Month: March 2018

Kitchen favs

Sharing some of my favorite kitchen items and brands today.  These are the things I use often and usually keep on the counters. 

 

 

Butter keeper

I never knew how much I needed this until I had one.  My step mom gave it to me and now I’m obsessed.  Fresh room temperature spreadable butter all the time..amazing!

 

Salt Cellar

Salt & Cellar Gift Set

I bought this as a Christmas gift this year and totally forgot I had it.  Christmas passed, I found it, so I kept it and I love it!  I just keep it next to the stove for easy access.

 

Dish towels

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I have a minor obsession with dish towels and have a whole drawer filled with them.  I pick them up from William Sonoma, Anichini outlet in Quechee, VT, Farmhouse Pottery and really any time I see cute ones on sale.

 

The Unpaper Towel

Just bought these and can’t wait to test them out!

 

Bread Board

I have a lot of different boards from Simon Pearce.  I use them for cheese plates and appetizers.

They are all so beautiful I leave some out all the time!

 

Marble Cheese Board

Marble Round Board

I like to keep a lot of cooking items next to my stove, olive oil, ghee, salt, pepper, etc.  To keep it organized and looking intentional, I keep everything on this raised marble plate. 

 

Beehive Crock

Beehive Crock

I have a few of these as well and keep all the various utensils in them. Spatulas, wooden spoons, etc.  I have also used them for flowers.

 

Wood Spoons

I have a whole Farmhouse pottery beehive crock filled with different shapes and sizes of wooden spoons.  I use them for cooking and for serving dishes as well.

 

White Bowls

Colleen Hennesey Bowl: Gloss White Low Bowl

I have a million white serving bowls.  I have a beautiful large salad one from this store in Cambridge.  Everything here is beautiful, stop in if you are local!  I have some glass cabinets and keep some on display.

 

Berry Baskets

BerryBoxColander5p25inWhtSHF16

I bought a couple of these years ago and still use them every week.  You can use them to rinse the fruit and then store them in the fridge.  You can even use them to serve for casual breakfast/brunch or just keep them on the counter.

Spoon Rest

Laurel Spoon Rest

Ok, so I am slightly obsessed with Farmhouse Pottery.  Everything they make is so clean, simple and beautiful.. and hand crafted!  If you haven’t been to their workshop in Quechee you need to go!  

 

Cake Stand

Glass Cake Dome, Large

I have this one from William Sonoma and try to make a fresh treat each week.  Sometimes something healthy like sweetened with dates banana muffins or something more decadent like double fudge brownies.

 

Fruit Stand

Rustic3TierFruitBasketSHF16

Mine is white from Farmhouse Pottery but it was a one off that I picked up.  This one is similar. Keeps everything organized and in view so you are more likely to use things before they go bad.

 

What are your must-haves in the kitchen?

 

xoST

 

 

 

 

 

Love Affair: Maine

That last storm we had in New England was pretty intense.  I love that our neighborhood has a lot of beautiful mature trees but when it snows 2′, it becomes terrifying!  We didn’t leave the house for two days and I spent some time looking through our books while my toddler played.  I have a million books, so it was nice to have a little time to appreciate them.  I was looking through Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People and the images of Marina Rust and her life in Maine brought tears to my eyes. I’ve seen them before of course but this summer we rented a house in Maine and I can’t wait to share this special place with my then almost three year old son.

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If you have ever been to Maine, the moment you look at these pictures you just know that these were taken in southern Maine.  That coast line is like no other.  You can smell the slight chill that is always in the air except for maybe a short lived two week break in August.

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Photos: Conde Nast

I have spent time in Maine every single summer since I was eight days old.  Rumor has it I was eating lobster on the deck at Barnacle Billy’s but I doubt it went that far.  I’m sure my subconscious remembers the moment, if you have ever sat on that deck you know what I mean.  The boats, the water, the midday sun, the clanging of the sails, it is heaven and you never want to leave.

Another book that caught my eye earlier this year which I revisited yesterday was Gil Shafer’s, A Place to Call Home.  The New England pool house he designed for a client, is awe inspiring.  I think about it at least once a day.

See what I mean..

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Photography: Billy Cunningham in AD

The attention to detail and the importance placed on feeling is evident in all of his work.

But his house in Maine and the connection he felt when he rented the house one summer and then made it his own, is something I can truly understand.

