Thursday, December 23, 2010

idea board: an office occasion

As mentioned before, we are currently designing an office for a client. The space needs to be organized and purposeful as the owner meets with her own clients in the office. That being said, we want to mix it up a little with some fun and funky pieces. We've decided on a color palette consisting of grey, rust and hints of plum.


We will be sure to post pictures of the space once completed! Stay tuned...
*Again, If anyone is in the process of decorating a room or thinking about doing so, S+S is available for e-decorating projects. Email us at sadieandstella@gmail.com if you are interested! 

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

S+S chow: holiday cocktails

The holidays are a wonderful time to eat, drink and be merry! Here are a few delicious beverages to enjoy over the holidays.

Oatmeal Cookie Cocktail {this drink is so creamy and divine it's like drinking a dessert!}
Equal parts:
Baileys
Butter Shots
Cinnamon Schnapps
Half and Half

Shake with ice and pour into glasses. Top with cinnamon. This drink will not disappoint.

Egg Nog {traditional goodness}
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
1 pint whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3 ounces bourbon
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 egg whites

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and stir to combine.
Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.
Cook's Note: For cooked eggnog, follow procedure below.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream and nutmeg and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to the pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat, stir in the bourbon, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill.
In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. With the mixer running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Whisk the egg whites into the chilled mixture.

Monday, December 20, 2010

monday musings: upholstered headboards

We love the look of a beautifully upholstered headboard. It can add the perfect amount elegance and drama to a room. We are yearning to make one of our own here at S+S! Below are a few of our inspirations...
so simple and beautiful.

love, love love the look of the bold-print fabric against the neutral palette!



The velvet and tufts are so luxurious! 
{decorpad }

A lovely way to add some drama to your room..
That Lovely Shop }

Here are a few of our favorite tutorials:

If you are not in the mood to make one yourself, here are some gorgeous options:



Friday, December 17, 2010

S+S chow: creamy tomato basil soup and mozzarella grilled cheese

So here in NC, and what seems like the rest of the country, its freezing and all we can think about is a hearty soup and a good old fashioned grilled cheese sandwich. There is an amazing restaurant called La Madeleine that has a national presence, but is mostly seen in Texas. They have easily the best tomato basil soup that we have ever laid eyes on. Today we are giving you their recipe, and you will not be disappointed.

La Madeleine's Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
4 cups tomatoes, peeled, cored and chopped, or canned whole tomatoes, crushed
4 cups tomato juice OR part tomato juice and part vegetable or chicken stock
14 washed fresh basil leaves
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 pound sweet, unsalted butter
Salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper


Directions:
Combine tomatoes, juice/and or stock in saucepan. Simmer 30 minutes. Puree, along with the basil leaves, in small batches, in blender, food processor (or better yet, one of those handy hand-held food blenders, right in the cooking pan). Return to saucepan and add cream and butter, while stirring, over low heat. Garnish with basil leaves and serve with your favorite bread.

Mozzarella Grilled Cheese Sandwich
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
10 to 12 basil leaves, torn
4 slices bread, fresh artisan or a whole grain loaf
Pinch salt
Pinch cracked black pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Parsley
1 teaspoon Garlic Salt

Directions:
Preheat a grill over medium-high heat.
Assemble the sandwiches by arranging some sliced mozzarella and basil, sprinkled with salt and pepper, between 2 slices of bread. Repeat for the remaining 2 slices of bread. Brush both sides of the sandwiches with olive oil, parsley and garlic Salt mixture. Put on hot grill and cook until the sandwich is evenly melted, about 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Transfer to serving plates and serve hot.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Mirra, Mirra on the wall...

who is the fairest of them all? Today we are on the hunt for a client. We are looking for a large mirror to fill a large cathedral wall. The wall is set on a staircase, for a dramatic entrance to their home. We think an impressive, decorative mirror will fill the space well and also add dimension. We are loving the industrial chic look, especially the arched panes. Here are some options.






And last, but not least. The Honeycomb mirror that I am dying to use from Pier 1. It doesnt exactly fit the theme, and may not be large enough for the space...but I need someone to buy this. Maybe an entire wall covered in them? Overkill much?

If anyone is in the process of decorating a room or thinking about doing so, s+s is available for e-decorating projects. Let us know if you are interested.

