, old books, and board games but after digging through 5 piles we found this lovely mirror.

I don't really have a place for it just yet but it's definitely a keeper!

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Kitchen Update: {Still in Progress}

2011-03-21T09:17:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to show pics of our itty-bitty kitchen wall. It's been neglected ever since we moved in (there were more important projects on our priority list)... but thanks to some weekend down time - I finally made some time to spruce the poor thing up.

I initially wanted to paint this wall but I found a roll of unused happy tape in one of my storage boxes and decided it would be a fun and QUICK project.

What do you guys think? It took me 45 minutes. Seriously. All I did was a quick sketch prior to taping.

The 3D letters were on clearance for $10 bucks each at Drew Lewis (of all places). It's a mens store here in Atlanta. They have ahhmazing decor pieces that they sell after using them as props etc. Take a look at some of their other items:

Hickoree's Hard Goods

2011-03-18T07:33:00.000-07:00

Have y'all heard of this place? My husband is an avid fan. He just ~~bought~~ treated himself to a Maxx and Unicorn leather wallet.
- 1940's inspired
- handmade (out of a single piece of leather )
- stamped with a WWII-era lead and steel die.

Cool, eh? Thought I'd share in case
you are ever in need of a great gift.

1937 "Municipal Airports" Reproduction Hand-Printed Poster

Military inspired watches...

hankies...

Old fashioned body creme? Love that. haha

Happy Friday, Friends. Forgive me for the lack of posts lately. Too much is going on at once and as much as I love you - family, work and classes come first :-/

I have some fun stuff planned for next week, I promise!!!

Update:

2011-03-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

Holy toledo. Head on over to IHOD for a $200 giveaway EmersonMade gift card!! Wooohooo!

Recent Favs:

2011-03-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hello Lovies!

Have you visited EmersonMade's shop lately? Holy smokes. It's pure magic. Can't wait to get my little hands on this Black and Cream Tuxedo Jacket.

and these sun washed low riders...

or this dress... swoon.

If you haven't already been introduced to Emerson's creations, get ready because you will want to buy everything!

Oh, and one more thing! For those of you who love photography and need help staying organized while keeping your camera goodies safe - check out this bag by THEIT. Isn't it gorgeous!?

Happy Monday!

Sprucing Up Your Lampshade

2011-02-18T06:27:00.000-08:00

It's amazing what a little sharpie magic can do to a project. I had seen a similiar lampshade design and wanted to replicate it onto my $15 lamp. I got some high gloss paper (which actually gives a pearl-like finish) and made a quick stencil made of chipboard ( it's similar to cardboard but thinner and easier to work with). Then traced the design onto the paper and went over it with a metallic grey sharpie. Having a steady hand is a MUST which is why the stencil comes in handy. Taping it on there helps a lot as well.

* measuring the lampshade before hand is importante.

Materials:
paper (wallpaper works well too!)
chipboard
scissors
sharpie
glue gun or craft glue depending on your material/paper. If it's to difficult to fold over, don't worry. Just carefully glue it.

What do you guys think? It's a subtle difference, but I love it. Especially at night when the light illuminates it. :)

They're Up!

2011-02-17T10:38:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure why I haven't shared our wedding day pictures with you all yet... but many have asked to see them. Can you tell I've been behind on some email requests? hehe

I've added the photos under our Wedding tab/page at the very top or you can just click here. Hope you guys enjoy them!

Are there any Atlanta folks going to the Eddies Attic tonight? Jealous. We wanted to go sooo badly but other plans came up.... we plan on going next Thursday - for sure!

Reader Request

2011-02-16T08:43:00.000-08:00

I received an email from a super sweet reader named Carrie. She was curious to see the pictures I framed for our table nook along with any tips on how to narrow down your photos. Thanks for your interest Carrie, it sure is flattering :)

Here's the link and photo to our little nook:

- It was extremely tricky to decide on which pictures to frame - since there are so many that we love. We tried sticking with ones that pictured as many family members as possible, but that can be incredibly hard to find. Either someone's eyes were closed or an ex-girlfriend was in it. We just didn't want to ever hurt someone by leaving them out, you know? In the end, we ended up choosing timeless family photos of grandparents, parents and siblings.

- I also chose to keep them all in black and white - since the frames were different colors and styles (gold, silver, black). I didn't want it to look out of control. I recommend sticking to 3 different colors max and either go with colored prints or black and white - not mixed. It can certainly be done, but it's a gamble.

- We had them developed at Wolf Camera. My favorite.

We also found an online coupon and saved $10.

- A couple of the photos were so old that I had to scan and tweak them in order to get the best resolution possible. A bit time consuming but well worth the effort.

Hope this helps, Carrie!!!!

LEFT: Grandpa and great grandma

RIGHT: my parents in Venezuela. Oh how I love this picture.

LEFT: my sweet inlaws

RIGHT: my hubbys grandma holding him as a newborn

LEFT: my handsome dad before getting married to my mom

RIGHT: my sister, Melissa, me and my sister-in-law, Flavia

About the Details

2011-02-15T11:40:00.000-08:00

Because the past few weeks have been incredibly intense... I am ~~making myself~~ enjoying a couple of hours to breathe, relax and recoup: the Bachelor, Blog readings, lunch and yoga. All in 2 hours.

Before I get back to that, I wanted to share one of my new year resolutions with you: to take more photos - more often... but not necessarily the special/sentimental moments. Instead, I want to capture the little details in my life that often get over looked and perhaps be eventually forgotten. So hopefully... one day Lucas and I will be able to look back on our first little home, our walks in the city, and everything in between. No staging, no editing, nothing fancy.

Today is day numero uno - things around our casa + meals:

p.s. Don't you just love vintage keys? I bought the ones pictured above for 3 euros in Paris (at the bottom of a huge box full of large keys). Score is understatement - especially for that price. It was the only one with a name tag. That was a happy find. Hope you are all having a fabulous Tuesday. :)

Wishing You...

2011-02-14T10:51:00.000-08:00

a very happy Valentine's Day!!

What do you guys have planned for today? Anything super romantic or exciting?

We are keeping it simple this year... a homemade meal (made by both of us - cooking with my hubby is the best - despite our tiny kitchen), wine and a movie. This is our favorite kind of date night.

