DIY Headboards...Super Cute Ideas

Not all of us can have 900 sq ft boodwah' like Michelle Obama so we have to try to make the most of what we are given. So many times we decorate the entire house leaving our bedroom for last. I am guilty of it also.

Today let's try to make were we lay our heads a little bit of a sanctuary & here are some wonderful ideas to make that bed of yours a focal point that will turn heads.

This idea is genius and justtakes a little measuring and taping. If you don't want to buy paint just add white paint to your existing wall color and you will have a whole new shade!

A simple white shelf lends itself to this space and make the bed a focal point while adding storage for this small minimal bedroom

Rustic old outdoor shutters are painted and staggered across

this bed for an unexpected shabby chic look.

hollow core doors painted black and piled horizontally above bed.

I have a secret obsession with letter and number sculptures and this one is for me. Looks kinda dangerous to sleep next too huh?

Bi-fold closet doors are given a new life with decorative paper

pasted into middle and secured to wall.

This large piece of artwork looks great in this modern bedroom.

Choose a picture that matches your decor and

offers a soothing backdrop to your bed.

These two headboards were apolstered by the homeowner and look fantastic. Pick a really bold color or pattern when doing this. It adds so much interest to this child's room.

A collection of flea market found plates is a great idea to spruce up your bed for very little money. My Goodwill sells plates for .50 and you can always find a plain white grouping in differnt shapes to add some great interest.

An architectial piece is a great way to add interest to your

bed without having to use a headboard.

Hope This Post Inspires you To Pretty Up Your Bedroom!

Kitchen Inspiration

We recently remodeled our kitchen. Me and the boyfriend usually try to work as a team in my never ending decor endeavers. I search the web until 4am for inspiration and then bother him with ALL the NEW IDEAS for the next week. He secretly loves it but won't admit it.

He makes all my decor dreams come true...mauh.

The enamel table and the 50's ware and tourquise & red

color palette is so fresh.

I always wanted a black/whitemarble check floor. Black ladder back chairsadd alot of contrast to this otherwise stark white room.

This galley kitchen was done with eco-ness in mind. Checkered tiles of cork in different colors looks great! A simply shelf along the back makes a seating areain an otherwise impossible space. Great idea!

This is an old table re-purposed for a kitchen table and work island. The hanging lights are made from 3 tin cans. Very creative.

Can you imagine? I love the cubbies, enough room to collect forever. I love contrast between the white and dark walnut floors.

Fell in love with the silver chairs and sunny yellow walls.

Buy this room at Potterybarn.com

Nice use of space here. With hardly any room he seperated with the light fixture and wall treatment and it looks very cute. Goes to show that no one has to eat sitting on their couch. Make yourself a nice nook to enjoy!

So bright and country. Great red/white gingham chairs look great with the yellow island.

Another potterybarn creation...I just bought the roman shades featured here in black/oatmeal and they are magnificant! I think I am going to paint my flea market farm table white. A project best left for a professional...my man;)

French country, It will always be my favorite. I love the sea foam green color of the table. So pretty;) and the armoire is gorgous.

Hope you saw something you loved! night-nite.

Forever Young...

I think I have a crush on some of you bloggas. Why we all can't take over an entire town is a dream that really needs to happen. All we need is Michael's Craft, Home Depot & Stop & Shop and we'll all thrive!

Until then let's mingle together in my computer and craft and cook ...happily ever after.


So I have been having a week of questions like...Where's my pre-mommy body and why did I sell my motorcycle? Do I need to make a big change or do something crazy and spontanius like in my younger years. So I sit down to upload cooking pics and read some blogs, feeling a little out of it & unmotivated until I read a very sweet comment left by Micha at dandaliondaydreams.
She posted a sweet little comment on her blog that really made me think...

There are a million of us out there that read & write about the things we love, are proud of or just sick of & it's nice to be able to document all the things that move you through a day & it's great to know that people r listening.

Thanks Micha for nominating me!

With every Bloggy Award, there are A Few Rules:
Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.

Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!

Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

and I nominate>>>

1. The Nesting Place, she is filled with the cutest ideas and cozy mistreatments. love her, I am addicted to everything she tells me to do..lol



2. Katy Elliot for her adventures in remodeling an old home and loving timeless style and being able to take huge projects on with an plan an end in site!I love it.

3. Micha at Dandaliondaydreams for her daughters crayons in crocs rendition and for having a gift to write and keep you engaged in her daily activites!

4. my girl 4eva & a day Age at durkssundaydinner for being able to cook her %#@ off since she was 10. This girl has MY man dreaming of HER meat...beef loin that is!

5. And in no particular order...What's for Lunch Honey? If you haven't please help yourself.
   
   

Bakin Till The Break of Dawn

I promised a local coffee shop that I would drop off some
samples of my cupcakes to perhaps start carrying them in his shop.

The first is a traditional chocolate cupcake filled with pieces of organic chocolate inside. A top sat a marshmallow frosting and chocolate shavings and the second is a lemony cupcake with a sugary whipped cream frosting garnished with fresh blueberry's & lemon twirls.
I was up all night obsessing about the consistency of frosting. I needed it to stand up but still be light and fluffy. I think I achieved it but I can't post the frosting recipe because I don't remember what I did ;( on a better note "my mommy" said they were delicious so that seals the deal for me!

Chocolate Smores Cupcakes
Makes about 12 good size cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 stick organic butter (softened not heated)
1 cup organic self rising flour
1/2 cup organic unbleached sugar
2 farm fresh eggs
2 tablespoons organic baking cocoa
4 tablespoons organic milk
1 good chocolate bar cut into chunks

• Preheat oven to 350F
• In Mixer add Sugar, Eggs, Milk & Butter and mix until blended.
• In separate bowl add Flour & Cocoa and incorporate
• Add your Flour mixture to mixer and blend
• Once blended pour in Chocolate Bar Pieces
• Pour into Double lined cupcake liners (looks cleaner)
• Bake for 17-18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean
• Wait until completely cool to decorate

Paula Deen's Marshmallow Frosting:

Can frost 12 cupcakes
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup water
2 egg whites
1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Place sugar, cream of tartar or corn syrup, salt, water, and egg whites in the top of a double boiler. Beat with a handheld electric mixer for 1 minute. Place pan over boiling water, being sure that boiling water does not touch the bottom of the top pan. (If this happens, it could cause your frosting to become grainy). Beat constantly on high speed with electric mixer for 9 minutes. Remove from heat when soft peaks form, Beat in vanilla until stiff peaks form & ice cupcakes immediatly. Great for a dip & twist method of dipping cupcake upside down and then pulling up & twisting to frost.

Sprinkle with choclate shaving and graham cracker crumbs!!

Chocolate Creme Brulee

And the final product is smooth

& chocolate-y.

Makes 4 servings;

Ingredients:
3/4 c. heavy cream
1/2 c. whipping cream
1 vanilla bean, sliced open
4 ounces of either white or dark chocolate

4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon sugar
& more sugar for tops

1. Preheat the oven to 300F.
2.In a pot over low/medium heat pour cream and 1 split vanilla bean and seeds in. Heat the cream mixture for about 15 minutes–long enough to soften the bean a bit and heat the cream without letting it boil. Remove the bean, and stir in the chopped up chocolate.

Stir the chocolate cream mixture until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth, remove it from the heat.
3.In mixer with whisk attachment add egg yolks and sugar together.


**Slowly pour** the hot chocolate mixture into the egg yolk, whisking continuously ( you do not want scrambled eggs). whisking and whisking, for about another 2-3 minutes.
4.Place your creme brulee dishes inside of a baking dish with sides at least 2 inches high & add enough water to come halfway up the sides of the custard dishes.
5.Then bake the custard for about 45-50 minutes.
6.Once they’re set, remove the baking dish from the oven and set it aside to cool. Cover the baking dish and refrigerate the custards for anywhere from 4 hours to 10. Not too long as they do get a little too dense for my taste the next day.
7.When you are ready to serve take out of fridge and sprinkle the sugar over the top. Now for the Torching or Broiling (I used the broiler and it came out perfect!)

