Archive - February, 2012

February 29, 2012

Have & Make: Dipped Wooden Utensils

in Favorite Projects, Hand Made, have, make with 99 Comments


I’ve been eyeing some fun colored enameled serving spoons for the better part of a year. When I was out searching for a paella pan a few weeks ago, there were a ton of wooden spoons sitting at the register and I just decided to paint some myself.

I just taped my line, used a little craft paint, and finished off with a high gloss food safe shellac to give them that enameled look.

Small side note, however, you should hand wash these, as any wooden kitchen accessory and be mindful of the painted area if using them to cook as it could melt or chip.

I love it because it can be customized to any color you could want! Wouldn’t this be such a fun bridal shower gift?

Have a HAPPY HAPPY Wednesday out there, guys!

ALSO- Want a look ‘Behind the Scenes’? See my interview today on Vmac+Cheese.  I’m sharing so much including how the blog got its name, what’s on my reading list, and where I see my life in five years!

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February 28, 2012

Indigo + Blush

in color, Home Decor with 1 Comment

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Happy Tuesday, guys!  If you’ve had a winter like me, it’s been strangly warm.  It’s had me itching for spring already, but I’ve got to keep reminding myself that late February in Ohio is still very much Winter. For this exact reason, I’m  loving this mix of navy with blush.

The navy is grounded and classic while the blush is light, new, but still cozy.   Are you feeling antsy to add a shot of something new to your home for early spring?  Or will you wait until full blown spring has arrived to layer on the color?

Have a WONDERFUL Tuesday!

P.s. You can also see a feature on my and my kitchen on Unstitched today!  Miss Lillian was so sweet to include it in her regular series, Kitchen Comforts.  Enjoy!

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February 27, 2012

The Grand Shelf Reveal

in Home Decor, our home with 19 Comments

The Shelves are finally done! I’ve spent the last couple weeks painting, which was a little rough considering the many nooks and crannies, but Friday night we finally finished. They dried overnight and then I touched up the grey wall color where necessary on Saturday.

I am beyond happy with them. I’m excited that we finally have some storage in our bedroom, as well as a place to keep some fun collectibles and mementos from throughout the years.

If you’re new to House of Earnest, or want to look back on how it all started. Here are the past posts regarding my scheme for these built in shelves – you can see the progression from idea, to the prep work, to the actual building. It was about a two month process, but we took it slow and didn’t rush.

Although I can’t wait to get my lighting and headboard done, I’m going to relish in the joy of my shelves just a little longer!

Any projects nearing completion for you? Please share!

Have a MARVELOUS Monday!

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February 24, 2012

Friday Faves 2.24

in friday favorites with 2 Comments

ONE an everyday reminder from Between Everything, $20; TWO the brass bottle openers designed by Oji Masanori are beautiful and functional (and a great gift) $40 at Poketo; THREE Ladies Who Lunch bottle stoppers, because who doesn’t need a funny reminder to stay classy while enjoying her wine? $22 each from Burke Decor. FOUR glitter, yes.  glitter table runner, YES! A pretty idea for a pretty event by Camille Styles. FIVE I absolutely love these lucite trays with lovely metallic detail by Tilly Maison, $65.

Have a GORGEOUS Weekend!

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February 23, 2012

Quick Weeknight Dinner: Five Ingredient Tortellini Soup

in try this at home with 5 Comments

I’ve really had my nose to the grindstone at work lately, and this means that I don’t get to spend as much time cooking dinner as I usually would. I thoroughly enjoy taking the time to make a from-scratch dinner each night because it gives me a chance to unwind, have a glass of vino, and catch up with Matty.

Just because I’ve been pulling 12 hour days, however, doesn’t mean we’re gonna starve.  Dinner gets a little simpler, but remains just as tasty.

The recipe for my tortellini soup has just five ingredients and is really comforting at the end of a long day. Add in some crusty bread and you’re all set.

Give it a try, and let me know what you think!

Have a HEARTY Thursday.

 

Like this?  You might also like my recipe for 3 ingredient southwestern chicken stew!

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February 22, 2012

Scheming Up a DIY Headboard

in try this at home with 6 Comments

I’ve mentioned my plans for my headboard a few times, but the other day, I got my nailhead trim in the mail, and I’m excited to finally share! You know sharing my plans keeps me accountable, so here’s what’s going on.

I love the Curve headboard shown above from Crate and Barrel, and I am thinking that I’ll want corner cut-outs that are just a bit more exaggerated than the actual style from C&B.  This is what usually happens to me, I get an idea going in my head that has been based off something I see, but I’d like mine to be slightly different.  Maybe it’s a byproduct of working in the retail production industry, or maybe I’m just picky.

Regardless, I picked up some nailhead trim for just $3 per yard, some MDF for just $12, and some linen upholstery fabric for around $7 per yard.  I’m excited that I’ll get to play with the headboard proportions in front of the shelves (which have yet to be revealed) to see what works best for the shape.

Flexibility and affordability?  I like it!

What are your thoughts? Do you like where this is going?

Have a LOVELY Wednesday!

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February 21, 2012

Style Splurge: Original Art

in Home Decor with 18 Comments

Art is one of those things that is personal and just jumps out and gets you, which is something (other than the price tag) that makes it a splurge. Sometimes it just feels too frivolous to spend a lot of money on something just because it’s beautiful.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about buying an original piece of art for my dining room.  Something that is modern, fun, colorful, and feminine.  I absolutely adore the gallery wall in the home office of Erika Brechtel who owns and runs Small Shop Studio and think a bold pop of color is just what I need.

