Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up: Cooking

9/19/13

Garden Fresh Basil Pesto

That garden we planted last Spring? Well, the harvest has been a struggle, to say the least. With the heat, and the rain, then the heat, and then the rain again--the unpredictable weather has taken a toll on all chances of getting peppers and cucumbers--yet basil? Basil thrives. It grows so fast and full that I cannot keep up, as you may have seen here. When we were in California last month, I was talking to Matt's aunt who loves gardening, and she suggested making pesto with all that basil. One, you can freeze it and save it for pizza making, garlic bread spreading, and pasta sauce. Two, who doesn't love garden fresh basil? This isn't ever going to be a cooking blog, but because I've invested in sharing my green thumb aspirations with you and the very start of this garden of ours, I only see it fitting to share about the bounty my garden yields. So, besides the two juicy tomatoes and peanut sized red pepper? Pesto. It yields pesto (woohoo!).

Continue reading after the jump>>

6/6/12

My mix and match kitchen tour.

Mix and match comes with the territory of bargain hunting. My style really is a collection of lucky sale finds at otherwise pricey stores like Pottery Barn and Anthropologie, mixed with inexpensive yet classic finds from Ikea, garage sale hunting, craigslist, thrifting, Ross, and Home Goods. Whenever we travel I like to pick up something for our home, adding something functional and unique. We do have some really nice things we got as wedding gifts too, and those things are special because each time I use them I think of the person who gifted it. The kitchen is a perfect example of mixing and matching, taking what you already have, and coming up with cute ways to arrange and set everything up. Pinterest has a way of making me want to start from scratch and do a whole new design and color feel, but I like to challenge myself to figure out ways to use what I already have, or DIY it for cheap, and style on a dime. Our kitchen doesn't have one set color theme, because it is a collection of things from the past to now (Yes, I even thrifted for house items before I had my own home....you should ask my mom about the closet situation I had during my teen to young college years. At one point there may have been lamps, artwork, kitchenware, and linens stored up in there. Dowry? Hope chest? Quite possibly my version). This kitchen has already doubled as my project area and makeshift dance studio. It is also our dining area for when we have guests. I spend a lot of time in this room, so I want it to feel pretty, bright, yet functional. It is so much bigger than my last kitchen! (disclaimer: lots of photos in this one.)

Mexican hutch: Garage sale

Soon to be made over stools: Craigslist

Cushions: Home Goods

Rug: $10, Urban Outfitters Sale

Antique cake pedistool: Wedding gift from Caitlin

Match stick cup: $2 votive from Anthropologie, diy

Spoon rest: Find from our Mexican travels

Egg timer and Russian doll cups: Anthropologie gifts

Dog treat containers: Thrifted jars and diy paint touches

Cork Board assembly and inspiration here.

Table with expandable leaf, Chairs, cushions, step stool: Trusty Ikea (I'm in need of a fitting table cloth or runner, and that stool could use some sprucing up!)

That fish bottle opener I found, yet again, on sale at Anthro. I gave it to Matt for Christmas one year and it is maybe one of my favorite things in the kitchen.

Repurposed pottery made by Matt, and Ikea.

Anthropologie Pure and Good Hand Duo (gift, but I would have splurged, because you can refill it with inexpensive soap and lotion. Money saver in the long run.)

Turtles: From my grandmother