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Bathroom Remodel

I wanted to show you the before and after of our main bathroom.

This bathroom is off the hallway between the two bedrooms. Some might argue that not having an en suite bathroom for the master bedroom is a negative but I actually don't mind. It is just the two of us living here so it's not like anyone is going to see me walking five steps down the hallway in my nightie or anything.

The bathroom must have had some sort of refresh in the past 75 years because the cupboards and the sink were obviously not original. It definitely needed updating but the overall layout was good so we didn't have to monkey with moving the plumbing or anything.

Here are some befores:

The above is looking in from the hallway. The tub had a very low soffit above it. So low that Rick couldn't stand in it without his head touching the ceiling.

Another angle. That wallpaper though. It looked like a collage of paper scraps with writing on them.

Here is the sink area. Another soffit. I'm not sure what the counter was made of. Some sort of composite. It doesn't look too bad in this picture but in real life it was super busy looking.

And looking towards the door. The bathroom has plenty of cupboard space, that is for sure. Not sure I would have picked that style of door but they are in good shape so we kept them. Other than that and the toilet everything else was gutted. The cupboards look white in the photos but in reality they were a pinky, beige color. Kind of like a band-aid.

One last before picture. When the baseboards were removed some vintage wallpaper was revealed. I thought it was a sweet detail and I love these kinds of glimpses into the history our home.

Okay on to the new! And by new I mean four years ago!

I love the end result but let me tell you getting here was a nightmare. We hired a general contractor and the guy that came out to do the work was so utterly incompetent. Things, as they do with remodeling, took WAY longer than quoted and the work was so shoddy. The general contractor fired the first guy and had someone else come in to finish. We had to actually hire our own tile guy (who was completely fabulous) to do a proper job on the tiling. Here's a tip – always hire a tile person to do tiling. Not a general contractor and not a flooring person. Someone who specializes in tile work.

(with the magic of Photoshop I edited out the light switch. It was making me mad)

The general contractor was completely sorry about how things were working out and really worked with us to make things right. What should have been done in two weeks took about seven. He said that every now and then you have a job that goes completely south and in this case it was ours.

I did an inspiration board before we started and for the most part what I envisioned is what we did. The exception being the wall color. We have white beadboard on the lower part of the walls (which Rick installed) and above we went with a pale aqua color which is so not like me but it just worked with the marble counter top. I was thinking I would do a pale taupe or grey but just could not find the right shade.

We used the same tub we did in our last house. Opening up that soffit made such a huge difference. We were afraid there might be duct work or something it was hiding but it was just empty space. A design choice they did back in the 40's when everyone was five feet tall.

The one thing I wish we had done differently is to have a recess for shampoo and the like. I think our initial thought was we wanted it to be more in keeping with the 1940's (when the house was built) which wouldn't have had such a thing. We have one of those over the shower thingies (removed for staging purposes) and it's okay.

(see why I edited out the light switch above?)

We lucked out on the marble counter top. We went to a stone yard (is that what they are called?) and there was a small piece left over from another project and it was exactly the shade I wanted. The price was great too. We went for honed rather than polished because I love the kind of Parisian cafe vibe it gives.

We still need to find a proper mirror for the space. I'm conflicted if I want to do something simply framed in chrome or go with something kind of Venetian which would be beautiful but not the least bit era appropriate.

I also want to replace the door but we have a few others in the house that need replacing too. Half the doors are original and a solid single panel. And half are flat, hollow core doors. It's on our household to do list to get those all replaced.

I hope you enjoyed this little tour and look back at our bathroom.

Here are some links to the fittings and accessories used

Canisters

Bathmat

Towel bar and toilet paper holder

Wall sconce

Acrylic tissue box (similar)

Wall color – Benjamin Moore Winter Ice

Sink faucet

Tub shower head (we replaced the shower head with an unrestricted flow one)

Bathtub

Valentines

I felt the need to get my craft on over the weekend and tried my hand at making some Valentines. I am super pleased with how they turned out.

A million years ago I ordered a set of cds from lunagirl.com with hundreds of vintage images on them. Now, a million years later, they offer the same images as digital downloads. I have gotten a ton of use out of these images over the years. I had a scroll through the Valentine images and was taken with the heart shaped scans on the cd.

Just trying to get some work done around here ladies.

I printed them on Epson fine art paper which is pricey I know but the results are fabulous. The colors are really vibrant. The only beef I have with the paper is that is says to print on the smoother side and both sides feel and look EXACTLY alike. However one side looks much better when printed. I generally put the sheet in to the printer upside down and print on the incorrect side but I just flip it over and print again. The paper is thick enough that you can't see the image showing through from the other side. And since no one is going to see the back of the hearts it worked out just fine.

