Birthday Dinner ~ 2011

18 Wednesday May 2011

Posted by in Entertaining, Flowers, Food, Party Planning, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

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As I’ve mentioned before, we’re part of a 5-couple “birthday” group.  Four couples (we are close friends with) started a dinner group where we celebrate birthdays honoring each of us (usually 2 at a time) throughout the year.  I have posted about it HERE and HERE.

This year it is my turn to celebrate the birthday of our baker extraordinaire of the group, Joyce.

I decorated my concrete puti (that stands guard at the front door) with live ivy and star jasmine.

I began thinking about the table setting back in January and found a Ralph Lauren tablecloth at T.J. Maxx to help me set the color and theme.

Because I’ve been loving lanterns I picked up the white lanterns and decided to use them along with some spring flowers.

My mom gave me the depression glass plates (she had found them at a garage sale) and I’ve used them for salad and dessert.  The dinner plates are Pottery Barn’s catering plates, perfectly plain and white.

The menu will include a favorite Pistachio Crusted Chicken, fresh asparagus and roasted potatoes.  The dinner is a little rich but I’ll pass out Alka Seltzer after dinner and all will be fine!

I will post the recipe for the chicken later.

Happy Birthday, Joyce!  May 2011 be the best year ever.

Catalog Inspiration

16 Monday May 2011

Posted by in Decorating, Trends

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I’ve always received more catalogs than I could possibly order from or want.  I admit that the recent recession cut the number of catalogs I received by quiet a bit…my post man seems so much friendlier!

Pierre Deux catalog

Note to self…I’d love to have a taxidermy pheasant.

Images above via Pierre Deux catalog

There are 4 catalogs that I thoroughly enjoy, not because I order from them, but because I get inspired by some of the room decoration.  They are Williams Sonoma Home (I love Williams Sonoma/cooking as well but I’ll save that for another post), Pierre Deux, Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn.

Williams Sonoma Home has a host of some of the best names in design now offering their ideas to create “your room your way”.  Names like Bunny Williams, Mary McDonald, Joe Nye and Carolyne Roehm.  I realize there is more at stake for these home stores/catalogs so it makes perfect sense.

The above 2 images Williams Sonoma Home catalog

I believe some of the catalogs raised the bar as far as room display some years back.  In fact, Pierre Deux and Restoration Hardware started advertising in several of the nesting magazines with full page ads that are very impressive.

Pottery Barn gets a certain amount of scorn from certain home enthusiasts but you have to admit, they truly have something for everyone.  Even if you don’t care for their furniture, their ability to accessorize is pretty amazing and you can use your own treasures and just borrow a little inspiration from their catalog for your own home.

The above 6 images via Pottery Barn catalog

Restoration Hardware took a new direction in 2008 when Chairman and Co-CEO, Gary F. Friedman decided to rock the boat…when other companies were lowering their prices due to the recession, he and his team raised the quality and subsequently the price of their furnishings.  I have heard people say they love the new look and some that find it dreary.  I’m somewhere in the middle.  I must admit I love the gray tones and the light industrial look of many of their furnishings.  Its fun to look at their store and I hear they opened a gallery in San Francisco that is pretty impressive…see what I mean, the bar has been raised!

So what catalogs do you enjoy, if any.  Do you buy very much from them?

Rose Tarlow, Tricia Foley…stirs the naturalist in me

13 Friday May 2011

Posted by in Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Designer

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When I first saw this room designed by Rose Tarlow (Architectural Digest, 1991) I fell in love with its uncomplicated beauty and with the live vines growing in the room.  I hadn’t seen vines (attached to the wall) growing indoors before and thought it was such a wonderful concept.  During my high school years I visited a friend of a friend whose parents had built their house around a tree.  I thought that was pretty cool as well.  Joni at Cote de Texas did an extensive post on Rose Tarlow HERE.

The Rose Tarlow room reminded me of the “naturalist” trend in design that took place in the late seventies,  something I was always attracted to…being the nature girl that I am.  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to rough it…ask my husband!  I just mean I’ve always taken to nature in a more broad sense of the word.  I love gardens and forests and butterflies and most harmless insects and animals.

Besides the vines growing near the window, I love the ceiling.

Notice the earthiness of the logs stacked sky-high?  I love this room, it looks like something John Muir might have lived in.