Use Sugar in the raw if you have it...I think it gives it better color and more crunch!

So good with a nice cup of fresh coffee!

Wire Frame Project & Inspirations

I just love this project, so rustic & elegant and really easy, promise.

Materials needed for this project; 16 gauge permanent colored wire, A bead with loop, round nose pliers, wire cutters oh yeah and PATIENCE.

This entire frame is ONE continuous piece so it is important to try to make the wire flow so it looks elegant. The key is you are starting in the middle and working out to either side. Below is the picture you need to focus on for the design or get crazy and go freehand.. you're crafty too right?

HINT*looking at the above pic SIDEWAYS will help you understand my directions;)

1. To hold a 5x7 photo you want to cut about a 34 inch piece,you can always cut the end later but you can't add on.

2. Lay cut wire straight and grab the middle and make 2 loops, they do not need to be perfectly straight. they should be more then 4 or 5 inches from each other as they will hold one side of your photo.

3. Bottom Loop-slide bead on now and let it hang out while you use the pliers to then gently twist wire around itself again and slide bead on bottom loop. Bring wire back up so the bead is inside bottom loop.

4. Top Loop-Move to top end of wire & repeat #3

Almost done...

5. Making Right Sqiggley -Grab the very end of the wire and bend it around itself going up and around trying to stay flat, keep in mind that a picture needs to slide in between these loops. Roll pliers in and around and cut when you are sure it's right.

6. Making Bottom Right Sqiggley-Repeat #5 and cut.

spray paint, maybe a creamy white, copper or pink and it will last 4-eva!

Some Cute WIRE Inspirations

This adorable card tree is available on Pottery Barns website for 39.00 and is just perfect to display your Valentine's this year! Where's mine?

This letter is from EtsyWeddings and is just great. It sells for 42.00 but can be made for about 5.00. This looks like 20 gauge wire that is sprayed black after it is finished. Start with outline/frame and work around that.

This was sent from a fellow blogga. She found $1.00 tea light holders at a local discount store and wrapped 16 gauge wire around rim and then made a loop. She hung them using metal shower curtain rings. Outside for a little ambiance would work too!

Super cute way to display your letters or even your bills, if you have to look at them why not make it cute.

Pimped Out Topless Cupcakes

I despise box mixes but I found this idea for cut-out muffin-tops so I decided to try it cupcakes. Box mix tends to have a spongier texture so I thought it might work out.

I used Pillsbury white cake mix, prepared as usual but I substituted of 1/4 cup of the water required with 2 heaping tablespoons of organic lemon yogurt and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and a teaspoon of lemon zest. Smelled so good.

Fill each cupcake to the brim because you will need them to be coming over so that you can cut them off later.
Wait till slightly cooled and gently cut each top off and lay flat. I used a heart cookie cutter but whatever you have handy and press in middle and carefully pick out middle piece and put aside. Sift confectionery sugar over the top of your cut-outs.

ICING the ladies: I used a cream cheese icing and added 3 drops of organic red food coloring & a tablespoon of raspberry jam to get a pretty pink color. Ice the tops of all your topless cupcakes and then place the tops back on! You can use the leftover hearts to decorate some or just eat them;)

These cupcakes really taste homemade! Nice lemony flavor & super cute for Valentine's Day.

Organic LemonYogurt Cake

So this picture is pretty funny because 1. it was taken with my new camera lens and 2. that leaf on the top is something I found in my craft bag, made of some kind of felt. This is what happens when your up at midnight having a food photo shoot. Not bad huh? The cake is real and The recipe is from my hero Ina garten(Barefoot Contessa...if I needed to say it). Super moist & even better next day.




Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups organic all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons organic baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup plain organic whole-milk yogurt
1 1/3 cups unbleached sugar, divided
3 free range eggs
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 organic lemons)
1/2 teaspoon pure organic vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil (i could not find organic;(
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

The glaze:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8 by 4 inch loaf pan.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into 1 bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, the eggs, oil, lemon zest, and vanilla. In your mixer slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes, or until toothpick or kabob skewer..lol. Comes out clean.
Meanwhile, cook the 1/3 cup lemon juice and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Set that gem aside.
When the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes or if your like me 5 minutes and cut edges with knife to release from sides of pan and pop onto cake plate covered in wax paper to catch the mess of glaze . While the cake is still warm, pour the lemon-sugar mixture over the cake and allow it to soak in. Cool. Then remove wax paper for a yummy & light cake.

My mommy is coming over tomorrow for cake and coffee, hope she approves!

Does anyone have good ideas on how to publish a cookbook?

So another passion that I apsolutly fell in love with was making my son all his food homemade when he was an infant.
I have written a very good(in my opinion)organic cookbook full of easy recipes to make baby from 1 month to 1 year. All organic and with simple easy ingredients. I have looked through different avenues like publishing for fundraising but I don't think that is for me. Is there such thing as a reputable publishing company that is willing to print & market it for a nominal fee?? Let me know if anyone has any good ideas. Comment them or email me at Melissastudioa@yahoo.com. Thanks for reading;)

Window Seat Using Stock Kitchen Cabinets

The pros aren't the only ones who can craft a handsome built-in. You can, too.

This window seat, for example, was made from four prefinished, white American Woodmark cabinets and their coordinating trim boards, all sold at Home Depot. The 18-inch-deep-by-24-inch-high cabinets are typically used above refrigerators. Here are the steps to follow to re-create this seat at your house.

1. Use 2x lumber cut to size to construct a 4-inch-tall, U-shaped platform on which the two-door center cabinets and single-door end cabinets will sit. Secure the platform to the floor by driving screws at an angle through its outer framing.

2. Arrange the center cabinets side by side on the platform and drive 2-inch wood screws through their adjoining side panels. Then align the end cabinets corner to corner with the center ones. Make room for the doors to open where the cabinets intersect by screwing 3-inch filler strips to the center cabinets' face frames. Then secure the end cabinets directly to the filler strips, using 2½-inch wood screws.

3. Anchor the entire unit to the back wall by driving 2-inch deck screws through the cabinets' rear panels, making sure to sink the screws in studs.

4. Hide the platform with toekick molding secured with 1-inch finish nails.

5. Fasten wood cleats to the wall in the open corners to support the ¾-inch-thick-by-19-inch-deep end panels used to create a sturdy top for the window seat. Secure the center panel to the cleats and the side panels to the end cabinets below using 1 ½-inch wood screws. Finish the top's outer edge with trim attached with finish nails. Add a custom cushion, and take a load off.

Here are some pics of cushions made from slipcovered twin mattresses!

This was done by taking the pull-out mechanics from an old couch and screwing it into the wall. A job for your carpender but genius!

Homemade Marshmallows

So forget everything you know about marshmallows. These were so light & airy it's ridiculous.

At first I thought that this was a big undertaking and for pros only but that is not the case.

I wanted to give everyone a little treat for Valentine's Day and I thought that this would be perfect. Sorry for the blog friends...bet you can't guess what I am doing with them?

I found a recipe on Martha Stewart that was simple and great results.
Ingredients:
Makes about 40
2 1/2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions:
1. Combine gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer with whisk attachment. Let stand 30 minutes.
2. Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small heavy saucepan; place over low heat, and stir until sugar has dissolved. Wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to dissolve sugar crystals.
3. Clip on a candy thermometer; raise heat to high. Cook syrup without stirring until it reaches 244 degrees.(firm-ball stage). Immediately remove pan from heat.
4. With mixer on low speed, slowly and carefully pour syrup into the softened gelatin. Increase speed to high; beat until mixture is very thick and white and has almost tripled in volume, about 15 minutes. Add vanilla; beat to incorporate.
5. Generously dust an 8-by-12-inch glass baking pan with confectioners’ sugar. Pour marshmallow mixture into pan. Dust top with confectioners’ sugar; wet your hands, and pat it to smooth. Dust with confectioners’ sugar; let stand overnight, uncovered, to dry out. Turn out onto a board; cut marshmallows with a dry hot knife into 1 1/2-inch squares, and dust with more confectioners' sugar.

