Shabby Whites & Muddy Boots

Simplicity And The Shore!

2012-11-06T05:38:00.001-08:00

Living in South Florida we have collected hundreds of treasures from the beach. They fill bowls and decorate frames. On a recent day at the beach we were given 2 perfect sand dollars by this lovely couple. Actually, ~~they were given to my kids~~, they are mine.

I picked a few other shells. I had this old picture I painted over and hot glued the shells. A little sanding to give it a distressed beachy look and Simplicity at its best!

Since we are moving back to the NE I am loving ways to take a piece of FL with us. Enjoy your day!

Peanut Butter Nutella Cookies

2012-10-24T10:52:00.003-07:00

Looking for a low key easy peasy cookie recipe? Peanut Butter Nutella Cookies.

1 1/2 Cups Peanut Butter (I used crunchy but you can use creamy too)
1/2 Cup Nutella
1 Egg
1tsp Vanilla
1 Cup Sugar
Reeses Pieces
** Preheat Oven To 350 degrees

Mix all ingredients (except candy) together. Spoon onto parchment paper about tablespoon size. Dip fork in sugar and make lines and press down on each cookie. Place about 3 candies in each cookie.

Bake for 12-15 min. Let cool and ENJOY!

Pumpkin Pie

2012-09-26T13:34:00.002-07:00

I'm no sweet genius! (ha! love that show). However , I do make an oh so simple and just as delicious Pumpkin Pie. It has been rainy and muggy down here in SF so I needed a little reminder that it is actually Fall.

When I bake this pie the house smells so warm and well...FALLISH. And the kids love it, they will eat it for breakfast.

1 can of Pumpkin
A dash of cinnamon, pumpkin spice , nutmeg & vanilla
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs.
1/4 cup ( a little more for sweetness) sugar
A big dallop of whipped cream & a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar

HAPPY FALL MY FRIENDS! XOXO

Patience & A Few Small Projects

2012-09-22T05:17:00.000-07:00

I sit down to write this on a rainy Saturday morning. My house is filled with moving boxes and I am patiently (nail biting, toe tapping, arms crossed, pacing the floors) waiting for my big move. Just a couple months away. As I pack my beloved items I think...hmmm this could use a little twine, that should be more distressed. So, in between the packing I stop to create for my new home.

These great candle sticks were bought black. (I should have left them black), since I can't leave well enough alone I painted them turquoise, then...the inevitable...White!

I just hot glued some twine and How Cute! Perfect for Fall.

I got inspired by a picture of a turquoise farmhouse on Pinterest. Disclaimer: I am not an artist!

When the inspiration comes I have to follow it. I had this top to a wine box that was waiting for me to do something with it.

Kind of folk artsy. It was fun to do and I love the color. Ok, so my 6 yr old could have made this. I still love it!

Have a great weekend !! xoxo

Turning Old Into New

2012-09-19T09:06:00.001-07:00

Hello friends, this old rocking chair has been in my family for over 50 years. My mom recently told me she stripped it of years and layers of paint. Took her hours. The seat needs some fixing. I just can't part with this old chair.

Some white paint, a little distressing and the chair has new life! The saying across the top is
"De tendre "which is french for "unwind".

Love this french pillow which was bought at a Renningers market.

Sometimes all you need is some left over paint and a piece of furniture you already have to create a fresh new look! So simple.

Enjoy the day! xoxo

Meatball Sliders

2012-09-12T09:54:00.001-07:00

I am constantly looking for fun dinner ideas. Last night I made Meatball Sliders and they were a huge hit!

You know I don't measure so I will apologize ahead of time for my recipe. The measurements are approximate.

Mix together your chopped meat with dash of sea salt, about 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (italian style), 1 egg, chopped onion 1/2 cup , 1 chopped garlic clove. Fresh parm about 1/4 cup grated in. I mash with my (clean) hands. Then make balls , any size you like. I line a baking sheet with foil and line them up. Into the oven on 350 for about 30 min.

I don't make my own sauce. My husband does but since I made dinner..jar sauce it is! I like this one and it was buy one get one free. Warm up the sauce and put your meat balls in on a low simmer for at least 3o min.

ok..not a pretty picture. They were delicious. Plate those babies up on a soft potato roll, some mozzarella if you like, french fries, and I did serve salad and carrots (not pictured).

Enjoy!

Inspiration! Where are you?

