I am......

Today is one of those days when you wake up with 5 million ideas and an itch to create. Maybe it is because the weekend is here or todays rain washed my head clouds away. 

Either way, I am feeling energetic and excited to kick back and create new projects while trying to relax all in one. Is this possible? 

Below are pictures that make those creative juices flow. I hope these pics inspire you, and if so, please share!

We are Melting Here!

It has almost reached 100 degrees outside and with the Midwest humidity it is a perfect recipe for some frizzy hair today! I spotted Gretta (below) trying to beat the heat, but not in a ladylike way. Someone needs some etiquette lessons:)

Try and stay cool!

Yes Please!

I was a birthday girl last week and devoured calorie upon calorie of every delicious dessert I was handed. You would think that my stomach has had enough, but you would be way way wrong. 

I now have massive amounts of sugar running through my veins and need to get my fix on. Not helping matters, I flipped through my trusty "ideas" folder and found all these beautiful pictures of desserts and treats I really want to someday make. 

Tummy Rumbling......

Rumble Rumble Rumble

Looking for a cookie, so far no luck

Headed to the nearest bakery! See ya

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Music Video Tuesday

A little bit of serine and beautiful to start your tuesday right:) Enjoy

Blind Pilot "Go On, Say It" 

Work Bench Makeover

This Craftsman workbench was a found treasure nestled in a dark corner of my musty old basement. Needing a kitchen island with limited space requirements, this bench only seemed appropriate. I called in the reserves (my mom) to help transform this disheveled piece into a bright beauty.

I love a rough industrial look so we kept the original scuffed up paint and added spray paint layers for the top coat. This allows you to use a sanding pad to scower over the top layer which will then expose the underneath (original) colors. 

The top butcher block is a combination of particle board and solid wood and is original to the bench. We did a heavy sanding, applied a layer of dark walnut stain and sealed everything in with tongue oil. The top had many scuff marks, nail holes, and gouges in it and the stain helped bring each nick to life. This is part of the beauty (adds character) and separates this island apart from a store bought "perfect" pieces.

Last but not least, I drilled holed into the metal drawers to give the piece its jewelry; beautiful knobs I picked up at Antropologie a while back. This helps make the piece look like furniture instead of a metal workbench.

I have used this island for numerous recipes and now can not live without it! In Love:)

Found Friday

I found this little guy while gardening a few weeks back and just had to share:) Have a Happy Friday and great weekend!

Today Is:

I am a product of June so I am bias to this wonderful month and love the results of Summer Solstice. Long light! 

I hope this post lets your creative colorful spirit fly free on the longest day of the year:)

All pics are courtesy of HERE

Old Shoes, New Color

My mom had these very comfortable sandals she picked up on a past trip to Italy and wanted to give the foot ware a softer look.We picked through a few different shades and found a soft carmel color that will go nicely with many of her outfits. 

We used a cream colored paint (acrylic) as a primer. You only really need 1 coat.

For the base color you will need two coats of your color paint to achieve the desired result. As you can see from the picture above, the black leather is bleeding through with only a single coat of the base color.

After a coat of the primer and two coats of the carmel color, my mom has a rejuvenated pair of sandals just in time for summer!

Boots Made for Walking

New into the shop: The Bee Balm Boots. Vintage 

Music Video Tuesday

          A little happy diddy to wake you up this tuesday morning:)

                     

                OK Go - This Too Shall Pass from OK Go 

One Long Week

Head swirling, hands a little clammy, and one big smile on my face! It was a roller coaster of a week (actually 5 weekdays + 2 weekends) having a good time at events, traveling, and a much awaited concert! 

Just glad to get back to a bit of normal this week! All pics are via Instagram

Event: Lemont's Beerfest   Concert: Radiohead   Travel: Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, & Indiana (1 Flight + 1600 miles of pure road trip)

Lovely

4 minutes of pure Love! Enjoy:)

Meet Krystal

My youngest sister has been a student at SCAD University for the past few years perfecting her love of crafts and art. In her first year she dove head first and fell in love with fashion accessories with a focus on handbags & shoes. Now finishing up her degree this year she was honored by being entered in the InStyle Independent Handbag contest. (below is the entered handbag)

Hand cut leather, stitched, burned, stretched, and stained. This leather laptop case is simply gorgeous and your not going to believe it, but SHE WON! This means she will be designing her very own handbag collection! 

