Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Get It Together: A Little Stormy


1. Abstract Impressionist Oil, Serena & Lily $2,375 2. Burgundy Pillow, Crate & Barrel $24.95  3. Georgetown Solid Brass Pendant Light, Lamps Plus $299.99  4. Waris Side Table, Jayson Home $1,495  5. Amana Brass Candleholders, Serena & Lily $48  6. Baxton Studio Cortland Beige Linen Chair, Overstock $334.99
Monday, April 29, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013

Working For The Weekend

Things have been a bit crazy here...good crazy, but crazy nonetheless.  Case in point, I just realized this will be my fourth consecutive weekend out of town.  That qualifies as at least a little nuts, right?  I'm spending this Saturday and Sunday in Birmingham, Alabama for my very last trip to visit the guys on this tour.  There's only a few weeks left 'til they come home so hopefully it's smooth sailing from here on out for all parties involved.  I'm working on a bunch of exciting Design Muse projects and I'm so pumped to get to tell you all about them in due time.  It's gonna be a great couple weeks, an even better summer and a stellar rest of the year.  Enjoy the links!

Science, meet top 10 lists (so cool)

Hmm...noted.

Want it!

Great idea.

Gol-ly...these look amazing.

Had one of these growing up!

Too, too good.

I will 100% use this.


Thursday, April 25, 2013

The Foodie Files

So three things you need to know right off the bat...1) these cookies are amazing, 2) this recipe makes a ton, and 3) I brought a few dozen to work with me this morning.  If you live in the Nashville area and want to swing by the Design Muse office in Nicole Marie Salon and Spa I'd be thrilled to share a few :).  Since a good oatmeal chocolate chip cookie is hard to come by these days (thanks to raisin sabotage), I had to take matters into my own hands and whip up a variation of this recipe.  The baker claimed they were the best oatmeal cookies you'll find and I have to say...she's right.

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup dark chocolate chips


Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.  In a large bowl mix together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth.  Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.  Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; then stir into the mixture until just blended. 


Mix in the quick oats, walnuts, and chocolate chips. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.


Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Get It Together: Girl With The Pearl Bedroom


1. Modernist Dark Brass Headboard, 1stdibs  2. Stripe Sheet Set, West Elm $19.99-$99  3. Gold Pillow Ball, Andrew Yes $325  4. Ro Sham Beaux George Gold Lamb, Layla Grace $458  5. Ludlow Pillow, Z Gallerie $49.95  6. Girl With a Pearl Earring, Z Gallerie $159.95  7. Kumi Kookoon Silk Filled Comforter, ABC Carpet & Home $1,075-$1,538
Monday, April 22, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013

The Foodie Files

Is it possible to develop an addiction to golden cherry tomatoes?  If so...well...I have that.  And it's serious.  I'll try and give you a tomato break next week (though I can't make any promises) but I think you're gonna enjoy the fun take on good 'ol fashioned salsa I've got for you today.  You can't believe how fresh it tastes!  All I can say is if you can share it, you're a better person than me (which reminds me...no one look in my parents fridge...there's nothing to see there).

1 pint golden cherry tomatoes
1 shallot, chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 chile pepper, seeded and minced
2 garlic cloves
1 lemon, juiced
Salt and peper to taste.

Finely chop tomatoes and place in a bowl.


Add chopped shallots and minced garlic cloves, then mix.


Throughly mix in cilantro, minced chili pepper (fun fact, we got ours from my Dad's backyard aquaponics greenhouse!), lemon juice and salt and pepper.


Refrigerate in a sealable jar for at least one hour...the flavors need just a bit of time to mesh.  Finally, grab a bag of your favorite tortilla chips and dig in!   

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Mirror, Mirror

Since this week held the first indications that we're not all trapped in White Witch-Era Narnia, I'm just gonna jump ahead a few months and talk beachwear.  It may be too soon but I couldn't possibly bring myself to care.  While I'd wear this outfit myself in a heartbeat, I think it's even better suited to my gorgeous cousin Jess (who flew in last weekend to help with the wedding I coordinated...she totally saved the day.  Sure do miss that girl!).  Maybe she'll rock a similar look this summer on our annual trip to Miami...I guess we'll all have to wait and see!


