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New England Clam Chowder Recipe
Food

Classic Clam Chowder + Weekend Wrap Up

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Hi there. Summer has been so busy as we are at the shore every weekend, and the last two weekends we have hosted friends which has been so much fun. I finally had a chance to read a bit on Sunday at the beach and fell promptly asleep! As much as I love entertaining it can be tiring. So, this post is a bit of a catch up post. I will be sharing my recipe for classic clam chowder or as our clams come from right off of Cockenoe Island I am officially calling the clam chowder recipe, Cockenoe Clam Chowder! I will get to that in a bit.

What is immediately on my radar is the fourth of July. We will host friends this Sunday for a BBQ and to watch the fireworks from the shore. I am thinking of making the best Mediterranean pasta salad to go with Mr. SB’s amazing ribs. I am searching for a good bar recipe that will withstand the heat and of course we will have s’mores as we always do. We toast the marshmallows on the fire pit. It should be a great weekend to celebrate! I will try to share next week (although I will be college touring again so it may be after that…).

So to get back to the clam chowder, Mr. SB discovered how to go clamming/oystering last summer. He even received his shell fishing license and bought all of the equipment (well Santa actually brought some of it). Of course he had to go clamming as soon as possible. We had so many oysters and clams (all delicious and so, so fresh) that I had about 8 cups extra. The clams you find on the East Coast can range from the softer shell steamers to what we call in RI, quahogs, which have a very hard shell and are generally quite meaty. They are perfect for chowder (I also love to steam them and dip into butter). So I used a basic soup recipe and added cream and of course the classic white pepper. I recommend buying white pepper if you do not have it as it makes a difference. Below is the recipe. Enjoy!

New England Clam Chowder Recipe
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Cockenoe (Classic) Clam Chowder

Taste the ocean in this delectable and traditional New England clam chowder. Easy to make and freeze and the perfect use for any extra clams.
Course Appetizer, Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword Clam Chowder, Cockenoe, New England Clam Chowder
Prep Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 7 pounds clams scrubbed and rinsed. I steam them first (7 cups includes the shells – there will be less once shells are removed)
  • 3 cups water
  • 4 bacon strips
  • 1 medium-size Spanish onion diced small
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 3 large red or yellow potatoes cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 cup heavy or light cream
  • 1 tsp white pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

  • In a large soup pot over high heat, add clams to water. Bring to a boil and cook just until clams open, about 10 minutes. Remove clams from broth and set aside. (Discard any clams that don't open.) Strain broth through a sieve lined with a coffee filter and set aside. Picture of my steamed clams below.
    Cockenoe Steamed Clams
  • Clean your soup pot; then, over medium-high heat, sauté bacon until it’s browned and fat is rendered. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon to a paper towel (you won’t use the bacon so use for something else). Add diced onion to pot and sauté until translucent.
  • Stir in flour and cook 1 minute, being careful not to brown. Whisk in reserved clam broth. Add potatoes and thyme, and simmer 10 minutes.
  • Remove clams from shells, reserving liquid, and chop roughly. Strain liquid; then add clams and liquid to pot. Stir in parsley and cream; cook just long enough to heat clams through, about 3 minutes.
    New England Clam Chowder Mixture
  • We love this chowder with fresh bread and a green salad.

Notes

Often we steam our clams ahead of time as after clamming we want to cook them right away.  This preparation also reduces the work time when you are making the chowder.  You could also pre cut your onion and potatoes so that the chowder comes together very quickly.  

No-Bake Energy Bites
Food

No-Bake Energy Bites

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Hi all…Sunday Bread daughter here with a guest post. I made these no-bake energy bites for my mom on her birthday (her request), and they came out great! They are super easy to make and refrigerate well. My mom loves them for an afternoon snack or post workout. My sister and I think they taste like cookie dough. Yum. Healthy too apparently. Sometimes we double the health benefit by having one of these with my mom’s favorite blueberry cauliflower smoothie.

So here is the recipe for No-Bake Energy Balls.

