Peanut Buttah Bars

Who doesn't love peanut butter and chocolate? When I go to the store I avoid the junk food aisle like its the plague, everything I use to enjoy when I wasn't vegan has milk product in it. So when I came across a recipe that put my two favorite things together...I had to try it! Are they good for you, probably not, and they good to eat, OH-YEAH!

• 3 cups rice cereal-crushed
• 1 cup natural peanut butter-smooth
• 1 cup powdered sugar (how to make vegan powdered sugar)
• 1/4 cup earth balance-melted

• 1 cup dark chocolate- melted
• 1 tbsp earth balance-melted

Crush the cereal in a food processor-or in a ziplock bag using a rolling pin.
In a large bowl, mix together, cereal, peanut butter, sugar, and butter
Don't be scared to get you fingers dirty, mix it up well.
In a square pan, press the cereal mixture down until its firmly together.

Fill water in a small pot 1/4 full. Place a small bowl on top of the pot and fill it up with the chocolate.
Bring water to a boil, melting the chocolate. Add melted butter.

Pour Chocolate over the rice cereal, place in the refrigerator until the chocolate is hardened.

Lentil Loaf Leftovers

Lentil loaf is great to make for dinner, but the best part about it is when you have leftovers. It makes great sandwiches, almost like a pate. A slice of lentil loaf, lettuce, tomato, vegan mayo and a squeeze of mustard, on fresh bread served with a dill pickle. Feels like I am reading a deli menu.

• 1 cup dried brown lentils-cooked
• 1/2 cup brown rice-cooked
• 2 tbsp-sunflower oil
• 1 onion-small diced
• 1 carrot-minced
• 1 celery stalk-minced
• 2 cloves garlic-minced
• 2 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1/2 cup oats
• 2 tbsp ground flax seed-mixed with 6 tbsp boiling water
• 2 tbsp dijon mustard
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 bread crumbs
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 4 tbsp flour
• sea salt
• freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup ketchup

Cover lentils with water and cook until soft then drain them.
Cook rice according to directions.
On medium high heat in a saute pan, add oil, onion carrot, celery, and garlic, saute for 4-5 minutes, until soft.
Add poultry seasoning.
In a large bowl mix lentils and rice and onion mixture together.
Add the rest of the ingredients, mixing well to form a mushy consistancy.
In a greased loaf pan, pat down the mixture. Spread ketchup all over the top.

Bake in a 375 oven for 45 minutes

New York International Gift Fair

I will be in New York over the next few days for the International Gift Fair. I will be at the SFERRA booth on Sunday and Monday. If you are at the Javits Center stop by and say hello. We will post some of SFERRA's new lines on Twitter and Facebook over the weekend. See you next week.

Profile: Melissa Rufty

Like most talent in life, natural ability plays a leading role. Whether it’s drawing, dancing or designing. You've either got it or you don't. Well, New Orleans based interior designer Melissa Rufty has it, and with plenty to spare! I have been a big fan of Melissa’s colorful and sophisticated design aesthetic for the better part of two years. It was from Courtney Barnes that I first learned of Melissa. I think my heart actually skipped a beat the first time that I laid eyes on her work. Layer, texture, color, refinement and personality were all in attendance.

Thanks to our friends Michael and Quinn, Melissa and I finally had a chance to meet in person last summer. The Southern raised, Tulane educated Melissa is as affable and interesting as the interiors she fashions. Drawing inspiration from the bewitching city that is New Orleans, Melissa imbues the same alluring style in all that she creates.

How would you describe your style?
Ever changing but always rooted. I am easily and often inspired, but somehow all of my rooms end up with beautiful antique wood and an oil painting or two. Someone recently described my design style as - southern elegance with a modern edge. It really resonated with me, so I will hang my hat there for now!

What is your most prized possession?
The fabulous antique chandelier that hangs in my dining room. My parents purchased it fourteen years ago from Gerrie Bremermann's shop in New Orleans. It was a 30th birthday present.

