Entertaining « Covet Living

1. Hot Pink Tiger Print fabric? Uh, yes please.

I want to recover the dining chairs in my [very neutral and traditional] dining room in this… then hang a bad a$$, pizzazz-y chandelier over the dining table. Or grab a snip of yardage and make a sweet little boudoir pillow. Ping!

2. This Adele Jam. DANG girl.

Dunno where I’ve been, but I just downloaded the whole album and it’s fanfreakingtastic. It also makes me want to sing at the top of my tone-deaf lungs while I sit and tap my patent leather foot.

3. Jayson Home Collection (SWOON).

You can’t see me, but I just got up and did a little tap dance when I saw Jayson’s new Lookbook. We at Covet Living don’t condone piggyback blogging (D*S also featured it yesterday), but this brand spanking new collection is too rad not to shout from the rooftops. Kudos to my man Devin (!!!) and his partner in crime, Caroline, for putting together some gorgeous new eye candy for us that feels as fresh as it is timeless. I am already aspiring to own that tufted sofa someday.

4. Scenes from the Springtime we’re not having. I’ll be staring at them until Chicago decides to get serious and get on board with Spring.

5. This Dreamy, Girlie Shower Curtain in an even dreamier all-white bathroom.

6. Infused Summer Cocktails.

Infuse a pint of Vodka with a Jalapeno for Bloody Marys, one with a Cucumber for Martinis, and one with Strawberries for Lemonade. Make sure the lid is screwed on tight, give it a good shake, and then set aside in a cool, dry place to marinate. The longer you let ’em stew, the better they are. Your guests will thank you.

7. This Cute little French-striped top.

8. Genius-Lady Madeline Weinrib’s Luscious Kelly Green Luce Ikat Fabric.

9. THIS KITCHEN by Jeff Andrews. SJP has a similar chandelier in her dining room in aqua, but I love that they doubled-down over the island.

10. Urbanest Rugs.

The store is closing soon (sniff sniff) and they’re moving to an online format. But in the meantime, hustle down to North Clark Street, because everything is 20-40% off. The Naya (bottom right) is gorgeous in person – I almost used it last year for the Showhouse.

11. Funky, Oversized Artwork. Like this:

12. Stripped down, weathered wood. I saw this and started twitching. If I don’t get my hands on some sandpaper and refinish something soon, I might combust.

13. These Uber-Unique, Candy-Colored Lamps. Slurp.

xoxo!

*Photo Credits: (1) Vanderhurd via House Beautiful (2) You Tube (3) design*sponge (4) Pinterest (5) Dress Design Decor (6) Unknown (7) Revolve Clothing (8) Madeline Weinrib (9) Lonny/Trad Home (10) Urbanest (11) Sara Gilbane Interiors via Lonny/Trad Home (12) Lonny/Trad Home (13) Left to Right: 60’s Lacquered Aqua Lamps (Gold & Adler Spread – Lonny/Trad Home), High Gloss, Christopher Spitzmiller – available through Mecox Gardens.

…other than a train wreck, a waste of brain cells, and borderline painful to watch?

It’s an excuse to mini-rage on a Monday! Much like Book Club, it’s a reason to have your friends over, pop open some vino, nosh on some good food, and round-table rip-to-shreds everything that goes down on the Most Dramatic Season E-VER of the show. It almost makes Monday like the caboose of a 3-day weekend every week.

A few weeks ago, I made Karrie’s Turkey Chili for Jess & Mary – two of my whip-smart girlfriends who also happen to be totally hilarious and TOTALLY ruthless. Letting those two loose with an easy target like ABC’s “The Bachelor” is like watching a comedy routine. I was literally doubled-over, howling/laughing – the way you do when no noise comes out of your mouth, but tears come out of your eyes. My landlord actually called upstairs to ask “what in the @#$%” was going on. I’m pretty sure that was the painfully cheesy episode where Ashley What’s-Her-Last-Name and Brad went to the carnival. And then we all ralphed in perfect unison.

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I give up though – that show is sheer garbage entertainment, and I’m totally hooked. Between Voldemort Michelle’s shenanigans (have you noticed they play circus freak music when she talks?? priceless), Ashley H’s self-induced meltdowns, Brad’s shrink coming on and spewing crap like, “Brad, this is therapy for you, make out with as MANY girls as possible,” and girls jumping into Brad’s arms, à la “1-2-3-WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!” – it’s JUST too good.

So why don’t you shoot out an email invite to some friends, cue the DVR, bop over to the groc after work, and whip up some comfort food for your homies? Here are a few ideas…

If YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUU:

1. Called in sick to work today and have a few extra hours this afternoon, try this Boeuf Bourguignon Soup recipe from Martha Stewart. It’s a twist on Julia Child’s classic, but easier. Note: I double my mushrooms and carrots. Also, the horseradish chive bread ‘serve with’ suggestion was not my jam, so I’d kick it old school with a hot, fresh, crusty baguette.

2. Won’t have time to whip anything up after work, hit the easy button and do takeout. You could grab a couple of Kashi pizzas (or fresh ones from Whole Foods), a little fresh basil, a few bottles of red, and you’re golden. [If you wanna put in a smidge more effort, make a small green salad too.]

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