Thursday, June 9, 2011

Showers and the official end of my first house chapter

I know its June but May was so busy I am still recovering;)   A few days after Shaun's wedding I packed up my stuff and moved into the new house.  Into the basement of the new house since the upstairs is still a war zone.  It hasn't been that bad-its been a month already;)

Scott and I had our first shower two days after I moved.  It was a couples shower at Tennessee National thrown by great friends.  The atmosphere and company were fantastic and I has so much fun.  Scott did too...but I don't know that he will admit it as readily;)

The next week I closed on my first home.  It was touch and go up to the very last moment.  I was convinced the deal was simply going to fall through.  But then-miraculously, it didn't.  I thought I was going to be a mess.  I envisioned myself walking through the empty rooms sobbing.  Thinking-woulda,coulda, shoulda.  But I wasn't and I didn't.  I cleaned it up..took some pictures and wished it well.  I think it served its purpose in my life and I got everything out of it I could get.  There was nothing left there for me.  I know the young couple who purchased it as there first home will make great memories there just like Scott and I will continue to make great memories in our first home together.  Cycle of life, kumbbyeya, say la vie.  In Oprah's words- no bitter, all sweet!!

Speaking of Oprah-I am not ready to address her leaving me.  I dvred her show regularly and loved it.  She taught me allot.

Now the second half of May in pictures;)
The gift table in all its glory.

Megan, Tommy and Matt watching the gift opening carnage.

The ladies enjoying the show.

All the guys...Scott was a bit sad to be cut out of this herd to help with knots and opening;)

Jen's artistic interpretation of the event;)



A glass decanter that Scott was excited to see. Many of the gifts were brand new to him since he allowed me to do some registering on my own;)  This one was for him. 

Chelsea taking diligent notes so I could send my notes of gratitude.

Me with the ribbon bouquet that Megan brilliantly put together.


This one is my favorite.  This captures how much fun I had the whole evening.  Also I never knew I opened my mouth so wide when I laugh? 

The master bedroom at Pandora.  Did I ever show this paint color?  I always loved it and will duplicate it in the new house.

Guest bedroom.  All the rooms looked so tiny once they were empty.

Mater bath.  This room gave us a run for our money as we approached closing.  Scott was a superstar and got everything where it needed to be.

Half bath.  I don't know if I ever showed this reno.  It was the last small room I did at the old house.  Classic cottage style.

Living room.  Also very tiny without furniture.

Friday, June 3, 2011

69 Tips for the Perfect Kitchen

1.  I love Ina Garten

2.  I want a kitchen just like her kitchen-either the main house or the entertainment barn,

3.  I am actively designing a new kitchen

4.  I found this.

5.  I plan to steal as many ideas from this list as possible.

6.  If you have checked out my registries you know I had this thought sometime ago-since it reads a bit like this list.  White platters and cake plates anyone?

 

69 Tips For The Perfect Kitchen by Ina Garten!


I found this on the fabulous Barefoot Contessa Site and want it ALL! Don't you? 
1Parchment paper
for sheet pans
Available at
nycake.com
 


