Cottage Love 18...

As I wrap up my home design, I'm looking to refine, purge, clean and tweak my existing ideas. Editing is a final and important step when designing or revamping your home. The art of taking items away is just as important as adding details. I've been spending some time to get re-inspired. I'm about to order a sofa and new kitchen chairs so I want to make sure I'm very happy with my choices. I am also finishing Emerson's room. (which is almost complete!)

Today I'm sharing Sasha Seymour's fresh and cleaned line home..I am especially loving the vintage light fixtures mixed with the limed wood in the kitchen. Enjoy! all images via Canadian House and Home

 

Shelter Loves....

Feels good to be back into my routine a bit. I took some much needed time off over the holidays to hang out with my children, bf and family!! I'm back and feeling inspired!! I thought I would kick off the week with what I'm loving!

1. Modern farm houses! I think my next move would be to find a piece of land and build a small white, modern farm house. I'm craving clean but warm interiors with a mix of old and new. Things are looking pretty but paired down for 2015 in the fashion and design world!!

2. My winter wardrobe..Skinny black pants, big comfy tops and stylish accessories...

3. A clean modern farm house kitchen..Yes, please.

4. I took the photo on the right. It's of my little girl headed off to pre-school in her new Gazelles. I live in these sneaks..so does Matty and now Emmi has a pair. Let's see if my son will wear them. He is all about high-tops lately. Purchase this adorbs pair here.

5. YUP!

6. Have you seen the HGTV dream house yet?? It's on the Vineyard and is gorge. Here is the "guest" room.

7. Another thing I live in: driving mocs. I will splurge on a Tod's pair one of these days.

8. My inspiration board is coming along. I like this one!! :)

Hello, hello...2015

Isn't it funny how we like to use a new year as a way to start fresh!? Out with the old and in with the new!! I'll admit, I can be a little corny (wink, wink) ....I start each year with a few resolutions! Again, I am sticking with the simple theme. Here I go...hello 2015.

1. Don't complain. (well maybe to my sister :))

2. Finish my house. I had to put the brakes on a bit at at the end of 2014 but I am kicking off the New Year and finishing it up. With that said, I will have it buttoned up and photographed this year!! I also need to purge old stuff and finish unpacking. Who knew I owned so many kitchen gadgets??

3. Get in tip top shape!

4. Fear less...We all tend to analyze but honestly worry doesn't help. Love more!

5. Take tennis lessons. I have always wanted to learn to play. I can grow old with this sport.

6. I have tons of family photos.  I need to have them printed, framed and hung up! Designers love finishing projects for clients but sometimes their own "stuff" gets neglected. (I'm guilty)

7. Streamline all the paperwork in my life. Yikes!

Well that's it for now!! Looking forward to inspiring you all in 2015. xx

2014....

I rang in 2014 with change! I purchased my little house and moved in last December. I spent a good part of this year renovating it......I'm so close to being finished!! Eek. I've done it on a budget and am pretty happy with the results! 2015 will bring the finished product photos (I got a new camera for Christmas!!) and a slew of other goodies! Thanks for your patience. 

In the past I've posted a "what I have learned" segment on New Year's Eve. Tonight I will do the same but I am keeping it short and sweet..Before I share my list, I want to thank each and every one of you for the support, comments, and emails this year! Wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!! xoxoxo

I've had some pretty crazy things going on in my life over the past five years. There was a question on Family Feud (yes, I watch it!) the other night: 1 being not so much, 10 being YES : Would your life make a good reality series? My life the past five years? Yes! an 8 for sure...In any case I have learned a ton about myself and here's what I've been thinking about lately.

1. NEVER take your health for granted, emotional or physical. I've had a few scares this year. Though they ended up being minor (thank goodness). I did have three surgeries and a biopsy. My advice here: Wear sunscreen religiously and visit your doctor once a year for a check-up! Don't mess with your health....Also, never be afraid to seek help if you're feeling crummy.

2. Count your blessings! It really is the small things that bring happiness.

3. Think positive. Negative energy not only brings you down, it brings everyone else around you down.

4. Make time for activities like exercise, blogging, cooking and reading. These things keep me grounded. Sometimes I feel like I am losing or could lose my mind. I think most of you can relate.

5. No-one is perfect but if you can find someone to love you and all your quirks unconditionally, it's a wonderful thing!

6. Anger is a waste of time..Letting go and forgiving is freeing!! (Do let your self get angry, I'm just saying try not to hold onto it for a long time!)

That's my list...short this year compared to past years...but it perfectly sums up what I learned in 2014. Happy New Year!!

