Home…be Inspired

Boho Chic Bedroom in the Making

  When we moved into the Cottage on Cullen my daughters choose the theme and paint color of their bedrooms, it's an individual choice and I believe they need to have a say so in what they would like to do in their own space. Six years ago Madison my then 12 year old, chose a very bright green paint color and wanted a Hawaiian themed bedroom, see here for full post. 

Since then she has changed it around a bit but the paint color was always a bright green.   She is staying home for college and got a "wild hair" and she wanted to do away with the paint color on her walls and refresh it to more of a young adult girls' bedroom style, Bohemian or Boho Chic,  I get that.  We went to the paint store, she picked out a more neutral sand color and when to work painting her room.  I'm so proud of her because she prepped and painted her very small space, all by herself with no help from Mr. Incredible or myself.

Well....there was one little helper...but she is more of the designer than the painter.  Checking to see if the bed is in the right spot and height so she can get a running jump to get on it, tee, hee.  My neighbor asked if I wanted this World Market Chair, I loved that chair when I saw it in the store with it's eclectic fabric covered buttons but I didn't have a place for it,  now it looks perfect in her corner and we jumped at the chance when she offered. We are still in the mist of refreshing her Boho Chic bedroom but hey it's a start. New bedding, new artwork and décor to come soon so I hope you check back soon for the full reveal. 

 

 

 

Porches, Where the Living is Easy

Porches have been on my mind lately, possibly because I've been getting a lot of use out of mine since it's been so hot and it's a lot cooler out there and those Adirondack chairs are so comfortable, really, really comfortable, the wine ain't too bad either.

Porches, yes where the living is easy.  yes....It's a feeling, it's a lifestyle.

Doesn't this picture feel very welcoming?  Just imagine sitting and watching the sunset, cold drink in hand with nothing better to do than just be, just sit your rump down and sit awhile.

This colorful porch with the daybed is perfect for reading a novel, or just sitting outside and enjoying nature. Love all the colorful flowers in this image, and the hanging pots of plants, nature everywhere. The calm of the blue painted ceiling. 

This simple farmhouse porch in crisp white with the galvanized planters and the black sconces also speaks to me.

As does this ample sitting space with the nautical-knot rope sofa and chairs, the neutral sand color with pops of lime green.

There are so many styles of homes and therefore so many styles of porches. Porches take you to a time before air conditioning and people were outside enjoying the outdoors and neighbors were getting to know each other.

Whether it be a small sliver of a space...

or a big ample spot, porches are a lifestyle.   Wouldn't it be wonderful to have one near water; the ocean or a lake.  But that's not the case with the Cottage on Cullen, we are not that lucky. 

A huge wrap around one would be grand, but I make the best of what I got.

I have a pair of comfortable chairs to have a conversation in, with a loved one or a neighbor that wants to stop by and have a cup of coffee.

 

I've planted fragrant gardenias and jasmine, so not only is it comfortable it smells heavenly sitting out on the porch.

I continue to build that Cape Cod style that I'm so drawn to, the shingled walls with white trim and beautiful hydrangeas.

When we were looking to buy our home...the cottage on Cullen had me at HELLO when I saw her brick porch.

The last house we lived in, my neighbor across the street had a beautiful brick porch.  I was so envious of her brick porch wishing we had one we had a small cement stoop.  So it was no surprise when I came across the Cottage on Cullen, she had me at HELLO, I was smitten.  It had the red-used brick, it had the brown-cedar shingles, the basis for me to transform this porch into a Coastal Cottage.  The picture above on the left is my neighbors and the picture on the right, the Cottage on Cullen.  Before we even closed on our home I bought some antique porch posts.  Mr. Incredible was not too happy about it though.  He is not quite sure what is wrong with the ones that are there.  Yes, I know there is nothing wrong with the black wrought iron posts, they are beautiful but not the coastal-farmhouse vision I have for the cottage.  What do you think am I crazy to put in creamy white turned porch posts or should I leave the black wrought iron?  This is the type of character I think I need to add to the cottage where our porch has character and a the tranquility that makes living easy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S'mores Galore at World Market

