Thoughts For Friday

Get ready for random overload.

I got my first manicure in a long time.  It was pure bliss to sit alone in the nail salon and get my nails done. I always bring my own nail polish so I can do touch-ups at home.  I went with Essie Power Clutch and love it.  Such a great shade for Fall.

I have loving this new bread I found at the Grocery store called Eureka- it is so delicious.

On instagram several of you wanted to know what bread I was using for my BLT and it was the Eureak SAAA-Wheat.

I have been so bored with TV lately.  I can't find anything I want to watch.  Only thing I have been hooked on lately is Flip or Flop in HGTV.  I love seeing them fix up all the old houses and what it costs.

and this is so true.  I am phone addicted.

I got the cutest leggings for Frances at my favorite baby store here called Sugar Snap Pea.  Had to share!  If you don't live here you can find them online here.

I just downloaded Lena Dunham's book to read and I can't wait to dig in, has anyone read it?

Blake Lively and Ran Reynolds having a baby together is so not fair.  She looks amazing pregnant of course.

Last night I went to a Fashion Show at Hampden Clothing.  Stacy holds these 2-3 times a year and they are always so much fun to see the new clothes.

My favorite jacket of the night and me with my friends Amy, Caycee, and Krystine

If you missed the Shopbop Friends and Family, Saks started theirs and it runs thru this weekend.  25% off the site use code FRNFAM.  I will share some more pics from the Saks site tomorrow.

I am tempted to buy this Equipment Blouse it is already on sale and then you get additional 25% off!

|| Equipment Blouse

The Rag and Bone Nicole Top is part of sale too if you missed it at Piperlime.

Sterling and I baked the most delicious Pumpkin Muffins this week.  I used Smitten Kitchen's recipe and we devoured them.  I found the toppers at CVS.  Sterling is Halloween obsessed so they were a fun addition.

 Have a great weekend!

Home Tour The Den || Wingback Chairs with GDC Home

I know many of you requested I do a home tour so I thought I would start room by room and share a little peak into our home sweet home.  I am sure many of you feel the same way but most rooms in my house are a work in progress and never feel totally finished to me.  Our den though is pretty close to being finished since I had the recess lighting installed and my wing back chairs recovered.  We live in a small old ranch brick house and while I frequently yearn for more space I also truly love this little house we live in.  It was our first home we bought together and where we brought both children home from the hospital.  It holds so many special memories.  We also love our neighborhood and neighbors so we may end up doing an addition here instead of moving who knows what the future holds for us.

I present our den aka family room.  This is our main room we spend time in.  It is long and narrow which makes it awkward for furniture arrangement.  The only two things left I really want to do are buy a flat screen TV to mount on the wall (ours is an older version that can not be hung) and get some custom curtains made.  This is where I can't make a decision- I welcome any input on fabric for the curtains.  I also would love something new above the couch but Matt loves that darn mirror and I am having a hard time getting him to part with it.

I have always loved this corner in our entryway but hate the cords from the lights any tricks for that?

  and yes I realize my top book is upside down, the kids ruined the top but I still love the book so just flipped it over.  The joy of kids nothing is safe in your house:)

and my new favorite part of the room our wing back chairs!!  This is what they looked like before.

I am so pleased with the results.  I worked with GDC Home and was so pleased with the results.  I have to say they have such an impressive fabric selection and everyone there was a huge help.   If you need fabric it is wonderful because you can take as many samples as you want and even check the whole bolt of fabric out which is what I did. I had originally thought I wanted a pattern and checking out the bolts helped me to realize in the end I wanted a neutral.  I tire of things quickly and with a neutral I can easily switch out the pillows.  I decided to jazz up the neutral with brass nailheads for a polished look.

The fabric I choose for the chairs is called Maisey Sea Glass and if one GDC location doesn't have what you are looking for they will call the other or order it for you, simple as that!

This month they are running their Tableware sale and the have some gorgeous pieces.  A great time to buy entertaining pieces for the holidays.

The fabric is textured up close which I love.  I worked with Quality Upholstery and they did an excellent job for a great price if you need Upholstery work done here.

 Lets end with my little foo dogs, I love these guys.  They were one of the first things I ever won from entering a blog contest!

DEN || DETAILS

I always love to know details so here are a few if you have other questions feel free to email me!

-Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

Couch | Crate and Barrel

Leopard Pillows | Piper Collection

Needlepoint Leopard Pillows | Dransfield and Ross

Ottomans and Matching Pillows | Custom

Side Table | Vintage from my Grandparents

Art Work | Modern Painting Hills Plum

Rug | Karastan

Cane Back Chair | Estate Find

Console Piece TV sits on | Vintage Antiques of South Windemere

 

Top 12 Buys From The Shopbop Friends and Family Sale

It's that time of the year Friends and Family Events left and right.  It can be overwhelming but also a great time to add some items to your closet.  I always try and hold out for these sales to snag a good deal.  I know every other blogger blogged about the Shopbop sale yesterday but I wanted to narrow it down to 12 items and many I own and really recommend.