Love the look - New Year's Eve

Big plans for New Year's Eve?? I'm going to lay low this year with my kids, Matty and hopefully a few others! I won't dress up too much but I'll wear something a bit festive. Here is a great outfit for a night in with friends, a toast of bubbly and yummy food! All links below...

1/2/3/4/5

I may also take the time to make a seafood or clam chowder for either New Year's Eve or for this weekend when we head up to Vermont!

This seafood chowder looks delicious. via this site.

seafood chowder 2.0

. . .

Seafood Chowder 2.0

recipe: inspired by Rose Dyer and Jackie Huskins

This chowder is very much like Beaucoup Seafood Chowder, but better, because I added a little of 2.0 and his family. (Not to be taken literally.)

• 3/4 cup butter, divided (divide into: 1/2 cup, 1/4 cup)
• 2 medium onions, diced
• 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 stalks of celery, diced
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 3 cups (approximately) sodium reduced chicken broth
• 1 lb. cooked lobster, chopped into bite sized pieces – fresh or frozen
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1 tablespoon celery salt
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• three dashes Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 lb. haddock*
• 1/2 lb. cod*
• 1/2 lb. scallops – fresh or frozen, no need to defrost
• 1 litre light cream (5% milk fat)
• 1 cup heavy cream (35% milk fat)

* you could use just haddock or cod if you don’t want to use both – use a pound of whichever you choose

In a large Dutch oven, melt 1/2 cup butter and then sauté the onions, carrots and celery over medium heat – allowing them to soften a little – about 5 minutes. Add the potato and add only enough chicken broth to barely cover (about 3 cups). Stir to combine and then cook until the potato is just barely tender (8-10 minutes).

As the potato is cooking, melt the remaining 1/4 cup of butter in a skillet over medium heat and then add the lobster pieces to the skillet. Cook the lobster until the butter has taken on an orangey-red colour from the lobster, and the lobster has heated through. About 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Add the basil, oregano, celery salt, paprika, pepper and Tabasco sauce to the vegetables in the Dutch oven and stir to combine. It will seem like a lot of spices, don’t worry. Layer the haddock, cod and scallops on top. Gently press the fish down so it is just covered with liquid. Cook only until fish barely flakes (4-5 minutes).

Add the lobster and every last drop of butter from the skillet to the Dutch oven. Reduce the heat to low. Add the heavy cream and the light cream. If you think you’re going to run out of room in the pot, skimp on the light cream, not the heavy.

Allow the chowder to warm through. Keep on low heat until serving or refrigerate and slowly heat up before serving. Don’t allow to boil.

Notes: I find chowder is best on the second day, so when entertaining, make it the day before – it will save you time and stress on the day as well.

After refrigeration, I put the pot on low and allow 30 minutes it to heat through. Do not allow the chowder to boil – low heat is key.

You will notice that the spices seem to sit on top of the chowder, like an oil slick. Don’t worry – when you serve, give a little stir and then scoop – just the right amount of spice will come up with the ladle.

Merry Christmas Eve + a few of my favorite things!

I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a wonderful holiday!! Thanks for stopping by my little old blog when you can. I truly appreciate it! It feels good to know that my time spent inspires someone! (even for an instant).

Here's a recap of what is on my mind and what I am loving. (crazy day so this is the non photo-shopped version).

Images in order:

1. Full wreaths and big bows!! We're fans of those around here. My wreath looks very similar to this one but I added a cool looking bird I found to it!

2. Here is a snap shot of my daughter helping me make sugar cookies yesterday. My sis, Mom and our children spent the day baking and decorating. I won't lie it was much calmer when my daughter was there alone but we had a great time and made over 150 cookies! Yum! P.S. Bakers usually roll dough on marble counter tops. I'm not sure if it was the dough or the marble but the cookies rolled out beautifully.

3. These are NOT our cookies but I would love to decorate some like this. (maybe next year).. This entire photo shoot is beautiful and much worth a peek.

4.  I love a pretty holiday outfit and a signature cocktail! Looking forward to both later today!

5. Shoes with bows? Love them when they are done right like these!!

6. Hoping for some peace and calm over the next couple days.

Enjoy your holiday, wishing you a very Merry Christmas...xoxo

I am signing off for a few days..

Classic Christmas, Aerin Lauder style...

There are some wealthy taste makers out there who continually get it right..I've always admired Aerin Lauder's style. It's mostly classic with a twist (except for her fabulous ski house). I remembered she had done a number of holiday inspired photo shoots, so I thought it may be fun to round them up....