Showing posts with label my house. Show all posts
Showing posts with label my house. Show all posts
Posted by
linda
comments (0)
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
.jpg)
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
comments (0)
Got the pretty faucet installed on my vanity in the powder room....slowly one thing at at time, its coming together. Waiting on the Chinoiserie mirror we ordered and chandelier, then we are done!
Dough bowls......got in my first order, seriously gorgeous. Worth naming each and every one and calling them my own, and don't you know I wanted to keep them ALL! I did keep one for myself and there are so many wonderful ways to use them, I put some flowers in and it looked so pretty. For those of who waiting for me to get more, I promise working on and hope to have more fingers crossed, next week!
Finally finished my little DIY project, with my mirror rosettes. OK, OK I know this is not a huge DIY like some who tackle entire pieces of furniture or other big projects..but this was a victory for me because I had such a hard time finding this darn rosette and lo and behold found it in such an unsuspecting place. Armed with a glue gun, I got to work and love the result! Decided on the originals, after trying several different ones. Funny how we often go back to the first, isn't it? So here it is all done.....only waiting on my sconces and chandelier and its a wrap!
A few taken later that afternoon...love the late day light.
Barstools.....finally decided on this one from Vanguard. I am wavering between a few fabrics, I know I want something simple Becca's remember the blue and white Brunschwig fabric going up on my kitchen window has a lot of pattern. I see something simple and fell in love with this grain sack French fabric from Kravet. I don't at all want it to feel gimmicky but at the same time KNOW it will look fabulous, it will understated and beautiful on this chair....and i love the way the natural color goes with my floors and the mix of cools and warms. Here it is and the chair...
Draped it over the current chair so you could get an idea, its absolutely understated but think it works...thoughts?
Remember how I was thinking of switching the hardware on my island? Well I think I made up on my mind. Here's one of the cup bins in the ant. brass to give you an idea. It definitely pops against the black whereas the oil rubbed bronze gets lost. The big handle is on top of the countertop that I would use for towels to be hung off the island...thoughts?
Taken with the iPhone, so the quality is so so.
Store biz......the kitchen/bar towels have arrived! Many of you inquired about them...they will be up for sale next week. Here's a sampling......
When we were in the city over the weekend, we were near our old stomping grounds and I was shocked to see the most beautiful Food Emporium (my old regular supermarket when I lived in NY) transformed under the 59th st bridge. I mean seriously it would make supermarket shopping a royal treat, the architecture alone is worth the trip. Took these two pics with my iPhone.
Also visiting a friend yesterday, look at her view from her living room patio. How gorgeous is it! I told her I feel like I am in Lake Como every time I visit her...only thing missing is George Clooney:)
Tonight I am trying this recipe (from Bon Appeit), sounded too good to not make. Heard the lemon gives it that refreshing zing to make this a winner. I used to have the recipe for something very similar that was out of this world...so here it is just in case you want to try it too!
Fettucine with peas, asparagus and pancetta
yield: Makes 4 servings
active time: 40 minutes
total time: 40 minutes
Pancetta (Italian bacon) is available in the deli section of many markets.
ingredients
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne
- 3 ounces pancetta or bacon, chopped
- 1 1/4 pounds asparagus, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups shelled fresh green peas, blanched 1 minute in boiling water, drained, or frozen peas (do not thaw)
- 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced, white and pale green parts separated from dark green parts
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese plus additional for serving
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley, divided
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil, divided
preparation
Cook pasta in pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot.
Meanwhile, cook pancetta in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon drippings from skillet. Add asparagus to drippings in skillet; sauté 3 minutes. Add peas, white and pale green parts of green onions, and garlic; sauté until vegetables are just tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Add vegetable mixture, 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid, dark green parts of green onions, 1/2 cup Parmesan, cream, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon peel, half of parsley, and half of basil to pasta. Toss, adding more cooking liquid by tablespoonfuls if needed. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle pancetta, remaining parsley, and basil over. Serve, passing additional Parmesan cheese
So...that's what new here, whats on your agenda for Labor day weekend? Is it going to be a chill weekend at home, are you entertaining or are you being wined and dined? I think we are headed to my sisters beach house and I am looking forward. I am also hoping to head off to Brimfield Antiques fair for a few days next week....cannot wait! Wishing you a fabulous day.........
