Give Away from StyleMint (With Five Winners!)

<span style="background-color: white;">So this is weird. As I sat down to write this post about </span><a href="http://t.stylemint.com/aff_c?offer_id=22&aff_id=2244&file_id=16441&aid=2%24spons%24p3437%24c4339%248497" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">StyleMint</a><span style="background-color: white;">, an adorable online fashion shop founded by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, I happened to be watching a late-night rerun of Full House (the episode where Kimmy and DJ are babysitting and the kid's head gets stuck in the banister so they rub margarine all over him - so good), AND I look down and I'm wearing a t-shirt</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><i style="background-color: white;">from</i><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">StyleMint</span><span style="background-color: white;">! What does it all mean?!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/SMLGNTs1.jpg" /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/SMLGNTs2.jpg" /></i></div><br />Clearly the stars have aligned and this give away was meant to be. Five winners will be chosen to win a cool t-shirt of their choice from <a href="http://t.stylemint.com/aff_c?offer_id=22&aff_id=2244&file_id=16441&aid=2%24spons%24p3437%24c4339%248497" target="_blank">StyleMint</a> (some of my favorite styles are shown above). To enter, <a href="http://t.stylemint.com/aff_c?offer_id=22&aff_id=2244&file_id=16441&aid=2%24spons%24p3437%24c4339%248497" target="_blank">register</a> and choose your favorite pieces and leave a comment on this post with your top picks.<br /><br />Here are a few more of my favorite pieces available now at StyleMint. They're offering a discount to first-time shoppers - <a href="http://t.stylemint.com/aff_c?offer_id=22&aff_id=2244&file_id=16441&aid=2%24spons%24p3437%24c4339%248497" target="_blank">check it out</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/SMLGNBLOUSES2.jpg" /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/PANTSSHIRT.jpg" /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/SMLGNBLOUSES3.jpg" /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/SMBLOUSES1.jpg" /></i></div><br />The five winners will be chosen on Sunday night at midnight. Good luck!<br /><br /><i>PS Also I just remembered that about once a week someone on the street tells me I look like MK&A's little sister, Elizabeth. So basically what I'm saying is... I was meant to be an Olsen. I wonder if they need a decorator?</i>

Give Away from StyleMint (With Five Winners!)

So this is weird. As I sat down to write this post about  StyleMint , an adorable online fashion shop founded by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen,...

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How to Keep Houseplants Alive?

I love having at least one plant in every room. And I usually think a room feels sort of stale if there's nothing alive in the space. But, you guys, I am killing houseplants left and right and I'm spending way too much money replacing the goners!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1353.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I know a lot of you have the greenest of green thumbs - so I'd love to ask you - What do you do to keep your houseplants alive? Water from the bottom? How? And how much? Do those glass bulb water things work? I read online once that leaves with brown edges means you're over-watering. Plant-tending is finicky business!

How to Keep Houseplants Alive?

I love having at least one plant in every room. And I usually think a room feels sort of stale if there's nothing alive in the space. Bu...

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How to Paint Perfectly Crisp and Straight Lines on Walls

