Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
'Show' House
This week's show house is from the popular TV show 'Super Nanny'. The James family home decor can only be described as traditional with a twist, modern glamorous, and ...lemonade! Take a quick tour of this bright and energetic home, and make sure to watch how nanny Jo Jo whips this family into shape.
Ottomans and benches are great for family smaces with small children.
Home of NBA player - Mike James
Dining/ Living Room
Yellow & greens brighten the walls, whilst bold funky prints from Designer's Guild fabrics make a statement on the drapery and upholstery.
Look at how randomly placed furniture can make a large space feel cozy and inviting.
Kitchen/ Family Room
These two spaces feel like one with the shared lime green paint color and upholstery.
Ottomans and benches are great for family smaces with small children.
A great mixture of pattern and prints.
Mom's Office
Where the work gets done. The office is a bit toned down with lime washed oak cabinetry and oatmeal and lemongrass colors on the upholstery and drapery.
Where the work gets done. The office is a bit toned down with lime washed oak cabinetry and oatmeal and lemongrass colors on the upholstery and drapery.
See more on this episode from abc here
{CREDITS}
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Coco Zest Blueberry Muffins
Ok, ok, not to worry I'm still designing by day, and frocktailing at night, but ever so often after my morning workout, I like to indulge in freshly baked breakfast from my own personal library of recipes.
This one in particular is one of my favorites because it is a carefully planned recipe that I created using great, healthy ingredients. There's a secret technique here that gives the muffin a savory, fluffy bite without wet runny blueberries.
So, if you have an hour to spare, then let's go...
Ingredient List:
1 1/2 cup fresh or frozen organic blueberries
2 tblsp blue agave nectar
Zest of one large lemon
1 tblsp unsweetened shredded coconut
1 teasp blue agave nectar
2 1/2 cups unbleached white whole wheat flour (King Arthur brand)
2 1/2 teasp baking powder
1 teasp salt
2 eggs or egg whites
1 cup blue agave nectar
2 tblsp organic unrefined virgin coconut oil (Benefits of Coconut Oil)
5 tblsp or 2 mini cups applesauce
3/4 cup skim milk
1 1/2 teasp vanilla extract
1/2 cup frozen organic blueberries
Preaheat oven to 375'
Now here comes the secret technique. Heat on medium blueberries and 2 tblsp of agave until most of moisture evaporates. Set aside to cool.
And in case you haven't realized, you just made blueberry jam. Mix more than the recipe requires and add a 1/2 tsp of lemon juice to store for another baking sesh' and your pb&j sandwiches. (Store excess jam in refrigerator)
Mix grated lemon zest, shredded coconut and teaspoon agave to a crumbly texture and set aside.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.
Beat eggs with cup of agave, incorporating air into the mixture.
Add applesauce, milk, melted coconut oil and vanilla to egg mixture and mix.
Gradually pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients slowly and carefully mixing ingredients. Add blueberries and combine. Do not over mix until smooth.
Share into muffin cups and spoon small amounts of blueberry jam on top of each batter in cups. Swirl in with small sticks or toothpicks like you would a marble cake.
Sprinkle lemon coconut zest evenly on top of each muffin.
Bake on middle shelf 23-25 mins. Remove and cool on a wire rack.
Storing:
I like to put leftover muffins in a closed plastic container or ziploc and refrigerate for up to 5 days. When you are ready to eat them, pop them in the microwave and toaster oven for almost fresh coco zest muffins.
This one in particular is one of my favorites because it is a carefully planned recipe that I created using great, healthy ingredients. There's a secret technique here that gives the muffin a savory, fluffy bite without wet runny blueberries.
So, if you have an hour to spare, then let's go...
1 1/2 cup fresh or frozen organic blueberries
2 tblsp blue agave nectar
Zest of one large lemon
1 tblsp unsweetened shredded coconut
1 teasp blue agave nectar
2 1/2 cups unbleached white whole wheat flour (King Arthur brand)
2 1/2 teasp baking powder
1 teasp salt
2 eggs or egg whites
1 cup blue agave nectar
2 tblsp organic unrefined virgin coconut oil (Benefits of Coconut Oil)
5 tblsp or 2 mini cups applesauce
3/4 cup skim milk
1 1/2 teasp vanilla extract
1/2 cup frozen organic blueberries
Preaheat oven to 375'
Now here comes the secret technique. Heat on medium blueberries and 2 tblsp of agave until most of moisture evaporates. Set aside to cool.
