monday musings: glamorous gift wrap

Good morning! We hope you all had swell weekends. Can you even believe the fact that Christmas is less than two weeks away? Frightening. Truly. In addition to the stress that Christmas shopping brings, we are positive that you all are fretting over how you are going to wrap your gifts. Some are completely content with the traditional red and green gift wrap...which is by the way beautiful. But we, as you all are aware of, are a little untraditional here at S+S. Sooooo...we have some serious gift wrap eye candy going on here this morning. 

Gift wrap is seriously easy. People get skittish by the thought of DIY'ing your own fancy gift wrap. Nonsense. We love the use of household items, ie. left over ribbon, cabochons, buttons, paper bags, streamers. You. Name. It.  Here is some imagery that is inspiring us this morning as pertains to the wrapping of gifts. 

This image is everything to me. I know for a fact that metallic banner streamers are making an appearance into my gift wrap for some special girls in my life. I die. 

{confetti system}

Have loved this image since I first laid eyes on it. I love the simplicity of the black wrap they have going on here. Who cannot get enough of that cabochon? Lawwwd! 

Still obsessing over plaid. I do not discriminate with color palettes. I love it all. This is a great example of mixing a natural material with something more funky. Love. 

A Gift Wrapped Life

The two images above, inspired the three images below. This is my take on the sleek black wrap with the funky plaid and glittered gold ribbon. Again, I found items around the house to adorn these packages. 

I love the unique and sleek feel they have. Again, very unconventional for Christmas. Again, we are very unconventional around here. If there is glitz and glam present, I feel the holiday spirit. 

More glitter inspiration. The Miu Miu glitter shoe gift wrap inspiration. We die over these shoes. Of course! Who wouldn't? This gift wrap keeps it simple with velvet ribbon and gold glitter adornment. Yes. That is simple in our book. Totally neutral, folks. Totally. 

{ambrosia girl}

These are the packages that have gone viral. I am sure you all have seen these before but we still love them just the same. We can see so many different color variations here with string. You could go multi-shade monochrome or mix it up like seen here. So many options. 

Another take on the butcher's paper and ribbon technique. We found this Etsy vendor and love what she is throwing down. These accessories have Anthro written all over them. Take a gander. 

{etsy}

The string of pom poms are DEF making an appearance in our gift loot this year. Adore. 

{etsy}

Metallic, glitter, sequin tinsel for all of your packaging needs. Here is an understated glam moment. Truly, this is so simple yet packing huge impact. Our favorite combination. 

{etsy}

Love this confetti packaging idea. Love! This would work for any holiday occasion. As you all know, we love packaging that is not holiday specific. This is adorbs. 

{tokketok}

S+S chow: layered peppermint cheesecake

So we don't know about you, but we love everything peppermint. Beyond love. When I got my tonsils taken out in college, I specifically remember me wanting to schedule the surgery around the holidays because I knew I would be eating a ton of ice cream. Why would that matter? Well folks, the only time stores keep peppermint ice cream in stock would be during the holiday season. Some may call it mental. I call that planning ahead. Truly. So, we cannot think of a better recipe to share with you all than an entire cheesecake made with peppermints, We cannot imagine a more worthy marriage of culinary delights than cheesecake and peppermints. This will not disappoint. Nom. Nom. 

Layered Peppermint Cheesecake {via Southern Living}

ingredients:

• Peppermint Cheesecake Layers:
• 3 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup crushed hard peppermint candies
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
• Sour Cream Cake Layers:
• 1 (18.25-oz.) package white cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• 1 (8-oz.) container sour cream
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• White Chocolate Mousse Frosting:
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup white chocolate morsels
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Garnishes: White chocolate curls, peppermint candies
• 
  
