Style and Organize Your Home Office
March 16, 2012Over the past few weeks, I have seen so many talented creative women launch beautiful pieces of stylish and chic home office accessories. I was so happy for 2 reasons. First, I like to see other business women making their mark on the world and doing their thang. The other is I am so excited to be able to get some of these items for my home studio that I am redoing into a craftroom/office space combination this Spring. Can’t wait to share pictures. So to end the week, I thought I would share some of these lovely finds in case doing a little Spring cleaning of your office space might be on your mind.
You won’t even believe the lovely patterns and options you can order these in! Rebekah has such a great eye for style in her designs and I will be ordering a few of these lovelies for sure! Visit HER SHOP HERE
I LOVE monogramed items, how much more personalized can you get? These acrylic holders from Mackenzie Horan of Design Darling are a must have for keeping your cards and pens looking oh so fab and organized. Visit HER SHOP HERE.
Many of us use a mouse when working on our computers and at the same time often taking notes. Bridgett of Perideau Designs has you covered. You have several option when it comes to choosing your colors and patterns. Her classic style will have you surfing the web and taking organized notes in style for years to come. Visit HER SHOP HERE.
Have a organized weekend!
(3) Leave a comment »My Spiked Iced Coffee for St. Patrick’s Day
March 15, 2012Many of us enjoy coffee throughout our busy day. To jump start your morning, or to re-energize in the afternoon. Some like it hot, some like it cold. The point is, a cup o’ jo is often a welcome beverage no matter how you take it. What about spiked? You know the way you take a drink when you say “oh it’s nothing” just some soda. I came up with a really easy way to enjoy iced coffee on St. Patrick’s day (later in the day of course peeps). I had to stop taste testing along the way as I came up with what liquors to combine in this recipe. I could feel it hitting me slowly but surely. It’s really good. Photography & Styling: by Me
TO MAKE (per serving):
1 cup of chilled coffee
1 oz Kahlua
1/2 oz Baileys Irish Cream
Splash of half and half or milk
Ice
DIRECTIONS: In a cocktail shaker or regualr pitcher, mix ice, chilled coffee and liquors together. Top of with yoru desired amount of half and half or milk.
Enjoy.
DIY Handstamped Tile Coasters As Gifts or For Your Home
March 14, 2012
I love to craft and use my hands to make things pretty. I am also very picky about not ruining my furniture with watermarks from drippy beverages. So I was in Home Depot the other day and saw these beautiful natural stone tiles. I thought they would make the perfect coasters because for a pack of 8 it was only $6 and I knew I could make them pretty some how. When I was working on anther craft project, it hit me that I could just use one of my rubber stamps and black ink to stamp an image on them. How easy is that! So that’s what I did. Photography + Styling by Me
HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
TIP: You will want to choose a natural feel to it and not a glazed shinny finish. This project wont work on those.
STEPS:
1. Measure your tile and cut square pieces of foam to match the tile size. They can be a WEE bit smaller so the foam doesn’t peak out from under the tile, when it is resting on furniture. I chose black foam, but sheet foam comes in a variety of colors at the craft store.
2. For each tile, use a hot glue gun to run glue along the edges and in the center of the cut foam. Once you do that press and adhere the back of the foam to the tile.
3. Ink up your rubber stamp of choice (use whatever color ink and stamp pattern you like). I chose a big square stamp so that most of the tile surface would have the image stamped on it. Next, carefully press your image into the center of the tile.
4. You will want to let the ink dry on the tile for at least 8 hours so the ink absorbs into the tile fully.
5. Lastly, after the tile has dried for at leas 8 hours, take the Mod Podge and use the foam brush to apply a thin layer to seal your pattern. Voila.
TIP: The back of the foam pieces may become a bit dusty from the natural dust of the tiles. Simply rub the foam with a washcloth to clean the surface. No water necessary.
WRAP & GIFT THEM: Even though you could keep a set of these for yourself, I think these would make a beautiful gift for a bridal shower or housewarming. Simply stack them up, tie a nice bow around them with lovely ribbon and pack them in a little basket or bag.
Happy Crafting 
Welcome Spring With Tulips for Entertaining
March 13, 2012Let’s just say I can’t contain myself with the glorious idea that Spring officially starts soon! Yesterday was beyond the perfect Spring day. I had on leggings and it wasn’t cutting it. Shorts were definitely in order. The sun felt so good on my skin, I thought I might burst out and get sick with Spring fever. Was that funny, or did I miss the mark?
Tulips, simply say welcome…Spring has arrived. This time of year they are abundantly available in floral shops and even better in supermarkets where the price is right. Grab a few bunches and arrange them in your favorite glass vases or vintage bowls/pots to make welcoming centerpieces on tables when entertaining. If you need to use floral foam to make them stand up and last longer, you can find them at your local craft store. It’s a rainy day here today, no signs of sunshine (just yet) so in the meantime let’s brighten the day with some pretty ideas for displaying tulips shall we.
1 tuinkrant via | 2 bhg via | 3 martha stewart via | 4 martha stewart via
Jimmy Choo: The First Fragrance
March 12, 2012
I remember the scent vividly as I smelled the aroma of Jimmy Choo’s first fragrance. I was walking by the fragrance department in Macy’s and I was stopped dead in my tracks. I was like “what is that”? I am a huge fan of smelling feminine, sweet and flirty on any given day and I specifically try to match my fragrance choice to my mood. The new fragrance from Jimmy Choo is something however you could wear any day no matte what you are feeling. The notes that embody the scent and that you are sure to smell include: tiger orchid, sweet toffee and Indonesian patchouli. I found the scent to be the perfect balance of sweet and fresh, something I easily can’t find. The bottle is art on it’s own. So pretty and light. It’s a very sheer pink color and inspired by the beauty and opulence of Murano glass. Sounds wonderful doesn’t it! It is.
