Sunday, July 25, 2010

Would You Wood?

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Some things will never go out of style. The humble butcher block counter top is one of those things. It can be versatile, environmentally friendly, inexpensive and very long lasting. Wood can also make for a great addition to an everyday traditional room, a modern contemporary look or a rustic country style. With all that how can you go wrong? Let’s have a look-see into the wondrous world of wood. (Try saying that five times fast!)

 

Here are three shining examples of wood at work in homey everyday traditional kitchens:

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Whether you’re a professional chef or just need somewhere to make your kids pb&j sandwiches for school, having a wood counter brings a natural and functional warmth to kitchens that other materials can’t compete with. This particular blue kitchen has a beachy vibe to it yet the wood adds a down-home charming tone to it making it feel more like an everyday traditional kitchen.

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Here’s a look at three traditional contemporary kitchens working the wood:

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Since some types of wood such as bamboo are sustainable, these counters are also a great green choice depending on the type you pick.  Untreated wood is the best renewable resource and requires much less industrial processing than other countertop materials. You can refer to The Forest Stewardship Council for the best choices when picking an eco-friendly wood. (PS. All three of these traditional contemporary kitchens are making me swoon like a lovesick teenager. You think they’d go steady with me?)

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Three examples of wood in rustic country kitchens:

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It’s said that wood counters will likely outlast the home owner who installs it due to it’s hard working surface. It will eventually wear with time but giving a hearty sanding and oiling makes it good as new again. Can’t do that with granite or marble!

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Three examples of more uses for wood counters:

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With wood counters you aren’t limited to just the kitchen. It can be just as hardworking in bathrooms and laundry rooms too. Having a lovely earthy elegance, the wood pairs beautifully with just about any material including metal, glass and lacquered cabinetry like you see here thus, making it a fail proof pick.

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I read somewhere: “If granite countertops are the little black dress of countertop couture, butcher block countertops are the perfect pair of jeans,” and I thought that really said it best. So what are your thoughts on the matter? What’s your favourite countertop material? And the big question, would you wood? I would wood.

-Snapshot Of The Week-

"Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical."
-The Curvy Ms Sophia Loren

Friday, July 23, 2010

Giveaway Winner!

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I had a lot of fun with this giveaway and I’m sorry to see it end but I’m also really excited to announce a winner! The lucky winner is getting their choice of a custom family tree personalized with their choice of colours and fonts from the lovely Liz Sage store on Etsy. With your tree comes an unlimited amount of edits until you feel your tree is absolutely perfect for your home. The lucky winner is:

*Drumroll*

Mama K!: “I am a follower and I really like the family tree the best!! But, I also really like the gift buckets!! So cute :)”

Hopefully this Mama gets good use out of her prize and creates a cherished memento. Congrats to Mama K and thanks to everyone who entered this contest. There are more giveaways already lined up so stay tuned and you will not be disappointed!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Living With The Stars

Well, not really but probably as close as any of us will get in this lifetime. The following homes are currently up for real estate grabs and once housed people we’ve all seen on the tele. I thought it would be a fun to peak inside the houses and get an idea of how these celebs live/lived.

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First up is Hollywood royalty and the definition of va-va-voom Ms Marilyn Monroe. A few months back there was reports your final resting place could be above the buxom blonde since the urn space went up for sale. If that wasn’t enough, the ultimate fan can now live in the house where she lived and died in too. (I wonder if Megan Fox is at all tempted?) Ms Monroe sadly passed away naked in her bed after an alleged overdose of sleeping pills in this very house back in 1962. Personally, the idea freaks me out to live in a house where anyone died, even Marilyn. Better to think about the good days.

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This Brentwood, Los Angeles Spanish-colonial home has an asking price of $3.6 million which is a big leap from the $90,000 Marilyn paid back in 1962. She was only here for six months before she passed on.

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Love the shingles on the roof, so California.

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As you will see in a photo a ways below, the tile surrounding the fire place is original from when Ms Monroe lived in the home however the wall has been blown out for a larger living space.

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Can’t you picture Marilyn pouring herself a tall glass of lemonade to go sit out by the pool in this kitchen? Love the rustic beam and glass cabinets.

