Fall Yumminess!

Fall is coming, and although I'm a summer person through and through, I do prefer fall and winter food.  I looove stews and casseroles, and my crockpot recipes!  I love walking into the house when dinner is cooking, warming up the kitchen and steaming up the windows - wait, that's Big A, but anyway, back to food...<br/><br/>I thought I'd share a couple of my favorite fall recipes, which I plan on making this week.  Let me know what you think.<br/><br/><strong>SEAFOOD LASAGNA<br/>SERVES 8</strong><br/><ul><br/> <li>1 (8 ounce) box no-boil lasagna noodles</li><br/> <li>4 tablespoons butter</li><br/> <li>4 garlic cloves, minced</li><br/> <li>5 tablespoons flour</li><br/> <li>4 cups half and half (could use fat free)</li><br/> <li>1 1/2 cups shredded parmesan cheese</li><br/> <li>2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, DIVIDED</li><br/> <li>1/2 teaspoon dill</li><br/> <li>1 (15 ounce) carton part-skim ricotta cheese</li><br/> <li>1 egg, beaten</li><br/> <li>1/2 teaspoon salt</li><br/> <li>1/3 cup chopped scallion, reserve dark green tops</li><br/> <li>1 (10 ounce) box chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry</li><br/> <li>16 ounces crayfish, thawed if frozen</li><br/> <li>8 ounces bay scallops, thawed if frozen</li><br/></ul><br/><h2>Directions:</h2><br/><ol><br/> <li><br/><div>Preheat oven to 350.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>In a saucepan, melt butter and add garlic, and saute for a minute, but don't let it brown.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Stir in flour and cook until smooth.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Stir in the parmesan cheese and 1 CUP of the mozzarella. Add dill. Stir until melted, smooth and thickened. <em>SET ASIDE 1 CUP OF THIS SAUCE TO POUR OVER TOP OF FINISHED LASAGNA</em>.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>In a small bowl, beat together ricotta, egg, salt, scallion and spinach.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>In a separate small bowl, toss together the crayfish and scallops.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Spread a thin layer of the cheese sauce on the bottom of the lasagna pan.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Place 3 lasagna noodles across the bottom.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Spread 1/3 of the ricotta/spinach mixture over noodles.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Sprinkle 1/3 of the crayfish/scallop combo over top.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Spread 1/3 cheese sauce over that.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Repeat these layers two more times.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>End with the last 3 lasagna noodles.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Evenly top with the reserved 1 cup of cheese sauce and the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Sprinkle chopped dark green parts of scallions over top; if desired.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Cover with non-stick foil and bake for 45 minutes.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Uncover and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Remove from oven and let rest for at least 20 minutes before cutting to serve.</div></li><br/></ol><br/>This is RICH.  I would serve with salad.  Big A would serve it with garlic bread. ;-)<br/><br/><strong>KOREAN SHORT RIBS (CROCKPOT)</strong><br/><strong>SERVES 6</strong><br/><ul><br/> <li>1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce</li><br/> <li>1/2 cup packed light brown sugar</li><br/> <li>2 tablespoons sesame oil</li><br/> <li>2 tablespoons rice vinegar</li><br/> <li>2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger</li><br/> <li>4 garlic cloves, crushed</li><br/> <li>1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes</li><br/> <li>5 lbs beef short ribs or 5 lbs pork ribs</li><br/> <li>3 tablespoons cornstarch</li><br/> <li>1 1/2 cups shredded carrots</li><br/> <li>3 scallions, thrimmed and thinly sliced</li><br/> <li>1 tablespoon sesame seeds</li><br/> <li>3 cups cooked white rice</li><br/></ul><br/><h2>Directions:</h2><br/><ol><br/> <li><br/><div>Blend soy sauce, sugar, oil, vinegar, ginger, garlic and red pepper in bowl.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Place ribs in 5 quart slow cooker, add sauce. Cover, cook on High for 6 hours or Low for 9 hours, until meat is tender.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Transfer ribs to a platter. Skim and discard excess fat from liquid. Combine cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water; blend with liquid in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 2 minutes, stirring, until thickened. Stir in carrots. Top ribs with sauce, scallions and sesame seeds.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Serve over rice.</div></li><br/></ol><br/>Love this recipe and so do the kids.  Let me know if you try it!<br/><br/> <br/><br/> 

Fall Yumminess!

Fall is coming, and although I'm a summer person through and through, I do prefer fall and winter food.  I looove stews and casseroles, ...

