Homes I Love...

Freehold Boro, NJ Circa 1920

 Brinckerhoff Avenue to be exact.  The loveliest, toniest of all of the streets in Freehold.  Freehold Boro is also the land of Springsteen and my fathers home town.  Neither of which lived lived on this street; they were, quite frankly, on the wrong side of it.  Not in a BAD way ~ Just working class!

 I loved this foyer from first glance.  I was actually inspired to check out my own Saturday Evening Post art at allposters.com.  I'm torn between 3 prints for my foyer...Stinky Putt, April Showers and Childhood.

 The zebra rug and warm walls are fun, as is the artwork.

 While I am not digging the window treatments, this rooms got great bones. Loving all of the windows...

 Seriously a spa/fine hotel worthy bedroom....Right???

 This bath is SUPERB.  The tiles are so fun and chunky (kinda like me!)

 There aren't words for how much I love this bathroom...

 Again with the perfectly molded and paint-colored bedroom.  I didn't bother posting a kitchen pic from this house because it was ugly.  I mean in the recently re-done, pedestrian, stock stuff kind of way.  With all of the bells & whistles in this house, they could've done much better. Offered at 525K.

{Photos courtesy of MOMLS}

From the Realtor:

Quite simply, this might be the most magnificent restored home in Freehold Boro to become available in years. Old world, early 20th century charm has been combined with a complete overhaul of the home down to its studs to include top of the line 2012 amenities. Just about everything is brand new and of the highest quality from the new poured concrete/ fully waterproofed basement, to the Magnificent Master Suite with new Marble Bath and W/I Closet, to the brand new roof made to look like slate roof.

BLT Pasta Salad

Box of Mezzi Rigatoni Pasta (or your favorite type)

6 Slices of Cooked Crispy Bacon

2 Large, Ripe Tomatoes, Diced Small

4 Tbsp. of Mayonnaise

Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper, to taste

2 Cups of Fresh Spinach, Stemmed and Roughly Torn

Combine chopped tomatoes, along with accumulated juices, and mix together with Mayonnaise in a large bowel. Add rinsed, cooled pasta and spinach.  Mix together and sprinkle with bacon.  Salt & Pepper to taste.

This is still good when it sits in the fridge overnite.  If it dries out a bit, add a smidge of skim milk to it...

This is my “man” version of this recipe.  You can make it so much lighter & healthier, using whole-wheat pasta, turkey bacon, lite mayo and/or greek yogurt.  It is a solid recipe for weeknite meals, bbq’s or a covered dish occasion. Enjoy!

Thank you for visiting!

Vintage Dresser Rehab

 And by vintage, I mean mine.  I had this til' I was about 10, 11? Complete with Shalimar perfume sticker melted to one of the bottom drawers and my initials etched in various spots.  

This has been stored for a ton of years now and my mom finally said come and get it if you want it (or else).

 I had recently stolen a family trunk out of the big boys room to put in the living room (more on that later), so I decided to rehab that lovely brown, brassy pulled, marginally-made dresser.

 For just under $20, I was able to transform the dresser into a more legitimate, useful piece of furniture.  Indigo spray paint in a satin finish and 8 cheap, brushed nickle-ish drawer pulls.  I think it looks darling in his room! (He just can't put anything substantial in there...socks, undies and bathing suits - that's it!  Anything more and it may collapse...)

So anyhoo...I hope to get back to blogging more often.  I really do have a FAB-U-LOUS Living Room Re-do to show off, but I am so scared to hang anything (i.e. put nails back in the wall, it's so pristine right now just painted) and haven't finalized my furniture placement,  BUT as soon as I get up the nerve, it will be here!

Hope all of my followers are well; if you are out there at all!  I just don't know where the time goes...

Thanks for visiting ~ Traci xoxo

Living Room Redo

Source: houzz.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: decor8blog.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: potterybarn.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: ballarddesigns.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: southernexposure1.squarespace.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: ballarddesigns.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com via Traci on Pinterest

Here are a few images from my Living Room Redo board on Pinterest.  I'm making plans to paint next weekend and get it put back together.  I have some great pieces to work with such as the botanical prints, an antique trunk and some great Ballard & Pottery Barn pieces.  Once I get past painting the ceiling (worst job ever) and picking my wall color (I'm between RL Sisal and BM Wyndham Cream) the rest will fall into place nicely.  I can't wait to show it off!  Thank you for visiting xoxo Traci

Big Weekend

 

 Pick your pleasure.  Cinco de Mayo or the the Kentucky Derby?  Or both?  Such a festive day and we're in luck...we've got a sitter!

 I've rarely celebrated the 5th of May, as it is normally on a school night.  Pinterest is bursting at the seams with C/D/M party ideas.  We'll be heading out with the masses for some yummy food & cocktails.

Since I was a little girl, I have wanted to throw a Derby party.  If I can get ALL of the house projects done that I'd like before throwing a major bash such as that, maybe next year!

 Equine-themed treats

Mint Juleps & Pretty Hats 

Luckily Pinterest is full of ideas and inspiration!

Here's to hoping you have a fantastic weekend!

{photos courtesy of Pinterest}

Swiss Chicken Casserole {Let's Eat Recipe Swap}

Ok, so technically I haven't made this yet, but I am this weekend!  Anyhow, how can you go wrong with chicken, cheese and stuffing?  This recipe can be found all over the internet, but I just found it via my mother-in-law.  She pulled out a vintage Jersey Shore cookbook from the 70-80's (you know the kind...plastic-bound usually published for a hospital or firehouse charity.  The good old days).  She made a note on this recipes page on March 1st, 1981 - Excellent!  I'm trusting her judgement and handwritten notes made on the page, so here goes...

Swiss Chicken Casserole

8 Single Boneless Chicken Breasts (cut into bite-size chunks, washed & drained)

1 Can Cream of Mushroom or Celery Soup

6 Thick Slices of Swiss Cheese (or more!)

1/2 Bag of Pepperridge Farm Stuffing Mix (ADD sauteed celery & onions)

1/4 to 1/2 Cup of Melted Butter

White Wine (to dilute the soup...Duh?!)

French Fried Onions

Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and layer the following:

Half of Chicken

1/2 Can of Diluted Soup

Half of Swiss Cheese

Half of Stuffing Mixture

Repeat above one more time, starting with the chicken.  Pour melted butter over top layer.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1/2 hour - UNCOVERED.

Add french-fried onions and bake for a 2nd 1/2 hour COVERED with lid or foil.

Enjoy!

{photo courtesy of Pinterest}

Where I've been...{semi} wordless Wednesday

Under construction. Hoping to have some creative posts as I put everything back together (and paint!)