The Interiors Insider - Winter Whites Edition

Happy 2013, everyone!
I couldn't think of a better idea than to start off the year with a new series for our blog.
The Interiors Insider will be your chance to learn great interior design tips, from a certified interior designer, for free! Our very own Lori Madrid, owner of Lavender Fields, will be offering her wonderful expertise to you, so your home can be even more charming and beautiful.
This week Lori is sharing great information about the mystery behind keeping your whites, well... white! Pull out your notebook, grab a pen, and take notes - this information will have all of your guests wondering how you get your whites looking brand new.

But before we equip you with this new advice, I had to share a bundle of my favorite white products from the store. There are plenty more on our website but here's just a few of my favorites from our bedding selection. Hope you enjoy!

1. Abigail Cream Sham | 2. Louisa White Duvet | 3. Belgian Linen Sheet Set | 4. Louisa White Bedding Set 5. Balmoral Sheet Set | 6. Ruched Platinum Duvet Cover | 7. Bella Notte Linen Duvet | 8. Linen Voile Bedskirt  9. Bella Notte Crochet Lace Duvet | 10. Elisa White Duvet | 11. Juliet White Duvet Cover | 12. Curtain Panel with Ruffle | 13. Crib Dust Ruffle| 14. Hampton Duvet | 15. Petite Ruffle White Pillowcases

Interiors Insider - Winter Whites

How to Keep Whites White:

"I love my white bedding and linens and work hard on keeping them white. These tips will help you keep your whites white.

Wash whites separately. The best way to launder white items is together and in the hottest water the fabric will tolerate (water that is at least 120 degrees is most effective at removing soil). Choose detergent with a bleach alternative and/or enzymes, using the maximum amount recommended.

You can increase the cleaning power of a detergent by adding a booster, such as borax, oxygen bleach, or washing soda to help maintain whiteness. Before washing, soak heavily soiled items using an enzyme detergent or oxygen bleach, and launder them separately.

To remove perspiration and other greasy stains, pre-treat with liquid detergent, dish-washing liquid, or colorless shampoo . Gently rub the liquid into the fabric using a clean toothbrush.

Tackle colored stains. Address food spills, such as coffee or juice, and underarm yellowing, which is residue from antiperspirant or deodorant, by applying undiluted liquid oxygen bleach directly to the fabric immediately before laundering.

Use a color remover. Once a month or when your whites become dull, wash them with a color remover. Alternatively, soak items in boiling water and oxygen bleach in a basin (this is suitable only for fabrics that won't shrink). You may have to experiment to determine which technique whitens best."

Call me crazy, but now I'm excited to do laundry - how about you? :) I've always struggled with stubborn whites that lose their sparkle. I'm eager to try these out for myself. Thanks so much for sharing your tips with us, Lori!

That's all for today, friends! I'm off to wash my bedding, so it's as white as the beautiful snow outside. We hope you enjoyed this new series; keep your eyes peeled for a new edition. You never know what kind of interior design tip Lori may share. As always, thank you for reading!

From all of us to you...

New Years Goodies

Hello, friends!

New Years Eve is just a few days away, can you believe it?

We hope your Holiday season has been absolutely lovely so far! As we head into yet another holiday and a whole new year, how are you preparing?
I rounded up some great tips for New Years Resolutions and how to keep them!

1. Make it Attainable! Start small and set goals for each month to attain your overall goal.
2. Write it. And I mean everywhere! Heck, make it into a work of art then print and frame it. Hanging it in a common area that you see on a regular basis to constantly inspire you to achieve it. Inspire yourself; this is a big deal after all, so treat it that way. 
3. Tell Everyone. Ask for accountability! Whether it’s with one specific person or multiple, be sure to promote your goal to people who will appreciate what you’re doing enough to follow up with you on a regular basis. Are you giving up sweets? Offer to give $50 bucks each person who catches you giving into your sweet tooth. Take this seriously and utilize the support around you.
4. Be Specific. This biggie-backs on #1 when I say set goals. Rather than saying: “I want to lose weight in 2013” specifically set goals for each month. Try: “I want to lose 10lbs in January and another 10 in February etc.”
5. Plan every little detail to help you get to the big picture.
6. Celebrate! Did you lose your first 5lbs? Hooray! Have close friends over for a special night or treat yourself to a day at the spa. Maybe you are reorganizing your home for a big home makeover and you accomplished one major room in the process. Be sure to share the photos on your blog or social media network or invite a few friends over for cocktails; whatever it is be sure to celebrate the small milestones because each milestone gets you one step closer to the big goal. 

