Copycat Style: Fall 2013 Michael Kors Inspired Rose Gold

 

Have you ever met a designer that just gets you? Every piece in every collection is just so... perfectly "you"? Well, If I ever had a designer brother from another mother it would be Michael Kors. (I think its because Heidi Klum and I could be twinsies... on another planet, devoid of carbohydrates and 20-20 vision) Season after season, his creations dazzle me! I literally gasp from the perfection... and the price.

 

Michael, if you happen to read this, I do love your designs, I do. It's just, well, my kids have this terrible habit: they like to eat.  So, for now, I must settle with the occasional TJ maxx clearance score and search the world over for fabulous copycats. Today, I search through  *heavens open, angels sing* Target.

 

The images on the edge of the photo are all Target finds, priced under $25.00, so they wont break the bank. If you're an online addict shopper like me, just enter "Rose Gold" in the search text box, under the Women's category and you'll find plenty of amazing choices.

 

Here are my top four, side by side with their Michael Kors inspirations. Starting at the top and working down and to the right:

 

1. Merona Bracelet Watch with Round Case and Stones- Rose Gold.

Target Stores and Online, $19.00

Compare to: Michael Kors Mid-Size Rose Golden Chronograph Glitz Watch, $425.00

 

2. 2mm Czech Crystals Open ended bracelet- Rose Gold.

Target stores and online. $19.99

 

3.Silver Plated Pearl Necklace and Earing set- Rose Gold.

Target stores and online. $24.99

 

4. Women's Xhileration Aviator- Rose Gold.

In store only. $16.99

 

Target, if you happen to read this: FOR ALL STYLISH BUDGET MINDED WOMEN EVERYWHERE, "THANK YOU!"

 

And, just like that, you have an entire Michael Kors inspired rose gold jewelry set for a quarter of the price of the watch alone. Now that's Copycat Style!

 

 

Copycat In the Kitchen: Trader Joe's Mediterranean Hummus Dip

... is harder to find than you think! I am absolutely in LOVE with hummus. Its protein filled, plant based yumminess satisfies the snack craving and my kids "dip factor" alike.  You moms out there know EXACTLY what I am talking about. 
Now, usually, I just meander over to the extension of my pantry (some call it Trader Joe's) and pick up some of their amazing Mediterranean Hummus.  Alas, for some, a trip to trader Joe's is as easily accomplished as a trip up Kilimanjaro.  (I have one especially loved lady, whose son I am head over heels in love with, in mind)

So for all of you Trader deprived folks, here's a recipe I have tweaked and fumbled with and, to my surprise, may actually taste quite similar to the real thing!

Copycat: Trader Joe's  Creamy Mediterranean Style Hummus

Ingredients:
2 cans garbanzo beans (chickpeas) drained (about 3 cups)
1 t chopped garlic (or one clove)
6 T extra virgin olive oil
2 T tahini
1 1/4 t salt
1 lg lemon, zested
2/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 t cumin
1/2 t crushed red pepper
about 1/2 cup hot water

Directions:

Add all of the ingredients in to the food processor, except for the hot water, and run for 3-4 minutes. After the first 30 seconds or so, slowly pour in the water while the processor is still running. Stop blending when the hummus is a smooth, creamy consistency.

Tahini is sesame based and hardens when chilled, so make the consistency slightly less thick than you desire. It should be a tad runny.
This HUmmus dip is good out of the processor but AWESOME after it has set up for a few hours in the fridge to let all the amazing flavors combine.

Serving suggestion: Top with a drizzle of olive oil and crushed red pepper flakes. To make it truly authentic add a topping of pine nuts, dried parsley and dehydrated bell pepper. 

I love this dip with pita chips or veggies! ENJOY!

Must have Monday: Rustic Crate Dynamite Fire Starters

So, to add a  bit of structure to our blog sweet blog and to give you all something to anticipate, I have decided deem Mondays as Must have Mondays.

From here on out, you can expect to find posts on Mondays to feature Must have items that I am lusting after and dreaming about. The items will range from home decor to fashion to well, ANYTHING!

The only criteria is that it must make my Copycat heart sing. You know the type, the things you run across and immediately gasp aloud. 

So without further delay... here the premiere Must have Monday Post: Dynamite Fire starters from Cabelas. (Yes, a sportsman's store... you'd be amazed what you can find there!)

Its not really the starter aspect I love. (Although I am a sucker for functional decor. "Pretty AND usable? Why, YES!"  )  The starters are quite benign, really, but LOOK AT THAT CRATE!!! And the best news yet: It is only $29.99! Just imagine all the goodies that could go in there once you have enjoyed all your great fires! And, I am certain, it will only get better with age!

xoxo,

Trend Watch: Color Blocking and home decor

Color Block n.: to use blocks of color, in complementary colors, as focal points in decor.

