Nesting Newbies | Cooking, Entertaining, & Decorating How-To

Sniffing out the best Black Truffle Sea Salt

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:07:17 +0000

Truffle Sea Salt may seem like an unnecessary pantry indulgence, but the Spice Hound version of Black Truffle Sea Salt is worth it’s weight in gold and can upscale any dish with just a pinch. From the first moment you remove the lid and unleash the unique, earthy truffle aroma, you’ll fall into foodie nirvana…guaranteed!

I love this truffle salt. My version of deviled eggs uses a little Best Foods Mayonnaise, Spice Hound’s Black Truffle Sea Salt, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce for the filling. Then, I garnish them with freshly grated Parmesan. I call them Italian-Stuffed Deviled Eggs and my guests go crazy over them! – Chef Lea

In addition, Spice Hound stocks a vast selection of notable sea salts and exceptionally fresh spices. Head over to www.SpiceHound.com and take a look.
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How have you used truffle sea salt in a dish? We would love to hear!

Bundle of Trundles

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:03:55 +0000

By Lea McIntosh

I scoured the internet and perused numerous modern baby furniture websites in search for the perfect baby crib to nestle into my industrial loft. I couldn’t help but fall in love with more than one modern crib and couldn’t resist sharing these mega cool trundles.

Oeuf Classic Crib Collection
$940

Oeuf Sparrow Crib
$730

Modern Grey Low-Rise Crib by Land Of Nod
$900

Nifty Clear Cot Crib by Ubabub
Available through online UK Locations

NurseryWorks Vetro Crib
$3500

Spot on Square “Roh” Crib
$1790 to $2249

Kalon Studios Ioline Crib
$1595

Oops Crib by Structured Green
$2,450

Newport Cottages Cody Crib
$1395 (Extensive Finish Options Available)

BamBam Crib By Argington
$449

Bloom Baby Alma Crib
$400

Grey Dylan Portable Crib by Baby Mod | Babyletto
$169 (Available at Walmart)

After searching many websites and review sites looking for Modern Baby Cribs & Decor, I finally came across this fab RESOURCE LINK: BuyModernBaby.com

Get ‘Lowe’ded up and ready to paint – Valspar Hi-Def Paint covers in one coat & no fumes!

admin — Thu, 19 May 2011 16:10:40 +0000

Lea Goes To New York: What is Hi-Def paint?

Nesting Newbies was invited, along with a group of decor bloggers, to a special event in New York to learn about and experience hi-def paint and current color trends from Valspar, Lowe’s, and Nate Berkus. Lowe’s and Valspar flew Lea across the continent, from San Francisco to Manhattan, so she could experience the power of hi-def paint!

Who knew that there was so much to learn? Lea shares…

Forget the red carpet leading us to the event…We got the “red wall” treatment!

This happy handyman is smiling because Valspar’s Hi-Def paint rolls onto a wall surface and covers over everything–even black–in one, single coat. Wow, how impressive! They caught my attention at the first roll over that bold chevron stripe! I was all eyes and ears to learn more.

Lowe’s had some tasty treats for us–so nice and food always gets my attention–but what attracted me the most was the large scale graphic wall with blown-up Allen + Roth Valspar® Signature Colors® Paint chips.

Allen + Roth Valspar® Signature Colors® Paint is available at Lowe’s. They call it…”classic style with a modern twist.”

The names of the colors are hip, fun and whimsical. My favorite color is teal, so of course, my favorite paint swatch is a teal-ish hue called “swizzlestick”. How did they know that I am a sugar fiend? Perfect!

Forget a bunch of talking heads…this event was experiential. There were mural painters creating original art by painting over life-size wall photo decals. What a cool idea!

They put all of us to work, too! We donned aprons and paint brushes for some hands-on practice while learning a few valuable tips from a Valspar paint guru. Did you know that the quality of the brushes will make a difference in the final result? Well, that was news to me, as well as finding out that Purdy paint brushes are the best.

Nate Berkus, celeb designer and host of The Nate Show, popped in to discuss current color trends and his color inspirations.