Tricia Foley is another designer whose rooms always evoke a sense of nature and as a result, feel very comforting and comfortable.  Maybe the truth is, the simpler we keep our furnishings the more freedom we experience.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my “stuff” and can’t imagine not having it displayed in various rooms throughout our home, but I have to admit there is an allure to simple, uncluttered rooms.

This might have a natural flavor but it’s a bit too jumbled for me.

 

This above image is a shot of  The Graphics Fairy living room vignette

When rooms are decorated using natural elements there is a sense that  the home is in the country somewhere and that maybe you would harvest your own vegetables from your garden and gather wild flowers for the vases instead of hothouse flowers.  Much like Willoughby (Greg Wise) in Ang Lee’s, Sense and Sensibility in the scene where he gives simple wildflowers to Miss Marianne (Kate Winslet).

Another home that gives me the sense of simple, natural elegance is the home featured in the blog site A Country Farmhouse.

This blog is appealing in the way that you imagine a simpler life might be.  I believe the farm house is in Oregon and the seasons play a huge role in the activities around “home”.  Visit if you haven’t before!

Are you a country mouse or a city mouse?  (Remember that book?)

A toast to spring…beverage recipes

11 Wednesday May 2011

Posted by in Drink, Entertaining, Outdoor living

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So after a tempting week of warmer temperatures in the usually warm Southern California, we have been once again plunged into days of drizzle and gray.  Yes, I’d like cheese and crackers with this whine!

Anyway, I forged ahead this past Mother’s Day weekend with work in the garden and an eye on the future spring/summer temperatures that will undoubtedly arrive and stay at some point.

With summer temperatures visualization in mind (visualization is supposed to work to make it so, right?) I thought I would post a couple of really delicious beverages that can make you indifferent to outside temperatures. 🙂

Images above via Brabourne Farm

Yellowbird

Beverage (Bon Appetit 1980)

—————————————————————————————————————————-

Ingredients

  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 2 cups pineapple juice
  • 1 ½ cups rum or vodka
  • 1 cup Galliano
  • ¼ cup Grand Marnier

 

Preparation Instructions

 

Mix all ingredients and pour over ice, garnish with pineapple spear, orange slice and cherry (optional)

———————————————————————————————

Tropical Garden Punch

Beverage

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Ingredients

5 cups Dole pineapple juice

2 12-ounce cans guava nectar

1 6-ounce can frozen limeade concentrate

1 cup vodka (optional)

2 limes thinly sliced

Preparation Instructions

Mix all and pour over ice.  Garnish with lime slices.

Dining Rooms…anyone hungry?

09 Monday May 2011

Posted by in Decorating

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Chapter 2 of “my dream home tour”…as you may have read HERE,  I sometimes dream of the perfect home {is there such a thing?}.  This comes more from my constant dreaming ♥ of homes, both large and small, than from any dissatisfaction with my own home.  Like an avid artist or writer, I look for beauty in my surroundings.  My own home continues to evolve over time (with mostly minor improvements) but there are days when I think, “wow, wouldn’t this be a cool fill in the blank with the room you are wishing for”

Image via Brabourne Farm {Aimee Herring}

So as my tour continues, please come for dinner and enjoy my dream dining room(s)…

{Malene Birger}

The simple lines of this table and the accessories on the top appeal to me.

Image by Tria Giovan – Veranda

The hardwood floors look great but I wonder how scratched they will get?  Sliding the chairs, even with felt pads, sometimes causes problems.  I do like an area rug, what do you think?

If you love decorating and haven’t seen the movie “Somethings Gotta Give” you should see the movie for this dining room and all of the other rooms in the movie!  Oh, and the story is a pretty good chick-flick.

I just noticed there seems to be a lot of white in these dining room images.  As you will see later, my dining room is NOT white.  I do love the chippy white in this above image.

Erin Paige Pitts

Visit HERE if you’d like to see the rest of Erin Paige Pitts lovely home.  I love the contrast of the very dark wood floors against the white slipcovers on the dining room chairs, don’t you?

Image via Cote de Texas

This is a favorite dining room…Kelly Harmon.  (Yes, it’s the hunk, Mark Harmon of NCIS, sister). In fact, Kelly did the Tic Tac commercials for years.  Turns out she is talented where her home design is concerned!