<center style="text-align: left;">After <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/02/cleaning-up-my-recycling-closet.html" target="_blank">this post</a>, some of you emailed for tips on painting really crisp and straight lines on walls. I have a simple approach, but it works every time for me! One little disclaimer though - stripes don't work well on highly textured walls. The lines just never look perfect, which would bug me a bit. So, best to attempt stripes only if you have smooth or close to smooth walls.</center><center style="text-align: left;">(Oooh! An update from the comments section: If you have textured walls, use caulking to seal the tape and you lines will be straight!!) </center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/stripes.jpg" /></center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">To start, use a ruler to make your registration marks. My stripes are 8" wide, so I made a little mark with a pencil 8" above the floor board, every 18" or so around the wall of the closet, making sure to mark at the corners and turns especially. Then just measure and mark 8" above every one of those marks, going all the way up the wall.</center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1293.jpg" /></div><br />Then use painters tape to connect the marks. Try hard to not bend the tape. If you pull the tape out gently and straight, you can trust that your lines will also be straight.<br /><br />You can see here that the stripes don't look evenly spaced (because they're not). You'll need to tape above the registration mark and then below the registration mark to block out the full 8" for the stripe.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1295.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then go back over the tape with your thumb and really smooth out and lay down the tape, just on the edges you'll be painting.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1301.jpg" /></div><br />Here's the real trick for perfectly crisp lines: seal the edges of the painters tape with some of the base wall color before painting on the contrasting color. Don't paint the whole width of the tape. Just a bit along the edge of the tape on the side where the stripe will be painted.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1304.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let that dry before you paint on the stripe color.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1307.jpg" /></div><br />For my stripe color, I wanted to do a gray that sort of coordinated with <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/01/powder-bath-updates.html" target="_blank">the gray I just painted in my powder bath</a>, since the doors are across the hall, only about three feet apart from each other. I didn't want to do the exact same color and I wanted something much lighter, so I mixed about one part BM Chelsea Gray with two parts White Dove.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1313.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You can roll or brush on the stripe color, and then I like to pull the tape off while the paint is still wet. I don't think it matters either way though, if you prefer waiting til it's dry. (#impatient)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1317.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Check out those lines! Not a <i>bit</i> of paint bled through because that extra little strep of sealing the edges with the base coat paint. I've used all brands of painters tape before too, and none of them give me the same results without doing the sealing step.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1324.jpg" /></div><br />It's one of those completely satisfying projects that moves pretty fast. I busted out this closet in about two hours.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0379.jpg" /></div><br />PS Some of you asked about the citron boxes I have on the shelf here. They're shoe boxes from Crewcuts! Ha! J. Crew is having an additional 40% off sale items plus free shipping, so how could I resist picking up some new spring kicks for the girls? The cute, sturdy boxes were a little bonus though, for sure. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/crewcutsshoes.jpg" /><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/12EPoda" target="_blank">dot oxfords</a><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/ZbYRUi" target="_blank">neon t-strap ballet flats</a><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/WJ5HAm" target="_blank">neon zipper boots</a><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/12EPDF1" target="_blank">sven clogs</a></div>

How to Paint Perfectly Crisp and Straight Lines on Walls

After this post , some of you emailed for tips on painting really crisp and straight lines on walls. I have a simple approach, but it works ...

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Lately on Fab: Kate Spade Saturday

It's the weekend and I'm in the <i>best mood! </i>It was a really great week around here between Valentines day and all sorts of great news (<a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/best-home-design-inspiration-blog-the-homies-2013-183531" target="_blank">this</a> was so cool, you guys! Both categories? <i>THANK YOU!) </i>and we're all finally healthy. Good times.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/KSSFAB1-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">one</a>  //  <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">two</a>  //  <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">three</a>  //  <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">four</a>  //  <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">five</a>  //  <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">six</a></div><br />Speaking of weekends and good moods, did you here that Kate Spade is launching an adorable new line called <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">Saturday</a>? The line isn't officially available until March, but my friends at <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">Fab</a> are selling a selection of preview items, and they are so, SO good. Modern-prep at its best!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/KSSFAB2.jpg" /><br /><br /><a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">seven</a>  //  <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">eight</a>  //  <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">nine</a>  //  <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">ten</a>  //  <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">eleven</a>  //  <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">twelve</a>  //  <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">thirteen</a>  //  <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">fourteen</a>  //  <a href="http://fab.com/?utm_campaign=littlegreen&utm_source=mediakix&utm_type=p&utm_medium=blog&ltb=on" target="_blank">fifteen</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I hope you're having a great week, too! xo</div></div>

Lately on Fab: Kate Spade Saturday

It's the weekend and I'm in the best mood! It was a really great week around here between Valentines day and all sorts of great news...

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Cleaning Up My Recycling Closet

