Dream Baths

I so look forward to the day when I can have a great big soaking tub in the middle of a beautiful bathroom. For now though, I'll just keep dreaming...

 

 Photos from Elle Decor magazine online.

Doors

They say you can find inspiration anywhere, so why not in a door!

 

Halloween on the Horizon

 
Halloween and Christmas are two of my favorite holidays and with Halloween just around the corner, I was reminded of an event that we did at work two years ago. One of my responsibilities at work is to help plan and coordinate events for the company. Even though the events add more to my work load, I enjoy planning them because they allow me to be creative!

I've actually been planning events for about twelve years. In high school I was class president and was responsible for planning dances such as homecoming and prom and organizing student events. And now in my current position, we have at least two big events each year and often several smaller ones in between. These events vary by year and range anywhere from eighty to one-hundred and sixty people.

Two years ago we threw a Halloween party for the staff and their children. The staff brought in their little ghouls and goblins for snacks, cookie decorating and trick-or-treating around the office! It was a really great event and everyone enjoyed themselves a lot.

Check out some of the photos:

Impromptu BBQ

A few weekends ago Kevin and I were planning dinner for the evening and decided it was a perfect night to BBQ. We stopped at the store for a nice piece of flank steak, a few shrimp and some beer and then headed home. I quick put the steak into a marinade, (I like to make my own rather than buy pre-made ones with such high sodium contents).

Next I checked the fridge to see what we had for sides. About 30 minutes later we were grilling shish kabobs with zucchini, mushrooms, onions, green, yellow and red bell peppers and pineapple to go with our flank steak, shrimp and rice!

Try this grilling tip for shish kabobs:
Skewer large pieces of vegetables and shrimp (I like to keep them separate since the shrimp and vegetables cook at rates), then lightly spray with an olive oil spray and sprinkle with garlic salt. The oil helps keep things from sticking to the grill and the veggies turn out like oven roasted but with a smokey BBQ flavor. Delish!

One of my new favorite side dishes is Basmati rice. It cooks faster than regular brown or white rice and is much less heavy. I like to add sliced almonds to it just before it finishes cooking. The almonds add an unexpected crunchy texture to the rice.

Next time you are going to grill beef try making your own marinade. I like to eye ball it and usually add soy or teryaki sauce, olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar, garlic and onion powder, black pepper, cumin and red pepper flakes. That combination make a delicious sweet and savory steak!

Happy grilling!

Better in Black

I'm working on a black and white design for my photographer friend's boudoir bedroom and in doing some research on black and white designs, I came to an inspiring realization...walls are better in black! Okay, maybe not actually "better", but definitely gorgeous and not something to be afraid of.

I am so excited to put together a black and white design after looking at these amazing spaces.

What do you think...are you ready to go black!

Hot Hospitality

Part of what I do at my 9-5 is book travel; lots and lots of travel. I came across the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills the other day and when I went back to take a closer look, realized that it's part of the Viceroy Hotel Group. Now, I have drooled over the Viceroy Santa Monica and Palm Springs in magazines for years and after spending a few minutes browsing the websites today, decided to share a few of hotels' gorgeous spaces.

The Avalon Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA

 

 The Viceroy, Santa Monica, CA

The Viceroy, Snowmass, CO

The Tides Resort, South Beach, FL

Now all I need is to stay at one of the amazing locations!