Gorgeous Kitchen!

Remember my post about all the blogs I follow?  Well, I was a little bored the other day so I spent some time searching Urban Grace for fun DIY projects and before-and-afters and I came across the most beautiful DIY, before-and-after kitchen remodel ever!  Here are the before pictures:

And here are the after pictures:

You might be thinking to yourself, "how is this a DIY project?"  The transformation is incredible, isn't it?  But check out this transition photo.  It shows you what they did.  Rather than spend lots of money to replace the spec cabinets--my stepmom and I had a LONG discussion last night about the horror of spec cabinetry (it's a crime people and someone should be doing time)--they simply moved them higher, added crown modeling, painted them and replaced the hardware.  Same thing for the bottom cabinets--a coat of paint (I love how she chose different colors for the upper and lower cabinets) and some new hardware and they are unrecognizable.

Now, I'm sure she paid someone to replace the tile with wood floor--check out that laminate flooring that was probably hiding under the tile!--and maybe even someone to do the subway tile back splash, but the back splash, at least, is something you could learn to do yourself.  Pretty impressive!

DIY Dresser Project

It takes a lot, and I mean a LOT, of money to furnish an apartment, so when it came time to purchase a dresser for my bedroom, I took the cheap road straight to IKEA. I had done some searching online and found the HEMNES 6-drawer dresser in gray-brown.  At $279, the price was right!

But, let's be honest--those dresser pulls leave a little to be desired.  So I did what any creative gal would do and I went to Anthropologie.  They have an amazing assortment of interesting hardware that won't break the bank.  I purchased several options, took them home to test them out and eventually settled on the clear Cabinet Carat Knob.

The knobs are $6 each.  I needed 12, which brings the total cost of the dresser to $351.  Here's a look at the final product (sorry for the poor quality picture, but I'm a better blogger when I can just email photos from my iPhone to myself):

Tortilla Soup

I know it may come as a huge surprise to some of you, but I've been doing a lot of cooking lately.  I surprise myself because I actually enjoy doing it.  Last night I made tortilla soup for the first time and I have to compliment myself because it was delicious!

 Ingredients:

• 10 corn tortillas
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 yellow squash, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 large carrots, chopped
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• olive oil
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 (15-ounce) cans chopped tomatoes, drained (I used Rotel for flavor.)
• 1 can corn kernels, drained
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 jalapeno, seeds removed and chopped
• 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken (I bought a rotisserie chicken that was already cooked.)

Step 1: Saute zucchini, yellow squash, onion, carrots, celery and garlic in olive oil until cooked (about 5-10 minutes)
Step 2: Add the chicken broth, tomatoes, corn, cumin, chili powder, cayenne, jalapeno and cilantro.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 30-45 minutes.
Step 3: Add chicken and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

I fried my own tortilla strips to use as a garnish.
Step 1: Heat canola oil in a pan on the stove top.
Step 2: Slice tortillas into strips.
Step 3: Toss strips into hot oil, turning until golden brown.

Your final product should look something like this:

I had lots of leftover tortillas so I made chips as well.  Just cut the tortillas into wedges instead of slices.

And fry just like you fried the tortilla strips.  These are excellent with homemade guacamole!

Here's a look at the final product.  In addition to the tortilla strips, I garnished with cilantro, shredded cheese and an avocado slice.  Bon appetit!

My Favorite Blogs

Which blogs do you follow?  There are several that I check out on a regular (i.e. daily) basis.  These include blogs from my closest friends Jill and Erin.  Both are new mothers and write about marriage and life with young children.  Jill lives in Houston, but I don't get to see her nearly as much as I would like, and Erin lives in San Francisco, so I hardly ever get to see her.  Their respective blogs keep me in the loop and up to date on what's going on in their lives.  It often feels like I'm right there!

I also follow several design blogs.  I can't even remember how I came across a few of them.  Often, they are suggestions from friends.  Here they are:

Elements of Style by Erin Gates

Erin is an interior designer in Boston.  She writes about a mix of personal and professional pursuits.  I believe she has an associate's degree in Interior Design, although I'm not 100% positive about that.

Habitually Chic by Heather Clawson

Heather is an interior designer in New York City.  She is arguably the most professional of the bloggers I follow.  Her knowledge of fashion and design history is very impressive.  You can tell she puts a lot of time and effort into her entries.  They are rarely personal and much more focused on the interior design industry.

Urban Grace by Erika Powell

I found out about this blog through Elements of Style. Erika is an interior designer somewhere in Alabama (I think it's Alabama.  If not Alabama, then Mississippi.).  She is absolutely adorable.  She blogs about her design business, redecorating her own home, her garden, vacations and her family.

Fly Through Our Window by Darby (I don't know her last name.)

Darby is Erika's twin sister.  I found out about her blog through Urban Grace.  Darby isn't a professional designer--she stays at home with her three children--but, she is super crafty and writes a lot about her own home renovation projects.

If you haven't checked them out, you definitely should!

