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Category: General

My Dorm Picks!!!!

Here are some of my favorite dorm accessories for back to school.  Last week’s post with the dorm decorating photos was such a hit.  I heard from so many of you and even received a bunch of photos of some already decorated dorm rooms!!  If you have not left yet, here are a bunch of fun accessories…and if you are already settled in..there is plenty of time to put together a Parent’s Weekend dorm care package!!!

I love this lamp from Patdo Light Studio!!

I bought the black lamp for my son’s desk at school and it is soooooo great.  Also from Patdo Lighting.
I love both of these decorative mirrors..they would def bring any dorm room to the next level!!!  Contact Patdo Lighting for more information!

These desk lamps are amazing…They come in so many colors to match everyone’s room…You can also charge your phone from them. For more information contact Patdo Lighting.

Do you want to guarantee that your student will not be homesick..then you have to buy The Right Pillow.  It is the most comfortable, soft pillow that gives the best nights sleep ever.  It will remind them of their comfy home!!!!!!! 






Lastly, I saw this amazing folding chair at Restoration Hardware Teen..I just could not resist including it!!!

Book Club Monday

I saw this week’s book in a store over the weekend.  The title stopped me in my tracks..Simple Desserts, The Easiest Recipes In The World!!!! And each recipe only uses 6 ingredients or less.  What a great book to have and give as a gift.  Put it on your Holiday lists..family, friends, teachers, grab bags..so much fun.  It’s always good to plan ahead!!!!!!


How often have you wanted to whip up something sweet only to daunted by the complexity or ingredient list of a recipe? No more! Bestselling Simple author Jean-François Mallet has taken out the inconvenience with more than 130 delicious, easy recipes. Simple Desserts combines interesting flavors and all-natural ingredients, so novices and experts alike can prepare time-saving but gourmet treats! Using Simple Desserts clean design, large type, and handy icons, you’ll whip up Speculaas ice cream or a Strawberry Melon Granita in less time than it takes to drive to an ice cream shop-and for a fraction of the cost.

Now there will be no reason to buy dry store-bought cakes or crumbly cookies when you’ve got Simple Desserts. Bread pudding with berries, macarons, chocolate mouses, apple and honey tarts, and cherry crumbles have never been so easy to make. With plenty of recipes to please any chocolate lover or cookie fanatic, there are also many seasonal fruit cobblers, sorbets, soufflés and tart berry pastries perfect for summer or holiday get-togethers. – Amazon.com


For more information or to purchase this book, click HERE.

Happy Birthday Madonna

Today is Madonna’s Birthday…she is 60!!! Can you believe that?  Madonna is 60…I know NOOOO WAYYYYYY!  She looks amazing.  In honor of her special day I HAVE to tell you about her amazing skin care MDNA skin.  I have only tried samples but I am putting in a order stat.  According to Harper’s Bazaar everything is a must try.  I was so impressed with the Reinvention Cream that I tried (it has plant extracts and HOLY WATER in it to plump up the skin!!). Here are some of the other products.  You can view the entire line HERE.  In the meanwhile, here is what is on my wish list!!!   Bon anniversaire Madonna!!!!

Reinvention Cream 
An all-in-one formula infused with resurrection plant extracts and M.T.PARCA Thermal Water that multitasks as a lotion, a serum, a cream, and a mask.
The Face Wash
A powerful, moisturizing facial cleanser that gently removes pore-clogging dirt, impurities and makeup while locking in moisture with Montecatini Oil, M.T. PARCA Thermal Water, Amino BPA, and an energizing blend of mint, rosemary, geranium and lime scents.



Chrome Clay Mask
A purifying, non-drying, mineral-rich mask composed of double-coated clay from Montecatini to help moisturize and smooth the look of skin while drawing out dirt and impurities. Must be used with The Skin Rejuvenator or Magnetic Flow.

Pasta with Pesto, Goat Cheese and Broccoli

With back to school right around the corner, I am trying to find quick recipes that will please everyone.  Pasta with Pesto sauce is a huge winner around here so when I saw this variation with broccoli and goat cheese, I thought I would give it a try.  Everyone really loved it and I am so happy to find something that is still so easy but different from what I always serve.  Bon Appetit!!!


