Sparkly

There isn't anything about this vignette that I don't like. The mirrored chest, silver trophies and baby heirlooms, glam photo...all perfection.

So for now I will just imagine myself sitting in the chair sipping some champagne.

[image via Southern Accents]

It's been fun!

Today was my last installment of the Through Her Eyes series at Layers of Meaning. We talk about our favorite blogger and since I couldn't choose I did share who was my first blog crush.

Thank you Maria for having me!

Oh Baby!

Oh the cuteness! I have a new photo crush on Sloan Photographers, especially after seeing these adorable pregnancy photos. Mom does 3 fabulous looks, boho, vintage and Audrey. I'm sure you can imagine which one was my fave.

Photos can be seen here.

Black & White

My mom is thinking about black and white striped curtains for her patio. I think this has my eye tuned into black and white. I'm diggin' it.

[from top images via Decorno, Shopbop, RIFLE, House Beautiful, Lovely Morning, Pink Wallpaper]

Quite possibly the world's ugliest chair!

Today because the boys and I were nearby we decided to stop at Bass Pro Shop. Not exactly my cup of tea but I thought they would like it. My Big was in redneck heaven with the taxidermy, toy guns and small scale Nascars. When we walked in we were handed a sales flyer and this chair was one of items featured.

Have you ever seen an uglier chair? I didn't think so. Who pray tell would actually purchase this?

Weekend recap

So it's already Tuesday and I'm wondering where the weekend went. My weekend was a busy one, shopping with Mom, my nephew's birthday party, 2 pool days at a resort with my in-laws, topped off by a Memorial Day BBQ at my parents.

I'll fill you in on the deets later...

[image via Country Living]

Recipes from the Room :: Meringue Napoleans with Lime Ice Cream and Blackberries

This serene bedroom with it's fluffy white pillows immediately made me think of meringue.

With it's accents of purple, the meringue and blackberries will be just perfect!

[room via House Beautiful, recipe via Epicurious]

Martha, you were right.

A few months ago I purchased Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts. I don't craft as a hobby but I don't mind making things for parties so I thought it would come in handy. I mean a big Martha book, lots and lots of eye candy. The one thing I did get a big kick out of and wondered who the hell would do this, was the section on making your own woven rope door mats.

It's official, I now take back all my previous fun poking because it might come in handy if I try to copy one of these delicious Jennifer Behr headbands.

We're in transition

It's officially summer vacation at our house can you tell?

This is my son's room at noon, it was spotless when he woke up. We have a rule in our house that the boys' rooms must be picked up before they go to bed. The rest of our house looks like this too, toy fiesta! Every room I begin to tidy the one I just cleaned turns into this. Literally. So I have been bitter all day, a total grouch, I can just feel the steam beginning to erupt from my ears. To make myself feel better I just got rid of lots of toys (unbeknownst the the boys) and my anxiety is lessened considerably. Try it you'll love it!

So You Think You Can Dance

Yippee! Excited for tonight.

Refrigerator Pickles

When it gets hot I love to eat cucumber salad. Normally my favorite way to eat them is with seasoned rice wine vinegar, salt, fresh pepper and fresh dill. Last summer I tried something new and have been craving them ever since.

You got refrigerator pickles! I first tried the recipe from the Sara Foster Fresh Everyday cookbook and have adapted it slightly (I made notes below) to our tastes and they're SO good. They are sour, spicy and sweet all at the same time, perfect for cooling off in the summer. Honestly I can't get enough. I made some yesterday and I can't stop eating them. I thought I would share the recipe so you can all share in my pickley goodness.

Fridge Pickles

makes about 1 quart

1 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

6 whole cloves

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (I use about 1/4 so they're not too spicy for the kids)

1 teaspoon dill seed

4 to 5 small kirby (pickling) cucumbers, peeled in stripes and sliced into 1/8 inch thick rounds

1 small white onion, thinly sliced into rounds (I tend to go a little light on the onion. They get in the way of my pickles!)

Combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, cloves, bay leaves, red pepper flakes and dill seed in a quart jar. Place the lid on the jar and shake until the sugar has dissolved.

Layer the cucumbers and onion in the jar using a wooden spoon to press them tightly into the jar. Place the lid on the jar, shake it well and refrigerate at least 4 hours, shaking the jar occasionally to keep the ingredients mixed. These pickles will keep in the refrigerator for at least one month.

Layers of Meaning

I'm at Layers of Meaning again today and I talk a little about this guy.

I mean every word that I wrote for Through Her Eyes but would like to add the following things.

-I love that my guy doesn't mind that I get totally chatty after a few glasses of wine.

-I love that he doesn't mind too much that my tidy closet resolution was a big failure.