2012-09-11T09:12:00.000-07:00

Hey friends! I didn't fall off the face of the earth, I am still here. I have been enjoying reading everyone else's blogs, just uninspired with my own. Hopefully, I am back! In a weird place lately. Half my house is packed with boxes for our upcoming move and the other half is decorated for Halloween. Okkaaay.So not ready for the Halloween stuff, we are barely out of summer. My son found the bin and when I turned my back he had fun decorating the house.

Love these labels...I think I bought them at Target.

This was a battle I didn't want to fight. So, Trick or Treat! Yeah. Anyway, I have some new small pieces I LOVE.

Anthropologie! Love this store. It's a planter but I can't bring myself to put a plant in it. I love this piece.

Picked this one up at Goodwill.

How cute?

Have a great Tuesday and heres to staying inspired! xoxo

What I Am Up To

2012-08-15T05:43:00.000-07:00

I love when life is busy. I am happier with busy. Less time to think and more time to do! School is just a few short days away. There are haircuts to be had, supplies to be bought and lunches to plan. Aside from that we have an impending move coming up. I have some new pieces I have been wanting to redo before the big move so they are all ready for their new home. Never mind the children , it's the furniture I am concerned about (a little humor).

An old bar. Very cool piece. Has a drawer for shot glasses and for bottles. Also in the picture you can see the ice box. I am not using it as a bar, just a great side table.

I just gave it a white wash distressed look.

The picture is not great but I painted this frame white and added some bling. Fancy Shmancy!

And some yummy waffles with fresh raspberries. It's wonderful how the kids get excited when I make their food "Fancy". Whatever it takes.
Enjoy the rest of your week. More furniture pics soon! xoxo

Inspired By Turquoise

2012-08-12T05:33:00.001-07:00

Happy Sunday Friends! Hoping you all are enjoying the weekend. I have a few pieces of furniture to redo/paint. I promise as soon as I get the camera back from my mom (hint..hint) I will post befores and afters. The kids go back to school next week so I am searching for some inspiration (fave thing to do next to actually painting/redoing) until then.
I LOVE the color turquoise on this cabin. It's worn out in all the right places.

Loving all the colors here. Muted, worn and beachy. Just how I like it!

The pop of turquoise (theres that color again) is just dreamy and clean against the bleached whites.

I just love the natural look of this piece.
Check back soon. I will have lots to share. xoxo

Inspirational words of STRENGTH

2012-08-08T04:30:00.001-07:00

Strength...Are you strong enough?
What is it about that word Strength that makes some of us rise to the occasion and some of us run and hide?

Don't we go about our days with the idea that we can handle the tough stuff? I know I do. Then LIFE throws you a doozy. It may even be a doozy you have been praying for. It may be a struggle with the hopes of a beautiful ending or beginning. How do we face the struggle?

Life serves you up a little plate of "I know you got this". You find the STRENGTH (that word again). You find it deep within you. It's a small whisper that when you pull it out screams..."YOU'RE ALL GOOD, KEEP GOING".

When your prayers get answered but maybe not in the way you wished for, it may be the way life wants you to have it. The way your supposed to go through it. Have faith in that and faith in your self. You are STRONG!

Welcoming Change & Some Random Projects

2012-08-06T06:21:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday All! There is alot of nervous energy going on around here. Kind of like a buzz. What better way to channel nervous energy than with some small random projects. A little painting, a little sanding and my nerves are calmed.

We are on the brink of major change around here. Change is great and definitely welcomed. In fact we are eagerly praying for it.

But we wait. The Dr. Suess book Oh The Places You'll Go! has a whole page on waiting " waiting for another chance. everyone is just waiting".

Soon... "You'll be on your way up! You'll be seeing great sights! You'll join the high fliers who soar to high heights." Until then, patience.

I made this flower with some old fabric I had. Picked up the jewels from Michaels. A little needle & thread and VOILA. Pretty.

Summer is winding down. School is starting for us in just a couple weeks. I am enjoying the last moments of this time.

But, anxiously awaiting what is to come! Happy Monday & have a great week! xoxo

Blackberry Cream Smoothie

2012-08-05T04:18:00.000-07:00

Blackberry Cream Smoothie

A handful of blackberries into the blender with a little ice. 1 cup of Vanilla Almond Milk.

Blend for about 1 minute.

Very delicious and so healthy! Enjoy your Sunday! xoxo

Honey Lime Chicken Salad

2012-08-03T04:28:00.007-07:00

This is a great recipe I came up with with grilled chicken. How do you come up with new ideas for meals? We all need some inspiration sometimes.

Squeezed 2 limes and zest of 1 with grape seed oil (about 3 tablespoons) and some honey. I didn't measure the honey. Just kept adding until it had the taste I wanted.

