girls with good taste

twin sisters

2012-05-29T08:46:00.001-07:00

I always wanted to have a twin sister. Maybe that explains my fascination with pairs of chairs. Mia has diagnosed me as having a serious illness and endless need for petite pairs of chairs. And I hate to say it, but she's dead on. Who can leave a pair of chairs at a thrift store? NOT ME.

I think I'm rubbing off on her because last year when she went {camping for Mother's Day}, she brought a pair of French armchairs home with her, not knowing where she would use them. They sat in her garage for 6 months, and one day I asked her if I could take them off her hands. She was a pal to sell them to me for exactly what she had paid for them, $7.50 each. I love nothing more than a pair of chairs that total $15.00 and are just begging for some love.

Have I mentioned I have a team of excellent friends? Well, G came over last week to help me start the re-birth of the French chairs, and she had the grandest idea. Why not paint the upholstery? She had helped Mia {paint a French chaise} last year that turned out beautifully. I was sad at myself for not thinking of it on my own, but G pulled through for me, like always. The upholstery was in perfect condition, and the workmanship was excellent. With nothing to lose, we got started.

Since this pair of chairs sits at either end of my kitchen table, the finish this technique creates is perfect for a daily wipe down. The painted fabric becomes almost vinyl-like, making cleaning it a snap. Just like Mia, I followed {this tutorial}, waiting patiently between each coat for proper drying. I also used very fine sandpaper after each layer of paint dried to make it really smooth.

The chairs were painted a soft gray then lightly distressed and waxed for protection. I painted the cane a crisp white, inspired by this picture I have had saved forever. I love the contrast.

It was also G's idea to paint the cushions white and add a faded stripe or two to create a vintage grain sack look. I loved the idea, and as soon as the paint was dry, I taped off the stripes and got to it. (at midnight, sorry for the awful picture) I made sure to press the edges of the tape down really well so the paint didn't seep underneath. Also, I used the same "recipe" for the paint mixture when I mixed up the color for the stripes. The textile medium is a key component.

And here are my twins!

This project was so economical because the only thing I had to buy was some textile medium from Hobby Lobby. With a 40% off coupon, it was around $3.50. I don't know if the painted upholstery will last a lifetime, but it's certainly a great solution for the time being, and the price was perfect.

I'm super happy with the way they turned out. It's great to mark something off of my mental checklist of endless projects. Every time a friend comes over, things get done around here. Thanks G. I'm going to will these terrific twins to you!

mia's kitchen paint colors

2012-05-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Last time I climbed to the top of my hall closet to get a gallon of paint, I took down an entire shelf of glass jars full of bottled peaches and tomatoes painstakingly canned last summer. I said a bad word and then spent the next hour cleaning up broken glass and tomato juice. It got all over backpacks, photos, computer paper, homework, and into the nooks and crannies of my storage closet. Bitter.
Let's just say by the time it was all cleaned up, I was no longer in the mood to paint.

When a reader requested the paint colors from my {kitchen makeover} I was very hesitant to go back to the paint closet, but several more of you inquired so I said a prayer and went in, this time with a ladder.

Remember this before and after?

Upper cabinets- Cincinnatian Hotel Hannaford by Valspar
The lower cabinets- Black Walnut by Dunn Edwards
Island- Serpentine by Dunn Edwards

After I painted all 55 cabinets, I realized the bad oak veneer grain showed through. Bleh. The solution was to cut a piece of thin luan board (Home Depot) and caulk it inside the molding on each door front. Time consuming? YES. But at this point, who's counting?

I rubbed Ralph Lauren Tobacco glaze on the uppers for a richer finish.

The upper cabinet hardware and lower drawer pulls are both from {Van Dyke's Restorers}.
The lower door hardware from Anthropologie

It's been five years since this makeover and I still love my kitchen. The lower cabinets are a bit of a pain to keep wiped down (which means they're usually not), but If I had the chance to do it over, I would paint them dark again.

This weekend my boys will be in Utah for their annual father's and son's basketball camp, so I'll have a glorious 4 days to myself. What to do???

I'm going to start sewing new window treatments. I've been lightening things up in my house for the past year and it's time to replace the panels.

I'm selling my existing treatments at a great price to make room for the new ones. Here are a few pictures if you're interested in purchasing. I'm happy to ship them anywhere in the US.

Living Room-

Family Room-

Kitchen-

All panels are clean, in excellent condition, ready to hang.
Please email meandjilly@gmail.com or make a comment with your email address if you'd like more information including a detailed description, price list, dimensions, and shipping costs.

tasty tidbits

2012-05-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

Did you know our summer is already coming to an end? We get so violent around here when everyone talks about summer with dreamy eyes and wild anticipation. I officially call summer a wrap when it starts to maintain 100 degrees or hotter 24 hours a day. Summer then becomes a 4 letter word and it's not pretty. So while I'm still enjoying sitting on my porch swing in the evening without an ice pack, I thought I'd share some of the food I made this weekend in honor of our beautiful summer, that will end in two weeks, tops.

Since completing the 28 Day Plant Based Challenge, I'm trying to transition into something that I think will work for me and my family's lifestyle. So when I discovered that Brooke of {The Cheeky Kitchen} has put herself and her family on a vegan and mostly plant based diet for the year, I was encouraged. Brooke is too funny and she is also an excellent photographer. I've tried several of her recipes so far, and had great luck with them.

This weekend I had all the ingredients for her {Strawberry Avocado Quinoa Salad}. It was so good. Fresh and light for summer. The dressing has lime and cilantro, two of my favorites. I absolutely loved it, and I think you might too.

Brooke can sell anything with the pictures she takes of her creations. You want to jump right through the computer screen and devour everything she makes. So check out her blog. Maybe you will want to be vegan too?

Almost every Sunday evening, we head over to some of our closest friends (and once next door neighbors) house for dinner and conversation. There is always a lively crowd, and everyone brings a dish or two to share. It's one of the highlights of my week, and when we have to miss it for some reason, I'm sad.

When we walked in on Sunday and I saw a certain someone there, I was super hopeful she had brought the same dish she had the last time. And I was in luck! Of course, you have to be an avocado lover to enjoy this, but I honestly don't need meat the rest of my life when this is in front of me.

I'm calling this recipe Chelene's Avocado Masterpiece, and if you make it, you'll know why! Absolutely divine I tell you. I'd almost rather have this than a cupcake, and that's sayin' something.

Arrange avocado wedges on a plate or platter. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup olive oil, the juice of 1 medium lime, 2 cloves of fresh, minced garlic, a big pinch of salt, and a little pinch of pepper. Pour over avocado wedges and watch them disappear. The lime juice keeps them from browning, but I've never seen them last longer than 5 minutes. The perfect summertime snack.

We were also lucky enough to visit some other friends on Saturday night. We go to church with the Packards, and they are such a dear couple and family. They have become wonderful friends, and I aspire to be as well spoken and intelligent as Chris when I grow up. She had hosted a beautiful bridal shower earlier that day, and invited us over to help clean up the food that was left. It didn't take much convincing, and we sat down to a feast around 10:30 p.m. Everything was delicious, and she gave me a print out of all the recipes.

I whipped her breadsticks up for dinner, and it was all I could do to salvage these for a picture. They were so puffy and light with a crispy, buttery bottom. So easy. So good. So summer. You'll never pull into Little Caesars for Crazy Bread again when you can make enough to feed your whole family for approximately $1.00 in less than an hour.

Quick Breadsticks
3 1/2 c. flour
1 T. instant yeast
3 T. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. warm water
1 cube butter, melted

Mix first four ingredients in a large bowl. Add the warm water and mix to form a soft dough. Cover and let rise in the bowl for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 and melt butter in preheated baking sheet with raised edges. Take pan out once butter has melted and let it cool a bit. Knead dough a few times on a floured surface. Roll it out flat and cut into strips about 3/4" wide using a pizza cutter. Fold strips in half and twist together. Lay twisted strips on cookie sheet and roll them in the butter until they are completely covered. Sprinkle with seasonings as desired.....parmesan cheese, kosher salt, dill, italian seasoning, sesame seeds, garlic powder, season salt, etc. Let rise 20 minutes in the sheet pan, then bake for 15-20 minutes or until slightly golden.

Sunday afternoon was a lazy one. I took a much needed nap, then decided to whip up some popsicles that G had told me about. They are super simple and I think the best thing about them is that they take so long to eat. It forces you to really enjoy them, and keeps the kids occupied for a good 15 minutes. They taste like strawberry cheesecake, but you could use any kind of berries.

16 oz. vanilla greek yogurt
Vanilla wafers
Strawberries
5 oz. Dixie cups
Popsicle sticks

Crush some vanilla wafers. You probably want about a cup of crumbs. Mix with the greek yogurt, and add a little honey for good measure. Wash and chop strawberries. I wish I had pureed about half the strawberries and added it to the yogurt mixture to turn it a touch pink. If your strawberries aren't nice and sweet, might I suggest you sugar them a little?

Now get your best helper to spoon the yogurt mixture into the bottom of the Dixie cup, followed by a layer of chopped strawberries, and some more yogurt on top. Finish them off with a stick and head for the freezer. If you have popsicle molds, you're fancy. And lucky. I'm crossing my fingers my mom is going to leave her coveted, Tupperware popsicle molds to me in her will. I hope my five siblings are reading this. I called them first!

Erica, I'll split them with you. I guess.

When you are ready to eat them, simply peel the cup away. If you have molds, they will be really pretty.

Lastly, this week I'm working on a project that includes a makeover on this cute french chair. And guess what? She has a twin sister! Tune in next Tuesday.

skinny jeans in 10 minutes

2012-05-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Remember these Citizens of Humanity jeans I scored at a {thrift store} for $10?

When I bought them, they were boot cut and I wanted to tailor them to skinny jeans. I must admit I did not love the skinny jean at first sight. Stacey and Clinton always say women look best in long, straight leg or boot cut jeans (and I wholeheartedly agree) so it took me a while to warm up. But when I tucked them into a pair of tall leather boots, it was over.

"Sockies" tutorial {here}.

One of our readers requested a skinny jean tutorial. Perhaps you want make them too.

