Thursday, April 30, 2009

Food Friday... Miscellaneous Yummies!

Happy Friday! I can't decide what I'm craving today. I think everything sounds good, because like many others out there I am DIETING! What happens when we diet, we crave EVERYTHING! Here are a few things that I could devour right about NOW!

I could scarf on the first three...

Polenta fries with lemon zest and herbs courtesy of the PhotoKitchenBlog
Potato Salad with Chili-Cumin Vinaigrette courtesy of 28 Cooks

Wash it all down with this...

Blood Orange Martini courtesy of Vicarious Foodie


And finish off the binge with this...
Roasted Strawberry Sauce over Vanilla Bean Ice Cream courtesy of Chez Us

Ok maybe I'll just eat one of these yummies!

XO
SHS

Summer Scent

Now that summer is almost here I felt it necessary to change my scent. I change my scents for the season, do you? For years now I have worn Aveda's "Love" oil. Quite honestly I am addicted to it. But, before that I used to wear papaya oil. Not just any papaya oil, it had to be the oil from what used to be the body shop store for Bare Escentuals. Does anyone remember the name of that store? I hear there are home parties for the old body shop division of that store- and I would really love to get my hands on that oil. I have tried other papaya scents, but none of them come close. Anyway, I prefer oils over perfume in summer- don't know why, just do. The Love oil has notes of sandalwood, jasmine, rose and ylang ylang- it has a very earthy vibe to me and that's what I love. And really is there anything that Aveda offers that doesn't smell fabulous? It's my hands down favorite product line, although I do like some of the Origins products. So what are you wearing this summer? I love to hear what others like.



You can purchase this big bottle of oil, which is a little pricey or you can purchase the travel size which is much more affordable.

XO
SHS

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

WedESTYday... Just a little late ehh???

Sorry friends for posting soooo late. The day got away from me! Here are a few etsy loves for this week. Hope you enjoy!

Pillows by Enhabiten... really loving these!

Custom Stencil Original Collage Portraits by Forty-two Roads... so unique!

Handmade Journals by Baghy... so cool!


Remember to buy handmade, and shop etsy!

XO
SHS

Monday, April 27, 2009

Make It Monday! or as today's post will be known...Just Junkin' No Jokin'!

Hello, hello! I finally have some pics to post of my outdoor dining chairs. Just a re-cap... I picked up four chairs for a total of $10! Now... that's Just Junkin' No Jokin'! I'm a dork, I know! I was thinking that is what I could call a new series of posts. When I re-do my finds from the ole Goodwill, garage sales or flea markets... I thought these re-dos could use a fun name "Just Junkin' No Jokin' was born!

I chose the green paint to add a pop of color to the outside. I wanted something fun! I think I accomplished that- I hope!

The umber glaze was applied to help cut the brightness of the green. My husband is usually ok with my decorating decisions, but the bright green was a little too much, so the glaze was our compromise!



I'm a linen fanatic so of course I had to cover the seat cushions with just that! Will post pics of all four chairs when the table and other decor is finished- then you will be able to see them in an actual setting!


Happy Monday!

XO
SHS

Friday, April 24, 2009

Food Friday!

It's Food Friday, and I am very hungry. The weather here has changed dramatically, so of course my appetite has to change. Now instead of wanting a salad or some other light meal I feel like consuming much more comforting food. Today's Food Friday has no theme, just food that happened to look particularly yummy!

Fresh Basil Pesto Pasta with Char-Grilled Chicken

Cherrapeno

Grasmere Gingerbread

Vanilla Kitchen

Cheesy Cheeseburger


Greedy Gourmand

Apple Crumble


Have a great weekend!

XO
SHS

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Desire to Inspire has Indeed Inspired!

I was doing my morning blog perusing- loving so many things! I came across these images on Desire to Inspire and smiled so big! Now, I must confess these images are in no way reflective of my own home, but that's why I love them! I love the antique table mixed with the industrial chairs, the white walls with pops of color, the pendant lights- this room has such a great vibe!


Then, I came across this image and thought- aha! that is how I will construct my own pot rack. I have an abundance of branches throughout my house- I just prop them in corners for decoration. So, when I saw this image I thought it was a perfect solution to my pot rack dilemma. I think this can be a pretty simple DIY project- don't you?

Then, when I saw this image of the branch clothing rack- I really fell hard! Now, I just have to find a location to install one of these for my very own!

Anywhooz- Can't get enough of Desire to Inspire- never disappoints!

XO

SHS

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

WedETSYday!

