Attention to Small Detail

Penny's Signature Home Scent: Pomegranate Sage

A lingering scent can be that essential finishing touch to a simple home change or a gorgeous interior design project. My dad's friend Penny is an interior designer, and she informed me that whenever she completes an interior design project for a client she always lights a few of her signature scented candles before she leaves (if they are home of course). She also informed me that creating a mood is not just about the colors on your wall, but attention to small details such as candles. A signature scent is a candle that is not used seasonally in your home, but year round. - so how do you get that scent?

{Lemon Mint Leaf}

Considering this when choosing a home scent. The scent should compliment your décor. A fresh pine scent does not make sense in a beach house, however a Frasier Fur scent does make sense in an up north cabin.  A modern space is clean so accentuate with clean fragrance. If your house has earth tones go for a more earthy scent such as vanilla or a fruit and spice mixture.

 {Market Peach}

Universally pleasing smell. Fresh citrus and fruity candles are a great option that everyone can enjoy.

 Other options to candles. Buy reed diffusers! Reeds will scent up to a three foot radius which means you can have a different fragrance in each room of your home.

{my signature scent: Yankee Candle Cherry Lemonade}

One last thing I just discovered Linnea's Lights Hand Poured Natural Soy Candles. The candles burn so clean, and they come in very unique scents. One of these candles would definitely make a great signature scent if you are in need of one.

So tell me what is your signature scent?

Bird's Nest Cookies

 In anticipation for spring I was invited to a garden tea party this weekend. I volunteered to bring a dessert and decided to make these charming bird’s nest cookies. These cookies would be a great addition to any spring get together, Easter or just for fun.

 

{I toasted my coconut on a Sil Pat but just on a cookie sheet is fine}

Bird's Nest Cookies
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups sweetened flaked coconut
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter; softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Blue Jordon Almonds 

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread out coconut onto a baking sheet and toast until slightly golden brown. You will want to stir it a couple times for even coloring.
2. Cream butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth. Add egg and vanilla; beat until smooth.
3. Mix flour, salt and baking powder together in a a bowl. Pour flour mixture into creamed mixture and stir by hand until evenly incorporated.
4. Shape dough into balls and roll in toasted coconut. Place on your baking sheet (I covered mine with parchment paper). Use your thumb and make an indentation in the center of each ball to form a nest.
5. Bake about 8-10 minutes or until golden.  Allow to cool on a cooling rack and place 2-3 jordon almonds in each cookie.

Simple Comfort

  {Neiman Marcus cookies}

The dreary weather that consumed the weekend was not going to get me down. I made the weekend all about simple comforts. Watching my favorite romantic comedies, the smell of homemade bread baking in the bread machine and whipping up a batch of Neiman Marcus cookies. Of course I can’t forget the best way to combat bad weather, filling the house with fragrant flowers.What do you do on dreary weekends?

 {romantic comedies}

{bright daffodils}

{homemade honey basil wheat bread}

Five Things

 {a pretty minty green polish - Bevin by Zoya}

This week I spent time organizing the apartment, and starting to change it to a spring environment. I bought a bunch of tulips and after two days they were falling over dead - clearly I was spoiled in Michigan with the beautiful fresh flowers that would last for over a week. My weekend will consist of a girly movie night, crafting and creating a new kitchen confection. What are your weekend plans? 

 {pretty brushed metal candle holder}

 {perfectly glittered paper for an upcoming project}

 {new napkins for spring and summer soirees}

{tipped over tulips}

My Spring Must-Haves

{Vintage Florals}

Spring is my favorite season,  and each year I have a new must have list of things I am lusting after for spring. Here are my spring essentials..... What are your essentials for spring this year?

{Lace}

{Pastel & Nude Polish}

{Nude Lip Color}

{Oversize Day Clutch}

Candy Coated Shoes

 {Franco Sarto + Lemon Drops}

My blog stems from two of two of my biggest passions; fashion and food. While I was online shopping for perfect summer shoes - I realized that the top three shoes on my list were the same shades of three of my favorite childhood candies. Do your summer shoe picks remind you of childhood candies?

 {Aldo + Pink Rock Candy} 

 {Kork-Ease + Peach Rings}

Homemade Heath Candies

As I mentioned before while I was home in Michigan my Mum and I spent numerous hours in the kitchen coming up different confections and trying out new recipes. These homemade heath candies were the most popular confection that we created. Did I mention that they are extremely simple to make too!

