Lamp look-a-likes.....

In the past few weeks, I've found the above lamps on the right from TJ Maxx/Marshalls. I was very excited about each because I lovvvve them! Then, a funny thing happened as I was cleaning up our office area. I came across an image I had clipped {yes, I still do that even with Pinterest} of a Ballard Designs lamp {top left}, which looked just like the lamp I found for a fraction of the price. 

I was even more excited! 

Then, after going on and on to my husband about the other great lamp I found {bottom right} as he rolled his eyes about yet another lamp. I realized that it looked similar to a Pottery Barn lamp, again, for  much cheaper.

Unfortunately, this is it for me and lamps. We cannot fit another one into our home, but if anyone needs help finding one, please let me know!

Paleo breakfast cookies....

{paleo/vegan/low sugar}

Nice lil' treat for the week. Original recipe found here.

Of course I had to improvise because I'd rather use ingredients that we have then run to the store to buy something else, even though we have two grocery stores on both ends of our street that are probably less than a mile away. 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups gluten-free rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1 tablespoon golden flaxmeal

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup dried blueberries

1 very ripe banana

1 cup apple sauce

1/4 cup coconut oil, warm enough to be liquid

1 tablespoon agave nectar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

The original recipe called for pecans, which I excluded all together because we didn't have any left in our pantry. Also, I used one banana instead of three, mixing in some apple sauce instead.

Really didn't know how this experiment would turn out. Sometimes you just have to go with it, right?

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°. Combine oats, coconut, flaxmeal, salt, and blueberries. Stir in banana, apple sauce, oil, agave nectar and vanilla until well combined.

Roll spoonful of mixture onto baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Continue with remaining mixture.

Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until fragrant and golden. Cool on pan.

DIY dining room art with plates....

This was my weekend project! It took less time than I thought it would. Loovvee it when that happens. 

Originally, I went searching for vintage plates, but after a few different thrift stores I realized I wasn't finding what I wanted. I wanted simple and plain. Ended up finding two plates at TJ Maxx and the others from Target--all for pretty cheap. 

The plate in the middle I found and painted with chalkboard paint a while back. It is also from TJ Maxx. 

Although I typically just eyeball things when I put them up on the wall, I knew I wouldn't be able to do that with this. To make the process easier, I outlined the plates on wax paper, cut out the shapes, and hung them on the wall. 

Sooo glad I did. There was a lot of shifting and repositioning that I had to do, especially once I actually starting hanging plates on the wall.

Here's the finished product! 

Five things {June edition}...

{growing hydrangeas}

Just makes me happy to see these everyday. 

{mint nail}

I'm still addicted to mint! Neely by zoya. 

{entryway DIY art}

As you can tell, I don't like spending a lot of money on art for our home. This was another easy project.  I found the font over here and created the document in MS Word. Then, I printed it out on cardstock. The burlap matted frame is from TJ Maxx.

{coconut oil spray}

I found this gem at Trader Joe's a few weeks back. I've been trying to incorporate more coconut oil in my diet, as it supposedly has a lot of health benefits. This is a super easy way to do it!

{vintage plate art}

Wanting to do something similar in our dining room! Next project, maybe?

We are headed out of town on a little beach weekend! A much needed weekend away!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Pottery barn inspired oversized picture frames....

Finally got around to finishing this project! Inspired by the Pottery Barn oversized frames {like the pic below}. I loved the Pottery Barn frames, but didn't love the price at over $100 a frame.

Each frame here cost me about $28. 

I bought the frames from Ikea for about $18 a piece, and had custom mats made from hobby lobby for $10 each.

To fill the frames, I used 4 photos I took while studying abroad in Italy. 

Oh Italy, how I miss thee.

Now I will constantly be reminded how much I want to go back!

 Here is the Pottery Barn oversized frame that I used as my inspiration.

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

Healthy homemade dog treats....

{peanut butter & banana dog treats}

We had a nice low key weekend, which was much needed after two busy weekends! I decided to make the boys a treat because they aren't spoiled enough already. :-)

After a little searching, I found this recipe from Home Foods. I mostly stuck to the recipe except omitted the parsley because we are out at the moment and used regular flour instead of oat flour because it was what we had.

Ingredients included:

Banana

1 cup flour 

2/3 cup rolled oats

3 tablespoons peanut butter

1 egg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300. Mix all ingredients until well blended. Roll out mixture onto parchment paper. Use cookie cutter to create treats in desired shape! Bake for 30 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown. Keep refrigerated once cooled. 

Using the cookie cutter was so fun!

 I'm inspired to make more treats, for human consumption and our furry friends!

Hope everyone is having a great week! Glad tomorrow is hummmpp daaaayy {like the camel does in the commercial}. That commercial is my fav y'all!

A happy life...

Words of wisdom for a Wednesday! 

Sorry I've been mia lately. I started a new job and have been settling into my new routine. 

Expect me to be back at it soon though!