Home…be Inspired

10 Must Haves for a Boho Chic Bedroom from World Market

This post was sponsored by Cost Plus World Market  but all opinions are 100% my own.  #sponsered #worldmarkettribe

 My daughter's Bohemian Chic room is coming together quite nicely and it has a mixture of things I've shopped our home for and décor we went shopping for.   You might of remembered a few posts back I created a dream Bohemian Chic board to visualize the direction we are headed to take her bedroom from Hawaiian to Bohemian.  The room started with a few key pieces; my chippy, Jenny-Lind, childhood bed, my family's desk from my home {that was already in her room but has been painted several times, it's such a sturdy well built piece of furniture} and the button chair my neighbor gave us was the basis of our Boho refresh. The Bohemian Style is very popular right now with young and old alike whether it be in fashion or crossing over into the home décor world. I know I have quite a few pieces in my wardrobe that are Bohemian style, my scalloped sandals I got last spring, as well as my peasant patterned paisley dress and lots of embroidered tops keep popping up in my closet. They are bright and colorful and have a handmade quality about them. Many time fashion crosses over into home décor and vise versa.

In home décor think unique and exotic fabrics, disheveled throws, an abundance of cacti or succulents, a few sentimental keepsakes, knickknacks, and handmade collectibles lovingly layered to create a worldly space. The Bohemian style is a layered, textural, patterned look that takes you to the 70's decade  and  has quite a few collections from Cost Plus World Market that will give you that Boho Chic Vibe.

Here are just a few key pieces from The Nomad Collection of the 10 Must haves from World Market to create a Boho Vibe in your bedroom or living space.

        Shop this Bohemian Chic Look

1.} Wooden accented mirror, one or a collection of many  mirrors either a carved wooden one or one of the many gilded golden ones such as this Antique Sunburst Mirror, I love it's aged gold patina.

2.} Patterns,  this Cute as a Button Chair provides lots of texture in it's linen fabric as well as the different and colorful patterns on the tufted buttons. This chair is so comfortable and sometimes when I'm sitting in my daughter's room and she is on the bed on her phone or sitting at her desk doing homework it give me a place to sit and chat.  We LOVE this chair!

3.} Textures, this colorful and nubby Multi-colored Chindi Throw Pillow just screams Bohemian style, it adds a lot of colorful and textural pizazz.

4.} Metallics, using Gold, or Copper or something that is made out of metal like the teal blue Arianna Filigree Lantern , the pierced metal throws light around the rom and I'm digging the teal blue color.

5.} Layers with different textural looks comes into play with this Overstuffed Mongolian Faux Fur Pillow in Ivory yep, and quite cozy too!

6.} Handwoven art piece, either a macramé plant hanger or using this Macrame Runner and putting it up on the wall will make a major Bohemian Statement on the room.

7.} Bling, a touch of gold or copper with this stacked Audrey Lamp will add much needed light on the desk and the golden color add a bit of bling.  

8.} Natural pieces like baskets or several baskets to contain plants, every Bohemian space needs some kind of greenery, usually  succulents, cacti or even something like the Spider plant that was so popular in the 70's would fit the bill and the Natural Hyacinth Baskets would be perfect for that.

9.} Multi-tonal prints, think patterned scarves in different prints as is in this warm, multi-colored Pink Suti Pouf which can have several uses, as a place to rest your feet or put a tray on it and it's a side table.

10.} Rugs, and last but certainly not least is the Boho Kilim Rug , it ties all the colors together and grounds the room.

When I think of Bohemian style there is one in particular blogger that always comes to mind.  Justina Blakeney from The Jungalow Blog, she is redoing the cutest little Bungalow with a ton of character and Bohemian Pizazz..she is one creative individual, do check her BLOG out.  Her home is eye candy for the Bohemian Eye. Here is a little video where Justina's personality shines....she is such a bubbly personality with a ton of creativity and energy.

 

 Are you diggin' Boho Chic style? Well hold on to your macramé, Cost Plus World Market is having a Refresh that Global Space Sweepstakes!! 

 That's right you "wanna be hippies" you could win a GRAND PRIZE Package of a $5,000.00 Shopping Spree from Cost Plus World Market AND a design consultation with Celebrity Designer Nicole Curtis from HGTV's Rehab Attic Fame or Three { 3 } first prize winners could win a $1,000 Cost Plus World Market gift card,   ENTER HERE to win a chance to win one of those Refresh Your Space prizes.  Hurry up the Sweepstakes ends September 30, 2016.  GOOD LUCK Global Peeps! 

