Vanilla Bean

Nook Cover Tutorial: Ahoy Matey!

2012-02-08T08:56:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Pinterest, my list of sewing ideas (and tips) is growing daily. For the most part, I'm drawn to purses and totes. Currently, I'm on a mission to turn this guy into a couple of bags:

Isn't he lovely? He is very thick and heavy. I hope to get at least two bags and a purse out of him. Someday, I'll sell him (and maybe his cousins) on etsy.com or maybe in my very own store.

In the meantime, I need to master my sewing skills. I tend to still bleed and curse alot when I sew. Is that normal?

I recently found this Nook tutorial by Little Birdie Secrets. I certainly can't do it justice. This was officially my first time sewing a) a zipper and b) interfacing. I'm giving myself a C.

Supplies:

Fabric for outer case
Soft fabric or cotton for inner case (I used some left over red I had)
Zipper (at least 9" long...mine was only 7". Oops.)
Iron-on stabilizer/interfacing (I used Pellon's)
Sewing machine and coordinating thread

First, I cut the outer fabric, lining fabric, and stabilizer to 7.5" x 9.5". Then I applied the interfacing to the wrong side of the outer fabric. I might have applied it the wrong way...but, I still tried.

Next, I started was was referred to as a zipper sandwich. Lay down the lining (right side up) and place the zipper at the top. Then, place the outer fabric on top of that (right side down).

Pin in place.

Sew the three pieces together. I definitely need more work at this. I'll be reviewing these zipper tips before my next project!

Top stitch along the outer edge of the fabric. Try to get it a bit straighter than mine. ;-)

Next, I sewed on the other pieces. Lay the other piece of lining fabric right-side up. Then place the side with the zipper already sewn in on top of it, with the lining against the lining piece and the right side of the outer fabric up.

Sew the three pieces as you did above and finish again with a top stitch. Hopefully, your sewing isn't getting worse at this point.

At this point, it is becoming clear to me that my zipper was too small. That's ok. I'll make it work!

Now it's time to sew the rest of it up! Unzip the zipper halfway so you have an opening to turn it right side out. Open up your pieces and fold the outer fabrics together with right-sides touching, and the lining pieces together, right-sides together. Pin around three sides, leaving the short ends of the lining open.Sew around all sides of the outer fabric. Clip corners and and trim sides and zipper so they were flush with the bag.

Turn the bag right side out and sew the lining in and put the lining inside the bag.

There you have it! A snazzy little outfit for your Nook. It helps if your Nook doesn't mind crooked lines or a zipper that is too small. Mine just happens to love that stuff.

Isn't he cute? I think I heard him say "Ahoy, matey!" last night. Or, maybe that was me, pretending to talk like a Nook. I get bored sometimes.

Happy sewing!

Throwdown 2012: Jessi vs. Jeff

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

We've made our mark on pretty much every room in the house. Not unlike the way the dogs have...maybe with just a bit more flair. However, two rooms remain untouched: the Rocket Room and the John Lennon Room (Aptly named for the wallpaper that adorns the walls. At least that's what we tell people).

Since we both love DIY projects, are competitive, and have been known to disagree on decor, I thought a DIY Throwdown was in order.

So, while we are finalizing the rules, budget and timeframe, I thought I would introduce the contenders...

THE CONTENDERS

Name: Jeff (aka Mr. VB)

Favorite color: blue

Least favorite DIY duty: painting

How would you describe your design style? Minimalist. Mix of old and new.

What do you like most about your competitor? Not afraid to get her hands dirty. Very creative.

Competitors greatest strength: Sees the potential in everything.

Competitors greates weakness: Has been known to fizzle out on projects.

Vision for the room: Nautical-themed guest room

How do you have a leg up on the competition? My woodworking ability.

You see something in the Pottery Barn catalog that you like...what is the first thing that pops into your mind: It's over priced.

Jeff's Room (The Rocket Room):

Name: Jessi (that's me!)

Favorite color: blue

Least favorite DIY duty: tedious work

How would you describe your style? Beachy-casual

What do you like most about your competitor: We can dream together.

Competitors greatest strength: He's allowed to work with the saws and other manly tools

Competitors greatest weakness: Likes to follow the "rules" too much

Vision for the room: Inspirational craft space

How do you have a leg up on the competition? I'm on Pinterest. Enough said.

You see something in the Pottery Barn catalog that you like...what is the first thing that pops into your mind: I can make that.

Jessi's Room (The John Lennon Room)

2011 vs. 2012: Game On!

2012-01-19T18:49:00.001-06:00

Two posts in two days. Crazy, right? I'm really trying to Be a Better Blogger this year. I've added it to one of the four 2012 Goals lists I have (Yes...you read that right: Personal. House. Family. Creative Professional. I'll probably have another list to add by the end of this post).

I've updated our 2012 House Goals here on the blog. Let's take a closer look at what I hoped to accomplish in 2011:
Master Bedroom {~~paint~~, ~~bedding~~, ~~recover headboard~~}
Not bad! I accomplished all of this in 2011. I still want to redo the chair in our room and need to hang some artwork on the walls...but, it's almost complete! Score 1 for me.

Master Bathroom {paint}
Totally haven't made any progress on this. Well, almost none. Mr. VB painted the vanity. That's it. We still have to update the vanity counter and sinks, update the mirror and get rid of the hideous carpet around the tub.

Finish the Stairs {paint}
This project takes the #1 spot on the Pain in the Ass Project List. You have one of those right? We weren't happy with this when we painted it back in 2010. They look the same today. Only dirtier.

Laundry Room {~~paint~~ and decorating}
Mr. VB did a great job painting this last year. He even reused the original paint we bought for our bedroom. Technically, I do have it sort of decorated. But, I want baskets. Mr. VB is resistant to baskets. Kind of like the way my dog acts when I take the vacuum cleaner out. Running away at the mere sight. I'm working on that...which is why I'm keeping this on the list.

Kitchen Pantry {paint and organizing}Probably #2 on the Pain in the Ass Project List. I've organized it. But, I want it to look like this one from House of Smiths. Obviously, I'm going to need Mr. VB to be embracing the Basket Revolution to scratch this off the list. I'll get to this after the Laundry Room reno.

Front Door {~~paint~~ and add numbers}
So, we've got the front door painted. Bright red as a matter of fact. Just need to get some numbers on it!

We have our work cut out for each other. But, with dedication, fun and surprises along the way, I have a feeling 2012 will be a great year!

First DIY of 2012: Curtains

2012-01-18T18:19:00.002-06:00

Well, here we are. Eighteen days into 2012. And, what do I have to show for myself? New skillz...that's what.

Sewing skillz to be exact. I've officially graduated from my no-sew phase and I have to admit: it's pretty awesome. So far I've made aprons, a market tote and living room curtains. I'll admit, there's been some bumps along the way. Like completely sewing the top of the tote shut (Couldn't even squeeze in a ~~bottle of wine~~ banana!). But, I'm working out the kinks and humming along just fine!

I started with some curtains for the living room. Here's a dark picture of the before (you get the idea, right?).

I bought the fabric for about $40 on clearance...I think I bought about 13 yards, which I cut into 6 panels (with some left over). I didn't do any fancy stitches...or even a top stitch, since I hadn't even learned that one yet. It was my first project. I was excited just to sew in a straight line. I sewed a hem around all sides. No grommets or tabs. Again, happy not to sew my finger to my new drapery.

Then, I ran out to Target and picked up some curtain rods and clips. Which actually was more expensive than the fabric. But, I got over it.

And...Voila!

They definitely give the room a more warm and dressed feeling. I'm hoping to get rid of the white blinds soon. Obviously, I hadn't taken the sewing machine to the pillow in the picture yet (she's all better now, though).

Since then, I've graduated to bigger and better things. Like this:

Super cute, right? I've got my eye on a vintage grain sack to do something like this from rebeccasaix:

Baby steps, though. I did sew the first tote closed. Even Martha had to start somewhere, right?

DIY Antique Mercury Glass

2011-12-19T21:11:00.000-06:00

Before the holiday season completely draws to an end, I wanted to share some of the mercury glass pieces I made recently. You've seen it in Pottery Barn and all of your friends are pinning it. Why not try it for yourself? It is super easy. Trust me. If I can make it after having 3 ~~glasses of wine~~ sugar cookies, you can easily do it.

First, head to Hobby Lobby and get yourself a can of this:

Don't forget your 40% off coupon! This little guy is expensive (Editor's note: This is the actual size of the can). I may, or may not, have actually cursed when I saw the $11.99 price tag.

Then, go around your house and collect all of the glass containers you have sitting around. Don't forget all those vases that come with the flowers Mr. VB gives you. Oh, and also grab that spray bottle you use on the dogs to get them to sit down and stop barking. Don't you just love being able to shop in your own house? Hoarding really does come in handy some times.

Next, mist the inside of the glass vase with the water. Then, spray with the Looking Glass spray paint. Wait for it to dry and do it again. Or, if you are impatient, spray again right away. The paint won't stick to the misted areas.

Toss in a candle and Voila!

I used a scrubber in some of the vases to wipe off some of the paint. Mine have a very light coat of the Looking Glass...be has heavy or light handed as you want!

May I Introduce...

2011-11-06T17:43:00.001-06:00

I realized recently that Vanilla Bean has been up and running for three years now and I haven't properly introduced my girls to you. Bad momma!

Like most people, our dogs are our babies. They have personalities all their own. They are usually a pain in the rear...but I can't image the Vanilla Bean house without them.

So...without further adieu, I would like you to meet:

ALLIE

Name: Allie (short for Alberta after Albert Pujols)
Nicknames: Beaner, Beaner Butt, A, Scarface
Family Rank: Older sister and Momma's first baby

Known for: giving the cold shoulder, having a sensitive stomach, snatching stray socks

Likes: dancing, cleaning out my younger sister's ears, ice cubes, snuggling in bed, hunting for moles

Dislikes: car rides, when people talk about me (usually results in me giving the cold shoulder), any type of cleaning, getting brushed

If I had the run of the house during the day, I would: Lay on the couch and nap
The front door is wide open...I will: Dart out and take off running, never to be seen again
Momma's girl or Daddy's girl? Momma's girl
The vet says I: Am perfect and sweet as pie
I've been know to: Completely ignore my mom when she calls me to come inside
Favorite memories: Hanging out with Auntie Bubba and eating pizza, that time I ate three voles...and then threw up, catching turtles and trying to sneak them into the house
I like it when: Momma sings the "Allie Beaner" or "There's a Beaner in the Closet Snoopin' Around" songs to me
Someday, I hope to: Go on vacation to MN and go swimming in Big Birch Lake

MARLEY

Name: Marley (after Bob)

Nicknames: Marles Barkley (or just Marles), Shorty, M, Chopper, Freckles
Family Rank: Younger sister and Daddy's dog

Known for: getting up on the counter and eating half a cake, snoring

Likes: Getting my ears cleaned out by my older sis, being the first for everything, laying in the sun, sleeping with head under the couch

Dislikes: Getting wet, getting my paws cleaned, exercise

If I had the run of the house during the day, I would: Make myself a gigantic sandwich and not share any with my sister

The front door is wide open...I will: Step outside. Notice that the grass is damp and that it is getting my feet wet. Head back inside to see if someone left food too close to the edge of a counter

Momma's girl or Daddy's girl? Momma's girl

The vet says I: Need to lose a few pounds
I've been known to: While my sister is napping, I like to plop down right on top of her and wake her up

Favorite memories: Going camping, when mom and dad adopted me, that time I ate all those raw hamburgers and mom and dad had to order a pizza

I like it when: Momma gets full at dinner and gives me her leftovers
Someday, I hope to: Rule the world

The infamous "cold shoulder"

Nightly ear cleaning routine

Waiting for Auntie Bubba to pay a visit

2007 VB Family Christmas Photo

2009 VB Family Christmas Photo

THANKS for taking the time to get to know us!

