Monday, October 31, 2011

Trick or Treat


Hope you all had a great weekend and indulged in some fall treats and candy. I myself did not dress up at all this year (unless you count a glitter manicure) but I did grab some outfits for the dogs this weekend. I can't wait to dress them up tonight and share some photos tomorrow! The crock pot is on with dinner cooking already, I am decorating for CHRISTMAS at the store, expecting trick or treaters probably as soon as I walk in the door, having friends over at 6 pm and I still have several errands to run! It's going to be a busy one...Happy Halloween!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Glitter Pumpkins

Saturday is flying by, but I have gotten a lot accomplished this weekend so far! Last night was the first time we have been at home on a Friday night in a long time...lately we have been to Raleigh or at the beach house every weekend. I made some delicious cheesy grits and a fresh salad, and bought one of those rotisserie chickens from Harris Teeter-it was a perfect fall meal! It was really nice to be at home for a change, and I had time to decorate some pumpkins! Something I have been wanting to do for a month now!! I know it's a little late but I had all of the supplies on hand,  and we are having friends over Monday night and I wanted to have some pretty pumpkins on the table.



Oh, and I also bought that chevron platter yesterday, had it home for ten minutes and I chipped it! Really nice move! I pulled out the gorilla glue and thankfully, I think it's hard to spot the sabotage...



For the white pumpkins, all I did was tape off portions and paint with white acrylic paint. Once it was dry I used modge podge to add my glitter to the tops. For the teeny pumpkin I just drizzled the paint right on top of it- took a total of five seconds! And the last glittered pumpkin I just covered sections with modge podge and glitter! What do you think? Good enough for a few friends 
to see Monday night? 

This project is linked here! 

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Closet Art Project!

I am still finishing up my closet, adding a little glam here and there to an otherwise really ordinary closet. This little project was cheap and easy, my favorite. 
This is what I now see above our shelves when I walk in our closet. 



If you are a pack rat like me, you hoard away these little boxes, bags, etc and they are cluttering up your closet! All of these items were leftover from gifts that I had trouble parting with. John Hardy- one of the first presents from husband...Gucci- a heart keychain husband brought me back from Aruba...Louis- the bag that mine came in from my parents on my birthday. I really wanted to use shopping bags but I think I have parted ways with most of those in an effort to clean up my clutter. I found all of these frames at Michaels- the small square were on sale for $5 and the larger came in a pack of 2 for $7. 



I think this one is my favorite! I am loving the pop of orange. Yes, that would be a cleaning cloth! Oh, and I also ended up painting the closet a nice clean Linen White from Benjamin Moore- loving it!!

Happy Thursday!! xoxo

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Pretty little paintings

Today I have working on miscellaneous house projects- hanging some pictures and painting an old desk that will soon be part of our cleaned up master closet. Hopefully, I will have the finishing touches on the closet this week! I have started a little art collection in our guest bathroom and I started browsing around for more art to add one day. These paintings were particularly inspiring for me, from Shann Spishak Art Studio. I think it is wonderful to enjoy beautiful art at an affordable price. Enjoy!




all images via 

Make sure to check out more art at her etsy shop here! Have a great night! xoxo

Friday, October 21, 2011

Friday Finds


Pretty organized makeup essentials in old silver containers

Vanilla Pear & Vodka Cocktail, 
a nice transition into fall from light summery drinks

The perfect Saturday afternoon snack, Cheesy Artichoke Dip

and some Sunday afternoon crafts!
We are off to the capital city for the weekend to go to the state fair and of course, watch some football. Happy Weekend!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Boo! the dog


I am pretty obsessed with this cute little dog. And, to think he got so famous from facebook!? 
It's official, Dixie needs to start a facebook page. 

via
via

Boo with Tory Burch
and....his recent debut on Atlantic-Pacific. Amazing styling here as well, might I add.


He is too cute for words! It's almost the weekend...time for sushi and wine night! 
xoxo

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Black or Tan?

Found these Rachel Roy shoes and love them, love the price even more! I love the cute bow and the crystal embellishment. I think I need a new pair of black ballet flats but in this case I think I love the tan. Black or Tan? Tan or Black?

Rachel Roy is also having a sale today on full price items, 30% off. I looked at these last night and this was not mentioned. Decision time! Tan or Black!?

