Comments : 102

Hi there! Hope you are having a great week. Hard to believe summer has closed its doors and its already back to school. Sure hope you had a chance to check out the amazing guest post Michele of Hello Lovely did on me yesterday,  if not click here to visit…it was wonderful! I also have a fun monogram giveaway to announce (details on the bottom of this post).
 By the time you are reading this I will be in Brimfield for the antique show, hopefully busy scoring some fabulous finds! Its been a busy week with the start of school but I was determined to make it there. I will report back on the weekend. So as with all my random musings post, this one features a little of this and a little of that. Lets get started……..
This picture reminds me of why Fall is my favorite season……….glorious!

 Got the back powder room wallpaper done and I love it. I am now looking for the perfect mirror and basically will be done at that point..woo hoo!  Here it is…….
But first Teddy my trusty assistant as Michele of Hello Lovely has pegged him, slacking on the job…….
So happy I went with my first choice, its fresh and clean and crisp and not too formal.   Here it is…….

I was experimenting as I like to do with one gingham shade and one plain…..(just in case you were wondering)   Now have to find the perfect mirror…..until then, vanity be damned!

I really like my statuary line and have several of their pieces in my home. I just added this piece to my island and filled it with pears….isn’t it pretty!

Also took the large trivet (in my online shop) and made up a cheese and cracker tray, my phone died as I was in the process but it looked great, filled with fresh figs and olive oil and breadsticks, a few cheeses, a small tray of olives and flatbread, made such a pretty presentation…….

Shop news……The Staffordshire dog lamps are up in my store, in two colors, already quite a popular item! So excited to have finally added  my new category “monogram mania”  to my online shop. It features all kinds of wonderful monogrammed goodies, all super well priced, discounted approx. 15% from retail with a super fast turnaround time ( as in 3 days they are on their way to you). Perfect gift! Click here to visit my shop.

Can I just say how madly in love with this that I am. I mean seriously swoon worthy right? Not exactly masculine I know I know and living with a family of 4 boys (husband included as one of them) this is a bit too frou frou for them, but man its pretty! A great way to channel your inner Marie Antoinette! If you want it, its for sale over at Tara Shaw Antiques.
Remember the hardware dilemma for my island and how I am considering changing it to an ant.brass? Well I am definite on it but figured as long as I am committed to it, let me be sure that I get exactly what I want so ordered another round of contenders and here’s a sneak peek. You know I will share when I decide on which wins…..

I will use a pair of these for towels to hang on the island

The island with the bin cup pull I am nearly certain I am using…

Always like to throw in a little food something…..because of course I love food, good food that is. I love cooking, preparing and of course the best part……. eating!  This is a winner and sooo easy!! It is  super satisfying and great for no guilt eating, it is a salad afterall but chock full of all the “good stuff”.

 Tex Mex Salad
Serves 4-6 (main dish)
Serves 6-8 (side dish)

Ingredients:
2 heads romaine lettuce
2 avocados (chopped)
1 cup frozen corn (defrosted) or fresh (if it’s in season)
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1 Tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup sour cream or reduced fat sour cream
1/2 cup salsa
2 teaspoons chile powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, plus more for garnish (you can use more if you are like me and LOVE cheese)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped plus more for garnish
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 limes
Tortilla Chips ( I bought the tortilla strips in a bag if you can find them)
Directions:
Make black bean and corn relish.  Combine black beans, corn, red onion and red bell pepper.  Pour over white balsamic vinegar (or other light vinegar), squeeze the juice of 1/2 of a lime, season with salt and pepper and allow to sit for a half an hour or up to one day.
For the salad dressing.  Combine sour cream, salsa, the juice of half a lime, chile powder, cumin and salt and pepper.  Stir to combine.  Every salsa is a little different so you may need to add more salsa or add more sour cream to reach the desired consistency for your dressing.  Taste it to see if you would like to add any more of the seasonings as well.
For the main salad.  Chop up romaine lettuce.  Add avocado, black bean and corn relish, cheese and cilantro.  Pour over dressing and toss to combine.  Garnish the top with more shredded cheese and a bunch of cilantro.  Serve with cut up slices of lime and tortilla chips.
If you would like to serve this as a main course, I would suggest adding some grilled shrimp, chicken or  sliced flank steak. 
Have you seen Ralphs latest collection? Yes, that Ralph as in Ralph Lauren…you don’t know we are on a first name basis? πŸ™‚ What can’t he do? Every one of his collections is just so spectacular! DROOLWORTHY.  These images tell me one thing….take me there NOW!

