Friday, February 15, 2013

A beach house project!




Before I begin this post...got in 4 fabulous dough bowls yesterday. All stunning, they go fast and there are always people wanting one....so if interested email me here.


Good Friday morning! I really enjoy the relatively new concept of e-desgn. Its a lot of fun and I am working on two great projects right now. One of them is a project for a wonderful lady who wants to freshen up her beach house. She was open to ideas/colors but prefers earth tones, however was not opposed to introducing other colors into the room. We are starting with the living room. The idea was to create a sophisticated, but fresh inviting vibe to the space. In the next room over, the family room, there is navy and off white. There is a lot of sunlight and very high ceilings. (we have not really addressed art or wall application yet).

 So I started with the earth tones, to honor her wishes and because we all know that when you start with a neutral palette, it makes it so easy to change things up when and if you want to down the road. I came up with four mood broads, which I am sharing with you today. Mind you, these are concepts at this point and will be tweaked and fine tuned when she decides which way she wants to go. Its always fun to hear your take...so if you we redoing a beach house living room, which of these would you choose?

 
 
CHOICE 1
CHOICE 2
 
 
CHOICE 3
 
CHOICE 4
 
I have to say I am having a hard time making my own mind up. I am really torn between two. How about you? I wish that was my dilemma....decorating for my beach house:) Look forward to hearing what you have to say and wishing you a fabulous Friday!
 
 
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Thursday, February 14, 2013

Which would you choose? Valentines day edition!


Happy Valentines day! Well in light of the holiday of love, this is a Valentines day edition of my weekly Which would you choose. So, here is my little scenario...... your significant other has decided to surprise you and whisk you off to your absolute most favorite restaurant in the world. It can be anywhere, no worries..the "travel fairies" have it all arranged! So go for it, and make it something goooood!
 
You get to be wined and dined all night long by the person you love (does it get any better)  but there's one detail missing.....the dress! Always about the dress. So here are your choices.....all in various shades of love (red and pink with a few blacks thrown in for good measure). Take a close look and which one most says "Be my valentine"? Can't wait to hear.....
 
  CHOICE 1
Marchesa

CHOICE 2


Temperley London

CHOICE 3
Missoni
  CHOICE 4
 
Diane Von Furstenberg

CHOICE 5
Alice by Temperley


CHOICE 6

Valentino

CHOICE 7
Diane von Furstenberg

 CHOICE 8
Jason Wu


CHOICE 9
L'wren Scott


CHOICE 10
\
Donna Karan


CHOICE 11
Lela Rose


CHOICE 12


Milly



CHOICE 13 
 Lanvin

CHOICE 14 
Etro
 CHOICE 15
 Valentino
 
 
  Ahhh so many beauties, I would wear any one of them.  So tell me which you would choose! Do you like dressing up going all out or do you prefer a casual night to kick back? We have a long standing tradition with one of my best friends and her husband, we go out to a favorite restaurant to celebrate every year and have been doing it for years...always look forward to a night of friendship, love and laughter! So tell me, what are you doing on this day of love?
 
 
PS Want to know what I am giving myself for this special day? Besides the small box of hand dipped chocolates I treat myself to every Valentines day. Well I always wanted to try this and lately am really into skincare, so bit the bullet and finally indulged in the award winning cream to the stars, La Prarie's famed Caviar cream. Yes its expensive, but hopefully worth it. As I have heard repeated, "never ever go cheap on your face". Right on. Will let you know how my face likes it:)
 
 
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Early week musings......



Hi there and happy Tuesday night to you. Well, we are still digging out of the incredible amounts of snow we got over the weekend but a day of rain has washed some away and left the pristine white snow a muddy dirty color, not so attractive The storm gave me a lot of time (unexpected since we were supposed to be in Boston) on the computer, at home and just catching up. I watched the Grammys Sunday, because I love music for all its  many different genres and have to say it was a great one. I felt like everyone went the extra mile to look sophisticated and polished, and everyone seemed to be on their best behavior, for anyone that might have watched, did you feel the same? A lot of random thoughts to share today,  mostly girly girl things.....let's begin shall we!


I can't help but think about spring and spring dressing. Being able to throw open the windows, spring flowers budding all over the place, dead grass giving way to newly sprouting greenery, that intoxicating spring air.....can you wait? Now that we have had  our huge snowfall that I was praying for, I am totally ready for spring! And when I laid eyes on these stunning blue and white dresses, my heart skipped a beat! How gorgeous are they? In love....and calling my name loud and clear!

I think this one dress here is practically enough to get me started on that diet I have been talking about for too long! Love this dress...it would fit in so well with my ginger jars, they must be related! I have never been drawn to anything by Roberto Cavalli but for these two stunners, I make an exception.....









And this top also by my bud, Roberto....gorgeous, love it with the white slacks!



I would wear this to a spring/summertime party, elegantly understated and so chic (Erdem)




 And loving this darling little number, for casual outings during the day, meeting  a friend for lunch or a casual dinner al fresco......(Etoile Isabel Marant)



And love this beauty...its like wearing a watercolor masterpiece, Erdem...



Isn't this pretty? Love the banquette, the shape, the fabrics how light and airy it feels....
  
And this beautiful serene elegant foyer....

Moving onto another favorite subject..food. Have I told you I love mushrooms? Especially stuffed mushrooms! Tried these over the weekend from Pioneer woman and they are sooo good!
 
Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients:
24 ounces, White Button Mushrooms
⅓ pounds Hot Pork Sausage
½ whole Medium Onion, Finely Diced
4 cloves Garlic, Finely Minced
8 ounces, Cream Cheese
1 whole Egg Yolk
¾ cups Parmesan Cheese, Grated
⅓ cups Dry White Wine
Salt And Pepper (to Taste)
Instructions:
Brown and crumble sausage. Set aside on a plate to cool.
Add onions and garlic to the same skillet; cook for 2 minutes over medium low heat. Pour in wine to deglaze pan, allow liquid to evaporate. Add in chopped mushroom stems, stir to cook for 2 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set mixture aside on a plate to cool.
In a bowl, combine cream cheese and egg yolk. Stir together with Parmesan cheese. Add cooled sausage and cooled mushroom stems. Stir mixture together and refrigerate for a short time to firm up.
Smear mixture into the cavity of each mushroom, creating a sizable mound over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool at least ten minutes before serving; the stuffed mushrooms taste better when not piping hot. Garnish with minced parsley if you’re feeling fancy.

  
 
 
Kim Kardashian. Like most of the world I am still trying to figure out just what this girl does for a living but I have to admit she is very pretty and her makeup/skin always look so flawless. I wouldn't want to be so made up all the time but for a night out....I thought these tips were worth sharing. I highlighted the Aquaphor comment because years ago when I was at a swanky party in NYC, there was a very famous makeup artist who does a lot of work for Vogue and he told me the same thing....that we should keep vats of Aquaphor in our cabinets. So...guess what I went out and bought at my local pharmacy last night? Yep.....a big container of Aquaphor:)

Kim’s makeup artist spills on what products she uses to get Kim red carpet-ready!

Joyce Bonelli is Kim Kardashian‘s makeup artist (well, she actually works with the entire family!)
  • La Mer The Radiant Serum: “Serum is great to add to your skin routine. After Kim uses Perfect Skin, I then add a tiny bit of La Mer as a primer. Makeup glides on perfectly, and it actually helps perfect skin from makeup and weather.”
  • Smashbox bronzer: “I often add bronzer on the forehead and where I contour. Not too much, but just from the ear and about an inch into the hollow of the cheek, just to blend and finish it off. I love Smashbox bronzer.”
  • Aquaphor Ointment: Being on airplanes dries your skin out; Joyce uses Aquaphor under the eyes and to spot-treat dry areas or blemishes that are in the process of healing: “I think Aquaphor is the best-kept makeup artists’ secret.” Joyce actually puts Aquaphor all over her own face each night: “Kourtney makes fun of me for going crazy for Aquaphor, but I swear by it!” (Just remember that a little bit goes a long way!)
  • Smashbox Brow Tech To Go: “Eyebrows are so important. On Kim I use Smashbox’s eyebrow styling pencil, and we fill it in. We keep her eyebrows groomed in the shape she likes, more round at the peak rather than pointed. So we fill it in a little bit to keep it round, then to finish off the end of the brow. This is the secret about doing eyebrows: I use pretty much a blonde color on everybody.  You’re filling in the skin, and you want dimension.”
  • Lancôme Hypnôseand L’Oréal Voluminous Mascaras: “It’s all about the eyes. We love Lancôme and L’Oréal mascaras. We always use the combination for big lashes.”
  • Professional Makeup [like Ben Nye]: Ever wonder how Kim gets that gorgeous contour on her cheekbones? “To contour, the secret to doing it so it’s not in-your-face is to use a darker foundation. I use professional makeup concealer, which has a heavier consistency, and I apply it with a brush and blend it with a sponge. Then I set it with translucent powder.”
  • Ardell Lashes: “A trick to do– and it’s really important to do this– is at the inside corners of the eye, cut the lash off in the direction of your own lashes, at an angle, to taper off the lash. That’s where people go wrong with false lashes.”


  
 Speaking of beauty products, I discovered two new perfumes lately that I am absolutely loving. I normally don't deviate much from my regulars of Chanel 5, and Harijuku baby but these two made me happy I did. Both are soft, somewhat powdery, floral and feminine and come to think of it remind me that spring is not so far away!
 Marchesa

Something Blue by Oscar de la Renta




Shop news....To anyone considering these best selling ginger jars...I am down to the last two pair:( I will get them in again but probably not until May, so if you are considering them now is a great time!

Also getting in some beautiful new porcelains which I am very excited about! Heres a sneak peek..... I want one of everything!


This beautiful 13.5" scalloped jar


This gorgeous Canton ginger jar


This fabulous bowl

Both of these stunning soup tureens (blue and whites are hard to find)!

  
 And this very very large ginger jar...a whopping 30" tall!



Very excited about these new pieces...I have found it increasingly hard to find top quality, affordable blue and whites. So I am especially thrilled to have carefully built up my collection, with every single piece being one I would put in my own home (and many are already in fact there)! 

Also very excited about introducing a new category ....something near and dear to my heart, tabletop! I love setting a beautiful table and when I find gorgeous, well priced high styled goodies, I immediately want to share them so this is a natural addition to my online shop. Here's a sneak peek......I hope to have this new section up and running in the next 3-5 days.


 Gorgeous serving pieces with beautiful choices in handles.....

 Love the shapes of the salt and peppers, they are really heavy too


So that's whats cooking over here! Hope you are have a wonderful evening and a great start to your week. Speak to you soon....nighty night:)
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