Retail Therapy

Firstly (is that a word?), happy MLK Jr. Day.  What a wonderful day to remember and honor a man who stood for such noble things.

Secondly, we are in a very sad state over here.  Our beloved Dirty Birds didn't make the Super Bowl this year, but, we're not fairweather fans.  They fought hard.  Next year...

Thirdly (again, making up my own words), the sun shone gloriously this past weekend so Mama took to the outlets for a little retail therapy.  Being cooped up with all this rain made me a wee bit crazy.

Here are my finds!

When we got married, I got the red melamine mixing bowls from William-Sonoma and I've loved them.  However, I'm a tad over the red.  This white set was on super sale and fits in beautifully with my white kitch.




I also found these beautiful towels...


At $5 for 2 I couldn't resist.  They'll be a much needed burst of color next to a bowl of fresh lemons.

Little spied these from a shelf right at his level (also at WS).  They'll be absolutely adorable for one of his dinosaur inspired birthday gatherings.  You can bet I'll have some things to post about that!



I also made some big scores at Gymboree.  I had some Gymbucks to cash in and between those, and the 40% off clearance rack, my Little Man is looking Ca-uuute!  Don't ya love how they have tiny chairs and kid shows on in there?  Makes shopping so much easier with a little one.

Hope your weekend was sunny and productive! I'm planning to share some updates to the sitting room this week, as well as revisit the hallway project from long ago.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, stay-tuned.  I've got some things to reveal!

Now if I could only find some minutes to photograph!

XO,
  Sara

Golden Mugs

Happy Friday friends!  We've finally made it to the end of a very soggy week.  I for one, am hoping for some sunshine this weekend.

I'm here today to share the gold embellished mugs I showed you from Pinterest.



I don't know about you, but I have seen these everywhere.  Blogs, mags, Pinterest.  I knew they were right up my alley, so I collected these things and set to it:

 - ceramic white mugs (or any dish you like, but make sure its oven proof)
 - gold acrylic paint meant for painting ceramic (I got mine at Michaels)
 - painting supplies (brush, tray...)
 - oven

Now some peeps I've seen used a stamp to put on the dots, but I just freehanded them.  I kind of like the painterly quality they took on.

I didn't stop with dots though!  I've been really wanting to find a plain white mug with a single, simple red heart in the middle.  Alas, it doesn't exist.  At least not where I shop.  So...being that I had gold paint on hand, I went for a little gold heart.  And. I. Love. It.

I actually added a second coat of gold paint to each of the mugs to give them a more opaque look.

How cute is that?

I've used it a gajillion time already.  I may still need to make a red one though...

After you've painted, place the mugs on a baking sheet and in a cool oven.  Set the oven to 350 and let them bake for 30 minutes.  Allow them to cool in the oven as well.  This took several hours.

Your chai latte never looked so good!

(I have a better "after" picture to share, but my camera battery died, so I'll add it later! Check back!)

So, what are you going to paint this weekend?

Once again, friends, I'll conclude this wet and rainy week with a big,

"Rise Up!"



Go Falcons!  We had a happy house this week.  Let's see if we can do it again...

XO,
  Sara

Healthy Eats - Step 1 to a Better Me!

Ah, the New Year.  Nothing fills up the gym and makes a run on spinach at the grocery like a brand new year.

I'm usually a pretty healthy eater and I'm sort of a gym rat as well.  However, this year I've made some lofty goals for myself, which stem around streamlining my diet even more and getting out of my comfort zone at the gym.

I've always been the kind of person who can pretty much eat what I like (within reason) with no repercussions.  Well, ever since Little Man took his toll, this is not the case.  Don't get me wrong.  I lost more than 50 pounds after I had him, but things just settled a little differently than before.   And I don't want to wait until I "have time" when Little is in school full-time.

I'm hoping that making this a blog post will help hold me accountable when the holiday M & M's start talking.  Does that happen to anyone else? They're just so cute in Easter colors!

I've started the new year with a goal to not follow a specific diet, but just to make wise choice on a daily basis, with an occasional splurge.