This past Saturday I hosted a S'mores Galore demonstration at my local World Market in Brea, California. I'm sure you know I'm a big fan of their products, if it's for my house or in a recipe,  I love World Market! You can't go in one room in my Cottage and not see a World Market product, that's why I wanted to be an Ambassador.  It was funny when Mr. Incredible and I were first married he said,  "I want to take you to this store", thinking I've never been to World Market...I'm like I'm a shopper of course I've been to World Market.  He was so cute thinking he was turning me on to something.  I bet he is sorry now.  Well, anyhow...back to this post. 

S'mores, S'mores, S'mores!!! Since we are smack dab in the middle of summer, what could be better than a S'more?  How about 3 of them and no campfire needed!  That's right, you don't need to fire up the pit.  It's S'mores Galore and World Market!

I created three different types of S'mores for the many different types of taste buds out there, all were yummy in their own way.  Pictures below.

                                  {pictures and recipes by Jennifer Robins of Predominantly Paleo}

I think they are enjoying them, some happy customers, I've heard through the grapevine this was the best S'more they ever had!  So if you want to whip up a little summer goodness for your friends or family this summer, here are the yum in your tum recipes.  Thanks Robin from Predominantly Paleo for your AWESOMENESS!

Kidsational S'more

Ingredients:

~2 Walker Animal Shortbreads

~2 teaspoons of marshmallow fluff

~Multi-colored sprinkles, as needed

~2 squares of Milka Dragees chocolate bar

Directions:

1.} Spread marshmallow fluff on one shortbread cookie.

2.} Shake sprinkles onto the marshmallow fluff

3.} Place chocolate on the sprinkles so the sprinkles push down into fluff

4.} Top with other shortbread cookie and your done!

 

You're Bacon Me Hungry S'more

Ingredients:

~1 chocolate-coated World Market Lacey

~1 tablespoon marshmallow fluff

~2 squares Vosges Mo's Bacon Chocolate Bar

~1 tablespoon Sahale Snacks Maple Pecans, or Valdosta Pecans or Honey Almonds

Directions:

1.} Spread the marshmallow fluff on one Lacey

2.}Place nuts on the fluff and top with chocolate

3.} Serve open faced or if your really CRAZY put on another Lacey

 

Sea Salt & Dulce de Luscious S'more

Ingredients:

~2 Reko Pizelles

~1 tablespoon of marshmallow fluff

~2 squares of Lindt Sea Salt Chocolate Bar

~1 teaspoon of Gaucho Dulce de Leche

Directions:

1.} Spread the marshmallow fluff on one Pizelle cookie, careful not to press too hard

2.} Place 1 chocolate square on fluff

3.} Top with Dulce de Leche

4.} Repeat step 1 and put Pizelle on top of Dulce de Leche.

This one has to be my favorite one!  I love anything with sea salt and dulce de leche, my daughters' favorite was the Kidsational S'more, she loved the shortbread cookie flavor and what kid or teenage doesn't love sprinkles.  All above ingredients can be found at World Market. 

******I'm a World Market Ambassador and all opinions are 100% my own and I have been compensated for this post by World Market. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laguna.....it Just Feels So Good

 

This is such a beautiful beach to go to and it's my daughter MacKenzie's favorite beach...

As evidenced by the amount of selfie's she takes down there with her friends, ahhhh to be independent, have your own car and 16! Boy do I remember those days, smile.

Yep, I've been doing the selfie thing a bit more...better watch out Kim Kardashian, there is a new selfie queen in town.

The water is the most perfect temperature this time of the year and so refreshing, it feels great on you skin, the warm sand on your toes.  Relaxing.

Even a couple of seals were super close to shore,  it was so adorable seeing their little heads bopping up and down in the surf all day.

Then they were lounging on the rocks taking a break from swimming and looking for lunch.

