My Latest Craigslist Score!

I've been scouring Craigslist for some sort of chairs for our deck that we could

 easily pull out for extra seating when we had larger groups of friends or family over.

I wasn't having any luck, but I wasn't willing to give up on my criteria.

1 - Stylish

2 - Comfortable

3 - Easy to Store

I loved this look I noticed on Copy Cat Chic a few days ago (via Emily Henderson on Facebook), 

and it dawned on me that the Bamboo Director's Chairs I'd been waffling about could

 easily be made over with new covers! 

Don't the classic black and white stripes take these up a notch? So crisp and summery.

I lucked out that they were still available!

Vintage Bamboo Director's Chairs by Telescope 

I purchased four of them for a steal - $70!  

They're amazing ~ heavy duty, comfortable, in perfect condition and they fold up

nice and compact for storing during the winter. Oh, and the stylish bamboo!!! :)

The covers should be a slam-dunk

 sewing project, I just need to find the perfect striped fabric. 

Have you guys scored anything great on Craigslist lately?

A $100 Target Floor Lamp to Love

Today I dropped off the Threshold 3 Arm Arc Floor Lamp at my client's home.
 She loved it!
 It happened that I had a chance to see what it looked like in my family room.
I had Detail Boy put it together for her, and then our appointment got delayed,
in the meantime I put it in my family room ~ and loved it!
   It has a great modern form that's a perfect compliment to many styles.
If eclectic is your thing it would be a great addition,
 and the $100 price tag can't be beat. Nice job Target!  

Some of the reviews indicated they had trouble putting it together, but we didn't find

 that to be the case at all. It's very sturdy, has a heavy base, and nice linen like shades. 

I was sad to see it go!

My Five Favorites - Ways to Mix Metals

Happy August friends!

 This month we're sharing our Favorite Ways to Mix Metals. Gone are the days when

it was frowned upon to mix finishes, and I can't wait to see how my pals have been

combining them. Be sure to stop by and check out their ideas.

Kris @ Driven by Decor

Lisa @ Shine Your Light

Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles

I'm thrilled to welcome to our talented guest Claire @ Claire Brody Designs! 

I've been a fan for awhile, but must confess I'm obsessed with the Classic, Modern

Living Room she designed for her parents - it's eclectic perfection and definitely one to

 analyze over and over! Check out her fabulous design portfoliio here. 

Claire Brody Designs

Here are my Five Favorites:

#1

Sterling Silver & Brass

A timeless sterling silver tray easily mixes with brass accessories in this bedroom reveal,

or any vignette. 

#2

Brushed Nickel & Gold

I used brushed nickel sconces paired with a mirror and artwork framed in gold in my

 bathroom reveal. I chose the ikat print fabric in the same tones as the metals

to coordinate.   

Here are the same sconces and mirror with my new paint color, Behr Mined Coal.

#3

Chrome & Gold Details

I loved using modern chrome work lamps to add a bit of edge and keep the ornate gold

 details in my bedroom makeover from being too traditional. 

#4

Faux Metal ~ Paints

 Hands down, my favorite metal mix in my house is faux! Shhh! 

Metallic Paint in Titanium and Martha Stewart Gold Gilding were my choices to create

my DIY Metal Range Hood.  

#5

Chrome & Brass Accents

Mixing metals adds so much interest to a kitchen, the warmth of these brass accents

is perfect with the chrome faucet. 

Alice Lane Home

Stop by and check out these talented friends' favorites:

Kris @ Driven by Decor

Lisa @ Shine Your Light

Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles

Claire @ Claire Brody Designs

You might like these previous Five Favorites, too:

DIY Projects

Fabric

Decorate an Outdoor Space
Pillow Projects
Decorating for Spring
Decorative Accessories
Home Organizing Tips
Quick & Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas

Paint 

TGIF - The Gems I Found

These summer weekends are flying by ~ hope you savor every bit of it!

Best Paints to Use for Outdoor Items from Cyndy.

Shelley created this eclectic guest room by shopping her house.

This makes me want to go do some push ups!

Home Bunch 

Adding wire to your linen closet doors is a clever Design Idea over at Home Bunch.

This classic little gem would pack a punch!

Fabulous Do Ahead Al Fresco Dinner Menu

Hope you had an awesome weekend and are savoring these summer days.
One of my favorite things about summer is having friends over

 to dine Al fresco on our deck. A simple do ahead menu is a must! Don't get me
wrong, I love a simple juicy burger on the grill, but I wanted to serve something
 more unique. It's no fun having to slave in the kitchen once your guests arrive so I
 always look for recipes that can be prepped ahead of time, I think these are winners!
 I'm sharing a yummy summer menu I served recently, along with my tips and

 timeline for having it all together ahead of time, so you're free to enjoy your guests.
I've noted where I deviated from the recipes, and how I prepped everything prior to
our get-together for a smooth stress-free dinner.  

~ menu ~    

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail w/ Tortilla Chips

Chili Lime Chicken

Mandarin Orange Salad w/Sugared Almonds

Grilled Corn with Spicy Cilantro Lime Butter

Key Lime Pie


Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Recipe from Elise @ Simply Recipes

Served as an appetizer with drinks before dinner. 
I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned and pre-cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp. 
I didn't chop the shrimp, but instead put a few on top of each individual serving.

Chili Lime Chicken
Recipe from Bee @ Rasa Malaysia

I grill the chicken a couple hours before our guests arrived, let sit for 15 min before slicing,
pile on large platter and serve at room temp.
I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs.

Mandarin Orange Salad with Sugared Almonds
Recipe from Food.com

I use organic mixed greens from Costco.

Grilled Corn with Spicy Cilantro Lime Butter
Recipe from Megan @ Pip & Ebby

I use 1/4 cup butter in place of the mayo. 
I like to serve smaller pieces of corn, so I cut the cobs in half. 
Boil corn for 2 minutes then transfer to hot grill for a short time to get char marks,
 turning once or twice. 
Pile on large platter and serve with lime wedges.   

Key Lime Pie
Recipe from Leigh Anne @ Your Home Based Mom

Use homemade graham cracker crust! 
Delete sour cream, decrease Nellie & Joe's Key Lime Juice to 1/2 cup.
Add whipped cream (I used Reddi Wip) to individual slices at time of serving. 

EARLIER IN WEEK

Salad - Prepare Sugared Almonds, store in plastic container.
Corn - Prepare Cilantro Lime Butter, refrigerate in plastic container.
Pie - Crush graham crackers and mix in sugar, store in plastic container. 

FRIDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING
Salad - chop celery, slice onion & prepare dressing - refrigerate. 
Husk corn & cut in half - refrigerate.
Make Key Lime Pie & refrigerate.
Shrimp Cocktail - Thaw shrimp in refrigerator if frozen.

SATURDAY MORNING

Chicken - Prepare Marinade
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail - Prepare and refrigerate (Do not add shrimp or avocado)
Salad - drain mandarin oranges and refreigerate.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Grill chicken
Put salad together, except dressing
Chop avocado and add to shrimp cocktail.
Cut Pie

AFTER GUESTS ARRIVE 
Dish Mexican Shrimp Cocktail into individual ramekins and top with a few shrimp,
serve on plates with forks and tortilla chips.

When you're ready for dinner:
Grill corn over high heat just till charred, heat prepared lime butter in microwave,
transfer corn to platter and slather with butter.

Dress salad and sprinkle with sugared almonds.

That's it friends, it really is a fresh, easy to put together menu that appears much
more time consuming. I always a happy hostess if our guests ask for recipes,
and they did! :)

Here's to Al fresco dining with friends!