And in case you haven't realized, you just made blueberry jam. Mix more than the recipe requires and add a 1/2 tsp of lemon juice to store for another baking sesh' and your pb&j sandwiches. (Store excess jam in refrigerator)
Mix grated lemon zest, shredded coconut and teaspoon agave to a crumbly texture and set aside.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.
Beat eggs with cup of agave, incorporating air into the mixture.
Add applesauce, milk, melted coconut oil and vanilla to egg mixture and mix.
Gradually pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients slowly and carefully mixing ingredients. Add blueberries and combine. Do not over mix until smooth.
Share into muffin cups and spoon small amounts of blueberry jam on top of each batter in cups. Swirl in with small sticks or toothpicks like you would a marble cake.
Sprinkle lemon coconut zest evenly on top of each muffin.
Bake on middle shelf 23-25 mins. Remove and cool on a wire rack.
Enjoy!
Storing:
I like to put leftover muffins in a closed plastic container or ziploc and refrigerate for up to 5 days. When you are ready to eat them, pop them in the microwave and toaster oven for almost fresh coco zest muffins.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Recipe: Cinnnamon Banana Bran Nut Muffins
I love food!! And who doesn't? In the past two years I have made some serious changes about what I put in my body, which has led me to create and write my own recipes.
I tailor my recipes to be high in fiber, low in fat and over the top in tasty yummy!! Oh, and lots of agave nectar. If you are watching your sugar intake, this is a great sweetener substitute and you'll find that most of my recipes use it.
So, here goes...
Cinnamon Banana Bran Nut Muffins
Ingredients:
4 ripe bananas crushed
2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cups toasted wheat bran
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
A pinch of salt
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup organic blue agave nectar
1 1/2 tbsp organic unrefined coconut oil
1/3 cup egg whites
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup fat free milk
1 handful of walnuts and almonds crushed
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350'.
Sift together flour, bran, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, soda and salt and set aside.
Melt coconut oil and mix well together with applesauce, agave and egg whites.
Add crushed bananas, vanilla and milk to egg mixture and stir well by hand.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix just enough to combine.
Stir in crushed nuts.
Bake at 350' for 25 minutes.
Makes 18 - 24 muffins
* If making a loaf, bake at 350' for 45 mins or until knife comes out clean .
Enjoy!!
I tailor my recipes to be high in fiber, low in fat and over the top in tasty yummy!! Oh, and lots of agave nectar. If you are watching your sugar intake, this is a great sweetener substitute and you'll find that most of my recipes use it.
So, here goes...
Cinnamon Banana Bran Nut Muffins
Ingredients:
4 ripe bananas crushed
2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cups toasted wheat bran
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
A pinch of salt
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup organic blue agave nectar
1 1/2 tbsp organic unrefined coconut oil
1/3 cup egg whites
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup fat free milk
1 handful of walnuts and almonds crushed
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350'.
Sift together flour, bran, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, soda and salt and set aside.
Melt coconut oil and mix well together with applesauce, agave and egg whites.
Add crushed bananas, vanilla and milk to egg mixture and stir well by hand.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix just enough to combine.
Stir in crushed nuts.
Bake at 350' for 25 minutes.
Makes 18 - 24 muffins
* If making a loaf, bake at 350' for 45 mins or until knife comes out clean .
Enjoy!!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Decorating magic with paint
Using neutral or bright color, transform and renew old or outdated dated furniture in any room by repainting it using lacquer or high gloss paint for a chic, glamorous look.
Paint the back walls of shelves in fun contrasting colors to make books and accessories pop. I love to do this in a kitchen cabinet or hutch where I display decorative pottery or china.
{CREDITS}
Elledecor
Blink Decor
Fabulouspieces.com
Martha Stewart
House Beautiful
Friday, April 22, 2011
Earth Day Resolution
In our household, we've decided to get more strict on caring for the planet, by only using things that are reusable.
So..we adopted a couple of Bobbles. If you don't know what a bobble is, you really need to get more dialed in on living 'green'. Yeah, like we just did.
The bobble is a reusable water bottle that you can take with you wherever, and fill it with tap water. It filters through the spout.
You can even get fancy with different colored filters, but most importantly, you are now saving on resources and making a difference - no more cases of plastic water bottles for us!
www.waterbobble.com
So..we adopted a couple of Bobbles. If you don't know what a bobble is, you really need to get more dialed in on living 'green'. Yeah, like we just did.
