graham & green

how would you like waking up in this bed every morning?

i'd feel like a million bucks!

it's one of those pieces that would make you smile every time you looked at it, right?!

graham and green is a unique site with stunning pieces like the above bed and this armoire

if the first bed was a little too luxe, this is a toned down version

check out that rug, its a reindeer rug.  {makes me a bit sad, but it's so pretty}

and they also have whimsical items, like this cute chandelier--

for a little girl's room maybe?

and how cool is this, an inflatable chesterfield!

1 house and home

2-4 graham & green

perfect recipe for a room

what a perfect balance

traditional elegance

a touch of modern

a splash of rustic

image via nuevo estilo

saturday morning started off with a big 'ol YUM

as a child-and well through the years of my life-we would always go to this one restaurant on saturdays and order an apple pancake.  it is not a regular pancake with apples on it, but it is like a "deep dish" style pancake with apple and caramelly goodness on top.

well, i didn't feel like going out this past saturday, so i made one.  my version wasn't as dense, but it was just as delicious!

maybe you should try this recipe this weekend.  let me know how you like it.

boom boom room: quick recap

i told you about the boom boom room event i attended last week for my friend's business.

well, here it our station all set up.

 honestly, it was one of the best looking booths in the event!

these are a couple of the canvases that she sells

 and the placemats, totes and notecards are what she gave out to everyone.

 how gorgeous is this arrangement we came up with
the night of set up. 

these were my wedding colors too!

 here was another display from a delicious bakery located in LA. 

i tried the red velvet cupcake and almost died!

woldn't this be a cute set up for a little girls birthday party or baby shower?

 stacy made a few contacts with some celebs

tisha campbell, her son and stacy

stacy, tiffany amber thiessen and baby girl

don't they look like they could be sisters?

 and i am not sure who this actor is with his daughter and wife.

along with celebs, there was a lot of press and great people to meet.

 i was only able to stay for one day of the event and

missed the busier day of the two.

but, i had to get home for my cousin's wedding on saturday.

here is my son and nephew enjoying the night 

 who said boys can't have tea parties:)

i guess they were trying to make the best out of dinner time.

have a great weekend!

keep your head up

good room designs start from the top and finish at the bottom, leaving no details untouched.

isn't the dark molding fantastic in this room!

here's a different view.  it really shows off the architectural detail and sets the mood for the room.

and this cute nursery. vibrant as it can be.

here's a shot of the mural on the ceiling.  now, i'm not a mural's #1 fan, but this is cute for a nursery.

especially with that light fixture.

do you like the wood paneled ceiling that mirrors the floors?

what a great way to bring light into this dark kitchen.  what a unique home!

so remember, keep your head up. you never know what you might see!

1,2,3,4 color theory
5 urban dwellings
6 decor pad

for chocolate lovers only

peanut butter brownie buddies

these are absolutely deeeeelish!

1 c plus 2 T all-purpose flour

1/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

1 1/4 c sugar

6 T butter, melted

2 t vanilla

3 eggs

1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 c peanut butter

1 1/2 c chocolate chips

3/4 c peanut butter chips

1/4 c whipping cream

14 mini reeses peanut butter cups

preheat oven to 350 F.  grease a 13x9x2 pan. 

in medium bowl: stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking poder, and salt. 

in another bowl:  combine sugar, melted butter, and 1 t of the vanilla.  stir until combined, then add eggs, one at a time, stirring until combined.  add flour mixture and combine.  spread batter into pan and bake for 20 minutes.

while brownie layer is baking- lightly beat remaining egg.  stir in sweetened condensed milk, peanut butter, and remaining 1 t vanilla, mix well.  stir in 1 c of chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. 

when brownie layer is done baking, spread the peanut butter mixture over the hot brownie and bake an additional 20-25 minutes or until peanut butter layer is set and edges are lightly browned.  

in a small bowl, combine whipping cream and remaining 1/2 c chocolate chips.  microwave for 40-60 seconds, until chocolate chips melt.  drizzle mixture over cooled bars and sprinkle with chopped peanut butter cups.

i suggest eating these when they are still warm -so yummy!

