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Bloggers at Home: Emilie Sobel

Jaquin: Hi Emilie! Thanks for sharing a look inside your bedroom. Tell us about your blog Soul in Stilettos.
 
Emilie: Thank you for asking me to be apart of your beautiful blog, I am so honored! My name is Emilie and I am the founder of the blog Soul in Stilettos! I’m 23 years old and based out of Miami Beach where I work as a Social Media Coordinator when I’m not blogging. I graduated with a degree in Fashion Marketing from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
 

Jacquin: How would you describe your personal style? 

Emilie: My personal style is bohemian glam, for sure. I love to collect and wear pieces that are original and mix it up with a ton of accessorize. My bedroom is definitely a direct reflection on my personal style because it is made up of a collection of my favorite art, books, blankets, candles and anything else I can get my hands on. 

Jacquin: What is your favorite thing to do for fun?

Emilie: My favorite thing to do for fun is travel. I grew up fortunate enough to explore many parts of the world with my family. My parents have major wanderlust and that totally effected me in the best way possible. If there’s a long weekend, a festival, or seriously cheap airfare, you can bet that I’m the first person to book the trip. Nothing feeds my soul more than discovering new things and new places.

Jacquin: What is your favorite space in your bedroom?

Emilie: My favorite space is my bed. I work a lot and tend to have no time to relax, with going from work outs to work to events, I usually crawl into bed late at night. I am very keen on comfort, so my bed is basically one giant pillow. The all white detail makes me feel like I’m living on a  cloud while I’m in it and no one can bother me there. 

Jacquin: With you being a fashion blogger I can’t miss the opportunity to ask you about your favorite accessories. What is your favorite place to find unique accessories? What is your favorite springtime accessory right now?

Emilie: Vintage stores are my go-to when it comes to finding chic accessories. I’m very into chokers right now, like any other stylish babe, and I’ve found my best pieces digging around at consignment stores. My favorite pair of shoes this Spring are my lace-up sandals I found on sale at Zara. They are comfortable, chic and easily take me from the office to a party! You can see these fab shoes below. 

Jacquin: Congratulations on 3 years of blogging! What are you most looking forward to as you continue to grow your blog?

Emilie: Thank you! 3 years is a huge milestone for me so I’m really excited about it. I’m most looking forward to the collaborations I have coming my way. I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am and it feels really cool to be recognized by brands I love and asked to work with them. It’s surreal. 

Photography: Christine Michelle Russo

 

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6 Unique Ways to Enhance Your Kitchen

Is your kitchen in need of a dose of style? Or perhaps your kitchen is suffering from a lack of storage?  It may be time for a kitchen refresher! When refreshing an area of your home, its really all about small enhancements to the space that will make a big difference in your home’s style and function. Here are 6 unique ways you can enhance and maximize your current kitchen!

 
*IDEA #1* – Carved Cabinetry
Image via House Beautiful, Passion Decor
 
*IDEA #2* – Herb Garden
(Top) Image via Houzz, (Bottom) One Pot Indoor Herb Garden DIY via Apartment Therapy

Cooking with fresh herbs is the best! Here’s how to build your own one-pot indoor herb garden. 

*IDEA #3* – Wall Sconces
(Top) Image via Tidbits and Twine, (Bottom) Image via Home Bunch
 
                      *IDEA #4* – Custom Storage
Images via LushHome
 
*IDEA #5* – Storage Shelf Above Sink

(Top) Image via Better Homes and Gardens, (Middle) Learn how to make this kitchen shelf unit at Pretty Handy Girl,

Try this resource for building your own DIY shelf above your sink as shared on Pretty Handy Girl. This is the type of DIY project that will really enhance a smaller kitchen. Give it a try!

*IDEA #6* – Wall Racks for the Kitchen
(Top) Towel rack based vertical wall storage. Learn how to make it at A Beautiful Mess. (Bottom) Image via Eenig Wonen
 

How cool is this vertical, hanging storage unit?  Perfect for those of you with blank walls in your kitchen who require additional storage… and it makes your cooking utensils extremely accessible. You wouldn’t believe this awesome DIY uses towel racks for kitchen storage. Now you can learn how to create your own wall storage system for your kitchen. I love this idea! 

Which of these unique kitchen enhancements would you be interested in trying at home?

