Light It Up

One more purchase for the house = one step closer to "completion".

At least, that's the way I look at it.

Thankfully, in this case, we spent very little in order to make our living room a little more functional.

Here is a panoramic-type view of the living room. As you can see, there are 2 lamps beside the chairs, but the couch is in the dark. And the walls are still pretty bare in that particular corner of the room. There really isn't room on either side of the couch to put an end table and lamp, but the couch needs some sort task-lighting.

Enter this swing-arm wall lamp we bought from Lowe's (in apparently the most wrinkled box we could find). This can be hung on the wall behind the couch for the much needed lighting on that side of the room.

We picked out a lamp with a rubbed bronze finish to coordinate with the other lamps already in the room (Lowe's does sell it in a brushed nickel finish as well).

All of the parts were included in the box... the light fixture itself plus the lampshade, harp and finial, mounting unit and screws, and metal cord cover. Everything.

Joey (loosely) followed the instructions provided and attached the mounting fixture to the wall (some drilling was involved) and then attached the lamp to that. He also had to semi-assemble the cord and plug together. The whole thing took about 20-30 minutes. The metal cord cover that goes down the wall hides the cord for a clean, polished look.

The light looks great on this wall. This close-up shot shows some of the details. I like the simple lampshade it came with, but you could always switch that out if you wanted a different look or color or texture. It's nice that the lamp can be swung from side-to-side and in-and-out depending on where the person is sitting on the couch.

Here's the same view as the 1st picture above, but with the lamp (and no Joey). Doesn't the room feel more balanced now? You can actually see the couch in the corner. And that corner looks less dull. I still have to add pictures and other items to the walls, but this is a practical start.

How much did the lamp cost? Only $40. This was great for me considering I was thinking about buying one of PotteryBarn's wall lamps for twice as much. Goes to show what a little bargain hunting can do for you!

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Over the past few months, as I've been planning and remodeling and decorating our house, I've spent a lot of time looking through magazines and websites trying to get ideas for how to accessorize our house.

As I've been gathering ideas, I realized that one common theme stood out when it came to accessories that I was drawn to... birds! (I know, I know... you think I'm nuts.)

So, allow me to explain. Here are some examples of what I'm talking about.

I recently discovered this website - My Sparrow - that sells some home accessories in addition to jewelry and other items. I started searching through the site, and the first things I oooh'd and ahhh'd over were the bird accessories (go figure given the site name).

Case and point, this bird paper weight. Great for a living room or home office. It can be set on a stack of books, or stack of magazines, or a stack of papers - instantly adding interest and texture with the darkened brass finish.

And here is a second set of bird paper weights on this same website. This silver finish gives a slightly different look than the picture above, and the height of the birds makes a bigger statement in the room. I can see these sitting on a bookcase, or mantel, or end table.

The third item I loved on this same site was a pair of ceramic owl pitchers. (Are owls creepy to you?) Well, I honestly think I like owls because they remind me of the old owl from the children's TV show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. But I digress... there's something about these owl pitchers that I think are really charming and would look great on any breakfast table. No?

What's another favorite website of mine? (Everyone say this in unison) "PotteryBarn". And since I visit this site on a weekly (um, daily) basis, I recognized that many of the accessories I like are also bird-related.

Here is a set of bird candles that hold tea-lights...

...and a ceramic bird that could be set on any shelf, bookcase, or mantel for a decorative touch.

In both cases, the colors are very neutral and could be used in different types of rooms and different seasons.

And in addition to birds themselves, I also like bird-related items, including nests, eggs, trees/twigs etc...

For example, PotteryBarn sells these place-card holders that look like a bird's nest. Great way to dress up a table for a gathering.

And who wouldn't die over the thought of hanging this beautiful PB chandelier in your dining room? It has a twig-like appearance that appeals to me. It would be an eye-catcher for sure.

PotteryBarn even went as far as creating an entire Christmas decorating theme this year called Songbird, which features ornaments, candles, stockings, and accessories revolving around a bird and music theme. I'm in love.

The list goes on and on of bird-items I'm attracted to. But alas, the only items I currently own are 2 pairs of these ceramic salt & pepper shakers from Pier 1 Imports. They look adorable in my kitchen by the way.


So, what do you think? Am I as nutty as I sound? Probably. I blame this fetish on my childhood love of the movie Mary Poppins and my favorite song being "Feed the Birds (Tuppence a Bag)".

Just call me the crazy bird lady!

No Bake Baking

I had planned to write to you about the latest and greatest home project that we've been working on recently, but I needed to do make a desert for a get-together we're attending tomorrow night, and so I didn't have time to put together the information I wanted to.

But then the idea came to me that I would just combine baking and blogging into one item. That way I get done what I need to get done, and I don't feel like I'm ignoring you in the process.

So, please bear with me as the desert I made tonight has probably been made by every one of you reading this blog. And by your mothers (like mine). And by their mothers. And so on forever.

But in case there is one person out there who doesn't have this recipe, I thought I would share it with you now - as every woman (or man for those manly men who cook/bake) should have this in their back pocket.

Name: Chocolate Eclair Desert
Time to make: 30 minutes
Time to chill: 24 hours (great for making the day before you need it)
Servings: 12-15

I like this desert for a few reasons.

1. It is super easy to make.
   
2. It involves no oven-baking
3. It's fast to put together for those under time restraints
   
4. It's a crowd pleaser. (Even for the picky eaters)

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box Graham Crackers
• 2 boxes Vanilla instant pudding
• 3 cups Milk
• 8 oz. Cool Whip

Chocolate Icing:

• 2 squares Baker's unsweetened chocolate
• 3 Tbsp. Butter
• 3 Tbsp. Milk
  
• 2 Tbsp. Karo syrup
• 1 tsp. Vanilla
• 1 and 1/2 cups Powered sugar

Step 1: Main Ingredients

Start by dumping 2 regular sized boxes of vanilla instant pudding in a bowl with 3 cups of milk. Whisk for 2 minutes and let sit for another couple minutes for it to pudding-ize.

Yes, I made up the word "pudding-ize".

While the mixture is sitting, line a 9X13 baking pan with graham crackers. Small spaces between crackers are ok.

After adding 8 ounces of cool whip to your pudding mixture and stirring thoroughly, spread 1/2 the mixture onto the first layer of crackers. Be sure to get in the cracks and crevices.

Next, add another layer of graham crackers followed by the remaining 1/2 of pudding mixture.

Last (lastly? is lastly a word?), add the 3rd and final layer of graham crackers on top. This will take you to the top of the pan.

Step 2: Chocolate Icing

Using your double boiler, melt and mix the 2 squares of unsweetened chocolate with the 3 Tablespoons of butter.

Once melted, add the remaining ingredients. I usually add the liquids first (milk, vanilla, Karo syrup) and powdered sugar last.

Mix to a creamy consistency.

Pour over graham crackers and spread evenly.

Chill in fridge for 24 hours. This last step is one of the most important - you need to allow time for the graham crackers to soften so you're left with creamy, yummy goodness. You don't want a crunchy desert.

It's just that simple!

Enjoy!