 

 

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Movie and The First Best Curried Chicken with Vegetables Recipe

Yes, I know that Post Title is a MOUTHFUL!!

Don't you just love the exotic flavors from India?  Well, I have an Indian Dish for you that is so flavorful, it uses lots of different spices that your family will be begging you to make for them on a regular basis.  It's been in my recipe repertoire for as long as I can remember and I decided to pull it out and share it with you in honor of the release of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a Movie that takes place in India and World Market has a Sweepstakes for a Trip for two to the exotic country of India and much, much more....I'll tell  you about the sweepstakes at the end of this post so stick around. 

 First up is setting up the mood for my Indian Dish. I wanted to set my table with décor from India  and I found some colorful and beautiful items at my local Cost Plus World Market in their worldly decor department. 

 I loved these hand painted plates with the elephants on them.  They have a few different variations of this design. Did you know that the elephant is a symbol of good luck in the Indian culture?  Yep, it sure is.  You won't need any wishes of good luck with this recipe it is sooo  good and won't fail you, that's why it's the "FIRST BEST" Curried Chicken with Veggies Recipe.  But before I get into the nitty gritty of this tasty recipe I wanted to share this colorful table place setting with you. I fell in love with so many things at World Market it was hard to choose. 

Under the elephant plate I used clear glass plates as a charger but World Market has many different types of chargers to choose from I saw some cute rattan ones and some in different shades of metallic which I was leaning towards but ended with the clear ones.  I also added the aqua and green with a crocheted raspberry-colored rose napkin to pick up the blue and green in the plate and candles.  I added the teal and gold tea glasses  that I used as votive holders for a touch of glimmer and shimmer to the table.  The paisley battery-operated candles are from World Market, but I got them a few summers ago. I decided to use them because their colors went so well with the elephant plates and the napkins.