 Finally the giveaway! To celebrate the Monogram mania intro to my online shop, I am offering one lucky winner a box of 6 monogrammed soaps customized to their specifications. All you need to do is go to my site, check out my newest additions in the Monogram mania section and come back here and tell me a fave. That’s it. I will announce a winner on Sunday. Click here to visit.
So that’s about it for today. Wishing you a wonderful day. Be back over the weekend to announce a winner!! Remember, if you are anonymous, I have no way of knowing who you are, unless you use your first name and first letter of your last name in the body of the comment. Ditto for those of who you who just use your first name, please in the comment be sure to put your last name initial, as there are often duplicate names. Thanks for stopping by…….

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Tina, I love the monogram soaps. I wish your store were in existence this time last year – I looked everywhere for monogram disposable guest towels – yours are so much prettier than what I found!

Your store is looking really great – it is very professional looking and well organized.

Hope you have a good day-
Holly

Can I pick them all?! I LOVE it! If I had to pick one, currently I’d pick the candle because I’m looking for one just like it for my bathroom…I might just have to “pick it up!” Thanks for sharing!

On my way to the grocery store. We are crazy for Mexican here at “Sparks Manor”. This will make everyone happy! Love the new items at the shop. My favorite has to be the Ice bucket. I have been looking at them for awhile, and this price point is wonderful!
The powder room looks lovely. I can’t wait to see the mirror you finally find!
So happy to see Teddy appreciating the comforts of home. Looks like my house!!
~Cheryl

Wow everything looks fabulous that it is hard to choose but we have been into bread and dipping so I think I am going towards the Every day board and dip bowl. You have some lovely items.

Glad to see that Teddy is doing well.

I love Ralph too…the first thing that sold in my Boston shop was a pair of big antlers…his photos you shared are fabulous! Have a great day at Brimfield and I will be looking to see your post on that trip for sure!! Love the soaps too~so enter my name!

Tina-
Have fun at the antique show! So much fun.
Love the powder room, and I can’t wait to see the mirror you choose.
Ralph can do no wrong, and yes, I am in love.
I love your monogram line. Who doesn’t love great monogrammed pieces?
Happy Thursday.
Teresa
xoxo

GOOD MORNING BEAUTIFUL TINA!

I have missed you so…I think so many people are busy and it was a crazy summer. I see your home is looking more and more personalized and it is FABULOUS. Teddy has certainly made his territory very clear…on that FAB COUCH!!!!!!

Everything is as glorious as ever and that ANTIQUE BED FROM TARA SHAW! OMG get it. GET IT!!!!!

Much love, Anita

Girl…you had me at Tex Mex! AND…..monogram! I also love that you allow Teddy on the sofa. I get slack from my husband but that is why I have dogs….to snuggle with:). They are my “people” ha ha. That powder room wallpaper is so my fav…. I am old school and anything in soft yellow and cream is so warm and yummy.

Tina, Just saw your post at Hello Lovely – gorgeous!! LOVE the wallpaper. And the dog lamps are just too cute. I can totally see a lot of Tara Shaw items in your home, too!
Stacy

I am a new blogger to your sight and have shared it with many of my girlfriends! SO INSPIRATIONAL!!! Thank you, Tina, for sharing your life and home with us!!!

I love the monogram soaps!!!!

Linda S.

If my dog would stand still for long enough, I would have a monogram shaved into her back! Is there anything that says more to a home’s personalization than our monograms? I have been wanting new highball glasses with my husbands initials in them, so I would definitely choose the glassware. Thank you for the giveaway!

Tina, I am so jealous of your Brimfield trip!! I haven’t been back there is some years and keep meaning to…..
The monogram line is fab–love the monogrammed guest towels!!

I love monograms, isn’t at sooo southern!? All southern girls love everything monogrammed! I would take everything on your Shop, but if I had to choose just one it would have to be the pitcher! I can hardly contain myself over the staffed shire dog lamps though!!
Thank you for your generous giveaway!
Dana Munoz
[email protected]

Your home is looking great! I also love the Ralph Lauren line and the Staffordshire dog lamps! Your giveaway is wonderful! I love both the soap and candle. Thank you for the opportunity to enter!

everything looks fantastic in the store. i love the mongramed square candle. so nice to offset a great collection on a table. thanks for sharing – i’ll be checking back in the store soon!

