Favorite Spaces

These few spaces look incredibly darling and cozy. What a dream it would be to incorporate these rooms into a single house. This living room is so cheerful and colorful. I love the use of patterns used in this space.

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Love the rug in this office space:

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How about this chic and clean office space?

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I love the details in these bedrooms. 

                         






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Studio bedroom with a brick accent wall.

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Inspirational reading nook... Love the branch curtain rod.

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Garden party: Entertaining space

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Check out Prudent Baby's blog! This is her backyard. She shares where she found all of these lovelies. She also provides a tutorial for the pallet couch she made.

What would you do like to do in these lovely spaces?

Saturday Motivation

On this cloudy winter morning I am going to share something that will give you a boost of motivation to be productive this Saturday. I know I need it! I woke up when Travis went to work and saw that it was cloudy. I wanted to close my eyes and drift back into dreamland. However, I knew that I had things I needed to accomplish today. So, I forced myself out of the heated blanket and decided to start the day.

Today I will share how to make my favorite vanilla latte. Just the perfect dash of energy you need to accomplish whatever it is that you have to do this morning. I will preface this recipe by stating that I am a high-maintenance coffee drinker. I cannot stomach black coffee and, therefore, require "the fixins'" in order to make mine just right. Here it goes:

You will need:

For the coffee*:
1 c. boiling water
1 French Press
2 TBSP course ground coffee (I prefer Starbucks Blonde Roast -Willow Blend)

*you can use your coffee pot if you don't own a French Press

For the cream:
a Latte Maker (such as this Back to Basics Cocoa Latte Maker) or a milk frother**
1 cup (or a little less) of your preferred milk (I use skim. It froths well)
2 packets or 4 tsp of your preferred sugar (I prefer Truvia)
1 creamer single cup
Desired amount of your favorite coffee syrup flavor (In this case, I used French Vanilla)

**If you don't own a Latte Maker try heating the creamer ingredients on the stove top.

1. Boil Water // 2. Add coffee to French Press // 3. Pour water into French Press and let set for 5-7 minutes with the handle UP (Don't press down until the time is up!)

In the meantime...prepare the cream portion:

1. Add milk // 2. Add Truvia // 3. Add creamer // 4. Add syrup // Turn it ON to blend and heat it up

Choose your favorite mug...

Press lever on French Press down. Turn "ON" Froth/Dispenser button. Add your coffee to your mug. (I usually add half coffee half cream) Then top with your cream! ...Nice and frothy!

Then cozy up with a good book for a bit, or, in my case, a nice long "To-Do" list....

I like to reward myself with something fun at the end of my lists... a little bonus motivation :)

On a side note... I made this collage of Travis and I this past weekend. It includes some of my favorite engagement, wedding, and 2nd year pictures. It is also the inspiration for the photo grid wall I will be adding to our bedroom (I'll add pictures when it's complete!).

Photo credits to LinneaLiz Photography and Carrie Whalin Photography

Now go accomplish something to cross of your list!

Friday Finds

This has been a long week. Not a stressful week- just looooong. Most likely because the anticipation of a 3 day weekend was looming in my mind. Well, I made it. The weekend is finally here. I spent the entire 30 minute commute home dreaming of what we might do tonight. Drinks and a show? Dinner and a movie? Poker and pizza? When I got home Travis announced that he had plans with a friend, and I was left to hang out at home...alone. Kind of a boring way to celebrate the arrival of the weekend. I decided to use this spare time to sneak in a last minute shopping trip. I headed over to one of my favorite stores to find deals, Gabriel Brothers. If you have one of these stores nearby, check it out! You definitely have to do a bit of hunting. It's one of those stores that has hidden treasures amidst some tackier options. However, when you find those treasure, they are super cheap! Word to the wise, make sure to check the items over before purchasing. Sometimes they will have damages. Last night I found some great stuff. Take a look:

Gap striped boat neck top $5.99

Beaded woven necklace $5.99

Blue and gold earrings $2.99

New Balance running shoes- originally $90. I paid $35!

After leaving Gabe's I headed next door to my personal favorite, Target. Everyone knows that it is nearly impossible to go to Target just to browse. I intended to go in, buy some dish soap, and get out. I walked in and caved.  I found this little bucket and put a chalkboard label on it! Perfect little touch for my craft room!

Okay, on to buying the dish soap. I took the long route over to the housekeeping section. I just had to pass by the shoes, where I found these beauties. I thought I might just place them in my cart to think about for awhile. Mistake.

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 My favorite find of the night: Little bow earrings on clearance for $5 and a $17 rose gold bangle watch:

1. 2. 3. 4.

