fall , Inspiration , Modern Posh Design , Pumpkins , recipes , Uncategorized
Mmmmm, yummy fall recipes
I don’t know what it is but as soon as September arrives, I’m in total “fall” mode – colors, recipes, football…and I even find myself wanting to break out sweaters, boots, and jackets. Let’s not discuss the fact in some areas of the country the temps are still in the high 90′s, even triple digits. But I don’t care – pumpkins, spices, hayrides, gingerbread, warm apple pie – it’s all I can think about!
So, when I found this delish recipe from A Kitchen Addiction for Pumpkin Bread with Salted Caramel Drizzled Pumpkin Buttercream my heart skipped a beat. I could eat the whole loaf!
Have you ever tasted apple butter? I had the pleasure recently, and I have to say, I’m a fan. So I went looking for a recipe. YUM!!
Crock Pot Apple Butter
Makes a little more than 1 pint
1 dozen apples, peeled, cored, cubed
1/2 Cup Water
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon All Spice
Peel, core, and chop a dozen apples. Toss the apples in the sugar and spices. Put everything in the Crockpot, cook on low overnight. After a few more hours on low, bump it to high and prop the lid. It will cook down and thicken quite a bit. This is optional, but I’m a smooth butter – rather than chunky – kind of girl, so blend the butter down. Finally, pour into clean canning jars.
Who’s ready for fall??
Back to School , Holidays , Inspiration , Labor Day , Party Ideas , summer , Uncategorized
How can it be?
The summer is almost over…Labor Day is THIS weekend and the kids are back in school. Did you blink? Crazy, right!? Soon, we’ll be talking about Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving turkey, and Christmas morning eggnog. But for now, Labor Day…
Old tradition would tell you to pack away your white – your white pants, shorts, skirts, shoes, shirts, accessories. Only “winter white” is suitable for after Labor Day, right? WRONG! Where did that silly “rule” come from, anyway? You may be surprised to find out that it actually has historical roots. Ya learn something new everyday!
Whether or not you choose to pack away the white or keep it out, chances are you’ll be heading towards a Labor Day BBQ of some sort this weekend. What to eat? Perhaps, your plate will look a little something like this.
Perhaps your outfit could resemble this.
I’d venture to guess they’ll be a whole lot of RED, WHITE, and BLUE! Kinda like this…
Regardless of how you celebrate Labor Day and what “labor” means to you, you’ll do well to keep this in mind…
Happy Labor Day!
Inspiration , Modern Posh Design , Paper , Party Ideas , Uncategorized , Video
Have you seen our video?
Do you use “Google” as a verb? You know, as in “I don’t know what that means, I’ll Google it later.” Well, I know for a fact that I do. And recently I caught myself using “You Tube” as a verb. Someone asked if I saw the video of the US Olympic swim teams singing along to Call Me Maybe. My response…”No, but I’ll You Tube it tonight.” See – verbs.
Speaking of You Tube, have you seen our Modern Posh video?
Let us know what you think!
That’s right, people – 4th of July is just a few days away! Are you scrambling around at the last minute trying to put together a fabulous centerpiece or come up with an easy patriotic recipe on this Independence Day? We’re here to help!
Look no further than right here for delicious, beautiful, and FUN foods for the 4th! 8 seriously amazing ideas!
Right out of the pantry, dye red and blue rice and pour the layers of red, white and blue accented with a candle for a festive centerpiece. Note – how fun would this be as a unique vase filler idea for a baby shower perhaps… pink rice or blue rice it’s all just as nice!
The brilliant minds over at Woman’s Day never cease to amaze us…check out this simple and elegant centerpiece idea.
For something a little more involved, you could try something like this masterpiece from Between Naps on the Porch. It’s stunning!
Break out the sparklers and the fireworks!
Happy 4th of July everybody! Wear your Red, White, & Blue with great pride as we celebrate this wonderful country we’re so fortunate to live in. Be safe, be happy, be well.
So we know we can be be pretty girly around here, but we’re putting that on hold – at least for a short while. This Sunday June 17th is Father’s Day and we thought it would be sweet to fawn all over the amazing Dads out there. Some of them really don’t get the recognition and respect they deserve.
Be creative this year in showing Dad how much you love him…there are SO many adorable ideas on Pinterest our heads were spinning!