Start with a pair of pants you want to tailor into straight leg or skinny jeans.

Turn them inside out and lay them nice and flat.

Get a pair of pants that already fit you (make sure they're the same shape you want your new pants to be) and lay them on top of the pants you're altering. Trace the shape of the top pair of pants onto the bottom pair. This will be your sewing guide.

Note: I LOVE this chaco liner pen. It's fabulous for drawing temporary lines on anything (except white) Jilly has been coveting mine since the first time she laid eyes on it, so I ordered her one today. Get your own at Amazon.com {here}. Jilly's will be arriving on her door step in 7 to 10 days.

Note: I've found re-filling it with baby powder works best.

The crotch in these pants happened to fit me but if they don't, I draw a line all the way up the pant leg, around the crotch, and down the other leg. If you are sewing around the crotch, sew a reinforcement stitch in that area.

Pin the pant legs together, close to the chalk line and sew a new seam.

Cut off the excess pant and finish the seams. I copied the existing seam on these jeans.

I just bought the tee on clearance for $6 at Target. It's actually a super thin night shirt that I cut the sleeves off of for summer.

my latest crushes.....

2012-05-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Guess what I did last weekend?

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

I sat on the beach in Newport and stared at this.

I watched my cute boys and husband splashing in the cool waves, then burying each other with sand. You know, boy stuff.

I loved watching Jaci and her darling friend Allie play the guitar and laugh for hours.

No meals to make, no carpooling, no puppy, no laundry.

Just pure bliss and perfect weather.

I contemplated what an honor it is to be a mom. It was always what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I'm incredibly grateful my wish came true. My life hasn't turned out exactly like I thought it might, (whose does?) but having three kids definitely fulfilled a certain measure of my dreams and far surpassed my expectations for happiness and contentment. I'm super thankful everyday for the blessing of the precious little ones that call me mom, even on the hardest of days. Without question, my two favorite times of the day are when we have our family prayer and hug in the morning, and when I check to make sure they are all sleeping soundly before I call it a night. And THAT is how I know I'm doing exactly what I was born to do.

It's a good feeling.

I also took some time to catch up on a few of my blog crushes. Here are some of my current favorites. They each offer something different, but I love what I take away when I visit their sites.

{Gus and Lula}. The adorable Britt and her mild mannered husband adopted the sweetest babies, a boy and a girl, from Ethiopia last year. The journey they went on to make it a reality was something that movies are made of, and they are truly an amazing couple. If the pictures of Gus and Lula aren't enough to keep you coming back for more, (and trust me, they are!) then certainly Britt's projects will. She does very doable things and has great ideas. I love her style. And her babies.

_________________________________________________________________________

{Our Humble A{Bowe}d}. The very cute Amanda and her equally cute husband Ben have been blogging for two years and have generated quite a following, for good reason! Amanda is beyond darling, and I'm convinced that Ben can literally do anything. They wanted a new kitchen...... no biggie. Ben just built it. The whole entire thing. They accomplish more in a weekend than I do in six months, and that's no lie. They recently closed on a DIY dream home that will keep them busy for the next ten years. Or maybe just ten months. But pay attention to this husband/wife super team if you care about seeing some amazing progress!

__________________________________________________________________________

{Pure Style Home}. Lauren Liess has been featured in many publications, and is an accomplished designer. She has two of the cutest boys ever and is about to give birth to her third child any day now. Her husband is a high school math teacher, who also happens to be super handy, helpful and supportive. You can tell through her writing that she is a genuine person who really cares about her family and others. Her designs are beautiful, and she recently came out with her own fabric line of gorgeous prints. I love how she mixes a few high end things with affordable and found objects for a look that is so pleasant and comfortable. She is always a daily read.

___________________________________________________________________________

{Funky Junk Interiors}. You can't help but love, adore and admire Donna! She lives in beautiful British Columbia, Canada with her boy on a beautiful piece of property. Take some time to read about her story. It's heartbreaking but also so uplifting. I just sat at my computer and cried about her misfortune, and also about the goodness of others coming to her aid. She is one of the hardest working gals around, and a single mother to boot. She is a great photographer, and can make something amazing and useful out of total and complete junk. Talk about resourceful. This girl has a corner on that market! I would really love to meet her someday.

____________________________________________________________________________

Maybe you didn't know about these blogs? I hope at least one of them is new to you. We have a list of great blogs we visit on a very regular basis under our "Love" heading. They are all excellent sources for inspiration. If you can't go to the beach to do some blog surfing, maybe you can treat yourself to an ice cold {creamed lemonade} and settle in for an hour or so some evening very soon. You totally deserve it.

And maybe it would be fun if you left us a comment with your very favorite blogs so we can know what you know! We've shared a lot of secrets with you......

meet your meatballs

2012-05-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Today we announce the winner of this autographed copy of "Pioneer Woman Cooks" by the extraordinarily talented Ree Drummond.

Congratulations to Random.org comment #24, Melissa!

Please contact us at meandjilly@gmail.com so we can send you this treasure. And as always, we'd love to pop over and try one of her creations from your kitchen!

Like the Pioneer Woman, my kitchen is always buzzing with food , friends, and family. I served this summery dish to the ladies of {Club Project} a few weeks ago and it was a delish! The meatballs are Pinterest inspired, the Asian slaw is my own creation. My three boys got a hold of the leftovers and polished them off with no reservations.

Click {here} for the printable Meatball recipe
Click {here} for the printable Asian Slaw recipe.

I whipped up these completely healthy and easy pops for dessert. They're my new favorite, guiltless pleasure.

Pina Colada Dream Pops
2 ripe bananas, smashed

1 can coconut milk

1 can crushed pineapple including the juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 C unsweetened coconut

agave or honey to taste
Blend together in a bowl and spoon into popsicle molds or plastic cups. Insert wood sticks and freeze 4 hours.

Besides her scrumptious recipes, my favorite thing about Ree are the actions she's designed for Photoshop Elements. She has created all different ones from sharpening pictures and enhancing eyes, to giving a photo that old, vintage look. Here are a few examples of what you can do at the click of a finger.

Original

PW Black and White

PW Colorized

PW Sepia Tone

PW Seventies

(Photo by the talented Ashley Whiting)

Go {here} to download her action files. I like both sets one and two and use them almost every day. I must give you a small warning....it is somewhat of a process, but totally worth it. If you need a guided tutorial, Texas Chicks have done a great one {here}. Scroll down to the "Videos" section and she'll walk you through step by step. You can also look at the "Written Tutorials" section if you need further help. I have a PC but it looks like the they have detailed instructions for Mac as well.

Have a fabulous weekend! My man is taking me camping for Mother's Day and I couldn't be more excited. He's doing all the packing and cooking while I take in some fresh mountain air and do some much needed relaxing. I hope I come back.

thrifted furniture and home goods

2012-05-07T23:28:00.000-07:00

I thoroughly enjoyed Mia's {post} last week about embracing second hand clothing and accessories. She gave us all some great tips and maybe some new ways to look at outfitting ourselves and our families in thrifted threads.

In this post, I'm going to offer you some things I've learned over the years about furnishing my home on a dime. I certainly don't claim to be a professional, and I'm sure many of you have wonderful ideas and strategies too. Please share! Here are just a few tidbits I have for you.

...Copy good design! I am a self diagnosed copycat. Whether you use Pinterest, pages torn out of magazines, or folders on your hard drive to organize images you are drawn to, (I use all three methods) chances are you have collected some pretty amazing ideas. I love taking an idea and tweaking it just a bit to make it my own. I always start with thrift stores/garage sales/craigslist for the big furniture pieces. Let's take a look at one of my inspiration pictures off my computer.

Jenny from{Little Green Notebook} is a very talented designer. She added arches to her otherwise very basic and inexpensive bookcases. And though I didn't quite want such a collected look in the way of accessories, (although I love hers) the idea of adding the arches was a perfect starting point and got me excited about doing it. I started with 4 really big pine bookcases I found for $50 each.

Following Jenny's {tutorial}, here is my copycat design of the bookcases, with some well placed accessories.

95% of every item you see in this room was thrifted or bought second hand. I combined the look of several design ideas, had a lot of patience to find what I was looking for, and pulled together a combination that reflects my style.

Here is another image I have saved as an idea for my computer chair. I love everything about it's practicality with a leather seat and upholstered, monogrammed back. Perfect for the chair that probably gets the most use in the house.

Imagine my delight when I spotted this chair at a local thrift store for $4.99, almost an exact duplicate of the one I'd like to copy. With a little bit of work, it will look exactly like the image I love. Done deal.

Thrifted furniture and accessories are one of the best ways to copy any design you love. As soon as you have some inspiration, the game is on!

...Compile a list of "wants" and have it with you at all times. If you are like me, there are a myriad of things you are looking for at any given time. Also, it's very helpful to include the ideal dimensions and a measuring tape if you are looking for furniture. How many times has the lack of this information been a problem? You get something home and it is either way too big, or it looks like a toy compared to the other furniture in the room. Let's learn from the Boy Scouts, and always be prepared. It's a good motto. And it could save your marriage.

Some of the things I've been looking for lately are items to duplicate the look on the open shelving in {Brooke Gianetti's} kitchen. I love the worn breadboards, white ironstone pitchers and mugs, and old silver pieces, layered beautifully for a stunning display.

Since I have a tendency to get carried away with my collections, as I found things I kept them all in the same place so I could keep a handle on what I had. It didn't take long to gather what I needed, and I was able to cross three "wants" off my list. All of these items were $1 each. Now I just need the shelves. And the sink. And the marble countertops.

...Don't hesitate. This is going to be a hard for you if you are super analytical, but it's my job to tell you how to play this game. If you are at a thrift store and pause in front of something, handle it, then put it back, don't plan on coming back for it. Thrifting has become a sport, and there are some accomplished athletes out there! As soon as another shopper picks up on your curiosity in something, they are going to be curious too. So, if your interest is just a little bit piqued, put it in your cart (or get a tag written up for the big items) and think about it. You can always change your mind and put it back. One of the best things I did get because I didn't hesitate was a 9 x 12 ft. sisal rug from Williams Sonoma that I found at Goodwill. I saw someone looking at it, but she was frustrated because it was so big and bulky that she couldn't handle it easily. As she walked away, I had an employee tag it for me. It was marked $49.99 but never fear because I had a 20% off coupon with me. When I looked it up, I discovered it retailed for $899. I bought it for $40 and had it professionally cleaned for $50. Not bad. It's pictured in the photo of my living room with a PB zebra rug layered on top.

