Daycare

As a first time mom, I didn't realize all the items that were needed when you send your kid to daycare. Turns out, this is the perfect excuse to get out my monogram machine(which has been put to use since G arrived). Check out some of the goodies I created below and if you are interested or know someone who is, message me about ordering items! 

Spicy Honey Citrus Sauce

I guesstimated at what I used, since I made it according to taste. 

Juice of 2 oranges

Juice of 1 lime, 1 lemon

1-2 clove garlic, minced

2 TBS butter

1 TBS Ground mustard

1 TBS Ground ginger 

Pinch of Cayenne pepper 

Cook garlic and ground spices in butter over high heat(be careful not to burn)

Wisk in juices

Allow to cook for 5-7 min

Season with salt and cayenne

Belated DIY Valentine's Day Decorations

This is a belated post about last minute Valentine's Day Decor that I've been working on since being home. Apparently my goal is to keep HL in business while I'm out on leave.

I used several Pinterest inspirations to create some LOVE-ly things to put up around the house. Most of them didn't get done in time for the day, but I'll be able to add them to my Valentine's Decor box for next year. 

Inspiration: 

My Version: 

Using 4 different patterns in red and pink, I cut out heart shapes using pinking shears. I stitched them together leaving a small hole so I could stuff with batting. They are attached to the jute with hot glue 12" apart. I'll have to play around with how to hang them on the stair next year, but I think it turned out pretty cute. 

Inspiration: 

My Version: 

I pretty much copied the inspiration photo except I used jute instead of yarn(noticing a jute theme?). It fits the space better than my previous wreath, which I'll just use in a different area next year. 

Inspiration: 

My Version: 

Using leftover felt, I cut out more hearts bc I felt like my burlap was too see-thru to paint both sides. I will add the shamrocks once I get some green felt and may try a reversible painted version if I find thicker burlap or double the pennants by sewing 2 pieces together. 

Inspiration: 

My Version:

I painted these wooden letters(came 2 to a pack) with plans to hang but I am not in love with the letter font so I'm not sure I'll use this next yr. 

And lastly: 

Valentine's Day Apothecary Jar Tags:

Thinking of re-painting the wood part. Maybe white, gray, or black...thoughts? 

Nursery Sewing Projects

A few fabric projects for the nursery included a monogrammed pillow, a seat cushion for the rocking chair, a foot stool pouf, and curtains. 

I bought a premade pillow from HL and painted a monogrammed letter on it. While it's not comfortable to have on the chair while rocking, it does look nice. I free-handed the letter and used a metallic bronze acrylic paint. I may change the paint color one of these days, but I think it's good for now.

I found a duck cloth cream and gray striped fabric for the cushion of the chair. The chair by the way is the same chair that M was rocked to sleep in way, way, back in the day. I knew we had to incorporate the chair if we could even tho a certain husband really wanted to buy a glider. 

I made a paper template and double foam cushion for the seat. I then stuffed with loose batting to fill out the corners. I made it right enough that no toes were necessary. This project was much more difficult and it not quite complete in my opinion. I probably would've bought something in hindsight. The fabric I chose frayed all over the place and there is a chance it could fall apart at any moment because of the instability of the fabric(despite my 'serging the edges' and  double stitching each seam). I plan to stuff with additional battingn to give it more structure sometime soon because upon use, it's just a really big pillow with no major support which doesn't make for a good rocking chair foot stool. It also turned out about 3 times the size I envisioned. Here was my inspiration piece..

Here is the finished product...

This cornice was my second attempt. The first one I used plain gray calico but didn't get batting and tried to use loose stuffing. End result looked a little like a rain cloud. So when I found this fabric on sale at JoAnn's, I decided to give it another go. So glad I did, bc it turned out awesome. I bought quilt batting as recommended and used a staple gun working from center points out. 

For the curtains, we decided upon blackout panels even tho we have plantation shutters. I just felt like anything I can do to help with light and sound insulation to help G sleep will be a good thing for all. The only decently priced panels I found were navy. So much blue, too much in my opinion. So I bought a gray and cream ticking stripe fabric and attached it to the top of the curtain leaving a wide stripe of the original panel showing below. This was an easy refashion and in my opinion adds a little depth to the curtains. 

