Vintage Wearing Celebrity MVP's

I love the way Nicole Richie and Kourtney Kardashian incorporate vintage pieces into their wardrobe's.  They can take any piece and make it look fresh and modern!  Nicole Richie even created an entire clothing line inspired by vintage fashion called Winter Kate.  Here are just a few of their vintage looks.

Above pictures {via nrichienews}

Above pictures {via KourtneyKardashian}

Roasted Fennel with Olives & Fresh Lemon

You would be surprised how Roasting brings out fennel's sweet side....this is a delicious & healthy recipe....

Start by cutting the tops off of your whole fennel, cut it in half lengthwise so the roots stay in tact and your cut wedges don't fall apart.

then toss with olive oil, salt & pepper. 

Brown fennel on each side in cast iron skillet then transfer to a baking dish.

At this point I add my mixed olives, fresh lemon zest & roast for 20 minutes at 425*

Remove from the oven and squeeze fresh lemon all over.

Serve & enjoy- what a treat! so addicting-



This weeks favorite vintage finds!

Bags, Bags, Bags!

I love finding vintage bags!  They are an easy way to add a vintage piece to any outfit.  This week is all about bags!  Lots of envelope clutches, chain straps and leather...

all are available here at Martini Road Vintage on Etsy:

Translation: Outfit to Room

In design, I often explain to clients that they need an inspiration to begin their new room makeover. Something to grab their attention and set the room in motion. This inspiration can come from anywhere.


Today I decided to use an old Hermes ad as my inspiration picture and found a completed room that easily could have evolved from this. It's really that simple!


{Via Design Sponge}



{Via Hermes}



Translation:

• Notice how the blonde colored wood floors are placed in a herringbone pattern across the floor? This mimicks the zig-zag patterns found in her scarf.
• See the bright colored walls and the colorful floral fabric the ottoman is covered in? This represents her gloves and satchel.
• The tatty and worn paint that appears to be peeling off the walls? This imitates the background in the ad...sort of like faded scenery.
• The black and white framed artwork on the walls? This mirrors the color of the ad's snowy, mountainous background.
• Finally, the warm, rustic color and texture of the throw on the leather chair and the books piled high behind it? This picks up the overall feel of the ad, like the woman is traveling, somewhere cold and far away. There is a level of rawness found in both pictures and the textures in the room and the scenery in the ad both share a tribal quality.
• Perhaps some of the items sprinkled around the room, such as the kilim rug, the books, art and mirror hung above the fireplace are all treasures she has picked up on her journey....            

Famous Roasted Carrots

Nothing could be easier than these good for you roasted carrots!

Carrots are an excellent source of antioxidants & vitamin A. Carrots' antioxidant compounds help protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer and also promote good vision!

                                                     So try this sweet as candy recipe!

Toss the carrots with olive oil , a pinch of sugar & a few tabs of unsalted butter for the richest flavor and deepest color..... And don’t forget to always season with salt and pepper!

Cook the carrots hot and fast: 475 degrees for 20 minutes or so. The intense heat promotes rapid caramelization, which, in turn, leaves the interiors delicious & moist!



DIY "Alphabet Artwork"

I have seen tons of artwork lately made from words and letters.  I decided to give it a try myself!  I wanted to make one for a children's room personalized with the child's name.  Here was my inspiration:

Inspiration

(pics via madebygirl.com)

Here's what I did!

First you will need card stock.  I used white and cut it to an 8"x10" piece.  Then I chose to do the name "Martin" in brown and the rest of the letters in lime and kelly green markers.  Also a ruler, a pencil and 1"alphabet stencils.

I lightly marked in pencil a  grid of 8 rows of equal blocks of 1 1/4" across x 1 1/8".  Then I layed out the name first and colored it in, centering the letters in the boxes.

Then starting with"A" I filled in the rest of the blocks with letters in the two shades of green.

Finally, I erased the pencil lines and framed it!

Black, the new white?

Everytime I see a well designed room with black painted walls I am in love. It's so out of the box. Unique. Unexpected. And, yes, very daring. The room seems to wrap itself around you, inviting you in. Making you want to stay for a while.

But is this look for everyone? Would YOU be brave enough to give this trend a try?

As a designer myself, I am even hesitant. Although my home doesn't call for this trend {it's an old farmhouse dateing back to the 1860's} I think it would fare well in a small space with high drama, like a foyer or powder room. Of course though, it's a must-have rule of thumb that you give this look a pop by useing white moldings or contrasting fabrics and accessories.

{Via Homes&GardensMagazine}



{Via Apartmenttherepy.com}



{Via Apartmenttherepy.com}

{Via Atlantshomesmag.com}



{Via BrandonBarrePhotography}

{Via BrandonBarrePhotography}

{Via Decorpad}

{Via DominoMag}

 

{Via DominoMag}

{Elle decor via Badgley Mischa home}

{Via Elle Decor}

{Via hgtv}

{Via Sarah Dorio Photography}

{Via Kelly Interior Design}

{Via Google Images}

{Via Lonny Mag}

{Via Martha Stewart}



{Via Windsor Smith & Michael Wells Photography}