Used Up Ladder Uses

Good morning Dreamers :) When trying to decide what to blog about today, I realized I haven't written anything about interior design or repurposing. While most people know what interior design is, "repurposing" may be a knew concept to some. Repurposing is just another way of saying "recycling junk into functional pieces in your home." One item that I am especially fond of is old ladders. Following are some ideas of how to incorporate repurposed ladders into your home.

Shelving


Two Ladder Bookshelf







Standing Ladder Shelf







Hanging Ladder Shelf



Tables



Step Ladder Bedside Table






  



Two Ladder Table



Organizing

Ladder Towel Rack





















Ladder Pot Rack

Ladder Quilt Rack

Ladder Shoe Rack





Outdoors



Ladder Chandelier





Ladder Plant Stand



Rose-Hip to My Heart

When my cousin, Audrey, and her long-term boyfriend, Tyler, got engaged a couple months ago, I was overcome with excitement and anticipation! I love both of them very much and am indescribably happy for the both of them. Although they haven't set a date yet or done any official planning, I couldn't help but create what I envision for their big day on Polyvore.

When putting this board together, I tried combining this country couple's favorite things: Coca-Cola (Tyler collects memorabilia), the color yellow (one of Audrey's favorites for as long as I can remember), dogs (they love their two "fur babies"), roses (in honor of Audrey's middle name), country music (I introduced the couple at karaoke bar), and playing cards (one of the couple's favorite past times). A vintage feel fell into place to pull it all together :)

Home Grown Goodness {Installment 3}

After a (very long) break from this blog, I have finally found the time to put up my final posting of this round of "Home Grown Goodness." I apologize to my readers as I have been so busy with school that I haven't had time for much else. Although most Iowans are done getting anything but pumpkins from their gardens at this point, it is still possible to get your hands on the ingredients for this recipe. This idea was given to me by a former coworker a couple years ago and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Without further ado, I bring you... Chocolate Zucchini Bread <3

Chocolate Zucchini Bread
2 (1 oz) squares unsweetened chocolate
3 eggs
1 cups white sugar
1 cup vegetable or canola oil
2 cups grated zucchini
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1) Preheat oven at 350 degrees and lightly grease two 9x5 loaf pans
2) Melt chocolate squares until smooth
3) In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, oil, zucchini, vanilla, & melted chocolate; beat well
4) Mix in flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
5) Fold in chocolate chips
6) Pour into greased pans, bake for 60-70 minutes.

Hint: This bread was delicious, however, the chocolate overpowered the zucchini more than what I would have liked it to. Next time I make it I plan on using only one square of chocolate so as to make it more equal to flavor of the zucchini.

Home Grown Goodness {Installment 2}

I have a special recipe for you today, Dreamers :) This is a dish that my family craves every summer until our potatoes and green beans are FINALLY ready to enjoy. I am talking about Beans Bacon and Potatoes! Yep, it is exactly what it sounds like (we didn't get too creative with the name). A culmination of fresh green beans, home grown potatoes, and pork from an Iowan raised hog, this is one of my all time favorites <3

Beans Bacon and Potatoes

• Approx. 2 lbs Fresh Green Beans
• 1 lb Bacon
• 8-10 Medium Potatoes 

1. Boil water in a large pot
2. Wash, peel and halve potatoes
3. Cut slices of bacon into thirds
4. Wash and snap off the ends of fresh green beans
5. Add potatoes to the boiling water and boil for 5 minutes.
6. After the potatoes boil for 5 minutes, add bacon
7. Let boil for 5 more minutes before adding beans
8. After 10-15 minutes (or until potatoes are thoroughly cooked), remove from heat
9. Let cool and serve with a slotted spoon

PS I like to mash my potatoes with my fork and add a little butter and salt :) 

Home Grown Goodness {Installment 1}

I'm back Dreamers! And I'm back with one of my most favorite things, FOOD! But not just any food :) It's food made with veggies you can easily grow yourself. The three recipes I am featuring this week were made using fresh veggies from our garden at home or at my grandpa's (aka my second home).

Super Simple Pasta Salad

• 1 lb box of rotini pasta
• Your choice of veggies (We used tomatoes, broccoli, green and red peppers, onions, cucumbers, and olives)
• Italian salad dressing to taste (I prefer about one cup)

1. Boil pasta following the directions on the box (I recommend adding a little olive oil to your water to prevent sticking)
2. Drain pasta and allow it to cool completely
3. While pasta is cooling, wash and cut your veggies (Most of the veggies we used can be easily grown in your garden at home)
4. Add veggies and dressing to the cool pasta
5. Refrigerate for an hour and serve

Sangria and Black Garden Wedding

Good afternoon Dreamers! As promised I have created an inspiration board for a unique garden wedding I am helping a friend to plan. While many of the following pictures are self explanitory, I feel I must go into detail about my excitement over some elements. First comes the plum upside down cake. Altering the recipe slightly to make indivdual cupcakes for each guest would be a creative and tasty way to pull the unique color scheme into the menu. Next there is the butterfly boutonniere. I am in love with the idea of non-floral accessories for garden weddings because there are already more than enough flowers at them. Lastly, there are those darling little birds :) To me, they would not only make an adorable cake topper but would also work as a ring pillow or table decor. Hope you enjoy today's post! My sister is coming home for the weekend so it may be awhile before I post again. Have a happy weekend <3

Photo Credits: Gazebo, Butterfly Laterns, Watering Can Centerpiece, Plum Cake, Bridal Headpiece, Nest Stamp, Butterfly Boutonniere, Nest Cake Topper, Bridesmaid Outfit

My First Bridesmaid Outfit

Hello Dreamers :)  I am excited to announce that I am currently in the process of helping my dear friend Alyssa plan her wedding to my dear friend Adam! Alyssa is a total sweetheart with a rock and roll streak a country mile wide while Adam is quite the outdoorsman. For this reason, I feel their sangria and black themed garden wedding expresses who she and Adam are just perfectly! Since I am a greedy little bridesmaid, I have decided to feature a bridesmaid outfit I created on Polyvore. I am hoping to pair this outfit with other images to create a lovely inspiration board for them by tomorrow :) But for now, I hope you enjoy my creation.

Photo Credits: Bridesmaid Outfit

Getting Started and Saying Goodbye

My name is Erica and today I decided to start a blog. I've been thinking about doing so for quite some time but haven't gotten my nerve up until now. I suppose I am only using this venture as a distraction but in my opinion that reason is as good as any to get started. You see yesterday I moved my sister into her first apartment and, since she's been my best friend for the past 19 years, it's a little hard to say goodbye. I've created this blog with the intentions of forcing myself to focus on happy things such as weddings, interior design, and baking. Here's to hoping this is a positive experience :)

I find it ironic this Suzy Bogguss song from 1992 (the year my sister was born) is stuck in my head; especially since I haven't heard it for at least 15 years. It's hard letting go but I know it is for the best :) Love you, Morgan!