What is in store for this little lady is endless possibilities and we couldn't be more excited and proud of her. Making shoes, helmets, and enjoying life is what this gal is all about. You can view a little piece of her world here, oh, and once more....CONGRATULATIONS KRYSTAL!

Heavenly Slices: Making Peach Pie

I made a Pie! This may not be a big deal to you patisserie masters, but for this gal, well, it's a pretty big deal (and notice the pretty lattice crust).

My moms and pops brought back some perfectly ripened Georgia Peaches from their last road excursion but unfortunately I received them a little too late and they where getting too soft in some areas. I heard that this is great pickings for the perfect peach pie, so I found a newbie  friendly recipe for some homemade crust and fresh filling and went to town.

The magical crust was a great find since it was super simple to make and super delicious. Here is the recipe:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/3 cup ice water

1. Combine flour and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer. Cut butter or margarine or butter and shortening into tablespoon pieces; add it to the flour and butter. Use the paddle beater to cut the butter and flour together. Alternatively, this can be done by hand with a pastry blender.
2. With the mixer on low speed , or while stirring the mixture with a fork, pour in the cold water. When the dough starts to clump, and before it turns into a ball, stop stirring.
3. Lightly knead dough in the bowl until it forms a ball. Divide dough into two parts. Flatten each part into a disk, and chill for about 30 minutes before rolling.

The fresh peach filling was the "cherry on top"! This recipe was so simple that even TJ was able to help (shhhhh, don't tell him but baking is not usually his forte). 

NOTE: Recipe calls for 10 fresh peaches but I only had 5 so we cut everything in half which made the pie more tart like in consistency.

• 10 fresh peaches, pitted and sliced
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie

1. Mix flour, sugar and butter into crumb stage.
2. Place one crust in the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate. Line the shell with some sliced peaches. Sprinkle some of the butter mixture on top of the peaches, then put more peaches on top of the the crumb mixture. Continue layering until both the peaches and crumbs are gone.
3. Top with lattice strips of pie crust.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes, or until crust is golden. Allow pie to cool before slicing. Best when eaten fresh.

YUMMMMMM!

Music Video Tuesday

Lady Lamb the Beekeeper

Smile Lifestyle Boutique

Welcome to Smile Lifestyle Boutique! A clever paper products shop where you will find all of your card occasion or should I say Ocakession needs.
If you are like me, your card choosing recipe is short and sweet  with a pinch humor (so they are a perfect fit). Their collection of the Smile signature line has so many great options it is hard to pick and choose, so I grouped together some favorites for specific moments.
Check them out because they are totoolly cool:)

Totoolly Cool Dad, Your a Tierrific Dad, I Love You Beery Much, To a Fanstachetic Man

Great For: Weddings

Celovebration, Purrecious Moments, A Special Ocakession, Together Photoever

Great For: Everything Else (my favorite cards)

Wool You Be Mine, Thank You Strawberry Much, Lucky To Have Found You, Doughnut Stop the Party

Calling all Friends

Hello Y'all. June is my very favorite month....fresh fruits, warm breezes, and a great time to make new friends! 

So friends, check out our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin and even our Instagram account for 11 Eureka. If you have "friended" us on any of the listed we thank you:) 

Have a HAPPY FRIDAY and great weekend!!!!!

Inspired

Once again Anthropologie finds a way to share more magic. Below are two journeys of completely two different woman with very inspiring story's. I had to show both since they are great in their own way and you will see why. Which video touches your heart strings?

Women Farmers - Tara Kolla



Women Farmers - Michelle Cotton

Small Details = Big Impact

Gerbera Dress $56.99, Eastern Exposure Dress $52.99

This summer it is all about color and detail. 

We just can't get enough of these two frocks; plenty of fringe, flowers, lace, and color:)