sandr077

So, we have made absolutely NO progress on any home projects.  But, the ideas still keep coming.  I have mentioned that we are hoping to soon finish the playroom/guest room in our basement.  Once we do,  I have plans to put up a wall to divide our basement in half so that it is a nicer entry into the guest room. I have always loved these sliding doors and think it would be perfect for our space! (All images from Pinterest) Some day.....until next time....xoxo

I have not cooked much in the past week- so I don't have a recipe for a full meatless meal.  But, I do have a yummy side dish for almost any meal.   I LOVE LOVE LOVE summer in New England largely because it is farmers market season.  I love to buy things that I have never seen before.   Recently I was examining pea tendrils at my local Saturday Farmer's Market.  The guy ripped me off a few stems and told me to taste them.  They were delicious.  It is a green with a subtle taste of pea .... which makes sense since pea tendrils are the plants that peas grow on.   I threw pea tendrils in my salads all week, but we still had a ton.  So, I googled for a recipe and found one for sauteed pea tendrils.  I made it with some fish.....lots of subtle flavor.  Cooked up the pea tendrils were reminiscent (in look) to spinach.   Check out the recipe! (from Bon Appetit ) 1 tablespoon canola oil 2 small garlic cloves, smashed 12 ounces fresh pe...

So, I mentioned last week in my Birchbox post that I got one of my favorite Philosophy products, Purity Made Simple .  It is the the best facial wash that leaves our skin feeling happy.  I use it daily!   I thought I would share one of my other favorite products.... also by Philosophy.  It is called The Great Mystery !  It is an exfoliator that is gentle enough for every day and you just slop it on and let it sit for one minute and wash it off.  I use it every morning in the shower while I am letting my hair conditioner do its job! I "discovered" this on the Philosophy website as it was highly recommended.  I LOVE websites with reviews.... especially when they have both good and less than good reviews.  All the reviews raved about this product and it did not disappoint! Get yourself some smooth, bright, healthy skin!  Until next time....xoxo

Okay, I am bringing you another sandwich.  What can I say .... working mom....in search of easy dinners! :)  This is a yummy recipe for egg salad that my friend S.H. shared with me that is from Pioneer Woma n.  There is a cafe in Cambridge that makes THE most amazing egg salad that is covered with avocado!  It is one of my top 5 favorite sandwiches, so I was eager to give this a try!   I am making a few adjustments to Pioneer Woman's recipe .  First, I am halving the recipe for those of us with only two mouths to feed.   Her recipe made a lot of egg salad.  Secondly, she put EVERYTHING including the eggs in the food processor.  Maybe it is just because we have been making a ton of baby purees... but we did not love the egg salad so smooth, we wanted chunky.   Though I will say hers looks chunkier than mine ended up!   I also added a dash more vinegar and substituted red onion for chives.  A week ago I had a TON of chives, but ...

So, I mentioned a few months ago that we went to look at a fixer upper.  Thank god it was a disaster.... I need a fixer upper like I need a hole in the head!   I really have no intention of moving as  I love my house. But, every once in a while the husband and I will think "what if".  I would only move if I could make my dream house (gut or build).  You know... the house that has EVERYTHING you want just as you want it! A smart woman recently told me don't build or fix up a house until your have a VERY long list.  My list is extensive, but is if very long? What is on my list?  A must have would be his and hers walk-in closets.  Big closets with the perfect organizational system.... with a place for everything!  Why do I want his and her closets?  I don't like sharing.  But, more importantly, I could pick up all the stuff the husband leaves on the floor.... open up his closet throw it in and close the door! Hmmm..... a girl can dream...