...Learn about sale days. Mia talked about this in her post, and it's really important. I especially enjoy the 20% off coupons that come via email for Goodwill each month. They are valid on any purchase over $10 on regular priced merchandise and you can print and use as many as you want all month long. Also, on Thursday mornings at 9, the tag color of the week goes to $1 at all our local Goodwill stores, and things get crazy! One Wednesday night I had to run in for something, and I spotted a solid wood, mid century style dresser. It just happened to be on my list of "wants" for the boys room and it was marked $79. I was pleased to discover that it had the half off colored tag of the week, which brought it down to $40, but it was closing time, and the next day was $1 day. You know I did..... I lined up outside the door 30 minutes before the store opened the next morning and staked my claim. That little baby came home with me for $1. I'm revamping the middle drawers with some sheet metal, but here is a sneak peek of it after a little bit of work. It is looking just as industrial as I hoped it might.

...Give furniture a good sniff. Sorry, but it has to be done. There have been occasions when I have seen something I love, but when I open the drawers, the smell of 100 year old cigarette smoke wafts out, or it smells like a cat lived inside for 30 years. Personally, I can't do it. But all the power to you if you want to tackle such a situation. Thrift stores generally have a funky smell about them, so sometimes you don't even notice your piece stinks until you get it into your house. That's why I sniff. And that's why you should too.

...Accessories to look for. I have a radar for a few different things. Silver. Books. Dishes. Baskets/Containers. Fabric/Linens. Pictures/Frames. These are all things that can be found at thrift stores for very little money. I found 10 yards of striped linen at Goodwill for $3.99 total. After washing it, I used it to upholster the ($40) couch in front of the arched bookcases. Mia picked up two curtain panels the other day, sewed them together, and backed them with a flat sheet to create a darling duvet cover. A reader gave us an excellent tip of throwing any soft goods into the dryer for 20 minutes on high heat just to make sure anything live will die before laundering it.

Baskets and containers come in so handy for organization, whether out on display or corralling like items in closets or pantries. Here is a sampling of my collection, each one purchased for under $3.

Pictures. Sometimes I get them because the artwork or print is perfect.

Other times I get them because I love the frame.

And have a vision of what I can turn it in to.

I love books with old and faded covers. Every thrift store is loaded with books! If you live near me, I'm going to let you in a little secret because I think I have enough piles of books to last me a lifetime. There is a thrift store in Tempe called Gracie's. (super close to SAS, the fabric and trim mecca) They have great books that are usually less than $1. I have bought dozens from their store and stack them up all over the place. I picked this sweet little book up at Savers last week for $1.99. When I got home and looked it up on Ebay, it was priced at $38.99!

...Evolve with the changing trends. This might be one of my favorite things about shopping for second hand furniture and accessories. It's really hard to part with the dining room set you bought from Ethan Allen for $4,500 when it has completely gone out of style. Most husbands get violent at the thought of selling it for a pittance. It can really cause a strain on a relationship, even if you agree to keep it but want to give the solid mahogany a fresh coat of white paint. (I've never met a man who is in favor of painting over wood) Furnishing your home with thrifted treasures allows you to change any old time you feel like it. In fact, I usually sell my stuff for more than I paid for it after enjoying it for a few years. That's called making money ladies. And our men should be wild about that concept!

...Pack some snacks. Nothing is fun to do on an empty stomach, and sometimes your stops take longer than anticipated. I always have a granola bar and a bag of nuts and dried fruit in my bag so that being hungry and grouchy doesn't get in the way of finding a deal. This may sound silly, but it's not. Pack a snack.

...Shop often. Yes, that's an assignment from me! Thrift stores get lots of new stuff every single day. I went to the same Goodwill two days in a row, and the second day I spotted a handsome (real) leather couch. As soon as I saw the tag marked $29.99, I enthusiastically found the closest worker and had a receipt written up for it. While he was doing that, I looked it up on the IKEA website to find it priced at $399.99. I handed over my 20% coupon, and hauled it out of there for $24.00. It makes the perfect spot to sit and watch kids playing ping pong in our game room downstairs. It's in pristine condition, and we love it. One of my greatest finds ever.

So there you have it. Thrifting according to Jilly, and now I'm ready for a nap! But hopefully you are ready to shop. We all have access to some incredible design information and an ever growing ability to feel confident enough to tackle projects on our own. Thrift stores are the place to start if you want to bring some needed style into your space for very little money. Find some pictures and start your search.

What kind of amazing, perfect (and inexpensive) thing is out there waiting for you to find today? If you haven't embraced buying used home furnishings and accessories, now is the time. Don't get discouraged if you don't find anything you love the first few times you're out. Be patient, shop often, and I can guarantee you'll end up with something spectacular! I'd love to hear your success stories, and if you have any questions for me, please ask away!

P.S. Don't forget to enter our {giveaway} this month. Pioneer Woman's newest cookbook, signed by herself and her adorable cowboy husband, "Marlboro Man". We will pick a winner on Friday

embracing second hand

2012-05-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

With thrift store shopping becoming widely acceptable, maybe you have recently discovered "new" treasures at very satisfying prices. I certainly remember a time when it wasn't cool to be looking for a prom dress at Savers, but from a very young age my dad taught me that my dollar would stretch three times more there, than at Wet Seal. I still remember the days when I would score an Express sweatshirt or an Esprit dress for $2.99. The best! I have to admit every time I see a pair of Guess jeans hanging on the Good Will rack, my heart still skips a beat.

Today there is no shame in my game. I proudly get myself into any thrift store I can get with in a mile of, buying up everything from hats to shoes (yes shoes), purses, linens, and dresses. I've scored bedding, jewelry, books, belts, gloves, dishes, and more awesome furniture than you could imagine.

Right now, let's focus on used clothes. If you're a seasoned second hand shopper, you'll know what I'm talking about. If you're new, welcome. Here are my top 10 helpful tips. I've been at this for 32 years and if there's one thing I know, it's how to pick over a thrift store.

This year's Christmas Card. Everything we're wearing in this photo except my boots and jewelry came from a TS. ({Nino's} face is blurred for privacy purposes).

1. Let go of prejudices. Some people consider thrift stores and used clothing shops nasty, dirty places. Some are, but most aren’t. Explore your neighborhood and find a shop or two that you like and you’ll be hooked. Don't fixate on the fact that you'll be wearing clothes that someone else has worn. Why do you think we have washing machines? Pretty soon you'll be so happy with your good fortune, you'll get over it.

Recently I was a bridesmaid for my dear friend, {Nicole's wedding}. I wore this dress I bought at Savers for $5.

2. Take your time. At normal clothing shops, everything is neatly organized. Not so much at thrift stores. While thrifting, it’s important to be patient, to browse the racks methodically. Go when you have a couple hours to kill and you're not in a hurry. DO NOT take your small, hungry, tired children. Doing so will suck the energy of the thrift store Gods right out the door. This is the last thing you want.

3. Go with a friend. Sometimes it's hard for me to judge if a piece of clothing is really good, or just the best thing I've seen all day. It's helpful to have a second opinion. Your friend should have an eye for what looks good on you, and vice versa. It's also good to have another mind to help you think outside the box. For instance, Jilly might find an adorable shirt with a stain on the sleeve and rule it out. But I might convince her it would look brilliant under a cardigan with a skinny belt. That's what friends are for.

4. Experiment. I've brought home several items from a TS with the intention of re-purposing. I cut the top off a dresses to make skirts, made several a pairs of boot cut jeans into skinny jeans or shorts, and I've taken in the seams of countless shirts for a tailored fit. The good news is if you screw up, you probably only spent a few dollars. Not the end of the world.

My Easter dress I found at Savers for $5.99, taken in a few sizes.

5. Watch for sales. Almost every thrift store has it's weekly sales. Our Good Will has 50% off day every other Saturday and always has 20% off coupons on-line. Savers has a weekly colored tag on sale and dollar days. Check with your local stores to see when they offer discounts. The store might be more crowded than usual, but it's completely worth it if you have some time to stand in line.

This outfit cost under $25

Citizens of Humanity Jeans- $10 St Vincent de Paul (Retail at Nordstroms for $172)
Chevron T- $4 Name Brand Exchange
Gray Cardigan- $2 Last Chance (Nordstroms return outlet)
Silver belt- $2 Good Will
Yellow Wedges- $6 Good Will

6. Try things on. Sizes vary widely between manufacturers and even by eras. (Today’s clothes have a looser fit). Some places don’t have dressing rooms, so it’s smart to wear a modest, thin layer in case you need to strip down in the aisle. I have no patience for returns so I try on everything from the waist down and I don't buy unless I know I'm going to keep it.

7. Examine each item thoroughly. It stinks to get home to find your new shirt has a hole in the pocket, or that the pants you thought were a steal actually have a broken zipper. A few years ago, Jilly thought she'd found an authentic pair of Parada boots. Cinderella relentlessly tried to shove her size 7 foot into these size 6 shoes, only to look more closely and find they were a brand called Parade (made exclusively by Payless). We laughed so hard our sides ached.

8. Shop for accessories. Why pay $30 for a new belt in a department store when you can get a better belt in your size for two bucks? I shop at second-hand stores for hats, purses, jackets, wallets, gloves, scarves, jewelry, sunglasses, and shoes. If I can't throw them in the wash, I use Lysol spray and Clorox wipes.

9. Get to know the sales associates. If you go to the same store often, ask when they rotate stock and get their new shipments. Most also have extra stock in storage. If you become friends with the owners, you might even ask them to keep an eye out for particular items. Who knows, maybe the owner of Thrift Town is your new bestie.

10. Make it fun! Don't throw in the towel if you walk in to a TS for the first time and walk out empty handed. Chances are you're not going to come upon the perfect dress for you daughter's Quinceanera the first trip. Like any sport, this one takes practice. Stop in and shop as often as possible to increase the chance of scoring deals. I always go into thrift stores with an open mind and a bottle of hand sanitizer.

