Oh That Snarky Quinoa

Have you seen this on Pinterest?  Am I the last to know?  I had something else entirely planned for today’s post but a wise woman sent this my way and I just. couldn’t. stop. laughing.

Quinoa is ironic

but also pragmatic

and in spite of an inflated sense of self we love her

because she farts and poops glitter

so that her elitism is oft forgiven

Her complete willingness to go there

and there

coupled with her altruistic heart

helps us to overlook her consumption

but Quinoa's piccolo playing cousin and his cock are still my favsies

Check it.  The kiddie pool version of this.

kisses,  mrs. V 

My Master Demands a One Room Challenge

BEFORE

My master is in desperate need of some love.  Why is this always one of the last areas to get attention?!  When I moved in to the Stamp 8 yrs ago, I slapped some paint on the walls of this room and that’s about it.  Even that attempt was half assed as I walked in to Home Depot and picked a paint color from a chip with one eye.  Aside from a super comfy mattress/box spring purchase and splurges on nice quality sheets the rest of my biscuit has been just as neglected as the rest of this red-headed stepchild of a room.  Leftover accent pillows from my toile days in ATL.  Granny much?!  Headboard is from my in-laws original bedroom suite and while it’s low slung midcentury vibe is cool on it’s own, it is just not jiving with me right now.  The room is small with awkward window placements typical of ranchburgers built in the 60s, making it difficult to place the bed.  I refuse, do you hear me, REFUSE to jam my adult marriage bed into a corner!  So I am left with one wall to work in which to place the bed.  As a result this vexation of a room has been left idle – FOR FAR TOO LONG.  After years of angry side eye from my master it has declared enough is enough.  It is demanding a one room challenge, one in which there is a definitive time frame.  None of this paint here, swap there, lighting later business.  Not satisfied with being a wallflower, it wants it's turn around the dance floor.  Most of you are familiar with Linda’s ORC so I will save my breath, but just know that I am instituting a ONE ROOM CHALLENGE on myself - giving myself 6 weeks to do something about this nonsense.  I have negative money so that will be a challenge in and of itself but dang, I’m going to beg, borrow, and steal if necessary (from family members!) to zhush up this situation of a room.

DURING - instantaneous painting/pillow zhush to kick my butt into gear

I am embarrassed to report that the stealing has, in fact, already started.  I commissioned a painting from Jenny about a year ago for my daughter’s room that would be the jumping off point for the transition from nursery to big girl room.  I received it in short order and it promptly went in to storage.  I finally got around to having it framed the other day.  What is wrong with me?!!!  It lasted in her room less than 10 minutes.  I promptly hung it in my room which prompted a necessary switcharoonsky of the pillow sitch.  Out with the tired toile and the serious oil painting and in with a vibrant abstract that immediately changed the vibe of the space.  I borrowed brown mohair pillows from the couch and a little animal print from the living room.   I knew instantaneously that I was on to something good and that I would have to design a lovely moody room to showcase this beauty of a painting.  All of this will likely change 50 times in the next 6 weeks but I am already in lurve with my borrowed stolen tweak.

a little too mongrel french country for my tastes

Tuesdays are good days for me, so I will attempt to chronicle my progress via Tuesday updates over the next  6 weeks.  And for all you judgers out there, P is not getting the shaft.  I have another equally beautiful MFAMB masterpiece that will soon adorn her walls.  Because, quite frankly, one can never have too many MFAMB masterpieces!  Getcha one or three!

kisses,  mrs. V

Grilled Steak With Arugula & Rose Sangria

I post this grilled steak and arugula salad on Instagram about every other week because during the summer months we make it all the time.  Super tasty, super easy, and a super sneaky way to get the mr. to eat salad.  This is also one of my go-to entertaining recipes because it’s a crowd-pleaser.  Every time.  It’s about time I shared it with y’all because it’s perfect for your Father’s Day cookout!  We prefer ribeyes because they absorb the marinade really well but you can use whatever cut you prefer.  Last night we used strip steaks because they were on special at Whole Foods.  And because I super love you - the Rose sangria of my Instagram/FB fame.  Getcha some and toast the papas around you!

lump charcoal is the only way to go - trust

recipe adapted from MSL

Happy Father’s Day, mr!

Summery Hostess Gift

I super love giving people gifts.  Any occasion to show someone that I care about them is a good occasion in my book.  Whenever I am out and about, I constantly notice things that the people in my life would love.  The one major exception here is my husband – impossible to shop for, I tell ya!  Putting together little hostess gifts is right up there at the top of my fav gifting types.

We were invited to a lovely pool party on Friday which was a perfect excuse to put together a bright little gift basket for the equally lovely hostess.  I decided to put together a few things that any hostess would love to have on hand for an impromptu poolside cocktailing situation.  And because the hostess is a proper Southern lady I went with the appropriately preppy pink and green combo.

Even our towels continued the color story!

What are your go-to hostess gifts?

kisses,  mrs. V