if i had my dream kitchen, this is what would be in it

Be still my heart. {img source}

Most weekends find me hovered around the stove thinking up something new to bake or make for my man, my friends, or myself, because I like food and I'm not ashamed to say so. Cooking is a release for me, a creative process with a heartwarming result. Let me carefully fold egg yolks into butter for a dreamy sauce for fish and asparagus. Give me spices to combine and season pastas and soups. I long for dough to knead, let rise, knead again, all for a perfect ciabatta loaf to eat with everything..
The first room that got attention when I moved out on my own: my kitchen. The first room to get settled when we moved into our house: our kitchen. My kitchen is the heart of my home, and it's where I go to create things that show the people I love how much I care. Food is the deepest expression of love for me, making it, sharing it, conversing over it. My favorite moments are around the table, eating, with people I cherish.

Oh, the things I would make here.{img source}

So, when PartSelect reached out to me about their blogger contest for a custom KitchenAid mixer and asked what five appliances I would have in my dream kitchen, I spent hours dreaming and designing, and finally determined exactly what my dream would look like in reality..
First of all, my dream home would have two kitchens. One for every day cooking, and one just for baking and honing my craft of cooking. Extravagant? Maybe, but I don't care, this is my dream and if it's lavish, so be it. That's what dreams are for.

To be baking in here, with friends standing by the island with wine and laughter...{img source}

I would give the most attention to the honing/baking kitchen. I dream about a French country-style kitchen gracing the layout of my home someday. It would have the most beautiful ivory antique finished cabinets with silver hardware, a white cast-iron extra deep two-sided sink, subway tile backsplash, an island with a butcher block counter top...and the appliances...

1. Stainless steel double ovens. Big ones. They would be well loved, used all the time for a million baked goods and experiments, some failed and some wildly successful.
2. An industrial sized stand mixer because I think if you have two kitchens you should have a really big mixer so you can make lots of things to share with lots of people.
3. A separate gas range, built into the island, conveniently placed directly in front of the sink on one side and the ovens on the other. Easily accessed from either side so that I don't have to pause everything to reach something else I need.
4. A stainless steel dishwasher capable of holding every dish I own because I hate washing dishes.
5. Very large refrigerator and freezer. Perfect for making things ahead, storing some favorite creations to pop out on short notice, and keeping all my ingredients well stocked so I can bake on a whim without having to go to the store to get things. 

This dream baking kitchen would be so customized I would never want to leave. Everyone who knew me would be so thrilled I had the kitchen because it meant lots and lots of wonderful food for them all the time.
After all, the best part of baking and cooking is sharing the fruits of your labor with those you love. There's not much more loving than showing up at a neighbor's house with chocolate mascarpone cake just to say I was thinking of you.
What would your dream kitchen contain?

little things, big difference

Something I've learned in my first full month in my first home of my own is that being on a tight (and I do mean tight...you work in nonprofit for love, not money), does not mean that you can't find little ways to make your space feel like a home. For me, the way my living space looks has an enormous impact on my overall well being. I've found that if I don't like my space, I'm more susceptible to bad days and a general malaise while at home. I knew that I would need to work at making my space feel like mine, but I've had to do it slowly. Thankfully, my mom and dad instilled me with great money habits and budget knowledge so I've been able to invest in the apartment here and there despite my small income.

Here are a few before & afters to show how a little bit of money and a few small tweaks can transform a space.

 {move in day living room, deco free}

{pillows: Stein Mart, blue suede $7.98 each; not listed online: brown with buttons $12.98, embroidered "ours" $15.98}

Stein Mart. Who knew? Excellent selection of home decor for not much money.

{kitchen just after moving--almost no decoration}

{paper towel holder, $3.49, Tuesday Morning} 

{set of three vintage style storage jars $12.99, Tuesday Morning}

{fall tea light candle holders, $1.00/each, Dollar Tree}

I've hardly gotten started on my bedroom or home office yet but I have big plans (big yet inexpensive) for both rooms. Just a little money here and there can change the way you feel about your space entirely. My apartment is starting to feel like home finally, thanks to the minor additions I've slowly made.

My mom is also my best friend and matron of honor, so she threw me a kitchen themed bridal shower last weekend. Look out for the wonderful gifts from friends and family that have added to the cozy feeling I'm building in my house! I'll feature my shower in my next post.

What about you? What sorts of things do you do that are small with a big impact? Home, wardrobe, or otherwise?

TOMS Refashion DIY

Most of you probably know what TOMS are. If you don’t, they basically are a company that matches every pair of shoes purchased with a new pair of shoes given to a child in need. The shoes are cute and comfy as well.

A few years ago, I got a pair of TOMS and have since worn them about out. It’s really sad. There are holes in the toes and on the heel of one as well. As much as I love these shoes, I knew they were in dire need of some help, so I was ecstatic to find this tutorial through Pinterest and I decided to try it myself. Also, I did some things a little differently, but I would highly suggest looking at hers as well before you try your own. She has some great tips.

