fab find: shoe dazzle

I don't know how this amazing site for shoes slipped past my inner shoe addiction, but thanks to my fellow stylish blogger Tonia of Chic Modern Vintage, I now am in the know! Welcome to Shoe Dazzle.

According to the Style Profile, my style is "free-spirited, artistic, whimsical", why yes, yes it is.

We just met, Shoe Dazzle and me, but I believe this will be a very happy and fulfilling relationship.

The Insider's Guide to Decorating with White

The Insider's Guide to Decorating with White

friday musings: utilitarian chic, my new "it" bag

My Aussie bag arrived and much to my delight, I love it! I featured this bag last July, and while it took me awhile to getting around to purchase it, my lust for it never wavered. The tote handles are long enough to wear over the shoulder, and it does have an across the body shoulder strap for serious shopping days. I generally change my bag out every month, but this will be my go to for most of the year now, I love it that much! It is chic in a Bohemian way and oh so me.

If you are wanting a fabulous utilitarian bag (and you don't live in Denver ;) , then mosy on over to Back in the Saddle.

Have a great weekend!

TC

food for thought: an oscar worthy dip, and the winner is...

If you happen to be throwing an Oscar party this Sunday, the following dip recipe from Food Network is a definite winner...

not to mention low-fat when made with reduced fat cream cheese and sour cream. I made it last Saturday while visiting the family, and let's just say I didn't get very much of it.

I served it in a small fondue pot to keep it warm and served it with Wheat Thins flat bread. I think it would also be delish served with simple crostini.

Enjoy!

style board: color trends 2011 beeswax, bohemian great room

There are a few of colors from the Pantone Spring Color Report, that I really like, but Beeswax is definitely one of my favorites! There are many style options to pair with Beeswax; glamour and drama when shown with black and grey or fun and bohemian when put together with, well, fun and bohemian patterns and colors...

which is clearly what I went with. I was going to go the glam route until I found the stunning Moroccan side table, then the rest just followed.
This great room, while colorful and vibrant, is meant for chillaxin, the sofa needed to be deep and the perfect style, I love this one. I would do the walls in a venetian plaster, for the added touch of texture, change the chair upholstery to a yellow ikat for more pattern and four tables placed together for a unique and colorful cocktail table. Hey, at $7.99 a piece, how could I not?!

Product sources available upon request, TCSTYLIST1@GMAIL.COM

style board...in the making: beeswax

tuesday's treasure: beautifully designed modern cottage

Today's home comes from the pages of Metropolitan Home, September 2008. A Los Angeles cottage with a modern makeover thanks to architect Scott Joyce and designers Tory Polone and Susan Young. There are many things about this home that I love; the grey stucco exterior, white slab steps, the windows, windows, windows...

the custom chinoiserie room dividers. Built-in room dividers were quite prevalent in the 50's and 60's. I love room dividers and seriously hope they make a comeback, I promise to do my part. They are such a simple architectural addition, but their impact is nothing but.

The openness of this home is spectacular, as is the view.

A beautiful blend of furniture; Hollywood Regency inspired chairs with a heavy Tuscan table, a lovely balance. And the Foscarini Caboche chandi is the cherry on top.

The minimal streamlined kitchen and master bath, both modern and elegant. What I wouldn't do for my own supply of kumquats.

The master bedroom is pure Hollywood Regency perfection.

The large windows and open floor plan make the gorgeous yard an extension of the interior. A truly awesome modern cottage, inside and out.

You like?

fab find: stylish entry/desk

A client of mine has a spacious entry in her loft. She needed an entry table for her keys, mail, etc., and since she generally sits at her dining table when going through mail or using her computer...
I suggested a desk in the entry. One that would double as an entry table and a desk. "Brilliant!" she said.

Now, finding a stylish computer desk can be a bit daunting, but I found a great one at CSN. The color is rich, the style clean and contemporary and the hidden laptop compartment is awesome. The "lid", when closed, covers the laptop. She no longer has to haul her laptop to and from the dining table.