I had plans to sew a crib skirt, but I had trouble finding fabrics that I liked so I bought a nice striped one from Target. 

It's a PBK knockoff but looks great. Post on crib and sheets to come. 

Dresser Makeover

So now that we have news to share, be prepared for numerous posts in 'rapid fire succession'. I say that but I caution that my definition of 'rapid fire' is quickly changing as I have my hands fu

ll with a newborn these days. That's right, we have welcomed the arrival of our firstborn, baby boy G.

I've been saving up photos of his room to share when the time was right and as I sit feeding at 2:45 AM, it seems like that time is now. 

So without further ado, here is a before and after of the changing table makeover I did last year. We got the offer to have this table when we found out and announced our pregnancy this summer. The wood work and style struck me as very masculine and craftsman style so I immediately knew I wanted to use this piece if we had a boy.

Fortunately for us, that was the case. I had already dreamt up color schemes for girl or boy so I just needed to decide which direction to head in this case. With a boy, I had envisioned gray as the neutral base color. This was the pin that inspired my paint choices. 

(SW agreeable gray on walls, pussy willow on doors)

So I had paint mixed up and using the following link for tips, http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/04/how-to-paint-furniture/ ,

I bought the necessary added accessories and supplies and began. 

A few notes, I did several thorough cleanings of this piece before even beginning to ensure a clean surface and clean drawers for G's things. I used a primer/sander paint and Floetrol(and I swear by it). The Floetrol helped the paint go on so smooth that not even my sloppy painting strokes could be seen after drying. 

I did stain the top afterwards which I would do first next time. I used the Rust-oleum Kona wood stain that we have on several pieces around the house. I loved the idea of dark wood stain in his room on various things. 

Priming piece after sanding and cleaning. Would recommend doing this in a work shop but M had already gotten help getting it to G's room. 

Look at how clean the finish came out when using Floetrol. 

Then I began staining the top. This took several applications and I had to lather certain areas more than others after noticing certain markings/patterns as the stain soaked in. 

I then had the MIL come and gloss the top. This is to help protect the top surface from wear and tear, but also gave it a beautiful finish. 

After finding hardware at Target of all places, we attached the dark finish pulls and knobs. 

I took my time with this piece so I could make sure to get it right. We were worried the paint and stain wouldn't take, but I think the end result turned out wonderfully. I mean to toot my own horn, I'd like to think it's a piece you could find at a boutique baby store that would cost you hundreds. I left the inside the original wood color for 2 reasons, one was because I wasn't about to begin the undertaking of painting the inside of the dresser cabinet or drawers and two was because I could show off my handy work. 

So all in all, I recommend taking the time to refinish a piece if you want custom design. There is nothing quite like knowing that not only do you have a one of a kind piece, but also that you lovingly worked on it yourself.

Hungarian Paprikash

(This was my 2nd helping!) 

http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/chicken/hungarian-chicken-paprikash-chicken-and-dumplings.html 

Cooking is supposed to be fun! That's what we kept saying during the hour and a half it took us to make this meal. However, once we sat down and filled our bellies, we decided it was worth it. 

I have made this recipe previously and we just ran out of the leftovers I froze.  This time I used 1/2 Greek yogurt & 1/2 sour cream bc that's what we had on hand. Other than that, we followed the recipe. And just like before there is a full pot leftover that I will freeze into portions. 

I will definitely make this again. Probably not too often because it is time consuming, but it is soooo good! 

Winter weather is perfect for warm chocolate cake(in a mug)

This was the perfect dessert to cap off a cold frigid night. We earned it after treking to the gym! 

Chocolate Mug Cake

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp. baking powder
• 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
• ⅛ tsp. salt
• ¼ cup + 1 tbsp. milk
• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp. hazelnut chocolate spread

How to:

- mix dry ingredients

- whisk in milk and oil until combined with no clumps

- pour batter into mug and drop hazelnut spread into the batter(no need to push down into batter). You want to use a mug that's big enough for the cake to rise and put paper towels underneath just in case

- microwave for about 70 seconds

Recipe from Table for Two