Easy DIY Dyed Lamp Shades…

April 30, 2013

Sara Silver . DIY, Home Projects

Better Homes and Gardens

One cannot call themselves a true DIYer and have a house full of plain white lamp shades. They’re too much of a temptation…like blank canvases calling out to be covered in scrapbook paper or homemade fabric flowers. I’m trying to take a more subtle approach to mine which is why I love this quick tutorial posted at Little Green Notebook.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

(1) White or Neutral Lamp Shade
(1) Bottle of Procion Mx Dye / Cold Water Dye for Natural Fibers (Wal-Mart, Micheal’s)
(1) Paint Brush
(1) Bowl of Cold Water

Start with a small bowl of cold water and add just a pinch of the fabric dye. Dip the paintbrush in a get to work on the shade. Add more color or additional coats until you reach the desired shade. That’s it, really! The results should be similar to these…

Green Street

5 Ways to Incorporate Vintage Pieces In Your Home…

April 29, 2013

Sara Silver . Home Design, Inspiration

Apartment Living

There is a delicate balance between adding used vintage pieces in your home and having your living room look like it was transplanted from the staging area at Goodwill. Balance. It’s something I’m still trying to master but in the end, adding vintage pieces to your home bring a character and depth that you just can’t find at your local Rooms-to-Go. It can be tricky but it’s worth trying to figure out – you’ll end up with better quality furniture and you’ll have something cheap and trendy to brag about when your friends stop by. So, win-win.

Here are 5 Ways to Incorporate Vintage Pieces In Your Home…

#1. Look for Solid Wood

Apartment Therapy

If you come across a vintage piece of solid wood furniture, chances are it’s worth refinishing. If we’ve learned nothing else from HGTV we should at least know this, right? Paint it, stain it, cover it with wallpaper…the possibilities are endless. Look for pieces with sleek, classic lines and vintage character – something that will fit in easily with your existing decor.

#2. Find a Sofa with Good Structure

Babble

I Love Copper Jewelry

A statement piece like a sofa is an excellent way to incorporate a vintage vibe into your home; the key here is to look for good structure. Weigh the cost of reupholstering and whenever possible, look for a sofa that may just need a good cleaning rather than a complete makeover. Try pairing a vintage couch with modern throw pillows to pull everything together.

#3. Look for Vintage Light Fixtures

A Sort o Fairy Tale

Oak Ridge Revival

I see old lighting fixtures every time I walk into a thrift store and lately I’ve been forcing myself to give them a second look. I love the contrast of old and new; a rusty vintage light against a clean white wall. Lighting gives a room so much character! If you’re too conservative to bring in big vintage pieces, try starting with an old lighting fixture…it may catch on!

#4. Find Statement Pieces

This Next

Deborah Hall Lifestyle

Esty

Like a lighting fixture, a simple vintage statement piece like a coat hanger or drying rack can add so much visual interest and depth to a room. Try adding a fresh coat of spray paint to modernize the piece while still maintaining the vintage framework.

#5. Look for a Vintage Throw Rug

Spearmint Decor

T&G Interiors

This might be the hardest to find at a decent price but there would be no better way to add a little touch of vintage love to your living space than to find a beautifully worn vintage rug. Even against polished wood furniture, a vintage rug just makes it feel so homey, right? I need one of these!

5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Weekend…

April 26, 2013

Sara Silver . Food, Inspiration, Travel

Ocean Island Living

Saturday and Sunday are the fastest two days of the week. Why? Because instead of getting up early and following a routine like we do the rest of the week, these days start later and often include several hours watching America’s Next Top Model reruns while folding laundry. If you’re still young enough to go out at night than most likely your weekends consist of too much alcohol, Waffle House at 2AM and breakfast at noon. While there’s nothing wrong with that on occasion, falling into a routine of mundane weekends leaves you feeling like you’ve wasted precious time and uninspired when Monday rolls around again.

Here are 5 ways to revamp your weekends and utilize your two days of freedom.

#1. Plan a Day Trip or Weekend Get Away

If you live within a few hours of the beach, the mountains or even a state park plan a short trip. Leave Friday night or early Saturday morning and get away from it all. Take advantage of sites like Priceline, Expedia and Hotwire to find last-minute hotel deals. If you can find one for around $60-$90, book it! Consider what you would spend ordering takeout or making an unnecessary trip to IKEA and it really evens out…and what you end up with is family memories instead of a Vejmon (IKEA speak) coffee table.

#2. “You” Time

If you plan on staying local, take some time out for yourself. Is there a book you’ve been wanting to read or a new recipe you’ve been meaning to try? Take some time to relax and focus on something that gives your mind a chance to rest.

#3. Do House Work During the Week

Instead of letting the dishes and laundry pile up throughout the week and then spending hours trying to catch everything up on the weekend, work those chores into the evening hours Monday – Thursday. Get everyone involved; make it part of the routine so when the weekend rolls around you’re free to do other things. Here’s a sample schedule I really like!

clutterbug.me

#4. Plan Something for Sunday Night

Even if you love your job and can’t wait to get back to the office Monday morning, Sunday night can be a downer. If you hate your job than this is especially true. Plan something for Sunday night; it prolongs your weekend and keeps your mind occupied instead of sitting around the house mulling over Monday. Whether it’s a long family dinner or a yoga class with friends, end your weekend on a high note and leave thoughts of Monday for Monday.