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Decor steals

<p><strong>**This giveaways is now closed. Winners have been emailed. Thanks! </strong></p> <p>Hello there! We are amping up for a weekend of RAIN here…and lots of it. The remains of Isaac are on their way and we can still use it after a horrible drought this summer. I hope everyone affected by the hurricane is now safe and dry! </p> <p>I’m back this weekend with a GREAT giveaway from <a href="http://www.decorsteals.com/">Decor Steals</a>, formerly Wuslu.com. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a giveaway and that’s because I’m getting picky about those that I share with you. I’m always excited about this one because I’m a HUGE Decor Steals fan. </p> <p><a href="http://www.decorsteals.com/"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="decor-steals-LOGO" border="0" height="95" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4dTX5q_cdcs/UEC_108VFKI/AAAAAAAAWvs/dSKggrVBfCk/decor-steals-LOGO%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="decor-steals-LOGO" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I love this site and if you haven’t heard of it you’ll want to hang around and check out some of their home decor items. Decor Steals is a site that offers one fantastic decor item every day…for a <em>steal</em>. (Totally couldn’t resist that.) Each one goes live at 10 a.m. EST daily and they now have extended deals that stay on throughout the week as well. </p> <p>Here’s just a few of my favorites pieces of late…</p> <p>I love this idea for a party – this wine stand has small chalkboard labels so you can easily show everyone what’s being served:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OJigiM34Xk0/UEC_4-vL9RI/AAAAAAAAWv0/R-PskaSybwU/s1600-h/bottle-holder%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bottle holder with chalkboard" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d6mPYYis-g0/UEC_5lLwn3I/AAAAAAAAWv8/FM9xARk6V4M/bottle-holder_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="bottle holder with chalkboard" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I think that would be cute with a few flowers lined up in vases too. :) </p> <p>I love these little holders and the idea of using them for utensils:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5eF2-o-dyJM/UEC_6Hf1n6I/AAAAAAAAWwE/2joHbKibl30/s1600-h/no-1-2-3%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="numbered storage containers" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OjTRcAP2_Tk/UEC_7pMVvrI/AAAAAAAAWwM/X7oug2UWPoY/no-1-2-3_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="numbered storage containers" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I would keep those out all the time! You know, for when I can’t be bothered to open the drawer for a spoon. ;) They’d also be cute in the bathroom for cotton balls and make up brushes. </p> <p>I love these galvanized tubs and think they would be a GREAT item for a spot like above the cabinets or on a plant ledge:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lr7R0h05cNc/UEDDi1g3hUI/AAAAAAAAWyI/CPmwC9fhp8s/s1600-h/glavanized-tubs%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="glavanizedtubs" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WnOnBeIE7g8/UEDDkEISvGI/AAAAAAAAWyQ/NM1UaEJ4k6A/glavanized-tubs_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="glavanizedtubs" width="400" /></a></p> <p>They would also look cute in a bathroom – maybe with towels rolled up in them? </p> <p>Did I mention that every item, no matter what the size, is only $5 for shipping? (In the 48 contiguous states.) FIVE bucks!! </p> <p>We all know if you put a bird on it, it’s cuter. And that goes for this mail sorter as well:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gI1VebiO5QE/UEC_-y5j6EI/AAAAAAAAWwk/wpcgoASTkyU/s1600-h/Rusted-Feel-Metal-Mail-Holder%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="rustic metal mail holder" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9cYbxnBR-B8/UEC__sOK_dI/AAAAAAAAWws/2fEZo0RLiAU/Rusted-Feel-Metal-Mail-Holder_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="rustic metal mail holder" width="400" /></a> </p> <p>I think I would use it for our napkins on the kitchen table. </p> <p>This typography bamboo rug was a HUGE hit on Decor Steals, and I can see why:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zpRNCOvsvAE/UEDAAcdHZAI/AAAAAAAAWw0/dI7ecRupi6w/s1600-h/typography-bamboo-rug%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="typography bamboo rug" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I3k3r6yXCPw/UEDABigiJ4I/AAAAAAAAWw8/fhMjQA9BDcQ/typography-bamboo-rug_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="typography bamboo rug" width="400" /></a> </p> <p>Isn’t that cool? I would totally frame and hang that one. Wouldn’t it be great art?</p> <p>And finally, but certainly not least, I love this iron warming grill:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WcK3X9gX8OM/UEDACQ-MfwI/AAAAAAAAWxE/BiB9dLx3DL4/s1600-h/warming-grill%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="warming grill" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UlZz5TgDxBg/UEDAFtzbc7I/AAAAAAAAWxM/lV0mNh93CYg/warming-grill_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="warming grill" width="400" /></a> </p> <p>How cool for a party or just to keep dinner nice and toasty? I’ve never seen one so pretty! </p> <p>The fine folks at Decor Steals have created a video to show how they their site works. It’s pretty darn cute: </p> <p></p> <iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SGVROpLoVKs" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I love when the lady screams at the computer when her item is gone. Totally me. And by the way, I do <em>not</em> get $5 credits for this post. ;) </p> <p>Here’s the <em>best</em> part  -- the lovely folks at Decor Steals are giving away $100 to one lucky winner and $50 to a second winner to spend as you wish on the site! <em>Oh. yeah. </em></p> <p><strong>Here’s how to enter to win one of two credits ($100 and $50) to Decor Steals:</strong></p> <p>1. Leave a comment here. What do you have planned this Labor Day weekend? We have a wedding and a concert, and although I’m pretty sure the concert will get rained out, I’m OK with it because I love<strong><em> </em></strong>cozy, rainy weekends <em>so very much</em>. </p> <p>2. Visit Decor Steals <a href="http://www.decorsteals.com/">here</a> and check out their <a href="http://www.decorsteals.com/picksteals/">pick steals page</a>. Which item do you want to see offered in the future? Come back here to let us know in a comment.</p> <p>3. Visit their Facebook page and “like” it <a href="http://www.facebook.com/DecorSteals">here</a>. Let us know you did in another comment. </p> <p>4. Subscribe to their email list <a href="http://www.decorsteals.com/signup">here</a> (you’ll get notices about the new deals) and if you do (or are already on the list), leave one more comment here. </p> <p>* You can enter one, two, three or four times – it’s up to you! All options are not mandatory to win.</p> <p>* Remember if you comment anonymously or you have a private blog, <strong>please</strong> include your email address in <em>each</em> entry, and spell it out with “at” and “dot” to avoid any spammy emails coming your way.</p> <p>This giveaway is open to the contiguous US only. It will be close this Monday, September 3 at 9 a.m. EST. </p> <p>I hope you have a lovely holiday weekend! ENJOY and stay safe! </p>

Decor steals

**This giveaways is now closed. Winners have been emailed. Thanks! Hello there! We are amping up for a weekend of RAIN here…and lots of it...