Even the cottontails were looking for lunch, they were the cutest, most adorable bunnies with their fluffy white tails.

Yep, might of been a relative of Peter's in the restaurants' garden searching for some Kale.

This quite doesn't look like Mr. McGreogors garden, however these little rabbits have the best view, don't they?

This is the entrance where the non-animals enter The Montage Resort in Laguna Beach.  Look at THAT color of the shingles, I wonder how they get this shade of shingle?  It's like a mottled, blueish-gray, the most perfect shade and so unique, I would be over the moon to paint my little Cottage on Cullen this color.

This cottage white paint on the pergolas and all the trim matches the blueish-gray shingles perfectly, very soothing and so coastal chic.  This resort if very expensive but your allowed to go down on the beach in front of it and that's what we do, we truck the long step stairs to the little cove.

This is the back side of the restaurant called, the Studio. 

 

Here is the front of the Studio Restaurant, I love all the foliage along the paths, to the left lots of fragrant lavender, colorful bougainvillea, lots of palms, and so many different types of succulents! The succulents are all blooming with flowers this time of the year so it's very colorful.

This day they were getting an altar set up near the restaurant and it looked like a bright and colorful wedding and indeed it was because as I was leaving I got caught in the middle of the groom's group as he was riding up on a white horse to meet his bride and they were all dressed in their Indian finery. So gorgeous and I couldn't help but join in a little bit with the Bollywood Dancing as the danced along the pathway.  {I have a video on my Facebook page}

What a beautiful place to get married, huh?  Very lucky I must say, $$$$

Yes, it does feel really good...that's me swimming in the sea....with the Seals and feeling the cool water on my hot skin. 

The Montage in Laguna is a favorite of ours..for snorkeling, swimming in the sea or just sitting back and watching the sunset with friends. 

 

 

 

Wishing you a safe and Happy 4th from the Cottage on Cullen

I wanted to pop in and wish you a Happy Fourth and share a few bits and pieces of the Cottage on Cullen decorated for  Independence Day.  The front porch with the colors of RED, WHITE and BLUE and lots of little flags planted here and there and everywhere.

The living room got into the action too, with some fresh flowers and stars and stripes and as a nod to my Nautical heart,  the navy blue whale pillow.

When I saw it at Homegoods it swam into my cart with a swish of it's fluke.  I'm loving Homegoods' pillows and I think I may be needing  a 12 step program because I could be boarding on a pillow obsession.  The worst thing or NOT is they are building a Homegoods about 2 blocks from my house and an OSH.  That won't be good or not for my flowers/plant addition.  I guess there could be worse things to be addicted to.  {am I in denial?}

I don't get manicures or pedicures so I think I'm justified.

 

 The mantel also has some fresh flowers in a little blue rimmed enamel pitcher.

  

Sorry for the bad photo, it's hard to block out the light coming in from the window.  This little webbing banner I've used for other seasonal holidays, this time I added the glittered letters to it to spell out 4th of July. 

Have a great and safe 4th of July celebration!  I love my country!  I'm off to decorate an American Flag Cake.

 

 

A Walk Down Memory Lane in the "Hood"...

When we bought our home about 5 years ago we looked at a ton of houses, put a few bids on some and as they say things happen for a reason. I really LOVE my Cottage on Cullen, is it perfect? No but it is perfect for us.  I loved this neighborhood, that was located a block from my girls' middle school, so after I dropped them off in them morning I would grab a cup of  coffee from Starbucks and drive around looking for homes for sale or homes that look like they might be on the market soon due to unfortunate circustances.  As you might of remembered it was the recession and their were a lot of foreclosures, it was a buyers market.  In fact, I think most of all the bids we put in were either short sales or foreclosures {the Cottage on Cullen was one}.

This is what our house looked like when it went up for sale.  Sometimes I feel like we are working at a snails pace getting our cottage looking the way we want and when I'm online looking at folks who are fixing up or renovating I feel, well a little deflated as to how fast others work gussing up their homes and I forget how far we have come.  So taking a step back in time helps me with that mind set. 