Aren't these "votive holders" very elegant?  I thought they looked very regal in teal with the gold.  When I think of Indian Style décor I always think of the use of bright happy colors {reds, yellows, oranges and blues}  with rich textures, a bit of shimmer and shine just sort of like their food. Indian food is know for the use of exotic spices and layers of flavors in their cuisine , such as curry and ginger and a bit of heat. Without further ado....I give you.....

~~~~~ The  "First Best" Curried Chicken with Veggies and Apples~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 World Market carries many International Foods that they curate from around the globe and are unique to the store.  It's a culinary adventure when I'm browsing the many items they have, things that you can't find anywhere else.  I picked up most of my ingredients from there to make this delish dish. 

Ingredients:

 ~1/2 cup of honey {El Brazal Spanish Honey

~1/4 cup of prepared mustard {Maille Dijon Mustard}

~1/4 cup butter or margarine

~2 tablespoons of finely chopped onion

~2 tablespoons water

~1 clove of garlic

~2 teaspoons of Natco Madras Curry Powder

~1 teaspoon of salt

~1/4 teaspoon World Market Crushed Red Pepper

~1/4 teaspoon World Market Ground Ginger

~1  2 1/2 to 3 lb. broiler-fryer chicken

~cooking oil or butter

~2 large potatoes, peeled and quartered, or 8 new potatoes

~6 medium carrots, bias sliced into 1/2 pieces

~2 medium apples, cored and cut into wedges

~World Market Baking Bag

Here is what your going to do..........First things first preheat oven to 375 degrees....

 

 
 In small saucepan combine the first ten ingredients.  Bring to  a boil, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, set aside.  Just look at all those spices and flavors combining with a bit of heat.

 Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towel, skewer neck skin to back. Tie legs to tail, twist wing tips under back.  Place chicken, breast-side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.  Brush skin with cooking oil or melted butter.  During roasting, remove excess fat.  Insert a meat thermomoter, roast chicken uncovered in oven for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

 Meanwhile in a covered saucepan cook potatoes and carrots in boiling salted water for 20-25 minutes or until nearly tender, drain.  the last 20 minutes of roasting time, discard any fat in roasting pan from chicken. 

When the chicken is looking a nice even brown color.....

Arrange vegetables and the uncooked apples around poultry in pan.  Spoon honey mixture over chicken, veggies and apples.  Roast 20 minutes longer or until meat thermomoter registers 185 degrees.  Baste occasionally with honey mixture during roasting and again just before serving. Arrange chicken, vegetables and apples on serving platter.

   I used this white beaded baking dish, it was the perfect size and held all the yummy sauce. 

Here is a breakdown of all the World Market  items I used for this Indian Table Setting...as inspired by the Exotic Local of India....

~Nomad Dinnerware Collection {The elephant plates}

~Moderno Dinnerware Collection {The clear plates}

~Aqua Crochet Pink Flower Napkin 

~Morrocan Tea Glassess in teal {which I used as votive holders}

~Beaded Bake-ware

Like I said, this post was Inspired by the new release of the movie The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel which is a sequel to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel which was released in May 2012 .  It has an all star cast including one of my favorite actors Richard Gere.

 Here is a little synopsis of what the movie is all about...

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel), and it’s making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tina Desai). Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy – posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig). Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy) have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge (Celia Imrie) juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors. Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel (Maggie Smith), the keeper of everyone’s secrets. As the demands of a traditional Indian wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself.

To enter the World Market's Best Exotic Marigold Sweepstakes go HERE.  The winner of this EPIC sweepstakes will win a trip for TWO to India, a year's worth of movies for two, a $1,000 dollar gift card to World Market. Also 3 First prizes winners will receive a $500.00 World Market Gift Card.   

 If your the lucky winner you can pick up some ingredients to make you own Indian Style meal or add a "little Indian décor" to your home.  But hurry up the deadline to enter is March 27, 2015. You could always add a little elephant to your home for some Good Luck! 

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

 

HGTV Dream Home 2015, You can MOVE to Martha's Vineyard

It is no secret that I love Cottages by the Sea, I mean who in their right mind would not want to live in a little shingled cottage near the ocean?  

To wake up listening to the crashing waves on the beach sings to my heart.  I've lived on the beach on and off during my life.  When I first moved out of my parents' home and went to school in San Diego I rented an apartment in Ocean Beach, when I got kicked out of San Diego State transferred to the University of Hawai'i I lived in many more cottages near the water.  When I moved back to Southern California where I  currently live, I'm not exactly living by the shore but inland about 30 minutes from the Sea.  I  get there as much as I can when time allows, but wouldn't it be a DREAM to win a BEACHY Home near the Sea, in Martha's Vineyard to boot? Now I know this is not a "little shingled cottage" by the sea but.....It's a beautiful home none the less.