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DIY nailhead trim

<p>Hey there! I’m back today with a quickie update that only took me a YEAR! You think I kid. ;) OK, the project only took a few minutes, but getting there took a year. </p> <p>When we made some <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/07/family-room-redone.html">changes to the family room</a> last year I found a new chair at HomeGoods for the space:</p> <p><img alt="homegoods chair" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h7kHFsTrYng/ThUu8k0ZN2I/AAAAAAAAN_4/JGS-oFNZxmU/IMG_5625_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" title="homegoods chair" width="320" /></p> <p>The chair is different for me – kinda funky and I love it. It doesn’t look it but it is so, so comfortable – I curl up in it almost every evening. :)</p> <p>I always thought it could use a little somethin’ though, and when I saw <a href="http://www.athoughtfulplaceblog.com/2011/06/new-chairs-and-nail-head-trim.html">Courtney’s post</a> last summer I knew exactly what I wanted to do! </p> <p>I even bought the supplies last year – a few packages of furniture trim from the hardware store:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aowQUpmsRBs/UD5HxigpBrI/AAAAAAAAWtM/8ZQhr1M3jUE/s1600-h/IMG_2625%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nail head trim for furniture" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LocDwfkrT_8/UD5Hx_p3nYI/AAAAAAAAWtU/cvUv2ZRjXBM/IMG_2625_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="nail head trim for furniture" width="280" /></a></p> <p>I got mine from True Value and it’s the only place I’ve seen this nickel color in this size. Everyone else has other colors (bronze, black) in this larger size, but not this nickel color. </p> <p>And then the nails sat in the garage for…well. A long dang time. ;) A year now? I am ON IT! </p> <p>Last night I got a wild hair and decided to <em>just do it already</em>. </p> <p>I started out by eyeing each nailhead piece and then quickly realized that’s not the best idea. They were all wonky and I knew the wonky would drive me crazy. </p> <p>So I came up with what I thought was a brill idea:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FSYLOF5bniM/UD5HyqF-bdI/AAAAAAAAWtc/UA9f_D02NSg/s1600-h/IMG_2611%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="adding nailhead trim to furniture" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_4QrzrBbqB0/UD5H1DHJ6FI/AAAAAAAAWtk/V30CQ5DUIP4/IMG_2611_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="adding nailhead trim to furniture" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I just took the tape measure and marked off inch spaces with a pencil. The pencil erased right off if I needed to move one. Smart huh? Well I looked back at Courtney’s post today and just realized she did the exact same thing. Maybe it was in the subconscious all this time? Who knows? ;)</p> <p>Anyway, I used <strong>her</strong> brilliant idea and it went super fast after that:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H1hx74gvNI8/UD5H2BusdtI/AAAAAAAAWts/hDzo9EcAOaU/s1600-h/IMG_2612%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to add nailhead trim" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5EUlae0IfaM/UD5H23jRs5I/AAAAAAAAWt0/0LU7SCYgAhc/IMG_2612_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="how to add nailhead trim" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Just place them on your pencil mark and use a hammer to tap them in:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LHfBZDQRS8Y/UD5H3Ix_LfI/AAAAAAAAWt8/rqmkzVaSd8k/s1600-h/IMG_2613%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jU7Sp4IYpCw/UD5H3lrkwDI/AAAAAAAAWuE/EHytqJs4-C8/IMG_2613_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Make sure to hammer them in well so they get into the furniture frame – it creates a nice “tuft.” And when they are in they are nearly impossible to get out…believe me. :) I had to move a few of them along the way. </p> <p>They are SO very not perfect. But they look much better than when I just eyeballed them. This side was a <em>little</em> iffy:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O3F-_28WOcU/UD5H5IOKIRI/AAAAAAAAWuM/jEuV4_2r9nQ/s1600-h/IMG_2623%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nailhead trim to dress up chair" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ENM0jspv4iY/UD5H5qum0WI/AAAAAAAAWuU/TTxFROM6s7I/IMG_2623_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="nailhead trim to dress up chair" width="320" /></a></p> <p>But if you stand back you’ll never notice. </p> <p>I think the front looks pretty good!:<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4VpNKIMFec0/UD5H620RYrI/AAAAAAAAWuc/Gf1UuZj3Xms/s1600-h/IMG_2621%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY nailhead trim " border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FePXYo8tPkQ/UD5H7QmFFKI/AAAAAAAAWuk/eeSIwCas4Xw/IMG_2621_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY nailhead trim " width="320" /></a></p> <p>I always thought you had to use the long strips of nailhead trim in order to get this look, and when I’ve looked for those at fabric or craft stores in the past they’re either out of stock or it’s not cheap. </p> <p>This took four packages, about $7 total I think? Not bad for a little bling update!:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-psQYfI6t1K8/UD5H7_EPjoI/AAAAAAAAWus/VicjOQxa4eg/s1600-h/IMG_2615%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="DIY nailhead trim" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vt9cjqmkn9s/UD5H8g0wy6I/AAAAAAAAWu0/WoEUTQA0LM8/IMG_2615_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY nailhead trim" width="400" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>This project took me about 15 minutes total – once you get the marks on there it goes really fast.</p> <p>Now I’m trying to figure out where else I can use this trim – I like the bronze version I’ve seen as well. I think they’d be cool hammered into a frame or wood or something. My wheels are turning. :)</p> <p>P.S. You can see more about the rug in this space <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/08/show-us-your-family-spaces.html">here</a> and the candlestick table <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/07/candlestick-turned-table.html">here</a>!</p> <p> </p> <p><em>I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.</em></p>

DIY nailhead trim

Hey there! I’m back today with a quickie update that only took me a YEAR! You think I kid. ;) OK, the project only took a few minutes, but g...

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Scraper sites

<p>Well, if you read a bunch of DIY/decorating/crafting blogs you’ve probably seen the scuttlebutt over the past few days about the “scraper” sites stealing our content and what we’re trying to do to prevent it. </p> <p>When I say scraper site, I mean a site that takes content from other blogs and pulls it onto it’s own…basically taking my posts and putting them word for word on their blogs. (Here’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scraper_site">more info</a> on them.)</p> <p>It’s been happening for a while now, but in the past six months, and especially in the past three…it’s gotten absolutely out of control. </p> <p>I get two to three emails a week from bloggers who have found my content on another site. And it’s never the same site twice. :) When that happens I have four options – email the “owner” of the scraper site and tell them to stop stealing my content (which is always through a comment because they don’t have any contact info on their site). Or I can pay a lawyer to contact them, report them to Google, or ignore. </p> <p>I’ve done all of them but one – I found out how much it would cost to pay a lawyer to keep up on this and about spit. I’m talking hundreds if not thousands a month (and that’s just for the ones I know about.) This is because the first contact usually results in nothing – it’s going to take more than one email to make them stop. And these blogs are made up entirely of stolen content – so unless they’re being forced, they’re not going to go through and delete hundreds of posts they’ve stolen from my site. </p> <p>I’ve tried emailing the jerks who do this and that’s a joke. I’ve tried reporting it to Google and if you’ve ever tried that you know it’s just not worth it – it happens so much I can’t even imagine how many of those they get just in one day. (And when someone is stealing hundreds of your posts this option is impossible anyway – you have to link to each questionable post.)</p> <p>I’ve also tried ignoring them. But lately the rate at which it’s happening is staggering, and it’s not just me. If you’re a blogger and have been blogging for a while now, you’re content is probably being stolen too. I don’t say that to freak anyone out, it’s just a fact. </p> <p>Thing is, they are getting traffic. I only hear of them because a blogger searched for a project I did and the scraper site came up instead of mine. And if you’ve linked up to one of my linky parties in the past few months, if you look into your analytics you’ll probably find traffic coming from a few of them. These people take the entire post, including 400 links from you all and put them on their own site. (The entire <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-before-and-after-party.html">July Before and After Party</a> was taken.)</p> <p>So. I tell you in all honesty I’ve done what I can to stop it and I’ve come to a decision I’m not happy about, not in the least. If you read my site through Google Reader, after tomorrow (Wednesday) you’ll have to click the title of the post in reader to come to my site. It’s called truncating the feed, and although I hate truncating posts (and never plan to do them on the actual blog), it’s the only solution I’ve found -- at least right now. </p> <p>This prevents (or at least makes it MUCH harder – so hard I hope they’ll give up) for these scraper sites to take my content. I try to be as transparent with you all as possible and wanted to let you know before I did the switch because I know it will affect how some of you read my posts. I am fully aware that some of you who read TDC through Google Reader will not want to click over, and I get it. But I do hope you will.</p> <p>I’m nervous as all heck about this because I never want to make it hard for someone to read my posts, but as a business owner it’s a call I had to make. I know I’ll lose some readers and that kills me…this is not a decision that was made lightly. I just don’t have any other choice right now – a fellow blogger told me the other day that I should get an award for the number of sites who have stolen my content this year. <em>Nice.</em> :)</p> <p>So bear with me…it sucks for my Reader followers I know. But I have to do something and this is all I know to do for the time being. </p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" border="0" height="272" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SX-9NRLBXBI/AAAAAAAABrg/xkl67H9Nc-s/s400/nervous.gif" width="300" /></p> <p>By the way, if you don’t read TDC through a feed, then you won’t notice any change at all.</p> <p>If you are a blogger and would like to see if your content is on some of the scraper sites out there, send me an email and I’ll send you links to them. I’m not about to link to them here so they get even more traffic. :) And if you’ve seen my posts somewhere else, I would love it if you would send them my way. </p> <p>Thank you to those who continue to send me emails about the ones that they find, I really appreciate it. As always, I am so thankful for my readers and am grateful to each of you who choose to spend some of your day with me. </p>