My father suddenly passed away just three weeks before my birthday. My mom, who never lets a birthday go unnoticed, regardless the circumstance, surprised me with a tiny wrapped box. Inside was a miniature crystal chandelier and a note that read, “He would want you to sparkle always.” Bottom line, things are simply just that—things! It is the sentiment that accompanies most things that makes them priceless.

Who has most influenced your direction in life?
Without a doubt my parents. My mother is the epitome of southern style. She is old fashion in her values and ahead of her time in fashion and entertaining. And did I mention that she is always right (I mean ALWAYS). We have a funny expression in our office…”What would Beulah say?” My father was a creative genius. He is legendary for his elaborate parties, practical jokes and surprises. I’d like to think I got her taste and his imagination!

What virtue would you most like to possess?
Patience

Who are your style icons?
Sienna miller. You just never know what she’s going to put together, and yet it always works and seems effortless. And of course Aerin Lauder, she has so much of her famous grandmother’s timeless grace. She looks as wonderful in a ball gown as she does a pair of jeans.

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
I really adore the design work of Amelia Handegan from Charleston. She is a color savant! Her low country, effortless approach to design is unmatched.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
The smell of salty seaside air, my children, belly laughs and my sweet husband pouring me a great glass of wine (while fanning me of course)!

Who do you most admire?
Kay Thompson’s Eloise. She lives at the Plaza, she has a never ending imagination, an unbreakable spirit and an unmonitored charge account—a girl after my own heart!

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Raising three wonderful daughters. However, I’m not done, so I guess the verdict is still out.

Profile by Ronda Carman

Bathroom Design

if you want to enjoy and relax your body after went to office or the other jobs in the other place or in your town. you must go to bath room first to clean your body. so you must decorate your bath room to get more fantasy in there. there are many kind of bath room decoration.. so, why do you think more about it??

Interior Kitchen Set-Interior Kitchen Set

The Interior Kitchen-Set. Kitchen is one room that should have in our house, because in the kitchen of the house to do cooking activities – cooking for the whole family. Along with the development of community kitchens started to change. Previously, in general,in the kitchen divided into the kitchen clean and dirty kitchen and is located separate to the main house is located in a corner or back home the impression that.

interior decoration pictures

The interior decoration pictures that I put on the pictures above may you use to complete your interior design home. Up to you, where are you will use because all of them are beautiful.

We're Jammin'

I bought some local raspberry jam the other week, and decided to use it today. These yummy jam bars are perfect for that lazy Monday afternoon. I was inspired  from the cookbook,
Vegan Brunch-by Isa Chandra Moskowit.
I changed it, but not on purpose. I forgot to add the soured soy milk. Which made the batter really thick and stiff. I hate it when you put it everything together, and then glance over at the counter, S**t, I forgot the milk!
To late it was going in the oven:P
I think they turned out perfect, nice and crumbly, you will defiantly need a plate to eat these.

1 cup flour
1/3 cup cane sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup sunflower oil

1/3 cup cane sugar
1/2 cup sunflower oil
1 1/4 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup soy milk

1/2 cup raspberry jam (or whatever kind you dig)

In a small mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg together
Pour oil over and mix with your fingers until it forms crumbs.

In a medium sized bowl mix sugar and oil together.
Sift the flour, powder and salt over top, mix together.
Adding soy milk at the end.

In a greased square 8" pan, pat batter down.
Spread jam on top all over.
Pat the crumb topping over the jam, pressing down.

Bake for 35 minutes in a 375 oven.  

Soup on Sunday: Tortellini-Parmesan Soup

Do you have an easy weeknight favorite recipe? One that you go to ad nauseam? And then, without reason, it fades away? Such was the case with my tortellini soup. I guess it was forgotten in the move. Too many new foods and recipes to explore I suppose.

Thanks to a Facebook message from an old friend, I was recently reminded of this wonderfully simple soup. I have altered the ingredients from my original version, as Mr. Man does not like tomatoes. Perhaps our son will outgrow this phase or “forget” his dislike in the near future, just as I had forgotten this recipe.