In the past, I've always <i>tried</i> to recycle, but that usually meant just sorting the obvious things - plastic bottles and cardboard boxes. We were never all that diligent about sorting... until we moved to Brooklyn Heights. People <i>really</i> care about recycling here (including and maybe especially the people that live next to us).  :) There might have been a situation where they tattled on us for not sorting good enough (whoopsies).<br /><br />I have to say though, I'm actually sort of grateful we got busted. We were pushed to figure out a solution where we carved out some space to quickly and easily sort out our plastics, glass and paper. And now, recycling is a breeze, truly, and I feel less guilt-ridden. Like we are doing our part.<br /><br />Here's how we did it:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0210.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />We have a little closet right by the front door on the parlor level. It's across from the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreennotebook.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F01%2Fpowder-bath-updates.html&ei=tJMcUZnuBqfg0QGduYH4Aw&usg=AFQjCNGxAj6vcJLrVQagKrQuUR1tO2vFHA&sig2=GTeMUBCQv6kP_w2i5Hpuig&bvm=bv.42452523,d.dmQ" target="_blank">powder bath</a> and around the corner from <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreennotebook.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F11%2Fdiy-shaker-style-cabinets-part-2.html&ei=kZMcUbPZPIqy0AGZxYHgCg&usg=AFQjCNF_4kam5zqX3h1eC_twk7EEiey2Tw&sig2=EjniMYfV9_Hc3rOyhSBL8A&bvm=bv.42452523,d.dmQ" target="_blank">the kitchen</a>. I think it was meant to be a coat closet or maybe even a pantry at one time. Mostly it was just disgusting. (seriously)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2DSC_0215.jpg" /></div><br />The painters the landlord hired to paint the brownstone before we moved in did a pretty shoddy job. They didn't paint the insides of <i>any</i> of the closets. I mean, what? Weird. So slowly I've been tackling one closet at a time to fix the situation, but I hadn't had a chance to do the recycling closet until recently. See that gross cream color? That was the color of the entire house before we moved in and it just looked<i> </i>dirty. (doesn't the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreennotebook.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fcabbage-white.html&ei=T5QcUcfUNsiU0QHQiIHIAQ&usg=AFQjCNFq7fYkO009USf8p9qQJ_jw0c6wcw&sig2=f82B0V_9WsDo229izJdaHg&bvm=bv.42452523,d.dmQ" target="_blank">Cabbage White</a> look much more fresh?)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0225.jpg" /></div><br />Gross. I'm am totally disgusted by the state of this closet and I live here. Apologies. No wonder I was no good at recycling! Who would want to open the door for this view:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2DSC_0246.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/12DSC_0251.jpg" /></div><br />30+ years of cream paint in a garbage closet is bound to look bad, even after a few scrubbings! So a new coat of paint in the closet was added to the to-do list. But probably the biggest issue we've had with the recycling situation is the girls had trouble figuring out how to sort items in the identical bins we had in the closet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/2DSC_0261.jpg" /></div><br />So on the fly I primed and painted just the outsides of the bins with chalkboard paint. Then I went outside to the recycling bins in front of our house and snapped photos of the two sorting guides.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1277.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1275.jpg" /></div><br />I'd been dying to put my chalkboard pen to use <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreennotebook.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Fdinner-party-at-my-place.html&ei=2pQcUZ-gCMWI0QHcloGoBQ&usg=AFQjCNEoa7m7EfwTy1EAP4W5F0Qxe-mJ4A&sig2=6vtL6E5CXbFJSifG1trnBA&bvm=bv.42452523,d.dmQ" target="_blank">again</a> (they are so cool - totally recommend picking one up at an art supply store or you can <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003360RFG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003360RFG&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20">buy one here</a>). Gracie and I chose a couple of items to display on each of the bins and talked about layout and then she got to work with the chalkboard pen.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1344.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1348.jpg" /></div><br />Claire was a little bummed she missed out on the illustrating action this time, but that's the good news about chalkboard (pen) recycling bins - the pen wipes off with a wet rag, so she can have a turn as often as she likes. Whatever helps them to learn their sorting, right? :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/3DSC_0263.jpg" /></div><br />Also, don't the walls look about a million times better? They got a fresh coat of white paint, which  was a huge improvement on its own, but horizontal stripes make every space more fun. Especially in tiny little secret spaces, where the stripes surprise you every time you need the broom or go to throw away an empty olive oil bottle.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0356.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/DSC_0297-1.jpg" /></div><br />And I'm happy to report that the mini-makeover and the new recycling bins have totally improved our recycling habits, and by a lot. The girls are just about pro-level recyclers now and it's so cool to see them excitedly taking ownership over what used to be a chore for us all. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/3DSC_0278.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'd love to hear what you guys do to make recycling (or anything to live a more green lifestyle) an easy habit for you and your family. I'm working on adding more eco-friendly cleaning products into my housekeeping routine. My sister in law is a budgeting super-star and an all-around phenomenal housekeeper. When I mentioned this post to her, she says she uses and completely loves <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B267631388%3B93829477%3Bg&k4=5966&k5={banner_id}" target="_blank">Green Works</a>, and I'm excited to take her word for it and try it myself.<br /><br /><!-- BANNER #1 --> <script src="http://thirdparty.fmpub.net/placement/550827?fleur_de_sel=[timestamp]" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- BANNER #1 --><i><br /></i><i>This post is sponsored by <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B267631388%3B93829477%3Bg&k4=5966&k5={banner_id}" target="_blank">Green Works</a>. You don't have to compromise to be clean when you use hard working, plant-based cleaners by The Clorox Company.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Check out <a href="http://youtu.be/EUE5a-k1quk" target="_blank">this quick video</a> to learn more. :)</i></div>