He reminisced about a past island vacation and his adventure with snorkeling. He isn’t very fond of swimming with fishes (at this point, he really caught my attention because I feel the same way). He ended up going for it, and was glad he did, because the experience was amazing! The vibrant colors of all of the fish and other sea life that live beneath the water left a huge impression. As a result, he has new found appreciation for combining color. His realization? If a color mix exists naturally in nature, then never second guess whether it is a good combination.

Nate brought and displayed some of his “favorite things” for color inspiration, including a few palettes from the Allen + Roth Valspar® Signature Colors® Paint line.

We were given a paint challenge…even Nate participated (just look at that concentration). It was buckets of fun! : )

I had a moment to catch up with Nate one-one-one, and he was really relaxed, engaging, and very authentic. He made everything fun, lighthearted, and kept us laughing! After experiencing him off camera at this event, I am happy to say that I am an official Nate fan!

Lea Goes To Lowes: Seeing is believing.

Upon returning from the East Coast, I visited Lowe’s in San Jose which is just a few minutes away from my loft to see the Valspar paint display in person.

Whoa…there’s way more than I expected! It turns out in addition to the Allen + Roth Valspar Hi-Def Signature color line… there are several other Valspar Hi-Def Signature color lines at Lowe’s. Creative Ideas for Color™, Eddie Bauer® Home, Laura Ashley®, and Waverly®. OMG! Hundreds of colors!

Now that I have had my intro to Hi-Def paint and know I can get my paint projects done with a single coat, I am ready to throw on my overalls and paint my loft walls! Where to begin?

Painting Project 101: ValsparPaint.com is an online resource and perfect starting point.

ValsparPaint.com provides interactive tools and just about everything you could possibly want to know about paint. Features include:

Project planner- log in to plan one or multiple painting projects.

Idea Gallery- Need inspiration? Browse through the idea gallery to get inspiration for your project.

How-To Videos- Valspar created an extensive library of how-to videos for all types of painting projects. This is an invaluable tool for all of us visual learners.

Paint Calculator- This tool will be really useful for me, the newbie painter. I don’t have the slightest idea about how much paint I need. Here I can enter the dimensions of my project, select the color, and it will tell me exactly what I’ll need!

Virtual Painter- Check out what your room will look like in color. Just load the picture of your room and use their virtual painter tools to change the color.

There’s a cool video that teaches how to navigate the Valspar Paint site…a good starting point. Hmmm…I think this is where I’ll begin!

**While in New York, I met two standout decor bloggers face-to-face. Julie Thigpen is an Interior Designer from Southern California. Read her blog at Belle Maison 23 or visit her online store at Modern Chic Home. My other new-found-blogger-friend is Shani Gilchrist from South Carolina who writes as Camille Maurice.

Portrait of a Party

jodimurphy — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:16:46 +0000

Read Full Feature in Nesting Newbies Magazine, 2011 Issue No.5

Known as Chicago’s Well-Heeled Hostess, Kelly Lyden loves to plan a party. Nesting Newbies challenged her to create a little girl’s birthday party sans the princess theme! Kelly delivers a preppy-silhouette soirée in green-and-black color scheme with a pop of pink…a stylish party fit for any fair maiden.

Photography by Sisterrazzi Photography

Vacation Inspiration!

jodimurphy — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:15:28 +0000

Read Full Feature in Nesting Newbies Magazine, 2011 Issue No.5

The team at Amoroso Design—Shelly Amoroso, Melissa Chapman, and Abby Stopper—believe that residential design ideas can be influenced by a hotel stay.

Champalimaud, an award-winning hospitality design firm, is responsible for interiors at the most recognizable and luxurious hotels around the world. In this article, Shelly, Melissa and Abby comment on their favorite Champalimaud rooms and recommend furnishings inspired by these special spaces.

Whats Hangin?

jodimurphy — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:38:56 +0000

Lighting fixture fabulosity!

…from Corbett Lighting

{Kyoto 4-light Hanging Fixture}

{Tango LED Pendant}

…from Hudson Valley Lighting

{Winfield 1-light Hanging Fixture}

{Basking Ridge 3-light Hanging Fixture}

{Diner Pendant}

…from Troy Lighting

{Drum 4-light Hanging Fixture}

{Pierre Pendant}

*Have you taken a break, made yourself a cup of Earl Grey tea, and browsed the latest issue of Nesting Newbies Magazine?

