My Mini Command Center

Awhile back, I blogged about working on a mini command center for my kitchen and shared with you a picture that was my inspiration.  I was really inspired by all the organization pins on Pinterest, and I figured it was time to tackle our little corner of a mess.  I also mentioned in this post my opinions of magnets, so this was a great way for me to reduce those as well.


I'm sure many of you can relate to placing lots of papers on the fridge.  I chose the fridge area for my command center because that is where Matt and I go to on a daily basis, so it is easy to check there often.   Now, I can store all my papers in one place instead of covering up the fridge.


I purchased Martha Stewart's Pockets in white at Staples and a dry erase board from Target.  I used Command Strips to hold everything up.

Let's take a look at the hot mess that I got to look at.  (Oh, and I decided it was time to clean that mess above the fridge too. :)

Noreply-comment user. Let's fix this ASAP {Tutorial}

You may not know that you are a NO REPLY user, but go ahead and check.  Cause I can't write ya back without an email. :)

This is soooo easy to fix.

I'm only typing this because I have not trained my eyes yet to see the noreply-comment in the to: line when I respond to your comment.  I just start typing away and a paragraph later . . . well, let's just say I'm bummed.

It's super easy, and super fast.  Just watch.

Go to your dashboard and click on edit profile. 

Click on show my email address and type in your email address.

Click on save at the bottom.
YOU'RE DONE!

told ya it was easy and fast.

now we can chat like good 'ole friends.

too {INGENIUS} not to share

Okay . . . This is totally worth sharing for all my non LDS friends out there. Well, maybe a member could pull this off somehow, but definitely not as a dress! :) I bet most of you reading this will run to your closet if you have a men's shirt and try this. I did. It totally worked!

Thanks to Polyvore for sharing!

BOOM: by JasmineAnnnnn on Polyvore.com

Just wrap it around you like a towel, and button from bottom up.

Tip and Trick

Owen's high chair needed some good scrubbin'.  My microwave oven needed some love too, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone. 

Place 2 cups of water in a microwave-safe bowl.  Add a 1/4 - 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar to it.  Microwave for 2-3 mins (you want it to get hot).  Let the bowl sit in the microwave for about a min.  Dip a rag into the water mixture and wipe your oven clean!  Food should come off really easily.  Use that water to clean countertops, high chairs, dining chairs, tables, or anything else you fancy.

9 Layer Bars

My friend, Heather, posted her 7 Layer Bar recipe, which is fantastic!  I wanted to make this, but I did it with a twist.  I think there are many possibilities for 7 Layer Bars.  Who knows.  There may be another recipe post down the road with different ingredients. You just can't go wrong with sugar and fat!

1/4 Cup (4 Tablespoons) of Butter, browned (You can just melt it, if you prefer not to brown it.)     
1 14oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 can (2.5 oz) of Evaporated Milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 Cup of Vanilla Wafers, crushed
1 scant Cup of Pretzels, crushed  *Refer to photo below for my scant
1 1/2 Cups of shredded coconut
1 1/2 Cups Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup Butterscotch Chips
1 Cup Pecans, chopped

Vanilla Wafers

Pretzels

Scant

Preheat oven to 325.  Place the butter in a 9" x 13" pan.  Place in oven.  While butter is browning, mix the two milks together in a bowl.  Add vanilla and mix.  When butter is bubbly, foamy, and part brown (not burnt), take out of the oven.  Layer the vanilla wafers, pretzels, coconut, and chocolate and butterscotch chips.  Pour the milk mixture over the top covering the entire dish.  Add chopped nuts on top.
Bake for 20-25 mins.

Chocolate Peanut Butter "Milkshake"

This came from my attempt to create "protein" shakes without using powder.  My sister gave me a scare when she found out I was giving Owen part of my protein shakes.  Enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter "Milkshake"
Serves 1 (or maybe 2 if you are willing to share ;)

In a blender combine the following and blend for a minute or until nice and smooth.

1 frozen banana
1/2 Cup Dannon Vanilla Lowfat Yogurt
3/4 Cup Silk Light Vanilla Soymilk
1 Tablespoon all natural Peanut Butter (I like to grind mine at Whole Foods)
1 1/2 Teaspoons Cocoa powder

Update:  You can freeze some of your milk to increase its thickness.  It gets really thick!
*You can increase the protein amount by using Greek yogurt instead.
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