Decorating with Dina Michele

My trip to Home Goods was well worth it! I found a lot of great items. I’m not sure if people in NJ are avid Rae Dunn collectors because there was an entire end cap stocked with it. I also found pieces throughout the aisles. I picked up the STIR spoon rest and SUGAR bowl with lid. I like to mix and match my decor pieces so I picked up this black with white polka dot creamer pitcher. Kitchen towels added some texture and pattern. This is a neutral decor theme but you could easily add color. I made this marshmallow garland from nylon rope and these white foam pieces on wire. Tying some fabric on the mugs added extra cuteness! Get creative with things around the house. Shop for inexpensive accessories that can turn the ordinary into something extraordinary! You will see in my video how it all came together . Hope you enjoy it! For more decorating ideas instagram.com/dinamicheleferdman

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins Winter is my favorite time to bake. I love the smells of freshly baked goods filling the house. There is just something about it that brings me back to my childhood. My family loves this recipe! It’s super easy and we always seem to have over ripe bananas on hand. Go figure?  Enjoy! INGREDIENTS  3 ripe bananas (mashed to about 1 cup) 1/3 cup melted butter 3/4 cup of sugar 1 large egg beaten 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract  1 teaspoon of baking soda  Pinch of salt 1 1/2 cups of flour 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips  DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pan with liners Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside Mash bananas with a whisk then add the melted butter Add egg, vanilla and sugar Gradually add the dry ingredients, (careful not to over mix) Fold in the chocolate chips  Spoon into muffin pan Bake for 25-30 minute If toothpick come

Christmas has come and gone. Now is the time to change up the decor. I thought I would start with my recent purchases from Hobby Lobby. I changed the theme from Christmas Lodge to a baking theme. I brought in my large farmhouse sign over the window to start.  I hung a rolling pin, cutting board and old sifter on my handmade wall rack. Behind it lays a rag garland. Added some green branches with pine cones in the mason jars. Above that is my fresh baked cookies sign. My rustic ladder at the end of the wall with some baskets and such. I finally got a tiered tray that has a s’mores theme to it. Jars filled with chocolate chips, Golden Grahams and mini marshmallows. Two garland wreaths and handmade marshmallows on sticks. A tablecloth and ruffled runner to complete this look. This should get me through the winter season until I add some Valentine’s Day decor in February.   Please visit my Instagram page for more inspiration     instagram.com/dinamicheleferdman