Favorite Obsessions

Hung out at this place this weekend with my two favorite obsessions. What did you do?

DIY Obsession: Hardwood Floors

Okay. So, I'm being featured today on an amazing blog.

My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia.

I'm so stinkin excited. Just ask my hubby. I was so giddy when I found out.

I found her blog a few months ago while blog hopping. After seeing her post on her kitchen cabinets (one of my next projects), I was in love with her blog and couldn't stop checking out her jaw dropping transformations. Check out her French Guestroom here. And not only is she gorgeous, but she's as sweet as can be. I'm the first one being featured on her "feature friday" and can't wait to see who is next! Thank you Kristin!

So, I guess there's not a better time than now, then to post about our hardwood floor DIY project. I'd been waiting a while to post until we completely finished everything (still waiting to complete two more rooms and I wanted to get the baseboards up - - anyone know of where to buy baseboards for cheap?), but can't wait any longer.

We love the look of hardwood floors and did our research. We wanted to do it as cheap as possible but of course good quality floors. We found an amazing deal at Simple Floors. They had a deal the week after Thanksgiving where they'd give you 10% cashback. We'd probably never see anything like this again, so we couldn't pass it up!

Due to our limited expenses, we had to do it ourselves. We'd decided to do it during my husband's 2 week Christmas break. But between going to Vegas and SLC during the break for Christmas to visit family, we'd only be able to do the whole house on a weekend. HaHa! My sweet hubby said that he and his friends/family would be able to do it all one Saturday. I just smiled and nodded. Oh sweet hubby.

One Thursday and Friday night my hubby and I did the demolition. Can I tell you how much I can't stand tack boards? Our backs were dying the next day. Where was our cute little girl? Oh, probably being hypnotized by that screen in the family room and running around on the cement floor. Poor girl.

That Saturday was the big day. We definitely couldn't have done it without 3 amazing family members. They were awesome (and so were their wives for letting them spend all day . . . right before Christmas . . . all day . . . did I mention all day? installing the floors) I was actually a little bummed that I had to work, but someone's gotta save lives I guess. I really wanted to help. They were able to get our family room, foyer, and both hallways finished. It looked beautiful! I love my floors.

A few days in January, my hubby and I put the floors in the guest bedroom and our daughters room (pictures coming soon!).

We were able to save thousands of dollars by doing this ourselves. Of course it took a lot of time and energy, but you can do it! It's definitely worth it. Oh . . . and I'm still loving my green walls (it's pretty funny to see people's reactions . . . "oh, it's . . . green" , "was this painted like this when you moved in?")

What DIY project are you working on?

Giveaway Results: Pillowcase Dress

Thank you to everyone who entered! I love getting to know you all. Your comments make my day!

The winner is. . .

Carolyn and Mark

who said, "I love your blog and all your cute ideas. You have inspired me to think outside of the box. Thanks for all you do."

Ahhh. Thanks. When I first started this blog, I never thought that I'd inspire others. I feel like my fellow bloggers are inspiring me!

Sewing Obsession: Bubble Skirt

I was in the mood to make a cute skirt for my little girl and remembered this tutorial here on Ruffles and Stuff by Disney. It's a bubble skirt made out of fabric and tights. She made it seem really easy . . . and it is!

I actually made this bubble skirt out of an old pair of leggings that my daughter had. There were too many grody stains, so I knew this would be perfect. And they actually are 12-18 months. Oops. My daughter just turned two! No wonder why they were looking a little short on her.

I found this fabric at one of my favorite online fabric stores . . . Fashionable Fabrics. Check out their sale fabric. You won't be dissappointed.

And my adorable, cutie pie modeling the skirt. (Long day = wrinkled clothing.) I made it a little big on purpose. With a skirt that cute, she's gotta where it for a long time!

Cooking Obsession: Manicotti

A favorite recipe of mine is Manicotti (another one from kraftfoods.com). I've been making it for years (no, of course my hubby isn't sick of it) and I am still loving it. It's easy to make and delicious. Although when I was trying to have my 2 year old daughter say it, well, this was our conversation:

me: "manicotti. say manicotti."

little one: "pizza. yum."

me: " it's manicotti. sorta like pizza. say manicotti."

little one: "mommy-potty"

me: "m-a-n-i-c-o-t-t-i"

little one: "mommy-potty"

me: {sigh}

Obviously the 2 year old didn't get it. But she loves it and thinks it's pizza. Oh dear. What have I done.

Easy Baked Manicotti

2 c. spaghetti sauce, divided

1-3/4 c. ricotta cheese

1-1/2 c. mozzarella cheese

1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese

1 egg beaten

1/4 c. pesto

12 manicotti shells, cooked, rinsed in cold water

Heat oven to 350.

Spread 3/4c. sauce on bottom of 13x9 in baking dish. Mix cheeses, egg, and pesto until well blended; spoon into resealable plastic bag; use scissors to cut one corner off of bag.

Fill manicotti shells by squeezing cheese mixture into both sides of each shell; (**side note: at this point I'm feeling like a pastry chef and loving it) place in baking dish. Top with remaining sauce and cover.

Bake 40 min. or until heated through.

**side note - I usually double this and put half of it in ziploc bags in the freezer. It's a really quick and easy meal to prepare for days when you're very busy.

Garden Obsession: veggie garden

I'm longing for a garden. Specifically one that grows fruits and veggies. We moved in at the end of summer last year and have done nothing to our backyard. Oh . . . but we have plans. Don't you worry.

My hubby has spring break next week. Guess what we'll be doing? I can't wait. I'm still searching the web for some more inspiration. Below is a picture of our designated garden space.

At times I'm a doodler. I was imagining my veggie garden. Don't judge. I'm not an artist. . . . . . . imagining stepping stones around our garden, a grapevine on the right side, a trellis against the wall of our house. I don't know. Just excited. There's nothing like home-grown tomatoes, zuchhini, carrots, and the list goes on and on.

Some inspiration found on the web.


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Do you have any suggestions?

Card Obsession: thank you cards

What?! You exclaim! More cards? Yep. I made more. I need to send out a bunch of cards to express our thanks and have been waiting for this package in the mail. I love how they turned out. Don't you? Make yours at http://www.vistaprint.com/ . Right now, you can make personalized postcards and pay for only shipping! Amazing!

Now I just need to buy stamps. (don't forget about the giveaway below!)