Added a tablespoon of chopped garlic and poured half over the chicken breasts to marinate. Saved the rest for dressing. Once I grilled my lime honey chicken I let it sit to be sliced for the salad.

Tossed chopped cabbage with Thai Peanut sauce. I love this sauce, it's so good. Added chopped almonds, sesame seeds and a few grape tomatoes and tossed with a little of the honey lime sauce. Topped with the grilled chicken.

It was so delicious! When you get inspired and come up with a fave recipe, please share! I would love to hear about it. xoxox Have a great & inspiring weekend!

Striking Gold With Thrifting

2012-08-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

My mom has this amazing talent for decorating and making the simplest things look beautiful. I thought I would share some of my favorite pieces from her house.
Every Saturday without fail she goes to this local thrift market. Let me tell you, every Saturday she strikes gold. She comes home with the most exquisite pieces. These great different antique, shabby chic, cool pieces.

This is my Fave piece, (hint hint). It's the color of driftwood. So pretty, don't you think?

She recently repainted this great piece . Giving it a new life. I love it!

Another Fave! We were told this is a 40's bar. It's even on wheels. She did great with this piece , it's so beautiful.

The great (or crazy) thing is that she redecorates every weekend. This is her happiness. Of course, I get to benefit when a piece is ready to move on to a new home (mine!).
xoxo

Divine Coconut Cheesecake Balls

2012-07-29T06:33:00.000-07:00

Coconut Cheesecake Balls....simply divine

Happy Sunday all! I have had these cookies sitting in my fridge. Every so often (usually before bed when I am staring aimlessly into the fridge) I grab one. They are so good and yes I am a Coconut fanatic. If it has coconut in the recipe I will eat it!

Coconut Cheesecake Balls were sounding good to me! (complete recipe at bottom) I crushed what cookies were left about 15 cookies and added some softened cream cheese. Maybe about 3 tablespoons.

Put my trusty helper to work. Mixing the cookie and cream cheese.

Love Love...Pistachios. Put a handful in a closed baggy and pounded away. Added them to the cookie mixture.

I added a handful of sweetened coconut and make balls . Into the fridge for 30 min to get firm.

Melted a bowl of white chocolate. Once the balls were firm they were dipped into the chocolate and sprinkled with more coconut. I had some issues melting the chocolate. Sometimes it just doesn't want to cooperate..this was one of those times. So the chocolate isn't as creamy as I would have liked. Anyway, we make do and back into the fridge until chocolate is hard about 30 - 40 min.

They were very delicious. My son requested no coconut on his so some have and some don't. Yum!

My 6 yr old son is getting so used to me taking pictures of everything. He makes this yogurt concoction on the weekends for breakfast. He makes all of us try it and he calls it his "recipe". He is very proud. This time he wanted me to take a picture for my blog. Ok, for all of you that would love to try this yogurt concoction...(it's actually good).
a package of berry yogurt (his has pink and blue flavors)
a BIG squirt of whipped cream
a dash of sugar sprinkles

ENJOY YOUR SWEET SUNDAY xoxo

Complete Recipe:

Coconut Cheesecake Balls
1 package of coconut cookies (crushed)
1 block cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup crushed pistachios (crushed)
1/4 cup shredded sweet coconut (and an extra handful for sprinkling at the end)
1 package of white chocolate morsels for melting
** mix crushed cookie , cream cheese and pistachios. Add the coconut.
roll into balls onto wax paper and fridge for 30 minutes. After 30 min , melt chocolate. ( I do 30 sec intervals in microwave). Dip balls into melted chocolate. Decorate with extra shredded coconut and colored sugar. Put back on wax paper and back into fridge for 30 - 40 min. Enjoy! Keep extra coconut balls in fridge.

A Little More Inspiration

2012-07-27T09:12:00.000-07:00

Time for a little more inspiration.....
Hey guys, OK so truth be told my camera is not behaving. I have been on the hunt for inspiration for some pieces that are screaming to be redone. What better time to share.

I have an old piece of furniture that I call "the icebox piece". My husband and I dragged it home in a cab when we lived in NYC. It has been painted many times. I have this idea to do a whitewash , distressed finish to it (what else?) but...the front door has a recessed panel. So, maybe a little black board paint is in order.

I wouldn't do the entire piece in the blackboard paint but you get the idea. Although, loving this piece. Very cool!

We drove back to the city with a fireplace mantle in the trunk (way back when). It kept falling out and we swore if it fell one more time we would leave it on the side of the road. I LOVE the way every piece has a story. It didn't fall out and spent many good years with us. This beautiful old mantle has been sitting very sad in my garage. Time to bring it back to life. If not for my living room maybe a headboard for my son.

