Monthly Archives: April 2011

Fresh Finds for April

Yes, I know I’m a week late but I wanted to wait for our new series The Victory Garden to launch, which it did last Friday.

Here’s what’s new at Redefine Home this month:

Gotta start out with the Victory Garden.  I am so excited about these prints for several reasons.  A) They look really cool,  B) The message is near and dear to my heart, C) This is a brand new artist that we’re adding to our collectionart prints for the victory garden

Check these out.  Funky, graphic, futuristic posters that advocate eating locally, growing your own garden and generally just loving the planet.  Seriously, could these be any cooler?  These babies look awesome in wide black frames with a white matte and hung in a collection (I say 3-4 work best).  They’re perfect for a kitchen, but I want them in my living room.  Talk about a conversation starter.  Conceptualized

you can raise your own chickens

art print eat local

More cool stuff.

round metal bar cart

The Faraz Bar Cart - I usually am shopping for myself when I source new products, and this is no exception.  I want a bar cart and this one is so versatile because it’s round and small and actually in a finish that would work in most homes.  It’s affordable too.  Ding ding ding, winner.

wood and metal adjustable bar stool

The Avi Adjustable Barstool – Simple, functional, good-looking.

kilim upholstered bench

The Kilim Bench – I picture this bench as unexpected seating at a somewhat formal, glossy finish dining table with slipcovered chairs all around it.  Each bench is  unique with varying upholstery and washed finishes.

taupe upholstered dining chairThe Claire Dining Chair – A little fancy with all those tufts.  I think these chairs are perfect around a farmhouse or rustic trestle dining table.  And I love the color.

So glad it’s spring!  Have a great one.

Inspired Life…Progress

Life’s no cake-walk, but I’ve been practicing what I preached in Snowfall and a Change in Perspective and I’m feeling a whole lot better.  We’ve been hosting get-togethers, I started a veggie garden, decided to brush up on my French and have already spent numerous mornings rocking in the sunshine with a cup of coffee.

image from www.cakewalk.nl

image from www.cakewalk.nl

I started off with my New Year, New Lifestyle plan as any type-A would.  I made list after list.  Then I put myself on a schedule and stuck to it until it became a habit.  I’ve said yes to many social requests, no to many work obligations and steadfastly refused to feel guilty about not working in a dark office on a Saturday afternoon.  Not that I haven’t felt those pangs of guilt, it’s just that I tell them to F@$#K off and they eventually do.

Now I’m at a point where the only schedule I’m really on is my work schedule.  I’ve whittled down my workweek to about 30 hours thanks to a concept called ‘Batching” presented by Timothy Ferris in his book The 4-Hour Work Week.  It’s going to be a while before I am playing raquetball on an island in Figi since my business is still run almost solely by me.  But the practice is what I’m after and I have to say that I am more efficient now than ever before.

I’ve also been inspired to follow through on all these creative projects that I’ve been wanting (or even started) to do.  And, big bonus, I’ve freed up enough time to start working with design clients again…my previous career and passion.  I’ve now started an interior design division of Redefine Home and I’m so excited to be working on homes again.

I may be biased but I give my action plan a big thumbs up.  So tell me, what have you been doing to make this year a great one?

Crazy for Coconut

I’m not sure why but I’ve always been the type to get on food kicks.  One summer it was ahi burgers, a few winters ago I couldn’t get enough of sweet potatoes.  Right now I’m at it again – I just want Coconut!  So I’m rollin’ with it.

I bought shredded raw coconut in bulk and used it to make a trail mix with slivered almonds, cranberries and a few carob chips thrown in. Btw, this also makes an amazing ice cream topping.

coconut cranberry almond trail mix

Then I toasted some and have been adding to greek yogurt with strawberries and honey, and to my oatmeal in the morning.

Tonight I will be making these delicious Coconut-Date Bars, courtesy of Martha Stewart

healthy snacks from martha stewart

I’m in love with Coconut Bliss Ice Cream, made with coconut milk and sweetened with agave nectar.  100% vegan and totally delicious.  It’s creamier than any non-dairy version of ice cream (or yogurt for that matter) and has no weird after-taste or chalkiness like so many rice and soy ice creams do.  There are tons of flavors but I’m partial to the Vanilla Island -  it has just the slightest hint of coconut so, really, you could take it any direction with toppings…like gummy bears!

coconut milk ice cream

image from coconut bliss

 

And I still can’t get the Hawaiian Elvis out of my head!  This recipe, courtesy of Nicole from Smartmouth Blog had my mouth watering back when she first posted.  It too has a hint of coconut since it’s grilled in coconut oil and is the ultimate healthy-ish comfort food.

http://www.smartmouthblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/photo31-e1294856567792.jpg

image courtesy of Nicole Longstreath

 

So I’ve got sweet, salty and savory – am I missing anything?

Want List: Spring Fashion

I’m in serious need of a wardrobe update for spring, and right now I’m feeling All-American and ready for a boat day.  Here’s what’s on my list:

Perfect shirt in schoolboy madras

Love this top from JCrew (I tried it on this weekend, it was perfect and is now on my mind everytime I look into my closet and don’t see it there…)

The Marin shoe from Sperry Top-Sider.  Adorable and easy to wear while having fun.

Women's Marin Slip On

Love her whole look and I would have such a great summer running around in that romper!  From Madewell

Chambray Lakeshore Romper

 

I also need a pair of shorts to throw on with everything.  I like these beat-up army kicks from American Eagle

american eagle green khaki shorts

 

And a sexy, updated denim jacket like this one from American Rag Cie

 

denim jacket

Brompton hobo

I searched high and low for a bag like this to put on my Christmas list (no dice), but it’s classic and works year round…so I want it now!  From JCrew

 

I think that’s enough to get me started…now how do I get that boat?

 

E-Design Giveaway, the Winner is…

Congratulations Lori! You are the winner of the drawing for a free Custom Room E-Design.

Here’s what Lori is looking for:

I would choose the great room in our weekend place.  We have been under construction for over 3 years, doing the majority of the work ourselves. We have put so much time and energy into building the structure that I’m not sure I have what it takes to finish this project. A beautiful and functional room seems to have so many layers and I need help pulling it all together!  The feeling I would like to achieve is a light and airy,relaxed, beach house feel.

I really look forward to working with you and helping finish off this space you’ve worked so hard on!

image from House Beautiful

Thanks everyone for your comments and I will keep you posted as our project moves along.  Happy April 1st.

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