Thursday, October 16, 2014

Home Tour The Den || Wingback Chairs with GDC Home

I know many of you requested I do a home tour so I thought I would start room by room and share a little peak into our home sweet home.  I am sure many of you feel the same way but most rooms in my house are a work in progress and never feel totally finished to me.  Our den though is pretty close to being finished since I had the recess lighting installed and my wing back chairs recovered.  We live in a small old ranch brick house and while I frequently yearn for more space I also truly love this little house we live in.  It was our first home we bought together and where we brought both children home from the hospital.  It holds so many special memories.  We also love our neighborhood and neighbors so we may end up doing an addition here instead of moving who knows what the future holds for us.

I present our den aka family room.  This is our main room we spend time in.  It is long and narrow which makes it awkward for furniture arrangement.  The only two things left I really want to do are buy a flat screen TV to mount on the wall (ours is an older version that can not be hung) and get some custom curtains made.  This is where I can't make a decision- I welcome any input on fabric for the curtains.  I also would love something new above the couch but Matt loves that darn mirror and I am having a hard time getting him to part with it.





I have always loved this corner in our entryway but hate the cords from the lights any tricks for that?


  and yes I realize my top book is upside down, the kids ruined the top but I still love the book so just flipped it over.  The joy of kids nothing is safe in your house:)



and my new favorite part of the room our wing back chairs!!  This is what they looked like before.
I am so pleased with the results.  I worked with GDC Home and was so pleased with the results.  I have to say they have such an impressive fabric selection and everyone there was a huge help.   If you need fabric it is wonderful because you can take as many samples as you want and even check the whole bolt of fabric out which is what I did. I had originally thought I wanted a pattern and checking out the bolts helped me to realize in the end I wanted a neutral.  I tire of things quickly and with a neutral I can easily switch out the pillows.  I decided to jazz up the neutral with brass nailheads for a polished look.




The fabric I choose for the chairs is called Maisey Sea Glass and if one GDC location doesn't have what you are looking for they will call the other or order it for you, simple as that!
This month they are running their Tableware sale and the have some gorgeous pieces.  A great time to buy entertaining pieces for the holidays.


The fabric is textured up close which I love.  I worked with Quality Upholstery and they did an excellent job for a great price if you need Upholstery work done here.

 Lets end with my little foo dogs, I love these guys.  They were one of the first things I ever won from entering a blog contest!


DEN || DETAILS
I always love to know details so here are a few if you have other questions feel free to email me!

-Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Couch | Crate and Barrel
Leopard Pillows | Piper Collection
Needlepoint Leopard Pillows | Dransfield and Ross
Ottomans and Matching Pillows | Custom
Side Table | Vintage from my Grandparents
Art Work | Modern Painting Hills Plum
Rug | Karastan
Cane Back Chair | Estate Find
Console Piece TV sits on | Vintage Antiques of South Windemere


 



Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Top 12 Buys From The Shopbop Friends and Family Sale

It's that time of the year Friends and Family Events left and right.  It can be overwhelming but also a great time to add some items to your closet.  I always try and hold out for these sales to snag a good deal.  I know every other blogger blogged about the Shopbop sale yesterday but I wanted to narrow it down to 12 items and many I own and really recommend.
Use code FAMILY25 at checkout and the sale ends Thursday!

This is the one thing I actually just ordered.  I have been wanting these forever.  I love the tortoise shell.  They come to under $100 with the promo.

I own these and love them!

This is hands down the best and most flattering tee shirt. I own it in three colors.


I bought this jacket last year in the brown color and for the price (under $100) it is a great buy.

This is such a great tee.  Love the Fall pattern.  I owe the Riley Tee in a few patterns and wear it often.

This is my new favorite bootie for Fall!  It would go with everything.

This is such a great versatile black dress. 


I love the pale pink bow detail on this gray dress.  Such a fabulous feminine twist.

No secret, I love a fringe bag and this cross body is perfection.


I got this scarf for Christmas two years ago and it is my favorite scarf ever.  It goes with everything!


This is such a great maxi to transition from Summer to Fall. I own this and wear it often.  Pregnant friends it would be great with a belly because it is super loose.  So cute with a leather jacket thrown on over it too.



I am all about high rise leggings.  They really suck you in.  I own a regular pair of the David Lerner leggings and really like them.  These come in 4 fabulous colors for Fall.  The perfect legging with loose blouses or sweaters!


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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

The Spiralizer + Recipes and Other Kitchen Gadgets I Love


You might remember a few months ago I posted about trying to decide between the hand held spiralizer and the Paderno.  Well I decided to pay a little more and go with the Paderno and I could not be happier.  This little gadget has changed my life, trust me you need one.  The possibilities are endless and I swear when you are eating the veggie noodles it feels like you are eating real pasta. 

The main complaint people had with the Paderno was storing it and cleaning it.  Cleaning it is a breeze to me and you can even put the parts in the dishwasher.  It is a bit big, I keep mine in a basket in my kitchen with the blades in a locked drawer (my kids will get their hands on anything not put up)! 