I know girly and mature but again, you get the idea.

A beautiful bamboo book shelve has been in my family for ...well forever. I remember it in my mothers laundry room when I was a kid. Now it sits painted white in my upstairs hallway with no real purpose. I think it's time to give it a fresh look. I just LOVE bright painted bamboo. A POP of color would be great in my white house!

Hmmm, HOT PINK or TURQUOISE? Loving both.

This..I just love. It's dreamy isn't it?

Until next time..stay inspired. xoxo

A Little Inspiration Of Color

2012-07-23T16:04:00.002-07:00

INSPIRATION....

It's time for some inspiration. We don't have to look far to get inspired today. Pinterest is an amazing source as well as the many talented bloggers out there. Sometimes the color in a flower will give you great ideas. A specific shade of green can give you a feeling of calmness that you want more of. I am ready to get back to my creative self but not without a little inspiration.

I love the POP of COLOR in this picture.

DREAMY PINK

Love the colors against neutrals

Of course, Shabby Whites always make me happy.

Just a little inspiration to get me started.

What inspires you?

MISH MOSH

2012-07-06T06:51:00.000-07:00

YAY! Found a home for my sticks. I am a sucker for anything natural. Rocks, shells, driftwood, and yes...sticks.

So, until the creativity and unsettling feeling moves me this is where they will stay.

Onto my new fave summer drink. One of my Besties (you know who you are) makes me this delicious grapefruit juice and Perrier drink when I visit her. It is delicious!

When my husband brought home this Blood Orange Juice, I had an AHA moment. Added some Perrier and it was sooo good.

Thanks Bestie for this fabulous idea!

I am taking a little break from blogging and DIYourselfing. Off to the pool today. Also, need to get packing as we are off to NY for a little vacation.

Enjoy the week. Be back soon! xoxoxo

Welcome To Smurfville

2012-07-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

Hope you all had a Happy 4th. We did the American thing, had a BBQ and took the kids to enjoy the fireworks. It was fun. Prior to the BBQ and Fireworks I had a little project I needed to get done.

My couch is white slip covered. Over the years it looks kind of dingy, not clean. Even though I wrestle with the slipcovers every month to clean and bleach them. I was inspired while on Pinterest to dye the pillows. I was going for a faded , ombre look. I happen to have dyes in the house from my tie dying days.

It was a disaster. I didn't even take pictures. I texted my husband and told him "not a word when you get home". Turquoise dye everywhere. I filled the tub that nobody uses with the water/dye. I forgot why we don't use that tub. IT CLOGS! A full bath of blue water took 8 hours to drain. AAAH!

(Sorry..that's the dogs tail) At the end of it all I have to say I am happy with the results. Until I can buy the couch of my dreams, this will do. Kind of cool, huh?

What do you think? My daughter says it looks like Smurfville. Does that make me Smurfette?

Anyway..I picked up these sticks near my mom's house. Not sure yet what I am doing with them . Maybe painting them white, maybe not. Hmmm..maybe BLUE. NOT.

Happy Day All! xoxo

Happiness In A Paint Bottle

2012-07-02T06:30:00.003-07:00

My daughters friend was over last weekend and asked me why I have numbers painted on everything. (awkward silence). Not everything. I just simply said...I like them. Truth is I am obsessed with stenciling numbers. A few posts ago I told you about this bench that I picked up for $5. After staring at it for a few weeks, I decided it needed a number.

I love the way it turned out!

My daughters room finally got finished. Here's the after pics of the dresser. I put it in my dining room. Which is now wall to wall furniture. I could serve a great buffet!

I actually used the left over paint from the kitchen which was Glidden Slate Green. Gave it a distressed look by not saturating the brush and sanding here and there.

I am very excited about my next project. It was so simple and made me so happy. I was reading Better Homes & Gardens sitting out by the pool this weekend. I can't reference exactly what and where because the magazine is at my moms. There was something about printing out digital pic's. I went to the NYC Library site and looked up digital printables. I then searched for Octopus.

I trimmed them to fit a 5x7 frame.

Gave the frames a distressed white wash and how great are these?
Happiness!

Have a great day!! xoxo

Weeks Inspiration

2012-07-01T14:20:00.002-07:00

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought.” – Buddha

Summer Days

2012-06-28T08:54:00.001-07:00

Happy Summer! Hope you are all enjoying your days. We are getting ready to go away for our summer vaca! In the mean time I am enjoying my time with my kids. While my son is in camp this week my girls are home with me. It is so nice to take a break from the school year, home work and social drama!! I get to spend time with them and instill some life lessons while things are calm and quiet. Before we go back to the craziness of the school year.