house of amoo

one of my closest friends, stacy amoo-mensah, is a talented graphic artist

and has developed three very successful companies:  le papier boutique, a wholesale line featured exclusively at tiny prints, le papier design, a custom design stationary company and name your design, which offers personalized  wall art and other cute things.

well, she is so awesome and has been invited to participate in the upcoming boom boom room event-

a pre-golden globes celebration in california!

it is a gifting event for celebrity parents which offer them the most stylish

items in the market.

how fun, right! and i am going with her!!

i leave today and i'll be back next week with all the details.

isn't stacy's house amazing?  she renovated it a few years ago when she moved into this house.

i know these pictures are a little grainey, but i will post clearer pictures (fixed it but will still update next week with all the beautiful vignettes and details).

until then, let's call this a sneak peek into the house of amoo.

wish us luck!!

the cutest plant on earth

i love my new plant that i picked up at trader joe's this past sunday.

it is a weeping pussy willow.

 it's just a baby now, so it will bloom in the spring and then i assume get those great

furry buds afterwards.  the downside:  i have to plant it outside in the spring so it won't get to stay in my entrance forever.  it's probably better that way, it will most definitely have a longer life.

but meanwhile, i'm going to run to ikea to get a cheap pot to place it in- until then.

in the neighborhood

i had to go to a dr.'s appointment about 25 minutes east of my house.

so after the appointment this modern house caught my eye.

so i did what anyone else would do, i took a picture and drove around the neighborhood

for more amazing and eclectic homes!

this house was the type that is narrow in width, but boy was this house long.

it went on forever!  and the detail on the right side of the house was gorgeous. 

this was the side of the house.  it is on a corner lot and was very pretty both front and side views

 new construction, i don't think they are quite finished

 and this beauty was sitting on top of a large hill.

i love these suburban neighborhoods that have unique, custom homes

as well as a nice wooded, hilly area.  it almost feels like you aren't right in the middle

of the "land of flat."

those of you from either coasts may not appreciate the hills and winding roads that you may have.

here in the midwest, it's pretty much one level with the exception of a few choice neighborhoods.

layered look

i love the look of layering a modern piece of art

in front of an empty antique frame

 or propped against a hanging mirror

 also a favorite of mine, hung on a bookshelf

what do you think of these non-traditional ways to display art?

mirror, mirror on the wall

check out those drapes and the chandelier.

now lets talk mirror...

do you like the off centered, leaning effect?

correction:  after looking at this picture it appears that there is a his and hers mirror.

love it

{do you see it peaking out of the right corner}

i like it, just not over my bed.

on another topic, why am i having such a hard time finding the perfect gold guilded mirror?

oh yeah, i'm trying to find one on the cheap.

any suggestions...

get this look for less!

my next big investment (kidding)

a pair of side lack tables from ikea.

they're cheap and chic

what more could you ask for?

i may add a stud detail or something, or just leave them plain

ikea does come in handy at times, right?

1.desire to inspire
2. lonny magazine via belle maison

dining room...finally!

have you ever had a design concept in your head, then when you go to plan it on paper- or in my case the item arrives at your house- you look at it, scrunch your nose, and say that's not what i really wanted.

well, that is the story of my dining room.  finally, we finished it and i couldn't be more happy with the outcome. 

here is a re-cap of what i thought i wanted:

not sure what i was thinking here...

this was the big mistake i made

where i actually bought this table and hated it in my house

i have always loved this look, but it just doesn't fit my home's style

vincent wolfe

and my all time favorite!

sarah dorio via made by girl

so as you can see, i've been all over the place, and now i have finally settled on this:

 we painted the walls and

purchased the table from crate and barrel outlet

and here's a reminder of what my ebay chairs looked like upon arrival to my house

my husband was my hero and painted them in 20 and 30 degree weather

 and i re-upholstered them, making sure to center the beautiful pattern.

i got this fabric at crate and barrel outlet and i'm so glad i did!

isn't it funny how 40 people coming to your house motivates you to get some of your to-do list items on your to-done list!  we had a family party on saturday to celebrate the new year and i'm glad we got this dining room done.  we definitely needed all the addtional seating we could get!

i hope you all had a wonderful start to the new year!