Can I just tell you how much blogging amazes me?
Aside from the contact with the sweetest people on a daily basis...really cool things happen sometimes.
Quite awhile back I did a post about a chocolate fudge recipe that I've been making for years. The recipe is from The Second Typically Texas Cookbook. The person who submitted the recipe was Susie Clark of Milam, TX. Yall, the pie so wonderful...you just have to try it! The recipe link is over on my sidebar. Anyway, time passed and one day I got an email from Susie Clark!! She had Googled her own name and the blog entry came up. She told me that the recipe came from her mother in law. MIL shared the recipe because it was son's favorite. If I remember correctly, Susie has been making that pie for around 30 years! I just loved that contact.
Then yesterday, I got a comment from Suzan Colon who is the author of Cherries in Winter. Just amazing! How on earth did she find out that a few bloggers were reading and commenting on her book? I'm sure there's some huge search engine that informs people of these things...but I'm just gonna pretend that I met a famous person and it made my day!
Happy Saturday to All!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Happy Friday!
image via jim franco
Yippie! It's Friday! Thanks for visiting this week :) I'll leave you with this beautiful inspiration board. I love all the b&w photography, the glamorous fabric, and that pink feather! Makes me want to add to my own board!
Hope you have a fabulous weekend everyone!
Good Morning Girls!
Grab a cup of coffee and let's talk about Cherries in Winter: My Family's Recipe for Hope in Hard Times by Suzan Colon.
Here's a little snippet from the cover description, "When Suzan Colon was laid off from her dream job at a magazine during the economic downturn of 2008, she needed to cut her budget way, way back - and that meant home cooking".
This short and sweet book is written as a personal narrative in the present and in the past. Ms. Colon relives her family history through the recipes that she digs out of the old box in the basement. Home cooking became a way to save money and connect the author with her mother and grandmother. The book is full of family stories with recipes to go along with them.
We can all relate to some of the feelings expressed in the story, whether you have lost a job or not. Family recipes mean the world to us. They make us remember where we came from and that is exactly what this book is about.
I give it two thumbs up!
Please pop over to Hospitable Pursuits to see what the other readers had to say about this book. Thanks Lisa for hosting the Hospitable Pursuits bookclub. What's next?
Grab a cup of coffee and let's talk about Cherries in Winter: My Family's Recipe for Hope in Hard Times by Suzan Colon.
Here's a little snippet from the cover description, "When Suzan Colon was laid off from her dream job at a magazine during the economic downturn of 2008, she needed to cut her budget way, way back - and that meant home cooking".
This short and sweet book is written as a personal narrative in the present and in the past. Ms. Colon relives her family history through the recipes that she digs out of the old box in the basement. Home cooking became a way to save money and connect the author with her mother and grandmother. The book is full of family stories with recipes to go along with them.
We can all relate to some of the feelings expressed in the story, whether you have lost a job or not. Family recipes mean the world to us. They make us remember where we came from and that is exactly what this book is about.
I give it two thumbs up!
Please pop over to Hospitable Pursuits to see what the other readers had to say about this book. Thanks Lisa for hosting the Hospitable Pursuits bookclub. What's next?
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Designer Spotlight: Melissa Warner of MWM
Back in January, I spotlighted the very talented design trio at Massucco Warner and Miller Interior Design and Decoration. Today I'm excited to be featuring one of the latest projects by the lovely Melissa Warner, head of the Los Angeles office. Melissa sent me photographs of a San Francisco home she recently finished for a young family. I was absolutely delighted to receive them in my inbox! I think you'll see why...
Entry
Dining Room
How great are these tangerine velvet chairs?!? They work so beautifully with the De Gournay Portobello wallpaper.
Office
This clean, uncluttered, light-filled office, with just the right amount of kelly green imperial trellis added for style, makes it an ideal work space.
Who knew office cabinets could be so glam?
Living Room
I love that these chairs are upholstered in an unexpected color -it's such a fun way to take something traditional and make it more modern
Breakfast Nook
Such amazing light! who wouldn't want to spend their mornings there?
Family Room
Boys' Room
I love the impact bold painted stripes can make.
Girl's Room
Aren't those silhouette pillows darling?
Master Dressing Room
Vanity Area in Master Bath
A perfect composition of simple and standout pieces {that mirror}!
Master Bedroom
Osbourne and Little Asuka wallpaper + plush tufted headboard+crisp bedding=bedroom perfection
I was lucky enough to do a little Q&A with Melissa. Here's what she had to say about the design project:
AB: What was the goal of the project?
M: A fresh take on the classic! The goal was to reinvent the traditional with clever details, bold patterns, and color for miles. I wanted to make the home functional and kid friendly, while maintaining a hip vibe and uniqueness that reflects the personality and youthfulness of its owners.
AB: Where did you find inspiration?
M: The clients! This young family is filled with energy and I wanted to make sure the house represented their lifestyle.
AB: What was your biggest challenge?
M: Using kid friendly fabrics without sacrificing style!