If you're like me, you love hearing what healthy choices others make.  It gives me inspiration to keep going and some new food ideas. Here's what I've been doing for my daily eats:

• Breakfast - 1/2 cup steel cut oatmeal, pinch of brown sugar, teaspoon of real maple syrup, 1/8 cup slivered almonds; 4 oz of oj (I have to have this in the morning, it's like my coffee!)

                               

• Mid- Morning Snack - this is generally a Clif Mojo Protein Bar after the gym (have you ever tried one of these?  They are delish!  Perfect combo of salty with a bit of sweet)

                                   

• Lunch - Mixed greens with Craisins, mandarin oranges, slivered almonds, and tuna or grilled chicken with lite raspberry vinaigrette   Sometimes, I have half a sandwich thin with a little peanut butter, especially on days I have 2 tennis practices!

                            

• Early Afternoon Snack - light mozzarella cheesestick, a few Wheat Thins, coffee

                               

• Late Afternoon Snack - cut veggies and hummus (my little guy has to have a snack before I make dinner, so I have a few veggies with him) 

                       

• Dinner - I love to cook, so I just make whatever I've planned for the boys and make sure to take a reasonable portion and lots of salad and veggies.
• After Dinner - this is usually where I undo all my good work!  My Mister is tall as can be and built very lean.  He can eat whatever he wants and it drives me nutty! He has a bowl of cereal every night and it's hard not to join in.  To fight this peer pressure, I cut up an apple and eat it with a tablespoon of peanut butter.

What do you eat?  I'd love some ideas and suggestions because I know I'll get tired of this soon!  Is anyone else on a mission to tighten up and lean out a little bit before shorts season?

Look at me.  Book reviews, a DIY project, and diet tips all within a week.  What is happening over here!? This blog really is a true glimpse into my life these days!

Tomorrow, I've got my cute little gold coffee mugs to share.  I'm beyond excited about how they turned out. They are cooling in the oven as we speak...

Till next time!

XO,
  Sara

Some Pinterest Projects

Hi lovelies!  It has been downright nasty weather around here.  Enough to make me want to paint my kitchen again!  Just kidding.  Kind of.

What else can you do on a rainy day except peruse Pinterest and bake cookies?  Little and I also played a mean game of Cootie.  That game has really progressed since my day.  My little lady had a top hat on!  I digress.

Here are a few things I'm putting on my to do list, stat.  Maybe you'll want to join me and we can all share our creations??  Hopefully some of these will spark something in you too...

I feel like I've fallen into the black sweater and leggings rut this winter.  I headed over to the P to try and get out and boy did I find some fun alternatives!

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Can I just have her hair?!  Seriously beautiful. Not exactly playground appropriate, but fun for a lunch date...

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I love this look.  Still a sweater and leggings, but why not different colors?  So doing this.

Via

Love the plaid!  You know we all have skinnies and a cable knit already.  Just pop a plaid underneath...

Via

Love the colors here.  This is another one I'll be trying post haste!

After your deliciously dressed, throw on a cute apron and whip up some of these finds...

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How yummy do these look?  I'm thinking of making a bunch and freezing for quick meals.  Meatball Monday?

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Now, this is a grainy pic, but all this rain has me wanting to curl up to a big bowl of beef stew.  How yummy.  And how yummy your house will smell.  Thanks Paula Deen!

Via

Nothing makes me want a warm, home baked dessert more than winter.  These look divine.  And I bet they smell divine too.

Via

Stop. It.  I can't.  This is just too good looking.  This will be made this weekend.  I have a brand new container of vanilla Blue Bell...jealous? ;)

Now that my belly is nice and full, how about some crafties?

Via

I actually got all the supplies to do this.  Coming soon!  Cannot wait to have my own little gold mug.  Mine may sport something a little different than polka dots...

Via

I'm also planning a mini playroom face lift and these printables may make an appearance...

And after I craft it up, I'll dream of creating a few spaces like these...

Via

Via

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Ahhhh.  Don't you just feel more relaxed after looking at all these beautiful things?  I feel ready to finish off some of my to-do list so I can share my afters with you!