Tina, I LOVED reading the guest post over at Michele’s. Super inspiring. That tex-mex salad looks delicious and I love that it’s vegetarian because Mr. H. doesn’t eat meat and I’m forever looking for things to feed him – I may add flank steak to my portion, though! Thanks for another yummy recipe.
Have fun treasure hunting at Brimfield.

Love, Love, Love, your Monogram collection. My first choice is the monogram soaps with the French Script – so beautiful. The second choice is the monogram cutting board. I have a wooden peppermill monogrammed – a gift from our son. It has our wedding date inscribed on the front as well as our initial. We have cherished it as it graces our kitchen so beautifully. Your shop is amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Teddy is so cute Tina.. he looks like royalty sprawled out on the couch. Your wall paper looks so pretty.. I think I told you that exact paper is going in my powder room?! The RL bed is gorgeous! Love the bed frame and linens. Your tex-mex salad looks yummy. We don’t have very good Mexican food here in the PNW so I’m always making my own.

Such fun looking at all your new goodies. It’s been a crazy week for me. I am off tomorrow and I hope to do a little shopping in your store. Enjoy your visit to the antique show! Hopefully you will bring back a few pretty pieces.

Ooooh!!! I love each of your monogram items. I think if I had to choose a favorite it would be the necklace. Those are gorgeous! My second choice would be the cutting board. Something I would use every day. Thank you for the great giveaway! I love the pictures of your gorgeous home. Thanks for sharing it with us! Blessings to you!

Loooove anything monogrammed. I can’t decide between the candle, soaps or breadboard as to my favorite. ADORE your powder room wallpaper. I’m sure you’ve said it already, but can you tell us the name/source? Would seriously love some of it’s beauty in my home, too =) Also, the ant. brass hardware looks gorgeous on the island.

I adore your wallpaper! It’s so fresh and beautiful, just perfect for a hall bath! I’m loving the new monogram mania category and plan to order several items for Christmas gifts…who doesn’t love getting something with their monogram?! My favorite item in your store this week would have to be the super cute Staffordshire lamps – so cute! Have a great day at the antiques show πŸ™‚

Lauren L.

Hi, Tina,
Your guest bath is looking fabulous and I love the towel rod/drawer pulls you have chosen for the kitchen. Am drooling over the new Ralph line and the toile headboards from Tara Saw. I too am a monogram freak and my favorite in your store are the soaps. They already are in my shopping cart.
Best…Victoria

Love, love, love your new powder room!!! So, hope it’s okay to ask:)
But I’m desperate for the name and resource of your beautiful yellow/gray wallpaper.
May I have it please?
And the sink too?
Thank you for all the elegant inspiration!
Blessings on your day,
Dolley C.

The wallpaper is gorgeous! I am sending my husband a link to the monogram necklace. I have been wanting one and think it would make a great Christmas present! Thanks for the great giveaway.

Tina I love all of your new pieces! The monogrammed necklace is wonderful (as they all are) I love precious soaps and would be thrilled to have these!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Can’t wait to see what you find at Brimfield!!! I So want to go, but with the boys just starting with a half day today and first full day tomorrow, just isn’t happening this year.

Your powder room is tres chic!!! And, love that bed from Tara Shaw. I basically love all things Tara Shaw!

Have the best time this weekend!!!
xoxo,Elizabeth

Hi love the bathroom! Amd just ordered some soaps and a cutting board S fts- great line!
Love it for Christmas- the planter with pears I must copy!
Love your blog, thanks for the beauty!!

