Do-it-yourself pretty corkboard

This is a simple do-it-yourself cork board project that I just love. I'm always looking for new ways to display the thousands of pictures I have, and I thought this was a neat way to do so. Also, with the holidays right around the corner, it'll be the place where I can hang all of my Christmas cards we recieve this year.

I bought the two largest corkboards I could find at Jo Ann Fabrics. Then stapeled them together with a staple gun.

Next, using a hot glue gun, I pasted a yard of fabric onto the board.

Then, I glued on two peices of burlap twine to create a "clothesline" where I can hang my pictures from.

Ashley

Rustic-Vintage Chalkboard Walls!

In my opinion chalkboard walls are one the the most fun and functional things that could be in a kitchen!

I would say my kitchen has a very vintage meets Anthropologie feel, but is still a work in progress! I love to decorate with the actual things that I use on an everyday basis...

I am a very visual person, so of course it has to look good to me, but I'm also a scatterbrain, so I need it for its function as well!

Oh the beauty... I mean function!!!

Here are a few of my inspiration pics from other blogs...

 This one below is where I got most of my inspiration from. I just loved the lettering so much...

So much that I copied the lettering precisely! Here is my own...

Enjoy!

Sarah

Welcome Fall

If you know me, than you know how much I love the Fall. Everything about it, the foliage, the smells, the decorations...the list goes on. I love it so much, that I already got some pumpkins and decorated my mantle for the happiest season of the year.

Some other mantles that I adore...

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Ashley

Breakfast for Success!

In my quest to find easy school morning breakfast ideas, for at least once a week, I came across a familiar one that I had been meaning to duplicate. This recipe was one that my sister had shared with us last Christmas morning and it was a big hit amongst all of us. (Especially me since I could just sit back, relax, and not cook for once)

Baked Prosciutto and Egg "Cupcakes" (sounds fun, right?!)

You'll need:

*6 thin slices of prosciutto

*2 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese (cubed)
*3 large basil leaves or 3 tbsp of pesto (I chose to use concentrated pesto sold in a tube. just mix 1 tsp of pesto with 1 tbsp of olive oil and mix well)
*6 eggs
*ground pepper

First preheat oven to 375 degrees and coat 6 cups of cupcake pan with cooking spray. Fit each cup with one piece of prosciutto, like this...

Next crack an egg into each cup and place 4 small cubes of mozzarella on top. Spoon pesto or sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves over the top of each cup.

They will look alot like this before cooked.

Bake in oven for 10-12 if you prefer runny yolks or 15 minutes for firm, thoroughly cooked yolks.

When done cooking, let stand for a few minutes. Then run a knife around the cups to unmold and scoop out with a large spoon. Serve on a school morning, at your next brunch, or for a special Christmas morning treat. I ate mine with a little clementine on the side...but it's delish with canteloupe or  fresh strawberries. Enjoy!

                              Kirsten

"The Vintage Leaf"

Time to put away the seashells, seaglass, and citrus scented candles. Fall is here, and it's time to make your home feel warm and cozy with all the wonderful elements of this time of year.

My favorite things are the cool mornings, leave piles, and warm apple pie!

Although, I do love this time of year, I find that a lot of stores carry autumn decorations that are just a little too much for my taste. I like to hint subtly, so I came up with this pretty craft that keeps true to my decorating style.

"The Vintage Leaf"

For this craft you will need:

~A vintage book that you wouldn't mind having a few pages missing

~White cardstock paper

~Mod podge

~Frame

To make...

Cut out a template of a leaf, trace it on to a page from a vintage book. Apply a thin coat of mp to the back of the leaf and a thin layer to the cardstock. Apply the leaf and even out any air bubbles. Let dry. Apply another thin coat over the leaf. Let dry.

 

Enjoy!

Sarah

Fall Lookbook

Back to school shopping is always the best kind of shopping there is...even if both my kids are under three. I still had fun to say the least. Here's to all the mom's out there that are looking for cute Fall outfits without making a huge dent in the wallet.
First up...

Toddler Boys
5 pairs of pants,
4 buttondowns,
10 shirts,
2 pairs of shoes,
6 hats,
3 jacket/pullovers,
13 outifts!

Buttondown- H&M
Tee Shirt- H&M
Jeans- H&M

Hat- babyGap
 Shirt- Target
Jeans- H&M

Jacket- 77kids
 Shirt- Target
Pants- Carters
Hat- babyGap

Fedora- H&M
 Shirt- H&M
Cordoroys- Carters
Shoes- H&M

Buttondown- H&M
Pullover- Crewcuts
Cordoroys- Carters
Beanie- H&M

Buttondown- Target
Tee Shirt- crewcuts
Jeans- H&M

Shoes- H&M
Shirt- H&M
Jeans- H&M
Hat- babyGap

Vest- Gap Kids
 Shirt- H&M
Pants- Carters

Buttondown- Gap Kids
Shirt- Gap Kids
Jeans- H&M
Beanie- H&M

Buttondown- 77kids
Shirt- Carters
Jeans- H&M

Buttondown- Target
Pullover- Crewcuts
Hat- Gap Kids
Jeans- Gap Kids

Denim jacket- Gap Kids
Tee Shirt- Target
Pants- Carters

Denim Jacket- Gap Kids
Buttondown- H&M
Pants- Carters

Next up- Infant/Toddler Girls Fall Lookbook...coming soon



Ashley

Special 1st Day of School Breakfast!

School has finally started...after being postponed for more than a week due to no power from Hurricane Irene. My girls couldn't be happier to be in their morning routines again, to see their friends on the daily, and to meet their new teachers. What better to get them started on the right foot, than a special breakfast on the first day of school. Every year I come up with something special, something that I wouldn't normally have the time or energy to make on a school morning, something other than cold cereal. (Just being completely honest and I'm sure most mommies could relate to the chaos that insues.)

While flipping through one of my fav mags one day....

which ends up looking alot like this when I'm done reading it...

I found this one simple recipe for a breakfast item that included all the components that my daughters love...so I decided it would be perfect to debut on the first day of school.

The recipe....

Banana "Cigars"

~8 egg rolls wrappers
~3 bananas, sliced
~3 tbsp. of Nutella
~2 tbsp. melted butter (I used yogurt butter to make it less fattening)
~1 tbsp. confectioners' sugar

With point of wrapper facing you, place 4 banana slices in center.
                                                                                                                                                                        

Next, top with Nutella.

Brush edges of wrapper with melted butter and roll up like a burrito.

Brush entire roll up with butter and cook in nonstick skillet over medium heat for 8 minutes or until each side is crispy and golden brown.

Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve warm with your fav beverage. My daughters choose to pair their Banana "Cigars" with vanilla soymilk, where I opted for a Chai latte.

Hope you enjoy at your next special breakfast or even at a fun brunch! What did you make your kiddos their first days of school?

Kirsten