1. Acne Studios, ShopStyle $570  2. Duo Color Tote, Shoptiques $150  3. Vintage Style Flat Link Necklace, ASOS $19.95  4. Gold Plated Tassel Necklace, Saint Laurent $1,250  5. Rainbow Printed Bikini, Mara Hoffman $220  6. Kira Metallic Sandals, J. Crew $138  7. Rainbow Printed Bikini, Mara Hoffman $220
Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Get It Together: Wired Up


1. Belle Epoque Poster, 1stDibs  2. Reef Pendants, Jayson Home $250  3. Caged Apothecary Jars, Z Gallerie $29.95-$59.95  4. Yves Delorme Berlingot Pillow, ABC Carpet and Home $95  5. Butch Bar Stool, Jayson Home $498  6. Draper Stripe Brick Red Patterned Rug, Dwell Studio $98
Monday, April 15, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013

Working For The Weekend

I'm posting from New York City today!  I'm in town orchestrating a lovely wedding.   After months of planning, the ceremony is tomorrow...which, as you can imagine, means it's crunch time.  Everything is coming together beautifully but I'm gonna be one tired girl come Monday!  In fact, enjoy the links and take a nap in my honor if you can.

This might be worth looking into...

Whoa...this sounds amazing!

Is it weird that I kind of want this?

So simple but so cute.

There's some fun ideas here!

Ha, this is too great.

I could get in some trouble here.

New merch available.  Get it while you still can!
Thursday, April 11, 2013

The Foodie Files

I'm not sure what the weather's been like where you are, but the last few days were beautiful here in Jersey.  I'm pretty confident it's just a tease but I'll take sunny skies and 80 degrees any way I can get it!  Now...this may be the vitamin D talking, but in celebration of this week's perfect weather my Mom made what can only be described as the best summer salad I've ever had in my life.  While it's a lot like a traditional tabouleh in most ways, she used millet instead of bulgar wheat (neither one sounds like a picnic, I know, but don't knock it 'til you try it).  She graciously jotted down the recipe so I could share it with you guys and I can't wait to hear what you think...it's seriously delicious!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup millet
2-3 shallots, finely diced
5 oz parsley
3 oz swiss chard
8 oz yellow grape tomatoes, diced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 cup lemon and lime juice (about 1 lemon and 2 limes)
1/4 cup extra virgin first cold pressed olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook the millet according to package instructions (in water with olive oil and salt about 20-25 minutes or until al dente).  Whisk the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl and set aside.  Wash the parsley and swiss chard, then use a salad spinner or paper towels to thoroughly dry it.


Remove all the stems, then grab a handful of the parsley and swiss chard and roll it up.  Slice the roll as thinly as possible, then chop in the opposite direction so the cut is very fine.  Add the chopped greens to a large bowl along with the tomatoes and shallots.  Add the millet along with the dressing and toss everything together.  It's as simple as it is tasty!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Mirror, Mirror

I bet if a psychologist looked at the last couple Mirror, Mirror posts they'd have something to say...I've just been in this exceptionally bright and bold mood as of late.  I know this week's outfit is over the top but I love it!  It's got a few elements that I'm especially crazy about, most notably pattern mixing and pattern matching.  If you break this outfit down, the trick lies in combining the right pattern scale and color...but more so than anything a look like this mostly comes down to your instincts.  If the pieces feel complimentary to you, take the risk!      