Don’t let your New Year’s Resolution weigh heavily on your shoulders; this process should be fun and enjoyable! Don’t be afraid to feel silly when celebrating your first week of eating healthy, changes can be hard, be proud of what you’re doing!

What are your resolutions for the New Year? How can you better yourself in 2013?

But! Maybe resolutions aren’t your thing and that’s OK too! Here are some great ideas for decorations to inspire you to head into 2013 with style. Many of these ideas could easily be DIY, and with 5 days before the big night, you have plenty of time to get crafty and prepare.

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Check out all of our New Years 2013 Inspiration, by heading on over on our Pinterest Board.

Last but not least, you’ll want to feed your guests and sip on something delicious as you count down the hours and minutes to when the ball drops. Here are the perfect vegan recipes to quench your thirst and fill your belly, after you’ve danced the evening away:

Gorgonzola’ Arancini (Risotto Balls)
2 qts. vegetable stock

1 Tbsp. olive oil

½ medium yellow onion, diced

1 Tbsp. chopped garlic

1 lb. arborio rice

1 oz. white wine

1/8 bunch Italian parsley, chopped

1/8 bunch thyme, chopped

1/8 bunch rosemary, chopped

1 Tbsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

½ cup soy Parmesan cheese

6 oz. soy gorgonzola-style cheese

1½ cups Egg Replacer (mix with 2 cups water until medium-thick)

2 cups bread crumbs

1 qt. canola or peanut oil for frying

• Simmer the vegetable stock over low heat.

• In a large-bottom pan (roundeaux or Dutch oven works best), heat the oil, add the onion, and sauté until slightly brown. Stir, add the garlic, and sauté for about 2 minutes.

• Add the rice, sauté about 1 minute, and stir constantly.

• Deglaze with the white wine, add 2 cups of the vegetable stock, reduce the heat to medium-high, and stir occasionally until the liquid is gone.

• Continue to add 1 to 2 cups of vegetable stock at a time until the rice is cooked and creamy and the liquid is gone. Add the chopped herbs and nondairy “Parmesan.” Spread the rice mixture on a cookie sheet and cool.

• While the rice is cooling, form the “gorgonzola” into little balls about the size of a ½ tsp.

• Mix the egg replacer with water.

• Form the risotto into 1-oz. balls, then put the “gorgonzola balls” in the center.

• Coat the balls with the egg replacer and coat again with the bread crumbs.

• Heat the canola or peanut oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Deep-fry the arancini until brown.

Makes approximately 55 balls


Peach Melba Liqueur
Yields 8 cups
Ingredients:

▪    2 cups fresh raspberries

▪    2 cups peach slices (from a jar, not a can)*

▪    3 tablespoons orange zest

▪    Juice of 2 oranges

▪    4 cups vodka

▪    3 cups simple syrup

Directions:

1. In a large mason jar, combine raspberries, peaches, orange zest, orange juice, and vodka. Seal and set in a dark place for 2 weeks, stirring after 1 week.

2. Stir in the simple syrup, seal, and set in a dark place for 1 to 2 more weeks.

3. Line a sieve with a double layer of cheesecloth. Pour liqueur through the sieve into a large pitcher. Discard the solids.

4. Transfer the liqueur to a large mason jar or a variety of smaller mason jars.

*Use fresh peaches if you make this liqueur in the summer.

Whether you're setting goals, decorating for the party, or bringing the drinks, we hope you found some great inspirations for a little bit of each in this post! Have a SAFE and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Somerset Bay Spotlight

Hello everyone! This week we’re spotlighting another fantastic brand that we carry in our store: Somerset Bay! I’m a big fan of their furniture and couldn’t wait to share more information about them with you.

Their collection is inspired with the most impressive coastal locales such as Nantucket, Bar Harbor, Newport and Carmel. They've made a way to bring these environments into your own home from the gorgeous coastal color schemes, to the finishes they used.

Somerset Bay wanted to create a place of relaxation and where “the chaos of everyday life fades away.” Whether it’s a place to live, entertain or escape, these impressive products surely raise the bar with their timeless designs and evocative textures which are all handcrafted from the finest plantation grown mahogany and premium veneers and trim.

State of the art techniques are then used to produce the beautifully timeless soft Somerset Bay patina. The distressing, dry-brushing, and antiquing shape the character of each piece, further displaying the skills used to handcrafted these amazing products.

