Before and After Feature

After a long sad weekend with the news of Sandy Hook I wanted to feature a great before and after.  Are you like me that you love a great before and after?  I love looking at the before pics and trying to imagine what they do for the afters before I look at them!

Design Indulgence did a great makeover of a master bedroom and when I ran across it on Pinterest I had to share:

Before:

And the amazing After:

If you have been around long you know I'm a sucker for neutrals, especially in bedroom spaces so this is right up my alley.  The things I love are that they painted the nightstands and reused things like the mirror, as well as covering up the holes above the fireplace.

Click here for more photos!


My prayers go out to those in Newtown, CT.  May God comfort you in your time of need.

Our Christmas Tree

Hi all!

We got our tree this last weekend and Jacob and I both agree it is the best tree we have ever had.  It is tall and thin and the perfect shape for the corner we put it in!  Unlike most bloggers we decorate our tree the same each year: white and multi-color lights, beaded garland, and all of our sentimental ornaments.

We put the unbreakable ornaments at the bottom and M has been doing great with it!

Have a great day!

Christmas Decor

Hi all!

I'm just settling in for the evening and I finally got around to taking a few Christmas decor pictures.  I decided it best to take some in the daylight and some at night and post a bit of both.  So far this year I haven't bought anything for inside as far as Christmas decorations go so I'm pretty proud of that!  I do think a wreath on the mirror above the mantel would look pretty!

A lot of our decor this year is easy and not fussy since we have a 1.5 year old running around and because the thought of putting away a lot of decor come January exhausts me. :)

Here are a few snapshots from around the house:

I plan to sew a runner for this table and make a box like I talked about here but this will do for now:

This centerpiece used to be Jacob's grandparents so I enjoy putting it out each year

You may recognize the vase from our usual decor.  I was planning to simply put up our usual small tree but it didn't seem tall enough now that I'm used to the height of the white vase and hydrangeas.  I decided to improvise and take the tree out of the stand and stick it in the white vase.  It's not quite proportionate but I don't hate it so I think it will do!

A few sprigs of greenery and vintage ornaments I found while thrifting years ago add just a touch of Christmas to this small vignette!

Our mantel is the same as last years.  I'm thinking a wreath would look beautiful over the mirror:

Not too bad for not spending a dime!

Toddler Friendly Christmas Tree

Happy Friday!

I wanted to share a quick project I just whipped up while M is napping.  I had a bunch of felt lying around and when I saw a felt tree for toddlers to decorate on Pinterest I had to give it a try.  I'm a bit worried about M and the tree this year so I am hoping I can direct her to this tree as one she can play with.

I took this pile of felt:

And turned it into this in just about an hour:

Oliver had to be in the shot!  The best part is that the ornaments all come off and because felt sticks to felt M can move them around and hopefully have fun decorating her tree.

I glued the tree to the wall with a bit of hot glue and the presents are attached as well!

Not too bad for an hour of time and completely free especially if it keeps M busy and out of the real tree!  Here's hoping!

Have a great weekend!

Instagram

Hi all!

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving!  It was so nice to have family here and have a yummy yet low key meal.  I got my Christmas shopping started on Friday and have the house decorated for Christmas with the exception of the tree.  Since I'm new to Instagram and still trying to get people to follow I thought I would post a bit of what I've been up to here:

1. M's Christmas present from Granny and Papa will be this adorable Hape kitchen

2. My early Christmas present from Jacob is this HRM and I love it

3. I love a sleeping baby

4. Polishing the silver my mom gave me to use for our Thanksgiving meal

5. Everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving!

6. After the meal we enjoyed a fire, some wine, and football!

7. Jacob helping me straighten and organize the garland

8. Starting to look a lot like Christmas

9. I love these baby slippers from Hanna Andersson

Follow me so I can follow you back!  emilyanninteriors

Instagram

Hi all!

Just wanted to let you know I'm finally getting on the Instagram wagon!  Follow me at emilyanninteriors

I would love to follow you too so leave your info in the comments! :)

Have a great day!

Recipe: Vegetable Pot Pie

Good morning!

It's almost Friday, which is a very good thing in my book.  Jacob was out of town last weekend so I'm pumped to have him here and for the 3 of us to be able to relax and have some fun.  

One goal that Jacob and I have been working on is budgeting.  Well, see really we're pretty good at it....we've had a budget since we got married and for the most part we stick to it.  However, with M eating more and more and me getting lax on the food portion things have gotten out of control.  See I meal plan, always have...my mom did so I always plan ahead and make a list.  I think what was killing us was quick trips for this and that a few times a week.  

This is getting longer than I planned so I'll wrap it up.  The reason I'm telling you this is because I have found taking the amount we budget for food out in cash at the beginning of the month is really helping. Also, because I have been on the hunt for inexpensive recipes that are healthy too.  Bonus if they're easy because I usually have a toddler hanging on my leg....This pot pie recipe is one I have been making for years.  The original recipe calls for chicken but I made it vegetarian years ago and recently I made it vegan because of M's dairy allergy.

Add 1 bag of mixed vegetables and mushrooms to an oven safe dish.  I used canned because I had it for some reason but usually I use fresh.  Salt and pepper to taste and add 1 cup of vegetable broth (add cooked chicken if you want)

In a separate bowl mix together 2 cups of Bisquick and 1 cup of milk (I used soy but regular is fine)

Spread the Bisquick mixture over the veggies and pour melted butter over the top.  Bake!

 YUM!

You end up with a fluffy biscuit top and a yummy vegetabley center!  I love this meal on a cold night and we always have plenty of leftovers.  I bet you could make it the night before and just pop it in the oven when you get home.

Vegetable Pot Pie Recipe (Vegan)
1 bag mixed vegetables
mushrooms, chopped
1 cup vegetable broth
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups Bisquick
1 cup milk (soy or regular)
The recipe calls for 1 stick of butter, melted but usually use 3/4 a stick


Bake at 375 for 35-50 min or until the top is golden brown!