Image by Emily Followill

I’ve always liked the way a round table looks in a room but have wondered about its limitations.  If you only entertain 1 other couple is it awkward?  The chairs used here are beautiful and remind me of my friends Gretchen and Carol’s dining room chairs.

Image via Slim Paley blog site

Another white dining room {sigh}  This one holds my interest in part due to the blue flowers (a favorite) and it would appear there are blue goblets on the table as well.  Very pretty.

Image via The Lettered Cottage

I realize this picture doesn’t show you very much of Layla Palmer’s dining room but after she and her husband Kevin created this wall by ripping down dry wall I thought the effect was so great I wanted to share it with you.

Image by Victoria Pearson ~ Will Smith

I have a black and white cat and my chairs are very similar…mine are splat back Windsor chairs…no fireplace, darn! 🙂

Here is my dining room.  My only complaint, other than the whole not having a fireplace whine, is that it is the darkest room in my house.  I guess it’s good that we mostly entertain in there during evening hours. 🙂

GHP Dining Room

GHP Dining Room

 

Dining Room side board

Dining Room with sisal rug

So, shall we eat?  I’m hungry.  Thank you for joining us for dinner.


Happy Mother’s Day!

06 Friday May 2011

Posted by in Personal Information, Trends

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In honor of mother’s everywhere today I’m going to stroll down memory lane in the world of fragrances.

Image via Martha Stewart

How does that honor mothers you ask?  Well, fragrance is such a feminine staple, and because most of us can still remember our mother’s and even grandmother’s scent, I thought it would be fun to recap the fragrances I have known and loved.

My mom was an Estee Lauder “Pleasures” gal.  I have worn a couple of the Estee Lauder fragrances [Cinnabar and Beautiful] (at least 1 bottle worth) I find Ms. Lauder’s fragrances a little strong for me.  When I pass someone wearing Pleasures I think of my dear sweet mom, who passed away one short year ago on May 22nd.  My grandma was a Shalimar lady and I loved her so much that I get a little gloomy when I smell Shalimar.

In my teens my first fragrance was Prince Matchabelli’s, Wind Song.  I can remember thumbing through Seventeen Magazine and falling in love with the ad due to this good- looking guy!   I was also an easy mark for the advertising jingle, ♪ I can’t seem to forget her,♪ her Wind Song stays on my mind ♫

I had such a crush on this guy…at least in the ad, never really met him. 🙂

As I got a little older, but not much, I found the fresh citrus scent of Jean Naté body splash to be more to my liking.  I was a child of the surfer days and living in Southern California the ease of splashing something fresh on your skin after a day at the beach was very appealing.

 

 

When the Beatles arrived and made all things English desirable I, for a brief stint, wore English Lavender by Yardley.   Then I tried Diorissimo by Dior, which strongly resembled lilies of the valley.


There is a pattern developing…I’m a fair weather fragrance person.  No real allegiance…even though in my mind I always thought it would be so fabulous to have a single fragrance associated with me.  You know, people would say, oh, that reminds me of Karen!  Ah well, that was not meant to be.  I am nothing if not a fan of packaging and marketing—I can be drawn to a perfume by both!

 

In my early twenties, Mary Tyler Moore days, I used the Revlon fragrance Charlie.  I felt so independent and free.  That lasted until I met my hubby and fell in love and got married!  At that time I started using Halston, a refreshing, wood scent.

I moved to Blue Grass for the first several years of marriage and then when Ralph Lauren unveiled Safari in 1990, the cut glass bottle with the faux tortoise shell top sold me.  I had seen Out of Africa (the movie) by then and fancied myself (at least in my fantasy world) as the strong, adventuresome Danish writer, Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep’s character).  I wore that fragrance for years, the packaging, image and anything Ralph Laurent had staying power for me.

 

 

 

Until…Jo Malone.  I have been wearing Jo Malone for 6 years now and I love 2 of her wide array of fragrances.  Amber & Lavender and Lime Basil & Mandarin.  I don’t mix the two, which is what she’s known for.  She sells wonderful products and again, I love the packaging but more than that I really enjoy the subtle fragrances.  I was given a bottle of Amber & Lavender for my birthday this past January by Son #2’s darling girlfriend.  It was such a treat.  I received the Grapefruit room spray as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago and I still use it weekly.  Visit their website HERE if you have a mom that might enjoy receiving this for Mother’s Day.

