At Home with Books

I just checked this book out from my library, and it is crazy GOOD!

I love being able to get some books in my hand to see if in fact it is a book that I would want to add to my own library...and this one is!

It is full of wonderful personal libraries from Frances Fitzgerald, Michael Graves to Keith Richards, to name just a few...each eclectic and charming in their own way.  There are interviews with each library "owner" about their early love for books, how they store them and how they chose to build their libraries...I have yet to read any of the interviews, I got so caught up in the pictures.

There is also a section in the book about how to organize your own library, and if you are running out of shelf space, which are books that might be obsolete.

(library of Michele Oka Doner)

I would love to own a home with a library...shelves that go all the way to the ceiling that I would HAVE to get a rolling ladder...ahhh.

I have decided our office will now be called "the library" :)...yes, even though our computer is in there and Lucy's play kitchen...the library it is!

(my "library")

So....do you too dream of your own Library??

Do You Ever??

Make Salmon Quesadillas??

My family loves these...they are a quick easy lunch or dinner :)

In a bowl combine...
1 can Wild Alaska Pink Salmon
Light Mayo*
Liquid Smoke*
( *both of these add to taste, some like more mayo than others, and with the liquid smoke...a little goes a long way :)

Spread on tortillas, add cheese (I use cheddar, but these are delicious with smoked cheddar too!)...and grill until cheese is melted and tortilla is golden.

mmmmmm!

Progress Week 3 {40 bags in 40 days}

A little late in getting my Week 3 update done...but here it is!

Day 10 - Master Bath Cabinet... just lots of tossing old and unused products, and getting rid of one oversized cosmetic case!

Day 11 - Office Bookshelf...mainly just went through Lucy's books and got rid of the ones she doesn't care for (Sesame Street, Winnie the Pooh, etc...)

Day 12 - the backyard - spent some time cleaning out the ball bin, and some toys that didn't make it through the winter :)

Day 13 - The car - not much to do here but organize all my "green" shopping bags, and tidy up the center console

Day 14 - Master Bath drawers...cleaned all the drawers inside, tossed old makeup that I no longer use, and organized

So, I don't have bags to really show for this week because most of it was garbage...and these were really not areas in my home where things could have been donated...except for the books, there were a few :)

Sleep Over Coffee Cake {In My Kitchen}

I made this coffee cake over the weekend...again!

It is one of my FAVORITE recipes, and soo easy!

It got eaten before I could take a picture...sorry!

(recipe from Seattle Junior League cookbook, Simply Classic)

Jackets off & a book review

Not too long ago, Pam, did a post on her blog about taking the "jackets" off her books on her bookshelf.

I love books.

I love worn books...

used books...

old books...

but I especially love their colors.  

I had taken the jackets off all the books on my bookshelves in our office...but I had hesitated taking them off my cookbooks...I guess because I thought they would get "dirty"...but then Pam shared this picture and I was sold...the colors did it for me...

so this is my little kitchen bookshelf

It was an awkward cupboard, so I took off the door and made it the cookbook shelf....

and now that the jackets are off I love it even more...I love looking at the rainbow of colors...

I love the colors of the Serendipity Sundaes book!

I am so glad I did it!

next

I just finished this book...

and would only give it 

✭✭

I thought of not finishing it, but kept hoping it would get better....

it didn't.

Dinner {In My Kitchen}

A couple days ago, we had a gorgeous Spring day...and it was screaming for a healthy, light dinner...

brussell sprouts...my family loves these!

my favorite way to cook them is to roast with olive oil, kosher salt and fresh ground pepper!

Tilapia

I had been planning on making Tilapia and then saw on Paige's blog, she had shared almost this exact same dinner :), plus she made a sauce for the fish and shared the recipe...so I made that, and it was delicious!

I also made Coconut Jasmine Rice that Lissa had shared.

It was good, and my family was thrilled I made white rice for a change :)

So..there you have it, a healthy colorful meal!

I am looking forward to many more of these kinds of dinners, cooked on the grill and eaten al fresco!

What I have, want, am dreaming of.....{Fashion edition}

have....

this super comfy sweatshirt!

this bright comfy tee! (a must in every color!)

want...

gold glitter TOMS for Spring

white skinny jeans

 am dreaming of....

Michael Kors oversized horn watch...love!

...and now there are 2!

I have shared my LOVE of these books here...

and today my second in the collection arrived, Hello Lovely!

You can get yours here!

Happy Spring~

Here's to all things new, restored, and beginning!

Welcome Spring...I am so glad you are here♥

Progress {40 bags in 40 days}

Well...everyday I tackle a new spot...the bags may not all be huge black bags...but I am purging and organizing!

Day 3&4 - I spent time in Lucy's room going through her closet and dresser.

Day 5 - (no bags to show for) I spent going through emails (deleting, responding, "filing") and I decided I follow too many blogs...blogs that show up on my "follow" list and I never actually read or comment...it was time to just keep my favorites!

Day 6 - Dining room buffet...just a small bag of dishes that I never use

Day 7 - the Pantry!  This always feels great.  Why have I kept the inside to the crock pot when the whole thing went out months ago??  People have crock pots for years...me...I have had TWO in the past five years...they just don't last!!

