B. B.: yellow

Recipe: French Macarons

12:22 PM

YUMMY RECIPE!

I'm sure you've heard me talk about my mom, the fabulous cook. I remember people talking about my mom's good cooking even as a child. I also remember being very unadventurous when it came to eating as a kid. My mom was always experimenting with new and fancy recipes and all I wanted was "yellow" mac&cheese" (Kraft brand). If my mom made mac & cheese it was always homemade and lacked that dark orange color, which now I know was a good thing, but back then it just meant boring and homemade.

I also didn't know they sold things in the store like box cake mix, ready made pie crust, brownie mix, pie fillings etc. until I got to college and began cooking for myself. If my mom made anything it was from scratch (including the noodles in chicken noodle soup).

So I am going to pass along a delicious recipe she posted on her website on how to make French Macarons.

as my mom would say .... BON APPETITE!

barn

Oh I just LOVE exterior home design/curb appeal!

2:16 AM

If I could have a dream hobby it would be taking a nice basic home and giving it custom accents to take it from nice and clean to charming and inviting. Have you ever driven by a home and because the outside looks so inviting, you want to sneak a peek inside? Well, if you haven't and you live near the SLC area, just take a drive one afternoon all through the upper (above 1300 E) sugarhouse "Yale/Harvard Avenue" area. You will leave that drive totally inspired and resolved to make at least one change to the exterior of your home. Whether it's adding a pot of flowers or changing the siding on your home, there is always something that can be done to a home to improve its curb appeal on ANY budget (and EVERY house has potential for charm).

I could go on for pages and hours on this topic, but since my kids are eating breakfast I have to do this post in the time it takes them to eat and finish their cartoon (they're obsessed with Curious George lately).

I visited a very good friend of mine who just moved near my parents home (ironically, I'll probably see her more often now!). Her house is amazing (and about twice the size of her old one) and oozes with country-chic curb appeal.

So here are some ideas I have for her home to make it AMAZING (even though it looks fabulous as it is). :)

RED DOOR

YELLOW DOOR

OVER THE GARAGE PERGOLA

I love the over the garage door pergola. I would love to add this to our house eventually.

One thing we did add to our garage doors that only costs about $20 are the decorative hardware. (below)

Garage door hardware

that gives a Carriage House look

We have an extra long garage door and I really wish we would have doubled up on the hardware like the above pictures to give the appearance of 2 carriage house doors. So if your garage door is extra long be sure to buy 2 sets of hardware. (learn from my mistakes) ;) That's what I always tell my kids.

fashion

loving the color yellow ...

9:37 PM

It seems like every Spring I fall in love with the color yellow all over again. Shoes, purses, dresses oh my!

T.D.F. Anthropologie jacket

love these vintage earrings

yellow sweaters

Yellow Tory Burch Wallet

yellow bird pictures, "put a bird on it!"

Love these handmade pillows in yellow and grey on etsy

Love these yellow clogs!

fashion

happy thoughts

9:50 PM

I could look at this yellow vintage dress from RedoRedux all day and just feel warm and fuzzy inside. I love the green one below as well. You can see these and more vintage frocks here.

D.I.Y.

sunroom 1 hour makeover

11:03 AM

We have been so sick these last few days, some strange mutant stomache virus has got ahold of us. But I wanted to post these pictures I took last weekend. These are of my sunroom. With a fast and curious little 9 month old, a "helpful" toddler and active kindergartner and only 2 arms this is the best I could do for now. Not Roman Shades but they are a vast improvement from the yucky old mini blinds.

All I did was measure the length and width of the mini blinds, cut out the fabric to match (sew the edges so it's one big rectangle). Glue the fabric on the top and bottom of the mini blind with fabric glue. The bottom doesn't look perfect, but you'd never notice unless you turned it over and looked.

From the outside when they are shut they look like regular old mini blinds. But when they are up like this, you can see the fabric from the the outside and it's pretty.

It has made a world of difference in the look and feel of the whole main floor living area.

green

CC Interiors

8:17 AM

My cousin's wife, Caitlin has started her own interior design firm called CC Interiors. Here is a picture of one of her first projects. I think it looks so fresh and clean. To see more of this room and her design ideas click here.

before/after

before & after

6:47 PM

I think that this after picture looks like something out of Anthropologie! I love it and it looks so simple, I'm sure it is. I got this from Design Sponge. I love their before and after section.

pink

2:17 PM

Step 1: I bought this chip board at the S.E.I. outlet store in Logan, Ut. I then bought this Spring-y bright paper from the same store.

Step 2: I traced and cut the paper to fit each letter, used sticky craft glue to attach the paper.

Step 3: Add embellishments. Ribbon, pictures and even die cut coordinating flowers.

For Mother's Day I made these photo-album / MOTHER chip board thingees (so technical). I found my camera and retrieved these pics from a month ago. I think they turned out really cute and not too mormon-crafty looking. :)

birthday party

Party Planning

6:53 PM

I am beginning real plans for Mimi's birthday party. It will be a wonderful surprise for those of you can't join (rozzie). :) I am thrilled!!!! I will say it will be hosted by me at my parents Lavender farm...how could it not be fun and have a million and one kodak moments!