Projects I'd Maybe Like to Do

I'm really great at finding inspiration for DIY projects, crafts, storage solutions, and decor. Stumbling upon Pinterest helps tremendously with cataloging and organizing these ideas. It's a virtual pin board, where users can create groupings of recipes, fashion, quotes, craft projects, remodeling ideas - you name it, there's a photo of it somewhere to pin!

Check me out:
If you're not already on Pinterest, comment with your email address and I'll send you an invite.

Anyway, as I was saying, I've got a knack for finding inspiration. What I lack is the little push to get projects started! I'm wondering if I post them here, I'll feel motivated to begin and document my progress and then show off the results??

One disclaimer: I'm not crafty, I'm quite clumsy, and I need step-by-step instructions. I also most enjoy projects that can be completed in a couple of hours, so they don't end up on the list of Projects I've Started But Can't Seem to Gather the GET-IT-DONE Mentality to Finish.

Without further ado, I'd like to try my hand at these ideas:

This door mat made from salvaged wood planks will be perfect for when the dog comes back to the park with muddy paws, or when my husband returns from a nature-filled trail run.

I love the picture collage concept. And it can't be too hard to purchase or re-paint frames so they all match. AND it will give me a reason to print some treasured photos...like the ones from our wedding...almost three years ago.

More to come!!

Tell me about the projects you'd like to try!

Do you have more trouble getting started or following through?

Monday Morning Musings

Odd, silly things that I seem to enjoy more than most:

1. Getting the mail - even if it only contains bills and ads

2. Starting a new book - last night I breezed through the first half of Between Here and April and can't wait to pick it up again!

 

3. Doggy kisses on my way in the door after work

4. Grocery shopping - despite being such a picky eater, I get a very strange sense of pleasure from this errand

5. Finding the perfect shade of lipstick  - I'm really not girly, but once I discovered my shade had been discontinued, I called every Sephora in southern California and had them ship me any stock they had on hand.

6. Clean sheets - especially after a long shower [and we'll just pretend my bedroom remotely resembles this lovely one found on Pinterest]. I think my husband would list this as his #1 if he were to make a similar list. On laundry day, he races into the bed with a grin like he's just been told his student loans have disappeared.

What are some of the tiny, likely insignificant items or actions that make you smile?

I baked! A cake!

I like sweets. Sweet tooth? I have sweet jaws.
I need reasons to share them, else there's much too much for just the two of us.Though I've never been too good at sharing.
The ingredients were already on hand, so of course I volunteered to bake a cake for the baby shower happening today at work!

Yes it's from a box and a can. Don't judge; it's delicious!
Actually, you know what? Judge all you want; it's still delicious.

You really don't need much to bake a cake from a box mix.
The recipe calls for three eggs, but I needed four.
Why?

Because it's impossible for me to bake without some kind of accident.
Do you not recall me mentioning that I burned my wrist handling the raspberry almond bread last week?
That is now a scab which I guarantee will become a scar.
Anyway, at least the dog wasn't home when I tumbled an egg!

It took more time to clean up the shattered egg than it did to make the cake.
The above photo shows my favorite part about baking. Licking the beaters and the bowl!
Screw salmonella! I've had close to 30 years experience with cookie dough and cake batter and [knocks on my MDF coffee table] no issues yet!

I include this just to show my husband proof that there's plenty you can do when you have some down time. For instance, I scrubbed down the entire bathroom while waiting for the cake to cool.

Pink cake! Rainbow chip frosting!

And here's my second favorite part about making cakes - eating the last bits of frosting that somehow didn't make it on to the cake.

All done! The nice thing about using rainbow chip frosting [other than it being the best!] is that nobody expects your cake to be perfectly smooth - or perfectly level for that matter!

I'm counting down the hours til the baby shower at lunch time. I'm sure other yummy foods will be plated and presented for indulging - but I just want a piece of my own cake!

Inspiring words

Busy morning before a busy day.
Some days, I need to remind myself to breathe.
Sometimes I need a reminder to refocus.

