Friend of Faux

There must be talk around the neighborhood, because I've had several people say to me "I heard you have dupioni silk drapes in your entire house!" Given that real dupioni silk panels start at around $200 per panel, I just smile and nod. Do they really need to know? The truth is, I purchased my faux silk drapes on sale with a coupon and got them for about $37 per panel for 120"(which if you don't know nice curtains, that's a steal!) The best part is, when kids and pets get them nice and sticky, you can pull them off and throw them in the washing machine! So the real question.... To tell or not to tell? ;)

Here's Little Miss Tuna Breath herself testing the durability of my pretty silk drapes.....She likes to hold them with her back feet and attack them with her front! How can something so cute be so destructive!

A Taste of Fall

As the leaves are changing and the weather starts to turn crisp, I start craving those comforting fall flavors. This weekend I made spiced pumpkin muffins. Pumpkin bread is so versatile, you can morph pumpkin muffins into pumpkin cupcakes with a swipe of cream cheese frosting!

Here is the recipe I used for the cinnamon cream cheese frosting:

8 oz (one package) cream cheese

1/2 cup (one stick) butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 tablespoon cinnamon

If you are going to try a design on your pumpkin cupcakes, chill the frosting in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before frosting. I decided to try a basket weave pattern because it reminds me of a bushel you would carry to pick pumpkins or apples in an orchard(you know, with your straw hat and your perfect kids as the singing birds are helping you reach the high hanging fruit? The way we all go apple picking, right?!) I had never attempted this basket weave pattern before, but let me tell you, it is so simple!

I used a flat tip with ridges on one side. First, I applied stripes horizontally across the whole cupcake. Then, turn the cupcake so the stripes face you vertically. Start in between two of the lines toward the bottom, and swipe horizontally right over the vertical line. Do this over every other line, and in between on the next row. Make sure you finish off the sides for a complete look. Wa-la! Don't worry if it's not perfect. It's an overall look you're going for, and you can just eat the bad ones first! They taste just as good! And there you have it-a bushel of pumpkin cupcakes! Give them away as gifts in an inexpensive straw basket for ultimate presentation.

If you don't have a cake decorating kit, don't be intimidated. Start out with a kit like this one that includes everything you'll need!

 

Trend Alert: The Shot Glass

Today, the shot glass isn't just for cocktails anymore! I have seen these miniature glasses popping up everywhere from weddings to bakeries. I attended a beautiful wedding last weekend under a tent in a vineyard. After the dinner was served and the cake was cut, I was expecting all the entertainment to be over. To my surprise, the caterers came back around with a warm lavender mocha served in a shot glass with whipped cream and chocolate shavings sprinkled on top! It was such an unexpected and wonderful surprise! The shot glass was just a taste to wake everyone up before dancing a little bit more. I have seen this idea before, but always wondered if it would be enough to satisfy your taste buds. To tell the truth, it wasn't; but it's a great way to taste multiple treats without having to make one decision. They can be used for cake, mousse, mixed drinks- really anything! A candle votive may be a better size if you're planning on each person just having one or two, and those can be purchased very inexpensively at a dollar store. Just make sure they are safe to serve food in (they will have a warning label if they are not). Serve these quaint treats in a grouping for an impressive and simple entertaining!

Spiced Pear Cider

There's nothing better than curling up with warm cider on a crisp fall day. I couldn't resist buying a 28 lb box of fresh pears as soon as September hit to make this spiced pear cider. 

6 cups fresh Bartlett pear juice
8 whole cloves
15 whole allspice
5 small cinnamon sticks
3/4 cup real maple syrup

Place cloves, allspice, and cinnamon sticks in the center of a coffee filter and tie closed with a kitchen string. Combine spice sack, pear juice, and maple syrup in a slow cooker. Cover with lid, and cook on low for 3 hours. Remove the spice sack from the pear cider and serve warm. Granish with a fresh cinnamon stick if you'd like. This makes about 8 servings. Enjoy!

P.S. Don't worry if you don't have all the ingredients on hand for this recipe. I have fallen in love with the bulk spice section at my local grocery store. For all the spices in this recipe, I spent about 70 cents!

Luxury on Any Budget: Cable Knit Home

There are so many ways to achieve a high end look in your home, but you don't have to spend a fortune to get it. No matter what your price range, you can always find a style you love within reach. I love this new cable knit look for pillows and throws. So cozy!!

Bloomingdales $182



Pottery Barn $79



Saks 5th Avenue $350



Bloomingdales $39.99



Pottery Barn $63-$79



Tip: Buy the Pottery Barn Pillow cover for 39.99 and find your insert at a discount store like Ross or HomeGoods. I've found down pillows for $2.99!

Current Obsession: All Things Velvet

It all started with a simple sofa... I bought this chocolate velvet sofa set for a Black Friday steal at a discount furniture store last year, and I was hooked. There's nothing better than cuddling up on soft, silky velvet at the end of the day. When I spilled my first drop of coffee on the cushion and it wiped up with nothing else but the blot of a towel, I thought, "where have you been all my life?" Since then, I have fallen in love with everything velvet. Jewel-tone velvet is big this fall in fashion and furniture, and of course, red velvet cake never goes out of style!

Antique your Memories

I was recently on a girl's weekend when we made an impromtu stop at a flea market somwhere in the middle of our 3 hour drive to our destination. It was love at first sight- An antique, diamond-paned window. We barely had room for the four of us girls in the car(much less a full sized window), but my wonderful friends made it work. :) It became a necessity when I saw the price tag- $1. ONE DOLLAR! When I got it home and placed it my shabby-chic guest room, I loved it even more! I love mixing antiques and valuables with modern elements. My guest room has clean, crisp linens with modern silk pillows to balance the rustic window and traditional antique wing-backed chair.

                                                             

I may be back to this middle-of-nowhere flea market to get another window to try out this adorable idea I found on http://www.erikamasterson.com/!