Nutrition for No-Bake Energy Bites

These bites are super healthy. Flaxseed is full of omega threes and fiber. These energy bites also contain chia seeds which like flaxseed, contain omega threes and fiber, in addition to protein, calcium, and numerous antioxidants. The bites are also gluten free and if you would like them to be vegan you could sub out the honey and use maple syrup. Dark chocolate has magnesium and make the bites yummy. So no-bake energy bites are both delicious and nutritious!

No-Bake Energy Bites

No-Bake Energy Bites

These super simple energy bites are perfect for anytime whether it be a mid day pick-me-up or a post workout snack. They are easy to make and taste delicious!
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Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Baking, Bites, easy, Energy, Healthy
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 12 bites
Cost: $5

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Measuring Cups
  • Large Spoon

Ingredients

  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup creamy nut butter – I like a combination of the Mixed Nut butter from Costco and Trader Joe’s Sunflower seed spread
  • 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips – any kind you prefer
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 TBS chia seeds
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  • Stir everything together until combined. Stir with a big spoon to really mix well.
  • Cover the mixing bowl or container and place in the refrigerator for an hour or until the mixture can be formed into balls without falling apart.
 I use my hands to form balls. Store the balls in the fridge.
Easy Lentil Vegetable Soup
Food

Lentil Vegetable Soup

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Hi there! So, yes it is June and at this point I would not expect to be sharing a post about lentil vegetable soup. However, with last weekend at 45 degrees and raining until late Sunday afternoon…I made a big pot of this soup, and it was delicious. It freezes beautifully and is super economical as it only uses a small amount of bacon. You can also easily make the soup vegan by omitting the bacon and using vegetable stock. I would also up the garlic and other spices in the vegan version to add some flavor. Lentils are very popular in France, and it is said that eating them on the first of the month brings luck. Now, to share a bit of info on nutrition.

Nutrition in lentil vegetable soup

Lentils are considered a pulse (funny word right?) and are very nutritious. They are full of protein, rich in nutrients and are good for digestion, heart health and more. According to Dr. Axe, “Lentils are considered a top “functional food” due to their high nutritive value, polyphenols, minerals, fiber and other bioactive compounds. While they’re known for providing protein and fiber, their polyphenol content is becoming the focus of ongoing research, since polyphenols are know play an important role in the prevention of degenerative diseases.”

While nutritious, I also find them delicious. Lentils have a subtle nutty flavor that pairs well with all kinds of vegetables. Lentils are also great room temperature, cold or hot as is the case with this soup. I love to make a batch and have them handy to add to salads and more. But right now, this soup fits the bill…enjoy!

Easy Lentil Vegetable Soup

Easy Lentil Vegetable Soup

Easy lentil vegetable soup is chock full of nutrition and taste.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Soup
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 38 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Cost: $4

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon or omit if making vegetarian
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 medium carrots peeled and chopped
  • 1 to 2 stalks of celery chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 – 14 oz can diced tomatoes I like the basil, garlic version for even more flavor
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  • 1 cup lentils I use organic, green but you can use brown or red too
  • 1 teaspoon salt Or to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 4 cups chicken broth or use vegetable broth if making vegetarian
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • Dried herbs de Provence or Italian blend to taste

Instructions

  • Brown the bacon in a large soup pot or dutch oven. Set aside and crumble. Leave bacon drippings in the pot. If making vegetarian, heat vegetable oil until hot.
  • Add onions, celery and carrots to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add garlic, then stir in tomatoes and thyme. Cook for 30 seconds.
  • Stir in lentils, salt, and pepper; cover, reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 8-10 minutes.
  • Uncover, increase heat to high, add wine, and bring to simmer. Add chicken or vegetable broth and water, bring to boil, cover partially, and reduce heat to low. Add your dried herbs de Provence (or other dried blend).
  • Simmer for 20-30 minutes, until vegetables and lentils are softened.
  • Stir in vinegar, bacon if you are using it.
  • Top with some grated cheese and serve with some fresh bread for a delicious meal.
easiest strawberry shortcake recipe
Food

Easiest strawberry shortcake recipe

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Hi there! Not sure where the time goes…college girl came home and my youngest is busy finishing up school. Hard to believe the year is approaching halfway through and we are almost in June! Checking in today to say hello and share the easiest strawberry shortcake recipe that I brought to friends last weekend. In CT, strawberry season is right around the corner in June but we start to get some delicious strawberries from California this time of year too. I also find myself really craving spring desserts and fruit in particular. Strawberries are also so good for you. I do buy the organic versions as apparently strawberries are one of the most sprayed for conventional produce.

