4th of July tablescape and more

Did you know Ballard designs has a special studio called Style Studio, they feature some great DIY projects, these paper and fabric placemats are a few ideas and projects they feature with "how to's"! The table settings following are a few plate settings that I will be using while making my own matching paper place mats and napkins plus napkin holders. 

4TH of July

Red, White and Blue

This is the place setting I will be using for my 4th of July tablescape, along with foam lined paper placemats in blue, blue glasses, red napkins, flags, red white and blue carnations, red and blue candles.

Note: the cute buttoned tuxedo napkin holder.

Black and creamy white placemats and napkins.

Clean, classy black and creamy white placemats 

I will use this place settings for a sunny summery brunch

I will add yellow daisy centerpiece, yellow gingham covered vase, yellow and white candles, fresh yellow daisies n napkins. Serving Lemonade and finger sandwiches, cookies.

How to:

HOW TO make paper place mats:

CLICK on photo for larger version

Note: the place mats hang over the table, luv it!

Now it' easier than ever to make your own paper place mats and napkins, what FUN and easy way to have a brunch, lunch or romantic dinner. ENJOY Bon Appetit!!

Linking to :craftenvy, creativecorner,  wordsync, itsahodgepodge, sugaranddots

Romantic Blue and white bedrooms

Romantic Blue and white bedroom ideas
All photos courtesy House Beautiful magazine

Cool crisp blue

Blue and white stripe

My favorite blue and white with pop of yellow

BLUE semi-canopy idea

Love the beautiful azure blue paint

I want to redecorate my master bedroom, I currently have a white wrought iron headboard, neutral walls, neutral carpet. I posted photos from House Beautiful decorating bedroom ideas.  What I am wanting is white lacy bedding, florals, more romantic look, with a crystal chandelier. Thinking of wallpapering in florals, the chandelier is a must. Also looking for tons of lacy pillows and maybe a vintage seat. Nightstands with fresh flowers in silver or crystal vases. The fun is in the planning!

Creative Tassel collection

I have two tassels and used them here and there, on lamps on a key holder wherever I felt the need to use a little color or decor. Than I found Betasseled blog and tutorials and was so impressed I just had to share some of Heather's work here with you because it INSPIRED me to take my Tassels and enhance them!!
Be sure to stop by Heather's Blog and say hi.  Oh and she has many many more tassels for your inspiration!


Jonathan Adler says tassels are "the earrings of the home," 

All photo's courtesy of Betasseled! Thanks Heather.

And this one is the ultimate one she did!!

I hope you enjoyed this collection of tassels as much as I did and are inspired to make your own. The following photo is of the two tassels I have to work with in making a masterpiece, will have to decide color ribbons, finial etc. 

My Red, black and beige tassels that I will embellish.

Will post photo's after I finish the project.

Linking to this linkyparty

Getting thin like Kate and Pippa

Besides admiring Kate Middleton's sense of style it was obvious she looks good in anything she wears because of her attractive thin figure.  How does the Dutchess of Cambridge keep that body looking that good?  She says she diets and workouts as does her sister Pippa. It's all about eating less but healthier.

What diets are popular for getting thin?  Protein diets. Low calorie protein diets, I went on such a diet myself and lost 20 lbs within 1 month however I added shakes and actually snacked on chocolate snacks that were delicious little appetite control chews that helped me to stick with the local diet.

I walked a lot for exercise because of bad knees I couldn't really jog.  Kate and Pippa workout to keep their thin figures.

Pippa working out jogging in London

Photo from the Hollywood Gossip

We all read about the diet that both Kate and her sister Pippa supposedly follow and it's called the "Dukan diet". I found this RECIPE online that is supposed to be from the DukanDiet :

SPEEDY 'ATTACK-PHASE' RECIPES 

SAUTÉED CHICKEN WITH LEMON AND CAPERS
(Serves 4)

3 drops of oil
1 red onion, finely chopped
800g (1lb 12oz) chicken breasts, cut into thin slices
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp small capers, drained and rinsed
75ml (2½ fl oz) lemon juice
5 basil leaves, finely chopped
Salt and black pepper

In a non-stick frying pan (oiled and wiped with kitchen paper), pan-fry the onion until it turns golden-brown,

 then put to one side. Brown the chicken slices in the same pan over a medium heat. 

Add the onion, lemon zest, capers, lemon juice, basil, salt and black pepper. Serve piping hot.

New Pierre Dukan: Dukan Diet Recipe Book

Sounds DELICIOUS doesn't it? You can live with eating a delicious meal like that couldn't you? I know I definitely could. I kept away from white bread, sugar, fast food, snacks, salt, Soft drinks.  Eating a high protein, small portion meals, appetite control chews,  drank plenty water, used lemon juice, walked, took vitamins I lost a total of 65 pounds. 