2Cook's IllustratedAvailable at
CooksIllustrated.com
 


3Graduated glass bowlsAvailable at
Williams-Sonoma.com
CassandrasKitchen.com
4Baking mixesAvailable at
BarefootContessa.com
StonewallKitchen.com
5Olio Santo extra virgin olive oilAvailable at
Williams-Sonoma.com
CassandrasKitchen.com
6Spice drawer and jarsAvailable at
Williams-Sonoma.com
7Personal Recipe FileAvailable at
Golden Eagle Art
631 324 0603
8Plan B - containersAvailable at
CassandrasKitchen.com
11Post-it notes for seatingAvailable at
Office supply stores
12Votive Candle HoldersAvailable at
Bloom
631 725 5940
13Post-it notes for plattersAvailable at
Office supply stores
14Cake standsCassandrasKitchen.com
and Hotel Silver at
Bergdorf Goodman
800 558 1855
15Extra mixing bowlAvailable at
CulinaryParts.com
800 543 7549
166" wood skewers
for cake testers
Available at grocery stores and
CassandrasKitchen.com
17Flat platters by ApilcoAvailable at
Williams-Sonoma.com
18French bread basketsAvailable at
Antique stores andPastryItems.com
19Gel matsAvailable at
GelPro.com
20Large basketAvailable at
Axel-Vervoordt.com
21Cast-iron skilletsAvailable at
Hardware and Cookware stores
22Two DishwashersAvailable at
Bosch.com
23Chef's Choice 130Available at
SurLaTable.com and
Amazon.com
25White BakewareApilco and Pilluyvet
DeanDeluca.com
Williams-Sonoma.com
26Extra bowl for
food processor
Available at
CulinaryParts.com
CassandrasKitchen.com
27PepperMate pepper millAvailable at
PepperMate.com
CassandrasKitchen.com
28Large stockpotAvailable at
DeanDeluca.com
29TimersAvailable at
Hardware stores and
CassandrasKitchen.com
30Half-sheet pansAvailable at
CrateandBarrel.com
CassandrasKitchen.com
31Grocery padsAvailable at
The Monogram Shop
TheMonogramShops.com
32Parchment paper for baking pansAvailable at
nycake.com
34ThermometersAvailable at
Hardware and Cookware stores
35Counting ingredients
before finishing a recipe
37Crocks for utensilsAvailable at
CrateandBarrel.com
Williams-Sonoma.com
38Pop-up spongesAvailable at
Williams-Sonoma.com
39Handmade bowlsAvailable at
Bloom
631 725 5940
40Salt crockAvailable at
DeanDeluca.com
41Crock for spoons and spatulasAvailable at
CrateandBarrel.com
Williams-Sonoma.com
42Candy thermometerAvailable at
Hardware and Cookware stores
CassandrasKitchen.com
43White dish towelsAvailable at
Williams-Sonoma.com
44Cooking spoonsHotel Silver
Bergdorf Goodman
800 558 1855
45Plain white platesAvailable at
CrateandBarrel.com
46Dish towels as napkinsAvailable at
Williams-Sonoma.com
47Large bowl for wineRoyal Boch earthenware
Ruby Beets
RubyBeets.com
48White plattersAvailable at
Antique stores and
Williams-Sonoma.com
49Pretty dessert platesAvailable at
Antique stores and
TedMuehling.com
50Drinking glasses
for vases
Available at
CB2.com
51Place cardsAvailable at
The Monogram Shop
TheMonogramShops.com
52Unironed linen napkinsAvailable at
Bloom
631 725 5940
53Chinese strainerAvailable at
Restaurant supply stores
54Box graterAvailable at
Hardware and Cookware stores
55Coffee grinder for spices by KrupsAvailable at
amazon.com
56Salad spinner by OxoAvailable at
amazon.com
57Linen twineAvailable at
Williams-Sonoma.com
58Vegetable peeler
by Kuhn Rikon
CassandrasKitchen.com
Amazon.com
59Professional utensilsAvailable at
Restaurant supply stores
60Microplane raspAvailable at
CassandrasKitchen.com
61Professional plastic wrapAvailable at
Restaurant supply stores
CassandrasKitchen.com
62Glass ingredient bowlsAvailable at
Williams-Sonoma.com
63French rolling pinAvailable at
Williams-Sonoma.com
CassandrasKitchen.com
64Cooking scale by SalterAvailable at
Williams-Sonoma.com
65Wooden salad bowlAvailable at
Antique stores
66Storage containersAvailable at
CassandrasKitchen.com
67Graduated stainless
steel bowls
Available at
Restaurant supply stores
CassandrasKitchen.com
68Pastry bags and tipsAvailable at
SurLaTable.com
CassandrasKitchen.com
Chinese take-out containersAvailable at
CassandrasKitchen.com