Going Green:: Prepping to Scoot

In an effort to be more green and economically efficient, we are selling our oldest car and investing in a Scooter. My husband has a very short commute and I mostly work from home so why have two cars? We went to look at a few yesterday and tried on helmets and checked out the accessories we would need to travel short distances around town. We'll be able to get 100 mpg, pay much less in gas, maintenance and insurance. I can't wait to hop on our new Scooter for a day at the beach or to head to our next concert. Stay tuned for fun Around Town travels on our new Scoot!

Project Update:: Antique Window

So I know it's been a few days...but I have a great excuse. My mom was in town and I was busy learning fun crafty things and shopping! Fun posts to come.

This project adventure actually started a long time ago and scraping the paint from this window led me to only want to scrape the paint from one...maybe. Unless I can find a more effective way for the second. It was completely worth it though because the stain looks great. I'm excited to add legs and a clear coat soon and find a glass place and put new panes put in. I've got a few weeks left before summer to turn this winter project feat into a summer backyard treat.

View the original project post here and stay tuned for the final product and how to DIY instructions.

Style:: Sailor Knots

I love scarfs and this navy sailor knot is borrowed from a great little matching dress. (I *love* shopping in my own closet for new looks.) It makes the perfect belt to turn this grey sheath dress into a casual chic outfit with navy leggings. 

Music Monday:: Sebastian

Sebasitan's new album Total released on May 29, and his featured single Embody is a great song to start off the summer. It'll get inside your head and make you want to dance. Enjoy!

Project:: Three Step Photo Collage Wall

After several experiments we finally have our living room furniture arranged the way we want it so that means I could hang photos and decorate. I love putting photos of personal memories in my home so we can share out lives with friends and family and be inspired and reminded of life's beautiful little moments together every day. 

Here's how I did it::

1. Use string and tacks to mark a straight line on the wall at eye level. This will serve as your symmetrical line to give your photo collage balance while grouping them in an interesting way.

2. Lay your framed photos out on the ground to consider how they look together and decide on the spacing before you hang. I used 8 photos with various size and style black frames, some vertical and some horizontal. I chose my largest vertical frame for the center of the top row and arranged my photos with horizontal frames anchoring the top right and bottom left corners. 

3. Line up and hang the center photo of the top row first, then you can line up your surrounding photos from here. Line up the bottom edge of each frame on the top row a few inches above your line. Then line up the tops of your frames in the bottom row a few inches below the line. 

TIP:: I chose a center photo that most people's eye would naturally be drawn to first. I think this helps give the grouping more balance as well by pulling your eye to the center.

Treasure Hunt:: Fabric and Thrift Stores

There are few things more exciting to me than the thrill of the hunt. The known and unknown, the happened upon, the out-of-the-corner-of-my-eye spotted, the just the right price, the looks just perfect with my new shoes or the it matches our sofa so perfectly... You know...the little things in our homes and wardrobes that pull it all together. The items we love so much because of the stories behind them. Whether it's how you found it, the amazing price you paid, or the far away land you or a loved one traveled to, finding treasures is so much fun and often very rewarding! 

Treasure Hunt is my new corner for sharing my wonderful little finds with you. Here are my latest trophies::

    

Two gorgeous fabrics I scored for only $6/yard. The floral I'll be using on our patio to compliment our beautiful blue morning glories. The second, I'm making a beautiful gift for a friend. She loves turquoise and has a wonderful new home she is decorating. I promise I'll share my project after I pass it on.

    

Several cute skirts, tops and a string of pearls that I'll be turning into a new necklace - my favorite item being the Façonnable red sweater. It's so soft and comfy!

And my most exciting finds...a few silky scarves. When I was a little girl I played dress up with my grandmother's scarf collection so I've been on the hunt to make my own little collection. Im super excited about the thin polka dot neck scarf. I've been adding this dainty detail into my wardrobe lately. I think they make a beautiful feminine addition to a chic, clean outfit. 

Good Eats:: Beer Soaked Kidney Beans

Beans are often on many an Eww Gross list due to their thick skins that provide an unsatisfying texture and the even worse unappetizing digestive effect. But there is a solution. Beer!

We enjoy a good beer and I enjoy cooking with any kind of beer. For beans, the cheep kind works well because the light flavor adds a subtle crisp taste to most recipes that include my beer soaked beans, especially my chili…recipe to be included in an upcoming blog series I'm starting on tasty economical meals that make great leftovers.

I cover my beans in beer and bake for half an hour at 350 degrees. The skins should be slightly split when they are done and the insides will be tender but not mushy. The beer breaks down the skins so they are no longer chewy or the cause of an embarrassing consequence for enjoying a delicious dish. Now that’s a beautiful thing!