Lily Marie

Looking back at this post, where I stated the piggy bank made me want to have a baby, but "not any time soon", little did I know less than three months later I would really be pregnant! I am due in three weeks on January 4th! My birthday! Barrett and I can not wait to welcome our precious little girl into the world! She is already SO loved and we are so excited! I will keep you updated on when Lily Marie arrives!

picture by www.katelynvonfeldt.com

Back in the Saddle!

Hello!! I have been away for what seems like FOREVER! I allowed busy life and new journeys to take over, but while away I realized how much I missed blogging about the random thoughts of life and the pretty little things that surround me every day! So I am back! I won't be able to blog everyday like I used to, but at least I am not gone for good~

I came across this picture, which instantly reminded me of my family's farm and horses. I want to be there right now...

I hope everyone has a fabulous Wednesday! ;)  XO~

pretty flowers + perfume bottles

Whether on your vanity, bedside, or in a powder room, luscious blooms and crystal perfume bottles always add a beautiful touch. Happy weekend wishes to all!

images via Country Living

M.I.A

SO SORRY I have been M.I.A this week! I am super busy with getting Lilee's closed (the last day is next Thursday! YAY!) and working on my new business, Luxe Wedding Lounge. It's all so exciting and my head has been spinning here lately! Again, I am sorry that I have not been able to post. My mind needs retreat and rest and these beautiful bedrooms definitely take me to another place!

 I love them all... 

Candice Olson

Phoebe Howard

I am OBSESSED with this bedroom!  Phoebe Howard

 

Sunday Scrumptious Sauce Satisfier

I hope everyone had a beautiful weekend and an even happier Sunday!

Today's Sunday Satisfier recipe comes from my Nana who taught my mom, who then passed on to me, how to make basic red tomato sauce. This sauce is so great and can be used as a basic red sauce for many pasta dishes like lasagna, chicken parmesan, stuffed shells, etc! I made it for the first time by myself a few nights ago, added some meatballs, then tossed over some thin spaghetti noodles and it was so good...and SO EASY! There is nothing better than homemade red sauce! Try it... you will be surprised at how easy it really is!

Easy Basic Red Sauce

Olive Oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 lg. can tomato paste
1 can tomato sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste

Pour just enough olive oil to cover bottom of skillet. Warm olive oil; add onions and garlic and sauté until translucent. Add tomato paste and stir with onions and garlic; mix well. Add 1 can of water (using tomato paste can). Add tomato sauce to mixture; stir well. Add 1 can of water (using tomato sauce can). Cook for 20 minutes and add salt and pepper, to taste. Continue to cook on low, uncovered, for 1-2 hours or until sauce is thick enough to your liking. *If it is too tart, add a little sugar to cut the tart flavor.

image via Flickr

One word: OBSESSED

Ever since seeing these gorgeous Louboutins on This is Glamorous, I have been so obsessed that I can't stop looking at them! I even put the picture as my cell phone's background...(so sad) A girl can dream right!? They are so chic and the pale pink + platform can truly make a girl like me go crazy!

Bella Cupcake Couture

The name alone is so sweet! Bella Cupcake Couture sells posh and chic textile-inspired

cupcake wrappers to hide the crinkly, translucent paper they're baked in. The stylish

designs add a touch of sophistication and elegance for any special occasion. The wrappers,

which are printed with soy inks on recycled paper, are perfect at weddings, bridal and baby

showers and as birthday gifts, or a little treat for yourself!

SO PRECIOUS! As if I didn't already like cupcakes enough... ;)

images via Bella Cupcake Couture Blog

Shade + Crystals = LOVE

AHHH, I love these chandeliers! So girly, so chic and so ME! I am looking for a chandelier to replace one that I sold in my store... I definitely think I am going to go with a shade + crystal style chandelier. I just love the look of crystals peeking out from under the shade... So gorgeous! Which do you like best?

Luna Bella

Shades of Light

Horchow

Horchow

Overstock.com

Overstock.com

Crystorama

Crystorama

Neiman Marcus

Sweet Snail Mail

I got the cutest card in the mail today from a sweet, long time friend, Ashely. It's called the Dandelion Karma Card and it's so cool because these cards are perforated down the middle so that the recipient can re-use the front of the card as a post-card! I also love the motto: Get Love and Give Love. So cool! Check it out here. Thanks for the sweet note Ash! Made my day! ;)

SUNDAY SWEET TOOTH SATISFIER

I can't believe it is already Sunday! This weekend flew by! I hope everyone had an wonderful and relaxing time with family and friends! Today I want to share one of my favorite dessert recipes... Gooey and rich, Mississippi Mud Cake! I just made it for Easter dinner and it was pure chocolaty goodness! Enjoy!

Mississippi Mud Cake

1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup butter
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 (10.5-oz.) bag miniature marshmallows

Place pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted. Microwave 1 cup butter and semisweet chocolate in a large microwave-safe glass bowl at HIGH 1 minute or until melted and smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Whisk sugar and next 5 ingredients into chocolate mixture. Pour batter into a greased 15- x 10- x 1-inch jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle evenly with miniature marshmallows; bake 8 to 10 more minutes or until golden brown. Drizzle warm cake with Chocolate Frosting, and sprinkle evenly with toasted pecans.

Chocolate Frosting

1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/3 cup milk
1 (16-oz.) package powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Stir together first 3 ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted. Cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes or until slightly thickened; remove from heat. Beat in powdered sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until smooth.