Once I had the hearts printed and cut out (using my favorite Cutter Bee scissors for paper cutting) I layered book print scrapbook paper, coordinating cardstock and plain note cards from Michael's. Michael's has value packs of these cards and they had them in a lovely blush color.

I sacrificed one of the cards to make little banners. Since most of the pink card is hidden under layers I wanted to use the banners to tie it all together. I used my Sizzix Big Shot and a Spellbinders die to make the banners. I actually bought the set of dies just for the banner one. I have no use for the rest but the set was on clearance so I didn't sweat it.

Once I had the layers all affixed I added embellishments with grommets in the corners and glittery accents.

I go through these phases where I am completely obsessed with some crafting tool and I spend way too much money on something that will, in all honesty, not get much use. So it was fun to bring out a few of those tools for these cards. The grommet setter – I mean what was I thinking? I think I've used it twice. And it is a pain in the ass so I see why I never use it. The Sizzix Big Shot I use more but the dies are pricey. Someone really needs to start a library where you can just check out the dies and return them when you are done.

This does make me want to try my hand at other cards. Maybe if I start now I can get Christmas cards ready to send out in December.

Links to the materials I used:

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase

Lunagirl vintage images
Recollections Book Print scrapbook paper
Epsom Velvet fine art paper
Recollections value pack cards and envelopes (I don't see the blush on line but they had them in the store)
Sizzix Big Shot
Spellbinders die set with banner
Cutter Bee scissors
Tombow Xtreme adhesive
Stickles glitter glue
Making Memories grommet setter

Friday Favorites

Untitled ♥ mini cupcakes ♥ Loved ♥ Gathering materials

Heart shaped Le Crueset A lovely Valentine for your favorite chef
I love the simplicity of this bracelet. I would want to engrave it with something meaningful like a date or something inspirational
I wear a vintage kimono for my bathrobe and I feel very elegant swanning about the house in it. This one is so pretty. This shorter silk version is gorgeous
Some pretty for your ears. Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli: A Perfect Symphony (how sweet are Andrea's sons with him?)

A bit of a romantic bent to my findings this week. I like Valentine's Day. I never think of it as a romantic day – more of a equal opportunity, show everyone you love them, kind of day. I can remember as a teenager driving to my friends' houses the night before and leaving little gifts and cards on their doorsteps. Last year I gave everyone wooden spoons with a heart cut out of them and the year before that I sent vintage hankies to all my female relatives. I love doing stuff like that.

I have a date with 20 rose bushes this weekend. We pruned 20 last weekend (and I have the scratches and punctures to prove it) and we have about 20 to go. I am taking today off from work so I can get a jump start on it.

True story – last weekend Rick and I were out front, him tackling the huge climbing rose in the courtyard while I addressed the more manageable roses in front of the kitchen window. I wanted to move the ginormous yard waste toter closer to me and some how managed to tip it over AND fall into it at the same time. Of course this graceful act happened right as some guy was driving by in his jeep and all I can remember is seeing his shocked and delighted face as I went ass over tea kettle.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Now go listen to that Ed Sheeran/Andrea Bocelli video again.

25 Random things about me

There are differing opinions on where this was taken. I'm pretty sure it was in the country formerly known as Yugoslavia but Kate thinks it is Spain. At any rate it was taken in 1969 (or 1970 – depending on whose story you believe) and I love how we are just sort of flopped on top of each other and completely relaxed (me in the foreground).

25 Things About Me (aka ran out of runway for a proper post)

1. I am an April Fool

2. I am left-handed

3. I love those first two things about me – they've always made me feel special

4. I am special – dammit!

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Baby Andrea. Thank goodness I grew into that forehead. I mean seriously – that is a LOT of head…

5. I am a psuedo-vegetarian. I'll eat poultry and seafood. I could easily give up the poultry

6. I used to raise chickens. And it turns out they have adorable personalities. Which explains part of random thing number 5

7. I will never willingly jump out of an airplane or ride in a hot air balloon

8. I have lived in Michigan, Argentina, California, Turkey and Maryland

Me at age 5. Bangs covering huge forehead.

9. I have faux ossicles

10. I took four different languages in High School. German, French, Spanish and English (yes I am counting English…)

11. Growing up I had a big crush on Ernest Borgnine. I used to keep this a secret but it seems everyone knows this about me. Except for Ernest who would never return my calls

12. I am almost half way through with 25 random things about me

Thank goodness I grew into those teeth too. Age 7.

