A Few Changes In The Family Room

Well, I did it again, I changed the mantle a little.  I took down the picture I had there previously and replaced it with two black framed-beveled mirrors. 

I added a few topiary balls to the mix and some wooden decorative balls.  I also added a basket and placed a fern in it.

I added some grapes down below.

I left the antlers.

See the picture below?  Well, that picture was on the mantle and now it has found its new home on the rounded wall.  I just had to have something on that wall.  I had a big black mirror there before, but wanted a change.

I think it makes the room feel much cozier now. My girl's noticed the change right away when they returned home from school yesterday and they loved it!  My hubby on the other hand didn't notice it until much later.  Isn't it funny how men can be completely clueless of a change until much later?
 lol!  ;)

Sure, the picture is not curved, nor is the table, but I think it works.  The rounded wall is so large in scale that I felt it needed something there to balance it.

You can see the curve above.

The table you are seeing used to be in the kitchen.  Well, I made a change in there over the weekend.  I brought back my hutch, boy have I missed it.  I added all the new French decor to the hutch, and it looks really cute. I will share that later this week.

See the arrangement in the picture below?  Well, I got everything at Hobby Lobby last week.  I got the two green pots in the spring decor section.  All I did was pop a fern into the pot and placed a twig ball on top.  I think it looks like it came that way even though it didn't.  I purchased two feather balls.  I placed one in the small pot and set the other small one beside it.

I love this little garden Fleur de Lis.

Here is one last look.  I think it adds warmth to the room with a slight Tuscan flare.

Thanks for stopping by! xo ~Liz

Healthy Food can be DELISH!

 Join me for a *healthy* culinary experience.

Sorry, no decorating post today, but I will have one for you tomorrow, or Tuesday!  A lot of people have been emailing me asking me to share some of the things I've been eating on my diet.  Remember, the Water Diet is awesome, because you don't have to change all that much.  The water fills you up, which decreases your portion size, yippie!  Nothing is off limits as long as it's in moderation.  So, Friday night I had a hankering for Tri Tip.  I had the Butcher cut off all the fat that was visible, so what I was left with was a nice lean cut.  We cooked our Tri Tip in the cast iron pan and gave it a good sear at a high temperature, and then we finished cooking it off in the oven. The outside was carmelized and packed a ton of flavor, while the inside was nice and tender.

My Dad and Brother told me about a Roasted Brussels Sprout Recipe that's to die for, and believe me it was!  It's Ina Garten's recipe, you can view it here.  My kids even liked it!  =)  

I love Asparagus and veggies, and was inspired by Giada's Snap Pea Salad.  I had to vary it, because I didn't have all the ingredients, but I did make the exact salad dressing and it was SOOOO GOOD!!

Just look at all those vibrant colors.  I used a yellow bell pepper, asparagus, snap peas, and cherry tomatoes.

The dressing was so light and flavorful.

Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1/2 large lemon)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this meal, we all did!

I haven't had dessert in about a month now, so I felt I deserved a little treat for all my hard work.  Again, sticking with that motto....everything in moderation.  I decided to make mini apple pies.  I indulged in just one, and didn't feel guilty since the pie was so small. The kids loved the little apple pies and my hubby did, too!  I used store bought pie dough and filled a muffin tin with dough, shaped it, and then dropped in my filling. On the stove, I cooked apples in butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, honey, and brown sugar.  I then dropped my filling into each muffin slot, placed dough over the top, crimped the edges, and cut little slits on top to let the air escape.  I did an egg wash on top and then baked them at 375 for 15-20 minutes.  The way I did it was very similar to Giada's Baby Strawberry and Honey Pies.

Aren't they cute?

SOOOOO TASTY!!

A must, and I mean MUST try!  Super easy to make, too!  Well, thanks for stopping by and for all the sweet comments on my progress post.  xo ~Liz

Water Diet Blog Party #2

More Progress...I will let the pictures and video speak for themselves! Have a great weekend everyone! ~Liz

I don't know where my 2nd week comparison picture went, so I am sharing the above (3) pics.