I cherish the memories of my three sisters, my dad, and I walking into the Thrift Center where we were cheerfully greeted by name. Now it's so fun to take my own family treasure hunting on sale Saturdays.

I can honestly say over 50% of my families wardrobe is made up of used clothes and accessories. My man is thankful he doesn't have to work hard all day to spend his pay check on expensive jeans and I'm thankful to be stashing away extra money for a rainy day. I'm grateful my dad taught me how to be resourceful, re-use, and re-purpose. It comes in real handy when you're trying to stretch a buck.

Stay tuned. Jilly will be posting all her best tips on thrifting furniture and home goods.

may giveaway

2012-05-01T00:38:00.000-07:00

In honor of the month of May and Mother's Day, we have a giveaway we hope you'll love!

Of course you MUST all know about Ree, The Pioneer Woman. Don't you wish you lived on the neighboring ranch in Oklahoma so you could be her BFF? And eat her food? And watch her husband ride his horse?

Adorable Ree was in Mesa last weekend for a presentation and book signing. I couldn't make it to the presentation because Jaci was preparing for Prom, and I couldn't bear missing out on such an occasion. But as soon as we whisked her and her date out the door, I hopped in the car to see if I could still catch her. As luck would have it, there she was, waiting for me. :)

We had a brief conversation and she proved to be just as genuine in real life as she is on her blog and TV. (horrible lighting and an iphone = bad combination)

Almost as thrilling as meeting her was meeting her husband, "Marlboro Man". He was really cute and very sweet, and I found myself blushing when we snuggled up together for a picture.

Ree's newest cookbook, Food From my Frontier (currently number one on the NY Times Bestseller List) is one of the most beautiful cookbooks I own. 294 pages of stunning pictures and step by step instructions for every single recipe. Certainly I don't need to sell you on this cookbook. It has obviously sold itself. Trust me, you are going to want it.

Ree is an excellent photographer as well, and her book is chock full of beautiful images from her amazing ranch and home. Here's one of my favorites. It reminds me of my country childhood, growing up with my cowboy dad. Leather gloves, chaps, and a cowboy hat were regular attire.

So, here is your chance to win this amazing cookbook, signed by both Ree and her husband.

Three ways to enter means three chances to win. Please leave a separate comment for each entry to increase your odds.

1. Become a follower of our blog. (If you're not already, how come?!)

2. Subscribe to our blog. (You'll get a message in your inbox every time we post. It's fun.)

3. "Like" us on {Facebook}. (That should be easy.)

I'll leave you with a couple pictures of Jaci and her dashing date, Andrew. We found the dress she loved and was dreaming about in a size 12. My friend Kristen went ahead and made some magic by taking 8 inches out of the bodice and skirt. That's talent! She did such a beautiful job custom fitting it to Jaci. Thanks KJ! My contribution was making the corsage and boutonniere. Mia posted a fantastic {tutorial} last year around this time. I had never done it, but it was really fun and they turned out great! Never got a picture of the corsage, darn it.

Good luck with the giveaway! We hope we pick YOU!

xoxo,

J + M

a simple pallet bed

2012-04-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

This is my boy.

It hasn't been easy to convince him I could pull off a masculine, teenage bedroom. In his defense, there are a lot of naked cherubs, velvets, and decorative trims in our home, but I was up for the task and I think somewhere in his cute, narrow mind, he knew it.

I set out to the fabric store and brought back a few swatches for him to choose from. He liked this fabric for the window treatments and my friend Cindy helped me sew them in her work room. I knew I'd win him over with the extra thick black out lining on these shades. This boy likes his sleep.

We picked out a steel blue paint color and I started bookmarking other ideas for beds, rugs, and artwork.

I snagged this old telescope at a flea market in Long Beach for $30. I found a big, framed map junkin' in Phoenix and texted Brody in the middle of class to see if he liked it as much as I did. He gave me the thumbs up so I bought it for $50. In an attempt to find a unique storage solution, we bought these lockers for $90 from the old GM proving ground offices.

Last week {Blake} came over to help me make this pallet bed for Brody's room.

Brody has a full sized bed and we used three, 75 inch 1.5 x 3.5's boards and twenty, 54 inch .5 x 2.5" boards.

Blake laid them out on the driveway, cut them to length, and screwed the top boards into place.

When the top was secure, he turned it over and did the same thing on the bottom.

We used two boards at both ends to allow reinforcements for the heavy casters.

The casters came from {Material Flow}. The price of steel has gone up a little since I bought them, but I still think they're worth the money.

My friend Melanie ran across someone in blog land who created a weathered, barn wood look on raw wood with apple cider vinegar and steel wool, so we decided to give it a try. We rubbed on two coats and waited for it to dry.

The instructions said to wait a few hours and the finish would show up. So we waited all day with no results. I got side tract for the next three days so I left it out on my driveway until I could decide how to finish it. On my way to church Sunday morning, I noticed the wood had a darker and more weathered look. Awesome! I have no idea if the sun had anything to do with it or if it just had to dry really well, but I don't care, it looked good!

Here's a before and after on a scrap of wood to give you an idea of the contrast.

I gave it one more coat of "stain" and let it dry for another day. It turned out perfect.

Brody and I dismantled his old his bed and did a thorough dusting and vacuum. He gained a two pairs of jeans, some church socks and a toothbrush. I reclaimed 4 cereal bowls.

I found sheets at Target and Jilly helped me sew the duvet for his new bed. I found the fabric at SAS in Tempe for $4 a yard and the trim tape for 25 cents. Oh how I LOVE that place.

Remember this small chest we refinished for the {Nate Berkus Show}? It sits proudly in the corner as a night stand/anything a teenager can shove in the drawers and still close. I hung these two pictures we bought on a family trip to NYC for his 12th birthday.

Brody and I both love this black cow hide, so we put it on the existing dark wood floor to add texture and softness.

We still have a few finishing touches, like figuring out how to accessorize this built in bookcase,

and clean this closet.

but we're getting there! I did the math and so far we've spent under $350.00

On my way out of his room I couldn't resist this note the Nino taped on Brody's door for helping him with after school homework. I'm in love with these two crazy, adorable boys!

a birthday and vanity

2012-04-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

No, it's not my birthday. However, it is my hunk of a man's birthday today, and I want to wish him one of the happiest ever! I think we're going to see The Hunger Games (are we the only couple on this planet who hasn't seen it?) and maybe nibble on some grass outside the theater. Remember we are doing a 28 day challenge of 100% plant based foods? This is day 21, and we are holding up surprisingly well. Anyhow, Happy Birthday Babe! You're cute.

Now, on to the vanity part......It's not me struggling with vanity. It's the bathroom. Downstairs.

I know I have shared many complaints about the house I live in, but the downstairs bathroom has been on "my list" from the get-go. I'm not brave enough to show you before pictures quite yet. Let's just say we don't encourage visitors to venture in, and I can barely tolerate the kids having to use it.

A find on CL last week was enough to spur me into action. I purchased a dresser with both shelves and drawers to transform into a new vanity. My mom was here for a visit and I dragged her down to IKEA to look at bathroom sinks. I have had my eye on one and was ready to purchase it as soon as she gave me her blessing.

As soon as we got to the bathroom part of the showroom, I spied with my little eye some price tags with red lines through them, signifying clearance items! As soon as I got close enough, I was certain I wasn't reading the tag correctly. After thoroughly examining what was written, I realized that the vanity I was looking at, originally priced at $299, was now $49! My poor brain went into hyper-overdrive and my very thought out bathroom design started changing that instant.

I am ditching the CL find and going with two sleek and brand new vanities from IKEA. Not all of the Godmorgan vanities are being discontinued, but there were probably 10 different options for $49, and a few for $79. And more good news. Just for you, I called the IKEA call center yesterday and stayed on hold for 20 minutes to find out they are discontinuing certain vanity styles at ALL their locations! If you have been toying with the idea of a bathroom remodel that reflects a clean sense of style and modern lines on a tight budget, I just might have made your day.

If you've never considered IKEA for your bathroom needs, here are some inspiration photos of beautiful bathrooms that could cause you to be swayed towards the big blue building.

So, I spent a mere $100 for two vanities, instead of $600. I'm considering that my husband's main birthday present, since I saved him SO much cash! Don't you think he's going to be excited??

the give-away that gave back

2012-04-20T00:04:00.006-07:00

Remember when we posted our March {give-away}? A fun filled day with us, full of treasure hunting, laughing, and food? Yes, you missed out, unless your name was Mary! Last Thursday, April 12th was the highly anticipated date, and it went a little something like this.....

Mary and her husband Jim pulled into my driveway around 8:30 a.m. They had driven to Arizona from Orange County, California (a six hour drive!) and had spent the previous night at a nearby hotel. Mary really wanted to see the {industrial workbench} up close and personal. Judging from the pictures and measurements that were taken, Jim will be whipping up a precise replica this weekend.

Mary assured us that Jim was absolutely delightful, and would be happy to traipse around the city with us all day long. Mia and I can definitely get behind a man that loves to shop, so we didn't object one little bit. And so we set off around 9:00 a.m. with a bucket list of stops for the day. We were planning on meeting up with Lindsey of {Better After} when we got into Phoenix, but unfortunately she had been up all night with a very sick little girl and couldn't come. Although we were all bummed, we put on our happy faces and decided to set out.

The first place we stopped was {Merchant Square} in Chandler, a mecca of treasures. There are hundreds of vendors who pack their spaces with everything from A to Z. We each found a thing or two to to call our own, and it was a great place to start the day. From there, we hit St. Vincent de Paul, Goodwill, SAS, and Gracie's Thrift to name a few before we needed to refuel. We decided on Zoe's Kitchen for lunch and loved it. Mia and I had been before, and we knew it would not disappoint. They serve relatively light fare which was perfect for shoppers like us because we didn't want to go into a food coma. We were on a mission!

Jim surprised the two of us with containers of the delicious Greek dressing from Zoe's when we got back into the car. It's so good! And speaking of Jim, he was an absolute gem the whole day. He held our doors, held our stuff, and held us to the time limits we set for ourselves at every stop. He had a smile on his face the whole day and was the perfect gentleman. Just look how adorable he is inside this Airstream at one of our very favorite spots, Rust and Roses.