Having a Father’s Day brunch or party? Make this darling wreath for the front door out of Dad’s ties! Get the tutorial here.
Clever, sweet, and super easy to do – no tutorial needed! Self-explanatory crafting – the kind I can handle. 
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea!
Don’t forget about Grandpa!
Whether you gift Dad with something homemade, store-bought, or handwritten make sure it comes from the heart. Dads are special people and need to see how much we love them.
My Dad is a hero – I’m sure yours is too.
The National Stationery Show is right around the corner – only a few short days away! We’re simply giddy with excitement and can’t wait to get there! Not only do we have fabulous new product to introduce, but we’re also working on updating our websites and are almost ready to launch a whole new catalog. Yes, we’ve been B-U-S-Y!
Here is a sneak peek at some of our fantastic new product – we are in LOVE!
The colors pop so beautifully on these pieces!
Elegant, beautiful, and sophisticated.
Don’t you love the new patterns and color combinations!?
A little inspiration is always a good thing.
Creating the invitation is half the fun of the party, right!?
Be creative – think outside the box – get coordinated.
If you’re going to be at NSS, please be sure to visit us at Booth #2815. We’d love the chance to chat with you!
NYC – here we come!
A Tango, perhaps? The Tangerine Tango, specifically. Not only is it a dance…it’s a color. A very bright and bold color that holds the honor of being named Pantone’s 2012 Color of the Year (Pantone 17-1463). Chosen because of its “sophisticated and dramatic undertones,” Tangerine Tango is a continuation of last year’s winner, Honeysuckle (Pantone 18-2120). The 2011 winner was said to be “inspiration to face life’s everyday troubles with verve and vigor,” with Tangerine Tango building off of that by giving an “energy charge” to move forward. Pretty dramatic language, but these people takes their colors seriously.
And so do we…but in a more fun, lighthearted way!
Celebrities are always on the cusp of the latest trends – Tangerine Tango for everybody!
You’ll find it everywhere in the latest home decor trends, naturally.
Fashion and make-up? Of course!
Lifestyle pieces and gift items…you betcha!
Is the Tangerine Tango a bit too bold, bright, or ELECTRIC for you? Never fear, it can be toned down with just the right touches. You just have to know where to start…
A splash of color can make a big impact! For instance, in this dining room, the strips of orange next to the khaki and white really make the orange pop.
This little girl’s room has white walls and furniture causing the orange and pink to have a high impact on this room. It looks fun and playful.
On the flip, orange and blue are also a great combination. This little boy’s room is almost completely opposite of little girl’s room above, yet is just as awesome. With dark walls, furniture and floors, the orange brightens up the décor.
This sitting area is playing with the idea of color. The blue-grey cabinet, with the orange interior is quite lovely and ties together nicely with the orange chair. I also like the idea of living color, so the light orange flowers are a nice touch
I absolutely love this bathroom. The dark brown with the orange makes a bold statement and is softened by the mosaic tile.
So GO FOR IT! Get your Tangerine Tango on! How will you use it? Where will you showcase this POP of brightness in your home? Share with us!
A good of mine shared with me today that her favorite flower is tulips. They really are beautiful and so perfect for spring.
This time of year you can find towns across the country (and probably the world) celebrating the classic spring flower. In Holland (yes, that’s the real name of the town), Michigan their annual celebration of Dutch heritage and culture is a multi-generational event that has something for everyone. Three amazing parades, traditional Dutch Dance performances, concerts, theatre, Dutch attractions, Dutch food, children’s events, Tulip City Tours and so much more!
In Skagit, Washington the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Fesitval (held each year from April 1-30) is one of the destination events for the Pacific Northwest. Every spring hundreds of thousands of people come to enjoy the celebration of spring as millions of tulips burst into bloom. As with all things governed by Mother Nature, the tulips bloom according to their own schedule sometime during the festival. The tulips allow the town to share their corner of the world and helps to showcase Skagit Valley agriculture.
Teleflora tells us that tulips are originally from Persia and Turkey. Different tulip colors carry distinct meanings - yellow symbolize cheerful thoughts, white is for forgiveness, and purple represents royalty. Red tulips are the most special…meaning “perfect love.” The 11th wedding anniversary flower, it is said that the tulip’s velvety black center represents a lover’s heart, darkened by the heat of passion. Rivals the red rose as most romantic flower, doesn’t it? A tulip bouquet, of any color, represents elegance and grace. Just like YOU – our Modern Posh readers and clients.