 

This is what the Cottage on Cullen's porch looks like today.  We are still putting in plants in the other garden bed {Mr. Incredible's garden}a few weeks ago we added brick to the bottom 1/4 of the stucco part of the house and took out a gutter and repainted the trim and shutters. We need to redo some of the sprinkler heads and add a battery operated system but like I said "snail pace".   But I thought I'd take you on a little stroll down memory land and visit some of the sweet little homes we looked at to buy in this "hood" and another one that went up for sale this week it's a favorite in my neighborhood, it's a 1930's Cape Cod with shingles, go figure, right?

Remember Old Yellow, I think this is the only one I'm saddened we let get away, we waited too long to put a bid on it.  I'm so glad the current owner takes good care of her, clearly she loves to garden and keeps it neat and tidy but I would still add a window box on the dormer.

This one is across the street from Old Yellow and we looked at it but it was in really bad shape, with a room that was not permitted, it did not have the best floor plan inside because of the non-permitted add on.  They really have changed the outside a lot, a Mediterranean style with the wrought iron and wood door, tile walkway and choice of a terracotta paint color. I think they are working at a snails pace too, now I don't feel so bad, but I do give them credit  because this house, I think sat on the market for awhile. 

Ok, now I feel bad, they have been busy bees at this home great looking planter boxes planted with Witches broom and colorful flowers and with a new white fence and new paint. This one we looked at but Mr. Incredible was not up for the challenge, it did need a lot of work. I think they did a fabulous job fixing her up, adding on a master bedroom, with on suite bathroom, laundry room. Their outside paint choices in gray and black with white trim are up to date and fresh. I approve not that it matters, they are not knocking on my door and asking for design help.

Now here is the sweetest, cutest little 1930's shingled Cape Cod that just went on the market. I'm dying to see inside, I already took a peek at it online but I'm hoping they have an Open House soon so I can see it in real life!  That front door with all the windows and sidelights and brick, lots and lots of brick that goes all the way to the back and around into a back patio.

 
Look at that little stainglass window up there...I wonder if that's a bathroom or another tiny quaint room,  I'm so curious.  I may just call the realtor and ask to see the home and pose as a buyer, I just might.

Here is how she looked with the Weeping Willow out front when I was "stalking" homes to buy in our "hood".  

As you can see it has a shade tree on the other side of the property, perfect for a picnic on the grass. Maybe you want to put in a bid and we can be neighbors.  I make a mean Margarita and I'm always up for a glass of wine on my porch if you'd prefer that instead!

 

See an Adirondack chair for me and one for you.  Speaking of neighbors..

This is my neighbor's house down the street. We have the same floor plan and almost identical houses.  He recently painted his home a sage green with black trim, he also added brick to his bottom half of the façade of his home like us.  We are the only two houses that have this brick wall in front of the homes.  It's kind of neat to compare the two homes.

His house is very cute and charming.  I love it when people take care of their homes.  It makes the neighborhood look loved. 

Ok, so that was a little tour down memory lane and walk in the my neighborhood.  I'm off to the BEACH today and tomorrow since the weather is going to be in the 100's and since our Cottage on Cullen has no air well, where else would I be?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their Daddy, My Mr. Incredible

 
This picture was taken in Alabama, where my husband's father lives, Their Papa.  I loved Alabama and took a TON and I mean a TON of pictures so I think my camera shy girl and hubby had enough of me. 

 

I had to get them when they were not looking.  Anywho...this trip was several years ago.   It was not very easy to find just pictures of Mr. Incredible and just the girls..{note to self, take more of them}.

I wanted to say a BIG Thank you to Mr. Incredible, who always puts US first!  He works harder than anyone I know to provide for his family.  Yes, he does! His need are last on the list, give him a cold beer after work and a tasty burrito and he is happy.  I love him and I know I drive him crazy and he drives me crazy too but he is the most loving, husband and father.  Happy Father's Day Daddy!!  Ok, I'm off to light up the BBQ put on the Carne Asada and put the Blue Moon on ice!

