Fantastic Summer Sale! Stella & Dot Jewelry up to 50% off!

If there were a time to buy Stella & Dot jewelry, it would be now! 

They have some of their best summer jewelry on sale right now!  

What I love about Stella & Dot designs is their is something for everyone.  

Bold statement pieces or small settle pieces. 

I have way too many favorites!  

Here are a few magazines that featured some of Stella & Dot's jewelry 

during the month of July! 

Savon de Marseille Soap + Lotion: Modern Palm Boutique

 

Have you ever seen these amazing soaps and lotions? 

Have you ever used these amazing soaps and lotions? 

If not, it is a MUST!

You won't stop oohing! and aahing! 

With one pump you will be sold on it's greatness! 

The mild but true scent of PURE soap will take you on a wee journey 

to the destination: Marseille, France.

Their olive oil soap is amazing and shows that some things 

just don't need to change. 

In fact, they still make this soap the same way they've been making it for ages.
This is one of the "in-the-know" products. 

Whether you were introduced to it when you were in France

or happened upon it, you are one of the lucky ones. 

You feel the difference of quality with this soap. Just perfect!

 

Treat your hands to a delicate cleansing experience with 
Compagnie de Provence authentic Liquid Marseille Soaps. 

Lightly scented and made exclusively 
with natural vegetable oils, no other liquid soap is more perfectly formulated 
for daily hand-washing. Free from any artificial colorants and animal products, 
our liquid soaps are also hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial, and mildly antiseptic. 
 

 

The Shea Body Lotion really is quite amazing. Formulated using the finest natural shea butter, vitamin E, olive oil and almond oil, Compagnie de Provence Body Milk has a smooth and fluid texture that is rapidly absorbed by the skin. With seven exquisite fragrances to choose from, our body milk will leave your skin beautifully scented and silky soft. 

I mean come on! 

 

These glass graphic bottles are so  

BOLD, beautiful, and Perfect!

Adding these bottles to a kitchen or bathroom

is a fantastic way to spice up and classy up the room.

I also love the Lavender.  

This soap + lotion is has a dark, unique bottle. 
The scent is wonderful, and

 the design on the bottles is so graphic and unique.

Where can you find this amazing soap? 

 MODERN PALM BOUTIQUE

DIY Pillowcase Dress: Yes, I made it!

For those of you who know how much I DON'T SEW!  

You will be so impressed to know that I made this pillowcase dress, 

with the help of my mother of course...

We got the pattern and material at Lazy Daisy Cottage, 

a cute little shop in St. George, Utah, on a semi-recent girl weekend 

with my mom, aunts, and cousins.  

I also purchased zig-zag material for a skirt for myself that my cousin Amber 

taught me how to make.  I need to find the site with instructions and then I will post that.  

But until then, if you are interested in making a pillowcase dress  I found this site, that explains how to make them.  My mother is so proud of me... she is a wonderfully talented lady that sews quite a bit.  

She is always trying to get me to sew and I finally gave in to her pleas. 

I am so happy that I finally made a dress for my daughter! :)

My Children's Play Area

So, today I thought I'd show you my basement play area for my children. 

About 2 years ago, we made the space under the stairs into a little "Beach Shack" 

and had someone come paint some different beach themed items inside and out of the shack. 

My kids love playing in this little space and I like how it doesn't scream

"children's area" but it still is cute for kids to play in.

This room does scream "children's area," but that is ok since it is
their actual playroom in the basement.
My children enjoy Nemo, but we mostly choose this theme
because they love playing "GO FISH" with this card game we have.  

We also had a big salt-water aquarium and they have cute small turtles as pets, 

so this ocean/sea animal themed playroom was their idea!

I know a lot of people thought I was crazy for using this turquoise color, but I'm glad I did.  

My kids really like how fun this room is, 

and I think the playroom is the perfect room to use a bright color like this.

Love List

 Round Yon Extra-Virgin olive oil  from cold-pressed Coratina olives. 

