Eating In

Instead of hassling with dinner reservations, crowded upscale restaurants, and limited set {over-priced}menus we decided to celebrate Valentine's @ the Cornelius household this year.

No pressure, just a low key romantic dinner at home.

Which gives me an excuse to set the table!

Which then in turn forced me...against my will...I had no choice to go to World Market.

I've got the basics, but wanted a few accent dinner ware and design elements.

So I picked up some great napkins, light purple vintage inspired glasses, and taper candles.

And now for the dinner...this was delish, if I do say so myself!

Appetizer: Cherry Tomatoes with Basil Oil, Herbed Goat Cheese, and Toast

Main: Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs

Sides: Garlic Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes + Chives

Pan Sauteed Broccoli with Lemon

Dessert: Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

I created this recipe after I had something similar @ a local restuarant.

You're going to want to keep this one:

Cherry Tomatoes with Basil Oil, Herbed Goat Cheese, and Toast

(serves 2)

1 (4oz) Plain Goat Cheese, @ room temp

1 tsp. dried thyme

{mix these two together and refrigerate until serving}

10-12 fresh basil leaves, julienned

1/4 c. good extra virgin olive oil

{mix in bowl and set aside, at least 30 min, until serving}

1 package of cherry tomatoes (red, orange, & yellows); cut in half

1 french baguette, cut on diagonal

Bake bread rounds, drizzled with olive oil, sal t+ pepper @ 350 for 8-10 min.

When ready to serve, put the goat cheese mixture and cut tomatoes on a plate.

Drizzle tomatoes with basil oil. Serve with warm, room temp bread.

Sending you lots of love!

xoxo-LC

My trip to THE GETTY

Over the New Year's holiday, Kacey and I travelled to California for the Rose Bowl.

We stayed in LA for 5 nights and 6 days. It was a dreamy vacation.

Although this day was overcast and rainy, we still tackled the weather and headed out to The Getty Museum.

There are no words.

The site is amazing, full of beautiful gardens and gorgeous views. 

...and not to mention home to some of the most stunning art work the world has ever seen.

Here's a couple of my favorite (and very amateur) pictures from our visit:

 Check out more about the architecture here.

Day dreaming,

xoxo-LC



So little time...

Forgive me. I just checked my calendar and it's been exactly 1 month since my last post...

Goodness does time fly or what?!

So much to post, so little time.

The weather in Fort Worth has been so bi-polar lately.

A couple weeks ago the weekend was in the 70's and the following week we had snow.

My cabin fever made me get a little {ok, a lot} obsessed with all the things I want to do for our house.

And boy do we need a rug in our living room, stat!

On top of that dilemma...I can't decide which one I like best! HELP!

{as a designer, I find it's always hard to pick for myself}

Horchow- Natural Basics Rugs; Outdoor Zebra Rug

Anthropologie- Expanding Colorscape Rug; Kenitra Rug

  

Horchow- Pimpkin Floral Rug; Safavieh Anika Rug

     

Horchow- Ruella Rug; Safavieh Blossom Jades Rug

Oh, and did you know...you can design your own rug here?!

{high five Jonathan Adler!}

Snug as a bug in a rug,

xoxo-LC

Website Highlight: Bungalow 5

Dear Bungalow 5, please reserve one of everything for me.

What I want now:

Chloe Armchair

Spring Green Lacquer

Cordova Lamp

Hand Painted Porcelain

Marco Large Cabinet

Black Textured Lacquer Grasscloth, Nailheads

Olivia Lamp

Hand Painted Porcelain

Petal Mirror Lrage

Sepia, Blue, Clear Beveled Edge

Papillion 8 Swallowtail

Reverse Painted Silvered Glass- hand painted

Scallop

Hand Carved Solid Oak

Britannia Side Table

Zebra Wood Veneer



Scoot over ugly old furniture!

Making some room,

xoxo-LC

Best.Year.Ever.

I'm a little reluctant about you, 2011...in fact, it's time we had a talk.

You're going to have to try pretty hard to top 2010...

mainly for the following reasons:

Kacey and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary!

I started my fabulous new job in August.

Took some fantastic vacations to DC and Cali.

The FROGS had an undefeated season- going on to win the ROSE BOWL!

And all the time I got to spend with my friends and family.

{I'm a lucky girl}

{from google images}

Wishing you all a very Happy 2011!

Appreciating the little things,

xoxo-LC

DIY: Chevron Painting

So I've cured the bald spot above our bed. finally!

And if I do say so myself, I'm thrilled with how my little painting project worked out!

{before}

I marked out equal spacings with marker on (3) 15" x 30" canvas

{after}

Dark red fading to yellow

I used Anitas acrylic colors:

 11044 Coffee/Cafe; 11050 Christmas Red;

11139 Tangerine; and 11301 White

{ta-da!}

{it must be love}

We are celebrating Christmas with Kacey's Dad's side of the family this afternoon!

It's going to be a Mexican fiesta!

{I'll share my tasty Barracho Bean recipe soon}

Feliz Navidad!

xoxo-LC

All Wrapped Up

Like I said before, I love wrapping presents.

I think it's important to {pun intended} have a package deal: great gifts need beautiful wrapping.

No matter how big or small the gift, the extra effort will show...and will definitely be appreciated.

I always go for a theme...based on a ribbon, paper, or color.

{gifts for the families}

{gifts for the hubs}

{my dining room has been taken over}

{details}

The Supplies:

• Assortment of Red Bows: Target
• Confetti Dots Ribbon: Target
• Green Glitter Snowflakes: Target
• Striped and Colored Tree Wrapping Paper: Target
• Colored Flower Grosgrain Ribbon w/ White Background: Hobby Lobby
• Silver/Pink Glitter Polka Dot Wire Ribbon: Hobby Lobby
• White Square Tags: Paper Presentation
• Metallic Green Gel Pen: Michael's

 {Our purple TCU Christmas Tree

A wedding gift: Magnetic Kissing Bride/Groom Fish Ornaments}

cute huh?!

I wish it was Christmas EVERY day,

xoxo-LC



Christmas on Steroids

 Happy Friday!

I just had to share this. These pictures do NOT do this justice.

{if this doesn't put you in the holiday spirit, i don't know what will!}

This "house" is off Camp Bowie Blvd, near River Crest Country Club in FTW.

Every year they go all out...and it never gets old.



 



Counting down the days,

xoxo-LC

Getting Crafty

Morning lovelies.

So I've just about knocked off my Christmas List for family.

{I happen to love giving gifts. I love wrapping them even more...

I'll post pics later of my themed packaging!}

I decided to DIY one gift for a girlfriend of mine and I'm happy with how it turned out.
It's super affordable {I spent approx. $20} and I guarantee it will be appreciated!

Here's the play by play:

Framed Earring Holder

Supplies Needed:

• Picture Frame (the one I used is 11" x 14")
• White Needlepoint backing (they come in sheet rolls, found mine @ Michael's)
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun + glue

1. Measure needlepoint backing to fit within innermost edge on back of frame.

  2. Cut backing to fit within and hot glue on all edges to frame.

{Once the backing is secure, I go back on top and seal all edges with glue just to be sure}

3. Final Product! Hopefully she will like it!

{This is one I made for me @ home!}

Ho! Ho! Ho!

xoxo-LC