Bling in a Ring...

So I have a little obsession with big rings!!! Here's a few of my favorites via the wonders and talents of Etsy! mm... I'll have that one... and that one... oh, and that cute bag and pretty necklace while I'm at it!!

Pearl Cluster - Rigmarole Mega Mum - lizhutnick


Three Stone - Toosis Rosie Rose - GemDesignsbyBarbara


Bag - Ninu Necklace - GirlsInPearls

Because Orange Twice in One Day is Better...

To Tuft or not to Tuft? I'll tuft thank you. Especially that stunning orange ottoman above (from cozycozy.com!) I wouldn't say no to that beauty! Also loving that aqua, sea green color of the sofa next to it!! Okay.. so here are some of my absolute favorite tufted masterpieces! Enjoy! (and if you don't like tufting, well... there's always the sweet potato recipe right?!)

Because Orange Is Good...

Because I had a baked sweet potato for dinner (with butter, black pepper, raisins & sharp cheese!) I couldn't resist this pic (yum)... so I thought I'd post the recipe for it too. And boy, does it look deeeeelish!

Sweet Potato Stacks: Tri-color, garlic, fried sage

Tri-Color Garlic Sweet Potato Stacks

1 Tbsp chopped raw garlic

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 large sweet potatoes: one garnet, one jewel, one Japanese (about 2 1/2 lb), washed and sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

24 fresh sage leaves

1. Preheat oven 450°F with rack in upper third. Toss garlic with olive oil and mix thoroughly with sweet potatoes in large bowl. Spread in 1 layer in a 15-by 10-inch shallow baking pan.

2. Bake until soft, about 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a small heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then fry sage leaves in 2 batches, stirring, until crisp, 30 seconds to 1 minute per batch. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

4. To serve, stack sweet potato slices, alternating colors. Place sage leaves on top.

Hot Choc?

Okay, fine. If I have to be here then I'm going to have one of these warming Chili Hot Chocolates while the snow falls down around me!
This recipe makes for 10 servings, So who would like to join me?!

Chilli Hot Chocolate

Naughty, delicious and with a hint of fire, just what you need after a chilly walk.

• Serves: 4
• Takes: 10mins

Ingredients

• 750ml (1¼ pints) skimmed milk
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 red chillies, halved and deseeded
• 100g (3½oz) dark chocolate, grated
• 25g (1oz) demerara sugar

What to do

• Place the milk in a saucepan with the cinnamon stick and chillies. Carefully bring to a very gentle simmer for one minute. Take off the heat and leave to one side for 5 minutes so the flavours infuse.
• Reheat, then remove the cinnamon, and reserve the chillies on one side for decoration later. Add the chocolate and stir in until it melts, add the sugar and mix.
• Serve up in warming mugfuls. If you want to go for total luxury and a real one-off treat then top with a spoon of whipped cream, a dusting of chocolate and decorate with a half chilli – to give your family and friends a hint of what they are in for!

Sunshine vs Snow Storm?

There's a blizzard coming towards NYC. It's ready to drop inches upon inches of white powdery snow.... I'd like to be in the Bahamas right now... right there in the photo above, dipping my toes in that crystal water, wandering through that soft sand... yes please.
And maybe riding a horse like those below, warm salt sea air brushing past my face as we gallop along the waters edge... don't mind if I do, thank you very much.

Portrait courtesy of Ralph Lauren...

On the note of Ralph Lauren paint swatches, you must check this out!!!
Self portrait with swatches - I love this! I've been inspired even further!!
Check out Nathan's full Flickr set here!! and his .com here!

Paint Swatch Wall!

This weekend I decided to get a little creative...so on a chilly Saturday early afternoon I walked into Home Depot on 23rd street and picked up a few Ralph Lauren paint swatches...

I've wanted to do something with the wall behind my bed for a long time. And back then I did start it off by painting the wall that pretty purple/pink color (see the inspiration post about it here!) but since then that's about all that happened to it. I did have one of my paintings hanging there, but really having it over my head while I slept didn't always feel so great...fear of it dropping on me perhaps?!!

So, with an idea I've played with before on canvases, and from some remembered inspiration from Design*Sponge on the below pics, I decided to try out some graphic artwork myself!