 

Photography: Simon Upton

Part of what I love about Maine is that nothing is too precious.  Floors are creaky, antiques are in the house because the previous owner left them or they have been in the family for generations. 

I can remember our simple house in Maine growing up, we had a hand crank coffee grinder in the kitchen attached to the wall, an outdoor shower, and an attic loft with a bunch of twin beds always filled with kids.  It was everything a summer house should be and nothing more.

This summer I look forward to lunch at Barnacle Billy’s and sitting on that deck, walking the marginal way, trolley rides, candy store trips, and long days at the beach making drip castles and eating ice cream. Maybe we will buy a house there before the summer is over.. wouldn’t that be nice!

What are your favorite summer memories?

xoST

 

 

 

 

 

Playroom- The mini apartment

Since we purchased our home a little over a year ago, I have been so excited to transform this little closet/storage area into a playroom.  It is located on the 3rd floor off one of the guest bedrooms.  I want to set it up like a mini apartment. I posted an instagram story yesterday polling if a leopard rug was a good idea for a boys’ playroom.  The results were just about even.  Slightly in favor of yes! fun!  I have mapped out two different options for the playroom that I have in mind.  It is primarily for boys but they will have girl friends, right?!  The jungle look and the classic contemporary look.  Let me know what you think!

Here is an image of the existing space.  We have an existing bookcase, linked here, and an existing kitchen, linked here, that we are using.

Here is the floorplan I have mapped out for the space

 

Now the two looks!

Stark carpet – Chair

Pouf – Light

Stark Carpet – Chair – Pillow

Ottoman – Light

Thinking we would use the same table and chairs in both looks

Chairs – Table

 

These are the core items, will obviously fill in with fun art, toys, baskets, maybe wallpaper? etc.   But this is the start!

What do you think?  Did you change your vote??

xoST

cover image via pinterest

 

 

Garden Party!

If you are in New England this nor’easter we are having may be hiding the fact that spring is on the way.. but with daylight savings this weekend I am already starting to plan a spring/summer calendar of events!  Check out some of my tabletop inspiration and some of the books I constantly reference for my parties. Cheers!

 

Tabletop

Shop!

Salad Plates – Party Bowl

 

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Cabbage Plate – Bamboo Silverware

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Asparagus Majolica – Cabbage Bowl

 

Linens

Shop!

Placemat – Cocktail Napkins

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Multi Cocktail Napkins – Green Cocktail Napkins

 

Shop!

Tablecloth – Linen Napkins

My ‘go-to’ party books

 

The queen, sorry Martha! Every recipe you follow, it comes out perfectly!

This book is not spring specific but has menus and ideas for all kinds of parties from Sunday brunch to snow day.  She gives tips from what worked, and didn’t work, at her own parties.  My favorite pizza making party is in this book as well.

Buy it!

Ok, truth, I own every single one of her books.  This one I love the kids section and have used these recipes a lot! She has the cutest story of when she threw a mocktail party for a group of young kids. Her mac and cheese recipe is in this book as well and always a huge hit!

Buy it!

This book is packed with great entertaining info! Darcy has worked for Martha Stewart for more than twenty years, soo yeah she knows what she’s doing.  Martha even wrote the foreword.  

Buy it!

I have to admit, I have had this book for a long time and didn’t even open it until recently.  I am glad I did because it has some great and different ideas!  Gives some good tips and how to enjoy the party and not stress.  

Buy it!

This book has some great recipes if you are hosting a group at a summer home or for weekend guests.  Grilled doughnuts with Nutella and Nectarine with cream cheese sandwiches.. yes please!

Buy it!

Camille Styles sets the scene for every season in this book.  Everything from recipes to activities to décor.

Buy it!

I am obsessed with tiny food! It is also a great option when you have adults and children at the same party.  Easy for everyone and sooo cute!

Buy it!

Also, just purchased this 

William Sonoma knows what they are doing, I have used this book many times.  Sometimes, at Thanksgiving, I’ve been known to take the recipe pamphlet from the checkout at WS and just make the whole menu.  I may have done this same pamphlet meal the past four years.  Shhhhh.  Point is, their recipes are tested and are good. This book gives planning, drink and menu tips.

Buy it!

Also a good one.  Party ideas,  a bit more formal but very beautiful.

Buy it!

 

cover image via pinterest