valentine's day Sweet Tiramuisu Cupcake Shots

I love tiramisu and cupcakes, so...stands to reason I would demolish these. And the photography is so lovely!


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Shots courtesy of the talented jamieanne, recipe by Martha.

valentine's day Goat cheese frosting. Yes, really.

Would you believe this cupcake is topped with goat cheese frosting?



Well, it's true! Blogger Found Baking made apple spice cupcakes using a Martha Stewart recipe (get the recipe from her blog) and made goat cheese frosting to top them off!

She writes:

The cake uses apple sauce to bring that apple harvest flavor to life. I used unsweetened, organic apple sauce but you can certainly use a homemade apple sauce if you so please (Martha recommends it actually). For those who are not so keen on goat cheese, you can always opt to increase the amount of cream cheese (50/50 ratio with the goat cheese) in the frosting to make it more mellow.

valentine's day Summer Style

Straw, wicker,blue and white....China Seas Ikat II Fabric

While I am very happy living in Sacramento....it is a great town for family life...every summer I yearn for the beach Tim and I left behind when we moved here. Straw hats, straw bags, and watery blues all conjure up the feel of summer for me. This little spot on the landing between our main floor and my office in the basement is one I pass every day on my way to "work". It is a little "ode to summer" altar of sorts, and houses my collection of wicker bottles and a watercolor by my Mom of the Pavilion on Balboa Bay where I spent every summer growing up.

When I saw the cover of the latest Martha Stewart Living magazine which came yesterday, I dug right in. The cover hinted at the fresh beach house style inside....something I am craving right now in our 100 plus heat this week. I found some easy and fun ideas in here that would add a one-of-a-kind note to your own summer style.

Paint dipped Baskets

Martha Stewart Living, August 2010 , Photo by Dana Gallagher

These paint dipped baskets become functional art with their graphic white (or red!) stripes. I dream of carrying towels and a good book to the beach in a tote like this ....a trip to San Diego later this summer is in the planning stages!

Blue Dipped Pillows. Martha Stewart Living August 2010, Photo by Dana Gallagher

I loved these blue dipped pillows, especially the one done with blue ticking. Hmm...perfect for my Family Room. There is so much more in this article, as well as the whole issue, so you might want to pick up a copy....or at least thumb through while waiting in line at the market with your watermelon and ice cream....lots of fresh and cool ideas.

My youngest had some friends over yesterday to try out some Rit dye techniques.....after watching them I am ready to get going with my own pillow project!

Are you changing anything in your house this summer?

valentine's day AND THE WINNER IS!.......

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Phew! Thanksgiving was a whirlwind of family, friends, delicious meals and hunting for Christmas trees in the the Sierras.

But now, I am anxious to announce the winner of these beautiful Crane Stationers from the Martha Stewart holiday Collection! Thank you to all of you who entered. I enjoyed reading all of your holiday comments. It went a long way in putting me in the holiday spirit.

I wish I could send a box to you all! After a very scientific statistical analysis ( ehem....pulling a name out of the proverbial hat) the winner is...........

KATHY@ CREATIVE HOME EXPRESSIONS

Thank you all again for playing along.

I wish you all the Happiest of Holidays!

valentine's day HOLIDAY GIVE AWAY!

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Four of the six pre-designed Martha Stewart Holiday Cards

I thought it quite fitting that I start out my Holiday Season doing something that I find the most heartwarming this time of year: the giving of gifts.

There is something about finding the perfect thing for each person on my list and wrapping it just so that puts my heart in the spirit of the season. This will be my third Yuletide of writing katiedid, and I thought it was high time that I show you all my appreciation for your visits and comments over the last few years. I enjoy putting out katiedid so much and you all make it all so worth it!

Crane Stationary in partnership with Martha Stewart, has been very kind in working with me to bring you a very special gift. What could be better than Crane, an American company that has helped us with our holiday cards, bridal stationary and invitations since 1801, joining with the doyen of holiday entertaining to create the new Martha Stewart Stationary Collection for this Holiday Season? This Collection includes a line of beautiful, personalized holiday cards and invitations, and pre-designed boxed cards available now through select Crane stationers and Crane's Website HERE.

