built ins

I have been feeling overwhelmed lately...

sorry for the lack of posts.

I came across these photos last night and thought I'd share them

pictures of my home clean (sigh)

Living Room Built In

We installed a couple built ins a few months back.

It makes such a huge difference in our home!

Since our family and friends have asked us if we repainted? got new couches? It is amazing what a finished space can do to your home and mind.

I went for a clean and simple look with these shelves. I was nervous about using the dark stain, but I love how they turned out.

I styled them with old decor I already had - it feels dark and heavy to me, slowly I'd love to start switching things out.

Family Room Built In

I took these when we were getting our family photos done,

I didn't have enough decor to fill the space

so I borrowed some of my mom's white pieces for the top shelf.

Soon, I will fill it back up with my own finds!

limeade recipe

Limeade

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 cup (freshly squeezed) lime juice

1 quart seltzer water

Directions

Combine water and sugar in saucepan, stirring shortly until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat.

Transfer to pitcher to cool.

Pour lime juice and seltzer water over sugar water.

Serve with ice and fresh lime slices.

Enjoy!

lucky me!

I was recently contacted by CSN Stores to do a review of their products!

I am so excited for this opportunity and can't wait to try out some of their kitchen gadgets.

This company has it all!

From cookware to baby goods to games to twin beds!

Also, their website has free shipping on just about everything.

Check it out!

image

Lake Tahoe

After our two day stay in the city,

we headed to Northstar near Lake Tahoe.

The house we stayed in was unreal!

I had to take a few pics to share with you.

The designers did a great job at making the cabin modern and urban - yet still rustic and cozy.

We had such a great time on this trip.

It was a much needed break for me from school and housework.

The house's aesthetics made it that much more relaxing!

DIY: Fabric Dahlia Garland

the mr. and miss p

This garland seems complicated by the steps, but it is so simple!

You must try it.

My friend Ashly and I made them a while back,

and found the tutorial here.

As I started my flowers I realized that it didn't matter what exact size you cut the fabric and if the petal points were nice or neat.

Also, I wasn't sure what fabric to use,

so I bought a few different kinds.

The silkier fabrics create a softer floppy flower, and the stiffer fabrics created more of a structured flower.

I preferred the sturdier fabrics.

I got about a yard of each color of fabric I wanted to use.

I then folded it a few times and cut it at about 3 - 4" wide.

(each cut varied)

Then, cut into the top of your fabric creating points, strips, or both.

I liked how the flower turned out the more organic the cuts were.

Unfold your fabric and thread your needle.

Fold the fabric back and forth to make your stitch.

This was the fastest way to get through all the fabric.

Once all of your fabric is thread, pull to gather the fabric down the thread to create your flower.

Knot the thread a few times to keep the middle of the flower tight.

After you finish all your flowers, glue onto selected trim.

I went with a thicker more substantial trim, which I think really helped with the weight of the flowers.

The finished product

(I also think this garland would be very pretty using all one color of fabric!)

Hope that helps!

Enjoy crafting.

obsessing

...over this bag.

I want it bad.

San Francisco

Last week we returned from a ten day vacay.

It was a much needed break,

I loved not having a single thing to worry about with school or housework!

We first headed to San Francisco, on of my favorite cities.

We stayed in the most amazing little apartment in Ghiradelli Square.

Here are some of the interior shots of the restored building.

All of the brick walls are original brick.

The place had so much charm, we wished we could have stayed longer.

my favorite part was the great room, where you could relax, dine, and cook.

This is what you saw when you opened the door.

Master Bedroom

Secondary Bedroom

they even had the cutest little girls bathing in the most bubbles every seen!

My parents booked the apartment through Exclusive Resorts