Arhaus Furniture SALE!

I LOVE Arhaus furniture. It is a Cleveland-based company with stores located mostly in the eastern portion of the country. Usually a trip to Arhaus has me drooling over what I can't afford, however, this past weekend proved to be very different.

I was able to pick up a set of Greyson dining chairs that were a floor sample for 70% off... that's right... 70% off. Originally $2400 for four chairs, I was able to get them for just over $700. I was not a purchase I needed, but one I couldn't pass up. I can't wait for them to be delivered! Check out Arhaus at their website or stop by if one is in your neighborhood, you won't be disappointed.

Best.Banana.Bread.Ever.

I was searching for a banana bread recipe and stumbled upon this on foodnetwork.com. It comes from Flour Bakery + Cafe in Boston. It truly is the most amazing banana bread. To put my own spin on it, I added some toasted coconut. I think this could be easily adapted for a great zucchini bread as well. ENJOY!

Ingredients

• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil
• 3 1/2 bananas, very ripe, mashed
• 2 tablespoons creme fraiche or sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

Directions

Set oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a loaf pan with parchment paper.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Beat sugar and eggs with a whisk until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Drizzle in oil. Add mashed bananas, creme fraiche, and vanilla. Fold in dry ingredients and nuts. Pour into a lined loaf pan and bake for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Check out studiokmo!

Karen O'Leary makes the most fabulous hand cut art and pen and paper city prints. I recently purchased the Map of Boston (below) and they are hanging above my bed.


The hand cut maps are absolutely amazing.


Visit studiokmo by clicking here

My first inspiration board

I really love browsing party planning blogs and as my 30th birthday approaches I started thinking about my own celebration. I have several ideas running through my head, but this one focuses on my love of wine. I call the theme Vintage 1980. I wanted to focus on warm fall colors for my November birthday. I like how the gift tags and custom wine bottle labels duplicate the look of the chandeliers in the wine bar.

Location: Corks Wine Bar, Willoughby, Ohio
Invitation: Colorbutton on Etsy
Gift tags and wine labels: Etsy
Cake: White Flower Cake Shoppe, Beachwood, Ohio

Sex and the City is here...

I am so excited about the opening of the second Sex and the City that I am sharing my new favorite drink, the Framboise Martini! It is so delicious and a perfect martini for summer! I first tried this at a great place on W. 25th in Cleveland called Bar Cento. It requires only three ingredients- raspberry vodka, Lindemann's Framboise (a raspberry infused beer), and chambord. Oh, and don't forget the raspberries for the bottom of your martini glass! Enjoy!

Decorating with Maps

This is where I am at...
This is where I aspire to be...

Country Living

Cote De Texas

Apartment Therapy

Little Green Notebook

I have loved maps and globes for years... it seemed a bit nerdy when I was a kid, but oh so stylish now!

A window into the past

This past weekend my parents came to visit and my dad brought me one of the most fabulous and meaningful presents he has ever given me, an old window out of my grandpa's barn. As soon as I saw the window I instantly knew I wanted to use it to display old family photos . Here are a few photos of the barn that I took a few years ago.

My own photos inspired me to find some other barn photos. There is something about these that makes me happy...