Too Cute

I adore this commercial and this little girl. She is the cutest 4 and a half year old ever! If all kids were this cute I'd be tempted to have one really soon! ; )

Say It Ain't So

The news of Z Gallerie closing stores around the nation has had me on edge since the end of last week. I felt confident St. Louis would make it through...but, I was wrong. I just heard news that Z Gallerie will be closing it doors in the Galleria on Saturday--this Saturday!

I can't believe one of my first beloved home decor stores is leaving me. It's a sad day over in our little home. Now I've just gotta talk David into making it over there to pick up anything I feel like I have to have! : )

Make sure to check on yours in your area and catch any sales before they close their doors to you, too!

Um, Wow

I can't believe I still care about this show. Every season keeps me coming back for more even though I'm pretty sure most of it is highly exaggerated. But, this particular storyline of losing a friendship hits so close to home.



I have a couple of friendships I miss, and can relate to that last scene with Lauren and Heidi and I'm kinda hoping they make up. I'll definitely be tuning in to see!

We Will Always Remember

Today marks what would have been my best friend's 27th birthday. We will never forget you, Emily. We love and miss you every single day. It seems crazy that we've lived without you for over 6 years, but your memory stays with us.

Emily Anne Douglas

May You Rest In Peace

February 22, 1982-October 6, 2002

Pillow Talk

Look what I spied over at Decor Green! Aren't these pillows fabulous? The green one caught my eye at first, but I'm also starting to dig the blue. So pretty and only $24.99!

We've Been Featured!

I'm so happy to say that Nuestra Vida Dulce has been featured on another blog!

Make sure to check out the fabulous Working Woman's blog and read her sweet post about NVD!

Woo hoo! Thanks for the spotlight; we're feeling the love! : )

Looking For Love {The Print, That Is!}

I don't think I can tell you how much I heart Etsy. By now, I'm sure all of you have perused its greatness...and if you haven't, get over there right now : )

I always check up on a few of my favorite sellers and see what new things they have in store! I fell in love with this print awhile back{from Irene Suchocki} and used my online survey money to make her mine. It should be here soon and I cannot wait!

I own two other prints {a beach shot and butterfly shot} from Irene that are spectacular and help make my art wall in our living room so fabulous!

Chair Makeover-Round 2

I blogged about this cute little chair awhile back. I found it at an antique mall in our area and had to have it! It came home with a friend, too!

The first chair was a breeze to reupholster in comparison to this bad boy! I have to admit, I just kind of made up the rules as I went along. It took me a complete 2 days to get it finished, and it still needs trim to cover up the staples. Thank God for a power staple gun and a little bit of persistence and patience!

Here the chair is like I purchased it:

And here is the fabric I chose to give it new life, compliments of here. It's an Amy Butler fabric from her Midwest Modern collection.

I went to town on the chair ripping the old fabric out and getting rid of the very old foam for some new foam.

First we had to unscrew the bottom of the cushion which David had to do because those screws were in there very tight.

Then I continued tearing off the old fabric and set it aside to use as a cutting guide for the new fabric.

Finally all the fabric was off and I was left with just a frame ready to be spray painted a glossy white!

I managed to salvage the old button fasteners and bought a cover button kit {from Jo-Anns} to make my own.

These 2"x2" squares served as a backing for when I threaded the bendy wire through the button and could secure the button to the fabric and foam batting.

Here's how the button looked being ready to be thread through the fabric and then I could separate the two wires to secure it tightly!

All 6 finished buttons!

Chair painted white, cushion finished {for the most part}, and working on the back {the worst part!}

Finished product!

Detail shot...can you see my buttons?

Like I said, I still have to add some trim to hide the staples, but it's pretty much done! As soon as I get that corner of the room finished, I'll share more pics of the bigger space! : )

Mmm, Mmm Taco Soup!

I made a fabulous pot of Taco Soup on Sunday night and I looooved it! I owe the recipe to my sweet former co-worker from Edwardsville who would always cook this for our department on the night of Parent/Teacher conferences!

I've had the recipe for a couple years and finally decided to give it a whirl. It is fantastic and tastes amazing! Would you believe that this was the first time I had ever choppped an onion and jalapeño pepper *and* minced garlic?!?

Here's the recipe! Enjoy!

{1 1/2} lbs. lean ground beef
{1} large onion-chopped
{2} large cloves of garlic-minced
{1} pkg. taco seasoning mix
{1} 28 oz. can of whole tomatoes
{2} 16 0z. can of red kidney beans {drained}
{1} 15 oz. can tomato sauce
{1} 10.5 oz. can of beef broth
{2} 4 oz cans of chopped green chiles
{3} Tbsp. of chopped jalapeño peppers
{1/2} cup of water
{1} Tsp. of ground cumin
{1} Tsp. of chili powder

Directions:
-Brown and drain first three ingredients {meat, onion, garlic}
-Add the taco seasoning mix to meat mixture and add the rest of the ingredients to a large pot
-Bring to a boil
-Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes on a low temperature

Top with whatever garnish you choose! I did fritos and sour cream--so good!

Mini Dining Room Makeover

I've had such a tremendously productive and fun weekend! I've been on the go and doing a million different projects around the house and enjoying our record high warm temperatures.

Yesterday I went with mom, maw maw and paw paw shopping around Fairview. I picked up lots of cute stuff from Target {50% off Home Design Event items} and Pier 1.

Last night and most of today I spent reupholstering a chair I picked up from an antique mall a couple months ago. It is fabulous, but deserves its own {very long} post later on!

But I won't leave you hanging, I am going to share with you some updates we made to the dining room. Lately I've been feeling kinda like there was way too much brown in the room, I was unhappy with the light fixture, and was over the ceiling tile art. Pretty typical of my ever changing decor taste!

Everytime I get my hair cut in St. Louis, I stop by the huge Pier 1 there, and see these particular window coverings. They are loud but something about them have stayed on my mind. I have always hesitated buying them, but this weekend I bit the bullet.

I'm happy to report that I love the way they've transformed the space. They are very bright and have kind of a retro-modern vibe...a vibe I've been feeling a lot recently.

I also picked up the wicker-circle-thingies you see on the wall for $19 a piece! I love how they fill up the wall and bring texture into the room. Also, I found the adorable white ceramic bowl at Pier One and had to have it. It was love at first site ♥.

And last but not least, the pendant light is a newbie too! I have liked it for months after I found it on eBay. At $50, it was practically a steal. I wanted something fun and fresh, but regular white pendant lights weren't doing it for me anymore. I figure if I get sick of this fixture, it won't be too hard on our pocketbooks to change!

What are your thoughts? Hate it, love it? Let me know : )

Mad About Plaid

Hmmm...who would've thought I'd be lusting after such a thing? This shirt caught my eye about a month ago while cruising through the mall. It is sooooo not a typical Joi shirt!

I've only stepped foot into this store one time to buy my step-brother a gift card. I have no idea what's prompting me to like this...but it may just be mine this weekend : ).

p.s. it comes in lots of other fun colors!

Paint It ______

It's been a quick week...almost a full one since I last posted...please accept my apologies to any of you regulars out there!

I purchased this adorable little chair from Home Goods for less than $20 bucks and want to change up the color this weekend.

It currently is in this room and will stay there for good! I was thinking a fun modern gray, a punchy yellow, or a poppy turquoise, although I'm up to any and all suggestions.

Got one? Leave me a comment and tell me what you envision for this sweet little chair : )