The wall will be dressed in Creative Wallcovering Python Snake Skin. A simple white drum pendant from Lighting Direct flanked by a pair of Constance Mirrors from Ballard Designs. Since the desk is doubling as an entry table, having a chair in front of it would detract from it's double life. I chose a garden stool from Target that she could easily move from the side of the desk and sit on. The entry runner is from Rug Studio, it adds a fresh and happy pop of style, color and pattern.

friday musings: road trip with lu and porter

As much as I wish it was Summer and we were taking a road trip in a convertible (and Luci really a hat had like this)...alas, all the above are wishes. It is the middle of February; high today of 47; rain and snow tomorrow.But Luci gets to see her man and I get to spend a little time with my fam...

and Porter gets to chase his cows...sorry, I broke the rhyme chain.

Have a great weekend everybody!

TC

creative cocktails: burnt orange

I tried a new cocktail last Saturday, the Burnt Orange. Made with brandy, it is a tasty Winter cocktail, while it is served chilled, the brandy still warms the soul ;) Burnt Orange

• 3 drops orange bitters or Angostura bitters
• Juice of 1/2 an orange
• 3 measures of brandy
• Slice of orange, decoration

Put 4 or 5 ice cubes in a mixing glass or shaker. Shake the bitters over the ice, add the orange juice and brandy and stir (or shake) vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve decorated with an orange slice.

This cocktail has a beautiful color to it, even more so when served in a hollowed stem glass.

Enjoy!

style board: color trends 2011 peapod dining room

Yes, after yesterday's fresh color story, I was inspired to do my own design using Peapod from Pantones Spring Color Trends 2011...

it is not exactly a formal dining room, but one that I would love to entertain in! How about you?

Product sources available upon request, TCSTYLIST1@GMAIL.COM

style board...in the making: peapod

tuesday's treasure(s): fresh, unexpected color scheme

I wish I could get paid for reading blogs. After spending a couple of hours catching up on my favorites, I remembered I had my own to do! I didn't find one particular home to feature today, so I decided to run with a really cool color scheme; red, turquoise, black and white...and wouldn't you know, 2 of the 3 photos came from Domino. The 1st bedroom is pure eye candy, every detail of it, especially the most perfect robins egg blue on the walls. It is Pratt and Lambert Lost Oasis, oasis indeed!

While this last room does not boast a lot of red, it is there in small doses and more could definitely be added, perhaps a red pillow in each of the chairs?

I don't personally do red in my home, but I am intrigued by this scheme so much that when I have a house to play with...I'm thinking maybe even a kitchen, powder room for sure, but as a kitchen it would be way unexpected!

Any thoughts on this scheme?

fab find: sexy nudes [shoes that is]

I ask you, is there anything sexier than a nude shoe? Nude is the best neutral available, it goes with everything. It elongates the legs to make them impossibly long. And the designs shown below are just stunning.Giuseppe Zanotti Flap Over Suede Bootie a shopbop.com exclusive. I would wear this beauty with a simple mini shift in a any color, but white would be drop dead gorgeous, after a week of tanning cream!

This Sergio Rossi Cachet Suede Open Toe Pump is pin-up classic, also from shopbop.com. I would pair this shoe with either a skinny cigarette pant or a full-leg denim trouser.

The above stunner is the Calvin Klein Collection Paola Wedge Sandal, again from shopbop.com. Perfect when paired with shorts and a peasant blouse...while on vacation...in Italy.

And this shoe, well this shoe is mine. A moderately less expensive option from DSW.

friday musings: a stylishly sunny weekend

It's amazing how an ordinary day can become extraordinary with just the presence of the Sun, it's no wonder many have worshipped the fiery ball in the sky, I know I love it! After a few days of not seeing the Sun, we have been blessed once again for the past couple of days with the Sun's magnificent light and warmth. There may still be a decent amount of snow on the ground, no strappy sandals yet, but the Sun just makes every bodies mood a little brighter and, ahem, sunnier.