V-day would not be complete without a great playlist. Here are a few of my favorites:

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.

- Dr. Seuss

Pic via everything fab.

Creme Brulee Heaven

2011-02-08T08:19:00.000-08:00

It's only Tuesday?! Geeze, I'm ready for this week to be over. The hubbs and I are trying our best to keep up with the million things that need to be done.

On a happier and rather distracting note: I'm off to an Alton Brown lecture here at Georgia State University. So excited! Are there any fellow Georgians or GSU students attending?

Do you remember when I posted this Alton Brown recipe? It has been a favorite of ours for a long time now. Everyone who tries it begs for more and I think it's the perfect Valentine's Day dessert(next to chocolate covered strawberries of course).

Video:

Recipe:

Mad Men Mania

2011-02-03T09:25:00.000-08:00

Today I find myself stuck in the days of Eames armchairs, clean lined sofas, oranges, burnt greens, and tulip tables. We are talking full on 60's mode.
As I recently admitted, one of my guilty pleasures is Mad Men.
Where do I even begin? This show is like an hour of pure eye-candy for me...and I am not only referring to Mr. Draper.

Sigh...on a side note: have you read the first issue of High Gloss Magazine?! Holy smokes. I think it's my new favorite. Talk about eye candy. Visit here to view.

Do you have any fun plans for this weekend? I'm excited to hear artist Mark Dion's lecture at the Rialto here in Atlanta! Should be interesting.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

I'm Feeling the Love!

2011-02-02T08:58:00.000-08:00

A million thank you's to my fellow blogette, Rebecca from GibbGabb, for giving me the Stylish Blogger Award! It truly made my day. I love being able to meet and connect with uber talented folks from all around the world.

As a part of accepting this award, I am to share seven things about myself....

Lets see:

1. I love, love, love antiquing. I could seriously do it all day long. Just ask my husband... There's just nothing like discovering a great piece of history.

2. Did you know that I was born in Venezuela (Ahem: we hold the world record for winning the Miss Universe title - 2 years in a row)? I ADORE my heritage and it's culture - just not its president. Booo.

3. I get to wake up next to this handsome chap everyday, and I wouldn't have it any other way. We got married last May after dating for 5.5 years. Thank you honey for encouraging me to start this little blog.

4. I am the baby of 4 children to a couple of love bugs who have been married for over 26 years. Yay to my incredible parents. Aren't they cute? I also married into an amazing family. For this, I feel truly blessed.

5. My guilty t.v. pleasures: Dexter (OMG), The Bachelor, Mad Men and the Golden Girls.

6. Coffee, chocolate, magazines and movies are a few of my addictions. At least they are semi-healthy ones, right?

7. I am and forever will be a Backstreet Boys fan. It's true. Don't judge! ;)

Here is a list of my top 10 Stylish blog picks:
The Feminist Housewife
Gus and Lula
Sabbe Spot
Fitness Food and Faith
Creative Index
Lovely Crafty Home
Steph Modo
Caitlin Creer
Everything Fab
Michaela Noelle Designs

Not So Much...

2011-01-19T07:53:00.000-08:00

Remember when I intended to use my own homemade stencil for our mini-living room makeover? Well... I decided to go for a more "free hand" approach instead - given that we were on a serious time crunch (family visiting, bridal shower party...). Stenciling would have just taken a little more planning and measuring.

Unfortunately, my "free hand" attempt didn't give me the results I was hoping for. In fact, it ended up adding MORE work since I had to paint over it half way through the painting process. I simply wasn't loving it.

eek. Maybe for a nursery someday?

I was inspired by this picture:

Gorgeous, right? That sofa is to die for.

Anyway, we fixed it... and we love the results. I will be posting pictures soon :) Lucas will be taking pics with his nice camera for once... instead of my iPhone.

Happy Wednesday!

Spicy Chicken Chili

2011-01-12T10:18:00.000-08:00

The snow is finally melting and I'm a bit sad to see these restful days come to end! Today I will be heading to the gym, making a hearty soup with gnocchi and preparing for tomorrow...

First, I thought I'd share this rockin' recipe with you... wish I could take the credit for this one but it comes from the Food & Wine: Quick from Scratch Chicken Cookbook. This is officially my new and favorite chili recipe. It's a lot lighter than regular beef chili.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4

2 tablespoons cooking oil
1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 4) cut into strips
4 teaspoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground oregano
1 teaspoon salt
2 jalapeno pepper, seeds ribs removed, chopped
1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes with their juice
2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
1 2/3 cups drained and rinsed pinto beans (from 15 oz can)
1 2/3 cups drained and rinsed black beans (from 15 oz can)
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/3 cup cilantro (OPTIONAL) ** I went with out it since I'm not a lover of cilantro)

1. In a large sauce pan, heat oil over moderately low heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook until they start to soften. About 3 minutes.

2. Increase heat to moderate and stir in chicken strips. Cook until no longer pink, about 2 minutes.
Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt. Add jalapenos, the tomatoes with their juice (don't drain) and the broth. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Uncover the sauce pan and stir in the beans (drained!)and black pepper. Simmer until the chili is thickened, about 15 minutes longer. Serve with topped cilantro.

Menu Suggestions:
Corn bread, or serve chili over macaroni or rice.

Wine recommendation: A red wine with plenty of acidity (sangiovese from California or a dolcetto from Italy).

Since we were snowed in. We went with good ole' beer and ice tea with corn bread. Here is my favorite cornbread recipe: visit here. Happy cooking!

Snowed In

2011-01-11T09:18:00.000-08:00

Fewf. We have been enjoying two days full of snow, movies, comfort food and sleeping. So much that I couldn't even get myself to posting yesterday! haha

The hubbs and I haven't lounged around this much in a very long time and it has been so nice.

Here are some views of the snow from our place:

and here is what we've been eating a lot of: Homemade [from scratch] Chicken Chili and corn bread.

while watching a marathon of this great classic:

Ok, now we are off to the gym.

Thankfully it's only a few floor levels down because the roads are closed!

"Hole Mole, Me Oh My..."

2011-01-07T09:03:00.000-08:00

Today is another day of painting... for the most part. I get to have lunch with a close friend and possibly some facials?! Not a bad way to end the week.

