Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Custom Fit

Just when you thought you ran out of uses for those leftover fabrics..

Sunday, November 6, 2011

'Show' House

This week's show house is from the popular TV show 'Super Nanny'. The James family home decor can only be described as traditional with a twist, modern glamorous, and ...lemonade!  Take a quick tour of this bright and energetic home, and make sure to watch how nanny Jo Jo whips this family into shape.

Home of NBA player - Mike James

Dining/ Living Room
Yellow & greens brighten the walls, whilst bold funky prints from Designer's Guild fabrics make a statement on the drapery and upholstery.


Look at how randomly placed furniture can make a large space feel cozy and inviting.




 
Kitchen/ Family Room
These two spaces feel like one with the shared lime green paint color and upholstery.







 

Ottomans and benches are great for family smaces with small children.


A great mixture of pattern and prints.


 Mom's Office
Where the work gets done. The office is a bit toned down with lime washed oak cabinetry and oatmeal and lemongrass colors on the upholstery and drapery.



See more on this episode from abc here

{CREDITS}



Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Coco Zest Blueberry Muffins

Ok, ok, not to worry I'm still designing by day, and frocktailing at night, but ever so often after my morning workout, I like to indulge in freshly baked breakfast from my own personal library of recipes.

This one in particular is one of my favorites because it is a carefully planned recipe that I created using great, healthy ingredients. There's a secret technique here that gives the muffin a savory, fluffy bite without wet runny blueberries.

So, if you have an hour to spare, then let's go...

Ingredient List:

1 1/2 cup fresh or frozen organic blueberries
2 tblsp blue agave nectar

Zest of one large lemon
1 tblsp unsweetened shredded coconut
1 teasp blue agave nectar

2 1/2 cups unbleached white whole wheat flour (King Arthur brand)
2 1/2 teasp baking powder
1 teasp salt

2 eggs or egg whites
1 cup blue agave nectar
2 tblsp organic unrefined virgin coconut oil (Benefits of Coconut Oil)
5 tblsp or 2 mini cups applesauce
3/4 cup skim milk
1 1/2 teasp vanilla extract
1/2 cup frozen organic blueberries

Preaheat oven to 375'
Now here comes the secret technique. Heat on medium blueberries and 2 tblsp of agave until most of moisture evaporates. Set aside to cool.
And in case you haven't realized, you just made blueberry jam. Mix more than the recipe requires and add a 1/2 tsp of lemon juice to store for another baking sesh' and your pb&j sandwiches. (Store excess jam in refrigerator)





Mix grated lemon zest, shredded coconut and teaspoon agave to a crumbly texture and set aside.





Sift together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.

Beat eggs with cup of agave, incorporating air into the mixture.
Add applesauce, milk, melted coconut oil and vanilla to egg mixture and mix.
Gradually pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients slowly and carefully mixing ingredients. Add blueberries and combine. Do not over mix until smooth.






Share into muffin cups and spoon small amounts of blueberry jam on top of each batter in cups. Swirl in with small sticks or toothpicks like you would a marble cake.






Sprinkle lemon coconut zest evenly on top of each muffin.







Bake on middle shelf 23-25 mins. Remove and cool on a wire rack.




Enjoy!

Storing:
I like to put leftover muffins in a closed plastic container or ziploc and refrigerate for up to 5 days. When you are ready to eat them, pop them in the microwave and toaster oven for almost fresh coco zest muffins.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Recipe: Cinnnamon Banana Bran Nut Muffins

I love food!! And who doesn't? In the past two years I have made some serious changes about what I put in my body, which has led me to create and write my own recipes.

I tailor my recipes to be high in fiber, low in fat and over the top in tasty yummy!! Oh, and lots of agave nectar. If you are watching your sugar intake, this is a great sweetener substitute and you'll find that most of my recipes use it.

So, here goes...
Cinnamon Banana Bran Nut Muffins




Ingredients:
4 ripe bananas crushed
2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cups toasted wheat bran
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
A pinch of salt
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup organic blue agave nectar
1 1/2 tbsp organic unrefined coconut oil
1/3 cup egg whites
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup fat free milk
1 handful of walnuts and almonds crushed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350'.

Sift together flour, bran, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, soda and salt and set aside.

Melt coconut oil and mix well together with applesauce, agave and egg whites.

Add crushed bananas, vanilla and milk to egg mixture and stir well by hand.

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix just enough to combine.

Stir in crushed nuts.

Bake at 350' for 25 minutes.
Makes 18 - 24 muffins

* If making a loaf, bake at 350' for 45 mins or until knife comes out clean .

Enjoy!!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Decorating magic with paint

Using neutral or bright color, transform and renew old or outdated dated furniture in any room by repainting it using lacquer or high gloss paint for a chic, glamorous look.


Paint the back walls of shelves in fun contrasting colors to make books and accessories pop. I love to do this in a kitchen cabinet or hutch where I display decorative pottery or china.





{CREDITS}
Elledecor
Blink Decor
Fabulouspieces.com
Martha Stewart
House Beautiful