In "love" with "House Tweaking"

I have fallen in LOVE with the blog "House Tweaking" - written by a hardworking mom,

who loves to spend her spare time decorating her home.

It was mainly this woman's BEDROOM that had my jaw dropping.

I love, love, love the gray/yellow color scheme...

... and the HEAD BOARD!!!

To see how she did it, click here.

I mean, the entire thing is just so creative.

And...

Don't forget the YELLOW BARN DOOR!

It closes off the bathroom from the bedroom,

and adds the PERFECT pop of color!

The gray color theme moves through most of the house...

... creating such a peaceful, modern home.

And, she's not afraid to use big, bold pieces on the walls.

Once again, it's pictures like these that make me want my own house.

Where are you SUMMER?

I am dreaming of summer (and FLIP FLOPS!)...

... will it ever come?

According to the world's most famous groundhog, SPRING

is on the way!

And...

As I was browsing through some of my favorite "decorating sites,"

I stumbled across these "cactus-inspired" table decorations

from Green Wedding Shoes -

and they only make me want to BE OUTSIDE (enjoying a nice cocktail)

even more!

This table setting is simply adorable.

And... how easy?!

Also makes a cute display for cupcakes.

(That's a clay planter bottom - used to catch water from plants!)

You can buy the glass canisters and candles at "Hobby Lobby."

The cacti at "Home Depot."

And you can get the dried beans (for under the cacti)

and flowers (for around the candles) at the grocery store!

Doesn't this make you want to throw a party?

Ah... summer... hurry up and get here!

Repurposing Randoms

You know those random objects that you find at flea markets... (or even around

your own home) ... and you're like, "What in the world can I do with this!?"

Go ahead, and take those randoms, and REPURPOSE them!

First off, just let me say... how CUTE is this cupboard?

I found it in Better Homes and Gardens, and immediately wanted to write about it.

It's an old window frame, that was given new life by adding a BACK to it.

I want one!!!

Then on top of it, to add the blue, green and cream vases... my heart just melts.

Do you have any random, old antique toys?

Someone used this truck in their bathroom... to hold wash clothes!

And... check this out!

It's an old BED SPRING - used to hold wine glasses!!!

Who doesn't have an old ladder "hanging" around?

Add a few chains, and hang from the ceiling!

Use it for your pots/pans/baskets/etc.

Guess what this is???

An old FURNACE grate!!!

Used to hold magazines/newspapers!

How creative.

These ideas make me want to jump up, and head to a thrift store RIGHT NOW!

"Woman Cave"

We've all heard of a "man cave"... but what about...

For the ultimate one, we need:

Our "woman cave" sign on Etsy.

The sign will inspire the color palette:

Red, Yellow, Gray, White

Of course, we'll need some WINE on a a yellow handmade wine rack.

These adorable RED stemless wine glasses...

... because it's "how classy people get drunk."

Don't forget about the COASTERS.

Add a few fun club chairs.

A gorgeous, nature-inspired red and gray rug.

Awesome chunky mirrors.

Be BOLD, or go HOME - with this big yellow couch.

Some fun, funky throw pillows.

A white bloom pillow.

These wire candle holders (which go with the rug)...

... apparently, you can make them on your own!

To finish it off, this super chic silver light fixture.

These beautiful prints for the walls, or in a frame - from Etsy.

You can't have a "woman cave" without CHOCOLATE.

In this case, cordial cherries.

But, the best accessories for the "woman cave" are obviously...

my best friends!

(You know who you are!!)

It would be super fun to be able to put all of their silhouettes on the walls!

One buyer on Etsy will let you do it!

Blueberry Coffee Cake

Blueberry Coffee Cake

This is a special recipe from my mama.

One of my favorite things is waking up with a cup of coffee, and a

piece of this heavenly blueberry coffee cake.

Yummmmmm.

Ingredients:

1 cup of fresh blueberries

1/2 cup butter

8 oz. cream cheese (1 pkg)

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1/3 cup milk

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

14 tsp. salt

Topping:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 stick of butter

1 cup of chopped walnuts

Combine sugar, 1/2 cup butter, and cream cheese in bowl.

Add eggs and vanilla, beat.

Then add the dry ingredients to the mixture, beat.

Add the milk.

Beat until smooth.

Add blueberries!

Place in greased/floured pan.

Combine the "topping" ingredients in a bowl.

Spread the "topping" over the entire pan.

Add pieces of butter on top.

Pop in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.

When it comes out of the oven... the smell is amazing.

Who wouldn't want to have this on their breakfast table?

Layering... While Saving a Few Bucks!

First off... it has been WEEKS since I've blogged... which feels like an eternity!

I've been busy moving, and getting settled into my new job.

So, with my new place, "LAYERING" has become important for a few reasons:

1.) Repurposing things I already have... to save money!

2.) Creating dimension in my small space.

First up - cheap, easy artwork.

One trick is to buy canvases at local craft stores

(you can buy them for as little as $3) - and cover them with fabric.

I just wrapped the fabric around the canvas (like a present) and hot glued

the fabric to the back of the canvas. *You can also use staples.*

Re-using old frames.

Once again, I'm using FABRIC to put inside the frames... instead of pictures!

It's different and fun... and the fabric swatches can easily be changed.

Layer the frames and canvases together... to help fill a BIG WHITE WALL!

(That's the one thing I hate about apartments... you can never paint the walls.)

Organizing nicknacks.

I have so many of them!!!

One way, is to buy a nice tray at Hobby Lobby or Pier One, and fill it

with all of your nicknacks.

(Make sure they are different heights and shapes. Try to find a nice vase,

a candle, small plant, etc.)

Then, place it in the center of a table or island.

Once again... using LAYERING.

Just a few quick easy steps that can help re-purpose the things you

already have around the house... without spending an arm and a leg!