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(recent client's Living Room)
For those of you who do not know, I write a monthly e-newsletter for my clients filled with design tips and tricks...so click here to sign up to get on my e-mail list as well as read past newsletters!
October's Newsletter is about "Top Ten Interior Lighting Tips".
OK, so the linky party said "Fall Mantle", but here in Florida, we have little to no "FALL" and very few "FIREPLACES", so this is a bit of a stretch, but I decided to decorate my buffet in the dining room instead.
And since my house is mostly white and coastal- I chose white pumpkins to mix in with seashells and starfish, etc...
An antique French woven wine jug and ivy stems complete the coastal fall vignette.
Don't you just love baby pumpkins!? They look so cute nestled in the ivy next to a starfish!
"Happy Fall Y'all" from Starfish Cottage-
stay tuned for plenty of upcoming "Coastal Inspired Fall Decor Ideas"...
this post is linked this week to these parties...
The other night, I was feeling lazy and not up to cooking, so we ordered a takeout pizza...but just because it's takeout, doesn't mean we can't enjoy a nice table! It took no special flowers or fancy centerpiece-
I simply made our pizza the centerpiece along with some fresh-from-the-market vine ripened tomates and 2 of my potted basil plants- instant tablescape! Basic white everyday plates, napkins and glasses on a simple tablecloth look great for this casual table.
Don't you just adore the classic combination of tomatoes and basil? Whether it's pizza, pasta, bruschetta, caprese salad- you name it- I LOVE it!
I just love to take something ORDINARY and try to make it EXTRAORDINARY, even takeout can be beautiful!
For a REALLY delicious pizza, click here for my Grilled Pesto Pizza Recipie.
this post is shared with:
Between Naps on the Porch's Tablescape Thursday
No Minimalist Here's Open House Thursday
Shabby Creek Cottage's Transformation Thursday
One of our all-time favorites around Starfish Cottage is PIZZA! And not long ago, we tried GRILLING our pizzas and loved it!
We like to use a thin-crust store bought crust from the deli section of our market. We also like pesto in place of traditional tomatoe sauce- topped with cheese and fresh tomatoes and basil- what a wonderful combo!
Simply brush one side of the crust with olive oil and grill for a few minutes, then brush the other side with olive oil, flip and top that side with your favorite sauce, cheese and toppings- put the lid down so the cheese will melt and then ENJOY!
Stay tuned for a simple and beautiful Pizza Night Tablescape!
I love how the grill makes the crust nice and crispy and the grill marks are so rustic and beautiful!
this post is shared with:
Beach Cottage's Good Life Wednesday
French Country Cottage's Feathered Nest Friday
At the Picket Fence's Inspiration Friday
Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesday
What is it these days...burlap is showing up EVERYWHERE in home design. I love it because it is such a humble, authentic textile. I love it's texture, I love it's simplicity and I LOVE it's price!
In my own home I have burlap on pillows...
on tablecoverings...
on draperies...
Burlap is neutral so it is very versatile. Ballard Designs has these beautiful embroidered burlap draperies and pillows- so great! Who knew burlap could look so elegant?
How cute are these burlap pumpkins for fall...
I, for one, will continue to decorate with burlap...how do you use burlap in your home?
this post is shared with:
Southern Hospitality's Thrifty Treasures Monday
(photo from the dock at our house)
Nothing makes my husband happier than the water...and by water, I mean "SALTWATER". He never tires of it! He loves: boating, fishing, sailing, diving, paddling and swimming in the saltwater. Nothing makes him more at peace than a day on the water...isn't it great to be PASSIONATE about something...what are you passionate about?
If it's Tuesday- it's usually Taco Night at Starfish Cottage... we love ALL kinds of tacos (this week, it's Fish Tacos) and I decided to make the table a little more fun...
A fiesta-striped cloth dresses up my burlap-like tablecloth, my woven chargers and lime green napkins look colorful and fun...
A simple Mason Jar vase with sunflowers serves as a colorful centerpiece, along with all the beautiful rainbow colored bowls of toppings!
I can't think of a more colorful or fun meal than Tacos...can you?
this post is shared with:
Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesday
Beach Cottage's Good Life Wednesday
A Stroll Through Life's Tabletop Tuesday
At the Picket Fence's Inspiration Friday
Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Tuesday
No Minimalist Here's Open House Thursday
Ok, everybody raise your hand if you like Tacos...
here at Starfish Cottage, we LOVE tacos...and if it's Tuesday, there are probably going to be tacos for dinner! This is one meal the whole family can agree on- so that's a BONUS for mom!
As much as we love "traditional tacos" with ground beef or turkey, and my Mojo Pulled Pork Tacos, sometimes we like to make FISH tacos, especially when the man of the house has brought home some fresh fish...this past Tuesday we had some BEAUTIFUL fresh Yellowtail Snapper fillets.
Once again, there is no "real recipie"- I just season the fish generously and pan saute it with a little olive oil, garlic and fresh lime juice...yummy! Then we chop up a bunch of fresh, yummy toppings like: tomotoes, onions, avacado, lettuce, and cilantro.
A dollop of sour cream and homemade salsa is the finishing touch!
Fish tacos are light, healthy and so fresh tasting!
...stay tuned later this week for my "Taco Tuesday Tablescape"...
this post is shared with:
Between Naps on the Porch's Metamorpheses Mondays
Boogieboard Cottage's Masterpiece Monday
Today we remember the horrible events of 9-11 and the heros and innocents who were lost.
May God bless America.
Kristy
this post was shared with: Southern Hospitality's Thrifty Treasures Monday
I LOVE suprising my girls afterschool with a special snack, and this week I thought it would be fun to make a quick chocolate fondue treat.
Though I love to cook, I also like to keep things simple when I can, so I picked up a container of microwave chocolate fondue and lots of yummy things to dip, like bananas, pretzels, shortbread cookies, and STRAWBERRIES.
For me, personally, nothing is better than...chocolate. dipped. strawberries.
The girls loved it and we started thinking of all kinds of things that would be good dipped in chocolate...someone even mentioned brocchli! Have a great weekend...