A quiet weekend has suddenly turned into a social one, due to the magic of the oh so stylish Sun. Time to raid the closet, but you can bet a fur vest is gonna get a lot of play this weekend.

Have a great, and hopefully sunny, weekend!

food for thought: Mediterranean goodness, dip

Here it is, my Mediterranean Goodness Dip, just wish I had some to nosh on right now. No jury duty, I got my day back =)
The original recipe came from Better Homes and Gardens, July 2001. True to form, I tweaked it a bit. Keeping to the court vibe of the day, I can testify to it's tastiness!

Mediterranean Goodness Dip

• One can of chickpeas, drained with 2 T of liquid reserved
• 5 C spinach
• One can artichoke hearts
• 3 T olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp chili powder, I used chipotle
• 1 T lemon juice
• Salt to taste

Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan and lightly saute garlic. Gradually add spinach and let wilt. Once spinach has wilted, add chickpeas, artichoke hearts, chickpea liquid and spices, cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat, add lemon juice and blend with a hand blender or potato smasher. I also added a bit of Italian cheese blend for a little extra somethin-somethin. Serve with pita or tortilla chips.
Enjoy!

food for thought...will be late, jury duty calls

Stay tuned, I will be posting a delish dip I tweaked this past Sunday. It is super tasty and super good for you; spinach, chickpeas & artichoke hearts, oh my!

style board: color trends 2011, silver cloud, minimal bedroom

Pantones color pick of Silver Cloud as one of the colors for Spring 2011, is a fantastic choice, what doesn't go with Silver Cloud...

it is such a beautiful neutral, the answer is nothing, everything goes with.
My first choice of accent color was a pop of yellow, but then I found the cute orange chandi pendants. I wanted the room to be minimal and let the pieces speak for themselves.

I found the bedside cabinets first. Being that they are silver leafed, they were perfect and a must. I wanted a simple platform bed, one that could float in the middle of a large room. While this one is simple, it is gorgeous. A grey linen duvet and an orange chiffon curtain hanging from the ceiling on sliding tracks creating a canopy effect. The walls would be a grey Venetian plaster with a ginormous floor mirror and a hand painted silk wall panel for pattern, and that's it.

Product sources available upon request, TCSTYLIST1@GMAIL.COM

style board...in the making: silver cloud

tuesday's treasure: fresh, vibrant, stylish interiors

It is bloody cold and white in Denver today and I have had my face glued to my computer screen all day researching business stuff. It was an awesome and refreshing break to pick some interior pics from Laura U for Tuesday's Treasure...created by Abbe Fenimore.

This gallery wall is fantastic. I prefer creating gallery walls for the simple fact that anything goes, color and content, without spending a lot on art.

Fabulously fun! I'm not sure, but the magenta wall looks like it might be plaster, helping to soften such a strong color. So unexpected in a kitchen, love it.

A great combo, would love to see the whole room.

fab find: cool & genuine v-day gifts, Etsy

I am not a fan of V-Day, no need to get me psychological help, I happen to believe in 365 days of romance, not just one...especially one that is so scary with commercialization. Valentines Day is about love and love is supposed to come from the heart, not from Zales. It used to be such a sweet holiday, exchanging Valentines in grade school with friends, boys and girls alike. Everybody felt special, which may have been the result of a sugar high, but nonetheless, it was a special day.

I spent hours on Etsy today and picked four of my favorite prints for V-Day. Of course Etsy has many, many, many gift options, but none so literal, sweet and cool than these photos. The first scrabble letter photo is from jmbarclay and the second is from carissachristine.

The neon "love" above is my favorite. I have a bit of an obsession for pictures of vintage neon signs, thank goodness Las Vegas was created when it was! The photo above is from bomobob and the shell "love" is from eternalimages.


