book review {jan}

As promised I was going to give you my own personal review on... Girl, wash your face by Rachel Hollis. Please remember this is my review... Everyone interprets self help/messages differently. Which I love! 

OK! Here I go...  I liked this book! It was an easy basic book to read. What suckered me in was her humor and her realism with everything. She didn't sugar coat anything and of course she made you crack up reading it. Kind of felt like you were right next to her throughout her ups and downs. The one main thing that really hit home to me was how honest she was. She has fallen many many times {we all have} in everything in life, but she manages to just get back up and keep going. When she's down she pushes harder. When she makes a mistake she fixes it... And keeps going again and again! Everything she does, its for herself and no one else. She makes a commitment to what she wants to do and goes for it. Its 100% obvious she's a type A person. Rachel constantly has to be doing something. But she's learned to say no, She's learned to do less... Well, she kind of had to {read the book and you will see why}. I'm assuming your getting the point of what type of person she is.... A GO GETTER! She doesn't make any excuses of being a working mom... She loves both worlds. I think in society working moms have been frowned upon... But in today's society people are realizing that's not practical. If anyone wants to work and they're good at it... Go for it! Why should a woman only stay home and watch the kids? Why? I love working and staying home with my little's. I've been so lucky that I can do both. I think that's amazing. Rachel puts off the message that do what you love in life... Happiness will follow you and you will definitely put off more positive vibes. Love that! Once again, I think today's society {Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook} say's we all have to do everything perfectly. OH NO we don't... I want to meet that person! Call me when you find her or him.   

I don't really have anything bad to say about this book. Any book that's encouraging anyone is a winner to me! No matter how many times you read "any" self-help books you will always pick something out of it that will help you in that moment of your life. I'm a huge believer in laughter... I love to laugh. Actually, I believe people who laugh and are fun and are the key to a perfect world. That's me! So when you're down and out, go rise up and kick butt! Hello we all have problems that's called life, its how we handle them is the true lesson here. We all need to realize that their is a light at the end of the tunnel and we all will be OK in the end. Rachel sure does preach that! Go get this book... You will laugh, enjoy it and even kick a little butt when reading it!  

I give this book an A review

monday {menu}

Autumn Sangria with Apples, Pomegranate and Figs

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 large apple, cut into thin wedges
• 5 figs, cut into quarters
• 1 bottle chilled prosecco
• 1 cup brandy
• 2 cups pomegranate juice
• ice

Instructions:

1. In a large pitcher filled half way with ice, add the fruit and the top with the juice, brandy and the chilled prosecco.
2. Serve cold.

happy sunday...

stay calm

I think J-Crew might be coming back to reality {yes}... I hope they do! Fingers crossed! Forget this trendy stuff! You know and I know the things that last are the classics. No, its not the big t-shirt or sweatshirt that says, Hollywood... or Love first... Or over ice! You get my point. Just keeping it real. Pull out the ballet flats and simple cardigans and everything will be all good again! 

friday fashion

I {heart} the color blue... Don't ask why, but I sure do! Blue is very calming and clean to me. Putting on a pair of blue jeans on with a simple sweater to a casual blue t-shirt really is all you need. I think that's why I design with so much with Blue and White... Its classic and simple! Truth, I don't have that many blue and white clothing accessories, but definitely admire them. I think investing in a few might be in my future! What do you think... Are you a blue fan?    

its the little things

The little details in a bathroom really do make a h u g e... Seriously,  how stunning is this edging on this marble! Absolutely beautiful! Sometimes when you're planning so much so fast, you miss a few things and realize it when you either design another bathroom for yourself or for a client {wink}. Well, I sure missed the boat for Taylor's bathroom and  didn't do this detail. So sad, but  I will survive.  Thank goodness you know me because now you won't miss this memo and you can do the detail in your own bathroom. Gorgeous! 

monday {menu}

30 minute Cinnamon Knots

{recipe... here}

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoon instant yeast*
• 2 tablespoons honey**
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 3-3 ½ cups all-purpose flour***

BUTTER AND SUGAR

• 1/4 cup butter melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 heaping tablespoon ground cinnamon

ICING

• 1 tablespoon butter melted
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-3 tablespoons milk