This recipe creates a light, crumbly shortcake that can be made in one bowl – so super easy. It also looks really pretty on top of a cake plate (and needless to say it was a big hit!). So, without further ado, here is the recipe for the easiest strawberry shortcake recipe.

easiest strawberry shortcake recipe

Easiest strawberry shortcake recipe

Delectable, crumbly shortcake is the perfect base for ripe, sweet strawberries and cloud-like soft whipped cream.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Dessert, Fruit dessert
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Cost: $5

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds strawberries hulled and sliced in half or quarters
  • 5 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream chilled
  • 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar

Instructions

  • Mix strawberries with 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar and refrigerate while juices develop (for at least 30 minutes).
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Add heavy cream and mix until just combined. Place mixture in an ungreased 8-inch square pan and bake until golden, 18 to 20 minutes.
  • Remove shortcake from pan and place on a rack to cool. Slice in half.
  • Spoon some of the strawberries with their juice onto the shortcake bottom then add the shortcake top. Spoon more strawberries over the top, add the whipped cream and serve.
  • Whipped Cream:
  • Using a mixer, beat the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla until soft peaks form, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. If you put your mixing attachments and bowl in the freezer the whipped cream will be fluffier.
Superfood Blueberry Cauliflower Spinach Smoothie
Food

Favorite Blueberry Cauliflower Spinach Smoothie

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Hi there all! Hope you had a fabulous mother’s day (if you are a mom) and a great weekend. It has remained cool in the New York area so my gardening plans have been a bit on hold although I did manage to plant a few containers for our newly painted deck (as an aside love the color, Benjamin Moore Chelsea Grey). As spring and soon summer will be here, it is time to health-it-up! In truth, the following recipe for my Superfood Blueberry Cauliflower Spinach Smoothie is something I drink every day (well almost as I have a few other smoothie recipes too). And while cauliflower may throw you here (sounds icky right) it is actually tasteless, and the yummy blueberries and vanilla protein powder take center stage. Before we jump into the how to make the smoothie, let’s talk for a minute about the superfood ingredients.

Superfood Blueberry Cauliflower Spinach Smoothie Health Benefits

When I started making smoothies one thing I realized is that you can pack so much nutrition into one drink. In fact, now, as I have adopted intermittent fasting (thank you Cassie from Hi Sugarplum blog for inspiring me…see the link to her Q&A), my morning smoothie is a late morning, post-workout breakfast. Smoothies hydrate, can be full of amazing healthful ingredients and take minutes to put together (What is not to like?).

Let’s start with the star, delicious ingredient – blueberries. Way back when I had read that blueberries have anti-aging benefits (hello – as a woman in perimenopause let’s just say anti-aging is my goal!). According to my buddy, Dr. Axe, “blueberries remain one of the most nutritious, antioxidant-rich types of fruit in the world and have been shown to do everything from enhance brain health to keep your heart strong.” Here are some more top benefits of blueberries (courtesy of Dr. Axe):

  1. High in Antioxidants
  2. Help Fight Cancer
  3. Amp Up Weight Loss
  4. Boost Brain Health
  5. Alleviate Inflammation
  6. Support Digestion
  7. Promote Heart Health

Wild blueberries have even more antioxidants than the farmed version. Hello, see why you may want to eat (or drink) them?

Let’s talk cauliflower next. Cauliflower is another superfood. For this recipe, I buy organic, frozen cauliflower from Whole Foods freezer section. In the frozen form, cauliflower is basically tasteless (I actually love cauliflower but would not eat it raw in most cases). Cauliflower is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. It has tons of anti-inflammatory compounds, phytonutrients and is a member of the cruciferous vegetables which are known for their cancer fighting qualities.

Spinach or another leafy green is always my third, main ingredient. Greens are so important for health and should be part of every day’s nutrition.