Yes please I'll take one of those anyone will do. I've been to the East Coast about 16 years ago to the little beach town of Lewes Beach in Delaware, it is on my Bucket List to visit Martha's Vineyard but OWNING a home there...well, I' would just die. If you too would love to win go HERE ,you can enterfor a chance to win the HGTV DREAM HOME...Let's take a peek, shall we?

This is the entrance to the Dream Home...well manicured lawn and slate walkway with a few window boxes. 

Going around the back or the side, not sure which. I spy a cupola on the top, boy oh boy I'd love a cupola on my house or garage. 

Nice little sun patio to soak up the rays...or watch the sunrise drinking coffee.  It looks like it's off the Master bedroom...

Looks like the back-side of this beautiful home most likely off the kitchen, with another beautiful patio covered in slate tiles and comfy chairs in teak.

Every house in my book with window boxes gives the HOME A plus curb appeal...

Every house with dormers makes my heart swoon......but I'd add some window boxes up there too!  One can never have too many window boxes spilling over with flowers.

Aren't those lanterns unique, I've never seen those with the old oil type lanterns in them.  My mother used to have a collection of those.  That pop of turquoise on the teak chairs adds a bit of coastal color.  I can see me sitting outside with my glass of wine with some good friends, Hi Giada!  Sure you can whip up a feast of Fresh SEA Food in my kitchen....Come on over.

Check out that door...  but it needs to be a Dutch Door....which would of been easy to cut that sucker in half.

Here is the family room...a bit too much Big Box store designer for me, I like a little more collected over time look or more of a rustic look than one where you can just go to Pottery Barn of Crate and Barrel and just buy it....but I do love those windows...

I love the built-ins around the fireplace.

Now I'm diggin' that sea lantern on the rustic pillar, that's what I'm talkin' bout Willis...

Here is the kitchen, I like the use of dark butcher block, very nautical and perfect for a home by the Sea.  It's says Ahoy Matey!

Looking out of the back door and onto the back patio we see how they mixed the countertop materials the Carrera and the butcher block.  I go back and forth between wanting both in my home but my kitchen is so small I'd have to pick one or the other.

LOVING that anchor marquee in the Master bedroom, go HERE to get your own. Lighted up symbols and letters are all very trendy right now. Kenzie got a capital M for her room, it is the Heidi Swapp one where you can decorate it with colorful papers and glitter.  World Market has quite a few choices in their store too.  But I have to say the galvanized Anchor pulls at my heart strings.

Here is the master bath.  Wow is it huge.  I love the robins's egg blue tufted ottoman.  The jute rug in here makes it less sterile.  I also love how they added a pop of color, turquoise on the ceiling. 

Here is another smaller bathroom with more nods to Nautical style with the soap dispenser and other elements.  What do you think of the navy and orange color combo? Looks like the floor plan in our bathroom and some elements like the beadboard and the Carrera marble top.  I like how the beadboard goes all the way to the top and the mix of textures in here, the light, the cabinet pulls with a bit of wood thrown in.

Even the floor looks very similar to mine, they used squares and ours is a rectangle. 

Another bathroom probably a guest bathroom.  There is that floor again....

Yep, they used the same tile in the laundry room.  Love the dark butcher block over the washer and dryer.  The dark gray paint is another color I've been drawn too as of late.  The mix of textures with the wire basket and seagrass basket adds lots of interest.  A little bit coastal, a little bit farmhouse...because you know I consider my style Coastal Farmhouse....

I liked this house didn't love EVERYTHING about it but If I WON I would take it in a heart beat but I'd definitely use more rustic and vintage pieces in the décor...more Farmhousey....is that a word?   

GO HERE to enter to win the HGTV Dream house on Martha's Vineyard.

This is NOT a sponsored post...

 

How to make Mason Jar Cookies and the Cutest Cookie Jar ever!

If you've been reading my blog for awhile you know I love Mason Ball Jars,  I have quite a hoarder obession with them, I have Mason Jar wine glassess, I have mason jar drinking glassess, I have  new vibrant aqua ball jars, I have them with handles as well as my beloved  collection of antique ones, that I got at a garage sale years ago.  Those tend to move around to different places in the Cottage on Cullen.  I even ordered a Scentsy Mason Ball Jar.  "My name is Gabrielle and I am addicted to Ball Jars." My antique ones are residing here in the newly painted built-in bookcase.

This time last year they had a prominant spot on the farmhouse table.

Ok...so it's no big secret I love them... when I saw this adorable Mason Cookie Jar  and the mason jar cookie cutter at World Market, I was over the moon excited.  I bought the cookie cutter a few months back and had no idea what I'd use it for.   I've pinned a million ideas on my Pinterest boards using  Mason Ball Jars. When we got new neighbors moving in across the street last month I knew exactly what I'd use that cookie cutter for.  I created a tag with the saying "Hope you have a BALL in your new home" and the year signifies the year they moved in, if they want to keep it as a keepsake.   When you look at the original ball jars they have the date the company started on them. 