 Homemade Heath Candies
Ingredients
1 sleeve of saltines; enough to cover a jellyroll pan (I bought store brand ones)
2 sticks of salted butter
1 cup dark brown sugar, well packed
1 pound of Candy Melts; such as Wilton
Crushed Walnuts

Directions 
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Line a jellyroll pan with foil, turn up the edges to form a tray and spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray such as Pam.
3. Arrange saltines (salty side up) in the jellyroll pan.
4. In a saucepan bring the butter and brown sugar to a boil, and cook for about 3 minutes; stirring constantly.
5. Carefully pour mixture over the crackers, and spread it out to evenly coat each cracker.
6. Bake for 5 minutes or until bubbly.
7. Remove the crackers and quickly top with your chocolate melts; I used about three melts per cracker. As they begin to soften and melt, use a spatula to spread the chocolate evenly all across the top.
8. Sprinkle nuts on the top or leave plain if you'd like.
9. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes. Carefully slide the foil off of the jellyroll pan and onto a cooling rack. Allow to set overnight or transfer to a baking sheet and place in the freezer for a few minutes to speed up cooling.
10. Cut into squares and enjoy! 

{I packaged some up to give to friends, family and neighbors that stopped by}

How to Create a Cleaner Bathroom

Primpin’ ain’t easy!Usually we get ready in the bathroom, polish up, scrub up and do our daily bathroom task. Have you ever thought about all the unpleasant stuff that goes on in your bathroom?

I know out of sight out of mind, but allow me to fill you in. Maybe you will want to rethink your bathroom behaviors.

Flush It

Every time you flush the toilet an invisible cloud of water droplets form, and travel eight feet into the air. Dispersing bacteria all over your primpin pad! Might want to rethink your toothbrush on the counter, and put the seat down at all times! Not only does that bacteria spread all over, but it also sticks for over two hours. If you’re hanging out in the bathroom after you flush that toilet bacteria is on you, and in your mouth. Pleasant right?




Do you Loofah?

Did you know that Loofah’s house bacteria, which can easily infect you via an open cut? If you have a natural loofah you should be washing it in the dishwasher at least once a week. After a few weeks you need to throw away that loofah and invest in a new one.
If you have a plastic or mesh loofah you should also be washing your loofah either in the washing machine or dishwasher once a week. Your loofah is good for around eight to nine weeks. After that you should consider getting a new one!





Towel Dry

How often do you wash your bathroom towels? Bath towels house tons of bacteria and dead skin cells. Which means you should never use a towel more than once!

Feeling a little grossed out? Don't worry I was too when I found out about this. Just make the simple changes for a cleaner bathroom!

Five Things

 {my new pandora charm}

This week I received the oh so cute purse Pandora charm shown above for Valentine's Day. Do you have a Pandora bracelet? If so what charms do you have? I also learned how to make some seriously adorable bows from Meeme (my grandma) - tutorial will be coming soon. I also discovered that I am simply obsessed with nude lipstick. What are your plans for the weekend?

 {valentine's day gift basket from my mum}

 {cinderella cookies}

 {new nude lipsticks}

{beautiful ribbon from Meeme (my grandma)}

Fall 2012 Nail Trends

While a variety of nails were shown during New York Fashion Week, it appears as though Fall 2012 has two dominate nail trends; Nude and almost black. Are you a fan of any of these nail looks?

Barely There

 {BCBG}

Get the look:  OPI Passion; a nearly nude

 {Jason Wu}

Get the look: OPI San-Tan-tonio

 {Richard Chai}

Get the look: two coats of Essie Glamour Purse

Barely There & Almost Black

 {L.A.M.B}

L.A.M.B managed to take advantage of the season's biggest trends.

Almost Black

 {Jenny Packham}

Get the look: A burgundy hue from Essie

 {Rachel Roy}

Get the look: By layering Essie nail polishes; Licorice and Going Incognito

{Rebecca Taylor}

Get the look: Road House Blues by OPI

Other Nails on the Runway

 {Christian Cota}

Get the look: A line of Chocolate Milk by CND is painted at the top of the nail and smeared downwards with a sponge. After drying, a line of Putty is applied at the base of the nail and smeared upwards with a sponge towards the Chocolate Milk color.

 {Cynthia Rowley}

Get the look: Zoya Cynthia brown cream and Christina accent

 {Kate Spade}

{black base with white polka dots}

 {Nicole Miller}

Get the look: CND Nail polishes - base of Plumville and then go crazy swirling in Electric Orange, Bicycle Yellow and Anchor Blue. For best results use a toothpick to swirl.