• directions:
• 1. Prepare Peppermint Cheesecake Layers: Preheat oven to 325°. Line bottom and sides of 2 (8-inch) round cake pans with aluminum foil, allowing 2 to 3 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil. Beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 Tbsp. butter at medium speed with an electric mixer 1 to 2 minutes or until creamy and smooth. Add 3 eggs, l at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add flour and next 3 ingredients, beating until blended. Fold in candies. Pour batter into prepared pans. Place cake pans in a large pan; add water to pan to depth of 1 inch.
• 2. Bake at 325° for 25 minutes or until set. Remove from oven to wire racks; cool completely in pans (about 1 hour). Cover cheesecakes (do not remove from pans), and freeze 4 to 6 hours or until frozen solid. Lift frozen cheesecakes from pans, using foil sides as handles. Gently remove foil from cheesecakes. Wrap in plastic wrap, and return to freezer until ready to assemble cake.
• 3. Prepare Sour Cream Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350°. Beat cake mix, next 3 ingredients, and 1/2 cup water at low speed with an electric mixer 30 seconds or just until moistened; beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Spoon batter into 3 greased and floured 8-inch round cake pans.
• 4. Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 1 hour).
• 5. Prepare White Chocolate Mousse Frosting: Cook 2/3 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring often, 3 to 4 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Add morsels; cook, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes or until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature (about 30 minutes), whisking occasionally.
• 6. Beat cream and 2 tsp. vanilla at high speed with an electric mixer 1 to 2 minutes or until soft peaks form. Gradually fold white chocolate mixture into whipped cream mixture, folding until mixture reaches spreading consistency.
• 7. Assemble Cake: Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand or plate. Top with 1 frozen cheesecake layer. Top with second cake layer and remaining cheesecake layer. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread top and sides of cake with frosting. Chill until ready to serve. Garnish, if desired.

S+S Holiday Gift Guide: For the Hostess with the Mostess

Good morning guys and gals! One more day until the weekend. Rejoice. Truly. Anyone else exhausted? We sure are. Not too exhausted to talk about our newest holiday gift guide though! Today we are sharing tips on what to buy for that hostess with the mostess on your list. Believe it or not, there really are some freaks out there (us included) that truly enjoy hosting and entertaining soirees. We have compiled a round up of what those freaks (us) would ADORE for the holidays. Santa. We hope you are listening and that you have paper and a writing utensil at the ready. 

1. Every domestic goddess needs a goddess like apron. We adore this color block apron. Obviously in the S+S signature colors. Coral and turquoise. Obsession. Gosh who even needs to worry about the perfect party dress for hosting when sporting this. Duh.
2. Your hostess is always concerned with presentation. It is everything. These scalloped cake stands will be the perfect addition to her serving collection. We see darling pastries, sweets or even tea sandwiches residing on this baby. Scalloped edge? We die.
3. Who doesn't need some good linen cocktail napkins? These are fun for any entertainer to have in their bar area. Personalizing it with the monogram makes these everything. Everything. We can totally see these nestled in a beautiful tray on a counter or in a bar cart.
4. Unique linens. Your hostess will be sure to love this Linden tea towel which will spice up any table setting. We love unique table linens and this is no exception to that rule.
5. For the novice hostess to the most experience hostess, the Elements of the Table book will be a fantastic addition to any lady's collection. This covers everything from decor to etiquette. I am sure we all could learn something here.
6. Every hostess needs a special tray for her home and events. This inlaid bone flower tray will definitely foot the bill. Is this amazing or what? We love the details and obviously the turquoise shade. Obvi.
7. We are dying over this elephant plate. This would be perfect to put on display anywhere in the abode. Anywhere! The colors are to die and we are obsessed with elephants. Like in an unhealthy way. Dead space in a home? What to add? Answer: Elephants. It is always elephants. What are we missing? Always elephants, people.
8. And for the master entertainer, hostess with the mostess, domestic goddess. The mother of all things entertaining. We present to you. The Alfred bar cart. Every gal that enjoys entertaining dies over a bar cart. Listen up Santa. We hope you are listening. This chrome bar cart is sure to fit in with almost any decor. Now imagine if Santa brought this to you fully stocked? Isn't he just a swell guy? That Santa. I wonder how he will shimmy this down our chimney...

Favorite Room Feature: A Little Glass Box

So we definitely have something in store for you this morning. Courtney with A Little Glass Box, is going to be sharing her favorite spaces with you this morning! We cannot contain our excitement. Courtney is seriously, SERIOUSLY, the queen of DIY projects and we are all merely her subjects. We have never seen such creativity or innovation from any blogger ever. This girl could take absolute junk and turn it into absolute genius. Not only is Courtney sharing her favorite spaces with you, she is sharing all of her DIY's associated with these rooms. O.M.G. We are lucky gals today. Let's get started! 


Good morning everyone! I am so excited to be here hanging out with all of you. Aren’t these lovely Lindsay’s some fun & stylish girls? When they asked me to come for a little visit and share my favorite designed space, I just couldn’t resist hopping over here from A Little Glass Box. Even if it is because I love looking at their dog silhouettes so much, so cute right?! I wasn’t too sure which room to pick at first since we recently moved from our 105 year old row house in Baltimore to our new rental digs in California. Every room I design or live in is my favorite and I think I am always secretly hoping that my next design project will truly be my favorite. I guess that’s what keeps this crazy gal sane and makes me want to try and make every room so special. After much thought I have to say that my current living room is my fabulous favorite!

