Friday, September 28, 2012

Things I am loving this week

My beautiful dollfaces! Are we chomping at the bit for the weekend? As am I. I wish I could say relaxation was on our horizon but I cannot. I am finishing up a few design projects, preparing for a magazine shoot I am styling, infusing some vodka (more to come on that) and (the big AND) we are actually wallpapering this weekend. I know what you all are thinking, "you said that last week, you liar." No but seriously loves, it is happening this weekend. We have fabulous company that will be arriving next week and we have put this at the tip top of the to do list. I cannot have them walking in and thinking they are in the Olive Garden with these faux Tuscan walls. We have already discussed this. So it has been a long week and I have tons of photos to dump on you from my phone that obviously illustrate my week and what rocked it. 

Tied for first as the biggest highlight of my week? Scoring this Stray Dog Artichoke Lamp at the Shades of Light Outlet. I went into the outlet making a mental note that I refused to spend more than $60 on a lamp and as soon this puppy and I met eyes, my commitment was out the window. I have to tell you, I got a gangbusters deal on this lamp and I almost felt as if I was looting. Shades of Light what you do to me. I tell ya. 
So I say this is tied for first as a highlight of my week, but I lied. This is the biggest highlight, BY FAR. The boy knew I had my eyes on this Tory Burch bag that is sold out over the world wide web. He went to Saks and had them find me one in another city and ordered it. It arrived on Wednesday. Luckiest girl ever. Do we adore this bag or what? 
I painted this ikat pumpkin last weekend. On our porch it sits. Anyone else preparing for Halloween? We have decided the girls will be dressing up this year and even though I am not a huge Star Wars fan, I am kind of thinking Princess Leia and Yoda might be the winners for our girls. Stay tuned. 
Spoonflower has outdone themselves and has now come out with wallpaper. This wallpaper just so happens to be the type that is easy to remove and perfect for renters. Hint. Hint. Hint. That is right folks. What will they think of next? If they start offering their designs in toilet paper, I am throwing in the towel. Here are some of my favorites.
You won't believe this, actually you will. That Lindsay Cowles is at it again. She has now jumped on the wallpaper bandwagon as well. If you didn't already love her art enough, she is offering her art on a large wall scale installation. A couple of my faves.

An amazing DIY I just HAVE to share with you all that I came across this week. First though, let us please address this amazing headboard seen here. Have we acknowledged, adored and committed to memory? Exactly. This brave blogger made the ultimate and most coveted blanket in blogland, the Moroccan Wedding Blanket. Herself. Herself. Honestly. Might attempt this. I might add a bit more bling to mine as I am quite flashy. We shall see. 
Moroccan Wedding Blanket DIY
You can catch me over at Furnishly's Blog this week. I selected key listed pieces throughout the country that can give your home a collected and eclectic feel! So excited to be partnered up with such an amazing company and service. 
So that is about all with me. How about you all? What rocked your socks off this week? What is up this weekend? Spill. Loves!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Live.Like.You.Winner.Winner.Winner.

The moment of truth. The moment we have ALL been desperately waiting for. The announcement of the winner for the Live Like You Greek Key Bedding Giveaway. This definitely deserves a drum roll or the like. 
The winner is Elizabeth from Thoughts and Figures! Elizabeth said:

I love the teal greek key bedding and the Velvet Regency Pillow!!!! Obsessed with this look!

Elizabeth. Hunny. Darling. I am super, super jealous. Let me just tell you. Thank you to all for entering this unbelievable and irresistible giveaway. 

Shrimp Pad Thai

You know you love it. If you don't, I don't want want to know you. I am totally kidding. But in all serious, what is not to love about Pad Thai? Ok. So maybe if you have a peanut allergy, you are out. I will totally accept that excuse. Lately I have been finding any possible excuse to concoct any Asian recipe. Typically, I find that Asian recipes are very difficult to recreate. Maybe it is something about the temperature of my wok, or the lack of speed in my addition of ingredients, but my finished product is always too saucy. Does anyone else ever experience this? Well my friends, saucy no more. I have the most delicious AND nutritious Shrimp Pad Thai recipe for you. Ever. I mean brown rice noodles were even used in this dish and we couldn't clean our plates fast enough. Looked like a Pad Thai eating competition up in our house. Bibs, no hands, timer set. I win. 
Ingredients 
1 box brown rice pad thai noodles. I use these.
2 T fish sauce 
1 t Splenda
1 T soy sauce 
2 t hoisin sauce (use your already prepared, or see homemade recipe below) 
1 T Sriracha 
1 t minced garlic 
1 t vegetable oil 
16 shrimp, I used frozen and then thawed1-1/2 C bean sprouts 
2 T peanuts, crushed 
Scallions
1/3 C coarsely chopped fresh cilantro 
10 mint leaves, torn into small pieces
Lime juice 

Directions 
Cook noodles according to package directions. 

