Coffee Tables + Ottomans.

I am slowly but surely crossing shiz off my house to-do list.  I have wanted a new coffee table for awhile now.  Our old one which I had since my pre-marriage days was just way too big in our den.  It dominated the room.  I wanted something smaller and sleeker so I could have room to do two ottomans on the side for extra seating.  

I first spied the perfect coffee table on Pinterest (of course) and stalked it to find it was from Urban Outfitters of all places.  Here is the original picture I saw that sold me on the table.

 

{Criss Cross Coffee Table}
A great table right???  I loved the sleek modern look and the fact that it was not too big.  Plus Urban Outfitters has great prices and free shipping over $50.  A no brainer when ordering furniture.

Here she is in our den.  I think it is just the look I was going for.  It made our room feel so much more spacious without our giant coffee table.
(sorry for the grainy pics I was lazy just using my iphone plus our camera sucks)

  Now I just need two ottomans for the other side.  I can't decide if I want X-Bench ones or small square nailhead ones.

I adore the snakeskin x-bench ones in Jen Ramos's home.  Just perfect, they make me lean in the direction of x-bench.

However I also love these square ones.

I have been scoping out these two from Ballard Designs.  The prices are pretty good although not sure about quality because I have never ordered from there.   There are also alot of fabric choices which is nice.

Then I found this set on Overstock.  Such a freaking steal.  $199 for the pair!  Only thing is they are made with faux leather can't decide if that would look cheap in person and bother me.  Is faux leather lame?

Lastly here is my other concern, this bench under our entryway table.  I don't want it to look like too many similar benches in our den.   Or do I want them all to relate and look similar.  I can always move it to a bedroom but it fits perfectly under the table right now.

So what would you do?  X-bench or small square ones?  Any other places to shop for them?  Any of the above winners?  Give me your best decorating advice!  What should a girl do??

Blog Sale!

I thought it might be fitting to run a blog sale after my closet feature:)  You know me with the New Year I am cleaning things out making room for new.  I do this every few months.  So here you go.  Shipping is $5 and email me at nataliemason24@yahoo.com if you are interested in anything!  I will combine shipping if you buy more than one thing.

BANANA REPUBLIC GEOMETRIC SHIFT DRESS

SIZE= 4

MINT CONDITION, WORN LIKE ONCE

$35
SOLD

BANANA REPUBLIC NAVY GEOMETRIC SHIFT DRESS

SIZE= 4

MINT CONDITION

$35
SOLD

MISSONI FOR TARGET CHEVRON BUTTON UP BLOUSE

SIZE= SMALL

NEW WITHOUT TAGS

$20
SOLD

MISSONI FOR TARGET RAINBOW CHEVRON BALLET FLATS

SIZE= 9

NEW WITH TAGS

$20
SOLD

 DIANE VON FURSTENBERG BLOUSE

SIZE= 2

RUNS ON THE LARGE SIDE

MINT CONDITION

$65
SOLD

ENVI ONE SHOULDER DRESS

SIZE= SMALL

MINT CONDITION WORN TWICE

$60

COLLECTIVE CONCEPTS STRIPPED TUNIC

SIZE= SMALL

WORN ONCE

$45
SOLD

RORY BECCA SHORT SLEEVE BLOUSE

SIZE= SMALL

MINT CONDITION

THIS BLOUSE IS A REALLY PRETTY ROYAL BLUE JUST NOT PHOTOGRAPHING THAT COLOR

$55
SOLD
 

BANANA REPUBLIC IKAT BLOUSE

SIZE= XS

WORN ONCE

$35

REBECCA TAYLOR BLOUSE

SIZE= 2

WORN ONCE, MINT CONDITION

$75

JBRAND GRAY JEANS

SIZE= 28

NEW WITH TAGS, RETAILED FOR $158

STYLE OF JEANS IS SOME FADING ON FRONT

$60

AKA NEW YORK TUNIC/DRESS

SIZE= SMALL

NEW WITHOUT TAGS

IF YOU ARE SHORT THIS COULD TOTALLY BE A DRESS BUT IT WAS MORE TUNIC LIKE ON ME BC I AM TALL (5'9)

$50
SOLD

T-BAGS SHIRT

SIZE= MEDIUM

MINT CONDITION

$40

Baked Crab and Artichoke Dip

Random confession but I have never made a crab dip before.  Not sure why because I love crab dip but never have!  Our friends had us over for dinner Sunday night and I knew it was the perfect time to try out a crab dip recipe.  Matt and I scoured the internet trying to find the best one and this one fit the bill.  It was so easy to whip together and delish! The crab and artichoke pair perfectly together and it is filled with lots of cheese.  So darn good- but not for your waist line:)

It is super important to buy good crab meat.  I bought the lump kind in a can you can get near the fresh seafood.  Costs a little more but so worth it flavor and texture wise.
We served our dip with Pretzel Thins and Bagel Crisps.   Enjoy but be forewarned its is hard to stop eating this dip, it melts in your mouth!

