Red Velvet Valentines Cookies

I wasn't planning on baking back to back weeks, but our small group got snowed out last week and I did not want to make the {Valentines Blondies} again.  I decided to make these {Red Velvet Cookies} with a Valentines spin. 

Red Velvet Cookies with White Chocolate Frosting

Cookie Ingredients:

Red Velvet Cake Mix
2 Eggs
1/3 Cup Oil
1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips

Cookie Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.   

2.  In a mixing bowl combine cake mix, eggs, and oil.  Mix on medium speed for about 30 seconds.  

3.  Stir in the chocolate chips. 

4.  Using a 2 TBSP cookie scoop, scoop dough onto cookie sheet. Bake for 6 - 10 minutes.  

5.  I used this {white chocolate buttercream frosting} and added LOVEly sprinkles.  

{LJ}


Linking Up:
Living Well Spending Less
DIY Vintage Chic
VMG206
Whipper Berry
Blissful Bee

Bring it on 2015!

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Hello!  It was 68 degrees in Denver today, and I am one happy {forever Texan at heart} girl.  January through April is definitely the toughest months for me.  Since I will be stuck inside for most of the next couple months I think it is time to share some of my New Years Resolutions! Is it too late to have New Years Resolution post?  I am always a little late. ;)  I have 3 goals this year annnnnd some are repeats from {last year}. 

#1  Learn how to decorate a cake {this was a 2014 fail}.  I have always wanted to take a cake decorating class, but I am thinking learning online might be a more feasible option.   

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# 2 Get back to my pre wedding weight.  Did you like that order?  Decorating cakes...losing weight...haha yep, the struggle is real!  Now let me preface, I was not the bride that lost a lot of weight for my wedding.  I just want to get back to my "normal".

Caroline Jurgensen Photography

# 3 Have two to three blog posts a week.  This is the one I am most worried about... 

Alright, I am going to steam broccoli for the first time.  Wish me luck!

{LJ}

Valentines Blondies

Hello!  It has been waaay too long since I last posted about a dessert {5 months to be exact}. Since I LOOOVE baking I thought making a Valentines dessert would perfect timing to get back in the kitchen.  This recipe is super fast, easy and most importantly, YUMMY!  

Valentines Blondies
Adapted from allrecipes.com 

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp baking powder 
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter {melted}
1 egg
1 tbsp vanilla
3/4 cup M&Ms {divided}
1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x9x2 inch pan. 

2.  In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, soda, powder, and salt.  

3.  In a mixing bowl combine brown sugar and melted butter {melted butter might be the best smell in the world}.  Add in the egg and vanilla.  Combine. 

4.  Slowly add dry ingredients to the sugar mixture.  Once combined add in 1/2 cup M&Ms and 1/4 cup chocolate chips.  Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup M&Ms on the top of the dough.  

5.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.  

ENJOY!

I hope your weekend is as FABULOUS as these blondies are!

{LJ}

Linking Up:
Whipper Berry 
Monday Funday
VMG206
Living Well Spending Less
DIY Vintage Chic

Painting File Cabinets {what I learned}

I looove short weeks...  I can't believe today is already Friday!  In our old home we had {this} desk but I wanted something different, and unique for our new house.  I had seen a bunch of DIY desks created with file cabinets and loved the idea of having extra storage.  I have turned into a little bit of a Craig's List addict and I got both of these for $50.  They were in great shape, but just different colors... Which I was totally okay with because I knew I wanted to paint them a fun color.

DIY Painted File Cabinets

1.  Take out the drawers and removed the hardware.  {I did not have a hard time doing this but from a lot of tutorials I read this can be a challenge. My suggestion: Google it.}

2.  Lightly sand and then prime the cabinets using an oil based primer and a small paint roller.  

3)  I used a Valspar spray paint {Indigo}.  I decided, after this project I should of used a paint roller {TRUST ME!}.  I think the roller would of saved me time, money, and frustration.  I ended up using EIGHT cans of paint trying to make the paint look even.

4)  To finish the cabinets apply a clear polyurethane with a paint roller {not lacquer}.  Confession time, I actually skipped this step...eek.  I was just so over painting these cabinets and so far I haven't had any chips {fingers crossed}.     

The office is still my favorite room!

{LJ}

Linking Up with: 
DIY Vintage Chic
Whipper Berry
Monday Funday
VMG206
Living Well Spending Less

DIY Valentines Garland

 Hi, I am Leslie and I have a Target Dollar Spot problem.  Anyone else?  It sucks me in every time... I was there recently and found this little gem for $3:

I knew this would be perfect for our entryway, but needed a little extra pizzazz.  First, you will want to remove the current jute rope.

I was able to slide the jute out from under the staples without having to remove them. 

Up next I threaded red yarn through the staples.  The staples were on there pretty tight so the hearts did not move once the garland was hung. 

How do you think it turned out?!

I'm in LOVE!

You can do this project in the same amount of time it takes a rose ceremony on the Bachelor to happen.  Speaking of the Bachelor, I gotta go! :)  If you want any other Valentines projects you can check out my projects page!