Scraper sites

Well, if you read a bunch of DIY/decorating/crafting blogs you’ve probably seen the scuttlebutt over the past few days about the “scraper” s...

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Sew not sewing!

I'm back on the curtain "making" kick again.  In the summer months it's been nice having sheers covering our windows, and it hasn't bothered me much that the sheers are pretty plain.  But I guess it's time to admit that fall is just around the corner, and I really want to get some window treatments done.  Especially with the shorter days, that mean longer periods of darkness when all the loonies and zombies will be lurking in my bushes trying to peer in!   <em>(Only joking, I'm not paranoid!)</em><br/><br/>Anyway, although I plan to embellish and use the plain sheers, there are a few windows that need the full window treatment.  As per usual, I can't fathom spending a ton of money at the moment, so I will be making curtains.  Well, sorta, I don't even own a sewing machine.  And even if I did, probably the only thing that I'd end up sewing would be my fingers.  And that just sounds painful.<br/><br/>SO, the secret weapon:<br/><br/><img alt="" data-height="183" data-width="275" height="183" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTEZkuRmNgSw3AbA1Nyl_GNhNNtVmP0lnKzIhDDa8PPM-bdVLYMkg" width="275" /><br/><br/>So head out to wherever you shop for fabric, such as Wally World, or JoAnne Fabrics, etc, and get yourself some fabric and some fabric tape!  Or use what you have, like a tapestry, or a beautiful throw, etc...<br/><br/>You need: Scissors, Iron, Fabric Tape, Measuring Tape, Fabric, Curtain Rod, (and maybe) Curtain Hanging Clips<br/><br/><strong>1.  Measure</strong><br/><br/>For <em>one</em> curtain panel, measure your windows and cut a piece of fabric that is the width of the window <em>plus</em> 4 inches and the length of your curtains plus about 10 inches. Remember to measure from where your curtain rod is fixed when measuring the length you need.  Obviously, most people use two panels per window. You may want two, or maybe you like the look of just one.<br/><br/><strong>2. "Sew" the sides</strong><br/><br/>Check the instructions on your iron for the heat setting for the fabric you're using.  Fold in the two sides of the curtains by one inch (towards the wrong side of the fabric) and press with your iron, and then fold in another inch on the other side, and press again. Make sure the seams are straight then, following the instructions on the <em>fabric tape</em>, use the tape to fix the seams in place.<br/><br/><strong>3. Create the Top of the Curtain </strong><br/><br/>If you're using just the curtain rod, the seam at the top needs to be an channel to thread the curtain rod or pole through. If the diameter of the curtain rod is one inch make about a three inch "channel". Do this by folding the top of the curtain under one inch and pressing using the fabric tape to fix this neat edge and then creating the three inch channel by folding in a  further 3 inches on the wrong side of the curtain and fixing the fabric tape along the lowest edge of the seam.  OR, make it even easier on yourself, and just omit making the channel, because you'll be hanging your panel with curtain clips.<br/><br/><strong>4. Hang the Curtains</strong><br/><br/>Hang the curtain on the rod, OR by the curtain clips, and mark the right level for the bottom of the curtains.<br/><br/><strong>5. Finish Off the Curtains</strong><br/><br/>Trim the bottom of the curtain if necessary. (I like the curtain to "pool" a little on the floor, so I leave it a couple of inches too long.)  Create the bottom seam by folding in one inch to neaten the edge and fixing this with the iron on fabric tape then fold in the remaining excess fabric and iron with the tape.<br/><br/>Voila!<br/><br/>Even easier curtain: for my kitchen window, I'm hanging tea towels with curtain clips, for a no-sew window cover.<br/><br/>Like these, from West Coast Crafty:<br/><br/><img alt="" height="375" id="il_fi" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2888026275_fc2e18d1fa.jpg" width="500" /><br/><br/>Or like this:<br/><br/><img alt="" height="500" id="il_fi" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/3716851480_1cfe6652a1.jpg" width="376" /><br/><br/>Both are sweet.  Anyone else got some cool window treatments that don't involve me losing a fingernail???

Sew not sewing!

I'm back on the curtain "making" kick again.  In the summer months it's been nice having sheers covering our windows, and ...