DIY Hutch Re-do

DIY Hanger Coat Rack

I love that when designing it, it posed me with challenges. For example, how small it was, as well as there being rental restrictions on my design plan, or the fact that it has no real wall space for artwork and opens up to my entry way. I love that it’s not predictable, that it’s full of color, and bright & sunny. Coming from our row house where windows were a luxury and only placed at the front and back of the house, it is nice to have the opposite problem here and be surrounded by them.


 I have to say I love experimenting with textures and a bold color story, so in this room I have textiles that are a burst of color which can look good individually or all together. (I imagine them to be singing “we are famiy,” in the background while cuddled up in a pile on the couch –ha-ha).

I love that the bench was a craigslist find, the table a $13 Goodwill purchase and that the lamp shade was a broken $5 warehouse sale find that has been given the chance to shine again.

 This space makes me feel comfortable and inspired because I am surrounded by some of my favorite shiny things. Mercury glass… be still my heart! It also feels very warm and inviting to me which is fantastic for the chilly nights here in Northern California.

Spool Table DIY

The living room leads into the dining room, which by default, makes it our favorite space as well. The reclaimed ceilings and exposed wood beams are one of our favorite features. It gives it such a rustic vibe, not to mention, the stone adornment on the walls. The mix and match seating was an obvious choice for the farmhouse table. LOVE!

DIY Silhouettes

Thanks for letting me give you a peek into my living room and I hope that you will come to visit the ole’ blog sometime. Feel free to check out the rest of the California House Tour or my Baltimore House Tour. Thanks again gals for being such kind hostesses. Happy holidays to all of you lovelies!

DIY: Gold Glammy Pinecone Wreath

Here it is. In all of its glory. The DIY for the "Gold Glammy Pinecone Wreath." You all are going to be amazed by the simplicity of this project. So easy a two year old can do it. Ok, maybe that is a slight exaggeration. Unless, your two year old is a whiz with can of spray paint and a glue gun. If they are, you have a prodigy. Enroll them immediately in MENSA. Immediately. I digress. Let's spray paint. Let's get gluing. (That could be taken out of context. Sounds like we are at a huffing party or something. We. Are. Not. )

Supplies:

Styrofoam wreath form (18 in.)

One million pinecones. Not really. Bags of Pinecones (Dollar Tree).

Mix in pinecones. I used some pre-glittered and gold Martha Stewart pinecones that I purchased from Home Depot. 

Spray paint (your choice of color). I used Krylon Metallic Spray Paint in Gold Metallic.

Glue gun

Step 1:

So I skipped displaying Step 1. I figure you all are brilliant people and did not need to see the process of me spray painting all of the supplies. Anyhow, you will spray paint the wreath form and all of your pinecones. 

Step 2:

Start affixing all of your pinecones on the interior of the wreath. It is the easiest starting point and all of your pinecones will be able to rest clear on the space. Once your first row is complete, move to the exterior. 

Step 3:

Once that is complete, you will need to secure pinecones on both the inside and outside of the wreath form. This is where it gets tricky. Since no pinecones are the same or alike, some of the cones will not secure nicely for you. The mix in pinecones leant themselves to be very helpful and useful in this case. They are smaller, and they have a protrusion at the bottom of them. I used this to secure the pinecone into the styrofoam.

Step 4:

Hang. Admire the fact that you did it yourself. 

Disclaimer: I only burned my fingertips on 3 occasions this project. Progress people. Progress. 

What do you think? Super simple, right? We cannot wait for you all to give it a whirl. Please send pictures our way once you do. Would love to see it completed in other colors as well! 

Twas' Twenty Nights Before Christmas...

Good morning all! We are guest posting over at SavorNC today and we are sharing some quick, easy and affordable ways to make your home festive for the holidays. Here is a little sneak peek of what you might see over there.

Disclaimer: You all will have to check back for the DIY tutorial on this glammy gold pinecone wreath. Be patient readers. Patience. 

We are also showcasing a dear friend of mine's mantle that she fashioned herself for the holiday season. She is so crafty! 

Heather Roth Photography

Let's get to work! Head on over here. 

