Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Wedding Wednesday: 50s Fuschia Fabulous-Pin Up

 This is for my cousin who is getting married. I just love the idea of a pin up wedding. Pearls, silk gloves, hot red lips, great hair. It will make for a very sexy and alluring event.
Here is an inspiration board I created on polyvore.
You could name your tables after famous Pin up Girls like: Betty Grable, Betty Page, Veronica Lake,
Gina Lollobrigida, Jayne Mansfield, Rita Hayworth, Hedy Lamarr, Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, and of course Marilyn Monroe.

Obviously you will want to wear some sort of hair piece with a cage veil this fabulous photo is courtesy of Davids Bridal.
 honey pie boutique and  Etsy

You can also do some great hairdos yourself using these video tutorials:
 Pin up Hair for short hair
Pin up Hair for long hair
Courtesy of 50s-style-wedding Blog
Men should definitely wear suspenders, fedoras, skinny black ties and slick their hair back with lots of product.
 Courtesy of 50s-style-wedding Blog
Here are some ideas for bridesmaids dresses:

courtesy of girls of elegance
courtesy of fifties store
courtesy of gurl
                                                courtesy of kaboodle
 courtesy of this next
And shoes:

 courtesy of Shop Style
I love the cherry on top look of these adorable cupcakes.
  Courtesy of 50s-style-wedding Blog
Some clever decor would be to use old records and vintage items like type writers and cameras.
   Courtesy of 50s-style-wedding Blog
This is an adorable bride I just can't get over! Petticoats are a must!
  Courtesy of 50s-style-wedding Blog
Don't forget about the flower girls! sooo cute! add a little pink petticoat to this and she is good to go.
 courtesy of Etsy
Perfect favor cards:
 courtesy of Etsy
Another adorable inspiration board by the best blog for this wedding: http://50s-style-wedding.blogspot.com/
 Courtesy of 50s-style-wedding Blog
                                                       

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

For A Mad Home: Whimsical, Eclectic, Vintage

Recently I have been described as a "whimsical" person. I think I like that description. Whenever I am finding new things to add to my home I am on Etsy collecting random things and making them fit. My house is full of whimsy! Here are some amazing inspirations and items that would fit right in with my "whimsical" personality and eclectic home.
Courtesy of Inventor Spot
This is a information desk created by architecture students at Delft University of Technology.
  Courtesy of Poetic Home
I absolutely LOVE these globes, and although I do not have any... I have been searching for a while for some to add to my collection.
  Courtesy of alkemie
As I have mentioned many times before... I love the collections of frames like this.
 Courtesy of Ruffled Blog
 Courtesy of Poetic Home
 Courtesy of Poetic Home
  Courtesy of Cal finder
The best place I have been able to find my montage of home decor are flea markets, thrift stores and Etsy

Here are some items you can purchase to add a little whimsy to your home and life!

 Purchase here at Bellacor

Purchase here at Bellacor







Purchase here at ABC Home


Purchase here on Etsy

Monday, March 28, 2011

Party: Roaring 20s Theme Party

One of my favorite friend's 25th birthday is this weekend! We are going to Tavern Law which is a new speakeasy type bar in downtown Seattle. This got me thinking of throwing a 20s theme party. The 20s were full of gangsters and flappers. Women were rebelling against traditional attire (corsets) and behavior, so they wore their hair short, smoked, drank and wore shapeless shift dresses. During prohibition the speakeasy was the go to place to have any sort of alcohol and fun.  Here are some inspirations I have found.


 

Adorable outfitting is key to this event being successful. Men dress as gangsters with lots of pin stripes, suspenders, and toy hand guns. Women dress as flappers with lots of glamor, pearls and feathers. 
You can play old silent movies in the background like The Big Parade




For hair check out this video! Flapper Hairdo
Here are some cute masks you can purchase from Wow Cool Stuff

Set the tone as guests arrive to your party by asking them for a secret password (that you put on the invitation of course)
Art Deco design and poster prints of vintage alcohol posters
 Courtesy of All Posters
Make a strong drink like long islands and label them "Moon Shine" 
On the bar set up a large galvanized tub filled with ice to hold the alcohol in and put a sign on it that says "bathtub gin" 
Here is a 1920s  slang dictionary

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Fashion Friday: Spring Sailing

Weekly Meal Planner Week 4


Lime-Laced Chilli Verde with Shrimp
PointsPlus™ Value: 6
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 15 min
Cooking Time: 25 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Jarred green salsa makes this chili a snap. Serve with sliced mango and a little low-fat sour cream for garnish.