AB: What was your favorite design resource you used?
M: I worked with a local upholster who was so patient with me as we worked out every detail of tufting, nailheads, welting...the list goes on and on. I really enjoyed working with him to customize each piece and make it one of a kind.
AB: Which was your favorite room and why?
M: That's a tough one but I'd have to say the little girl's room! I had so much fun designing each detail of this space... I can't resist the turquoise and watermelon combination.
AB: Did you have to make any big compromises?
M: The client was a dream! Our visions for the space were so consistent so I didn't have to make any big compromises.
AB: Did you use any inexpensive pieces?
M: We did definitely mix and match higher end pieces with less expensive items. In the little boy's room, the beds are custom made but we paired them with lucite nesting tables from CB2 -a reasonably priced and chic solution!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Help a Girl Out Please
Calling all my brilliant decorating friends. I have been stuck on my dining room for a month now and I really need help. I have taken several pictures so you can get the overall view. Please tell me what you think I need to do. Nothing you see in the dining room is set in stone except the furniture. All accessories are just there because I've been playing and moving things around.
This chest is in the front area which is adjacent to the dining room.
The dining room has been painted Echelon Ecru by Sherwin Williams. Most of the house is this color and I love it. It's a creamy color with a hint of yellow. It's really pretty on a bright day. I'm so happy that the red is gone. I was really tired of the darkness that it brought.
I bought this console table a few weeks ago. It's the first table that I've ever found that wasn't too deep for the space. We don't want the room to feel crowded because we actually eat in here pretty often with friends.
The other side of the room. I have played with the idea of drapes but today I'm thinking not. I like the clean lines of the shutters without drapes.
Remember, all accessories are subject to change so you won't hurt my feelings.
Here are my questions and thoughts:
1. Should I leave the girl print on the wall and reframe her? The frame is too small, I think. I still have that huge round mirror that used to hang there. You can see pictures of it here.
The picture above is the living room that you see when you walk in the front door. It will not change I just wanted you to get the idea. The area is all open. See the accessories sitting on the floor? Well, I've had stuff sitting around here dangerously for awhile now.
This chest is in the front area which is adjacent to the dining room.
The dining room has been painted Echelon Ecru by Sherwin Williams. Most of the house is this color and I love it. It's a creamy color with a hint of yellow. It's really pretty on a bright day. I'm so happy that the red is gone. I was really tired of the darkness that it brought.
I bought this console table a few weeks ago. It's the first table that I've ever found that wasn't too deep for the space. We don't want the room to feel crowded because we actually eat in here pretty often with friends.
The other side of the room. I have played with the idea of drapes but today I'm thinking not. I like the clean lines of the shutters without drapes.
Remember, all accessories are subject to change so you won't hurt my feelings. Here are my questions and thoughts:
1. Should I leave the girl print on the wall and reframe her? The frame is too small, I think. I still have that huge round mirror that used to hang there. You can see pictures of it here.
2. Should I get rid of the toile on the chairs? If I do I have no idea what to put there.
3. What do you think should be on the walls? You know I have red and white, and green and white transferware on the walls in other rooms.
4. I have to keep the rug for now. I do still love it.
Usually when I redo a room, I start with fabric for inspiration. This time it was a wall color change that prompted my dilemna. I'm confused!!
Usually when I redo a room, I start with fabric for inspiration. This time it was a wall color change that prompted my dilemna. I'm confused!!
Beautiful Combo: Turquoise + Navy
Turquoise and navy are two of my absolute favorite colors to wear and use in interiors and I love them even more when paired together. They make for a pretty dynamic duo:
Monday, February 22, 2010
This Week's Sneak Peek
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Hibernating
Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me!!Hi girls! Sorry to be gone from the blogging scene. The sun has kind of disappeared here and my brain has stopped working. I've been tutoring, napping, eating, sleeping, reading, eating, sleeping, reading, eating, sleeping, reading...you get the picture. Spring really needs to come quickly!
We've also been doing college visits for several weekends in a row. Some kids are interested in one college. My son applied to 8! The decision should be made soon.Several people have asked about my dining room project. Well it is not moving along very well. I painted and then couldn't move past that point. Watch for pictures tomorrow or Tuesday so you can advise me.
Now you have to see this! Dawn at Cottage State of Mind made this adorable button to remind us to exercise and be healthy before blogging. I love it!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Armchairs Upholstered in Purple
Right now I'm loving period armchairs upholstered in purple like this one in Hamish Bowle's New York home done in purple tweed...
image via Vogue Living Australia
and this one in Lily Bunn Weeks' New York home...
image by Hugo Tillman via Vogue
upholstered in this beautiful Madeline Weinrib ikat Purple Mu fabric:
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Midweek Wisdom
image by Anna Wolf
"When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability...To be alive is to be vulnerable."
-Madeleine L'Engle
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
New Little Foot Pictures
My sister just sent me over these pictures she took of my baby boy a few weeks ago at my mom's house. He had just gotten back from the groomer's -hence the little bandana around his neck :)
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
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