Putzing...

So while the hubs was busy bead boarding the island and the boys were napping away I took the opportunity to do what my mama calls putzing. From what I gather putzing is basically walking around your house fixing things up, maybe cleaning a bit, stopping to talk on the phone, and snacking on something healthy or not in my case (where exactly to baked Cheetos fall?). In a nutshell that's how I came to rearrange the kitchen goodies while my island was some TLC.

I am a big fan of Rachael Ray. I have several of her cookbooks. This is one of my favs.

This BBWorks soap smells so nice. It is called Energy. Every time I use it I am hoping to find enough energy to finish the dishes. Works most of the time.

I threw all of our utensils into my Mackenzie vino bucket. I am pretty much digging the new set up. Not sure what I am going to do if I need it for other purposes though...

Even the breakfast table got some love.

Island Redo

I love our over sized kitchen island, but wasn't lovin the look. We had painted the side facing the living room a mocha color. I hated it instantly but lived with it for about 2 years for fear that I would dislike whatever color I painted. I'm not not the best paint picker outer.

After bead boarding the boy's room and loving the way that turned out I knew one day when we got around to it I would get the hubs to bead board the island - he is good like that. And the day finally came - last Saturday. Woo Hoo!

It's a good thing he had helpers - 4 - 2 babies, 1 Abbie, and me!All up but the paint - Behr Picket Fence. We just added these shelf brackets today. Love them. They really dress it up a bit!I would like one day (hopefully soon) to get "X" bar stools that have a back. I think it would seperate our very open kitchen living room area. Simple little project - big impact on the kitchen. Speaking of kitchen - while the hubs bead and boarded I playing with our kitchen accessories. Still tweaking it - pics to come soon.

Caprese Salad

I sure wish I would have thought about making this a whole lot sooner. I always order it if offered at a restaurant. So glad I got around to making it at home. And you know what...it tastes as good as any I have tried out anywhere.

Here's what ya need.

Vine ripe tomatoes

A big hunk of mozzarella

Fresh basil - I snagged mine from our garden!!!

EVOO

Balsamic vinegar

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions - Slice, layer, sprinkle, drizzle, serve & ENJOY!

The hub was a huge fan! I will definitely be making this again!

Scentsational!

Ones mans trash is this gals treasure.

For a mere few dollars this lil lonely drawer has made the most fabulous perfume holder.

Just add navy beans to keep your bottles from leaning.
Can you tell I heart Burberry? Um...It's all I wear.


Currently in my new perfume holder...
Burberry
Burberry Summer
Burberry Brit
Burberry London

Laundry Room Updates

I snagged this trio last weekend at Queen Bee. They were the perfect addition to our laundry room. Not sure what I will fill em with but even empty they are too cute.

I believe that if you spend time in a room it should be appealing to the eye. Since I spend so much time in the L room - I believe like any other room it should be fancied up.

Mackenzie found her way into the LR.

Tide front loading washing machine cleaner is a must. But the side effects of our awesome washer and dryer are worth it. We use these once or twice a month just too keep the washing machine smelling fresh.

Have you prettied your L room?

Hidden Treasures, Queen B & More

This past weekend the fam and I took a lil trip to Marble Falls to visit my family. Our weekend was filled with BBQ's and antiquiing. Although it has taken me a few days to recover from all the fun and shopping it was well worth it. Here are a few pics of some finds at a place called Hidden Treasures that I picked up.

I added this new brown book to my growing collection of vintage books - I liked the title and at $1.50 I was surely not going to pass it up.
What mama in a house full of boys could pass this up?
Aren't bibles beautiful. The shop keeper told me the dust was free. The bible was worth the Jackson I spent on it. Still looking for the copyright.

This vintage jewelry box and the few treasures below came from Queen Bee in Hamilton. I will definitely be stopping back there on my next trip home. I think this cutie was my favorite find of the weekend. Still haven't been able to open it though.

Love the detail on top!

This guy needs some TLC. He will get some this weekend. I love crisp white pitchers.

We decided to take a detour through Granbury on the way home. I picked this guy up in the square. That place is too cute and worth the added time to our ride home.

So on top spending a great weekend with my family (the hubs and my babies, my mom and dad, brother, my two sweet aunts, and uncle) I got spoiled by my mom via good food and shopping, and my house got some new wares.

I Cheated...

After a busy rainy workday the fam needed a nice comforting meal. While the hub worked on a tenderloin that was super yummy I manned made my version of twice baked potatoes. If you have yet to try Ore-Ida's Steam and Mash potatoes - ya need to. They taste just like the real deal minus all the work. 1o minutes in the micro, add milk, butter, salt and pepper and you would never know you hadn't been slaving away in the kitchen. I add cheese, sour cream, green onions, and bacon bits to mimic my moms twice baked potatoes. If you have time throw em in a pan, cover with cheese, and bake at 350 for until cheese is bubbly.

My Metal

I was doing some surfing in blogger land and saw that Freckled Laundry was having a metal link party. I honestly hadn't realized how much metal I had around the house until now.

These old books look super sweet in my PB metal basket. I had to tie em up with ribbon due to my little twinnies trying to read and eat them - yes eat them - I had no idea books were so tasty.
I just love numbers and when I saw this bucket at my neighborhood antique mall I knew it had to be mine. The print is from My Sweet Savannah! It was love at first sight. Had to have it!
I just love Anthro's metal letters - Can you tell?

PB sold out of this puppy - enter Ebay and a buy now option. I even got it cheaper than PB! Woo Hoo. It is currently in the study waiting to be filled with mags.

Another Antho letter. Love the stand though.

I have 3 of these PB baskets (rule of 3) one ended up in our guest room holding some twine.

And the boys's room would not be complete with out the boys having their own Antho initial letters.

I was super excited when my mom said she didn't have a place for this bad boy. I knew I could find one.

Has metal made it's way into your house? Check out the link party here.

Lawn Pretties & House Plants

Now that the rain has stopped I finally was able to snap some pics of my new flower bed accessories.

Not sure which one is my fav yet???
Hoping this blooms again soon. I had to move it under our covered patio - it took a beating from the storm.
My asparagus fern is still going strong.

I am attempting to keep some indoor plants. I wanted some greenery indoors and wanted it in vintage pots. I wasn't sure how to achieve that whole vintage pot look. After consulting with a friend I was told to....do nothing. After several weeks I am happy to report doing nothing has paid off. Don't ya just love when a project is that easy.

Isn't she looking good? By good I mean nice, and old, and vintage.

The Secret to a Super Salad

I love a good salad. It is the perfect companion to any dish. Over the past few months I found a few yummy fixings that helped make our salads super yummy.

This topping is a must. If we don't have it we don't make salad.

Mmmmm!
This dressing is wonderful and light!

And there you go!

What do you add to your salads?