Here is a pic of our living room. big mess.

Ok, last thing: check out this video. It will really put a huge simile on your face:

Happy weekend!

DIY Window-Chalkboard

2011-01-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

I've received a couple of emails regarding my window-chalkboard. Thank you all again for your sweet comments :)

I actually found this window at an antique store in Roswell, Ga for $7. After happily taking it home, I pulled out my chalk-spray paint and went to town.

Here are the steps:

- Since I didn't want to change the frame (it was already beautifully weathered), we simply used a large trash bag and carefully taped the edges down:

- Then we spray painted the window with a primer (after cleaning/wiping down the glass - it was extremely DIRTY haha).

- Once the primer dried, we added three coats of spray paint and viola!

I can't forget to show you guys my little glass, chalk container. Got it for 50 cents.

Paint Job

2011-01-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

Today I will be working on a little, homemade stencil project for our walls. Yes, homemade... I just didn't want to spend $30 bucks on a stencil. eeek, we'll see how it turns out.

Quick story: I went to Home Depot, picked out my Martha Stewart color and the painting specialist at the counter gave me a little tip. He said that Martha Stewart paints are made by Glidden (which is cheaper than MS paints). So in order to make a long story short: he made me the exact MS color that I wanted, but charged me with the Glidden price. I saved around $11 per gallon. Not bad, huh? Honest folks like that make me want to continue going back for a better shopping experience.

p.s. they are having awesome deals on MS Christmas decor and I got an 8 piece painting set (pictured above) for $10 (originally worth $25)! Score.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

The Frame Game

2011-01-04T09:20:00.000-08:00

I have been dying to get family pictures on our poor little, bare walls for quite some time now. As most of you know, Lucas and I are renting, so we are always a bit hesitant in doing things like - adding holes into the walls... so we opted for command frame strips and they. are. awesome.

I have been collecting a lot of frames (mostly ones on clearance or at thrift stores), added our first name initials (that were used on our wedding day) and viola. Piece of cake. The hardest part was choosing which pictures to develop.

I simply measured the space and did a few trial runs on the floor to see how I'd arrange them.

Here is the before:

and the after:

All that is missing as an overhead light fixture.

* photo taken on my iphone...

Score!

2011-01-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, friends!

Our last day of the year was a blast. The hubbs and I went to Cirque Du Soleil (awesome!), ate with the family and ended it with a mini party at our place with close friends. Pina coladas and all.

Anyway, I'm pretty happy with my first "score(s)" of the year and they just so happen to be mirrors. We have been desperately needing some after ~~fighting~~ having to share our only mirror which was in our [only] bathroom. Not too ideal for getting ready in the mornings. Showers = a very foggy mirror...ugh.

So now we have a full length mirror for the bedroom and a pretty one to go over our dresser. Big YAY!

I got this baby on Craigslist for $50 bucks.

It's huge and perfect.

and I found this one on sale - 65% off at TjMax for $30.

(excuse our messiness...eek.)

Today...

2010-12-30T08:57:00.000-08:00

I'm listening to this:

...while lusting after this:

It's a day of catching up on my favorite magazines, finishing our many loads of laundry, dreaming of the things to come [next year] and reflecting on how FAST this year went by. 2010 was a b-i-g year for us. Marriage, business, our first "home"... Every event that makes this year so wonderful leads back to one thought - God is sooo good. He never ceases to amaze me with his love. I hope all of you have a fantastic-last Thursday of this year.

Gift Guide: For Her [Part II]

2010-12-17T06:52:00.000-08:00

DIY Napkins

May Kay's Stain Hands Pampering Kit

Jadore by Dior Macys or Amazon

Williams Sonoma's Stick Toffee Pudding

Happy Gift shopping, everyone!

Mr. Boddington's

2010-12-16T06:51:00.000-08:00

Recipe Break

2010-12-15T07:43:00.000-08:00

Gift Guide: For Him

2010-12-14T10:26:00.000-08:00

*click on the green highlighted words for the link! :)

A mustache personalized address stamp

Lap top bag

A ticket to his favorite sports game

A notebook for the dads out there

Of course - the iPad(if he doesn't already have one!)

Manly Barware by Ralph Lauren

Kick a** shoes

I know my husband has been wanting a rock climbing membership for a while now. It's one of those things he mentions all the time but never goes for it. I think a membership printed out might make it to his stocking this year. How about you? Any special ideas for the men in your life?

Gift Guide: For Her [Part I]

2010-12-13T07:07:00.000-08:00

Woooh! What a crazy few months it has been! We got married, moved into our new little home, got a new job, AND completed an uber demanding semester. Needless to say - I am officially back!

Ok, now back to the serious stuff: Christmas is quickly approaching [ahhhhhh]. Here are a few of my favorite things to give this year:

Purse and wallet by Mango

Wine Club Subscription for 6 months

Cutesy Scarf

Ikat Bowls

Jonathan Alder iphone covers

Comfy Blanket

Monogramed Glassware

More goodies to come!

Kitchen Inspiration {Sneak Peak}

2010-08-24T07:06:00.000-07:00

I know a lot of you are waiting for my parents mini-kitchen-facelift reveal. Before I post the after shots, here are the inspiration photos we opted for:

My mom wanted a traditional, almost country-like feel for the kitchen so we decided to go with blues and whites - super fool proof:

1. It's an easy color palette to work with.

2. picking the colors for the wall = easy (and it completely opened up the space)!

3. Finding affordable accessories/decor in this color palette made it even easier to put together!

Budget: (get ready for this) $345

Necessities:

- wall paint, trim paint

-new lighting/chandelier

-spray paint

- new dinnerware

-reupholster kitchen chairs

-new window treatments

-cabinet lighting

The budget was one of the main reasons why the project became extremely time consuming and grueling.

Total project time: 6 days. Yes - SIX DAYS. Did I mention I was also working four 9-11 hour shifts? This project was a true labor of love.

Through divine intervention we were able to pull off a pretty kitchen facelift with our small budget.

Stay tuned for more! Thank you to those who have emailed with great anticipation throughout this week!

