Stripes

Stripes are EVERYWHERE in this coming Spring and Summer's catalogs and I love the nautical inspiration. Here's a sample of some of my favorites.  What do you think of stripes?

via Lilly Pulitzer

via Kate Spade

via Kate Spade

Via Nautica

via JCrew

via JCrew

via JCrew

via JCrew

via JCrew

via JCrew

Early Spring Cleaning

Long ago,  I watched a show about people who had cluttered homes and needed some help minimizing their belongings and also needed design help.  While I didn't always like the room designs and decor from that show, I did like how they encouraged and taught the homeowners whats important to hold onto and what is not.  They weren't just cleaning out their homes, they were starting new and fresh.  At least once a year, if not more, I go through all of my things and decide what should stay and what should go.  During this process I try to think about what is important to me and why I want to keep something.  If I don't have a connection to it and have rarely used it, then I get rid of it somehow (yard sale it, Goodwill it, give it away, etc.).  I don't always follow my rules because it is hard to get rid of things.  My mind starts to think "well I may need this".  I have learned the following rules either on my own or through others and feel they are the best to go by when deciding on what to do with an item.

For Clothing
Rule #1:  If it doesn't fit and can never fit properly even through alterations, get rid of it!
Rule #2: If you didn't wear it during the last season that it was appropriate to wear it for, get rid of it!
Rule #3: If it has something wrong with it that cannot be mended, washed out, etc., get rid of it!
Rule #4:  If you've had it for a year and the price tag is still on it, get rid of it!
Rule #5: If you think it is out of style and you wouldn't be caught dead in it, get rid of it!  Sidenote: Things usually do come back in style, history does repeat itself.  So if you have put a decent amount of money into a good quality piece, it may be worth holding onto.  I try not to spend a lot on the "fad" clothing and now try to invest in items that are more timeless and can stay in my closet longer.

For Household Items
Rule #1: If it is in a box in your attic and is not affiliated with any holiday, get rid of it! This goes for any box in your closet, car, etc, etc.
Rule #2: If it is broken and you cannot remember when it broke, get rid of it!
Rule #3: Taken from the clothing list "If you've had it for a year and the price tag is still on it, get rid of it!

Are there any rules that you go by?

Superbowl Sunday

Last year I posted some recipes for dips that we have served during football games, which can be found here.  For this years Superbowl, we're hosting a get together at our house and making a few items to go along with some of the yummy food some guests are bringing.  Here are a couple of the recipes we might be making:

Jalapeno Poppers
20 jalapenos
2- 8oz packets of cream cheese
16oz monterey jack cheese
1/2 a bundle scallions
salt and pepper (to taste)

SLICE the jalapenos from stem to tip (to make a canoe shape).  Save the tops of the jalapenos for the filling mixture. **Make sure to de-seed the jalapenos**
MIX the cream cheese and the monterey jack cheese together.  Add your salt and pepper.
CHOP the tops of the jalapenos you save and add it to the cheese mixture.
CHOP the scallions and and them to the cheese mixture.
SCOOP the mixture into the canoe shaped jalapenos.  There might be some leftover mixture.  This will be good to use as a dip with crackers!
BAKE on 350 for 30 minutes then enjoy!

Crab Dip Recipe- found under last years posting

Red Beans and Rice
Trying to get the exact recipe from my husband... it's his recipe.

New Goodies

I recently got this pillow case from Etsy seller Shellie Jernigan of Pillow Happy.  She is located in NC and has really cute things.  I loved the colors and think it will match well with the things in my house.   The colors also remind me of Spring and Summer!

I also FINALLY got these 18x24 gold bamboo picture frames from Amazon with a Christmas gift card.  It took a while for them to arrive but was well worth the wait.  I still have to get mats for them.  I'm thinking of white mats with black and white pictures inside.  I will post a picture soon of what they look like hanging up.

Happy February everyone!
                                                                                    

Project #1

Back in November, I found some dining chairs on Craigslist that were from a hotel in Wilmington.  The designer of the dining room at the hotel was remodeling the room and therefore, selling the old furniture no longer wanted.  I on the other-hand, really wanted these chairs.  I've been looking for a new dining room set for a long time but hadn't settled on a particular style.  The chairs are traditional but I have seen them in several more "modern" rooms.  It depends what type of fabric is on them and the table they are paired with, to get a particular style.

I like the dining set we have now but it's too small for us (seats 4).  Yes, there is only 2 of us but we like to entertain.  Our space is too small for something bigger than a 6 top, so that's what I've been looking for.  Anyhow, I bought 6 of the dining chairs the designer had for sale.  They definitely weren't "ready to use".  The wood had some scratches and spots where the finish was rubbing off.  The fabric was old and dingy looking.  My husband and I took them to a few upholsters and wood-workers but got quotes that were far out of our price range right now.  We'd only be able to get one done at a time.  The good thing that came out of going to those places though is that we found out the chairs are really well made and it is hard to find 6 of kind in this style.  We decided to save some money and un-upholster them ourselves.  My husband actually completed this process... and complained most of the time (but it was his idea!)  He did feel very accomplished afterwards no matter what he says.  We also decided to refinish them ourselves.  We are still working on this process.  We have to strip the current finish that is on them, and then do a little sanding, and then of course stain them again.  Once we're done with that, then it's time to reupholster them.  I haven't settled on a fabric yet.  I've been to all of the fabric stores in the area and haven't found anything that jumps out at me.  I may end up
buying on the internet.

Any of you ever complete a project like this and maybe could offer some tips?

Ode to Etsy

Oh how I love Etsy.  If you aren't sure what that is, shame on you!  Just kidding... but if you have been living under a rock, please do check it out!  Etsy is a community website where sellers set up shops to sell their items.  I love all of the handmade, vintage, and revamped items.

These are some things on my want list:

Printed dish towels and towels with hooks

via Urbanposture's Shop

A few trellis pillows and greek key pillows like these from Willaskye's Shop.

As well as a bright Schumacher print

I love the "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters and these are especially unique with the print on vintage book paper (in many colors) and pineboard from the CantonBoxCompany Shop

As well as vases, utensil holders and trays from Jill Rosenwald's shop

Other things found on Etsy include jewelry, furniture, clothes and accessories, paper goods, candles, art and so on!

At Home Meals, Cont.

So, a few of my prior blog postings were based around eating on a budget because we were starting to spend too much $ on food, plus when you cook at home you usually eat a healthier meal.  The goal was to buy food for the week, cook most of the meals, and do it under $100 (for both my husband and I).  We are starting back again this week after being sidetracked during the holiday season. We went grocery shopping yesterday and bought enough food for 4 dinners, 5 lunches, 5 breakfasts, and snacks for 2 people.  Here's what we're making:

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Stir-fry with pork (1lb lean porkchops, 1 bag of carrots, shallots, pad thai noodles, teriyaki sauce)

Spaghetti  (1lb italian sausage, noodles, tom sauce, onion)- There are a few other ingredients but I had them already at home

Mexican Pizza with Green Chili Soup (2 pizza doughs, mozz cheese, corn, black beans, BBQ sauce, tomatoes, green chilis, cream cheese)- Already had a few other ingredients at home as well

Salad with Sandwiches- (salad mix, caesar dressing, wheat bread, pepper jack cheese)

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Foods for breakfast, lunch and snacks when not eating leftovers:

Yogurt

Blueberries

Crackers

Water (for fish tank)

Turkey slices

All of the food bought is either natural or organic, we spent a total of $92 and some change.  So, I know if we can do this, and we love to eat, then you can too!

More about food to come soon... Oh and ps... I will be updating about those house projects... again was sidetracked by the holidays!!