1. Brittany Bass – Moss Growth IV 2. Meg Birim – better this time than ever before 3. Jen Ramos – The Beginning 4. Michelle Armas – Save the Bugle

Which is your favorite?  I know which one I’m leaning towards!

Have a BEAUTIFUL Tuesday!

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February 20, 2012

Easy Entertaining: A Winter Night in Spain (part 2)

in easy entertaining, Party Style with 10 Comments

I can’t even describe how well the ‘Winter Night in Spain’ party went this weekend. The decor was fun, but simple and the food turned out exactly as I had hoped. Possibly better.

We started with an assortment of tapas: spanish cheeses, olives, marcona almonds, sherry marinated mushrooms, chorizo and chevre stuffed peppers, patatas fritas, and some cured spanish meats.  I just served them super casual off the coffee table with little cocktail napkins and some wooden picks.  We sat on the floor, drank Cava and snacked for about an hour an a half while the Paella steamed in the oven.

The tapas relocated to the table once the Paella was ready to keep the casual snacking going, we traded in our flutes of cava for some bold Spanish red wine.

I formed my own recipe for the paella and you can download it here. It had perfectly yellow saffron laced rice, with heaps of chicken, chorizo, and shellfish.

Everything was served in a mixture of olive wood bowls and terra-cotta saucers which I ended up getting at the garden store for just a dollar each! I strung up my red tinged floral garland and put together a few small, low arrangements of monochromatic red flowers.

The food was casual and communal, the company was lively and fun. I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect night in Spain, -er Ohio.

Do you think you’d try a Spanish themed party? Have you tried serving any new, global foods to your friends? If so, how did it go?

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February 17, 2012

Friday Faves 2.17

in friday favorites with 1 Comment

ONE if you’re a fan of gift wrapping and party crafts, like me, you’ll just love Knot & Bow.  From stickers to gift tags to (real) bakery twine, you’ll want it all.  Kraft paper starburst seals are something I’ve had my eye on. $4 TWO Verre turquoise tea lights are cozy and colorful for your february (and they’ll be stunning in the summer too!) $98 for the set of six at Olive and Cocoa THREE I found out about these amazing whipped cream hearts via Lark + Linen and I’m definitely trying this over the weekend.  Spread whipped cream on parchment, freeze, and then cut into any shape.  photo above from a super sweet winter engagement photo shoot by Emily Steffen via The Sweetest Occasion. FOUR this girl loves cocktail napkins, but throw metallic chevron in there and they’re mine! $7 from Mignon Kitchen Co  (ps. check out mignon’s owner’s beautiful blog, elephantine) FIVE I was blown away by this idea to bake mini cakes with tin cans! Originally from here, but artfully executed by Jordan from Oh Happy Day! … now for what reason to bake a cake this weekend…

Aside from making whipped cream cut-outs and trying to find a reason to bake mini cakes, this weekend we’ll be hosting our Winter Night in Spain dinner party with about 12 of our friends. (oh, and I got a brilliant idea in the shower this morning for the terra-cotta tapas plates, so you must come back next week to see how it all turned out!)

Have a COZY & WARM winter weekend!

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February 16, 2012

Easy Entertaining: A Winter Night in Spain

in easy entertaining, Party Style with 11 Comments

This is my second year hosting a dinner party for Valentine’s Day with about 12 of our close friends. Last year it sprung about because I felt that a fun intimate dinner would be much better than everyone splitting off, spending money on separate dinner, then just getting together afterwards anyway.

A couple of weeks ago, Matt and I went to a cooking class at Sur la Table which focused on spanish cuisine.  It was absolutely delicious and we thought it was a wonderfully, warm, intimate theme to bring to our V-day dinner party.

As with each party I show you guys, I first put together a mood board of photos that help to keep my focus and color palette while planning the event. I’ll focus on lots of warm, earthy colors like, red in some flower garland, terra cotta in my tapas bowls, brown with some olive wood, and gold in the fiery patatas fritas and lemon.  A little blue of some painted pottery will be thrown in there for balance  to keep all the warm hues from meshing together.

On the menu:

Tapas

Spanish cheese, olives, cured meats, sautéed mushrooms, and stuffed piquillo peppers styled with terra cotta tapas bowls, olive wood serving accessories, and my go-to parchment paper.

Paella

Two kinds – a seafood version and chicken and chorizo version.  Staples are a good pan and a ton of short grain rice.

Dessert will not be flan

I’m not a fan of flan, but instead will be a hazelnut brandy custard which is warm and creamy (nobody will miss the flan)!

On the drink menu:

Cava (Spanish sparkling wine)

Spanish Red Wine – above from spanish winery Mas Candi

After Dinner Spanish Lattes (with a spicy, boozy kick!)

 

In my opinion, no matter what the theme, or how elaborate you choose to take it – any party where family style serving and help-yourself tapas are involved is instantly casual.  This is kind of a new theme for me, so I’m sticking with that more rustic, casual approach so that I’m not completely out of my comfort zone!

I’ll be back next week to show pictures from the evening as well as the recipes I used! 

Have a TERRIFIC Thursday!

 

photos in mood collage: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

 

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