{LJ}

Linking Up to:

Monday Funday
VMG206
The Crafty Blog Stalker
Blissful Bee

Living Well Spending Less
DIY Vintage Chic
Whipper Berry

Built in Trashcan

Hello!  If you follow me on {instagram} then you know we have been working on our kitchen this weekend.  Before I start talking about our EXCITING "new" trashcan I want to show you our progress in the kitchen.  First off, let's not forget how this all started...

For the post on all the previous projects we have done in the kitchen, click {here}.   Since moving the gas line we needed to decide if we were going to keep the lazy susan.  TTM loved it, I thought it was an eye sore. 

Can you guess who won?  :) 

We have also re-textured the ceiling and added some height to the cabinets.  We still need to add molding to the top of the new wood, paint the cabinets, add back splash... we still have a BUNCH to do but the room already looks 10 times better, in my humble opinion. 

 Now back to our fancy trashcan.  I had seen a couple of trashcan cabinet kits at Lowe's that I originally thought we would use, but Tall Tan Man thought he could  build it himself {and save us $80}.  Here is the cabinet with our newly installed gas line in the back {we had plenty of room to fit the trashcan}. 

Tall Tan Man was able to use the existing cabinet door and build this short drawer with gliders out of the leftover materials from the Island. 

Fits perfect! 

 I am headed to do some trash removal {not related to trash can above :)} and paint the kitchen ceiling!  I know you are jealous.  I hope you have a fabulous week with no work on Monday!

{LJ}

Linking Up with:
By Stephanie Lynn

Bedroom Update!

Hello! A couple months ago I posted about {the most finished room in our house} and I am excited to say that we actually have two rooms that look normal.  The {office} was the first room done and now our bedroom is pretty much "finished."  I don't really think rooms are ever finished but here is our progress! 

This is our to do list:

• Remove Carpet & Redo Wood Floors
• Paint Ceiling
• Fix AC Hole in the Wall
• Paint Walls
• Update Ceiling Fan
• Put Up Blinds
• Put Up Curtains {I don't know how curtains would work in this room:(}
• Update Closet & Bathroom Doors
• Hang Art/Mirror
• Get an Area Rug
• Update Window Sills
• Install Baseboards

Tall Tan Man made this {piece of art} for our last home and I didn't know if I would find a place for it.  It is a LITTLE big for our 8ft ceilings but I am okay with that...for now :)

Now the rug we got from the Home Depot.  I wish it was a lighter beige, but with the house being remodeled {and the price tag of $80} we were sold!

Hope you have a super fabulous FRIDAY and a even better weekend!

Sources:
Dressers & Nightstands {Ikea, posts here, here}
Bed {TTM DIY}
Lamps {homegoods}
Rug {homedepot}
Comforter {target}
Blue Pillows {fabric from JoAnn's}
White Pillow {Dillards}


{LJ}
Linking Up:  Blissful Bee , Living Well Spending Less

Chalkboard Door

Hi guys!  Hope y'all had a GREAT weekend.  We spent the weekend up in the mountains.  Just one of perks of livin' in Colorado!  :)

Yep, Tall Tan Man is wearing a terrible wig. He was trying to took like a gnarly snowboarder.  I love him so much.  Okay, back to the closet door in our office.        

Chalkboard Door

Supplies:

Door {duh}
Primer
Chalkboard Paint
Foam Brush
Chalk

Directions:

1.  Prime it. 

2.  Paint it & hang it.

3.  Go ahead and cover the door with chalk.  This allows you to write easily.

I am thinking about adding some vintage baskets to the middle of the door to organize some of our paperwork. 

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I am pretty excited to have a chalkboard door in our house, now if I could just get all the trim painted...

Hope you have a great week! 

{LJ}

Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Pie

Did you know if you say gullible really slow it sounds like orange?

....

...

...

Do you get it?!  hahaha I totally fell for it.  Yep, I am gullible.  I just wanted to stop in and say HAPPY FRIDAY and...

This is {Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Pie} and it is fantastic.  I gave up sweets this month and what I wouldn't give for a slice of pie!!  Tall Tan Man actually liked this and he doesn't even really like chocolate...

I hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend!  We will be headed to the mountains for some skiing.  :)

{LJ}

how to paint paneling

Hi there!  Painting paneling has to be one of the easiest ways to drastically transform a room.  When we first looked at our house I was actually really excited our office had paneling. :) 

Now here is what we were working with:

 
How to Paint Paneling

Supplies: 

Drywall Filler
Drywall Sander
Rollers {the bigger the nap the better}
Brushes
Paint Trays
Drop Cloth
Oil Based Primer {I used Kilz}
Glidden Stone White {Egg Shell}

Directions:

1.  Fill the holes in the paneling.  The previous owners loved to hang things on the wall...  Once filler is dry sand down any bumps. 

2.  Now it is time to prime the room.  The difficulty of this completely depends on the type of paneling you have.  The groves in our paneling were very deep and not smooth so our roller would not reach them.  We had to go back and paint each grove and that took a good amount of time.  We primed the room twice.   

3.  We painted the room just like we primed it.  Again, the only time consuming part was painting the groves and making sure I didn't miss any spots... I am not a perfectionist so making sure this was done well was a wee bit challenging. :)

I am ready to get creative in this office!

{LJ}
Linking up to: Thrifty Thursday, DIY Vintage Chic