Cleaning Up My Recycling Closet

In the past, I've always  tried  to recycle, but that usually meant just sorting the obvious things - plastic bottles and cardboard boxe...

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Stripey Glass Table Lamp

Some of you asked about the table lamps in <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/02/diy-roman-shades-from-mini-blinds.html" target="_blank">my bedroom</a> and I just noticed <a href="http://bit.ly/YZ8MMW" target="_blank">they went on sale</a>! $89 is a steal for these beauties considering they come with a linen drum shade. And I love that they really look a <i>lot</i> like <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/06/murano-glass-lamps.html" target="_blank">Murano glass</a>. They cast the prettiest glow when they're lit and even when they're off and the sunlight's streaming in through the windows.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_1289.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div>

Stripey Glass Table Lamp

Some of you asked about the table lamps in my bedroom and I just noticed they went on sale ! $89 is a steal for these beauties considering ...

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Dishes and Decor (A Wannabe-Foodie Decorator's Dream Day)

<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0009.jpg" /></div><br />Last December I had one of the coolest days <i>ever.</i> Lean Cuisine is reinventing and they invited famous chefs and farmers and a handful of bloggers to come to a round table event here in New York just to eat and chat about food and style. They held the round table at one of the coolest venues I've seen - Haven's Kitchen in Chelsea.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9860.jpg" /></div><br />All day long I was sneaking photos of the decor at Haven's Kitchen. Seriously, I want to move in.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9971.jpg" /></div><br />This staircase was stunning with the great, graphic art on the black walls. It was really cool.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0003.jpg" /></div><br />Everywhere you looked - amazing, amazing chairs!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9976.jpg" /></div><br />I loved this idea of creating an inset out of subway tiles for a chalkboard wall in a kitchen. I would love to do something like this someday. Uber-chic menu planning!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9888.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9869.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9872copy.jpg" /></div><br />While the decor at Haven's Kitchen was completely drool-worthy, the day was all about the food. We were grouped into three teams for the round table. On each team there were two chefs, a style expert (the bloggers), and a farmer. My team's farmer was Josh Kilmer-Purcell, who had (seriously) won Amazing Race the week before, has a <a href="http://beekman1802.com/" target="_blank">wildly popular blog</a> of his own, and a TV show on the Cooking Channel. Also there could not be a nicer man on the planet.<br /><br />Our team's chefs may or may not need an introduction. Brad Farmerie is the owner of Michelin star rated PUBLIC and competed on the Food Network's The Next Iron Chef. He was hilarious and the life of our party, for sure. And James Beard Award-winner Michelle Bernstein of Top Chef fame is probably one of the most famous chefs out there, so I probably don't need to tell you about her successes. I will say that I want to fly down to Miami to hang out with her for a week straight, just to hear her tell stories and share wisdom. Seriously, what an inspiring woman.<br /><br />And then there was me. My job was to shop around the city for some pretty things to set the table with, inspired by Josh's produce and Michelle and Brad's dishes. And then just eat and talk about food and style. Best job ever, right? I could so easily do the eat-decorate-talk-eat-decorate-talk rotation until the cows come home.<br /><br />Here we are making plans for the dishes and decor. We all decided something more rustic and earthy would be perfect for the table setting.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0013.jpg" /></div><br />While the chefs got to work in the kitchen, I hopped into a giant van, armed with two assistants, but with only two hours to rush around the city and buy everything to set the table for our team. I'll admit, it was a teensy bit stressful, but mostly it was just really, really fun.<br /><br />My first find was actually at West Elm. These wooden antler candle holders were just the look we were after - modern, sort of Scandinavian and a bit rustic.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9907.jpg" /></div><br />We shopped at about ten other stores and things sort of fell into place. It was fun to see what my fellow bloggers <a href="http://www.sayyestohoboken.com/" target="_blank">Liz</a> and <a href="http://www.styleandpepper.com/" target="_blank">Jessie</a> found while they were out scavenging for place settings and flowers too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0007.jpg" /></div><br />I checked in with the chefs just before dinner (it smelled <i>so good</i> in that kitchen) and they loved the direction our table design was going.