Bringing Life to an Older Couch

I've had this couch about 5 years now and as I am sure any pet owner can attest you can imagine it is showing some wear now. Things have been spilled and threads are getting bare from doggie play time. 

I didn't want to take the approach of just getting a full couch cover because I felt it would take away from the wood detailing which was the reason that I was drawn to this sofa in the first place. I did try one of those pet protectors that are like throws at one point though and this actually made the situation worse! Coco and Dante both are burrowers and would dig in the corners to get underneath the cover. 

I attempted contacting the manufacturer to see if I could order new cushion covers, as the main wear was showing on the seats, but found out that I needed a serial number. This was long worn off being placed on a label under the cushions. My next tactic was to price the services of an upholsterer, but this proved to be too costly with a $450 price tag and fabric that wouldn't even match. 

I wasn't really ready to purchase a completely new couch at this point. I looked but nothing out currently truly suited me and shipping is backed up to 9 months or more as well anyway. Finally, while browsing Amazon, I think I found a solution. Faux leather cushion covers!

I was able to find them in a color that matched the faux leather ottoman I use as a coffee table. They went on super easy like a fitted sheet over the cushions and so far, seem of good quality. Time will tell how they hold up to the pups but so far, I am hopeful. I also think they add a new look to the sofa without hiding the wood detailing. 

Before:

After:

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Comment below: How do you protect your furniture from you pets? What solutions have you found? 

Cozy Loungewear Picks!

So yesterday Punxsutawney Phil gave us the sad news of 6 more weeks of winter. NOT the message I wanted to hear! Now today my little area of NE Ohio is covered in a blanket of ice with the prediction of 5-11 inches of snow to be on the ground by midday Friday. Given the prospect of more cold and snowy weather on the horizon it seemed like the perfect time to share a few of my stay home cozy finds I have been loving this winter.  

I own each of these items I am sharing and have been absolutely loving them! All run true to size...

First up are these super soft and comfortable Kate Spade pajamas that I received as a gift for Christmas. They are just heavy enough for sleep without being overly hot under the blankets. 

                                                        

In the evenings while lounging around before bed, I have been pairing these pajamas with my Butter Socks. They are super soft and warm on your tootsies!

                                                                

On days I just don't feel like getting dressed, I throw on my Ink and Ivy lounge set with a warm cardigan over it. The set is stylish enough if you had to run out or answer the door but yet still feels like being in pajamas all day. I have the set in the color scarlet.

                                                            

Around the house I have been sliding into my feathery slippers for a little added luxury. I have them in burgundy and they are the perfect darker shade to pair with the Ink and Ivy lounge set above. Unlike the marabou slippers of the past, these are actually comfortable with a flat non-skid sole and memory foam.   

                                                            

Another great find from Amazon that I have been loving are these fleece lined joggers. Not only are the comfortable and stylish, but they are also very warm! I have been wearing them tucked into boots when I have to go out and battle the elements with a shovel and they have kept me super warm! I have them in French Terry Olive and it is the perfect neutral green color.

Comment below... what cozy finds have you been living in this winter? 

*All photos credited to the sites on which items are listed, this is not an affiliate post or paid promotion. These are just products that I own and have been loving.

Snowed in Activities

So, when the winter weather strikes in full force and you really can't bear it, what do you do to not go stir crazy? Here are 10 ways I revel in being a homebody on those blustery days...

#1: Cozy up and read a book....

#2 Tackle an organization project.... I decided to go through my sweaters, here is a before and after...

#3 Find a good Netflix series to binge.... I am currently watching the new season of Ozark...

#4 Play with the pups....

#5 Zoom call an out-of-town friend....

#6 Work from home.... there are always emails to be answering and editing to do now as well since I am vlogging...

#7 Do some at home spa treatments, like a manicure or a face mask....

#8 Get some exercise, I prefer yoga....

#9 Soak in a warm bath with a Lush Bath Balm.... my absolute favorite is the Avobath....

#10 When all else fails, climb back into bed and take a nap....

What do you do when the weather keeps you in or you just don't feel like getting out? Comment below and let me know...

Please subscribe to receive notices of new posts and watch the video of my winter homebody week here: https://youtu.be/PtAZmssXZ5Y

Easy Pesto Pasta Recipe

Some nights in the winter you just want a warm meal but not the hassle of making it. Below is one of my favorite quick pasta meals with pesto sauce.

