do-ahead valentine's day dessert...

Happy February!

Rich, decadent, romantic and delicious.
 Simple, quick and easy can be our little secret!

Do-Ahead Molten Chocolate Cake
~just these 5 ingredients~

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate (I use Nestles Chocolate Chips)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, diced

3 large eggs

3 large egg yolks

Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

4 Servings - Use 4 - 6 ounce ramekins

6 Servings - Use 6 - 4 ounce ramekins

Butter ramekins or use cooking spray. Whisk sugar and cornstarch in large bowl to combine.

Melt chocolate and butter in heavy medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.

Cool 10 minutes. Add sugar mixture to chocolate mixture and whisk until blended. 

Whisk in eggs 1 at a time, then whisk in yolks. Divide batter between ramekins.

Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bake cakes until puffed and dry and cracked on top and 

tester inserted into center comes out with some wet batter attached.  About 20 minutes,

(23 minutes if batter has been chilled). Cool 10 minutes. 

Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.

Enjoy!

You still have time to enter the Ramsign giveaway here,
until Saturday February 2nd @ midnight.

Have a delightful weekend, sweet friends!

Sharing over at:

Mangia Mondays here

Dog Days of Winter LOVE it Challenge here

the key to displaying a collection...

A collection can make a stunning statement, or not so much!

The key to keeping them from crossing the line between

 a treasured collection of special pieces, and a bunch of cluttered tchotchkes

is a simple one...

'group it together' 

century furniture

confettistyle.wordpress.com

habituallychic.com

1.bp.blogspot.com

apartment therapy.com

thedecorologist.com

Pinterest via JannekeH Kids Inspiration

bhg.com

Even the smallest collection benefits from being grouped together.


bhg.com

I'm not much of a collector, other than my painted Goodwill vases here,
not sure that qualifies as a special treasured collection,
but those photos have me reconsidering.

How about you, do you have a special collection?

ramsign giveaway...

I've always loved the classic, Porcelain enameled signs produced by the Danish

 company, Ramsign. In 1991, the company revived the production of the
timeless signs based on original designs and techniques.
Of course, I said, 'Absolutely!' when they generously offered one lucky reader
their choice of a classic enameled house number, 1-5 digits, in one of the five styles below.
(not name or address signs)
Also, don't forget...
they would be a beautiful sentimental piece to display,
does your family have a favorite significant number,
the day of an anniversary, or birthday? 

Available in these five traditional styles and colors...

Metropolitan

Highlander

Lighthouse

Englehart

Arrowhead

What a treasured custom gift one would make for a bride and groom,
new baby with birth date, or housewarming for new homeowners.

 Ramsign offers free shipping worldwide.

Visit Ramsign here for their entire selection of custom enameled products.

Simply leave a comment and you're entered!

Giveaway closes Saturday, February 2nd @ midnight.

Winner chosen by Random.org to be announced on Monday, February 4th

Ramsign on Facebook here
Ramsign on Twitter here

inexpensive framed fabric...

What I won't do to give you all some inspiration! 

I was a complete nuisance in Joann Fabrics,

laying bolts of fabric on the floor, 'framing' them, and taking photos!

All to show you how to easily, and inexpensively create a unique look.

The black & white abstract I put together for the vignette on the

emerald dresser here was $2.50 for 1/2 yard of fabric (much more than I needed).

The 18 x 21 frame was a thrift store score for $8.

Of course, higher end fabrics work very nicely, too! 

Here are some fabrics I grabbed to get you thinking...

(sorry for the poor photos, lighting on the floor in Joann's isn't optimal)    

Global Vibe

Modern Graphic

Watercolor Abstracts

Tie Dyed Teen

Due to time, I just stopped in a spot that looked interesting.
 I chose all of the combinations from the small collection of fabrics on the right side,
 only a tiny representation of their huge selection.
They have coordinated groupings if you don't think mixing patterns is your forte.

I used the black and white bolt above for mine, shown below.



