Blog Lovin'

The death of Google Reader saddened me immensely until I discovered Blog Lovin' which, in my opinion, trumps Google Reader for many reasons:

1. I CAN READ MY BLOGS ON MY iPHONE.  Free mobile app.  Nuff said.

2. When you are on the computer, you get to read the blogs in the actual sites so it looks a lot prettier than Google Reader.

3. It makes it easier to track posts you've read and those you haven't.

4. I don't really have a choice in changing away from Google Reader since it goes away completely in June.  So I might as well get on board with my new option!

Hope everyone had a very Happy Easter!

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Sabrina's Sophisticated Nursery

This mood board is inspired by Sabrina's need for a sophisticated, gender neutral nursery.  She already owns a few of the pieces - the couch (from Room and Board), the dresser (from Restoration Hardware Baby) and the crib (from Oeuf).

She wanted something sophisticated and fairly neutral that could be converted into a guest room at a later date.  I think her biggest concern was the rug.  She wanted neutral without having something white or cream that would get dirty fast.  Ya'll know how I feel about animal print being a neutral...I've actually owned this rug before and liked it a lot (you definitely want to get a cushy pad for it).  The grasscloth wallpaper adds texture while still keeping the neutral palette for some muted but patterned and textural fabrics.  I thought the green hit of zebra would be a fun pillow or two.

You can source this look here.

In case Sabrina winds up not wanting to go the animal print route, some other neutral but nice rugs are:

from here

My favorite alternative is:

from here

from here

from here

Can't wait to see how the real deal turns out!

#cameronjonesinteriors #nurserydecor #nurserymoodboard #sophisticatednursery #glamorousnursery #adornedabode #moodboard #genderneutralnursery

Smashed Red Potatoes with Creme Fraiche and Chives

Everybody knows I never met a potato I didn't like.  Especially a mashed potato.  This is my new go to for mashed 'taters.  The creme fraiche has a similar taste to sour cream but a little more tart.  Love the added spicy kick from the chives as well.  Want yet another reason to try this dish?  It takes no time at all!

What You'll Need:
1 lb. baby red potatoes
4 Tbsp butter
1 cup creme fraiche
1/2 cup fresh chopped chives
salt and pepper to taste

What You'll Do:
Boil the red potatoes in salted water until tender.  Drain and return to pot.  Add butter, creme fraiche, chives and salt and pepper.  Do a rough smash and serve along side meal of your choice!

Scenes from the Abode

It's been a busy month at work so when we've been at home, we've done lots of lounging with the pups and eating in. Still loving my camera although I wish I got to practice using it more often! I CANNOT BELIEVE MARCH IS ALMOST OVER!!!

Hope all is well in your abodes! xx

Beef Stew with Cognac and Dijon Sauce

My husband loved this dish.  It's probably one of the last stews I'll do since the weather is {finally} getting warmer.  

What You'll Need

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 1/4 pound applewood-smoked bacon , cut into 1/2-inch pieces

• 2 large sweet onions , chopped

• 2 shallots , chopped

• 2 cloves garlic , minced

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• Salt and freshly ground pepper

• 2 pounds beef chuck , cut into 2-inch cubes

• 1/2 cup cognac

• 3 cups beef broth

• 1 cup chopped canned Italian plum tomatoes

• 2 fresh bay leaves , torn or 1 dried bay leaf

• 4 branches thyme , lightly crushed

• 1/3 cup Dijon mustard

• 2 large carrots , cut into 1-inch pieces

• 2 large parsnips , cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1/4 cup red wine

What You'll Do
In a large Dutch oven, heat one tablespoon olive oil over a medium-low flame. Add bacon and cook until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Increase heat to medium-high. Add onions and shallots and cook until they begin to turn golden (but not brown), about 15 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mixture to a large bowl.

In another large bowl, combine flour, one teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add beef and toss with seasoned flour. 

In the Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook one-third of beef until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add beef to the bowl of onions. Repeat with remaining beef in two more batches, adding another tablespoon olive oil as necessary.

Add cognac to pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in broth, tomatoes, bay leaves, thyme, and mustard until well combined. Return meat-and-onion mixture and bacon to pot. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until meat is soft, about 2 hours. Add carrots and parsnips; cover and simmer until tender, about 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat one tablespoon olive oil over a medium-high flame. 

Stir wine into stew; simmer 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaves and thyme branches. Serve over mashed potatoes.

Inspiration for this recipe came from here.

Bright and cheery gender neutral nursery

My friend Lane is having a baby in a couple of months and she's not finding out the sex of the baby.  She showed me the gray crib that she's purchased and I love it.  Just for fun, I put together a gender neutral nursery built off of the gray crib she showed me to give her some ideas.  I like how fun and cheerful it is!

Kristy Gammill Art

Earlier this week One King's Lane had an emerging artist sale.  I really enjoyed looking at the variety of work and, for the most part, appreciated the affordability of the work.  I'm not usually a huge fan of abstract art but the work of Kristy Gammill really caught my eye.  I love the colors and the nod towards both ikat and animal print in some of her pieces without being overt.  I kinda want one.

All pieces found on her site here.

Katharine Barnwell Fireplace Screens

We haven't really used our basement fireplace - namely because we don't have a fireplace screen down there yet.  I've been looking for some and when I read about Katharine Barnwell's screens, I was immediately intrigued.  They are more decorative than functional but are truly beautiful.

Available here.

Homework

My homework for my design course this week was to create a mood board for a house I renovated in a previous assignment.  My "homeowners" are young, fun and entertain frequently.  All of these elements don't necessarily have to go in the living room but are suggestions of what I would use throughout the house.  Furniture is kept simple and neutral to make way for bright pops of color in the accessories.  Fabrics are bold and graphic, metals and finishings are mixed in the furniture and texture and accents are whimsical and ecclectic.  Comfort and coziness are important.  Pieces that double with storage are another important feature to make the design livable.

Cameron Kimber Design

Besides sharing a really cool name, there are lots of things that I like to think my design sense shares with Cameron Kimber.  He self describes the look he is wanting to achieve as "comfort, relaxation, and elegance."  I love how he mixes old and new to give rooms a sense of history and substance.  Clean lines and simplistic designs are given depth through texture.  I just adore it all.

See full portfolio of work at Cameron Kimber's site.