White kitchens...and why I love them

If you follow me at all on pinterest you will know that I have an obsession with white kitchens.

My former kitchen

I just can't get enough of them. They always look so clean, light and airy. They go with anything!

Here are some of my favorite kitchens and why I love them.

Jennifer Dyer

This and the next kitchen (also by Jennifer Dyer) are I think my dream kitchens. I love how crisp everything is. Nothing is too fussy or ornate. Just simple clean and classic.

Jennifer Dyer

Both of these kitchens looks so cozy. I can just see the entire family hanging out! 

I especially love how this kitchen has a stained island. My other favorites are the glass front cabinets and the mushroom colored countertops. 

 DeCesare design group

This kitchen by Caroline Decesare (a local gal!) Is stunning! I love the glass display at the top of the cabinets. It helps to fill more of the expanse of the room. The working island next to the eat in table is fabulous! If I had the room I would do that exact layout. I love the simple clean slipcovers, great for tossing in the wash once a week! 

One of my favorite parts however, is the table lamp on the right side. You wouldn't think to add a lamp in the kitchen but it brings a cozy feeling with it and I am sure provides some great soft lighting in those early morning hours or late at night.

Samantha Pynn

This final kitchen by Samathan Pynn is a great example of simple basic black and white color pallet. This kitchen will look "fresh" for years and years.With very classic elements you can feel free to do small changes (painting the walls, lighting, art, accessories, chairs) and totally change the look of the kitchen. I think this particular kitchen is even from IKEA.  Good news for those of us counting our pennies!


I hope these images have inspired you for updates to your own kitchen. I know I have some new ideas!

What is something you love in your kitchen? Pin It

Amazing Oatmeal Buttermilk Pancakes!

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you had a great weekend and Father's Day. We start celebrations around here with breakfast and I thought I would share with you this A-M-A-Z-I-N-G  oatmeal buttermilk pancakes. It can also be made gluten free!

Sorry for the poor picture, we ate them so fast I almost forgot to take a picture and had to snag this last one before my husband ate it!

Here is the recipe!

Amazing Oatmeal Buttermilk Pancakes

*requires prep time of a minimum of 2 hours or overnight

2 cups old fashioned oats (pulsed a few times in a food processor)

1/2 cup flour (I used a gluten free flour and it turned out great)

3 tablespoons sugar (or sucanant)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups buttermilk ( I used original unsweetened almond milk with two tablespoons of lemon juice to make my own buttermilk)

2 large eggs

1/4 cup butter, melted (it says "no substitutes"so I didn't try it with any!)

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

oil (for frying) or butter (for frying) (I just used a regular electric skillet and they turned out fine!)

Directions:

In a large bowl combine the first 6 dry ingredients.

In another smaller bowl whisk together buttermilk, eggs, melted butter and vanilla until well blended; add to the dry ingredients, whisk until blended (there might be some small lumps that still remain).

Cover and chill for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight.

In the morning give it a quick stir. Drop about 1/4 cup of batter into the skillet, and start cooking!

Makes approx 15 pancakes

Try it for breakfast this week! Have a great day!

Pin It

Lonny you amaze me....

The newest issue of Lonny is out! YAY! Congrats to everyone who worked on it, they did a fabulous job! 

Here are some of my favorite spots in the issue....

I don't know if it was just me, but I was totally drooling over the delicate lace pattern around the door frame! It reminded me of this stencil from Royal Design Studio. I'd love to do this in my powder room!

I loved the feature they did on Marrakech and how to bring some of it into your home...

I was inspired by the different examples they gave for decor over the bed!

Christy Ford's home (below) had some great reminders on how to keep a kid friendly home.

Is that a Starwars fighter out on display??? Awesome!

 Yes, yes, yes....loved this family and dining nook room

I thought this was a fun and eclectic nursery that would be great for kid as they grew up!

My heart skipped a beat when I saw this beautiful kitchen designed by Croma Express

Check out the issue here!

I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

P.S. Be sure to check back here on Monday for a book review and my very first GIVEAWAY!

Pin It

Have you heard of T-Tapp?

No it's not a tap dancing routine, it is a style of exercise I have been doing since April 10 of this year.
I am currently in a 60 day challenge and am seeing some great results already! I have my eye on winning the grand prize, an all expenses paid trip to their retreat in Florida in October.

Teresa Tapp created her unique workout and effective cellulite removal program while working within the International Modeling Industry. You will start to see results within 7 days, I noticed changes happening even sooner than that. I have done a lot of at home workouts through the years this one is so very different and all activity levels can do it. I am not changing the way I am eating but since starting T-Tapp I have noticed I am craving foods that are naturally better for me, so that is a plus!


