FEDERAL MIRROR--I FOUND ONE!

What do you think about federal mirrors? I like them. They feel classic and traditional and add just the right splash of formal to a space without making it feel overdone. They look good in any room and will work just about anywhere in a house.

In this Pottery Barn photo, the mirror is the perfect wall art. The contrast of the gold and navy is such a clean, timeless look.

Image: Pottery Barn

Over a mantel as a historical focal point for a room like this one from Traditional Home is striking.

Image: Traditional Home

But the look I find myself loving the most is a smaller version hung as an accessory on a book shelf.

Image: I Suwannee

Image: Simple Details

Image: Emily A. Clark

As luck would have it, I found one of the convex, bulls eye mirrors back in May at one of my regular thrift shops. It isn't in perfect shape, but the imperfections are minor. And for the price, I couldn't pass it up.

I originally had it pictured in the dining room, but after getting it home, I'm considering three or four different places. It will first need to be dusted off and cleaned up, and then it will get some fresh paint. I want it to have a gold finish like in the pictures above (not too crazy about the wood look). I'll use the gold *Rustoleum spray paint that I used on this mirror in my back entrance and this mirror in our master bedroom. It really is my favorite for going gold.

Now, if the rain would stop and give me a pretty, sunny day, I could get it finished.

Kathryn

*Affiliate link used

BEACH TOWEL ROUND UP

I'm guessing you might be heading to the beach or the pool sometime soon, so I've rounded up some of the cutest (and most interesting) beach towels.

Are you like me? Do you wait until your towels are just about worn out--like you can see through them--before replacing them? If so, and beach towels are on your to-buy list this summer, maybe today's post will help you out. I think I managed to find something for everyone.

One  //  Two  //  Three  //   Four

Five  //  Six  //  Seven

Eight  //  Nine  //  Ten  //  Eleven

Twelve  //  Thirteen  //  Fourteen

The food towels are so fun to me, but the multi-colored dots towel is my favorite. Do you see one you like? Beach towels also make good graduation gifts--if you're still finishing those up.

And speaking of summer...

Is it really already the last week of June?! I saw a back-to-school commercial today and almost shed a tear. :(

Kathryn

SUMMER LINKS: SHADES OF SUMMER HOME TOUR

One of my favorite things in the world of blogging is home tours. It's a great place to get inspiration for your own home and a fun way to meet new bloggers to follow. The tours are usually tied to a holiday, a theme, or sometimes they're simply for a season of the year like the one I'm sharing today.

Today's summer links will take you through the Shades of Summer Home Tour where you will visit the homes of seven bloggers. They each have their own unique style and each blogger uses different colors and elements of decor to express summer.

Click the blue (summer) links and enjoy the tour!

First up is Emily A. Clark. Emily's blog is the first design blog I ever read. She's one of the most inspiring people (and not just in decorating) that I've never met. Maybe one day. :-) Emily uses blacks, browns, and nature in her summer home tour.  Not the usual colors you think of for summer, but not surprisingly, she makes them beautiful.

Emily A. Clark

Image: Emily A. Clark

At Driven by Decor you'll meet Kris Jarrett. She's using the more traditional pinks and whites for her summer decorating.

Driven by Decor

Image: Driven by Decor

Kelley Nan's blog is your next stop. She's using neutrals and naturals for summer at her house.

Kelley Nan

Image: Kelley Nan

At Citrine Living you'll meet Tamara. I've been following her on Instagram for a good while, and I was excited to see her in the tour. She is also using blue + greenery.

Citrine Living

Image: Citrine Living

On Sutton Place is authored by Ann Drake. She is using navy and neutral colors for her summer home tour.

Image: On Sutton Place

Jessica heads up Four Generations One Roof. Her story is incredible. Be sure to read her "About" page when you stop by her blog. Her family and living arrangements are not the norm as you can probably tell by the title of her blog. She's using navy, pink, and coral in her tour.

Four Generations One Roof

Image: Four Generations One Roof

And finally, stop by Setting for Four and meet Heather. She is using blues with black and grays.

Setting for Four

Image: Setting for Four

Shades of Summer Home Tour

Emily A. Clark

Driven by Decor

Kelley Nan

Citrine Living
On Sutton Place

Four Generations One Roof

Setting for Four

And that's a wrap of the Shades of Summer Home Tour. I hope you enjoyed your visit. Did you have a favorite? I'd love to hear from you!