**The original recipe called for pico de gallo to be sprinkled over the top but we were lazy and left that part out but I included it on the directions in case you guys want to try it.  I don't think it needs it but it could be good with it.**

BAKED CRAB AND ARTICHOKE DIP 
(adapted from Confections of a Food Bride)
Ingredients:

• For the crab dip:
• 8 oz cream cheese (I use reduced-fat)
• 1/2 cup mayo (I use light)
• 1/2 cup fat-free greek yogurt (I used 0% Fage)
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1 1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese, divided (I regularly split with Fontina, can also sub Monterrey jack or Mozzarella)
• 14 oz can of quartered artichoke hearts, drained
• 8-12 oz jumbo lump crab meat
• Salt
• Pepper

• For the pico de gallo:
• 2 roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
• 1 handful cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup green onion tops, chopped
• Squeeze of lime juice
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Beat the cream cheese, mayo, and yogurt together until smooth.
2. Add the white and light parts of the green onions (dark green parts will be used for the pico), lemon juice, and 1 1/4 cup grated cheese.
3. Fold in artichokes and crab.
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Transfer to a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish and spread evenly, sprinkling the remaining cheese on top..
6. Bake for ~20 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.
7. To make the pico, toss all ingredients together and set aside until ready to serve.
8. Remove the dip from the oven, top with pico, and serve with blue corn tortilla chips, crackers, or toasted crostini.
9. Best when hot or very warm, leftovers will keep a couple of days. Can be assembled ahead of time and then baked at the last minute.

Want to See my Closet??

Want to see a sneak peak in my closet??  Well, the girls over at Style Spies asked me to participate in their Open Closet Series and I was more than thrilled to show off my goods. 

  Don't get too excited we live in a tiny house which means tiny closets but my closet is still my happy place.  I like to keep it organized and accessible because it houses all my favorite things!  And lets be real I did take over two of the closets in our house.

 

 You can check out my interview HERE and see some pics of my closet!  And a big thank you to my girl Katherine for taking my pictures!!  If you live in Charlotte you should contact her for pictures she rocks!

Obsessions

{UGG SCUFFETTE SLIPPERS}

These are the best slippers ever.  They are all I wear around the house.  It feels like my feet are embedded in fluffy pillows.  You need a pair if you don't own a pair.  Trust me on this one they are the ultimate slippers.

{ELLA MOSS SANTA FE MAXI DRESS}

Adore this dress.  Both colors are fabulous.  A must have for Summer- or now paired with a cute leather jacket/cardigan.

{RORY BECCA EBB HENLEY DRESS}

Perfect everyday dress. Currently on its way to my house can't wait to get my hands on this beauty!

{GRACE CODDINGTON A MEMOIR}

I finally picked up this book and it is great!  If you don't know Grace worked with Anna Wintour at Vogue.  This book is filled with some great behind the scenes fashion stories!  Plus I love the orange cover, I love looking at it on my nightstand!

{GWYNETH PALTROW'S KITCHEN}

Her cabinets are the perfect gray- Galveston Gray by Benjamin Moore.  Seriously considering painting either my kitchen or bathroom cabinets this color.

{QUOTE}

So True.  Great daily reminder.

Acupuncture, Barre, Randoms and a Winner!

The start of the New Year means I am getting down to business.  I have been eating healthy and taking care of myself.  This involved trying Acupuncture and a Barre Class.  

I have wanted to try Acupuncture for awhile now.  I have heard such great things about it.  I went to a local place here called Charleston Community Acupuncture.  When I first walked in I was like this is so not for me.  There was weird hippie music playing and it just had an earthy vibe.  Those things make me uncomfortable.  I really wanted to leave.  However since I was there and had an appt I decided to give it a shot.   Since it is a community place you are in a room with other people, you are fully clothed but that part was a bit weird to me, so the owner gave me a semi private room which made me feel way more comfortable.   I was so nervous but Chad (the owner) helped me take a few deep breaths and relax.  The needles did not hurt one bit and it was the most relaxed I have been in a long time.  I seriously think I dozed off for a few minutes and I am not a napper. My mind and body just felt at peace and crazy relaxed.  I honestly forgot there were needles in me.  I know you need to go several times for results and I def plan to go back weekly.  

I bought a Living Social deal a few weeks ago for a set of  Barre classes and tried it out this week.  I am no stranger to barre workouts, as I own the Physique 57 DVDS which are basically the same thing.  But the class was way harder.  Maybe because people were watching me I pushed myself harder but it was an insane workout.  I went to Barre Evolution and highly recommend.  I was so sore afterwards which means it was a great workout. I went twice last week and plan to keep it up.  My body needs some toning for real and I think this is just the thing to accomplish that.

 

In other random news, I am obsessed with this Theory Blouse I got after Christmas.  It is on crazy sale right now, go get you one you will love it.

{Theory Brundia Silk Top}

I found knobs for my Hutch, thanks to Caitlin Marie who alerted me to the Restoration Hardware sale. These beauties are going to look perfect.

We had perfect weather here this weekend and spent alot of time outdoors.   Crazy warm temps for January but we enjoyed it anyways!  A few snapshots from our weekend.

Last thing the winner of the A-Thread Giveaway is:  Lala!!  Shoot me an email with your info and I will get you your gift card!

Happy Monday Dolls!! 

xoxo