Monday, February 28, 2011

monday musings: patterned wallpaper

So we have had wallpaper on the brain recently. There is a certain project, that shall be revealed later on this week, that was inspired by dramatic wallpaper. Our project is for those who are not fortunate enough to own their own homes, and do not have the luxury of making drastic changes to the existing walls. We absolutely love the difference some patterned walls can make in a room. Night and day.

This mirror is ah-mazing. Bathrooms are a spectacular place to play with patterned walls. 
Love the mixed textures and patterns in this room. 

This wallpaper makes such a big impact on such a classically styled room


Bam. We love anything coral. 

What do you all think of wallpaper? Love it or hate it? We can't wait to show you our project!

Friday, February 25, 2011

S+S chow: pizza night

In our house almost every Thursday night is pizza night, and it's the hub's night to cook! We make our own crust in large batches, freeze and then pull out what we need on Thursday mornings. Couldn't be easier! We play with toppings each week but the ricotta and mushroom pizza is a go-to. 

Whole Wheat Pizza Crust
  • 1 1/2 cups warm (115 degrees) water
  • 2 packets ( ounce each) active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for bowl
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons coarse salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for kneading
  • 2 cups whole-wheat flour (spooned and leveled)
  1. Place water in a large bowl; sprinkle with yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Brush another large bowl with oil.
  2. In bowl with yeast, whisk sugar, oil, and salt. Stir in flours with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms. Transfer to oiled bowl; brush top of dough with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; let stand in a warm spot until dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  3. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface. With floured hands, knead until smooth, about 15 seconds; divide into two balls.
  4. Set balls on a plate (they should not touch); freeze until firm, about 1 hour. Then freeze in a freezer bag up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator.
Ricotta and Mushroom Pizza
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil, plus more for baking sheets
  • 2 ounces Asiago cheese, shredded (1 cup)
  • 2/3 cup part-skim ricotta
  • 1 package (10 ounces) white mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced
  • 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
    1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. Brush a baking sheet with oil, or for easy cleanup, line with parchment paper then brush with oil. Place pizza dough on baking sheet; brush with oil.
    2. Sprinkle dough with Asiago, then dollop with ricotta. Sprinkle with mushrooms and onion; season with salt and pepper.
    3. Bake at 450 for 18-20 minutes.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

blogger review: marcus design

Good morning readers. I don't know if you all have had the opportunity to check Nancy out over at Marcus Design, but if you haven't, I suggest in doing so immediately. I found her blog a few weeks ago and have been completely impressed with her fresh and unique ideas. Her blog focuses on a lot of DIY projects. The one that is the most intriguing is the total revamp of the Ikea Rast dresser. Normally I would not look twice at this thing, but holy. Look at the finished product!



From this:

To this!


Isn't this amazing?! I think this just might have to join my project wish list.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

S+S DIY: framed chalkboard

I don't know about you all, but there are times that I need a large canvas for note writing or menu planning. Solutions that come to mind, could result in a very unchic and tremendous eye sore. We introduce to you: the framed chalkboard! Chalkboards are no longer for just teachers. This is honestly the easiest diy, and the result is absolutely fabulous. Functional and stylish.

Materials:
Chalkboard paint - Slate like finish
Paint Brush
Empty frame - any size you should choose
Shower Board - cut to the size of your frame (you can find this at Home Depot, and they will actually cut it to your desired size)

Step 1:

Paint the chalkboard paint directly on to the shower board surface. Paint one full coat, then wait for it to dry before applying another. We used 3 full coats. 

Step 2:
Insert fully dry shower board into frame and secure.

Step 3:
Write many notes. Enjoy!



We told you this was the easiest project ever! Three steps. One of which is not an actual step. Have a fantastic Wednesday!

Monday, February 21, 2011

monday musings: beautimous bathrooms

Happy President's day boys and girls! If you are like me, and your company recognizes this day, you are not working today :) I will spend my day off memorizing all of the President's that have served our country, in order of service, of course! Ok, let's get real. We are fantasizing about luxurious bathrooms. From plush fabrics, and monochromatic color schemes...we are loving it all. Especially, the juxtaposition of the raw materials and the glam finishes.

Most recently, as I have been watching HGTV on loop 24 hours a day, it seems that there have been a lot of inspirational bathroom rehabs. Especially from my BFF's, Genevive and Candice. I cannot seem to get enough of their designs.  I wish I lived in a house that I owned, so I could completely gut the bathroom and start from scratch. Until then, here are some bathroom designs that we find inspirational. Can we say woman cave?










We hope you have a wonderful Monday. Hopefully these dream bathrooms have inspired an American history lesson for you all. I know it has for us. 

Saturday, February 19, 2011

and the winner of the modern thread giveaway is...

Ashley over at the High Heeled Hostess! Ashley said:

These pillows are so chic. I'm redoing my bedroom, so I would incorporate them in there!

Congratulations Ashley! We know they will make your bedroom!
Lots to come next week on S+S. Just a sneak peek, a few DIY's are up our sleeves. We hope you have a fab weekend! See you Monday.

Friday, February 18, 2011

S+S chow: Strawberry Pie

Remember this pie..
Ya, that one. One of our sweet friends introduced us to it and it was seriously so delicious that we decided to try our hand at it! She was so kind to send the recipe over and I made it this weekend as a valentine's treat!