My July Birchbox arrived.  I will say after last months- it is kind of a let down!   This months box was curated by Cynthia Rowley  and had a cute new "outfit to prove it. I got 5 items.... here they are! 1.  AHAVA Mineral Hand Cream (.58 ounces)  Full size lotion (3.4 oz) sells for $20.  Value of Birchbox sample  $3.41. 2.  Philosopy Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser (1 oz)  Full sized product  (8 0z) sells for $20.  Value of Birchbox sample  $2.50. 3.  Redken Shine Flash Spray (2.1 oz)  Full sized spray (4.4 oz) sells  for $17.  Value of Birchbox sample $8.12. 4.  Zoya Nail Polish (.25 oz)  Full sized polish (.5 oz) sells for $8.   Value of Birchbox sample $4.00. 5.  Extra Kind Almond & Apricot Bar (aka biggest disappointment in the box) (1.4 oz bar).  12 bars sell at Amazon for $16.24.  Value of Birchbox Bar $1.35. Total Value is $19.38.  Yes, it is still ...

Photo from OWN It's back! :)  My meatless recipe this year was a hit.  This was an easy meal because sometimes you just need something that is not overly complicated or time consuming.  It was a yummy sandwich!  It involved cheese... brie to be exact and apples!  Delish! Ingredients -Bread  -Apple -Brie Cheese -Onions (carmelized) -Stone Ground Mustard On medium high heat, heat a heavy-bottomed skillet/grill pant or panini maker for 2 minutes.  At the same time sauteed onions in another skillet until caramelized.  Using a pastry brush, brush the bread liberally with olive oil on both sides. To make the sandwich, place a slice of bread on a cutting board and spread each side with thin layer of mustard then top with 2 ounces of Brie cheese, cover with apple slices (more or less depending on your preference) and the caramelized onions.  Close the sandwich with another slice of oiled bread.   Place the sandwich in the panini maker or skillet...

So, remember a few weeks back I mentioned the adorable espadrilles I got on sale at Talbots?  Well, I might have been naughty and bought a secon pair.   Did I mention they were on sale?  Well, a few of the ladies in my office also treated themselves to a pair!  Aren't we a stylish shoe bunch?  I love that we all got different colors too!  Meatless Monday will return on Monday.  Get excited.  Have a great weekend.  Until next time...xoxo

So, as I mentioned in my last post.  I was in Michigan at a flea market over the 4th of July weekend.  I bought myself some vintage cameras.  My sister bought a few cute items for my nieces room including some cool vintage (maybe?) shutters!  She got a few different sizes and colors... they are quite cute! :) She just like the look of them, but I quickly told her you can use them as display for photo or art of books or whatever!  Sister.... great purchase!  Here are few ideas on how to hang and use them. S... Sh... S... Sh.... SHHHHUTTERS! :)  Until next time....xoxo

So, I was in Michigan for the 4th of July holiday weekend....hence no post yesterday!  I thought I would spice it up and blog this week on Tuesday and Thursday.  Anyways.... Michigan was awesome.  We are very lucky to be invited to spend time on Lake Michigan with my brother-in-laws family.  It is truly awesome!    While there we hit an outdoor antique market.  This is one of my favorite things to do no matter where I am. We got some good finds!  I have always wanted vintage cameras for display and there was  a booth with a big collection .... reasonable priced.  I got three! Trying to decide if I should put these in our family room once the husband does the built-ins or in the living room which needs a little TLC right now.  Hmmmm!  Brimfield is in a few weeks- so I can only imagine that I might further add to the collection. Check out these images of inspiration! Let the collecting begin! :)  Until next time....xoxo

I am trying on a new look today?  What do you think?  Dressing up this blog has been on my "to do" list for a while.  I would like to create my own look, but for now I have used a free blog template and banner from Cutest Blog on the Block ! What do you think?  Do you like?  Hope you are having a good 4th of July!  Check me out tomorrow for a new blog post.  Yep.... on a Tuesday! :)  Until next time...xoxo

So, I blogged before about the month by month photos I am taking of Avery.  It is not a new concept as I was "inspired" by so many other folks out there ... and I bought my stickers on Etsy.  I was recently perusing Pinterest and found another option! If I ever have another baby.... I will have to keep this in mind!   (Etsy has felt letters too.) Photo from Famille Summerbelle If you want to go black and white- here is another cute more artsy option!  I love myself a good photo op! :)  I am already thinking about cute 1 year photo options.  What can I say... I am a planner.  Until next time.... xoxo