Thaw shrimp. Once thawed, add oil, garlic and juice of lime to the pan. Saute for a few minutes. Add shrimp to cook. I like to get mine a little crispy on both sides. Call me crazy.

Combine fish sauce, Splenda, Soy Sauce, Hoisin Sauce and Sriracha. Add this combination to the shrimp and stir. Then add in brown rice noodles. Coat noodles thoroughly. 

Mix in bean sprouts. Top the dish off with crushed peanuts, scallions, cilantro and mint leaves. And for me, more Sriracha. 

For you homemade sauce makers, here is my homemade hoisin sauce recipe. It is better. I swear.

Homemade Hoisin Sauce
4 T soy sauce
2 T peanut butter or black bean paste
1 T honey or brown sugar
2 t white vinegar
1/8 t garlic powder
2 t sesame oil
20 drops chinese hot sauce, habanero or jalapeno. I use Sriracha. Shocker. 
1/8 t black pepper


Mix ingredients together. 

Make this tonight. You can totally thank me later. Loves!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Favorite Room Feature: GlamourMash

So today, we have a seriously awesome space being shared by none other than Holly from Glamourmash. They don't call her glamorous for nothing. Holly is not just a pretty face, let me tell ya. Girl has got major style and is never scared to roll up her sleeves and get her hands dirty in a DIY. Good golly miss Holly. Holly and I are definitely destined to be friends as we have the same taste, see the foo dog in the far right and bottom cubby of her styled bookcase. Foo dogs bind people. Didn't you know? Can't wait for you to check out her space. Take it away Holly!

Good Morning Sunshine! My name is Holly Foxen Wells from Glamourmash and I am beyond excited to be sharing my favorite room on the always fabulous Sadie + Stella today! 

I live in a one bedroom, one bath home with my boyfriend so narrowing down my choice of rooms was pretty easy. I went with our entry/living room because it is the coziest room in our space and where we spend the most time.

I love the entry because of all of the unique and sentimental pieces displayed there. The centerpiece of the room is a painting by the incredibly talented artists, Alex Couwenberg. It sits atop a basic Ikea bookcase adorned with a makeshift bar serving area, books, knick knacks and various DIY projects. Note the DIYs always include a healthy dose of either glitter or gold spray paint or both. The gorgeous chairs on either side of the bookcase are family heirlooms from my boyfriend's family, which we stained a dark brown last summer.




Our living room is still a work in progress. But, I do love our coffee table, which is adorned with more knick knacks and coffee table books. I put a lot of time and energy into decorating the coffee table, modeling it after the many Pinterest inspirations I have collected over time. 


Other honorable mentions include my original watercolor print from my favorite artist, Leigh Viner, and NYC Print from Ork Posters.
Well, that's our little abode in a nutshell! I hope you enjoyed the tour of our little space!
Thanks so much, Lindsay, for having me. It's been fun :)

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

DIY: Feather Art

So it has been a hot little minute since I have posted anything even remotely do it yourself. Shame on me. This project is so fitting for the busy, the lazy, the inept, the elderly. As they say, "So easy a Cave Man could do it." As of lately, that is just my speed. In effort to finish up our monochromatic master bedroom, some art was totally necessary to fill some blank walls. Since I am going for the plush, monochromatic aesthetic, loads and loads of texture is the constant theme running through my mind. So I got to thinking, what is more luxurious and lovely than white feathers? Nothing. That is what. Why not frame them? Follow my logic here? 
DIY Feather Art
Supplies:
Bag of feathers. You can get these at any craft supply store in basically any color your heart desires. To produce a piece this size, all you need is one bag of feathers. I totally misjudged and bought 6. Guess there is a potential for a lot of feather art in my future. 
Poster Board
Glue gun
Picture Mat
Frame

I mean, one look at the supply list and you geniuses already know what to do. Measure your picture mat and mark down the measurements on your poster board for assembly. Glue layer upon layer of feathers. I started at the top and worked my way down and then back up with 3 layers. After all, this is all about the texture. Then mat, frame and hang. I told you. Stella and Billie actually executed this project. I just supervised. 

And another angle. Please excuse the glare. 
So what do we think? I think it is the perfect, romantic, unique and classic piece to adorn one of our walls. Just a few finishing touches to this space and it will be ready for the big reveal. Loves!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Monday Musings: Major Monograms

Mi amigas! Como estas? I know you love when I speak in ah-Spanish to you. I am so getting down to business this morning. Surprisingly enough, I am a woman of few words today. So rare and almost unbelievable. Blame it on the changing of seasons, lack of sleep or as the wise T. Pain once said "the alll-alll-alll-alchol"but I am tired and a little bit brain dead. Maybe it is the fabulous monograms that I am lusting after? They make me lose all control and brain activity. Likely. Let's totally look at the most major monograms for your house and home. 


So are we a whore for monograms like I am, or what? I mean I want them on my body, my couch, my table, my bed. Do we agree? Here are some monograms for ourselves and our homes. 

