Bedroom Redo

I promised some photos of our bedroom along with our inspiration.  Sadly, I do not have any before pictures, but I promise, it wasn't that great beforehand.


So first, here is our inspiration.

source

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The last is my favorite.  The different woods and clam colors are my just to die for.

Now, time for the end results!

Our nightstands and dresser are from IKEA, the HEMNES collection.  I love the color of the wood and how large the dresser is.  It is also handy that the nightstands can be closed, so they don't have to be pretty on the inside.  

The comforter, lamps on the nightstands and mirror are also from IKEA (a theme, if you will).  

The lamps on the dresser are from Target.  Beyond that, everything is either hand-me-downs or things we have gotten along the way.

The only thing not finished is the headboard.  I'm not sure what to do with it.  I can't decide if I want to paint it white, coral or upholster it.  Either way, I like it for the time being.

Meatless Monday

"One eyed, one horned, flying purple people eater".....eggplants make me think of that song/ I'm very tired this morning lol.

Rigatoni with Eggplant and Pine Nut Crunch
from Bon Appetit

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1 unpeeled large eggplant (1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 medium yellow bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch squares
2 cups grape tomatoes
3 large garlic cloves, divided
1/3 cup olive oil
2 cups (firmly packed) fresh basil leaves, divided
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes in juice
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 pound rigatoni
1 pound whole-milk mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray; add eggplant and peppers. Cut tomatoes in half lengthwise; add to sheet. Using garlic press, squeeze 1 garlic clove onto vegetables. Drizzle vegetables with oil; toss. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast vegetables until tender, stirring often, 35 to 45 minutes.

Combine 2/3 cup basil, 1/2 cup Parmesan, pine nuts, and 1 garlic clove in mini processor. Blend until crumbly. Season topping with salt.

Blend tomatoes with juice, cream, 1 1/3 cups basil, and 1 garlic clove in processor until smooth. Season sauce with salt and pepper.

Cook pasta in pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally; drain. Return to pot. Toss with vegetables, sauce, and 1/2 cup Parmesan. 

Transfer to 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella and pine nut topping.

Bake pasta until heated through, 25 to 35 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes and serve.

- I made a few adjustments to this recipe.  We didn't use the pine nut crunch part.  Nick doesn't like pine nuts.  Also, we used dried basil, but I think it would have been better with fresh.

The Nest Love

Back when I was planning our wedding, I was crazy about The Knot.  It provided me with checklists and programs to put my guest list in.  It also gave me more inspiration than I needed.  


After the wedding, I started getting emails from The Nest, their newly married counterpart.  I ignored the emails initially, but have come to really enjoy the information provided on the site.  The have information ranging from weeknight meals to how to handle your money to decorating.  


Here are some of my favorite living rooms from The Nest.  Don't they seem so cozy?

We are working on finding our design style right now.  So I am trying to find all of the inspiration I can, filter through it, and then show it to Nick.

Candlestick Holder Redo

I saw this picture in Blissliving Home's catalog and fell in love with the candlestick holders.  I wanted them, but didn't have the time to order them and wait for them to arrive...I wanted them now!

So, I searched through my local Goodwill store and found these babies.  I knew that they would be perfect.  Plus, they were only $9.

From there, I ran to Walmart and purchased a tester of paint in Swan White for about $2.50.  Here is the finished product.

What do you think?  I love them, A LOT!

Here they are lit for Valentine's Day!  Do you have a DIY you are proud of?  Let us know.

Redesign

So...if you haven't noticed, we redesigned the blog!


I'm so excited about this.  I've been thinking about doing a redesign for a little while now but couldn't find the time or motivation to get it done.  Finally this week, I just sat down and began working.  The first banner idea was awesome, but Nick always says I fall in love too quickly with what I create.  So, I made a second banner to see what would happen.  


I am so happy I listen to my husband's suggestions.  The second banner turned out so much more our style than the first.  I considered making a third banner to see if it could get any better, but Nick was in love with the second design too, so we decided to quit while we were ahead.  


What do you think?  


I used the colors that I fell in love with in a spread in Rue magazine. 

Rue

Then I looked at inspiration pictures I had been collecting for a pattern.  Chevrons are very "in" right now, and I love the sophistication they bring to our blog.

6th Street Design: Etsy Chevron Roundup

Jones Design Company: Prints 

Nesting Place

Online Magazines!

I have a feeling I'm really behind the times on this new find, but I'm okay with that.  Hopefully at least one of you haven't heard about this as well so I do not feel out of the loop.

Did you know there are online magazines?  Most of which are free, or just ask for a small donation from their loyal readers.  I did not know about such things, but I LOVE it.  

Not only can you read them online, but there is at least one Web site, Issuu, that allows you to download and subscribe to the magazines you like.  I'm so excited about this.  Many of these magazines also have their own Web sites to subscribe to as well.  Issuu is also a way to publish said magazines.

I found out about this lovely idea from Hither and Thither, a blog I've been stalking.  They mentioned Rue magazine and I clicked on the link, like a good stalker, and fell in love with this online magazine.  From there I have been looking everywhere for recommendations on good online magazines, and just looking around Issuu for things I might like.  Here are some of my favorites.

Rue Magazine

High Gloss

Those are my two favorites so far, but I've just scratched the surface here guys.  Please let me know some others that you like or know about.  Nesting Newbies is another I've been drooling over today.