I got these cute little tags from Williams-Sonoma which they don't carry anymore, but Michaels has some cute stamps that you could use instead and you could change the colors to suit your color theme.  I used type my saying in my Word Program and used removeable glue dots on the back of the tag and ran it through my printer. I used this font from da font called Brannboll, which was a close match.

My Kitchen-aid mixer has been working hard this last year since I got it last Christmas!!  I use it all the time.  Thank you Family.  If you want to hear a funny story about the first time I tried to get one go HERE.  Anywho...on to the Mason Jar cookies.....This recipe IS the BEST sugar cookie recipe ever!!  Really...I've been making sugar cookies since I was a little girl with my Mama, we made them every year at Christmas time and now I make them every year with my daughters. 

 In your mixer with a flat beater, beat  1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter that is at room temperature for about 2 minutes on high.  Reduce speed to medium and slowly add 1 cup of sifted powdered sugar until all is mixed in.  Add 1 large egg and 1 1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract from World Market and beat for l minute. Sift together 2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. .  Stop the mixer and add half the flour beat at low speed until flour is absorbed.  Add the remaining flour until flour pulls away from sides of bowl about 2 minutes.

Turn dough unto a work surface and divide into two equal balls and wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.  Remove from wrap and let sit for 5 minutes.

On lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a thickness of 3/16 to 1/4.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees, line baking sheets with parchment, World Market has a variety of prints to choose from that match the seasons, I used my green gingham from Easter time.  Bake cookies for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

The trick is to make sure they all have the same thickness so they cook evenly and don't over bake them. Or they will be hard and not soft and that's how we like them soft, not crispy.  Take them off the cookie sheet and let them cool on a cooling rack.  Cookies need to be completely cooled before you start frosting them.

This is the first time we  outlined and flooded our cookies. Go here for a great tutorial on how to make royal icing and how to flood your cookies or here is another great video I saw online but I used the first link for my icing recipe.  To achieve the the Aqua Blue jar color we used Wilton's Sky Blue icing color, they are a concentrated form and a little goes along way.  For the gray lid we used Ivory Icing and a touch of black.

Once all the cookies are outlined, flooded and dry.  We {my daughter and I} freehanded the Ball Jar logo on them. 

After adding the details we added a pearly silver sugar mix that we painted on. It addsed a bit of  shimmer the cookie lid.  You mix a tiny bit of Vodka or you can use almond extract if you want..I happened to have some Vodka on hand so we used that.  You only need a small amount I made a Russian mule Cocktail with the rest {only kidding it was only 10 am but I'm sure it was 5 o'clock somewhere}.

When they were all ready, we wrapped them indivdually in chocolate brown tissue and loaded them into the cookie jar.

We added  to the jar; their very own mason jar cookie cutter, the mason jar teaspoons, a World Market Gift Card and tied it with a chocolate ribbon with a burlap sunflower with the cute little ball jar tag.

My new neighbors were very happy and surprised with their gift, as you can see she is pregnant with twin girls and has the cutest one year old little boy. 

I was challenged by World Market to "Share the Joy" to honor one deserving family or individual and I choose this family because I wanted to show my hospitality and a welcome to the "hood" gift. My new neighbors also happen to be teachers and as a teacher myself I know how much goes into teaching.  Welcome New Neighbors, Glad you are here and I'm hoping to build a great Neighborly friendship with you...Hope you like Vodka!  {well, actually I'm a wine drinker so I hope you like wine!}

Tis' the Season....my Top Ten Hostess Gifts from World Market

Now that Halloween has come and gone, tis' the season for family get togethers, holiday parties and merriment.  Get your FAT pants ready!  In the Cottage on Cullen we usually spend our Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day at my husbands' uncles house and Christmas Eve is spent going to a good friends Holiday Open House.  So I need to get "the hostess with the mostess" gifts ready and to the rescue is my local World Market. If you haven't been there lately,  there is so much to choose from, I had a hard time narrowing my Top 10 Hostess with the Mostess Must Haves, so I paired them up for a couple of them. 

 

   #1  Santa Pants  filled with favorite wines from World Market.  Most of my friends are     Wine drinkers, I guess they wouldn't be my friends if they didn't.

   #2 Chalkboard {slate} Cheese board with cheese spreaders that have the cutest hand-stamped    saying,"Lay it on thick." Don't mind if I do. 

   #3 Amelie {enamel} cake stands in Holiday Red....I have some in white and I love and use mine all the time!  Great gift for the hostess to display the sweet and savory foods at the party.

   #4 This embossed Merry and Bright cookie jar...oh yes!  This is so cute and I will be getting a few of them for my hostess gifts and I'll pair it with Broguierre's Egg Nog, a local dairly in my neck of the woods and the Egg Nog is toooo die for.