Happy 9 days of shopping until Christmas readers!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

We're Talking...Holiday Tablescapes

So, lately we have been gushing over glam tablescapes for the upcoming holidays. When planning your table setting, be sure no matter what theme you decide on, stick with it. There is nothing more dramatic than a color themed table. Here are some looks that are inspiring us...















Monday, December 13, 2010

monday musings: extraordinary entryways

An entryway acts as the first impression of our homes. The area, no matter how it is shaped or decorated, sets the tone for the personality of our home decor . We are currently looking for the perfect console table or cabinet for an interesting shaped entryway. Here are some looks that are inspiring us...





Saturday, December 11, 2010

S+S chow: parmesan cheesecake and pimento cheese {to die for}

Apparently here at S+S we have a love affair with cheese. Here are two of the most delicious cheese recipes in the world, we are not kidding, they are ah-mazing! Warning! You will want to lick the bowl clean. Do not resist the urge. Both make fantastic appetizers for holiday parties, your guests will  beg you for the recipe!

Parmesan Cheesecake
This recipe fills a 5in springform pan, you can double the recipe to fill a full 10in springform!
Crust: 
2 tbs. melted butter
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
Cayenne, paprika and chili powder {to taste}

In a food processor combine butter, grated parm and breadcrumbs
Reserve 2 tablespoons of mixture to top cheesecake with 
Press the rest into bottom of cheesecake pan and set aside

Filling:
2 8 oz. packages cream cheese- softened
1/4 cup cream
2 eggs
3 cups grated parmesan
1/4 cup grated gruyere
Pinch of  pepper
Cayenne, paprika and chili powder {to taste}

Cream cream cheese with cream
Add eggs 1 at a time until just mixed
Fold in pepper and cheese
Smooth into pan and top with reserved crust, and 1-2 tablespoons of shredded parm

Bake at 350 for 45mins-1 hour. Until crust is a dark, golden brown. Serve with sliced pears, grapes and crackers. Enjoy!

Pimento Cheese Spread
1 package cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp House Seasoning, recipe follows
2 to 3 tablespoons pimentos, smashed
1 teaspoon grated onion
Cracked black pepper

House Seasoning
1 cup Salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder

Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Add all of the remaining ingredients and beat until well blended. It can be used as a dip for crudite or as a sandwich filling. We used it as a sandwich filling, how Southern of us!

cookie party recap

Last week, Lindsay hosted her annual cookie party. For those of you not familiar with a cookie party, its a get together that is generally hosted during the holidays, where people bring troughs of cookies, commit to about an extra 5 lbs on the scale and also bring along the recipe to share with friends.
The cookie spread

The hors d'oeuvres table...where I spent most of my time.

The doggie bag, box.

Stay tuned for recipes from the party.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

the stockings were hung...

Without a mantle, a piano or stairs what's a girl to do?? Get creative of course!

Lindsay wanted a place to hang her stockings and display this year's Christmas cards. She ventured into her basement and found an empty frame and a door. This is what evolved.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

An Office Occasion

We are currently in the midst of designing the perfect home office space for one of our clients. Just because an office is a purposeful room, intended to get down to business, doesn't mean it can't have a little party in the back...pretty sure we just described a mullet.

This office will be anything but that. To tide you over until our reveal...here are some office's that are tickling our fancy:



Someone should really tell him its not polite to put your shoe's on the desk...



Tuesday, December 7, 2010

S+S DIY: silhouette ornament

If you love ornaments and diy's, this is the project for you.  Without further adieu... our first diy!

To begin this project you are going to need a few things: silhouette of your favorite person {or puppy}, clear glass ornament, glitter, glue {we used Martha's 'glittering glue' found at Michael's}, a thin sharpie, q-tips and a box to contain all of the glitter!

First, trace your silhouette onto your ornament using the thin sharpie.

Fill in your silhouette with glue. We outlined the silhouette, put a few dabs of glue in the middle and then spread it around with the q-tips.

Cover the glue generously with glitter. Clean off the excess glitter, the q-tips worked well for this too.

 Clean off the excess glitter, the q-tips worked well for this too!

Add a ribbon and you are ready to hang- a gorgeous and personalized addition to your tree! We think these would be fabulous in all different colors and could make a fun embellishment for a package!