Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Sending My Love

I'm sure everybody knows someone that has been affected by Satan's Handmaiden Sandy.

 I have a sister that lives in Connecticut and I finally got word today that her and her family are fine but obviously will be without power for quite sometime. 
Having grown up in Louisiana, we have been through our share of storms and hurricanes, but this is a different bitch all together.

I hate this feeling of not being able to help. I'm a fixer and problem solver and I can't fix this.

So as any good southern woman does, I cook. Yep...soup cures everything. So here is the best mushroom soup recipe ever:





Homemade Mushroom Soup by Season with Spice Serves 2 Ingredients: 300g or 2 cups fresh mushrooms - cleaned and chopped finely (I used a mix of swiss brown and white button) 1 tbsp olive oil 3 cloves garlic - chopped 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 - 2 bay leaf 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock 1 tbsp flour dissolved in 1 tbsp water Salt to taste 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup milk Dash of nutmeg Freshly ground black pepper to taste Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish Method: 1. Heat olive oil in a sauce pan. Add butter and lightly sauté garlic on medium heat. 2. Add in mushrooms, thyme, bay leaf and Worcestershire sauce. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until the moisture from the mushrooms disappears. 3. Add in chicken broth. Stir occasionally until broth boils, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. 4 Add diluted flour in, and stir constantly (while simmering) until the mixture thickens. Season with salt and nutmeg. Taste and adjust seasoning. 5. Finally, add milk and heavy cream, and bring to a simmer. Turn heat off. 6. Serve hot in your soup bowl. Add freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme if you have Read more: http://blog.seasonwithspice.com/2011/12/cream-of-mushroom-soup-recipe.html#ixzz2AozPF9jG

Monday, October 29, 2012

Flea Market Weekend

It's that time again folks...Flea Market Weekend...and not just any old FM but October FM!

It is notoriously the best one so the girls and I hit not only on Friday but Sunday as well.

I will separate this post into 3 categories.


1.Here are my purchases:






these are actually a soft grey and I need to repaint my staircase



2. Things I wanted but didn't get





the only reason why I didn't get this is because someone pointed out to me that it looked like a vag



one day I will own a gold cowhide rug






3. Things that make you go hmmm








plastic Halloween army

plastic Christmas army

The 2 holiday armies were a little unnerving in person. Hope you had a great weekend!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Monday, October 22, 2012

A New Orleans Townhome

Our best friends have bought a townhome on St. Charles!

Obviously the location is perfect and Mardi Gras season just got interesting.

It is 3 beds 2 baths and full of potential...it just needs some tweaking and that's where I come in.

They envision a white space with pops of color but staying true to the area. This home will be used as a rental from time to time so fabrics and surfaces have to be durable...it is New Orleans...parties will be going on.
 I have created an inspiration board for them on Pinterest titled Ann's New Orleans Townhome for them to grab ideas from.

Here are some pics of how it looks now:

Foyer



I envision this





French doors in living room with transoms




My idea for this room





The kitchen has a copper hood and decent counter tops with distressed white/cream cabs...not our favorite but can be worked with so here is my inspiration





 
Source: houzz.com via Melissa on Pinterest


The dining room is a blank slate so here is my suggestion




This fixture reminds me of a musical instrument which would be perfect and Lord knows this needs to be replaced:




The interior courtyard




Bedrooms are blank slates as well and need to be kept luxurious but simple








I am so happy for them and can't wait for some long weekends in my favorite city.


If anyone else needs help with a space , I have plenty of vision left over for you too.

Friday, October 19, 2012

I'm Back And A Little Bored

First and foremost I have to say Chicago is an INSANELY AMAZING town!

I'm in love with the whole thing...from the suburbs (gag usually and can't wait to get out of one day) to the city.

Love using public transportation
Love the architecture
Love the people...and I thought southerners were the only nice ones
Love the cleanliness
Love having options
Love the pace...everyone has a sense of urgency yet not in a rude way

I had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people and one in particular lives in a 1914 craftsman style home. His house was full of charm and character and I wish I could have photographed every single detail. I did manage to snap some pics of my favorite moments:

This was obviously at night so hard to see details but the windows are leaded glass with mint green colored accents in them.

