Easy pillow cover

This pillow was so easy to make... I did not take many pictures. I will explain it step by step, in case you want to give this a try:

You need:

Pillow form - I used 18"x18" (these go on sale 50% off quite often at Joanns)
Fabric for both the front and back of the pillow - I have been wanting a Union Jack pillow for a while so on our trip to England, last year, I got myself a tea towel and turned it into a pillow, I used regular white fabric for the back.

Instructions:

1. Before cutting the fabric use a ruler to draw the outline of the pillow with a fabric pencil to the exact measument of the pillow form (18x18). Cut allowing 1/2 inch allowance for the seam. Cut two pieces from your backing fabric that are the same length of the pillow, but 4 inches shorter on the width. My pieces were 18 x 14 (with 1/2 inch seam allowance).
2. Create hems on the 2 shorter pieces by folding the fabric over towards the back 1/2 inch and iron.
3. Next, lay your front fabric piece face up. Lay one of the backing pieces on top, facing down, so right sides are together. Position the raw edge of the backing piece on the left edge of the front piece. The hemmed edge will be in the middle. Pin in place.
4. Lay the other backing piece on top with the raw edge aligned with the right edge of the front fabric piece. The hemmed sides will overlap in the middle. Pin in place.
5. Sew around all four edges using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Remove your pins and trim the corners.
6. Turn the pillow case right side out. Using the eraser end of a pencil, push your corners out. The pillow case is done! Put your pillow form into the case. The back pieces will overlap nicely in the back.

And you've got a new Union Jack pillow! It's really that easy. Give it a try!

See another easy pillow here and how to embellish your pillow here

Farro salad

I have been in a healthy eating kick as of late... Mostly trying to stay away from meats (really, trying my hardest to keep a vegan lifestyle... Some days are good, other not...) Here is a colorful salad recipe I've tried and loved, I wanted to share it with you

Farro Salad

Ingredients:

4 cups water
10 ounces farro (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
1 pound tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/2 sweet onion chopped
1/4 cup snipped fresh chives
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

Combine the water and farro in a medium saucepan. Add 2 teaspoons of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the farro is tender, about 30 minutes. Drain well, and then transfer to a large bowl to cool.

Add the tomatoes, onion, chives, and parsley to the farro, and toss to combine.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Add the vinaigrette to the salad and toss to coat.

The salad can be refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Recipe from here

See other healthy salads here

19/52

Running errands and visiting with friends... It was a lovely weekend indeed.

Have a great week everybody!

The {Unofficial} Atlanta day tour

So, the husband has been on a business trip in Malaysia for couple of weeks now, we have been living vicariously through his time there (the little free time he gets is spent visiting the sites and indulging on the food). He calls us everyday and tell us about the places he has visited, so that got me thinking... If a friend was to come to town and ask me what to do for the day... What would I suggest?

Here are my {humble}suggestions, feel free to leave a comment with any suggestions:

Start your day with a yummy breakfast from West Egg Cafe

Picture from here

Make your way to The High Museam of Art - Free the first Saturday of every month to Bank of America card holders and Fulton County residents.

Picture from here

Visit the permanent exhibition. Make sure to check the calendars to see the temporary exhibitions too... Don't forget to let the kiddos discover their inner artists at the Greene Family Learning Gallery

Picture from here

After getting a dose of art, walk your way to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Picture from here

Or even better, take a walk at Piedmont Park (right next door to the Botanical Gardens) - If there is a festival going on, hang around for some people watching and food tasting from our local food trucks

Picture from here

Or pick up a picnic lunch from Metro Fresh and leisure walk the park... Great views of the city!!!

Picture from here

If you are craving a change of scenery, head to Virginia Highland (just a short drive) for window shopping and people watching.

Picture from here

Once you worked up an appetite, choose from a variety of restaurants around Virginia Highland for dinner (Murphy's is a favorite but there are many others, with different price ranges)

Save some space for an after dinner treat. Walk up to Paolo's and grab a gelato... Call it a day...

I hope you like my Atlanta-in-a-day itinerary... I had fun putting it together.

For other things to do around our town, go here.

Atlanta Area Photographer

Hey there... Did I forget to mention I take family portraits?

How sweet are these girlies! They were so great too... Such a pleasure to photograph.

Contact me at planandplay1{at}gmail{dot}com to set up a photoshoot!

18/52

She: Looking forward to our trip to Turkey... (Did you hear the news?... Go here to the the scoop)
He: So done with school... Ready for the Summer to start.

Happy Monday friends!

Menu for the week

Chicken tortilla soup/Salad
Potato, cheese and bacon pie/Salad
Braised butter beans over polenta
Potato Tikka Masala/Basmati rice


Breakdown:

Aldi $25
Kroger $20

It's been awhile since I share thoughts about school lunches (need a refresher? Go here and here)... Ann Cooper is a hero! Tell it like it is Ann...



I credit Jamie Oliver for showing me the way our schools are feeding our children. He's pretty awesome too.
Have a good weekend!