   #5 After all the guests are gone every Hostess needs a soak in the tub and to relax those tootsies after prepping for the party and serving their guests, pamper her with this pamper your tootsie kit. I for one love to soak my feet and put on my cozy, cushy socks. 

   #6 Love love, love this Copper Mule cup  and Ginger Beer,  you add the Vodka, lime and ice .  When I was in Santa Barbara this past summer, my besties  had this drink and I fell in LOVE with this copper cup and the drink was so tasty.  The Moscow Mule is all the rage this season as well as this colored metal.  

 #7 These Vintage Santa Coasters with World Market wine glassess.  I love their vintage images!

 #8 Are you planning an Ugly Sweater Party?  Well this Cocoa Set with Peppermint stirring spoons would be perfect to have at your hot cocoa bar. 

    #9 This Wooden Pie Box with the prettiest turkey napkins.  Fill it with your homemade pie or  pick one up at your local bakery. 

  #10 This Italian Holiday Cake is packaged in a vintage hat box  with the the hand stamped servers that say, "Eat, Drink and be Merry and You take the Cake"...so perfect for that work party or your family celebration.

My peeps this is not it!  World Market has a great opportunity for you...since it's the season of gift giving,  World Market is challenging you to give back to your community. For example; food for the needy, toys for tots, gifts for teachers, firemen, police officers, service men and women, coaches or mentors. Instagram your photo of you doing your share the joy challenge, share it on your social networks include the hashtag #ShareTheJoy_WM and you could win a World Market $50.00 gift card daily and be entered with a chance to win a $500.00 gift card and another $500.00 donation to your Charity of your choice...Enter here but hurry up it end November 21, Good Luck!

 I am a World Market Ambassador and all opinions are 100% my own.  I have been compensated for my Blog post but I've been a fan of World Market for many years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I

 

 

Remembering A Particular Loved One and A Book of Life Sweepstakes

The table is set....

the decorations are placed...

the Machaca is made.....

the dessert is baked and decorated.

In a few weeks on November 1st to be exact, many families of Mexican Heritage will be setting up altars or using the day to remember their loved ones who have passed on.  This day is two-fold for me as this is also the birthday of my beloved Mother, Dora Cota Beltran Tucker.  She was an extraordinary lady who was funny and taught me so much.  Many things I do are because of her, I get my love of cooking and decorating from her, she was the Mexican Martha Stewart.  She could of wrote the book on country living, she did country living before it went mainstream.   Today I share with you a little bit of both, the love of cooking and the love of decorating that lives through me in memory of my Mother. 

Last year when I saw these sugar skull nampkins  at World Market I fell in love with them.  I was not sure what I was going to do with them but I think they make a great banner for my hutch. I added some orange Marigolds from Trader's Joes to tie in with the orange ribbon I hot glued to the back of the skull nampkins.  I brought out my glittered skull and cauldron full of glittered mini-skulls to set the mood for the celebration. You can read here if you would like to know more about this celebration or read here to read a bit more and to read a true story about a real skull that ended up in our possesion. Here is last years Roger's Gardens  Fall Decor and the Dia De Los Muertos Room.

Continuing with the "Dia de los Muertos" theme...I set our farmhouse table with the skull candles I made last year and added the the bleeding black skull from World Market and some plates I picked up at Michaels on clearance.  Of course I have to have my white pumpkins to the tablescape....

Right now you can get all their Halloween Stuff for 50% off!!  They have a great selection of Halloween items as well as Food and Drinks to celebrate the season. I'm loving my skull turned planter I got atWorld Market, you can use it as a candy dish or do the planter idea. I  first saw this idea on Pinterest and I had to recreate it. The open skull at World Market is the perfect succulent planter. 

Now on to  my Mother's Machaca recipe, it is a family favorite and it is one that my Mother made all the time for our family, especially if we had guests.  Everyone always asked her to make it and my family LOVES it too.  Without further ado....  Abuelita's Machaca

These are the basic ingredients; Flank Steak, 2 bell peppers, garlic, 2 serrano peppers or 1 anaheim, 1 onion, salt, pepper, oregano, garlic salt and a can of tomatoes.  I was able to pick up my spices at World Market, they have a great selection of spices from across the globe. 

First you cut the galic in slivers then score the meat and insert the garlic in the scored meat.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper and oregano on both sides.  Put in oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until each side is browned. Let cool.  Once cool shred the meat put into a skillet with oil and saute with sliced onion.  Once onion is tender add the peppers, tomatoes, garlic salt, pepper, oregano, ketchup.  Lower the heat to low, cover and let cook for 1 hour. 

Put in a warm tortilla, roll up and devour...serve with Spanish Rice and a salad or beans.  It actually tastes better the next day when all the spices meld together.  