S+S chow: cranberry ginger fizz cocktail

So, its Friday. Check. The Holiday season. Check. Obviously it is time for a little festive holiday cocktail for the upcoming weekend! Hell, why not start now? It's 5:00 somewhere, right? Let's try a cranberry ginger fizz cocktail. Yeah. Let's. Obviously cranberries are very partial to the Christmas holiday. And obviously, as you all know, we are a big fan of any cocktail beverage that contains the word "fizz" in the name. What could be better than a cranberry fizzy drink? Nothing. Nothing at all. This would be Santa's drink of choice. Obvi. Leave one for him at the bottom of the chimney. You will be certain to get more loot.   

cranberry ginger fizz cocktail {via creative culinary}

ingredients: 

3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1/2 orange, cut into slices
1 1/2 cups dry gin – Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater or Tangueray suggested
1 cup chilled Ginger Ale
4 mint springs

directions:

1. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; pour off all but one cup of syrup, reserving any extra for another use.

2. Heat the syrup to a boil and then reduce heat to medium. Add the cranberries and simmer for 2-3 minutes until they just begin to burst. Remove from heat and let cool in syrup.

3. Place 2 Tablespoons drained cranberries and 6 Tablespoons cranberry syrup in a large pitcher; add the lemon wedges and orange slices.

4. Using a muddler or wooden spoon, vigorously mash the fruit.

5. Stir in gin and let steep for at least 5 minutes.

6. Strain into a medium pitcher.

7. Fill 4 glasses with crushed ice and 1/4 cup ginger ale.

8. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and then pour half the cranberry mixture into the shaker and shake vigorously for 10 seconds, strain liquid into two glasses. Repeat.

9. Mound additional ice on top of each glass and garnish with 3 candied cranberries and a mint sprig. 

S+S Design: a monochromatic living room

Thursday has arrived! At last! The finish line is in reach. What is it about a full work week after the holidays? It is always killer. Allow us to get to the subject at hand. Shall we? We recently did an e-design for a client who has a very full house. She is outnumbered by boys by 4:1. Girl has to be spunky in a scenario like that! After our consultation, it was clear she wanted a classic, sophisticated and functional space that incorporated a lot of neutrals. Now for the kicker. She is going for black lacquer doors. Yes. Yes. You heard it. We obviously loved where her head was at. As soon as she mentioned black and lacquer in the same sentence, we knew where this room was headed. 

Let's get started with the furniture pieces. Our client had an amazing existing credenza. It had excellent bones and just needed a minor paint job. In effort to carry on the neutral and lacquer theme here, we decided a high gloss white lacquer would be perf for the piece. Our gal already had a beautiful and super comfortable couch that was a must stay. To frame this amazing couch, our thought was to flank the piece with these two black feminine curvy side tables. Since the space is monochromatic with masculine touches, we have added some patterns and also lines that give a super feminine vibe. We would love to have these two ottomans in front of the couch to serve as a coffee table/ottoman area. The cognac piping definitely ties the accessories together in the space.

On to lighting. You will not see the chandelier in the design board. It looks like the twin to the sconces. Brill. As you will notice, we have incorporated blackcents in the space to tie in the black lacquered pocket doors. We think the black accents will make the space sophisticated and will also go fantastically with the client's black lacquer mantel. To. Die.  Also, we have added some matching black drum scones to either frame the mantle or the pocket doors in the space. To finish up the lighting, we included a great mercury glass lamp with a fabulous drum shade. Super elegant.

As we mentioned, our client has a gorgeous fireplace/mantel space that is just begging to be retiled. The tile for the fireplace that we selected is definitely a conversation piece. It definitely has a glammy and feminine feel. Super shapely. Fabric. We have chosen two fabrics to reupholster both their existing cane chairs and their existing overstuffed chair. We love mixing the patterns in the monochromatic shades.

Accessories. We have included a slew of pillows to adorn the existing couch. We wanted to add some feminine pieces here. Some glam but nothing in loud colors. We think this is a great blend for the space. To play off the pillow and also the cognac piped ottomans, we thought a cognac rug would be a great addition to the living space. They had some gorgeous french doors that were in desperate need of some accessorizing. They were looking for roman shades for the french doors, and we think we found the perfect adornment. These roman shades are customizable and we love the band of color that makes them pop. The neutral white is a fantastic background for the high contrast border. As for the room color. A creamy gray is the best route. We think it will be a soothing color for the space and will be the perfect canvas for this livable glamorous space.

We are beyond excited for her to get started! Cannot wait to see the end results here! Happy Friday Eve. 

Favorite Room Feature: Fieldstone Hill Design

So for those of you who are not familiar with Darlene of Fieldstone Hill, prepare to be acquainted. We are not kidding, this girl is the Queen of Design Boards and we are just merely her subjects. She has a fantastic eye for mixing and matching patterns. Which we love. Obvi. Today she is sharing a clients space with us that she designed. Get ready to be amazed. Serious. 