Ingredients
1 spray(s) cooking spray
1 large raw onion, chopped
1 large sweet red pepper(s), seeded, cored and chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 clove(s) garlic clove(s), minced
2 cup(s) salsa , jarred, green, mild or medium-flavor
10 oz Birds Eye®  Baby lima beans, or other brand, frozen, thawed
2 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp Durkee  Ground Cumin Seed, or other brand
3/4 pound(s) shrimp, medium-size, peeled and deveined

Instructions
1. Coat a large saucepan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and zucchini; cook, stirring often, until somewhat softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic; cook for 20 seconds.
2. Stir in the salsa, beans, water, lime juice, and cumin; bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer 15 minutes.
3. Stir in the shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and firm, about 2 to 3 minutes.  Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.

Chicken Pad Thai
PointsPlus™ Value: 9
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 25 min
Cooking Time: 22 min
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

A traditionally prepared Thai classic, lightened up. Also great with shrimp or cubed tofu instead of chicken.



Ingredients
7 oz Noodle, rice, packaged
1 pound(s) Chicken, breast, raw, without skin, without bone, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
¼ cup(s) Sauce, fish, ready-to-serve, divided
4 cup(s) Broccoli, uncooked, florets
1 medium Carrots, uncooked, finely sliced
¼ cup(s) Juice, lime, fresh, divided
3 Tbsp Sugar, white
3 Tbsp Water or mineral water
tsp Ginger root, raw, fresh, finely minced
2 spray(s) Cooking spray
4 tsp Oil, peanut, divided
1 tsp Peppers, hot chili, green, raw, or red chili pepper, Thai-variety, deveined, seeded, minced*
1 clove(s) Garlic, fresh, minced
1½ cup(s) Sprouts, bean
2½ oz Peanuts, dry-roasted, salted, minced (about 1/2 cup)
½ cup(s) Cilantro, raw, fresh, minced

Instructions
1. Soak noodles in cold water for 1 hour.
2. Place chicken in a small bowl and cover with 1 tablespoon of fish sauce; set aside.
3. Steam broccoli and carrot until crisp-tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately immerse in cold water; drain and set aside.
4. Meanwhile, in another small bowl, combine remaining 3 tablespoons of fish sauce, 3 tablespoons of lime juice, sugar, water and ginger; mix well and set aside.
5. Coat a large wok or skillet with cooking spray and warm over medium-high heat; add 2 teaspoons of oil. When hot, add chicken; cook, stirring occasionally until chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and cover to keep warm; set aside.
6. Drain noodles thoroughly. Off heat, coat same wok or skillet with cooking spray and warm over medium-high heat; add remaining 2 teaspoons of oil. When hot, sauté garlic and chili pepper until just fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add noodles and fish sauce mixture; cook, stirring, until sauce is mostly absorbed, about 3 minutes. Stir in chicken and peanuts; remove from heat. Add remaining tablespoon of lime juice, bean sprouts and cilantro; mix well. Serve immediately. Yields about 2 cups per serving.

15- Minute Vegetarian Chili
PointsPlus™ Value: 8
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 7 min
Cooking Time: 8 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Stock up on canned beans, corn and tomatoes for super-fast, one-pot meals.



Ingredients
1 tsp Oil, canola
1 clove(s) Garlic, fresh, minced
14½ oz Tomatoes, stewed
15 oz Beans, kidney, canned, all types, rinsed and drained
15¼ oz Corn, yellow, canned (vacuum packed), drained
15 oz Tomato sauce, canned
1 Tbsp Chili powder
½ tsp Dried oregano
½ tsp Pepper flakes, red, crushed
¼ cup(s) Onions, dehydrated flakes
¼ tsp Pepper, black
4 Tbsp Cheese, cheddar, shredded, low-fat, sharp-variety

Instructions
1. Heat oil in a large, nonstick, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, until aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, beans, corn, tomato sauce, chili powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, onion and pepper; stir well.
2. Increase heat to high and bring chili to a boil; cook, stirring frequently, until chili is thick and flavors are concentrated, about 5 minutes. Spoon into serving bowls and sprinkle with cheese. Yields about 1 1/4 cups chili and 1 tablespoon cheese per serving.

Baked Beef Ziti
(You can use the left over Ziti from last week)
PointsPlus™ Value: 7
Servings: 8
Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 50 min
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

If you thought you couldn't indulge in your fattening favorites and still lose weight, you'll be thrilled to know that baked ziti is not a thing of the past.

