Office Update {Mudroom Bench Complete}

February 24, 2013

It's been a crazy few weeks over here...Can't believe it's almost March!! My husband and I have been at Ikea busy trying to get the office/mudroom finished. We are almost there! The mudroom part with the built in is finally painted and complete! Thank goodness that's over with! I am officially done painting anything for a while! That was a big job, but well worth the effort. The office furniture is in after being on back order and delivered to the wrong address (yes a nightmare)....And after a couple trips to Ikea the room is almost complete. Just need to hang a few shelves and waiting on the rug to come in. I should have pics of the final reveal soon!! In the mean time here is the before and after of the mudroom section!
                                                      Before
 
After
*Notice the adorable pillows?
You can find the post on those here
Happy Sunday!!!

White Chocolate Chip Valentine Cookies.....

February 11, 2013

Being in doors for three days with 35" of snow outside really I wanted to  make something for Valentines Day since I won't have time the rest of the week. I decided to put my own spin on an excellent recipe I found this past Christmas on this great blog Sally's Baking Addiction. This blog is full of yummy treats, but this recipe takes the cake! Since I didn't have any pretzels on hand (shocker I know!) I decided to just use what I had on hand, white chocolate chips, mini milk chocolate chips, red and pink sprinkles and Dove dark chocolate hearts....
I have to say this recipe is so simple I've made these cookies a total of three times and have memorized it already! And here they are!!

                                              
    White Chocolate Chip Valentine Cookies
 
3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter at room temp
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temp
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp cornstarch (yup you read right cornstrach!!)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 bag white chocolate chips
1/2 bag mini milk chocolate chips
2 tbs pink sprinkles
2tbs red sprinkles
 
Line an ungreased cookie sheet with parchment paper (I used a silpat sheet). Set aside. In a stand mixer with paddle attachment cream together butter and sugars until mixture is no loner "gritty" to the touch. About 3 min. Mix in egg and vanilla. Mix well. In a seperate bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. With mixer on low speed gradually add the flour mixture until combined well. Fold in white chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips and sprinkles. Blend well.
Preheat oven to 350F. Drop a large tablespoon of cookie dough onto cookie sheet (I used a small ice cream scoop!). Bake for 10 min Only!!
Remove and let cool for about 3 min (no longer) then add Dove chocolates (I used peanut butter hearts the other day!!)
Let cool on cookie sheet for 10min more.
ENJOY!!!
 
 
 

Gracie's "Big Girl Room" Update & Finally.... the Source List

February 8, 2013

Since the weather has kept us all in doors I got on taking some photos of Gracie's new room.... It has been a project I've been continually working on and here are a few photos of the progress. I'm still in need of window treatments and a rug..... You can find a source list for most of the items at the bottom of this post. Enjoy & Happy Blizzard!!!













Perfectly Imperfect Purchase & Dining Room Inspiration....

February 7, 2013

So, three weeks later and I am STILL waiting for my office furniture. While I've been waiting I've had some time to get going on our dining room redo. I've sold our old Pottery Barn Wynn dining chairs and just waiting for someone to find interest in purchasing the Pottery Barn Sumner Farmhouse Table....I fell in love with it four years ago when I first saw it in the catalog, but it really doesn't work in the space. Our dining room is a nice size, but it's square and I think a round table will be more inviting and cozy....So while I wait and spend my spare time on Pinterest I came across some stunningly adorable pillows. They are from blogger Shaunna West's gorgeous shop in Alabama. If your not familiar with her or her blog Perfectly Imperfect you need must check it out! These pillows are just the inspiration I need for our dining room redo. I have been searching and searching for a large church pew for under my large dining room window that I plan to make home for these gorgeous pillows!! Can' wait until they come in!!
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                                              So cute right??
                   Now on to the true inspiration for my new dining room.
            I adore this look..... round rustic table and wing back chairs
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Ahhhh.... someday...

Just DO It... Mind Over Matter....

February 3, 2013

The last few days have not been very productive for me. The office is painted and I am just waiting for the furniture to arrive.... In the mean time my home looks like a storage rental space and it kinda drives me CRAZY!! So I'm sitting at the computer browsing on Pinterest and I came across this.
It's a post by a great blogger Taralynn. It was just what I needed to hear. With all that has been going on (parties, long work days, sick children) it's been hard to stay on track with my new years resolution and taking care of myself and getting back in shape....It's been so hard to "talk" myself into working out and I just need to put my mind to it and JUST DO IT!!!! I know I will be happy I did!! So if your in a rut, just put your mind to it and you will get it done!! MIND OVER MATTER!!
~Happy Sunday!!
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