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May 31, 2013

diy project {painted box}

 
Happy Friday!  The past couple of days this week, I worked on this little paint project.  We had this old cd box in a dark finish that I had put away in a closet because I didn't like the dark color.  So, I decided to pull it out and paint it.
 


Here's what I did.  I sanded it a little before I started just to rough it up a bit and then sprayed it with a primer.  I forgot to take a picture but I painted the whole thing white and then taped off one stripe with 2 inch painters' tape and did the second coat in gray.  I pulled the tape immediately and had a nice, crisp, clean stripe.  The total distance top to bottom was 6 inches, so the 2 inch tape worked perfect, leaving an even 2 inches on top and bottom of the stripe as well.
 
 
It looks a little more blue in the pictures, but is actually a nice gray color.  So happy I can use it again now that it goes better with my color scheme in our study.
 
 
 
 

May 30, 2013

fun find




I found these in the Target dollar bin yesterday and thought they were such a cute find that I wanted to pass it along.  They have some other really cute ones that are patriotic with stars and stripes, but I picked up the blue dot thinking I would be able to get more use out of them.  They are ceramic and safe to use in the oven, microwave and dishwasher.  Not sure if I'll use them in my kitchen for dips or sauces or as decor.
 
Sometimes fun, little, inexpensive finds are the most fun :)
 

May 28, 2013

holiday weekend fun in the sun

 
 




Good morning!  I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend as much as we did!  We spent Friday evening/night at Preston's swim meet, then hopped in the car Saturday morning and headed to the coast.  We spent Saturday and Sunday there and then headed back early Monday morning so we could enjoy a Memorial Day pool party with friends.  I woke up this am in a fog, but it was so worth it!  As tired and waterlogged as we are, we all had a super fun weekend!
 
Now I need one more cup of coffee, and then I'm off to clean all the sand and salt off everything.  Hope you have a great day!



May 24, 2013

friday favorites {target sandals}



 
 
Happy Friday All!  I am so ready to head out this weekend and kick off summer!!
 
But before we head out I want to try these super cute sandals on and maybe purchase a pair or two :)  They are Sam and Libby Kamila Thong Sandals available at Target for $24.99.  They are also available in more colors, but these are my favorites.  I may never need to shop anywhere else ~ they truly have it all ~ and so cute and affordable! 
 
Do you have any plans for the memorial day weekend?  Whatever it may be, I hope it's filled with fun and happy times!!


May 23, 2013

lately

 
What's been happening lately...


1.  Love, love, love having knockout roses in our landscape...they are perfect for teacher's gifts or to make a quick arrangement for my home.

2.  Lyla finished up her last year of preschool... I'm happy to have a scooter buddy to going running with :)

3.  Preston had his last baseball game this week...and it was another fun season!

4.  Grant made pancakes last weekend...Lyla cut hers into butterflies and flowers :)

5.  Lyla loves Emily (her American Girl doll)...posing together in matching dance outfits.


Hope your day is great!





May 21, 2013

memorial day treats {s'mores bars}

 
 
Ingredients
 
3 tablespoons butter
1 package (10 oz) regular marshmallows
6 cups cocoa krispies cereal
3 original graham crackers broken into small pieces
1 & 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
 
Method
 
  • In a large saucepan melt butter over low heat
  • Add 10 oz marshmallows and stir until completely melted - remove from heat
  • Add cocoa krispies cereal and graham cracker pieces - stir until well coated
  • Add 1 cup mini marshmallows - gently stir until combined
  • Using a buttered spatula evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 pan coated with cooking spray
  • Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 cup mini marshmallows and chocolate chips - lightly press into mixture
  • Cool and cut into 2 inch squares
 
 
I recently ate these at Lyla's mother's day tea party and oh my goodness they were so scrumptious!  I knew I couldn't leave until I had the recipe in my hands.  We are heading to the coast this weekend for Memorial Day and I wanted to bring these, so I made a practice batch yesterday just to make sure they were as yummy as I remember :)
 

If you're looking for a perfect treat to enjoy this holiday weekend these won't disappoint.  It's the perfect mixture of melted chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and sweet graham crackers.  Enjoy!
 
P.S.  How cute are the paper plates??   Loving the anchors.  From Target, of course :) 

 
{sharing here:  savvy southern style}

May 20, 2013

latest loves {pier 1 outdoors}


 
Good Morning!  I hope you all had a great weekend!  I'm still trying to finish our patio space, so I popped into Pier 1 last week and was really impressed by their cute outdoor line.  Loving this sectional and the fact that you can adjust the size and shape to fit your outdoor needs.  If I hadn't already purchased our outdoor furniture set (which I love too,) I would definitely be considering this sectional :)  Get your outdoor space summer ready with these fun, bright outdoor furniture pieces and accessories!
 
 
 
 


May 15, 2013

one year


Good Morning.  Today marks one year since I pushed the publish button for this little blog.  I read blogs for a couple of years before I started my own, but it wasn't until after I started, that I realized how much creativity, talent, and kindness there is in the blog world.  This site encapsulates everything I love and it's been a fun place for me to share parts of my daily life.  Thank you all for your support and friendship!  I'm looking forward to another year and excited to see what awaits.
 
