Love Of Family & Home

Chocolate Ribbon Pie

2013-06-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hey Friends!

I hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day weekend!

A couple weeks ago I was thumbing through my mom's cookbook, looking for some new recipes to share with you all. I came across this Chocolate Ribbon Pie Recipe and thought it sounded delicious! My mom had never made it before, so I thought that was even more reason to give it a whirl. It sounded easy enough to make & there was just a short list of ingredients.....my kind of recipe! :)

Ingredients:
4 oz. cream cheese
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp milk
1-8 oz. container cool whip
1- 9 inch prepared chocolate crumb crust
2 cups cold milk
2- 4 oz packages chocolate instant pudding

Directions:
Combine cream cheese, sugar, and 1 tablespoon milk in a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth. Then, add in 1/2 of the cool whip topping and stir well. Spread cream cheese mixture into bottom of pie crust.

Pour 2 cups of cold milk into large mixing bowl. Add in pudding mixes. Stir with wire whisk for about 2 minutes. Pudding will be thick. Then, pour pudding over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until set.

Before serving, spread remaining cool whip topping over the pudding layer. Garnish with shaved chocolate.

I LOVE the way this pie turned out!! It really is so, so good!! If you like chocolate & cool whip (who doesn't?), then this recipe is sure to be a winner with you & your family as well! It's so easy to throw together too!

Let me know if you give it a try!

Enjoy!

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Don't Miss Out - DIY projects, home decorating, crafts & more by checking out my subscribe page

Linking up here....
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
The Scoop at Crafty Texas Girls
Hookin' Up with HOH at House of Hepworths

B Bowtique Giveaway + 10% OFF & FREE SHIPPING!!!

2013-06-14T04:38:00.000-05:00

Happy, Happy Friday Y'all!!

I hope you guys have had a great week!

I'm so happy to be kicking off the weekend with a FABULOUS giveaway from B Bowtique!!

I think I've mentioned a time or two that I wear a TON of dresses during the summer months. They are pretty much a staple in my summer wardrobe. I love that they are all one piece....that I can just throw one on, add some flip flops or a cute pair of sandals, grab a necklace & I'm done! No more trying to decide what shirt I am gonna wear with what pants....dresses take all the thinking out of my morning routine! I can look cute & feminine without a lot of hassle! They're also so comfortable & lightweight, which is perfect for those hot & humid summer days!!

Needless to say, I was thrilled when Brianne, of B Bowtique contacted me about doing a review of her adorable maxi dresses!

The "Kaci" Maxi

The Tribal Black Maxi

The "Laci" Maxi

The "Tonya" Maxi

I can't say enough about all of these dresses! I love the way all of them fit & feel. But, I must say that the "Kaci" & "Laci" maxis are my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!

The color blocking is so simple, but OH SO CUTE! I also think that they are the most comfortable maxi dresses I've ever worn. I KID YOU NOT! The fabric is SO soft & lightweight. And best of all?! The dresses also have pockets!! Say no more, I am SOLD!! :)

All of the the dresses are made with quality fabrics and the prices can't be beat!!

In addition to the beautiful maxi dresses you see here, B Bowtique has plenty more to offer! Brianne has a wide selection of dresses, tops, & jewelry!! You MUST head on over to the B Bowtique site & check out the fabulous inventory!!

To really celebrate & kick off the start of the weekend, Brianne is offering 10% OFF & FREE SHIPPING to my lovely readers!! How awesome is that?!

Just enter the coupon code "LOFHBLOG" to redeem these fabulous offers!!!

Also, make sure you take time to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a $25.00 Store Credit to B Bowtique!! Just log-in with your Facebook account to enter! It's easy!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have a great weekend!!!

To keep up with day to day happenings, be sure to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Don't Miss Out - DIY projects, home decorating, crafts & more by checking out my subscribe page

"Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop #15

2013-06-13T21:00:00.000-05:00

Hey Y'all!!

Are you ready to PAAAARRRRTAY?!

Welcome to the "Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop!!

Time to link up all your latest creations.....recipes, crafts, DIY and/or decorating projects!! We can't wait to see what you've been working on!

Here are a few inspiring projects from last week's party......

Banana Cream Pudding Parfait via Love Grows Wild

Creamy Pasta with Asparagus & Bacon via Love Grows Wild

Farmer's Market Spaghetti via Mostly Homemade Mom

DIY Appliqued Onesies & Burp Cloths via May Richer Fuller Be

A Vignette of Favorite Things via A Woman's Haven

Primitive Cabinet Makeover via Gallery 512

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up!!

Feel free to grab a button if your project was featured!

Remember to visit your other co-hosts to check out EVEN MORE fabulous features!

Liz Marie Blog

House of Rose

Blissfully Ever After

Just a few rules before we get started this party started....

1. Anything is welcome, as long as it's something YOU have created. (diy, home decor, crafts, recipes, cleaning tips, sewing projects, room makeover, etc.)

2. Keep the content fresh. Please do not link up the same projects week after week or they will be deleted. Also, please do not link up giveaway posts.

3. Please include a text link back to the blog where you linked up (Link to the specific blog post, not the blog home page. ) ONLY THOSE WHO LINK BACK WILL BE FEATURED.

4. Party Hop!! Please visit a few links & leave them some comment love!!

............................................................................................................

We would love to see this party GROW more & more each week, so PLEASE share with your friends!! Tweet, Pin, Facebook & even Instagram your projects, and the party, using the hashtag: #inspiremeplease.

Sour Cream Supreme

2013-06-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hey Friends!

Did y'all have a good weekend?!

I have another family favorite recipe to share with you all today! I'm not exactly sure why it's called "Sour Cream Supreme." Yes, it has sour cream in it, but a very small amount. And for those of you who don't like sour cream, don't let that scare you! My husband isn't fond of sour cream, but on the contrary, he LOVES this recipe.....and so do my boys!

If you like italian food, especially lasagna....I'm pretty sure you're gonna love it too! :)

Ingredients:
2 cups elbow macaroni
1-8oz package cream cheese (softened)
1/3 cup sour cream
1 lb. hamburger
1-24 oz jar spaghetti sauce (we like Prego)
2 cups shredded cheese

Directions:

Boil water, cook elbow macaroni until tender. Strain noodles. Add cream cheese & sour cream to macaroni. Mix thoroughly.

Place macaroni mixture in a 9x13 baking dish.

Prepare hamburger. Once cooked, combine hamburger & spaghetti sauce. Layer hamburger mixture on top of macaroni noodles.

Cover with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Serve & enjoy!

*Just a little side note: We like to add a little extra spaghetti sauce to our individual servings, so we always have an extra jar on hand. This is completely optional, but in my opinion makes the recipe even better!

To keep up with day to day happenings, be sure to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

"Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop #14

2013-06-06T21:00:00.000-05:00

It's that time of the week again!!