Ingredients: 

• Box of Pasta (can use any shape but I like farfalle, tortellini, or Rigatoni best)
• Jar of Pesto 
• Sliced black olives
• Sundried tomatoes
• Turkey or Italian Sausage in link form

Steps:

Boil pasta, strain, and set aside. 

Brown the meat using some olive oil in pan. 

Once browned, add olives (drained) and sundried tomatoes into pan. Cook for a few minutes to heat up.

Add pasta back into pan and stir together.

Add Pesto into pan and stir coating all noodles and until heated.

Once all ingredients combined and heated, simply plate and enjoy! 

Let me know in the comments below if you try this recipe and how it came out. Also make sure to hit the subscribe button and visit Youtube to cook along with me at: https://youtu.be/80zzkVJP2X4

Valentine's Decor

I went through my totes to see what I had to pull something together for a Valentine's decor centerpiece and found this was a holiday I was lacking in having items for. Every January I usually try to do a "no spend" month unless it is on necessities, and I think this may be why. Typically, it is in January you would be buying items for Valentine's Day. I do this each year though, to recover from all of the holiday spending that occurs at the end of the previous year. 

All I found in my stash was a table runner and garland my mom had made me. I did find some pink roses from an older arrangement though and had picked up some heart lights previously.  I also had some pearl strand lights that I did not end up using on a Christmas tree in the spare bedroom.... so, I improvised. I think it came out pretty cute though for having nothing to work with.

What do you think? Comment below... what did you do to decorate for Valentine's Day? Do you have a lot of decor for February? Do you curb your spending after the holidays? Also be sure to subscribe to receive notice of future blog posts. 

Easy Lasagna Recipe!

 For Befana last week, I made an easy lasagna dish that I make, and it was a hit. Thought I would share with you here. I also decided to venture into YouTube and posted my first ever vlog video. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/ZEm9XRN-rb8.  We can cook this recipe together; I make it in the video. It has gone live, so check it out and let me know how I did.

Lasagna recipe:

Need- box of lasagna noodles 15oz Ricotta cheese package of shredded mozzarella cheese (I used lower fat) sprinkle parmesan and Romano cheese mix 1.5lb ground beef 2 jars sauce (I prefer Del Grosso- Tomato Basil) Salt & Pepper to taste Steps- Cook the noodles and brown the beef adding salt and pepper to taste. Coat bottom of baking dish with thin layer of sauce to prevent sticking. Layer noodles on bottom, add sauce, ground beef, ricotta (spread out), mozzarella, sprinkle cheese, more sauce, layer of noodles, repeat through 3 layers. Use all Ricotta and ground beef before top layer. Finish top layer with sauce, end of Mozzarella, and sprinkle cheese. Cover with foil and place in oven at 350 for 1 hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. Remove foil and leave in another 15 minutes to brown top. Enjoy!

Comment below and let me know if you make this recipe. Also don't forget to subscribe to the right to receive notices of future blogs and check me out on Youtube!

Celebrating La Befana!

 The story of La Befana may or may not be well known to all Italians but it is one well known in my family. Befana, or The Christmas Witch, coincides with the Feast of Epiphany, or Three King's Day, on Jan. 6th which is the visiting of the three wiseman to the newly born Christ. 

Celebrations of Befana vary depending on the region on resides in Italy but the main themes, are begging for food, small gifts to children, and bonfires.

The legend of Befana begins with a peasant woman so engrossed in her cleaning chores that she declined to travel with the three wiseman who stopped by her home on their way to Bethlehem. She gave them food for the trip but stayed to sweep. And she swept and swept and thought more about it.... Finally, she decided that perhaps if a savior had been born, she should've gone herself to see and bring gifts as well. 

She finished her cleaning and tried to catch up with the three wisemen but they had gotten too far ahead. She ran to catch up and bring presents to the Baby Jesus. She still had her broom in hand and somehow ran so fast she began to fly on her broomstick but was unable to find the three wisemen. Poor old Befana never saw the baby Jesus and presented her gifts. So, each year children are presented with offerings from Befana to replace the gifts she could not deliver to the baby Jesus. It is the flying on the broom that now has her depicted as a witch. 

We celebrate Befana as the ending of the Christmas season and a reminder to always make time for Jesus no matter how busy we may be. It is a simpler celebration for us only sharing in an Italian meal to celebrate.

Comment below.... how do you end your holidays? Do you celebrate Befana? Also be sure to subscribe to receive notices of future posts.