Laundry Room Helps

After seeing this I am inspired. I want my laundry room to be like this. See more info here.

Intrigued

I'm intrigued by this idea:

WHITE AT NIGHT: ILLUMINATE YOUR GARDEN

Light up the night with white! Plant white flowers and light foliage to create a garden that glows.
White flowers are frequently overlooked because we want to see colors in our gardens. Reds, blues, pinks, yellows tend to stand out and we can see them quite well. White flowers reflect light and seem to shine at night.

White flowers can really be spectacular especially at night with proper lighting. Many plants flower at night and have wonderful evening fragrances. Bees are not the only pollinators in a garden. Moths also work spreading pollen around and are primarily out at night. So enhance your garden to include night time interest.

Proper lighting can really make your night garden come alive. Whether it's a small focal point, a pathway, a mass planting or a tree of any size, lighting will add new dimensions to your landscape.

The Patio

The patio is a perfect place for containers. Whether the area is shaded or sunny during the day, there are many whites that will bring life to evening.

Focal Point

Sometimes we have small gardens that don't allow for a lot of volume. These are perfect for creating a night time focal point: an individual flowering tree, shrub or perennial flower will pop out with a small spot light on it. The combination of a tree or shrub with a skirt of white is a great option. There are many grasses that have white variegated leaves which could work very well.

The Pathway

Pathways at night can be greatly enhanced by adding white along the way. Low overhead lighting can make your pathway shine and add some romance to the garden whether it's path through the trees or brightening up a cement walk way.

The Mass Planting

When space allows, mass plantings are a great way to make the landscape come alive at night by using a combination of flood and canopy lighting. From short bedding plants such as petunias, pansies, stock and creeping phlox to taller flowers like white Iris, Jacob's Ladder, Obedient Plant and Peonies; medium - tall shrubs like Variegated Dogwood, Mock Orange, Snowball Bush, Butterfly Bush, White Roses, ‘Diana' or ‘White Chiffon' Rose of Sharon and Dappled Willow to trees of all sizes: Western Catalpa, Flowering Pear, Tree Lilac, ‘Butterfly' Japanese Maple, Merrill and Star Magnolias and Spring Snow Crab Apple.

There are many more options than the few listed here. The site will dictate which plants will do better. When shopping for plants, always tell the nursery professional the area where you live and what type of soil you have and if the area gets full sun, part shade or full shade.

Lighting from Landscape Lighting Pro of Utah: www.utahlights.com

White at Night Plant List:

Annuals:

Four O'Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)

White Petunia

White Geraniums

Nicotiana

White Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Purity')

White Impatients

Stock

White Pansy

White Lobelia

Night Phlox

White Snapdragon

Perennials:

Evening Primrose (Oenotheraspeciosa)

Variegated Hosta (Hosta sp.)

Creeping Phlox (

White Garden Mums (

White Iris (

Moonflower (Daturawrightii) native, intense fragrance, watch open.

White Jacob's Ladder (Polemoniumcaeruleum)

White Obedient Plant (Physostegiavirginiana)

Goat's Beard (

White Nancy (Lamium)

White Peony

Grasses:

Variegated Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthussinensis ‘Variegata')

Morning Light Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthussinensis ‘Morning Light')

Overdam Feathered Reed Grass (Calamagrostisacutifolia)

Pampas Grass (Cortaderiaselloana) marginallyhardy

Shrubs:

Variegated Red Twig Dodwood(Cornus alba ‘Baihalo' or ‘Elegantissima')

Mock Orange (Philadelphusvirginalis) and (Philadelphuscoronarius)

Snowball Bush (Viburnum opulus)

Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)

Dappled Willow (Salix ‘HakuroNashiki')

Butterfly Bush (Buddleiadavidii)

White Roses (Rosa sp.)

White Rhododendron (Rhododendron ‘Catawbiense')

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus ‘Diana')

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus ‘White Chiffon')

Vines:

Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomalapetiolaris)

Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis paniculata)

Hall's Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Porcelain Vine (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata)

Trees:

Western Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)

Flowering Pear (Pyruscalleryana)

Whitebud (Cerciscanadensis ‘Alba')

Tree Lilac (Syringareticulata)

Butterfly Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Butterfly')

MerrillMagnolia (Magnolia x loeberni)

Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)

Junky Wind Chimes

I have always loved wind chimes. Now that we have our own home and have a place to hang them...I've been wanting to buy some! But how much more fun would it be to make your own wind chimes? I think I need to check out the local thrift stores now...

