It’s that time of year where your home gets transformed from everyday to extraordinary. Lights, garlands, tiny villages and greenery rule the day. I”m going to share with you a few of my favorite Christmas villages that can make a big impression, ranging from pricey to affordable.
This is the easiest and fastest minestrone you’ll ever make and the veggies combined with the pasta make a filling meal. I just made this up one night when I was desperate not to have to run to the grocery store and I had a few staples on hand. This is a great recipe to keep in your back pocket for nights when you need something nutritious but easy, and it kind of looks like you went to a lot of trouble (but you didn't, promise!).
Have you ever dreamed of a home filled with beautiful, lush plants but can't be sure of your ability to keep your little green friends alive? Well I've got a list for you of low maintenance, no-fuss houseplants that even a novice can maintain with minimum effort. In some cases you'll only have to water once a month, in others, weekly (but if you skip a week they won't keel over -- trust me).
The KitchenAid mixer has held an iconic place in the American kitchen for decades, but you may be surprised to know it started out in 1918 as a 10-quart industrial size mixer, manufactured by the Hobart Corporation. Hobart had previously built mixers for the US navy and other industrial users, but the brand name KitchenAid was first available for home users via door-to-door sales from a mostly female work force.
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| Model H-5 |
The 5-quart mixer size (Model H-5) was introduced in 1919 and was popular with farm-wives and small businesses, but it wasn't until 1937 with the introduction of the Model K designed by Egmont Arens that the mixers began regularly selling out at Christmas time. The Model K is the design that most closely resembles the mixers available from KitchenAid today, and this shape was later trademarked.
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| Model K |
Hobart made KitchenAid mixers until 1986 when the Whirlpool corporation bought KitchenAid for 150 million, which now seems like a bargain. Just two years later in 1988 KitchenAid partnered with Williams-Sonoma and began making exclusive colors for retailers, causing the brand to explode in popularity once again. However, many people even now lament the sale of the company to Whirlpool, as many believe the modern KitchenAid mixer cannot compare to the previous quality of Hobart manufacturing. Vintage KitchenAid lovers are always on the hunt for the Hobart stamp at the base of the mixer body, believing it to be worth its weight in gold.
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| Smithsonian Magazine |
As a child in the early eighties one of my very first memories was of being set on the counter next to my mother's harvest gold KitchenAid mixer to make cookies. I was probably two years old and I can still remember the whir of the mixer's paddle and the excitement of something sweet to come. My mother still uses the same mixer today that she bought in 1977, though it's been painted over a few times and now gleams silver. If mixers could talk, this one would surely tell stories of Christmas cookies, coleslaws, and fights over who gets to lick the beater!
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| My mother's 1977 Hobart KitchenAid |
When I graduated college in 2001 my most fervent wish was for my very own mixer, and my mother delivered with a cherry red 5-quart Artisan model that I cherished and still own today. I've since upgraded to a black 7-quart stand mixer with a more powerful motor and lift handle mechanism, and thoroughly enjoy the ability to make double batches and knead bread dough with ease. I very much enjoyed my 5-quart mixer but if you can swing the steep price ($649.99) for the larger 7-quart model, I can thoroughly recommend the upgrade. With this larger model the motor doesn't strain or slow down, flour doesn't fly out with as much regularity because of the deeper bowl, and overall it just feels like a better quality machine.
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| My 7-Quart Model |
One caveat I've found with KitchenAid mixers that I've seen in every model I've ever used is the enamel attachments that they come with eventually degrading and beginning to chip. With my newest 7-quart mixer I finally bought the more expensive stainless steel paddle (only wash by hand please! the dishwasher really ruins these) and I'm much happier with the performance and no longer worry about enamel chips in my cookies. I could take or leave the plastic splash shield that comes with mixers these days, but a good paddle attachment is priceless! This model also comes with an enamel bread hook and stainless steel whisk, but I don't use either as often as the paddle beater so if you're like me, I would recommend investing in the steel paddle -- you really won't believe how heavy it is when it arrives!
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| 7 quart Flat Beater |
I'm obviously a KitchenAid mixer lover, and I can recommend their 7-quart mixer without reservation. My experience with the standard 5-quart models post Hobart (of which I've had two, and used at least a dozen others) was less than stellar. They just don't compare motor wise to older Hobart models or to newer, larger models. They don't have the power necessary to mix anything with heft, and that includes simple oatmeal cookies. If you have an old 5-quart Hobart made mixer, more power to you, that thing will last forever, but if you're shopping for a mixer right now, my opinion is go big or go home. I was able to use a coupon when I bought my 7-quart model and saved about $100, Amazon seems to have them on sale currently at $549 as well. Happy shopping, happy baking, and happy memory making!