I am delighted to be sharing one of my favorite rooms on Sadie and Stella today. Thank you so much, Lindsay and Lindsay, for hosting me here. You are wonderful hostesses – I can tell already!


It is so nice to meet all of you. My name is {darlene}, and I am the owner and designer at Fieldstone Hill Design, and I blog at Fieldstone Hill. By day, my clients are adorable and needy and call me mommy {the "mom" word is strictly forbidden!}. By every-other-second-I-can-sneak-in, I love helping my other clients create spaces that are both beautiful and functional, and I especially love seeing the joy that comes after their spaces come to life.


Today, I want to share one of my favorite client projects with you. This room was designed for Edie, who writes the popular blog, Life In Grace. Last Christmas, Edie’s family lost their home and all of their home’s contents in a house fire. Their beautiful family was safe. And since that terrifying day, they have thrived and rebuilt on love and faith. And also, on some fun decorating!


When I first began working with Edie, the first room that she wanted to do was her girls' room that her two youngest would be sharing. She wanted a room that was stylish, fun and still very girly. We had a blast working on this room together.


After getting to know more about Edie's loves and style, as well as her practical needs for this space, I created a Vision Design Board for her girls' room to help Edie see the room's overall feel:

Edie and I had to be patient as her rebuilding process moved forward, but it was worth the wait. What a joy it has been to see her home come to life, and what a joy it has been to see my designs come to life in her home and help their family rebuild!

Here is her finished girls' room; and one of my Favorite Rooms!:

My Favorite features of this Favorite Room are:

1. The coral and turquoise color scheme
2. The fun X-benches
3. The silk pale turquoise drapes
4. The graphic zig-zag rug
5. The nook between two closets where the blue-gelato colored dresser and a fun chandy sits
6. The matching twin beds

It was a joy to create this space. Thank you so much Lindsay and Lindsay, for letting me join in for your Favorite Room Feature, and for letting me share one of my Favorite Rooms!

S+S Holiday Gift Guide: For the Man in Your Life

Ho, ho, ho. Seriously. Do you all ever find yourselves struggling over special gifts for that special man in your life? Same. Here. They are picky. They claim to have functional and simple needs. Well gals, their idea of "functional and simple" would be QUITE different than ours. Our idea of "functional and simple" would be any unnecessary item, with glitter and lots of gold. And lots of it. Practical, people. Practical. They want a cool, rugged, scientific, metal and feasible gift. Try to pack all of those requests into one nicely wrapped package. Well, well, well. Do we EVER have the Holiday Gift Guide for you: For the Man in Your Life. 

1. Ok, what guy doesn't want a personalized piece of bar ware? We present to you, the monogrammed cocktail shaker. Men love anything chrome. This is a proven fact. Not to mention a personalized piece of chrome bar ware. 

2. For the traditional, techie man in your life. The Makr leather iPad case. Obviously if the man in your life has the iPad, he is definitely into gadgets. He likes simple yet luxurious things. This is the case for him.

3. Super unique. Super. The wood iPhone cover. This is definitely an iPhone case you do not see everyday, folks. Again, another product for the classic techie man. 

4. For the science geek in your life. The Phrenology Art Print. We love the muted colors in this piece. TOTALLY something you would have seen in an old science book teaching about lobotomies. Totally. 

5. Every man needs a leather duffle to travel with in style. This leather duffle is sure to last through any and every fashion trend. This is an absolute classic piece and will look even better with age. Like a fine wine, gals. Again. Practical. Practical. Obvi this piece has a major return on investment. Gets better with age? They will love. 

6. Hey, your man has got to keep warm in the frigid weather. Right? Why not this arctic scarf to do the trick? Equipped with manly grays, blacks and tans, this scarf cannot disappoint any man in your life. Traditional but also stylish. 

7. Another great travel piece for that special guy. This dopp kit is the perfect piece to handle all of his most precious toiletries. I am sure they are extremely concerned with the safety of their toiletries in travel. Any how, this baby sure beats those Ziploc bags he has been carrying through the airport. Am I wrong? 

8. For the sophisticated, modern, businessman in your life. Tiffany's cuff links. These are so gorg and also are available for personalization. This is such a unique and obviously thoughtful gift. Again, these will last a lifetime and are special because you monogrammed them. Girls, you are so thoughtful! 

9. Last, but certainly not least, the ultimate shaving kit. This is for the man in your life who appreciates the finer and more historic things in life. Some men are completely fine with grabbing their Mach3 and a can of shaving cream and going to town. While others, totally appreciate the old school form of a good shave. For your guy? This will not disappoint.