Weekend for Ellie

We don't have much scheduled this weekend - other than a few yard & estate sales with friends, along with a girls night for me and a Masonboro Boys show for Jeff. I plan to spend some time spoiling my puppy... I mean, could you say 'no' to this face?

Have a great weekend!

I heart Craig's List

... Well, now I do. And as much as I hate to admit it, I used to be a CL snob. It was a gradual progression that started with stores like South End Exchange, where I can only daydream about some day owning a set of these:
to purchasing only 'non-fabric' items, like my kitchen table & chairs, from Sleepy Poet...

to our couch (Jeff likes to remind me that I said I would never ever purchase a used couch - but I love it) and then settee from CL...

I wonder if Jeff is sorry he coaxed me out into the wonderful world that is Craig's List, consignment shopping, and thrift store finds?

Here is the latest... An art deco 1940s lamp and reason #1,821 that I heart CL:


I originally intended to swap out the milkglass shade for a regular lamp shade, but now I'm not so sure... What do you think?

W²: Balsamic Asparagus & Cherry Tomato Salad

My dad called me earlier this week, looking for "my" recipe for this delicious summer salad... proof that the old "W Squared" can actually taste good! All of that on top of the fact that this recipe is 0 points... jackpot.

{image via Young House Love}

W² Balsamic Asparagus & Cherry Tomato Salad
1/2 pound asparagus, about 40 spears
1 cup cherry tomatoes, about 10, cut in half
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 tsp. orange juice
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 tbsp. shredded Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp. table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp. black pepper, or to taste

1. Bend asparagus, until they break at their natural breaking point. Throw away ends.

2. Microwave in microwave-safe dish for 2 to 3 minutes in salted water until barely tender (tip: don't completely cover in water, only fill to about half of asparagus).

3. Rinse in ice-cold water to stop cooking. Drain.

4. Add cherry tomatoes.

5. Stir together vinegar, orange juice & garlic; season to taste. Spoon dressing over asparagus and tomatoes.

6. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, serve & enjoy (for 0 points!)

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More Bang for Your Buck: Garden Stools

I've been pretty lucky in finding great deals on garden stools twice... The first time was last year at an estate sale. The last day of the sale I was able to negotiate this blue & tan garden stool for 50% off... grand total: $30.

Compare this to:

Floral Blue Chinese Porcelain Stool at Overstock for $102.99

Garden Stool with Flower Design at Target for $219.99

Hand Painted Garden Stool on eBay for $188
Then yesterday, I reread this post from Bryn on garden stools for $30 at TJ Maxx. I noticed that someone left a comment that Big Lots also had them... but for $20! As extra icing on the cake, High Heeled Foot in the Door posted about these around Christmas too.

I called several Big Lots in the area, finally found one with some actually in stock, and took home a carload! Yep, I purchased 4 garden stools... one in white for my bedroom, one for my mama, one in red for my ma-in-law, and one to grow on!



All 4 of them were purchased for less than 1 of these...

Chinese Garden Stool at Wisteria for $129

Drum Garden Stool at Target for $189.99

Ceramic Garden Stool at Pottery Barn for $159
Needless to say, you can find these at several places for much less than at chain stores (or even eBay)! I never would've thought about Big Lots on my own, but it ended up being a great deal, and left me feeling pretty good about my Monday purchase!
P.S. - Karen & Sophia, let me know where you decided to place your garden stools in the house!

Married Mathis'

We had a jam-packed weekend, and enjoyed every minute of it! On Friday night, we celebrated my dad's 70th birthday with a surprise party. My siblings & I have been planning this for the last few months, and I'm so glad to report that my dad was truly surprised!

We gathered a few of my dad's oldest friends along with our family... and had tons of food, a picture slide show, and the card below that my brother John created for everyone to sign. Overall, it was a great night and I know it meant a lot to my dad!


On Saturday, we celebrated the marriage of our good friends, Jason & Lindsay (I'm throwing out this post title as their possible blog name... Wedded Whittaker and The Married Mathis' works right?) Lindsay was gorgeous, and the reception was so much fun! We had the best time celebrating with the bride & groom and lots of good friends!


Lots of love and best wishes to the new Mr. & Mrs. Mathis!

We topped the weekend off with a day at the lake for Jeff, while I enjoyed a bridal shower for Amy at Nolen Kitchen! Unfortunately, I forgot to bring along the camera for this event... But you can be sure that I'll have one for the wedding (in less than 1 month!)
Sunday night we welcomed Jeff's dad and brother back from a spring break trip to Spain! Now it's back to work, after a weekend of celebrations!

329 days

On Saturday, we'll be celebrating our friends Jason & Lindsey's wedding here...




















This will have extra special meaning for us... Their reception is at Byron's... where Jeff & I celebrated our wedded bliss 329 days ago!


Can't wait for all the celebrations this weekend & a chance to remember...



Happy Weekend!