[DESIGN] pantone color of the year 2014

Having just returned from the Las Vegas Market - a furniture and home accessories show - my head is full of inspiration and ideas just waiting for the perfect client. :)

If you follow design + fashion trends this is likely not news to you...

The Pantone Color of the Year 2014 is Radiant Orchid 18-3224.

I have definitely seen evidence of this recently. What are you thoughts? Are you planning to incorporate this in to you home or wardrobe? I have to admit, it took me a minute but I do like the color. If I stumble across the right item...Radiant Orchid just might appear in my home ;)

(image source: Pantone)

Go here to check of some more color trends for spring 2014 :)

[FROM MY KITCHEN] don't just pin it...try it! 2.0

On the weekend we tried another Pintrest recipe. I made beef pepper steak for my husband and parents after I put them all to work hanging lights, installing a TV bracket and ironing. ;)

Here are the links:

The Pin: Beef Pepper Steak
The Source: Omaha Steaks

Out of the blue one day last week I got a craving for beef pepper steak something I had not had in YEARS! I chose this one because it looked easy...other then beef + veggies there was only one other ingredient...italian dressing. Seemed odd so I gave it a try. I followed the recipe to a T other then I didn't use "Omaha Steaks". ;)

The Consensus: The italian dressing as a marinade for the beef was good - it had a bit of a tang to it. It seemed to lack in the "sauce" department. I felt like it could have used something more for flavor. If I was to make it again I would get creative and add something for a bit of a kick.

(image source: Omaha Steaks)

Do you have a great beef pepper steak recipe? Care to share?

Enjoy the rest of your week! 

[FROM MY KITCHEN] don't just pin it...try it! 1.0

I am crazy about Pintrest! It has changed the way I look for recipes and inspiration however I tend to "pin" more then actually "try" :( My solution for this problem...over the next 12 weeks I am going to pick one of those recipes and actually give it a try!

Here we go!

The Pin: Pumpkin Fettuccine with Sage
The Source: Camille Styles

I originally pinned this pasta dish because it looked very simple and I like pretty much anything pumpkin. I made a few alterations when cooking to make it a little more to our liking...

          - crisped up the fresh sage by sauteing it in butter, it becomes crunchy and delicious!
          - increased  the ration of pumpkin to cream, the more pumpkin the better ;)
          - doubled (or more) the spice amounts noted in the recipe and also added cayenne pepper

The Consensus: It was GOOD! It was EASY! It was QUICK! We don't actually eat pasta that often at home but this is a recipe that will be added to the repertoire :)

What are your favorite pinned recipes? Let me know + enjoy your weekend :)

[LIFE AS I KNOW IT] setting goals

Now that we have all survived New Years Eve...it is January 1st 2014...time to start thinking ;) What do you want to achieve this year? I have mentioned previously that I like to set goals for myself each year and this year will be no different.

To go along with my "mantra" I have been working on a list of goals...personal, work, fitness, etc. I always try to get my list completed before the first week of January is thru, set myself a dead line otherwise half the year could go past before I get anything in writing.

Here are some tips for setting goals that I have found helpful. What are some of your goal setting tips!?

(Source: Mind Tools )

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HELLO! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are gearing up for a great New Years Eve! We are ringing in 2014 in Radium, British Columbia with some friends; it is such a beautiful time of year to be in the mountains :) 

I have very much enjoyed a much needed break from work and all the hustle + bustle. It has been great to reflect on 2013 and get refocused for 2014. I always write goals that get tucked away for the year but this year I also wanted to set a more or a "mantra" to live by.

"ELIMINATE THE UNNECESSARY "

For me, this is a step into living a much simpler life. What exactly that looks like is still to be determined but I do hope that over this coming year I can take a big step into not living with as much excess.

Cheers to 2014!

[FROM MY KITCHEN] paleo pumpkin banana mini loaf

Paleo Pumpkin Banana Mini Loaf

*makes 2 loaves

1 1/3 cups of almond flour

1 tsp baking soda + baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 eggs

3/4 cup pumpkin puree

1 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp agave syrup

1 medium banana, mashed

1/4 cup of chopped pecans

1. preheat oven to 350'

2. in a medium bowl, combine all the the dry ingredients and set aside

3. in a small bowl, combine all wet ingredients

4. add the wet ingredients to the dry + stir

5. let mixture sit for 15-20 minutes before pouring into a small bread pan

6. sprinkle chopped pecans on top of mixture once in pan

7. bake for 45 minutes, test with a toothpick to make sure loaf is done

8. leave the loaf in the pan for 10 minutes before removing

Enjoy!

[DIY] basic quilt

I was recently shown how to make a very simple and basic quilt. Over the years I had started making complicated patch work style quilts and I am simply not patient enough to put in the hours upon hours of work that they take, even though they are beautiful.

Here is what you need to do to make this basic quilt :)

Process your fabric; you can put it thru your washer/dryer or soak over night and hang to dry. This step will wash out any excess dyes as well as pre-shrink your fabric. 

It is best to use 100% cotton or cotton/ploy blend fabric; for a baby quilt you one yard total, I used 2 yards because I wanted a little bit larger quilt. I wanted a different fabric on the front vs. the back so I purchased 1 yard of each.

ONE: Cut your fabric to size, you should have two pieces that are the same size...a top and a bottom. Sew the edges of the top and bottom. Give approx. 5/8" - 3/4" hem.

TWO: Lay out the bottom, place your batting on top and cut the batting to size. Lay the top on top of the batting + bottom.

THREE: Pin the edges

FOUR: Thread a larger needle with a coordinating yarn

FIVE: Tack the quilt in your desired design...start your first row 3" to 5" from the edges to prevent the fill from shifting

SIX: Once you have tacked your quilt, sew it all together. Follow the stitch line from your original hem as close as possible.

It is that simple!

I love the the quilt I made and we use it all the time. (Thanks for teaching me Glo!)

Put your sewing skills to the test and give it a try!