Thank You
 
 

May 14, 2013

Tasty Tuesday {Italian Grilled Cheese}


Ingredients

  • Ciabatta bread
  • Mozzarella cheese - deli sliced
  • Provolone cheese - deli sliced
  • Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Italian seasoning
  • Garlic powder
  • Marinara Sauce

Method

  • Preheat pan with olive oil
  • Sprinkle in a pinch of Italian seasoning and garlic powder with olive oil
  • Assemble sandwich with 2 slices of provolone and 2 slices of mozzarella cheese
  • Place the other half of bread on top of cheese slices and cook in pan until golden brown
  • Flip sandwich and cook the other side until golden brown
  • Top with grated parmesan cheese
  • Serve hot with marinara sauce
* recipe from: Val So Cal
*images by Becky @ This Is Happiness



I made these little grilled cheese sandwiches over the weekend and they were so delish!  They ooze with cheese and have a perfect toasted outside.  We dipped them in our favorite marinara and enjoyed every bite.  I'm definitely adding them to our "keeper" recipe list.

Have a great day!

May 13, 2013

patio update {outdoor rug}


 
 
 
 
 
Good Morning!  How was your weekend?  I hope you all had a wonderful mother's day.  Ours was actually pretty low key, which was a perfect mother's day for me.  We visited with friends on Friday evening and then hung out as a family the rest of the weekend.
 
Heading back outdoors today to our patio.  You may remember from this post, when I was thinking about dressing up this space using mostly blues and a few pops of orange.  That was of course until I made a trip to Target one day last week and was blown away by all the pretty, new rugs they have.  Now my color scheme for this space has completely changed gears.  Have you seen their new rugs? { LOVE}  I resisted for one day, and then needed to go back for something else and that's when I caved.  This little bright green patterned indoor/outdoor $29 rug fell in my basket :)  I love how it brightens up my little outdoor space. 
 
I've walked outside at least a 79 times this weekend, just to look at it again.  It's the little things that make my day :)
 
 
 
 
 

May 10, 2013

friday favorites {mother's day tablescapes}


 
 
 
Happy Friday!  Are these not the prettiest tables?  I love, love, love these beautiful tablescapes designed by three very talented ladies.  I would love to sit down and enjoy a brunch at any one of these tables and celebrate mother's day.  Whatever your plans for this lovely weekend, I hope it's a special one!  Wishing all the moms out there a very happy Mother's Day!
 
 

May 8, 2013

individual seven layer dips


Individual Seven Layer Dips


Ingredients
  1. One (16 ounce) can refried beans
  2. One (1 ounce) package taco seasoning
  3. One cup guacamole
  4. One (8 ounce) container sour cream
  5. One cup chunky salsa
  6. One cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
  7. Two tomatoes, diced
  8. Six-eight green onions, sliced
  9. One (2.25 ounce) can of sliced olives, drained
  10. Tortilla chips of your choice
  11. Ten plastic tumblers (9 ounce)
Instructions

  1. In a small bowl mix taco seasoning with refried beans.  You can mix it with the sour cream, but mixing with the beans will give you a brighter white layer.
  2. Assemble layers as follows:  bean/taco seasoning mixture, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese, tomatoes, green onions, olives
  3. Store in refrigerator until serving and serve with tortilla chips
  4. Yields about 10 cups
*  recipe from: the girl who ate everything


These individual dips make it so easy for guest to grab-and-go.  They will definitely be a replacing my big casserole dish of seven layer dip. 


Hope you enjoy!

{sharing here: love of family and home}

May 7, 2013

for mom

 
 
 
1.  Simple heart shaped earrings for every day outings.
2.  My favorite fragrance perfect for any mom.
3.  A pretty new embellished pouch to make her feel special.
4.  Essential oils collection have the best scents and pretty display bottles.
5.  This chambray tote is a versatile carryall and makes a bold statement with a large scale personalization.
6.  This lovely pescadero platter is perfect for creating a couture kitchen.
7.  A hand poured glass candle perfect for any mom's interior.


 

May 6, 2013

our cinco de mayo

 
 
Buenos Dias!  We had great weekend filled with great friends, yummy food and perfect weather!  Saturday evening Grant grilled fajitas and we had a small get-together with a Cinco de Mayo theme.  I love Mexican food, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to indulge in guacamole and Corona (really, is there anything better :)  It was all so delish! 
 
I had planned to be better about taking pictures during the party, but I can't seem to pull myself away from visiting and my hosting duties to get that done :)  So these are some I snapped right before the guest arrived.  Back later this week to share the recipe to these wonderful individual seven layer dips.
 
 



May 2, 2013

April recap

April was an extremely busy month for us.  Let's see...in between baseball/softball practices and games, piano lessons, dance & piano recitals, our wedding anniversary and a family wedding, I did manage to squeeze in a few projects around here.
 
Here's a look back at what's been happening around our home:

 
 
 
 
 
Excited to see what May will bring!
 
 
 
make today amazing