Create Your Weekend Happy Place

Happy Friday! It's been a busy week around here and I bet you are ready for a weekend too, right? How will you carve out a little time for yourself to unwind this weekend? Where is YOUR 'Happy Place'?

Creating the perfect outdoor get-away can be quite simple. If you want a bit of color then determine what color inspires you most. Then a couple of chairs found, perhaps even online, or a loveseat...mixed with the paint color of your choice makes for the perfect start of the plan.  Add in some colorful cushions to make sure you have a 'comfy' spot to sit, a rug, table, and lots of greenery to 'soften' the area and create a privacy wall, if you will. You can always add in sheer fabric like shown here to create a bit more coziness!  Then, in no time, you'll be sitting out here enjoying YOUR weekend and getting some refreshing time!

So, what ideas and plans do you have for the weekend? Does it include time to just "be"?  I certainly hope so!

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Weekend!

Ta-Ta!

Photo Image:  Traditional Home

*I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!

Outdoor Living

How do you live your summers?  Do you enjoy spending most of your time outdoors?  Have you considered an outdoor kitchen?

Kitchens like this are very popular in the good 'ole coastal states (especially in Florida)...and I simply love them!  It's a great place to come home to after a long day, throw some food on the grill, sit around and relax with family or friends...

or perhaps even take a dip in the pool - which is another 'fave' of mine when it comes to outdoor living!

So how do YOU enjoy outdoor living at home?  Do you have areas for outdoor luxury that you've created?  Do you make them a part of your everyday living?  I think we should!  

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

All images are the sole property of Alpha & Omega Interiors. 

Summer Fun is Calling Already

I found this in my Inbox this morning...and I'm already convinced this is a 'must have' for summer this year!

Yes, please...this cute Mason Jar Drinkware Set!  Don't you just love the burlap wrap and these colors?  It definitely would help usher in summer, right?

What sort of things are YOU finding this year for summer?  I know you, like me, just HAVE to be ready for summer! If you'd like to add these to YOUR list of ideas you can find them right here.

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Image Credits:  Sams Club

*I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!

Inbox...Aaah Moment in my Day!

I don't usually pop in twice in a day....so surprise!  I just wanted to share with you a little Aah moment I got in my Inbox just a bit ago.

Pink and White Shortbread Cookies to go.  What a nice little treat!

  And now for the recipe...

Pink and White Shortbread Cookies

. 2 cups all-purpose flour
. 1/4 teaspoon salt
. 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
. 1/2 cup powdered sugar
. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
. 6 ounces white chocolate baking squares, chopped
. Red food coloring

In small bowl combine flour and salt; set aside. In large mixing bowl, beat butter with electric mixer on medium to high speed 1 minute. Add sugar. Beat until combined. Beat in vanilla extract. Beat in as much flour mixture as you can with mixer. Stir in any remaining flour mixture. Cover and chill dough one hour or until easy to handle.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. On lightly floured surface roll out dough half at a time to 1/4 inch thickness. Using 2-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter, cut into rounds. Place on prepared baking sheets and refrigerate 15 minutes (this will ensure cookies maintain shape through baking). Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until cookie edges are very lightly browned. Cool on wire rack.

Place white chocolate in top of double boiler. Place over boiling water (upper pan should not touch water.). Cook and stir until chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Add red food coloring, a few drops at a time, until mixture is desired color. Dip cookies halfway into melted chocolate; place on parchment lined baking sheets. Place baking sheets in refrigerator 10 minutes, or until chocolate has hardened. Makes about 40 (2-inch) cookies.

I certainly hope you enjoyed sharing in my "Inbox...Aah Moment"! It was an email I received today from Traditional Home about entertaining with a Southern Brunch...and some of these photos I just couldn't resist showing to you.  (Oh, and by the way, I absolutely LOVE shortbread cookies...and PINK ones, well they're the best!)

Have a "Simply Irresistible" rest of the Day!

Photo Credits:  Traditional Home

Photographs by Colleen Duffley