Use code FAMILY25 at checkout and the sale ends Thursday!

ONE || RayBan Aviators

This is the one thing I actually just ordered.  I have been wanting these forever.  I love the tortoise shell.  They come to under $100 with the promo.

TWO || Rag and Bone Ripped Skinny Jeans

I own these and love them!

THREE || Rag and Bone Classic V-Neck Tee

This is hands down the best and most flattering tee shirt. I own it in three colors.

FOUR || BB Dakota Lillian Jacket

I bought this jacket last year in the brown color and for the price (under $100) it is a great buy.

FIVE || Equipment Riley Tee 

This is such a great tee.  Love the Fall pattern.  I owe the Riley Tee in a few patterns and wear it often.

SIX || Loeffler Randall Ella Bootie

This is my new favorite bootie for Fall!  It would go with everything.

SEVEN || Soft Joie Emmi Dress

This is such a great versatile black dress. 

EIGHT || Club Monaco Sweatshirt Dress

I love the pale pink bow detail on this gray dress.  Such a fabulous feminine twist.

NINE || Rebecca Minkoff Finn Bag

No secret, I love a fringe bag and this cross body is perfection.

TEN || Missoni Woven Scarf

I got this scarf for Christmas two years ago and it is my favorite scarf ever.  It goes with everything!

 

ELEVEN || Mara Hoffman Snake Maxi

This is such a great maxi to transition from Summer to Fall. I own this and wear it often.  Pregnant friends it would be great with a belly because it is super loose.  So cute with a leather jacket thrown on over it too.

TWELVE || David Lerner High Rise Leggings

I am all about high rise leggings.  They really suck you in.  I own a regular pair of the David Lerner leggings and really like them.  These come in 4 fabulous colors for Fall.  The perfect legging with loose blouses or sweaters!

The Spiralizer + Recipes and Other Kitchen Gadgets I Love

You might remember a few months ago I posted about trying to decide between the hand held spiralizer and the Paderno.  Well I decided to pay a little more and go with the Paderno and I could not be happier.  This little gadget has changed my life, trust me you need one.  The possibilities are endless and I swear when you are eating the veggie noodles it feels like you are eating real pasta. 

The main complaint people had with the Paderno was storing it and cleaning it.  Cleaning it is a breeze to me and you can even put the parts in the dishwasher.  It is a bit big, I keep mine in a basket in my kitchen with the blades in a locked drawer (my kids will get their hands on anything not put up)! 

I have the three blade version, but apparently they have a 4 blade version as well and it is only $10 more.  Use code SHIP4FREE to get free shipping on orders over $49.

Paderno Spiralizer

I wanted to share two really simple recipes I made recently. One is using raw veggies and one is slightly cooked.  The possibilities are endless.

Z u c c h i n i   S a l a d 

 

Cut 2 Zucchinis using the 3mm blade.  Whisk together olive oil, dijon mustard, honey, champagne vinegar and salt and pepper.  Toss noodles with this dressing and add crumbled feta and fresh cherry tomatoes.

S w e e t   P o t a t o   S a l a d 

This recipe is thanks to one of my instagram followers.  Cut 1-2 sweet potatoes using the 3mm blade.  Heat olive oil in a pan add in two cloves minced garlic and sweet potatoes.  Cook about 5-10 minutes depending how soft you want the potatoes. I cooked a bit longer to get them a little cripsy, so good!  Season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with parsley and fresh grated Parmesan Cheese.  If you want heat add a few red pepper flakes!

I can't wait to make this Slutty No Carb Pasta next.

If you want more recipes you must check out Inspiralized- her blog is only recipes using the Paderno Spiralizer.  It is amazing!!

I can't wait to make this recipe she just posted: Zucchini Spaghetti With Crispy Proscuitto and Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon Parmesan Sauce!

A few other Kitchen Gadgets I am loving lately:

\\ M a n d o l i n

I use my Mandolin often.  I use it to shred cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and other lettuces.  Also great for thinly sliced cucumber salad.

\\ G a r l i c   P r e s s 

I used to buy the jarred garlic and I never will again.  Fresh garlic is just so much more flavorful and delicious.  If you don't have a garlic press you need one, it makes mincing garlic a breeze.

\\ M i c r o p l a n e  G r a t e r 

I use this often for citrus zest or grated fresh ginger.

\\ S t a r  M i c r o p l a n e 

This is the perfect grater for Parmesan Cheese.  Regular graters make it too thick and this grates it finely.

\\ I p a d   S t a n d

I got this stand last year for Christmas and use it all the time.  I frequently use my IPad when cooking so this works great.  You can kind of see it in the first picture on this post.

and these I don't have them but I want them!! 

\\ S t a i n l e s s   S t e e l   C h o p s t i c k s