Bedroom Makeover

For Christmas I did a bedroom makeover.  I have a few last things to work on, but here's the new look.  One thing that you can't see is the new knobs I got from Hobby Lobby for the nightstands.  (We have one on each side with matching lamps.)  The lamps are from WalMart, the rug runner is from Target - as are new sheets and a blanket.  The quilt and shams are from Overstock.com.  The big square pillow is from IKEA.  I'm trying to decide if I should embroider it or stencil on it...  At the foot of the bed is my wool throw from Petworth, UK and some embroidered fabric that Tony brought back from India (I sewed it around the edges to make a runner).  I used these two items as the inspiration for the room.  I have yet to do curtains, but I'm happy with things so far.  It's quite cozy!  (Let me know if you want any more details...)

The Great British Baking Show

Have you been watching The Great British Baking Show?  It's a baking competition airing on PBS, and it's so great.  I thought that the episode about biscuits was so interesting.  This season was filmed on the grounds of Welford Park, a private home in Berkshire famed for its beautiful fields of snowdrops.  You can catch up here starting from Episode 3, if you watch in the next 5 days.  And I just found out that there's a companion cookbook!  (Find it on Amazon here.)

Ribbon Spool

One of the things that I got for Christmas was this multi-tiered spool of ribbon.  Each level rotates independently.  The wooden spools were made in India, and I found it at TJ Maxx!  I think it's clever and pretty.  (And I love the ribbon.)

Penguin Threads

We made it through the blizzard, and I promise to return to more regular posting!  I thought that I had posted about these book covers before, but I can't seem to find anything.  So it's kind of old news, but Penguin has a series of classic books featuring hand-stitched cover designs.  The first three were designed by Jillian Tamaki, and you can see her process here.  This is so fascinating to me.  I love that they're using a traditional craft in a modern way.

Creative Device Covers

I stumbled across a slideshow of felt gadget covers on Yahoo, and I thought these two were especially fun.  Have you made anything personalized for your device?

 

 

Orange Blossom Honey French Liquid Soap

We were in the neighborhood of Trader Joe's the other day and stopped in for about five minutes.  (Not long enough!)  We got some of this lovely soap - they call it Trader Jacque's (ha, ha) French Liquid Soap.  The scent is orange blossom honey, and it is so nice.

Savings Plan

Now that we're well into the new year, are you thinking about saving?  Last year as we prepared for our trip to England we wanted to save some food and/or souvenir money.  I made this jar, and we saved $1 the first week and $2 the second week and $3 the third week...  We kept it up for 25 weeks, and at the end we had $325!  Some of the last few weeks I had to be kind of creative with the groceries (since that was where the money was coming from).  If you save for 25 weeks, the most that you have to save in one week is $25 - so it's a great short-term plan.  I may have to start it up again!

Sweet Salt Skirt

The other thing that I found in Utah was this lovely skirt from Sweet Salt.  (I bought it at Seagull Book, so I got a good deal!)  I really love the floral designs that are popping up everywhere.

Caldrea Aloe Water Apricot

When we were in Utah we visited Smith and Edwards.  If you've ever been there, you know that you never know what you'll find!  It started as an Army-Navy surplus and always has interesting things.  I found a bottle of Caldrea Aloe Water Apricot lotion for $5!  It smells so good.

Oatmeal Mix

Did you have a good Christmas?  We did.  I never know what to give my neighbors, so I was excited when I saw an easy recipe for oatmeal mix in Sunset magazine.  (I'll have to find it again and post all of the ingredients...)  I mixed up some oats, brown sugar, cranberries, and dried apricots and put it into jars - and that was it!  Easy.  And one of my neighbors said that she likes it, so that's a good sign!