1. Yellow Striped Scarf, Mossimo Supply Co $15  2. Jockey Woven Tote, Accesorize $48.50  3. Illamasqua Nail Varnish, Sephora $14  4. Niccolo Woven Pants, Jil Sander $600  5. Sleeveless Stripe Shell Top, Topshop $60  6. Chase Bib Bead Necklace, Kate Spade $139  7. Casadei Sculptural Sandals, Luis Viaroma $900
Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Get It Together: Sweet and Sleek


1. Century Table Lamp, Z Gallerie $199  2. Desert and Succulent Terrarium, Z Gallerie $16.95  3. Maggie Pillow, Joss and Main $40  4. Blue Garden Floral Throw, Bonnie and Neil $620  5. Maxime Dining Chair, Jonathan Adler $1,400  6. Gold Metal Table, Regina Andrew $748
Monday, April 8, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013

Working For The Weekend

I don't know why, but I had the hardest time finding links for this week's Working For The Weekend!  While I want to blame the internet, it's possible I just wasn't quite on my game.  After quite a bit of hunting I did find some real gems though...I hope you enjoy them thoroughly.  I'm heading to New Jersey bright and early tomorrow to help out with a dear friend's NYC wedding...it's crunch time so say a prayer for us.  I've been all about coast to coast traveling lately and I'm loving it.  Adventures abound :).  Hope your weekend is full of wonderful things!

The amount of joy this brought me is actually pretty embarrassing...

I need to see this!!!

Ha, too fun.

Very informative, thank you Gwyneth!

Awesome hotels for grownups and kiddos.

Gotta try this!

Incredible prices...seriously.

Loving this album right now.


Thursday, April 4, 2013

The Foodie Files

Today's Foodie File has it all.  It's delicious without being complicated and healthy without sacrificing taste...a next level baked potato if you will.  Nina whipped these up with dinner last night and I was quite honestly blown away by how tasty they were.  Never in a million years would I have thought to put these flavors together but it turned out to be such a balanced recipe...every ingredient complimented the next perfectly.  Put this one in your back pocket cause it's a keeper.

Ingredients: 
2 sweet potatoes
1/2 cup diced onions
2 cups spinach
1 avocado
1 lemon
Cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees, then pierce sweet potatoes with a fork and cover with foil.  Bake for 1 hour (word for the wise: you may want to put a cookie sheet on the bottom oven rack...the chance of leak-age is high).


Saute onions until tender, then add spinach and season to taste.  Cut and dice your avocado and pile one half on each sweet potato.  Generously squeeze lemon over avocado and add a pinch of cayenne pepper and salt.  Top with your sauteed onion and spinach and dig in!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Mirror, Mirror

I'm back in lovely Nashville after a fabulous weekend in LA.  Visiting my brother, cousins and boyfriend on tour is always a little bittersweet (wonderful while I'm there, sad when I have to leave) but I'm so thankful for every moment I got to spend with them.  And California is such a beautiful state!  Can't believe I'd never been.  The one thing all you well traveled folks neglected to mention to me, however, is that there's pretty much no humidity there...so while 60 degrees and sunny in Nashville seems gorgeous, 60 degrees and sunny in LA is still basically freezing.  Needless to say I brought all the wrong clothes.  Today's Mirror, Mirror reminds me a lot of one of the outfits I brought but didn't get to wear.  If we ever manage to vanquish this cold spell, I'll give it another go.


1. Silk and Wool Mini Dress, Victoria Beckham $1,995  2. Tortoise Shell Sunglasses, Louis Viaroma 3. Ethnic Woolen Scarf, Zara $59.90  4. Large Empire Collar, Pamela Love $1,650  5. Animal Skull Ring, Asos $16.63  6. Shola Platforms, Topshop $110  7. Leather Tote, Cuyana Shop $150
Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Get It Together: Artsy Prep



1. Blue Vine Lamp, Circa Lighting  2. Gold Nesting Bowls, Aerin $550  3. Delphine Chair, Jayson Home $1,436  4. Neon Tamburine Throw Pillow, Society6 $20  5. Yves Delorme Berlingot Pillow, ABC Carpet & Home $100  6. Large Brass Kaleidoscope, Moda Operandi $2,595  7. Zebra Geo II Rug, Eastern Knots
Monday, April 1, 2013