Falling Into November...

2011-11-06T16:43:00.001-06:00

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. From apple picking to delicious squash recipes to decorating for the holidays, winter, summer and spring just don't stand a chance.

We've taken full advantage of the foliage this year...here's a quick photo recap of what we've been up to:

We took a visit to Noboleis Winery.

Stumbled upon an old barn.

And, took a hike on the Matson trail.

I hope you are enjoying the fall as much as I am!

Apple Galette

2011-10-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

"J'aime la galette, savez-vous comment ? Quand elle est bien faite, avec du beurre dedans."
("I like galette, do you know how? When it is made well, with butter inside.")

Sadly, alot of the fall baking recipes I've been making in the VB kitchen have not made it to the blog. But, I had to draw the line with this galette. How can you not blog about something that has it's own children's song? {see intro}

I totally winged it on this recipe. Which is to say, there really is no recipe. How can you mess up apples, cinnamon, sugar, butter and pie crust? It's pretty hard. I used a premade crust...so prep time was approx. zero minutes.

I peeled and sliced 4 Gala apples. Tossed them in some cinnamon, sugar and flour. Just eyeball it. I promise it will be delicious.

Put some dabs of butter on there for good measure. Fold up the sides of the pastry dough. Brush it with egg whites and sprinkle on more sugar.

Bake at 450 degrees until golden brown. Try not to eat all in one sitting.

Breakfast Table Gets a New 'Do

2011-08-30T19:55:00.001-05:00

I am excited to be back {again} from a hiatus. Well, maybe I've been working on this project for two months. Or, maybe the hours of sanding ust felt like months!

I repainted this set almost two years ago. In decorating years, that's like 17 years. Here's how it has looked since it's last paint job:

So, we dragged it out to the garage for a little TLC. Here's a closer look at the top. Not digging the stain.

So, I took out my BFF (my little palm sander) and, with 80 grit paper, started sanding. And sanding. Then I sanded some more. And it started to look like this.

After about an hour, I had one WHOLE side sanded. At this rate, I'ld be done just in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

Then, the unimaginable happened. My BFF overheated. RIP little guy.

So, I headed out to Home Depot and got a new BFF.

A BFF with a lifetime warranty.

And, I started sanding again. My new BFF is stronger and much faster. And comes with 60 grit paper.

I got it down to the bare wood. To make it smooth, I went over it again with a 100 and then a 220 grit paper.

At first, I was going to stain the top. But, I've always loved what Layla at The Lettered Cottage did with her dining room table, so I ditched the staining plans and went for paint. I made a whitewash mix of 50/50 water and white paint (Swiss Coffee by Behr is a staple in our house).

Here's what it looked like after a couple coats:

Here's when things got a little crazy. I wasn't really liking this look, so I did a couple of dry brush coats with the Swiss Coffee (without water mix). For dry brush, dip your brush in the paint, wipe most of the paint off and paint away. Then I got out my little jar of Valspar Antiquing Glaze and lightly painted some on. A little goes a long way!

I did another coat of the whitewash and this is what I was left with. Pure LOVE!

But, wait -- I'm not done!

It was a little harsh, so out came my BFF again and using the 220 grit, I lightly sanded and smoothed out the table. Ta-Da!

I also gave the legs a coat of Swiss Coffee (getting rid of the previous distressing). I love the way it turned out!

My bench and chairs are a bit off, now. I'll be making some changes to those soon. But, I love the new look of the table. What do you think?

Linking up to a few parties this week!

http://homestoriesatoz.com/.

Pinterest: Somebody Commit Me

2011-06-28T21:10:00.000-05:00

It was 5:45 a.m. on Saturday morning and I was wide awake.

I don't have kids getting me up that early.

I didn't have any deadlines at work that had me up at the crack of dawn.

I have an addiction. To Pinterest.

I've seen other bloggers mention it, but didn't really have the time to look into what it was all about. Then, last Thursday, my co-worker said I had to check it out. "You would totally love it."

She was right.

If you don't know anything about it, know this: it is a beautiful little world where you "pin" your favorite online findings to boards. Just like a bulletin board. Genius!

I already do this in my office. I have inspiration boards for rooms I want to redo:

And dreams of giving up everything and running away:

Now, instead of saving links to favorites on my computer and forgetting about them, I can "pin" them all in one place.

I can make boards of shops I would like to open.

Tiny houses I would love to live in.

Kitchens I want to cook in.

Food I want to make for the 4th of July.

I invite you to follow me. Pin with me. Share the addiction.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-08T06:00:00.005-05:00

Garden at Two Weeks

DIY Raised Garden Bed

2011-05-31T20:51:00.000-05:00

After a nearly three-month home project lull and two week vacation, we jumped right back into DIY projects. Well, some of us may have been dragged -- but let's not point fingers.

First up: a raised garden for the backyard. This is a progression from our playground garden of last year that consisted of herbs, tomatoes and peppers. We had the following cut at Home Depot:

2 10-foot lengths of 2x8 boards
2 3-foot lengths of 2x8 boards
4 12-inch 4x4 posts

We adapted ours after the one found here at Sunset.com. You can find detailed instructions there or use my highly technical explanation below.

Secure boards and posts together to make a big rectangle with short, stubby legs.

See -- that wasn't so hard, was it?

Dig holes to fit the four posts. This photo may or may not be upside down.

Place the legs in the holes.

Fill with approx. 12 bags of soil. Make sure you have someone strong like Mr. VB to carry all those bags. They are heavy!

Plant way too much fruit, veggies and herbs for your little space.

Total cost of the project (with lumber, soil, truck rental and plants) was just under $200. But, think of the cash we'll save on eggplant, squash, watermelon, tomatoes, peppers, brussel sprouts, basil, oregano, rosemary, and strawberries. Have you seen the price of a strawberry lately? And, don't even get me started on tomatoes.

New Updates! Vanilla Bean Breaks the Silence

2011-05-23T17:06:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe it has been three months since we last spoke. I'm sorry for giving you the silent treatment!

How have you been?

What have you been up to?

While I haven't been blogging -- things have been busy around Vanilla Bean. Don't get me wrong...some things are still the same. Master bedroom progress has not moved since February. But, we've still been occupied with projects around the house, cooking and ~~lounging around~~ many other things.

Let's take a look...

Mr. VB was busy this winter, building a bar in the basement.

It's called The Alaskan and is the new hotspot in our subdivision (as you can tell from the photo below).
It even has its own Facebook page!

He took it a step further and made his first batch of homemade brew this spring.

The first batch of Hollandbush Lager was delicious...and I am eagerly awaiting the next batch. (Once we get through the first one!)

We also kept the VB kitchen hopping. We roasted some garlic.

Made birthday dinners, such as Porcini-Crusted Filet Mignon with Fresh Herb Butter and
Garlic Truffle Fries.

On Jan. 1, I started Weight Watchers in preparation for our spring vacation.
I lost 20 pounds and gained a new wardrobe!

Thank you Jennifer Hudson and Skinny Taste for the inspiration and recipes!

Then, Mr. VB and I took to the seas for a Transatlantic cruise!

I'll post more pics later, but we visited Florence, Barcelona, Pisa, the Azores, Cartegena and Saint Tropez.

We ate delicious food....

Drank unforgettable caramel macchiatos...

Took a moment to think about all the delicious food (and wine) we were enjoying...

Then, got right back out there and had some more!

I can't wait to show you the beautiful outdoor market in Barcelona and the new outdoor project we are working on at the house. We'll talk more soon!

Bedroom Update

2011-02-21T09:12:00.000-06:00

My apologies -- this update has been in the works for about a week now. Such a bad blogger! {hanging head in shame}

I'm not quite finished yet, but here is a peek:

Before

After

To Do List
Get a white bed skirt
Recover the chair
Lower the sunburst mirror above the bed
Add a few more decor items

On the some day list, rip out the carpet and put in wood floors.

Red Velvet Valentine Cake

2011-02-13T16:50:00.001-06:00

Mr. VB's birthday falls at a difficult time. With it coming just a few days before Valentine's Day, I always find myself combining the two "holidays." When asked what kind of cake he wanted this year, he said, "Red velvet."

Argh. I've already made red velvet cake...so I wasn't too hot to trot on that idea. Until I saw this cake over at i am baker. Red velvet and a challenge. Sign me up!

Let me warn you, only attempt this cake if you have nothing better to do than bake cakes for 4 hours. Since I fall into that category, it is perfectly acceptable for me try this recipe.

I am not going to give step-by-step instructions for this cake. I need to try this a couple more times before I perfect my technique. Amanda gives much better directions --- so be sure to head on over to her blog.

I will, however, show you step-by-step photos of the process. After baking four round cakes, stack two and two like this (with a healthy layer of frosting in between).

The toothpick kitchen twine method made it easy to draw a perfect circle on the cakes.

The cut is supposed to be down into a cone shape. As you can tell, mine was more of a flat bottom.

So, I took some of the cake I cut away and filled it back in on the edges, making more of a cone on the bottom.

For the second cake, you want to cut away and leave a pointy peak in the center.

Run a fork through the red velvet cake and crumble it up. Reserve some crumbs if you want to put some on the top of the finished cake. Mix in about a cup of frosting into the remaining crumbs.

Use the frosting/red velvet cake mixture to fill in the holes in the two cakes. Place the cake with the peak on top of the other cake (red velvet filling side down). Frost cake. Decorate top with left over crumbs.

Now, leave the cake on the edge of the counter. JUST within reach of your dog. Leave the room for a few minutes...

Cut away the portion the dog ate...and reveal the surprise inside! My heart needs some work, but I am happy that it at least slightly resembles a heart. And not a shamrock or something.

I Heart Cookies

2011-01-28T06:00:00.017-06:00

Don't get me wrong. I love alot of things. The fall. Breakfast in Bed on Soapnet. Bailey's Chocolate Bar. Opening up the windows in the spring. Curling up each night w/ Mr. VB. My wine bottle opener. This song. Jeff Bridges. My rub-away bar that gets rid of the garlic smell on my hands.

I could go on and on.

Really. I could.

