Continuing with the theme of creating a bohemian style backyard—following up on Montage: 14 Bohemian Style Patios and Fine Print: Casa Bohemia—I partnered with World Market to curate a backyard with boho vibe Using an outdoor space designed by Consort Design as inspiration, I pulled together pieces from the global bazaar-like retailer to create an easy-to-follow shopping scheme.
Turns out creating a bohemian style patio is pretty easy when there’s a good selection of affordable finds. Today is the last day to take $50 off every $250 spent online or in-store at World Market with online code: HOORAYMAY
Husband and wife design duo Bob and Cortney Novogratz are at it again. There latest effort is the 9 by Novogratz bedding and bath collection at Walmart. The line includes bedding, beds, and bath accessories in their signature bright, geometric pops of color. The pieces are great for kids—the couple have seven of their own—and extra vibrant grownups.
Bob and Cortney Novogratz masterfully layer pattern and color, but of course the throw pillows, shams, duvets, towels, and shower curtains work perfectly as accents . The collection also includes furniture—painted metal beds, upholstered beds and headboards in stripes and solids, tufted storage ottomans, solid color sofas, and chevron armchairs.
I still haven’t figured out what to do about the pink Formica countertop on the vanity in Florida. Buying a piece of stone is out—definitely no budget for that. And really, it’s a basic, white tiled bathroom, so it doesn’t call for a slab of luxurious stone anyway. There’s no way I am paying for an updated lamintate countertop. Blech. So I’ve been looking at tiled vanity countertops.
I think tiling the vanity countertop is the way to go. I’ve come across a number of how-to articles for installing tile over laminate; how-to tile is a rather popular DIY project. We also need to swap out the light fixture above the mirror. The vanity lighting fixture that’s there is now more appropriate for a C-lister’s dressing room. Maybe we can tuck some LED strip lights behind molding and add a more contemporary light fixture. This industrial-style bathroom light bar could also be an interesting look.
Perhaps my husband could get to work on some simple changes over winter break when we’re there. After all, he has all sorts of tools—step ladder, pliers, wrenches, and plenty of stuff I can’t even name. It’s nice that he’s handy : )
It’s hard to find examples of cute bathroom vanity countertops with tiles, I’m guessing because it’s a low budget solution and gorgeous, photographed homes showcase more upscale materials. I did find 13 bathrooms with tiled vanity countertops that are quite nice. I should go for it, right?
I love the ubiquitous carafe of cucumber water found at spas. Then, why, I think, don’t I ever slice up the veggie to make cucumber infused water for myself? Laziness perhaps. But mostly, making flavored water just doesn’t occur to me. (My 13-year old son, on the other hand, loves to concoct bubbly, fruity drinks, garnish and all.)
Every year we plant tomatoes and cucumbers in our little vegetable garden on the Cape. My 12-year old son revels in the tomatoes, and while we all feel just fine about cucumbers, mostly I plant them because I have success—they grow and the crows don’t steal them. We once re-planted a green bean plant started in a Styrofoam cup in kindergarten. It produced one green bean (yay!), and then the crows swooped in and pulled out the whole plant. Nasty old birds!
Anyway, knowing I’d surely have a surplus of cucumbers, I said sure when a publicist asked if he could send me the new Contigo Autoseal Tritan pitcher with infuser stick and chilling core. I thought, at the least, my son could load fruits into it instead of spilling out of a glass. Plus, I like the shape and the green color goes with everything else I own.
I’ve finally gotten around to testing it out, and it’s actually pretty nifty. The infuser stick slides in and out with ease, and the top clicks on with quite a satisfactory seal. You press a button on the top to allow the water to pour out, it doens’t leak, and the handle has a good, no slip feel. Plus it’s BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher safe. I like it! Maybe next time I’ll try watermelon.
Cucumber slices.
Oops, forgot to peel the cucumber.
Filled the pitcher’s infuser stick and poured a glass of cucumber water over ice.
My kids are both products of a Montessori lower school education, which means that technically, they should be expert and chopping, measuring, pouring, and the like. However, as we all know, skills don’t always spill over from school.
If you have kids who are keen to help out in the kitchen, or you simply (smartly) want to teach them to fend for themselves, Raddish is a fun way to get started. Created by the folks behind Kitchen Kid, a mobile culinary school for kids and families in L.A, Raddish brings the concept of edible education right to your kitchen.
Subscribers receive a monthly box 0f recipes and accoutrements to help you and your kids prepare easy and yummy foods for every type of eater. Each package contains three family-friendly recipe guides, skill card, two creative activities, shopping list, table talk card deck, and an iron-on patch for your child’s Raddish apron.
The whole thing is darn cute. Raddish sent me a starter kit, and while my boys are a bit older than the targeted demographic, I certainly enjoyed it, and am passing it along to a friend. It’s definitely a good idea, and while you certainly don’t need the fun accessories, it’s something for your children to look forward to and a nudge for you to motivate you to get cooking with them.
Here are some photos I took of my Raddish goodies.
