Park City Shopping

This last weekend my husband and I went up to Park City for a getaway.  I visited one of my favorite home furniture/decor stores while there - Sticks and Stones.  Every time I go in, something cool catches my eye.  Here were my 2 favorites this trip:

This awesome coffee table - someone could definitely dIY it!

And these GORGEOUS cowhide chevron stools (are you drooling!).  

If I remember right they were about $200 each.

I would have been very tempted, but I have nowhere to put any of these items - Maybe you do?!

A couple fun Accessories

I picked up this gold angel wing bowl at Target the other day for $25.  It's a great addition to my coffee table - I love it!

 I also visited a cute new store on Main Street in Kaysville, Utah - "To Market."

It has all sorts of cute and unique accessories along with larger pieces of furniture that have been painted and antiqued.  I grabbed this Gold Arrow for $23.

Have you jumped on the bandwagon and started adding gold or brass to your home decor?

Kitchen Update: Marble Mosaic Backsplash

After 4 years I decided it was time to commit to a backsplash!

I am still in love with my laminate countertops (when we picked them out we were nervous and thought we might end up replacing them).  I am sticking with them- so I got a backsplash that would tie it all together.

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Rather than just continuing the "backslash line" on this wall I decided to take it all the way up to the ceiling.  It didn't require much tile to go to the top but now gives the illusions that there is a full wall of tile behind the cabinets (which I like!).

After doing much searching and debating I went with this tile: Venato Carrera Polished 1x2" brick Marble tile from the Builder Depot.  I liked this brighter white tile compared to their "grayer" Bianco line.  I also liked the quality of this tile over what I found on Amazon and from Home Depot.

If you are in the market for marble tile - this is a great quality product for a great price!

Backyard Before and After

I realized the only pictures I have posted of our backyard are from when we first moved in and installed the yard.  By now everything has grown in quite a bit and looks a little different.  So here is an update!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 One of the biggest changes (besides all the growth of our plants) is the addition of quite a few homes now behind us!

BEFORE:

We have loved this fire pit patio area, the backside allowed us to retain dirt and create a hill which our kids enjoy too.

AFTER:

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We get a lot of questions about our slide.  

We just ordered it off amazon, and the guys that installed our deck installed the slide as well.

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We hired a landscape architect to help us in drawing up the plans and it was very helpful!  Back when we did it, it was around $300 and we were left with beautiful plans (that we had input on) that we then gave out copies to landscapers to get their bids- or you could use the plans to guide you as you "do it yourself".  It made for a very smooth process and I'm very glad we did it that way!

Outdoor Decor

I got pillows, an outdoor rug, and my cube ottomans covered so the deck is looking a lot more inviting.

Before:

 After:

The cubes were $10 a piece at a thrift store.  After covering them in fabric (it took 4 yards) I sprayed them with a fabric protector from Jo-Ann's to make them "outdoor proof."  To attach the fabric I simply stapled it on the underneath and on the inside (the tops come off so I could easily access the inside).

This has quickly become my favorite place to relax with a book!

My New Baby: Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Back in May I mentioned in This Post that I wanted a Fiddle Leaf fig for my corner basket.  I FINALLY found one that was a good size for a GREAT price!!! 

$17 for this 3ft. tall plant at J&J's nursery in Layton, Utah.

I have waited and watched Home Depot and Lowe's for months now and finally gave up on them ever getting in a well priced large fig tree (I have seen online that people in other states have been able to find some great ones there - but no luck for me).  I knew that Ikea and Walmart have some for just $13 but from what I have seen most seem to be under 2ft. tall and I knew this spot needed one a little taller.  Back in June I decided to try a local nursery (J&J) but when I went, all I saw was a very large tree priced for around $400!!!!  I didn't investigate any further and left.  Today I was feeling desperate and decided to try J&J's again- I'm so glad I did!  They had quite a few fiddle figs this size and even had a VERY large one for just $95 (I was tempted but thought I won't feel too bad if I kill a $17 plant- but I'd be pretty sad if I kill a $95 one).

I Love it!  I'm so Happy this room is REALLY done now!

I've read up on the care and think I can handle it - fingers crossed!

Because I wasn't having any luck, a few months ago I seriously debated getting a fake tree (Kirsten put together a great round-up on her blog of fake figs).  In the end though I'm so glad I got a real one and you can't beat the price!

Outdoor Sectional

I have wanted this outdoor sectional from World Market for a few years and finally got it!

Every July it goes on sale for 1/2 price - but when it does it sells out FAST!  You can usually always get the corner chairs online but the slipper chair pieces sell out online and then your only option is to pick one up at a store.  The last 2 years the slipper chairs were already gone in stores when I called, this year I got lucky!

I like that the cushions are white and it's a blank slate that I can now add my own touch to with pillows and an outdoor rug.  The white may worry some people - but since my deck is elevated and covered the cushions don't get too dirty and have cleaned up very easily (so far I have just brushed the dust off with my hand before sitting :)

One important thing for me when looking at outdoor sectionals was the height.  I have seen sectionals at Ikea and online at Ebay that are very short (low backs) and I think they just look weird.  The look of this sectional reminds me of something you would find at Pottery Barn but the price is MUCH Cheaper!

FYI: the table, benches and chairs, and potted plants are all from Ikea a couple years ago.

I picked up these ugly but functional cubes below from the thrift store and 

plan to recover them in some outdoor fabric as well.

Overall I am very impressed with the quality and look of this sectional (you can't beat it for the price!).  The seat cushions aren't as thick as some but they are good and I have enjoyed kicking my feet up and reading a book outside while watching my kids play.

AHHHHH Summer!

Planters

I realized I never posted the final pictures of my pots! 

For more info on how I hooked them up to automatic sprinklers - Click Here -

I think it definitely added some curb appeal.

The other pots I hooked up are doing well also :)

I LOOOOOVE this time of year when my garden is producing too.

I thought I would share some of my favorite new recipes using items from my garden:

Rhubarb Muffins

Peach Pizza (okay so I don't have peaches quite yet on my tree - but they are in season at stores now!)

Yellow Squash and Goat Cheese (such a yummy combo! This can also make a great meal if you just add pasta)