 

What fragrance do you wear?  Do you stick with one favorite or switch for seasons?

Organizing issues

04 Wednesday May 2011

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I’m pretty sure I’m not alone on this whole spring—let’s get organized! mood that’s seems to be sweeping the country neighborhood. Maybe there’s something in the air…not sure, but I need to capitalize on it while it lasts.

Image via Martha Stewart

Image via Martha Stewart

Image via Martha Stewart

For my type A / OCD personality, there is almost nothing more satisfying than cleaning/organizing a space.  I know weird, right?

Maybe not quite as “organized” as Martha

For some reason the kitchen is where I usually start when this industriousness descends upon me.  I have a small kitchen and less (stuff) is definitely more where my kitchen is concerned.  Just a few careless turns of emptying the dishwasher and throwing things in the cupboard can create chaos and extreme disorganization.

Image via House of Smith                                                                                 Image via Penny Pantry

My pantry is extra small since when we remodeled the kitchen I opted for what I felt was attractive (a piece that resembles a piece of furniture) rather than a large, well designed boxy shape space, complete with pull out shelves and built-in organizing features.

My pantry

Clearly, I have my work cut out for me.

For years Hubby has expressed a desire to put cereal and dry goods, (cookies, crackers, pasta, etc.) in airtight containers over keeping the original box.  I can give you the reasons why I never wanted the glass/plastic containers:  can’t remember what the expiration date on those crackers is; can’t remember what the calorie count is on the cereal; can’t remember what I put in this jar, is that sugar or salt?  I realize there are ways to get around this but if I was going to streamline and work more efficiently I didn’t want labels or tags that could get soiled or bent (very OCD, right).  But I’ve started to see the errors of my thinking.  I found these containers and am ready to store almost anything in them…

OXO POP storage containers, available HERE

Image via Martha Stewart

As most of you probably know, there are all sizes and types of containers out there, its just that I really never thought I’d want to use them.  The OXO containers are air tight with the push of a button, no burping necessary (remember Tupperware and the recommended burping?).

I’m not sure whether I’ll label all 4 (so far) of my OXO canisters—so far we have coffee in one and decaf coffee in the other and I did label the decaf; the other 2 have cereal in them and I can identify the cereal without a problem.

Clearly there are some pantry items I wouldn’t put in containers…I like the labels on the bottles and jars of some of the stash, but I must admit, after fighting it for years, it does feel very tidy having a few of the clear, clean storage canisters.

If you would like to read more on this topic I urge you to visit Beach Bungalow 8, her post the other day was very entertaining and informative!

 

 

 

picture of oxo canisters

Rogers Gardens ~ Spring

02 Monday May 2011

Posted by in Flowers, Gardening, Outdoor living

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I posted about Rogers Gardens late last fall (HERE) and while my photography didn’t really do it justice I thought I’d give it another “college try”.

Besides, the light in spring seems to make everything look so much better.

When the seasons change I find Roger’s Gardens to be a wonderful source of inspiration.  The nursery is so much more than plant materials and gardening supplies.  There are 2 large gift galleries that offer everything from antiques to small gift items.  Prices in the gift gallery are not overly expensive and its a great source for hostess and birthday gifts.  Whoever they hire to stage the various vignettes in the gallery does an amazing job and I will often get ideas for decorative accessories and table settings.

 

Unlike the gift gallery, most of the live plants are relatively expensive so I usually visit for ideas and then search out alternate sources.  I feel just a little guilty about doing this, but when you see the lines for the cash register I think you realize my paltry purchase wouldn’t make a bit of difference in their bottom line.

The buyers find some interesting antique reproduction pieces, like the slightly rusty, large clock.  Roger’s carries a wonderful array of cement putis, plaques and planters.

 

 

See what I mean…there are so many beautiful and unique plants to get ideas from.  The topiary with succulents planted at the base were tempting.

Bleeding heart has always been a favorite.                                                                 Columbine is another beautiful spring and summer favorite.

Purple calla lily…so beautiful                                                                                          Astilbe, another delicate beauty.

 

I wanted some planting ideas for my secret garden (HERE) and Rogers truly finds some of the most unique specimens.

Thanks for joining me on this field trip to Roger’s Gardens.  Do you have a favorite nursery for buying plants?