Are you a gardener? Perhaps you would like to consider adding some bright colorful tulips to your garden this season. If so, you’ll need some tips. Never fear, Gardener’s Paradise is here! Tulips are classified with perennials but often need to be treated as annuals. Dig up your tulips once the foliage has died and store them in a cool dry area for replanting in the fall. Tulips need well drained soil. To improve drainage add sand and compost to your soil. Tulips enjoy full sun.
- Sandy soil is best to increase and flower in later years.
- Good drainage is essential.
- As a rule of thumb, the depth tulips should be planted is approximately 3x the length of the bulb.
- Tulips make excellent cut flowers and usually last about a week in a vase.
- Don’t forget to add a little sugar in the water to prolong the life of your bouquet.
With all the talk of spring, new season, warmer weather, bright colors, and outdoor play how fun is it to add some tulips to your spring decor, wardrobe, table decorations for a party, or landscape? Very modern. Very posh.
Let’s face it – we all lead stressful, busy, and hectic lives. Work, kids, spouse, laundry, errands, cleaning, the list goes on and on…and on. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a spa of our very own right at home? What a heavenly retreat! Well, I’ve found 9easy ways to create a spa at home – without construction, remodeling, or high-costs. Bliss.
Make it rain - Turn your existing shower into a luxurious spa with a relaxing rain shower-head. Convert your standard fixed shower head into a spa shower — normally in less than 60 minutes and without the need to open the wall cavity. You can customize your shower experience by choosing from a selection of rain-head and hand-shower fixtures.
Turn up the heat - The next time you step out of the bath or shower, wrap yourself in a heated towel. There are several wall-mounted options, which offer easy installation for any bath and is one spalike amenity that the whole family will enjoy. The warming bars quickly, safely and evenly distribute heat to towels, robes or blankets. Wrap yourself in warmth!
Bring nature inside - Nothing is more evocative of the spa aesthetic than natural materials such as teak, bamboo and stone. If you love the look of river-rock flooring but not the cost, there is an inexpensive solution. Bring a stone mat into your home spa. Each stone mat is unique and wonderfully tactile underfoot. Mats are typically available in several natural stone colors: black, ochre, white and multi-colored.
Go Turkish? - A simple upgrade of your bath towels can impart the plush luxuries of a spa experience every time you step out of the tub or shower. Made of 100% cotton, Turkish towels are fluffy, supersoft and fast-drying — the perfect home spa amenity. Many assorted colors are available – you’re sure to find one (or several) matching your personal spa decor.
Create a mood – It’s no secret that the spa experience is all about creating a mood: one that soothes the senses and promotes well-being. One of the easiest ways to create that ambiance is with the soft, flickering glow of candlelight. Cluster candles on the vanity or window ledge or around the tub for a long, stress-relieving soak. Choose varieties that are infused with a relaxing scent, such as lavender, sandalwood and ylang ylang — all known to help in countering stress, anxiety and fatigue, and in fostering calm.
Enlist a caddy – There’s not just for golf! Few things are as relaxing — or spa-indulgent — as a nice, long soak in the tub. Bringing in a nice, wood tub caddy makes the soak that much more enjoyable. One provides a convenient place to set a book, a cup of tea or a glass of wine. And really, who doesn’t enjoy a nice glass of wine while relaxing after a long, hard day?
Listen to your playlist - The spa is all about pleasing the senses, and music plays an important part in that equation. Bringing in your custom playlist will only enhance your relaxation and add to the mood you’ve created.
Invigorate your soak - For just pennies a day, you can enjoy the rituals of a spa simply by adding natural, organic salts to your bath. Aromatic blends are designed to refresh, soothe and relax. There are specialty crystals to ease tired muscles and joints, or to stimulate circulation, enhance energy and eliminate toxins you can opt for a naturally invigorating woodsy scent.
Enjoy a massage – Nothing says “spa” quite like a massage. Create your own whirlpool spa at home with a thermal spa bath mat massager. These indulgent devices convert your standard tub into a relaxing, full-body whirlpool bath. Look for one with a floating remote, which puts the controls at your fingertips so all you have to do is lie back, relax and enjoy.
Don’t you want to start creating your home spa retreat right now? Relax. Enjoy. Indulge.
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