I did the top half first, setting all of the colors out on my coffee table, and over a few cups of tea I finally had them in a position I liked. Ill admit, I'm pretty particular about how things look and that they have to feel right to my eyes! And then with a bit of measuring on my wall, and after backing each swatch with mounting tape, I preceded to line up the first row!
I totally enjoyed doing this by the way!! Maybe it was because I was finally getting it up on the wall, or because I loved being so creative (after feeling as though I hadn't been for so long!) or maybe it was because I was blasting out music, singing along, and just thoroughly enjoying the whole time!
Now, the second half, neat little trick I pulled out of my hat! I mirrored the top half!! I was missing one or two identical swatches, and just replaced them with ones as similar as I could get it. The odd mismatch added a twist! I really love how it turned out! If I could change anything I'd make it bigger!! But maybe I can add a line here or there sometime too!



Images from this post on Design*Sponge! The reviews on that post are intense though I warn you!

Where I'd like to have some dreams...

I completely adore this bed. But with mountains of fluffy white sheets. And in my bedroom.
I want it.... right. now. I don't know what else there is to say!

Fresh and So Clean, Clean...

I just found these three photos on brent.darby's photostream on flickr and I instantly loved them. Cool minty frostiness... love the lipstick artwork. And the Union Jack doormat!

Happy New Year and East Hampton...

Happy New Year to all!
Now even though NYC is facing sub-zero temperatures, the enjoyable Christmas season is over, the snow keeps coming down, and the first 2010 work week hits hard tomorrow morning, I've decided to do some real estate hunting. East Hamptons stylie...
So onto warm sunny days, where lounging by the pool is a 'must have'... doesn't sound bad now does it?!
Soo... here's a little beauty I wouldn't mind purchasing (if only my purse would stretch so far).
I love the lake, AND pool.. and I adore the cool white interior, the rustic worn woods, the gorgeous vaulted ceilings, the big windows with light flooding in, and the feeling of cool warmth this little abode exudes..
For the full posting....here!

Updates and Twinkle Lights!

Dear Bloggers, Readers, and Blog World,

I offer my apologies! I have been gone far too long, and although I think I have a pretty good excuse, I have missed you so much!!
I had shamefully forgotten how much I loved posting here and sharing with all of you - return readers and new ones - all of the things that I love and get up to!

So, to recap on the past few months, and just briefly to spare you all the long drawn out story time!
My Sister moved to NYC, and has been staying with me until she gets on her own feet here, and I am happy to report she has done good job of it to! And right before Christmas - I think she got her Christmas wish! ;)
I got a new job!! Which, I have now been in since September, and I absolutely adore!!! I feel I am very lucky indeed that in this economy I was able to move from one company, right into another, and with more money! So, from an Architecture firm to a high end Interior Design firm as a project manager.. and I couldn't be happier!!
Home is pretty much the same. Same lovely apartment, with my fat boy slim cat, Oscar! He has gained a few more toys since August mind you! Thanksgiving was spend with my Sister at the Macy's Parade - I've been here over three years and that was the first time I'd seen it! And the holidays, of course, also came with the traditional trip to Las Vegas with my Dad!!!
On the romantic side of my life, my boyfriend and I broke up, I believe I had mentioned him on here before. Still, when it's not working, it's just not working.
And now we are all rolling on into Christmas!!! Which my the way - I LOVE!!!
Last night, while my roomie, and my sister was out, I had a glass of wine, sang Christmas songs and put up my own set of gorgeous twinkle lights around the breakfast bar! I hung my pretty glass ornaments from them too, and I must say, they look pretty special!! I went for the white wire twinkle lights of course - they are soo much nicer when a tree isn't involved!!
Talking of which, the tree was out of bounds due to my fat boy slim! Who I believe would have had way too much fun trying to eat the thing! This way is much more cat friendly, and still so beautifully Christmasy!!!! Oh!! It's so exciting!!

And so, to finish off my long update of goings on! I've posted below some pretty images of twinkly lights... because they're not just for Christmas, and yes, I'm trying to convince myself I can keep mine up all year round!! I love them around the bed - so beautifully pretty and rustic!!

Hot Down, Summer In The City....

NYC has been pretty sweltering recently, and with this weeks real feel temperatures hitting 100 degrees, I'm thanking the heavens for A/C's, iced coffee's and sunglasses!

Of course, hot august nyc days always make me think of this beloved classic... ohhh yeaaa!!!!! ;)