Hello-hello! How are my lovelies doing today? All is well here! I finished my four outdoor dining chairs yesterday- they turned out really well- just in case I didn't mention it, I purchased all four for $10. My husband came home last night and told me the chairs looked way too good to put outside- that means he likes 'em! Anyway, I will post pics of them next Monday!

Onto more important things- like today's Etsy finds! Hope you loves as much as me!

"Bedroom Series" by Valeria



"Fabric Storage Bins" Sewing Momma

"Inspirational Rocks" by Rae Dunn



Have a great day! Remember to buy handmade!

XO
SHS

Make It Monday, or Tuesday!

Little late- oopsie!

Good morning to all! Just wanted to share this Make It Monday photo with you, because as you know I am pulling together my outdoor patio space! When I saw this photo I knew I had to create one for my very own! This little outdoor bar is the work / creation of Heather Bullard. Looovee her! It's partly because we share the name, but mainly because she is very talented! Anyway, you can read all about her "Repurposed Desk" here! Great photography, flowers, ideas, design and more!


XO
SHS

Thursday, April 16, 2009

I SCREAM for ICE CREAM!

You probably get sick of me mentioning sweets on my Food Friday blog, but a girl has to be true to herself, and I LOVE SUGAR! I’m guessing I have fellow sugar lovers out there, so this blog about ice cream is for you!

There is nothing that can compare to homemade ice cream, but when I saw this post on Oh Joy’s blog about ICI in Berkley- I immediately felt they might have a chance of coming pretty darn close.

I told my husband that I want an ice cream maker so I can experiment with different flavors this summer. But, I am also planning a little road trip for the sole purpose of indulging in ice cream. Yes, that is correct I will make a point one day this summer of driving 3 hours just to get my fix!

Oh my goodness- look at these ice cream sandwiches.



Their handmade cones...



Specialty flavors made daily...




And.... these are what they refer to as bombes or as I know them ice cream cakes!




You want to get in your car and drive there right now, don't you???


Have a great weekend!

XO
SHS

NOT Bathing Suit Ready

It seems like all winter I long for summer, feeling like it just can't get here soon enough. Then all the sudden I realize it's going to be here in no time, and once again I feel like I'm not quite ready to slip into a bathing suit. How does this happen? I have had plenty of time to prepare, yet once again I am in search of the bathing suit that will hide the numerous flaws. Well I think this year I will once again rely on a cover up! That being said I hopped over to Anthropologie to see what they have to offer in that department and here is what I found...

The three shown here are:

Sea Nettle Cover-Up $128

Kimono Cover-Up $148

Oeiras Chemise the most affordable of the three at $78

I'm sure as usual I will find a much less expensive option, but it still nice to see what's out there!

XO
SHS

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Blah, Blah, Bedroom

Sometimes it seems as though I do nothing but decorate and work on home improvements. However, there is one room in the house that is need of some TLC- my bedroom! While I always love to look at rooms full of color, I know myself- and I know that I would get sick of it way too soon. So, I have decided to stick with a neutral color palette with the exception of a few pops of color here and there. Here are a few pics of rooms I really like and will use as inspiration for spiffing up my bedroom.

FYI! Just so you know... I am obsessed with linen.

This is one room I really like...

and this one...

and this one- for the linen pillows of course!


But, this is the room I ADORE! I love how casual it feels, and the abundant use of linen just gets me!

Also, just wanted to share this photo with you. I came across it when I was looking through my decorating binders. I realized it was so similar to Sadie (the chair I shared with you yesterday). I am really loving the use of the vintage grain sack for the upholstery! Maybe I will paint Sadie the color blue of Barb's chair, and cover it with a vintage grain sack. We'll see!


XO
SHS

Monday, April 13, 2009

MAKE IT MONDAY!

Hello there friends-eez! Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend- I sure did. Well, I have to confess... I didn't make that menu I told you about on Friday- bad Heather! But, I did make this:
salmon with dill sauce
bbq'd artichokes
salad with beets, blood oranges, blue cheese, and a honey vinaigrette
it was YUMMY!

Anywhoozie... Since it's MAKE IT MONDAY- I wanted to share this treasure I found on my Friday visit to the local treasure trove known as Goodwill! Align Center

Introducing.... Sadie
I gave her a name to try and make her fit in more with the boys and girls over at Knack Studios!

Sadie has had a rough life, but I feel confident I can turn things around for her and have her looking more like this chair from Barb of Knack Studios home tour! I ADORE this chair, and when I found Sadie I immediately thought of Barb's chair and knew Sadie would have a chance!


So, I am going to work very-very hard on Sadie for the next few weeks and re-introduce her as a new woman on an upcoming MAKE IT MONDAY- so stay tuned!
You can check out Barb's home tour by clicking here.
Happy Monday!
XOXO
SHS