Bingo Mini Album

What a productive weekend! We recently had our family portraits done by a fabulous 16 year old aspiring photographer. She is AMAZING! So I needed an album to match. This was an album kit by Melissa Francis. I just love the way the pictures look with the paper! Hope your weekend was productive!

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To fill or not to fill

So those who know me know that I LOVE Potterybarn (PB). I worked there one Christmas season to get 40% off and I so miss it. I love the PB look but I am sorry some of their prices are outrageous! So even though I had a $50 gift card burning a hole in my pocket, I wanted to make my purchase worth it. So as I am perusing through the store, I am thinking "LOVE that! I could do that cheaper.....Love that! But I could find that cheaper...." The store, magazine and website are so inspiring.

One thing I am into right now are the glass vases and bowls of all kinds. 

So these are my PB knock offs for way cheap. All supplies from The Dollar Tree for $10! Supplies: 2 Cylinder vases, 1 flower case, 3 glass candlestick holders, fix all adhesive super glue, plastic lemons, limes and cherry tomatoes. All I did was super glue the candlestick holders to the bottoms of the vases. Voila! Cute huh? Beats paying $20 a piece for just the apothecary jar! 

While in PB I saw a candleholder with corks as the filler. I have TONS of corks.....Came home and busted out my stash. The holders are from Southern Living (now Willow House) and were far from cheap. I did host a party so I got them at a great deal...does that still count?

Then there are the natural elements...right in your own backyard! Okay well maybe you can buy them like I did! The 3 bowls are similar to a display I saw in PB. I went to Garden Ridge and bought the 3 bowls @ $2.99 each, the black rocks @ $1.99, the moss covered balls @ $3.99 and the sand I stole from Kyle's sandbox (shhh he won't even miss it!) This is on my mantle. I love love love Garden Ridge -- it is a home decor warehouse haven.

The last is a sturdy glass cylinder that I did purchase from PB long time ago with my discount and it has sticks in it broken down to size. WARNING: If you have little ones, my son likes to steal these and I find them all over the house! It could be worse I guess.  

What are your filler ideas?                   

I'm back.......

Well after taking some time away, I am back. I have lots of ideas, crafts, recipes and other great websites to share! First, let's satisfy your appetite with a recipe from the family cookbook. Fried eggplant - YUMMY! I swear your kids will think they are french fries! My son loves them.


Fried Eggplant
First, cut the eggplant into strips.
Then, you need 3 bowls.
      1. Milk
      2. Flour
      3. Egg
and a baggie with bread crumbs.

Now start dipping and rolling in the above order then shake in the baggie till covered.
Once all your eggplant is prepped, heat up your frier and get cookin'! I have a small frier so I did each basket 4 minutes or until browned to your liking. My dad will fry them in a pan out on the side burner of the grill.
Add salt to taste. Crunchy Goodness!

I could eat a whole eggplant like this! I just wish the prep wasn't so messy but it is well worth it! Great summer recipe - Enjoy!

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