But, I also love cookies. And, these are pretty darn good. Then again -- they do come from Martha and I've never known the lady to make a bad cookie.

Honestly, I don't even know the lady at all. But word gets around.

Heart-Glazed Cornmeal Cookies

From Everyday Foods

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 tsp coarse salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 drops red or pink food coloring

Preheat oven to 400 F. Whisk together flour, cornmeal, and salt.

Cream butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add in egg and 1 tsp vanilla and beat until combined.

With mixer running, add in flour mixture.

Place 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a small bowl. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar. Place on lined baking sheet and flatten balls with the bottom of a glass. Press a cookie cutter into the cookie, but don't cut all the way through. Bake until they have golden edges, rotating pans halfway through. They will bake around 12 minutes, but check at 10.

Let cookies cool on wire rack.Whisk together powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp vanilla, and 1 3/4 tsp cold water. Whisk in food coloring. Glaze cookies and let cool.

To keep them super soft, store them in a tin w/ a slice of bread. Preferably a Christmas tin. Which is what I did this week. I think that was the key.

Eat your heart out, Martha!

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

2011-01-25T12:51:00.000-06:00

It's only recently that I discovered sweet potatoes. Up until now, I've put all of my focus on the yukon.

The russet.

Maybe an occasional fingerling if I was feeling saucy.

All the while, completely ignoring the deliciously sweet sweet potato. No more!

I found this recipe on http://www.skinnytaste.com/. Gina's site is devoted to healthy meals (and all come with Weight Watcher points listed!). Check her out! I'm looking forward to trying many of her recipes this year.

Spicy Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries

1 sweet potato, (about 5" long) peeled and cut into 1/4" fries
2 tsp olive oil
sea salt
ground chipotle chile
garlic powder

Preheat oven to 425°. In a medium bowl, toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, garlic powder and chipotle chile powder. Spread potatoes on a baking sheet. Avoid crowding so potatoes get crisp. Bake 15 minutes. Turn and bake an additional 10-15 minutes. Ovens may vary so keep an eye on them and be sure to cut all the potatoes the same size to ensure even cooking.

Say Hello to My Little Friend

2011-01-23T16:21:00.000-06:00

It's snowing again in St. Louis! I spent a lovely day inside, baking cookies for my valentine, roasting garlic, reading on my Nook, and watching this little guy out my window. Well...big guy. I guess all of us aren't counting points all day long!

We whipped up some tasty recipes this weekend -- I can't wait to share them with you!

Master Bedroom Update {taking my sweet time}

2011-01-21T06:10:00.004-06:00

It's been a couple of weeks since all the smack talk I was doing about updating our bedroom. Progress is being made, my friends. I assure you. Here's a peek at what I've done so far.

I recovered the bench and the headboard (before and after pics) -- getting rid of the "leather" and replacing it with new fabric.

You are only getting a brief glimpse of the headboard because:
a) I'm going to keep you in suspense until the Big Reveal and
b) I didn't make the bed the day I took this shot.

We also started painting. This has been more difficult than I originally intended because someone, who shall remain nameless, picked a bad color and we had to go and pick a new color. OK...it was me. It happens to the best of us.

Here's a shot of the first color. It was supposed to be gray, but turned up almost light blue. And not much of a contrast from the existing color.

So, back to Home Depot to try a different color. The cashier is a cute, older gentleman who always thanks Mr. VB for bringing in his beautiful assistant (ME!!!). I might just start going there for the compliments. But, I digress.

Here we are today! Yes, I am aware only half the wall is painted. Mr. VB isn't sold on the color yet. We'll be slapping up some chair rail this weekend, and I think once that is done, the room will look alot different.

Have a great weekend!

Snowed In & a Treat!

2011-01-20T14:54:00.000-06:00

It's a snowday here in St. Louis! We got about 8 inches last night. The girls have been having a good time running around...

The chase is on!

Nose in the snow, looking for the treat I tossed out there!

Notice how Marley color coordinates with the fence. Such a fashionista!

A snow day wouldn't be complete without some homemade goodies! I've started Weight Watchers, in an effort to lose a few pounds before our trip in May (don't want to sink the ship!). This recipe for Whole Wheat Brownies comes from Everyday Food and by my calculations is 4 points.

I noticed too late that it calls for unsweetened apple sauce. To cut down on sweetness, I cut the brown sugar to 1/2 cup. They are very cake-like and turned out great!

Whole Wheat Brownies

Makes 16

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour (spooned and leveled)
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 1/4 cups unsweetened applesauce
1 large egg
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking dish; line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides. In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, cocoa, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.

In a large bowl, stir together sugar, applesauce, and egg. Place butter and 6 ounces chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a pot of simmering water; stir until melted. Stir chocolate mixture into sugar mixture. Stir in flour mixture. Pour into pan and top with 2 ounces chocolate.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 40 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Use parchment to lift cake from pan and cut into 16 squares. (Store in an airtight container, up to 5 days.)

::2011 Projects::

2011-01-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

TGIF!

I don't know about you, but this full week back to work after nearly two weeks of vacation was a long one. I just tried heating up my dinner in the pantry...that's never a good sign!

Last weekend, I quietly put up the 2011 project list for around the pad. So, to really hold myself accountable, I'm calling it out right now!

*Editor's Note: This is a short list of projects -- mostly consisting of painting and decorating. I fully intend to add to the list throughout the year. Heck, I'll probably add to it every day.

To start us off:

Our Master Bedroom

I've already recovered the bench at the end of the bed. There will be more recovering and maybe even some painting this weekend! We are also talking about putting up a chair rail...you'll just have to wait and see!

Once our bedroom is finished, we'll tackle:

The Master Bathroom

Again, this is mostly painting (gotta get rid of those hideous cabinets!) We'll also look into changing the sinks and counter top.

Then, we'll start making our way downstairs. But, we won't get too far before we hit the next project:

Finish the Stairs

This is where we left them last spring. If you recall, I came home one day from work to find that Mr. VB had ripped the carpet off of the stairs. Much taping and painting ensued. Not to mention having to fill in where the stairs didn't actually meet up with the wall. We have never been happy with the colors we chose. So, more painting is in store! Glidden is going to love us.

Certainly, after all this painting, it will be time to head to the:

Laundry Room

I'm thinking stripes. And baskets. I love baskets. {Mr. VB, on the other hand, hates them}

Last, but certainly not least, I'd like to spruce this space up:

The Kitchen Pantry

Whoever said the pantry can't be super cute? Not me. I've seen some adorable ones out there...and I totally intend to copy them.

*Yet Another Editor's Note: From this photo, it would appear that we live on an assortment of vinegars and olive oil. Which we drink from martini glasses. This is not far from the truth.

French Toast with Pear-Cranberry Compote

2011-01-03T06:00:00.001-06:00

Just like many people out there, getting in shape and losing a couple of lbs is one of my top resolutions for 2011. For that reason alone, I'm glad I was able to squeeze in this french toast during the holidays.

Heck, for all I know, this french toast is the reason I can't squeeze into my favorite jeans.

Well, that and the two dozen peanut butter balls I've consumed in the last three weeks.

For the french toast, I recommend the french toast recipe from America's Test Kitchen. I know it can seem like a pain. Drying out the toast. Warming the whole milk. Separating the eggs. But, trust me, it's worth it. Your thighs will thank you in the morning. This time around, we used Texas Toast (not the stuff in the freezer section...it's the thick loaf of bread mixed in with all the others) and it was delightful. The Test Kitchen says just regular ol' Bunny will work too. But, as long as you are going all-out, get some bread that will really soak up all the sinful goodness.

This was my first time making a compote and I tell you what...it doesn't suck. You can make this ahead of time and then just warm it up before you serve it atop your french toast. Or pancakes. Or pork tenderloin. Like I said, this compote does not suck.

For the pear-cranberry compote
(the recipe below is for four people, I halved it and had plenty for Mr. VB and myself)

1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
4 Bartlett pears, about 1 3/4 lb. total, peeled, cored and each cut into 12 wedges
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 Tbs. firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

To make the compote, in a small saucepan over high heat, bring 1/4 cup water to a boil. Add the cranberries and remove from the heat. Let stand for at least 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a pan over medium heat, melt 1 Tbs. of the butter. When the foam subsides, add half of the pear slices, arranging them in a single layer. Cook, without moving them, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully turn the slices over and cook until golden brown on the other side, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a bowl. Melt 1/2 Tbs. of the butter in the pan and repeat to cook the remaining pear slices.

Return all the pears to the pan along with the cranberries and any remaining soaking liquid. Add the vanilla and the remaining 1/2 Tbs. butter, and sprinkle with the brown sugar and cinnamon. Gently swirl the pan and stir the fruit to combine, about 1 minute. Transfer the compote to a bowl and cover with aluminum foil until ready to serve.

Master Bedroom Inspiration

2011-01-01T13:10:00.000-06:00

2011 is just a baby and I already can't wait to get started on the first project of the year -- our bedroom. The current state of the room isn't horrible, it just isn't as cozy as I would like it to be.

Here we are today:

During the next couple of weeks, we'll be busy painting, adding chair rail, recovering the headboard, and a adding few other special touches. I'm hoping to have some progress to show soon! But, in the meantime, here is a peek at some of the colors and fabrics we'll be working with:

I love the look of mercury glass and am dying to get my hands on these lamps from Pottery Barn. But, at $200 each, they are a little out of my price range. Luckily, the good people at HomeGoods keep a close eye on PB and have similar lamps for $40-50.

I've had my eye on the clean lines and fresh look of this bedding from Restoration Hardware for quite some time. As soon as I have $450 to drop on a comforter, that's the first place I'll go. Until then, I'm heading back to HomeGoods, where I found a nearly identical set for less than what I would spend just on the Restoration shams!

Well, that headboard isn't going to recover itself. Progress pics will be up soon!

Top 5 Projects of 2010

2010-12-30T08:21:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe we are wrapping up another year! It's funny...I keep telling myself I need to blog more. Do more projects. Cook more. But, looking back on this year, I nearly doubled my posts from 2009 and we have quite an impressive line-up of completed projects. Here are my top 5:

5. I'm starting with this project, because in my mind it still isn't done. In fact, you will see it in next week's post, titled "Top 5 Projects on the 2011 To-Do List." Here is what it looks like today:

4. Sadly, we hardly ever use our dining room. Does that matter? Heck no! A fresh coat of paint and a chair rail gave it a whole new look.

3. I had two home office reveals this year, but this one remains my favorite room to stretch out and blog, surf the web, and pay bills.

2. Getting rid of the playground in our backyard and adding this was one of the best ideas we had in 2010. I can't wait for the snow to melt and weather to warm up...it's now one of my favorite places to read!

1. By far, my favorite project of the year was our bathroom makeover. It's blue. It's coastal. It's just plain cute.

Top 5 Recipes from 2010

2010-12-30T06:00:00.001-06:00

I can't neglect the Vanilla Bean kitchen in my year-end round-ups. So, here is my top five recipes from 2010. I did alot more projects around the house than time in the kitchen...I'll work on that for 2011!

