My House Dressing

Since we are getting deep into the season of eating, throwing in a salad most nights is usually a good idea. To make sure this actually happens and that we are eating healthy, I have been making big batches of salad dressing to keep on hand. This dressing is easy, uses ingredients that probably already have, and will last in the fridge a couple of weeks. Add to any salad, use as a dip for veggies, marinade chicken in it, the possibilities are endless. 

And an extra tip for making salads in advance, yes it is possible. As you can see in the picture below, I cut up the avocado or apples or any other fruit of veggie that will turn brown after cutting and mix it in with the dressing. I then add the other veggies/cheese/nuts, then the lettuce. Refrigerate and then toss when ready to serve. 

My House Dressing 

Imperfect Polish 2015

makes enough for 2-3 big salads

2 cloves of garlic minced or pressed

2 heaping Tablespoons of Dijon mustard

1/4 cup light mayo

1/4 cup red wine vinegar (really any vinegar would be ok)

2 teaspoons honey

salt and pepper

1/4 cup olive oil 

Combine all ingredients except oil in a bowl or mason jar. Whisk in the oil (or add in oil and shake if using a jar). Taste and adjust salt and pepper as necessary. 

Enjoy! 

xo

Erin 

Master Suite Before & After

While I hate to say this room is "done," it feels done. No more furniture needed, paint has been applied, hardware and mirrors are installed, and ghastly window treatments have been removed. It is lovely and comfortable and working just as we had hoped. But...... we also have ideas for this side of the house (first floor master) and would like to rip everything out and reconfigure the space in both the bedroom, bathroom, and closet in the next few years. Until then though (and maybe two small purchases) we are finished. 

This is the before picture from our house listing...

And this is now...

The paint color on the wall is Sherwin Williams Serious Gray with Lazy Gray on the ceiling. I almost wish we went a bit darker, but at night it has a much moodier feel that I love. 

The coral border bedding is from Crane & Canopy and the headboard is from the Camden tufted with brass nail heads by Ballard. 

The side tables, leather bench, and dresser are Camden collection from Restoration Hardware. 

The rug is Ironwork Trellis from Shades of Light. I want to add something above the headboard. Maybe a pair of antique brass mirrors? 

The master bath is right off the bedroom and is closed off in sections (vanity, closet, shower/tub/toilet). This is the before when we moved in...

 There have not been a ton of changes, but subtle ones that make the space our own. 

 The light fixture is from Restoration Hardware. I tortured myself over that decision as well, but going with something clean and industrial works best for us. 

 I got the rug from ESale Rugs for such a bargain. Still love it. 

 The mirrors are West Elm. I poured over mirrors for so many months, but really I just wanted something with clean lines and large scale to open the space up more. 

 I thought of maybe changing the paint colors in the bathroom, but really nice clean and bright white just feels right. 

This claw foot tub is really nice and all, but honestly I have used it maybe twice in a year. You think it is is a mistake to get rid of it (probably relocate to a different bathroom) and just do one huge shower when we reconfigure? 

 It does have a lovely view. 

 The shower is kind of small, so a big double shower head one sounds really nice. 

It feels really great to have these spaces done. Now I am off to obsess over the nursery, which is getting wallpapered today. So excited to see how it turns out and get everything set up to show you! 

xo

Erin 

Spring Updates So Far

With the nursery underway and a few small projects around the house either just finished or about to be, this Spring is feeling great in the house. Which I guess is not really new anymore, but still feels like it every time I drive up to it. 

Since we did not move into until June last year, we had no idea what would be sprouting up around the property. I can tell you that our beds and lawn just love weeds. Love them. So now we know that every Spring there will be a serious clean up, but then some sweet surprises as well. 

We have a lot more flowering trees than I expected. There are two of these flanking the house and I cannot wait to see what it looks like when these babies pop open. 

My new "office" area is kind of my obsession right now. This desk used to be where the nursery is going and never got used. We slid it into the end of the laundry room and it is fantastic. on a day like today, with the windows open, it feels like the best work space in the world. Still need some organizational items to spruce it up, but not worried about it. Notice my "co-worker" below. 

Upstairs there are a lot of blank hallways. I finally started a gallery wall I hope to continue to fill in with new finds as time goes on. It is nice to get a few things up so I can be motivated to find some new treasures to add. 

I wrote before that I had finally made a purchase for the hallway off the kitchen to the master and when I was away they went up. I LOVE them. 

I had been obsessing over how to decorate our living room that you walk into right from the front entrance. It is a great space that will be cozy and fun for entertaining. And during the process of trying to figure it out, I gave up. Really we do not need another living space right now, especially since the basement is done. So instead I turned it into another play space. Throw in some random seating, toys, and a cute tee pee and it gives the little man a place to grab his attention for a little while. Once we know what we really want the space to be, we will finish it. 

I usually want everything "finished" but for now this goes with our lifestyle more. 

And in case you do not follow me on Instagram. Check out my Bensimons that I rocked yesterday from  the previous post. Love them. 

Painters should be coming next month to update the master, great room and the nursery. Picking colors now and excited for that to get done. 

xo

Erin 

Coming Home

I have a few quiet moments from the craziness of the last couple weeks to share a peek at what has kept me so busy. I have come full circle and have made the move back to my hometown with my family. It all happened pretty fast and I have hardly even had a chance to enjoy it and breath, until today. I have stopped unpacking boxes, obsessing about the washer that does not work, and the foot printed floors, to just relax and take it in. There is a still a ton to do and I am going to take my time with decorating, but I wanted to share a few glimpses of my favorite things to far. 

Freshly painted shutters

Contrasting Staircase

Vintage looking French fixtures

Dining room set and fixture fit perfectly

Total privacy, so blinds can always be open

Huge storage closet off kitchen for stock, gadgets, linens, cookbooks... 

Wood burning fireplace in the kitchen

Sunny utility room 

Tub with a view

There will be a few big projects to share (refinishing the basement), a ton of decorating, and the rearranging of furniture to fit the new space. I am going to take my time this time around and not make any hurried decisions (super hard to not want to finish everything right away, so type A!) and I promise to share all the steps along the way. 


The girls from NEAT Method are coming today to get after my closet, which needs serious help. Can't wait to share with you what they do with the space. 


xo
Erin