The Heart of the Sea Home

#5. Plan Ahead

There’s always room for spontaneity but try planning out your weekend ahead. Instead of waiting until Saturday morning to make plans for Saturday night, start making those calls mid-week. Having your plans established early will give you and your family something to look forward to. Whether it’s a reservation at a restaurant or a play date for your kids get those plans in motion. Call the babysitter early, get online and grab tickets ahead for that new movie before it sells out. Make the weekend what it’s supposed to be…a two day vacation!

Let’s Lasso the Moon

DIY Fabric Rug Tutorial…

April 25, 2013

Sara Silver . DIY, Home Projects

all Parenting

Looking for a project idea this weekend? All Parenting has an excellent tutorial on creating your own entryway rug…love this idea! Customize your fabric and the size of your rubber mat to fit your space and your decor.

What you’ll need:

Heavy Fabric
Rubber Door Mat
Scissors
Spray Adhesive
Paint Brush
Water based polyurethane
Iron and Ironing Board

all Parenting

Follow any of the picture links above for the full tutorial. Great weekend DIY!

Wine and Cheese Pairing Infographic…So Cool!

April 24, 2013

Sara Silver . Food

Visual.ly

Cheese! infographic

The limitations on size for these posts won’t allow me to expand this infographic but it’s an amazing resource for wine and cheese pairing. It’s also very descriptive on the characteristics of various cheeses; very helpful when considering a new recipe or looking for new and creative ways to use cheese! Follow the link for an expanded version of this infographic.

Delectable Vegetable Tart…Buttery Crust, Fresh Greens

April 23, 2013

Sara Silver . Food

Food Republic

Fresh herbs and leafy greens are destined for more than just the salad bowl in this recipe by Tom Aikens from his cookbook Fresh, demonstrated so perfectly by food site favorite Food Republic.

This time of year the Farmer’s Markets are full of fresh produce which are lovely all their own, but there’s something about adding them to a buttery thin crust and baking with gruyère cheese and creme fraiche that takes veggie love to whole other level. The next time you’re thinking Pizza, give this recipe a shot instead!

I Should Cocoa

Servings: 4

Ingredients

3 sheets filo pastry

12 large sorrel leaves

1/3 cup rocket leaves (arugula)

6 spears asparagus

1/5 cup baby spinach leaves

1 medium courgette

8 spring onions

4 tablespoons butter

Mix the below ingredients together in a bowl with 1/2 the cheese and season to taste

1 tablespoon chopped chervil

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

4 tablespoons creme fraiche

4 tablespoons grated gruyère cheese

2 egg yolks

Directions:

Pre-heat the oven to 350˚F.
Slice the asparagus and courgette thinly lengthways on a mandolin, place a pan of salted water onto the heat and bring to a boil. Place the strips of asparagus into the water, remove after 10 seconds and place straight into iced water to cool. Repeat the same process for the courgette and dry both of them well on kitchen paper.
Cook the peas until just soft (approximately 2-3 minutes), refresh in iced water and dry on kitchen paper. Place a shallow pan on low to medium heat, then add half the butter. Once it has just melted, add the spring onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook briefly for 2-3 minutes until just cooked and place onto a tray to cool. Mix this with the egg and crème fraîche mixture in a bowl.
Melt the remaining butter, take a sheet of filo and brush all over on one side. Place another sheet on top and brush again with butter. Place the last sheet on top and brush with butter. Cut this into four equal rectangles, place another baking tray on top to keep the filo flat and bake these at 350˚F for approximately 15 minutes until golden and crispy.
Spread the spring onion and egg mixture onto the bottom of the filo, then lay on the sorrel and spinach leaves. Add the vegetables, courgette, asparagus, peas and rocket leaves last, sprinkle over some extra cheese and bake at 340˚F for 8-10 minutes.

5 Cheap and Easy Coffee Table DIY Designs…

April 23, 2013

Sara Silver . DIY, Home Design, Home Projects

Design-That-Inspires

#1. Hairpin legs attached to a flat surface such as a worn piece of wood or a salvaged door make this a quick and easy coffee table DIY project.

Knick of Time

#2. Vintage trunk painted shabby chic style; the added legs make this a really cool conversation piece and functional table.

Retro To Go

#3. I know, I know…you’ve seen this pallet turned into coffee table idea so many times…but it never gets less cool. Low to the ground and mobile this is the trendiest and cheapest way to DIY a coffee table.

Lowes

#4. Lowes got all artsy on us and found an industrial shortcut to the DIY coffee table. Making two or three of these can create a really cool focal point in your living space.

Happy and Harried

#5. Remove the backing from a thrift shop chair and paint a funky color. Use as a coffee or corner table and spark some visual interest in your home.