 

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Marz Designs presents uniquely geometric lighting

I recently discovered the unique work of lighting designer Coco Reynolds of Marz Designs. She creates just the kind of unique decor that I like to feature in my home. Marz Designs of Australia is bringing craft design back to industry with her hand-crafted wood light fixtures. These geometric light fixtures have a fun yet contemporary feel to them, while still being sophisticated from a design perspective.  I’m looking forward to seeing what Marz Designs creates in the year to come. Take a look at the latest from lighting designer Coco Reynolds. 

Learn more about Marz Designs and their unique lighting selections here.  Have a great week!

 

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For Your Weekend Reading… An Awesome Web Roundup!

This weekend catch up on the latest and greatest from across the Internet! I’m presenting 8 great features you’ll definitely want to check out.  Happy reading!
 

1. 14 Covetable Items for the Home from Oscar de la Renta, Calvin Klein, Chanel, and other Fashion Houses – Architectural Digest
2. 4 Ways to Make Your Own Perfume – Hello Natural 
3. 14 Warm Drink Recipes to Keep You Cozy (From Hot Chocolate to Hot Toddies…) – Bon Appetit
4. Kids, We’re Moving to Greenland – Narratively

And there’s more…!

5. 5 Common Tips to Beat the Cold or Flu – Yahoo Health
6. Artist Leah Bartholomew of Australia’s Colorful Paintings – The Design Files
7. New Legal Equalizer App Could Help You in a Police Encounter – This app records your police encounter and automatically distritubtes it to 3 pre-determined loved ones, plus access to local laws that matter to you. You definitely want this app and it’s FREE! More info here and here. (Available for iPhone and Android)
8. 5 Sites Better than Craigslist (for Used Furniture & Decor) – PopSugar

 
Have a lovely weekend and thanks for reading!
 

How To

S’mores Marshmallow Shooter Recipe + a Home Tour!

 
Today I’m getting to know Erica Pitera, the dentist and dessert blogger who has the cure for your sweet tooth! Erica shares her original recipes and baking creations over on her blog Erica’s Sweet Tooth. Not only is she giving us a tour of her home today, but she is also sharing her recipe for S’mores Marshmallow Shooters at the end of this post!

 
Jacquin: Hi Erica! Tell us about your blog and life as of late…
Erica: Hi! My name is Erica Pitera – I’m the Erica behind the dessert blog Erica’s Sweet Tooth. Baking and blogging, along with food styling and photography, are some of my favorite hobbies, but I actually spend my days as a pediatric dentist. The irony of being a dentist with an extreme sweet tooth is real, but I try to keep everything in moderation and brush and floss extremely regularly. I recently moved back to my home state of Connecticut after spending two years in New York City, and live here with my husband and official taste-tester Ryan and our adorable new puppy Piper.

Maier Charcoal Sectional Set from Furniture Cart (Great budget find!)

Jacquin: What is your favorite space in your home? 
 
Erica: The easy answer for this question as a food blogger is the kitchen, but I actually love our living room most. Although the kitchen in this new rental house is more than quadruple the size of our NYC one, I’m not the biggest fan of the layout and we don’t have anywhere very comfortable to sit down in there. So I’m always drawn to the comfort of our big sectional and the surrounding decor that has developed from trips we’ve taken together. We have travel photos and antique maps, tons of wine corks, and special little mementos all displayed in our main room – how could it not be my favorite!? The space is screaming for a nice plush rug, but we’re waiting until Piper is fully potty trained before I’m allowed to indulge my interior decorating tendencies!
 
Vintage Prints: From the New York Botanical Gardens || Flint Steel 24″ Counter Stool  from CB2
 
Jacquin: Have you always been interested in baking? What is one of your earliest baking memories?
 
Erica: I’ve always been creative and into arts and crafts, and since I love sweets so much, baking was a natural progression. It’s definitely my creative outlet, and baking allows you to play with your food and create beautiful and delicious things that make people so, so happy. I started loving baking blogs my senior year of college, and once I was in dental school and needed a way to de-stress, I started one of my own. Six years later, here we are! One of my earliest baking memories has to be making peanut butter cup blossoms around Christmas time every year. I got a cookie cookbook from my Aunt when I was young, tried the recipe on my own (with some adult supervision of course), and have been making them ever since.
 
Brookline Tufted Velvet Chair, Set of 2 from Target
 
Jacquin: As a pediatric dentist, what is something most people don’t know about being a dentist.  Any surprises about the career since you’ve been a working dentist?
 
