Shorely Chic in the News!

I'm super excited to have been featured in my local newspaper, the Darien News! I spoke with the managing editor this week for an interview and the article was published today on the third page - woohoo!! I'm famous :) (just kidding but I'll pretend like I am with my friends and family tonight!!

Thanks for all your support - I love my readers and your comments make me so so happy :)

so excited!!! Thank you all!! off to celebrate...

Relax...

I did a post several weeks ago on some favorite coastal bedrooms and the below poster was featured in one of the rooms. A big thank you to one of my readers at Polos and Peonies for doing some research on the print!!

Rene Gruau (1910-2004)


RELAX
Color lithograph poster, 1961, printed by Editions Bonsch.
It sold for $1200 back in November 2009.

I'm going to try and find this one!!

update: This website has the print (reporoduction of course) for sale listing

Bali Chic

I'm really into this Balinese/Indonesian Chic look these days. There was lots of Eastern inspiration in this month's island issue of Coastal Living which inspired me to write this post.  I am very attracted to and really appreciate when different and unique pieces of a completely different style from a completely different part of the world are added to a room. This really peaks my curiosity and I become interested in the owner -- who are they? where have they travelled? they must have so many cool experiences! I look at the different pieces and fabrics and wonder where they are from and what their story is...

coastal living February

house beautiful

johnrobshaw.com

John Robshaw's collection at ABC

flickr

tracy porter

Recipe for Beef Bourguignon and a Successful Dinner Party

Brian and I had a dinner party on Saturday night with some of my best girlfriends and their boyfriends and I made a simple version of beef bourguignon that I think is a must-share! It is just one of those dishes that is perfect for a dinner party and really impressive to serve, mainly because of how delicious it is.  I called my mom earlier in the week and asked her if she could set aside a few hours on Saturday to teach me how to make the dish she had mastered after all her years of cooking.

Before I get into the recipe for the beef, I have listed a few elements that from my few but fun experiences in hosting are essential for successful and enjoyable night :)

1) for music: PANDORA for your i-phone or i-touch - it's an app you can download, amazing!

2) wine, plenty of it, and champagne to toast

3) a dish that can be prepared before-hand so that you're not working in the kitchen and can actually entertain your guests

4) lots of candles to set a nice atmosphere 

For the Beef Bourguignon...

Ingredients

• 18 pearl onions - peeled
• 3 large carrots, sliced 
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil for frying the beef
• flour for flouring the beef
• 2 pounds of stew meat, cut into bite size pieces
• 1 bottle of red wine
• 1/8 teaspoon thyme
• 3 bay leaves
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup of diced tomatoes (from a can is fine)
• salt and pepper
• fresh parsley for garnishing 
• 1 lb of fresh pappardelle (ribbon-like pasta)

1. cut up all your vegetables so that they are ready to add when needed
2. pat dry your beef with a paper towel for more even browning
3. flour your beef chunks and start browning all four sides of each piece in a frying pan with the cooking oil
4. add the browned beef to a dutch oven
5. add the minced garlic, mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes to the beef
6. add an entire bottle of red wine
7. sprinkle in the herbs and salt and pepper

You let this come to a boil for about 20 minutes, then turn down your oven and let it simmer on low for up to 4 or 5 hours, right before you serve the dish. My oven is really old and blows out when it's on low so I had to continuously turn it on, and off, and on, and off, etc... :)

Right before you are ready to serve, cook the pasta, drain and add the butter to it to give all the noodles a nice coating. Add to your dishes, top off with your sauce, and sprinkle on your parsley!!

not my photo but sort of what it looked like!

I Just Had to Share

During my lunch break today, I went into one of my favorite thrift stores called the Laurel House which is the thrift store of the self-help organization, http://www.laurelhouse.net/ based out of Stamford, CT. For those familiar with Housing Works in NYC, it's the same type of set-up. It's pretty small but they are seconds from work and they get new stuff every week.

I've been getting to know the lady who works there during the day and asked if she wouldn't mind calling me when she gets certain 'Shorely Chic' in style items and she was very happy to. My card is hanging up now :)

I got an awesome awesome mirror today and I have been so excited all day about it so I had to share with you. Here are the pictures I took after buying it, speeding home to my apartment to take pictures, and make it back to work in under an hour - this is my life these days :)

Old World Elegant Rococo Mirror

isn't it GORG??

Chandeliers Inspired by the Sea

I'm funny about chandeliers - I feel like a good 75% are hideous and should be taken down (including the one in my rental apartment)...

With a little research however, I found some amazingly beautiful pieces that could be the perfect finishing touch for a room.

I google imaged chandeliers today and wanted to share some Shorely Chic Faves:

Currey and Company has a great selection of shell decorated chandeliers for purchase.

Beauties aren't they?

Favorite Beach House from Something's Gotta Give

Something's Gotta Give is one of my favorite movies and the setting has every bit to do with it. The Hamptons and Montauk are two of my favorite destinations in the Northeast as the beaches are beautiful, shops are fabulous, restaurants delicious, and bars so-much-fun!

The gorgeous homes that make up the eastern tip of Long Island boast the high style of New York City but present themselves in a relaxed New England beachy manor. There isn't much more I could ask for in the design and dressings of a home.

The house and scenery in this movie fit the Hamptons look to a 'T', and the beautiful characters dancing about the various scenes make it wonderfully entertaining!

source

www.setdesigners.com is an awesome resource for checking out your favorite movie sets and it even features a listing of where many of the pieces came from - very cool!

which movie sets are your favorite?

Beachy Bedrooms

Okay, new goal for 2010 - make my bedroom look like one of the below. How amazing would it be to wake up in a bedroom like this? Pop up out of bed, stretch out while looking out your window to the beautiful coastal scenery, grab a cup of coffee, take the dog out for a run... - ah a dream!

This one is my fave

but this view...

actually this one is my favorite!

lovely aren't they?

Speaking of bedrooms, I just finished the Luxurious Blue Shell Pillow and added it to my shop, like?

and maybe one of these to put your jewelry in at night!

vintage seashell elite tray from England

On that note, good night everyone - sleep well :)

source

I <3 Crowns

I stumbled upon a really nice blog - so stylish and chic, right up my alley! Check out http://dressdesigndecor.blogspot.com/ when you have a moment, it's fab!

I loved one post 'soft-serene' in particular with photos the author found from Martha Stewart Living magazine(below):

thank you to dress design decor for an inspiring post!

how about this cute little bag fo jewelry by Bluebirdlane on Etsy

burlap pillow by maisondestencils on Etsy

love this!

keep calm and carry on by derder on Etsy

Mexica Corona Decor by Wisteria

Love Crowns!