NH American red cross, click for link

text "HAITI" to 90999 and a $10 charge will be applied to your phone

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my heart goes out to those in need

so i am a very bad blogger and i did not get a photo to share of my tablescape. i wish i were as disciplined as the lovely eddie ross who sets gorgeous table after table, and photographs delicious angle after angle, but, sadly, i am not. on that note, here are some beautiful rooms that i am keeping in my style file for an upcoming projects inspiration. i hope you enjoy them.

boo for me not doing any posts lately... so i am hosting thanksgiving dinner for my small but demanding family. there will only be eight of us, but eight is still a larger crowd than i am used to cooking for (don't worry, i have help from a very efficient and fabulous cook). i got voted, (unaware there was a vote happening) to be the entertainer, and i'm going to use the opportunity to do a table scape i have been planning in my head for months. here's what i'm thinking so far....

-my vintage china- white and green flower motif...

-black and white plaid table cloth (think burberry plaid- fashioned from fabric i have not found yet)

-green glass vases stuffed with RED flowers in cranberry filled water

-gorgeous wine glasses i scored at pier one

-red cloth napkins

-black candle holders with white tapers 

today my mission is to find the fabric, i have a spot in mind that has great prices on fabric in manchester, fabric fix. of course this wouldn't be as much fun if i wasn't challenging myself to spend the least amount of money humanly possible (trust me, i am very good at that!). i will post a photo and the total amount i spent when i've got the table set.

please share any ideas and secrets or photos you've got up your sleeve for fabulous table scapes and i'll share them on my blog.... happy week, i hope everyone enjoys the beginning of the magical holiday season with the ones you love. xx

Put them in their place. I like to do assigned seating, and it's important to give thought to the arrangement beforehand to sort out what combination is going to be most fun and comfortable for everyone. Seat people with similar interests together, and remember that if someone is timid they'll probably enjoy themselves more next to a person who's more outgoing. As host, your guests' enjoyment is your first priority, so if you can help them by initiating a conversation topic, you should!

Buy wisely. When shopping for a dining table, consider how you like to entertain. A round table is ideal for smaller parties, since the shape is conducive to all guests talking freely. This is harder with a rectangular table, which can accommodate more people, but those seated on opposite ends can't hear each other. Seating plans are more crucial here than with a round table, where everyone is bunched together. With chairs, the bottom line is to get something comfortable. It's definitely a personal preference.

Look at the big picture. It's nice to have special dinnerware for company. Dishes should coordinate, but don't worry about matching exactly—it's fine to use different plates for a salad course, entrée, and dessert. Keep in mind how the food you're serving is going to appear on your plate. I like simple china myself, or at least one with a white center, which flatters anything that goes on it. With a highly decorated plate, it's best to stick with pared down foods, like mixed greens or freshly cut corn.

Get in a group mentality. A big centerpiece feels passé. You used to see enormous bouquets everywhere, but that can make it really hard for guests to mingle. I think scattering really small clusters of flowers or even bowls of fruit around a table is easier, just as attractive, and even less expensive. Almost any kind of shrubbery snipped from your backyard could work with some creativity. Steer clear of flowers with a strong scent—some guests might dislike it, and you don't want it to interfere with the food.

Go easy. Fancy food isn't what makes a party special; it can even make people uncomfortable. I prefer a more informal menu, and find the simplest dishes are often the ones everyone likes the most. It's less about what you're serving than how you're serving it. Food should be easy to eat. If you've cooked rice, for example, it shouldn't be too sticky or lumpy. Tough or overly chewy meat is never good, and neither are really oversize cuts. With steaks, make sure your knives are sharp enough. If you're passing dishes around a table, avoid heavy, unwieldy platters and bowls, and make sure all the right utensils are in place for people to serve themselves. If you're doing the serving, pay attention to the amount you're putting on each guest's plate - find a balance between enough and overwhelming.

Have some sensitivity. It's important to know guests' likes and dislikes. Be careful about the length of your cocktail hour. Not everyone wants to sit around drinking for hours before they eat. Make sure you have non-alcoholic beverage options that are flavorful and look good to serve before and with dinner—one of my favorites is an Arnold Palmer. Nowadays people have so many different diets and allergies. Though as a host it's good to ask, as a guest it's also your responsibility to find a discrete way to disclose any special needs beforehand so that no one is uncomfortable when the meal arrives.

see more articles from williams-sonoma

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so after about a two year hiatus from heels, i stumbled upon a pair of knee high black suede boots, and i'm back. just when i thought i'd never feel that burning pain and the urge to take my shoes off in the middle of the sidewalk, the memory is no longer a distant one. well fortunately, ms. winfrey just so happened to air a show on monday to possibly save my little life, or feet. dr. emily splichal is a podiatrist and exercise specialist who teaches catwalk confidence, or more commonly known as, how to walk in high heels. i was happy to hear that pilates principles are the foundation this "walk" is built on. take a peek and quit walking like a goof out there.