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DIY wood planked wall

<p>Well hello! How was your weekend? Ours was great – we celebrated my sis’s upcoming nuptials with a shower and then a bachelorette party. All in one day. This big sis needed a nap by 7 p.m. ;) </p> <p>I’ve been working on a project over the past couple of weeks that involved a bunch of little projects and I finally got them all done this weekend. I LOVE IT. </p> <p>Our basement stairway was kind of the pits after the basement finishing – the tools and drywall scuffed and dinged up the walls, the old carpet was just…well, GROSS. And I had been using the walls in on the stairs to “store” all of my extra frames that I’m saving for upcoming projects. </p> <p>Here it was in all it’s glory a few weeks ago:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hVFarvB7iz4/UDuYWJayLTI/AAAAAAAAWnU/R7vZOemngwY/s1600-h/IMG_2293%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZW_1sJo5iH4/UDuYW-dCTCI/AAAAAAAAWnc/WphVosC5v4o/IMG_2293_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>The guys had to tear out some of the old carpet to install the baseboard trim by the stairs, so this actually looks better than it <em>had</em> looked. Before there was no trim at all along the bottom. </p> <p>The first project was painting that trim before the new carpet was installed. It got a coat of primer and two coats of gloss white paint, which wasn’t too bad because I didn’t have to cut in or be careful because I knew the walls were getting repainted and the carpet was out of there. </p> <p>After the new carpet was installed I went ahead with the walls. I decided to wait and paint after the carpet was installed because I figured there would be a bunch of scuffs from it being taken downstairs and installed on the stairs. And I was right. :)</p> <p>I am pretty good at cutting in now, after years and years of painting, but I even so I like to tape off the trim before I paint so it protects it from those little bitty annoying flecks of paint:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-khDsU-5DbL8/UDuYXFMhhuI/AAAAAAAAWnk/2Rd8EK69QUc/s1600-h/IMG_2483%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="protecting trim while painting" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UYfVf6Qq_tk/UDuYXwYX4dI/AAAAAAAAWns/g2leA0A_0N4/IMG_2483_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="protecting trim while painting" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I used my FrogTape and it didn’t have to be perfect because it was just there to protect the newly painted white trim. You can see that I don’t stick the tape down onto the trim, I let it stick out from the wall so it’s like a little “umbrella” for the trim. Precious.  </p> <p>After the painting was done (I used the Marina Gray color from the basement that I told you about in <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/05/picking-out-basement-paint-colors.html">this post</a>), I was onto my the big idea I’ve had for the large wall in the stairway. </p> <p>I had been dreaming this up for months and I was so excited to get it started. The basement bathroom still sits empty and unfinished, but I just had to focus on this instead because I was so psyched about it! </p> <p>I bought five packages of these pine wood planks from Lowe’s:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GNX-4cRJSSA/UDuYYKDRA7I/AAAAAAAAWn0/ET-JnDyBS9w/s1600-h/IMG_2581%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood planks tongue and groove" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uiae3TxkBuY/UDuYYhsCuII/AAAAAAAAWn8/FCVZKBUsou8/IMG_2581_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="wood planks tongue and groove" width="320" /></a></p> <p>They are about $9 each so this project was less than $50 total. I installed them on the wall, much like <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-install-beadboard.html">I do any beadboard project</a> – I started at the top and went down from there, making sure each one fit into the next snugly. </p> <p>This tongue and groove planking is SO easy to install! I just nailed it in with my nail gun as I went down the wall. When I was done I gave it a very light sanding (this stuff is already smooth to the touch) and then taped off my walls and ceiling:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RL-zzG9yxBU/UDuYZGaIRdI/AAAAAAAAWoE/H-0o65Qxky4/s1600-h/IMG_2569%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2569" border="0" height="435" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c9AW9DWsnJQ/UDuYfaMOcTI/AAAAAAAAWoM/xGqeTiLNlp4/IMG_2569_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_2569" width="290" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E_qkQG1O0hM/UDuYgmPzvxI/AAAAAAAAWoU/DuDbE1Rg048/s1600-h/IMG_2570%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hJU-gKC_MQU/UDuYhHDhFfI/AAAAAAAAWoc/wdEzGC-b9a0/IMG_2570_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a> </p> <p>I used the delicate FrogTape for the ceiling because every. single. time. I’ve ever taped off the ceiling to paint, some of the paint comes off with the paint. This time it didn’t, so that was a nice bonus. ;)</p> <p>My drop cloth was cut up trash bags:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sZ6RCEHUaMA/UDuYh9Mzo6I/AAAAAAAAWok/viX3YENBWAQ/s1600-h/IMG_2571%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cheap drop cloth" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cn48KCPyQH8/UDuYiQxy4YI/AAAAAAAAWos/CK4Gy1D04rg/IMG_2571_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="cheap drop cloth" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I usually just use an old sheet for my drop cloth, but this time I was using stain, not paint. And stain is impossible to clean up – I wasn’t taking any chances with new carpet:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CCeXltFJ1jM/UDuYjB_F_ZI/AAAAAAAAWo0/mNTHiS8x62A/s1600-h/IMG_2582%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark walnut stain" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-paltrb23T9U/UDuYjXPg-FI/AAAAAAAAWo8/YLSaeEHuuJI/IMG_2582_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="dark walnut stain" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I used this dark walnut color and looove it. It’s close to the color of our wood floors and it’s nice and rich and lovely. </p> <p>I gotta tell you, I was <strong>sweating</strong> while staining this wall – I’ve never stained anything this large or vertical and I had to work fast to keep a “wet edge.” I was also trying to watch drips and trying not to flick it everywhere as I was working. </p> <p><em>Sweating. </em></p> <p>After I was done wiping it down (I showed you how to stain <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/06/butcher-block-love.html">here</a>), I stood back and swooned:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PFfJvCWDwmE/UDuYj_rUiUI/AAAAAAAAWpE/7E43x5W1F6E/s1600-h/IMG_2588%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood planked wall stained" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zOIi_HaGSEA/UDuYknGy9uI/AAAAAAAAWpM/GtnKqU62qJU/IMG_2588_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="wood planked wall stained" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I LOOOOVE it. Luuuuurve. Luuuuv. Whatever. </p> <p>Obsessed with it. </p> <p>Before we had a one bulb light fixture in this space that I installed years ago, but it didn’t give off enough light for my liking. Since this space was getting a redo anyway, I replaced it with a new track light:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WjVyq1DkY7U/UDuwtJJDf5I/AAAAAAAAWrU/B5O09DbpCVA/s1600-h/IMG_2587%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood planked wall dark stain" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rcL78PxjB8Q/UDuYlXrf2iI/AAAAAAAAWrc/BN_xI2TMcn8/IMG_2587_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood planked wall dark stain" width="303" /></a></p> <p>I loved that I could aim a couple of the lights on the awesomesauce wall and the others off to the side. </p> <p>Normally I wouldn’t be thrilled about track lighting, but they’ve come a long way. I’ve mentioned before that I’m going for a slightly industrial, but warm, look in the basement, and I think this light fits in SO well with the wood wall:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ebkwF4hw3fg/UDuYlx0Cs3I/AAAAAAAAWpk/SXNJY-0YoaU/s1600-h/title%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY wood planked wall " border="0" height="525" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oV2yB_qGqPI/UDuYmdAW7cI/AAAAAAAAWps/h3mwxS6tA7Y/title_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY wood planked wall " width="350" /></a></p> <p>I had to use my jigsaw to cut the planks so they fit around that small ledge we have down there. It’s sooo not perfect but no one will ever notice it…as far as I know. ;) Oh, and the boards themselves aren’t <em>exactly </em>the same length. I was going to caulk the edges but after I stained I realized you can’t even tell. </p> <p>I still have to paint that ledge white and then this space is DONE. Who knew a simple basement stairway would be so much work? </p> <p>Here’s another quick look at the before:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hVFarvB7iz4/UDuYWJayLTI/AAAAAAAAWnU/R7vZOemngwY/s1600-h/IMG_2293%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZW_1sJo5iH4/UDuYW-dCTCI/AAAAAAAAWnc/WphVosC5v4o/IMG_2293_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>And after trim, paint, new carpet, a wood planked wall, a new light and minus a cat:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8AyqqxugaTE/UDuYmzHha_I/AAAAAAAAWp0/Q36Q8YwlKS4/s1600-h/IMG_2574%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY wood planked wall dark stain" border="0" height="675" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E2N0s-BLQ24/UDuYnSp7PwI/AAAAAAAAWp8/3QmFthWNnlA/IMG_2574_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY wood planked wall dark stain" width="450" /></a></p> <p>OH, I also spray painted the brass hardware brushed nickel (after I took this picture last night) and cleaned up the railings really well. They were <em>NAS. TY. </em></p> <p>Here’s the bottom set of steps before:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_hScw-kk9Ec/UDuYn3v9e-I/AAAAAAAAWqE/u7goy7F7sNU/s1600-h/IMG_2296%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4K7FXuqL3TM/UDuYo38osNI/AAAAAAAAWqM/HEqCocTAepE/IMG_2296_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>(They had to take some of the stairs apart to install the trim, hence no carpet here). </p> <p>And here’s the view from downstairs up to the wood wall:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sLLsNhgRFfU/UDuYpOzKPEI/AAAAAAAAWqU/FCYmBuAD8TU/s1600-h/IMG_2585%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="basement stairs carpet" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H6P5zbWVKHc/UDuYpne7uOI/AAAAAAAAWqc/9PfS520jvpA/IMG_2585_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="basement stairs carpet" width="400" /></a></p> <p>LOVE IT!! It’s warm and unique and I would hug it if I could. </p> <p>OK, I’ve tried. </p> <p>One of the many things I love about the basement is all of the wall space – it has so much potential! We don’t have a lot of wall space upstairs because our home has an open floor plan, so I’m stoked about doing some fun things with all of it. </p> <p>Even the stairs have a ton of wall space. I don’t know if I’ll hang anything on the wood wall or let it be the art. If I don’t, there's a large wall above the ledge that I want to do something fun with. </p> <p>What do you think, add art to the wood wall or let it be? What would you do? </p>