Spring Fling: Flowers Flowers Everywhere
March 9, 2012I can’t seem to help notice that the birds are chirping again, the flowers are starting to peek up from the ground and it’s staying lighter outside longer. Oh yes, sure signs of Spring are certainly here and I am trend spotting lots of pretty flower patterns everywhere. I am such a girly girl so the thought of putting on a blossoming blouse or carrying a cute petal clutch makes me quite giddy all over. I have seen some awesome accessories and clothes in the stores, I’m diligently trying not to let my bank account go into overdrive just yet. Here are some lovelies to get you in the spirit of the season. Have a wonderful weekend lovelies.
Two Potato Swirls with Goat Cheese & Butter
March 7, 2012When hosting parties I love serving up mini foods that are savory and/or sweet. I like my guests to feel satisfied so I try to serve up a diverse menu of foods on both the lighter and more filling sides. Ladies generally go light and the gents, lets just say the more the better for them. I was brainstorming ideas for St. Patrick’s Day dinner and potatoes always seem to go over well so I decided something “fancy” was in order this year. I came upon this delicious recipe for two potato swirls with goat cheese and butter, and when I tried it, it was a big hit. So on the menu it goes for St. Patty’s day!
photo via: The Café Sucré Farine
INGREDIENTS:
1 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
5-6 medium russet or golden potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
6 medium cloves garlic
3 ounces goat cheese
1-2 teaspoons sea salt, to taste
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
½-1 cup milk
1 tablespoon melted butter
sweet paprika
finely sliced fresh chives or finely chopped fresh rosemary, for garnish, if desired
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine potatoes, both kinds, and garlic in a medium-large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer and cook until potatoes are very tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well and return to pot.
2. Add goat cheese, butter, and milk (start with 1/2 cup) and mash with a potato masher till smooth and fluffy. Do not overbeat or potatoes will become gummy. Add more milk as needed. If you’re going to swirl the potatoes you will need to add a bit more milk, probably close to the whole cup so that you can easily pipe them.
3. Stir in Parmesan and either serve immediately or, if you plan to do the swirled potatoes, proceed with step 4 and 5.
4. Butter 12 small dishes or ramekins generously. Cut a small snip off of the corner of a large heavy-duty zippered plastic bag and insert a large star decorator tip into opening. (I use a Wilton 1M tip and spread the points just a bit to make the opening larger.)
5. After potatoes are cooked and mashed, allow them to cool for about 10-15 minutes, then spoon them into the prepared bag, close the zippered top and pipe into the 12 small bowls, as equally as possible. Drizzle with the melted butter, sprinkle with a bit of paprika and bake at 350˚F for about 15-20 minutes or until starting to turn golden. Sprinkle with fresh chives or rosemary and serve immediately.
Recipe via: The Café Sucré Farine
Home Storage Options Using Bins
March 6, 2012
When I think of organizing my home, from the kitchen to the office, nothing is more versatile than the use of bins. They come in so many textures, price ranges and patterns to suite every need and style taste. I personally love them for storing magazines, craft supplies, blankets and potatoes in my kitchen. I even have a wired one under a side table that says farm fresh eggs, but guess what? In reality we keep shoes organized in it. It’s pretty funny. Utilize the bins by tucking them on closet shelves, pantry shelves or say even the garage on metal shelves to help keep the hubby organized too. What do you use your bins for if you have any in your home?
1 via | 2 via | 3 via | 4 via | 5 via | 6 via
How To Style Your Beer for St. Patrick’s Day
March 5, 2012What? Style my beer? What in heaven’s name are you talking about Sandra? Did I peak your interest? OK then, job done. Really lovelies, let’s face it, beer/stout is a HUGE consumer product on St. Patrick’s Day. From beer brands of local breweries to popular internationally recognized brands, the amount of beer options out there can be mind boggling.
Get wrappers via
I’m not a big beer drinker (you all know I prefer a cocktail or wine), but surprisingly I sometimes come across a beer that I enjoy (of course this is usually after my husband annoying inundates me with, “go on and try this one, you are gonna like it”. Cue the annoyed look face). Today I just wanted to share some ideas on how to serve up beer with style with beer bottle wrappers.
Wrap them up! You could make your beers look stylishly chic. Just print these fun papers on your printer, cut and wrap.
Left: Preppy St. Patrick’s Day bottle wrappers | Right: Wrap them for a beer tasting party
I think the contracts of the bold letters on the kraft colored background make this wrapper a standout choice for those who like the natural/relaxed look. via
Welcome To: The Bolder Side Of Life
March 2, 2012Everywhere I look there is one trend that just can’t seem to get away from me…big, bold and beautiful colors. I saw this when I was on my blogging trip in Vegas when it came to home décor. It is also a very colorful trend that transcends into fashion and beauty as well. I am kind of on the quieter side when it comes to color (just ask my daughter who vehemently begged for a red wall in her room when we were picking out colors for our new home). Well let’s just say from skinny jeans, to shoes and pillows, bold color is everywhere. So do you dare to go bold?
yellow pants | ballet flats | nail polish | furniture | skirt
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Meet Sandra
Editor. Event Designer. Lifestyle & Entertaining Expert: With a passion for celebrations and parties, crafting, food, interiors and living a beautiful life, I hope you stay a while to see all the pretty inspiration The White Library has in store for you. read more...
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