Friday Favorites

1. Strawberry Cream Cheese
 My current weakness: bagel with strawberry cream cheese and sliced strawberries sprinkled with truvia (at least the last bit isn't completely sinful!) Seriously good and very springy don't you think? P.S. truvia is the best (well obviously besides sugar!)

2. Chic Succulents
 I am dying for the collection of various succulents I just bought. Maybe went a little overboard considering I have no clue how I will pot them or where I will put them but oh so chic! They are all so different and difficult to kill - a definite plus!

3. White Begonias
 I bought a bunch of flowers for my porch and my white begonias are by far doing the best. Instead of barely hanging on like the rest, they look fantastic and and are actually thriving. I don't have the best track record with the whole sun/part shade/ shade thing because kentucky seems to continually be rocking the part shade look, so I never know where to put things. Steve has no faith in my gardening abilities so at least this one little pots stacks up in my favor.

4. Hello Kitty Bandaids
 because apparently packing is a dangerous sport! Or maybe it is that my house is a total obstacle course at the moment. Either way I am constantly bruised and bleeding.

5. Aveno Pomegranate and Rice Body Wash
 love love love this stuff. Its slightly grainy which is always nice because I feel extra clean. And the smell is very delicate, so it is not overpowering once you get out of the bath. I have been skipping around with different TJ-Maxx finds and old christmas gifts, but I think I will stick with this one for a while.

6. Baking Soda
 I seriously buy the stuff by the bagful at Sam's these days. I am addicted. I especially love it for sprinkling on my carpet before I vacuum and for whitening my teeth. (I don't use it everyday, but a brushing with it couple times a week is perfect.) I also throw in a 1/2 cup in the wash, use it to clean/scrub pans, obviously have a box in the refrigerator,  and I sprinkle it on just about anything that smells bad before washing or vacuuming it out. Can you tell I am in love with the stuff? Plus It couldn't be any cheaper!

Peace. Love. and Derby Hats!

West Elm Headboard

How cute would it be to take this very affordable West Elm Headboard 

on sale for $99.99 (Queen)

and put your favorite fabric behind the squares. Even a muslin would look fab if you stenciled on his and hers, or your initials, or maybe right and wrong ... as in waking up on the wrong side of the bed. So many possibilities. It also comes in white. 

Here is the Brooke way to do it. (They way I would throw it together with no skill and screwdriver) 

Supplies: tape measure, 1/4 inch plywood cut to size, extra loft craft batting, about 2 yards of fabric, staple gun with staples, scissors, screwdriver and screws. 

1. Go to Home Depot or Lowes and get a friendly sales person to cut 1/4 plywood or masonite into a rectangle two inches bigger than your opening. You could make it easy on yourself and do one long rectangle, or if you wanted two fabrics get two squares cut. 
2. Hit up the fabric store or your secret stash for the perfect fabric. Measure before you go so you can be sure to get enough to cover your board with about four inches extra. 
3. While you are at the fabric store pick up some batting. I usually buy the cheap scratchy looking stuff. But feel free to go with whatever looks good. I would say its going to take at least two layers so it doesn't look skimpy. 
4. At home: Layer the batting and fabric over the board stretching the fabric and batting tight and stapling first on opposite sides ( like the top and bottom) then move on to the left and right. 
5. If you want to get all professional you could pre-drill holes 1/2 inch to an inch from the board in at least four places. I would probably do like six: two on top and bottom and one on the left and right. 
6. Screw your upholstered board to the bed frame. Avoid Super long screws. 
7. Set up and make your bed. 
8. Admire your totally fab new headboard. 

Notes: I change my headboard a lot. At first it was a white washed old door. Then it was a grey door. Now it is upholstered with 2inch foam batting and a black and white trellis print. Its fun to have options beyond just changing your sheets! 

Peace. Love. and Pillows