Thrift Store Finds:Old Milk Crate

A couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon one of my most favorite finds at Goodwill. It is a super fun old milk crate. Missing one jug{but I am determined to find one as a replacement}. No joke, when I put this baby in my cart, I got stares from everyone that walked by. They all wanted it- duh. This was fairly pricey for being at Goodwill, but when you're in love, and you have a coupon, you go for it!

Here it is looking all snazzy with some beautiful flowers my amazinggggg hubby got for me "just because" the other night. I totally cried. Am I the only one that gets overwhelmed with emotion at "just because" flowers? He's too good to me:)

I would love to use this as a centerpiece for our table outside {the one in the first picture}, because I feel like it goes so great with the rustic table. Any other ideas as to how/where I could use it...please help! Hope you love it as much as I do:)

<3,

Adri

I linked this up to my favorite parties

Front Load Washer/Dryer VS French Door Refridgerator

Heres my question folks: Which of these two beauties would you get, if you got to choose one??

The two options are:

 The beautiful LG French Door Refridgerator {24.7 Cu. Ft.}

Or:

LG Front Load 4.0 Cu. Ft. Washer and 7.3 Cu. Ft. Dryer

Would love to hear your opinions, especially if you already have one of these {or at least something similiar to them}. Thanks so much- and we will tell y'all what we end up with next week!

<3,

Adri



Inspiration Monday

Some things that have caught my eye lately for a great reason:


All things holiday!!

Garnet Hill Site

I just love the look of this whole room. The soft cream chairs {that would stay that color for about 2 seconds in my house with the dogs}, the stockings, and those beautiful deep red wreaths.

Herz- allerliebst

This is all that I love. White, cream, and a splash of color.

Martha Stewart

That moss wreath is stunning. I would add a pop of red in there somewhere, but I love the natural look of this decor.

Some things that have caught my eye lately for a bad reason:

Apartment Therapy

This in not a joke. Seriously. I would pay someone $100 if they put this up as their Christmas tree. Its bad, really, really, bad.

Southern Living

I like the idea of having 'something' cascading down the tree, just not all different colors of ribbons.

Hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving! Sorry I didn't post the past couple of days. When everyone else is off of work and relaxing for the Holidays-thats when my work is the busiest! 

<3,

Adri

DIY Kitchen Table Makeover: Part Two

J was inspired by this type of table at Anthropologie and then another table he saw at Paris Envy. So instead of keeping our initial white table top, he went to work.

This is from Paris Envy

We went to a welding shop here in Phoenix.  He had them make this table top from rolled steel.  The table top has rounded edges that overlap on the bottom making a [ shape.  The only way to have the ends of the table wrap underneath was to make the opening a bit larger than the actual wood table top.  I will explain how he made this work after I explain how he distressed the metal.

He did some research, and found that there are some chemicals that when they come in contact with steel there is a chemical reaction and it turns the metal darker and makes it look worn.  The chemicals we used are made by Metal Finish Supply, Inc, we used 2 different ones: Antique Pewter and Antique Black.  Initially the metal had a bluish purplish tint in some areas.  J used a wire brush drill bit and shined up the metal.  We then cleaned it with Acetone.  We then applied the chemicals.  This was kind of a cluster to be honest.  You are suppossed to pour/spray the chemical on the metal and watch it react and then pour water on it after like 5 seconds.  Needless to say it wasnt that easy at first.  J would apply, then apply more, and very little happened. So he would try to scrape the spots off that did react and start over....lets just say there were some not so nice words coming from the garage.  Overall it took a while to get the hang of it.  But after J got the hang of how the chemicals reacted, {He called the company and asked for help......so manly of him}  he was able to apply the Antique Pewter color to the entire top and then with a spray bottle add spots of black.  He then used multiple thick coats of Wipe on poly to seal the metal table.  Probably 4 to 5 thick coats with some light sanding in between.

This shows the 'bluish' tint, during the chemical process

This is when it was almost finished

Since the inside cut out of the table was larger than the actual wood table top, we could just not put the table top on and call it a day.  J cut some wood and placed it in the inside of the table top in the [ section.  He then put the table on the inside of the table and the wood pieces.  Then drilled a hole through the metal {with a metal drill bit} and the wood pieces into the table.  He then took a nail and dipped the end into the Antique Black chemical, then in water, and then in Poly. Let them dry, and then hammered the nails through the hole in the metal into the wood pieces and into the table. 

We then sealed the entire thing one more time and did a final sand. Heres the outcome:

Whats that? You love the chairs? They're from Modern Manor.

