Takin', Fakin' & Makin' : Chevron Rug

After watching the High-Low Project on HGTV (love that Sabrina Soto!) I thought that having a Takin' (all ya $$s), Fakin' (the look like a pro) & Makin' (it like a crafty chic) board would be a great inspiration for those DIYers gearing up for weekend projects. This weekly feature will showcase an item that may be out of your budget but totally amazeballs, a comparable item that is at a better price point, and the a DIYed version if you are looking to really show off your skills.

Chevron Rug

West Elm 5'x7' $297 (Takin')

Urban Outfitters 5'x7' $74 (Fakin')

Adventuresindressmaking.com (Makin')

Have a great weekend!

XOXO Katie

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Bringing in the Heat

I have always loved the look of a fireplace as a focal point for a room. So when we first moved into our place and it didn't have one, I was missing that centerpiece for my living "area"- where was I going to hang our Christmas stockings, right?

So sad...

I did a little Craigslist stalking and I came across a few great options and they ranged from $100-$400. Since we are in New England these beauties are all over the place from old historic homes that have been renovated.

I went for a mantle that reflected the look of our windows (you can see what those look like here)- not super plain, but also not overly ornate looking. Ours was listed for $200 but I was able to talk them down to a cool $140 (thank you for my haggling skills, Mom!)

Install is super easy, I just needed a few L brackets and some anchors. I went for the heavy duty ones because our TV was going to go on top. Even though the TV was secured to the wall, I liked the peace of mind that the mantel was not going to budge.

The mantel was a little narrow so we had to attach 2x4s to the back sides to bring out the depth, but if you were not putting a TV on top then that step would not be necessary. We had those cut at Home Depot and used L brackets to attach that to the sides from the inside. 

With all the brackets in place this mantel was good to go. And with the double bookcases flanking it, I think that it looks like it had been there all along!

Santa is definitely going to know where to hang our stockings this year:)

The work is not quite done yet; I bought a radiator screen to fill the open space in the center for now, but I have been keeping my eye on some great Pinterest ideas. Here are the ones I love:

via niksnotes2.blogspot.com

via Apartment Therapy

via Apartment Therapy

Which one do you like best??

This is a great project for anyone one that rents their place because the it can easily be removed and go with you to your next home!

I always laugh when people come over and it takes them a while to even realize that the mantel is a fake. Then I know I did my job!

XOXO Katie

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Conquering Ikea A.D.D.

Ikea, oh how you tease me! You lure me in with your low prices and boundless options, and yet I always leave with a $300+ receipt burning a hole in my pocket.
 Whyyy (I cry with one arm waiving in despair)???

The sad part is that I have not even gone yet, but I know I am in for spending a good chunk of change.

Joey is going back for a quick visit to Chi-town without me (single tear), and I am planning my trip to Ikea while he is gone. I have to be strategic when scheduling my Ikea days so he is out of town or on call at the hospital because he gets the severe sweats when we go there. Something about how I have the the attention span of a squirrel and I run around like a mad woman throwing everything I can reach into our cart. Whatevsies...

So I thought I would actually use the shopping list function on the website to plan what I am looking for. Chances I will stick to this list? Slim to none. But at least I tried:)

BILLY Bookcase Door
(4) $30.00 each

BRANAS Laundry Basket
$39.99

DILLING Underbed Storage
$14.99

KASSETT Magazine File
(2) $4.99

KASSETT Box w/ Lid
(2) $9.99 per pair

FEJKA Plant
$7.99


That totals to just over $200 and those are just the items that I have to get much less what catches my eye while I'm there.

Ouch- that's going to make a dent in my budget- good thing the hubs is not here and I can claim I was shopping to kill my loneliness :)

Anyone else's significant other dread Ikea days as much as my hubs? I can't even imagine what its like if you have kids in tow- oy vey!


XOXO Katie

Don't forget to check and see if you won the free scarf giveaway over at A. Liz Adventures today! If you were not the lucky winner this time no worries, you can use the code "KFDLove" for 20% off your order in my shop.

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Lite Citrus Dream Bars

I have been craving sweets lately, but I wanted to make something that was not too heavy since bathing suit season is quickly approaching. So with my waistline in mind, I concocted this summery treat that will be just enough to suppress those cravings. Plus, I used some fresh clementine zest and lemon pie filling so I can rationalize that its practically just fruit, right?! OK maybe not, but whatevs...it was yummy either way.

Lite Citrus Dream Bars

Ingredients:

1 box angel food cake

1 box lemon pie filling

2 1/4 cup water

2 egg yokes

3T Splenda

1/3 box low fat graham crackers

2 clementines (could also use 1 orange)

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 50 minutes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Follow the instructions on the box to make the lemon pie filling. I had to combine the lemon mix with 2 1/4 cup of water, 3Tbls. Splenda (or sugar), and 2 egg yokes in a small sauce pan. While continuously stirring, I brought the mixture up to a boil and let that simmer for 2 minutes. This will thicken up to be the consistency of a pudding.

Then I grated the zest of two clementines into the lemon filling to give it that extra pop of flavor and freshness.

After removing the lemon filling from the heat, I needed to prepared my baking pan. I lined the 9x12in dish with foil and sprayed the bottom (don't spray the sides, just the bottom) with cooking spray. I lined the pan with the low fat graham crackers. These should only be in a single layer on the bottom- no overlap.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the angel food cake mix with the lemon pie filling. To combine, use a spatula to fold everything together. It will look really light and fluffy. 

 Pour this mixture over the graham crackers and smooth it out to create an even layer. Bake for 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees. You will know its done when the top is a nice golden brown.  

Almost done! Just cut into bars and sprinkle with a little more clementine zest. 

Now I can munch on this while enjoying my juicy Bravo shows and not feel like such a fatty-fatty 2x4 plopped on the couch. Loves it!

Would also be yummy with a thin lemon glaze made from confectioners sugar, lemon juice, some more zest, and a little water. But that would have meant another trip to the store for me and I was too eager to just dig in! Totally yummy as is:)

XOXO Katie


**Don't forget to enter the A. Liz Adventures giveaway- all entries must be in by midnight tonight. Visit this post to see more details**

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