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With four bedrooms, three bathrooms and an outdoor swimming pool, this Spanish revival has over 23,000sq ft of land and is referred to as “crown jewel” of the neighbourhood.

Below are some shots of the home from when she was residing in it.

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This first picture is the entrance to the home. That bench was actually up for auction awhile back. Love the record player on the ground, very retro.

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And here’s the original living room shot where you can see the tile around the fireplace and the wall that once stood in the room. The stool in front of the fireplace you see was also up for auction at one time.

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Allan Grant took one of the last photographs of Marilyn Monroe,
in her Brentwood home in 1962. Beautiful.

Dr. Phil’s home is also up for sale after a lot of whispers about his marriage to Robin being on the rocks.

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The listing price for the Mediterranean style home is $16.5 million. Huge price tag yes but at least the house is large enough to somewhat merit the moola. With 11,000 sq ft. the home holds eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms. The master bedroom has two bathrooms, a sitting area, a dressing room and a private balcony. Hard to believe there’s any fighting in an oasis like that. The house reportedly also has staff quarters (a must for the crazy rich I guess), his and her offices, a pool room, a theatre room, a guest house, a swimming pool and a home gym. God forbid Philly get chunky when he does so much lecturing about it on his show. “You’re fat cuz you wanna be fat!” Ahh classic Philster.

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I remember watching an episode of Dr. Phil a few years back and the interior of the home was featured courtesy of Robin. She said that she is constantly renovating the home. As soon as she finishes a room she would start back up again. I mentioned this to my mom about it and she “wisely” declared that it was a sign that all was not right in their marriage because she couldn’t just enjoy their home and settle in. Now let me just say, my mother (like many mothers) is a bit of a know-it-all Nancy but I guess she called that one if the rumors are in fact true. Who needs Dr. Phil when you got mama?!

Now for a home that was owned by two…err I guess three celebs. Singers Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey and then later Malcolm in the Middle’s Justin Berfield.

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Built in 2001, this Calabasas, California home was first made famous by Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson during the filming of their MTV hit Newlyweds. I’ll admit I did watch the show and took pleasure in the antics of Jessica acting like a twit and Nick getting annoyed by her. Cut me some slack though, I was only around 14ish-but even then I knew it wasn’t going to last for those two. I doubt it helped them to have cameras in their face for first two years of the marriage.

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After the pair split in 2005, Nick stayed in the house and Jessica moved in with her parents. The house was eventually sold to Malcolm in the Middle star Justin Berfield in 2006 for $3,400,000.

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Actor Justin Berfield has now placed the five-bedroom, 6,483-square-foot house on the market for $3,995,000. Loving the foyer!

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The home includes a five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, an infinity pool, a music studio, open floor plan, a wine cellar, a gym, a chef’s kitchen, walk-in closets, a vaulted entryway with a wrought iron staircase and a fountain. The house itself is a gated property on a 0.51-acre which is 22,141-square-feet and sits within a larger gated community. That’s a lot of gates.

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If you’ve seen the Newlyweds you know Jessica cannot cook. However, I do remember a hired chef coming in to cook and killing lobsters by snapping their necks which horrified me since I’ve always been a huge animal lover…even the creepy animals.

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You never got to see the master bedroom in the show. You did see a lot of Nick trying to talk Jessica into going up to it for some no-no time. Pretty large space, I would love to get a crack at decorating it.

The last house isn’t really classified under your typical “celeb” home but it is famous or should I say, INFAMOUS MUA HA HA HA!… I’ll stop that now. If I thought living in the home Marilyn died in was creepy then this one is utterly bone chilling. Of course I’m referring to the Amityville house, which is best known for the six gruesome 1974 Defeo family murders that were later determined to be committed by the lone survivor of the house, oldest son Ronnie Defeo Jr.

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It’s tough to imagine such horror taking place in such a sweet looking home. The story was written into a book by Jay Anson and later retold in documentaries and movies, most recently in the Ryan Reynolds version where he portrays George Lutz who lived in the home with his family a year after the Defeo murders. The Lutz family claimed to experienced some paranormal phenomena themselves and fled the home less than a month after moving in leaving everything behind but the credibility of their claims has been subject to some question. The home has since never had an reports of “spookyness” so who knows what the real deal is. Regardless, there’s no denying this house has a very unsavoury past. One that I personally, could not disregard even if I could afford the home.