Fashion Monday

2010-08-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

I bought this top over the weekend (had to used my Macys coupon, of course). I've gotta say, I'm so in love with it... it also goes perfectly with my favorite wide leg pants. Comfy and lovely - I say this makes perfect work wear gear. Happy Monday everyone!!!

Monday by tinagal3 featuring plus size tops

MICHAEL Michael Kors Plus-Size Ruffled Silk Polka-Dot Blouse
$89 - myshape.com
Plus size tops »

Unito wide-leg silk pants
$148 - theoutnet.com
Silk pants »

Lanvin Happy Pop leather shoulder bag
$1,855 - net-a-porter.com
Oversized bag »

CHANEL 6205 GOLD GOLD DANGLING PEARL
234 GBP - farfetch.com
Chanel earrings »

Ray-Ban 8041 Aviator Titanium Shiny Gold Polarised > Ray-Ban...
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Say What?

2010-08-19T07:46:00.000-07:00

Did I miss the memo or what? Since when did these two start dating?

Update: I haven't been on my computer in.... 4, 5, who knows how many days! It has been a super busy week. We decided to give my parents a mini-kitchen facelift while they were out of town visiting my sister in Seattle. It was a grueling project, especially while working 9-11 hour shifts at work as well. I'll have photos asap - I promise! Until then, I will be focusing on my last weekend off before classes start.. eeek! Happy Thursday, everyone!

picture via People.com

Dream Inspiration: Kate Spade's Boudoir

2010-08-10T07:16:00.000-07:00

This next photo rocks my world... Gray, yellows, greens, whites and blacks. I wouldn't mind coming home to a bedroom like this after a long day of work. I don't think Kate Spade minds either!

Get The Look:

Headboard: to make it a bit more affordable, try making your own headboard! Design*Sponge has an awesome tutorial. Tip* instead of padding, use an old comforter that is no longer needed.

A few minutes on ebay will find you some vintage and antique seating options just waiting to be reupholstered!

The rest is easy:

-Pick out your favorite picture or print, blow it up and frame it.

- collect your favorite bed time story novels, place them on your night stand.

-and finally, find a fabulous lamp.

Happy decorating!

It's Fashion Monday

2010-08-09T05:04:00.000-07:00

Oh, yes. The weekend is over and the work week has offically begun. I thought of moving "Fashion Friday's" to Mondays instead. Why not get inspired early in the week? Let's face it, Mondays aren't always the easiest days to handle, but a little fashion eye-candy can help make the day a little brighter... Maybe even inspire you to wear something out of the ordinary?

Reese Witherspoon. This woman has a style! She is not over the top with the glitz and the glamour... her outfits are approachable, comfy, and flat out - adorable! I identify my style with hers the most. Love, love, love:

Who's fashion sense do you identify yourself with?

Country Living Magazine

2010-08-06T07:35:00.000-07:00

Who's ready for some yummy barbecue and fabulous vintage finds!? I am SOOO excited for this year's Country Living Magazine Fair! Mark your calendar, ladies. It will be held here in Georgia at Stone Mountain Park, on October 22, 23, 24. If you are curious, go to your nearest bookstore and pick up this month's issue for pictures from their most recent fair in Columbus.

Bravo, Brad!

2010-08-05T06:34:00.000-07:00

Brad Ford has become one of my favorite designers. He mixes modern and classic in such a lovely way. I can't seem to get enough... wooden pieces, natural elements, warm tones... Sigh. Need I say more?

Photos via here.

Sweet + Simple

2010-08-04T07:21:00.000-07:00

After a much needed night of sleep, I decided to make a refreshing breakfast drink. Nice and cold, easy and simple!

2 Oranges, cut in half and peeled:

2 1/2 cups of cubed Ice

2 tbsp sugar or sweetener of your choice

Blend everything together (mine took exactly 30 seconds)... and devour.

Serves 3

* Note: I used agave nectar insted of sugar but any

sweet substitute will do and remember all blenders are not made the same. For example, my mom's old blender barely crushed the ice, haha. :)

Going Green

2010-08-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

I recently saw the documentary, "No Impact Man". It was one of those nights when my husband begged me to see something other than a romantic-girly movie. My options were either "Helvetica" or "No Impact Man"... so I opted for the latter one and to no suprise - I loved it. Take a look at the trailer:

I don't plan on going for one whole year without a refrigerator, but they did inspire me to pursue many ventures. One of them being: supporting my local farmers market. I've always loved going, but now I am insisting. Twice a month... My calendar has been marked! If you live in Georgia, click here and check this place out. It gives you times, locations and directions to your nearest market!

Dream Inspiration:

2010-08-02T07:54:00.000-07:00

Starting this week, I will be posting my newest blog series called, Dream Inspirations. These posts will be filled with GTL(get the look) yourself ideas inspired by rooms that take my breath away.

Today's Dream Inspiration makes me want to be in an office all day long.

Get The Look:

- Wire Base White Chair: from Overstock

- Architect Table Lamp: from Sundance Catalogue

but lets face it, these puppies are everywhere! Check out your local HomeGoods or Target. If you can't find a dark one like the one pictured - use spray paint! An easy fix!

Working Table: Crate and Barrel

This table would be great as well. Especially for a small space (a glass top can make the appearance lighter and less cluttered).

Lighting:

Look for a lovely clean-lined shelving. I like this one from the Sundance Catalogue:

Happy Monday Everyone!

A Touch of...

2010-07-30T06:47:00.000-07:00

So sorry for my absence of blogging this week, folks! Unexpected work came along. I promise to bring some lovely posts next week. In the meantime....
Today I am inspired by touches of orange. This is a color I have grown to love! It's fun, happy, fresh and it mixes well with reds and yellows... What's not to like?

Love, Love, Love this room.

Happy Friday!

Wedding Pause: David Tutera

2010-07-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

Guess who's coming to town!? Mr. David Tutera! If you are a fan of his looking for great tips, champagne and a picture with the wedding guru himself, head on over to www.chene-rouge.com and purchase your ticket! Pretty neat, huh?

Event Info

Saturday Spetmeber 11, 2010
6:00-10:00 PM
86 Poplar Springs Road

Room of The Week:

2010-07-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

I have some pretty lovely posts lined up for next week... Pure eye-candy and GTL (Get the Look yourself) solutions to make your home just as beautiful!