 

 

Magnolia Makeover

Are you a Fixer Upper fan? Well, I've been watching Fixer Upper since it came on HGTV  a few seasons back,  yep I'm a big fan of the hit show that stars Jojo and Chip Gaines and their adorable family, they have the cutest kids too, I mean BIG....see this post and this post if your still not convinced.  I love Jojo sense of design style and Chip's silliness, the two of them make quite the renovation team together and it's so refreshing to watch. I have a WHOLE Pinterest board dedicated to just them. I think it's their down to earth personalities that make them so relatable to their audience.  Well, they are in the mist of filming Season 4 and since it's a long time before we can get our Fixer Upper FIX so they are having a Magnolia Makeover contest on their Instagram feed. 

I took these pictures on my ipad this morning and its a very dreary, drizzly day  in So Cal so I'm sorry for the quality of the images.  Since my kitchen really, really, really needs a makeover and I'd love to have a little of Jojo's Makeover Magic touch in my kitchen I'm submitting this Kitchen collage for the challenge.  Magnolia {Joanna and Chips's brick and mortar store} I have on my bucket list to visit in Waco, Texas.  I don't know if I'll ever make it out to Texas in the near future so having a bit of Magnolia Magic sprinkled in my kitchen would be AWESOME!  Go HERE to enter, Jojo will announce the winner on June 15th! What room in your home could use a little Magnolia Makeover Magic? 

Soccer Mom to Flower Designer?

 

About a month ago it was my daughter's Soccer Banquet which she received several awards including League MVP, not an easy feat since there was so much talent in the league this year. She has been playing soccer since she was 5 years old and I can remember at one point after the half she was running in the wrong direction and almost scored for the other team.  She loves the game of soccer {she also has played Volleyball and Softball} but it's the game of soccer who has stolen her heart. She has been a starter since she was a Freshman and captain of both her High School and Club teams.  We are extremely proud of all her athletic accomplishments as well as her academic endeavors, she graduated from high school with a 4.1 G.P.A.

Here she is with all the graduating seniors at the banquet and her coach Brian.  She is moving on to play soccer in college but I'm not sure it will be the same for me as I am her numero uno fan....some people may see me as overly enthusiastic when I cheer her on, I'm quite passionate about the game.  I've rarely missed either her soccer nor her volleyball games in all the years she has been playing.  As she moves on, I'm at a crossroads per say,  my younger daughter has told me she has no desire to try out for volleyball again at either the High School or Club level. Insert sad face so, I'm kind of having a "what the heck am I going to do with myself" moment as of late. I'm very passionate about home décor and have spent the last several years working on household projects in the Cottage on Cullen and honing my style which is Coastal Farmhouse. 

Since the soccer banquet was going to be at the Country Club for the first time ever this year, I thought we better get some flower arrangements on the tables to decorate the place and I do have a passion for flowers too if you haven't noticed. I also put out some tealight candles which adds so much ambiance to a nighttime event. I posted my flower arrangements on instagram and a friend of mine said, "your quite gifted". I'm like, "thanks" and thought, Oh he is being kind to say such things but it got me to thinking about Flower design, am I gifted?.

I mean I had a color palette in mind and they came together quite nicely I thought.  The flowers do all the work, it's not hard they are already so beautiful.  Yellow, white, and green florals popped into country Ball jars looked beautiful on the banquet tables.

You can not go wrong with Trader Joe's flowers, they have so many varieties to choose from? As of late I've been driving by this old flower shop which is for sale or for rent, it so happens to be owned by a friend of mine and I keep thinking...or dreaming or I have my head of my ASS........

                                                         {this is not the Flower shop this image is from pinterest}

...would it not be kind of neat to open up a flower shop?  It would not be any ordinary flower shop because I like to plant in unusual things....like my husband's old work boots...or I like to find not your run-of-the-mill plants,  the ones that are unique.

