Monday, March 29, 2010

is
for
Topiaries.

We love Topiaries!  I never get tired of seeing topiaries in all of their shapes and formations!


So cute next to this rustic tub!

Love these tall umbrella shaped topiaries in the mix.


A beautiful balcony!


Such a charming room!


Elephant topiaries!



Love these three topiary balls look together!

via Domino


via Domino

So cute framing the entrance of this office!




A perfect outdoor table!

via Martha Stewart



via Domino


Perfect!

via Martha Stewart

Such a cute party idea!


It's hard to find a place topiaries don't look good!

Thursday, March 25, 2010






is for Bed Skirts.



I've never been a huge fan of bed skirts - but lately they have been drawing my attention.


This fluffy green bedskirt looks so pretty in this room!


The red stripes on this bed are fantastic!


Love this super fluffy bed with the dark walls.


Another gorgeous room - full of ruffles, but nice and serene.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

is
for
Al's New Sofa.

Our sister, Al, scored the most amazing sofa at a local spot for $30.  I've mentioned before that she has a knack at finding awesome caned furniture - this piece is by far my favorite!
This is what it looked like when we found it in the shop:


 Pretty filthy, but full of potential!


Luckily, she has a friend who knows how to re-upholster and was willing to show her how to do it herself!  Starting with tearing out all of the old stuffing.


And putting new cording and fabric on the frame.  She chose black and white awning stripes - my favorite!


I couldn't believe how fast she got it all done!  She is an excellent sewer!


Looks pretty good without any cushions!


But not so comfortable, so she had new cushions made for the bottom of the sofa and made some long and narrow cushions for the back.


The finished product!  I think the new cushions will settle in nicely once people start sitting on it.  I love the long and low silhouette!


Now I just have to convince her to send it over to my house!
Looks great Al!  I love it!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

is
for
A Beautiful Ring.

I am loving this gorgeous ring.

It looks like a perfect golden dogwood flower!


Just in time for Spring!

Friday, March 19, 2010

is
for
A Beautiful Bag.

I am loving this bag from the new L.L. Bean Signature line.


I love the boxy shape.


On another note - how great are these shoe racks full of boots!  I would love to have a couple of these racks in my house.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

is
for
Oranges.

Lately oranges and clementines are tasting super good to me - I can't get enough of them.  I also love their color - they make a great statement just piled up in a bowl!  When I can't splurge on flowers, oranges are the next best thing!  I like to have them around like that - ready to grab!








I especially love to find them with the leaves still on!

Monday, March 15, 2010

B is for Bread

is
for
Bread.

I love making bread.  Watching the dough rise is always satisfying and the smell of fresh baked bread in the oven is the best!  Recently I decided to finally try the No-Knead Bread recipe that was in the New York Times a while back.  I resisted this for a long time because it seemed easier to just knead the dough than have a bowl of dough sitting around for 18 hours - but I finally tried it!  When I pulled it out of the oven and opened the lid I found the cutest little loaf of bread sitting inside!


It turned out great with very little effort!  Perfect recipe when you know you won't have time to spend making a loaf of bread the day of your dinner!

No-Knead Bread
Adapted from Jim Lahey, Sullivan Street Bakery

3 cups all-purpose or bread flour, more for dusting
¼ teaspoon instant yeast
1¼ teaspoons salt
Cornmeal or wheat bran as needed.

1. In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt. Add 1 5/8 cups water, and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.

2. Dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.

3. Using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to work surface or to your fingers, gently and quickly shape dough into a ball. Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another cotton towel and let rise for about 2 hours. When it is ready, dough will be more than double in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.

4. At least a half-hour before dough is ready, heat oven to 450 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Slide your hand under towel and turn dough over into pot, seam side up; it may look like a mess, but that is O.K. Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes. Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes, until loaf is beautifully browned. Cool on a rack.
Yield: One 1½-pound loaf.


Rach makes a few loaves of Challah every Friday for Shabbat and it is always my favorite part of the meal!  How cute are these loaves that she made into circles!


Do you have a favorite bread recipe?