Join me every Friday for the...

Savvy Seasons Water Diet Blog Party!

Week 2

B U S T E D!!! Uncontrollable, IMPULSIVE, but oh so fun!

Hi everyone!  There were so many good deals today and I had way too much fun!! Join me and I'll show you what...

I N E X P E N S I V E * M A D N E S S 
 looks like! Let's begin with Ross...

I found some more book boxes, y'all! I am trying to lighten things up around here for a spring look, so I got a lamp, some greenery, and a French container.

Love these, aren't they cute?

Love the container, it's perfect for Spring.

I found this cute Soap Box and thought I could create a cute vignette in the bathroom.

I also found another big pretty plate in the picture above.  All the colors go nicely together.

I thought the grape plate and soap dispenser would be cute in the kitchen.  Ross has FABULOUS BASKETS and all of them are VERY inexpensive to boot!

Now onto Marshalls. When I saw this lamp I had to have it. It was probably the most expensive item I purchased today at $39.00.  The ceramic piece was on clearance for $7.00, score!

Love the writing on it, although I have no clue what it says. lol! ;)

Hobby Lobby, I could spend hours in that store, love it!  Anyway, I found this cute wire basket/box in the spring decor section.

I purchased everything you see here.  I love the little pedestals. I also picked up the fake bread and the Fleur de Lis, too!

I think the bread in the basket looks adorable!  I will probably dinker with this and place it somewhere in the kitchen.

I got a few more things, but will do a video on those...it's something I've wanted to share for awhile now.  I just wanted to show you how much you can get for your money shopping at the places I've mentioned.  I take my time and pick through all the junk until I find something that strikes my eye!
Thanks for stopping by!  xo ~Liz

Creating A Cozy Space

Hello!  Well, after having the kids and hubby home for an entire week (due to the snow) I had lots of cleaning and catching up to do around the house today.  I was browsing through some decorating magazines and got inspired to move a few pieces of furniture around.  Join me and I'll show you what I did.  I love lighting, and I love cozy spaces, so I brought in the lamp that I purchased last week.

You'll never guess where I found this adorable candle and holder today?  I'll tell you, Safeway of all places.  Isn't it cute? 

 I think by adding the table, lighting, and a few accessories...it is now a cozy little nook.

 I found the table below at Ross, only $39.00. 

Remember my Book Boxes From Ross?  I set my lamp on top of them to add height.

I used to have a "Rooster" obsession, now it has moved to Book Box obsession...lol! ;)  

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Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo ~Liz

Braved The Snowy Roads To Go To Ross

Hi Everyone!! After having the kids and my husband home all week due to the snow that hit Washington, I decided to brave the roads and make a trip to Ross!! As I pulled up to Ross, not a soul was in sight.  I had the whole place to myself, ha! Join me and I will show you what I found...

I love plates and enjoy displaying them around the house. I found this large plate with a serrated edge and really liked the Paisley design.

Check out the back of the plate, it is also decorative, which I thought was neat! This plate was only $11.99, which is a great deal for a large plate.

Here is another plate I found.  I love the colors and design, and it was a steal of a deal at only $6.99.

Ok, y'all know how much I love Book Boxes, but when I came across these French book boxes, I had to have them.  I'm slowly beginning to add lighter tones around the house.

 I love the Linen/Burlap look.  I saw similar book boxes at a few upscale antique stores this week and they were $39.00 and $59.00  for various sized book boxes.  Mine were inexpensive.  The small one was $6.99, the middle sized one was $8.99, and the large one was $9.99, not bad, right?

 I like the keys and postal stamps, very cute!

I had to have this one with my upcoming trip. 

I also found two lamps with dark brown bases with Linen/Burlap looking shades.  I have plans for the shades.  I plan to purchase some vintage French graphics to transfer onto the shades.

And finally, here is one last look at my "buys"...I am hoping to put a cute "french" inspired vignette together, so stay tuned! Have a great weekend, everyone! xo ~Liz
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Reminder ~ Water Diet Party is still going on through Sunday! You don't have to be on a diet to link up. ;)