Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts
Posted by
linda
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Forewarning...as these posts tend to be, this is another long one. Somehow they grow from being average sized posts to mega marathons....... My advice? Dont' read standing up, take an extra five minutes and relax, grab a cup of coffee and hope you enjoy!
HERMES SCARVES' ARTIST IS TEXAS POSTAL WORKER
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Turns out the one behind the famous French fashion label's limited edition scarves is not a trained Parisian artist, but a postal worker from Waco, Texas, named Kermit Oliver.
Oliver sifts mail during the day, and paints at night. According to the Texas Monthly, who recently did a revealing profile on the artist, noted that Oliver was discovered in the 1980s by then Hermes CEO Jean-Louis Dumas. He has since kept his job at the Post Office, preferring a simple and quieter life to one of fame and notoriety. His artwork, most well-known for its intricacy of design and depictions of flora, fauna, and exotic animals, is produced in limited edition. Over the past 30 years, he has designed 16 exquisite scarves for Hermes, each of which take anywhere from six to nine months to create. His exceptional designs are so sought after, that his scarves usually sell out immediately in stores, and if they do end up on eBay, sell for at least $800, according to the Texas Monthly. Hermes scarves usually sell for anywhere between $200-$500.
Oliver sifts mail during the day, and paints at night. According to the Texas Monthly, who recently did a revealing profile on the artist, noted that Oliver was discovered in the 1980s by then Hermes CEO Jean-Louis Dumas. He has since kept his job at the Post Office, preferring a simple and quieter life to one of fame and notoriety. His artwork, most well-known for its intricacy of design and depictions of flora, fauna, and exotic animals, is produced in limited edition. Over the past 30 years, he has designed 16 exquisite scarves for Hermes, each of which take anywhere from six to nine months to create. His exceptional designs are so sought after, that his scarves usually sell out immediately in stores, and if they do end up on eBay, sell for at least $800, according to the Texas Monthly. Hermes scarves usually sell for anywhere between $200-$500.
In progress.......
A before.......
BEEF BOURGUIGNON
- About 3-4 tablespoons light virgin olive oil
- 8 ounces bacon, chopped (1/2 a package)
- 2 teaspoons garlic cloves, large chopped pieces (not too fine)
- 1/2 cup Cognac
- 1 bottle of good full bodied red wine (ideally like Beaujolais, Cabernet or Burgundy)
- 2 cups beef broth (I used Emerils box of beef stock which is a 32 oz box)
- 1-2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2-2 1/2 pounds beef cut into 1-inch cubes
- Sea salt to taste
- Fresh pepper
- 1 pound carrots, cut to 1 inch (don't use baby carrots, they are too soft)
- 2 med.onions- thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (1/2 teaspoon dried) I used a bit more than the recipe called for
- 4 tablespoons butter at room temperature, melted
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 pound fresh mushrooms (cut off stems and discard)
If you have a nice heavy dutch oven, that is preferable otherwise a good stock pot is fine. I used my Le Cruset "weighs a ton" pot but it was perfect for this dish plus its French! Heat the olive oil and add the bacon, cook on medium until fairly crispy. Remove and drain bacon. Add cubed beef (after they have been rinsed, patted dry and sprinkled with sea salt and pepper) one layer at a time and sear the meat, this will take about 4-5 minutes, make sure its seared on all sides. Set aside with the bacon.
Next, you will add carrots, onions, and either potatoes or turnips if you are using them along with salt and pepper to the fat in the pot and cook for about 15 minutes or until soft and onions are lightly browned. Then add garlic and cook for another minute or two. Next add Cognac...you then should take a match and light it right in the pot...STAND BACK while you do this and stare in awe at your budding creation! (This process burns off the alcohol)
Next add the meat and bacon into the pot with the juices already in. Add the bottle of wine and beef broth, this mixture should pretty much cover the meat. Next add tomato paste and thyme. Simmer and then cover...at this point you can either cook it on the stove or transfer to a preheated oven (300 degrees) I cooked mine on the stove.
This stands about 20" tall and about 8" wide
Gorgeous hand cut
The etching is all hand one....beautiful!
Very heavy and amazing quality.
And the darling napkin rings including a few newer ones.....
Also had been on the prowl for some chunky ginger jars that had a lot of white but had that antiqued look that is so desired well at last I found them...let me present the three newest family members to my growing blue and white family! How gorgeous are they? They are now up for sale in my online shop, click here to visit my blue and white porcelain shop.
And you might remember when I first opened my store, I had this STUNNING very Herend like tureen, I sold out right away but am happy to say I just scored two more tureeens and some of the beautiful decorative plates and a few pair of lamps. LOVE this pattern, so rich and elegant!
As always feel free to email me with any questions regarding any of my products/online store or for anything you might be looking for but cannot find. Click here to email me.
And the front door post...here's the top three! Several were neck in neck, but no losers here!
The first two tied for first place.....
This one was a close second...
And this one a close third..it was fierce!
So did your favorite make it?
