Monthly Archives: April 2014
Three Coins Cast – Quality Outdoor Furniture
As the daffodils emerge from their dormant winter, as the acacia blooms and sneezes begin, Spring time provides just the hint of warmth we Californians’ crave. When it’s time to uncover the patio furniture and enjoy the longer days, you might need to spruce up your backyard dining and seating appointments. If you are thinking about investing in a new look for your yard I would suggest checking out Three Coins Cast. A 2nd Generation Family Company in business since 1989 they craft American made Cast Aluminum creations. Available in unique designs and custom colors, their line offers a wide variety of furniture, statuary and garden accents. Designed with classic beauty, durability and function, their pieces are ideal for a backyard facelift or a slash of color. Three Coins Cast utilizes a unique finishing process that withstands the harshest of elements providing longevity to your outdoor appointments giving you years of enjoyment. From Traditional to Modern their pieces are beautifully designed.
Flower Power!
Parrot Flower Power sends wireless messages to your smart phone. Using electronic sensors the device monitors your plants moisture, fertilizer, temperature and sunlight levels and sends the stats to the app you’ve downloaded to your phone. Starting @ $59.95.
http://www.parrot.com/flowerpower/us/
Easter Kollar Style
Awesome Chocolatier in Napa! Kollar is ready for the Easter Holiday with a special offer!
Deceiving these foot tall Kollar eggs are 2.5 pounds of Valrhona Chocolate !
25% off your order with the code: 1FTEGG25
http://kollarchocolates.com/
Great Bathroom Designs
Max Kim-Bee
Who wouldn’t want an entire steam bathroom. From the soaking tub to the shower in two steps!
INTERIOR DESIGN BY VANESSA ALEXANDER
Love these mirrors with the natural light.
INTERIOR DESIGN BY PAUL WISEMAN
Louvered cabinet doors add texture to the room
INTERIORDESIGN BY S. RUSSELL GROVES
Great symmetry!
INTERIOR DESIGN BY SUZANNE LOVELL
Spring Evening Dining
Although still a bit chilly, Spring evenings are generally warm enough for al fresco dining with a sweater. There is nothing more engaging than conversations around the table, meal completed, candles glowing….
Elegant and Easy this Pork Tenderloin will be the hit of the evening.
Pork Tenderloin in Puff Pastry
Ingredients
1 whole egg
1 tablespoon water
½ apple finely diced
1 T butter
1 whole pork tenderloin, approximately 1 pound
4 1/2 ounces thinly slice prosciutto
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon flour
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed completely
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
Directions
Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and heat to 400 degrees F.
Whisk the egg and water in a small bowl and set aside. Saute the apples in the butter just until tender, 3 mins or so. Slice the tenderloin down the middle lengthwise, creating 2 separate pieces. Lay the tenderloin pieces next to each other head to tail, so when laid back together they are the same size at the ends.
Lay out a 12 by 16-inch piece of parchment paper on the counter and arrange the pieces of prosciutto in the center, overlapping them enough to create solid layer that is as long as the tenderloin. Top with a second piece of parchment, and using a rolling pin, roll over the prosciutto to help adhere the pieces to each other. Remove the parchment paper and sprinkle the prosciutto with the salt, pepper, and thyme. Set the tenderloin down the middle of the prosciutto. Spread the diced apples in between the 2 pieces of tenderloin and push back together so the apples are held between them. Using the parchment paper to assist, wrap the proscuitto around the tenderloin to completely enclose in a package.
Sprinkle the counter with flour and roll out the pastry to 12 by 14 inches. Spread the mustard thinly in the center of pastry and lay the prosciutto wrapped tenderloin in the center of the pastry on the mustard. Fold the puff pastry up and over the top of the tenderloin, then roll to completely enclose, brushing the edges of the pastry with the egg wash in order to seal. Turn the tenderloin over so the side of the tenderloin with the double thickness of pastry is underneath. Pinch the ends of the pastry to seal.
Brush the entire pastry with the egg wash. Place the tenderloin on a parchment lined half sheet pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of at least 140 degrees F.
Remove the tenderloin from the oven, transfer to a cooling rack and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Ready to Sell? Here’s your assignment!
Prepping your home for showing can be a painful process. However it’s also a perfect time to pare down and start to pack up personal items. Look at it as the beginning stages of your move and it will be much easier to tackle. Lordes Arbuscato recently published a list she compiled by interviewing top stagers depicting the seven things you should do to give your home the polish it needs for a first impression. I’m paraphrasing for the sake of time.
1. Detach from your personal items and pack them away. Pictures, mementos, personal stuff that just adds clutter. Remember less in a room translates into more space.
2. Don’t walk out of the house until it’s perfectly clean. First and foremost have your home professionally cleaned. Carpets washed, blinds dusted, windows cleaned, etc. Once the heavy stuff is done…maintenance is of paramount importance. On a daily basis leave your home pristine, make sure the kitchen and sink are clean, pick up all clothes and shoes and put them away, bathroom towels should be fresh and neat, beds are made, etc.
3. Scentologists will tell you, not only is the visual important but a homes scent, if it’s bad, can be a deal breaker. Not everyone has time to bake bread or chocolate chip cookies (two of the best smells) but you can air out your home, avoid strong cooking odors, get rid of the cat box. Common sense type of things. If it smells it goes!
4. Remove “sight-line” impairments. This means pull up the area rugs and the bathroom mats that can make a room look choppy. Long lines and less clutter. No toys, knickknacks, dish towels, portable appliances that stop the eye from the bones of the home. Clean and mean!
5. Improve traffic flow. Take out the excess furniture that might inhibit a comfortable flow through a room.
6. Create the perfect climate. Not to hot, not to cool, not to dark. Pleasant ambient noises are soothing to buyers soft and subtle music, birds singing from open outside windows, waterfall running.
7, Leave out what you want them to walk away with. Home flyers and pertinent information should be in the foyer for easy accessibility. Put away what you value, jewelry, medicines, financial papers, portable electronics