Strawberry Salad

I recently took a vacation with a group of good friends to Lake Shasta, California. We stayed on a houseboat with roughly 20 people coming and going, and let me tell you, keeping food in stock was a challenge. I was in charge of dinner 2 nights in a row with my great friend, Melissa. We had a menu to stick to, but half the things needed for the dinner on the menu were already eaten! We had to get creative..... You know how they say necessity is the mother of invention? Well necessity is the mother of a REALLY good salad dressing!

Dressing:
1 Tablespoon Strawberry Jam
1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salad:
4 Cups Mixed Green Lettuce
1/4 Cup Sliced Strawberries
3 Tablespoons Gorgonzola Cheese
3 Tablespoons Chopped Walnuts or Hazelnuts

Enjoy!

Fresh Cut Color

There are few things I love more in life than a giant bouquet of fresh cut flowers. Last year, I planted colorful perennials on my side yard JUST for cutting, and this year am SO enjoying the results!!

Would you believe these hydrangeas are 4 WEEKS OLD???? A little tip for cutting hydrangeas: Fill your vase with HOT water-Yes I said hot! Submerge the stem and cut them at a severe angle while they are immersed in the water. Leave them overnight in the hot water and they should last for weeks. When they start to wilt, refill the vase with hot water and repeat the same cutting process.

 Add fragrant flowers such as lavender to your bouquets for a long lasting scent.

                 
 Designer's tip: take hydrangea flower and poke roses right through it to make just a few flowers look like a whole bouquet!

Rustic French Elegance

 Remember this chandelier I found on Craigslist? It found a home in my newly decorated guest room. For this room, I wanted a comfortable, rustic French elegance that would make our guests feel at home.

I placed a bouquet of fresh lavendar on the dresser for a wonderful natural scent.

For the picture frames, I found old French love letters from the 17th century, cut them to size and framed them. They really give an authentic feel to the whole room. If you can't go to France, bring French elegance to your home!  

30 Garage Sales and a Starbucks

Pottery Barn table: $5

Southern Living vase: $2

2 antique reads: $0.50

The thrill of a great garage sale find: Priceless

Yes, you heard right! I said $5 for a Pottery Barn end table! Garage sale-ing is not for the faint of heart. Mind you that I estimated I passed about 30 garage sales on Saturday, actually got out of my car for 5, and purchased items at two. 2/30? Not great, but 1 hour for a thrill of a $5 table? SO worth it!! If my numbers are boggling your mind, I apologize. Every time I finish shopping, I run the numbers to try to make my financier of a husband understand what a great deal I got. 99% off sale? Yes please!
I love old books, but nice hardback books run about $5-7 at antique stores, and even $3 at estate sales! If you hit the estate sales on Sunday, they are usually 50% off, but you'll still get a better deal at a garage sale. Yes, I'm THAT cheap. I think of it this way: I can buy 3 books, or I can buy 6 books and a Starbucks for the same price! Ummmmm, I'll take the Starbucks. My husband may measure everything in numbers, but I measure everything in Starbucks.

Ahhhhh, rewarding myself for finishing the office with a Starbucks. :)

Trend Alert: The Tripod

The old world style has really made a comeback this year-Antique globes, compasses, columns, and very traditional statues are mixed with modern elements to create comfort and familiarity. It's almost like being at Grandpa's house again, but this time Grandpa has GREAT taste! Restoration Hardware started this old world revolution, and it has dribbled into all mainstream design. One way to get this look without going overboard is to incorporate something -anything- on a tripod.

From lamps to binoculars to globes, anything goes on a tripod.

 I incorporated this look in my office by adding a compass on a tripod, and I have to say, it was a hit. Everyone leans in to take a closer look, and it provides and instant overall style to the room.

Craigslist Find- Thomasville Chandelier

 I hit the jackpot again last weekend when I came across this brand new Thomasville chandelier on Craigslist. $50 for this Thomasville La Serena Aged Mahogany Six-Light Chandelier, just the finish I needed for my guest room! I love the drama chandeliers exude, like living in a palace.

My only problem? The chandelier bought for my guest room would also look fabulous in my office...... Big decisions this weekend.... Anyone have a vote??

Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Cream

 Looking to take something different to your next barbecue? Try grilled fruit! I took these grilled peaches to a 4th of July BBQ and they were an instant hit!

First, half the peaches and remove the peach pit. the easiest way to do this is to cut the peach down the middle and twist the two halves apart. Then, brush the peach with real maple syrup with a basting brush. Grill the peaches, maple side down, on the barbecue for about 8 minutes on low or until the peaches are soft with grill marks on the top.

Cream:
1 tub (2 lbs) Sour Cream
1/3 cup Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
Mix all ingredients together and use a pastry bag to disperse the cream to the crater of the grilled peaches. If you don't have a pastry bag on hand, pour cream mixture into a plastic bag and cut a small bit off the bottom corner of the bag for a make-do pastry bag!
If the cream is too runny, refrigerate for a couple of hours. This is a great step to do the night before! When using reduced fat sour cream, add corn starch a little at a time to thicken.

Don't worry if the grilled peaches don't look perfect, they will still look appetizing! Garnish with drizzled maple syrup and mint leaves for a great presentation, and enjoy!!