Still with me? Then read on about this amazing giveaway I am offering.......Want to win a $500 gift card from Homegoods? Its simple to enter....all you need to do is visit their newly launched Stylescope by clicking here. Come back and tell me what style you are. That's it....you are automatically entered! I will announce a lucky winner on Monday, Oct. 15th.
If you want a second chance, visit my online store, click here and come back to tell me an item that might find its way on your holiday list or you can let me know on Facebook.
Remember all anonymous users, if you don't put your first name and last name initial you are not in the running!! Ditto for those who use only a first name, I must have your last name initial to include you. Best of luck...some lucky winner is going to have one fabulous shopping spree. Thanks Homegoods! And thank you for stopping in...wishing everyone an enchanted day!
Posted by
linda
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Got the back powder room wallpaper done and I love it. I am now looking for the perfect mirror and basically will be done at that point..woo hoo! Here it is.......
But first Teddy my trusty assistant as Michele of Hello Lovely has pegged him, slacking on the job.......
So happy I went with my first choice, its fresh and clean and crisp and not too formal. Here it is.......
I was experimenting as I like to do with one gingham shade and one plain.....(just in case you were wondering) Now have to find the perfect mirror.....until then, vanity be damned!
Also took the large trivet (in my online shop) and made up a cheese and cracker tray, my phone died as I was in the process but it looked great, filled with fresh figs and olive oil and breadsticks, a few cheeses, a small tray of olives and flatbread, made such a pretty presentation.......
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Shop news......The Staffordshire dog lamps are up in my store, in two colors, already quite a popular item! So excited to have finally added my new category "monogram mania" to my online shop. It features all kinds of wonderful monogrammed goodies, all super well priced, discounted approx. 15% from retail with a super fast turnaround time ( as in 3 days they are on their way to you). Perfect gift! Click here to visit my shop.
Can I just say how madly in love with this that I am. I mean seriously swoon worthy right? Not exactly masculine I know I know and living with a family of 4 boys (husband included as one of them) this is a bit too frou frou for them, but man its pretty! A great way to channel your inner Marie Antoinette! If you want it, its for sale over at Tara Shaw Antiques.
Remember the hardware dilemma for my island and how I am considering changing it to an ant.brass? Well I am definite on it but figured as long as I am committed to it, let me be sure that I get exactly what I want so ordered another round of contenders and here's a sneak peek. You know I will share when I decide on which wins.....
I will use a pair of these for towels to hang on the island
The island with the bin cup pull I am nearly certain I am using...
Always like to throw in a little food something.....because of course I love food, good food that is. I love cooking, preparing and of course the best part....... eating! This is a winner and sooo easy!! It is super satisfying and great for no guilt eating, it is a salad afterall but chock full of all the "good stuff".
Tex Mex Salad
Serves 4-6 (main dish)
Serves 6-8 (side dish)
Ingredients:
2 heads romaine lettuce
2 avocados (chopped)
1 cup frozen corn (defrosted) or fresh (if it's in season)
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1 Tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup sour cream or reduced fat sour cream
1/2 cup salsa
2 teaspoons chile powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, plus more for garnish (you can use more if you are like me and LOVE cheese)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped plus more for garnish
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 limes
Tortilla Chips ( I bought the tortilla strips in a bag if you can find them)
Directions:
Make black bean and corn relish. Combine black beans, corn, red onion and red bell pepper. Pour over white balsamic vinegar (or other light vinegar), squeeze the juice of 1/2 of a lime, season with salt and pepper and allow to sit for a half an hour or up to one day.
For the salad dressing. Combine sour cream, salsa, the juice of half a lime, chile powder, cumin and salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Every salsa is a little different so you may need to add more salsa or add more sour cream to reach the desired consistency for your dressing. Taste it to see if you would like to add any more of the seasonings as well.
For the main salad. Chop up romaine lettuce. Add avocado, black bean and corn relish, cheese and cilantro. Pour over dressing and toss to combine. Garnish the top with more shredded cheese and a bunch of cilantro. Serve with cut up slices of lime and tortilla chips.
If you would like to serve this as a main course, I would suggest adding some grilled shrimp, chicken or sliced flank steak.
Have you seen Ralphs latest collection? Yes, that Ralph as in Ralph Lauren...you don't know we are on a first name basis? :) What can't he do? Every one of his collections is just so spectacular! DROOLWORTHY. These images tell me one thing....take me there NOW!
Finally the giveaway! To celebrate the Monogram mania intro to my online shop, I am offering one lucky winner a box of 6 monogrammed soaps customized to their specifications. All you need to do is go to my site, check out my newest additions in the Monogram mania section and come back here and tell me a fave. That's it. I will announce a winner on Sunday. Click here to visit.
So that's about it for today. Wishing you a wonderful day. Be back over the weekend to announce a winner!! Remember, if you are anonymous, I have no way of knowing who you are, unless you use your first name and first letter of your last name in the body of the comment. Ditto for those of who you who just use your first name, please in the comment be sure to put your last name initial, as there are often duplicate names. Thanks for stopping by.......