Ingredients
  1. 1 box bow tie pasta
  2. Bunch Basil leaves
  3. Handful Pine nuts
  4. Parmesan
  5. ½ Garlic Clove
  6. Olive Oil
  7. Sea Salt
  8. Black Pepper
  9. Goats cheese
  10. 1 bag frozen broccoli 
Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta and broccoli according to pack instructions.
Make your homemade pesto using these instructions
  1. In a pestle and mortar, pound the garlic clove with some basil leaves. If you do not have a pestle and mortar, a food processor will work equally as well – pulse said ingredients together.
  2. Add the pine nuts to the mixture and pound again.
  3. Take mixture out and add in half of the fresh parmesan. Stir gently and add in your olive oil slowly. Add enough so that your mixture is ‘oozing’.
  4. At this stage, taste the pesto and adjust seasoning to your taste. Add the remaining parmesan cheese and some more oil and taste again. Continue this phase until you are happy with the balance of flavours, taste and consistency.
  5. Once you have made your homemade pesto, mix it with your cooked and drained pasta and your cooked broccoli. Add crumbled goats cheese, serve with a light drizzle of olive oil and enjoy!

Deck Out Your Dorm Room

When I moved my son into his dorm for the first time 2 years ago, I was so impressed with all the amazing things the kids brought with them.  From cool storage pieces and textured throw pillows, to decorative artwork and small furniture pieces and plants in chic planters, they had it all.  This was no Bed Bath and Beyond project…Far from it..some of the students told me that they planned their room decor for weeks, even months!!!  They visited various crafts stores, online sites and local merchants to come up with just the right accessories to glamify the otherwise bland dorm rooms.  Even the boys got in on it, but more so to the tune of stripes and primary colors!!  Here are a few of my favorite dorm rooms.  On Friday I will have a shopping guide with some fun items to decorate your student’s dorm room just in time for back to school!!!

www.ranker.com
image Surburbanturmoil.com
image Southernliving.com
image thegirlies.com
image pinterest.com.com

image Southernliving.com
image clarissacoward.com
image refinery29.com

image Laurelandwolf.com
image DAZstudio

Home Goods Round Up

It’s bacckkkkkk…the Home Goods recap!!  I’m really going to try to post these on a regular basis since I keep getting requests for them..I love hearing what you guys buy so please keep the notes coming.  I have to say Home Goods really is at the top of their game lately.  I have found so many amazing things the past few times I have stopped in to do the re-cap.  I have high hopes for the merchandise assortment leading up the the holidays.  All of these items were at the Port Chester location yesterday!!!  Happy Shopping!!!!

I just bought my husband something very similar from a local florist for his office and this is the exact same look for soooo much less.  And they had a pair!!!!

Ooooohhhh I wish I had a beach house!!!!

This Kartell lucite table was amazing…again I wish I had a place for it.

I regret not bringing home these wicker lanterns with me!!!  I must have been distracted by the random ships wheel sharing the space!!!!!!!  HA!!!

This did come home with me!!! I was searching for really nice plants for my patio shoot.  I know I will always find a place for this.

I am devastated, this hair calf box was already in someone’s cart.  I cannot believe I missed it.

I ended up buying these steak knives for my parents.  They are such a great french brand and I love the butcher block.

 When my kids were in grammar school, we had one of these to keep all the art supplies in for craft and school projects.  They were so hard to find back then.  

I loved these planters and there were a pair of each.

Japanese water baskets are really hard to find.  I have a pair that I bought ages ago and I love them!!!

I am not into faux trees but fig ficus trees are so hard to keep alive and this one was such good quality, it was hard to pass up!!!

There were a ton of chic desk accessories.

This chest would look great at the end of a twin bed.  Especially in a college dorm.

 The decorative pillows were again, some of the best that I have seen in ages….

This shelving unit was so chic!….

So were these floor pillows!

 Here is probably one the the greatest Home Good finds ever..these pagoda lamps with the patent shades…perfection…

I did get this adorable dog beg for my Maisy……BUT

I don’t think she loved it…HENCE..the side eye!!!!