Think outside the box, any type of fabric will work,
maybe you have a stash of interesting fabric,
 a special dress or tablecloth of your Grandma's that may be stained or worn,
something from your travels folded up in a drawer...
the possibilities are endless!

Join me at Ditto DIY Projects for lots of inspiring framed fabrics!

painted black urns...

Hi all, hope you had a great weekend,  I took advantage of our 60 degree weather and
crossed an easy project off of my 2013 list. It only took about two hours and had been on
 my to-do list for two years!

Our front porch needs a little TLC, I started by painting the concrete urns black...

Notice that worn door mat, it was one of my early diy projects,

 a monogrammed door mat here and lasted about a year before the Colorado weather and

southern exposure of our porch took its toll.  That's on the list. 

Our door needs a little repair, thanks to that cute girl scratching to get in, she usually

goes to the back door and rings her bell...seriously. :)

thestamfordwife.blogspot.com

This High Gloss Black Door with shiny brass accents and kick plate caught my attention.

I even have some of my favorite High Gloss Protective Enamel left over from the

black laquer-like table redo here, so there's no excuse on our next 60 degree day!

Pinterest via A Place to Call Home

I LOVE this painted rug, but I'm afraid it would be an ugly chipped up mess at some

point and I'd be in a pickle! 

The more I look at it, the more I really want to try it! 

Do you think it's fun or too much?

Any suggestions how to accomplish it...successfully??     

ikea songe mirror...

I have another Ikea favorite for you...surprised??  :)
the Songe Mirror is a take-off on the French Louis Phillippe style mirror.
  It's classic, timeless, and effortlessly mixes with any style.

This beauty is large enough (36 x 77) to make a grand statement,

and at an amazing price, $99! Or in the smaller size (35 x 51) for $79!

Not all of these photos are the Ikea Songe, but they show how easily
 you could incorporate a less expensive version to recreate the look of a
 pricey, antique Louis Phillippe mirror.

Pinterest via Jennifer @ The Pink Pagoda

Christina Murphy Interiors

savvyhomeblog.com

Sandra Morgan Interiors

Ginger Barber via Cote de Texas

Morrison Fairfax Interiors

ikea.com

 Linda McDougald Design

north of copenhagen via greige design

Palmer Weiss

                                                          pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com

Elle Decor Photography William Waldron

Traditional Home

It's definitely on my list!!

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!
We have some nice weather in the forecast, and I have
a new painting project on the list before the snow hits.

You can find more Ikea favorites I've posted about and inspiration below:

Black & White Pillows here
Byholma Chest here
Julmys Twine here
Lack Floating Shelf here
Tobias Lucite Chair here
Ikea Lantern here
Ikea Ektorp Sofa here 

dollar store diy gold heart...

I don't decorate for Valentine's Day, but I do like to style a quick,

Valentine vignette on my coffee table using all of my red books.

I thought a simple looking heart-shaped gold paperweight would be a pretty addition.

  I headed to the Dollar Tree in search of the perfect heart to diy with my favorite

 Rustoleum Metallic Brass spray paint.

Ta da...

I always like having a little treat set out, I'm not much of a chocoholic,

but Jelly Hearts, Hot Tamales, Caramels, Taffy....I can't resist! 

I've had these books for years, you've seen them in our bookcase styled for Christmas here.

The one on top in the back is titled, The Horrors of Love, ha! It's old, worn and the perfect

color. I remember finding it at a garage sale, one of my favorite places to buy books, they'll

practically give them away.  

 The plastic gem from the $ Store before being transformed into a gold paperweight!
  The three Sweet Tarts were a bonus. The other small heart I happened to
find in a 'Valentine' box, you could still see the outline of, 'SMILE,' so I turned it over.

I also did a quick spray of clear gloss for a little shine.

  

Super simple, super quick and super inexpensive!

If you missed Valentine post last year you can check it out here,

more super simple and sweet ideas!

Do you have a sweet tooth? What's your favorite candy? 

Need more Valentine inspiration
Debbie @ Debbiedoo's and Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage
are hosting a party here.