D’lightful and Delicious: Dining By Design

jodimurphy — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:48:04 +0000

Read Full Feature in Nesting Newbies Magazine, 2011 Issue No.5

Nesting Newbies accepts an invitation for a return engagement to Dining By Design, San Francisco! Issue No. 5 spotlights its epicurean deliciousness and showcases six delightful dining vignettes that were on display.

Iconic Nester: Laura Day

jodimurphy — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:46:45 +0000

Read Full Feature in Nesting Newbies Magazine, 2011 Issue No.5

From farm girl in rural Arkansas to Manhattan design maven…From world-traveling single girl with a dream to living-the-dream mom, wife, and celebrated design star…Laura Day inspires us to keep “an open mind and a keen curiosity” so we can be in charge of shaping the way we want to live! Take a peek into Laura’s world and enjoy her rosy point of view.

Opening image by Natalie Wi

Recipe Revival: Cheesecake

jodimurphy — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:45:59 +0000

Read Full Feature in Nesting Newbies Magazine, 2011 Issue No.5

Chef Lea McIntosh discovers that her grandmother’s family-famous cheesecake traces back to an historic New Hampshire Inn and revives the recipe using modern cooking techniques and “pick your crust” options.

Images by Rio Costantini

I’ll Never Be All Grown-Up

jodimurphy — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:31:22 +0000

By Jodi Murphy

I’ve been thinking about being a mother lately. You see, my life is about to change…my baby girl is going to graduate from college! It marks an end and a new beginning for her…and me. My daughter Molly describes it best: “It’s both exciting and terrifying!”

I woke up this morning and remembered a card that my mother sent to me after my son, Jonathan (my first!), was born. It’s been tucked away in a dusty file cabinet in our attic for 25 years, and it took me less than two minutes to find it! Could it be that I was meant to read and reflect on its meaning once again? She enclosed a poem from an unknown author with the handwritten message…”Jodi, This poem says it all for me. Love, Mom.”

I’d like to share the poem AND the one I was inspired to write immediately after reading it, and sent back to her in response…

A POEM TO MY GROWN-UP CHILD
Author: Unknown

My hands were busy through the day
I didn’t have much time to play
The little games you asked me to
I didn’t have much time for you.
I’d wash your clothes, I’d sew and cook,
But when you’d bring your picture book
And ask me please to share your fun or fears
I’d say “A little later dear.”
I’d tuck you in all safe at night
And hear your prayers, turn out the light
Then tiptoe softly out the door
I wish I’d stayed a minute more.

For life is short, the years rush past.
And little ones grow up so fast.
No longer are they at your side,
Their precious secrets to confide.
The picture books are put away,
There are no longer games to play.
No good-night kiss, no prayers to hear,
That all belonged to yester-year.
My hands, once busy, now are still.
I wish I could go back and do
The little things you asked me to.

A POEM FROM A GROWN-UP CHILD TO HER MOTHER
by Jodi Murphy

When I was little we used to play
Together laughing almost every day.
But more than that, I’ll always remember,
is how you loved me oh so tender.
You’d cook, you’d clean, you’d care, you’d cuddle.
You were always there when I got into trouble.
In my heart, I knew you were the best.
It was hard to tell you, so I hoped you’d guess.

Well now I’m older and on my own.
To be together, we usually use the phone.
But my being grown, with responsibility
is sometimes harder than I make it seem.
I feel secure, and strong and free
and I really am who I want to be.
But I need you more now
Than I needed you then.
I need your love, your support, and I need a friend.
So if you think you’re not busy
and have nothing to do,
There’s a grown-up little girl
just waiting for you…

Hugs to all the moms out there…enjoy every precious moment of motherhood’s amazing journey. It’s both exciting and terrifying. : )

*I downloaded The Happiness Project onto my Kindle. Have you seen it? Author Gretchen Ruben takes us on her year long journey to discover what makes her happy and then do more of it! Her book makes me happy…and so does her blog.

**We just released Nesting Newbies Magazine, Issue No. 5. There’s a whole lotta happy inside it too!