Christmas in July

Why not celebrate Christmas in July?! It's about time I actually post some projects on T&V since that's what I originally intended. Really just so I have documentation of some things. Otherwise, they get lost in the depths of my computer hard drive, never to be seen again.

This was a Christmas card that I did last year for some dear friends and I love the way it turned out! Of course, it's the picture that makes it so adorable, right?


PS - You might notice that you recognize these precious kiddos and oops, I got their names wrong! Actually, I always change up names (especially last names) when I show different items on the blog. Think it's only fair. So yes, I did help host Stacy & Eric's engagement party but no, you won't see my name on there!

Lake Houses... a girl can dream

I know, I know, I'm getting ahead of myself but what's new? We don't even have a primary home, so why am I even thinking about a lake house? Well, a girl can dream, right?


top left Beth Webb from Beth Webb Interiors & Nancy Pendergrast from Summerour Interiors featured in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles 2008 Designer Showhouse // top right Interior Design by Lee Bierly and Christopher Drake, Bierly-Drake Associates; Builder: Ron DaSilva, Better Homes & Kitchens; Photography: Michael Partenio; Featured in "Easygoing Elegance" July/August 2010 New England Home Magazine // middle row Bear Hill Interiors Lake Hamilton Home // bottom left Designed by Meg Braff; Photo by J. Savage Gibson; Styling by Heather Chadduck; featured in Coastal Living // bottom right Burnham Design Great Lakes House

Good to Know

Everyone's on Pinterest, right? As Andy has said to me: "is that the only website you go to?". Not exactly true but pretty close. It's a great place to gather ideas from around the web and keep them in one place, while also getting inspired by friends' pins.

In the past few weeks, there have been more than a few "hmm, that's good to know" pins that I've repinned so I thought I'd share them here as well.

How to Set a Buffet Table

Source: recipetips.com
Who knows if it's Emily Post approved but it seems to make sense to me!


How to Set a Dining Table

Source: Mrs. Lilien
Always a good reminder! Seems to be missing the water glass but that doesn't surprise me considering it's from Mrs. Lilien!


Upholstery Yardage

Source: diyupholsterysupply.com


Seasonal Produce

Source: The Food Lovers Kitchen


Grilling Times and Temps

Source: Visual News

TGIF

TGIF! I'm starting to feel a bit refreshed after yet another unplanned blogging break! And I'm making progress on attacking my to-do lists... I've identified the #1 problem-- my couch. It's comfy and cozy and there's a windowsill right there where my wine glass sits in perfect reach for constant sipping. Up until now, I think that I'm still working, getting stuff done while I'm on the sofa-- I mean, I'm on my computer! But what I've been denying is that I'm on my computer, surfing Pinterest, reading blogs and generally perusing random websites (and constantly refreshing people.com to make sure there's no breaking news). So I've now relocated my computer to the dining room table. There's still a spot for my wine glass, but at least I'm upright, in a chair and actually getting stuff done. I think Andy might favor this set-up seeing that he's settled into the center of the sofa quite well!

So I think the refreshing couple of weeks plus my new set-up will bring more inspiration and more blogging! I've just felt uninspired and being a perfectionist (with some things) doesn't help. It's quite debilitating at times. I currently have 17 draft posts- WHAT?! Time to knock those babies out. I'll be back next week with a recap of Andy's birthday dinner. All I'll say is creamed caramelized onions. Deliciousness. Thankfully we had leftovers that I served tonight with a side of kraft mac and cheese. Classy! There's also the wonderful baby shower we went to in Jackson for my life long bestest and an accompanying tasty cocktail recipe that's a perfect refresher for the muggy hot weather.

And because obviously a post without pictures is just not worth it, thought I'd share my newest favorite house product-- Method Laundry Detergent. I think my friends Brooke & Stacy introduced me to this and it's amazing. Well, really what's so awesome is that it takes up no space, which is key when you have no space. And there's barely any waste-- see that refill bag? Bye bye to the big huge plastic jugs being thrown away when they're empty.



TGIF! Have a great weekend.

