Bar Cart It

 

For years now I’ve convinced myself that the one thing missing from my home is the perfect bar cart. One that would live within feet of the front door and be stocked with essentials that I could mix up on a whim for guests. Somehow there would always magically be a full ice bucket and a bevy of garnishes at the ready for when the moment struck. I’m determined to make this a reality – at least the owning a bar cart part – and have been doing some serious research!

Clockwise from top left: 70s Gold Trolley from Merchant Archive, Arko Bar Cart from Jeff Studio, Beckett Bar Cart from Williams-Sonoma, Cart by Bao-Nghi Droste Design, Cube Bar Cart from Roberta Schilling, Dessert Cart from Paris Hanjel, Libations Bar Cart from Crate&Barrel, Luxembourg Bar Cart from Horne, The Mrs. Lilien from Society Social

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Colorful Kitchen

Clockwise from top left: Mepra Fantastia Flatware, Bodum Bistro Electric Hand Mixer, Juicer, Infusion Coffee Maker, Butter Dishes, Core Bamboo Bucket Bowl, DeLonghi kMix Toaster, Modern Neon Hardwood Serving Spoons

At first glance my kitchen has white cabinets, mottled grey countertops, and red accents. But open up just one of the cabinets and you’ll see color everywhere – multi-colored Fiestware, graphic serving pieces, mugs aplenty. To me the kitchen is one of the easiest rooms to add personality to and these pieces definitely make the cut.

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B-B-B-Buffalo

I don’t like wings, so I knew nothing of the deliciousness of buffalo sauce until my cousin introduced me to Buffalo Chicken Dip a few Christmases ago. And then my world changed in the best way. This flavor combination has become synonymous with fall and football season in my mind (the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oklahoma Sooners if you’re the curious type), and now that that glorious time of year is once again upon us I thought a little collection of buffalo chicken goodness was necessary. As always, click on the image to be taken to the recipe source.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All photos and recipes copyright of their respective source unless otherwise noted.

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Candles Burning Bright

Clockwise from top left: French Oak Filled Candle from Restoration HardwareLe Feu de L’Eau Candle from Pretty Mommy, Pure & Good Candle Jar from Anthropologie, Luxury Grapefruit Candle from Jo Malone, Whipped Cream & Pear Illume Boulangerie Candle from Anthropologie, Grapefruit Orange Candle from Stone Hale Co., Mojito Candle from Malin + Goetz, F.S.C. Barber Candle from Creatures of Comfort

Oklahoma is so freakin’ hot every summer that once I turn on the AC in May it rarely gets turned off before late September. It’s that bad. But the thing is, when a house is closed up and relying on circulated air like that it starts to get a funk about it. You know what I’m talking about, right? Something needs to be done and that something is candles. I’m really picky when it comes to what smells I can tolerate (Thanks, Mom!), and think spending a little extra definitely pays off. What are your go-tos?

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Luxe Liquors

It shouldn’t shock you too terribly much to know that I shop for wine and liquor much like I shop for household products – according to how well-designed the packaging is of course!

Clockwise from top left: Lovejoy Vodka, Art in the Age Root/Snap/Rhuby, Reyka Vodka, CORZO Tequila, Master of Malt’s Drink by the Dram, Junior’s Midnight Moon Moonshine, Elements of Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Kings County Whiskey, Bully Boy Distillers

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Do a Little DIY

Confession time, I hoard DIY tutorials like a chipmunk. They’re bookmarked or thrown into an unlabeled folder on my desktop all willy nilly. Eventually (this is a process) I move them to another folder deeper on my hard drive that’s categorized. This Type -A-personality-meets-total-disarray is not a good system, but I have the best time going through it all and today I’m going to share a few of my recent favorite projects with you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Iced Teas + Lemonades

The extreme summer heat we’ve been experiencing for the past few months has finally started to ease off, which ironically makes me feel more summery than ever. Patio weather just begs for grilled food and chilled beverages, like maybe some kicked up iced tea and lemonade (with an optional shot!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All photos and recipes copyright of their respective source unless otherwise noted.

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Send a Little Summer Love

Clockwise from top left: Cats Card by Becca Stadtlander, Little Notes by Paper & Type, Geometric Birthday Card by POKETONeon Orange Thank You For Everything Card by Banquet Atelier & Workshop, Boston Terrier Card by Rifle Paper Co., Crown Card by Present & Correct, Over the Moon Card by Rifle Paper Co., I Quite Like You Card by Sycamore Press, The Bear Postcard by lilimandrill

There’s nothing quite like real mail. A good email can be exciting, but being able to hold a tactile piece (that’s not a bill) is so much better. Opening your mailbox to a surprise card or letter can’t be beat.

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Back At It

I am in a constant state of missing school. I wasn’t a straight A student (more like an A-B 50/50 split), it’s the learning I miss. The bottomless well to draw from, especially in college where there were so many options from which to choose. I’m also a school and office supply junky, I doubt there’s ever been a kid (or adult) quite as enthusiastic when the big box stores roll out their masses of back-to-school inventory. Most years I limit myself to buying a fresh notebook or set of highlighters, just to satisfy the itch. But if I were to be a little more adult about it, I’d take this opportunity to freshen up my office space. Maybe with a few of these.

 

Clockwise from top left:
An illustrated Lined Paper Notepad for important notes and messages.
From the Desk Of cards to jot out quick thank yous.
Monthly Sticky Notes to keep my schedule in order.
Yellow highlighter ink because it’s more fun than a regular pen!
This backpack from Herschel Supply Company for Madewell because, well, I want one.

What are your favorite must-have supplies? 

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Olympic Mania

Don’t even get me started on that logo, but the 2012 London Olympics kick off Friday and I couldn’t be more excited – I’m such a nerd. I guess it all started back in the Barcelona Games in 1992, when Kim Zmeskal and Shannon Miller (who I later took a college anthropology course with, FYI) faced off in gymnastics. I recorded it on VHS and rewatched the all-around competition over and over again. Like I didn’t know the end result. There’s just something so captivating about people who work so hard and are so incredibly driven towards something that gets me in the gut. Which is why I’ll be absolutely glued to the television for the next two weeks and go into a mild depression after the Closing Ceremony. Wait, is 32 too late to pick up a sport?

11 Vintage Sports Posters to Celebrate the Olympics

An Olympic Medal Worthy of a Design Award

London Skyline Print

Coca-Cola Beatbox

The 2012 London Olympics Torch

London By Hand Poster

The History of Olympic Pictograms

That Big Event in London Reality Check Souvenir Bags

MEANDTHIS’s take on the Olympic Posters

Olympic Party Invites

From London to London, 54 Years of Olympic Logos

Banksy Interprets the Olympics

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