FFR: Crazy Aprons

So I know I haven't been blogging lately but with my computer transfer issues and my illness, I can atleast take a break from blogging since I can't take a break from work. I do have however a For Future Reference item that I think you all will love.

Take the idea of a costume and an apron and smash them together. Brilliant! Thanks to Bethany Sew-and-Sew! I can definitely smell some Christmas presents a brewing!

Princess Peach!

Repurposing Wedding Decorations

We had tons of decorations at our wedding but some of my favorite were the ones we were able to reuse in our home. We bought ourselves a new mailbox which we used at the wedding for our wedding cards and now actually sits on our house. If you want to see more of our wedding you can check out our feature on Offbeat Bride.com CLICK HERE

Used at our wedding, purchased from the Container Store

Have you repurposed items at your home from your wedding?

This Bread is Bananas B-A-N-A-N-A-S

My mom is a great cook and baker, which means I've stolen many recipes from her. One of my favorites is Banana Bread. It was one of those things that I was able to help her make growing up and then when I was in college she would send one every week packed with candy (instead of Styrofoam packing peanuts--brilliant idea btw) and would share with the dorm. Now it's not a completely original recipe since I'm pretty sure it's from Bisquick, but it's very tasty. Now that I'm a "grown up" and can make up my own rules, I've tried variations of the original recipe. These variations have included, cranberries and different types of nuts, chocolate chips, peaches, cherries, and even pumpkin...which I definitely recommend for the fall season. Try your own variations and let me know how they turn out. Here's the basic recipe.

Banana Bread

2 1/3 cup Bisquick

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1/3 cup oil

1/2 cup chopped nuts (typical is walnut but try anything and it doesn't have to be exact or even nuts)

3 large ripened bananas mashed (or other fruit)

Preheat oven to 350. Mix in bowl and pour into sprayed bread pan. Bake for 45-55 minutes. The center will be gooey while it cools. How gooey you like it is up to you.

Tips:

• If bananas ripen and you don't want to make banana bread toss them into the freezer. When you are ready to make banana bread just leave them out to defrost or pop them in the microwave.
• The more wet ingredients you add, ex. canned or fresh fruit, the less oil you might want to put in. The mixture should be lumpy and not soupy. If it's too wet (ex. like cake batter) it won't bake the same.
• Be sure to drain any canned fruits very well! You can use any canned fruits which is great since they don't go bad as quickly. 
• Pumpkin variation: use a bit of pumpkin pie spice along with the vanilla.
• Try with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Toast with butter for breakfast. Give as a gift wrapped up with a bow! It's 10x better than that other kind of fruit cake.
• Enjoy! Yum!

 What variations have you tried and how did they come out?

Chandelier Upgrade

I know this wasn't on my list of things to do but I've been thinking about it for so long that maybe it's finally time. I have a chandelier. You can see it below in the apartment ad. I've had it since my Brighton apartment. My dad bought it for me for $25 in Scituate at an antique shop. I'm done with it being gold though and want to spray it white for my boudoir. I was looking online and I love the way these colored chandelier look.

I don't think I can do a color because the walls are purple. What do I add to this chandelier to drip off of it? Jewels, feathers, baubles, etc? I guess that will be phase two once it's painted. I'm also working on new candle sticks. I bought white ones from Loews but they are too long and need to be cut. Also I don't think they need to be so boring. I'm still melding over this idea but it should be interesting. Pictures to come.

Have you tried improving an antique?

Current Projects 9/2/11

Although I have been moving at a steady pace for about a month now. I need to get organized. I'm getting to the point where, if I have a project, I can't finish it without X, Y, & Z and because I don't have the car all the time, these projects get pushed back until I can get the supplies I need. So I wanted to go over a list of current projects I have in the works right now.

1. Remove personal information from computer hard drives, trade in and get new computer
2. Jewelry organizer: I had one but it's now too large for the redesign of my boudoir. I want to make something like this. But am still looking for a frame or artwork that will fit in the space I need it. I do have a Jax Beer tin sign that is being re purposed into an earring holder.
3. Put pictures on the wall. I have a bunch of things in frames but they aren't on the wall because I'm not sure where I want them. Hopefully this weekend, Andy and I can make that final decision.
4. Yard Sale Items - I have a pile but the sale isn't until Sept 10th.
5. Organizing of Craft room - almost complete and Basement - not even started

Those are my clear and present tasks. With the Labor Day weekend upon us, this may be a great opportunity to knock some of it out. In closing I leave you with a poster I made when I was moving out of our Providence apartment to move to Waltham. I really wish I had a photo of every room I've lived in. Til the next post....later.

Necessity is the mother of invention: Flashlantern

So last night was my birthday shenanigans and of course no time to do film a blog post. So I'm going to show you what I figured out last night during the party:

Again this is only the 2nd of many video blogs. Learning as I go and using what I have without spending a dime. I think spending the least amount of money is always the key to the things I do.

Have you ever created something useful from things you had around the house?