Pillows!!

I finally found the perfect pillows for my living room, and they actually are part of a set with the throw I found at Marshalls several months ago!

From the beginning, I first spotted this throw in the fall last year at Marshalls. The price? $50.00. Obviously I didn't grab it lol.

Then several months later, I again saw it at Marshalls, but for only $10.00! Of course I couldn't say no to that amazing price....

Then just last month I made my quarterly trip to Marshalls, Ross, and Target just for some fun window shopping. After hitting up Marshalls, I headed to Ross and was meandering down the pillow aisle when alas, there it was. One velvet ivory pillow staring back at me with glimmers of shine catching the light on the beading. I was so excited, but afraid there would only be one. (It is Ross after all...) But no, I found exactly two!

And the price? $6.49 for each!!! I cannot believe. All good things go to those who wait... Such a good example to me of how biding my time and refusing to pay too much for something, or purchasing an item I do not love just for convenience sake, is definitely worth it. I not only love these, but the price could not be beat! Yay!


This is my wingback chair I found for $20.00 at Antique Things on my way to my parents house between Austin and Dripping Springs TX, but the slipcover was $60.00 from Overstock.com

Then this espresso brown faux fur throw I had from a few years back I use since my cat likes to jump up there... and it ties in the brown furniture.


Overall living room photos coming soon, after the christmas decor is safely tucked away! :)

My Bedroom

Now that I finally purchased a lamp (that's right Maria hehe, I found mine at Marshalls right before christmas!) for my bedroom, I feel like everything is set up almost adequately enough for a blog. Here it is!!
I of course made the headboard, and the bedset was one of the first things I purchased moving into my new place back in the summer.

To the left is my wall length closet which I covered with sheer black curtains instead of the gold framed mirrored doors there previously.

And of course on the right are my patio doors! I would love to find a great hook to keep the curtain covering the glass door open but all in good time.

And of course, my new lamp!! I bought both the lamp base and the shade for $30.00, and its pretty much exactly what I wanted. I am thinking about using the same thick black velvet ribbon to create a border near the bottom of the shade, but with a large double bow not centered on one side of the shade for some interest... I haven't convinced myself it would be better though.

And its the foot of my bed!

I don't have enough room for a bench or couch but meh. I needed a place to store some extra shoes (all my heels are behind my door on a rack), my project supplies, and other things so this worked perfectly. I simply bought two bookcases from walmart, fabriced the back, and threw everyting onto them.

Don't you love these containers though??! I found them at Target early this year and ended up buying them half off online much later. They have been perfect for my fabric, yarn, and other supples.

















Now I just need a great chandelier instead of the fan... one more framed black and white photo to create a threesome above my bed, to hang the headboard, maybe a black faux fur throw, and some kicknacks thrown in!

The Upholstered Headboard

Even though I finished this project quite awhile ago... I am finally posting it hehe!

I have always wanted an upholstered headboard, but finding one just right with the right price was always a difficult process. Finally, I decided to just make my own! I like the final product, but am still working on perfecting two elements... I placed the fabric too tightly across the plywood so that in order to pull the buttons deeply into the fabric, I now need a different mechanism other than simply tying a knot behind the board to keep them in place. Right now they do not have the look eventually that they will.


Also, I don't really like how the fabric shows wrinkles and dips, and I am not sure if it is the material and my technique or just one of them. I decided that in the end it was ok though... because its too late to fix lol.

Because my bedroom colors are white (I refuse to paint here lol), blue (my bedset), silver, and black, I wanted to tie in the headboard to the bed with white and to all my curtains with black. Hence the birth of the ribbon idea.


The fabric I used is white satin and the ribbon includes black velvet, black eyelet lace, and then the white sequined lace. The buttons were going to be tufted with satin, but I could not resist these beauties at Hobby Lobby. I have so many more left as well just in case I decide to add more tufting!



Time involved: 4 hours of labor

Cost: $220.00

Itemized list:

1. Plywood cut to size- $12.00
2. Fabric- $15.00
3. Batting- $150.00
4. Ribbon- $12.00
5. Buttons- $15.00
6. Spray adhesive- $3.00
7. Staple gun- $7.00
8. Upholstery needles- $8.00
9. String or Wire
10. Measuring tape
11. Nails and a hammer (instead of an electric driller)

In order to complete this project, I advise purchasing a driller. Nothing is more frustrating than having to use a nail and hammer to create all the holes necessary for the buttons!

Also, to save cost, instead of leaning the headboard on the floor against the wall, you can purchase special hooks made for heavy items and hang it above your bed. This can cut off about two feet of height or make more of a statement in your bedroom. I plan on doing this in the future, when I get the motivation to accomplish this task by myself...

If you have questions about the process, just ask!

My Christmas Dinner Contribution

I know, I know. I don't like cooking.

But for other people, or really mainly events... I find it very rewarding. This christmas I wanted to make something for our dinner (partly because you never know what you will end up eating that day) and decided on Creamed Corn with my own twist.

There have been two recipes that I love, and I ended up combining both for the holiday party at the office, which everyone happily gobbled up, and then again for christmas at home.

I was very happy with the success and this will definitely be one of my staples for any gathering. Unless its a healthy gathering hehe...


The ingredients are as follows:

1. 1 large bag Frozen corn (canned works also, but be sure to drain very well!)
2. 1 pkg cream cheese
3. 1-2 cups half n half or heavy cream
4. 4 tbsp butter
5. 1-2 tbsp minced garlic
6. 1-2 tbsp Parsley
7. 1-2 tbsp Thyme
8. 1 tbsp Red pepper flakes
9. Salt n Pepper

Instructions:

If you use frozen corn, thaw the corn prior to cooking to prevent curdling of the cream cheese. Warm a large saucepan or pot to medium heat, and heat the garlic, butter, and cream cheese together until the cream cheese is mostly melted. Be sure to keep stirring to prevent any burning! Pour in the corn and stir for 2-3 mins. Add the heavy cream to the mixture and continue to stir to melt the remaining cream cheese. Add in the spices together to taste. I like a little bite to my food, so feel free to kick it up a notch with the pepper or skip it entirely.

This recipe was of course, not by the book, as I rarely cook with instructions but rather focus on the ingredients themselves. Hence, my expected lack luster zeal for baking.

Eat and Enjoy!

Sherlock Holmes

So I think a large part of the reason I really enjoyed this movie is based on two factors.

1. Robert Downy Junior. In his most recent movies with his sober acting, I think his talent has been able to shine forth much more strongly than before and have loved watching him develop his characters.

2. The visible relation to House was so strong it was great fun analyzing the the differences and similarities! Holmes and Watson versus House and Wilson... for example? The interplay of their relationship was almost identical! If only House had stayed true to the detective work of medicine rather than focusing on the drama. :(

And of course the time frame was wonderful!! I absolutely love the costume design and this gave me great inspiration for my wedding... lots to think about hehe. Bustles and top hats oh my!!! I already knew I wanted a great bustle for my dress, but maybe vests for the men...?