Junky Wind chimes

The first step in making a DIY wind chime is to collect the materials. You will need something to serve as the top of the chime, several items to hang as chimes, and something to connect it all together.

Just about any item can be used for the top of your wind chime. It is easier work with items that can be tied to (wire lamp shade, wooden clothes hanger). Next, collect the items to be used as chimes. Metal or wood items make a great sound when used in a wind chime. Vintage silverware can be flattened using a heavy weight hammer. Silverware can also be drilled through to so you have a hole to thread wire through.

To drill through silverware, lay the piece on a block of wood. If possible, clamp the silverware and wood block together. This will prevent the silverware from spinning while you drill. Use a 1/8" drill bit made for metal and apply pressure while you drill. Be patient, as it takes minute to drill all the way through and remember the silverware piece will heat up as you drill. Once the hole is drilled, clean-up the sharp edges using a small metal file. If the sharp edges are left, they may cut through the fishing line.

Lastly, select the material to string it all together (wire, fishing line, ribbon, cording, etc).

Lay out all the pieces before you begin. Make the chime visually appealing by staggering the lengths of each chime. Eye screws work well for connecting wood pieces. Simply tie or connect all the pieces together. It is helpful to hang the chime from a door frame or something high while you are putting it all together.

Fold a Shirt

This is amazing. And it really works. Try it!

Right now I love...

I have longed to take a floral design class for many years now...but now I live in a place where things like that are just simply not offered. But I love this tutorial, how easy to make your house beautiful!




Recently I have been wanting to try Boston Cream Pie...I've really never had it! Here is a "lighter" or healthier version...I think it looks great!





I would love to make some of these for our upcoming arrival!

Light Inspiration

I am in love with this idea from Simply Modern Mom. This would be perfect for out house!

Collection

...of good things.

I think this recipe for Raspberry Cream Roll looks so delicious! It's low-fat too. :) I was looking for a picture of a raspberry cream roll and found this lemon creme roll...doesn't it look amazing? Too bad this one doesn't come with a recipe!


Here's a fun shamrock garland you could whip up if you own a crochet hook and some green thread...

And I love this idea...similar to raingutter bookshelves, but I like that you can fit more on these--because I love books and would own a library if I could.

Friday loves

I am in love with this idea of decorating. If baby #2 is a girl--I'm pretty sure I'll be putting these adorable butterflies in her room!

I am also in love with this flower wrap. I always long for a pretty gift of flowers from a certain man in my life...maybe he'll see this and be inspired.. :)

Directions:
Cut a square of kraft or decorative paper and freehand a message with acrylic craft paint. If you’re giving flowers as a hostess or birthday gift, you can also personalize the wrap with the recipient’s name.

Random

I think this wreath is fun and would love to make one to adorn the walls or doors of my house!
Find instructions here.
I am a little sad now that Valentine's day is over...but you can bet I'm already getting excited for St. Patrick's Day! I love this subway art for the day of green!

Good Things Utah

I never watched this show when I lived in Utah--but today I found some awesome things on their website! Remember this pillow I was in love with? Yeah--don't bother buying the pattern, because the instructions, including a video are here!

You can also find some awesome recipes from places I like to eat--like Kneaders and Panda Express!

I'm excited to check out past features from Good Things Utah...

Frames for all Seasons

I found this idea and totally love it--they use these three simple frames for all holidays, just changing what goes inside of them! Check it out here.

P.S.

Blue Cricket Design is hosting a love letter week...and I absolutely love today's love letter! You could keep this one up all year long if you wanted.

Love at First Sight

I am in love with this.


And this.

And this one too.


I think these wreaths are so romantic and lovely and just perfect for Valentine's Day. But I know I wouldn't want to take it down afterward. Find the instructions here.