I've never been one to fein over a name. Especially when it costs me $248. I spent $22 and am completely content. I don't need my watch to read "Michael Kors" in order to be happy. I do admire his lovely pieces. However, I would prefer more money in my bank account than his name on a more expensive watch and pair of Kate Spade stud earrings that cost more than my water bill. All in all a successful night... just don't tell Travis. Men don't seem to understand shopping successes. 

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Warm + Cozy

Cozy sweater, dress, + tights

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Plaid + boots

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boots + socks

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leopard print + slub sweater

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colorful coats

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Sock bun

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Thrifty Thursday: Bracelet Edition

Today is what I would like to call "Thrifty Thursday"- a day in which I will set aside each week to share the treasures I have found while thrifting. Today is Thrifty Thursday: Bracelet Edition. Take a look at a few of the beauties I have found while thrifting!

Gold Rosette Bracelet

Mint + Cream Blossom bracelet

T <3 L Wire Bracelet 

 So there you have it. Three of my favorite bracelets! The first two I found while scouring a local thrift store. The last was a pitiful attempt at a wire name bracelet (like this one from IsleofAgape's Etsy). However, it is still special to me so I have yet to part with it (not to mention how difficult it was to make). I have a new found respect for those who enjoy the art of wire jewelry making... not as easy as it looks my friends!

Tonight I decided to relax while catching up on the most recent episode of The Bachelor (guilty pleasure). I grabbed my laptop and headed for the couch, remote in hand. While being entertained by the drama I happened upon this little beauty from ASOS. Originally $61.39 on sale for $18.42 = STEAL! Not to mention free shipping & returns... sold! I have a lot of upcoming events this year and this dress will be my new companion.

If you get a moment, pop by their Outlet section- many adorable pieces currently 70% off. Come back and share some of your favorites! Happy hunting :)

Resolutions

My husband, Travis, and I have kicked off 2013 with a resolution to be healthy... Sound familiar? Yes, because that's what we seem to say every year now that our metabolism has slowed down to a mid-twenties pace. I've reached the conclusion that those few pounds of "water weight" that never seem to move on might be here to stay. Fortunately our church, theNorthGate, started a series about the Daniel Fast, which is a cleanse that focuses on your mind, body, and spirit. You are to refrain from meat, dairy, preservatives, sugar, and anything that did not originate from the earth for a whole 21 days. At first this seemed like an impossible task. However, we have made it over half-way through already and are still going strong. It is amazing how much you learn about your body when you detox from things that add no nutritional value to your diet. I have more energy and feel great. I know I will not be able to stick to such a strict menu forever. (I miss an occasional Starbucks Mocha!) However, Travis and I have decided to try to eat as healthy as possible once it ends. You would be surprised at some of the delicious meals you can have while eating "clean". Here are a few of our recent favorites.

Garlic Cilantro Fries

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Quinoa and Black Bean Chili

Recipe

Creamy Avocado Pasta

Recipe

If you want to give "Clean Eating" a try, these are a few good recipes to test out. The cons of this cleanse are, of course, the preparation. You have to do a lot of cleaning and chopping, not to mention cooking from (basically) scratch most of the time. Another con is that you have to scour nutritional labels for any unfamiliar ingredients (I did a lot of Googling during my shopping trips). However, the pros, besides the fact that you feel better overall, are that once you learn what different ingredients are, (preservatives, vitamins, sugar) it is not as tedious and is quite educational. It is also not as expensive as one might think. In fact, Aldi carries many foods that work! For instance, many of the canned vegetables at Aldi do not contain any preservatives and are only $0.43. Now that's a price anyone can handle! If you would like any more info on any of the things I've mentioned, let me know! I will send you some helpful links! Here is an easy tortilla recipe that is quick, healthy, and tastes better than pre-packaged tortillas that are stuffed with preservatives!

Whole Wheat Tortillas

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Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 TBSP olive oil
• 1/2 cup warm water

Preparation:

1. Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
2. Add olive oil and stir until well-combined.
3. Add warm water 1 TBSP at a time until mixture starts to pull 
    away from the sides of the bowl.
4. Knead dough on floured board for about 3 minutes (20 folds)
5. Allow dough to rest for 15 minutes (this is called resting)
6. Roll dough into the shape of a sausage (cut in half, then in 
     half again, then each part into thirds) and shape into 
     little balls.
7. With a rolling pin, roll each little ball into a tortilla 
     (about the size of a pancake). For best results, roll out 
      from the center and outward.
8. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Fry the tortillas in a dry, stick-free pan 
     for about 30 seconds on each side for soft tortillas- or 
     longer for crisp tortillas.

9. Keep tortillas warm by placing them in a tortilla holder or wrap in a kitchen towl.

Yields 12 tortillas