Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Mix don't Match



The trick to mixing and matching patterns is to mix an organic print with a more linear print so it won't seam so busy. Another good tip is to make one print a larger scale and another print smaller in scale so they don't compete too much. Be bold with your choices.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Cheap Monday!!

Happy Cyber Monday! I know there are tons of great deals out there today and since you are on the web anyway stop over an check out The Vamoose they sell handmade jewelry and accessories. Today they are offering world wide free shipping.


Here is a link to other great cyber deals today. http://www.bestcybermondaysales.com/

Monday, November 22, 2010

Cheap Monday!!

Happy Thanksgiving Week! Today is a little post about how you can decorate a beautiful table this Thanksgiving without spending a lot of money. Just look outside for your inspiration. Nature is so beautiful this time of year, all you need to do is add a few of the natural elements and you have a beautiful table. One thing I like to do is add a beautiful floral arrangement, a place card (which makes everyone feel like you have made a special effort just for them), and some fresh fruit, nuts, or pumpkins. If you can't afford a beautiful tablecloth, look in your linen closet for a decorative sheet. I have a brown Ralph Lauren king sheet with red roses on it that would work perfect. Here are a few inspiration pics to help you set a beautiful table this year. Another tip is to set the table a few days early, it will help you get in the Holiday Spirit.





Saturday, November 20, 2010

Happy Weekend!!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

xoxo

*Image from the Satoralist

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Excuse Me Overstock!!

                                                                5' x 8' wool rug $147.00
                                                                5'x8' wool rug $164.00
                                             5' x 8' Thom Felicia Indoor Outdoor Rug $ 159.99
                                           5' x 8' Thom Felicia Indoor Outdoor Rug $159.99
                                                Set of 2 galvanized steel counter stools $104.99
                                                            Modern sofa bed $821.99

I'm sorry I didn't give you enough credit before Overstock.com  ! These rugs are beautiful, the barstools unique, the nesting tables are one of my favorite iconic pieces. One of the best things is this modern sofa thing is it's actually a love seat with a chair, but can be configured in so many ways including a full length sofa and a fold out flat bed. AND....  remains to look so much better than a futon, so if you move apartments in the next year this piece will be versatile enough to make it through.

PS. Did you see the price on all of these! No I'm not getting paid by Overstock :)

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Cheap Monday!!



Try making your own wreaths this holiday season. These are so simple and elegant and I love a wreath at the front door for the holidays. All you need is a pretty ribbon and some fall foliage from your yard and bingo bango you're in the holiday spirit.  These were made my Emily Thompson in Brooklyn.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Dreamy Bay Winows





Tuesday, November 9, 2010

How to write a thoughtful THANK YOU note....


The Holidays are coming up......If you've never written Grandma to thank her for that sweater that she has given you the last five years in a row; maybe thank her this year and she will remember she gave it to you. 
Here are my tips:
1. Don’t Bury the Lead. When you’re writing to ask someone for a favor, it’s appropriate to add a little chitchat at the forefront of your message, but when thanking someone, come right on out and say it (and be sure to mention the gift/favor/act of kindess specifically!). They’ll appreciate that your sole reason for writing is to thank them for their kindness.
2. Tell the Giver How/Where You Will Use Their Gift. For example: “Thank you so much for the beautiful vase. I’ve already filled it with flowers and placed it on my mantle and it looks fabulous.” If you’ve received a gift-card, and you haven’t used it yet, tell the giver how much you are looking forward to that massage or afternoon of shopping at your favorite store.
3. Let the Giver Know That You Like Them As Much As You Like Their Gift. If you received the gift in person, let the giver know how much you enjoyed seeing them at that particular event or holiday. If you received the gift in the mail, tell them that you are looking forward to seeing them at the next event you’ll both be attending.
4. Wrap It Up. This is where you write that you hope the giver is doing well, thank them again for thinking of you, and send them your best.
Almost everyone appreciates a thoughtful thank-you note, and if you follow these tips it shouldn’t be a chore to write one—you might even enjoy it!