Spinach nutrition also supplies flavonoids, which are a type of powerful antioxidant that protect against disease by fighting free radicals. These protective compounds make spinach one of the best anti-aging foods around (sign me up!). I also find that spinach is easy to mix with fruits, and it is a staple in all of my smoothies (and salads too).

Additional add-ins for the superfood smoothie

What else goes into this smoothie? Well here are a few of the ingredients and why I add them.

Flax seed: I add a good tablespoon of the ground kind. Full of fiber and plant-based Omega 3 fatty acids, these little seeds are great for the skin, hair and heart. I have also read they are great for perimenopause.

Aria vanilla protein powder. This is my favorite powder, but you can sub in what you like. It is only 45 calories and tastes delicious.

Coconut water. Coconut water is full of potassium and is a natural hydration fluid.

Hemp hearts, chia seeds, turmeric, superfood green powder – I like to sprinkle in all of these in teaspoon amounts and they may vary depending on what I have on hand.

So here is the recipe for my superfood blueberry, cauliflower smoothie. Enjoy!

Superfood Blueberry Cauliflower Spinach Smoothie

Superfood Blueberry Cauliflower Smoothie

Packed with anti-aging antioxidants, vitamins, fiber and more, this smoothie is creamy, delicious and I swear gives my skin a boost. Have it for a snack, breakfast or anytime you need some hydration and a healthy lift.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Anti-aging, Blueberries, Cauliflower, Protein, Spinach, Superfoods
Servings: 1
Cost: $1

Equipment

  • Ninja or blender

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Frozen blueberries I always buy organic from Costco
  • 1/2 cup Frozen cauliflower
  • 1/2 cup Raw spinach leaves
  • 1 Tbsp Aria vanilla protein powder or powder of your choice
  • 1 cup Coconut water or regular water
  • Water or juice to blend smoothly
  • 1 tsp each Ground flax seed, chia seeds, turmeric, hemp hearts Feel free to experiment with healthy add-ins

Instructions

  • Add all to your blender or Ninja and blend for 15 seconds or to desired consistency. If too thick, thin with water. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Roasted Leeks Recipe
Food

Catching up and a yummy roasted leeks recipe

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Hi there. Goodness, it has been a whirlwind. In addition to being away for Spring break (college tours) I have been underwater at work, and the home improvement continues with the deck being painted this week. So my poor little blog has not been getting the attention it deserves. Hopefully, I will be able to share the kitchen cabinet reveal soon. If you missed the long process involved in picking the perfect white paint color for the cabinets, you can read that post here. We finally installed the new hood over the stove. While I could not use my stove for the last six weeks (due to no hood), I have been roasting everything. I am here to tell you that roasted leeks are delicious. Without further ado, here are a few fun facts about how super healthy leeks are and the roasted leeks recipe.

Are leeks good for you?

Like most vegetables, leeks are good for you. In fact, leeks belong to the allium family along with onions and garlic. Similar to these vegetables, leeks are a great source of vitamins A, K and C. They also have folate and fiber. Leeks have properties that fight heart disease and cancer as well as inflammation. Frankly, leeks have always intimidated me. I really did not know how to cook them other than in my best-ever Thanksgiving stuffing. I did quite a bit of research to learn how to cook them on their own. This roasted leeks recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart.

Roasted Leeks Recipe

Roasted Leeks with Thyme

Leeks are roasted in a blend of white wine and broth and then sprinkled with thyme for a delectable side dish.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Side Dish
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Cost: $5

Equipment

  • Roasting pan

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds leeks 6 to 8 small or medium sized
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine I used Bota Box pinot grigio
  • 1 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 5 sprigs Fresh thyme (or add to taste)

Instructions

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Trim dark-green tops and root ends from leeks. Cut leeks in half lengthwise. Remove thick, tough outer layers (2 to 4 total, depending on size). Thoroughly wash and drain leeks, keeping them intact. Arrange in a tight single layer, cut sides up, in a broiler-safe baking dish.
  • In a small saucepan, boil the white wine 30 seconds. Add broth and return to a boil. Then season generously with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over leeks and sprinkle with thyme. Cover dish with foil.
  • Roast for 45 minutes. Uncover and continue roasting until leeks are very soft and broth mixture is reduced by half, 20 to 22 minutes.
  • At this point you can sprinkle with some grated parmesan cheese or even add some butter if you like. Serve as a side or light main dish.
Brooks Ghost 13 Running Shoe Review
Fitness