*and a little rehab for your feet after a long day: grab a couple golf balls and roll your foot with pressure massaging your plantar fascia. it hurts so good....

So you have got the perfect paint color and finish for your walls, but what about the rest? Overwhelmed? I Thought so!

The initial Design Consultation will take place in-home to evaluate the existing elements. We will discuss personal style, visions, inspiration, options, and last but not least- your budget. We will also help you begin a personalized style file, and let you in on some of our favorite local resources for your shopping needs.
 From that point, you may choose to hire us to do the shopping for you, or you may feel confident enough to venture out on your own. Either way, a design consultation is the beginning of your personal style coming to life. Accompanied shopping trips also available.

Design Consultations are billed hourly. Click Get Started to submit your inquiry.

as seen on my Design Consulting page

the human eye can distinguish about 10 million different colors? -wikipedia

color that's good to eat, rainbow carrots!

the lululemon manifesto

• Drink FRESH water and as much water as you can. Water flushes unwanted toxins from your body and keeps your brain sharp.
• A daily hit of athletic-induced endorphins gives you the power to make better decisions, helps you be at peace with yourself, and offsets stress.
• Do one thing a day that scares you.
• Listen, listen, listen, and then ask strategic questions.
• Write down your short and long-term GOALS four times a year. Two personal, two business and two health goals for the next 1, 5 and 10 years. Goal setting triggers your subconscious computer.
• Life is full of setbacks. Success is determined by how you handle setbacks.
• Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself.
• That which matters the most should never give way to that which matters the least.
• Stress is related to 99% of all illness.
• Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to.
• The world is changing at such a rapid rate that waiting to implement changes will leave you 2 steps behind. DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW!
• Friends are more important than money.
• Breathe deeply and appreciate the moment. Living in the moment could be the meaning of life.
• Take various vitamins. You never know what small mineral can eliminate the bottleneck to everlasting health.
• Don’t trust that an old age pension will be sufficient.
• Visualize your eventual demise. It can have an amazing effect on how you live for the moment.
• The conscious brain can only hold one thought at a time. Choose a positive thought.
• Live near the ocean and inhale the pure salt air that flows over the water, Vancouver will do nicely.
• Observe a plant before and after watering and relate these benefits to your body and brain.
• Practice yoga so you can remain active in physical sports as you age.
• Dance, sing, floss and travel.
• Children are the orgasm of life. Just like you did not know what an orgasm was before you had one, nature does not let you know how great children are until you have them.
• Successful people replace the words “wish”, “should” and “try” with “I will”.
• Creativity is maximized when you’re living in the moment.
• Nature wants us to be mediocre because we have a greater chance to survive and reproduce. Mediocre is as close to the bottom as it is to the top, and will give you a lousy life.
• lululemon athletica creates components for people to live longer, healthier and more fun lives. If we can produce products to keep people active and stress-free, we believe the world will become a much better place.
• Do not use cleaning chemicals on your kitchen counters. Someone will inevitably make a sandwich on your counter.
• SWEAT once a day to regenerate your skin.
• Communication is COMPLICATED. We are all raised in a different family with slightly different definitions of it.

*

i came across this post card while training to become a STOTT Pilates instructor a few years ago. if you have never heard of lululemon, i hope you find some inspiration in their manifesto, as i did. they also have the best yoga inspired clothing line that makes you look and ultimately feel good.

lululemon.com

all you need is:

a jar to hold all the butter you want to make 

heavy cream

pinch of salt

and a few extra minutes to shake the jar vigorously! 

after about ten minutes or so, you will notice the butter start to form. the whey separates from the water, so empty the water and keep shaking! you will have the freshest and most delicious butter. if you really want to impress yourself, bake a loaf of bread too. photo

*great gift idea too...if you don't have time to bake the bread, grab a loaf at your local bakery and bring your friend some fresh bread and butter! you don't even have to tell them i gave you the idea....