Welcome to another "Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop!!

This linky party is a chance for you to share your creativity & to be inspired by others! We want to see all your latest creations! Whether it be a recipe, craft, DIY project, or a new space that you've recently decorated you've come to the right spot! We can't wait to see what you've been working on!

Here are the things that inspired me while browsing through last week's party links......

DIY Farmhouse Style Desk via The Junk House

Drop Cloth Porch Curtains via Organize & Decorate Everything

DIY Decorative Vent Cover via Dear Emmeline

DIY Glazed Filigree Earring via Dear Emmeline

Two Minute Omelette in a Mug via Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

Chicken Philly Cheese Steaks via Domestic Bliss Squared

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up!!

Feel free to grab a button if your project was featured!

Remember to visit your other co-hosts to check out EVEN MORE fabulous features!

Liz Marie Blog

House of Rose

Blissfully Ever After

Just a few rules before we get started this party started....

1. Anything is welcome, as long as it's something YOU have created. (diy, home decor, crafts, recipes, cleaning tips, sewing projects, room makeover, etc.)

2. Keep the content fresh. Please do not link up the same projects week after week or they will be deleted. Also, please do not link up giveaway posts.

3. Please include a text link back to the blog where you linked up (Link to the specific blog post, not the blog home page. ) ONLY THOSE WHO LINK BACK WILL BE FEATURED.

Small Town Gal Designs Necklace Giveaway

2013-06-05T18:00:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone!

Remember when I went to visit my little sister several weeks ago? I mentioned that I was gonna be helping her with a little project.

It turns out she inherited the family genes and has become quite crafty in recent months! Cortney started making jewelry and a couple months ago, decided to open her own etsy shop. The shop is called Small Town Gal Designs.

If you are looking for fun & unique jewelry pieces, you are sure to find something in Cortney's shop! She has a great selection of necklaces, which are really affordable, and are sure to make a statement with any outfit!!

My personal favorite from her shop is the Free Bird necklace.

Gold is becoming more & more popular & I really love the variety of gold charms paired with the mint. The chain is 30" and is a perfect length.

She has several more necklaces in this same style with a variety of different charms to choose from. Here are a few more of my favorites....

Flower & Key Necklace

Fairy Tales

Key Charm Necklace

She also has some really pretty handmade beaded necklaces as well. I love this Purple & Gray Beaded necklace.

I also love the colors in this Light Purple Beaded necklace.

To celebrate the opening of her shop, Cortney is giving away a FREE NECKLACE (of your choosing) to one lucky reader!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wanna get your hands on a necklace right now?! In addition to the giveaway, Cortney is offering 10% OFF to all of my readers!!

Just enter coupon code: LOVEFAMILYANDHOME to get your discount!!

Well, what do ya say?! Can we show my little sister a little love & support?!

Please take a minute to head on over to her shop, enter the giveaway, & be sure to tell your friends!!

Thanks Y'all!! You guys are the best!!

To keep up with day to day happenings, be sure to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Don't Miss Out - DIY projects, home decorating, crafts & more by checking out my subscribe page

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball Recipe

2013-06-04T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hey Friends!

I think I have mentioned a couple different times that I'm really not much on sweets. I can honestly say "no, thank you" when it comes to most desserts. Truth be told, I usually crave salty snacks more than anything else.

However, there is one sweet treat that I usually can't pass up......chocolate chip cookies! I am a sucker for them....especially when they are warm and right out of the oven!

That's probably why I LOVE this recipe that I am gonna share with you today! This Chocolate Chip Cheeseball is so yummy & SO ADDICTING.....

Ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
In medium mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add in powdered sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and chill for 2 hours.

Shape into ball, wrap in plastic wrap & chill for 1 hour. Roll in pecans before serving.

Enjoy!!

To keep up with day to day happenings, be sure to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Side Yard Makeover: Creating Curb Appeal

2013-06-03T05:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday Y'all!

I hope you guys had a great weekend! I know we certainly did!

A few weeks ago I tackled a pretty big project on the side of our house. If you have been reading this blog for a while now, you know that I have blogged about this area of our home a couple different times. It seems like each spring I tackle it again & again, making more progress year after year.

Even though I strive to keep this side of our house looking presentable, it never fails that when spring rolls around we are always back to square one. Here is a look at where I started this year.....

A little less than inspiring wouldn't you say?!

The first thing I did was start pulling weeds! Low & behold there were the hostas I planted a couple years back, springing up through the soil.

Then, I added some impatiens to the window box & things were already starting to look much better.

I decided that this was the last year I wanted to deal with the weeds, so I picked up a roll of weed control fabric to cover the area. I simply cut holes in the fabric to allow the hostas room to grow.

I also picked up several bags of mulch to surround the hostas & cover the fabric.

I had gotten some coupons in the mail from Lowes a few weeks prior & I decided I would put them to use for this project. So, I stopped by our local store & picked up some stone edgers to put the finishing touch on the flower bed.

When I got home from Lowes, I made the decision to extend the flower bed and wrap it around the front of the house. I removed the concrete splash block from underneath the gutter spout & dug up the grass until I got down to the soil.

Then, I added a layer of the weed control fabric & topped it off with mulch. I picked up a couple more hostas while at Lowes & filled the new spot to coordinate with the rest of the flower bed.

To lay the stone edgers, I simply dug a path that outlined the outer edge of the flowerbed & laid the stone edgers one by one. I made sure that each one was level and that I maintained a straight line all the way down. I also made sure to tuck the weed control fabric underneath each edger as it was laid to create a barrier.

Once the edgers were laid, I discover that I still had enough room to add some flowers in front of the hostas, so I used the same impatiens that I had planted in the window box & filled the flower bed as well. This is what it looked like when I was finished.

Quite the improvement, right?!

I'm so pleased with how it turned out! The project actually took me about two afternoons to complete, but I think the time & effort definitely paid off! I'm so happy with the way it looks now.

The following pictures were taken this past weekend (a few weeks after I completed the project.) You can already see a huge difference in the size of the plants.

This side of our home is shaded for the biggest part of day, so the hostas & the impatiens absolutely love it there!

And to really appreciate the amount of work that went into this space, I went back through my archives & found this picture of how the side yard looked just a couple years back.

So SAD! At this time, the side of the house was nothing but a catch all. It completely lacked character & curb appeal.

But now....it screams curb appeal & that makes my heart happy! :)

And every time I walk down this side of our home I smile! :)

I'm looking forward to watching the hostas & impatiens mature even more in the coming weeks! I can't wait to see what things will look like in another month or two. I'll be sure to keep you posted!

What do you think of my side yard makeover?

Have you completed a similar project this spring? If so, I'd love to hear about it!

Thanks so much for visiting me today!! I hope you have a fantastic Monday!

