{Thrifty Thursday} Thrift Store Finds

Remember I asked you a while back if you thrift?  Do you?  I've stumbled upon a couple of go-to thrift stores in the DC area and after redecorating one bedroom, one home office, one living room and one entryway, you better believe thrifting is my new black.  A favorite purchase of mine is this gorgeous set.  I purchased the tray at an estate sale in Dallas for $4 and knew I wanted to incorporate it into the vignette I would plan for the dresser in our new guest bedroom.  It was small, but I really wanted to find a pitcher and a pair of glasses for it.  The set would be both pretty and practical.  Luckily, I found a small pitcher with a sterling silver base at a Maryland thrift shop for $14 and the glasses you see were $0.50 each at the same store. 

Thrifting is hit or miss for me, and this visit was a total hit.  I promise, the guest bedroom makeover is coming along beautifully, but I'm taking my time with things.  I'd really like to show you progress, so here is a sneak peak at my thrifty finds and part of the vignette I created for the dresser.

Cheers!

Ana

Wine Wednesday!

I enjoyed a 2004 Montecillo Crianza tinto (tinto = red) last week because my mother came to visit me and we both love Spanish reds.  I believe I was gifted this bottle in 2006 after my engagement to Z, which explains why it is now sold out.  I learned in a wine tasting class that you shouldn't keep a wine for more than two years before opening, but five years later, I really enjoyed the blend of bold fruitiness and subtle oak.  This is a medium bodied wine that went well with the light tapas we enjoyed for dinner that night.  

Cheers!

Ana

Pumpkin Pancakes

I know I've previously shared my love for pancakes on this blog, but among the reasons I prefer fall over all other seasons is because I get to make pumpkin pancakes (and other delicious pumpkin flavored sweets).  I'm hoping to bake these this weekend,and  I'd like to give you the chance to indulge too!  The recipe is super simple and such a treat!  Enjoy!

image via google

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 egg

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons vinegar

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground allspice (substitute recipe here, or just add 1/2 tsp extra cinnamon and 1/2 tsp nutmeg)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. In a second bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine. 

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot. 

Cheers!

Ana

Baby Shower Pictures

The baby shower I co-hosted at my home for our friend Lilly was pleasant and wonderful!  We couldn't have given our friend a more beautiful welcoming to her soon-to-debut daughter, Lilian Mae.  I know she was thrilled and we were thrilled for her.  I finally have pictures to share (credited to various guests who posted images via Facebook):

coffee and drink stations

food and champagne table

Co-Hostess RH found darling themed tea cookies for arty favors; cupcakes and diaper cake decor

onesie banner over the fireplace

Cheers!

Ana

{We’re Obsessed} Blue Accents

Anyone who knows me can tell you my favorite color is blue. Lately I’ve been noticing a trend in home décor incorporating blue accents in otherwise colorless rooms. I LOVE the look and have pulled a few of my favorite blue accented living rooms from Pinterest. I don’t know what about the blues makes me feel so serene, but I just think it is the perfect accent color. What do you think? 

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

Cheers!

Cristi

{Thrifty Thursday} Buy the Yard

I incorporated one of my obsessions into my home office decor.  I loved Neiman’s French Laundry Collection and also the French burlap pillow covers now on sale at Restoration Hardware.  Not wanting to overspend on accent pillows, I went to multiple fabric stores until I found a beautiful and affordable burlap fabric of lovely French script that rivaled accent pillows in collections I’d seen priced between $50 and $150/ pillow at high end home design stores.  I paired my pricier ‘vintage’ fabric with a simple and less expensive blue silk, buying enough fabric to make three pillows.  With custom-sewing labor added (I do not yet know how to make these fancy pillows with the piping), I totally scored another home bargain and spent less than $50. 

I purchased the fabric at Cutting Corners in Dallas.  I already had pillows to stuff, so I just had them make the pillow covers in the same size of the pillows I was replacing.   I found the staff was extremely helpful, and the selection was a dream.  

previously shared color scheme

The new custom pillows

Cheers!

Ana

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe

When you get to carving pumpkins, don’t just toss out your seeds with the rest of the pumpkin “guts.” Save those seeds to make one of my most loved snacks—roasted pumpkin seeds. It’s super easy and it’s a healthy and satisfying savory snack. Just follow these directions: 

1. Rinse pumpkin seeds under cold water and pick out the pulp and strings. (This is easiest just after you've removed the seeds from the pumpkin, before the pulp has dried.)
2. Place the pumpkin seeds in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet, stirring to coat. If you prefer, omit the oil and coat with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Mix salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and cajun seasoning to taste in a small bowl.  Sprinkle over seeds.  You can omit the other spices and just do salt for a simpler version too.  Lastly, bake at 325 degrees F until toasted, about 25 minutes, checking and stirring after 10 minutes.
4. Let cool and store in an air-tight container.

Photo: Google

Cheers!
Cristi