Today, I am dreaming of a spacious kitchen, with a lot of natural light and easy open shelving. Sigh.
I contemplated on buying chairs like these from West Elm... Very cute.

Fabulous Women

2010-07-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

Cheers to the women who will never go out of style... Whose fashion sense continue to rock the world of fashion.

A Tasteful Tuesday

2010-07-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

Today I am cooking up some yummy dishes inspired by a couple of my favorite foodie and design blogs.

Homemade Alfredo Pizza

Toppings:

Alfredo sauce

Italian cheese blend
Gorgonzola cheese, roasted chicken breast, chopped, sliced fresh mushrooms

sliced red onion
garlic, finely chopped
fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

My Additions:

all organic yumminess, artichokes and a crispy salad with a lemon vinaigrette on the side = YUM!

Behind the Bar: "Magic Juice"

Ingredients (makes two drinks):
6 hulled strawberries
1 peeled orange
5-7 mint leaves
1/4 cucumber
4-6 gin, depending on taste
8 oz fresh lemonade

Methodology:

Dice, then muddle fruits and mint, then pour gin into fruit mixture

and let sit for 10-15 minutes

Strain over lemonade and ice

Garnish with fruit slice or mint leaf

Dessert:

My sweet husband and this movie:

Recipes and photos via Sweetcakes and Design*Sponge

Oh Yes, Please!

2010-07-19T06:51:00.000-07:00

I'm currently tyring to find a way to budget these babies in this month. I think I'll practice the "Honey, I didn't spend too much money last month..." line. Yeah. That should work....

Boot Umbrella Stand. Perfect for the entryway. $50

Honeycomb Mirror (looks exactly like the one featured in Domino's decor book). I die. $249.95

Love this $28.

Can't resist yourelf? Practice your famous line and click on the blue links. Happy Monday!

Color Splash

2010-07-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

Today I am loving rooms with touches of purple...

I don't even mind big splashes of purple! Lets face it. This color goes great with everything: whites, greens, golds, oranges!

Happy Weekend!

Nursery Room {Request}

2010-07-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

"Dear Oh My, Oh Me,

I have quickly become a big fan of your blog. I especially love the inspiration photo posts and the recipe suggestions! I am writing to you today, in regards to a nursery inspiration plea! I'm currently preggers and would love some eye candy inspiration. Please?! :) Many, Many Thanks. "

-Jenna

Congratulations Jenna! That is so exciting! I wish you the happiest journey of becoming a mommy :) I have a few photos to drool over and I will be emailing you some great resources for more baby decor needs!

I love this modern nursery. So fresh and different...clean and not cluttered!

A Few Tips:

- Find a color palette that you and you husband love.

- Spend most of your time finding the following: a fun rug, a nice fan or light fixture, wall decor, and a comfy chair!! The rest you can easily put together :)

- Blackout curtains are a must! You place them underneath (or have them sewn) to the curtains of your choice... They keep the brightness away during the day. These are available at Target.

Quick Recourses:

-Projectnursery.com has AWESOME tools and tips for putting a nursery together :)

Overstock.com has fun and affordable shaggy rugs. Click here

Home Goods has affordable and lovely things for youngins!

-Removable wall decals can be fun without over doing it! Click here and here.

- If you are interested in wallpaper click here for an ecofriendly approach!

Happy decorating, Jenna!

Weekend Score!

2010-07-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

The hubbs and I went to Macy's to complete our registry needs, turns out we found more necessities that weren't even on our registry. However, one of our very needed items were pillows. We originally registered for goose down pillows by Hotel ($150 EACH), but in a little dark corner... in the closeout section of Macys, we found these yummy Charter Club goose down pillows for $34 each! They are exactly what we wanted for a much better price! Fewf.

Regular price: $160
Sale Price: $60
Closeout Price: $34 (!)

These will go great with the Euro Pillows I found at HomeGoods by Calvin Klein for $11.99 each!

I recently decorated a room for close friends of ours and attempted to buy Target's Euro Pillows for 10 bucks. The quality is way different from department store brands but euro pillows are barely used for anything but aesthetic purposes... hmm. I might have to give them a try. Except I'd probably allow myself to spend more money on the fabric! haha.

Just a Thought:

2010-07-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

-Albert Einstein

Today, relieve yourself from all negativity and simply do what you enjoy... what you do best. Let no comparing thoughts come to mind. Instead, embrace the traits you are great at... and be sure to encourage a friend!

I say this is a pretty nice thought to start off the day. Thank you Mr. Einstein!

The Good Stuff

2010-07-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

I recently recieved an email asking for my top favorite "beautifiers", such as my favorite cosmetics, hair care products etc. and thought it would be a fun post. I love hearing from all of you and enjoy reading your emails so keep them coming!

Thanks for the email Brenda! Here are a few of my favorite "beautifiers":

Fekkai (brilliant glossing) and anything by Kerastase rock. However, they are a bit pricey so I switch my products up once in a while by using Organix shampoo's and conditioners... Teatree mint smells amazing!

My favorite face scrub: Jason's apricot

I have at least 8 different body lotions in my room with different scents, but I always have Keri's original body lotion. Definitely my favorite.

I love anything Ahava.

I am very sensitive when it comes to lip products. I've tried a billion different brands but this one is awesome. My brother in law also makes a killer lib palm out of beeswax. I might have to squeeze the recipe out of him to share with you!

Mascaras: I have used Dior, Lancome, Mac - you name it. Nothing seems to work as well as covergirl professional mascara.

Lancome eyelid primer = amazing.

Eyeshadows: MAC stays on much longer than other known brands

J'adore will always be a favorite of mine :)

What are your best-kept beautifying secrets?

Recipes To Die For

2010-07-07T05:44:00.000-07:00

If you are ever in need of a yummy recipe, head on over to Sunday Suppers! Everything is so beautifully made! Take a look at a few of my favorites:

you have breakfast...

lunch...

sweet snack...

your appetizer...

and dinner! mmmm!

Aren't these photos amazing? Go and snach yourself a delicious recipe!

photos and recipes via here.