From the website here is what T-Tapp is all about:

T-Tapp is a series of copyrighted, sequential movements designed to put the body in proper functional alignment. Its special sequence of comprehensive, compound muscle movement helps establish better alignment as well as increased strength and flexibility of the spine, better neuro-kinetic flow, lymphatic function, and increased metabolic rate. Its physical therapy approach to fitness makes it safe for those with shoulder, hip, knee, neck, and back concerns. Yet, it delivers a challenging workout for all fitness levels!

T-Tapp's preventative wellness workouts deliver results inside and out. Instead of just focusing on burning calories and fat to lose weight, T-Tapp concentrates on helping the body rebuild digestion, assimilation, elimination, in addition to improving lymphatic function and neuro-kinetic flow. Increased energy, mental clarity and overall health immediately improve as your body tightens and tones. Faster inch loss occurs because muscles develop like girdles so they can uplift and cinch in target areas of concern. That's because T-Tapp develops long, lean muscle fibers with strength and flexibility for greater muscle density instead of muscle bulk. In fact, T-Tapp can redesign bulky muscles into lean, dense tissue! Best of all, this type of muscle development helps support the spine and joints in a rehabilitative way. Many injuries occur due to muscle imbalance, but with T-Tapp muscles are always built with strength and flexibility. It just happens that this type of muscle development also increases metabolic processing for higher burning of calories and fat even when not working out! Last of all, T-Tapp is a left-right brain, mind-body workout. Most have heard the phrase "if you don't use it, you lose it" but with T-Tapp it's never too late to rebuild fitness and health. Come discover "Yes You Can" with T-Tapp and FEEL the difference while you try some sample movements for free.

To find out more please check out her website here.

To try it out click here.


If you have any questions please feel free to contact me or give them a call, or email, they are happy to help!
Pin It

honeycomb/peacock mirror is back....

I loved this mirror when it was at Pier 1 over a year ago...it is no longer there but Zgallerie has picked it up!

Here are some great rooms to inspire you....to buy one! HA!

Kristen Hutchins and Hillary Thomas

Danielle and Nick

Jonathan Adler

Last time Pier 1 had them they sold like hotcakes! I have a Zgallerie pretty close to me, looks like I will have to look at this beauty in person. And then think about purchasing it...over and over again. I never figure out how to really pull the trigger on an item I love.  Maybe it will go on sale. Keeping my fingers crossed. Pin It

Spinach salad with poppy seed dressing

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We had such a great time with family and friends, and there is always amazing food! This year I was asked to make the salad and I thought I would share it with you.

 

Spinach Salad
Serves 8-10 people.  (You can add more spinach to make it enough for 12-14 people)  
1 head iceberg lettuce or green leaf lettuce
1 bunch spinach 
(or you can use 2 bunches of spinach instead of mixing with other lettuce)
       * both rinsed well, dried and torn into bite size pieces

3/4 lb. sliced mushrooms
3/4 lb. grated swiss cheese
1 thinly sliced medium red onion
1/2 lb. cooked and crumbled bacon
3/4 cup sliced almonds or cashews
 ( I like it best with Cashews, but we have people with allergies so we used almonds)

All these ingredients can be prepared ahead of time and then mixed together right before serving.


Poppy Seed Dressing

3/4 Tbs poppy seeds
1/3 cup white vinegar
3/4 cup grapeseed oil
1/3 cup sugar
2 Tbs mustard (not dry)
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 Tbs grated white onion

Mix and blend (or shake) together or mix in blender 1-2 minutes. 


 This can be prepared the day before or hours before to allow the ingredients to blend in.   Yummy!
Do you have any favorite family dishes that you  made this weekend?



Pin It

Have you heard of Pinzy?

If you haven't noticed from my previous posts I am in love with pinterest. If you have become addicted to this site then you will love this...  Pinzy. It is for people that have installed the google chrome browser and allows you to simply hover over the pin (instead of clicking on them) and view the full version of what has been pinned. To close just click on the enlarged version and you can then repin, comment or like.

It makes going through pinterest so much quicker!

If you would like to join pinterest leave me your email in the comment section and I will send you an invite!

If you would like to follow me on pinterest please click here.

Pin It

The latest issue of House of Fifty is up!

If you haven't heard of the e-zine House of Fifty, you are in for a treat!  My friend Janell Beals of Isabella and Max Rooms is the founding editor. You can get it via Ipad/phone, here and even in print! They even have a blog! 

They already have a few issues out. One of my favorite articles was on eclectic design

See step by step on pg. 52 

I am currently using the tips included to put together my living room at my new place. Hopefully, I will have an inspiration board for you soon!

  One of my favorite items in the current edition is the music mix on pg. 61.

Go and take a few minutes to check it out yourself. You will be glad you did!

Pin It