house delicious

Delicious & Healthy

It is time to get in shape for climbing and hiking mountains this summer so I am training and working out. Of course, healthy food plays a huge role and as much as I love chips with guacamole (I’ve been known to have this for dinner) I have substituted them with carrot and pepper sticks. There are a lot of other vegetables you could use such as celery and radishes. For the the guacamole: Scoop out the goodness inside one avocado and mash. Add 1 chopped jalapeno, chopped cilantro, kosher salt to taste, and fresh lime juice. I crave desserts, so one day a week I always set aside for my sweet tooth! Life is just too short to give that up!

Happy Healthy Week! xo

Delicious Modern Hallways

I always find my hallways are sometimes the hardest to furnish and give life to. I am adoring these examples form Livingetc Magazine. They play with color and fun! 1). The plain walls and floor are a perfect palette to display beautiful art and funky furniture. 2). If you notice the funky mirror is painted the same color as the wall. It creates a striking focal point without encroaching the hallway. 3). The oversized clock adds drama to this neutral space. The bold curtain softens the harsh angles. 4). I like the addition of yellow to this contemporary passage. The message board is a great idea to place and remember things. I guess the lesson of these photos are not to be afraid of color or creating a space, even a hallway, into a lovely visual.

Tuesday Fun! xo

Delicious Meringue Cookies

Delightfully Airy

It is Spring party time and I adore adding this light airy morsel to my dessert bar when I am having a party. ”Variety is the Spice of Life!!” What a perfect theme for setting up a sweet table. With the usually chocolate suspects I serve and heavy choices, it is nice to offer a ‘gluten free’ and light dessert.

Simple to make: Preheat oven 225 degrees. Using a standing mixer and whip attachment, beat 2 egg whites, 1/8 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar on medium high speed until soft peaks form. Slowly add 1/2 cup granulated sugar until stiff peaks form. Add 1/4 to 1/2 vanilla or peppermint extract and a couple drops of red food coloring. Beat for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add to a pastry bag and pipe out your desired size. The cookies will stay into those exact shapes. Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Turn off oven and let sit for another hour.

Delicious! xo

Delicious Design Tricks

I am always striving to enrich all the rooms in my flat and add that lived in appeal. Designers always have tricks up their sleeves. Here are a few ideas from House Beautiful I really like. 1). The bookshelf has been completely painted bright blue in this study. Wow, I really love this idea. What a great way to change the look of a room and add a pop of color. 2). The use of framed mirrors on the wall behind the couch set the tone for the entire room. Mirrors can make a space feel larger and more open. 3). When combining cool, calming light blue with hot bright red, the result is almost always complimentary.When in doubt this is my favorite color combination.

Time to make some changes. xo

Delicious Spring Blooms

Don’t Add Water….

Because I am a ‘fly girl’ and gone all the time it is nice to have flowers around that require no maintenance. These crepe paper flowers are not only pretty and colorful, but simple to create. You need minimal and inexpensive materials and a little bit of patience. Whenever I have a spare moment I produce them for all kinds of projects. Great as a package topper. Perfect napkin holder. Add with a stem to a gift basket. (May Day is right around the corner). Or simply place them in a vase.

A fun weekend project for you to take on. Have fun! xo

Gather your materials: crepe paper in assorted colors, floral wire and tape, cotton, ruler and scissors.

Make the stamens: for the lily cut a 6×2 inch piece of crepe paper. Make 1 inch deep cuts into one side about every 1/8 inch to create a fringe.

Roll the paper tightly around the end of the wire.

Secure the paper to wire with floral tape.

The button stamen for the peony: cut a 1 1/2 inch square of crepe paper. Take a small wad of cotton and push the end of the wire into the cotton. Wrap the crepe paper square around the cotton. Twist the paper’s ends around the wire and secure with floral tape.

Make a template for flower petals and cut out 20 for the peony and 5 for the lily. Pleat the base of each petal. Pinch folds in place.

Attach the petals to the stamen. Secure with floral tape. Continue this process until you are satisfied with your flower.

I took a silver paint pen and carefully colored the edges of the flower.

Very Pretty!

Delicious Words to Live By.....

Have a ‘PASSION” filled Tuesday! xo

Delicious Wrapping

Lovely Giving

Ok, I know the actual gift is important but the right presentation can make your present more remarkable. I like hearing a lot of ooohs and ahhhs when I present a goodie. Here I used a 4x4x4 chocolate brown box, ribbon, a butterfly or paper flower. It isn’t always about wrapping paper. Lovely & simple!

Happy Giving!

Happy Weekend! xo

Delicious Tulips

Yep, we are having a snow storm outside today but inside my flat it is nice and cheery. The recipe for this is to add a few tulips. That will do the trick. They are abundant right now at my local market. It is tough to walk on by the colorful display located at the entry of the store without snatching up a bunch. With this weather I had to treat myself. Tulips may need some extra attention. A few simple steps will extend the life of these Spring gems:

Store-bought tulips should have flower heads that are closed and show only a bit of their color.
Before putting tulips in a vase, the stems should be cut with a sharp knife to allow them the maximum amount of water absorption. Fill a clean vase with cool water. Remove any foliage that will be under water.
Tulips take on a life of their own in an arrangement. Despite being cut, their stems continue to grow and they lean toward light and bend over time.
Cut tulips don’t react well to heat. Don’t allow the room to get hot, and keep them out of direct sunlight.
Like other store-bought flowers, tulips usually come with nutritional packets that are added to the water. If not included try adding 1 teaspoon of sugar and a penny to the vase. The sugar adds nutrition, and the penny’s alloys provide minerals.

Ahhh…Spring! I can almost feel it! xo

Delicious Inspiration

Anthropologie

Yep, I am addicted to Anthropologie! I really adore the clothing, the colorful housewares, and lovely bath items but it is the creative style of their visual merchandisers that has me hooked. I sometimes stroll through the store just to get inspiration. The countless hours they must spend constructing their displays. I love the final effects….like the punched out circles strung on a string. Creative geniuses! The puppy balloons are adorable. Very clever way to make skirts come alive….and what a fun way to display cups, in the form of a letter. Want some tea with that cup? How did they think of dyeing t-bags and using them in this way? WOW, I love it! I could sit in this wonderful Swing and ponder on this all day long.

Happy Weekend! Now let’s go shopping! xo

Let's Eat Delicious Strawberries with Vanilla Pound Cake

Topping this cake with strawberries and freshly whipped cream is the perfect combination. It is my Easter tradition but I love this sweet course all year long if fresh strawberries are available. Baking is a love of mine and has become a challenge at high altitude but, after trial and error, I have this one down. Everyone seems to be very satisfied devouring this lovely dessert.

Delicious! xo

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house delicious

Delicious & Healthy

Delicious Modern Hallways