If you live in the Phoenix area, Rust and Roses is a place you MUST visit if you haven't already. Shelly has an amazing sense of style and fills her store with the most unique and incredible finds. She shops year round, all across the country, and brings her finds right back to this desert we call home. We have purchased so many great things from her over the years, and her store is definitely one of our favorite places to go. Mary collects old office items, and was super excited to find a vintage seal press.

Let's talk about darling Mary. She was beyond gracious, complimentary, and polite. She was so interested in us and has been sweet enough to read every one of our blog posts! We talked about everything from raising kids to recipes. She was a wealth of knowledge and had a heartfelt answer to every question we asked her. She is a seasoned flea market shopper, as well as a curb-side trash collector and seamstress. We had so much in common with her and really wished we could have spent at least one more day together. She had our mouths watering over her recipe for apricot scones, and our eyes transfixed on the pictures of her yard in California. She was just delightful in every single way!

We pretty much cleaned Phoenix out over the next few hours and once it started getting dark, we were forced to call it a day. When we pulled back into my driveway it was 7:00 p.m. Here we are with some of our loot.

Right after we posted the giveaway, we started getting a little bit nervous about what we'd done. What if the winner was boring? What if she found us annoying? What if we had completely different tastes? What we did was definitely a crap shoot, but in the end, it proved to be simply magical. Thank you Jim and Mary for a beautiful experience that will not soon be forgotten. We definitely feel like the big winners after having been able to spend the day with the two of you!

Gotta love a happy ending.

DIY sea spray

2012-04-16T07:00:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure of earning my nail technician's license 16 years ago and with that, I get wholesale beauty products. Since then, I have spent hundreds of dollars on things from files and waxing products, to conditioning and curling. Here's just the beginning of my current repertoire.

I've been looking at summer beach curls in all the magazines and decided I'd give it a whirl, so I headed off to the beauty supply for some sea spray. I saw the $20 price on this 5 oz bottle by Paul Mitchell and almost choked.

But determined to get my beach curls on, I bagged it up and brought it home. I washed my hair and woke up the next morning, misted my hair with a squirt bottle, sprayed in some Awapuhi, and scrunched. Nothing. So I sprayed about 1/4 of the bottle more and scrunched. I let my hair completely dry and curled it with my 1.5" curling iron. It wasn't exactly the look I was going for and was certainly lacking texture. Then I realized every time I wanted beach curls, it was going to cost me $5. Not smart in this economy.

Determined to look more like this,

I read the ingredients on the back of the bottle and decided, why not make my own? I googled sea spray and realized people all over the country were making it too. I got excited. After doing a little research, I grabbed a few things I already had around the house and mixed up a concoction.

DIY Sea Spray

8 oz warm water
3 Tbsp sea salt
1 Tbsp firm hold styling gel
1 Tbsp leave in conditioner

Mix the warm water and sea salt together until salt is dissolved. Add the conditioner and gel, and mix until dissolved.

8 oz of beach curls for ten cents. That problem solved.

Next problem. I've been curling my hair for the last few years with no heat protectant and my hair started breaking off, especially in the front. Not smart, and not cute. Now I'm really trying to be good about nursing my hair back to health, using as little heat as possible. So I tried to see if I could pull off these beach curls with no heat.

I let my hair dry about 90%. Then I took 1" sections of hair and misted them with sea spray. I loosely twisted them away from my face, wrapped them around my fingers, and pinned them into place. Please excuse my morning face.

Make these little pin curls all over your head. Let them dry for an hour or so or blow dry with light heat if you're in a hurry, and here's what you get.

You can do this before you go to bed and sleep in them as well.

A couple of pointers. It's important to leave about 2" of the ends out of the pin for that beachy look. Also, if you take out the curls and they're too tight, lightly mist them with sea spray and pull them with your fingers to loosen them. Big, loose curls is what we're going for ladies.

Here's another secret. The salt absorbs any oils my hair might collect so I go about 4 days with this look without my {shampoo in a can}. Before I go to bed, I wrap the crown of my head in loose pin curls to maintain some body and sleep on them.

One bummer....salt isn't the best for our hair. It's drying and not the greatest on color so I use a leave in conditioner on my hair right out of the shower, before the sea spray. I also use coconut oil conditioning treatments regularly to help my hair from drying.

Coconut oil conditioning treatment
Heat approx 2 T coconut oil. On damp hair, evenly distribute the oil from your scalp and massage into the ends of your hair. Wrap hair up in a hot towel and let it sit for about 45 minutes. You can put it in a shower cap and sleep on it too. I LOVE coconut oil!

Send us your ideas for summer hair. We love 'em!

banana ice cream + a houndstooth tray

2012-04-10T07:03:00.002-07:00

Happy late Easter! My family had a lovely day. We went to church, took a nap, received a hilarious wrong number call ("Aunt Sally" was distraught about the dog biting the Easter ham. Luckily, Andrew walked her through the tragedy, and we laughed for 3 hours about it), went for a walk at dusk, scared our neighbor Cole, and ended the day with some delicious (and healthy) banana ice cream. Here is a picture of us right after church.

I made the boy's bow ties on a whim at midnight the night before. Mia put up a great {tutorial} on how to make your own, so I looked it up and made two in no time at all. Such an easy idea for using thrifted ties to make the ever popular bow tie for the little men in your life.

Now let's talk about the banana ice cream...... Have you ever found yourself sitting in a chair at the salon and all of a sudden your hair girl says something to you that you can't stop thinking about? Well, it happened to me about a month ago. I was telling the adorable Ann about an upcoming event I had (the next week) and how I wished I had lost 20 pounds for it. She very calmly asked me if I was serious about losing the weight. To make a long story short, my husband and I watched {Forks Over Knives} (which he had been begging me to watch with him for a month), then started the Engine 2 challenge a week ago. It's a 28 day eating program of 100% plant based foods. Today is day 8. It's hard. Needless to say, the highlight of our Easter menu was the banana ice cream we got to indulge in. Even though this is freakishly healthy, my kids beg for it! It's really delicious served with fresh berries as a garnish. Don't try to freeze the leftovers. It really tastes the best right when it's done.

Banana Ice Cream
6 frozen bananas, broken into chunks
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1/2 - 1 cup almond milk

Blend in a food processor or a blender. Eat immediately!

If anyone is as crazy as us and has done this 28 day challenge, or eats 100% plant based foods, I'd LOVE to hear from you. If you care about me at all.

Oddly enough, last Friday evening I found myself all alone in the house. As I was carrying some laundry upstairs, I looked over at the ottoman with the very plain tray on it. I picked the tray up a few months ago at Goodwill for $4.99, and have been itching to do something with it. Without a further thought, I dropped the laundry on the couch and carried the tray upstairs.

I decided on a houndstooth pattern since I don't have any of it in the basement. I did the same thing I always do to transfer the pattern, as shown {here} and {here}. I cranked Pandora up and spent the next couple hours singing and painting. The windows were open and there was a cool breeze. It was so therapeutic and relaxing.

After the paint dried, I sanded the pattern just a touch with a sanding block, then sprayed it with some matte finish polyurethane. Sometimes it's nice to be able to finish a whole project in under 2 hours.

I washed the outside of the tray with some of the light gray paint I used on the pattern, then wiped it off. It just stuck where there were little divots in the wood, and around the handles and brass fittings on the corners. I love how it looks just a little bit older now, but not like it has lived in a barn for the past 200 years.

I'm excited to show you the full reveal of my basement someday. I still have a lamp to make, curtains to finish up, and dresser drawers to overhaul. At least the sectional has been slipcovered in white denim. The only reason that's done is because I couldn't look at the mauve velour for one more minute, so I hired it out.

Moving at a snails pace around here, but at least we're making progress, and for that I'm so grateful! Try the ice cream, and please, oh please tell me know how I'm going to make it through the next 21 days eating like a bunny.

summer garden + a refreshment

2012-04-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday the weather was sunny and 75 degrees, the birds were singing, and I walked out my front door to behold all the men on our street working outside.

Even my neighbor Trent was out mowing his lawn, but he prefers to work topless and since this is a family friendly blog, he shall remain anonymous.

My windows hadn't been washed since the last big rainstorm, and although the filth was a good detourant from peeping Tom's, I decided to join in the ranks and accomplish some cleaning. I got so caught up razoring fly poop off the panes, I almost overlooked the beautiful mint leaves that had popped up in my herb garden.

I looked over at our lemon tree and decided the windows could wait. I gathered handfuls of lemons and mint, and decided to treat these hard working men to an icy, lemon, refreshment.

Matt's exact words. "That was a little piece of heaven. You should blog about it."

Summer's Day Lemon Cooler

Fill your blender jar with 1 1/4 C fresh lemon juice and 3/4 C sugar. Add ice until it's almost to the top, then add water to the top of the ice. Blend until ice is crushed. Add 4 large strawberries and 3/4 C mint syrup (recipe below). Pulse until incorporated.

Fill a tall glass with slushy lemonade and pour a shot of heavy cream on top. Garnish with mint leaves and a lemon wedge.

Mint Syrup (also delicious in water, juice, ginger ale, etc)
2 C sugar
2 C water
bring to a boil for 1 minute and let it cool for 5. Add a large handful (approx 1.5 cups) of coarsely chopped mint leaves and let steep for 20 min. Cool in the refrigerator. Keeps for 2 weeks.

This time of year is one of my absolute favorites. My plants are bouncing back from the winter, the garden is growing, the nights are crisp and cool, and it's the perfect weather to have dinner together on the veranda.

Last year my man built this retaining wall so we could have a bigger garden. It's complete with it's own drip system and weed barrier, and is also a handy step for the kids to get themselves over the wall to the neighbor's pool.

Nothing brings more happiness than walking outside the back door and bringing in fresh produce for my family. I always have a salsa and herb garden including several varieties of tomatoes, peppers, onion, basil, rosemary, oregano, and thyme. My boys help us plant and take care of the garden so when it's time to harvest the strawberries and spinach, they eat it up.

