Friday Five

Posted on March 2, 2012 by

19 Comments

 {new floral painting for the living room}
This has been the weirdest winter of all. Hardly any snow and warm winter days. Not that I am complaining I was just bummed that I did not get the opportunity to build a snowman. Well over the weekend Michigan received a little bit of packing snow and my mum sent me this picture of the cutest girly snowman that she made. After seeing this picture I was finally ready to get into full spring mode; a new painting for the living room, a pink house plant and springy peach nail polish. So tell me… what are your weekend plans?
{My mum made the first snowman of the year and sent me a picture}
 {another day, another mani; China Glaze Peachy Keen}
 {new house plant; Cyclamen}
 {My Mardi Gras mask that now lives on my vanity}

Zoya Spring 2012: True

Posted on March 1, 2012 by

7 Comments

Zoya\’s True collection includes six spring time shades. From neutral nudes to shimmery pastels. 
 {Cho}

Cho is warm vanilla beige. It is a perfect nude nail polish hue.

 {Farah}

Farah is a cool tone putty beige. Against my olive skin tone it really pulled out more green in the polish. 

 {Bevin}

Bevin is a pale seafoam sage green, and makes the perfect spring time color. I am usually one who does not like green polishes, but I love this one. 

 {Skylar}

Skylar is a purplely blue with shimmer and reminds me of a spring nighttime sky after the sunset. 

 {Tru}

Tru is an eggplant purple with plenty of shimmer and glitter. 

{Lotus}

Lotus is a dusty medium purple with pink and red shimmer

What do you think of Zoya\’s Spring 2012 collection?

Attention to Small Detail

Posted on February 29, 2012 by

20 Comments

Penny\’s Signature Home Scent: Pomegranate Sage

A lingering scent can be that essential finishing touch to a simple home change or a gorgeous interior design project. My dad\’s friend Penny is an interior designer, and she informed me that whenever she completes an interior design project for a client she always lights a few of her signature scented candles before she leaves (if they are home of course). She also informed me that creating a mood is not just about the colors on your wall, but attention to small details such as candles. A signature scent is a candle that is not used seasonally in your home, but year round. – so how do you get that scent?

Considering this when choosing a home scent. The scent should compliment your décor. A fresh pine scent does not make sense in a beach house, however a Frasier Fur scent does make sense in an up north cabin.  A modern space is clean so accentuate with clean fragrance. If your house has earth tones go for a more earthy scent such as vanilla or a fruit and spice mixture.

Universally pleasing smell. Fresh citrus and fruity candles are a great option that everyone can enjoy.

 Other options to candles. Buy reed diffusers! Reeds will scent up to a three foot radius which means you can have a different fragrance in each room of your home.

{my signature scent: Yankee Candle Cherry Lemonade}

One last thing I just discovered Linnea\’s Lights Hand Poured Natural Soy Candles. The candles burn so clean, and they come in very unique scents. One of these candles would definitely make a great signature scent if you are in need of one.

So tell me what is your signature scent?

Bird\’s Nest Cookies

Posted on February 28, 2012 by

33 Comments

 In anticipation for spring I was invited to a garden tea party this weekend. I volunteered to bring a dessert and decided to make these charming bird’s nest cookies. These cookies would be a great addition to any spring get together, Easter or just for fun.

 
{I toasted my coconut on a Sil Pat but just on a cookie sheet is fine}

Bird\’s Nest Cookies
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups sweetened flaked coconut
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter; softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Blue Jordon Almonds 

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread out coconut onto a baking sheet and toast until slightly golden brown. You will want to stir it a couple times for even coloring.
2. Cream butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth. Add egg and vanilla; beat until smooth.
3. Mix flour, salt and baking powder together in a a bowl. Pour flour mixture into creamed mixture and stir by hand until evenly incorporated.
4. Shape dough into balls and roll in toasted coconut. Place on your baking sheet (I covered mine with parchment paper). Use your thumb and make an indentation in the center of each ball to form a nest.
5. Bake about 8-10 minutes or until golden.  Allow to cool on a cooling rack and place 2-3 jordon almonds in each cookie.

Simple Comfort

Posted on February 27, 2012 by

25 Comments

  {Neiman Marcus cookies}

The dreary weather that consumed the weekend was not going to get me down. I made the weekend all about simple comforts. Watching my favorite romantic comedies, the smell of homemade bread baking in the bread machine and whipping up a batch of Neiman Marcus cookies. Of course I can’t forget the best way to combat bad weather, filling the house with fragrant flowers.What do you do on dreary weekends?

 {romantic comedies}
{bright daffodils}
{homemade honey basil wheat bread}
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