Linking up here....
Before & After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick
Tips & Tutorials Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Hookin' Up with HOH at House of Hepworths
The Scoop at Crafty Texas Girls

To keep up with day to day happenings, be sure to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Don't Miss Out - DIY projects, home decorating, crafts & more by checking out my subscribe page

InstaFriday: Latest Hangouts, Current Projects, & Real Life

2013-05-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday Friends!

Y'all seemed to enjoy that last iPhone photo dump that I did, so I decided I would try to incorporate it into the blog every couple weeks, just to mix things up a bit. I take so many photos with my iPhone, so I also thought it would be a great way to put those pictures to use! :) Here is a little recap of what we've been up to the last couple of weeks.

The kids and I have a new favorite hangout......Barnes & Noble! I just happened to stop in our local B&N a few weeks ago to look for a book & I had Griffin with me. We walked back to the children's section of the store & I immediately knew I wasn't going to be leaving for awhile....

Yes, that is a Thomas the Train table, complete with track & trains. Not only that, but do you see the display of trains & books behind him?! This boy was in heaven! So much so, that he asked me about going back to the "Thomas Store" everyday after that. Needless to say, I found myself there again the following week.

This time, I brought my book & snagged a cup of coffee from Starbucks. I got comfortable while he played. It was glorious! He was quiet & perfectly content. I sipped my coffee & dug into my book....probably the most relaxing trip out of the house with him EVER!!

The following week, we went back with Parker. That time I brought my laptop & got some blog work done while the boys played together. Seriously, why have I never thought to take my kids to Barnes & Noble before?! This is definitely going to be a frequent hangout for us this summer!

Speaking of summer, Parker's summer break has officially started! He had his last day of school early last week. They celebrate the end of the school year with an event called "Field Day." They basically have inflatables for the kids to play on, water activities, face painting, & a cook-out for the entire family to attend. We had an absolute blast!

Since school is out, both of the boys have been hanging with grandma & grandpa while mom & dad are at work. This was a picture I had taken of them at my parents house a couple weeks ago. My parents have a big yard & the boys have a couple of ride-on toys that they love to play on at their house. In this picture they were taking a popsicle break.

This picture was sent to me from my mother-in-law the other day. She was keeping the boys for me while I was at work. The boys were having fun climbing trees.

I'm so thankful that we have both sets of grandparents living here in Southern Illinois with us. They are always willing to lend a helping hand & the boys absolutely love hanging with them. I know that when they get older they will have so many memories to look back on. Its safe to say they are going to have tons of summer fun with grandma & grandpa.

A couple weekends ago the weather was hot & we decided to have some fun in the water to stay cool. We bought this cheap plastic pool at Walmart last summer & I swear it was the best $20 I ever did spend! It may not be very big, the boys have so much fun with it!

Tee-ball season is in full swing & we've been spending many nights at the ball field. This is Parker's second year playing & he really enjoys it! As much as I thought I was going to dread those hot summer nights & afternoons at the ball field, I find myself looking forward to his games every week. I really enjoy watching him play & interact with the other kids.

It's really awesome to see how much he has improved since last year! With Griffin just a couple years behind him, I know that I have many more games (and summers) at the ball field ahead of me!

Since the weather has been nice, I've been trying to make more of an effort to exercise. Griffin actually asked me if I could take him for a ride in his stroller one afternoon....totally unlike him! The kid usually hates being in his stroller!

I've also started the couch to 5K program again & hoping to get back into a regular jogging routine. I did the program last summer & loved it!

A couple weekends back, we went out with our friends, Mandy & Jeff Rose. You would think that since Mandy & I only live 20 minutes apart, that we would see each other all the time, but this was the first time we had seen each other since we attended the Blissdom conference together in March....CRAZY!

It was nice to have an evening out with friends & without the kiddos! We MUST make more of an effort to do it more often!

This was a picture that I snapped while sitting at a stoplight on my way to work one morning. I'm totally one of those people who absolutely dread going to work each week! Once I get to work, I am totally fine, but I seriously go into depression mode around noon the day before I have to go back. Ridiculous since I only work 2 days a week, right?!

I got this for Mother's Day and I LOVE it!!

I had my eye on it for a few weeks while shopping at Lowes. I had gotten a coupon in the mail & we decided to put it to use on this beauty. It's now sitting pretty on our back deck.

Speaking of the back deck, it's been undergoing some changes....

GAH!!! I can't tell you how excited I am!! I've been wanting to build a pergola on our back deck for quite some time now. My dad & my husband worked their butts off on this project & I couldn't be happier with how it turned out! I'll be sharing more pictures and full tutorial soon!

On another note, guess who gets to paint the pergola?! Yea...that would be me! It's gonna look so nice once its done, but I'm seriously dreading it!!

Anyone wanna come help?!

Again, I apologize for my absence this week! I'm finally feeling better & praying that next week will be a better one! Stay tuned!

Don't forget that the "Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop is going on NOW! Be sure to stop by & link up your projects!! CLICK HERE.

Thanks so much for visiting me today!! Have a great Friday & a wonderful weekend!

Linking up here.....
InstaFriday at Life Rearranged

To keep up with day to day happenings, be sure to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Don't Miss Out - DIY projects, home decorating, crafts & more by checking out my subscribe page

"Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop #13

2013-05-30T21:00:00.000-05:00

Hey Y'all!

It's time for another "Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop!

I'm so sorry things have been so quiet this week! We had an extremely busy Memorial Day weekend & then I came down with some kind of bug Monday night. I've been battling fevers & terrible body aches which have had me doing a whole lot of nothing this week. I've been spending a lot of time in bed & have rekindled my relationship with the heating pad.....seriously, I.LOVE.THAT.THING!

I also developed a new love as of last night....

I decided that since I couldn't do anything other than lay around, I might as well be entertained. I rented the 1st season of "Revenge" last night, mainly because there weren't any movies out that I wanted to see. I hadn't watched a single episode up until last night, but had heard good things about the series so I decided to give it a whirl. I also had posted the above picture to Facebook and Instagram asking for your guys' input & you all gave it two thumbs up! Well, I'm 10 episodes in & I'm totally addicted! Counting the minutes until the boys go to bed so that I can start it back up again! SO GOOD!!

Although I haven't had the energy to work on any projects and/or put together any other posts for this week, I did manage to take some time to browse thru last week's party links. Here are a few of my favorites projects that were linked up!

Reclaimed Wood Patio Ceiling via Crafty Texas Girls

Patio Reveal via J.S. Lately Design

Garden Shed Facelift via That Country Place

DIY Slipcovered Ottoman via The Tiny Sidekick

Pool Noodle Wreath via Brave New Home

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up!!

Feel free to grab a button if your project was featured!

Remember to visit your other co-hosts to check out EVEN MORE fabulous features!

Liz Marie Blog

House of Rose

Blissfully Ever After

Just a few rules before we get started this party started....

