Tuesday Tip: Turning a little nook into something

There's a little space behind the door in our living room.  It wasn't being used but I knew it had potential.  I don't think these pictures show how cute it really is.  It was sort of a last minute decision.  We bought this hook from the Container Store a few weeks ago.  As much as I love lucite, it is hard to believe this is the first lucite looking piece I own!

Then I remembered this great mirror I found at a thrift store a few years ago.  I was this close to painting it white so that it would stand out against the wall but at the last minute chickened out.  I just love the look and texture of the mirror as it currently is and now I'm glad I didn't change it.  So, I hung the mirror and then my new hook underneath for scarves.  I have the perfect little nook to check my hair or makeup before I leave the house and pick from one of my scarves to accessorize!

It is amazing what defining a purpose for an unused nook can do to the room!

Living Room is painted!

My sweet husband has been working extra hard.  I finally picked a color for the living room and I love it more than I even thought I would.  I haven't finished getting everything in order but it is soooooo much better than the lime sherbet color that was in here before.

We used the Behr paint with the primer mixed in.  The color is clove brown.  It really reads a dark olive green in some lights.  I love how the white trim really pops against it.  

Two Quick Dips for Tortilla Chips

Our neighbors have a monthly block party. This time we went to our friends Courtney and Dan's.  I brought the appetizers.  Both of these dips are great because you can serve them both with tortilla chips so you only need one "dipper".  They are also a nice change from your traditional chips and salsa.

Texas Caviar

What You'll Need:
 2 cans black beans
1 can hominy
1 green pepper, diced
1/2 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 jalapeno, seeds and membrane removed (unless you want the extra kick), diced finely
2 cups Italian dressing

What You Do:

Add all ingredients into a large bowl.  Pour Italian dressing over and let sit for at least an hour before serving.  This really gets better after sitting in the fridge for a couple of days so feel free to make ahead...or enjoy the leftovers yourself!

Spinach Ole

What you'll need:
2 packages of chopped frozen spinach
1 jar salsa (I used hot 'cause I like a little kick)
2 tbsp of red wine vinegar
1 block of cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
2 cups monterey jack cheese

What you'll do:

The cream cheese needs to be at room temperature for it to mix together so make sure you have left that out for a while.  Meanwhile, thaw the spinach.  I like to put it in a colander with a large bowl underneath it.  I run hot water over it and squeeze out the excess liquid (and there's a lot of it!).  It looks like this:

In a large bowl, mix the thawed spinach, cream cheese, salsa, red wine vinegar and 1 cup of the cheese.  Mix thoroughly.  Put in a baking dish and cover with the remaining cheese.  Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes until warm and bubbly. 

Serve both with tortilla chips.

Hillary Thomas Design

Gimme. Have a great weekend all!

All images found on Hillary Thomas' portfolio.

Dijon Mustard and Thyme Roasted Chicken and Root Vegetables

So easy and so yummy.

Dijon Mustard and Thyme Roasted Chicken and Root Vegetables

What You'll Need:
4 skin on chicken legs
1 small bag of fingerling potatoes, halved
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 turnip, diced
3 parsnips, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
4 Tbsp dijon mustard
3 Tbsp olive oil
fresh thyme
1 Tbsp honey
salt and pepper

What You Do:
Chop all of the vegetables and toss in a bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper and a generous helping of fresh thyme. Then line them on the bottom of a large baking sheet. Rub dijon mustard, honey, a little olive oil, salt and pepper and thyme onto the chicken. Place on top of the vegetables and roast at 400 for about 45 minutes. It is a one dish supper with very little clean up!

Tuesday Tip: Coffee Filters in your Potted Plants

I saw this on Pinterest via This Old House and thought it was pure genius.  Why haven't I known about this before?  Put coffee filters at the base of your pots so water drains out but soil does not.  I don't drink coffee but now I have a use for filters!

New Bedroom Drapes are up!

Remember my new drapes that I purchased a couple of weeks ago?  We finally got them hung.  Here was the bedroom before:

We got the rod and finial set at Home Depot.  It was in the Martha Stewart collection.

I really love how much cozier it makes the room feel.  It is amazing that something as simple as that can add a much more finished look.

Affordable Closet Organization Idea

I saw this picture in a magazine a while ago and pulled it out for my idea file.  I think it was BHG but I can't remember.  And I'm sorry for the poor photo quality.  Anyway, what I liked about this was the idea of the big glass canisters to hold socks and underwear.  It is an inexpensive idea that looks great and has a lot of practicality too since you can see anything you need to get to. 

Just as a side comment about this picture - while I liked the glass canister idea, it did strike me as a little strange.  I mean, who has an entire wardrobe dedicated to undergarments??

John Robshaw Textiles

I saw this Dhurrie Duffel bag in Country Living a while back and loved it. Similar ones below...

I'm sure I'm behind the times in checking his site out but O.M.G.  Textiles galore.  Furniture is ah-mazing.  I am in LOVE.

I've been on a huge morrocan kick lately so these products don't disappoint!  All images and products from John Robshaw.