Life in General

Do you ever feel like you're on a treadmill and just want to hop off for a breather? That's what I feel like these days. Now let me say this first-- I realize that my little treadmill is full of fun things! Things I love to do! Life is good... no great! But with that said, I've been having too much fun, not enough doing things that need to be done. Oops! As Andy has pointed out before, I tend to prioritize things I want to do over things I need to do-- he's so practical. But it's high time to heed that advice and get to work.


Have absolutely loved perusing Bailey McCarty of Peppermint Bliss's home! See her master, little girl's room, guest room, playroom and laundry room, family room and powder room, kitchen and bar, entry, living and dining rooms.

I'm in the process of organizing myself and getting my priorities in line. I've started using the Reminders on my iPhone again... let's see if I keep that up! I probably should make a cleaning schedule a la Jenny of Little Green Notebook.

A Colorful Park Avenue Apartment in House Beautiful // Designer Christina Murphy // Photographer Jonny Valiant // found via i suwannee

I feel like I'm doing spring cleaning (albeit in the middle of summer) of life! And no, these pics have nothing to do with this post but how boring would this be if I'd left them out?

Summer Vegetable Bake

It's become apparent that I'm the type of person that gets more done when I have more to do. Obvious statement of the day? What I mean is that when I have tons going on (say, at work), I'm able to keep up that momentum and get lots of other stuff done (like at home). But when I am not very busy, I tend to waste time and wonder what in the world I've been doing for 3 hours. The last few weeks have been examples of that. I've fallen off the blog wagon because I don't mentally schedule it in and then it never gets done. Yada, yada, yada. That's all going to stop now.

At supper club last night, one of the girls said "if I don't write it down on a list, it doesn't happen because I look at my list, don't see anything and think I have nothing to do." That's totally true for me too. I tried for a while not to keep lists... heard it would keep your brain from turning to mush. Well I'm just going to have a mushy brain but I'll be getting stuff done!

Now for a total 180... a summer vegetable bake. I saw this receipe on Pinterest (obvi) which is sort of like a list, right? It was perfect because I had some zucchini that I'd received from someone's garden. I'm not typically a zucchini person but this was delicious.

Summer Veggie Bake
Adapted from For the Love of Cooking

I probably would not have made any changes to the original recipe, but I was rushed. Worked later than expected, hadn't eaten all day, got home and wanted to order take-out but we had everything we needed at home. I didn't have time to saute the onion before hand and I wanted it to cook as quickly as possible.

1 zucchini
1-2 yellow squash
1 medium yellow onion
1 russet potato
3 plum tomatoes
½ grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup Panko bread crumbs
Olive oil
Garlic salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Wash all the veggies. Slice the zucchini, squash and potato into very thin slices. Slice the tomato and onion into about a quarter inch slices. You may have to half or quarter the potato and onion slices so that each piece is a uniform size in diameter.
 

 
In a greased round baking dish (a pie pan would also work for this), overlap the veggies as you go around the outside of the pan. Continue until you fill the pan. Season with garlic salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.
 

 
Bake for about 25 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and Panko and drizzle with a little more olive oil. Continue to bake until it's browned, about 20 more minutes.
 

Random Round-Up: Rifle Paper Co.

Rifle Paper Co. is one of those companies that I just love everything they do. Anna Bond, the owner and creative behind the company, is so talented at creating pieces that are warm, a little bit vintage yet still modern and clean.


left to right, top Botanical Coaster Set // Animal Alphabet Chart // middle Floral Burst Birthday Card // Market Shopping Pad // bottom Canary Botanical Journal // Hanging Garden Recipe Cards

Avocado Toast

I don't know why it took me so long to become acquainted with avocado toast, but I'm certainly glad I am now! When we were in the Hamptons a few weekends ago, we ordered avocado toast as our breakfast appetizer (yes, you can have appetizers at any meal). Um, delicious.

This is the perfect breakfast or afternoon snack-- filling, nutritious, and most importantly so tasty.


 
Avocado Toast
Inspired by La Bodega in Montauk, NY

½ Avocado
1 or 2 slices whole grain or Cuban bread
Red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
Honey

While you're bread is toasting, lightly smash the avocado. Top the toast with the avocado, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with kosher salt and red pepper to taste.

Weekend Recap-The Big D

So it's another iPhone camera weekend recap. I promise it's not replacing my DSLR but it's just so easy and good!