DIY wood planked wall

Well hello! How was your weekend? Ours was great – we celebrated my sis’s upcoming nuptials with a shower and then a bachelorette party. All...

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Unfinished Business

May I direct your attention to the new page I finally added to my website?  <strong><em>Blogs I Love.</em> </strong> I've been meaning to do this forever, and Hooray!  I've done it!<br/><br/>Please let me know if you read a blog that I really should be checking out.  As you may know, I have approximately 374 <del>unfinished</del> projects in the works, and I'm trying to get to an even 5000, so the more blogs I read, the more projects I can add to my to-do list.<br/><br/>Speaking of my To Do List, this is #18:<br/><br/><strong><em>There’s a hole in my bedroom wall  that has a wire coming out of it.  I’m pretty sure th</em><em>at my husband wants to do something important with this wire – find out what that is</em></strong><br/><br/><a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DSC_0009.jpg"><img alt="" height="150" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DSC_0009-150x150.jpg" title="DSC_0009" width="150" /></a><br/><br/>We've lived here almost a year, and I just <strong>now</strong> asked Big A what that was - and he told me it's going to be a switch to turn on outdoor lights.  So, now I know.  And so do you.

Unfinished Business

May I direct your attention to the new page I finally added to my website?  Blogs I Love.   I've been meaning to do this forever, and H...