Furnibloom

2010-07-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Take a look at this new approach of green living... Landscape architect, Dagný Bjarnadóttir, designed these pieces out of plexiglass (one of my favs) and I happen to be completely smitten! Basically, you are able to grow spices, flowers, herbs (you name it) and use it as a functional piece of furniture - all at the same time. I think these are perfect for those who live in the city but simply do not have enough patio space. Pretty neat, huh?

photos via here

Will Be Back Tomorrow!

2010-07-05T15:43:00.000-07:00

We are still enjoying our holiday weekend! Hope you all had a fabulous time celebrating :)

Photo via here.

This week:

2010-07-01T05:28:00.000-07:00

we ordered our very own dream dining chairs... and it feels pretty darn great!

It took us a long time to finally decide on our dining chairs but decisions like this don't always come easy, right?

Overstock had great knockoff's for a pretty nice price, $165 a pair. Of course, they sold out in two days! Thankfully, Ebay has a great selection of brand new ones - but they charge a bit more for shipping.

To be honest, any price is better than its original price of $400 per chair...

Paris III

2010-06-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

My final tips for having a smooth trip:
We found that knowing the little details, makes a huge difference once you arrive to France.

- TRAINS:
If you are planning on taking a train to Paris from the airport, no worries. It is super easy. Baggage claim has free maps for tourists and readable signs directing you to the train.
1.) Pack light if you are taking the train! We made a couple of stops in order to get to our hotel and it was a pain to drag 4 suitcases around amongst the crowded stations! It takes up too much space on the trains, the doors close way too fast! You don't want to lose any of your luggage or frustrate the locals.
2.) Be ready to spend 8 euros on a one way ticket to Paris from the airport (per person). Machines are hard to miss once you've reached the station in the airport.
3.) If you are planning on staying there for more than a week, buying all access passes comes out to be way more affordable when it comes to traveling by train. There will be a separate area in the airport (near the ticket machines), with helpful English speaking Parisians. But of course, the line gets long quickly!

-CABS
1.) A cab ride will cost you around 100 bucks - from the airport to central of Paris.
2.) Cabs will be found on the opposite side of the train station (very close to baggage claim).

- Rick Steves website rocks, so be sure to check it out!
1.) Our favorite piece of advice from good ole' Rick was visiting Rue Cler. Click here for more info. No cars are allowed on this street, the locals were awesome and the restaurants at nighttime are amazing here. We also lucked out on the greatest antique market ever. I came home with many affordable goodies! Thankfully, my husband loves antiquing... it was a blast!

These open tour buses are everywhere and they are awesome! A 15 euro ticket lasts you 2 full days. Basically you can hop on and off at any major Parisian stop you want (the Lourve, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower etc).

Happy Travels!

Paris Part II: Food

2010-06-30T11:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, a post only on food. People can take tours of the Parisian expierence of gastronomy alone. No museums, no attractions - just food. Where else can one get perfectly made french bread, french fries, crepes, desserts and cheeses? It all resides in Paris.

Outdoor cafes everywhere, and they get packed at dinner time.

Real Macaroons: pistachio, raspberry, chocolate, vanilla, lemon. You name it.

We took a romantic dinner cruise along the Seine River: four courses, live music, wine, champagne, dessert, espresso - amazing!

My very handsome hubby.

We snatched a few fantastic shots of Paris at nighttime (in between the "Ohhhhing" and "aww-ing of dinner).

Looks messy.. well it was. Anything extremely messy always ends up to be uber delicious. How about nutella gelato, surrounded by whip cream and meringue? Ohhhh yeah!

One of our favorite treats in the morning: a double cheese sandwich with a fried egg on top. You could also order these puppies with ham or spinach.

left over chocolates, measured and bought by weight. So yummy! Melt this and you are in heaven.

For more info on the best Parisian dinner cruise visit, here.

Getting to Bateaux Mouches by train is simple, but remember to plan your day accordingly because refunds are complicated if you are late or miss the cruise!

Wedding Pause:

2010-06-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

Today I get to show off my best friend's wedding. Faith looked GORGEOUS on her big day. Who can even stand it!? She also mangaged to pull off a lovely, intimate wedding in no time!

Faith and I have gone through it all. We met in middle school and we've expierenced almost every "big" moment life has to bring together. First came the excitement of high school, then came the boyfriends, breakups, divers licenses, graduation, college, work and now- weddings! We both married our high school sweetheart's and it helps that her hubby, Bruce, is indeed a wonderful man!

I love this one! How happy are they?

Husband and wife - FINALLY!

Congratualtions to a dear friend. I can't wait for the future memories to come!

Photos via: my hubby

Versailles, France: Tips

2010-06-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

Taking time to visit the Palace of Versailles is a must! It's only a 45 minute train ride from the heart of Paris and will cost you around 4 bucks per person for transportaion.

hall of mirrors... so beautiful!

The Coronation of Napoleon - incredibly large in size!

all about the details!

Tips:

- All museums are closed on Mondays.

- Free admission on every first Sunday of the month (November to March)

- Discounts are available for large families.

- There are many different tours available, be sure to calculate your itinerary accordingly. We did the basic palace tour and loved it.

- You can save time and buy your ticket online, print it yourself or pick it up at a separate booth (with smaller lines!). Located to the right of the main entrance gate.

- Stay and eat at the Cafe inside the museum. It is simple, quick and delicious. We had a sandwich with espresso and yummy pasta salad - oddly enough it was one of the most delicious tasting meals! Also, you can have it bagged up and take it to the garden stairs to enjoy your meal outside.

- We were not impressed with the audio tours (they gave very little descriptions and information) but they were free of charge so I guess I can't complain. If you don't know the full story of Marie Antoinette do some research ahead of time or you can pay extra for private tour guides. It would be a lot more enjoyable since they do not go into detail about her history.

- The palace is about a five minute walk from the train station, just follow the crowd or ask around for further directions. We had trouble finding signs leading the way to the palace.

- For tickets and more info visit their: website

Paris Part I

2010-06-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

I am finally getting around to posting our honeymoon pictures, as promised! Our travles took us from Paris, France to Alassio, Italy which is along the Italian riviera. I will be posting a lot of pictures and tips for anyone planning on visiting France, so stay tuned!