A monogrammed ice bucket is always a keeper for life. It’s become my go-to graduation gift, and I sure would love to have one for myself.

i think the wallpaper is gonna be the talk of the blogosphere for some time and that you are doing a ton of business for the wallcovering industry. it’s stunning, tina. and timeless. can you believe i never noticed there was a mirror missing? that is what i love about your journey. your spaces just get better and better with each layer and we get to see exactly how that happens.

i will be buying some of your european kitchen pieces very soon!

have a fabulous weekend.

michele

I’m crazy about ALL monograms. But I’ve always been partial to monogrammed soaps. I would love the soaps in Verbena. They sound perfect.
I’ll have to try that Tex Mex Salad, looks great and easy!
Glad to see a photo of Teddy. He has earned the right to be a bit of a slacker. πŸ™‚

Tex Mex salad sounds incredible and I’m trying it! Love all your monogrammed goodies but especially the necklace! Thanks for all the new shots of your house – love it!
Anne Nelson Morck

Tina, your taste is impeccable, to say the least! Monogram Mania– what a great idea! I would LOVE these soaps, and the sterling monogram necklace has been on my list for a while. Thanks for your blog posts. Love reading, Marty W. – [email protected]

Hi Tina, I am envious of your trip to Brimfield–I was hoping to go this year but with packing one kid off to her first apartment in Boston and the other to study abroad in Scotland, there was just no time for me! Your wall paper is beautiful and I like the gingham with it. Can’t wait to see the mirror!
I always peruse your wonderful shop and the addition of the monogrammed items will be another reason to stop there often. I love the hand towels and the soaps. I would choose the lavender or verbena! Oh, I feel more relaxed already! Glad to see Teddy looking so healthy.
Linda

Tina,

Hello! The bathroom looks fabulous! I love it!!! So pretty and sophisticated.

Teddy looks great! And as the two of your work so hard he is entitled to a little down time. What a cutie.

Cannot wait to try the salad recipe, making that tonight. Yummy.

As for the Tara Shaw, I LOVE toile and that is such a beautiful bed. And Ralph LAuren, there are not words for the mans talents. The new collection is a feast for the eyes.

Have a great night, love all of the new shop stuff.

Elizabeth

The soaps look great, as do the selections you have made for the bathroom. Ralph has had some great items recently. I just picked up a pair of RL white and blue lamps that I LOVE. Thanks for the great dish! I may have to add that to my future menu. Can’t wait to get the towel I won in your giveaway last week! Thanks. – Tonya

I like all of the monogramed items. However, if I had to choose, it would be the towels and holder and the ice bucket. The soaps would be my third choice.

Tina, I think my favorite is the soaps. Would be so lovely in a silver bowl or container. How is Teddy doing? Has he recovered from his injuries? He looks well rested! Also love your new little lamps…they are darling.
Marcie

The soaps are definitely my favorite. Love when your site has such a mix of goodness. Also, a girl can always use another good recipe!
Carol Ann N. (in HOT Florida)

* * * * IF YOU DON’T FIND YOUR MIRROR HERE – THEN THERE’S NO HOPE… LET ME KNOW * * * *

I think they are all lovely. However, I like the necklace the best. It reminds me of a stick pin I had when I was a child (around 1976ish) with my initial on it! Jacqueline M. K. of NY.

Thanks for the tex mex salad recipe! cant wait to try it! LOVE the monogram collection – especially the disposable towels (great for powder room).. and of course the soaps would really make my powder room feel more like a place worthy for guests.

Love the chip-n-dip bowl in your Monogram Mania Collection. Perfect gift for my son’s soon-to-be bride and their new home. All of your shop items are beautiful and of great quality. I can attest to that with my recent purchase.

How many times have I wanted to enter one of your giveaways but get distracted & forget all about it…..until I see “the winner is!?” THIS TIME I’m on it!!!

Yours is one of only two design blogs I read daily, and I have to say that I drool over your kitchen ALLLLL the time. That is absoutley, hands-down, without question MY DREAM KITCHEN. I could live in that room and I know you have to pinch yourself every day! I sure would.

Anyway, down to business I suppose. My favorite item in your “monogram mania” section has to be the cube candle. It’s beautiful, looks MUCH more expensive than its $25 price, and I love that fact that it burns in a tunnel so it can be used long after it’s “true” use has expired. What more could you ask for, right?!

Ok, thanks for listening to me babble. Keep up the awesome blog work (and give Teddy a BIG hug for me—SO glad he’s doing so well now—I have two “babies” and that just killed me).

