Summer Cooking

Besides Pinterest do you spend much of your time looking at Etsy? I try not to look too often as I'll go crazy buying but I did see this set of herbs that I couldn't live without for summer grilling, baking, and drinking. It has 2 oz each of herbes de provence, culinary lavender, and lavender sugar. It's a cute set of three culinary herbs & lavender sugar by the Etsy shop thesummergarden. For $12, it's a great combination of herbs I can use this summer and nothing seems more quintessential "summer" than lavender.

Squirrely Dog!

I've been ridiculously busy with my business venture Squirrely Dog! and haven't had as much time to work on this blog. Don't worry, I still have a strong affinity for anything design related!! I'm still working full-time but in my free time (ha ha) started Squirrely Dog! first as a hobby but now it's growing into something bigger! One of the big surprises for me was the development of the Pupcakes. I thought it would be fun to develop a cake mix that dog owners could easily make at home for their pups. I've probably made nearly a thousand pupcakes testing different recipes (some success & some failures). I've ordered frosting from other vendors but was disappointed with the results so played around with my own recipes and was thrilled with three pupcake mix flavors created.

Berry Cobbler with Blueberry Frosting



Carrot Cake with Pineapple Frosting



Carob Chip with Peanut Butter Frosting



The great thing about working on these recipes is I was able to use gluten-free flour and organic, human-grade ingredients. As a result, most dogs who suffer from allergies can enjoy these special treats!

So if you're looking for a gift or something fun to make for your dogs, please check out my website www.squirrelydogtreats.com and take a look at our products.

Home at Ballard Locks

When I worked in downtown Seattle I used to take the Sounder Train into work. I loved the commute as I could sit back and listen to music or read (sometimes fall asleep with the rocking motion of the train). The rail line followed the water the entire trip so the view was always spectacular! As you get near Seattle, the train would pass near the Ballard Locks. This home is a comfortable mid-century home that is fairly nondescript on the exterior, but has an incredible view and is waterfront property with a large deck. For the price of a waterfront property in Seattle (and a perfect view of the famous locks), it's a really good deal!



Here's a good view towards the locks!



As you enter the home you can see some of my favorite features of the home, in particular the wood ceiling.



To the left of the entrance is the kitchen. It's fairly plain but fits in with the design/architecture of the home.



My favorite room! I love the wood ceiling with painted wood beams. I'm also a big fan of the painted brick fireplace. All in all, a very cozy living room that I wouldn't mind hanging out in. :-)



Simple dining room but unnecessary to get fancy as the view is what will grab everyone's attention.



Even the master bedroom has a perfect view!



This home has a large, impressive deck that's designed for entertaining. Again the view!





If you're interested in this home, you can contact the Windermere real estate office.

(All images from Windermere)

The Need to Measure

Okay, I never thought I'd say "measuring cups are cool" but these are beyond cute and I want to immediately start measuring things! At the beginning of the year I entered a giveaway by one of my favorite designers Lauren Andrus at Cove & Grey Design, and I won these cuties! Thank you Lauren!! They are Matryoshka measuring cups by Anthropologie and they can make measuring ingredients effortless. In a cute way!



Here are some more cute measuring cups from Anthropologie.

Happy Color for 2012

The Pantone color of 2012 was announced earlier last month and it is Tangerine Tango I can't imagine a more fun, happy color!



Again, like my post in 2011, it's not a color for the faint of heart. But if used sparingly (for those afraid of too much color) you can use it as little "pops" of color here and there in your home.

Adrienne Chinn uses the color sparingly in this room but it really adds dimension to the otherwise safe colors: white walls and grey sofa.



Cristi Holcombe took a similar approach to this room using a dark neutral grey to the walls and desk but sill adding a pop of color with the reddish-orange.



One of my favorite photos is from Emily Johnston Larkin and a room she recently remodeled. I love her use of layering giving this room a look that all the items were gathered over time. Which in fact I'm sure is true, but she kept it tasteful, fun, and not "staged".



Unfortunately I don't know the source of this photo so if anyone knows, please tell me and I'll give proper credit as it's a fantastic room! I love the warm, saturated colors used in this family room. It's very cozy! I LOVE the Suzani fabric used on the chair (bottom left)!!



Another fun room designed by Jonathan Adler is this open concept living/dining room. I love the colors he put together and the amazing lights he chose for the living room! I'm also partial to the teal/blue dining room chairs.



In fact the more I see this color the more I like it with that teal/blue color. (Sorry I don't know the source of this photo either).



This photo from Better Homes & Garden, also added the teal/blue color with tangerine. This is giving me some inspiration for my curtains in my master bedroom!



This dining room from Lonny e-magazine has lighter neutral colors throughout with the vibrant orange velvet used for the dining room chairs. It picks up the colors found in the painting above the fireplace. Another beautiful use of the color!



It's also a fantastic color for the exterior of your home. Of course Martha Stewart comes up with classic designs with the vibrant color. I noticed again that it's used against neutral dark colors.



Another example of the color being used against a dark neutral color by Anthropologie.

Merry Christmas!!

(image from themeadowbrookblog)

Happy Thanksgiving!

(image from pinterest)