Creating a Dining Room Space…Apartment DIY

April 22, 2013

Sara Silver . Home Design, Home Projects, Inspiration, My House

Reclaiming Your Castle

Last year my husband and I rented out our home and decided to rent an apartment closer to work and to my children’s school. The location is perfect but the apartment is a bit older and very cookie cutter as apartments go. Since we’re limited to what we can do on the inside I’ve turned my attention to our furnishings – lighting up the space and making it feel more like a home.

This weekend’s project: creating a dining room space.

Reclaiming Your Castle

This is where we started. I’m big on repurposing so we picked up this lovely dining room set (I say that sarcastically) off of Craigslist for $70. It came with 6 chairs, a buffet and hutch so the price wasn’t bad.

The major issue with repainting this set was the fact that is was covered in a lacquer coating. Since we have no outdoor space, sanding or spray painting wasn’t an option which lead me to our local Home Depot to ask for a little advise.

Reclaiming Your Castle

They directed me towards Kilz Original Oil Based Primer. It smells like nail polish remover but wow, this stuff will cover just about anything. It recommends two coats but I found that one was more than enough. I allowed the primer to dry for about 30 minutes and then applied two coats of white semi-gloss oil-based paint.

Reclaiming Your Castle

I anchored the space with a throw rug (IKEA; $19.99) and created a wide runner with a curtain panel I picked up at our local thrift store, still in the box from Target ($9.99 / originally sold for $24.99). While I was there I grabbed a set of 8 stoneware mugs ($0.49 a piece) great for juice or coffee in the morning and 4 matching pillows to use as cushions ($1.00 a piece).

Reclaiming Your Castle

I love fresh flowers in the Spring but keeping those on the table can get a little costly. Baby’s Breath is a great alternative…it’s cheap, lasts forever, and the wispy white flowers are perfect for the season.

Reclaiming Your Castle

Our apartment does have a separate dining room but it’s directly off the front door and has no windows…who wants to eat there! I split off the buffet table that came with our dining set to be used as an entryway table and it’s also destined for a new coat of paint.

Reclaiming Your Castle

Lemony White Bean Dip…Food52 Love Pt. 4

April 18, 2013

Sara Silver . Food . Dips

Food52

Hummus is an all around great snack; perfect for dips and uber healthy…but if you’re looking for an alternative, according to Food52 you can’t do better this Spring than Lemony White Bean Dip. The mild tast of the white beans allows the seasonal herbs you’ll be adding to the mix really shine through; I can’t wait to try this one!

Food52

Garlic, rosemary, parsley, lemon and thyme are just a start for this versatile dip. Experiment with red pepper for some added heat or try using fresh dill as the author suggests. Follow the picture links for the full story on Hummus’ Spunky Sister!

White Bean Dip with Fresh Herbs

Serves 4

2 cups cooked white beans
1 clove garlic, minced
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided into 1 tablespoon and 3 tablespoons
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons fresh thyme
1 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
Black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons fresh parsley

In a medium-sized pan, heat the garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook for two minutes, and then add the white beans, rosemary, and thyme. Sautee for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until garlic is soft and fragrant.
Transfer the beans to a food processor. Add the salt, pepper, lemon, and remaining olive oil. Process on high, stopping every now and then to scrape the bowl down, until mixture is totally creamy and smooth.
Pulse in the fresh parsley. Serve with an extra drizzle of olive oil.

How to Create a Vision Board…Keeping Your Goals in Focus

April 17, 2013

Sara Silver . Home Projects, Inspiration

Lauren Conrad

Most days I have a million different thoughts running through my head; what to make for dinner, what bills need to be paid, Dr.’s appointments, birthday parties, work…there’s no room left for inspiration. No time to set goals and focus on accomplishing them!

Enter the vision board. It’s like Pinterest with a little elbow grease. The purpose of this practice is to set in front of you long-term goals that are easily forgotten in the grind of day-to-day life. They’re not magic; they don’t make things happen but they remind you that you want to make things happen. For instance, your creating your vision board and you paste up a picture of a beautiful plate of food; you want to learn to cook. You pass by this picture everyday and the next time you get an invite or a flyer in the mail for a cooking class your inspired and sign up! Having a visual reminder of your goals and desires give those goals priority and help you focus your energy on accomplishing them.

Pret-a-Portea

There are lots of techniques for assembling a vision board and several ideas on what the purpose of your vision board should be. One of best articles I’ve read is ‘What the Heck’s a Vision Board – And How Can it Change Your Life?’ by Martha Beck. Here are a few things that you’ll definitely need and the basics of putting your board together.

#1. Get some magazines…lot’s of them! Tear out any pictures, headlines or captions that speak to you and set them aside. Have fun with it; don’t focus on collecting anything specifically just go with what you’re passionate about.

#2. Sort your collection into groups. If you’ve found yourself gravitating towards words and pictures that promote a healthier lifestyle consider dedicating a portion of your vision board to that goal and so on.

#3. Get a cork board and start pinning! Once you’ve determined what you’re passionate about and what your goals are start pinning up your pictures. With pins and a cork board your vision board can grow and change with your goals.

#4. Display your board in an obvious place – one that you’ll see often throughout the day.

*If you have a vision board or have any tips for putting one together I would love to hear from you!