Try and be brave and get through Monday, y'all. I feel your pain. Honest. To brighten your day, do not forget to enter to win the Live Like You Greek Key Bedding Giveaway. It ends tomorrow my sweets, and I would just crawl up and die if you didn't at least try. Loves!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Cabo Beef Wrap

I hate to bring up the past, but I have to pay homage to Rebecca Black today and her Friday song. Because like her, I am so indecisive as to whether I am going to be kicking it in the front seat or if I am going to sit in the back seat. I mean what a predicament. Are we so glad it is Friday? Ditto. So today I am sharing with you a recipe that I have tried to perfect for a long, long time. Some of you know, and some of you do not, I am actually a Kansas City native. There is a restaurant in Kansas City that I make certain to visit every time I am there. It is a hike from our families houses, but honestly I would drive hours to go to this place. I have said many times, if I happened to be in prison for committing a crime of only fashion, and had to choose a last meal, it would be Longboards. I am not even kidding. It is a Hawaiian/Polynesian/Asian Surfer Wrap Shop that specializes in fresh flavors and awesome spice. There is a wrap there called the Cabo Beef that I long for when I am away. Thank the wrap heavens, I am pretty close to perfecting the same in my own home. I cannot wait for you to be as hooked as we are. 
Ingredients
Low Carb Tortillas
Flank Steak sliced (Or Skirt Steak. Even leftover steak would work.)
Assorted frozen vegetables. I just use a Steamers package full of carrots, snow peas, water chestnuts and broccoli
Shredded pepperjack cheese
Salsa 
Guacamole
Chipotle Ranch (see recipe below)
Sriracha 

Directions
1. You will obviously want to steam your veggies, cook your meat and prepare your chipotle ranch dressing.
2. For assembly lay two tortillas on top of one another, overlapping. You will start spreading your ingredients down. First guacamole, then veggies, meat, salsa, cheese, chipotle ranch dressing and finish with as much Sriracha as your heart desires. Hopefully you are more awesome at wrapping than I am. But keep everything running horizontally. Fold the side in, closest to you, then pinch the ends inward and roll. Throw it on a grill pan for long enough to get your grill marks and BAM. The best wrap in the world shall be yours. 

Just because I am so adventurous with the Scoville Scale, I add tons of Sriracha for dipping as well. 

Chipotle Ranch
1 packet Ranch Dressing Mix
2 1/2 C Sour Cream
3 T fresh lime juice
3 T pureed chipotle peppers 
1 T Cumin

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend. My easy peel wallpaper has arrived, so I have my weekend cut out for me. Do not forget about the amazing Live Like You giveaway that is happening right here and now. Greek key duvet and shams in the color and size of your choosing. I mean, seriously. Loves!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Lindsay Cowles: Design Genius

Just of note. "Design Genius" is a higher honor than "Design Star." White box challenge or not. So when I talk about incredible and distinct art, Lindsay Cowles generally pops into mind. About 6 months ago, before my move to Richmond, I was scouring the world wide web for unique and colorful artwork for a client and a Lindsay Cowles piece happened to come to my attention. After further research, I realized this love bug lived in Richmond. The rest is history, folks. I have now visited her gallery and an art show and I have to say, muy impressivo. Lindsay is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and get her hands dirty. She is a tiny little thing, and after  I have seen some of her extraordinarily massive finished pieces, I am convinced she throws her body on to that canvas to get the job done. That's my girl Linz! Let's take a gander at some of her newest available pieces. I saw all of these bad boys at her most recent art show and decided I would do very bad things to get one of these babies. 






Other available artwork here.
So. Lindsay's newest venture? Fabric. Hello. Genius. Lindsay has taken various completed pieces of her art work, and has had them generated into fabric you can use in both your home or in fashion. Are you not loving this Lindsay I speak of? Her brilliance astounds me. Pretty AND smart AND talented. Triple threat. Don't pull a Tonya Harding on my girl. Check out Lindsay Cowles Spoonflower Fabric available for purchase right this minute. Real time. This fabric is a game changer and I plan on making some my very own. Some of my absolute faves. 
And in case this girl hasn't covered every base, she has also turned in her prints into note cards. I mean doesn't this girl think of everything? I would love to write a lovely note to a pen pal, not a prison pen pal, on one of these brilliant cards. 
So I told you I went to her art show a few weeks back. This would be an action shot. Lindsay is on the left hand side of the shot. She's 'dorable. Also note my favorite piece on the left side of this photo. Larve. 
Lindsay is also a great conversationalist. See below. 
Lindsay's pieces were also recently featured in the "Richmond Design House". This is an event each year which incorporates local designers that each are chosen to design a space in the house. Look at the pieces that were used from Lindsay. So proud of my girl. The piece used here is the tone on tone white acrylic piece. 
 I have seen it in person and it is the most. Aren't we loving this bed as well? Yowza. 

So what do you think? Are you totally sold like me? Lawwwwd. Luckily Lindsay also sells prints of her original pieces. I love how Lindsay is taking the design world by storm. She more than deserves it. Loves!