Recipe Time: Coconut - Red Curry Pumpkin Soup

Here is a quick and healthy soup recipe I found that will warm you up on a cold winter day (or a typical spring day in Edmonton...) 


Ingredients:
3 cups chicken broth
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
2 teaspoons chili sauce with garlic
1/8 teaspoon curry powder
1 cup light coconut milk
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Chopped cilantro


Instructions: 
1. Combine the first five ingredients in a saucepan, stir till smooth. 
2. Add coconut milk and stir with whisk. 

3. Cook for one minute or until throughly heated. 
4. Remove from heat and add lime juice. 
5. Serve in bowls and sprinkle with cilantro. 
ENJOY!

I found this great recipe in the "Fall 2009 Weight Watchers 20 Minutes Recipe" Magazine. 

Just a side note...


For my 25th birthday, my amazing mother bought us both tickets to my favorite singer - Sarah McLachlan! So last weekend my mother and I witnessed the most incredible concert ever! I think Sarah McLachlan is one of most beautiful, talented, and funniest artists alive. Here is my favorite song - "Possession".

 Thanks Mom!

~

Fabric + Inspiration = Color Direction

Whenever I am deciding on a direction for a design, I always look for inspiration in either textiles, artwork, or nature. If you already love something why not pull from that element to create the foundation for your design. 

Here, I am using some fabrics to create a color scheme for a friends home.

As you can see I ended up with a lot of different colors. The reason I did this was because I could then create a couple different color scheme using all of these colors. For example, I can create a vivid, energetic scheme with the brighter colors or I can create a earthy, relaxed scheme with the softer more neutral colors. 

~

hi~lo
Design doesn't need to be expensive. I believe you can create a "high priced" look for a fraction of the cost - you just have to be willing to search for the deal. Here, I will show you a "hi", or expensive piece and show you the "lo", or budget-friendly, version. This way, anyone can create a high-end look using a low-end budget.

Vintage Inspired Storage Trunks

We all know I love vintage elements in any home. I enjoy the idea of using a unique peice in an conventional space. You can find a vintage-inspired storage trunk in many retail stores, which can be used as a coffee table, side table, storage unit, or a storage bench at the foot of your bed.

Restoration Harware

Mayfair Steamer Large Trunk Vintage Cigar Leather

$1495

 vs

Pottery Barn

Expedition Trunk

$1299.00

vs

World Market

 Steamer Trunk Cocktail Table

$249.00

~

Hidden Treasures...

One of my favorite things is shopping at antique malls and flea markets. I love the aspect of "hunting" through other peoples' "junk" and creating something truly unique and special out of it.

I spent Saturday morning with my Dad at the Strathcona Antique Mall. If you haven't been there you must go - it's one of the best antique stores I have been to. The main reason I went was to find some vintage window frames. I didn't end up finding the right window frame, however, I did find some other unique hidden treasures. 

I saw an old railing piece that was in a pile of old wood scraps. It caught my eye because it was a pale yellow and had a great texture. I was really drawn to this piece and thought, "What can I do with this...", and with a little bit of thinking I decided it would make a great magazine rack! So I rotated the railing 90 degrees and leaned it against the wall and created a unique vintage magazine rack. It could also be used as a towel rack in a bathroom or a drying rack for your delicate laundry.

Living in a 900 square foot house, I am always looking for unique storage solutions. I found a vintage wooden box and thought that it would be great in my living room for storing yarn and all my knitting goods. I like the idea of pairing a modern and vintage piece together, so I decided it would be perfect under my black modern side table.

Happy treasure hunting - yarrr! :)

~ Megan

Buena Vida!

Hola Amigos!

Hope everyone had a great holiday season! I just got back from a wonderful vacation to Mexico, where I experienced some Mayan ruins, snorkeling, cenotes, cliff jumping, zip-lining, kayaking, beaches and of course- TEQUILA!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures!

If anyone is looking for a tour guide in the Mayan Riviera, I highly recommend Edventure Tours. http://www.edventuretours.com.mx/ 

We went with them on both of our tours and I can't say it enough - it was the best tour I have EVER been on!

Hasta luego!!

My Favorite Things in 2010!

Happy New Years everyone! Sorry it's been so long since my last posting.

As we enter into this new year I'd like to think back and recall some of my favorite design ideas from 2010.

Here a few of my favorite things......

1. Using Gray as a Neutral Color.

http://www.asaltulis.com/search/indian%20salad%20decoration%20pictures

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/la/060109_greyBathDbl.jpg

One of my favorite colors to use is gray, because it's a great neutral color. I love pairing it with a clean white or a bright, energetic color.

2. Stainless Steel

http://www.outinhome.com/2009/06/stainless-steel-kitchen-design-by-mark-elam-zanuso/

I have been using stainless steel a lot at work and love the way it shines! :)

3. Wallpaper

http://thecraftbegins.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/wallpaper.jpg

I have always been inspired by wallpaper, but in 2010 I saw some of my favorite collections.

4. Vintage Patterns

http://www.kristyleeinteriors.com/2010_11_01_archive.html

I love the juxtaposition of a vintage pattern with modern elements.

5. Natural Elements

http://coolboom.net/en/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/mid-century-modern-house2.jpg

I love the idea of bringing nature indoors. I love using tree branches, feathers, bark, and natural fabrics when designing a space.

6. Empty Frames

http://www.handmadeology.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/design.jpg

I love the look of hanging vintage frames as a collection on a wall. In particular, keeping the frames empty puts the focus on the frame itself, such that it becomes the artwork.

7. Chalkboard Paint

http://thetrendyhome.com/files/2010/03/chalkboard-wall.JPG

I love the idea of chalkboard paint being used in a children's room, art studio, cabinet doors, or wherever you feel most creative.

8. Antiques

http://books4d.com/images/dec_books3.jpg

Over the last year I have been collecting a few pieces of antiques. My favorites are antiques books; I love engendering a sense of history in a room.

9. Old Window Frames

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/images/uploads/at45b4c004e5cb01.61175577.jpg

A few months ago I found an antique window frame hidden in my garage. I was very inspired by this piece and started to think about unique ways of displaying this treasure (this is a design idea I will be bringing with me into 2011).

Happy New Years! Here is to another 365 days of new and inspiring design ideas!

CHEERS!