There is something about cobalt blue beach umbrellas, chaise lounges
and palm trees that says vacation...
Have a bright, bold, and beautiful weekend!
Best of BB&B this week:
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Show and Tell: Gathered Ruffle Camera Strap Cover
Remember a month or so ago when I told you about my new baby (my new DSLR camera - Canon Rebel T1i)? Well, I have seen a gazillion cute camera straps around the internet lately and I thought "I want one!". So today I decided to make myself one for my new camera.
I've seen a lot of great tutorials, but nothing was exactly what I was looking for, so I just decided to go for it and make my up my own little design with a little inspiration from here and there.
I used fabric from designer Anna Maria Horner. When I was first introduced to this designer I was not initially won over by her work (sorry to say), but now I LOVE it! I guess it's grown on me - I love the eclectic mix of patterns she uses with vintage, geometrics and florals.
I used a piece of woven trim that I purchased at a very old local fabric store. I don't know if it is vintage or not, but it's old and I just loved its charm.
I wanted my camera strap to be slightly padded so I added some fusible fleece to the under-side. I'm very happy with the amount of padding this gives the strap cover - not too much, not too little.
I used a gathering stitch on the top layer (don't worry if you don't know what that means, I promise to cover that in my "Sew Basics" series) and stitched the ribbon down the center of the ruffle. I then sewed the top layer to the bottom layer (right-sides together) and turn it right-side out to reveal the completed camera strap cover.
On the inside I stitched in my label - The Cottage Mama. It's so fun to have your own labels! Even if you don't sell the things you make, I highly recommend purchasing some for any of the gifts you give or the clothes you make. I feel so proud when I see my girls wearing "The Cottage Mama".
And there's me - "hi there!" sporting my new, hip camera strap cover. I designed, cut, and finished this camera strap during naptime today, so it sewed up pretty quick. If you have a boring camera strap right now, why not take a little time to make yourself something special, I'm sure you deserve it!!
Have a great weekend!
Cottage Mama's Note: Since there are so many tutorials out there on making camera straps, I figured I would just kind of tell you what I did. If you have any questions about how I made mine or if you would like a tutorial just leave me a comment or email me (thecottagemama@gmail.com).
Chess Anyone - The Boca Resort
Chess anyone? I love this life size chess set on the grounds of the beautiful Boca Resort. Enjoy a game with your afternoon tea...
Modern ultra-luxury yacht with swimming pool
Designed by young designer Serbian Vuk Dragovic, Atreides is a super luxury yacht from the tapered shape is proposed to solve what is considered by many one of the major limits of travel in high water, or the inability to jump between the crystal colors that are observed during navigation.
Bright Bold and Beautiful: Bon Bon Rose Girls
"What is bright, bold, and beautiful to you?" Thank you Megan!
Like Laura, who we all know and adore, I’m all about living a fun and vibrant lifestyle. One way I achieve this is by filling my life with friends and events that I entertain for. Having a full house of guests over for dinner and parties is when I’m truly at my happiest, and over the past few years I’ve developed some tricks to get the party started and keep it that way. After all no one likes a dull dinner party!
1) Before guests arrive put the appetizers and munchies in the room you want people to congregate in. It never fails that people always want to hang in the kitchen. However, for the head chef (that’s me!) it can be a stressful to have too many people staring me down while I chop! Instead put out a little bowl of nuts (I’m personally obsessed with these honey roasted almonds), crackers and cheese (two thumbs up on Manchengo cheese, it’s a total crowd pleaser) and some drinks on the coffee table. People will naturally wander to where the food is and start talking. Fingers crossed, this should leave you with less of a crowd watching while you put the final touches on dinner.
2) If you’re preparing a more complicated main course why not do a dessert that is simple and can be made the day or morning before? This will mean less chaos for you, especially after a few glasses of vino. Also, its makes the whole evening more approachable and fun for guests. We all know what a whiz you are in the kitchen, so serving something like brownie sundaes or an apple pie lets everyone kick back and relax after a great meal. This ridiculously easy ice cream crispie cake is a summer hit and takes 10 minutes. Given its simplicity it makes me laugh as people devour it, but hey, whatever works!
3) Set your table the night before. If you’re having a seated dinner party you simply must trust me on this. I’ve failed on several occasions big time in this department. The morning of a party I’m always out running last minute errands (Whole Foods, liquor store, etc.) and then it’s off to the kitchen, so that the table is often the last thing to get my attention. By setting the table the night before, you guarantee that you won’t be handing out forks at the last minute.
Of course the last tip comes straight from good ol’ Bridget Jones and her blue soup. Have a great attitude! Pile the dishes to the side, grab a glass of vino and relax. After all they are friends for a reason, if the chicken is scorched and you have to order a pizza, laugh about it and no one will care. They are here to see you and have a fun evening, not judge you on your coco au vin!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Beautiful Home Living ~ Incorporating Animals in your Decor
Animals are fun to incorporate into your decor. Popular themes are monkeys, birds, and elephants. This pair of elephants is perfect for this spot on the marble floor. They are great conversation pieces.
This theme is carried over into the sun room on the side table. There are elephant bookends beside the tropical palm tree lamp.
Aren't these monkeys cute. Have fun with your home accents.
In the dining room, there are two birds on either side of the mirror.
What other animals do you incorporate into your decor?
Beautiful Home Living in Boca Raton
You just cannot get a prettier view than this! I am so glad to be in Boca Raton. Our home overlooks the ocean on one side and the Boca Raton Resort on the other.