I am so in love with this colorful ceramic jar!

+

This Balsamic Vinegar from Modena, Italy would be fantastic with above oil.

Have you tried this yet?

I know it's all the rave right now, but my hair dresser used some on me and I was sold!

Moroccan Oil for the hair. 

This is weightless and amazing!

 Love this Sonia Kashuk bamboo makeup brush set that comes in a cork case!

Love that they are quality brushes for a great price!

This hand lotion by Lollia is made with shea butter and smells wonderful!

One Kings Lane Sales Event

There are some seriously great things for 50% off today at One Kings Lane.  

If you'd like an invite to join, email me: apinacoladablog@gmail.com and I will send you an invite. 

I feel like lately they've had so many great things to sale.

Just to name a few that are on today's sale: Dwell Studio and Orla Kiely...

DIY: Homemade Wedding Cake

What a lovely, homemade wedding cake. 

The thought of mixing rosemary with cake has never even crossed my radar.  Ever.

 However, I did try some rosemary Italian gellato the other day.  

It was surprisingly yummy.

The amazingly talented Chelsea made and photographed this cake.

For the Love of Turquoise

This picture just speaks to me. Speaks my language. 

Speaks relaxation, bold yet calming colors.  

Turquoise is such a fun and happy color.  
Love these pictures inspired by the hues of the ocean.

images via Cote Maison

How about a pop of turquoise? What a statement! 

Johnson Kitchen

Elizabeth Kimberly Designs

 

Amy Butler Wall paper

 

 

Happy 4th of July!

For those that live in the USA, 

hope y'all are having a wonderful and patriotic day! 

We are enjoying the mountains,  picnics, 

family, and of course, fireworks! 

God Bless America!

Banquet Wildlife Posters

Aren't these wildlife posters by Banquet fantastic?  

I love how unique, graphic, and modern they are.  

What a great way to encourage a child's excitement for animals and a great teaching too as well.

I spotted these Banquet posters from here, but you can purchase them from here.

 

I know I-man would love them on his wall.  He is so enthralled with animals, reptiles, 

and bugs right now.  Having Mr. D as a dad really enhances his love, because Mr. D 

likes to bring home his many finds while he is out and about in nature.... 

For example, last weekend, while fishing, he found a snake and brought it home for I-man.  

Guess where that snake currently resides.  IN HIS BEDROOM!  

Don't worry. I double and triple check every night to make sure that the snakes "home"

is secure before I go to bed.  Luckily Viper, his new name, is just a gopher snake. But still... it is a snake! 

They fed it a mouse tonight...ewww!  

And my little, sweet, Ashy girl is all into this to. Yuck!

Jack & Lulu Stripey Straws + Sloane Magazine + Modern Palm

Wowza!  Don't you just love these orange Jack & Lulu Stripey Straws?  

I mean, so entirely perfect for entertaining!  

Grab a bottled drink, like a root beer or an Izze, and throw in a straw 

and you've got a fun and fab drink for any party or BBQ.

Cassandra from Coco + Kelley wrote this article about her summer essentials in the 

online magazine: Sloane. 

I have to say, I wholeheartedly agree with her list... especially the straws.

The Jack & Lulu straws can be found in the Modern Palm Boutique.  

Just another fantastic find from a fantastic store! :)

Pssst... I Have a BIG Announcement!!!

Ha! Usually that means that I'm having a baby... but I'm not.  

Well, I guess in a way, this store has become a part of our family. 

I've been working on this retail store for several months, and I'm so very excited that it is 

FINALLY ready to launch.   

Introducing...

MODERN PALM BOUTIQUE

Fabulous Finds. Fresh Designs.

I have to thank Jessica from Front Porch Studio 

for being able to see my vision for Modern Palm and 

creating fantastic graphics for the front page.  I LOVE how it turned out 

and think that it is a fabulous representation of the amazing products 

that are found in Modern Palm.  

Why in the world did I create an online store? 

