back to school

 

{1st day of PEC, Aug. 2017}

 

Well, the clock keeps rolling forward for me and my little ones... Y I K E S! Monday Taylor and Ryan started school. They're now in 4th and 6th grade. Isn't it crazy to think just yesterday I walked them in to kindergarten. This will be the last year that both of my babies are at the same school... Until high school. I don't know how I feel about that. On one hand they're growing up so beautifully and on the other hand... It's all going to fast for me. I know I've said this a million times before, but my kids are my entire life... We have gone through so much that our bond is beyond insane and without them I don't know how I could have made it through the past. I tell the kids we went on an adventure and we now can laugh and learn about it!  So with each step that we go forward I shower them with so much love and attention.  Yes, it is true what they say, In a blink of an eye they're grown up. I'm still very thankful that my kids love to travel with me and kiss me good bye each and everyday. I will never stop trying! Good luck in a new grade... You will have so much fun this year! Momma loves you with all my heart!    

 

 

master bedroom {interior design}

I LOVE the before pictures that I always take when I first meet with a new client. I'm sure the clients are terrified of what I'm going to do with them. Of course I would never, ever embarrass my clients {wink}. Hello... The before's are the b e s t! Truth, it all works out in the end!

I really enjoyed working with this family. The wife absolutely cracked me up. It was never a dull moment when I came over to her house. I loved hearing about the master bedroom neglect... She was horrified when friends would come over and she would have to make a million excuses on why it wasn't pretty. She kept apologizing for the room... I totally understood her pain. Sometimes certain rooms get neglected because you want other parts of your home to get completed first. Plus, you want to finish some rooms first that are more visual than others. Believe me I completely understand! 

The feeling that we wanted to achieve in this room was a calming and tranquil space mixed in with classic tones. My clients kids are at the age where they are all "hanging out" down stairs in the family room... Instead of kicking the kids out, they decided to keep the kids home safe, but have a their own space to retreat to and feel comfortable! We accomplished just that... If I had installed a mini fridge in the room life would have definite been even more complete for them. But, If I did install a fridge... I don't think they would have ever come down stairs again!  

I love these classic leather chairs I chose. They're beyond comfortable and very durable. Let me remind you they had 2 cats and 3 dogs so they needed durability. All of the fabric was sealed for stain resistance. We wanted too go the extra mile... Just incase! 

I had so much fun designing this master bedroom. This job was so much fun and extremely easy because I had fabulous and beyond trusting clients... They understood I had a vision and I was going to make their dream come true! A new master retreat! I hope you all enjoyed my before and after photos. See it all really does work out in the end {wink}!

 

monday {menu}

crispy slow cooker carnitas

{recipe here}

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (4-5 pound) lean boneless pork roast, excess fat trimmed, cut into 3-inch chunks
• 1 cup beer (or chicken stock)
• 1 medium white onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 tablespoon chipotle powder (or 1 chipotle in adobo sauce, minced)
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Add the pork and sear on each side until browned (about 1-2 minutes per side). Transfer pork to a large slow cooker.
2. Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker, and give the mixture a stir to combine. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the pork is completely tender and shreds easily with a fork.
3. Once the pork is cooked, preheat your broiler to high heat and prepare two baking sheets with aluminum foil. Use a fork to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, and then use a slotted spoon to transfer it to the prepared baking sheets, spreading the pork in an even layer and leaving the juices behind in the slow cooker.  (Don’t discard the juices, we’re going to use them later!)
4. Place one sheet under the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the edges of the pork begin browning and crisping up. Remove the sheet from the oven, then ladle about 1/4 cup of the juices from the slow cooker evenly over the pork, and then give it a good toss with some tongs.  Broil for an additional 5 minutes to get the meat more crispy. Then remove and ladle an additional 1/4 cup of broth over the crispy pork.
5. Repeat with the other baking sheet of pork.
6. Serve immediately in tacos, burritos, salads, or whatever sounds good to you!  This pork can also be refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 3 days, or frozen in a sealed container for up to 3 months.

happy sunday...

exterior of the day

WOW... Talk about an impressive home! I feel like the minute the front door opens you would see a rolling green lawn for miles... I can just feel the crisp fall air looking at this picture. Would you move in? I know this is definetly a dream home for me. I have sleepless nights thinking about moving to the East Coast... My only fear is the weather there. Truth, I'm so spoiled by the weather here in Southern California that a slight breeze throws me off. Ok I'm not that dramatic, but staying in the cold for too long makes me a little crazy. So I guess the best thing that I can do is 1.) Visit the east coast all the time and 2.) Build my dream home here! Win Win!  