Ingredients
12 oz Uncooked ziti
2 tsp Oil, olive
2 clove(s) Garlic, fresh, minced
pound(s) Lean ground beef, raw
1 tsp Dried oregano
1 tsp Dried thyme
1 tsp Rosemary, dried
½ tsp Salt, table
½ tsp Pepper, black
28 oz Canned crushed tomatoes
1 cup(s) Cheese, mozzarella, part skim milk

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Add beef and cook until browned, breaking up  meat with a spoon as it cooks, about 3 to 5 minutes; drain off any fat and set pan back over medium heat.
4. Add oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper; stir to coat beef. Cook until herbs become fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Spoon a small amount of beef-tomato mixture into bottom of a 4-quart casserole dish (just enough to cover surface); top with half of cooked ziti. Next, layer with half of remaining beef-tomato sauce and half of mozzarella cheese. Layer with remaining ziti and then top with remaining beef-tomato sauce; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Slice into 8 pieces and serve. Yields 1 piece per serving.

Three Bean Salad
PointsPlus™ Value: 4
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 9 min
Cooking Time: 0 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

This dish takes on a new profile with fresh slivers of basil, tangy lemon juice, and green soybeans(edamame) for their sweet flavor and bright color- Great for Spring!

Ingredients
1 tsp Lemon, zest, raw, grated
1½ Tbsp Juice, lemon, fresh
1 Tbsp Oil, olive, extra-virgin
½ tsp Salt, table
⅛ tsp Pepper, black, freshly ground
15 oz Beans, black, canned, rinsed and drained
15 oz Beans, white, canned, rinsed and drained
¾ cup(s) Edamame, shelled, cooked
medium Onion(s), vidalia, finely diced
medium Peppers, sweet, red, raw, finely diced
5 leaf/leaves Basil, fresh, thinly sliced

Instructions
Combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, oil, salt, and ground pepper in a medium bowl. Add the black beans, white beans, soybeans, onion, bell pepper, and basil; toss to coat evenly. Serve at once, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Yields 3/4 cup per serving.

Wedding Wednesday... woops it's thursday

Well just one day late... We'll see if I can scramble my weekly meal planner in today as well... then I will be caught up! Today's post is for my mom who is getting married May 20th, less than 60 days away! I have been her "wedding planner" through the whole thing... luckily our venue has a girl who can handle the logistics of the deliveries etc.. because I am also the Maid of Honor and my daughter is the flower girl... 
 
For her wedding we are holding it at  Willows Lodge in Woodinville, WA (Wine Country) 
 It is a beautiful Lodge and Spa that brings you back to nature. She is doing a Plumb and Evergreen colored elegant wedding. Here are some photos we got our inspiration from.
 source unknown
We just love the idea of this tree guest book it is a different way to display a beautiful sentiment.
 source unknown
We will be having green and plum pomanders down the aisle and above the wedding arch very similar to this beautiful image.
 Courtesy of Brides of North Texas.
 courtesy of Peach and Pearl
 courtesy of Wedding Tips


Here is the bridesmaid dress we will be wearing. I love the color and feminine style. (Maybe because I chose it)  

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Chase those pastels away with Bright Green and Blue

 My favorite color combo right now is green and blue. I have been collecting green and blue vases, pillows, throws etc... for 3 years now. I usually go for the lighter shades of the two colors but recently I have been feeling edgier in my decor choices. So to the internet I went to search for some ideas and here is what I found!










This green is a chartreuse which I don't love but works really well with the blue they chose. I also just adore the collection of frames on the wall. 




Courtesy of Eclectic Revisited
Courtesy of Arhdecor
This is the extreme version of using a color combo, look at that couch! All I can say is WOW! I do love the giant lamp here.
  Courtesy of House Beautiful
Here is a kitchen in blue and green, they use just accents here. I also love adding a splash of yellow with flowers or lemons.
  Courtesy of Decor Pad
Oh wall paper! I can't help but love an inspiration that comes with a side of wall paper. Although sometimes difficult to put up, so worth the visual benefits. 
 Courtesy of Decor Pad
 Very sweet dining room area. I love the kids table.

 Courtesy of Arhdecor
 Courtesy of Decor Pad
Beautiful execution of a bright and cozy living room.
 Courtesy of Arndecor

 Here is the last inspiration. Thank you to my new favorite decor blog The Decorologist who found this image courtesy of The Painted Room. What a creative and brilliant idea.


Thank you for reading and remember to become a follower and comment on my posts. 

Julie