The bobble is a reusable water bottle that you can take with you wherever, and fill it with tap water. It filters through the spout.
You can even get fancy with different colored filters, but most importantly, you are now saving on resources and making a difference - no more cases of plastic water bottles for us!
www.waterbobble.com
Monday, April 18, 2011
Favela Painting Project
I just came across this, and am so fascinated...
In Rio, Brazil, the Firmeza Foundation has supported the creation of striking artworks in unexpected places. It collaborates with local people to use art as a tool to inspire, create beauty, combat prejudice and attract attention.
I think they're doing a great job of inspiring and brightening this city.
Just Beautiful!
Haas&Hahn for favelapainting.com
In Rio, Brazil, the Firmeza Foundation has supported the creation of striking artworks in unexpected places. It collaborates with local people to use art as a tool to inspire, create beauty, combat prejudice and attract attention.
I think they're doing a great job of inspiring and brightening this city.
Just Beautiful!
Haas&Hahn for favelapainting.com
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Treasure Hunt
Ooh la la! A trip to the local floral and accessories store. What a treat.. I am truly scouring through treasures for that perfect piece of greatness!
Exquisite lighting, plants and vases
Gorgeous silk florals of every specie.
Fruits and baskets for the kitchen and breakfast room
Be it a style transitional...
Or modern...
I'm in creative heaven with all of this.
Love!
Exquisite lighting, plants and vases
Gorgeous silk florals of every specie.
Fruits and baskets for the kitchen and breakfast room
Be it a style transitional...
Or modern...
I'm in creative heaven with all of this.
Love!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Go Big, Go Bold!
Boy these oversized ceramic pieces know just how to start some drama. And we like it!
Try to remember that when accessorizing, go big and bold on a few pieces to make a dramatic statement.
Try to remember that when accessorizing, go big and bold on a few pieces to make a dramatic statement.
How Cool
Now this is my kind of bathroom!
This new project I'm working on incorporates blue with a lot of earthiness to it. Just look at how cool, clean, yet warm and serene these finishes are together. Love!
Mother nature, or modern nature? I absolutely love the natural earthy blue in the marble and slates.
Okay, so the leathers were dyed, I know, but I just had to show you the fantastic colors and patterns!
This new project I'm working on incorporates blue with a lot of earthiness to it. Just look at how cool, clean, yet warm and serene these finishes are together. Love!
Mother nature, or modern nature? I absolutely love the natural earthy blue in the marble and slates.
Okay, so the leathers were dyed, I know, but I just had to show you the fantastic colors and patterns!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
'Check' this out!
A front porch painted like a checkerboard. Genius!
You don't have to be a chess player or know who Mckenzie Childs is to admit this beats the old concrete look.
You don't have to be a chess player or know who Mckenzie Childs is to admit this beats the old concrete look.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Secret to Decorating Your Home Like a Pro!
If you're like most people, it's always more difficult to design your own space rather than giving a friend tips on sprucing up theirs. I used to arrange furniture and accessorize throughout my house, then everytime I walked by, I'd move something around or take it down all together. Yet I knew just what was missing in my friends' home and gave the best design advise. Do you know why that is? Well, it's because you have to put yourself in the position where you are the outsider looking in!
Trick of the trade; take photographs of your space in order to see it in a different perspective, then decide what's necessary to pull together a cohesive style, more importantly your style. I always recommend printing the photos, then drawing and making notes on them. After that, revisit your design faux pas and/or make a plan to go to the store to get what you need. You dont have to be a photographer or an artist to do this. Trust me, just take the picture, pick up the pen and define what you want to see in your space.
You will thank me! You'll come to either one of two realizations;
1. That your space may really need to be reevaluated
Or
2. Your not doing so bad, you just needed a second opinion - your own :)
Trick of the trade; take photographs of your space in order to see it in a different perspective, then decide what's necessary to pull together a cohesive style, more importantly your style. I always recommend printing the photos, then drawing and making notes on them. After that, revisit your design faux pas and/or make a plan to go to the store to get what you need. You dont have to be a photographer or an artist to do this. Trust me, just take the picture, pick up the pen and define what you want to see in your space.
You will thank me! You'll come to either one of two realizations;
1. That your space may really need to be reevaluated
Or
2. Your not doing so bad, you just needed a second opinion - your own :)
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* I hope you enjoyed reading my first post, and learned a very valuable trick of the trade, I enjoyed sharing it with you and can't wait to share more!
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