I have the three blade version, but apparently they have a 4 blade version as well and it is only $10 more.  Use code SHIP4FREE to get free shipping on orders over $49.



I wanted to share two really simple recipes I made recently. One is using raw veggies and one is slightly cooked.  The possibilities are endless.

Z u c c h i n i   S a l a d 

Cut 2 Zucchinis using the 3mm blade.  Whisk together olive oil, dijon mustard, honey, champagne vinegar and salt and pepper.  Toss noodles with this dressing and add crumbled feta and fresh cherry tomatoes.


S w e e t   P o t a t o   S a l a d 


This recipe is thanks to one of my instagram followers.  Cut 1-2 sweet potatoes using the 3mm blade.  Heat olive oil in a pan add in two cloves minced garlic and sweet potatoes.  Cook about 5-10 minutes depending how soft you want the potatoes. I cooked a bit longer to get them a little cripsy, so good!  Season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with parsley and fresh grated Parmesan Cheese.  If you want heat add a few red pepper flakes!

I can't wait to make this Slutty No Carb Pasta next.

If you want more recipes you must check out Inspiralized- her blog is only recipes using the Paderno Spiralizer.  It is amazing!!


A few other Kitchen Gadgets I am loving lately:

I use my Mandolin often.  I use it to shred cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and other lettuces.  Also great for thinly sliced cucumber salad.


I used to buy the jarred garlic and I never will again.  Fresh garlic is just so much more flavorful and delicious.  If you don't have a garlic press you need one, it makes mincing garlic a breeze.



I use this often for citrus zest or grated fresh ginger.


This is the perfect grater for Parmesan Cheese.  Regular graters make it too thick and this grates it finely.


I got this stand last year for Christmas and use it all the time.  I frequently use my IPad when cooking so this works great.  You can kind of see it in the first picture on this post.




and these I don't have them but I want them!! 





Monday, October 13, 2014

Life Lately + Marinated Cheese Recipe

Happy Monday Sweet Friends!  

Last week Sterling's school put out all the pumpkins for Halloween.  They always do a huge pumpkin patch and sell the pumpkins.  Sterling was so excited and insisted we take some pictures with the pumpkins.  Sometimes I can't get over how grown-up he is now.


I tried out Sean Brock's new restaurant Minero. The concept is really cool,  as are the interiors but I just wasn't blown away by the food.  I did really like the salsa trio and queso.  The tacos however were just ok.  I will give it another try though!  Anyone been and have a favorite dish?



My horse blouse that I ordered from the Tory Burch sale came in the mail and I have to say I love it!!  Sometimes her clothes can fit my body funny but this blouse fit perfectly and I just adore the horse print.  I will be wearing this often this Fall.


I saw the most gorgeous sunrise on Friday morning, one of the most vibrant ones I have seen.
The pictures just don't even do it justice.


I got back my wingback chairs from the Upholster and they look amazing!!  I am working on taking some pictures of the den for a home tour and I will show the full chairs then but here is a peak!
Fabric is from GDC Home.


Sterling takes Halloween very seriously and loves to decorate for it.  We went to Lowes to get pine needles and came home with this guy.  I do kind of love him though.  Perfect to store all my Reeses Pumpkins in that I can't stop eating!  The wine is from my Wine Awesomeness shipment this month and it is excellent!!  Such a great Fall Rose.  Don't forget you can sign up here to get 30% off your first order!


My good friend Jen who started La Senorita Jolie just designed a line of delicate jewelry for LSJ and I am so in love with it and so proud of her!!  They are the perfect pieces for layering and everyday wear and all are under $50!!
Don't forget to use code LSJ-DBDD to get free shipping


I surprised Sterling with some Halloween Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Saturday morning.  I thought this was a genius idea til his soccer game two hours later when he had to stop playing because his tummy hurt and he told his coach he ate too many doughnuts- Mom Fail!


After soccer they had big event to focus on fire awareness.  They brought in a bunch of fire trucks and you know kids always love a fire truck- plus the fire men weren't too shabby to look at!


I wore my Rag and Bone top on Saturday.  It is the same style as my tank version I lived in all Summer.  I just love the back detail and it is so soft!  Thru tonight at midnight you can take 20% off with code FALL20 at Piperlime.  A great time to buy this top!

Sunday Night we did Happy Hour and dinner with some friends and I brought one of my favorite easy Apps, Marinated Cheese.  This recipe comes from my mom's very good friend Jane and it is always a hit!!  We serve with Triscuits, a thicker cracker that can soak up the olive and toppings is a good idea!  Someone commented on my Instagram that this is a great app for Christmas because of the colors and I agree!!

MARINATED CHEESE


Sunday I took Frances to church in one of my old dresses.  I texted my mom a picture of her in it and she sent me back a picture of me at my first Birthday wearing the same dress.  I had to share, so cool we still have this dress!