5. I started the summer with big dreams. "I'll write a Burger of the Week series," I said. Well, that lasted about three weeks...four at best. This was one of my faves from the series (can it even be called that?). Mostly because I was contemplating renaming the blog Vanilla Beef. I crack myself up sometimes.

4. I know it is the end of December, but, this little guy is so cute...it makes me puke. I could just gobble him up. If only I didn't have 4 pounds of chocolate sitting in the kitchen.

3. I must have a gazillion recipes for fish tacos -- all sitting unused. I finally took the plunge and made this recipe. It's quick and easy. And tasty.

2. Paella is a favorite in the VB kitchen. It makes a great "date night" dinner. This recipe from Rachael Ray subs pasta in for the rice and it is still to-die-for. You can quote me on that.

1. I know I just mentioned this recipe to you yesterday, but I can't say it enough. If you like scallops, you will love this. If you hate scallops and like candy, you'll still love it. We made this last year for NYE and we'll be having it again this year.

Got Bubbly?

2010-12-28T20:36:00.001-06:00

With just a few days left before we count down to 2011, I'm sure most of you already have a bottle of bubbly on ice. If you don't, here are a few of my faves:

Sophia Blanc de Blancs by Niebaum-Coppola Winery, owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola
Approx. $15-20 for four cans.

It comes in a pink can. With a straw. Need I say more?

Segura Viudas Cava Reserva Heredad

We had a bottle (or two) of this champagne the night we got engaged at Bailey's Chocolate Bar.

Schloss Biebrich
$4-5 at Trader Joe's

There is no reason one can't drink champagne every day of the week. Not that I recommend that. But, should it be, say, a Wednesday evening and you feel like some sparkling, this is your guy.

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blancs
Approx. $30

The Gloria Ferrer Winery was our last stop when we took a trip to Napa/Sonoma in 2008. I remember it for the fantastic view, delicious bubbly and spicy nuts. Not necessarily in that order.

Now, you have all this bubbly -- what else are you going to do with it? Might I suggest this recipe?

A Coastal Christmas

2010-12-14T19:39:00.000-06:00

Since we ~~are stuck~~ live in St. Louis, the chances of us having a coastal Christmas are slim. So, I decided to bring the sea to us this year!
First, I headed to Hobby Lobby and bought this bag of shells. And, using my 40% off coupon, I got the bag for $6 instead of $10. Making this a Thrifty Coastal Christmas.

Next, I put Mr. VB to work and had him drill small holes in each shell. He took it upon himself to tie some hemp string to each shell. He's turning into a little crafter before my very eyes.

Extra shells are mixed with pine cones (left over from last year) and garland (I got 30 ft. for $10 at Home Depot) in with the decor throughout the house. On the mantle...

In the dining room...

And, in the breakfast room.

I think the tree is missing something...so, in my eyes it isn't done yet. Yes, I understand that The Big Guy comes next week. Knowing me, I'll probably be adding the finishing touch on Christmas Eve.

But, by the looks of it, others in the VB household think it is just fine the way it is.

*VERY IMPORTANT EDITOR'S NOTE*
See the larger shells placed on the tree skirt? Well, that was Jeff's idea. "It looks like they are laying in sand...like a beach," he said. I've got to keep my eye on him...I fear there may be a Vanilla Bean takeover any day.

Vanilla Bean Takes on Williams Sonoma

2010-12-02T17:33:00.000-06:00

I just got home a few minutes ago to see the latest Williams Sonoma catalog in the mailbox...and what's on the front cover? Peppermint bark!

Then I began to worry. I blogged about this recipe a couple of years ago and gave you a spot-on identical recipe. But, what if my loyal readers didn't know that and went out and spent nearly $30 on the store variety?

I would be devastated.

Ruined!

I immediately ran up here to tell you all about it. So, here I am. Telling you to read this post and make this bark yourself.

Why?

Because it's better than the stuff in the store.

Why is it better?

Because it's made with love.

That's right. I said it. LOVE.

Now, go and tell your friends.

A Vanilla Bean Office Reveal

2010-11-29T07:00:00.001-06:00

Happy Monday! It's my first day back in the office after more than a week off and I am feeling refreshed, recharged and ready to start decorating (and baking) for Christmas. Mr. VB and I were able to spend some time with my family, then headed to Charlotte, NC to spend the holiday with my brother-in-law. We had a fabulous southern Thanksgiving and even took in a tour of the Biltmore Estate (Here I am, posing in front of my new pad. Just kidding! I can't imagine trying to decorate this thing).

I wanted to share with you the recent photos of our new office, before I got knee-deep in garland and lights. Two weeks ago I gave you a peek of the new room....well, here it is!

I am absolutely in love with it. We made a collage out of the assortment of old windows, shutters and screen doors we found at a local antique store (each was about $9-11 each). A piece of jute is stretched across the window and shutter, making it a great place to hang my favorite vacation pics and postcards.

Remember this piece of furniture I showed you last time?

Well...here it is now! I put in some shelves, painted it white and distressed the edges. The knobs were found at Hobby Lobby for about $3.

Last, but certainly not least, is this little guy. My mom embroidered this from a drawing I did when I was 4 years old. If you ask me, it is the star of the room!

Home Office Sneak Peek...Again

2010-11-15T18:33:00.000-06:00

You've probably noticed, but I've definitely been in a blogging/decorating rut lately. For the last several months, work around the house and in the kitchen has been almost nonexistent. I'm trying my hardest to change that...so hang in there with me!

With that said -- I am super excited to show you a peek at my new home office. I'm sure you remember, but not too long ago, I created a home office/blogging area. Well, I am finding myself working from home a lot more now, and I decided it was time to renovate one of our spare rooms.

This was a quick and dirty makeover. I didn't hate the color of the room (it's basically tan), so I decided to stick with it. The three major things we focused on was building a new desk, transforming my Grandma's secretary hutch (I'm sure that's not the technical name...but it sounds good to me) and decorating.

The Cast of Characters

I knew I didn't want a standard desk. So, I asked Mr. VB to build me something simple...this is what he came up with:

It's hard to tell in this picture, but it is huge! About 6 feet by 3.5 feet. The old chair is something Mr. VB has had since we first moved in together. It's old and worn and I love it. You can buy a "newer" version at Pottery Barn for $399.

Then there was this guy. It was my Grandma's. And, I think was in my mom's room when she was growing up. When I was younger, I remember playing with it, putting stuff in the drawers, and using the little writing desk. I struggled with how I should transform it (without stepping on any toes), but I really love how it turned out. But, you can't see that yet ;-)

As promised, here are a few shots around the office now. A full report will be up soon. I promise!

Shepherd's Pie

2010-10-19T18:42:00.000-05:00

Chili. Butternut squash soup. Mac & Cheese. Fall is here...and it's time to break out the belly-warming foods! Here's another one to add to the list: Shepherd's Pie. My favorite shepherd's pie is from McGuire's in Destin, Florida. They have a Wild Irish Raspberry Wheat beer that is to die for. It doesn't get much better than 2 for 1 happy hour raspberry wheat beers and a bowl of shepherd's pie.

But, if you're like me, and McGuire's Pub is a good 700 miles away, grab a Schlafly Raspberry Hefeweize n and make this recipe:

Recipe adapted from Family Circle
Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound of hamburger

1 medium onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, diced
1 cup baby carrots, sliced
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill (or 2 teaspoons dried)
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 pound of potatoes
2/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 350°.
Boil the potatoes until tender and mashable, about 25 minutes.

For the filling: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion, celery and carrots. Cook 5 minutes. Remove from pan and brown the hamburger. Drain grease from hamburger and toss the meet w/ the veggies.

In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk broth, flour, salt and pepper. Pour into saucepan with hamburger and veggies and bring to a simmer. Simmer 1 to 2 minutes, until thickened. Stir in dill and peas; cook 1 more minute. Pour into a greased baking dish.

Mash potatoes with butter, milk and salt until smooth. Dollop onto filling and gently spread to dish edges.
Transfer to oven and bake at 350° for 20 minutes, or until bubbly. Cool slightly before serving.

Backyard Reveal

2010-10-10T19:21:00.000-05:00

As I was enjoying our "new" backyard this afternoon, I realized I haven't posted the big reveal yet. Shame on me! As you know, we got rid of the playground in our backyard and planned to make it more adult-friendly. The transformation was done in a weekend...so, let's begin!

Here's a before pic of the concrete slab. If you look closely, you can see I like to use it as a backdrop for my spray painting projects.

We picked up a gallon of concrete stain and a sprayer from Home Depot.

Next, we sprayed it on the slab. Please note, these are not my legs. Mine are much more shapely. And not as hairy. Well, usually.

We weren't thrilled with the color at first. Before we made any drastic decisions (like paint it a different color) we decided to finish the project first. We're always thinkin'.

We headed back to Home Depot and loaded up the Jeep with about 45 edging stones.

Landscape fabric went down first and then some stones from a local landscaping company.

Next, it was back to Home Depot for 20 bags of pea gravel.

At the end of the day, this is what we had. Not too shabby, huh? The concrete stain blends in perfectly with the edging and walkway stones.

Jeff was determined to have a built-in fire pit. Since our existing pit was only a year old, I didn't think it was necessary. He found this video from Lowes and convinced me otherwise. Our pit is placed on top of the stones. Genius!

We added some fountain grass....and here it is!

As you can see, it's a great place to relax with a glass of wine and old copies of Country Living and Flea Market Style (which is exactly what I did today).

And, what's even better...it works!

Double Apple Bundt Cake

2010-09-27T19:01:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, I made Jeff drive an hour to go apple picking with me. We picked about 10 apples. Looking back, it would have been much easier just to run to the market for such a small quantity...but what fun is that? None. And, the grocery store doesn't sell funnel cake. Just one of the many bonuses to picking your own apples.

This was Jeff's favorite apple that he picked all day. I was surprised as you that he had a favorite apple.

Here he is walking amongst the apple trees....Look! I think he spotted another one!

I decided to turn to my good friend, Dorie Greenspan, for a recipe. This recipe produces a moist, delicious cake. Just one bit of advice: don't forget to butter your bundt. I'm thinking of having t-shirts printed.

Double Apple Bundt Cake
Dorie Greenspan

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 sticks (10 tablespoons) butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup store-bought apple butter, spiced or plain
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and grated
1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped (I toasted them, also)
For the caramel glaze:
1/2 stick butter (4 tablespoons)
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Center a rack in the oven and preheat oven to 350º F. Butter and flour a 9-10 inch bundt pan. Don’t place pan on a baking sheet; you want the oven’s heat to circulate through the bundt’s inner tube.

Whisk together the dry ingredients, flour through salt.

Working with stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, or hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed, scraping the bowl as needed, for 3 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth, thick, and pale. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for about 1 minute after each addition; you’ll have a light, fluffy batter. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the apple butter – don’t worry if it curdles the batter. Still on low, add the grated apples and mix to completely blend. Add the dry ingredients, mixing only until they disappear into the batter. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the nuts and raisins. Turn the batter into the bundt pan and smooth the top of the batter with the spatula.

Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a thin knife inserted deep into the center of the cake comes out clean. (This took a little longer in my oven.) Transfer the cake to a rack to cool for 5 minutes before unmolding and frosting with caramel glaze. Cool completely before serving. Greenspan says cake is better if allowed to ripen for one day.

To make glaze: Bring butter, sugar, and milk to boil for 5 minutes, remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour over hot cake. This really runs so put strips of wax paper under the edges of the cake.

Editor's Note: I didn't make the glaze. As you can see from the photo below, in my case, I don't think the glaze really would have helped my situation.

Getting Ready for the Fall

2010-08-27T08:19:00.000-05:00

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. I love the beautiful colors of the changing leaves. The crisp air. Apple picking. And, this year, a relief from the hot weather we've been having!

We have been on a home improvement hiatus lately and I am ready to get back into some projects. First on our list is the backyard. When we bought the house a year ago, it came equipped with a huge playground. Since we don't have kids and my rearend can't fit in the swing (trust me, I've tried), we decided it was time to get rid of it and turn it into an area we will use more. (Editor's note: To clear up any confusion, we got rid of the swingset)

This is what it looks like today. As you can see it is turning into the perfect place to sit and enjoy a glass of wine and read the current issue of Coastal Living. Maybe toast a marshmallow or two. And, most importantly, my bum has no problem sliding into these chairs.

This weekend we will be busy making a walkway between the concrete slab near the house and our new relaxation area. I do have a highly technicall illustration of the plans I could show you, but I don't want to ruin the surprise.

Anniversary Trip Part III: The Final Chapter

2010-08-15T21:33:00.038-05:00

We've got a couple more places to check-in on the anniverary trip. A recap wouldn't be complete without mentioning La Dee Marie Bed and Breakfast and LuLu's Antiques. A walking tour is in store again...with a few surprises (like how we nearly escaped death and/or getting an eye poked out at La Dee Marie). Below are some of the sights around the B and B.

Isn't that porch awesome? There was plenty of room to grab a chair, a glass of wine and just relax.

I have to step in here to mention how we escaped an early grave. Or, in the very least, an eye patch. While the room we stayed in was very quaint, there was one glaring threat: the faux crystals dangling precariously around the bed. (See highly technical illustration below)

Feel free to insert variations of overplayed references here. Such as "If these crystals are a swingin', don't come a ringin'." It's a pickle just waiting to happen. I'm just sayin'.

Before we wrap thing up, let's stop in at LuLu's Antiques. This store had tons of great finds at even better prices. Here are a few of my faves:

Anniversary Trip Part II: Walking Tour of Ste. Genevieve

2010-08-09T18:08:00.000-05:00

With all of the wine, cheese, crackers and chocolate-covered pomegranate seeds (now a winery must-have) we consumed at Cave Winery, we knew some exercise would be in order. For you out-of-towners, Ste. Genevieve is located on the west bank of the Mississippi River approximately sixty miles south of St. Louis and is about 250 years old. Today the town has the greatest concentration of original French Colonial buildings in North America and is still the only surviving French Colonial Village in the United States. Cool.

And, according to these signs, it has spent alot of those years under water. Check out this sign that marked the historic flood levels:

So, grab a glass of wine and join me as we take a tour of this quaint little town.

Next stop, LuLu's Antiques and La Dee Marie Bed and Breakfast!

Anniversary Trip Part I: Cave Vineyard

2010-08-03T12:52:00.001-05:00

It's hard to believe that Mr. VB and I have already been married for four years! It seems like it was just yesterday that we were wrapping up our wedding and honeymoon in Hawaii and frantically getting our first house ready for our open house/reception. I remember within an hour of closing on that house, we were ripping up the carpet to reveal hardwood floors drilled w/ hundreds of nails. So, needless to say, we had a ton of work to do before we had people over. I won't even mention the pink bathroom and the lace curtains. But, I digress.

Both of us are in major need of a vacation right now, so we took a quick trip down to Ste. Genevieve, Mo to Cave Vineyard. (I'll tell you more about the cute B&B and antique stores in Part II).

Cave Vineyard was our first (and last) winery stop of the day, which had to do with the fact it was 95+ degrees outside and a cool 70 degrees in the cave. That's right. We sat in a cave all day. Drinking wine. There was even a bat flying around. I hate bats. It was awesome.

We started the day off with a wine tasting in the tasting room. The vineyard boasts 4 varieties of grapes: Chardonel, Traminette, Chambourcin and Cynthiana/Norton.

Then we grabbed a bottle of the White Chambourcin and headed down to the natural cave! It is a short 200-yard walk and a shuttle was also running throughout the day. This helps on the way back up the hill to the tasting room, if you needed more wine. Which we did. Twice.

It looks a little like the tunnel Jacob brought Jack to in Lost...but, it wasn't nearly as scary. Except for that bat flying around.

They also have live music on the weekends -- another reason why we didn't want to leave. We had a front-row seat to all of our favorite songs, including tunes from Jack Johnson, the Beatles, Neil Young and Jason Mraz.

You might be asking yourself "Why is that guy playing under an umbrella while standing in a cave?" As we were underground, in a living cave, the ceiling of the cave continuously dripped water. Not so much that we were drenched. More like a drip here and there. Here I am wondering about that:

While we had planned to visit two more wineries that day, we just couldn't leave the cave! Stay tuned for Part II!

Martha's Tomato and Basil Pasta

2010-07-29T19:39:00.000-05:00

I can only assume, at this point, you are getting a little tired of making the same three Summer of Burger recipes I have posted. I know I am. Pasta during these hot months is a rarity at our house. If you can't slap it on the grill, we aren't going to cook it.

However, as I looked out at our pot garden...

And at our mounds of roma tomatoes and fresh basil...(you get the idea)

I couldn't pass up this recipe in Martha's August 2010 issue. Isn't funny how often this woman saves the day? It's disgusting.

What I loved most about this recipe is that, if you don't want to, you don't have to do any measuring. That's right. Don't even bother getting out the measuring cup. It's pretty hard to mess up noodles, tomatoes, basil and mozzarella. (And, if you do, I suggest buying this. Again, it's disgusting. This woman is a freakin' genius.)

To break it down for you: cook up some campanelle pasta. Chop up some roma tomatoes. Tear up a little of that basil. Mince your garlic. Grab a few mini-mozzarella balls. Toss. Crack some pepper on it. Sprinkle with salt. That's it! I almost don't even need to do a post on this...it's so easy.

We did a few things differently than Martha...I didn't think she would mind. We cooked the tomatoes a bit (since we only eat raw tomatoes in salsa). Also, the recipe called for a creamy burrata cheese. I found these tiny little mozz balls and couldn't resist. Also, I didn't include it in the pic because I didn't want to send my readers completely over the edge, but to add some meat to this dish, grill up some parm-crusted shrimp and toss those little guys on top. Delicious.

Mini-Cheesecakes

2010-07-21T08:00:00.005-05:00

Hello friends! I know the blogosphere has been abuzz lately and people are saying many things about me, including:

A) "Jessi at Vanilla Bean is up to her ears in Burger of the Week recipes. I just saw her the other day and she had a hamburger in each hand...it looks like she has gained at least eight pounds."

B) "Jessi at Vanilla Bean is certainly enjoying the lazy days of summer. I just saw her the other day and she had hamburger in each hand...it looks like she has gained at least eight pounds."

Either way, I have gained at least eight pounds. And I am pretty sure it is because of these mini-cheesecakes. This recipe is awesome for many reasons. It is perfect in those situations when you realize that an entire cheesecake is just too much for two people. Or, when you are entertaining people who are obsessed with tiny foods. What is even better, it is simple. And, whether you are up to your ears in hamburgers or simply enjoying the lazy days of summer, simple is better.

Mini-Cheesecakes

2 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
vanilla wafers or Oreo cookies
18 cupcake liners
pie filling (I like cherry or blueberry), fresh fruit or mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Cream cream cheese and sugar together. Add eggs and lemon juice. Beat until smooth.
Line :cupcake pan with liners. Place vanilla wafer flat side down in each liner. If using Oreos, use the chocolate wafers after scraping frosting off.
Fill 3/4 full with cream cheese mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
If using chocolate chips, sprinkle in after 6 min. of cooking and cook for remainder of time.
Allow cheesecakes to cool and store in the fridge. Paper liners can be left on or removed.
To serve: top with pie filling or fresh fruit.

Summer of the Burger | Week 3

2010-06-14T12:04:00.000-05:00

This week, I am featuring another stuffed burger for SOB Week 3. (In hindsight, I see that acronym isn’t going to work. Vanilla Bean is a family-friendly blog, after all.) This burger is so easy, as long as you are a fan of cheesecake and salsa (not together…that would be gross), you probably have the filling -- cream cheese and jalapeno peppers -- in your fridge.

Mix together a half block of softened cream cheese and a diced jalapeno pepper. Like last week’s burger, make two thin patties, place a spoonful of the mixture on one patty, and place a second patty on top. Press the edges together to seal the filling in and flip it on the grill!

At this point, you might be saying to yourself, “Cheater! This week’s SOB is just like the last SOB. What gives, VB?” Well, to make up for these feelings of anger and resentment, I am posting a super easy and super tasty sparkling sangria recipe on the Vanilla Bean Facebook page. Like it and you’ll get more little nuggets like these all summer long!

My Playground Garden

2010-06-11T08:00:00.005-05:00

To the untrained eye, this looks like your typical playground. There's a doggie swing. A teeter-totter. A sandbox. Some weird hangy-punching-thing (yes, that is the technical name). But, look closer...do you see all of those pots, lined up like little soldiers?

That's right...it's our garden!

Jeff and I had big plans to start a garden this year. We decided that outside the fence, in the backyard, would be a prime spot. We mapped out how big it would be. Made sure the area would get enough sunlight. We even argued about what to plant. Then, we got too ~~busy~~ lazy. So, to make ourselves feel less guilty about sitting around and doing nothing, we agreed that a container garden would be a great way for us to ease into the joys of gardening. 2011 will be our year. I can feel it.

What are we growing in our little playground garden, you ask? We have rosemary...

We are growing approximately 100 jalapeno peppers for salsa and jalapeno poppers.

I have basil coming out of my ears. Which is awesome because a) I look fabulous in green and b) I love making Chicken Pesto Pizza.

These roma tomatoes (and the basil) will be awesome in some homemade pasta sauce. I love to make a huge batch and freeze it in individual servings.

Jeff hates onions, but I can get him to eat shallots. It makes a great addition to champagne risotto.

And, to spice things up a bit, we have some chili peppers. You can't tell by the size of him now, but this guy is going to be lethal.

How does your garden grow?

I'm Featured on Tip Junkie!

