Owens room part two..,

Remember when I wanted to wrap Owen's wall in faux brick veneer?
I still love the look, however convincing L was another story.
I priced out every available option and it just wasn't going to work.  I will file it away for our next home.

So.., I am on the hunt for another option...,

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There are so many design elements I love in this last picture! The seagrass I just priced out for his room. I have the lights hanging in my entry. I love the combination of soft mint juxtaposed to the natural elements in this room.

Most of these wall papers are from Nobilis. Tom Scheener fully endorses it, saying it looks just like real paneling, although much less expensive.  I priced it out at $75 a yard.., I need 40 yards, for just one wall.
Unfortunately for me, its back to the drawing board.

What do you think? Would you do it?

A quick trip..,

Santa Barbara was fun. real fun.
Its nice to get away every now and then- without kids.

We started the weekend with diner in Malibu at Nikita.
It was pretty yummy

Then we made our way up the coast to Santa Barbara.

We stayed at Hotel Indigo.

Small, but well done.
Some details below.

We packed a lot into the few days we were there. 

My favorite- running next to the ocean or shopping. Its a toss up:)

A few of the stores we stopped in..,

Rooms and Gardens- such a fantastic display of sand dollars.., could totally diy this.

and.., they had chickens out back. love.

(a better photo taken from their website)

Raoul Textiles was right across the street from our hotel.., fate I tell you!

I got a few yards of the pink fabric in this photo.., not sure what I will do with it.., but I love it!

That bar is not tile! Hand painted., it was amazing! 

We also stopped at Botanik in Summerland.

Fringed umbrella and striped chairs? Yes please!

This picture is pretty epic.., 

I may have convinced L to put a little seagrass wall to wall in our house!

We also spent a fair amount of time in the Funk Zone.

A collection of wine tasting rooms, breweries and  and art galleries.

These pictures are from the tasting room at Lafond

We ended our trip up in Ojia.., where sadly, I did not take any pictures. 

We had such a great time in SB.., I am so eager to go back!

Tablecloth'n

Hope you had a great weekend! We sure did, but we also got a lot accomplished!

We are about to have a house full of family for the 4th of July (so very excited).
My brain has been thinking of ways to make the house comfortable and enjoyable for them.
We will have 4 kids 6 and under at the dinner table.
I have never used a tablecloth on my kitchen table.., but I think it may be the way to go.

During parties, I often fear for my wood table with just a natural finish/protectant.

My table- only I have it in a discontinued grayish stain

This is what my tablecloth search has come up with..,

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What do you think? Which one would you choose?

Santa Barbara on my mind

Its Friday! Yay!

We are leaving next week for Santa Barbara. I can't wait! It has been years since I have been there and Lance has never been. So we have lots to discover!

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I still haven't booked a hotel room.., woops!

However, I wouldn't mind staying here!

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What about you? Have you ever been? Any suggestions where we should stay?

Rum cake

Happy Tuesday! This week is off to a great start! Yesterday was E's 3 birthday- she is such a sweet happy little girl.., I can't believe she is already 3!! Last night was also my first swim meet.., as a parent!! Owen took home 3rd place in Freestyle.., I guess 3 was a theme for us!

I have to preface this post by saying I am not a baker.., if a receipt is complex, I will skip it! 

However, we got married in Bermuda (many years ago), and ever since then, Lances favorite cake is rum cake. Bermuda has great Rum Cakes!

A few years ago my sister passed along this awesome rum cake receipt that I thought I would share. If you like rum, this is the cake for you! Its also supper easy to make! Enjoy!!

Ingredients:

I don't believe there is a way to get the authentic recipe. Check out this information: 

Tortuga Rum Cake, Cayman Island. This recipe for rum cake originated from the owners of the Tortuga Rum Company Limited over one hundred years ago, and it has been passed down through the family generation after generation. Made with a special Tortuga gold blend of rum that is not bottled or available to the public. 

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You can probably approximate it with this recipe, by using a very good, very dark rum. (Bought “Whaler’s The Original Dark Rum” from Trader Joe’s).

Rum Cake 

1 cup chopped walnuts 

1 box yellow cake mix 

1 small package instant vanilla pudding mix 

1/4 cup water 

3/4 cup dark rum (Tortuga Dark preferably) 

1/2 cup oil 

4 eggs 

Secret Sauce 

1/4 cup water 

1/4 cup dark rum 

1 cup sugar 

1 stick oleo (butter)

Directions:

Preheat oven at 325 F. 

Grease and flour a bundt pan 

Sprinkle walnuts over the bottom of the pan. 

Blend dry cake mix, dry pudding mix, water, rum, oil and eggs for 2 minutes. Pour over walnuts in pan. Bake for 1 hour 50 minutes (but check after 45 min).

Prepare Secret sauce 10 minutes before cake is finished baking. 

Combine water rum, water sugar and butter in to sauce pan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until boiling. Boil for 2 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove cake from oven. 

While in pan, gently stab cake with sharp knife. 

Slowly and evenly pour sauce over cake (will look like too much sauce, but cake will absorb it) 

Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes before removing from pan.

So maybe don't judge based on my iphone pictures.., it is really yummy!

Seriously try it.., I promise you will like it!!

Happy Monday!

Free Fathers Day printables

There are so many great mothers day printables.., I thought I would make some for the dads

Clink on the links below to download them!!

Dad Printable

Grandpa Printable

Papa Printable

Hope Y'all have a great fathers day!!