Win the CB2 and Novogratz Brazil Sweepstakes!

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Danielle

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CB2. All opinions are 100% mine.

Recently, I was asked to share with you the new line that Cortney and Robert Novogratz created for CB2. Have you seen it yet? Inspired by their family trips to Brazil, the furnishings are infused with a playful mix of bold color and modern style.

CB2 and Novogratz Collection

To me, one of the most impressive parts of the Novogratz story is that not only are they talented designers who have been working together for over twenty years, but they are also mom and dad to seven… yes, seven… kiddos.

Let that sink in for just a minute.

I have worked professionally with my husband for two years and I can completely relate to the fun and occasional challenge that arises from combining business and marriage. Being parents to two, our plate feels VERY full. However, if we added five more kids to the mix, our household would be off the charts.

But Cortney and Robert have been able to balance running a successful design studio and having a big, busy family. The proof is in their latest line for CB2.

Some of my favorite pieces include:

Luli Table Lamp

LuliLampS13

This white ceramic monkey is whimsical and combined with the simplicity of the grey lampshade, it would make a perfect addition to our daughter’s bedroom.

Botao Stripe Armless Sectional Chair

BotaoSecArmlssChStripe3QS13

I’m a sucker for a stripe and this color combination is super versatile. This chair is a more sophisticated update to the one Tess already has and I also love it in the grey or violet versions. Either would be amazing in her room!

The Boa Sorte Backgammon Set

BoaSorteBackgammonGameS13

I had to include this since I grew up playing backgammon with my family. Frankly, we are competitive and cutthroat. That’s why it made total sense for me to try to teach Tyson how to play on our honeymoon. It didn’t go well. Thankfully, he decided to stay married to me. We haven’t played again since, but this would be a great set for my brother.

I highly recommend checking out the new CB2 line by Novogratz. And for additional fun, CB2 is hosting a sweepstakes.

The details for your chance to win:

- You and 3 friends could win the trip of a lifetime! Win a one week stay at the vacation home of CB2 collaborators Bob and Courtney Novogratz in beautiful Trancoso, Brazil.*

-  10 other lucky winners will receive a CB2 giftcard worth $100 along with a personally signed copy of the book “Home by Novogratz”.

- To Enter click the link: CB2 and Novogratz Brasil Sweepstakes Sweepstakes to run from May 2nd through June 3rd.

What are your favorites from the new CB2 line? Let’s be honest… how great would it be to win a trip to Brazil? And get to stay at the Novogratz vacation home?! And maybe even take your favorite blogger along with you?!!

Okay… just kidding on that last one. Just a little…

My IKEA Wish List

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Danielle

Last week, I went to IKEA to pick-up the wooden KNUFF organizers that I mentioned here. When I went, I promised myself I was only going for the one item. Get in, get out. I know how foolish that sounds to some of you, but I promise, I had good intentions. However, much like Target, IKEA has a way of sucking you in and you slowly find yourself wandering the aisles wondering if you need another pair of Swedish salad tongs.

So I started taking note of things that caught my eye to share with you here. A couple of items I purchased, but most of them are now on my IKEA Wish List.

Heart Shaped Ice Tray

My friend, Alex at Northstory does amazing things with shaped ice trays. Where I think “just add water”, she sees the possibilities of so much more. You can see some of her fun ideas here and here. For .99 cents, I knew it was time to take a page from Alex’s playbook pick up this little heart ice tray.

Cute Daisies

I mentioned in my Mother’s Day post that I love the simple elegance of daisies. I even keep some permanently in my workroom. However, these guys are the perfect size for a small vase and at $1.49, they make an easy home accent.

Springform Pan

This is one of the items I truly regret not getting. This springform pan has heart shape embellishments on the bottom and it has an insert to easily convert it into a bundt pan style. 2 for 1 and all my future Picaken problems would be solved.

Plants & Lace Pots

I passed these up the first time I saw them in the store, but when I hit the second display, I knew they would come home with me. There’s something about the lace like trim and the playful little leaves that I love. I’m not sure where in our home this set will end up, but everywhere I place it, it just makes me smile.

Bedspread & Cushion Covers

I love grey and red together so when I came across a display of this red bedspread set next to the same set in grey, they immediately caught my eye. If we were in the market to replace our summer coverlet in our Master Bedroom, I think this would be the perfect option. It’s understated by being just one color, but the decorative stitching keeps it from being boring.

Akerkulla Fabric

If I hadn’t already done Tessa’s desk chair in IKEA’s Janette fabric, Akerkulla would be my fabric of choice. I really like the playfulness of the pattern and the simple grey color allows the pattern to be the star of the show.

Leather Chair

I SO wanted this YSTAD chair to come home with me. It would be perfect for the family room. Not too big, not too small, just right! It was in their “As Is” section and marked down to $450.00. Someone in Portland has a great new chair.

Mini Globe Lights

This little impulse buy has left my family asking “what’s up with that?” I thought they’d be cute out on the patio table when we BBQ this summer. I picked up the aqua colored ones and they look like little eggs (or aliens… I can’t decide) next to our owl candle holder.