Brooks Ghost 13 Running Shoe Review

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Hi there. Goodness what a crazy couple of weeks. High school gal is off this week and we have been on the college tour circuit. Of course, there are few tours to be found…so doing our own tours really. Nonetheless, lots of driving and while fun, exhausting too. I still do not have a kitchen ready to share just yet…but hopefully in about a week. They finished repairing the backsplash today. Spring has sprung in CT and the Northeast and with the warm weather I am excited to run. I will share a bit of my running background but before I do, let’s be clear, today’s post is about the most amazing, cloud-like running shoe around, the Brooks Ghost Running Shoe 13.

My history with running

All, there are plenty of blogs out there that chronicle running far more than I ever will. That said, I love to run and I normally run about once a week but with the pandemic, running has become my primary form of exercise. Way back when, I ran track in high school. I ran the mile for one season in an effort to stay in shape for my main sport, field hockey. All – I hated track. I hated competing. I hated pretty much everything about it except running. I learned I actually really enjoy running as a stress manager, way to stay in shape and just a nice form of outdoor exercise. So fast forward many years and I am still running. I have tried many, many running shoes. I have never loved a running shoe more than my Brooks Ghost 13 running shoe.

Review of the Brooks Ghost 13 Running Shoe

So about three years ago I bought the Brooks Ghost 13. I actually did not know that Ghost was the name. I loved these running shoes. I mean loved them. They were like running on clouds. So comfortable. We did a tour of the Pacific Northwest and I left these babies in the hotel room in Portland. I was so distraught. I called housekeeping and ended up sending them a prepaid label to ship them to me!

Yes, the Brooks Ghost 13 is that comfortable and so worth it. The problem is that I did not know the model was called Ghost and found myself trying other models (not as good). Then this year, I saw my shoes online, and I am sharing them with you today. They are bouncy, sooo comfortable and so great for running. I chose the pale grey color (see photo) which matches everything so a huge bonus. So enjoy. Here is the link where you can buy a pair of your own.

picking the perfect white paint color for kitchen cabinets
Decor

Picking the perfect white paint color for kitchen cabinets

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Hi there! I am very excited to blog today about picking the perfect white paint color for kitchen cabinets. If you have been reading the blog recently you know that we are updating our nineties kitchen (on a budget!). The first step has been painting the orange-toned, cherry cabinets white. We decided to make this the first step as our hunch was that may be enough to seriously lighten and brighten as well as update the kitchen (versus a complete redo). In our case, we cook a lot (this blog was started to share recipes…) and the layout is perfect. The looks not so much – classic nineties kitchen with the orange tones and sage green counters. We had a feeling that a fresh, white coat of paint may do just the trick.

I have been eager to share this with you (spoiler alert I love the new white cabinets) but have been swamped at work and as I mentioned in my last post, you have to empty your cabinets (or you should), and even when you empty the cabinets dust still seems to get everywhere! Not for the faint of heart my friends…and especially not for a busy working mom with little time on her hands as it is! But, with that behind me, I can say it has all been worth it. So without further ado, today’s post is how to pick the perfect white paint color for your kitchen cabinets – I am sharing my favorite resources as well as the steps I took.

Steps to pick the perfect paint color

Ok, so like any other home improvement project mine always start with reading my favorite blogs, magazines and checking out Instagram and Pinterest. This is easy but I will say beware when it comes to paint colors. Just because a color (and especially white) looks good in a blogger’s home does NOT mean it will work in yours. So doing some browsing is great as a start but the devil is in the details. Do not just take what they have used and go buy the paint and put it on your walls!

After getting an idea of what family of color I want to focus in on, I head to the paint store. We are fans of Benjamin Moore so I usually stick with their palettes although I have found some great colors in Behr and the other brands. Pick out as many chips as you like at this point. The chips will help you narrow down your choices. Again, if I can leave you with two caveats. The above warning about blogger/decorator recommendations, and a second – do NOT pick your paint and actually paint your walls based on a tiny paint chip. Years ago I had chosen what I thought was a blue grey, and it ended up being light teal on the walls (fortunately I like teal!).

