Real life Pinterest wins and fails

I think pretty much everyone is obsessed with Pinterest at this point. In fact, I was discussing with my sisters last weekend how we ever lived without it! I guess people told each other about new recipes?? Strange....

We've been trying a lot of Pinterest ideas in real life lately, and I wanted to share the verdicts with you in case there's any you're thinking about trying for yourself.

Project: Freshen your house with vanilla in the oven
Verdict: WIN


We are coming to the end of a two week heat wave where we haven't opened a single window and have run the A/C units constantly. Our house just smelled a little stale. A small squirt of vanilla baked in a mug at 300 degrees made our house smell heavenly.

Project: Hang your scissors on a magnet strip
Verdict: WIN


We found the magnet strip at IKEA - it's real purpose is to hang knives. It works wonders in the sewing room - no more wondering where your scissors went or having to store them on the counter. Plus, if you have little hands you want to keep your scissors from, this will do the trick.

Project: Submerge your nails in ice water to dry them

Verdict: FAIL

I was super excited to read that if you put your wet nails in ice water for three minutes, the polish will emerge dry and the extra polish will come off your skin. Guess what? Neither happened. Nails just looked like they'd been smudged, and polish still on skin. Bummer.

Project: Baked Parm Zucchini

Verdict: WIN

This is my new favorite way to eat zucchini. It was so delicious and easy... not to mention a decently healthy way to add more flavor. Yum!

Project: Mini Caprese Salads on a Toothpick

Verdict: FAIL

These tasted fine, but I don't know how the person who made the originals got them to look so pretty. Mine looked ridiculous. Plus, unless you have perfectly round tomatos, which you'd never find, they won't stand up. Cute idea... poor execution.

Project: Dying skewers for a party

Verdict: WIN

I did these for our Mother's Day Brunch and it was adorable. 

Project: Bread in a Dutch Oven

Verdict: WIN

I tried this just a few days ago and it was AWESOME. I've never made bread before and it made me feel all womanly and pioneerish. Plus, the bread was delicious and it took four ingredients I already had in my house (flour, water, yeast, salt).

I feel like this list could go on forever, and there are people who have whole blogs talking about what they try from Pinterest (how do I get that job?). What wins have you had that I'll want to try, and what fails do I need to stay away from??

What I'm Pinning

I love Pinterest. Words can't even describe how much I love Pinterest. There are so many things that I love about it - seeing what my friends are into, saving ideas, becoming inspired for projects.

The thing I love best however, is that it's an insight into my psyche. Just kidding - that's creepy. But a little bit, it is! I like to look back on what I've recently pinned to find patterns. Oh - every room that I've pinned has grey walls? Note to self, paint a room grey. Things like that.

Here are a few of my most recent pins so you can psychoanalyze me!

Funniest thing EVER. You mix water and chicken stock, freeze some treats and toys inside, and your dog will behave for hours. Sometimes I just pin things that make me chuckle.

A guide on what vegetables to plant next to each other in your garden. I am yearning for spring. And cheaper vegetables.

I am looking for an excuse to drink more wine.

I have been running for six weeks. That totally justifies a pan of these, right?!?
Quick, someone have a birthday!!!

I have a new found love for crocheting. And at least twice a week I say, "Zac, have you seen my crochet thing? I think it's blue. I don't remember where it is. Do you have it?"
He does not. Nor does he find looking for it amusing.

Who actually has a house like this? WHO? Because I want to move in with them.

You can follow me on Pinterest and see what else I'm loving these days by clicking here:

I'd love to see what you're pinning! If I'm not already following you, please leave me your Pinterest name in the comments so I can!