You may have noticed big squares of color popping up in home design lately. Usually in very bright colors and, like I, wondered' "What's up with that?"

Admittedly, I am a color-phobe. Take one look around my house and you will clearly see a beige jungle. I make no qualms about it: I love neutrals. Its cost effective and safe. But, for creativity sake, lets take a look at this trend and see if we can't, in some sort of safe fashion, find a few ways to incorporate it onto our own decor.



Let's check out some examples of color blocking on the web shall we?

Isn't it pretty and fun? I love how the blocks of color are in rainbow order... and how they match so perfectly with the Gerber daisys on the table. I especially love how color blocking can be combined with white for a super crisp pop. (Although it can tend to lean on the modern side a bit)

There are also varying commitment levels to color blocking ranging from the very high commitment (read: VERY permanent) like this one:

I wonder how long it took to convince the neighbors that this was a good idea?

The there are very low commitment ways of using color blocking, namely using accessories to add punches of color to a relatively neutral room, such as these images below:

Notice the contrast in the color on the pillows? If you took a look at the color wheel at the top of this page you would see the colors are complimentary or sit across from each other on the color wheel. You could draw a straight line from one color directly across to the other.

 

This DIY color blocked shower curtain from Martha Stewart shows a great low commitment way to add color blocking to a neutral bathroom. I love the coral and fuscia with the hint of teal. Its so modern nautical. Isn't it?

You could just add a few pieces of colored furniture (or better yet, invoke copycat rule #3: Use what you've got) and paint what you have... like this here.

It would be very simple to find a favorite color in the remnant paint section of your favorite hardware store and paint a piece of furniture with a pretty silouette like this chair or sideboard.

And lastly, a color block that makes my little beige loving heart sing:

I think these two toned curtains could make an appearance in my home.

What do you think? Would you copycat color blocking in your home?

xoxoxo,

Pinterest: Anatomy of a Pin

Pinterest can be confusing. So here is a down and dirty tutorial. (I've always wanted to use that phrase. lol)

Anatomy of a pin
1. The image that is pinned (The pin)
2. The name of the board where you can locate the pin. If you are not the owner of the board you can follow it by clicking the button below. (Because it is my board I can edit it instead of following it)
3. The pinner. This is the owner of the pin you are looking at and the person doing the pinning.
4. You can Repin the image, which simply means place the image on one of your own boards.
5. image source. You can click on this link to take you to the source of the image. Hopefully it is somewhere useful and not just into the vast inter webs. (I hate when that happens) Sadly, I have made the worst offense with this pin and just pinned off the google search engine page. Forgive me.
6. The description of the pin. You can customize this or just steal someone else's when you repin. I am guilty of both.
7. Likes. You can like the image and not repin it. Its a virtual high five to the owner of the board. It certainly makes me smile. Who doesn't like a bit of validation?
8. Repins. The ultimate Pinterest high five. A list of people who liked the image/pi enough to repin it.

So there you have it. A bit of pinterest demystified. I hope it was helpful.

xoxoxo,



Match any paint color...

... with Chip it! by Sherwin Williams.

With Chip it!, you upload the pin to your tool bar and click it when you see a picture you love. It will automatically scan the picture and match the colors found in it with Sherwin Williams paint colors. With the efficiency that it identifies colors, it has quickly become a copycat essential.

I love the slate wall color of the Tricorn Black and my living room walls are already painted Taupe Tone. (It really should be called winter hot chocolate)

I am definitely inspired. How about you? Want to get started yourself? Just follow the link. http://tinyurl.com/CopyCatChipIt

If you found some amazing chips, let me know by posting the link in the comments section of this post.

Happy Chipping,

xoxoxo

Pinterest: I am addicted

...TO PINTEREST!
I love to pin beautiful images on my Pinterest pin boards. If that sounds like greek to you- read on.

Pinterest defined...

My pinboards

What is Pinterest?
Pinterest is a website that allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and share their favorite recipes and like a junkie, I'm hooked.

I found this on pinterest!

I have pinned everything from home decor inspiration to how to make my own laundry detergent and NOTHING, I mean NOTHING has saved me more money, solved more problems or shown me how to do more McGyver-esque cool things like pinterest and I had to share it with you.

Not already a pinner? I can invite you.

Pinterest is currently an invite only site. Want an account? Let me know by commenting below with your email address! I'll be happy to to send you an invite personally!

Happy Pinning,

xoxoxo