sweet paul

If you’re looking for some Spring reading, Sweet Paul magazine has published it’s latest 2012 Spring issue and it’s available online for FREE!

It pretty much has everything you’d want to read about in it–recipes, crafts, travel…If you’re a blog reader, this is definitely your kindof magazine.  Beyond that, the photography is is awesome:

Download the full issue for free HERE 

Have a great weekend!

want wallpaper without the commitment?

I love wallpaper. So many people still think that wallpaper is “outdated” but it’s definitely back and bigger than ever. The only thing that has kept me from putting it in my own house is the stress of installation (and removal). I sold some friends of mine on putting wallpaper in their bathroom. While it looks AWESOME, they installed it themselves and have vowed since then that they will never install their own wallpaper again.

There’s a way to avoid all that, though. A number of companies have come out with removable wallpaper–it adds pattern and depth like regular wallpaper but installation and removal is super easy…basically peel-and-stick.

Here are some of the great patterns available from Tempaper:

Or this great one from Murals your Way:

How about this one from Wallpaper Dolls:

What do you think?

This option is the best of both worlds–pattern and visual interest without the hassle of installation and the commitment of glue!

So great, right?!

Have a great weekend!

kade’s room

In just a few short weeks, Kade will be here!  Lucky for him, his room is all ready!  I gave you a sneak peek of his room here, but now I’ve got the full story.  I didn’t do an idea board for this room–Melody (Kade’s mommy) and I just did lots of shopping and emailing about ideas and concepts for the room.

What do you think?  Isn’t the rug awesome!?  Melody found it for $160 at Overstock.com–pretty nice, huh?

On another fun note, Reni posted about my new business cards on the Bliss and Tell blog.  Check out the post here– I can’t wait to get my cards!  Reni is actually doing another giveaway on her blog for 100 custom designed business cards.  She’s awesome to work with and is an amazing designer.  All you have to do to enter is like B & T on Facebook or subscribe to their blog.  Be sure to stop by!

I’m looking forward to a week of perfect weather!!  Hope your weather is awesome too!

things I like: “the perfectly imperfect home” by deborah needleman

Accessorizing can be a difficult task, even for a designer.  Part of the reason for this is that, while there is some method to accessorizing (more like “staging”), some of it is just trial and error.

Ruling out what you  don’t need or doesn’t work.  Playing with different shapes and color combos. Mixing textures.  Creating layers.

And that’s the reason I really like this book by Deborah Needleman:

In the book, Needleman discuss everything from lighting, to plants, to pillows, to area rugs and all within the premise that a house should look “lived in”.  Somewhat based on this quote by Billy Baldwin, “Any house or room remembered with pleasure has the look of being loved by those who live in it.”  Needleman’s belief is that a home should be a reflection of it’s inhabitants rather than a (wanna-be) model home or designer’s showcase.  Basically, it should be warm and inviting.

One of the ways that she suggests creating this warm feeling is by incorporating, what she calls, “jollifiers”.  These are personal, sentimental items that can (and should) be incorporated into your home’s design style to make the space more personal (and because they’re just special!).  She also discusses “cozifications” and “glamifications”  and sums it by by saying “Style is a luxury, and luxury is simply what makes you happy.”

Beyond including the great tips and tricks in The Perfectly Imperfect Home, Needleman enlisted Virginia Johnson to illustrate each section with beautiful watercolor depictions.  These images are half of what makes the book so inspiring!

The book isn’t cheap (around $20ish)  and it’s fairly new, so it might be hard to find a used one, but if you can score a copy, do it!  Not only is it useful, it makes for a charming addition to any coffee table.

Happy Reading, friends!

the crescent roll chronicles: part 2

I’m realizing how easy it is to make a number of yummy food items with crescent rolls.  If you haven’t tried Andreas yet, be sure to check out the recipe HERE.  They’re yummy sausage and cream cheese crescent rolls that I usually make for Thanksgiving breakfast and they’re super easy.  I guess that post should’ve been titled “the crescent roll chronicles: part 1″, but I didn’t think of it at the time…although, it does explain why this is part 2!

Part 2 of the crescent roll chronicles is another super easy crescent roll recipe for cinnamon rolls found via Pinterest from HERE!

Ingredients for rolls:

2 cans of crescent rolls

1 stick of butter (softened)

1/2 cu. of white or brown sugar (I used white)

2 tblspn. of cinnamon

Ingredients for glaze:

1/2 cup of powdered sugar

2 tblspns of milk or water

1 tspn of vanilla

Step 1:

Mix sugar, butter and cinnamon together until it creates a paste like this…

Step 2:

Lay crescent rolls triangles out on pan and smear cinnamon/sugar paste onto each triangle

Step 3:

Roll up (wide side, first)

Step 4:

Bake as directed.

(*Note: either grease the pan or bake on foil because the cinnamon filling does ooze out and caramelize onto the pan!)

Step 5:

While they’re baking mix glaze using milk (or water), powdered sugar, and vanilla

 Step 6:

Drizzle glaze on top of cinnamon rolls after they come out of the oven.

And, serve.

Yummmm!  They’re so good. Let me know what you think!

On another exciting note (yes, cinnamon rolls are exciting), Asa’s faux bois rug came in this weekend.  His reading/play nook is now complete!

So fun!

And finally, Ez over at Creature Comforts posted the February printable calendar.  Be sure to download yours HERE–they’re the cutest!

P.S.  Don’t forget to look for my post on Wednesday at Dr. Mommy Online!

P.S.S.  Did you watch the Bachelor last night?!  Ugh!  Courtney…

Happy Tuesday, friends!