Blog - The Moody Mortal

Adding Bead Board Accent Walls`

February 21, 2021

One of the things that I've been trying to do in our home is to add vintage touches that make our home feel less like a new build and more like a 150 year old beauty. We lived in a home built in 1890 for several years that I absolutely loved - so I'm using her as a bit of inspiration. There was a small space off the side of the house that was used as a three season porch that had floor to ceiling bead board walls. So, we decided to take the old school vibe of that space and reinvent it for our ... VIEW POST

Braided Chocolate Swirl Bread Recipe

February 16, 2021

I just want to preface this post by saying - I had absolutely nothing to do with this *wildly waving hands about* baking feat. Okay -- I take that back. I was the one who started watching The Great British Baking Show (I pulled Derek along for the ride, as usual). We both fell in love and Derek became inspired (and, hey, if the dude wants to bake me delectable chocolatey bread, I'm not going to complain). After watching baker after baker struggle to create this Braided Chocolate Swirl Bread ... VIEW POST

Vintage Loveseat Deconstruct Project

February 8, 2021

There's nothing like a great furniture find (the older and cheaper the better)! Now, I've attempted a couple reupholstery/furniture refresh projects that have been absolute fails. After a chalk-paint-gone-bad and a traditional-upholstery-gone-awry, I was put out and frustrated. I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars getting a professional to fix my Marketplace bargain finds -- what's the point in that? I came across an antique sofa deconstruct from my friend Mercedes over at ... VIEW POST

A Focus on Sustainability With Spending

February 5, 2021

Ugh. That's how I feel when it comes to looking at my spending habits. I am notoriously impulsive and live-in-the-moment which does not equate to sustainability in the least. It's something I can honestly say I "suck" at, friends. That's why I wanted to start my focus on sustainability with spending. To me, an attitude of sustainability means that you're both living in the moment and looking towards the future -- always considering how the choices you make will impact you, those around you, and ... VIEW POST

Easy Crock Pot Chai Tea

January 28, 2021

This is an easy crock pot chai tea recipe that has made it onto my "let's make this again" list (and that's a rarity, let's be honest). If you were to ask me "coffee or tea," I would have to lean on the coffee side. However, it is really too close to call. I've loved tea since I was a kid. My dad would wake me up before school and bring me piping hot sweet tea. Then, I would run myself a bath and slowly sip the morning blues away (yes, this is a 10 year old Jess - I have never been a morning ... VIEW POST

Drop Cloth Curtain Hack

January 15, 2021

I've been dreaming of long, textured, linen curtains that pool dramatically on the floor. Why? So the kids can play hide and seek or maybe use them as napkins? Or maybe so the cats can have a grand old time swinging from one to the other by their claws. *Eyeroll* Obviously, I have several reasons I don't want to invest in super expensive linen drapes. We can't have nice things, here (jk, jk). BUT I'm always on the hunt for different ways to get the look I love for less and this drop cloth ... VIEW POST