I ended up trying these 3 ways...dusting with toasted coconut, dusting with equal parts organic cocoa powder/confection sugar and the anything but plain vanilla.. yum!

Comment back and let me know how they came out;)

January 18, 2009 3:43 AM
CrazySexyCookie said...
Oh, they are just too cute!!

January 18, 2009 9:05 AM
Brilynn said...
Ok, I'm going to try making marshmallows again, it's decided. The Valentine's gift idea really sold me, and I figure it can't be any worse than last time I made them.
January 18, 2009 9:40 AM
wheresmymind said...
Should've made xmas peeps!! ;)
January 18, 2009 10:09 AM
Rachel said...
I just used a metal cookie cutter that was open on both sides.I powdered the tops and bottoms first, then cut and dredged the sides. They really weren't that sticky. They came out great. LOVE BLOG
January 18, 2009 10:20 AM
Sara said...
I want to make marshmallows so badly this year - these look so easy!
January, 18 2009 12:48 PM
Kristen said...
Very cute marshmallows.I would think that homemade marshmallows would be a lot of work, but I may have to take your recipe and advice and give them a try.
January 18, 2009 1:07 PM
JMom said...
wow! you made your own marshmallows? I haven't tried doing that yet, but would love to. This has got to go on my to-do list :)
January 18, 2009 9:57 AM
Julie said...
I love them! These are a great idea.
January 18, 2009 10:46 AM
danielle said...
These were so yummy. I hope mine turn out as well. I think I am going to make these as gifts with homemade hot cocoa mix.
January 18, 2009 12:26 PM
Debbie said...
I have been unable to cut my marshmallows using metal snowflake cookie cutters. Any suggestions? I have been using the Martha Stewart marshmallow recipe if that makes any difference.

How to Display a Cupcake

Food presentation can be as simple or complex as you want. I try to always remember the fact that people eat with their eyes first so presentation really does matter!

The fact is you can bake the most delicious things but nobody cares unless your presentation is flawless.

This heart shaped cupcake wrapper is so lovely. It has little hearts cut into the cupcake wrapper and would look absolutely stunning for Valentines day cupcakes. Each order is 12 wrappers for $11.99 at shopbakersnook.com

I'm in love with the drippy pastel
color on the three in the middle.

With all the cute choices out there I must invest in at least 2 more.





I saw these little cupcake boxes on acupcakery.com. Such a cute idea for a little get together or birthday party favor. Fill the bottom with colored M&M's to match and hold cupcake in place.

Very Cute Cupcake Stuff

I was thinking of doing something for Valentine's Day/My Birthday this year...maybe a little brunch?

I found some cute items that I think are perfect.

Cupcake cookies are exquisite! Sugar cookies & royal icing make these the prettiest I've seen hands down. More great cookies at cakejournal!

I saw this sign and fell in love! Picked out of a book from the 50's it is painted on canvas and could not be cuter!

Cupcake Placecard Holders. They come in sets of 4 with 8 blank cards, and you can get them for $8.49 from Organize

Awesome Giant Cupcake Pan, this professional weight pan
Creates a big 3-D cupcake "CAKE" for the whole party to share!
27.99 from sugarcraft

Direct from acupcakery is this large 100% cotton retro tablecloth. I am totally getting this for my Valentine's Day brunch table. 34.99 yummy.

I love the quirky shape and flirty illustrations on each of these cupcake dessert plates. You can find the set of 4 at Team Sugar

I'm going to post some cute Valentine's Day menus just as soon as I can;))