My spin on the Anthro dresser...



Anthropologie




Oliver's home decor




Oliver's home decor

 In the blog world this Anthropologie dresser was a big hit! I love the concept of it but my clients often request furniture on the "dressier" side of decorating. I put my spin on it and used my favorite font to dress up the numbers, then a little distressing. I loved the outcome so much I almost kept it for myself. My price tag is also much cheaper than the anthro version at a whopping $1000.00!

Playing Catch Up....

A few of my projects I am finally posting. My life has been a whirlwind the past 4 months but I am feeling like I can finally come up for air. I completed my "pottery barn" wall and did so with "shopping" things around my home. I had all of the frames pictured and made the No.5 plaque myself along with the wine cork push pin frame. I purchased the cookbook art from etsy and placed them in my frames. Excuse the pictures as this wall is across from my pantry so I had to photograph at an angle and with my iphone as my camera is on the fritz.

Valentine's Day and Falling.....

falling off the wagon that is. January is known for healthy resolutions and then February comes along with it's hearts, flowers and chocolates and ruins it all. I love  a great piece of chocolate just like the next girl but this V-Day I refuse to fall off of my little red wagon. (Not to mention my trainer will make me accountable for every unhealthy morsel I put in my mouth) If you have seen these cocoa roasted almonds in the store and wondered if they are any good, let me put your mind at ease....they are wonderful! Huge hit of cocoa, slightly sweet, with a nice little crunch...wow I believe that covers all the criteria for the perfect snack. Where the taste had me at hello...the label had me saying bye bye with modified food starch, artificial flavors, and sucralose. But low and behold my valentine's day heart I have stumbled upon a healthy recipe for these jewels, not to mention they can be made at home at a much cheaper price. So throw caution to the wind, stay on your wagon, and have a great cocoa filled Valentines Day! Enjoy!

Spiced Cocoa Nuts
1egg white
2Tbs high quality cocoa powder
3Tbs. xylitol
1/4tsp vanilla
1/2tsp cinnamon
1/4tsp salt
1/8tsp ground cloves
3cups raw almonds (or have a party in your mouth and use a variety of nuts to equal the three cups)
Preheat oven to 325 and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl whisk egg white for at least 30 seconds until light and foamy. Add cocoa, xylitol,vanilla, cinnamon, salt and cloves, and whisk together until smooth. Stir in nuts until well coated. Spoon nuts onto prepared cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake 7 minutes and stir. Bake another 7 minutes and stir again. (be carful not to overcook, as they will scorch)Allow nuts to cool and break up if necessary. They will harden as they cool. Store in glass container in refrigerator.
Note: Xylitol is a naturlly occuring sugar found in berries, fruit, veggies, and mushrooms. It is lower in calories than sugar and does not require insulin to metabolize so it is a good choice for diabetics.
Almonds are a great source for calcium, magnesium, and folic acid. High in antioxidants and contains phyotchemicals to support cardiovascular health and prevent cancer.

 

He Really Gets Me....

Newton Running Shoes

I could eat this everyday!

During a conversation with my husband the other night I mentioned that the brand of running shoes I have been wanting was offering a giveaway with every pair purchased. The catch is you have to purchase them by Valentine's Day. He looked at me and said "are you kidding? I planned for your Valentine's Day to take you for sushi and then to get you custom fit for the running shoes you have been wanting." I seriously found myself getting misty eyed. Not because I get the shoes I have been obsessing about, but because I married a man who really "gets me". I have found a love for running and so he too shares my interest and obviously listens to me ramble on about my time, gait, distance, injury prevention....he is my biggest cheerleader, and my best friend. Happy Valentine's Day!

The Big Fat Elephant.....

pottery barn

Winterberry Cottage/Etsy

Google search

Google

RU Piper Designs/Etsy

The wall across from my pantry is like the big
fat elephant in the room. It is tucked into a hallway that guests rarely see so I have neglected it, I am afraid to say. When I was asked to be on the Holiday Home Tour this past Christmas I started looking around at all the little nooks and crannies that I have longed to embellish but because they are somewhat unseen I had never done. Well I was told to "get it together" because the Holiday Home Tour committee would be calling on me again this year. So I will be tackling my pantry hallway immediatley. This wall is a huge canvas so I turned to the masters....Pottery Barn. I found an inspiration wall and I am moving forward. These are my inspiration photos...my own will follow shortly...I hope!

Old World Christmas

I searched high and low to find new items to offer my customers who clearly have a love for the old world look like I do. The garland that I found this year is probably the prettiest I have seen. Burnished silver, aged gold and a distinct old world feel. I have brought the angels back this year and added antiqued gold bayleaf garlands and wreaths. I love this color scheme as it works well with all decors. What is your favorite color scheme for Christmas decor?

Much Needed Fall Break

With fall break here my youngest and I decided to have a cupcake bake-off. She loves to be in the kitchen and I love watching her work her "magic". We each came up with our own signature cupcake and had our family vote on their favorite. We had such a great time and I will cherish these memories forever. Her cupcake was decorated with the Oct. 31st pick and was a spice cake with a pumpkin flavored buttercream frosting (she created her own homeade frosting....I was super impressed). Mine was the crow cupcake and was a yellow cake with homeade chocolate buttercream frosting drizzled with caramel with a small sprinkling of sea salt (think chocolate covered pretzels). She loves photography so we staged our cupcakes and photographed them while pretending we worked for a major magazine (think Country or Southern Living). Hope you are all having a fantastic fall season!