happy sunday...

 

oh saturday

 

{rustic rooster pinterest page}

Oh Saturday... You look so sweet! Today is definitely my day to relax & do the things I'm unable to do during the week. From long coffee breaks, garden... Creative cooking on my leisurely time & hours upon hours of Pinterest pinning time. Ok Truth... I'm usually running around with my head cut off getting stuff ready for Monday for me & the kids. haha But lets just take a moment & look at all these pictures from my Pinterest page... They bring me pure joy! Happy Saturday everyone! 

the versatile garden stool...

One of my absolute favorite pieces to add to almost any space is a garden stool. Their versatility makes them perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. In the bathroom, use them to hold a stack of towels. In the office, next to your desk to hold a glass of your favorite beverage (no water stains on your desk). In the bedroom, next to your bed to hold a stack of books. In any space as a decorative piece that adds color and interest. The list goes on... How do you use your garden stool?

via Chinoiserie Chic

 

via Cathy Kincaid

via The Glam Pad

wandering wednesday (helmsdale, scotland)...

It was the bathroom of this home that first caught my attention. And the rest of it is just as perfect! This former fishing lodge is located in Helmsdale, Scotland. It took ten years of restoration and extensions to get it to where it is today. And it was worth it! How wonderful would it be to be surrounded by all of this beauty everyday... You can explore more of this charming home here.

via House and Garden

via House and Garden

via House and Garden

via House and Garden

via House and Garden

via House and Garden 

via House and Garden

via House and Garden

hello love month

Hello L O V E month! I know this sounds so cheezie to say,  but I do believe giving/showing people more affection makes people respond and act nicer! So why not... I'm trying this month!  I took this picture a few years ago on our way home from Bromley Ski Resort with my family in Vermont. This little pink house has always caught my eye. You would have cracked up to hear the kids moaning & grown as I pulled over to get the shot... A definite national geographic moment. This houses is off the highway. Not the safest place to park for a quick picture,  but I got it! All for Social media! Happy February 1st! 

monday {menu}

via Half Baked Harvest

Ingredients

• 4 salmon filets, skin on or off 
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup canned full-fat coconut milk, or heavy cream
• 2 ounces cream cheese, cubed 
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 4 cups fresh baby spinach
• juice from 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, plus more for serving

Instructions

• 1. Season the salmon all over with salt and pepper. 
  

  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the salmon, skin side down and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the salmon is crisp. Gently flip, and continue cooking the salmon for another 2-3 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking. Remove from the skillet. If desired, peel away the skin and discard. 
  

  3. To the same skillet, add the butter, shallots, and garlic and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, coconut milk, and cream cheese. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. Add the parmesan, and spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, parsley, and chives. Remove from the heat and slide the salmon back into the sauce. 
  

  4. To serve plate each piece of salmon, then spoon the sauce over top. Serve with additional herbs. 
  

 

happy sunday...

 

and pantone's color of the year is...

I am not one to follow trends, but I do like being aware of them. So every year, when the Pantone Color of the Year is announced, I am ready! This year, the color is "Very Peri". And if you pay attention, you will start to  notice it pop up everywhere, from fashion to PowerPoint presentations! What have you come across in this year's Pantone Color of the Year? 

via Pantone

 

maintaining your sanity during a remodel...

As you may have seen via Instagram, "phase 3" of our home remodel in underway! This is the big one! Although I am very excited to get this project completed, I am also a little anxious. So in addition to diligently planning all of the things that I need to do to prep the house, I have also explored ways to keep my sanity throughout it all. Here are a few things that seem to be working so far...

1. Having back-up plans. Not just one, but several, because if there is one thing that I do know, it's that things very rarely go according to plan. Accepting this is the first step to keeping your sanity intact. 

2. Setting weekly attainable goals that you can feel good about crossing off your list. This will  give you a sense of accomplishment, and help to keep you motivated throughout the process.

3. Having a space that you can be a refuge from the chaos. This is the place where everything is just as you'd like it, even if the space on the other side of the door is presently in disarray. 

4. Leaving the house... Step away for a bit and do something that you enjoy. For me, that is taking a long walk by the water with my dog and grabbing a coffee. Whatever it is that makes you happy, do it! 

5. Reminding yourself of the amazing space that you will have when its all done. The excitement of knowing that everything that you had envisioned for your space will be a reality will make it all worth it. 

So for all of you that are going through a remodel, or are planning on one, prioritize self-care, and it will all work out just fine... 

monday {menu}

 

via Rhubarbians

Cinnamon Orange Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup Bob's Red Mill organic unbleached all purpose white flour
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 dash salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup low fat buttermilk
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp, packed orange zest, about 1 medium orange
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 4-6 tablespoon butter
• Maple syrup (for serving)

Instructions

1. Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

2. Beat the egg in a large mixing bowl. Whisk in the buttermilk, vanilla, and orange zest. Gradually whisk in the flour mixture until well combined. Whisk in the baking soda.*

3. Melt 2 tablespoon of the butter in a large nonstick pan over medium heat and swirl to coat the pan. Scoop out ¼ cup of the mixture and pour into one side of the pan, creating about a 4" diameter pancake. Continue until you can't fit any more pancakes in your pan. Cook until bubbles form on the top of the cakes and begin to pop, about 3-5 minutes. Check to see if the bottom is brown and crispy, flip. Cook the other side about 2-3 minutes, or until browned and crispy on both sides. Remove from pan and set aside.

4. Continue to cook the pancakes until the batter is gone, adding 2 tablespoon butter to your pan between each batch.

   
   

   Serve immediately with warm maple syrup. Enjoy!

happy sunday...

via Be and Bloom

 

bringing back checkerboard floors...

My last post, featuring an amazing property in Middleburg, Virginia, reminded me of my love of checkered floors. Although checkerboard floors have been around forever, some may relate them to the unfortunate vinyl flooring that was widely used for a period of time. But I am here to replace those frightening mental images with a fresh look at how fabulous checkered floors can be! Although at first thought, one may associate them with a more traditional look, they actually work with a variety of styles. Take a look at these beautiful spaces to see how you may be able to incorporate the look into your own home... Happy Friday!

via Clem Around the Corner

via Planete Deco

via Sf Girl

via Linda Merrill

via Remodelista

 

wandering wednesday {middleburg, virginia}...

 

I discovered this house while perusing Pinterest, and it stopped me in my tracks! This gorgeous property is located in Middleburg, Virginia, the nation's horse and hunt capital. It is designed by the great Bunny Mellon, and was once a guest house for Jackie O. Amazing! The pocket doors, the diamond-patterned floors, the Bunny Mellon Blue, the beams, the history... What's not to love? Explore even more of this amazing property here.

via Architectural Digest

via Architectural Digest

via Architectural Digest

via Architectural Digest

via Architectural Digest

via Architectural Digest

via Architectural Digest