So I visit a site like Do Nothing for Two Minutes, where I'm 'forced' to stare at a beautiful beach and listen to the sounds of the ocean.

Other times, I need a literal kick in the butt to slow down, or to push through, or to pick myself back up again. Today I stumbled upon these words of wisdom and smiled.

 

 

And today's favorite:

Ideal escapes.

Every morning should start with breakfast - it should be nutritious and filling, and wouldn't it be lovely to begin the day with something just a bit sweet?

How about a blackberry honey wheat scone? Balance the yummy with some Greek yogurt - double the protein of regular yogurt, and fat-free! I'm a big fan of Chobani - the raspberry flavor is my favorite.

Wouldn't it also be fabulous to end every long day of work with something cool and refreshing, with just a little zing?

This watermelon mint lime martini would do the trick, don't you think?

Something tells me Alice from Savory Sweet Life must have had me on her mind when she made these most recent two posts, right? Even though I only stumbled across her blog this morning, she just *knew* I'd become a big fan! Plus, she's in Martha's Circle - and unless we're talking about inside trading, Martha Stewart is practically perfect in every way!

If time and effort [and heck, money!] were no object, how would you like to start and end each day?

Let's play pretend

I've lived in apartments for the past 8 years. And in those 8 years, I've moved apartments 7 times. Surprisingly, there hasn't been too much variety: they've all had beige carpets, white walls, and the layouts are never quite functional. One was quite colorful though - butter yellow counter tops with a neon yellow sink, and a pink bathtub in the itty bitty bathroom!

So for today, I'm playing 'Pretend it's a House'.

Let's also pretend that my husband will go along with any furnishing and decor styles I suggest. Here's what inspires me today:

 

I love this kitchen! Lots of counter space, a very slightly unique backsplash, a big island with seating, a nearby but separate dining area... I'd want to change the drawer pulls, darken the stain on the hardwood floors and switch the chairs for something slightly less country.

Just replace the flooring with something less busy, sub a deep purple rug instead of the green, and switch out the blanket for something less animal-looking and this living room from Young House Love [one of my new favorite blogs!] is perfect.  Look how big that couch is - totally enough room for two people and a dog, or a bit of company. And that console table spans the length of the couch - so much hidden storage space! That little office nook is the perfect size for the space.

Imagine this in some color other than gray - maybe a pale teal or a pewter-purple color. Think lighter furnishing and a darker floor. I love that there's natural light, a small seating area, and a vanity or office nook.

 

 

I've had this bathroom in mind since I first saw it in The Blue Issue of House Beautiful back in 2009. I love how calming it looks, how open the floorplan is, how there's space for two people to be in the room at the same time. It's massive though, if you look at the other photos. I'd like to scale it down by about half - too much empty space. 

 

Here's one thing you never get living in apartment: a yard. And a patio. This one from Young House Love's first home is lovely - lounge space, some outdoor dining space, room for guests to mingle, and living plants!

Don't tell me there's no coherent style - I'm not designing or moving to or furnishing a house anytime in the near future. However, anything above is better than the beige carpet, white walls, mix-and-don't-match furniture we've got currently!

If you were given the chance to remodel one room where you currently live, what would you remodel?

Yummies for Monday

Last week when Blogger flubbed their maintenance update, they lost all comments to my most recent two posts. Boo. This weekend I had a maintenance update too - scheduled a haircut, had my teeth cleaned, got my eyebrows waxed [gotta love being a girl!] and decided it's time for a mani/pedi - only about my third ever!
-----
These lovelies caught my eye over the weekend...so much yummy goodness.  

 

Individual portions of cake! In reusable jars! 

 

Strawberry shortcake popsicles - seriously it's just pureed strawberries and yogurt mixed with Nilla wafers. A spring treat that's practically guilt-free. I must make these soon!

And for an indulgent treat - creme brulee french toast. Decadent.

Bet you didn't think you'd ever see easy, chocolate, and guilt-free in the same sentence, did you?

Do you ever take a day to catch up with yourself, whether it's health or beauty or simply rest?
-----
If the magic dessert fairy appeared and granted you one treat right now, what would you request?