If you try out this project, please send us your pictures or any tips you find out that I didn't mention. Also, if you would like to see bigger pictures of any of the steps just let us know. 

Supplies:

• Pair of Old TOMS
• 1 Yard of Cotton Canvas Fabric (I used canvas because it is more like the fabric the TOMS were made out of)
• Fabric Glue
• Scissors
• Sewing Kit (to see what is in mine look at our previous post)
• Needle and Thread
• Straight Pins
• Seam Ripper
• Thimble (optional, but highly suggested. I used a lot of pins)
• Trim of your choice
• Patches and Iron (if you have holes in the shoes like I did)

Step 1

1. To start, I had to patch up those awful holes.  I bought a pack of patches that had multiple colors in it, so I used the jean color for the inside of the shoe and the black for the outside. I patched both sides because I've noticed the first place for TOMS to wear out is the toes, so I wanted to make mine last a little longer. I trimmed the loose strings and then cut the patch to be just a little larger than the hole. Because my patches were iron-on, I just pinned the patch in place and ironed. Make sure to use the cotton setting. 



Step 2

2. Next, I used the seam ripper to remove the TOMS flag from the back of the shoes.



Step 3

3. I started with the front (toe) of the shoe and simply lined up the edge of the fabric with the line already on the TOMS. I then started gluing on one side and began pinning to hold the fabric in place while the glue dried. Once I had glued it and the pins were in place I cut the fabric around the sole of the shoe. If you are adding trim, you don't have to worry about it being exact because the trim will hide it. Also, I found that you don't need to cover the shoe in glue. You only need to glue down the edges. TIP: I found this part was easier if I stuffed the shoe with paper towels to keep the shape.



Step 4

4. I then continued to the top of the shoe and glued it the same way as Step 3. When it comes to the "V" or elastic part of the shoe, I just cut as close to the edge as possible. As the other tutorial said, if you cover this section, the shoe might not stretch. You can also see that I only glued the edges in this section.
   



Step 5

5. I apologize for not getting as many pictures doing the back section, but it is essentially the same as the other two. Just make sure when you get to the little flag on the side to tuck the fabric under it so you can still see it. Also, if you skipped Step 2, but still want the TOMS logo to show through follow this tutorial on how to do that. I also tucked about a centimeter of fabric on the inside of the shoe and simply glued to help enforce the back section.



Step 6

6. If you are going to sew the logo/flag on the back, just pin it in place and, as you can see in the top picture, there should still be some holes and so just follow those.



Step 7

7. For the trim section, I basically just used A LOT of glue, A LOT of pins and I also sewed in some places like where the trim started or where the trim overlapped. The sewing also helped for the turns in the "V." For this section, I highly suggest using plenty of glue. As long as your glue dries clear then you will have no problem.

 Good Reminders:

• You will want to let the glue set at least 24 hours before wearing the shoes so they don't get ruined. 
• Also, although this project may look like it won't take very long, it actually is quite time consuming because of the dry time for the glue. Just be patient and keep coming back to it.

I hope everyone's come out as great as mine did and that you will all be able to extend the life of your TOMS and save some money as well.  Remember to send in your pictures and we will feature them here on the blog.

~Elizabeth

Sewing Kit: A Dorm Necessity

Hey everyone! 

If you’re in college and have looked at those lists telling you what you need to bring to college, you have most likely seen sewing kits and, like me, have just skipped right over it. I know some of you, especially if you don’t particularly know how to sew, are saying, “Why would I need a sewing kit?” I’m here to tell you that you really should get one, even if it’s just a small one with the basics. 

Imagine waking up one morning and getting ready for a presentation and while you’re getting dressed you realize that your favorite blouse that you had planned to wear has somehow lost a button. If you don’t have a sewing kit, you might have to get rid of that shirt. Instead, you could whip your needle and thread out and make a quick repair (here is a good post if you don't know how to sew a button). You could do the same with any type of clothing.

So, the other day I found a hole in my favorite pair of jeans and was devastated. So naturally I knew I needed to run out and get a sewing kit!

The one I got was from Michaels. I can’t remember how much it was (it wasn’t over $10), but it was small and simple and had the basics for me to do little hand sewing projects. The materials that were included were:

• Thread (navy, little blue, green, red, white, yellow, pink, brown grey, black)
• Straight Pin
• Hand Sewing Needles
• Needle Threader
• Scissors
• Seam Ripper
• Tape Measure
• Thimble
• Buttons
• Pin Cushion
• Safety Pins

I also bought some denim thread for repairing the jeans. After buying the kit, I realized that I had a few more clothes that needed some quick and easy repairs. I was able to fix the jeans and a cardigan in under 10 minutes.

So, if you don’t have one already, run out and get a sewing kit and be prepared for any fashion emergency.

~Elizabeth