*Find out more tips HERE the cute card is from HERE 

Monday, November 8, 2010

Cheap Monday!!








This week is all about stationary and pretty text. I'm not sure why I love things that are personalized with text or initials, but I really do. It seems classic and old fashioned but when done in a fresh new way I really love it. IOMOI is an amazing company that personalizes anything from business and calling cards to pillows and bags. I especially love their lucite trays. Now this company isn't exactly a cheap monday sort of post, but they do have some amazing sales and the idea of personalizing in a new way is easy to do with a stencil or a monogram, just look outside of the box. Check them out HERE .

Have a wonderful Monday! :)

Friday, November 5, 2010

Happy Friday!!





This wonderful before and after is brought to you by Design Sponge.  If I had a dining room it would look alot like this one. A dining room is a place to gather with friends and family and enjoy great food, it should also be a beautiful and welcoming space.
I hope you have a great weekend filled with great food and friends to share it with!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Home Made Twix Bars


Homemade Twix Bars
 adapted from Sherry Yard’s, “Desserts By The Yard”



Shortbread

5 1/2 ounces (1 stick plus 3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups cake flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons ground rice (rice processed in a spice grinder until it is able to pass through a fine sieve to remove chunks)*

Make the Shortbread:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-X-13-inch baking pan with pan spray and line with parchment paper. Spray the parchment.

In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Gradually add the flour, ground rice and salt and allow the dough to come together. The dough will be crumbly but should hold together when you squeeze it.

Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the baking pan. Place in the oven and bake for 12 minutes. Rotate the pan from front to back and bake for another 10 minutes, until the shortbread is a deep golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a rack to room temperature.
*Several people have asked about the rice. I just used what I had in the house – brown rice, and the results were great. It’s not the same as rice flour because you want to have a little bit of texture. The purpose of the rice is to give the base of this cookie a unique crunch that remarkably resembles the store-bought Twix. This can be omitted without drastically changing the finished product. But I encourage you to try it. I really love the texture it gives.


Meanwhile, prepare the ….

Caramel

2 cups sugar
3/4 cup Lyle’s Golden Syrup (Regular corn syrup is fine)
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/4 teaspoon salt plus more for sprinkling over the caramel layer
Make the Caramel:

Combine the sugar, golden syrup, water, and lemon juice in a large saucepan. Remove any sugar crystals from the sides of the pan by wiping down the sides with water. You can use your hand or a pastry brush. Place the pot on medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Wipe down any stray sugar crystals that appear using a very clean and wet pastry brush. Do not stir from this point on. Keep an eye on the pan. The mixture will be very bubbly.

When the sugar syrup starts to turn golden brown insert a candy thermometer to check the temperature. When it reaches 300°F, remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for 1minute, or until the bubbles subside. Carefully whisk in the heavy cream. Stir until smooth, then whisk in the condensed milk. Add the salt (vanilla salt is very nice here if you have it) Whisk until smooth.

Return the pan to the heat and stir constantly over medium heat until the caramel reaches 240°F. Remove from the heat and pour over the shortbread. While the caramel is warm sprinkle the surface with the best quality salt you have. Kosher is fine, Fleur de Sel is better, Maldon would be my preferred choice.

Allow to set. This will take about 2 hours.
Once the caramel layer has cooled prepare your …

Chocolate Glaze
6 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (Bittersweet chocolate chips also work)
2 tablespoons butter

Melt the chocolate and butter over a bain marie or in the microwave. If using the microwave melt it slowly – in 30 second intervals. Stir well after each interval.

Once completely melted pour over the caramel. Using an offset spatula, smooth the chocolate in a nice even layer.

Place in the refrigerator to set. They cut best when chilled.

Cut into desired shape and size. Serve.

*Images and Recipie found HERE. Another great at home Twix recipie HERE.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Cheap Monday!!


Patterned drapes can make a huge impact on a space. Custom drapery can cost as much as a small elephant, another option is to buy ready made drapes and hem them to fit. World Market, West Elm, and Ikea are great pleaces to find inexpensive patterened drapes.

*Image from Decor Pad 

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