I’m so happy for fellow blogger Erin Souder of House of Earnest, after spending 8+ years as a product designer she’s stepped out on her own to create Grandiflora! The products are showcased in quarterly collections and sold in limited quantities that are created by an in-house team, and produced all over the world at some of the finest artisan facilities Erin has found over the course of her career. Her impeccable taste is evident and her eye for trends spot on. Here are my favorite pieces from Grandiflora’s inaugural collection – the Kira Striped Towels, the Asta Rug, and the Clovis Nutcracker.
White accessories are some of my favorite to add to my home, they add so much personality without the clutter. A few weeks ago Imm Living asked me to choose some of my favorite pieces from their collection to style for their Choo Choo Chooses campaign and I jumped at the chance. Imm is the absolute king of white and one of the best at marrying playfulness and functionality in their accessories.
I immediately gravitated towards the Socialites. Both of their hats can be removed to stash little collections, but I think I’ll be using them as occasional vases for seasonal flowers and greenery this holiday season.
I fell fast for the King’s Subject Containers, namely the hippo with the sweet little bird perched upon his nose. Right now he’s hard at work with a nosegay of wildflowers on my coffee table, but I’m also looking forward to putting him to work holding my favorite pens. I love how imm’s pieces lend themselves to multiple uses!
I’ve been searching for just the right cake plate for some time now, and knew I’d found it when I saw the horse head Takes the Cake Plate! I can’t wait to serve hors d’oeuvres and other treats to guests atop his majestic head, but rather than put this guy behind closed doors in the cupboard I’ve decided to place him front and center on my dining table to collect keys, sunglasses, etc.
This gold Lucky Break Wishbone Wall Hook was a no-brainer, as I’m forever searching for ways to organize my necklaces and to keep them from tangling with one another. I also wouldn’t mind the little bit of luck it might bring!
That’s right, you have a chance to win all five pieces! And one last little surprise, Burke Decor has partnered with Imm Living and is offering you all 15% off storewide (including Imm Living), just enter the code IMMLIVING15 during checkout. Time to start crossing those holiday gifts off your list! You can also like Imm Living on Facebook for the latest updates!
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Caitlin!
To Enter:
1. In the comments section below, tell me your favorite item from my picks above!
2. Leave a valid email address in the form (for notification purposes).
3. Do it all before Sunday, November 23, 2013 at 11:59pm CST.
These beautifully inspired Leaf Rugs from VIVIDGREY pull double duty as rugs or throws which only makes me want to own one (or three to layer) all the more. Each one is dyed and manufactured from organic linen canvas and stuffed with pure organic cotton sourced from an Indian fairtrade cooperative. And all of the textured lines are hand-drawn without a pattern, making each piece unique!
I’m a planner by nature. As a 10 year old I drew floor plans for fun and throughout school rewrote notes to relax. NERD ALERT! Now I love that planning is a part of running Design Crush, and there’s not much I love more than planning a good dinner party – real or imagined! (You can see Thanksgiving 2012 right here.)
This morning I’m excited to share a brand spankin’ new line of home accessories with you – the site just went live today! B for Brandie is out to add a dash of fashion to the table in a very chic way. Fresh colors, sophisticated patterns and contemporary designs abound in their debut collection that features dinnerware, flatware, glassware, placemats and napkins. The best part is that it’s all made to be mixed and matched, bringing a very personal touch each and every time you gather around the table. Perfect with the holidays being just around the corner and entertainment being taken up a necessary notch.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Congratulations, Brittany!
To Enter:
1. Leave a comment below telling us your favorite entertaining secret.
2. Like B by Brandie on Facebook.
3. Leave a valid email address in the form (for notification purposes).
4. Do it all before Sunday, November 17th at 11:59pm CST.
Almost every one of my favorite recipes has a story, so when West Elm asked me to share one of my favorite holiday traditions I knew just the one. When I was in elementary school my grandparents looked after me once school was out every day. My Grandpa picked me up at the bus stop and drove me the fifteen minutes to their house in the next town where my mom would scoop me up after work. Most days when I got into his car there would be a snack waiting for me – an orange we would share or a coconut macaroon cookie. But on really special fall days there was nothing until we got back to their house and I walked in the door to the sight of my Grandma’s apple dumplings, perfectly golden and smelling like heaven. Those apple dumplings meant that the holidays (as well as winter vacation) were right around the corner!
Now that I make my own I cut a corner or two, but the end result still gives me that same feeling of being cozy and loved. I picked up a Scape Oval Baking Dish (the perfect size for four apple dumplings) and a set of Universal Expert Wooden Utensils from West Elm Market to make the recipe all the more fun to pull together and share with you. I can already tell that these pieces are going to get a major workout over the next few months between casseroles and baked goods!
Apple Dumplings
• 4 medium-large apples (I used Fuji)
• 1/4 C quick cooking oats
• 1/4 C brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 4 pie crusts (I use pre-made)
• 4 tsp butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• granulated sugar for dusting
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray a large baking dish with cooking spray in preparation. Make or (or open) your go-to pie crust recipe (each apple will use one crust). In a small bowl mix together the oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon then set aside. Peel and core the apples. Roll out (or lay out) one pie crust and set an apple in the center. Fill the hollowed out core with the oat-brown sugar-cinnamon mixture all the way to the top, then place a teaspoon of butter on top. Fold up the edges of the crust, making sure to pinch the seams as you go along. Repeat the process with the other three apples and set each one in the baking dish. Beat the egg and vanilla together and brush all over each dumpling, then dust with sugar. Bake for 50 minutes or until golden brown. These are delicious served with Brown Sugar Sauce (recipe below) or served with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. One dumpling could easily be split between two people.
Brown Sugar Sauce
• 1/4 C brown sugar
• 1/4 C water
Combine brown sugar and water in a small saucepan. Simmer until reduced and thickened.
This post has been sponsored by West Elm. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going! West Elm is offering 20% off all tabletop items until November 26th.
Tiles can either be traditional and boring or fresh and interesting, there’s not really a lot of middle ground to be covered. Fireclay Tile recently released two new designs in their Debris series – Wave and Picket – that fall squarely (no pun intended) into the second category. Wave captures the feel of the undulating Pacific Ocean while Picket transforms the iconic pattern into a bold, geometric design. Both use up to 70% recycled materials that are sourced with 200 miles of their Northern California factory – not only is that good for the environment, but it also results in one of the hardest tiles available.