*Please note this blog post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a commission when you click on a link to purchase. Affiliate links are generally a very small source of blogging income and do not influence any opinion or review stated on the blog.
Do you love Serena and Lily's impossibly chic collection of home decor, but not the steep price points? I mean don't we all wanna feel a little California-fancy sometimes? To help I've compiled a list of the absolute best Amazon dupes for some of the most popular items from Serena and Lily. Read on!
Another example is a light fixture that I recently fell in love with from Shades of Light, the Boho Carrick Sconce. I almost forgot my rule and bought this without looking for the same light somewhere else, but google image search came in clutch AGAIN. I found the same light from the manufacturer, Mitzi , on sale at Amazon for $80 cheaper as the Tessa Wall Sconce. And to think I'd almost paid 25% more because I was dazzled by the (admittedly) beautiful Shades of Light website!
One of the best examples I've found to date of a pricey item available at another retailer for less is the Serena and Lily "Tucker" chair. This chair is also available at Design Within Reach (dwr.com) as the "Salt" chair. Same chair, same manufacturer (TON, a European maker), with two different price points. DWR will frequently put the "Salt" chair on sale for 30% off and then you can stack a 20% off coupon on top of that -- which turns out to be a huge savings over the price at Serena and Lily -- and DWR offers free shipping (S&L does not).
Give this trick a try anytime you're buying something on the pricier side, besides making economic sense it's sort of like a fun treasure hunt across the internet. It doesn't work every time, but when it does it feels like a win, and we all need more of those!
*Please note this blog post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a commission when you click on a link to purchase. Affiliate links are generally a very small source of blogging income and do not influence any opinion or review stated on the blog.
I recently wrote a post about plants for people who kill plants, and I mentioned that I had recently purchased a Satin Pothos via mail from the California Tropical Amazon store. I was so pleased with the 6" plant that arrived that I purchased another, a 4" Hoya Pubicalyx. That plant came today and it's in great shape and seems large and healthy and I can't wait to re-pot.
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| Hoya Pubicalyx 4" |
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| Satin Pothos 6" |
Before purchasing these two plants I had never bought a houseplant via mail. I mean it seemed like a bad idea to be perfectly honest. I've always trekked out to nurseries or boutique stores to find plants I can't find at Home Depot. I'm so pleased with California Tropical that I think this will be my new go-to plant store, and I encourage you to give them a try (fyi this is not a sponsored post, I'm simply a happy customer!).
Also, I have to mention, one of the best parts of receiving these plants via mail, was that almost all of the packaging was bio-degradable, something that's very important to me. Please see the pics below to see how your plant will arrive. The packing peanuts inside the cardboard are made of rice and you can simply soak them with water in the sink and they disappear and wash down the drain. How cool is that?! The other components are just paper and fully compost-able, the only part you need to trash is the plastic-wrap surrounding the pot to keep in the well watered soil.
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Check out some of the other offerings in the California Tropical Amazon store that can be hard to find at brick and mortar stores:
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| Mini-Monstera 6" | |
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| Chinese Money Plant 4" |
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| ZZ Plant 4" | |
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| Watermelon Peperomia Plant 4" |
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| Hindu Rope Hoya 4" |
*Please note this blog post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a commission when you click on a link to purchase. Affiliate links are generally a very small source of blogging income and do not influence any opinion or review stated on the blog.
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1) Wooden Link 2) Onion Baskets 3) Sea-grass Lamp 4) Coral Pillows 5) Conch Shell 6) Glass Vase
7) Lidded Baskets 8) Beaded Ceiling Light 9) Faux Tulips 10) Wall Baskets Blue 11) Blue Heron Art
*Please note this blog post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a commission when you click on a link to purchase. Affiliate links are generally a very small source of blogging income and do not influence any opinion or review stated on the blog.
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This issue also contains some fantastic recipes, essays, and a gorgeous knitting pattern. I'm really proud to be associated with this female led publication and hope to write more for them in the future. You can find this issue at select stockists and libraries, there is a directory by state for local sources here.
