Kitchen Redo

Love these open kitchen spaces...so in need of a kitchen redo!

Orange Zest Body Scrub

So for New Years we headed to our friends house way up North.

It was too cold to ski or snowboard so we decided to do a little crafting and created this fabulous body scrub.  After we made this scrub my girlfriend, Leslie, used it.  She said it is her absolute favorite! Which is a huge complement coming from her (I think she orders from Sephora in bulk). Anyway, it is so easy to make and makes your skin feel unbelievable. Really! 

Brown Sugar Body Scrub

 Turbinado Sugar or Sugar in the Raw

Almond or Grapeseed Oil

1 Orange

1 container to store or a ball jar

Measure out about 2 Cups of Sugar into a bowl

Add 1 C. of Almond or Grapeseed Oil

Grate the zest of a half of orange

Mix together until slushy

Store in Container and label

You can change the scent of this by adding an essential oil. Just omit the orange. I happen to love the crisp and summery scent of an orange..

A sneak peak- Wisma!

Wanted to give you a sneak peak of Wisma, a new gourmet grocery store. It opens on December 13th! Located in Lake Bluff this market promises to "change the way you eat at home," with all home-made, seasonal items, including rustic soups and salads, sandwiches, pasta, main courses and fresh local breads. The store was built using 100% reclaimed and recycled materials, from the seating areas to the fridges that house our amazing cuisine, all is re-used.  The utensils and bags are made from renewable or recycled contents. A cozy home setting makes this space fabulous! Kuddos to Bob an Jenny who worked on the design concept.

Aqua Pop

I love this kitchen with the pops of aqua blue...Such a happy space!

Almond Milk Smoothie

When I was in Seaside, one of my favorite treats was to get a pineapple smoothie from raw and juicy. I have recreated their concoction at home.  It is really yummy and good for you! The key is almond milk...who knew?

Pineapple Smoothie

1 C. Almond Milk

1 C. frozen pineapple

1 banana

optional, a few peach or mango slices

blend and enjoy!

Dreamy spaces

Summer is here and nothing makes me happier than eating outside and fresh flowers. Loving the lighting in this kitchen and the beautiful millwork. 

Organic and Chic

I love these edible works of art by Sarah Magid. Her book, organic and chic, is filled with amazing recipes and the most beautiful pictures. I wonder if she uses butter in her recipes? hmmm

Chalking it up

I am so inspired by some of these simple chalkboard painting ideas. I just love the old globes that were painted with chalkboard paint. Letting those little imaginations run wild. You can find chalkboard paint at almost all paint shops now and then even have it available in spray paint. Images from the kitchn, next three images living etc, natalie putman, magnetic chalkboard paint, apartment therapy

Design Inspiration

My friend from college, Danielle, posted her new drapes on her blog. Love them! Dani is a mom of three and creator of Daninotes, a stationery company out of Charleston, SC. She creates the sweetest images that are available through her etsy shop. Check them out!

Vintage Screenprinted Plates

I am a huge fan of these vintage plates that have been repurposed with screenprinted images and words on them.

They sell an assortment of these plates, platters, teacups and more in their little etsy shop.

Favorite Things Party

So my friend, Bridget, had a fabulous party where everyone brings their "favorite" thing to share with all the guests. So fun! So after much decision making I came up with a few favorite things...It was all based on the idea of a beautifully wrapped gift..which I love! So I found my new "favorite" nesting doll tape, some hannah silk ribbon and made some sweet personalized gift tags to share. See how it all came together!

Some of the other favorite things that other people brought...essie's russian roulette nail polish, lip gloss from sephora, beautiful wrapping paper and ribbon from paper source, chocolates from Pittsburgh, Gramma's secret recipe cookies, chocolate dipped pretzels and mrs. meyers basil scent soap. Bridget's favorite thing was cooking and hearts so she made yummy barefoot contessa orange pound cake in crafty handmade wax paper, and ordered these heart wooden spoons!

Favorite flowers, drinks and handmade favors from the night...It was so much fun sharing our "favorites" with new and old friends from favorite movies to curse words. The evening was definitely hilarious!

Cooking up love

So this morning, I made some yummy heart shaped pancakes for my honey. So easy, I used a heart cookie cutter and sprayed it with non coat cooking spray. Then, I cut a stick of butter  the long way and cut out little hearts with a smaller size cookie cutter. Is there a better way to say you love someone than cooking?  Learn how to make latte hearts on MonkeySee. Just in time for Valentine's Day, no paper required!