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(Your) beautiful bathrooms

<p>Hey hey! How the heck are ya? I’m in major get-as-much-done-as-possible mode right now. The sister’s wedding shower is tomorrow and like the good procrastinator that I am, I waited till today to really start preparing for it. </p> <p>How much can one woman accomplish in 24 hours? We’re about to find out people. We’re about to find out. </p> <p>I’m good under pressure though…I get all AMPED and PUMPED and ready to get ‘er done! That is till about seven hours from now when I’ll collapse. ;)</p> <p>I’m back today sharing some of the beeeeautiful bathrooms you linked up at the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/07/show-us-your-bathrooms.html">Show Us Your House link up</a> back in July. I really couldn’t get over all of the lovely rooms you all shared – so inspiring!!</p> <p>I loved the color, the board and batten and the window treatment in <a href="http://www.itallstartedwithpaint.com/2012/02/most-visited-room-in-house.html">Linda’s bathroom</a>, but I think I liked these the best of all:</p> <p><img alt="numbered hooks bathroom" border="0" height="345" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XHfxJ9dBBp0/TzWGhhGoW1I/AAAAAAAAITg/IrnzMaDrRsU/Powder%252520Room%252520Makeover%252520After%252520Numbered%252520Hooks_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" title="numbered hooks bathroom" width="450" /></p> <p>I don’t know if I’ll ever tire of the cuteness that is numbering things. ;)</p> <p>OK, prepare yourself – <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2012/04/bathroom-reveal.html">Jennifer’s bathroom redo</a> was SO gorgeous, I couldn’t decide on just one picture: </p> <p><img alt="white and aqua bathroom" border="0" height="624" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bqZwbJ4o1o4/T4IzVfS88lI/AAAAAAAALf4/tE_ttjn9eVY/s640/Isxx7c_2.jpeg" title="white and aqua bathroom" width="420" /></p> <p>OH my goodness, I was drooling over each and every little bit of it! </p> <p>I just had to share this cute idea too:</p> <p><img alt="wash your hands sign" border="0" height="621" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m6oByHkpkuE/T4IzWZNRJPI/AAAAAAAALgM/1d87YPL_6Sw/s640/gHFAsO.jpeg" title="wash your hands sign" width="420" /></p> <p>I must find a antique hand to hold a wash your hands sign! I must!! How cool is that?</p> <p>You must check out the before of Virginia’s bathroom to truly appreciate <a href="http://www.livelovediy.com/2012/02/guest-bathroom-makeover-reveal.html">this beautiful space</a>:</p> <p><img alt="white gray striped wall " border="0" height="557" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_ykJfo1cEk/T0gUrOk2fuI/AAAAAAAAAog/FSeSnLVViGw/s640/1.JPG" title="white gray striped wall " width="420" /></p> <p></p> <p>They didn’t replace anything big though – it’s all the power of paint! And that one small striped accent wall is perfection!</p> <p>I love how <a href="http://cleanandscentsible.blogspot.ca/2011/08/bathroom-storage-projects.html">Jenn used mason jars</a> for storage in her bathroom:</p> <p><img alt="mason jar in bathroom" border="0" height="531" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6UjuYkbc_cg/TkNfzBBK_zI/AAAAAAAABU8/n4xYr0OK5LA/s640/bathroom+shots+004+bloggy.jpg" title="mason jar in bathroom" width="400" /></p> <p></p> <p>What did we do with all those mason jars before blogging? Now they are practically a decor staple. ;)</p> <p>Lisa shared a brilliant idea to paint that pesky area <a href="http://www.lewisvillelove.blogspot.com/2012/07/painting-that-pesky-tight-area-behing.html">behind the toilet</a>:</p> <p><img alt="how to paint behind the toilet" border="0" height="292" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XqeVcY_TsLI/UATyBvmPykI/AAAAAAAABRs/feU7trlPw94/s400/paintbehind2.jpg" title="how to paint behind the toilet" width="400" /></p> <p>I loathe that spot. Can I tell you a secret? Sometimes I just don’t paint back there. Don’t look next time you visit. ;)</p> <p>And finally, but certainly not least, a lovely <a href="http://burlapandlaceblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/half-bathroom-remakeover.html">navy and gold bathroom</a> makeover:</p> <p><img alt="navy and gold bathroom" border="0" height="597" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkXvIyFG1pQ/TzBOXVgQsSI/AAAAAAAAB_M/6-8aJiLMQ54/s640/IMG_6359.JPG" title="navy and gold bathroom" width="400" /></p> <p></p> <p>Shannon used some thrifty finds to redo this space and I love how elegant and dramatic it is! That deep blue color is gorgeous, especially with the pops of white.</p> <p>So what do you think, pretty amazing huh? I continue to be blown away at the talent out there in blogland! As always, if you’d like to pin any of these images, please visit their respective sites to do so. </p> <p>Anything fun planned for the weekend? After the wedding shower we’ll be bachelorette-partying it up, but I doubt I’ll last as long as the bride-to-be. Now that school has started I’m out of commission by about 10 p.m. ;) </p> <p>Hope you  have a great one! </p>

(Your) beautiful bathrooms

Hey hey! How the heck are ya? I’m in major get-as-much-done-as-possible mode right now. The sister’s wedding shower is tomorrow and like the...

Read more »