1. Anything is welcome, as long as it's something YOU have created. (diy, home decor, crafts, recipes, cleaning tips, sewing projects, room makeover, etc.)

2. Keep the content fresh. Please do not link up the same projects week after week or they will be deleted. Also, please do not link up giveaway posts.

3. Please include a text link back to the blog where you linked up (Link to the specific blog post, not the blog home page. ) ONLY THOSE WHO LINK BACK WILL BE FEATURED.

"Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop #12

2013-05-23T21:00:00.000-05:00

Hey Y'all!

It's Thursday night, so that can only mean one thing! It's time for another "Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop! :)

While browsing through last week's links, I came across so many fabulous outdoor projects for spring & summer. I couldn't help but spotlight a few of my favorites!

Spring Front Entry via Clean & Scentsible

Back Patio Makeover via Little Brags

How To Paint Metal Chairs via DaisyMaeBelle

How To Build a Fairy Garden via Mama's Going to Buy You a Mockingbird

Vintage Carpenter Box Planter via Penny's Vintage Home

How to Paint Plastic Outdoor Chairs via Tiny Sidekick

Screened-In Porch Makeover via Rain on a Tin Roof

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up!!

Feel free to grab a button if your project was featured!

Remember to visit your other co-hosts to check out EVEN MORE fabulous features!

Liz Marie Blog

House of Rose

Blissfully Ever After

Just a few rules before we get started this party started....

1. Anything is welcome, as long as it's something YOU have created. (diy, home decor, crafts, recipes, cleaning tips, sewing projects, room makeover, etc.)

2. Keep the content fresh. Please do not link up the same projects week after week or they will be deleted. Also, please do not link up giveaway posts.

3. Please include a text link back to the blog where you linked up (Link to the specific blog post, not the blog home page. ) ONLY THOSE WHO LINK BACK WILL BE FEATURED.

10 Inspiring Shared Bedroom Ideas for Boys

2013-05-22T10:11:00.001-05:00

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!

I've been thinking about moving the boys into a shared bedroom for quite sometime now. Lately, Griffin would just assume to be in Parker's room all the time....including at night, when it is time for bed. And to be completely honest, I could really put Griffin's room to great use as an office/craft room for me & my husband.

Right now, my craft stuff is all spread out in different areas of our home. I would LOVE to have everything in one place, where things could be organized & tidy. I would also love to have a space where I sit & blog without interruptions. My husband also occasionally works from home & would love to have a space where he could do the same.

When I first starting thinking about making this transition, I knew that it would be a project I would want to tackle during the summer months. I'd like for the boys to get used to sleeping in a room together before school starts back up in the fall and more than likely, it will probably be a project that will take me most of the summer to complete anyway. I mean let's be honest.....I haven't even finished my master bedroom yet & I've been working on it for several months now! I'm sure most of you have probably forgotten about that room all together by now.....perhaps I need to do a post to bring you all up to date on the master?!

Until then, here are some shared bedroom ideas for boys that are inspiring me.....

(Source)

(Source)

(Source)

Things I love about each of these spaces:

1. Two Twin Beds- I don't know what it is about two little beds sitting side by side, but it makes my heart happy! I can't wait to see my boys' beds sitting side by side! (Yes, I am a total weirdo!) My mom was out of town doing some shopping yesterday & actually found two matching headboards for me to use in the boys' room at Goodwill! They are super cute! I'll be sharing them in a separate post soon!

2. Shared Nightstand- I would love to find a small dresser like you see in these photos above for the boys to use as a nightstand. I love how the dresser separates the two spaces & also brings color, personality, & functionality to the space. I especially love the green dresser you see in the last photo. The paint detail is so cute!

3. Photos/Monograms- Most of the spaces you see here have some way of identifying one space from the other. I love the idea of using monograms and/or photos of the kids to do that. I really love the idea of the monogram pillows that you see on the beds in the first photo that I shared.

What do you think about these inspiration photos?! Which room is your favorite?

Do any of your children share a room? What tips do you have for creating a shared space?

To keep up with day to day happenings, be sure to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Don't Miss Out - DIY projects, home decorating, crafts & more by checking out my subscribe page

Sweet & Creamy Grape Salad

2013-05-20T20:36:00.000-05:00

Hey Y'all!!

First of all, I apologize I've been so hit & miss with the blog lately! The weather has been so nice here & I've been busy with several outdoor projects! If you follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram, you got a sneak peek of what we were working on this past weekend! It's been a project I've been wanting to accomplish for some time now, and I am so stinkin' excited about it!! I can't wait to share with you guys!

I did want to drop in today & share with you another easy (and delicious) recipe! This grape salad would be perfect for all of those backyard summer barbecues you'll be attending this summer! It's super quick to throw together, it's refreshing, & I promise it will be a crowd pleaser!

Ingredients:

1 package cream cheese (softened)
1 8 oz. sour cream
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla
2 large bunches of red grapes
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
Combine cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, brown sugar, & vanilla in a large bowl. Use mixer to blend ingredients until smooth. Add in grapes & pecans, mix thoroughly.

Enjoy!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today!

To keep up with day to day happenings, be sure to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Don't Miss Out - DIY projects, home decorating, crafts & more by checking out my subscribe page

Linking up here...
Tutorials & Tips at Home Stories A to Z
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Hookin' Up with House of Hepworths
Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush
I'm Lovin' It at Tidy Mom
Weekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots & Jello

"Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop #11

2013-05-16T21:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Thursday Y'all!!

Thank you for joining us for another week "Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop! Last week was our largest party to date! We had 270 projects linked up!! Thanks to everyone who joined in!!

Browsing through the links of last week's party, I was making me HUNGRY! There were so many delicious looking recipes that were linked up!!

Here are the recipes that caught my eye & are now on my list of things of make! :)

Farmer's Market Pasta Salad via Inspired Healthy Organized

Slow Cooked Spicy Potatoes via At the Corner of Happy & Harried

Buffalo Chicken Wraps via Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

Toasted Coconut Pudding Pie via Mostly Homemade Mom

Avocado & Black Bean Chicken Salad via Domestic Bliss Squared

Cheddar Parmesan Bread via Mostly Homemade Mom

Individual 7 Layer Dips via This is Happiness

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up!!

Feel free to grab a button if your project was featured!

Remember to visit your other co-hosts to check out EVEN MORE fabulous features!

Liz Marie Blog

House of Rose

Blissfully Ever After

Just a few rules before we get started this party started....

1. Anything is welcome, as long as it's something YOU have created. (diy, home decor, crafts, recipes, cleaning tips, sewing projects, room makeover, etc.)

2. Keep the content fresh. Please do not link up the same projects week after week or they will be deleted. Also, please do not link up giveaway posts.

3. Please include a text link back to the blog where you linked up (Link to the specific blog post, not the blog home page. ) ONLY THOSE WHO LINK BACK WILL BE FEATURED.