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The asking price of the home is $1.5 million. Back when the Lutz family purchased it they paid $80,000 which was considered a huge bargain for the times. I guess it’s hard to unload a house with so much baggage.

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The charming 3-story waterfront colonial houses five bedrooms, 3 and a half bathrooms, a boathouse and has over 0.25 of an acre according to it’s listing.

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Wouldn’t you question every creak and bump in the night? Maybe I’m just a big wiener but all I see is horrific terror; I can’t get past it. Kudos to the brave people that can though.

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See the actual listing here

Let me explain this next picture because it had and still has me shaking in my fuzzy socks:

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I first saw it on TV when a documentary or something to that effect was discussing the murders. This could all be a complete lie and obviously there is a large chance it is but even going on the small chance that it’s not, I was thoroughly freaked the heck out. Based on the reports of paranormal activity, the documenters set up cameras in different rooms of the home that took a picture every few seconds. Everyone then left for the night and came back the next day. When they looked at the camera footage they found this picture of a what looks to be a curious young boy poking his head out of a bedroom in the hallway. The house was supposedly completely empty all night so this boy is assumed to be a ghost. They also showed a picture of one of the Defeo children next to the photo as a reference to which child they think it could have been and the resemblance was undeniable. I believe the room he is in was also his and his brother’s bedroom when they lived in the home if I’m not mistaken. I’m a horror movie addict and so so rarely do I get scared but ghosts or anything paranormal will have me quivering under my Ikea duvet faster than you can say “Boo!” True or not, this picture is terrifying and I was debating on whether or not to post it just based on the fact that I hate seeing it.

Because of that and because I just plain love to see this, I am now going to show you the biggest reason why (even if you hate horror movies!) you should definitely see the Ryan Reynolds version of the Amityville Horror:

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Reynolds plays a mentally deteriorating psycho in the film yet somehow you find yourself forgiving him for those indiscretions and picturing much happier scenarios involving yourself, him and a batch of chocolate pudding. Pardon me for that…. I went to a dark place. I just love a beefcake with a beard. If you’ve seen my fella you know I think there’s nothing sexier than a big burly guy with facial scruff. Sweaty six packs don’t hurt either.

So what do you think? Could you live in a house where someone died like Marilyn or the Defeo’s home? Or will you stick to homes of simpler things such as broken marriages like Jessica and Nick’s or (allegedly) Dr. Phil and Robin’s? Weigh in and tell me your thoughts!

On another note, it's not too late to enter my blog giveaway. It's a great giveaway but you can't win if you don't enter!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

-Snapshot Of The Week-

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"I love fashion. I think it's so important, because it's how you show yourself to the world."

–Ms Emma Watson

Friday, July 16, 2010

It’s Giveaway Day!

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It’s giveaway time here again at Reckless Bliss and I couldn’t be more thrilled to announce this awesome giveaway. Liz Sage Designs is giving away one these beautiful custom and personalized Family Trees to a lucky reader!

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Printed on textured cardstock and customized with your choice of colors and fonts, these family trees make excellent additions to a baby nursery, a family room or as a great gift (with gift certificates available as well).

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Included in this $50 value giveaway, Liz Sage Designs will work with you doing unlimited edits until you LOVE the finished product.

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As an added bonus, Liz Sage Designs was kind enough to include everyone in this giveaway by allowing any readers who make a Family Tree purchase during this contest period a free second print ($5 value) by mentioning “RECKLESS BLISS SENT ME” in your order which is great if you want to have one tree framed and one tree in a photo album or baby book.

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To receive special offers/discounted pricing on Liz Sage items become a fan on Facebook.

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A little bit about the designer: Married mom of 2 little girls ( 5 and 3) - living in the western suburbs of Chicago. She started doing freelance photocards for fun - and has turned her hobby into her job! Most of her business has come from word of mouth or friend referrals....ETSY has really allowed her to share her creativity with the rest of the world. Her favorite creations include the family trees and invitations - because the possibilities are endless.