-I love that he picks up things he knows that I like from the grocery store just to be sweet.

-I love that he always washes my car and fills it up with gas because he knows I hate doing that.

-Most of all I just love him.

Lighting Quandry

Here is my lighting inspiration. Gorgeous right? Well they are all from Circa and not in my price range. I'm ok with it, I will be fine I just need to find something else that will work.

They are so pretty with that just so perfect patina which I don't think I'll find, but I'll try. Thankfully one of my blog readers came to my rescue with the alternative Barn Light Electric. Here are a couple of things that might do the trick. Finishes can be seen here. Thoughts?

Rhubarb Crumb Bars

When I'm in the car I LOVE listening to Everyday Food on Martha Stewart's Sirius channel. I usually listen to NPR when I'm alone but lately if Everyday Food is on I make the switch. So bad. Anyhoo last week they were talking about this Rhubarb Crumb Bars recipe and it sounds so easy and so good.

Summer's here and I heart rhubarb!

I heart Remodelista

Remodelista, I don't know what I would do without you and your gorgeous vintage finds.

When I get your posts in my reader (which is often, so you know I really love you) I get excited hoping to see vintagy nautical drawer pulls or something equally delicious.

Your interiors are often a little too streamlined for me but oh you sure know how to get to my heart with your oldies but goodies.

So thank you for being good to a girl always on the look out for something cool.

Weekend plans

Whew! It's HOT outside here. We just got back from the end of the year picnic for the boys' preschool. A little bittersweet for me because my Big is off to kindy next year. I can't believe just how fast time flies. Later tonight I'm headed to a Bohemian Bliss Soiree hosted by one of my favorite local shops Domestic Bliss.

If you're from the Phoenix area you should go, I will be there with my madre. Incidentally the event is at the owner's home which is my favorite color and there is a home tour. I've been dying to see the inside up close and personally.

Other than that we have a Backyard Beach Party to attend and hopefully some time for my husband and I to hang out. What's going on with you this weekend?

It's perfect

I have a thing for yellow houses and this one is the perfect shade. Sigh. Do you have a dream home element?

[image via Skona Hem]

Through Her Eyes

Layers of Meaning's Through Her Eyes has me in all of my 70's glory.

Check it out the childhood photos of everyone participating here.

I'm hunting

Please pardon my absence, I'm busy scouring the Internet to find pendant lighting that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I'm looking for an industrial pendant that looks like this.

And I really like the warm finish of brass. So the final feel will be like these gorgeous Kristen Buckingham kitchens.

[images via Urban Grace Interiors and La Dolce Vita]

Recipes from the Room :: Strawberry Shortcake

This springy pink room immediately has me thinking Strawberry Shortcake with fresh whipped cream.

The strawberries are so good right now (at least here) how can you resist?

[room from House Beautiful]

Let's Gossip

Let's dish on Gossip Girl, thoughts on last night's flashbacks? All I know is that our girls S and B didn't bring it to prom last night. For some reason their dresses totally reminded me of Academy Awards fashion don'ts.

Blair - All I see is House of Dereon...not a good thing.

Serena - I know my photo skills are not the best but I'm sure you catch my drift. All little support needed, am I right?

I did love No Doubt last night and I adored vintage Lily's Ray-Bans. I wonder if I can find them?

Weekend + Flowers

Morning lovelies. I've been a little MIA because it's been a busy weekend over at our house. I thought the best Mother's Day gift to myself was to hang out and be blog free. Now that it's Monday I'm wondering what's in store for the week ahead. I do know that I have a huge blog crush on Katie and these darling flower collars that she made.

Katie has a tutorial here and I'm thinking since I don't have a daughter to make one for they will look totally presh on a tee for moi.

How was the weekend friends?

Secretly geeky

I love fashion and adore design as much as the next girl, but secretly I'm also a sci-fi geek. I'm hoping to see this sometime this weekend.

J'adore Paris

Well at least I think I do. I have never been there as much as it pains me to admit. I think one of these Eiffel Tower decals might make the pain a little easier to bear.

Layers of Meaning

Check me out out in Layers of Meaning Through Her Eyes series. I will be there all month.

Laundry Glamour

I will be spending a good portion of my day doing laundry. If I only looked so glamorous.

[image via vi.sualize]

Supernova bag

This is the kind of fun bag that I love but need to find the less expensive version. I love the studded detail but I think after one season I would tire of it so not worth the big bucks (to me) so if you happen to see one that looks kinda like it please send it my way.

Thanks in advance.

Tweet tweet

I hopped on the twitter bus a little late, but better late than never right? You can find me here: http://twitter.com/sarahsfabday

[Print from Gary Heller Photography]