2010-06-10T08:46:00.000-05:00

I'm happy to announce that my pillow-making obsession has earned me a spot on Laurie's Tip Junkie today! Yippee! This is just the nod I needed to get Mr. VB to lift the ban on fabric shopping. It's going to be a busy weekend ;-)

In addition to the pillows featured on Tip Junkie today, don't miss my original no-sew pillow tutorial.

Or my recent Starfish pillow.

Summer of the Burger | Week 2

2010-06-04T12:40:00.000-05:00

The way things have been looking lately, I will have to change the name of my blog to Vanilla Beef. Thanks to some recent yard sale finds, however, I am hoping to have some new DIY projects up soon. Hold tight!

In the meantime, let me introduce you to Juicy Lucy. She is a tasty little burger I found in my Food Network magazine. Instead of putting the cheese on top of the burger, you put it on the inside. Kinda like a present. But without the, "Is this going to fit me" feeling.

Spice up your burger however you want and follow the photo tutorial below:

*Editor's Note*Between steps 2 & 3, put your Lucy on the grill. It won't look like the burger in step 3 if you forget this important detail! Also, to avoid raw meat, like in the photo is step 4, make sure you cook your Lucy long enough!

Summer of the Burger | Week 1

2010-05-28T07:30:00.013-05:00

Summer is knocking on my door and I am ready to let her in! For me, if all things go as planned, I am kicking off summer (and the extra-long weekend) at approx. 12:35 p.m. today when I slather on some sunscreen and do a cannonball into the pool! Adding to the excitement is my declaration of 2010 as being the Summer of the Burger. We grill just about every day during the soon-to-be hot months, with hamburgers making a regular appearance on our menu. Determined not to have the same old burger week after week, I have vowed to try one new burger recipe each week this summer. I know...it's hard to contain your excitement.

The only way to kick off the Summer of the Burger is with a recipe from Bobby Flay. Bobby loves burgers. I love Bobby. It's a match made in burger heaven. First up, Bobby's Santa Fe Burger.

Santa Fe Burgers
From: Bobby Flay

1 large poblano chile
2 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds ground chuck (80 percent lean) or ground turkey (90 percent lean)
4 hamburger buns, split; toasted, if desired (see below)
12 blue or yellow corn tortilla chips

Queso Sauce
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, coarsely grated (about 2 cups)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions
(We did this on the grill...same basic directions as below).

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Put the chile on a rimmed baking sheet, rub with 1 tablespoon of the oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven until the skin of the chile is blackened, about 15 minutes. Remove the chile from the oven, place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let the chile steam for 15 minutes. Peel, stem, and seed the chile and then coarsely chop it.

To make the queso sauce, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the milk, increase the heat to high, and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cheese until melted; season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.*Note* Our sauce turned out more runny than we liked and the Monterey Jack flavor was diluted with the milk. I think next time around, I will skip the sauce and just melt the cheese on top.

Divide the meat into 4 equal portions (about 6 ounces each). Form each portion loosely into a 3/4-inch-thick burger and make a deep depression in the center with your thumb. Season both sides of each burger with salt and pepper. Cook the burgers, using the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil. See how Bobby cooks perfect burgers

Place the burgers on the bun bottoms and top each with a few tablespoons of queso sauce, chips, and some of the poblano. Cover with the bun tops and serve immediately.

Want to see step-by-step instructions? Click here to watch Bobby grill it!

Giveaway Winner!

2010-05-21T14:23:00.000-05:00

First of all, thank you to everyone who entered my first giveaway. I am so excited to see so many new followers and friends! And, I'm happy to announce that Carrie at Dittle Dattle is the winner of my first giveaway: $40 to CSN! Congrats, Carrie! Head on over to her blog and check out the DIY projects she has going. I am loving this cute camera strap she made.

I am slowly making some progress on my project to-do list...hopefully I'll have something to show you next week. Also, with the series finally of Lost this Sunday, I am planning to make some extra special Lost cupcakes. Pics to be posted soon! Have a great weekend!

Working My Way Out of a Funk

2010-05-19T13:47:00.000-05:00

*sigh*
I'm in a decorating/crafting funk. The kind where you have so many ideas racing through your mind, you just don't know where to begin. It keeps me up at night. Just today I was up at 3 a.m. trying to think of ways to make my dry erase board/calendar super cute. Seriously. I am losing sleep over it. It's a sad state of affairs.

So, I've decided to narrow down my to-do list to just three projects. Or four. Four is good, don't you think?

1) The aforementioned calendar needs beautifying. Just look at it!

I would like to keep the calendar in this same spot and don't have much room. As of now, I am armed with scrapbook paper, Mod Podge, clear acrylic gloss coating, a picture frame, and transparency paper. I am unsure if I will use all, most or any of these products.

2) I would love to be able to have our printer on our desk and not in a hutch in a completely different room. (Mr. VB thinks it is unpleasing to the eye.) My plan is to make a no-sew cover that is attractive and has guests asking, "What at is under that delightful cover?"

3) Making my own jewelry is also a hobby of mine. Usually taken up whenever I am inspired. Well, Erin at Lemon Tree Creations has inspired me with her Limited knockoff she made. Too cute!

4) Finally, there is a quickie project I have in the works that includes burlap, a black distressed picture frame and a tiny metal "G" I found.

Just to prove that, through all this inspiration, I can still get projects done, I'll leave you with my latest pillow. I know. I'm obsessed. Marley and Lockyer inspired me with this little guy:

Here is my version:

I used a starfish to trace the shape and Steam a Seam to attach the fabric starfish. I wonder if they would hire me to be a spokesperson? I'm going to look into that. The edges are left raw and are beginning to fray.

For a no-sew tutorial, check out this post.

Vanilla Bean B&B

2010-05-13T16:19:00.000-05:00

From time-to-time, Mr. VB and I like to dream about what we want to do in retirement, or pre-retirement. At the top of that list (in the event we don't win the lottery and live out the rest of our days on the beach, of course) is to operate a bed and breakfast. I realize there is much to learn before we jump into this. Like where would we want one? How would we market it? Should I serve blueberry scones or eggs benedict for breakfast? This book has helped me with some of those questions (we'll probably serve scones AND eggs benedict):

In the meantime, we try to stay at a bed and breakfast whenever we travel. You know, to do a little research. It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

During our stays, the innkeepers typically find us whispering about what we would or wouldn't do if the place was ours. Here are a few of our favorites:

We stayed at Penon Blanco Lookout near Yosemite a couple of years ago. We were the only people staying there and had the run of the property. Breakfast was fantastic!

Unfortunately, because of the forest fires, we couldn't see much of this view.

After a day of visiting the wineries, we stayed at A Secret Vine in Hermann, Mo. for our one-year dating anniversary. Remember when you had those? The innkeeper had warm chocolate chip cookies waiting for us when we check in and delivered a hot breakfast right to our room the following morning!

Last summer, we stayed at La Pensione in Key West. Our room had double doors that went out onto a beautiful wrap around porch.

During the almost daily rain showers, we spent alot of time here, playing cards, people watching and having a drink.

Our next stop will be La Dee Marie in Ste. Genevieve, Mo. Ste. Genevieve's wine country is one of the largest producing regions in Missouri...and the perfect place to open a bed and breakfast. And, wouldn't you know it...this one just happens to be for sale! Look at that beautiful porch! I can almost picture myself greeting guests with a glass of wine. I'll keep you posted after our visit!

If at first you don't succeed...

2010-05-11T18:54:00.000-05:00

Hello! I would love to sit and chat with you, but paint chips are calling my name. How long do you keep repeating to yourself, "Maybe the color will grow on me", before you bite the bullet and start over? A couple of days? A week? A month? It's been four days since we painted our hallway and staircase walls and it isn't growing on me.

We chose Seaside Villa because it was in the same palette as our living room/kitchen/breakfast room color, Dockside Haze. You can see how they meet up in this corner. In certain lights, it just looks like a shadow. Quite nice, yes?

But, in the entryway and staircase, it just isn't working for me. So, after an entire day of painting, it's back to the drawing board! Stay tuned...

My First GIVEAWAY!!

2010-05-07T10:22:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to have my first giveaway here at Vanilla Bean! Thanks to the good peeps at CNS stores, I'll be giving away a $40 gift certificate to one of their online stores. CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find tv stands, furniture, toys, home decor, and much, much more! You can check out some of their stuff at http://www.cookware.com/, http://www.allmodern.com/, http://www.racksandstands.com/, http://www.allbarstools.com/.

I did a little pretend shopping of my own to see what I would get if I won the certificate. This cute pillow would look great on my couch:

Or, what about this one for my bed?

I've been begging Mr. VB for a waffle iron...

Maybe a creme brulee torch and ramekin set?

Or, I don't have to be so selfish and could get this cute water bowl for Allie and Marley:

Here are the details: I'm giving you multiple chances to win! Do all four and you get four entries!

1) Be a follower of my blog.
2) Post about this giveaway on your blog.
3) Follow Vanilla Bean on Twitter.
4) Join me on Facebook!

Leave me a comment letting me know which entries you qualify for. Don’t forget to give me your email address so I can contact you if you win!! The deadline to enter is Wednesday, May 19 at noon. A winner will be chosen at random Wed. afternoon.

Good luck!!!

Topolo Margarita Flashback

2010-05-05T14:41:00.000-05:00

In honor of Cinco de Mayo I thought I would do a repost of our trip to Rick Bayless's Topolobampo and the Topolo Margarita recipe. This is, hands down, my favorite margarita. The fresh squeezed limes give you something you can't get from a bottle. It isn't a spur-of-the-moment recipe...but definitely worth the wait!

Ribs with Dry Rub and Sweet-and-Sour Mop

2010-05-04T18:30:00.000-05:00

If there is one thing I have learned since moving to St. Louis, it's that Missourians love to BBQ. Salsiccia. Pork steaks. Hamburgers. Brats. Ribs. You name it, they'll slap it on the grill. And, most of the time, the meat du jour is smothered in barbecue sauce. Weird, right? It's practically a sin to ask for a plain burger. But I do. If nothing else, I like to be difficult.

Last weekend we decided to start perfecting a rib recipe and consulted The Great Ribs Book. It's good for a rib novice like myself and packed with useful tips on preparation, rubs and marinades, and cooking techniques.

Even Jeff, who is a seasoned griller, found it helpful.

Start with 2 pounds country-style spareribs (with bone) or your favorite ribs.Then, get the rub and mop together.

All Purpose Dry Rub
1 tbls. black peppercorns
1 tbls. coriander seeds
1 tsp. whole cloves
1 tsp. mustard seeds
2 tbls. sweet paprika
2 tbls. chile powder
2 tbls. light brown sugar
1 tbls. dry mustard
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. cayenne powder

Sweet and Sour Mop
1 cup Japanese rice vinegar, unseasoned
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, minced

Remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs.

Coat the ribs evenly on both sides with the rub. The remaining rub will last for six months if stored inside a jar. Marinate the ribs, refrigerated, for at least 15 minutes. For more flavor, marinate for up to 24 hours.

Using a gas grill, preheat to medium (325 degrees). Brush the grate with a flavorless cooking oil and lay the ribs meaty side up in the center of the grill. Occasionally, baste ribs with the mop.