Now on to the dessert....while browsing the isles at World Market...I found a great selection to enhance my theme, El Dia de los Muertos.  Starting with the Mam Papauls Red Velvet cake mix it includes the frosting too.  The black and white skull cupcake liners were a perfect fit for the graveyard cupcakes.  When I came across the Amsterdam Cookies I thought they would make the perfect tombstones. I added a few candy bones I had on hand.

The shape of these shortbreads looked like the shape of headstones to me, so I melted the Ghirardelli melting wafers in white and smeared the icing on the wafers. When they were cooled I used a writer pen to write R.I.P. on them and sprinkled them with silver sparkling sugar . Stuck them in the cupcakes and added the bones.

I had some plastic tombstones that I've had forever and put a couple of those on top of a few of the cupcakes.  I spinkled them with some green spinkles to look a little like grass.  I think they turned out pretty darn spooky-cute.

Not only were they spooky-cute  they were tasty too!  Not too sweet but just the right amount of sweetness, the girls gave them a two thumbs up.  Now here is another thing that is pretty sweet!  A chance to win a trip to the Rivera Maya  from World Market and inconjunction with the release of the movie The Book of Life,  click on the link to enter the  Book of Life Sweepstakes.  Good Luck!

The Book of Life opened last night in theatres.  It stars the voices of Channing Tatum (hubba, hubba), Zoe Saldana, Diego Luna, Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin, Directed by Jorge Gutierrez (El Tigre, Mad TV) and produced by Guillermo Del Toro (Puss in Boots, Kung Fu Panda, Pan’s Labyrith, he also did Mama)

It is an animated movie of a Romeo and Juliet-inspired love story set during a Day of the Dead celebration: Manolo (Channing) is a young matador who wants to shed the expectations of his family to follow his dreams of being a musician and his best friend, Joaquin (Diego), is the successful pride of the town. They compete for the heart of Maria (Zoe). In order to win Maria’s heart and save her life, Manolo must face his greatest fears and follow his heart to rewrite his destiny.

 

I'm a World Market Ambassador and one of my fellow Ambassadors posted the cutest " Book of Life" cupcakes and I had to share.  This girl has a real talent.  Just look at this "Dia de Los Muertos" cupcakes...

 

 You can go here to see Lynlee's whole post.  I loved every bit it.  Don't forget to enter the "Book of Life Sweepstakes". 

 

I am a World Market Ambassador and I am compensated for my post but all opinions are my own.

 

 

Ready for my Dia de los Muertos Post

Getting all my prep done for my Dia de los Muertos post...

There will be a bit of crafing, baking, cooking, gardening, decorating, and sharing of a very special family recipe. Stay tuned......if you would like to know what the celebration of El Dia de los Muertos you can go here or you can go here to see in whose honor I'll be sharing this family favorite recipe that you'll not want to miss. Not only that a special sweepstakes is involved. 

Bonjour and Namaste!

 Today is the day for the release of the new Disney Movie called The 100-Foot Journey.  I'm so excited to see it, as I'm a part-time foodie and a full-time romantic!  Here is the trailer and see for yourself, it stars Helen Mirren, love her!  It is produced by Steven Speilberg and Oprah Winfrey, love them too!  Great people behind this movie so it is a must see in my book.

 In celebration of The 100-Foot Journey release, World Market has partenered up with two Celebrity Chefs who have created some special recipes just in time...

First we have Ryan Scott of Food Rush fame who has created some mouth-watering  French recipes...

~ Berry-Ricotta Crepe Layer Cake

~Chicken Roulade Provencale with Whole-Grain Mustard Bearnaise

~Orange-Chocolate Almond-Nougat Champagne Trifle

 

Then Aarti Sequeira from Aarti Party has prepared some spicy and tasty Indian Cuisine

~Masala Moules Frites

~Channa Masala Hummus

~Chai Coconut Ice Cream with Curry-Chocolate & Ginger Snap Ripple

I'd have to say that the Chicken Roulade Provencale with Whole-Grain Mustard Bearnaise would be a favorite of mine to try....here is a closer look...

Chicken, dijon mustard and provolone cheese all my favorites..

 and the Chai Coconut Ice Cream with Curry-Chocolate & Ginger Snap Ripple, delish!

You can find all the culinary masterpieces here....Now that is NOT all people, nope!!  Not only can you get some great recipes you can also enter A Gourmet Getaway Sweepstakes and win a trip to Paris for two on Delta Vacations®
• Dinner at the Eiffel Tower and Cruise
• City excursions
• One day private cooking class at Le Cordon Bleu Paris
• $1,000 World Market gift card

• Plus, 3 First Prizes: $500 World Market gift card

Enter Here for a chance to win this wonderful Gourmet Getaway Sweepstakes

 

Good Luck to you!!  See you at the movies or in the kitchen! 

I am a World Market Ambassador and this is sponsored post by Cost Plus World Market, but all opinions are my own. 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

Curried Chicken and Vegetables and Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Spruce Up Your Space Sweepstakes

Spring Tablescape and Carrot Cupcakes Recipe

 Spring is one of my favorite seasons to decorate in my home.  I don't know if it's the"nesting" decor of birds and eggs that has me excited or if it is the promise of warmer days ahead working in the garden.  This time of the year my "green thumb" gets itchy and I love to browse the garden nurseries and shop for fresh colorful plants to start refreshing the plants in my garden and this tablescape has a garden planting element to it! Gotta love that!

This year I went with a Robin's Egg Blue and Orchid Purple Color theme, you might of remembered this tablescape from last year. 