I've got a lot of fun things coming up.  Get excited!  We've been making some serious progress around this casa.  Just waiting for a sunny day to snap some photos.  The forecast doesn't leave me hopeful...

Until next time, friends!

XO,
  Sara

DIY - A Sticky Mirror

Happy Monday folks.  First things first...Yay Falcons!  It wasn't pretty and you had us sweating (it was 70 degrees here afterall), but you got it done.

Did anyone do anything exciting? My parents were in town for a quick visit and we had our 4th Christmas celebration...a little late.  It was kind of fun to unwrap more things after the dust settled from "real" Christmas.

While my parents were here, they used our newly revamped guest room and loved the results!  One my Dad's personal faves was my DIY sticky mirror.  Today, I'll be sharing it with you so you can make your own.  Trust me.  It's easy!

First, go out into the woods with a 3-year old and collect all manner of thin, easily breakable sticks.  Some of these may be muddy and yield one messy child, however, it will take up a lot of time and get said child outdoors to expend some energy.

Next, plunk that 3-year old down with healthy snack in front of an educational program for 30 minutes.  It's alright.  It's one of the steps so you don't have to feel bad about it.

While child is occupied, sit on the kitchen floor with a "naked" mirror on the floor, your hot glue gun plugged in, and your bundle of sticks.

Proceed to snap sticks the length you would like (2-3 inches) and glue them around the perimeter of the frame.  Take care with the corners to make sure they fan out.

Remove the hot glue web that gets all over and hang!

I told ya.  Easy.  And free.  And you can't beat the impact.

What are you waiting for?!  Go gather some timber!

XO,
  Sara

Another Addition to the Bookcase

I promise, this is not a book review blog, but I just had to share another new addition I bought for my built-ins to read.  It's called Celebrate by Pippa Middleton and it is just gorgeous!

I'll admit, I bought it kind of out of curiosity.  I mean, how can you get much closer to Kate and Wills?!  I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book is totally legit.  Not only is it huge and full of beautiful graphics and pictures, but it actually has great ideas too!  Who knew!?

I highly recommend checking it out.  It has such cute little histories on each holiday and also adds some fun British traditions.  I have a few projects picked out to try.  I'm sure I'll be sharing...

Also, I have to say, "Go Falcons"!!!!!!  You know what I'll be doing come Sunday...

Happy Friday lovelies!

XO,

  Sara

Sitting Room Sneak-Peek!

If you know me, then chances are you've heard about my plans for our sitting room.  I've had my dream idea in my head forever and the past few months I've been able to take some big strides toward accomplishing my dream.

Today is just a little taste.  Anticipation is part of the fun, right?

Over the holidays, my Mister and father-in-law assembled some Billy Bookcases for me.  If you're not familiar with the Billy from Ikea, you should meet.  They come in many different heights and finishes and can help a achieve a built-in look without the built-in price.

I've been collecting things for months to make my vision come to life.  When the bookcases arrived, it was go time!

The baskety table was a find from T.J. Maxx and I love it!  It adds a great texture to the space and warmth next to the white bookcases.  You'll see...

Here's one Billy up and ready for action!

And the pair.  Now when I measured (twice) to make sure the bookcases would fit on either side of the window, I failed to take in to account the window sill and the baseboards...

Don't let this happen to you.  Or, your Mister and FIL will have to make a Home Depot run on Christmas Eve to acquire a Japanese handsaw and take off part of the window sill so the bookcases fit.  Just a hypothetical...

As you can see, I like to make a huge mess before I put things together.  I can assure you, things are looking pretty darn good right now.  Here's a little peek at what I've been up to...

Mister got me one of my chairs for Christmas!!  I could not believe it.  He really surprised me on that one, and that is hard to do.  I tell you ladies.  If you want to start getting what you want for birthdays and holidays, start a blog and make an innocent little post with your wish list.... ;)

Oooo!  I cannot wait for you all to see the new space we have been enjoying.  It is so fun to have a spot to read my design books, enjoy our pretty view, and catch up on some Tivoed Burn Notice episodes with my Mister.  Have you all been watching?  Crazy intense this season.

I'll be back to update you soon!

XO,

  Sara