Love fall! I really like the beautiful monogramed silver neckless. You have so many beautiful monogramed items.
Must say I am extremely jealous that your at Brimfield! Have a wonderful time. Marlene

Your bathroom is soooo gorgeous….love the new wallpaper! It is always so much fun to see what you are working on :o) Your Teddy looks so cute lounging on the sofa too!
I love the monogrammed candle cube in your shop….if I don’t win I might just have to buy that for myself :o)
Have a great weekend……have fun at the show!
~Des

The wallpaper in the bathroom is GORGEOUS!!!! I love love love it!!!! I also saw Ralph’s new collection this past week and thought it was so warm and wonderful. I’d love you to share your salad at ON THE MENU MONDAY! YUMMY! I love to stop by. So much inspiration here, Tina!

Hi Tina ~so many pretties, how does one choose? First, I think I will choose your wallpaper. It is just timeless. And the check balloon is perfect with it. ~sigh~ I love all of your monogramed items, but I always go for the soaps or the candles.
You have a lovely blog and shop.

the sterling silver pendant is soooo beautiful! thank you for the giveaway πŸ™‚ love your blog!

i LOVE LOVE LOVE the DIP N’ SERVE BOARD!!! So great for entertaining! Great blog!!!
~ Nicole J of This Is Life At Our Home

Love, Love, Love your powder room:) GORGEOUS! Also love the monogrammed low ball glasses! Kate Reynolds

Love the Dip N’ Serve board, especially since it has my initial on it already!! Your wallpaper is gorgeous – thanks so much for the feast for the eyes! Have a great weekend!

So much greatness in this post! Love the wallpaper and so sweet to see Teddy lookin’ good! I love all of your new monogrammed products. I think I may need to invest in a new cutting board for my kitchen so I’ll call that one my favorite for now!

Would love to win the soaps. I love the large cutting board and would love it with our family name, but I really love all the monogrammed things. Your whole store is really my taste!
LOVE the bathroom wallpaper, the planter with pears and think the hardware change is a really good move, the brass looks beautiful on the black island.
That blue and white bed is something! Hope I win, thank you for the chance.

PS Loved your guest post at hello lovely. It was so fantastic!

Hello Tina!

How are you doing, my friend??? Oh, isn’t Teddy adorable! He’s posing, Tina!!! πŸ™‚

I actually posted one your trivets on my “20 picks” for Houzz. I love them!

Have a great weekend, sweetie.

xo

Luciane at HomeBunch.com

Tina,
Geez, where to start? Okay, first Teddy is so naughty for being on the sofa, I don’t let Remy on ours and it’s not nearly as gorgeous!

Second, your powder room is with out a doubt the prettiest I’ve seen in ages!!! I am beating a client over the head to do wallpaper-need to show her yours.

Finally, my fav mongram item from your shop would probably be the glasses and the soaps…I share that little soap obsession with you πŸ™‚
xo,
~R

Good morning Ms. Tina,

Monogram Mania – very clever – and very YOU!! Please put my name in the hat for the giveaway (especially like that DIP N’ serve board!).

Your powder room looks fantastic and so does Teddy in that sofa!

Love to you and happy weekend.

Mon

PS. Of course I am hopping over to Michele! All kids are back in school now (and Prince William in Kindergarten!) – a new life for me! Wihoo!

So happy about your bathroom! It’s truly beautiful! LOVE the recipe too! Can’t wait to try it! I feel certain that any of your hardware choices will be perfect as they are all wonderful! I can’t wait to check out the other blog and see your post! Will definitely look at once I head in from the beach! Have a wonderful weekend!

You had us wishing for cooler weather with that first image… Just gorgeous! Your recipe sounds delicious and the boys would really enjoy it. Happy weekend, Tina.
xxoo
C + C

Hope you have fun at Brimfield. We were there a few years ago and had a ball despite the sore feet. Its a fun trip. I love the powder room, thats what perfect looks like.
The recipe sounds great, I am a big salad person so I will definitely try it.
Love every single item in your shop but really loving the carving board with a triple monogram or the gorgeous monogram necklace. Would love win those soaps!

So nice to see Teddy happy and content. He deserves his perch on the couch;-)

Love reading your blog everyday and your powder room is just gorgeous. Would you mind sharing the name and resource for the beautiful wallpaper? All of the new monogram items are fabulous , I especially like the ice bucket. The planter with the pears will be on my counter soon!
[email protected]

Thank you so much for offering such a lovely and generous giveaway. My favorite items are the soaps (so fun!) and the carving board.

Cindy Aiton
clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

It all looks wonderful. I just love the oval soaps, I can just imagine them in a dish in my bathroom.

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