The Power of a Penny

 It's tulip season again!! Beautiful, colorful, plentiful!

 But we've all had this happen............

What would you pay to keep your tulips perky and last 4 days longer? How about a penny? Put just one penny in the vase with your tulips and the copper will make them last 4 days longer without drooping!! Trust me, it's worth the investment!

Now go enjoy your beautiful tulips!!

A Wirey Situation

I'm laying on my sofa, staring at my beautiful credenza and its silver leafed finish, intricate knobs, tapered legs and.....WIRES! All I can stare at are those ugly wires! I zip tied, taped and bunched, but they would not go away! I finally decided to take the next step.

When I had my crown moulding done in my living room, the contractors left an extra piece of moulding just over the width of the credenza. Perfect! I cut it to fit, which you can also have done for free at the hardware store.

 I tucked all the wires behind the moulding and Wah-la! No more wires!!!

 Now I can enjoy my beautiful credenza without the mess. Ahhhh..... Relaxation until I start thinking about my next project- in about 5 minutes...

Trend Alert: Playful Candeliers

These days, we're looking for anything out of the ordinary that takes our breath away. This twist on traditional chandeliers is mixing modern and timeless elements to make a high fashion statement. The peek-a-boo effect has got designers begging for more!

BaBEE Shower

I had the pleasure today of throwing a baby shower for my friend and coworker, Sarah. It was so much fun to work with a theme other than the typical pink and blue!

I found these miniature pineapple sodas at Winco for 20 cents a piece! Then I quickly designed labels on printed paper and wrapped them around with siple scotch tape.

A two tiered cake really amped up the look of this tablescape. Since it was an offsite party, I'm kicking myself for forgetting a cake plate! A risen white pedastal would have worked perfectly.

Is she the cutest little prego ever?! My mission was to create a shower as sweet as her!!

Back in Business!

I have been an awful blogger lately...Terrible!! ...But with good excuse. I got my real estate broker's license, my certified staging license, went to Cabo with my husband, quit my job and started a new one!! So if you know anyone who is moving to/from the Portland area and want a heck of a house with a heck of a house warming party included, send me a message!! With a fresh start to new year, I am back to my readers and my party planning. Here is a little preview of a baby shower I'm throwing this afternoon! More pictures to come!!

Pomegranate Orange Salad

Looking for a festive winter salad this holiday? This pomegranate orange salad with a homemade vinaigrette is the perfect addition to a holiday spread.

Ingredients:

16 oz mixed green salad

1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

1 orange, zest 1/2 cup of peel into curls

1 pomegranate, seeded

3/4 cup white granulated sugar

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon strawberry jam

Start by making candied walnuts and orange zest. Trust me, it's easier than it looks! Just melt 1/2 cup sugar in a large pot on medium heat, stirring consistently with a rubber spatula until sugar is caramel in color and there are no sugar chunks. Then pour in 1 cup walnuts and stir until all the walnuts are coated. Then pour mixture onto wax paper and spread with the rubber spatula. Wait for it to cool and break the pieces apart. Do the same with the orange zest with 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 cup orange zest curls.

For the dressing, mix the peeled orange, 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, strawberry jam, olive oil and red wine vinegar in a blender, then toss into lettuce to taste. I mixed in about 2/3 of the dressing and left the additional dressing on the table for people to add if they wished.

Finally, add the rest of the pomegranate seeds, candied walnuts, and candied orange zest.

This festive holiday salad is sure to be anything but an afterthought! Enjoy!



It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

There's a tree in the grand great room,

and one in the den as well,

The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the caaaaaat......

Okay, so I'm a better designer than I am a song writer....

As my favorite holiday approaches, I am doing everything in my power to keep from buying real reindeer to graze on the roof! Over the top? Please! I'm just getting started!

 Putting a little foliage in the stockings make them seem more inviting before they are filled with presents.

 My life doesn't stop when I'm taking pictures :) The hubs is still paying bills and the cat is still lurking in the corner...

 Walking in a Winder Wonderland...

Suction cups are my best friend when it comes to Christmas! I love adorning the windows with things that pop with the background of a dark night.

 This was affectionately referred to by one of my "fans" on HGTV.com as my "Yard Sale of Silver Shit". That comment still makes me laugh!!

I went with an upscale rustic theme for my office. Burlap ribbon on the tree contrasted beautifully with white frosted glass and mercury glass ornaments. I bought iridescent burlap ribbon to adorn the packages later.

I found these trumpets in July for 90% off the discounted price! It was Christmas in July!!

I've had this "antique" phone since college and used it to beep up my husband into our apartment. It still makes me smile :)

 Again with the suction cups... :)

 Simple ornaments are the easiest decoration!

Simply placing extra ornaments in a vase is the fastest way to make a centerpiece- Instant glow!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

           Love,                                         

 The Roberts Family