Our "New" TV Stand

As you may recall, Eric and I were on the hunt for a new TV stand back in February.  Being avid craigslist-ers, we were determined to find a well-priced beauty we could adopt from another family.

I am here to encourage you, friends.  Patience pays off.

Below is our original setup.

And here is our new setup in all it's glory. 

The details...

People actually paid us for our old TV and stand - $75 total. 

We were lucky to find an antique, refinished buffet table - $200 total.  

Do you revel in the benefits of craigslist?  You can reduce the amount of material items in your home, increase your savings and/or find pre-loved, quality-made items that won't break the bank.  Those are my excuses, anyway.

Gallery Walls

When we first moved into our apartment, I spent an unreasonable amount of time selecting my favorite pictures from our wedding and engagement as well as collecting the perfect assortment of rustic frames.

My mom helped transform it all into a collage for our living room.

Lately, I am drawn to another type of collage - gallery walls.

I especially appreciate gallery walls that are an eclectic mix of DIY pieces, hand-me-down paintings and artwork from garage sales and local thrift stores (like the ones pictured below).

{Design Sponge and Little Green Notebook}

Our quilt-covered couch is old and we hope to replace it soon.  But you know what?  I love our apartment, because it feels like home.  Also, I must say that Eric is handsome and seeing him in a vest and tie makes me all schmoopy.

Two questions for your Tuesday:
What makes you schmoopy?
Do you have a gallery wall in your home?  If so, share a link - I'd love to see it!

Pie Crust and Vintage Photos

Brothers are pretty cool.
Especially when they send you emails containing awesome things like...

Pie Crust 101 by Ashley Ross

{and}

Dear Photograph, a vintage photo blog

Heaven knows I need instructions when rolling out dough of any kind.  Except for money.  I can handle that just fine (what does that even mean? Ha!). 

And why am I getting sentimental over pictures of people I don't even know? Such a sweet idea.  I am inspired to participate. 

Have a lovely weekend.  

This Just In

at Urban Outfitters: a painter's postcard, a grandma's pillow, a fireman's coffee, a historian's map and a (just barely) girly-girl's blanket.

Am I too old to love this store like I do?

Gift Guide: Father's Day

Unless your dad is Barney Stinson, he neither needs nor wants another tie.  If your dad is Barney Stinson, he doesn't need one but probably wants one and you likely can't afford his expensive tastes.

What am I trying to say, folks?

Regardless of who invested in your gene pool, be sure to follow the gift guide below to make your pappy happy.

Shaving cream from a tube for a smooth face done the old-school way, $10

A masculine toiletry bag to store essentials when travelling, $30

Rad, casual sneakers so he looks stylish on summer dates with your mom, $42

A pictorial dictionary to enhance his already enviable vocabulary, $21

A collapsible bike to wow his friends and take up less room in the garage, $140

Two tickets for Super 8 so he can feel like a kid again, if just for a few hours, $18

The quittin' time clock because it's funny and gives him something to look forward to, $80

For an alternative gift, do what I did last year and invite him along for a morning hike.  All he really wants is quality time with his family. 

What are you getting your dad, grandpa or favorite guy for father's day?  

I'd love to hear!

DIY Florals

It's summer: a time to enjoy beautiful blooms planted in spring.

Unfortunately, nothing grows in our shady apartment (my poor terrariums died long ago).  I am desperate for a weekend project that brings permanent florals to our decor.  Enjoy!

Floral pots - to camouflage the fact that only dirt and a few leaves grace the top

Floral lampshade - to bring pattern to our otherwise solid-color bedroom

Floral window - to complete the steal-of-a-deal pane I found last week

Have a lovely weekend!  

Stacked Plates

Because of this post, my mind is filled with a dainty, eclectic, [dancing when not] stacked plate collection.

Eric and I hit up a local thrift store where I found and carried about 20 heavy plates before deciding I have no idea how to start a collection.  To pacify my craving, I bought this tiny white bowl with little flowers inside to hold my rings.

In keeping with Joy's advice, I'll continue to scour second-hand stores and Anthropologie sales.  The plates below ring in at $7.95 a piece.  At that price, I may get one of each!

I'm also perusing pinterest for inspiration, as seen below. 

{1, 2, 3 and 4}

I apologize white apartment walls.  This collection will be stacked.  

They're not for looking at, they're for eating.* 

*As opposed to a rock candy reference in a western movie. Can you name the movie and/or the line?  I blame my trivial knowledge of this on my husband's admiration for the leading actor and his incessant need to quote the line often and in a goofy voice.  He he. 

Almond Butter

Uh oh.  I  may have found a new Nutella in almond butter.

I mixed in a little honey and am dipping pretzel sticks in it for breakfast. It is delish - and healthy!  I am still hungry after yesterday's run.  I'd love to make almond butter myself one day like Sheena. 

Have you ever made your own peanut butter or almond butter?

I adore

this print, via Oh Happy Day

these jars, via kootut murut

this map, via These Are Things

Today warrants soothing grandma tones and happy colors.

Ahh, I feel better.  Don't you?

Have a lovely Tuesday.

Pretty Polish

This past Sunday, my sister-in-law, mother-in-law and I went out for pedicures. This is a rare occurrence for me as I am reluctant to pay for luxury.  Sitting in the chair having my feet massaged I thought, "I could get used to this."
Twenty-eight dollars and a tip later, I remembered why I can't.

The polish, however, is oh-so-pretty.
I plan to buy my own bottle and paint my toesies for free.

OPI honorable mentions (all from the Texas collection):

I've said it before, the names are too clever!
What's your favorite nail color?

Have a beautiful weekend - and don't forget to spend a little time in luxury.

7-Layer Chocolate Fudge Cake

Today's post will be short and very sweet.

My parents made this cake a lot when we were growing up. The fudge is absolutely decadent. It tastes best the second day and I would recommend serving it in thin slices because it's so rich. I made it for a friend's shower a while back and totally forgot to share it with you.

7-Layer Chocolate Fudge Cake
Cake Mix:
5 eggs
1 stick of butter
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups sugar
1 cup crisco oil
2 cups self rising flour
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Icing:

4 cups sugar

4 squares Bakers unsweetened chocolate

2 sticks of butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup milk

Cake Directions: 

Grease and flour 7 (9-inch) round cake pans.  

Beat eggs.  Add sugar, butter, oil, vanilla, flour and buttermilk - beating between each ingredient.  Pour evenly into all 7 pans.  Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes or until done. 

Icing Directions:

Put all ingredients (excluding vanilla) into a deep pot on stove top.  Stir over medium heat until dissolved.  Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.  Add vanilla and stir.  

Prepare sink with about 3 inches of cold water and ice.  Put pot in sink and stir constantly until icing thickens and begins to harden.  Immediately spread on first layer, adding a layer of cake and icing as you go. 

*Seriously, how sad is my picture?

**I am in a cake baking mood. Anyone hungry?