Bathroom Vanity Project

This is a project that we have been thinking about doing for a while. We would love to take an old, wood washstand or dresser and turn it into our bathroom vanity.

My bathroom as it looks now:

The pedestal sink functions fine but obviously lacks storage. We have a small cabinet next to the sink which manages to hold all our bathroom necessities but it would be nice to have a work surface for my make-up bag to sit when I am using it, etc.

The plan-

1) I need a washstand or dresser. I have been monitoring the online thrift sites but so far everything I have seen is overpriced. I am looking for a deal but something similar to this...

... clean lines and cottagey. I would probably want the stain to be darker but I am flexible.

2) A nice vessel sink. I found a ceramic, square one at Rona for $150.

via www.rona.ca

3) Transfer our old taps. I actually like the taps we currently have so I would just move them to the new sink.

4) Instructions on how to do it and inspirational photos via Painting the Roses White.

via www.pantingtheroseswhite.com

My hunt continues...

Homemade Curry Mix

In my first post about handmade gifts, I gave the suggestion to include a curry mix in a jar gift.

via RachelCooksThai.com

Since then, I have actually perfected the curry mix! It is one of the best curries I have ever had and anyone (even people who do not like/haven't tried curries) will love it.

It is a baked vegetable curry with a cashew sauce.

The recipe for the dry mix is as follows:
1/2 tsp dried garlic flakes
1/2 tsp ginger slices (cut into small pieces)
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp ground sea salt 
1 tsp white sugar
1/2 cube vegetable bouillon 1 tsp cayenne pepper (or more if you want it to be really spicy!)
The following ingredients are ground down using a mortar and pestle:
1 cup roasted cashews
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander

Combine the above ingredients in a mixing bowl and transfer the mixture to a small glass jar. If space is left in the jar, fill it with more ground cashews.

To finish the gift, add a card with cooking instructions. Below is the one that I made to go with the above mix:

 

The Year of the Handmade Gift Continues!

Now that we are full swing into 2013, I am trying to prepare (way in advance in some cases) my ideas for handmade gifts for all occasions.

I posted some ideas on handmade gifts at Christmas time last year but since then I have come up with some new ideas...

Lotions and moisturizers

 via MotherNatureNetwork.com

I will be scouring local resale stores looking for the best glass lotion pumps (or glass jars) to perfect this gift! I might even consider making my own labels for the jars.

Soaps

 via MotherNatureNetwork.com

Fruit cake or other loaf breads or cakes

  via ClosetCooking.com

 ...and how nice would your loaf or cake look coming in a small ceramic loaf pan...

Crossword puzzle books- Their are even sites where you enter all the clues with answers and it creates the crossword puzzle for you for FREE!

 

via CanadaTop.com

The Sex and the City Set

I recently started re-watching Sex and the City (the series). I watched the show when it was new... back in the day. Now that its 13 years later and I actually care about decorating, I noticed that Carrie's apartment has lots of decorating elements (mainly mid century modern furniture) that I didn't notice at the time but that I have grown to love.