monday {menu}

I'm going to call this... The Ultimate Fighting Machine. W O W this board is to die for. Fruits, veggies, meats, cheese to tons of different sauces. Beyond creative! It is true color is everything along with presentation! I definitely look forward to making this... Hopefully soon! Enjoy!

happy sunday...

for sale

OK timing really is everything! So with that said, the time is just right for me to sell the Volvo. Out wth the old, in with the new! I need a change! Since I have so much positive change happening in my life I thought it would be a great idea to sell my car and start making more fabulous memories in a new car. So If YOU or if you know of anyone that is interested in a 2008 Volvo V70 please let me know {alexandra@rusticrooster.com}. I can't even tell you how solid this car is. I can load so much in it and it's beyond reliable. Of course it has normal wear and tear, but over all it looks fabulous! FYI I have never been in an accident in it. Oh and they don't make this model anymore... So technically I have something very special! Do I call it a classic car? haha I haven't posted this car on any sights... So you get first right of refusal {wink}!  

simplicity at its finest...

{all pictures from rustic rooster pinterest}

During our summer trip back east {Boston, Marblehead, Cape Cod and Nantucket} I noticed cafe curtains everywhere! In kitchens, offices, bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms, entries, etc... No joke everywhere! I have always loved them, but never really payed that much attention. Don't know why... I guess it is true, timing is everything in life {wink}.  They're so delicate and beautiful looking. Not a lot of fuss or struggle about them. Simplicity at its finest. I started to analyze their function. They look amazing, they keep the natural light in {great makeup application}, but most importantly they help with privacy. When I got home and had remo bathroom brain on my mind it hit me... Cafe curtains would be perfect in there! So it's a done deal... Cafe Curtains are going in my bathroom! 

yes or no

Finding a color palate that you love for your home can be very easy or an extremely difficult task! Sometimes you just stumble upon the perfect image and you just can't stop thinking about. Well, I've sure done that! Both of these images are from two different interior designers... And they have captured my attention. I sway back and forth with a soft sea foam palate to my classic blue and whites. I know I can mix the two, but I keep leaning towards these tones. Cool and refreshing. Truth, as the days get closer to completing this remodel I'm getting more and more excited and ready to make fabric decisions. I can envision everything like it's completely done! What's your favorite color palate?

f y i

Saturday, September 16, 2017 * 9am to 11:am

Saturday, November 11, 2017 * 9am to 11am

Saturday, February 17, 2018 * 9am to 11am

* dates subject to change *

In the alley "behind" the rustic rooster’s OLD storefront... 

930 South Coast Highway 101

 Encinitas, CA 92024

{street parking only}

monday {menu}

{recipe here}

ONE PANCAKES RECIPE

yields 10 - 12 pancakes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 super ripe banana
• 1 egg (egg substitute) 
• 1 cup vegan (or regular) yogurt (I used Kite Hill pain)
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 cup gluten-free pancake mix
• 1 pinch sea salt

DIRECTIONS

1. In a blender combine the yogurt, egg, banana and milk. Blend until creamy and no chunks.
2. Add the wet mixture to the dry pancake mix and whisk together by hand. 
3. Cook on a griddle the same way you would cook any other pancakes. Grease pan with some oil or butter and press down the pancake mixture each time you flip. The batter will be thick. 
4. Serve when the pancakes are cooked all the way through but not dry. 
5. Top with fresh fruit and fresh maple syrup. 

happy sunday...

do it

Seriously, I WANT all of these items. Ok, OK, OK... I "would like" all of these items! J-Crew has a fabulous new line out! Everything looks so cute! I've been seeing this navy floral eyelet top all over Instagram. Isn't it fun and flirty... The only thing I've noticed is, it looks a little short in the torso. I'm 40+ and short shirts don't fly with me. Could you see me in a crop top? Ya not happening! If anyone has it, please let me know if its a comfortable length... I'm holding off on buying any new clothes for a little while. I want to get this remodel behind me and my clothes moved back in to my new closet, before I get anything else.  Ever since I had to dive into my clothes {really did} to move them out of my room and into another I realized I have so many items that I need to start wearing again. Its kind of exciting, but slightly overwhelming. I'm challenging myself to put something new on everyday. It could be earrings, shoes to a new hat... But it has to be something I haven't worn in ages. Are you all up for the challenge? Do it!