Which resources offer great advice on picking the perfect paint color for kitchen cabinets?

After several mishaps of trying to paint a room using a tiny paint chip as a way to visualize, I realized I needed to take one crucial step – painting the wall at least partly or by using a fantastic peel and stick paint sample in a large size to see what the color actually looks like on OUR wall (not some blogger or decorator’s home).

So at this point, I usually narrow down my paint chips to two or three and then I either go buy a sample of paint, or I order the color from Samplize which I absolutely adore. Samplize paints two coats of the color on a large, peel and stick wallpaper square. You can move the sample around to see it in different lights and locations. Folks this was a game changer! It is really worth the cost (around $6), and actually less expensive than buying a paint sample (not to mention messy and time consuming to paint it on your walls and have to look at an eye sore for days until you actually paint #beentheredonethat).

In addition to ordering colors I think would work in our home, I also have two blogs that I highly recommend you check out for their advice on picking a paint color. The first is my absolute favorite with paint expert, Kylie offering a great advice with a good dose of humor (dang that gal loves her wine:). You can really get technical here and learn about the LRV of a paint color (light reflecting value) and where to find it for each color. She also has so many before and afters, and what I love is that she works with people on a budget. I do not personally find it all that helpful to read about people with million dollar design budgets redoing their homes (hello…wouldn’t we all have a perfect home with that budget? And, what fun is that!?). Kylie also offers really great review of all colors and especially whites. White Dove? She has you covered? Simply White? That one too. She is a fantastic, free resource that helped me so much. Folks, you need to learn the difference between your cool whites and your warm whites if you are going to pick the perfect white paint color for your kitchen cabinets.

The second blog that I recommend is Maria Killam. She also has some excellent advice about paint colors in general as well as many photos that can help inform your decision. She explains how to understand a color’s undertones (goodness when did this all get so complicated?). Between Kylie and Maria, there is a ton of great advice and frankly I would have picked the wrong white paint color for kitchen cabinets without their wisdom. Thank you ladies if you ever read this!

How did I ultimately pick the perfect white paint color for our kitchen cabinets

So after setting up Pinterest boards, searching #whitekitchen on Instagram, reading blogs and finding the wonderful advice from Kylie and Maria, I took those paint samples from Samplize and pasted them on the wall. I looked at those dang samples in the morning, at night and at all hours of the day. I moved them around, held them up to my backsplash and asked everyone’s opinion (well maybe not everyone but my one daughter who is very into design).

We looked at White Dove (too yellow), Simply White (also yellow), Decorator’s White (icky sterile, hospital white in our lighting) and dozens more. Finally we decided on Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee. It has no yellow undertones (again in our light) but was so much softer than the other whites under consideration. It also seemed to pair beautifully with another Moore color, Sail Cloth, which we decided to use for the walls. This entire process took about three weeks. If you don’t have that much time, you could possibly compress it…but I say, don’t rush it. Painting your kitchen cabinets is a big change so you want to get it right!

Next post – I will reveal the “after” photos. I am waiting for a new hood and we need to repair one part of the backsplash before I can share the photos with you. Until then, do your research before trying to pick the right white for your kitchen cabinets! Mimi

Updating nineties kitchen
Decor

Updating our nineties kitchen on a budget

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Hi all. It has been awhile but goodness we have had a lot going on…not the least of it an upgrade to our nineties kitchen. That’s right. The nineties called and they want their kitchen back! Oh and what a throwback it was. Orange stained cabinets with sage green counters. So, how do we update it on a budget? Well today’s post is short but I promise much more as I really wished someone had clued me into what goes into painting kitchen cabinets as a start! But what would a home decorating post be without a “before” picture? See below my friends.

The nineties kitchen – orange stained cherry cabinets and sage green counter tops….how do we update on a budget?

So first, this kitchen has delivered so many delicious meals and I realize just how fortunate I am to have it! Please do not think I am not grateful…but that said…well, it is time to enter 2021. We can still honor our possessions by giving them a facelift right?

