Delicious Butternut Squash Recipe

I am an avid Whole Foods (aka Whole Paycheck) patron-I end up going at least two times a week.  Lately, they've had offered a butternut squash dish that I love-so much so that I thought I would try to replicate at home (this is big-I don't cook).  Their recipe called for canola oil; but since it's not the most body-friendly oil to use, I replaced with olive oil.

1 butternut squash cubed
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cinnamon
sea salt
pepper
olive oil

Preheat the oven to 300.  Cut the squash into cubes and place in a roasting pan.  Sprinkle the cumin and cinnamon over the squash. Drizzle olive oil over the squash.  With a spoon, mix the items together to evenly distribute the spices throughout the pan.  Sprinkle sea salt and pepper to taste, stir dish together again.  Place in oven and bake for at least 25 minutes.  I like my vegetables to have more of a crisp to them, so I cooked for a little longer (more like 40 minutes), so feel free to modify the length of time you cook.

Enjoy!

Hollywood Inspiration

I was reading Rachel Zoe's 'Style A to Zoe' and in it she recommended framing pictures of your favorite Hollywood stars and using as artwork.  I actually liked the idea, so that's what I did!  I looked online and found pictures of Nia Long (I think she is GOR-GEOUS!) and Diana Ross (she's known for being a diva; but the pic I chose is so glamorous) and printed in black and white.  What do you think??

In other news, I've been buying more and more gold/brass items, and now that I have these new Hollywood pics in gold frames, I'm thinking I either need to paint my silver framed mirror gold or buy a new one.  Hmm...

Glam Goodness That Was Meant To Be

I swear the stars aligned for this vignette.  I bought the 70s frame and brass shelf without thinking of the other and after pairing I realized they were meant for each other.  Don't you love it when that happens??  I admit, it doesn't happen very often for me; but when it does life just seems to make a little more sense.  LOL..

(Oh-and ignore that little iPad cord at the bottom...I was so anxious to document my find that I forgot to remove.  You all still get the picture though, right?) ;-)

Initially, I was looking for something like this--and I actually found someone selling on Craiglist; but for some odd reason the seller never responded to my emails requesting to purchase.  Um.....SO many rants I could post on that situation.  Not to worry...I'm in the process of healing. :-)

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope you are all enjoying this lovely day.  While I don't have a beau to share it with, I "took charge" of my happiness and got myself a facial at my favorite spa.  It-was-DEE-lightful!!

My Sunday

I'm sort of bummed that I didn't go to church today.  Reason being....(my poor but somewhat valid excuse) studying for an upcoming research methods exam.  Then again, I guess church would've been a great place for restoration to help me this week.  Next week for sure!

Modern Chic? Follow-up post

As promised...here are additional pics from my "allowable only during the winter" vignette.

Here's my "office/study" space.  The stool is actually part of my patio set (see original post here) but I spray painted gold and added an asian-inspired silver and gold fabric.

 The picture above the desk is a charcoal rendering of my mother (done while she and my dad were still dating).  The artist is Elizabeth Maitland. Now...what to do about that darn printer on the floor!!!!!!! ARGH!

My beloved animal skin rug.  It arrived literally in a folded, taped heap a couple weeks ago.  Currently, it's sitting between my living and dining space so it can breathe and (hopefully) the wrinkles will come out.  Not sure where I will place once that's done.

I have to admit..I'm not sure I like the idea of my table against the wall; but I also like that it sits perpendicular from my sofa.  I need to style this space a little more.  I'm not a big drinker; but I love the way another blogger by the name of Erika styled her dining space with barware.  Hmm....

See my new skull salt and pepper shakers???  I love them!!

 I would love to place a brass etagere against this wall to store family photos, accessories and my increasing collection of art and design books-1/2 of which are embarrassingly aligned along the floor-see lower corner of pic below.. :-/

I feel like this coffee table no longer works in this space, no??  Eh...  IDK...LOL

And in case you couldn't find them, here are my design books-contained with my foo dog bookends!!!  But, they're on the floor. :-( I need help finding a place to store...

Overall, I think things are headed in the right direction; but I know I need to make some modifications.  What do you guys think??

Modern Chic?

I am constantly rearranging my space...I mean CONSTANTLY.  One time I even moved my furniture around twice in 1 week.  Anyway, here are pics of the current arrangement.  I know it's somewhat taboo to move a TV in front of a window; but it's winter here in the mitten state and the view isn't that great, sooo....I call this my "allowable only in the winter" vignette.  You can't see it, but I've added a desk for "studying" (ha!) AND......(drumroll, please)....my highly coveted bearskin rug!  I also rearranged my bedroom and dining room.  More pics to come as soon as I am done studying!