Losing weight the smart healthy way is the best and should be the ONLY way to lose weight and keep it off.  Will it guarantee that you will marry a Prince, well we can dream can't we?   

Every cell in my body responds to every single healthy thought I think. 

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Crafty Retro Earrings

All the retro earrings are handcrafted. Some are crafted from aluminum, few are enhanced with stones, all are for pierced ears. The one thing I discovered is that each is a unique piece that cannot be found anywhere else. Hope you enjoy the collection. Feel free to comment, what do you think?

Will need to make one like this to display the collection

Photo from Trey and Lucy

Thanks to twentysomething for the tutorial

Star and moon

CLICK on each photo to see a closeup and the details of each earring

Cowboy kick boots with red stones

Black Shiny Beads

LOOK at the detail on the giraffes

Smiling cat faces with crystals

Hope you enjoyed my unique collection! Linking to this bloghop linky and this one and linky and this and this, saturdaylinky, sathop, luvlinky

By the way I finally bought a camera, these photo's were taken with my new camera! 

  

How to create more storage space in bathroom

Shelf above a door in bathroom

I first found this great storage organizing idea on TipJunkie

A lot of us with smaller bathrooms in apartments or anywhere we are tight on space have a creative way to add more storage.  Build a shelf with two brackets and a board above a doorway to create extra storage for baskets, linens, toiletries, etc.

The idea came from MarthaStewart Home and Garden.  In her,

Organizing Good Things 2005, October/November 2006

Install a Toiletry Shelf

Make space for supplies over the bathroom door so that they'll be accessible when they need to be replenished. Use wood screws to secure a pair of wooden shelf brackets to either side of the door frame; screw shelf to brackets. The shelf should rest on top of the door molding, which will help support the weight. Keep small bottled items and toilet paper in handled boxes. Bars of soap can be stored, unwrapped, in an airtight glass container.

Strawberry Lemonade Cake

Strawberry Lemonade Cake

Martha Stewart Strawberry cupcakes

McD Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

When McDonald's came out with their McCafe Frozen Strawberry Lemonade I fell in love, it is so refreshing and delicious!  When I saw a recipe using Strawberry cake mix I decided to add lemonade to the cake mix to make a Strawberry Lemonade Cake. YUM!

RECIPE :

Duncan Hines Strawberry cake Mix

You Will Need:

• 1  Cups Water
• 1/3 cup lemonade
• 1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
• 3 Large Eggs

Pan Size / Bake Time:

• 2 8": 33-36 minutes
• 2 9": 28-31 minutes
• 13 x 9-inch: 32-35 minutes
• Bundt®: 38-43 minutes
• 24 Cupcakes:
• 18-21 minutes
  
  
  

  1. Prep: PREHEAT oven to 350°F for metal or glass pans, 325°F for dark or coated pans. GREASE sides and bottom of each pan with shortening. FLOUR lightly. (Use baking cups for cupcakes).

  
  

1. Mix: BLEND dry mix, water, oil and eggs in large bowl at low speed until moistened (about 30 seconds). BEAT at medium speed for 2 minutes. POUR batter in pans and bake immediately.
2. Bake: BAKE following chart below. Add 3-5 minutes to bake time for dark or coated pans. Cake is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. COOL in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes. Cool completely before frosting

Linking to the website blog hop parties 
at FunkyJunk I, TheLetteredCottage and HappyPink Saturday!

Happy PINK Saturday

Mix the Strawberry lemonade cake with this pink hand mixer.

Have coffee with your Strawberry Lemonade cake on this adorable pink coffee pot!

Solving the Kitchen Dish Towel Dilemma

The Kitchen Dish Towel Dilemma

Blue Coastal dish Towels Click on photo

What is the dilemma? Where to stash them to keep them dry and have them nearby and handy. Dish towels are a cute kitchen accessory and a necessary item in the kitchen. For a while we were using paper towels and wasting a lot of money until we found towels with cute patterns and variety of materials we could get for less money. Cotton dish towels versus paper towels besides cost was keeping the cloth towels dry till the next use. There are many towel racks available from pull out racks in cabinet to an adorable over the door holder!                        

There are over cabinet racks, over drawer racks, but most of us hang the towels over the edge of the sink, on stove handles, refrigerator handles, dish drainers. But they can slip off the oven handles and refrigerator handles. 

Oven door handle

I saw a great idea called bull clips 

Use pretty ribbons with the clips attached to hold the towels

Store additional dry towels in a pretty wire mesh basket, roll the towels and place them in the wire holder.

Wire Mesh Holder

Adhesive V-towel holders

Because we need a lot of the towels, they get soiled, or burnt, buying them in bulk is the way to go, after all we use them as pot holders at times, or to clean our hands. 

Now you can see why we referred to this as solving the kitchen towel DILLEMA, hope we helped to solve the dilemma for you. Would love to hear your ideas.


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