Fusilli al Telefono

Ingredients

Serves 4 to 6

• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1 pound good-quality fusilli
• 2 tablespoons grape seed oil
• 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
• 2 (1-pound, 12-ounce) cans peeled whole San Marzano tomatoes
• 15 large fresh basil leaves, julienned
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound whole milk mozzarella di bufala, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

1. Fill a large pot with 5 quarts water; season with 2 tablespoons salt, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add fusilli to boiling water and cook according to package directions.
2. Add grape seed oil and garlic to a medium skillet and place over high heat. Cook until edges of garlic turn golden, about 1 minute. Using your hands, break up and squeeze tomatoes directly into skillet. Immediately add basil, remaining 2 teaspoons salt, and pepper. Bring sauce to a boil; immediately reduce heat to medium.
3. When pasta is cooked, remove sauce from heat. Stir mozzarella into sauce until well combined. Using a wire-mesh skimmer, transfer pasta to sauce. Fold fusilli into sauce until mozzarella has attached itself to the fusilli.
4. Serve immediately with Parmesan, if desired.

i'm making this for dinner tonight and i'm soooooo excited! i'll also make my all time favorite garlic bread that i will warn you is dangerously delicious and impossible to not continue to eat till every last bit is gone... i learned how to make it from my very dear friend who happens to make delicious food all the time, and who was my go-to for recipes and how to cook stuff when i was learning to cook....thanks jo. so here's how to make a bomb garlic bread:

loaf of bakery bread -(i like hannaford's semolina loaf, or any good bread not made with enriched flour...)

minced garlic, about 3 tbs.

melted butter, about 1/2 stick

slice the loaf lengthwise and spread melted butter over both halves. spread minced garlic evenly. i always add a little fresh dried basil or parsley for flavor, and grated parmesan is never a bad idea: )...wrap in foil and bake @350 for about 20 minutes. happy eating!                               

Photo credit: "Pasta Sfoglia," by Ron and Colleen Suhanosky (Wiley) as seen on Martha Stewart

the crater of the extinct volcano Mount Bosavi, on the New Guinea mainland

the beautiful fruit dove

a hairy caterpillar found in the rainforest

the Bosavi woolly rat had no fear of humans when it was discovered

an iridescent beetle found in the rainforest

the endangered Litoria sauroni amphibian

the black and yellow noctuid caterpillars found by George McGavin. when the caterpillars sit together like this they resemble a small snake, possibly as a defence strategy

opening to Mageni cave, New Britain, Papua New Guinea

photographs: Ulla Lohmann/BBC

A team of scientists from Britain, the United States and Papua New Guinea found more than 40 previously unidentified species when they climbed into the kilometre-deep crater of Mount Bosavi and explored a pristine jungle habitat teeming with life that has evolved in isolation since the volcano last erupted 200,000 years ago. In a remarkably rich haul from just five weeks of exploration, the biologists discovered 16 frogs which have never before been recorded by science, at least three new fish, a new bat and a giant rat, which may turn out to be the biggest in the world. read full article here

WOW!!

i am looking into renting studio space to teach pilates classes downtown manchester. 

i was there looking at other studio space, and had no idea i would stumble upon this. i am going to be working on putting together a class description, times and prices and see who would like to join me for STOTT pilates and pilates infused yoga & ballet classes. meanwhile, i will be busy taking a refresher course to have the latest and greatest STOTT knowledge and certification to follow. i'm so excited, i can barely contain myself!

please leave a comment or email me if you are interested. want to teach with me? please send me a private email... details to follow, stay tuned!!

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here's some finger painted samples of fun fresh colors available for my painted furniture!

i've done the research for you. benjamin moore's coastal paradise 655 is almost a dead on match! if you caught my spring-ish posts, i had mentioned how i was hot for teal. notice the color of the links on my blog? it's a great color for accessories for a pop of color and it looks good with tons of other colors such as yellow, brown and red. the color is a bit strong, but if you're trying to make a statement, better to say it than dance around it. image

here's a swatch of coastal paradise:  tiffany box: 

i came across this lovely post on desiretoinspire while catching up on my blogging, and now i'm head over heels for designer jessica mcKay of birdhouse design. jessica believes, as many of us design junkies do, that no matter what your budget is, or isn't, you can have a stylish, unique and custom designed home full of charm and personality. as she says, "The secret is a little elbow grease and a lot of creativity...There is a far greater thrill and sense of accomplishment as well as a strong infusion of personality that is found when rooms, houses, and parties are not solely created with designer resources." here are a few more pics from her portfolio...

remember paint is your best friend when designing on a budget. there are so many beautiful, wild, natural, and calm colors out there~a coat of paint on a wall or an old banged up piece of furniture is a miracle worker. make sure you buy a quality paint, and do a quality job...a messy paint job never looks good. another place you can always find designer scores is at thrift stores, salvation army, etc.. spend some time looking through your favorite blogs or magazines and then hit the stores. there are AMAZING things people are tossing everyday. vintage linens, glassware, lamps, wooden tables/headboards/bookcases, retro pieces..... with a color change, a cleaning, or a simple reupholstering, you will have your very own blog worthy designer accessories. trust me, they are out there and they are CHEAP! go find them before someone else does!