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Calligraphy Santa, inside message: "to be jolly"

I am so excited about this give away! Typically, the Boxed Holiday cards come in sets of 10 cards of one design in their beautiful light blue Crane box and are priced at $20. But for this give away, I worked with Crane to put together a special box of twenty cards with envelopes, made up of four different designs (five each). Isn't that kind of great?!

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Peace, inside message: "on Earth"

So, I will be sending out this box of Holiday Cheer to a randomly selected reader and this is all you have to do:

Leave a comment of your own thoughts on Holiday Cheer, be they family gatherings, decorating, food, travel, or any special thing that puts you in the spirit. I will pick a winner at random and announce the winner the day after Thanksgiving, November 27th, 2009!

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Calligraphy Tree, inside message: 'Celebrate the Holidays with a flourish"

So please don't forget to check back!!!! I will be needing an email from the winner so I will know where to send your gift!

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Under the Sea, inside message: "Wintertide. Christmastide. Yuletide. Hope they're All Merry!"

And thank you so much for coming to visit me at katiedid. I look forward to your comments everyday, and appreciate you all so very much.

I wish you all a Happy Holiday Season and a Prosperous New Year!!

valentine's day Free Stuff: Martha Stewart through Apartment Therapy

I thought you should know:

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Win Martha Stewart Home Decorating Products Every Friday Via Apartment Therapy’s Holiday Giveaway!

Friday Nov 28 – win a Constellation Rug (approximately 6’ x 9’ size) from Martha Stewart Rugs; select from five available colors.

Friday Dec 5 – win an occasional table from Martha Stewart Furniture with Bernhardt. Choose one of five selected styles!

Friday Dec 12 – win Martha Stewart Floor Designs with FLOR Needlepoint Stripe 30-tile rug in any color (approx. 8’ x 10’)

Friday Dec 19 – Win an exclusive signed print from Martha Stewart Framed Photography. Choose one of three prints!

To enter and visit, go to www.apartmenttherapy.com/holidaygiveaway2008 and click on the picture of the week’s Martha Stewart giveaway!
For even more home decorating ideas from Martha Stewart go to www.marthastewart.com/shop

valentine's day I've gone Sale-ing

In my last post, I mentioned that my Mom was going to have a Garage Sale last weekend, and I was going to help. Well I helped alright. I helped myself right into taking home quite a few choice pieces to add to my collection addiction:

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I brought home three new additions to my ever growing mercury glass collection. These pieces all have been painted with floral images which indicates they are truly vintage and not a recent reproduction.

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I loved this Mercury Glass bowl, even though it may be newer. It is such a great shape. valentine's day

I also collect vintage shell boxes. These two were so charming I couldn't resist.

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These little flamingos and the cactus trees somehow found there way back home with me. I just couldn't leave them for strangers to take home...even if they were nice strangers.

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This had to come home with me. I do not have any idea who the man in the water is, but I make up stories in my head about him every time I see him. I think this frame was made in Mexico. I have yet to open the back up to see if there is any identification for this mystery man. I almost don't want to know. The picture looks like it could be from the 30's, and the frame is just cracks me up. Had to have it.

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An old kilim pillow found a new home in my leather wing back.

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This is an example of a Tramp Art box. I love the sculptural quality it has. It was made probably in the 30's, but has such a contemporary feel to it.

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This is how the lid opens. Clever!

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And there were books. Lots of books. My summer reading list is full! I particularly love this Pottery reference book. Very hard to find and beautiful!

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At first, I thought the last thing I needed was another dated cookbook. But then who could pass up Martha in this dress? Ah, the good ole days when women across the country dressed like the Texas polygamists. Love ya Martha! But there really are some great recipes in here too.

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These are a few of the things that got away: Adirondack twig tables

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And large scale antique bird cages.

I may still have to go back and snag this cage. It has not yet sold. Just not sure where to put it. Hmmmm.

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What was the thing you found at a Garage Sale that you never regretted hauling home?