Spring Porch Makeover + $75 Kirkland's Giveaway

2013-05-14T19:00:00.000-05:00

Hey Friends!

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

Today, I thought I would share the items that mom & I purchased last week on our little "Mom & Me" shopping date to Kirkland's! I did a full recap of our date HERE in case you missed it! The shopping trip was part of the "Mommy Makeover" campaign that Kirkland's has going on this month. We were so happy to be participating in the campaign & my mom was thrilled to be getting spoiled this Mother's Day!

Mom & I had such a great time browsing through Kirkland's & found SO MANY items that we wanted to take home, but for this trip, my mom was wanting to focus on items that she could use to freshen up her front porch & give it a little makeover for spring/summer.

Here is a look at mom's porch "Before".....

Not too bad.....but not too great either. The space was looking a little bare and wasn't giving the first impression that she wanted for her guests. But, after a quick trip to Kirkland's (and shopping the house a bit), the space looks completely different now.....

Ahhh! Much better!

I don't know about you, but I'm loving this fresh new look! I'm really diggin' the mixture of whites & creams combined with the blue & green accent pieces. It's soft, it's calm, it's beautiful!

The blue linen pillows were added to the white rocking chairs to bring just a touch of color to the space.

We created a couple of vignettes on each side of the door using items that we purchased from Kirkland's, as well as items that mom already had on hand.

This olive metal planter came from Kirkland's as well as the floral arrangements inside of it. We purchased three of these 10 inch arrangements to fill the planter.

Here is a look at the vignette on the opposite side of the door. This one is also a combination of Kirkland's purchases and things we found shopping the house!

I love this adorable hanging chalkboard that we bought. The scalloped edges & the floral cut-outs are just too cute! It hangs perfectly on the rocking chair and is such a great way to write little messages for her guests!

The metal lantern was also a Kirkland's find. We loved the color of it & it tied in perfectly with the other blue/green items we had. It holds three tealight candles, which will create a soft & pretty glow at nighttime.

The hydrangea basket on the front door was another purchase that we made on the day of our shopping trip. I love the way it looks hanging on my mom's front door! The perfect touch of spring! :)

And just because I always love a good "before & after", let's take a look back at where we started once again.....

And what it looks like today.....

LOVE!! :)

Have you spruced up your front porch for spring/summer?!

If not, would you like to?

Would you like to spoil your mom with a little shopping trip to Kirkland's?

How about a $75 gift card to Kirkland's to get you started?!

That's right! Kirkland's is going to provide a $75 gift card to one lucky reader!! Follow the Rafflecopter prompts below for your chance to enter!! Just log-in with your Facebook account! GOOD LUCK!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway will end on Friday, 05/17/2013 at 7:00pm CST.
The winner will have 10 days to claim his/her prize. If he or she doesn't respond, a new winner will be drawn.

As always, thanks so much for visiting me today!!

To keep up with day to day happenings, be sure to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Don't Miss Out - DIY projects, home decorating, crafts & more by checking out my subscribe page

Linking up here...
Tutorials & Tips at Home Stories A to Z
Outdoor Decorating Party via Our Fifth House
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Hookin' Up with House of Hepworths
Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush
I'm Lovin' It at Tidy Mom
Weekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots & Jello

What I Did on My Bloggy Vacation...iPhone Photo Dump

2013-05-10T04:57:00.000-05:00

Hey Y'all!

I hope you've had a great week!

I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things after taking some time off. Normally, since it's Friday, I would post a "Happily Ever Before & After" feature here on the blog, but since I decided to unplug for the last couple weeks, I haven't been able to come up with any rooms to feature! So, I thought I would switch things up a bit & just share some photos from my little bloggy vacation instead.

I had mentioned a couple weeks ago that we were going to take a little trip north to visit some family, including my little sis....that is how my break started. This was a picture I snapped in the car of the boys & I while we were still sitting in the driveway waiting to take off. I wanted to remember how happy & excited we were to be getting away for a few days, because I knew the look on ~~our~~ my face would be much different after a 5 hour car ride in the backseat with these two!

Overall the car ride their went pretty well. The boys were pretty content watching their movies & eating snacks, but the car ride home was a different story!

Our reason for making the trip north was to attend a wedding reception for my husband's college friend. My sister offered to keep the boys overnight for us, so it was just the hubby & I all dressed up for a night on the town. I decided to break out my coral striped dress for the occasion! I was so happy to have another reason to wear it! You can read more about the dress HERE.

We had such a great night out! It was fun catching up with old friends & dancing all evening. It was especially nice being able to sleep in the next morning....thank you Aunt Cortney for keeping the boys!! YOU ROCK!

This was a photo that my sister sent me that next morning.....

Eating donuts & drinking orange juice from coffee mugs....looks like a great morning to me! I think it's safe to say that these two had a great time with their Aunt!

The next day, the weather was absolutely beautiful & we decided to take advantage with a family trip to the zoo!

We went to the Niabi Zoo near Moline, IL. It is such a nice zoo & the perfect size for little kids. We were able to get through the entire thing in about 2 hours & still got to see so much! Probably one of the favorite parts for the boys was being able to feed the ducks.

We also got to go through a petting zoo & feed goats as well. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of that because I was having to help Griffin quite a bit. He wasn't too keen on the idea at first, but once I gave him the push he needed, he did great! He thought the goats were hilarious!

I did manage to snap a shot of one of the swans near the duck pond. She was busy guarding her eggs. Do you see the size of those things?! CRAZY!

We made our way through the zoo visiting the zebras, giraffes, and monkeys too.

The kids had fun posing as monkeys, checking their wing span & riding the train that went around the entire zoo.

The next day, we made the trip home. We left in the morning, which looking back I think was a mistake. The boys had so much energy and were confined to their carseats. I would have much rather let them burn some of that energy in the morning by taking them to the park or something similar, and then traveled home in the afternoon with the hopes of them taking a nap. They were both so hyper & so LOUD the entire way home that I was feeling a bit like this......

Ready to pull out my hair and in desperate need of some Excedrin! Note to self....no more morning traveling!

The next day I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather we were having in Southern Illinois & do some work outside. So, I made a trip to our local greenhouse to pick up flowers.....

This place is a little bit of heaven on earth. Seriously, if I could move in I would. :) Every square inch covered in beautiful flowers.

I picked up some impatiens, vincas, and a gorgeous hanging basket full of wave petunias....all in different shades of pink! :) I did a TON of work sprucing up the side of our house which I will be sharing in a separate post, probably next week!

I also managed to squeeze in some reading during my time off. I took the advice of my friend Jaime and picked up the 1st book of the Delirium triology back in December.....yeah 5 months ago! I had read a little bit of the book, but hadn't really had time to dig into it. So I took advantage of my time off the computer & finally finished the first book of the trilogy.