Grill the ribs until the meat begins to shrink from the ends of the rub bones, approximately 75 minutes. To serve, cut into sections and grab a wet wipe!

Here is a blurry, up-close picture. Obviously I was trembling in anticipation of the feast.

May Day Eve

2010-04-30T20:41:00.000-05:00

I know I've been quiet lately, but things haven't been that way around the Vanilla Bean house! Every night, I try to reflect on the day and look ahead to what the next day will hold. And, I try to keep in mind a line from John Lennon, "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."

For the last several months, we have been working feverishly to make this house our home. From what we found in the fern on our front porch this morning, we aren't the only ones that call our place on Hollandbush Court "Home Sweet Home."

Quick Fish Tacos

2010-04-21T12:16:00.000-05:00

Spring always feels like such a hectic time. I am always busy at work with events. Jeff and I are eager to get outside and start working on the yard. I try to be better about taking the dogs for daily walks. And, now that the weather is nice, we can finally enjoy our awesome screened-in porch. So, after packing this into our everyday life, there isn't much time for dinner. Thankfully, the good people at Everyday Food know this and come up with tasty, fast recipes like these fish tacos.

This was a great departure from the regular beef, chicken or pork tacos I usually make. It is a fresh and simple meal. So much so I have made it twice in the last week, once with cod and a second time with shrimp! Enjoy!

Fish Tacos with Cabbage and Lime
From Everyday Food

1 pound boneless, skinless tilapia fillets, cut into 2-inch pieces. (we used Alaskan cod)
2 tbls. extra-virgin olive oil

salt and pepper
1/4 cup sour cream
1 lime, half finely zested and juiced, half cut into wedges
hot sauce, we used Sriracha sauce
corn or flour tortillas
1/2 small head of red cabbage, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh cilantro

1. Heat broiler, with rack in highest position. Pat fish dry with paper towels and gently coat with oil on a rimmed sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Broil until fish is browned on top and flesh is opaque, about 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine sour cream, lime zest and juice, and a few dashes of hot sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Toast tortillas over a kitchen burner using tongs or wrap in parchment-lined foil and heat in oven, 5 minutes. Divide fish evenly among tortillas and top with cabbage and cilantro. Serve with lime sour cream and lime wedges.

Week in Review

2010-04-15T19:44:00.000-05:00

It has been a pretty busy week here as I have been gearing up for a fund raising event on Monday. As stressful as work has been, there have been some highlights. So, to show my readers that I haven't been trapped in the office all week, I thought I would give you a week in review:

On Saturday, we picked up a bunch of new flowers and plants for the front yard.

And turned this

Into this! I can't wait until the plants get bigger. We needed some color in the front.

I've been craving Greek food lately, so we tried a new recipe for pork souvlaki and tzatziki.
It was awesome and so easy...I promise to post it soon! And it pairs nicely with champagne ;-)

On Sunday, I moved this basket from the porch to the fireplace.
And hung a little starfish on the front. Just a touch of beachy never hurt anybody ;-)

On Tuesday, I rearranged the mantel about 30 times and finally settled on this.

Today, my favorite girls were waiting for me when I came home...

And then I walked out in the backyard to see a beautiful rainbow!
Not too shabby for such a crazy week!

::100th Blog Post::

2010-04-09T11:56:00.000-05:00

After a year and a half of blogging, I’ve finally reached my 100th post! *Insert fanfare here*

While I haven’t been the most devoted blogger, I am on track to make 2010 the best year yet at Vanilla Bean. Put the two together and that’s reason to celebrate in my book!

I thought I would use this post to tell you all a little more about me. About a week ago, Andrea at Andrea's Attic tagged me in a 5555 Questions game, so this works out swimmingly.

Question 1: Where were you five years ago?

• Mr. VB and I had been dating for 7 mos. and had just moved in together. I also had just learned of his fascination with ducks (wooden, ceramic, glass…you name it, he has it).
• We were planning our first vacation together to Puerto Vallarta that summer.

• I was gearing up for a girl’s weekend in Miami in May.
• Mr. VB and I just had our first long weekend away together at the Lake of the Ozarks. We made our chicken spedini for the first time.
• I was working in marketing at a law firm in downtown St. Louis.

Question 2: What is/was on your to-do list today?
• ~~Write my 100th blog post!~~
• Write a to-do list of things I need to do before my next event on April 19.
• Stop by the farmer’s market for some fruit and veggies for the weekend.
• Pick out new flowers and plants to spruce up the front of the house.
• Enjoy a bottle of wine and beautiful weather with my sweetie on the back porch.

Question 3: What 5 snacks do you enjoy?
• homemade salsa & chips
• karmel korn
• soft pretzels w/ cheese
• Runts (not the bananas)
• nachos

Question 4: Name 5 places you have lived
• Grey Eagle, MN
• Duluth, MN
• O’Fallon, MO
• South St. Louis City, MO
• Weldon Spring, MO

Question 5: What 5 things would you do if you were a billionaire?
• Adopt a little boy and girl. I could use some extra hands around the Vanilla Bean house!
• Give generous gifts to our family (that includes you, Mom!)
• Travel, travel, travel!
• Once we got tired of traveling, open a bed and breakfast. Hire dependable staff so we could leave on a moment’s notice.
• Donate some to the nonprofit agency I work for.

I'm going to tag some of my most recent followers...take some time to check them out!

Pooh Bear and Mommy
Running from the Law
La Buena Vida
Ticking and Toile
Sea Cottage

Stairs Update Version 2.0

2010-04-07T17:32:00.000-05:00

It dawned on me this morning that I haven’t given an update of our stairs recently. Editor’s Note: Please refer to the post, “I’ve Made a Huge Mistake” for background info. To be honest, it dawns on me about 10 times a day. Every time I walk up or down the stairs. As of now, they still look like this:

If my bedroom wasn’t upstairs, I would probably avoid this area altogether. Don’t get me wrong...Mr. VB did a great job filling in the gaps between the steps and the wall, and honestly, they turned out better than I thought. And, the paint is holding up well, even with Allie and Marley constantly on my heels.

We just haven’t gotten up the energy to start painting the walls. My excuse is this:

I have visions of myself dangling precariously over the banister. Haphazardly applying the perfect shade of blue (Seaside Villa) to the walls. And the ceiling. And the stairs. I know there are tools out there to make this job easier. But, from past experience, I also know ~~I am too lazy~~ they don't work properly. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Salute | Sante | Cheers | Prost

2010-04-05T11:30:00.000-05:00

"Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right."
Mark Twain, American humorist and novelist (1835 - 1910).

"My only regret in life is that I did not drink more Champagne."
Lord Keynes dying words

It's no secret that I love Champagne. I don't need a special occasion. I'll put a bottle on ice any day of the week. Maybe it's the bubbles. Or, the feeling -- even if just for a moment -- that you could put an eye out while popping off the cork. You just don't get that with beer.

You even have special glasses you use only for champagne. I've always liked these from Red Envelope. But at $50 for the set, they are more than I want to spend. It is also no secret that as much as I love Champagne, I also love to break stemware.

So, you can imagine my excitement when I found these same glasses at Goodwill recently. For $1 each. It was hard not to smile as I checked out. The clerk had no clue I was practically stealing them from her.

For now, I am keeping them next to my "look but don't touch" Tiffany decanter. Admittedly, this rule is imposed only on me. And small children.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T11:22:00.000-05:00

When I was little, every Easter my Grandma Bernie made a bunny cake. It has probably been 15 years since I've had one and this year I was determined to make my own. A quick web search brought me to Betty Crocker and I made this little guy.

It is a beautiful day here. Mr. VB and I will be starting on our herb garden before we head over to my in-laws to spend some time with our family. I hope everyone has a great day!

Quickie Mirror Update

2010-03-30T19:13:00.000-05:00

Here is a quick painting project I did over the weekend. I have had this shuttered mirror for about six months now. I found it at the antique store for about $12. I didn't care much for the pale yellow...

So I painted it white (I know...it is hard to tell. Trust me...it is white).

Then I took some Antiquing Glaze and painted it on. I wiped it off almost immediately with a damp cloth.

Then I painted the mirror with chalkboard paint...And here is the finished product!

I hung it in the dining room to advertise all of my wine specials ;-)

Stair Progress

2010-03-24T10:58:00.000-05:00

Today is my Friday. Don't you just love it? My extended weekend will be spent finishing up the stairs. Up until this point, Mr. VB has done a majority of the work. I feel like my time has come.

You may have noticed in the pic I posted last week that the stairs don't go all the way to the wall and that there are gaps. Which would have been nice to know before the carpet was ripped off. Also, this was supposed to be a cheap project. Putting new treads on all the stairs definitely would have blown the budget. And wouldn't have solved the fact that the risers also had gaps at the walls.

The solution: a small piece of thin trim was added to all the risers. Calk was used to fill in the gaps on the treads.

While the solution isn't perfect...I think it will work. Our plan is to paint the risers white (as seen above) and the treads the same color as our study (as seen above). Hopefully I'll have finished pics to show you soon!

I've Made a Huge Mistake

2010-03-19T13:46:00.000-05:00

"Are you happy you did this?"-Me

"I'm not sure."-Mr. VB

"Maybe we shouldn't have done this right now." -Me

"It will be alright...don't worry."-Mr. VB

"Who is going to pull out all those staples?" - Me

Dining Room Goes Green

2010-03-17T19:01:00.000-05:00

In honor of St. Patty's Day, I thought I would paint our Dining Room green. How's that for holiday spirit? Technically, it is Glidden's Forest Khaki....really just a hint of green. Here is a before:

And the after with the new paint and chair rail:

Pay no attention to the white papers on the table. Just messing around with the white balance on the camera. Also, don't look at the chair covers. Because of my recent pillow addiction, I have been banned from the fabric store. True story.

I'm not quite happy with the rug, but it will do for now. We are also planning on replacing the light fixture. I have my eye on this guy:

It's not in the budget right now...but someday it will be mine. Until the, we will be spray painting the current one black.

Now, also in honor of the holiday, I will drink a glass of wine. Cheers!

Plan B: Chair Rail

2010-03-16T11:37:00.000-05:00

Since my flash of inspiration nearly a month ago, I realized that board and batten in our house, at this time, probably wouldn't work. Mainly, because of this:

All of the trim in our house is stained. And, I'm not about to start painting it all white. Also, the top of these boards are so narrow, it would be impossible to have the vertical board and batten transition into them. And look good.

So, on to Plan B. Chair rail.

We picked up enough for the dining room and breakfast room. We found this at Home Depot for about $5.45 for a 7-foot section. Under $60 for the project...not bad! We started in the breakfast room.

The corners and nail holes were filled with wood filler.

And this is the end result!

Before

After

It was exactly what this wall and room needed! What do you think?

Pasta Paella

2010-03-12T11:08:00.000-06:00

We are gearing up for a long weekend and getting ready to tackle the dining room. The to-do list includes painting, recovering the chairs, and putting up a chair rail. (It doesn't look like the board and batten will work...more on that later, though).