Erica: The staff or break rooms at dental offices are almost guaranteed to have an excessive amount of sweets stashed away. It’s crazy, but people who work in the dental field really tend to have more of a sweet tooth than the general population in my experience. I know tons of dentists and dental hygienists that are also very talented bakers, and I think it has a lot to do with the OCD/type-A personality that is conducive to both activities. Unlike cooking, baking is very precise, as is dentistry obviously, so you find the two interests together quite often! 
 

Jacquin: What has been inspiring you in life most recently? 

Erica: With a puppy in our little family now, I have a new focus in my day-to-day life, and it has forced me to slow down and simplify things. I don’t know if that’s “inspiring” necessarily, but now that I have responsibilities beyond myself, my job, and my blogging, I try to minimize my distractions when I’m home so I can spend as much time as possible with our furry daughter. Right up until we brought Piper home I was obsessing over the decor in our new home and meeting blogging deadlines (these NFL Jello Shots almost did me in!), but now my priorities have shifted. I realize I’ve become a crazy puppy mom in the process, but I guess you could say I’ve been inspired by simpler recipes and minimalist decor in order to maximize my happiness.

Bar III Box Pleat White Bedding from Macys || Miami Headboard in Coffee finish from Walmart (Great budget option!)

Gold Hexagon Accent Table from Target

Jacquin: What is your favorite recipe to prepare when having friends and family over for a special get together?

Erica: For a special get together, especially for a birthday party, I have a rule that it must involve cake. Cookies on their own, no matter how delicious, just aren’t celebratory enough for birthdays in my opinion. Everyone deserves a cake with candles on top! So my personal favorites are the cookie stack cakes (funfetti, caramelized banana, andm&m) I’ve made for friends and family members who love cookies, but need a cake to pass my birthday test.

S’mores Marshmallow Shooters Recipe

Ingredients

For the marshmallows:
 
25 large (or Jumbo if you can find it) marshmallows 6 oz semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
 
For the filling:
 
1 part cup marshmallow (or cake or chocolate or plain) flavored vodka
1 part Bailey’s liquor Drizzle of chocolate syrup

Instructions
Use a strawberry huller, or just your clean fingertips, to remove the insides of the marshmallows. You don’t want to squeeze too deep into the marshmallow or you’ll tear through to the bottom of the marshmallow. Fingers or the end of a wooden spoon dipped in a bit of water helps even out the insides and makes things less sticky. I used a paring knife to smooth off the tops of the marshmallows once I was done. If you wish, set the marshmallow on top of a heatproof mug or bottle and lightly toast with a kitchen torch.

Melt the chocolate chips in 30 second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each interval, until completely smooth. Dip the tops of the hollowed marshmallows in the melted chocolate, use a toothpick to make sure the opening is cleared, and set aside on a wax paper or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs and allow to set completely. You can store these in the fridge for up to 2 days, but I recommend waiting to fill them until right before serving.

Prepare the filling in a large cup, and then use a small cup with a spout or a plastic squeeze bottle to fill the marshmallows. Serve, gobble them up in one bite, and enjoy responsibly!

This recipe for S’mores Marshmallow Shooters is perfect for your next party or holiday get together! For more great dessert recipes visit Erica’s Sweet Tooth blog. 

Stop by and let us know if you try this recipe!
 

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Mix Things Up with Embroidery in Home Decor!

Want to mix things up at home? Adding embroidered decor to your space will definitely do the trick.  Check out how designers are incorporating embroidery into home decor. You’ll definitely be inspired!

Image via Architectural Digest

Mexican embroidered chair, Image via MessageNote

Embroidered Kosala Pilllow via Anthropologie

Home of Interior Designer Paige Morse, Image via Design Sponge
 

Embroidered Cockatoo Lamp Shade for purchase at Anthropologie

Hand Embroidered Giverny Rug for purchase at Anthropologie

Hand embroidered chair by Casamento, South Africa

Hand embroidered chair by Casamento, South Africa

Stray Dog Designs Shelly Table Lamp for purchase at Zinc Door

 

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Recreating an Elle Decor Bedroom at Home

It’s room re-do time on the blog and today I’m recreating a feminine bedroom that was featured in Elle Decor magazine.  This room has wonderful warm tones and is filled with texture and pattern.  With the exception of a few splurge items, this room re-do features budget items that would go well in any home. 
 