Happy Summer!

Kathryn

CHICKEN KABOBS

I love a kabob: fruit kabob, vegetable kabob, shrimp kabob, chicken kabob, steak kabob--you get the picture. I was searching for something different to do with chicken and came across a recipe for Rosemary Chicken Kabobs. I tried it this week. It was super easy and many of the ingredients you probably have on hand. I'm sharing it with you today because it's definitely one you'll want to try, too.

Ingredients:

3 - 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast - cut into 1 inch cubes (I used 3 large breast)
1/2 cup of ranch dressing
1/2 cup of olive oil
3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of white vinegar
1 tablespoon of sugar
2 teaspoons of salt
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper (or to taste)
1 tablespoon of fresh minced rosemary

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl (remember you'll be adding chicken cubes), stir together the dressing, olive oil, vinegar, sugar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, and rosemary. Let stand for 5 minutes or so, then add chicken. Coat all pieces well. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

I had never minced rosemary before, so I watched a tutorial on Youtube. One thing I did that she didn't was cut the tan part off the bottom of the leaves after I pulled them from the stalk. Then, you just chop them like any other food. 

When the time is up, preheat the grill on medium-high heat. Thread your chicken onto the skewers and dispose of the leftover marinade. 

Grill the skewers for 12-15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes or so, or until the juices run clear and no pink is left in the middle. I always end up cooking things a bit longer than recipes suggest. Every grill is different. Just don't leave them alone for too long. 

I served ours with the usual: green beans, creamed corn, garlic tomatoes, and tea. For the garlic tomatoes, revisit the Chicken Pasta Caprese recipe I shared from my Skinny Taste Cookbook.

The original recipe can be found at Allrecipes. Next time, I will probably add more Worcestershire sauce. The flavor was not as strong as I thought it would be. Unless you're feeding a crowd, you may have leftovers. It makes plenty!

Have a great weekend!

Kathryn

IDEAS FOR DAD (UNDER $100)

When I'm out of school for the summer, I'm not too good at keeping up with dates or the days. For example, I mailed my father-in-law his gift this week because I thought Father's Day was this Sunday! At least it will be on time. :-) That means you still have time to shop for the fathers in your lives, so I put together a few ideas for you.

Dad Shirt

Echo Dot 2

Television Trays

Star Wars

Laptop Stand

Hawaiian Print Shirt

Jones New York Tie

Toiletry Bag (Image:Teals Prairie Etsy Shop)

The run down:

1 - This cute shirt is from Walmart. They have others you may like as well. ($21.90)

2 - The ECHO DOT 2 is the mini version of the ECHO. ($49.99)

3 - I love these trays. They're from Walmart, but they are a Hayneedle product. ($66.06)

4 - What dad doesn't love Star Wars? ($24.99)

5 - This Best Buy gift idea is perfect for the dad who uses a laptop. ($49.99)

6 - It is summer! I love my guy in red. This one is from Nordstrom. ($59.50)

7 - So you want to go traditional? Head over to Steinmart. ($16.99)

8 - This is from the Etsy shop Teals Prairie. They have really unique engraved gifts. ($49.99)

Hopefully, you've picked up an idea or two.

Kathryn

A MIRROR SWAP

Even though I was in the midst of finishing the dining room, which I hope to give you an update on soon, I managed to paint a mirror and change up our back entrance.

This was our fall mantle last year. 

I loved it, but I really like a softer feel for the space. I decided to do some swapping around.

This is the mirror I like best over the mantle, especially for the summer months. It was a thrift score from a couple of years ago. You can see the before and after here. It was one of the first projects/"before and afters" I did when I started my blog.

So, using Rust-Oleum spray paint, I painted the dark brown, rectangular mirror.

I never thought too much about the pretty little detailing. It's much more obvious in the gold shade.

Afterwards, the two mirrors swapped places. The curly one left the back entrance...

...and for now it's over the mantel.



The newly painted rectangular mirror is now hanging in the back entrance off the garage.

I had to look high and low for a small, narrow table. This hallway is tiny.

I finally found this one several years ago at Kirkland's. They still have similar ones in other colors.

For now, this is home, sweet home for the mirror. But, I will go ahead and tell you, I bet it makes an appearance in the newly painted dining room. :-)

Kathryn