So that is what we did. The details will be in posts to come (promise…I am still not 100% there as this involved emptying all of those cabinets, rewashing EVERYTHING as dust was EVERWHERE…). So, let’s call this a sneak peek and a post so y’all know I am still around:) Until then… Happy St. Patricks Day (I am part Irish so I love a good St. Patricks Day!). Mimi

Decorate with digital art from Etsy
Decor

How to decorate with digital art ( from Etsy)

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Hi all. Today I am excited to share how to decorate with digital art from Etsy. It is inexpensive, creative and with the array of offerings on Etsy, the possibilities are limitless.

Like many of you, the months of hibernating at home has me evaluating every room with a critical eye. Recently I moved a large piece of art out of the foyer and into our dining room, and I love the new placement. However, as I searched around for a replacement for the front hall, to my dismay, I learned that without spending hundreds of dollars I could not find anything. Then I discovered some great matching brushed gold frames at TJ Maxx ($15 for 3 on clearance!). I bought six, and as it turned out, the frames were just the right size for some beautiful vintage and art prints that I downloaded and printed from our color printer. While it was a stroke of luck to find these frames, I have seen similar ones at Michaels and big box stores.

How to decorate with digital art from Etsy – first steps

So the first step is to assess your space. Is it casual? Formal? What is the color scheme? How big is it? For this particular project, the area is an alcove as you enter our main front entrance. Below the wall is a console table with some decorative objects. The feel of the area is slightly formal (but not stuffy) as the rooms that branch off of the foyer is the formal dining and living rooms. The walls area pale ivory with a hint of yellow (Benjamin Moore Niveous) and the floors are natural, hard wood. With that in mind, I started the fun part – searching for art.

Originally I was not looking specifically for digital art but I realized as I entered search terms that this option was available. Some of the art types and terms I considered included:

Asian art

Botanical prints (there are dozens of digital options here)

Abstract art

Mid century modern

Most of the Etsy shops also allow you to sort by color, size and type of art so other categories may appear as you get started. Beware, a few hours can go by as you surf around in Etsy (enjoyable hours I may add).

As I was looking for a slightly vintage, formal feel with those specs in mind I finally settled on Wonder and Chaos a delightful shop full of interesting and sometimes whimsical prints at very reasonable prices. Their vintage theatrical prints really caught my eye (see photo). I then found other prints that fit the feel and color scheme of the area.

What size to download?

A great benefit of digital art is that once you download the art you usually have access to multiple sizes. In my case I was searching for roughly 8 by 11 which would be easy to print at home and would fit into my beautiful, bargain frames. I noticed though that you can download a larger size and go to a photo processing site such as Shutterfly to print if you want one of those larger pieces.

Printing and other tips

The first time I printed out one of the prints I used plain white printer paper. This was not a bad idea to get a sense of layout. However, that quality paper is NOT going to give you the best print as I soon found out. I happened to have some very fine Cranes resume paper (remember when people actually used paper for resumes?). It was such a huge improvement to print on very high quality paper. While a box of high quality paper may be pricy compared to regular print paper, it is well worth it. Also, many of the Etsy shops offer printing tips which I highly recommend you read.

After printing out each print (I had chosen six), I grouped them together in different layouts. My bargain frames also had a great bonus of a paper template so I could tape up the gallery before putting in any nails. If you buy frames without that sort of template I would recommend tracing the frames onto craft paper and then cutting them out. A level is also key to ensuring that you hang the templates straight. Lastly, I used double sided tape to lay out the frames to give an idea of how I was going to display the art.

How to decorate with digital art from Etsy
My paper templates to help me layout the gallery wall

I decided to slightly stagger my middle grouping for some interest. Then I hung the pictures (once again using a level). Here is the finished wall.

How to decorate with digital art from Etsy
The finished gallery wall…all for a total of $60!

Above you can see the finished wall (and yes my photo is a bit cut off…still learning on the photography front!). The entire wall cost $60 which is a fraction of what I would have paid with paper prints and trying to frame them custom. I also have access to the larger sizes or can print multiple copies. All in all I have been so pleased with this find!

I hope you enjoyed this post on how to decorate with digital art from Etsy. Please share with your friends and come back often!