We planted our summer garden about 2 months ago and it's coming up nicely.

There's only one problem, these ladies love our garden too, which is why they are not permitted to be out of their coop without supervision.

Last night el Nino requested spaghetti with broccoli for his 7th birthday dinner and I harvested it right from our garden.

If you want a garden and don't know where to start, may I suggest {square foot gardening}. It's an easy NO FAIL way to grow produce. It will show you exactly how and what to plant, including the ingredients to mix for the perfect soil. You can get creative with the planter boxes and the best news is there are no weeds.

Happy planting.

stair number tutorial

2012-04-03T06:35:00.000-07:00

As a follow-up to my {stair reveal} last week, I promised to include a tutorial on how I painted the numbers on the risers. I used the same concept as when I painted the {houndstooth pattern} on the monogram for my front door.

It's really very simple. I found a font I liked on my computer, then printed the words out in the size I needed them to be. I found the center of each riser, as well as the center of each word and lined them up. I used a small piece of scotch tape to hold the pattern in place on either side.

Next, I slipped a piece of tracing paper under my pattern. Be sure to have the black side down so it transfers onto the wood and not onto the back of your paper. I've done that a few times, and it's frustrating.

I use a stylus to trace the pattern on, but a sharp pencil would work just as well. After I trace the first letter, I peek underneath to make sure I'm pushing hard enough and the tracing paper is transferring onto the wood. Sometimes I'm pushing way too hard and the line is really black, so I know to lighten the pressure. Also, did you know they have white tracing paper if you want to transfer a pattern onto dark paint? I've used it a few times and it's great.

See how imperfect mine is? Don't worry, after it's filled in with paint and distressed a little bit with a sanding block, it will look fine. Of course you will notice that I ended up painting the treads and risers with a dark gray stain, and repainting all the numbers in white instead of the light gray I started with, but the process is exactly the same.

In my real life news, my sweet brother Nate just left for Afghanistan last week. He has an adorable wife and three little boys who will miss him terribly. We were lucky enough to all be together at my house for a little goodbye party. Here is a picture I had Jaci snap really quick of my angel parents and their six kids. It was late at night and really dark, but it's rare that we are all together, so it had to be done. Nate is the one in the plaid shirt.

We all love you Nate, and will sure miss you!

rug problem solved

2012-03-30T07:00:00.006-07:00

Remember the {rug dilemma} I've been experiencing? After 6 weeks of racking my brain and trying to talk myself into spending $650 on a wool and jute rug from Pottery Barn, one of our readers sent a very helpful email to my personal in box. She kindly expressed her feelings about the same rug she had purchased 5 years earlier, and began to explain how much she DETESTS it. Aside from it shedding like a St. Bernard, it started unraveling in less than a year and was now horribly disheveled. Because she spent so much money on it, she didn't feel justified replacing it. Phew! Glad I didn't pull that trigger.

Jilly to the rescue. A few weeks ago she was walking down the aisles of Ikea, and the {Tarnby Rug} caught her eye. She thought it would be a great option for me and called immediately. Then she told me it came in approx 6ft by 9ft for $150. Back to the biggest problem, great rug, great price, too small for my space.

That night I hatched a plan.

After doing some Google research and reading customer reviews, I bought two rugs and yep, I hot glued them together. I know, it seems a tad crazy and perhaps even a little ghetto, but guess what? It looks AMAZING! I thought about hand sewing them together per my husband's recommendation and then I thought about the hours that might take. Nope. I was leaving at 5am the next morning for three days and my OCD was presenting it's self in rare form. Besides, hot glue has never let me down and when something is right, you don't fight it.

Just so you don't feel like you need to report this incident to the design police, let me assure you that there is absolutely no trace of a seam or hot glue in any way, shape, or form. In fact the two rugs fit together magically like a puzzle. I've had it in my home for 2 weeks and I'm getting rave reviews. It's so much lighter and cleaner than my last rug and it makes our family room feel much bigger. It's also reversible and very durable. I love that it has a lot of variation, from wheat colored tans to light and dark grays. The rug doesn't shift on the tile nor have I had problems with shedding. I will say it's not as comfy as our last rug, but not uncomfortable at all. If you have wood flooring, you'll definitely want to use a rug pad (per reviews), but it's great on our tile.

So there you have it. A 10 x 13ft jute rug for $300.

Let me know if you need to borrow a glue stick.

a year in the making.....

2012-03-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

Last summer I came up with a {clever plan} to teach my kids how to work, earn and save money, and appreciate the satisfaction of a job well done. I learned some things in the process, and thought about how I will tweak the plan a little bit this summer to make it even more effective. I'm already getting excited for school to get out to see what we can accomplish.

We did some really hard things together, but arguably the most wretched job of all was "The Stair Project".

There are some tall tales in our neighborhood about the people who lived here before us. We have heard that a literal zoo resided in the house we now call home. The most reliable source says there were 17 dogs living inside, and who knows how many cats and birds. After our landlord bought the house, (sight unseen) he gutted it down to the studs. New sheet rock, paint, and flooring went in. While I'm not wild about the design choices or fixtures, I can't deny that it beats the soiled carpet and bright turquoise paint of it's previous life.

It seems the only thing he didn't rip out and re-do was the staircase. We scrubbed and scoured the house before we moved in, but every time I used the stairs, there was an awful, indescribable stench. I can live in a home that isn't posh, but dirty freaks me out. You can imagine my frustration after I scrubbed the walls and steps with bleach (multiple times) and still couldn't ditch the odor.

One day, I just snapped. Has this ever happened to you? You just take a crow bar and a hammer and go to town? There was this ridiculous quarter round framing out every inch of every step. The trim had never been caulked, there were big gaps that just collected dirt and filth. I called in the troops (Jake and Carter, ages 7 and 9) for some back-up and we ventured into completely unknown territory. At last, the guessing game had come to an end. The horrible smell was coming from the mounds of dog hair, packed into every miniscule crevice behind the pitiful trim.

I know. Hold me.

The little boys were warriors, and we had it all scraped out and swept up before lunch time. The clips are not a funny prop. They were literally dry heaving. I've probably scarred them for life.

Anyhow, once we got the area all scrubbed down and cleaned up, I had a situation on my hands. Ginormous one inch gaps everywhere, bad porch paint, and no clue how to remedy the situation. I was actually happy enough to have the smell gone that I didn't do anything for a couple of months but think about what kind of miracle I would have to dream up in order to save the steps.

The first thing I did was to strip all the brown porch paint off the treads. That's a very short sentence to type, and sounds really easy, but it took hours and hours in real life. As soon as that was done, I painted some faint gray stripes and numbers, centered on the face of each tread. (tutorial to come) I also started playing around with some old picket fencing I had picked up out of a pile of trash down the street. We were on our way home from church one day when I spotted some panels of fencing. My kids begged me not to stop and load it up in my dress while everyone coming home from church could see us. So as to not embarrass the children, I listened to them, came home and changed, then went back with Andrew to pick it up. And it's good. There was lots of it, and it will creep up again in other projects.

In the midst of the madness one day, my adorable friend Melanie stopped by to drop her little boy off to hang out with Carter. She was asking me what my plan was with the stairs, and I told her how much I loved staircases with a nice, thick stair skirt. The stair skirt is the piece of wood that runs alongside the stairs, all the way up the wall.

Um, no, this is not my house.....

The skirt is always installed before the stairs are built and put into place. Trust me now...... I had done some serious research regarding pretty little stair skirts, and had come to realize it was close to impossible to install such a thing without ripping the whole staircase out and completely starting over, which was just not an option.

Melanie sat on the top step and didn't say much for a few minutes. Then she looked over at me and asked for some blank paper and tape. I raced to gather the supplies, excited to see what was going on in her head. She started making what I like to call a "paper doll pattern". Once she explained to me how she thought it would work, I was so giddy with excitement I probably skipped my nap that afternoon. Her plan was to make a pattern out of paper, trace it onto some 3/4" MDF, and cut the pattern out with a jigsaw. I was completely game, and thought it was a brilliant plan. Andrew looked at us both like we were from another planet. I'm so used to that look now, that when he looks at me normal, I ask him what's wrong.

Over the course of several more (all day) visits from the stair angel Melanie, we tackled something we had never done before, but couldn't wait to try. Of course it took about 50 hours longer than we thought it would, (that's no joke) but the further we got into it, the more excited we became!

After we finished all of that, it was time to fill and caulk. There were some sizable gaps.

It's nothing that a gallon of wood filler and 15 tubes of caulk couldn't fix. On the really big gaps I used wood filler and a putty knife, and the smaller cracks got a healthy dose of caulk. Then came hours of sanding to get the surfaces as smooth as glass and ready to be painted.

After the dust settled, I decided I couldn't deal with how worn out the stair treads looked. Although I love the lived-in, worn out industrial look, the landing for sure was just too distressed for my taste. I was off to Lowes, and lucky enough to find a gallon of opaque gray stain made for outdoor decking in the Oops section for $5.

As you can see, Plan A has now morphed into Plan K at this point. I decided it would look great to paint the center section gray to freshen up the very shabby finish and then add a thick, crisp white stripe on either side to brighten things up. Cara helped me do this, bless her heart. I also washed the picket fencing in a watered down gray, and cut and nailed them to the risers. I ended up having to repaint the numbers in white, which G enthusiastically volunteered to help me with. I love that girl. Not to be left out, Mia sanded the handrail down to get rid of the orange-ish stain that was on it. I stained it a dark walnut and waxed it for a smooth finish. I found the perfect rug at Ikea for the landing. It has a nice, thick pile, and it's the only piece of carpet in the house. Needless to say, that little 3 x 3 square of plushness is the crowd pleaser in our casa.

Are you still reading? You're a true friend!

Obviously, I couldn't and wouldn't have attempted this project without the help of my very talented and able crew of friends. These girls are the best, and their can-do attitudes make my every dream a reality. It's a shame I get to take the credit for this transformation, because it was definitely a group effort. Girls, I'm going to have you over for lunch, and we are eating on the stairs!

Here are some final pictures, and I do think they are done. For reals.

And just for comparison's sake, the same shot. Before and after.

