Pop A Bottle...

It would be nice if I could always have champagne served to me in this manner...dream on!


Thank you to all my wonderful friends for a fabulous shower! Cheers on getting closer to becoming Mrs. Marks!

Amelia-Craft.Design.Curate

Last month on Design*Sponge, I noticed the team had featured a unique and quirky store out of Oxford, Mississippi. Since it's right up the road, I thought I would check it out. The store, Amelia, features tote bags, framed artwork, jewelery, things for baby, etc. that are all chosen by the creative mind of Erin Abbott. The website goes on to share, "Erin is also the creator of the 'One Night Stand Motel Art Show Series', that she started in 2007, a series of art shows transforming a motel and its rooms into a one night only art show, giving artists a chance to show their work in a non traditional setting." If you are an artist in the area it sounds like an amazing opportunity and great exposure. I have yet to shop in person, but next time we head that way I will make it a priority.

I have a bridal shower coming up this weekend, and I have tagged my hostess gifts with these neon pink tags.

:)

My tote bag speaks for me.

Brighten your baby's room...

I'm loving these floral coasters.

Protein Packed Oatmeal Cookies

Taken from a recipe off the Eat, Live, Run blog but substituted with raisins instead of cranberries, and the addition of some protein powder ( I used the Aria brand), you can have a yummy and healthy treat that I figure would be perfect for a breakfast on the run, also.

 makes about 3 dozen cookies

1 3/4 cup old fashioned oats

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 teaspoon protein powder (Aria)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 stick butter, softened

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup toasted chopped walnuts

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup raisins
Preheat the oven to 375.

In a medium sized bowl, stir together the oats, flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, walnuts, raisins, protein powder, and chocolate chips. Set aside.

Cream together the brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and continue to beat until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and beat only until combined.

Scoop out large teaspoons of dough on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

A Work in Progress, Part Deux

I must go ahead and apologize for using my iPhone on the majority of these fuzzy wuzzy pics.

A few months ago, I was working on the house and trying to make a rent house into something spectacular without painting the walls or doing too much damage or changes to what we have. Before, I had only this table below and my foo dogs in my bar area. Now, I have managed to overly clutter things just like I like it.

Close up of small platter on the bar...

A gift from Matthew's grandmother of our wedding china works perfectly to tie in ALL 300 color schemes I have going on in the house. :) 

 My sister is soon to fill that blank wall with a fabulous abstract that will pull in all the greens, blues, and other colors floating around.

better image of the cowhide from Scott's Antique Market

When you are in your twenties and trying to make a house into a home you have to accept the reality that you may not have matching couches or brand new everything, so that's when it's time to get creative. The majority of my things are either refurbished DIY pieces of old or finds from an antique market. T.J. Maxx is always my best friend, and my "go to" shop for inspiration and things that Matthew calls "knick-knacks" is Furbish Studio.

Next project...make the patio feel more like an "outdoor room."

Molly gives the new rug a thumbs up!

CHICKS WITH GUNS

Thanks to Cashmere & Camo, I am now the proud owner/winner of Chicks with Guns by Lindsey McCrumb.

Now, let's see if I can get lucky at the camp with tips from some of the lovely ladies featured.