 

 

Entry…first impressions

29 Friday Apr 2011

Posted by in Designer

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Image via The Inside Story

Those of you who share my passion for hearth and home undoubtedly think about your dream home…or at least what you would do to improve or change some feature in  your own home.  Even if it’s just to renovate a tired space.  Most of us passionate about our home have some kind of list (even if its only in your mind) of what we’d do to improve our nest.

Image via Amy Meier Designs

{BTW, this just happens to be our address, would have loved to have a plaque like this one}

Some of you may think this suggests that I am less than content with our home; I promise that is not the case.  I absolutely love where we live and take great solace with its coziness.

Still, I love houses and design, grand or quaint.  So I thought I would start with the entry to our home and post some of my favorite images of other entry areas I’ve admired from homes large and small.  I will work my way through our home over the next several weeks with saved images of rooms I love ♥ .  A kind of “my dream home” tour.  Come along…

This is an all time favorite entry of mine…Carol Glasser, Houston, Texas

Image via Cote de Texas (originally Veranda, I think)

Image via Cote de Texas

I love the wood floors, lantern and clock—all visible from the entry.

Image by Simon Upton

When we visit London I’ve noticed that the door knobs are so often centered in the door, I love that look.

Image via Habitually Chic

This is a favorite front door.  It looks as though it opens into a courtyard which would give you privacy and a nice view of the courtyard garden.

Image by Victoria Pearson ~ A Windsor Smith design

I have a Dutch door and we love the cross breeze it allows us.

Image via House Beautiful ~ Jill Brinson’s foyer, Atlanta

The floors in Brinson’s foyer are reclaimed French limestone.  I also love the steel entry doors.

Image by Steven Randazzo ~ via Country Living

The striped rug and the wainscoting give this entry appeal and a simple elegance without being stuffy.

Image via Traditional Home

The arched doors are beautiful.

Image via Traditional Home

I would love a home large enough to support a mural.  I love the clock.

Image via Griege

Here’s my entry…

Image by GH&P

Image by GH&P

Image by GH&P

Welcome to Garden Home & Party!  Come by for a visit anytime, we’ll have a cup of tea…or a glass of wine. 🙂

P.S. I know I’m not alone in wishing the Royal couple a wonderful life together as Prince and Princess and maybe oneday, Queen and King!





Fun in the sun

27 Wednesday Apr 2011

Posted by in Entertaining, Gardening, Maintenance, Outdoor living, Renovating

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As the weather warms I begin to focus more of my attention on life outdoors.  I want to be in the garden, working or playing, and I look forward to meals on the patio.

This lovely outdoor seating space is Cote de Texas‘

Image via Country Living

Villa Saladino in Santa Barbara has a lovely outdoor seating area.

Image by Simon Upton ~ Jill Brinson Home

Our patio~teak, gray with age

Image via Velvet & Linen

As I’ve mentioned before, we have lived in our house since 1982.  Each room, inside and out, has been renovated at least once, sometimes more.  Our back yard is in need of new sod right now and a decision must be made about the 2 gigantic ficus benjamina trees growing there.   Roots of these trees threaten to take over the world (beginning with our back yard).  The trees do provide a canopy of shade that rivals an outdoor air conditioner on the hottest days.

I visualize this…

Image via French Kissed

I would love to create a gravel or decomposed granite pad where we could place some furniture, maybe dining furniture under the umbrella of the trees and living room furniture on the patio.  Pictures like this (above) are my inspiration (Thank you Jermaine).

Image via 5th & State

When we replace our sod (which is now a combination of assorted green weeds and grass—fortunately when its mowed most people don’t realize it isn’t 100% Marathon sod.

Villa Saladino—nice vista, but the grass is lovely, so green.

I think there is something very soothing about green, whether it be grass or plant, it cools me down in the summer months and cheers me up on a gray day.

Image via House Beautiful (Edmund Barr photo)

Image via 5th & State

Vines are another benefit to a yard with cinder block fencing or overly plain wood-fencing.  They can soften the space and add interest.  Our back fence is cinder block and it’s completely covered in vines so its very soothing and makes a lovely backdrop for the other shrubs and flowers.

Oh wait, how did this get in?  Well, you have to admit, Mr. Darcy walking in your yard would be exciting!

Have you started any landscape improvements this year?