And the newest addition to our family since Valentine's Day, who has sat at that top step and watched my every move of the stair intervention. Meet Leo.

I hope you enjoyed this journey more than I did.

Who wants Melanie to come jig out a stair skirt for them? She's so sweet, she probably would. For $2,000.

a new winner

2012-03-15T10:14:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately, the girl who won our giveaway a few days ago lives in North Carolina and isn't going to be able to make the trip to Arizona. Bummer. So, we had to pick a new winner. The new recipient of a day out with me, Mia and Lindsey of {Better After}, complete with marathon shopping, a delicious lunch, and tight abs by the end of the day because of nonstop laughter is......

Comment #10, Allie!

Allie, contact us (meandjilly@gmail.com) so we can start planning our day together!

 Guess what's going on around here this week?  My sweet father-in-law is building an amazing built-in bunk bed unit in the boys room.

I emailed this picture to him long before he got here, and he came with perfect sketches and a plan on how to best execute the project. It's going to be a big job, but he is here for 16 days AND he's a perfectionist. And that's what I call a winning combination! We spent some time at Lowe's yesterday morning making some decisions as far as materials go, and I'm getting pretty excited. It's going to make such a nice difference in the boys' room, and I think they are anticipating the whole process just as much as I am! I'm pretty sure that means I'm doing a fine job raising them, right?

march winner.....

2012-03-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Since this week is Spring Break around here and all the kids are out of school, Mia and I are going to be signing off. Of course we need to announce our latest giveaway winner before we leave you for a week. We hope she is as excited as we are!! She gets to spend a whole day with us and Lindsey of {Better After}, treasure hunting, laughing, and feasting. It's like a dream come true, we hope!

Entry #44, Julie

Julie, you can contact us at meandjilly@gmail.com and we will start working out all the details!

Who is ready for a BIG reveal when we return after the break? Oh, just me?? This project has almost been a year in the making, and I am more than ready for it to be done! This is what my stairs looked like in March of last year, and the 30 years before that....

I KNOW!! They are so frightening! Which is why I felt it necessary to take an entire year to do something good with them. Trust me when I say whatever I have up my sleeve is an improvement. I can't wait to show you!

Have a wonderful week, and thanks for reading our tiny blog. It really means the world to both of us.

I had a feeling this would happen

2012-03-09T07:00:00.002-08:00

This Friday officially kicks off spring break and that means it's time for shorts, flip flops, and spring cleaning! There is enough to do around this house to last the entire two weeks, but first things first.

I got a head start when I decided to CL the family room rug. We've had it for 5 years and although it's comfortably hosted many a cousin sleep over, it was getting tired. I loved it in the winter, but it always felt a little hot here in the AZ sun. Since we're getting prepared for fierce temperatures, it was a good time to see it go.

You know when you change one thing in your home and it's like pushing over the first domino....I had a feeling this would happen. All of a sudden I've got a stack of artwork, mirrors, and other accessories waiting to see their way out the door.

But who knew that replacing a family room rug could be such a BIG deal?

I know I need at least a 9 x 12, it's got to be comfortable, affordable, and something that will stand the test of time. With the three ring circus that goes on daily, high maintenance won't work. I've decided I want a natural fiber (ie jute, seagrass, etc) rug, and I found a beautiful cow hide to layer on top.

Let's just say that 20 hours on the computer later, I'm still at square 1.

I've researched every natural fiber including it's origin, the way it wears, cost, and comfort. I found some helpful tips from Lauren Liess {here}. I also found a great source for natural fiber rugs if you're looking for an 8 x 10 or smaller {here}.

I've checked out every retail store from Urban Outfitters to Restoration Hardware, but you know I'm not a retail girl. I've worked in the design industry long enough to know all about the mark up system, and I just don't think it's in me!

I've shopped carpet stores for remnants and thought about how I could piece two rugs together. I've called every Pottery Barn outlet store from here to NY, hoping they'd have what I was looking for at a fraction of the price, and ship it right to my door. Nope. Trust me, I've even thought about getting a part time job for the employee discount. After all, Jilly and I first laid eyes on each other while folding the denim wall at the Gap!

After loosing sleep and neglecting the children, here are the top 3 picks so far. Each come in a 9 x 12, are comfortable, and could potentially be affordable if I sold my first born.

Chunky Wool and Natural Jute rug from Pottery Barn {here} $649.00

Ribbed Natural Wool and Jute rug from EZ Buy Furniture {here} $530.00

Mini Pebble Jute and Wool rug from West Elm {here} $699.00

I'f you've scored any good deals on a 9 x 12, comfortable, jute, rug and you care about me at all, you'll tell me about it NOW so I can go back to being a good mother.

Until then, we're teaching the Nino how to use his inside voice so the neighbors don't hear all our family secrets echoing off of the cold, hard, tile.

a few good things

2012-03-06T05:47:00.000-08:00

Since we are headed right out of soup weather here in Gilbert, I MUST share this recipe with all of you before we hit 90 degrees. That's right, it is almost officially summer here, and I couldn't be more displeased. My in-laws are coming from Canada early next week, and I'm sure they are willing the warm weather upon us. They probably deserve some sunshine, so I'm trying not to complain.

Mia hosted a sweet little dinner party a couple weeks ago for a few couples. She decided on a simple menu of soup, salads, and bread because we were going all out for dessert. {The maple, bacon donuts}. OH WOW. You really must try this recipe before it's too hot to fire the fry daddy up. Mia has started a "donut of the month club" to try all the fabulous creations in her new book. She makes the donuts, and I show up. It's genius! I can't wait to see which one she picks to make in March.

I made the soup for the gathering last month. Tomato Bisque, per Mia's request. It is a winning recipe if I do say so myself. And really, it's so easy. Even if you are a beginner, this soup will make you look like you know what you're doing.

Tomato Bisque

5 slices of bacon

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup diced onion

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

1 tsp. dried, crushed thyme
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (or less)

1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

2 cups whipping cream

2 cups milk

Cook bacon in skillet, remove bacon. (you aren't going to use the bacon in the soup, you just need the drippings, but I'm sure you will find a good use for those 5 slices!) Cook garlic in the bacon drippings for 30 seconds. Add celery, onion, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Cook and stir over medium heat for 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in the whole can of tomatoes (with the juice) and tomato paste. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in milk and cream. Cook and stir over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, discard bay leaf. Cool soup slightly. Process until smooth. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Serve with fresh snipped basil and a dollop of sour cream. (completely optional)

Another good thing I wanted to share are the drawer liners I did on Jaci's little {coral nightstand}.

I went the extra mile and painted the insides of the drawers. I knew I wanted to add a patterned liner, and I found some cute wrapping paper at Hobby Lobby. G was over one morning and offered to help me put it in. We decided to use thumbtacks to hold it down on the corners, and since the drawers are pretty wide, we added another one in the middle on the top and bottom, for a total of 6 tacks per drawer. It worked perfectly, and it's such a nice surprise when you open a drawer now. Love is in the details, right?

The third (and best) good thing I am sharing today is last weekend's high school dance called Morp. This is Prom spelled backwards, and it's girls ask guys. Jaci (my girl) decided to ask Brody (Mia's boy) to the dance. These kids have known each other for over 10 years now, and practically have a brother/sister type relationship. They were devastated when at age 14, we had to break the news that sleepovers probably weren't appropriate anymore. It was a sad day for everyone.

Jaci's adorable cousin Shelly moved to town a few months ago and started right up at her high school. They are both juniors, and are pretty much living the best dream ever. I love that they get to see each other everyday, and they were even lucky enough to get one class together in a school with over 5,000 students. They are the best of friends, and Shelly is one of the happiest girls in the world. She is brimming with positivity and delight. We all love when she spends time in our home.

The two girls came up with the brilliant plan of asking Brody and his cousin Colten to the dance, so it would be cousins taking cousins. Cute. By some freaky act of nature, both Brody and Colten broke their collarbones within 2 weeks of each other in snowboarding accidents, and so they were both in slings for their big night out. Not the best timing, but it made for some funny pictures, lots of laughs, and good memories. Ahhh, high school. What a fun time for these kids.

Mia and I made them a nice little lunch and they ate outside on a really beautiful afternoon. They even snuck in some time with one of the pet chickens, and that is just the start of the crazy things they encountered during their day together. The stories Jaci came home with were quite entertaining, and just clean, innocent fun. I'm so thankful that she has good friends. Knowing that makes it a little bit easier for me to watch her walk out the door each day.

This week your assignments are: make some bisque, line some drawers, and catch up with a friend! You will love that you took the time to do each thing. I sure did.

march giveaway

2012-03-02T06:43:00.004-08:00

Please enjoy a conversation Jilly's 17 year old daughter, Jaci, had with her friend one weekend when my boys were out of town....

Jaci- Hey Chelsea, whacha doin this weekend?

Chelsea- Um, I dunno. Thinkin about a movie or some shopping. What are you doin?

Jaci- Well, my mom's best friend is spending the night. Want to come over?

Chelsea- "Your mom's best friend is spending the night?" (said in a very confused voice)

Jaci- Ya, why?

Chelsea- Um, my mom and her friends don't do that. (pause) Where does your dad sleep?

Jaci- Downstairs on the couch.

Do you think that's weird, because I don't. Who made up the rule that just because you're out of high school, you can't spend the night with your best friend? And how chivalrous of Jilly's husband to give up his spot in the bed so I could be comfy. I think there should be more bestie sleep overs, and I think I'm naming March official "Best Friend Month."

In honor of Best Friend month, Jilly and I are hosting a super fun giveaway. We want to take YOU and your BFF out on the town for a fantastic day of thrifting. And we've teamed up with Lindsey from {Better After} whose coming too!

Lindsey is one of our favorite cyber friends and we love to see all the amazing and creative transformations on her blog. Honestly, if she ever gets tired of blogging, she should really consider stand up comedy. We can't wait to meet this hilariously adorable mother of three.

Imagine it, hooking up all day for some serious junkin, laughing, and picking up so many deals our wallets will be smokin'. Oh, and who could forget about one of the most important things. Lunch. We'll take you to one of our favorite spots, and it's on US!

So....do you want to come??? If you live outside of the Phoenix area and you can get yourself here, we're more than happy to put you up for the night. Now that could be fun.