What do y'all think? Good looking table that will work with kids? We shall see in, oh you know, 3 years or so;)

<3,
Adri

P.S.- I linked this up with my favorite parties

DIY Kitchen Table Makeover: Part One

Growing up we had this amazing large table that was in the kitchen. There wasn't anything all that special about the table itself-but instead, the bench around the table. As kids we always sat on the bench, and my mom and dad in the chairs on the other side. I think it was my moms secret way of making us 'stay put' for dinner. Anyway- once J and I got our home I knew I wanted a table with a bench in our breakfast nook. Granted, we don't have kids yet, nor will we anytime in the near future, but a girl can always dream right? I can seriously imagine our little kids sitting like perfect angels {right?!} on the bench doing a craft or eating up some lunch. We found this table and bench on Craigslist, and went to work. Sorry that I don't have a great before photo, this was one from our Housewarming party, but it gives you the idea of what it looked like.

Before:

J started by painting the table and bench a soft grey. All painting for this table and bench were done with a paint sprayer {or should I say best friend?!}

He next rubbed wax on random spots on the bench and table where he wanted the distressed look. He then went over it with a white paint, and scratched off the areas where the wax was. By having the wax there before it didn't let the white stick, so now the grey shows through. Really easy process, really cool effect.

Then he sanded it down, distressed it a little more, and tried made it not so clean looking. I mean, who likes clean looking furniture anyways, especially when its intended for kids!

This was our "After" result, initially. We quickly realized it was way to white, almost blinding, and definitely not ideal for a table for kids. 

In Part Two I will show you what we did to the table top {it's by far the best part of this project!!}. Be sure to check back to see the transformation, and the tutorial for it.

<3,

Adri

Inspiration Monday

Some things that have caught my eye lately for a great reason:

Mark Williams

Ok seriously, if I could have a kitchen that one whole wall opens up-I think I would just die and go to heaven. Although, in AZ-miggghhhtt not be very practical 4 months out of the year.

Emerson Made

This table runner from Emerson Made is so simple, but perfect to me. We also have a farm table and sometimes I feel weird putting a runner on it thats too fancy, so this it perfect!

Design Sponge

This wreath is funky,simple, and beautiful. I think it would be a great addition to a home during Thanksgiving time, with that bow. However, if you change the ribbon to red, I think it could be just as perfect for Christmas! Yay for versatility!

Some things that have caught my eye lately for a bad reason:

Design Sponge

There isn't really anything I like about this B&A. Other than the brassiness of these, the fact that the centerpieces are so tall, you really wouldn't be able to see the person across from you at all. Just not good all around I think:/

Apartment Therapy

This apartment in general is pretty good, but I just can't get past that hunter green covering her bedroom walls. So deep, and not in a good way in my opinion.

I am so excited for Thanksgiving, but am also realllyyyy looking forward to diving in to all things Christmas! Hope y'all had a great weekend! Get excited that this week {for most-not me:/} is a short work week and that we get to have a yummy meal in the middle!

<3,

Adri

Chocolate Mousse Crunch Cake

If it were my Birthday-
I would be eating this cake:

Our Best Bites

This cake is so to.die.for. that it's ridiculous. I have made it for many friends and family, and every time it still blows me away. Granted, I am totally biased because I loveee me some chocolate, and some heath bar crunch, but man is this cake a winner!Go, make it, NOW, I promise you won't be sorry! My tip on this cake is that you really need to allow it time to refrigerate before serving. I attempted this cake once for a family event, made it-traveled 20 miles with it, and needless to say- it showed up lopsided and soupy:( Still tasted great, but looked pretty pathetic!

Sad part about this weekend is that it's not my Birthday..BUT it is my amazing moms and three amazing friends birthdays! Cant wait to celebrate everyone!

Chocolate Mousse Crunch Cake
Recipe by Our Best Bites

1 package Duncan Hines Devil's Food Cake

1 recipe (give or take a little) Chocolate Ganache

Crushed Heath bars or a bag of chocolate-covered Heath bits

1 tsp. unflavored gelatin

1 Tbsp. cold water

2 Tbsp. boiling water (just heat it in a small bowl in your microwave)

1/2 c. sugar

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 c. whipping cream

1 tsp. vanilla

Bake cake according to cake mix instructions in 2 8" round pans. Allow to cool and set aside. This can be done several days in advance; just freeze the cakes when you're done.

In a small bowl, combine gelatin and cold water and allow to stand for about 1 minute. While gelatin is softening, bring 2 Tbsp. water to a boil in the microwave. Whisk into the softened gelatin and allow to cool slightly.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine sugar, cocoa powder, whipping cream, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until medium-stiff peaks form. Mix in gelatin mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Prepare ganache (if you haven't already) according to directions.

With a serrated knife, carefully slice the dome-iest part of each cake layer off so the layers are level. Place one layer on the serving plate and spread about 1/2 of the chocolate mousse over the cake. Sprinkle with Heath bits.

Place second layer on top of Heath bits.


Spoon ganache over the top layer, allowing it to drip down the sides.  Sprinkle with additional Heath bits and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

<3,

Adri

How Do You Use Your Garage?