Elle Decor’s stunning & feminine bedroom! 
Now you can get the look…
 

1. Round Capiz Chandelier – $349 – West Elm
2. Song Cotton Carpet in Lilac – $1,250 – Madeline Weinrib (Splurge!) Check out our budget alternative in #12.
3. Mor Ikat Pillow – $525 – Madeline Weinrib (Splurge!)
4. Bone Inlay Gianna Bunching Table – $136 – Wayfair (Great budget option!)
5. Lucida 72″ Bookcase by Mercury Row – $335.95 – Wayfair
6. Beige Grasscloth Wallpaper – $38.90/bolt – Home Depot
7. 3 Piece Seaside Sculpture by Imax – $115.95 – Wayfair
8. Coral Table Lamp – $125 – Pier 1 Imports
9. Marrakesh Firefly Ikat Fabric – $19.95/roll – BuyFabrics.com (You can use this fabric to cover a desk or table like in the Elle Decor bedroom or even cut smaller pieces of this fabric and frame it as wall art.)
10. Sanibel Double Bench – $232.45 – AllModern
11. Capiz Hanging Pendant Lantern – $55.95 – World Market (Great budget find!)
12. Trellis Purple Area Rug by Unique Loom – $111.05 – Wayfair (Great budget find!)

Happy decorating!
 

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Feminine Home Studio with a Touch of Vintage Glamour

Get ready for another great edition of Bloggers at Home! I’m pleased to have had the opportunity to chat with Jennifer of Pretty Little Details blog, and today she is welcoming us into her newly designed home studio. I love Jennifer’s exploration of fashion trends on her blog and her fun an feminine aesthetic. I’m excited to see the inside of this fab blogger’s studio space.

Jacquin: Tell us about your blog Jennifer!
 
Jennifer: Hi everyone!  I’m Jennifer Ashley from Pretty Little Details a fashion & lifestyle blog where I share my personal style, as well as a fresh mix of diy tutorials, beauty tips and inspiration for stylish living!  Today I’m sharing a sneak peek into my home studio! 
 
Jacquin: How would you describe your decorating style?
 
Jennifer: Like my personal style, my decorating style is both feminine and eclectic.  I love to add pieces into a room that have a story or have personal meaning to me. Refurbished vintage pieces (like this dresser!) also add so much character into a space.  Our new home is inspired by the apartments we saw during our recent trip to Paris.  Parisians know how to effortlessly layer new and old pieces to create a perfectly styled space. The weathered painted brick & ornate dresser we chose are reminiscent of design details frequently seen in french apartments. 
 
 
 
Jacquin: What is your favorite thing about your home studio?
 
Jennifer: I love that my home studio is a space that is really functional.  The double curtain rod lets me adjust how much light I let in during photoshoots and the oversized desk helps me stay organized when I have multiple projects in the works.  Because I’m in the process of launching my first jewelry collection (the full details will be shared on Pretty Little Details next week!) finding storage for all of the jewelry was a big deal.  Luckily, this vintage dresser worked perfectly in the space and gave me extra room to keep most of my current stock together in one place.
 

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Winner of Fox’s Home Free Show Gives Us A Look Inside Her Home

Aidah recently had the experience of a lifetime when she and her husband competed for and won a house on Fox’s competition reality show “Home Free”. Congratulations Aidah! Aidah also writes a creative lifestyle blog called Aidah’s Creative Life incorporating DIY, modest fashions, and great recipes. She has a passion for creative living and interior design, and she’s even a Metalsmith. One of her favorite things… whipping out the torch to create jewelry with silver and copper. This home tour features Aidah’s lovely home, which is filled with special design touches. Thanks for welcoming us into your new home, Aidah.

Aidah’s favorite blog post thus far…

My favorite blog post is actually my latest post from my Pay it Forward Friday series. I discuss giving to the needy with signs and those that ask for assistance. The post was really a reminder for myself but one that I hope inspires others.  You can read it here. 

Aidah’s favorite place…

My favorite space in the home is hands down the kitchen. The cabinets in front of the windows are a unique feature that allows a lot of light into the space, which is always a great thing. The blinged out hardware is another reason why I spend a lot of time in this space.

Aidah’s DIY creation…
 
The artwork in the master bedroom is a DIY that I did that uses wood planks and old tools. I was inspired by the industrial revolution and the move from the farming age to the Industrial Age.  
 
Loving the decor selections? You can shop the look!
  1. Wood Hairpin End Table – World Market
  2.  Stella Pillows – Pier 1 Imports
  3. Everett Foyer Table – World Market
  4. Ektorp Blekinge Slipcovered White Sofa – Ikea
  5. Gold Threshold Bar Cart – Target 

Stop by and say hi to Aidah over at her blog, Aidah’s Creative Life.