Category Archives: etc.

DIY / etc.

DIY Gold Grid Wall

March 4, 2015

This is probably my favorite feature in this Global Eclectic Bedroom, the hand drawn Gold Grid Wall.  I knew from the beginning that this room needed some white paint to brighten up the small space that is was.  But, I also wanted to added some sort of graphic element that wasn’t super heavy.
This simple gold grid was just what the room needed.

I’ve always love Mandi’s (of Vintage Revivals) gold sharpie wall in her living room. So, I decided to attempt my own version. Using just 2 waterbased gold sharpie paint pens I was able to cover the whole wall.  I didn’t want super straight lines, I wanted the grid to look hand drawn (but not like a 5 year old did it). So, I measured and taped off every line, but ran the sharpie pen just above the tape line so that the line would not be perfectly straight.  I spaced my grid 6″ apart. Using a level and tape measure, I taped one line at a time, drew my sharpie line and then moved the tape ( I used the same piece of tape for almost the entire wall). I’m not going to say that this was quick job, but it was easy. I think I completed the whole wall in about 5 or 6 hours. Not bad for a $7 wall.

It’s subtle and a little shimmery.  I love how object look hanging on it.  It’s a fun layer to this space.
I’m tempted to draw a gold grid wall on my bedroom wall.  I think the gold would look really great on my grey walls. 

etc.

West Elm LA Event Sponsors

March 2, 2015

I know a lot of you follow me on Instagram, but for those who don’t, I thought you might like to know more about the sponsors from my recent craft event at West Elm LA. The attendees went home with a bag full of fun treats from the fabulous sponsors as well as the cute Valentine’s Day Felt Pendants they made. 
Minted
Jo-ann Fabric
The Copper Fox
Fiskars
The Flair Exchange
Strawberry Patches
And of course West Elm Los Angeles, for hosting our event.
I know many of you live miles and miles away, and a few of you mentioned you wished you could have attended.  So, I’d love to send a goody bag to one of my faithful readers. Just leave me a comment below telling me which sponsored item you like the best and I’ll pick one lucky winner to receive a goody bag.  

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Monthly Memory Verse – March

March 1, 2015

Ok, for my long time readers, you know that in the past I’ve shared printable Monthly Memory Verses.  Last year life got so overwhelming, and really this should have been the last thing I dropped off my to-do list.  I didn’t have my priorities right.  But, I’m excited to tell you that THEY’RE BACK!!!!  And they are even better, I’ve teamed up with one of my favorite bloggers MJ of Pars Caeli.  She is a super talented designer and one of the sweetest, funniest people you will meet. She is one of the most uplifting and encouraging online folks out there.  And if you need a good laugh, be sure to check out her instagram feed for all her clever Lunch Box Notes.

MJ has created this beautiful print of Psalm 139:13-14.  I can’t wait to print it and get it up on my wall. Such a great word for my kiddos and even myself when I’m having one of those ‘feel crappy about yourself’ days. We aren’t accidents.

You can get this gorgeous 8×10 printable HERE. 

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Friday’s Fabulous Five – DIY House Plant Holders

February 20, 2015

Another week down and another very busy weekend traveling ahead for me.  I’ve found some fun house plant DIYs for you to try this weekend. I’ve been loving house plants more and more this last couple of years.  And I’m finding which ones I’m good at keeping alive.  And the best part of a house plant, is the container you get to put it it.  Head over to these fine blogs and check out the full posts.  
Brass Teardrop Hanging Planter // Mid Century Style Plant Stand
Mid Century Inspired Plant Stand
DIY Mid Century Planters // Beaded Plant Hanging Planter

Design / etc.

Living Room Makeover

February 17, 2015

I’m excited to finally share a little living room makeover I worked on over the Thanksgiving break.  I helped my sister-in-law, Jess, who lives in Idaho, give her new grey sectional a little personality.  
Jess already had a couple great furniture pieces to start with. We had 4 main goals for the room:
1. Give the sectional personality.
2. Create a gallery focal wall.
3. Rethink the mantel.
4. Accessorize the surfaces.  
Head over to The Land of Nod‘s blog, Honest to see all the details and the full reveal.  And then come back here and let me know what you think.  

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5 Sweet Treats to Make for Your Sweetheart

February 14, 2015

Woot woot!  Friday is here.  Are you ready for Valentine’s Day?  If you don’t have something special for your sweetheart, I’ve found 5 sweet treats that you could whip up tomorrow.  Be sure to head over and check out these fabulous blogs and the bloggers behind them.
Pink and Red Cheerios // Painted Heart Sugar Cookies
Ruby Red Grapefruit Sandwich Cookies
Watercolor Cookies // Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream

We decided this morning that we would get away for the weekend.  Lon’s parents are visiting this week, so we’re heading to Yosemite for a couple night of camping.  I love this park, be sure to head over to my Instagram if you want to see some gorgeous California scenery over the next couple of days.