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 large garlic cloves, minced
10 - 12 cups vegetable stock
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
5-6 fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 cup coarsely chopped fresh baby spinach
2 packages fresh cheese tortellini

In a large stockpot heat oil on medium-high. Add onion and garlic. Sauté 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add vegetable stock and pepper. Bring to a soft boil. Stir in Parmesan cheese, basil, spinach and tortellini. Cook 6-8 minutes on a low boil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to individual serving bowls. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Serves 4 - 6

modern shower stalls pictures

shower stalls interior sample


bathroom shower stalls interior


acrylic shower stalls


glass shower stalls interior


small shower stalls

shower doors design pictures

modern shower door design


minimalist shower door


shower door picture


glasses shower door paint


classic shower door design

the latest home interiors

the latest bedroom interior

latest contemporary home interior

modern and lates home interior

simple latest interior design

latest kitchen remodel

SFERRA Announces Haiti Relief Effort

A Letter from SFERRA President Paul J. Hooker:

We extend our deepest sympathies and greatest hope for the people of Haiti. The devastation in Haiti is beyond belief. Now is the time for everyone to join together in responding to this tragedy with great generosity.

We urge you to give what you can afford. As a company, SFERRA pledges to donate 10% of all orders received between today and January 30, 2010 to Partners in Health, an organization that I have researched fully. They have been doing work in Haiti for over 20 years, and I feel that they are best equipped to put our funds directly to work. Please help us to help others.

You can also donate directly to Partners In Health on our website. You will find their logo and link on the upper right hand corner of our site.

We thank you in advance for your support in the Haiti relief efforts.

Paul J. Hooker
President
SFERRA

White Bedroom Design

White Bedroom Design

Dahl that's not Dull

This and a bowl of brown rice is one of my favorite things to eat. Sometimes I even mix them together.

My buddy emailed me the other day looking for a good soup recipe, and this is it! It has a lot of flavor, and don't be shy on the sea salt! Add a little at a time, a chef once told me, you can always add more but you can't take it out.

• 1 1/2 cups red lentils

• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 onion- finely chopped
• 5 cloves garlic-minced
• 1 large piece of ginger- peeled and minced

•  1 tbsp cumin seeds- toasted and ground
• 2 tbsp coriander seeds- toasted and ground
• 2 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp turmeric

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• sea salt
• freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup coconut milk

In a large pot rinse and drain the lentils several times, until the water runs clear.
Cover with water and bring to a boil, cook until lentils fall apart. You will have to skim off the foam several times, I find using a ladle works the best.

Heat a saute pan and add oil.

Add onion, garlic and ginger, saute on low heat for at least 10 minutes.

On medium/high heat, in a small frying pan add the cumin seeds and coriander seeds, toast until they change to a darker colour or you can smell them. Grind in a coffee grinder if you have one, I don't so I use a mortar and pestle. Add to the onion along with the rest of the spices, cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add the onion and spice mixture to the skimmed off pot of lentils.

Season with vinegar,syrup,salt and pepper. Finish with coconut milk.

Bradley Thiergartner Interiors

Thanks to Amanda Nisbet, my husband and I were introduced to the delightful and talented Benjamin Bradley last April. At the time I was unfamiliar with Benjamin’s work or that of his business partner David Thiergartner. After getting to know Benjamin, his work and design philosophy, I knew that I had to meet David. After a recent dinner with David and Benjamin in New York, David proved equally charming, possessing talent in spades.

David and Benjamin first met in the early 1990's at ABC Carpet & Home. Realizing they shared many of the same goals and design principals, the two founded their New York City firm, Bradley Thiergartner Interiors.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, David was educated at San Diego State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Benjamin attended Purdue University in Indiana and graduated with honors from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

Drawing on their distinctive and complementary skills, the duo creates well-edited interiors that are both tailored and traditional. "One of Ben’s many tremendous talents is to sketch or draw the most important details of a room," says David. “And, David's capacity to see the big picture and to imagine the possibilities, has always inspired me," Benjamin adds. If the hallmark of a great partnership is achieving together what cannot be achieved separately, David and Benjamin are a textbook definition. Of course, these images of their work speaks volumes.






Profile by Ronda Carman
You can view Benjamin’s home on New York Social Diary