DUDE, WHERE'S MY KEYS

Sometimes it is the smallest things that can make your life so much better. For me, all it took was finally purchasing a key hook. I lose my keys quite often, always throwing them here and there...and never in the same place twice. Barely twenty four hours later, and I am already happier! However, I will now need to work out more since I'll be running up and down the stairs less in search of my keys. All in all, I'd say it's a small price to pay.

NOT JUST AT HOME

A diva is someone that makes any space homey. Not just her actual home. My home away from home just happens to be a boring grey cube. My fix...well, just take a look.

1. Add life. As in...a work plant! You can even name it if you like. Mine's a love fern...can you guess why??

2. Store office supplies you use a lot in cute containers. This little glass teacup does just the trick.

3. Buy a couple of your own office supplies to add more color and fun to your desk.

Voila. My diva-fied desk!!

THE BIG REVEAL

Yeah, so this may not be a big reveal, but considering my rate at doing and then posting projects in the last year. I'd say this is pretty big.

So that hint. As much as I love that cotton candy guess. (You see, I am a sucker for anything fair related. For all you Bachelor watchers, that surprise fair date with Ashley this last season...yeah, pretty much my ultimate dream date.) But the answer to my hint...was actually none other than..dum, dum dum...batting!! Batting for my new pillows!

Several blogs online show quick easy ways to create pillows from placemats and fabric napkins. It is unbelievably easy and thrifty. You can get super cute pillows for around $5 a pop. Plus, it only takes about 5 minutes to make (no joke) from start to finish. I fell in love with these placemats from Target but am not in the stage to be committing to colors for a kitchen. However, as a pillow, they would be way more versitile. Just the small bit of convincing I needed. I am obsessed!

A HINT

I just started a new domestic project that I'm in love with!! I'll reveal the final results later, but here's a hint to entice you...

Any guesses??

Plus, I scored these babies on my shopping trip for 50 cents a pack. That's cheaper than the dollar store! I couldn't pass up a bargain like that for these cute thank you notes.

PERKS

So my job currently does not have a lot of perks. Working part-time, digging through dumpsters, dealing with static charged packing peanuts...trust me, I could make a whole list. BUT...these super cute ornaments were damaged items at work that I got to keep for free!! The centers had fallen off, but nothing that a little hot glue couldn't fix. Now I am the proud owner of these babies...and ready for Christmas! I realize it isn't even Thanksgiving yet, but I have been looking at Christmas ornaments for 3 months now. I am ready to decorate!

LET THERE BE LIGHT

No. I am not God. I just got a new lamp!

You may have been wondering where I have gone. Blogging has not been high on my list these days. My domesticity (what a great word) as just been in hibernation. Post summer hibernation mainly due to workin' all the time. Now before you can call me a workaholic, I must confess that I spent the beginning of the year volunteering my time away...and my money. I came back to reality in May and have been scrambling to get a little bit of income before dear little honda goes kaput. That pretty much sums up my life.

Now back to this lamp. You see, I have been in a predicament (some like to call it being super picky) But in my search there seems to be about 3 styles of lamps in the 20-30 dollar range..which just happens to be my budget these days. I did fall in love with a lovely little lamp at Pier 1. But even with my discount, that 75 dollar price tag scared me away. So I have been searching everywhere I go for about 2 years now. Sad, I know. But the crazy thing is that beats my current search for a purse (which is at the 3 year mark). So after my fiftieth store and no luck, I decided to just make my own. WHY did I not think of this sooner?!

The best thing about this lamp is it is completely flexible. The base was the cheapest part (that being $4) and I can change the shade or base whenever I want. For a commitment phobe, that is probably the best selling feature I can think of! That and the fact it took 5 minutes to assemble. So easy!

Take that stores!

WAITING ON WESLEY

My shower for Jess & Wes...


We started off with food...


Even pretend cupcakes (which are actually made from baby socks and washcloths)...


We welcomed him with festive decorations...


and the cutest gifts...


We played fun games and offered advice...


We smiled for the camera (but left room for Aunt Brittany in Turkey)...


And ended with little favors in baby food jars...


Now if only Wesley will hurry up and come!! (or at least kick for his Aunt Jen)

THE PARTY

So the Christmas party last week was a success! It was so fun to see some friends I hadn't seen in a while. And any event that includes a plethora of desserts cannot fail! Here was our 10 days...or 10 desserts:



{1} cranberry apple crisp: the only thing I had actually made before..even though I "messed" it up by adding double the amount of sugar. I tend to forget to half stuff unless I write it on the actual recipe...but with cranberries, I don't think too much sugar is possible...



{2} lighter than air chocolate cake: the first cake I have made without flour...I wasn't too sure how this one was going to turn out...


{3} chocolate peppermint cookies: stroooooong chocolate



{4} strawberries: making 9 actual desserts was enough...this was my filler. plus strawberries are my favorite!



{5} key lime tarts: this was in honor of my dear friend and our obsession with limeade chillers from sonic...



{6} lucia bread: this was one of my favorite things I made..not so much because of what it tastes like, but because I remember reading about it in my American Girl dolls books..I had Kirsten and felt like a kid making it. Also, got to use yeast for the first time too...


{7} white chocolate and lemon mousse with strawberries: this one was my favorite and first to disappear...


{8} chocolate chocolate chip cookies: i am still not sure what to write about these. they were pretty hard, but not burned, and chewy on the inside. i don't like them, but my mom did. tough call. and honestly, i am not sure what they are supposed to taste like..but let's just say they are different...


{9} brownies: gotta have this classic...

{10} angel food cake: this made a great pair with #4!

...and that was it. this was A LOT to make. I felt it ended up being a quantity over quality type result. But it was all still edible...and I have learned a lot about eggs. My first time really doing something with them besides scrambling...and thankfully no disasters!!

Now..after pile after pile of dishes..it is time for a break in the kitchen. And back to working on scarves. For those of you in Memphis...you can check them out at Square Beans Coffee Shop in Collierville! (And don't forget my Etsy page) I set up my little area in the coffee shop yesterday which was pretty exciting. Definitely small scale, but fun to actually have something I made displayed and for sale in a store! Now I just need people to buy them!