I also picked up the 2nd book just a couple days ago & I'm already really enjoying it! If you are looking for a new series to start, and you liked the Hunger Games trilogy, then I really think you would enjoy these books too!

So, that's a recap of my break! Even though we didn't anything too exciting, it was still a great week! There is just something refreshing that comes when we unplug ourselves from the computer every now & then and just live life! Refreshing to take time to appreciate the little things that occur on a daily basis that we sometimes miss when we are consumed with the online world, ya know?

Don't forget that the "Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop is going on NOW! Be sure to stop by & link up your projects!! CLICK HERE.

Thanks so much for visiting me today!! Have a great Friday & a wonderful weekend!

Got anything exciting planned?!

Linking up here....
InstaFriday at Life Rearranged

To keep up with day to day happenings, be sure to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Don't Miss Out - DIY projects, home decorating, crafts & more by checking out my subscribe page

"Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop #10

2013-05-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone!!

It's that time again!! Time to show off all those projects you've been working so hard on lately!! Time for another "Inspire ME Please" Weekend Blog Hop! :)

We would love to see this party GROW & get some more attention, so PLEASE share with your friends!! Tweet, Pin, Facebook & even Instagram your projects, and the party using the hashtag: #inspiremeplease.

We want to get the word out & have as many people participate as possible!! We now have a Pinterest board dedicated to this party & it's features. The board has almost 9,000 followers which is great exposure for your blog!! Also, remember that if you link up with just one of us, your project is seen on all four sites!

Now let's take a minute to check out some of the projects that inspired me last week......

Spring Bedrooms via MT-Tails

Little Blue Truck Party via Earning Our Stripes

Nursery Reveal via 551 East

Spring Front Porch via Little Brags

DIY Chalkboard Napkin Rings via Clean & Scentsible

Bedroom Wall Transformation at Naptime Notebook

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up!!

Feel free to grab a button if your project was featured!

Remember to visit your other co-hosts to check out EVEN MORE fabulous features!

Liz Marie Blog

House of Rose

Blissfully Ever After

Just a few rules before we get started this party started....

1. Anything is welcome, as long as it's something YOU have created. (diy, home decor, crafts, recipes, cleaning tips, sewing projects, room makeover, etc.)

2. Keep the content fresh. Please do not link up the same projects week after week or they will be deleted. Also, please do not link up giveaway posts.

3. Please include a text link back to the blog where you linked up (Link to the specific blog post, not the blog home page. ) ONLY THOSE WHO LINK BACK WILL BE FEATURED.

4. Party Hop!! Please visit a few links & leave them some comment love!!

Mom & Me Date...Window Shopping at Kirkland's

2013-05-08T09:53:00.000-05:00

Disclosure:I received compensation for my Mommy Makeover blog post. Kirkland's partnered with several bloggers like me to raise brand awareness in the month of May. All purchases and content are on my own accord and reflect my personal opinion and style. Kirkland's blogger outreach policies abide by the WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. For official Kirkland's giveaway rules, visit http://www.kirklands.com/content.jsp?pageName=blogger_rules-03.

Hey Friends!

Well, I'm finally back from my little bloggy break! You may have noticed that I decided to extend my "vacation" for a couple more days & took the first part of this week off as well. I opened my computer Monday morning & tried to put a post together & I just couldn't do it!

My time off was lovely! I spent time with my family, worked out in our yard, planted flowers, & even managed to read a book. I must say, that getting back to "work" with this little blog was much harder than I anticipated it would be. Luckily, I had a little incentive thanks to Kirkland's.

Kirkland's is teaming up with several bloggers during the month of May for their "Mommy Makeover" campaign. They contacted me several weeks ago asking me if I'd like to spoil my mom with some Kirkland's products this Mother's Day. Since I love my momma and we BOTH love Kirkland's, I answered quickly with a "YES, Please!"

If you follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook, then you know that mom & I made a trip to Kirkland's yesterday. We were greeted with a burst of beautiful, vibrant colors upon walking into the store.

I'm not a huge butterfly person, but this Lavina Butterfly Canvas Art was beautiful! I could see this piece on an outdoor patio with some coordinating throw pillows to create a bright & colorful space for outdoor entertaining. You can see, underneath the canvas, that Kirkland's also has lots of little accessories that would work perfectly with this piece. So many possibilities!

I don't know if you have noticed but succulent terrariums are all the rage in blogland right now. It seems like every week I come across a new tutorial! So, naturally I was drawn to these little cuties when we walked in.....

These Succulent Plant Terrariums are adorable & for just $16.99 you can skip all the hassle of making your own & never have to worry about your succulents dying! SCORE!

My mom & I both loved this little Hydrangea Wall Pocket. I think it would be perfect hanging on anyone's front door....perfect for spring/summer!

I've been admiring these lanterns for quite some time now. I've tried finding them on Kirkland's online site, but have been unsuccessful. I'm guessing they are no longer available on line & are an in-store item only. Somehow hanging them from the ceiling makes them even more adorable! Love them!

This 3-Shelf Wood Plant Stand with Chalkboard would be great on a front porch or back patio during the spring & summer months. Imagine it all dolled up with flower pots & plants! You could also transform it in the fall by adding pumpkins & mums! So cute! The chalkboard at the top is the perfect added touch...add a little message to greet your guests as they approach your front door.

This Wooden Starburst Wall Plaque may have been my favorite find during our little shopping trip yesterday! So cute!! I'm still trying to think of where I could hang it!

I love the look of these Sea Green Wood & Metal Wall Panels. The color is beautiful & I love the vintage feel they have. These would also look great outside, serving as shutters and framing out a large window. Can you see it?

I thought these Cedar Triple Ball Topiaries were pretty darn cute as well. They would be a great way to add some spring to your front entry!

I'm kind of obsessed with this Distressed Cream Sadie Arch Mirror. GORGEOUS!!

I've also been eyeing this Wood Storage Mail Sorter for quite some time. I'm always looking for ways to organize our mail....why not take advantage of these cute storage solutions?!

If you have visited Kirkland's before, then you know that they also have a wide selection of lamps throughout the store. They have so many options in terms of lighting & their prices can't be beat! If you can't find what you are looking for in the store, you are sure to find something on their online site.

I found so many furniture pieces throughout the store that I wanted to take home with me! I had to lump them in one large collage in order to get them all in! They have so many fun, stylish, and AFFORDABLE pieces! If you are looking for an accent chair or table, you are sure to find something at Kirklands! They have a wide variety of colors and patterns to fit your decor.

I wanted to also tell you about Kirkland's Spin-To-Win App!

Have you heard about this?!

Basically, you can get a new Kirkland's coupon each day. (I know....like you needed another excuse to shop daily, right?) You download the FREE app to your smart phone, spin the wheel daily, & voila....instant savings! Just hand your phone over to the cashier at check-out, he or she scans your phone, and you save money! How awesome is that?! If you have a Kirkland's in your area, I would highly recommend downloading this app ASAP! The coupons are good in-store only.