I love to review higher priced decor pieces here on the blog so others can decide if something is worth the investment and read an honest review of the item in question. No one wants to shell out a thousand dollars for a rug only to find it doesn’t meet expectations.
When I purchased the Pottery Barn Odessa rug in the 8' x 11' size I couldn't find any reviews online and bought it with my fingers crossed. I actually found it for sale on Wayfair.com as the Rushmore Rug (Something that boutique companies like to do is rename an item and sell it for a higher price -- I wrote an entire blog post about just this topic) and paid about 40% less than what Pottery Barn had it listed for. It's the exact same rug by the same company, just listed under a different name.
Looks aside this rug is a little thinner than I had hoped and we had to use a 1/2" rug pad underneath. It's now comfortable to walk and lay on for short periods but I wouldn’t call it plush under foot. Honestly, it's beautiful, but the biggest caveat has been kind of a bummer -- loose fibers working their way out daily and two years later it still clogs my Dyson cordless vacuum when I clean it.
I get on my hands and knees ya'll, weekly, to snip all the wool pieces that stick out of this rug from just normal wear and tear of walking on it (we do not wear shoes in my house either). This was a huge disappointment to say the least, given the price of this rug. A certain amount of snipping is normal for a hand knotted rug, but after several years my old lady knees have really had enough.
Sadly, this is one item I would say to skip. I love the look of this rug in my living room, but it hasn't been worth the headaches and I'm on the hunt for something more durable with less overall maintenance. For the price I expected more, and would not recommend unless you don't mind continuing maintenance.
The stack below is from an interior design I did this past year where the theme was loosely nautical boho. Admittedly the picture is not great, my apologies. The top two books are very easy to find and the bottom book is a bit harder, but measures about 12.5" x 11" if you need to find a surrogate. The Kaufmann Mercantile is a fascinating read and would make a great stocking stuffer for the man in your life! Buy the books here: The Kaufmann Mercantile, Monet, North: Adventures in the Frozen Wild.
For a more luxe vibe I love this three book stack with the black and white color scheme. These would be perfect on a side table next to a velvet sofa or in a modern feminine bedroom. Just as you see in this photo, stacking something sculptural on top of your books is a great punctuation mark and helps to create the "moment". Find the books here: Chanel Collections and Creations, Elements of Style, Coco Chanel.
All of these stacks have been sets of three which are a favorite of mine but don't be afraid to do two or more, and up to five if the space is big enough and the bottom book is hefty. Don't necessarily worry about staying within the same subject matter, though that can be a nice bonus when it works. Enjoy, have fun, and have an excuse to buy more books!
*Please note this blog post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a commission when you click on a link to purchase. Affiliate links are generally a very small source of blogging income and do not influence any opinion or review stated on the blog.
The "Tucker" chair is a beautiful Windsor style chair that comes in six colors. I currently have six Tucker chairs in black at my own dining table and have had them since 2021. This is a Serena and Lily "Tucker" chair review for those interested in this petite yet sturdy farmhouse style chair.
First of all, I don't baby chairs in my house, I have two teenagers and a 6' tall husband who weighs in at about 185lbs, and we all sit in these chairs, put our feet in them, stand on them, and eat all the things while sitting in them (spaghetti, hot cheese sauce, sticky mixed drinks, etc.). These chairs have been through it. I'm happy to say that none are broken, and all are as still as sturdy as the day I bought them, which surprised me giving their petite stature. Here are the stats as per the Serena and Lily website:
Made of solid beech.
Designed for smaller tables and spaces.
Gorgeously handcrafted by a historic furniture maker in the Czech Republic.
17.5"W x 19"D x 33.5"H overall.
Seat Height: 18".
Seat Depth: 15.75".
Seat Width: 16".
Holds up to 300 lbs.
The Tucker chair is also sold at Design Within Reach as the "Salt" chair (same chair, just different name), and they are made by TON, a European maker based in the Czech Republic. They are constructed of European beech wood and the paint is fantastic (I can attest to this as my husband has created several divots in the chairs with a sharp sided card case holder he keeps in his back pocket -- but they are only divots and no paint has chipped at all). The wood is not as hard as oak or maple however, and you will get dents and divots as you can see in the photo below, on the seat especially as it seems to be more vulnerable than the legs and back pieces.
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| 2014, move in day |
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| 2015 |
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| Gray walls, 2017 |
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| 2020, new floor and table! |
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| 2014 |
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| 2023 |
