Category Archives: Inspiration
Top 5 Favorite Photo Food Blogs…
Face it, it’s hard to come up with things to make for dinner every night! We try to be creative but so many times in the end it’s the box of Kraft mac and cheese and cut up hot dogs that make their way to the stove top. Well, I’m a visual learner and there’s no better way to get inspired to cook than looking at a photo of a beautifully put together meal and thinking…”hey, I can do that!”
So, without further adieu here are my Top 5 Favorite Photo Food Blogs (say that 5 times fast).
#1. What Katie Ate
Even if I hated cooking I would still read this blog; the photography is incredible. What Katie Ate offers a wide array of recipe options that include meat and gluten-free meal alternatives. Must check this one out!
#2. Verses From My Kitchen
This guy loves to cook…and drink. He’s as much a writer as he is a food lover; his stories are engaging and fun to read and the photos are inspiring. Verses From My Kitchen makes you feel as though you have a friend cooking right along with you.
#3. Hungry Girl por Vida
Food, photos, makeup tips, milk shakes…this food photo blog is for the ladies and I love it. Get food inspired and find a new concealer all at the same time! Cannot think of a better combination.
#4. What Should I Eat for Breakfast Today
Have you ever asked yourself that question? Well, this blog has all the early morning answers! From Fried Pears to Polish Pancakes this beautiful food blog gives scrambled eggs a run for their money with exciting alternatives to the breakfast norms.
#5. theKitchn
A branch of Apartment Therapy, theKitchn is more than just a place to find photo inspiration and recipes. They’ve got tips for serving large groups and picky eaters and how to’s for presenting your meals with style. Photo and food fabulous!
Spring in the City…
Minty Fresh…Cool Spring Color!
I love this picture for a lot of reasons; the first…I cannot get enough of mint and chocolate. It’s the one flavor of ice cream that no one else in my family will eat but me (maybe that’s why I like it so much). I haven’t tried a mint chocolate cupcake yet but I’m officially inspired.
Secondly, Mint is one of the most popular colors this Spring. From tea cups to earrings to wedding dresses it’s popping up everywhere. It works like a neutral but with more personality and makes anything paired with it pop.
Where can you work Mint into your home or wardrobe this Spring?
Bright Rooms Bursting with Color…
One of the biggest points of contention between my husband and I in terms of decorating is his love for modern, sleek, monochromatic furnishings and my love for bold, bright colors and prints that rarely ever match. Here’s the thing; I love the kind of decorating that masters the skill of putting two or more colors or patterns together that at first glance make no sense but as one piece look high-end and chic. Normally we discuss and come to a happy median somewhere between what I consider boring and what he considers too bold…but tonight, since this is my blog, we’ll celebrate the better of the two options and explore rooms bursting with color : )
See…I knew you would agree with me!
How to Make Your House Sing…
A huge part of my day job is keying numbers into a never ending excel sheet and that’s only endurable because of my ipod…and a Pandora station featuring Ben Folds that I’ve been cultivating for the past two years : )
Music can make any task more enjoyable and pleasant and I love the thought of representing that feeling around the house.
If you’re a music lover like I am, here are a few ideas to help make your house sing.
Even if you haven’t been collecting old record albums they’re out there and in most cases they’re easy to find. I really like the idea of a photo wall gallery…but a wall gallery made up of album covers…love!
5 Last Minute Easter Ideas…
By now your Easter baskets are full (well, maybe) and you have a menu put together for your Easter meal (possibly), but just in case you’re still in planning mode for tomorrow here are a few excellent last-minute Easter ideas.
#1. DIY Ombre Tablecloth
What you’ll need:
1. White Tablecloth
2. Spray Bottle
3. Water/Fabric Dye
Hang your tablecloth from a clothesline and start spraying! More on the corners and less as you make your way to the middle. Let dry and voila! This would be beautiful with a purple or pink dye for Easter.
#2. Fresh Fruit Beverage
There’s nothing like fresh flowers and fruits to bring the feeling of Spring and Easter onto your table. Consider making a Sangria or a non-alcoholic punch and serving it with sliced fresh fruit. Here’s a great recipe to get you started!
White Sangria
Ingredients:
- 6 cups Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc
- 1/4 cup superfine sugar
- 1 cup white grape juice
- 1 ripe nectarine, pitted and cut into thin wedges
- 1 tangerine, thinly sliced
- 1 cup seedless white grapes, halved
- 1 cup club soda
Preparation
- In a large pitcher or other container, combine the wine and sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the remaining ingredients, excluding the club soda, and mix well. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and let the sangria sit for at least 1 hour (and up to 4 hours). The sangria will sweeten with time, so the longer it sits, the better. Just before serving, stir in the club soda and ice cubes.
#3. Calligraphed Eggs
Add a splash of sophistication to your eggs with these adorable templates from Oh Happy Day. If your crafty enough, do your own calligraphy and use these as place settings!
#4. Easter Candy Centerpiece
Do something useful with the beautifully colored jelly beans and bright yellow peeps this season and create a unique Easter centerpiece to display on your table.
#5. Remember What It’s all About
When Easter dinner is cleared and dessert is plated throw in The Passion and keep the day in perspective. End your Easter holiday being thankful for the sacrifice made for you and celebrated on this day!
Map It Out…Decorating with Direction
11 Sweet Spring Dresses…
Hippie Chic Boho Modern Wednesday…
Today was Wednesday…a long day of answering phones and sending e-mails and looking at the inside of my maroon colored cubicle…which by the way are three words made worse in conjunction. Life would be so much more fun with a little color and excitement, right? So tonight I found my way to a blog celebrating the bohemian modern style of the San Francisco Bay area and from there is was “Hippie Chic” and then “Hipster Decor” and before you knew it I had more color and style inspiration than I knew what to do with. Here are some of my favorite off the wall, mismatched, trendy rooms that bring a smile to my face…even on a Wednesday.
































































