With that being said my oldest (who is usually unmotivated) has decided to clean out her room and overhaul her closet.

Wahoo!! I was so happy at her initiative to do this. She decided she no longer wanted her dresser. Another ... Wahoo!

My creative self has been craving a new project. This dresser was my moms when she was a kid, then mine. At some point I think each of my kids has had this dresser. I am so excited to get to work. Not sure yet what I am doing but I can tell you it's going in the dining room...wait & see.

(Oh My Gosh..Please ignore the snowmen sheets..in summer none the less)

Making progress. While I am so proud she is cleaning her room out .. eh hum..this started 3 days ago. Hence, the unmotivation I mentioned earlier. How long will the room stay like this? While her room is in demolition mode, she is sleeping with her sister. Every night is a party in there. They are listening to music, doing nails, good old fashioned bonding. Her younger sister is walking around saying these are the best days of her life. Awe..sweet. So, with that I am not doing my usual nagging for her to get the room cleaned up. I guess it could wait a few more days.
xoxo

My New Drop Cloth Obsession

2012-06-22T09:33:00.002-07:00

Who new? Drop cloth from Home Depot is like this awesome linen like fabric. Since I have been home bound and staring at the corners of my house all day. I had a drop cloth party (by myself). First I covered this adorable stool and painted a distressed white heart with fabric paint. This will live in my daughters room which is getting a slight make over (more on that in a future post).

Next , I moved on to covering my chairs. I have all these odd chairs and they desperately needed a make over. I really just eyeballed and cut large pieces and fit and tucked around the chairs. These seats came off so they were easier to cover.

I stenciled numbers on the chairs..FUN. I love the way they came out.

My other group of chairs don't have a cushion seat or any room for stenciling numbers so...

Every room needs a little whimsy.

I cut a long and wide strips of the drop cloth and tied them around the back of the chair. I cut thinner strips and knotted them to the back as well. I painted a distressed white heart on each wide side with fabric paint.

What do you think? There are so many amazing things you can do with this drop cloth. Let me know if you have some creative ideas...I would LOVE to hear them!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

xoxo

A Happy Home

2012-06-20T05:57:00.000-07:00

Are you a creature of your surroundings? I know I am. If my home doesn't create a feeling of peacefulness or give me a sense of harmony I feel unsettled. Like prior to sitting down to do this post I needed to clean up the clutter in my room. It was bothering me. I could not sit down and relax with all the mish mosh around me. As I have been typing my son came in and I asked him to please take his legos out of my room. He responded by letting me know they would make his room messy and in case I wanted to play with them they were better left in my room. (Exhale) Anyway, my surroundings also must feed my creative craziness. It's been rainy where I am so we have been spending lots of time indoors. I can do something in my house, like something as simple as my little coffee area on my kitchen counter.

Or it could be a piece of furniture that I gave a new home.

The funny thing is I could add something new, create something wonderful and have that AHA! moment. Every time I walk by (whatever it is) I will feel happy. Until I get bored of it. That's when the creative craziness comes out and my husband comes home and says "Oh, that wasn't there this morning..hmm looks good".

Little pops or big of things you love. Our lives are so busy and often chaotic. It's important for your home to offer you positive feelings.

Have a happy day! xoxo

One thing leads to another

2012-06-19T06:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday Friends. Hope your week is going well. I was at my mom's house on Saturday and she was begging me to go with her to this local thrift to check out a table she was debating over. I was really not in the mood to go. The sun was shining, the kids were swimming...you get the picture. Eventually we made our way there and I scored this adorable $5 table. I actually have been on the hunt for a small bench of sorts. It was WHITE! Yay! I grabbed it. I will eventually distress it more and do something else with it but for now just leaving it white.
My mom did decide to get this table and sadly the guy broke it while loading it into her car. Not meant to be.

I am having issues with my foyer, it's not even a foyer. I call it my front door area. It's this odd shape and it's raised. Nothing fits , nothing looks good. Aha! Until my little $5 bench / table.

I moved some things around. Remembering I had this shelf I had redone just sitting in the garage and an old chalkboard that needed a touch up...I smiled. A project was on it's way.

Repainted the chalkboard and strung some twine for easy hanging.

I do love how the mind works. One idea often leads to another idea of creative goodness!

My new bench has a home, love the wine box with our summer flip flops and Voila! My foyer/front door area has new life. Simple and clean.

Have a good week!

xoxo