DIY / etc.

Free Printable Valentine’s Day Chocolate Bar Wraps

February 11, 2015

Need a quick Valentine’s gift idea for your kiddos or sweetheart?  You can print off these chocolate bar wraps and customize a candy bar for someone you love in no time at all.

Last year I made a set of printable Valentine’s Day cards and I liked the designs so much, I decided to use them again. I’ve created free printable PDFs for you, you can download all 4 of these designs HERE!

Simply cut out the wrap with a pair of scissors and then using double sided tape close the wrap around the bar.  I made these wraps to fit a variety of chocolate bars.  Remove the original paper wrapper and leave the bar in it’s pretty gold foil.  These are Ghirardelli dark chocolate bars with salted caramel – I want someone to give me one.  

And on the back, I added a spot to write who the gift is to and from.  This is what I’ll be sending to my kid’s teachers this year for Valentine’s Day.

Have you given Valentine’s Day a thought yet? I need to get my kid’s class valentine’s ready pretty soon here.  But, at least I have the teacher gift covered now. 

etc. / Food & Drink

Cherry Ripe Brownies

February 4, 2015

It’s funny how tastes and flavors of your childhood come back to you and you just crave them. Cherry Ripe bars are one of my childhood favorites.  Growing up in Papua New Guinea, Australian treats were what filled the small grocery store.  These coconut and cherry chocolate bars aren’t easy to find in the States.  I’ll admit that I ordered some on Amazon for a very pretty penny.  But, oh boy was it worth it.  And now I’ve been playing around with recipes, trying to recreate this candy bar in my kitchen

We have suffered through a couple batches of brownies, trying to get the recipe (well, technically our waist lines have suffered). These brownies are pretty much spot on for Cherry Ripe flavor.  And since Valentine’s day is quickly approaching, I decided to cut these into cute heart shapes.  



Cherry Ripe Brownies
2 cups sugar
1 cup cocoa
1/2 cup butter
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour

2 cups of sweetened shredded coconut (a 7 oz. bag)
1 8oz. jar of maraschino cherries (drained and stems removed)
1 egg

dark chocolate for drizzling

In a medium sized pan, melt the butter over medium high heat.  Remove the pan from the heat and mix in the sugar and cocoa well.  In another bowl, beat the eggs and then add them to the butter, sugar and cocoa mixture.  When the eggs are mixed in well, add the vanilla and the flour and stir until the batter is smooth.

In a food processor or blender, chop up the cherries finely.  Add the coconut and egg and pulse to combine all the ingredients.

Pour the batter into a greased 9X13″ pan.  Spoon the coconut cherry mixer evenly over the top of the brownie batter.  Spread with a knife to get a even layer (it won’t be perfect, don’t worry). Bake at 325F for about 25-30 mins, or till a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Allow the brownies to cool.  Cut into squares or cut out with a heart shaped cookie cutter like I did.  Melt the dark chocolate and drizzle over the brownies.  I poured the melted chocolate into a small ziploc bag and then just cut one corner off to make a little piping bag.  

Cheers to all my Aussie friends, thanks for the yummy inspiration.  I think you guys are really going to like this recipe. 

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Friday’s Fabulous 5 – Heart Shaped Treats

January 31, 2015

Three cheers for the weekend!  I’m not a very girly girl, but when it comes to Valentine’s Day, everything has to be hearts.  I’ve found 5 fabulously creative heart shaped treats that you could make this weekend.  Be sure to head of to these blogs, they are some of my favorite bloggers out there. 
This week has been a long one.  In order to actually have some time together as a family and not just end up cleaning up around the house and yard, we’re going to take a little day trip to Ojai.  Ya, we’re pretty much cool like that.  I’ve been itching to go for quite a while now.  There’s a few shops I want to check out and definitely some eats and coffee to be had.  I’ll be sure to document it for you.  
Boy do I love California, there is no shortage of activities and places to go.  While folks across the country are shoveling their walks and bundling up their kiddos, we’ll be enjoying warm hikes in the hills near Ojai.  Sorry to rub it in, but there is a reason this Canadian and Alaskan, live in sunny California.

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Friday’s Fabulous 5 – XOXO Fun

January 23, 2015

I hope you’ve had a great weekend.  I’ve gathered a few fun XOXO ideas for Valentine’s Day.  It’s a nice less-girly way to decorate without hearts on everything.  And I’d be happy to leave these up in my home long after February 14th has passed.  
I’m still in SLC at Alt Summit, but I’m so ready to get back to my family and give them a whole bunch of X’s and O’s (hugs and kisses). It’s been great week connecting with other creative folks. I’m feeling more equipped and ready to take on new adventures with Oleander and Palm.  I’m excited for this year and where it’s going to take me.  So, XOXO to you, my faithful readers.  Thanks for being here.