Every room has gorgeous ocean views.
I'll be back later after a dip in the pool and a long walk on the beach!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Easiest 10-Minute Throw Pillow
Would you believe me if I told you that the pillow pictured above was originally a placemat? Well, it's true! I got this placemat today at Pier 1 on sale for $3.10 (including tax). I turned this beauty into a pillow in less than 10 minutes, yes, LESS than 10 minutes. Even if you don't own a sewing machine, you can do this little project - just get out your seam ripper and hand-sewing needle.
Like I said in my previous post, I have really been into sprucing up The Cottage Home, but with being a stay-at-home Mom, I am usually on a pretty tight budget. So I am doing the best with what I have (rearranging things galore) and adding in the occasional thrifty find. I am so excited about this project and I hope you will be too!!
10-Minute Throw Pillow Tutorial
Supplies:
1 double layer placemat
Seam ripper
Fiberfill or other stuffing
Sewing machine or hand-sewing needle
Thread
Directions:
Grab a standard-size placemat. I got mine at our local Pier 1 (though I was inspired by all the pretty things I've seen in the Potterybarn catalog lately). Perhaps you have a placemat on-hand or check out any of your favorite stores - I guarantee a place mat will be FAR less expensive than a pillow but will still have the same style as your favorite store.
I picked this placemat because I loved the texture and the colors (our family room is deep red, brown, tan and green). Make sure you choose a placemat that has two layers - a top layer and a bottom layer. Some placemats are trimmed with bias-tape. Try to stay away from those for this project as it will only make your life more complicated.
Here's what the back of my placemat looks like - just a simple, solid brown.
Remove the tag from the placemat. I decided this would be a good place for me to open up both layers as it already looked a little wonky to me. But you can open your placemat any where you see fit.
Take your seam-ripper and carefully open up your placemat. Open a hole large enough for you to stick your hand through. You need to be able to get your hand inside to stuff the pillow.
Take your fiberfill (or whatever stuffing you are using) and fill your placemat. Keep filling until you are satisfied with the look.
After you have filled your pillow, pin the opening shut. I know my pinning is not entirely proper here, but just do your best to pin the opening closed.
For the next step, if you have a sewing machine, line up the original stitching and close your opening with coordinating thread. Mine was a 1/8th seam allowance. If you DO NOT have a sewing machine, hand-sew the opening closed in coordinating thread.
Here is what the side of my pillow looked like after I closed the opening.
And there you have it - a pillow in less than 10-minutes - does it get any easier than that? Well, not for $3.00!!
I saw some placemats at Pier 1 with some fabulous beaded trim on two sides - that would make a totally cute addition to a pillow, don't you think?. Hmmmm.......my wheels are turning.......perhaps I need another placemat or two. What about you? Will I see you out tomorrow picking up a placemat?
Have a great night!
Cottage Mama's Note: I have seen several different versions of this type of pillow on other websites such as Thrifty Decor Chick and I'm sure there are others out there too! Everyone has their own version, so feel free to check out some others and see what works best for you!!
Bright and Beautiful Zinnia Blooms
These bright and beautiful Zinnia blooms bring a smile to my face.
Happy Wednesday! Click here for tips on growing your colorful
Zinnias in your garden.
Be Bold ~ Chunky Platform High Heels
Would you be so daring as to wear these chunky platform high heels by Tristan Blair? They are show stoppers!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Loaded Potato Salad Recipe from Matilda's Summer Garden Party
So, I'm finally getting around to posting some of the recipes from my daughter, Matilda's Summer Garden Party that we had earlier this month. The first recipe I would like to share with you is my Loaded Potato Salad.
I get weak in the knees for a good loaded baked potato. I mean I love the works - butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon, chives, salt and pepper - YUM. A good, loaded baked potato was my inspiration for this wonderful potato salad. Even if you don't traditionally like potato salad, give this a try - you might be a potato salad fan after all!
Matilda's Loaded Potato Salad
Serves 12
Ingredients:
2 pounds red potatoes, cleaned and cut into 1 inch chunks
1 pound of bacon, cooked and crumbled
5 green onions, cleaned and sliced
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Directions:
Bring a large pot of salad water to a boil. Add potatoes cut into 1 inch chunks. Cook until tender, but not mushy (it's very important not to over cook your potatoes). Cooking time is approximately 15 minutes. Drain potatoes, place in refrigerator to cool.
Meanwhile, cook your bacon. You can cut it prior to cooking, as I have done here, or cook the strips and crumble them later (it's up to you). Once cooked, crumble each bacon strip and set aside.
Add mayonnaise and sour cream to a large mixing bowl and combine. Then add green onions (or chives, if you prefer), celery, bacon, and salt and pepper. Finally add your cooked, cooled potatoes (don't worry if they aren't totally cooled - that's ok) and fold ingredients together to combine. Taste and then adjust seasoning.
Place potato salad in the fridge for at least an hour to allow the flavors to come together. This is definitely a great make ahead dish, so feel free to make this the day before your party or event!
Enjoy!
Cottage Mama's Note: If it doesn't taste quite right to you, it probably needs more salt. I find that salt can make or break a potato dish - just the right amount and you can hit it out of the park, too little and your flavor will fall very flat. Keep tasting and adjusting as you see fit. Remember you can always add more salt, but you can't take it out.
Beautiful Home Living : Stylish Foyers
I don't want to beat the idea to the ground about black banisters, but check out the new September issue of Traditional Home. One of the changes that Nina Richter made in the entrance of her house in the Hamptons was the color of the banister.
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