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Heirloom Tomato and Goat Cheese Pizza

Tonight was pizza night at the Chalk house, always a good night! We love this recipe I found in Cooking Light magazine, for a lighter twist on pizza. And...goat cheese=amazing. I must have been living under a rock for the past 25 years because I have never enjoyed it until recently. Their recipe calls for grilling, but we make it in the oven and I think it is just as good. Tonight, we got a little crazy and made TWO pizzas- my goat cheese tomato, and Stephen's classic pepperoni man pizza. I have to admit, the "man" pizza was delicious as well. Hubby did a great job preparing his! It would also be a fun night to have several friends over, making their own personal pizzas and adding their own toppings to taste. Here is the recipe. Enjoy!


Ingredients

  • (13.8-ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
  • Cooking spray
  • garlic clove, halved
  • large heirloom tomato, seeded and chopped (about 10 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 3/4 cup (3 ounces) crumbled herbed goat cheese

Preparation

  • 1. Prepare grill to medium heat.
  • 2. Unroll dough onto a large baking sheet coated with cooking spray; pat dough into a 12 x 9-inch rectangle. Lightly coat dough with cooking spray.
  • 3. Place dough on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 1 minute or until lightly browned. Turn crust over. Rub with garlic; sprinkle with tomato and cheeses. Close grill lid; grill 3 minutes. Serve immediately.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Weekend in Pictures


Pansies are blooming and looking good for fall!

Wine and snacks for sunset on the beach

Sunset therapy



The orchestrators of sunset wine time

hubs and I

antique shopping Saturday- THE cutest store filled with bar carts, pom poms and trinkets galore

Got this vintage towel hook. love.

and some vintage art, to go in the powder room with a little art collection.

this weekend was so pretty! so lucky to have this kind of weather in October....


Here's to a great week...xo

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Warning, more food: Tomato Tortellini Soup

Tonight I made my favorite soup recipe that I bring out every fall. Back during my Meredith College years, my old roommate Ashley and I made this for our other old roommate, Olivia when she had her tonsils taken out. We saw it in a magazine, tore it out and made it on a whim. I think it might have come from our old favorite magazine, Domino? It happened to be a great hit and I have been making it ever since. I am also a major fan of a recipe that doesn't have one hundred ingredients, completely defeating the purpose of "eating in" and spending less. Seriously though, it is so good!  

TOMATO TORTELLINI SOUP
Ingredients:
-2 14 ounce cans of chicken or vegetable broth
-1 9 ounce package tortellini (I use the refrigerated, any kind)
-1/2 of an 8 ounce tub of chive and onion cream cheese
-1 10 3/4 condensed tomato or tomato bisque soup

Instructions:
In a medium saucepan bring broth to boiling.
Add tortellini, reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
In a separate bowl, whisk 3/4 of the broth into the cream cheese. Whisk until mixed.
Return mixture to saucepan and add tomato soup. Heat through.
Optional- Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese

I took a photo of it tonight, I promise it is even better than this leads on!

In other news our poor coffee pot bit the dust this morning. Ahem, as in somebody broke it, it was not me though! So, this gives me a great reason to stop and get one of these tomorrow morning. Haven't tried it yet, can't wait! After looking at the nutritional info, it will be a definite tall, nonfat...whipped cream debatable. 


Have any great soup recipes to share? Or, perhaps where I can buy a replacement Cuisinart Coffee Pot? Have a great night! xo

Sweet Tooth

I have come across so many fabulous desserts recently that are just in time for fall. You can bring these tasties to a fall party, or to just to bake to get you in the spirit of fall and have the kitchen smelling good! I pulled together a few of these desserts that not only are tasty, but have a great presentation as well. Enjoy!

Sweetapolita shares her recipe on Marzipan & Pear Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream. They might be the cutest glittered pears I have ever seen! Her attention to detail is amazing.

For a healthy, wholegrain snack, try these Pumpkin Chocolate Oat Muffins from Family Fresh Cooking. One of these + a hot cup of coffee= perfect morning!

Pumpkin Bars with my favorite frosting-Cream Cheese of course! How To: Simplify shares her recipe for these delicious and easy pumpkin bars.


And for those of us who feel safer with whipping up a basic cookie, these have a great twist for fall. Picky Palate shows you how to make Double Pumpkin Kissed Chocolate Chunk Cookies. 

Ready for something sweet now? xoxo