Design Your Life: September 2011

9.21.2011

Current Obsession: Cabernet Vinegar

I have to admit, the first time I saw Cabernet vinegar, I thought it was a marketing scheme. My mom bought a bottle for my birthday, knowing I love Cabernet, and I'm still thanking her months later! It has a sweet tang that is like nothing else! It's fabulous on tomato salad, but I'll be honest: I started making full tomato salads and now I'm just putting this Cabernet vinegar on tomato slices! It's a delicious little snack!

It also works great in my strawberry salad dressing recipe!

Or try this recipe for

Cabernet Vinaigrette

3 TBS Cabernet vinegar

1 TBS olive oil

1 tsp Dijon mustard

pinch sea salt

dash pepper
1/4 tsp sugar

Whisk all ingredients well and pour desired amount over salad. Enjoy!

9.19.2011

Fruitful Arrangements

So I had a few extra pears.... I bought 14 lbs of pears with great intention to make pear cider-Well now I'm just not feelin' it! I'm a moody eater, okay? But what else can I do with 14 lbs of pears? Arrange them of course! I cut some green and white hydrangeas from my yard and got to work. It started off looking a little too summery, so I put it on top of a wicker basket I turned upside-down. This little project got me thinking of all the wonderful Fall arrangements with fruit.

This apple one is easier than it looks. Take a ready-made topiary and force halved chicken skewers up the base, and the other end in the foam of the topiary!

Add apples to any arrangement by securing the bases in chicken skewers and the other end into oasis in the arrangement.

Put any fruit you can think of in the base of an arrangement. It blocks the unattractive stems and adds and unexpected twist to any arrangement. Just try it! I dare you!

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9.16.2011

Trend Alert: Outdoor Lighting Comes Inside

Outdoor living spaces have been a focus for entertaining for years, but what happens when the weather turns cold and you need to bring the party inside? Bring the outdoors in with these new lighting trends. These styles are just too fun to pass up!

The images are all products of Restoration Hardware.

These are a Few of My Favorite (Fall) Things

As the leaves start to turn and the air gets that wonderful, crisp fall smell, I start to dream about comfort foods of fall.

Warm fondue with red wine...