Thanks to the spin-to-win app, mom & I were able to get $10 off any purchase of $50 or more!! We made it out of the store with lots goodies!!

I can't wait to show you what we got!!

Be sure to come back & check out our "Mommy Makeover" reveal post! I'll be sharing all the items that we purchased & I may even have a gift for one of my readers, so that you can spoil your mom too!! :)

Do you have a Kirkland's in your area?

Which item from our shopping trip is your favorite?

As always, thanks so much for visiting me today!!

To keep up with day to day happenings, be sure to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Don't Miss Out - DIY projects, home decorating, crafts & more by checking out my subscribe page

"Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop #9

2013-05-02T21:00:00.000-05:00

Hey Friends!!

I hope you all are having a great week!

I know it's been quiet around these parts for the past few days....sorry about that! If you follow me on Facebook, then you know that I decided to take a little bloggy vacation! I have so much going on this week & decided that something just had to give! I hope you all understand!

Although I have spent most of the week unplugged, I have been able to squeeze in a few outdoor projects throughout the course of this week. I'm really excited with how they've turned out & I'm looking forward to sharing those with you all real soon!

Until then, check out these fabulous features from last week's "Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop!

Gray & White Campaign Nightstand via The Weathered Door

Outdoor Tin Accent Wall via Crafty Texas Girls

Painted Blue Porch Ceiling via Southern State of Mind

DIY Fence Gate via Confessions of a Serial DIYer

Board & Batten Tutorial via The Turquoise Home

DIY Gold Dipped Vase via Two Twenty One

DIY Pallet Frame via Making Home Base

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up!!

Feel free to grab a button if your project was featured!

Remember to visit your other co-hosts to check out even MORE fabulous features!

Liz Marie Blog

House of Rose

Blissfully Ever After

Just a few rules before we get started this party started....

1. Anything is welcome, as long as it's something YOU have created. (diy, home decor, crafts, recipes, cleaning tips, sewing projects, room makeover, etc.)

2. Keep the content fresh. Please do not link up the same projects week after week or they will be deleted. Also, please do not link up giveaway posts.

3. Please include a text link back to the blog where you linked up (Link to the specific blog post, not the blog home page. ) ONLY THOSE WHO LINK BACK WILL BE FEATURED.

4. Party Hop!! Please visit a few links & leave them some comment love!!

Happily Ever Before & After Week 27: Back Patio Makeover via Beneath My Heart

2013-04-26T06:04:00.006-05:00

Happy Friday Friends!!

I don't know about all of you, but this week has been a long week for me! I am SO looking forward to the weekend....we are leaving later this afternoon for a little weekend get-away and I'm so excited!!

We will be visiting some family up north & also making a trip to see my sister on Saturday as well! If you have been following this blog for some time, you may remember her little fixer-upper that I blogged about last summer. Her & her fiance bought the house & have been busy making improvements to it. I'm excited to see the changes that they've made & also help her with a little project that she has been working on. More details on that to come!

To read more about Cortney's fixer-upper, click HERE and HERE.

In other news, I have another fabulous outdoor room to share with you today as part of my Happily Ever Before & After series!! This beautiful back patio makeover comes to you courtesy of Traci at Beneath My Heart. Traci was one of the first home bloggers to reach out to me when I started this little blog a couple years back. I had the pleasure of rooming with her at Blissdom last year & got to hang out with her at Haven as well. She is one of the sweetest people I've ever met & SO, SO down to earth! Her & her husband, Cy, are a couple of DIY Rockstars & are busy transforming an old brick ranch-style home that they bought almost two years ago. They have completely renovated the kitchen & have just finished up with a brand new guest bathroom. In addition, they have busy working on a new addition to the home which includes a GORGEOUS new master bathroom that you MUST check out as well!

The outdoor space that I'm gonna share with you today is actually part of their old house. Here is a look at the "Before" photo.

As you can see, the space was already beautiful! It's obvious that Traci had a great space for entertaining, but she knew this outdoor room had more potential & was ready to give the space a little more character. So her, and her husband Cy, worked their DIY magic on this space & completely transformed the way it looked.

Let's take a look at the "After" photo, shall we?!

GORGEOUS!!

Can you spot the differences in these two photos? The biggest difference, and perhaps the thing that added the most character to the space, is the new "tile" stained concrete! How awesome is that?! Yes, Traci & Cy taped off the concrete patio to make it look like tile & then stained it to create this faux tile look. So fabulous!!

You can also see that Traci brought in all kinds of new decorative touches to the space with new throw pillows, a new rug, adorable little lanterns, and much, much more!!

PLEASE take the opportunity to visit Traci's blog today to see even more beautiful photos of this space! She shares so many before & after shots & gives you a closer look at all the other details in this space! I promise you won't be disappointed!!

To see more photos of this outdoor room CLICK HERE.

Looking for more room makeover inspiration?!

Be sure to check out my "Happily Ever Before & After" Page.

Gotta makeover that you would like to see featured in this segment?!
Email me: tdiehl2005 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Don't forget that the "Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop is going on NOW.

Click HERE to add your project to this week's linky party.

Thanks so much for stopping by!! I hope you all have a great weekend!!

To keep up with day to day happenings, be sure to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram!

Don't Miss Out - DIY projects, home decorating, crafts & more by checking out my subscribe page.

"Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop #8

2013-04-25T21:00:00.000-05:00

Hey Friends!

Thanks for joining us for another week of "Inspire Me Please!" Are you guys enjoying this weekly link-up?! I sure hope so!

Week after week you guys continue to bring the AWESOME!! I always look forward to browsing through the links & spotlighting a few of my favorites projects. Here are a few that caught my eye....

Duck Cloth Spring Wreath via Made In A Day

Mother's Day Wreath via home.made.

Cutesy Curly Paper Wreath via Creative Capital B

Antique Sewing Table Makeover via P.S. I'll Paint You

Side Table Makeover via Daisy Mae Belle

Grain Sack Inspired Mini Burlap Pouch via The Wood Grain Cottage

Embroidery Hoop Wall Art via Uncommon Designs

DIY Stacked Herb Garden via Fancy Frugal Life

Spring Front Porch via Daisy Mae Belle

Chocolate Pistachio Cake via Root & Blossom

Best Carrot Cake Recipe Ever via Better With Age

Feel free to grab a button if your project was featured!

Remember to visit your other co-hosts to check out even more fabulous features!

Liz Marie Blog

House of Rose

Blissfully Ever After

Just a few rules before we get started this party started....

1. Anything is welcome, as long as it's something YOU have created. (diy, home decor, crafts, recipes, cleaning tips, sewing projects, room makeover, etc.)

2. Keep the content fresh. Please do not link up the same projects week after week or they will be deleted. Also, please do not link up giveaway posts.

