Gabriel Scott’s Kelly Chandelier.

Front pleated silk blouse by Ella Lai.

Brass bottle openers found at dar gitane

Highboy by Richard Watson.

We had a wonderful weekend with family and friends complete with lots of yummy food.  One of our favorite breakfast activities when hosting overnight guests is to make waffles and cottage cheese pancakes.  The waffle recipe is literally titled:  Waffles Of Insane Greatness for good reason.  They are perfect every time, a little crisp, light and tasty.  Our other favorite breakfast treat is to be found at the back of  Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Pancake Mix box:  lemony cottage cheese  pancakes.  These lovelies are creamy on the inside, toasty on the outside and so lemony fresh.  We serve them with fruit, yogurt and honey.

What are some of your go-to recipes when hosting overnight guests?

Waffles Of Insane Greatness

Ingredients:
¾ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup cornstarch
½ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1½ tsp. sugar
1 cup whole milk or buttermilk
½ cup buttermilk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg, lightly beaten
¾ tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar.  Whisk together to blend.  In another mixing bowl, beat together the whole milk, buttermilk, oil, egg and vanilla.  Add the dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients in the bowl and whisk until incorporated and very few lumps remain.  Set aside to rest for 30 minutes.

Preheat a waffle iron.  Fill waffle wells and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Cook until crisp and golden.  Serve immediately.

Wishing all a happy and meaningful Memorial Day Weekend.  One that is filled with family, friends and reflective moments remembering those who served to protect us.

images:

1./2./3./4.

As the move nears, I can’t help but reflect on how well our home has treated us.  Our tiny urban yard, big enough for a tire swing, entertained many birthday parties, hosted many grand BBQ’s and was privy to many quiet Mommy moments.  I’m so grateful for all the memories and look forward to creating many more in our new home.

Images:

1.  Our yellow tire swing.

2. Rocks from a Rockport, Ma. beach.

3. Max and the push mower.

4. The black fence that surrounds the yard was our first home improvement project.  Euphorbia grows on either side of it.

1. hexagonal brass side table

Word is brass is big.  Grace Bonney, who writes for  Design* Sponge  reported yesterday that she’s seeing brass and copper  everywhere at  NYC’s ICFF (so wish I could be there!).  Whether or not brass is THE next big thing, my plans for our California home definitely include brassy accents in draw pulls, lighting and even accessories.  This metal creates a warm, classic and somewhat glamorous look.   Here are some brassy finds:

2. paul lamps: brass bases

3. web side tables: antique brass

4. arcadia cabinet with brass hardware

5. brass wall ornaments

6. . brass drum light

7. brass dominos

8. haynes mirror: brass detail

9. brass and suede ottomans

Are you ready for brass, gold and copper accents, or are you strictly a nickel and stainless steel fan?

Images:

1./2./3./4./5./6./7./8./9.

One of my favorite activities for the kids at the preschool fair is spin art.  I’m always amazed on how beautiful it turns out.  With no two alike, these 5 x 5 mini works of art are truly an expression of each little artist. Last year, I framed three that Max, Ben and Zoe created.  They’re hung above our kitchen counter and are admired each and every day.  Take a look at a few of this year’s creations and the ‘trio’ that brightens our home.

Thanks Parents’ Nursery School for another fun filled day!

grilled feta, marinated tomatoes and sausage

This week’s Off The Counter features a recipe that has been in our family’s repertoire for quite a while.  With time, it has evolved into one of our ‘go to’ dishes for guests with children because it’s great served deconstructed.  Each person, either adult or child,  can build a bowl of yumminess to their own liking.   Mint and oregano give this pasta dish a fresh and unexpected flavor while the grilled feta creates a subtle creaminess.    Our take on the original recipe from Food & Wine :

grilled feta, marinated tomatoes and sausage

Ingredients:

cherry tomatoes, mint, oregano, salt, pepper, olive oil, orecchiette pasta, sausages and feta

Recipe:

Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and put into a bowl.  Add mint, oregano, salt, pepper and olive oil.  Let sit for an hour at room temperature.

Prepare the pasta, grill the sausages and feta.

Serve the ingredients separately, so your guests can add as few or as many as they’d like and create their very own tasty pasta dish.

I’m super excited to announce that we have chosen the mid-century house in Lafayette to be our new home in California.   Take a mini tour of our yard here  and keep posted for more photos and updates on our pending move.

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Ever since my mother-in-law mentioned her plans to reupholster her sofa in black and white striped fabric, I’ve been mildly obsessed with the “look”.  I never considered myself a stripe ‘aficionado’, but if the look is done right it can blend classic with a little funk.  This is why I particularly like the above images:

1.  In small doses, black and white stripes can be a great accent without over committing.

2.  Here the commitment is huge, but I love how the classic sofas are funked up by the stripes (and I love the nesting side tables!).

3. An upholstered striped headboard can appeal to both feminine and masculine sensibilities.

4. Combining wide stripes for the seat cushion and thinner ones for the back cushions, gives the space depth and interest.

So, are YOU a stripy kinda person?

To see more striped images click here.

I’m excited to announce Natalia’s first jewelry trunk show being held this Saturday May 19th, in Boston from 4pm-6pm.  She will be on hand to share, exhibit and sell her one of kind pieces in a relaxed atmosphere replete with bubbly and light fare.  Please come and see for yourself why her dramatic necklaces never go unnoticed.  This is an unique opportunity to own one of her originals.  Email me at debra@cocoonhome.com for details.  See you there!

Visit Cocoon Collective’s Etsy shop to view a portion of her collection.  Come to the Boston trunk show to feel, experience and try on the whole shabang!   It’s absolutely beautiful!!