We'll get in touch with the winner and come up with a plan that works best for everyone. We can't wait!

Here's all you have to do:

Subscribe to our blog- 1 entry
Become a follower of our blog- 1 entry
Like us on facebook {here}- 1 entry

Please make a separate comment for each entry to increase you chances of winning. A winner will be chosen via random.org on March 13th.

Here's to my best friend and biggest cheer leader. In 10 years, we have never run out of things to talk about, never been sick of each other, and have never had dinner without dessert. We've made over everything from our living rooms to our husbands, thrown every kind of party imaginable, and have treasure hunted all over the country. We've laughed A LOT together, and we've done our share of crying. We've finished a hundred projects and have a hundred more. We both get ridiculously excited about food, good deals, and Oprah. We always tell each other the truth, and we still find any excuse to be together.

I love you Jilly.

ignorance was bliss

2012-02-28T06:07:00.002-08:00

Have you ever found out about something fabulous that was practically right in your own backyard your whole life? And after you find out about it, you can't imagine HOW it is you have never experienced it before? Please let me introduce you to the Miraval Spa and Resort, a mere two hours away from my front doorstep. An oasis in the desert.

Did you all see me and Mia and some of our girlfriends on the {Nate Berkus Show} back in November? The day we taped our segment was one of the best days EVER! At the end of the day, Nate's amazing producer Jesse and the rest of his crew surprised all of us with beautiful gift baskets and day spa certificates to the Miraval Spa in Tucson. Now, the two of us had heard about Miraval from Oprah a few years ago when we were actually in her audience for one of her shows. The theme that day was all about health and nutrition, and she and Gayle sat on big sofas and talked about their recent trip to Tucson and the Miraval Spa. They showed a lot of hilarious footage, and almost sold us on the fact that Arizona is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. But more than that, they convinced us to put Miraval on our bucket list of places to visit in our lifetime. And so we added it to our ever-growing list, never knowing when it was to become a reality.

Last Saturday ended up being our highly anticipated, magical day at the spa. Even I struggle with words worthy to describe what it was like. Cara, Mia and I spent one of the most beautiful days of the year there. We lounged by the pool in puffy white robes, sipping smoothies and deliciously mixed juices whose clever titles promised us endless beauty and youth, and enjoyed being pampered with facials and massages. Yes, we felt like princesses, and we loved every minute of it!

We visited with several other girls who were there from all over the United States with their besties, enjoying a week of the Arizona sun and staying at Miraval the whole time to truly embrace the whole experience. They were enjoying amazing classes everyday ranging from stress management seminars to cooking classes with professional chefs, hiking and rock climbing to tennis lessons, and everything you can imagine in between. We have convinced ourselves that every year hereafter, we will add a night to our stay, until we get to stay a whole week. Now we have to convince our husbands. Please pray for us.

Of course, half the experience was the amazing food, all created under the direction of Dr. Andrew Weil, who I am a big fan of. The creativity and presentation of each dish was exquisite. The chef's special that day was pan-seared cod with a chilean sauce served with lightly sauteed green beans over sticky red rice.

Our drink was also delightful. Prickly pear herbal tea, served chilled with a lemon wedge. We toasted to our commitment of finding ourselves in the same spot next year!

One of our favorite dishes was the Quinoa Asparagus Salad with a Honey Basil Vinaigrette. If you aren't familiar with quinoa, let me give you a brief introduction. Quinoa is considered a super-grain, and is packed full of amino acids and protein. It is also gluten-free which is a big plus, and comes in three colors: white, red and black. They all cook up just like white rice. I use white a lot at my house, and usually mix it in with white rice. My kids have never noticed. My favorite way to use the red quinoa is for breakfast, covered in fresh berries and agave (or honey), drenched in cream. Always rinse your quinoa before cooking it to eliminate a bitter flavor. This is a cold salad recipe, perfect for Spring. If you make this a day ahead, be sure to hold a little bit of the dressing back, and toss it in your salad just before serving to freshen it up.

Quinoa Asparagus Salad

1 cup red quinoa, rinsed and drained
2 cups water
½ teaspoon salt
½ bunch asparagus, chopped
2 tablespoons sunflower oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup sundried tomatoes, rehydrated in warm water
¼ cup toasted sunflower seeds

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Place quinoa in a medium saucepan. Add water and salt, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes (no need to stir).
Toss asparagus with sunflower oil and salt. Spread asparagus onto a baking sheet, leaving space between pieces. Roast in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until tender.
In large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, asparagus, sundried tomatoes and sunflower seeds. Set aside.

Honey Basil Vinaigrette

1 cup olive oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 cloves garlic, minced

In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, basil, and garlic.

Toss salad and dressing together. Chill at least 4 hours.

Our day was beyond dreamy, and we were all so thankful to Nate for his generosity. What a guy! It was so thoughtful and kind of him to send some simple DIY moms off for a day of pampering. We were so grateful for the experience and blessed his name numerous times during our stay.

In true fashion, we did make it to one Goodwill, where I secured a pig trophy for under a dollar. Did you know my Dad owned a pig farm while I was growing up? I took a pig to the County Fair every year until I was in high school. It's such a symbol of my childhood, I will be finding a very special spot for it!

Until next year girls......

six design tips

2012-02-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

The only class I enjoyed in high school was lunch, so when it was time for college, it wasn't easy for me to decide what to study. I began taking general classes, thinking I might want to be an elementary school teacher, or just marry someone filthy rich and be a lady of leisure for the rest of my life. Then half way through the semester I signed up for an interior design class. It was upon the completion of my first project board that the heavens parted, angels sang, and I found my calling.

I took two more years of classes and was lucky enough to land a job at a high end design firm near my home. I worked with all kinds of colorful personalities from celebrities, to flamboyant, permanent botanical designers. It was there that I learned how to design and carry out everything from flooring to window treatments, architectural design, and detailed space planning. I even got really good at talking clients into ridiculously expensive silk chairs and antique secretaires for for their master sitting rooms.

Over the past several years, I've consulted many people in many homes and have found countless, frustrated house wives! Most of them knew what they liked, they just didn't know how to bring it to fruition. I want to share some of my favorite design tips so you can be confident designing your next room.

1. Make a plan. No one, not even the best designers in the world tackle a room with out a plan. Get a three ring binder and start tearing out your favorite magazine pages. Get on Pinterest and start pinning. Take pictures of something that excites you while you're on vacation. It doesn't really matter where you get your inspiration, just make sure you have a really good idea of what you want the outcome of your room to look like, before you start it.

What is your budget? What colors will you use? What furniture do you already have? What furniture will you need to purchase, and where will you put it? Which Fabrics will go where? Do you need functional window treatments, or will they just be aesthetic? After you've got all the details figured out, start shopping. Since I shop for good deals, I don't always get exactly what I'm looking for, but It's usually close, and something I can still work into my plan. Since I've spent the time to come up with good, solid ideas, I don't deviate (very often).

It's a one in a million chance that you'll decorate a room without a plan, and end up loving it.

2. Stacey London always says there are four ways to add interest to any outfit: color, pattern, texture, and shine. I say the same is true when designing a room. Paint an end table bright yellow, place a funky, geometric throw on a chair, put a sheep skin rug on your ottoman, use pewter drapery rods. Spaces are much more appealing when you create some eye-catching interest.

3. Nate Berkus and I agree that every room needs a balance of traditional and modern pieces. This might seem a little intimidating to pull off yourself, but look at the pictures you love in all your favorite magazines for some inspiration. Nine out of ten times, you'll find the juxtaposition of curved lines mixed with straight. If you don't know where to start, replace a traditional lamp with something more contemporary, or add a side chair with clean lines. It could be the one thing you're missing that could turn your room from fine, to fantastic.

I'm a traditional girl at heart, but my family room was starting to look much like Queen Latifa with all it's curves. Remember this piece we transformed on the {Nate Berkus show}?

It now sits perfectly between my two sofas with a pharmacy lamp on top, and adds just the right balance, plus some extra storage, to my traditional room.

4. Every room needs something natural and organic. Ladies, I hate to say it, but it's time to get rid of the silk plants. There, I said it, and I mean it! If you have a plant that looks so real, you have to touch it to decide, then you have my blessing. But if it's siting on your plant shelf in a wicker basket, and has so much dust on it that it looks gray, it's over.

Don't fret, this doesn't need to be an extravagant or costly change. A few twigs in a vase from the back yard, shells you collected last time you were at the beach, a bowl of fruit, or some wild flowers from the garden. It is one of the best ways to create balance and bring a bit of nature inside.

5. Don't stop decorating before the most important part! Accessorize. Use objects all around your house that you've collected from your travels. Find an assortment of mis-matched frames. Use a stack of books paired with other interesting items, or a collection of something you love.

When I accessorize a room, I like to pack it full of options. Then I step back and put a few things away. If you've had the same accessories in your home for a while and you think it might be time to edit but you're not sure, ask a friend (who is good at this kind of thing) to help you. Chances are it will be a great cleansing experience.

Here is my library, accessorized with a bird's nest, an organic pot, and some coral I found while vacationing at Newport Beach. I also used an urn I found at Savers (and painted blue) and an old corbel from a salvage yard. These things, mixed with a few of my favorite books add interest, but don't over crowd the shelves.

Remember {Jilly's living room book cases}? Before I took this picture, there were twice as many accessories on these shelves. We spent at least an hour editing, then painted the ampersand peacock blue for a punch of color. It's one of our favorite reveals to date.

6. Use personal photos to make a house your home. There are a million ways to display pictures of family, friends, your kids artwork, and vacations. Your home should tell a story about the people who live inside, so put things up on the walls that represent who you are. Save the living room for artwork and use your family room to let all who enter, exactly who lives inside your home.

Our friend {Elizabeth Banks} keeps everything on her family room wall clean and uniform by using simple, black frames, and printing her family photos in black and white. It doesn't get any easier than that.

Right now, I've found myself on a break from working out in the design field, but Jilly and I are in the process of coming up with a little plan. We want to be able to help you tackle all you design questions and concerns, so stay tuned for all the details as we launch some big ideas next month! We're super excited, are you?