I had my own minor escape just looking for photos to share with you! These lovely pieces are sure to bring beauty, relaxation and the perfect amount of charm into your home. Be sure to check out all of the products we carry from Somerset Bay by clicking here.

1. Vero Beach Bookcase | 2. Avalon Bookcase | 3. Annapolis Chart Case on Legs

4. Big Coppitt Key Linen Press | 5. Catskill Cocktail Table | 6. Boothbay Breakfast Table

7. Camden Display Case | 8. Bureau Bookcase Base | 9. Durango Console
10. McClellansville Bookcase | 11. Kure Beach Mirror | 12. Healdsburg Console

O Christmas Tree...

...O Christmas tree, Much pleasure do you bring me!

These trees are quite gorgeous. A big thank you to Better Home and Gardens for these lovely Christmas tree finds! I tried to include various sizes and styles for all your viewing pleasures, so I hope you enjoy them as much as I did looking for them. I found so many that I couldn’t even begin to include them all! Each of the photos shared below can be accompanied with a tree-decorating tip, found over on the BHG website. View the entire collection here.

I’ve always stuck with a taller sized, real, Christmas tree. This year, I had to change it up some. I went with a small tabletop (fake) Christmas tree for my apartment and it turned out quite cute! Despite my initial hesitation, I have a new appreciate for smaller size Christmas trees. I trimmed my little “Charlie Brown" tree with white lights, a strand of pearls, and tiny 

silver and blue bulbs. I then topped it off with a medium sized beautiful red bow!

What size and style do you typically go with when you trim your tree each year?

Which is your favorite? Sound off in the comment section below!

Decorating the tree can be great for family time. I personally love to head to my parents home to decorate with them, all while we listen to Christmas music and then cozy up with the tree lights on and watch a few of our favorite Christmas movies. Another fun thing to include are some drinks! Here at Lavender Fields, we love sharing recipes with you, so I had to include a delicious vegan-friendly eggnog recipe for you to try out!

Make 2 Servings.

Ingredients:

• 3 Cups Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 4 Tbsp Agave
• 2 Tbsp Vanilla
• Dash of Salt
• 1 Tbsp Rum Extract
• 1/2 Tsp Nutmeg
• 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
• Rum or Brandy (Optional)

Directions:

1. In a medium sauce pan (medium/low heat) place all ingredients and stir until completely warm.
2. Place in a glass, add rum or brandy if desired.
3. Enjoy!

Thank you DamyHealth.com for the recipe!

Happy tree trimming and eggnog drinking!

Aidan Gray Spotlight & Lavender Fields Interior Design Services

We carry many wonderful brands at Lavender Fields, but today we wanted to spotlight one lovely brand in particular… Aidan Gray!

Founded in 2003, they have been creating gorgeous interior décor for nearly ten years and it just keeps getting better. Randal and Sally, the two founding partners’, have a strong desire to create handmade products with authentic materials. Solid wood, antique mirrors, rustic metals, old painted finishes and silk appointments shape the Aidan Gray “feel” to their products. Above all, they’re recognized by their exceptional quality and detail oriented products. If that weren’t enough, they really top it with great customer service that makes each purchase and interaction with Aidan Gray a pleasing experience.

Lavender Fields ships Aidan Gray for FREE. How great is that? Here are several wonderful products of theirs we carry. Be sure to view them all here.

   

 

 

We’re also pleased to announce that we have expanded our design services! We will soon be offering everything from window installations, to full kitchen and bath design, all from several certified Interior Design experts who are collaborating with Lavender Fields. Be sure to keep your eyes on our updates, as we will be announcing these wonderful experts with you very soon.

Whether it’s with Aidan Gray products or products from several other amazing brands we carry, we will continue to provide you with great items, and exceptional design services to help you make your house a beautiful home.

Gift Wrapping with Nature

Today we wanted to share with you a bit about gift wrapping for this holiday season. 

There’s a million different ways you can gift wrap, but we wanted to show you a more natural approach. Don't just stop with your Christmas tree, bring the outdoors inside this year by using it as gorgeous wrapping accents! All you need are some pinecones, fresh cut pine tree branches, and any other pretty things you can find in nature. Check out these beauties:

Grab some twine, kraft paper and something green. Top it with a pine cone, and all of your friends and relatives will be just as excited with the wrapping as they are for their gift inside!
We hope your enjoyed this lovely inspiration in gift wrapping with nature.