13. Almost every single day I glance up at the clock at exactly 4:44pm. It's starting to freak me out a little

14. I sneeze in threes

15. My very first job was working at Danny's Pastry Shop in Silver Springs, MD

16. Before I moved to MD – I used to babysit for a woman (in California) who's very first job was working at Danny's Pastry Shop in Silver Springs, MD

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My aura. Istanbul, Turkey – Age 10. And NO that is not a glass of wine. Sheesh.

17. I was in an airplane, flying to Madison, WI on September 11, 2001

18. I was in an airplane, flying to Madison, WI and it was struck by lightening. I'm thinking I'll take the train next time

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8th grade English class. My favorite by the way.

19. In 1975 I tried to call Elton John from a pay phone to wish him a happy birthday. I forgot to factor in the time difference between California and England

20. I was devastated to learn that Elton John is gay and would not be available to marry me. I have since gotten over this and wish him and his husband Tony all the best. He still won't return my calls, though

21. I have four sisters. Built-in best friends. One is no longer here in the physical world but she is with us always

22. I'm a counter. When I have to pass time I count things. Red cars driving by. Acoustic tiles in a ceiling. The word "the" in a pamphlet. Turns out my dad does the same thing. Just ask him how many buttons are on his shirt any given day.

Some 80's tanning booth action going on here. 26? 27?

23. I have an accute phobia about moths and butterflies

24. I am determined to speak another language fluently. I wish I paid closer attention in all those HS language classes

25. I played my clarinet for President Ford in 1984.

Me.

Keto Stuffed Mushrooms

This post probably would have been useful yesterday but I'm not much for planning ahead. At least as far as blog posts go. I made these super delicious stuffed mushrooms which are keto-friendly and gluten free. We always go to my Dad's to watch the Superbowl (well we go there every Sunday but anyway…) and instead of our traditional Sunday night dinner we just do a bunch of appetizers.

Rick had requested stuffed mushrooms and I wanted to find some that I could eat (keto) and my niece could eat too (gluten free – although to be honest I'm not entirely sure she eats mushrooms). The thing that holds the stuffing together is breadcrumbs so I decided to experiment and make my breakfast muffin without the sweetener and spices and use that for the breadcrumbs.

As would you know – it worked perfectly.

But before we get into that…

I also made some decent cheese crackers following the Keto Connect recipe. A nice, almost crispy cheesy cracker that has a lovely taste because of the added herbs. I have a few tips to add to the original recipe:

Chill your dough before rolling and after cutting and placing on your cookie sheet
Even-ness is key here and I found that the thicker slices worked better. Not super thick but a consistent 1/8". Use rolling pin guides
It would have benefited from some spice. Like a dash of cayenne
To offset the inherent sweetness of the coconut flour use sharp cheddar

I used a two inch biscuit cutter for mine and came up with 22 crackers and enough left over to make one uber-sized one. These were popular with the keto crowd (which was just me), the gluten free crowd (one niece) and everyone else. So good all around.

Back to the mushrooms.

I made up this recipe based off a million recipes I've made over the years plus some low-carb tricks I've learned over the past half year. I know my crowd likes a sausage element to their stuffed mushrooms so I created these to appeal to everyone's different dietary needs. Unless you are lactose intolerant – in that case you are on your own.

Recipe

24 medium sized mushrooms (I used Crimini)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 uncooked Italian sausage removed from casing (I used turkey sausage)
1 small shallot
4 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup bread crumbs (see notes below for gluten free/keto version)
1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Dash of cayenne

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Wash your mushrooms and carefully take off the stems. Toss the mushrooms in 1 Tbsp. of olive oil and set aside
Preheat a small cooking pan and add remaining Tbsp. of olive oil
Chop the shallot and mushrooms stems into small pieces. Saute the chopped mushrooms and shallot until tender
Add sausage and cook through (sausage should be crumbly)
Cool the mixture a bit then add the cream cheese, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and cayenne. Mix very well until combined
Place the mushroom cups into the baking dish. Carefully fill the cups with the mixture pressing down lightly
Bake the stuffed mushrooms for about 15-20 minutes making sure that the mushrooms are completely cooked and hot throughout

Note: If carbs or gluten aren't a concern of yours then just use breadcrumbs of your choosing. Since I am doing the keto (low-carb) thing I needed to come up with a substitute. I made my standard breakfast muffin but I left out the Swerve (sweetener) and the spices. I also added an extra pinch of salt. After cooking I crumbled the muffin onto a small baking sheet and put in a warm oven until dried out. I then crumbled it into breadcrumbs. I had more than enough for this recipe. You can freeze the rest to use in another recipe.

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