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small saucepan, melt butter.
2. When butter is mostly melted, stir in milk, and heat mixture to 100-110 F.
3. Meanwhile, add yeast and honey to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or a large mixing bowl if mixing by hand).
4. When milk mixture is at temperature, add to yeast and honey; stir to combine.
5. Add salt and egg, and stir until combined.
6. Stir in 2 ½ cups of flour.
7. Add remaining flour until dough clings to paddle and cleans the sides of the bowl.
8. Switch to the dough hook, and knead for 2 minutes (or by hand for about 5 minutes).
9. While dough it kneading, stir together granulated sugar and cinnamon in a wide, shallow dish.
10. Preheat oven to 400 Line a 9x13-inch rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking liner. Set aside.
11. Divide dough into 12 pieces.
12. Roll piece of dough into rope 8 inches long.
13. Dip in butter, and then roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture.
14. Tie dough into knots, and place dough on prepared baking sheet. If you'd like a how-to on shaping the knots, check out the video just above the recipe.
15. Repeat process with remaining dough.
16. Cover, and let dough rest for 10 minutes.
17. Bake for about 9-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
18. While the knots are baking, prepare the icing.
19. Stir together melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
20. Add 1 tablespoon milk, and stir in. Continue adding milk until icing reaches desired consistency. I use about 1 1/2-2 tablespoons for a thicker icing.
21. Remove knots from oven, and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
22. Drizzle icing over knots, and serve warm.

happy sunday...

f y i

happy love day

1st painting class

HOLY SMOKES... Last Wednesday was the 1st day of my beginning painting class I signed up for. A H H H I absolutely loved it! Not going to lie I had a headache the night before and that morning. See I stress myself out before anything even happens {in any situation I tend to do that}... Then I popped 2 Tylenols and said, its no big deal this is a class just for fun! Stop worrying and enjoy. No one is here to judge your work. OMG I had so much fun. For about an hour an adorable instructor by the name of Linda spoke to a few of us and taught us some things {basics}. Like... Brush types, oil and acrylic issues,  canvas sizes that were best to use to start with and base paint on your canvas. Dughhuhh I totally knew about all of that. Nope... My memory was completely erased the day I left college art classes and started my fabulous Interior Design business. hahaha Some instruction came back to me. All I can say is, I'm sooo happy I took the jump and signed up for this class... I followed through with something I was afraid to do on my own and I was scared I wouldn't like it. Then have the guilt I just paid for a 7 week painting course that I didn't like and quit. I did it and took the plunge! Well, people I love it! As of right now I would sign up again and again and again... Keep you posted on my progress and if anything scandalous happens in class. lol

come on in

{all photos are from rustic rooster pinterest... here}

Your entry definitely needs to start off with a big bang! Either with artwork, fresh flowers, pottery or a very large and in charge mirror. You need to captivate your guests. You want them to feel welcome and invited in! All of these entry's above are so different, but they all are welcoming and say, "Come on in!" Get my point... What does your entry say? Does it scream... "Get away!" or "Hello, come on in!"

monday {menu}

{recipe... here}

EDIBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP 

COOKIE DOUGH 

MILKSHAKE

INGREDIENTS

• For the Milkshake:
• 1.25 cups of milk
• 4 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup cookie dough (see separate ingredients below)
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• whipped cream
• ½ cup cookie dough (see separate ingredients below) for rim garnish
• ⅓ cup milk chocolate chips for rim garnish
• 1 chocolate chip cookie per glass per garnish
• For the Cookie Dough:
• ¾ cup shortening
• 1¼ cups packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups + 2 Tbsp flour, sifted
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips

happy sunday...

today's the s a l e

Today's the day!

 Its our Coastal Alley S A L E!

* BEHIND THIS ADDRESS in the alley * 

930 S. Coast Highway 101

Encinitas, CA 92024

No Joke we are in the alley behind the above address

tomorrow... is... the... SALE

coastal alley sale {mini preview}

This is just a pinch of what we will be selling on Saturday, February 9th {9:00am to 11:00am}! I promise this SALE  will not disappoint! Stop by and Say HI... And shop till you drop {wink}!

We're in the ALLEY BEHIND our OLD storefront address... 930 South Coast Highway 101. Encinitas, CA 92024! No Joke we are in the ALLEY behind this address!!!! Can't miss us!