When I saw these napkins, the greenish-blue with a touch of orchid I thought they would be a perfect compliment to my Robin's Egg Blue plates. I layered my crisp white linens on top {that were handed down from my mother} as was the antique silverware that was my Grandmothers{which is very special to me because it is the only thing I have of hers}.  The rattan chargers and the beaded white plates are from my local World Market.

A few years back I saw an idea in one of the shelter magazines with cute little plants planted in egg shells  and I've always wanted to do that.  I thought here is my chance to do it!  What is so great about this tablescape is that when you are finished with the plants in the shells you simply plant them in the ground, egg shell and all!  I was looking for some mini-african violets at my local nursery but they didn't have any, so I went with succulents and you know I have a thang for succulents!  I love how they have a tinge of purple at the edge.  Don't they look cute in my turqoise-glass, blue-beaded egg cup?  Guess where I got those cuties?  Yep World Market!  

I also got these white chocolate bunnies {I love white bunnies} and mini moss baskets there .  The turqouise marshmallow eggs came from Williams-Sonoma. 

Here is another picture of them on the plate, you can see how adorable they are.  Now we LOVE our sweets in our house so having White Chocolate bunnies and marshmallow eggs are not enough so I made my Carrot Cake Recipe but instead of making a Carrot Cake with a Nest, this year I decided to change it up and make Carrot Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate shavings and Marshmallow eggs. 

This recipe it so very moist.....I've been using it for years! 

 The cupcakes came out perfect and look so pretty on the Scalloped Cake Stands from World Market! 

Usually I use Chow Mein noodles to make my nests but this year I thought I'd change it up and use chocolate shavings instead...and I think they give it a more delicate quality to the nest and I also like a dark colored nest as in this cake with truffle eggs I made a few years ago. 

 Here are most of the ingredients I used to create the Carrot Cupcakes with Chocolate Nest.  I used the Divine Chocolate that I got from World Market, as well as the cupcake liners.  As you can see I have their white ceramic measuring cups and I picked up the measuring spoons that looks very antique in pewter.  I also bought some serving pieces to use when we sit down to our Easter Dinner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Carrrot Cupcakes with Nest~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ingredients: 2 cups of sifted flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 2 teaspoons of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 3 cups of grated carrots {this is the hardest part of the recipe but it is soooo worth it!}  1 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple {drained} 2 cups of sugar, 2 cubes of soft butter {1 cup}, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup of chopped nuts.

Directions:  Sift dry ingredients together, set aside. 

 .

 Mix sugar and butter well in mixer, add eggs.  Mix in pineapple then add dry ingredients. Stir in carrots and nuts.  Pour into cupcake liners {find cute ones in green gingham at World Market} to the top of liner. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Check with a poker to see if it comes out clean, do not over bake.  When cool frost with cream cheese frosting and chocolate shavings and eggs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Cream Cheese Frosting~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 cube {1/2 cup} of unsalted butter, softened

2 teaspoons of vanilla

1 box of powdered sugar.

Mix well in an electric mixer and then frost cool cupcakes.  Shave the bar of Divine Chocolate either in dark chocloate or milk chocolate and sprinke on top, add a Robins Egg to the top.  Simply Divine!! 

Discloser:  You can find many of these products at World Market.  I am a World Market Amabassador and I am compensated for their products in Gift Cards.  All my opinions are my own and I have been a fan of their products for as long as I can remember for this reason I chose to become an Ambassdor.  I believe in their products.

Now here is your chance to enter the Hop it Forward Sweepstakes at World Market!

Wouldn't you love to win a $2,000 dollar gift card to World Market and a years' supply of Divine Chocolate?  All you have to do is spread random acts of hopiness {kindness} and post it to the World Market website.  It's that easy.

Here are the sources for my tablescape....

Kooboo Chairs from World Market

Farmhouse Table made by my Friend Marty

Rattan Chargers from World Market

Robins Egg Blue plates from Homegoods

White beaded salad plate from World Market

Turqoise Beaded egg cup from World Market

Succulents from my local nursery

Greenish-blue floral napkins from World Market

White lacy napkins, handed down from my Mother

Napkin rings , can't remember.

Antique silverware handed down from my Mother

Turqoise Tumblers,  a gift from a good friend

Striped straws from World Market

Daisy lids from Target in the dollar section

Cake Stands from World Market

Flower Pitcher from Southern Living

Flowers from Trader Joes

Candelier from Southern Living

Silverware handed down from Grandmother

Hope you are enjoying your Springtime I sure am!  Looking forward to planting some Lilly of the Valley in our backyard garden bed and a veggie garden! 

 

 

Related articles

The BEST Carrot Cake with Truffle Eggs

Tony's Top Tips to Serving the Perfect Easter Brunch

Lindt Easter Bunny Carrot Cupcakes