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Aren’t they fabulous? I am totally smitten over them! I know you guys are too so I’ll hurry up and get to the best part which is

How to enter:

1.) You must first be a follower to enter, then use the entry form below. Go by the same name that you follow Reckless Bliss under and comment with an answer to the question:

“What’s is your favorite item from the Liz Sage Designs store?”

The first entry is mandatory to be eligible for any of the bonus entries below.

Bonus Entries:

2.) Become a fan of Liz Sage Designs on Facebook here

3.) Add Liz Sage Designs to your favorite stores on your Etsy

4.) Add my “Reckless Bliss Button” to your blog (leave a link to your blog)

5.) Blog about this giveaway on your blog (leave a link to your blog)

6.) Make a purchase from Liz Sage Designs. Be sure to include to Liz Sage Designs that you were referred by Reckless Bliss so I can confirm it with the seller.

Anytime you do one of these bonus entries please be sure you come back and do another entry form with your follower name and correct email address (your address will not be visible to anyone else)

The contest will close on Thursday at 6:00pm pacific time and the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will have three days to respond and if they fail to do so a new winner will be chosen.

Good Luck Everyone!

*SORRY CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR ENTRIES AND GOOD LUCK!*

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Mango Pineapple Pizza In The Kitchen

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Last night I met with my bestest at Starbucks for some iced coffee and a chat. It was nice to get out of the house but when I got home around 9:30 I realized I had yet to eat anything that day and I was ravenously hungry! I don’t eat much in a day so it’s not totally unusual for me to go a long time without eating but once I get hungry watch out. On a side note, my fella got home really late from work and I had already left for coffee which doesn’t seem like a big problem but bless his heart, it was. He was at a total loss over what to do for food without my direction. I actually got a text from him mid-coffee drinking asking me what he should eat which I responded to with, “You’re a big boy, you’ll figure it out.” Like most men, he never has to fend for himself when it comes to basic necessities like food and laundry etc. so he was a deer in headlights when he was left to his own devices. He eventually decided the task was simply insurmountable so instead he just sat and waited until I got home like a helpless 6 foot puppy. God forbid I ever have to go away for a weekend and come back to a near death, malnourished man. Lucky for him I was running on empty too. So what’s a starving vegetarian to do for a late night snack keeping in mind my apartment is similar to a roasting 400 degree oven so cooking is out of the question? After some desperate rummaging I settled on this fresh and guilt free pizza. It was super easy and so delicious which are two essential factors for a starving and tired gal. Just mix mango salsa, cheese and pitas and you’ve got yourself a tasty snack. (See the recipe at the end of this post)

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My favourite part of mango salsa is the colours. It tastes amazing but the bright colours make it taste even better. If you put this bright salsa next to a double stuffed oreo I would take the salsa….first anyways. I like to use pitas for this recipe because they are baked and contain minimal sodium (for extra nutrition I go for the whole wheat kind). But you could also do this recipe with some lime tortilla chips as a nacho dish if you’re looking for some crunch.

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Melted cheese is always a crowd pleaser. The next step is to top it with your mango salsa.

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And here’s the finished product. Yummy and guilt free! Or as my fella so lovingly phrased it, "Sweet yet hot and delicious, just like you." Not exactly a Shakespearean sonnet but I'll take it.

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This is paired beautifully with some orange or peach juice to keep those juicy citrus flavours flowing strong. If your looking to stay extra healthy then make sure your juice is 100% juice with no sugars added and you can’t miss.

Mango Pineapple Pizza

  • 1 Mango (I used 2 ataulfo or “honey” mangos which are a smaller stringless mango but 1 normal mango works just as well)
  • 1/2 Pineapple
  • 1/2 Red Onion
  • 1 Jalapeño (two if you like extra kick)
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped Cilantro
  • 1 Lime
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese
  • Whole Wheat Pitas

Dice mango, pineapple, red onion and jalapeño. Mix it together in a bowl with cilantro and squeeze the fresh lime over top. Sprinkle with sea salt and stir really well. Grate cheese and spread over the pita. You can microwave it for around 30 seconds or you can put it in the oven for a few minutes at 350, either will work just fine. A microwave oven would also work wonders. Once your cheese is melted, spoon on a hearty helping of mango salsa. Slice into fours with your pizza cutter and go godzilla on it! Don’t forget to share with any emaciated men that may be wandering aimlessly in your house.