After visiting Paris, I now understand why it is called the heart of Europe. Its architecture, food, art, and culture is simply out of this world. I love Italy, but Paris is... undeniably special.

locals enjoying the afternoon together along the Seine River. What do Parisian's bring to eat? Wine, cheese and bread. Works for me!

look at that architecture!

this is a picture of an average residential building about 3 miles away from the Eiffel Tower. I saw an ad asking for around a million or two buckaroos for pretty little space in this building. Sigh.

Jenna Lyons

2010-04-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

Creative director for J. Crew, Jenna Lyons, seems to be one popular lady in our lovely world of blogging, lately. I've been a huge fan of hers for such a long time and it's been so great to hear and read more about "the woman, with THE perfect job"! Take a look:

her working board:

Her lovely home dressing room, with a beautiful fireplace:

A few of her summer picks:

photos via: the love list (she has an awesome post featuring details of the lovely Jenna Lyons), Domino, Huffington Post, and J.Crew

Eat, Pray, Love

2010-04-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

Speaking of Eat, Pray, Love... If you haven't yet seen the trailer - take a look! My super cute, Javier Bardem, is in it so I have to see it! No worries, Lucas agrees he's man-crush worthy ;)

Books Under the Sun:

2010-04-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

Now that Summer is closely approaching, I can't wait to lounge in the sun with a great book! Sounds like a lovely idea right about now... Here are some books that I'm swooning over:

The Private World Of Yves Saint Laurent & Pierre Berge

Domino: the book of Decorating

The Shelby:

You can never have enough cookbooks, and I've heard fabulous things about this one:

Within the Frame:

And since a movie for this one is in the making, might as well and read it first!

Photos via Amazon.com and Anthropologie

Pretty in Pink

2010-04-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better than being a woman, and today I feel the extra feminine side of me wanting to explode in pink. Pink heels, flowers, bangles, belts, bags... For the record, I was never the girly-girl who was obsessed with the color pink. My sister on the other hand, has always LOVED pink with a passion, but lately I have been super smitten with everything in pink.

Thankfully, it seems to be the color of the season...

Photos via: elle.com, flipgloss.com, pinklemonadedesign, and many have just been stored in my computer for a while :(

Score!

2010-04-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

I recently scored a very happy find... remember when I posted about Looks for Way Less, (click here)? Well I bought one of those items for an even better price, EHHHEM... try $20!! I've looked everywhere online trying to find the most affordable price, but I never expected to find these garden stools at Big Lots, with that low of a price tag. Sure, it's probably not top of the line material but it feels and looks like a $200 one.

This is a picture of what a $285 garden stool looks like (some cost as much as $600), this one is from silkroadcollection.com:

And this is what my $20 one looks like:

I also found this gorgeous one at Home Goods for $50... I was so tempted to buy it, but a little thing called wedding planning/expenses quicky brought me back to reality. This design almost looks identical to one that I saw at a Better Homes and Gardens photoshoot that I interned for a while ago. They had it placed outside in a comfy porch, in between two lounging chairs... Oh, it looked awesome in this orangy-red color!

Nice Frame Work

2010-04-07T08:02:00.000-07:00

I've collected a few inspiration photos over the years that show off the art of frame work. Yes, its somewhat of an art. Placing frames with various shapes and sizes and colors can be quite a task. A friend of mine asked if she should buy the same style and color frames for her home, and I suggested... No way! Frames are a great way to spruce up a room... and as my professor once said (ok, actually screamed): "It adds depth and dimension, DEPTH and dimension!!!!!" So I whipped out a few photos that might help demonstrate how frame placing can go... Oh, my professor would be proud!

Brownie Candy Cups

2010-04-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

Bakerella is one of my favorite places to go to for great recipies. These ladies know what they are doing! Their recipies are extremely easy and incredibly impressive all at the same time. I already posted about their super cute cake pops (click here), but this time I'm encouraging all chocolcate and peanut butter addicts out there to try this recipie. Even though I LOVE baking, sometimes I'm simply not in the mood to make a big mess in the kitchen... and yesterday was one of the days. I was craving some serious chocolate and decided to make Bakerellas Brownie Candy Cups.

Let me reiterate that... Brownie + Candy in a Cup! Yes, it's a simple idea and perhaps not a revolutionary break through (I've been mixing candy into brownie mixes since my freshman year of college), but sometimes we need to feel like super bakers in the kitchen. And these yummy cups did just that.

Brownie Candy Cups (Via Bakerella)

1 package Duncan Hines Chocolate Lovers Double Fudge Brownie Mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
30 mini Reeses cups unwrapped
1 Box Reynolds 2-inch aluminum foil mini cups for muffins

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Place 30 foil liners on baking sheet
3. Combine brownie mix, contents from fudge packet in mix, eggs, water and oil.
4. Stir with spoon until well blended. (about 50 strokes)
5. Fill each liner with 2 tablespoons of batter
6. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes and remove from oven
7. Push 1 Reeses in center of each “brownie cupcake” until even with surface of the batter.
8. Bake 5-7 minutes longer.
9. Cool 5-10 minutes in pan and then move to cooling rack to cool completely.

* I used Ghirardelli chocolate brownie mix and it turned out great.
If you have a different brownie mix brand at home, I say give it a try and experiment. Just be sure to keep and eye out for them. I followed Ghiradelli's intructions first, but followed Bakerellas oven tempeture and baking times. Again, this worked fine for me but it might be completely different for other brownie mix brands.

Bakerella

Looks Like Spring!

2010-04-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

Anthropologie's Spring collection is full of those beautiful colors that we've been missing this long winter. Rich pinks, bright greens and pretty yellow's ready to mellow us out from the hustle and bustle of the holidays! It's time to dust off our patio chairs and enjoy some gorgeous weather! I am ready to to do some Spring cleaning both in my wardrobe as well as in our home... and as always, Anthro will be a great place to start!

Eye Candy

2010-04-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

As we head into a beautiful Easter weekend, I thought I'd share a few happy images (mostly from one of my favorite blogs found here). I can seriously browse for eye candy - all day long and get lost in some blogs for hours...

If you are in the south, enjoy this beautiful weather!

Blah.

2010-03-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

It is definetely one of those days when I think to myself...why can't I be this organized and efficient?