Mother's Day Brunch

This weekend I hosted my first party at my new apartment!  It was in honor of Mother's Day and the special guest was my stepmom Barbara.  It was really fun to plan the menu and pick out the decor.  I went with a French country aesthetic.  The floral centerpiece is above.  The flowers are from Central Market and the vase is from Pottery Barn.  Here is the menu:

Swiss chard, tomato and bacon frittata

Breakfast sausage

Roasted red potatoes with rosemary

Apple cinnamon french toast casserole

Mixed berries

Mimosas

Unfortunately, I did not have the foresight to take pictures of the food for my blog, but I can promise you it was delicious and beautiful!  Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in my life!

Source Information

A request has been made for me to include information about where the items on my inspiration board can be found.  Here you go:

Kitchen

Kitchenaid Mixer in Almond Cream

Le Creuset Dutch Oven in Dune

Savant flatware from Pottery Barn

Juliska Berry and Thread Dinnerware

All Clad Stainless Steel Cookware

Tava Round Charger from Pottery Barn

Living Room

Reata Counter Stool from Anthropologie

Illusorio Cabinet from Anthropologie

Open House Coffee Table from Anthropologie

Tolix Barstool from Pottery Barn

Burlap Deep Pocket Drapes from Pottery Barn

PB Comfort Square Slipcovered Sofa from Pottery Barn

Moroccan Pouf from Serena &Lily

"Victorian Oushak" Rug from Horchow

1900s Boulangerie Table from Restoration Hardware

Inspiration for the kitchen can be found in High Gloss a new online magazine.  Check it out!

Home Decorating Follow Up

The home decorating continues.  I recently purchased a dresser from IKEA, which has been assembled and placed inside my bedroom.  It's certainly not what I would call an investment piece--if I keep it for five years I will be beyond happy--but it solves a major storage problem, looks good with the other furniture and was in my budget (read: cost less than $250).  As soon as I can get the clothes off my floor and into the drawers, I will take a picture and post to the blog.

In the meantime, I've created a few inspiration boards for the living room and kitchen.  Over the next few years, as I slowly purchase pieces for my apartment, I will use this boards to help guide my purchases.  The kitchen is very much a "future" goal, because I obviously can't paint the cabinets in my rental apartment.  And while they sold me on granite counter tops, the Home Depot special that was installed is no where close to resembling the beautiful marble in the picture.  But some of the other pieces--the Le Creuset Dutch Oven in Dune and the Kitchenaid Mixer in Almond Cream--fit right in to the apartment as is.

Met Gala

The annual Met gala was last night in New York City.  I "went" to my first Met gala almost 6 years ago.  I was walking home from work on one of those "the weather is so amazing I love living in NYC" nights when I had a "stumble across major celebrity event" NYC moment.  Camped out at 83rd Street and 5th Avenue were hordes of paparazzi.  I stopped to ask what was going on and realized it was a major celebrity event.  Cool.

The Met gala celebrates the opening of an annual exhibit at the Costume Institute, which is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The gala also raises money for the Institute.  Each year, the event gets bigger and bigger.  Vogue has been on board as a sponsor for the last few years. Anna Wintour controls almost every aspect of the event from the selection of the exhibit to the guest list to personally pairing designers with celebrities.  And Anna always wears Chanel couture.  This year was no different.

In fashion terms, it's been called the Oscars of the east coast.  And since no actual awards are given, I thought I'd hand out my own to the attendees.  Here goes....

Stella McCartney was a co-host of the event and many stars arrived wearing her designs.  The best is Gwyneth Paltrow.  I don't know what she's been doing lately, but sign me up.

And the worst is the designer herself.  I guess she saved all the good dresses for the celebrities.

The next award goes to the best dressed male editor from Vogue.  This is Vogue after all people, even the men have fun.  This is a tie between Andre Leon Talley and Hamish Bowles. 

Many siblings attended the event.  I have a sister and we grew up fighting over clothes, so I can appreciate the fact that these girls may have had to duke it out for their outfits.  Of course, only one person can win.  So here are the winners.

Olsen twins.  The win goes to Ashley.  Mary Kate has always had funkier taste, but even I can't get behind the red and green mess she has going on.

Best Fanning sister.  Not nearly as interesting as the Olsen twins, but their fashion choices, at least Elle's choice, are pretty crazy.  The win--by default--goes to Dakota.

There were several native Texans at the event--Beyonce and Solange Knowles for example--but only one can win the award for Best Dressed Texan and that honor goes to Tom Ford.  So.  Good.  Looking.

The ladies of Gossip Girl were also at the event.  The show is known for it's wardrobe, so it makes sense that the actresses are into high fashion.  Here they are in all their glory.  (Do you think Leighton Meester is jealous of the fact that Blake Lively is besties with Karl Lagerfeld?)

 

Sadly, only one can be Best Dressed Gossip Girl Star and that honor goes to Chace Crawford.

Not all awards are for the best.  The next award is for Worst Bridal Interpretation.  Perhaps they were inspired by the royal wedding?  This one is a tie between Fergie and Miranda Kerr.

Best Way to Make Everyone Forget About Kate Middleton's Alexander McQueen Dress goes to Gisele in Alexander McQueen.

Cutest Couple goes to Victor & Rolf.

Just kidding!  It goes to Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard.  Love them.

This is only a small portion of the dresses that graced the red carpet.  You can check out all the looks from the gala here.