Ingredients:
3-4 cups sliced strawberries {fresh or frozen both work beautifully!}
1-1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup minute tapioca
Orange zest {just a little if you so desire}
1 Tbsp. butter
Pie crust {you can make your own or go with the pre-packaged, see a great crust recipe here.}

Preheat oven to 425F. Mix strawberries, sugar and tapioca in a large bowl. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Put pie crust in pie pan. Fill with strawberry mixture, dot with butter. Cover with remaining crust.
To create the lattice top: place strips of pie crust in one direction, fold every other strip over and place another strip going in the opposite direction. Repeat this process until you have covered the pie. It really isn't as daunting of a task as I thought it would be! If you need further clarification just google lattice pie crust, they've got you-tube videos! I am sorry I didn't take pics of the process. With my extra crust dough I created a little something special :)

Bake for 45 minutes. Let cool. Devour. 

I regret to inform you that my pie didn't last long enough to snap a picture of it baked. It was thoroughly enjoyed with some Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream. Yum.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Modern Thread Giveaway Ends Tomorrow!


Lovelies, do not forget about the Modern Thread Giveaway we have going on for these adorable pillows!



This giveaway ends tomorrow, so make sure you do not miss out. You will be kicking yourself if you do! We will be drawing the winner on Saturday, so look out for that. Enjoy your last day until Friday!

the gallery wall: s+s style

Since our last segment on gallery walls, we at S+S have been working hard on our own take of the fabulous form of decorating. 
As you can see, I used a lot of silhouettes, mirrors and vintage accents to complete my wall. We also added our initials for a personal touch. The silhouette on the left, was actually an original made of my mom when she was a little girl. So obviously, objects with special meaning make perfect additions to the wall. I felt the iron mermaid I found at the Raleigh Flea Market was a necessary touch for completion.


This gallery wall also incorporated many personal keepsakes, mirrors and vintage pieces. Loving the mixing and matching of colors, textures and sizes. We love us some initials. We both used the Home Sweet Home print from Couture Prints.

Also pictured, a fabulous cabinet that is soon going to be painted red. This was an amazing find on Good in Hood over at Nuestra Vida Dulce. If you haven't checked this blog out yet, I recommend doing so. Each week, she features a different city and she finds the best pieces at the best price on Craigslist.

The key to making a gallery wall is mixing and matching. I think I ended up moving my pieces around a total of 82 times. But hey, ain't no thang. I am loving the finished product.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

S+S DIY: moss wreaths

We are SO over this dreary weather. SO ready for sunshine, bright colors, green trees and blossoming flowers. We've had a few glimpses lately but know winter isn't through with us yet. Maybe if we start decorating for the season it will come and stay sooner, you think it'll work?! That's my plan and I'm sticking to it.
I decided to make a moss wreath for my front door, I figured it can carry me through Easter, if not a little longer. I love seasonal decor that I can enjoy for as long as possible! To get started on this project you need the following:
wreath form, large sheet of moss, hot glue gun
I have seen some fun diy's on felt flowers and decided try my hand at a few in Valentine colors, hence the felt {I am going to add some more flowers in 'spring' colors once February is over}

Putting the wreath together is way simple! Just cut strips of moss and hot glue around the wreath form. I will tell you though, be prepared for a mess, I had moss everywhere!


For the flowers simply trace circles onto the felt and cut out. {I did four of each color/size}

Fold into fourths and quick stitch {or pin} the felt together to hold it's shape.

Attach together onto another circle {I hot glued} and you've got a flower. Make as many flowers as your heart desires! I only made 3 for now to save some space for other colors later.

Bunch together on the wreath and you're done!

If you aren't feeling the felt flowers you can find some fake florals to embellish with. We recommend Michaels or Pier 1 for some gorgeous stems.


I made a smaller version of the moss wreath for my dining room and attached the green and pink buds. Loving the color and life it brings to that room!

Spring, come soon.

Don't forget to enter our Modern Thread Pillow Giveaway, which ends on Friday! Good luck readers!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

the $10 chair.

It was just a typical Saturday, making my rounds at the local Habitat for Humanity Store {if you have one in your area, check. it. out.} I saw it out of the corner of my eye, the clean lines, it was beautiful. I walked closer, it was rough, but I didn't care. The price tag said $10 and I said, yes please! It is the perfect addition to our office. Now I just need to find the perfect fabric to recover it in... any ideas?  

I wasn't joking when I said it was rough, y'all! I can't wait to get it recovered and up to par! Be on the look out for some afters...

Until then, if you all have any thoughts or ideas on good fabrics you have seen recently, send them our way!


Monday, February 14, 2011

monday musings: the ones we love and giveaway!

Happy Valentine's Day! We hope you are enjoying a day celebrating the ones you love! We can't think of Valentines without thinking of the 2 incredible guys {and pups} who support us and all of our shennanigans, shopping trips, and projects each day.


     
Sadie's favorite place to be- snuggling up with her daddy while he's studying!


Billie and Stella being good little girls for Mommy.

We hope you all enjoy your day! Do not forget to enter the Modern Thread Giveaway for the adorable pillow shams!

Friday, February 11, 2011

ModernThread Pillow Giveaway!



Happy Friday gals and guys! To start the weekend off with a bang, we have a giveaway from one of our favorite vendors on Etsy, Modern Thread. Modern Thread has been so generous to offer a lucky S+S reader a pair of 20" inch pillow shams! The fabric is to die for. A geometric pattern with a Jonathan Adler look. I am considering creating an alias to throw the contest for these bad boys...but I will let you guys have them. This time! To enter this amazing giveaway:

1. Become a follower of S+S on blogspot and comment here saying where you will use these pillows, if you should win.
2. For an additional entry, become a follower of Sadie + Stella on Facebook, and comment here saying where you will use these pillows.

This giveaway will end on February 18. So make sure you get as many entries as possible by next Friday. The winner will be announced on Saturday the 19th.

Check out Tiffany's other amazing shams in her Etsy store Modern Thread!! Here are some of our favorites...


You know we can't resist a good ikat...







Good luck to you all, and have a wonderful weekend!