To keep us fueled, there is our Pasta Paella recipe. We first had pasta paella at Modesto, one of our favorite tapas restaurants. I saw this recipe from Rachael Ray soon after and knew we had to try it. We changed RR's original recipe a bit and this is what we came up with.

Pasta Paella
Adapted from Rachael Ray

Ingredients:

3 cups chicken broth (to be on the safe side, we make 4-5 cups)
2 pinchs saffron threads
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
2/3 cup 1/2-inch pieces vermicelli pasta or spaghetti (a couple of generous handfuls)
1 pound skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
1 onion, finely chopped
1 ripe tomato, halved horizontally and grated on the largest holes of a box grater (discard the skin)
2 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
Salt and pepper
1/2 pound peeled, deveined medium shrimp
1/2 pound frozen peas
cherry tomatoes
1/4 pound Spanish chorizo sausage, cut into cubes or sliced into half-moons

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, keep the chicken broth and saffron warm over medium-low heat.
In a paella pan or large nonstick skillit, heat some olive oil and saute the sausage until nicely browned. Removed from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, heat 1 tablesoon olive oil. Sauté the onion until soft, about 5 min. Toss in the garlic, too. Add the tomato and season well with salt, and sauté until the water from the tomato has cooked out and the mixture has darkened to a burgundy color and is a very thick purée, 10 to 15 min. (This tomato-onion-garlic mixture, called the sofrito, is the flavor base for the paella.)

4. Move the sofrito the the middle, add some EVOO, and add the chicken. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.

5. Add the vermicelli and toast until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the saffron broth and bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

6. Stir in the shrimp and peas, cover and cook for 3 minutes. Add the chicken, sausage and cherry tomatoes. Cook until bubbly and serve!

I See Pillows

2010-03-07T19:27:00.000-06:00

Ever since I discovered the wonders of Steam-a-Seam, I haven't stopped making pillows. It's on the brink of getting out of hand. I feel like I am in the Sixth Sense. But, instead of seeing dead people, I see pillows.

I started off with a Pottery Barn rip-off.

Pottery Barn

Vanilla Bean

Then, I used some burlap to make a pillow inspired by this one from Petit Coterie:

Vanilla Bean

Lastly, I'll leave you with this jumbo blue and white striped seersucker pillow. It feels so nautical and will be perfect in our family room.

There are a couple more I made, but I am still working out the kinks. I hope to have some more pics up soon, though! I'm linking this post on Cottage Instincts...check it out to see all the other DIY projects!

Home Office/Study Reveal

2010-03-04T07:35:00.000-06:00

I feel like putting my hands up in the air, twirling around, and saying, "Ta Da!" I am so happy to have a little desk/blogging area. So much more comfy than sitting at the counter every night. Here are the before pics.

As with everything, I'm sure I will have some tweaks as time goes by. We are thinking of adding some more pics above the desk. Also, I really would like to have the printer nearby, but we don't want it out for all to see. I'm working on a clever way to hide it.

All of the photos were taken by us. I'm big on artwork actually having meaning. So, all photos or artwork we have on the walls was either done by us or purchased on a special trip and brings back memories.

Here is a close-up of the edges. After I distressed the table, I went back with a Q-tip and stain to bring out the brown a bit more.

I think the crack adds some character to the table.

My thrift store magazine rack.

I was super lazy with the chair this time around. I didn't sand off any of the paint (there is a coat of black and yellow under this). It took about 4 coats of white to cover. I like how the black and yellow come through, though.

My little striped pillow keeps jumping around...I think he likes it in this room, better.

This table was another thrift store find. Painted and sanded to match the other pieces. Mr. VB says I've reached the shabby quota in this room.

The shelves are constantly changing...here is what they looked like this morning.

No-Sew Pillow Part 1

2010-03-02T09:43:00.000-06:00

I know I am not alone when I say I wish spring was here. I'm sick of these dreary sunless days. Even more so today, as there is no good natural light to help me photograph the super-cute pillow I made! Does the sun not realize it also influences the blogging world?

I have been wanting to make my own pillows for ages. But, since I don't have a sewing machine, that has put a damper on my ideas. I finally went out on a limb and bought some Steam-A-Seam and created this little guy here:

Isn't he cute? I made the little fellow above in about 20 minutes. I started it when Mr. VB went to take a shower and was working on the last seam by the time he was done. Now that's a project I like!
Supplies
fabric
an iron
ironing board
Steam-a-Seam

I cut two pieces of fabric the approximate size I wanted the pillow. I made sure to have at least 1 inch extra to fold in all the edges. I started by ironing down one of the long edges on a piece of fabric, making it easier to put the Steam-A-Seam on. I did the same to the other piece of fabric.

I cut the Steam-A-Seam to length and put it on top of the edge. It doesn't stick very well, but was fairly easy to hold in place.

Pull off the paper on the Steam-a-Seam and place the second fabric on top, matching the top of the folded pieces together. Iron the area (15-20 seconds).

This is what it looked like when I turned it over. As it cooled, the seam set and became stronger. I could tug it and it wouldn't come apart. I was pleasantly surprised!

I let the seam cool for about 5 min. before I moved on to the next seam. I worked on one of the short sides next. For the corner, I just had to tuck it in a bit and it made a nice corner.

I left a short side for last. I stuffed it (trying to push the stuffing down to the far end so I had room to iron the last seam.

The last one was the hardest as I had two corners to take care of. As you can see, the seam isn't as straight as all the others. I had to cut some small pieces of Steam-a-Seam to slip in areas where it wasn't sealing...and it worked fine! Once I got the stuffing down there, you don't even notice.

Stay tuned...next on my list is to make some Pottery Barn inspired pillows!

Progress & a New Room

2010-03-01T07:00:00.008-06:00

Progress in our new study is coming along. Yesterday I painted and distressed the chair and the magazine rack (which I picked up at a thrift store for $8!). Today I plan to get some new fabric for the cushion and, if I can stop rearranging things on the bookshelves, it should be done!

In the meantime, I wanted to show you our dining room. This is next on our painting list (Glidden's Forest Khaki). We also plan to put up the board and batten in this room. The plan is to put it up in the breakfast room first and then bring it into this room (the wall you see here goes into the kitchen and the corner wraps into the breakfast room.

The chest above is actually a dresser. At first, I was tempted to paint it, but I am starting to like it just the way it is.

Our dining room table is actually an old door that Mr. VB refurbished before we were married. We had a piece of glass cut to fit the top and then I painted and, of course, distressed the legs!

Flash of Inspiration

2010-02-24T16:22:00.000-06:00

Last night as I was recovering from Lost (sometimes you just have to concentrate so much on the episode...and I find it even harder after I've had a couple glasses of wine) I had a flash of inspiration. Back in October, we put up a shelf in our breakfast nook. I wasn't quite happy with it then, but haven't been able to come up with a solution. Until now.

A few readers thought I should add another shelf. But, I don't think there really is enough room...I'm afraid we would bump into it. Starfish would break. My precious Bobby Flay cookbook would be on the floor. It would be devastating.

It really was a flash of inspiration. From the couch, I whirled my head around and stared at the wall. Mr. VB said, "Uh-oh...what are you thinking?"

Board and batten, I said.

I remembered seeing this post at It's The Little Things. I love her beachy/cottage style. About a year ago, Karla did a how-to board and batten post. This would be perfect for my breakfast room! It would add dimension to the walls, without causing any harm to my dear Bobby! Or my starfish. We had already decided to put a chair rail in our dining room. Instead, we could use this technique (at chair rail height) and bring it around into the breakfast area.

What do you think?

Desk? Check!

2010-02-22T14:14:00.000-06:00

After a week's worth of daily visits to the Goodwill and local antique stores, I finally found a desk. Err..table. But it will make a wonderful desk. The original price was $50. We got it for $40 (after tax). Not bad and it was under my $50 budget.

We spent the weekend trying to remove the paint you see below. I'm not actually sure it is paint as it wouldn't budge with the sander. I'm going to work on it some more tonight and hopefuly it will be ready this week. I can't wait to start using this room! I have an extra chair with armrests from this set that I plan to paint and distress to match.

Bathroom Counter How-To

2010-02-19T13:02:00.000-06:00

First, thanks to everyone for all of the wonderful comments on our bathroom! It is exciting to share something we are proud of with strangers ;-)

I've had several people ask how we did the counter in our bathroom. I didn't take pics of the entire process, so hopefully the "after" photos will explain everything. Here is the step-by-step process:

*Editor's Note* Wherever the word "we" is mentioned, please insert "Mr. Vanilla Bean." It was a team project, but he did the tiling. I am taking credit for the color, vanity distressing and decorating. However, the tile we selected was so easy to work with, I could have done it myself. I'm just sayin'.

Before we started, the counter was made of cultured marble. Here is a pic of what the vanity looked like (this is our master bathroom. We are lucky to have cultured marble in every bathroom).Eventually, I think we'll do this same process in the master bath.

We contemplated ripping the entire vanity out, but discovered that the hardwood floors didn't go all the way under the vanity. So, we decided to leave it and give it an update. Also, there was a huge mirror above the sink (similar to the one pictured above) that we removed.

We removed the counter top and replaced it with a piece of 3/4 inch plywood that we had cut at Home Depot to match the vanity top dimensions. It was secured with wood screws.

We purchased six 1-foot square sections of tile from Home Depot at $10 each. (You can see them laid out in the pic above.) They are mounted on mesh, which makes it very easy to remove tiles. We didn't have to cut any actual tiles for this project. Just removed tiles for holes or cut strips for whatever was needed for the back splash and edges.

We started on the back splash, leaving spacing for the counter tiles to slide underneath. The sections were easy to cut (again, we didn't have to cut any actual tiles) and adhered using tile adhesive. In the pics below, you can see how the tiles stack and slid.

Next we laid the counter top tiles. For the faucet hole, we had to remove whole tiles from that specific section (approx. four tiles). The sink was the same. It came with a template that you can use to determine how big of hole is needed and you just remove the tiles that lay where the drain will be and cut out the mesh backing.

Last, we did the edges. With the counter top tiles, we only needed one tile height around the edges to cover the plywood. We let everything set overnight.

The following day we grouted everything. Lastly, we installed the faucet and sink and reattached the plumbing.

This project wasn't as budget friendly as I would have liked. The vessel sink was $75 and the faucet (also from Home Depot, but I can't find it on their site) was about $140. It killed me to spend that much, but there weren't alot of options. The tiles were $60. You can probably find more inexpensive tiles, but what made this project so easy was the size of the tiles and the mesh backing. No wet saw needed! I'm sure thru searching or ebay you could save some money on the faucet, clearly where most of our money was spent. There was also some plumbing mumbo-jumbo that Mr. VB had to work out. But the helpful guys at Home Depot helped him with that and showed him what was needed. This was all done over one weekend, too. The longest was having to wait for the tiles and grout to set.

I hope this explains everything a little better!