Have you had any success during a recent trip to IKEA? Do you get sucked in by the wonders of their store? See anything here that you would add to your IKEA wish list? Let me know which are your favorites or something that you might already own.

The Fine Print: This is NOT a sponsored post. I’m just a girl sharing her infatuation with swedish home furnishings.

Cooking Up A Project

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Danielle

My grandmother was a recipe collector. I don’t have memories of her spending hours in the kitchen, but she was always collecting recipes. Don’t get me wrong, she had some stellar “go-to” dishes that I can’t imagine life without. Most of them were made during the holidays… Tom & Jerry’s, Divinity, Depression Fruitcake… but some of them were just every day things like Open Face Salad. The truth is she worked outside the home and when I spent my summers at my grandparents, she was always quick to play Yahtzee or cards with me instead of being in the kitchen when she got home from work. I liked that about my summers with her.

However, when she passed away several years ago, my mom came across all of her recipes. Many of them were torn from newspapers and magazines, but my favorites were those that she took time to write out in her beautiful handwriting. I made sure to get copies of those for my own little collection.

Speaking of my own collection… frankly, it’s a hot mess.

I keep my cookbooks to a minimum, but I continually find myself collecting recipes that girlfriends have emailed me or items from Food Magazine that look SO amazing. But these clippings don’t really fit in a traditional recipe box. They are starting to take on a life of their own and it’s time to wrangle them in.

Last week, I made a trip to IKEA to pick up a set of their KNUFF boxes. I searched several craft stores and container supply and there’s nothing truly like the KNUFF containers. They come in sets of two for $9.99. They are sturdy and (my favorite) customizable.

Before I could prime the box, I taped off the interior. I like the natural wood finish for the inside, but I have something unique planned for the exterior.

In my prep, I was sure to cover the holes too.

Once everything was taped up, it was time to prime.

Then came a few light coats of black spray paint.

For the next part of this project, I color copied one of my grandmother’s recipes. My plan is to create a decorative border from the antiqued cards that are in my grandmother’s handwriting. Of course, I didn’t want to destroy any of her original recipe cards and they copied beautifully onto a heavy card stock. I also picked up Washi Tape and these decorative frames.

Before applying my copied recipe cards, I marked a 1.25 inch guideline around the bottom of the KNUFF box.

I then applied the copied recipe cards with Mod Podge and sealed the whole box off with a top coat.

Using leftover chalkboard labels and my chalk marker, I was able to make a title card for the inside of the wood frame.

I love having a larger box to put all me random recipes in… one that can stand up easily next to my cookbooks. Tyson loves that life is a little more organized in our home.

Do you have a special memory of your grandparents that makes you smile? What about a family recipe that has been passed down through the years? How do you contain recipe clutter?

This project was made with love and is being included in Victoria Elizabeth Barnes‘ link-up party. To check out all the other well loved projects or to share your own, you can visit Victoria’s site here.

Let’s Hear It for the Moms

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Danielle

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I’ve asked my family not to make a big hoopla this year. I don’t mean that in a “don’t do anything, but I’m secretly hoping for a parade” kinda way. I mean it in a “pleeeease don’t do anything” kinda way. Next month I’ll be traveling to see my mom, so Mother’s Day already feels sufficiently covered. I’d rather just keep things simple instead.

But trust me… I normally want the parade.

However, that’s not to say that I don’t have some picks that would brighten someone’s day. I think these are some sweet little ways to pamper mom and they’d also be nice for a friend, neighbor or even teacher appreciation.

Dove Sea Salt Caramel Dark Chocolate.

Honestly, I picked these up because they matched my table decor perfectly, but they did not disappoint. You’ve got sea salt, caramel, AND dark chocolate… what’s not to love?! Fair warning: my family who typically turns down the sea salt and dark chocolate combo devoured these.

Archer Farms Shortbread Cookies.

These little treats are courtesy of Target and they are A-MAH-ZING. They are buttery, sugar goodness looking like an innocent cookie. A little strawberries and cream and they would be the most divine mini-strawberry shortcakes EVER.

Daisies.

Flowers are always a safe bet for Mother’s Day, but I love daisies for their simple elegance.

Cute Napkins

Decorative napkins are always a fun and practical way to dress up a meal together.

Homemade Breakfast

Nothing says “I love you” like cooking for me. Tess has been making this Easy French Toast since she got The Gourmet Cookbook for Christmas. It’s so delicious! Also, this recipe can be made ahead of time… even the night before. Then while it’s cooking, you can really impress by making homemade syrup (from the same cookbook). It will blow your mama’s mind!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s in my life!

To my own mom,

To my sister-in-law, mother-in-law, step mother-in-law, cousin-in-law and aunt,

To my California moms,

To my Oregon moms,

To my blogger moms,

And to all the sweet gals (moms or not) who pour into my kids and make-up for my own shortcomings as a mom. I’m not going to say “it takes a village”… only that I am forever thankful for your presence in their lives.

Have a great day, ladies!

**The Gourmet Cookbook is an Amazon Affiliate link and has been provided for your additional information.

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Win the CB2 and Novogratz Brazil Sweepstakes!

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My IKEA Wish List

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Cooking Up A Project

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Let’s Hear It for the Moms

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