Late summer window boxes

<p>Well it’s been the weirdest summer, weather-wise, that I can remember in a long time. It started out absolutely GORGEOUS, with lower temps and humidity – it was fantastic. And then Mother Nature went into fits and mid-summer was full of intense drought and wicked hot temps. I know many of you had the same. </p> <p>The past couple weeks it’s been lovely again – almost like September instead of August but I’ll take it! But the nice weather came too late for a few of my plants. We were under a water ban here for most of the summer, and although I could still water some plants, some of them I just could not keep up with. I almost lost a few bigger bushes, so I focused on those instead of the annuals, like those in our window boxes:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mmLsfKu1P78/UDT14buX5sI/AAAAAAAAWk4/4ZS7TZiSdR4/s1600-h/photo2%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="310" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-azljEsyOB_E/UDT14mxm2cI/AAAAAAAAWlA/hZcC8tR7fYc/photo2_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Sad, just <em>sad</em>. We were the envy of the neighborhood with those, we were. </p> <p>When there’s <em>not</em> a drought, they usually look like this: </p> <p><img alt="" border="0" height="305" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tCd_ASXL18I/Tnalip7iIVI/AAAAAAAAO3U/fAlYQYsLdRY/image_thumb%25255B33%25255D.png?imgmax=800" title="" width="406" /></p> <p>So I decided to do something about them, but the thing was, this was early August – I didn’t really want to do petunias again (and doubt I could have found them?) but I love the way they spill over when they grow out. But I knew I wanted something fluffy and spilly and low maintenance. </p> <p>So I took a trip to one of my favorite nurseries, which is actually the one at the True Value I visit:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ahEZAsoZJOA/UDT157KeD9I/AAAAAAAAWlI/NQk5_F5CnDU/s1600-h/photo33.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="336" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B5WT1ZlFq1s/UDT16VucjqI/AAAAAAAAWlQ/vlgdAm-QqLU/photo3_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="450" /></a></p> <p>I love that they use lattice across the top – it’s like a little oasis out there. I don’t know why, but I always find different options here than I do at the bigger hardware stores I frequent. I’ve purchased quite a few plants here I don’t see many other stores. (This location is in Pendleton Indiana for you locals!)</p> <p>One thing I couldn’t find anywhere else was asparagus fern:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U5yT_2dqTPA/UDT16-ucDBI/AAAAAAAAWlY/9zaSiWFKxD4/s1600-h/photo15.jpg"><img alt="asparagus fern" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OLSBPwMQ2GU/UDT17jw4g1I/AAAAAAAAWlg/q71EUGdrkkU/photo1_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="asparagus fern" width="300" /></a></p> <p>I knew I wanted to try it and this True Value had a plenty of it – at least until I got there. ;) I’ve never used this stuff before but I loved it’s delicate, spilly (yes I made up that word, go with it) look. Keep in mind how small those were – you won’t believe how fast they grow!</p> <p>I picked up some coleus as well, which I’m gathering is a good option for late summer because I see them out more starting late July. I’ve used this stuff in the past and love the variety of colors and how full and hardy it is. </p> <p>I hear planters need some “thriller,” as well (I had the filler and spiller) so I grabbed a few red geraniums for the back of the window boxes. A few weeks later and I cannot even <em>believe</em> how well these plants are doing in this spot:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9hFGG-24m9I/UDT17yq3OgI/AAAAAAAAWlo/4YboeLzpHGo/s1600-h/title%252520pic%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="asparagus fern coleus window boxes" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-infLKJluYYA/UDT18QY4l-I/AAAAAAAAWlw/CqyKtFcad74/title%252520pic_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="asparagus fern coleus window boxes" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I have always wanted to try mixing a few different plants in these boxes and never have for some reason – I just don’t feel like I’m good at figuring out what works when it comes to this stuff. </p> <p>But I’m quite pleased with how they’ve turned out!:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1sx1Tc7EpQE/UDT18hgbtOI/AAAAAAAAWl4/lGI8GXd-08M/s1600-h/IMG_2528%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="late summer window boxes" border="0" height="545" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-el6-PAkMKSw/UDT19Gef1AI/AAAAAAAAWmA/QaM_Cy08LOA/IMG_2528_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="late summer window boxes" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Ack! I love all the spillage!! Looking at them now, I don’t even know if I needed the geraniums – but I did want a little punch of color. </p> <p>Here’s the thing – I love the idea of using the green flowy plants and want to do it again, but they don’t offer much contrast against the azalea bushes that we have out front:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TGIVMF4TiCI/UDT19pkWOeI/AAAAAAAAWmI/nUUd-3yiB2c/s1600-h/IMG_25354.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="window boxes curved shutters" border="0" height="584" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YL5Z-UpT0UI/UDT1-N8g-6I/AAAAAAAAWmQ/k_hLIbOxHUo/IMG_2535_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="window boxes curved shutters" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I guess it’s that I’m so used to having a huge pop of color there with the petunias. Maybe I’ll continue to do both every summer, who knows. I’m pretty much obsessed with how these have filled out and spilled over though. Love it!</p> <p>I installed these window boxes about six years ago, maybe seven, and they’ve served us well. But this is the last summer for them, for sure:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t3M30lvAbbk/UDT2EHfUN1I/AAAAAAAAWmY/VIf1m2Fom38/s1600-h/IMG_2537%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="419" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KqWlrFFzDq8/UDT2EgyYzXI/AAAAAAAAWmg/4-ani4kQyJI/IMG_2537_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="322" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>They are barely hanging on. ;) Luckily you can only see that from the side, since the spillage hides so much. </p> <p>Next year I want to go bigger with the window boxes – definitely longer and maybe deeper too so I can keep stuffing them full of lovelies like this. Our current ones are actually very small and it’s hard to put much in them. </p> <p>I’m hoping the fern and coleus will do OK into the fall, because I’d love to just keep these through till the winter. I will fallify them a bit, maybe with some pumpkins and kale if I can cram those in. ;) </p> <p>By the way – we have finally gotten some rain around here but I have not watered these much otherwise – just a couple times right after I planted them. They get partial sun and do GREAT in this spot – the maintenance is pretty much nonexistent! </p> <p>I did a quick search to find some other examples of window boxes using these three plants – check out this <em>gorgeous</em> one using coleus:</p> <p><img alt="coleus window box" height="478" src="http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2010/11/09/RMS-kmphelps_window-box-coleus-Supertunias-geraniums-Superbells-fuschia_s3x4_lg.jpg" title="coleus window box" width="360" /></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">(<a href="http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/stunning-container-gardens/pictures/page-7.html">source</a>)</p> <p align="left">Holy spillage! I die!! </p> <p align="left">This one is simpler but still a big impact:</p> <p><img alt="coleus window box" height="330" src="http://media-cache3.pinterest.com/upload/276971445803561501_1aPxxUPH_c.jpg" title="coleus window box" width="554" /></p> <p>I love the red tones in the coleus! </p> <p>This one I loved because of the boxes, but mostly because of the windows: </p> <p><img alt="window box with coleus" height="333" src="http://thegardenbuzz.typepad.com/.a/6a0120a5102858970b0176157981a4970c-500wi" title="window box with coleus" width="500" /></p> <p align="center">(<a href="http://www.thegardenbuzz.com/2012/06/more-window-boxes-in-charleston.html">source</a>)</p> <p align="left">Can you blame me? </p> <p align="left">And hold on to your seats – this one is freakin’ me out it’s so awesome:</p> <p><img alt="Window box with coleus, sweet potato vine and caladium" height="538" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/86412886570469226_xeWvyxWz_f.jpg" title="Window box with coleus, sweet potato vine and caladium" width="360" /></p> <p align="center">(<a href="http://remodelista.com/posts/container-planting">source</a>)</p> <p align="left">Look at all the potato vine too! Just amazing!!</p> <p align="left">This window box shows how delicate and pretty the asparagus fern is:</p> <p><img alt="Asparagus fern for shady window box" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/255297872596678434_X3u0005M_f.jpg" title="Asparagus fern for shady window box" width="320" /></p> <p align="center">(<a href="http://www.bhg.com/gardening/container/plans-ideas/window-box-plants-for-shady-spots/">source</a>)</p> <p align="left">I love those brackets by the way – that’s the look I’m going for when I replace our boxes next year. </p> <p align="left">Forget about the geraniums, check out that iron window box!:</p> <p><img alt="geranium window box" height="450" src="http://www.gardensquirrel.com/images/gallery/great%20plants/WB-Easy-Geranium_PPL_400x450.jpg" title="geranium window box" width="400" /></p> <p align="center">(<a href="http://www.gardensquirrel.com/f66/Geraniums-in-Hanging-Baskets.htm">source</a>)</p> <p align="left">OK, I’m totally cheating -- this isn’t a window box, but it is too cute not to share:</p> <p><img alt="old wheelbarrow as planter" height="302" src="http://www.makeitandmendit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/geraniums.jpg" title="old wheelbarrow as planter" width="450" /></p> <p align="center">(<a href="http://www.makeitandmendit.com/using-colour-in-the-garden/">source)</a></p> <p align="left">And finally, one more that truly incorporates the “thriller, spiller, filler” combo, WOW:</p> <p align="center"><img alt="window box spiller" height="356" src="http://www.coolgarden.me/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/window-box-flowers432-1.jpg" title="window box spiller" width="475" /></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">(<a href="http://www.coolgarden.me/world-is-more-beautiful-with-plants-in-window-boxes-249/">source</a>)</p> <p align="left">Those geraniums are HUGE! I’m gonna need MUCH bigger window boxes next year. ;) </p> <p align="left">So do you have window boxes? I think they add SO much character to the front of a home – for very little money (I’m pretty sure mine were under $20). I’m determined to get a little more creative with mine in the future. And in no time at all we’ll be dreaming of fall-themed planters – like, maybe…yesterday? ;)</p> <p><font size="2"><em>I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.</em></font></p>

Late summer window boxes

Well it’s been the weirdest summer, weather-wise, that I can remember in a long time. It started out absolutely GORGEOUS, with lower temps a...

Read more »