I have to say it is rather entertaining to park oneself at the mall on V-Day and watch people, mostly men, run around and buy a gift. A gift that many women expect but don't really appreciate, which I find so sad. My advice, keep it simple and different; her favorite flower instead of roses; pizza and candlelight in, instead of out. Shoot some pool at your neighborhood bar.

V-Day is sooo not a serious day. It's about romance, and happiness is the root of romance. Happiness=Fun. Make it a day that is special, but most importantly, make it fun!

friday musings: date night outfit

Goin out for some Italian tonight, keepin it casual and sparkly... have a great weekend!

TC

food for thought: a stylish super bowl par-tay

Super Bowl Sunday is upon us once again, but if you are not really a fan of either team playing, ones focus turns to...

food! Oh, and the commercials too. There is at least a common color between the two teams this year to make setting a stylish spread easy, can you guess what it is?

Now, what to serve? As much as I love party food, healthy eating is still at the back of my mind. If I were hosting a Super Bowl Party this year, I would serve an assortment of goodies like chili, a couple of dips, artichoke pizza, broccoli spears and grilled chicken tenders. My guests can bring the really decadent stuff!

Beverages would be an assortment of beer. We are so lucky here in Colorado to have so many incredible micro breweries, the choice of beer is endless. Although the game is in the late afternoon, there is nothing better than a Bloody Mary any time of day on Sunday. And for those who are not beer drinkers, a different carbonated beverage in the form of Prosecco would be available.

A stylish and accessible set-up for the food is quite simple; levels. By placing food at different levels, you create more space on the table for the spread. I have blocks that I use, but stacks of books covered with a cloth napkin work fabulously as well.

HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH ARTICHOKE PIZZA

• Two 8 oz. cans refrigerated crescent dinner rolls


• 3/4 C prepared Hidden Valley Ranch Milk Recipe Original Ranch Salad Dressing


• One 14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained


• One 4 oz. jar sliced pimentos, drained (I use green chilies)


• 3/4 C shredded mozzarella


• 1/4 C grated Parmesan

Unroll dough without tearing; press into 15"x10"x1" pan. Bake at 375°, 10 min. or until cooked through. Combine remaining ingredients saving 1/4 C Parmesan to sprinkle on top. Spread on crust. Bake at 375°, 15 min. Let stand 5 min. Cut into 2" squares. Makes 36.

Broccoli Spears

• Broccoli
• Canola oil
• Garlic
• Fresh ginger
• Pepper flakes
• Rice vinegar

Cut broccoli into spears. Heat oil, about 1-2 T, in a 10 to 12 inch pan. Add garlic, 1 clove, 1/2 T of fresh ginger and pepper flakes, however much you like.

Saute broccoli until tender, yet crispy and bright green. Remove from heat and drizzle with rice vinegar. Serve at room temperature.

Enjoy!

style board: color trends 2011, regatta, office

I decided to to do an office for this weeks style board with the fun, fresh & stylish Regatta, from the Pantone Color Trends 2011...

and this office is truly fun, fresh & stylish, I could do some serious creating in this space!
I would do all the walls in a blue toned white and one wall with the striped wallpaper for an accent. The bamboo table is the desk that I have been wanting for some time now. I would also have bamboo shades on the windows for texture and warmth. I love the idea of the stool for my seat, easy to slide off of to grab swatches, books or other supplies that would be housed in some type of shelving unit. The stool is also adjustable to make sketching easier.

Away from the desk I have a sofa for lounging while I go through books and magazines, and the bar, well, that is for when the workday extends past 5 o'clock ;)

Product sources available upon request, TCSTYLIST1@GMAIL.COM

style board...in the making: regatta

tuesday's treasure: classic meets light and simple

My brain is fried, it was all I could do to find these photos for "tuesday's treasure" in my archive of tear sheets...

but with the freezing cold temperatures we are having here in Denver, these photos spoke to me.

The interiors are warm and bright. Classic and simple, with the comfort and coziness which resembles that of a favorite sweater. Simply lovely treasures.