Well, I love finding amazing products, I love home decor, 

I love good prices, I love unique and fresh quality finds,

I love shopping... 

I have always wanted to own my own store...

why not?

I focused on trying to find items that I myself would buy.  

I focused on trying to find earth -friendly/ green and organic products. 

I focused on trying to find items where I could offer great prices,

I focused on some of my very favorite things.

Come check out my new store.  

I'm so excited for you to see, and if you like what you see, then please share the love...

let your friends, family, FB and twitter fans know about my store.  

Oh! how sweet that would be.  Heaven knows I'm going to need all the help I can get 

to get the word out that a new fabulous store is online! 

I've got things for amazing gifts,

things for children,

things for the home,

things for you!

If you sign up to be a follower on FB, twitter, or Modern Palm Blog, 

then you  are automatically entered to be a part of a giveaway for a gift certificate to 

spend how you'd like in Modern Palm.

OH! and don't forget to sign-up for the emails via front page.  

I'll be sharing tips, ideas, specials, promotions, coupons, and info on new products, etc.

Fish Tacos

Fish Tacos

• 4 fresh Halibut fillets (to feed 4 people)
• Lime Juice (1/2 C. to 1 C. I just used the lime juice in a bottle)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 12 corn  tortillas 
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 lime,cut into wedges
• 1/2 small head cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1 cup fresh cilantro
• Pico de Gallo 

Directions:

Soak the fillets in a bowl of lime juice for 20 min.'s. I just made sure that each fillet was covered in the lime juice.  Heat the pan and add the olive oil, then cook the halibut, or other fish of choice,  until it separates and is cooked.  Add coarse salt and pepper to taste. 

Thinly slice the cabbage.  Warm the corn tortillas with a little olive oil in pan.

Serve the fish in the corn tortilla, with cabbage, Pico de Gallo, a dollop of sour cream, cilantro, and a lime wedge to add a little fresh zip before eating.

Story:  We had some friends over for dinner a bit ago, and I really wanted to make fish tacos, but I have always been intimidated by fish tacos.  I don't know exactly why? Getting the fish just right is a little intimidating to me, I guess.  I am in love with Harmons, a local grocery store, so I went to them, and the sweet helpful lady at the fish counter told me exactly what to do.  She said that she lived in Mexico for a bit, and this is what they did there.  The key is soaking in lime juice for 20 min. -- no more, no less.  So, I attempted this recipe, and I'm so glad I did.  It was delicious! So simple, healthy, and yummy!  

Menu: I served the fish tacos with Watermelon, guacamole and chips, and corn on the cob.

Corn: I mixed some fresh chopped rosemary with a cube of softened butter, an idea that I got from Katy, and spread it over the corn, added coarse salt, and wrapped in tin foil.  Then I put the wrapped corn on the grill and heated until it was nice and cooked.  It was very tasty! By the way, rosemary butter is very tasty on sourdough or ciabatta bread.

image via Real Simple

Liz Lang + Jonathan Adler= Perfection!

I am so in love with fashion designer Liz Lange's house in Westchester County, New York.

Of course, something this fabulous was designed by Jonathan Adler.  

It is amazingly fantastic!  

What is it about Adler's designs that make me so happy? 

Black and  white make for a classic color combo, 

but the bright turquoise, yellow, and greens add the bold punch 

that make these rooms so inviting and fun.

I am swooning over the graphic splash elements.

During an interview, MIMI READ asked: "You're a standard-bearer for unimpeachable chic design. You're also irrepressibly playful. How do you combine these aspects?"

JONATHAN ADLER responded: "I think a room should be 95 percent chic. There needs to be a solid foundation of good design, functionality, and harmony. Then you have the remaining 5 percent to layer on a playful vibe. If a room is merely playful it's usually wildly unchic. Conversely, if it's too chic it's dry and off-putting. I try to strike the perfect balance of chic and cheeky — an inclusive, unsnobby sort of buoyant spirit."