Day 8 - Family room armoire...got rid of movies (vhs) that do not get watched anymore...stray cords that no one seems to know what they belong too, and lots of dust :)

Day 9 - Powder room cabinet...mostly just almost empty sunscreen bottles and band aid WRAPPERS (does anyone else's kids do that? :)

so...another productive week...I can only imagine what Goodwill thinks during these 40 days!!

Day of Silence~

My Everyday {Beauty} Must Haves!

I have a very simple beauty routine everyday.

These are my everyday go-to products that I must have...the rest of the products I use (blush, eyeshadow, mascara), I tend to switch around color or brand...but these 5 always stay the same!

1.  Target brand Witch Hazel
  I used Proactive for years, and switched to Purpose soap, my Clarisonic (LOVE - which should be up there as a must-have!) and witch hazel, and it is working great!

2.  Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller
I love this...I use it right before I start my make-up routine, and I do think my under eye is less puffy and not quite so dark...if anything, it is so cool on your skin it feels good!

3.  Bare Minerals Foundation
I have used BM for at least 10+ years and would use NO OTHER foundation! I have oily skin, so I tend not to use a moisturizer/sunscreen in the mornings, so this foundation is great because it has a SPF 15 built right in!

4.  Bare Minerals Warmth
I use this everday too...even in the winter I like to sweep this over my forehead, cheeks, chin, and a little on my nose for a "sun kissed" look.  I use spray tan on my body so this takes care of my face :)

5.  Bare Escentuals Big & Bright Eyeliner - Intense Black
I love eyeliner right on my top lash line, and liquid liner always looks too harsh for me, so this glides on easily and leaves a nice soft line.

There you go...5 of my favorite beauty products!

{Giveaway} Once Upon a Sugar Tree

Visit 

...and Lucy makes 6!

for a sweet giveaway!!

{Giveaway} @ Pretties and Posies

Do you know Melanie from Pretties and Posies??

I first met Melanie when I started my blog through her sweet sister Leslie

Melanie has a GORGEOUS blog, she is a wife and mother of two darling Girls

She is also an amazing artist...in fact, before Lucy came home I won a give away from Melanie for a painting for Lucy's bedroom, and I cherish it.

Well...Melanie is celebrating her 500th Post by giving away a pair of 

THESE

I AM NOT KIDDING!

Can you believe the generosity...well actually if you know Melanie you can!

So...head on over to Pretties and Posies and enter to win these lovelies (actually a color of your choice!)

I know once you're there you will be captivated by Melanie's lovely blog.

Progress {40 bags in 40 days}

So far, so good :)

Well, honestly it has only been 2 days (I haven't done today's bag), so maybe next week will be the true test

I started with the living room side table where I have stored past issues of Mary Engelbreit Home Companion and Victoria magazines.  Since this is about some sacrifice, I knew it was time to part ways with all of these.  The reality is...I have not looked at one of them in over a year....

Today I am taking them to a local antique store who is interested in them!!!

My next spot....

behind the living room sofa...yes really!

I have a console table behind the sofa with a lamp, it sits at an angle, and this is where I store home decor things that I tend to switch out regularly (candle holders, decorative bowls, etc)...so I moved all of that into a new home and got rid of quite a few UGLY picture frames that I had been "hiding" back there...much better!

(I love the idea of using dark bags...out of sight, out of mind!!)

Well 2 down, and it already feels great.  I know I may not end up with 40 bags, and some of them might only be the size of a grocery bag, but anything is better than nothing!

Off to the Goodwill!

Here we go!

My Family has also made their decisions on what they will give up:

Toby - sugar

Powell - fast food

Blake - energy drinks

Bennett - soda & candy 

Lucy - lent jar filled with little things she can do each day for someone

I picked up my bags

I wrote my list

Check back Friday to see what I accomplished :)

40 bags in 40 days!

I have several friends preparing for their Lenten sacrifice.  I am not Catholic but value Lent and the idea of giving up/doing something out of my comfort zone in preparation for Easter.

So, for me this year, I am going to participate in the "40 Bags in 40 Days" challenge

It seems like I am always taking a bag here, a bag there to Goodwill, but do I really dig in and "sacrifice" things that I might like, but no longer use or need?? 

 I also plan to re-read Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, and doing the 12 week study to remind myself to find intimacy with God in the busyness of life. 

I am linking up with white house, black shutters, and plan to post my progress here every Friday as a way to keep me accountable :)  I will also post a pic of my list of what I plan to tackle!

Care to join me??

Beating the Winter blues~

Sometimes a girl just needs a little pick me up to get her through these grey days :)

Essie polish in Sand Tropez & Nice is Nice..did you know Target & Walgreens now carry Essie??  Love that!

L'oreal Sublime Bronze...my FAVORITE spray tan...I usually always have a can!

Oxygen Mag...my favorite fitness magazine

Vanity Fair...well, who doesn't love it??

National Velvet...have not see this in years...a gorgeous and young Elizabeth Taylor!

and always a book....Three Weissmans of Westport...there is a little review from Dominique Browning (LOVE HER!) on the cover, so that sold me :)..and then they say Cathleen Schine writes with a homage to Jane Austen....SOLD! (I'll let you know what I think :)

Fashion Friday!

Lucy shares 3 of her favorite coats and gives you ideas on how to style each :)

My Fashionista is Featured!

My Lucy is today's "Cool Kid"You must check out B's "cool" blog!