Where did the week go?

I was going to put an image up with a someecard celebrating the TGIF but it has a naughty word in it and I don't want to offend anyone so I chickened out :) It is still cracking me up though... you'll have to use your imagination or google it! Enjoy the sweet sentiment.

This week went by quickly and I was a sewing maniac. I have lots of projects to share with you next week and we might even have to do a giveaway! Have a great weekend :) xo, Brie

Now let's get this weekend started right with some El Debarge and their incredible choreography! Don't you just long for the day when the moustache makes its comeback?

Lotsa Helping Hands

I was just introduced to a great website (unfortunately through a sadder circumstance) that is a great organizing tool for a friend or neighbor who may be need a helping hand with cooking meals, child care, etc.


Lotsa Helping Hands

As the administrator you can create a password protected schedule (in our case it is to cook meals) and when you sign in, all the available dates are highlighted. It even allows you to see what other people are preparing for the meal surrounding your date so the poor things don't receive lasagna 7 out of 7 days.

GREAT idea!! xo, Brie

Friday Night Lights

Have you ever seen this show? I am still on season 1 (available on demand at Netflix!!) but I have to tell you I am beyond hooked. One of the best shows - ever! You'll laugh, you'll cry, it's better than Cats. Way better than Cats actually ;) Have a great w/e! xo, Brie

Drum Roll Please....

Sorry to disappoint those who were hoping for hot pink :) The winner is


Lime Twist by Benjamin Moore
It looks great with her yellow walls and comforter! I think I may give it one more coat but I didn't want to leave you hanging as I knew you set your alarm clocks for the big reveal ;)
Next I'm working on a valance and putting some finishing touches in the room and will keep you posted.

One pic came out too bright, the other a touch dark but you can get the idea! I love brightly colored accent furniture like the ones found here at Russell MacKenna. xo, Brie

Teenage Girl Room Makeover

My oldest just turned 13 last month and we decided a ways back that she may be due for an upgrade in the very room that was her baby girl nursery complete with bow stencils and waverly pink bow wallpaper below the chair rail.

Monka to the rescue a few months back with a fresh coat paint of her color choice and hours and hours of painstaking freshening of the wood work which admittedly had taken a BEATING over the last 13 years!

I'll post pics soon of the full reveal but in the meantime I working a on a little project.
I found a really CUTE shaped nightstand at Home Goods in black a few months ago but this color isn't going to work with our scheme.

Forgot to take a photo before I pulled out the drawers!

3 coats of this stuff over the black finish and we are almost ready for the new quart of semigloss in a beauty of a color.....

How will this project turn out?? What color will it be???? Stay tuned for another installment and the big reveal tomorrow! (Insert cheesy dramatic soap opera music here) xo, Brie

That was then, this is now

Approximately 2 years ago I shared this incredibly inventive decorating idea I had to combine my boys' love of Star Wars, legos, and incredibly costly little collectibles only found on ebay. I'm not going to lie, I thought I was really quite clever coming up with this solution and it looked so cute hanging on the wall... much better than any piece of priceless art I could have purchased to grace their room.

Fast forward 2 years and I want to show you how well this fantastic idea has held up

At least this guy seems to be enjoying my idea

xo, Brie

Happy Valentines

I have been eyeing this wreath for over a month. Was hoping it would go on sale a little earlier than today but no such luck! Just marked down to 29.99 and I have a WS gift card burning a whole in my pocket so I'm thinking this is meant to be. Happy Valentines Day! xo, Brie

Snow Days

Our snow is finally here after a cruel joke last week left us pretty much snowless!

I'm reading this and loving it so far. I really liked Eat, Pray, Love and it's a follow up to that story! xo, Brie

Ebay Tuesday

First off a poor quality version of the commercial complete with the catchy song that continues to haunt my brain to the day. Sad but true....



Keely and I used to play this game ALL THE TIME. First we had to fight (yes, fight) over the divi up of the different food circles that we would choose one at a time to play on the tray. I think we were losers ;)

Why not head over to ebay and spend your life savings collecting piece by piece of this glorious game? I'm sure they'll combine shipping! xo, Brie

My Go To Hors D'oeuvres

Whether I am going to a party or hosting it myself, these are my 2 go tos for snacks. Everyone seems to like them and they always get a nice reception upon arrival - either that or people are thinking, oh God here she comes with those 2 dumb hors d'oeuvres again and they are being kind. I'm hoping it's option A :) These are so easy you can make the both at the same time. I have these ingredients on hand almost all the time.

So here we go.... 2 easy slam dunk snacks with directions and pictures

Hot Spinach Dip

1 package frozen no sauce chopped spinach
1 medium onion chopped

2 tbsp butter

3/4 - 1 cup heavy cream

6 or 7 slices of swiss cheese

salt and pepper

Defrost spinach in the colander in the sink. Melt butter in a skillet and saute chopped onions until soft and slight caramelized.

Squeeze out defrosted spinach and add to the onion in the skillet, heat through and generously salt and pepper. I don't know why but the spinach needs lots of salt (more than I usually use to season).




Add cream and mix in and heat through

Add cheese and stir over med low heat to incorporate. You may need to add more cream just to get the right dipping consistency. I serve these with tostitos corn chips and you want it to be dippable. If it's too thick, the chips start breaking in there and that is just no fun for anyone.

Sweet Sausages

Easiest recipe ever. Take 2 turkey polska kielbasa and slice them up. Heat them in a dry skillet over medium high heat until they start to caramelize. Add 3/4 cup of brown sugar and 1/3 cup of water. Let it continue to cook at a low boil for 3-4 minutes.

Serve with toothpicks. Could this be any easier? I don't think so :) Try these crowd pleasers at your next soiree :) xo, Brie

Portrait

Finally got around to framing my favorite picture of the kids of all time.... The quality of MY pic isn't great (although in real life it is). It makes me soooooo happy :) xo, Brie

I have a new favorite song...

You know, the kind that makes you let out a little whoop when it comes in the radio and you crank it? Would you like to hear it? Here you go :)



xo, Brie

Tonight's the Night!!

I am reunited with my favorite long lost smoke monster!!! Beside myself excited... who's watching Lost?! xo,Brie