You know I'm a sucker for vintage portrait art and he did not disappoint. He said "you can never have enough strangers on your wall". I agree.

He had a pair of Blackamore Chalkware sconces that he had purchased from a home in Hollywood.
I have no words...just envy.

Another fine home I saw happened to be Frank Lloyd Wright's home/studio.



His homes were sprinkled all over the burbs there.

I also had the opportunity to spend a few days in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, or what I will call the Hampton's of Chicago.


I could have taken a pic of every "estate" there but one in particular stood out...not just in architecture but because of the story.

The story of the woman that owns this property is inspiring to say the least and as a pay it forward gesture, she has created a "miracle path" along her property. An artist painted inspirational quotes along the path that are meaningful to her and she has placed a podium in front of her home with a notebook so people can put down there thoughts, troubles, or prayers. After writing down whatever you need to, you ring a brass bell and that symbolizes asking for your miracle.

You can read about this amazing woman's story and home here


Of course I had to do a little junkin there and I stumbled across this

This is a perm machine!!!!!!!!!
They were asking $275.00 for it and if anyone out there is opening a hair salon, this would be the coolest thing EVER to put on display. I can totally see a ultra modern sleek space with this in it.

So after landing back in Nashville, I unpacked my gloves, scarves and sweaters for purple and gold attire and headed home for this:

Yeah...we kicked some Gamecock ass

Now home again and feel like this:


Saturday, October 6, 2012

Heading Out For Some R & R And One Of Those R's Stands For Reading

I am meeting my sister in law in Chicago and from there we are heading to Lake Geneva! I am so excited and pray that mom steers clear of her cat, doesn't fall, or run out of food till I get back.

Just kidding...she has plenty of groceries.

I am looking forward to relaxing, reading, and exploring an area I have never been to.

Speaking of reading, I wanted to recommend another book to you since the last one was a big hit.

It's Bel Canto by Ann Patchett



I read this a while back but I have never forgotten the message that I received from this book.

What begins as a panicked, life threatening scenario slowly evolves into something quite different, as terrorists and hostages forge unexpected bonds and people from different countries and continents become compatriots. Friendship, compassion, and love is what eventually takes over and this story to me is beautiful.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Home



I ordered this book back in July and got it yesterday.

Now I am a HUGE fan of this couple and in my next life I would like to be them in every way except having to give birth to 7 kids. Having said that I was slightly dissapointed when I opened this book. It is full of all there past HGTV episodes...I've seen them all.

This book does however give a financial breakdown on each job and that is shocking to a girl that shops thrift and goodwill.

Do you remember this episode?



They spent $2391.76 on flowers and $1092.98 on vases!

$462.00 on books? There are 4 books on that coffee table.

Now I understand that lighting like this and art can be pricey but come on people...these clients are dropping some serious cash for this couple to give their expertise.

I am not saying I could replicate this room down to the very detail, but I sure could create a fun and energetic space that would be filled with vintage finds and not spend your kids college fund.

Just saying...


Thursday, October 4, 2012

I've Been Crazy And Uninspired ...

until I saw this:





Now I am personally not a huge fan of leathering up my walls but what it did do to me is make me go through a box of old pictures and beg my son to scan them for me. 

 Yes, that's me...the awkward one.
The point to this humiliation is that my father's den (that's his feet and plaid pj's in the background) was covered in leather!

Here's a close up and yes that's me again in his Eames lounger. 

Why would they let a cat sit in that chair?

It was the 70's...nobody was thinking clearly.

The past couple of weeks have been challenging with my mom but seeing these pictures makes me realize that I was fortunate to have been raised amongst great design.
Here are a few more with some iconic pieces that you design crazy peeps may recognize:


enamel fireplace

bacelona chair

more barcelona chairs


flokati rug and super cool coffee table

teak wood wall unit and grass cloth wallpaper 



rattan swing


Now that you have gone down memory lane with me, you can see why I am attracted to certain things. Is there anything in your childhood that sparked your love for good design?