The Whirlwind that is Chicago
A few weeks ago I went back home to Chicago to visit. In one week I celebrated my birthday, my dad’s birthday and my niece’s birthday, appeared on ABC Channel 7 News, WGN Channel 9 News, spoke at my niece’s school, did a fundraiser for a woman who was recently hit by a drunk driver and spoke at the Chicago Historic Bungalow Association and Green Home Expo at the Merchandise Mart. What a whirlwind! Here are a few pic’s from my trip….Chicago I miss you!
At WGN Channel 9 getting ready for my segment with the vendors from the Chicago Bungalow Association and Green Home Expo.
Visiting Lukancic Middle School to speak to the kids in the Fuel up to Play 60 club. They are focusing on eating healthy, being active and making a difference for themselves and their community. These guys rock!
Hanging out with some of the volunteers at Nancy Hund’s Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. These women graciously donated their time to create a memorable night for everyone. Nancy was hit by a drunk driver in August and is still in the hospital recovering.
Speaking at the Chicago Bungalow Association and Green Home Expo.
My Favorite Food Blogger
I apologize to everyone who is reading this blog who is expecting design tips and it seems like all I’m writing about this month is food. The truth is that I love food just as much as design. I am a “foodie” for a million reasons. My boyfriend, who works on the Food Network, is one reason. He travels all over the world eating the most amazing food and then either makes it here at home or tries to take me out for it if we can find it. In between me running obsessively to work off the delicious peach cobbler he made or the french brasserie explosion that happens every once in a while, I spend a lot of my time eating, thinking or reading about food. My favorite favorite favorite food blogger on this planet has got to be Matt Armendariz. This guy can make the worst food look appetizing. Matt is a food blogger and photographer extraordinaire. You must check out his sites and drool over all his dishes and photography like I do. Below is a picture taken from his recent post about how to make scary apples for Halloween. I was going to post the recipe, but I feel its more appropriate for you to check out his whole site. Bon Appetit! www.mattbites.com
Inexpensive Halloween Decorating Ideas
Its Halloween decorating time again my little ghouls and ghosts. This year you don’t have to spend a lot to celebrate in a spooky fashion. Here are a few simple and easy holiday decorating tricks that will certainly get you in the spirit.
Buy inexpensive artwork from the thrift store, take out the existing picture and leave the glass. Give the frame a coat of black paint and use Looking Glass Spray Paint by Krylon to spray the glass. Or you can also go to http://vintageprintable.com/wordpress/and print up free art to insert into frame (they have some for Halloween or choose one of black crows). Another option is to purchase a piece of mylar (mirrored film) to insert into the frame for a spooky mirrored effect.
Go to the dollar store to pick up skulls, crows, and spider rings. Use as table décor by placing them around the food.
Go batty! Go out to your yard and pick up a branch or two and spray paint them silver. Using the free templates online, print out a bat and copy onto black construction paper. After you’ve cut out the bats, tie them to branches with fishing line to make a scary tree or simply just hang them from your ceiling at different heights.
Spray pumpkins with glitter spray paint. Go for green, orange, black or cream.
Cover your furniture, mantel or accessories with cheesecloth then sprinkle a few leaves or spiders on it. Or simply just cover furniture with white sheets.
Orange and red light bulbs will really creep the place out.
Make table centerpieces with black vases filled with orange roses or kale and don’t forget the candelabras.
- Using glow in the dark spray paint, spray various inexpensive items that you picked up from a thrift store. When the lights are off, the room will glow.
- Using a drill, drill your design into a pumpkin instead of carving it. For instance instead of carving a bat, why not drill the outline in.
Invest in plastic silver serving trays that you can find at the dollar store and then place them on top of pumpkins as your table décor(see the Martha pic above). Cut the top off of a pumpkin wide enough for the serving platter to sit on top of it.
The Perfect “Pieces”
Since this month is occupied by my ”favorites” on my blog, let me introduce you to Pieces. If you are a designer, homeowner , stylist or lover of vintage items with a sophisticated and modern twist, then Pieces in Atlanta is a must see. Lee Kleinhelter, an interior designer, opened Pieces in the Buckhead district in 2004 as a way to offer clean lined furnishings with a twist. With a desire to inspire, Lee also has an amazing talent to bring vintage items back to life. Her love of interesting and one-of-a kind pieces that she meticulously rejuvenates and pairs with other pieces in her store, turns what she does into a work of art. Below she talks about being inspired by fashion and architecture, how to mix pieces together and her number one rule of design. For more info you must check out their website which is pure eye candy for the designers soul. www.piecesinc.com
What or who inspires you?
I’m inspired by architecture, geometric patterns, color, fashion, magazines, everything……
As an interior designer, what’s your favorite room to design?
My favorite room to design always depends on the situation & project. Normally, my most favorite are the rooms you, originally, think are going to be the most difficult then you push the envelope to try something really different and it all just comes together. That’s the most fun! The obvious rooms to design aren’t always the most interesting to tackle.
Your store carries a combination of eclectic, modern, vintage, and quirky pieces. What do you think is the trick to combining all these different styles in one’s home?
The key is to mix items and keep it interesting with unexpected elements. The ‘less is more’ approach. This will keep the eye moving and makes the space interesting by using different design elements. An example is….rustic natural wood pieces mixed with clean modern lined upholstery and well edited accessories.
What was the vision behind your store?
Offering unique pieces and mixing them in a way that is unexpected that inspires the regular consumer, the stylist and the designer.
Do you have a best seller? Or what’s your favorite piece?
I’m in love with the vintage mirrored pieces. They add so much character to a space.
Do you work with local artists and designers?
Yes, we work with all types in the industry – designers, stylists, architects – working on all different types of projects. We truly enjoying working with everyone, not just those in the industry. We have such a broad range of customers.
Events at your store? Classes?
We occasionally will have events at the store. Our most favorite was a Domino magazine launch party. We loved Domino & wish they were still in distribution. We hosted a party for Tara Guerard of Soiree by Tara Guerard, who was doing of book signing of her book “Southern Weddings.”
What’s one rule of design you always like to follow?
Keep it simple & clean.
If you weren’t an interior designer with a successful store, what would you be doing?
I would probably be a professional organizer. I love label makers & the Container Store, I was born this way.
Hot Buttered Rum Recipe
My Aunt Candy just sent over a recipe for Hot Buttered Rum. It sounds so good that I thought I’d share. This would be perfect to make, freeze and then serve at your next holiday party. Enjoy!
Hot Buttered Rum
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter – softened
1 pound of confectioner’s sugar
1 pound light brown sugar
1 quart vanilla ice cream – softened
1 can of whipped cream
Cinnamon
Serves: 15
Directions:
In a large bowl, cream the butter and the sugars together until smooth
Add the softened ice cream and mix well by hand. Transfer ingredients into a freezer container with a thigh fitting lid. Place in freezer for up to 1 month.
To serve:
Place 2 heaping tablespoons of the frozen mixture into a coffee mug. Add 1 to 2 Tablespoons of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum. Pour 6 ounces ofboiling water over the mixture and stir until melted. Garnish with Whipped topping and a few sprinkles of cinnamon!
All warm and cozy for your home
Check out these cozy finds that have FALL written all over them.
West Elm Lutz & Patmos Honeycomb Pillows
Crate & Barrel Birch Votive
Viva Terra Slate Cheese Board Set
Sciroccoh Towel Warmer
Blood Orange Sydney Harbour Paints