 The shop would have a lot of old, crusty, moss-covered terracotta pots....

 
I'm sure fairy gardens planted in old enamel pans....or rusty old mop buckets...would be in the shop.

No doubt Hydrangeas would be a staple....in every color but especially in white and blue.

 I'd use lots of old watering cans to keep the flowers in or anything unconventional..

Peonies in the month of May for Mother's Day...

 

Red, white, and blue for the 4th of July...

Cute succulents in pumpkins for the fall...

 

or sweet herbs for your kitchen herb garden...

 

 
and Lavender all year round....I'd love to create unique stakes such as this one I made for my good friends birthday or the gather chalkboard message in the pumpkin above.  There are so many ideas, this are ALL that I have done in the last several years, most have been gifts for friends and hostesses.

I don't know....they say, "it all starts with a dream", and having support....do you think I can get Mr. Incredible behind me? 

 

 

 

 

Bring on Summer, Celebrating with Celebs and World Market!

So much has been going on since my last post of my daughters' Senior Prom , her 18th birthday, her high school graduation, but I was able to squeeze in a fabulous outdoor party hosted by World Market to Celebrate the Outdoors and usher in Summer!

The venue was this darling little 1920's Spanish Colonial where the party was located, steps away from Santa Monica Beach.  This little Spanish coloial has quite the history surrounding it, think John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe {the ron-de-vu villa} and it was once owned by Douglas Fairbanks but today it is owned by a family in Santa Barbara. You know I'm always interested in the history of homes and not only that I was a lucky girl to attend this World Market event with my long time and close friend, T. What could of been better than that? An old home with character and history, tasty food and drinks, designer celebs, T.V. personalities,  and sharing it with my girlfriend, my idea of a perfect day!

There was a little photo prop booth set up right on the beach, what a perfect back drop for pictures.

The weather was great and so was the company.

Yes the awesome designer Sabrina Soto from HGTV, oh my gosh, was she the sweetest thing, so pretty and down to earth.

The talented Mrs. Patmore from Downton Abbey fame, Lesley Nicol {you might of seen her on The Catch recently} What a doll she was! 

Not only I did I get to "hobnob" with T.V. celebs but Blogger Celebs too! 

Cori George from Let's Make Stuff blog and April Liewer from illistyle  were manning the Make Your Own Terrarium station.  So fun to do and mine came out great, perfect for my Cottage on Cullen.

Here is mine and it is now residing on my front porch and looking fabulous!

                                                                         {photo by Cori George}

Everyone got to create one and they could choose from 3 different types of terrarium bases and beachy materials, all unique in their own way.

The "party house" was styled inside and out by two AWESOME  designers, Justina Blakeney , from the blog The Jungalow and Anne Sage. 

Come on in, lets take a look at this fabulous Boho Chic home, these beautiful French doors lead out to the pool area and behind that is the Santa Monica beach.

This is just to the right, oh I could see myself sipping a glass of Sangria looking at the beautiful and tranquil Pacific Ocean.

This couch sits behind the chair and ottoman and this family room is opened up to the kitchen and optimized for social interaction and conversation.

Of course I loved all the white slipcovered sofas and chairs, very beachy with a splash of  boho chic. Even the dining room table was all decked out and decorated for summer. Let's go check it out, shall we?

                                                                  {photo by Michelle Stewart}

 
Michelle Stewart from the blog Michelle's Party Plan it did and awesome job styling the table, not only was the beach house décor calling my name so was all the yummy appetizers and desserts.

All this tastiness was from World Market and all sooo delish.  I had to sample quite a few of the desserts.  Would you just stop at one?

 

Loving the wood sailboat, the buoy, the hurricane holder wrapped in jute with a white candle nesting in sand all surrounding the rustic crate with a white ceramic octopus to stand guard over the bites.  Love it!

Look at this pool, the Spanish tile was so pretty!  I didn't want to go...but I suppose all good things must come to an end.

 

                                                                 {photo by Michael Kovac/ Getty Images}