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0006.jpg" /></div><br />And here's what I came up with for my version of a Scandinavian/rustic/modern table:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/LGNLC1.jpg" /></div><br />I bought the striped linen at Jem fabrics and literally ripped it into two wide strips so the edges would be a little frayed. I tried to have a lot of textures on the table - linen, woven chargers, smooth woods and soapstone, hand-thrown porcelain, etc.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/LGNLC4.jpg" /></div><br />I found these mini enamelware mugs in the clearance section at Sur la Table. I'm discovering that I like to have a big floral centerpiece and then little individual flowers at each setting. I think it is so pretty and makes guests feel special. Also, how great is this antique engraved silverware that we borrowed for the dinner? It weighed a ton and made everything taste even more delicious. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_9957.jpg" /></div><br />I found a lot of the little accessories at thrift stores and at Pearl River Market.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/LGNLC2.jpg" /></div><br />The soup tureen was probably my favorite thing on the table, though. Michelle had a fabulous Celeriac soup on the menu, so she asked me to pick up a tureen. I really wanted to find something unique to be the focal point of the table, but everything I saw out shopping that wasn't all white was really fussy-looking. So I bought a plain white one on sale and picked up some porcelaine paint at the art supply store and painted on the bright red border on the tureen. I really love how it turned out. Just enough color for our "rustic" table.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/LGNLC5.jpg" /></div><br />The flower arrangement was another favorite part for me. I didn't end up having the time to pick up enough flowers to completely fill the creamy white faux bois vase I had found at Housing Works, so I filled the empty spaces in the vase with herbs I snuck from the kitchen and even some leek stems, which kind of look floral when they're cut on the diagonal! :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/LGNLC3.jpg" /></div><br />You'll have to keep an eye out for <a href="http://www.sayyestohoboken.com/" target="_blank">Liz</a> and <a href="http://www.styleandpepper.com/" target="_blank">Jessie's</a> posts about their table settings - they both did a really great job. I love those talented ladies.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0014.jpg" /></div><br />After the table setting was done, the food was brought out and that's about where my memory drops off. (TOTAL FOOD COMA.) I ate <i>way</i> too much, but how was I not going to at least taste every single one of those super-delicious dishes made by super-duper-famous chefs!? No choice in the matter at all. It all was so, so good.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%203/IMG_0012.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I was so honored to be a part of this round table. Meeting all of those talented, creative people, hearing their thoughts about the future of food, and, of course, tasting all that deliciousness was nothing short of completely inspiring. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">PS The entire event was filmed (there are lots of clips on Youtube), if you're interested in seeing a little more from the day!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n3sztVXFieQ?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><!-- BANNER #1 --> <script src="http://thirdparty.fmpub.net/placement/551185?fleur_de_sel=[timestamp]" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- BANNER #1 --><br /><i>This post is brought to you by <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclick%3Bh%3Dv2%7C4029%7C0%7C0%7C%252a%7Cm%3B266444376%3B0-0%3B0%3B90100001%3B31-1%7C1%3B52069209%7C52028982%7C1%3B%3B%3Bpc%3D%5BTPAS_ID%5D%253fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.leancuisine.com%2FIndex%2FIndex.aspx&k4=5980&k5=551185" target="_blank"> Lean Cuisine </a>. I was invited to the <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclick%3Bh%3Dv2%7C4029%7C0%7C0%7C%252a%7Cm%3B266444376%3B0-0%3B0%3B90100001%3B31-1%7C1%3B52069209%7C52028982%7C1%3B%3B%3Bpc%3D%5BTPAS_ID%5D%253fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.leancuisine.com%2FIndex%2FIndex.aspx&k4=5980&k5=551185" target="_blank"> Lean Cuisine Culinary Round Table </a> and was provided with a stipend for the visit and experience. All thoughts and opinions surrounding the experience are authentically my own.</i>

Dishes and Decor (A Wannabe-Foodie Decorator's Dream Day)

Last December I had one of the coolest days ever.  Lean Cuisine is reinventing and they invited famous chefs and farmers and a handful of bl...

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