A little of everything

XO Smores! How cute is that--I love this fun idea, found at The Idea Room.


I've been wanting to make these since we moved into our house. I also love the idea of putting them next to your child's bed so they can read before going to sleep at night, or just relax on their bed reading. :)


The following recipes from Studio 5 look good to me. :) I am also trying to obtain a three month supply of food for our family--here is a great resource you might want to check out!

Hot cocoa Sticky Bundt
Ingredients:

• 24 Rhodes™ Dinner Rolls, thawed but still cold
• 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup Stephen's Gourmet Hot Cocoa mix
• 1/4 cup pecans
• 2/3 cup toffee bits
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Method:

Cut rolls in half. Wrap each half around 1 teaspoon chocolate chips and completely enclose. Dip each roll half in gourmet cocoa mix until well coated. Place in a large sprayed bundt pan, alternately with pecans and toffee bits. Sprinkle any remaining cocoa mix over rolls. Combine butter and brown sugar in a small microwave safe bowl. Microwave 30 seconds. Stir until completely combined and pour over rolls.

Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until almost to the top of the pan. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 35 minutes. Cover with foil last 10 minutes of baking. Invert immediately onto serving platter.

Korean Tacos with Cucumber Cilantro Lime Salsa

Korean BBQ Meat

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 - 3 pounds short ribs or chuck roast
• 1 Bartlett Pear peeled, and diced
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 3 tbsp Rice Vinegar Dressing
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup Ginger Flavored Soy Sauce, or regular soy sauce
• 1/2 cup pear nectar
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 tsp minced garlic
• 3 tsp minced ginger
• 2 tsp coarse ground pepper
• 3 tbsp sesame oil

Method:

Whisk together all the above ingredients. Place trimmed meat into slow cooker and pour the blended ingredients over meat.

Cook on high for 4-6 hours, or on low for 8-10 hours, until meat is tender, and easily pulls apart.

Cucumber Cilantro Lime Salsa

Ingredients:

• 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1/4 red bell pepper diced
• 2 scallions thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup snipped cilantro leaves
• 1 tbsp minced jalapeño, if desired
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar dressing
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1-2 tsp fresh minced ginger

Method:

In a medium sized bowl, toss together, cucumbers, peppers, scallions, and cilantro.

In a separate bowl, whisk vinegar, oil, lime juice, sugar and ginger together.

Pour over cucumber mixture and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Makes about 2 1/2 cups


To assemble Tacos:
Warm tortillas on on griddle, or wrap in foil and heat in the oven.
Place desired amount of meat on heated tortilla.
Top with lettuce and Salsa. Drizzle with additional Ginger Soy Sauce if desired.

Makes 6-8 servings

More Pillows

I am in love with both of these beautiful pillows. Unfortunately after all these free tutorials, I don't really want to pay money to get the pattern...maybe someday in the future. Or I could figure it out on my own if I was really ambitious. For now I'll just admire them. :)

Love is in the Air

I'm getting so excited for Valentine's Day! I really need to get jumping on all these cute ideas I've been finding if I want to do any of them! Here's one more to add to the mix...love it! Although pretty sure I won't be making my own frame like she did in the tutorial. Wow.

And remember all those free printables? Well you can find out how to make your own customized prints here!

Beautiful Bedding

I am in love with this. I desperately want to make it for our bedroom now, which is in serious need of a make-over...or a make-up since it has never really been "made" into anything since we moved in. :)

Pillows

I have been wanting to get some nice throw pillows to go on our old ugly couch...since we won't be buying a new couch anytime soon, at least we could have cute pillows, right? I LOVE both of these ideas!! But I think I would want them to stay all year round...not just for February!

I also like the idea of this little piece of art, although I would probably change the words since I'm certainly not in love with the Beatles at all and that's what I would think of all the time seeing that... any other suggestions?

Valentine Art

I've been seeing so many fabulous Valentine printables all over lately...what a simple and inexpensive way to make your home feel a little more love for the holiday!
Find them here, here, here, here, here and here.

Tissue Paper Wreath

I am loving this tissue paper wreath! I really want to hang a wreath on the door of our new home...I think this might be the one! Find instructions here.