Before & After Mid Century Chairs

Some good friends handed down two amazing Mid Century 

chairs that I had previously obsessed over at their house.  

They had them and loved them until they moved into a super

 sleek house and just couldn't make sense of these chairs

 in their new space. So, they asked me if I wanted them. 

 I nearly made them sign a contract, I was so excited!  

 Before

 Look at these lines!  You can quickly catch my obsession?

 I loved the vintage green tweed fabric, but unfortunately in 

my friend's move from house to house they were stored in 

a place where they sat under a constant drip of water.  I couldn't

salvage the fabric, and in all honesty this pair of beauties were

loved so much in the 60+ years that the cushions needed 

some pretty significant restorative work.  If you look at this

back cushion, you can see how depleted the cushion is.

Again, those lines.  Swoon.

 After

 Can we have a moment?  SwoonFest.

The restored cushions are cozy.

I wanted to honor the original fabric, so I 

went in search of a tweed fabric.  In

my search I found this sharp herringbone

pattern and it was love at first sight.

 I literally cannot stop staring at them.

Swoon.

Local friends, I highly recommend Advantage Upholstery.  I am now in 

search of a vintage couch for our front room, because this was way too much fun!

xo

Throw Pillows

I think I am going to update some throw pillows.  I like these patterns and textures together, but...does anyone else agree?

Online Shopping Finds

I am searching for a rug for a girlfriend, and of course come across a thousand different things I am absolutely crazy about.

For starters. these stacking kid chairs!  I love the industrial look of them and would totally pair them with an old table. Hack the legs off a standard size table if you need and distress paint it.  Would look killer with these chairs from Overstock.  Just please don't ever pay a ton for a kid table and chair set (read: one from Pottery Barn Kids).

This mirror.  Don't even get me started.  I am obsessed.  Let's be real, what don't I feel a slight obsession over, from West Elm...but this mirror is top notch ridic.

I am looking to update my farmhouse table.  I dreamed of benches since I was probably 14 (true story), but 10 years in, I am kind of over them.  These chairs are not a 'win' for my update...but they are maj on about 13 levels.  And at this price, on Wayfair, a real option for someone looking to update without breaking the bank.

   I mean, for reals.  2 chairs for $110. 

Other colors too.  The mustard color is 

also a favorite.

I have yet to see a throw blanket from the Faribault Woolen Mill that I don't covet.  It's a real big love.  A 'hometown' (Minnesota) love that always has me excited for what they will produce next.  I love this map blanket.  Folded up it looks like a cool, patterned, geometric throw...but open the blanket up and it is a map of the city of Minneapolis. Love.

Years ago I stumbled upon this simple poster, at one of my favorite little bakeries in Minneapolis.  I still love it. Still think about it. Still try to live my life by these simple words.  Mark my word, SOMEDAY I WILL ACTUALLY OWN THIS PRINT.

THIS.RUG. from Lulu & Georgia. NEED.

Dear Husband, do not worry...I am only 'online browsing and dreaming'  I did not buy one thing.  I repeat, NOT.ONE.THING.  But now, who's with me...these are all pretty amazing, right?

xo

 

Tater Tot Hotdish Burger

The cool weather of late (of course, not today) has me in a 

Minnesota State (Fair) of Mind! 

It might also be that I just saw the official roll out of new delicacies

on a stick that one can find at said fair...but regardless of the reason

this little creation I dreamed up a few weeks ago has me thinking

of home.

Two things that Minnesotans love: Hot dish (anything baked in a 

casserole dish, for those not in the know) and Burgers. 

Minnesotans especially love the classic Tater Tot Hotdish, which

is a ground hamburger and cream of mushroom soup base, topped

with tater tots.  Sounds rather rude, but it is perfection in a 9x13.

 Marrying these two favorites seems like a no brainer, 

SO WHY DID I JUST THINK OF THIS? 

Oh dear lord, this is absolutely a must try.  

And on the plate in under 30 minutes...what are you waiting for?

 What you need?

burgers (however you like: turkey, veggie, beef, buffalo)

frozen tater tots

3/4 cup yellow onion (chopped)

3/4 cup mushrooms (dry cleaned and chopped)

6 oz. whipped cream cheese

hamburger buns

salt & pepper

oil for sauteing

Saute the onions and mushrooms in 2 T. oil, generously cracking

salt and pepper while they cook down over medium heat.  

Do this while cooking the burger, season each side of the 

burger with salt and pepper.

Also oven cook tater tots (according to package directions)

 When the onions are transluesent and the mushrooms are soft, 

turn off the heat and fold in 6 oz of whipped cream cheese.

This will act as the "cream of mushroom soup" 

component of the classic Tater Tot Hotdish.

 Building the perfect Tater Tot Hotdish Burger:

bottom toasted bun

burger

generous dollop of creamy mushrooms and onions

5 crispy tater tots

top with the other toasted bun.

And because gluttony likes green company,

serve with a mixed greens salad.

I want full report, if you make this for your

great aunt in Northern Minnesota.

xo.

Papa's Forest

 Like a postcard, this is the drive into Papa's Forest!

We headed back to Minnesota last month to spend some precious
time with my in-laws. My most favorite day of the entire trip was spent
carefree up in the woods. Here are a few pictures I snapped of the
kiddos and Zac from that glorious day.

 Given the chance, Benny would spend all day on the

big tractor.  It truly is his happy place, even though

it is sitting idle in the barn.

Zac and I went for a long ride through the woods on the 4 wheelers.

It was so amazing.  It is always fun to go off and feel lost in the woods.

Then Zac took Logi for a ride.  She loved it until they saw a huge

animal (a bear-squirrel, as described by our 5 year old love) and 

was scared on any subsequent ride.  Zac still has zero clue what

animal they encountered, so it is safe to assume it was Harry.  

Yes, yes that Harry!

Off they went.  Seriously, this was the best day.  Our trip 

home to Minnesota was overshadowed with the sadness

of my father-in-laws battle with pancreatic cancer, but on this

day nothing seemed to matter but the wind in the trees and

the cold on our cheeks and of course, Harry!