Over here at Dream Book we have quite the battle over what our garage is used for. The garage is technically a two car garage, but I don't see it that way. J has a large SUV and I have a mini SUV, so to me, theres no way we could easily get both of our cars in with how its placed. The garage is separate from the house, with it backing up to the alley. Its a pretty tight turn in there, and lets just say i'm not the best driver in town. If I had to try and make that turn, AND avoid hitting Js car...riggghttt. Anyway- if there is a car that uses the garage its his, {I will admit, his car is much nicer than mine:( }



HERES the dilemma though, do you actually use your garage to store your car, or store your crap??


Anytime we have a project {or really I shouldn't lie and say "we", but instead "J"}going on, the garage is definitely used for storage and work space. All other times, we attempt to use it properly and actually store a car in there!

This is what it looks like in "project mode":

As you can see, when a project is going on, theres nooo way an SUV can fit.

So heres my question: How do y'all use your garage if you have on?

Storage?

Parking your car?

And if you don't have a car, in your opinion, what is the best way to utilize it?? I would love some feedback:)

<3,

Adri

Shutterfly Christmas Card Promotion

I can't tell y'all enough how much I just adore  a good deal, especially a good deal that is fast and efficient.  Remember when I told you about the Shutterfly deal? Well- it works, its true, its awesome! I ordered my cards on Wednesday night, standard shipping, and miraculously got them Monday afternoon. WHAT?!? Please know that they didn't ask me to do another write up, tell y'all anything else, etc. I am doing this because I am blown away at how amazing this all was.

This is what impressively  showed up at my doorstep Monday afternoon:

In a brown package of course:)

When I heard the UPS man {no, i'm not being sexist-it was a man!} pulling up- I got so excited, acting like it was Christmas morning! To think- these 50 cards, that I paid only $8, were here already....SCORE!

Here they are:

I swear, if you have a blog, and haven't ordered Holiday cards yet, do this deal. $8 for 50 cards {with envelopes!} 

Today I adressed most of them, while listening to Christmas music. I felt like a total hypocrite while listening, because all week I have been telling my hubby how much it annoys me that so many people on Facebook are already writing about listening to Christmas music, putting up decor, etc. Here I was on November 16th happily writing addresses and listening to Jingle Bells! Haha, oh I suck!

If any of you have done this deal already, did you have as amazing of results as I did? If so, or not, tell me!! 

<3,

Adri

New DIY Card Catalog Makeover

So we got another Card Catalog. Granted, this one wasn't a big or as nice as our last one, but it is still fun. This one is from the 1980's and I picked it up in Tucson from a school government auction.

The exterior of it is laminate- which isn't that fun to work with. You can't sand it or distress it really, so you kind of have to work with what you are given! This was chipped and cracked in some areas, and another bummer about this one is that the very bottom right drawer is missing! Man oh man, that bugs me to no end! Even with its flaws though, it is STILL a card catalog- which means we STILL love it to no end!


BEFORE:

Process:

• Get lucky and find a card catalog;)
• Fill in cracks and chips with wood putty

• Bring one drawer to Home Depot and have them color match the black in Behr Ultra Premium Plus {we don't use any other type of paint!!}

• Use paint sprayer to paint CC

• Lightly sand to smooth it all out
• Seal it 
• Smile because its a pretty rad card catalog {yes, yes, we know, we still like our other one way better, but we like this one too!}

AFTER:

I love that this guy has 4 of those pull out shelves

So, what do you think?!We know its not quite as magnificent as the first one we did, but they- that quality of a card catalog original that we got was rare! We like this one a lot and hope you do too!! And, if you don't- well,oh well:)

<3,
Adri

PS- I linked this up to all my favorite linky parties:) Check out some of the amazing stuff others have done!

Inspiration Monday

Some things that have caught my eye lately for a great reason:

Poppy Talk

There is something about scales, especially vintage scales, that I just love. Maybe its the fact that they look so adorable, but are also useful!?

Inoui Designs

Using rules instead of the plain old normal stair for spacing...genius! Now if only I actually had stairs to do this with:)

Apartment Therapy House Tour

This 1860's row home is one of the best house tours I have ever seen AT do. It is in Maryland, and it is a must see if you haven't checked it our yourself yet! Can I move in???

Some things that have caught my lately for a badddd reason:

Apartment Therapy House Tour {all 3 photos above}

This is a tour thats not so great. One thing that I do like about the write up is that "Matty" and I both agree on what one of the places biggest flaws is, this is what he 

wrote: 

"Biggest Embarrassment: I hate the mismatched blue and yellow light fixtures that are over the kitchen bar."

Glad we can agree Matty!

The Diversion Project

I am not totally against fur, but this....I am totally against this. Not just for the fact of animals, but to me, that is plain hideous!

These things were some of what stuck out to me this weekend while browsing through. I hope everyone had a great weekend, and now onto a busy week. Lets all try and pretend that we don't have to do "real" life, sound good?! Perfect:)

<3,

Adri