I have a paper to write, the sun is finally out, I have a few more loads of laundry left and there is a Fraiser marathon on tv... sigh. It is just one of those days when I want to go for a run and cuddle up on the couch with my best friend all at the same time! Perhaps, I should learn a thing or two from Mr. Franklin.

Photo via here.

Matchboxes

2010-03-20T14:46:00.000-07:00

Ok. This might not be very blog-appropriate but they are to stinkin funny! Found this adorable shop, Dippy Lulu, on Etsy who make the cutest (yet odd gifts). How fun would these be in a guest bathroom?

Lucas insists that we have these for our future guests... If you know Lucas, you'd know why. TMI?

Black + White

2010-03-20T14:23:00.000-07:00

The future hubbs and I are getting closer and closer to having our new home and we are having trouble deciding on what colors...?

We love color BUT, I am loving the fresh and boldness of black and white. Pretty chic, right? I'd like to add pops of colors here and there to mix it up!

Etsy Love

2010-03-16T09:59:00.000-07:00

Check this loveliness out, ladies! How cute are these environmentally friendly flower sack towels, from The House of Bouton on Etsy?

*swoon*

Happy Weekend!

2010-03-12T21:01:00.000-08:00

I've been enjoying every second of my week-long break. No work. No school... just some fabulous down time with the family, a few trips to Barns and Noble, practicing some serious baking skills and yes, my favorite pass time these days: planning our Parisian and Italian adventure! I cannot believe we are just a couple months away from our dream honeymoon getaway. Sometimes I find myself asking, "Are we seriously going...THERE?" It's been such a dream, can you blame me?

View Larger Map

The more research we do, the more we fall in love with Paris. I'm also finding it hard to imagine what my reaction will be once we finally arrive... Ooooh lala!

Ok, back to reality. I'm done with the babbling... Many, many, thanks to the lovely ladies who emailed me in regards to my absence in blogging. I was so touched to hear from those of you who actually read my blog! I would much rather be blogging and communicating with you than some of my other daily-duties! ;) Hope you all have a happy weekend!

Bachelor Pad

2010-02-11T10:12:00.000-08:00

My oh-so wonderful brother will be moving into his beautiful new home next month... and I seriously cannot wait to help him put together his dream home! Here is the inspiration board that I quickly put together for him:

what do you think, Cesar?

Jen's Home on AD:

2010-02-10T18:24:00.000-08:00

I was at Barnes and Noble making my magazine rounds when I stumbled across this month's issue of Architectural Digest. Guess who's featured on the cover? Our favorite friend, Jennifer Aniston and her newly renovated home. Not EXACTLY what I had imagined, but it's still pretty incredible.

Photos via here.

Creme Brulee Recipe: V-day Gift Part II

2010-02-09T21:20:00.000-08:00

Looking for another Homemade V-day gift? Try Alton Brown's creme brulee recipe! It's hands down - the BEST "frou-frou" recipe out there, and super easy to make! Add some strawberrys to the mix and you will have a pretty impressive dessert!

{... this recipe happens to be my future hubby's favorite!}

*Tip: The longer you have it in the fridge - the better! Definitely make this ahead of time and have it chill for at least 24 hours!

Creme Brulee

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2005

Prep Time:: 15 min
Inactive Prep Time:: 2 hr 15 min
Cook Time:: 1 hr 0 min

Level:: Intermediate

Serves:: 6 servings

Ingredients

1 quart heavy cream
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
1 cup vanilla sugar, divided
6 large egg yolks
2 quarts hot water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Place the cream, vanilla bean and its pulp into a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean and reserve for another use.

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sugar and the egg yolks until well blended and it just starts to lighten in color. Add the cream a little at a time, stirring continually. Pour the liquid into 6 (7 to 8-ounce) ramekins. Place the ramekins into a large cake pan or roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake just until the creme brulee is set, but still trembling in the center, approximately 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the ramekins from the roasting pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

Remove the creme brulee from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes prior to browning the sugar on top. Divide the remaining 1/2 cup vanilla sugar equally among the 6 dishes and spread evenly on top. Using a torch, melt the sugar and form a crispy top. Allow the creme brulee to sit for at least 5 minutes before serving.

happy baking!

DIY Valentine's Day Gift Baggies:

2010-01-20T17:11:00.000-08:00

Instead of a box full of chocolates, why not an make your own adorable gift? Twig and Thistle are giving out these awesome templates (ehhhem..for FREE)! Just download them and print! Click on their name above to get your hands on these puppies! For brown and white paper bags, shop here.

and if you are wanting something uber special to put in these lovely bags, try bakerella's CAKE BALLS or CAKE POPS! Click here to get the recipies.

Summer Lovin'

2010-01-19T11:13:00.000-08:00

Who is ready for warmer weather!? Fall and winter bring great fun and cheer but I sure do miss wearing thin, flowy tops with cute open toed shoes! Sigh. Summer, please come already!

Items in this set:
Tucker Printed silk-georgette blouse,
3.1 Phillip Lim Polka-dot silk-chiffon blouse,
K Karl Lagerfeld Wool-blend tailored pants,
Chloe Capretto leather ballerina flats,
STUART WEITZMAN - CROSS OVER CROCHET WEDGES,

Fresh Home Magazine

2010-01-11T11:03:00.000-08:00

Despite the fact that I swore off shopping or spending of any sort for the next two months (thanks to the holiday season); I simply could not pass up the chance of becoming a Fresh Home Magazine subscriber. I promised my future hubby that this would be the only thing I would commit into buying this month and besides... its 50% off! Yes, I subscribed for a full year and it only cost me 10 bucks! I'm feeling pretty happy with myself. If you haven't read an issue of Fresh Home, I highly recommend it! It's loaded with great DIY design ideas, beautiful eye-candy and great tips... It is definitely one of my favorite magazines! Woohoo!

Obsession of the day: Industrial Pendant Lamps

2010-01-11T08:19:00.000-08:00

I've been mildly obsessed with pendant lamps for quite some time now and even more obsessed with industrial/rustic ones like these found below. Adding one or two or even three of these suckers into your home can completely and literally lighted up a room. The Sundance Catalogue and [of course] Anthropologie has an awesome selection of industrial pendant lamps!

pair them up with halogen or vintage light bulbs!