3. Please include a text link back to the blog where you linked up (Link to the specific blog post, not the blog home page. ) ONLY THOSE WHO LINK BACK WILL BE FEATURED.

4. Party Hop!! Please visit a few links & leave them some comment love!!

What I Wore: Crochet Dress

2013-04-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

Crochet Dress: JCPenney

Denim Jacket: Kohls

Boots: Payless

Sunglasses: Walmart

If you follow my blog on a somewhat consistent basis, or if you have been reading these "What I Wore" posts for the past few weeks, you probably have noticed a trend happening....

I'm kinda on a dress kick.

To be honest, as soon as the weather gets warm I usually start wearing dresses! They are pretty much a staple in my spring/summer wardrobe. They're lightweight, they're comfortable, and the thing I like most about them?! They are one piece!! No more figuring out what pants/shorts to wear with what top....just throw on a dress & you're done! Add some shoes & a few little accessories & call it day! LOVE it!

My favorite places to buy dresses for spring & summer are Target, Old Navy, and yes, even Walmart. I bought several knit dresses at Walmart last summer for just $10.00 a piece. They are great for casual, every day wear.

This particular dress was purchased at JCPenney a couple years ago. I always pair it with the denim jacket you see in these photos & a pair of boots.....it brings out my inner cowgirl. I dig it! :)

Do you like to wear to dresses in the spring/summer?!

I'm curious, where are some of your favorite places to buy?

Linking up here....

Sopapilla Cheesecake

2013-04-22T10:15:00.001-05:00

Hey Friends!

I hope you all had a beautiful weekend!

This recipe that I am going to share with you today has been in our family for several years now. It's a recipe that my mom got from a friend, and it has become one of our family's favorite go-to desserts! We have called it "Baked Cheesecake" for as long as I can remember, but when I started researching it online just a week or so ago, I discovered that it actually as a different name. It's called Sopapilla Cheesecake and it is DIVINE!

Ingredients:
2 pkg crescent rolls
2 pkg cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Separate egg & place egg white aside. Combine cream cheese, vanilla, egg yolk, and sugar in a large bowl, mix well, and set aside.

Spray bottom of 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and line bottom of dish with one package of crescent rolls. Brush crescent rolls with egg white and sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar. Spread in cream cheese mixture. Add 2nd package of crescent rolls on top. Brush top layer with egg whites & sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar again.

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

So, not only is this dessert fantastic, but it's also super easy to make!

I personally like it best when it's warm & fresh out of the oven, but I've also been known to eat it cold days later.

Don't tell anyone but I've actually been letting the boys eat it for breakfast for the past couple of days. It's kinda like a cream cheese danish....which is totally acceptable for breakfast.....Right?!

One thing is for sure.....whether you are taking this to your next family gathering or your next potluck at work, it's guaranteed to be a hit!

You might even find yourself eating it for breakfast! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today! I hope you enjoy!!

To keep up with day to day happenings, be sure to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Don't Miss Out - DIY projects, home decorating, crafts & more by checking out my subscribe page

Linking up here...
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Hookin' Up with House of Hepworths
Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush
I'm Lovin' It at Tidy Mom

Happily Ever Before & After Week 26: Screened-In Porch Makeover via It All Started With Paint

2013-04-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hey Friends!!

Happy Friday to you all!

I was thinking....

Now that spring is upon us, and so many of us are looking for ways to spruce up our outdoor spaces, that maybe it might be fun to start featuring some outdoor rooms as part of my Happily Ever Before & After series! Would you all like that?

When I began thinking of outdoor spaces that I've seen in & around blogland, I immediately thought of Linda from It All Started With Paint. Linda did an incredible transformation of her screened-in porch last spring & I thought it would be a great room to feature to kick off this series of outdoor spaces!

Here is a look at Linda's porch "Before."

A pretty space with TONS of potential, but lacking color & personality. Luckily, Linda saw the potential in this porch. She had the eye & the creativity to bring it to life!

Here is a look at Linda's porch "After."

Gorgeous!

I don't know about you, but I would L-O-V-E to sit on this porch.....maybe to drink my morning coffee, have a romantic dinner with my hubby, or just curl up in one of the chairs with a glass of lemonade & a good book! How about you?!

We talked about how this space lacked color & personality before, but Linda quickly changed that by adding loads of beautiful fabrics & plants to the room. Between all of the throw pillows, her beautiful tablescape, and the gorgeous flowers she solved the lack of color problem in a jiffy! I also LOVE that she added the white draperies to the corners of the room. They soften the space, add just the right amount drama, and really make this porch feel more like a room!

Be sure to head on over to Linda's blog to check out even more beautiful pictures of this space! There is lots more to see including some DIY artwork, a little herb garden, & more detailed shots of the tablescape that you won't want to miss!!

To see more photos of this room CLICK HERE.

Looking for more room makeover inspiration?!

Be sure to check out my "Happily Ever Before & After" Page.

Gotta makeover that you would like to see featured in this segment?!
Email me: tdiehl2005 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Don't forget that the "Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop is going on NOW.

"Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop #7

2013-04-18T21:00:00.000-05:00

Well, another week has come & gone!!

Is it just me, or does Thursday night roll around quick?!

It's time for another "Inspire Me Please" Weekend Blog Hop! Are you ready to get those creative juices flowing?!

Last week's party was AWESOME!! There were so many fabulous projects & recipes linked up! Here are a few of my favorites.....

DIY Photo Frame Tutorial via It's Overflowing

Faucet Facelift with Spray Paint via Bonfires & Wine

DIY Desk Makeover via Bliss At Home

DIY Wood Canvas Arrow Art via Life We Live 4

Front Door Flower Basket via Design, Dining, & Diapers

Lemon Meringue Pie Rice Krispy Treats via Plucky's Second Thought

Strawberry White Chocolate Chip Coffe Cake Muffins via Will Cook For Smiles

Sweet Dough Lemon Loafs via Twigg Studios

Blackberry Ice Cream Soda via Barns & Noodles

Big thanks to EVERYONE who linked up!! Your creativity inspires me week after week!!

Feel free to grab a button if your project was featured!

Remember to visit your other co-hosts to check out even more fabulous features!

Liz Marie Blog

House of Rose

Blissfully Ever After

Just a few rules before we get started this party started....

1. Anything is welcome, as long as it's something YOU have created. (diy, home decor, crafts, recipes, cleaning tips, sewing projects, room makeover, etc.)

2. Keep the content fresh. Please do not link up the same projects week after week or they will be deleted. Also, please do not link up giveaway posts.

3. Please include a text link back to the blog where you linked up (Link to the specific blog post, not the blog home page. ) ONLY THOSE WHO LINK BACK WILL BE FEATURED.

4. Party Hop!! Please visit a few links & leave them some comment love!!