A Taste of Cape May, NJ

I don't generally write personal posts but this weekend was really nice and I just had to share.  We spent Saturday afternoon on the beach in Wildwood then strolled around historic Cape May.  The weather was not the best, but having a whole day down at the shore with people we cherish was exactly what I needed. You see, one of my oldest and very best friends is getting married at the Cape May Ocean Club next summer and I'm her MOH. I cannot wait! She and the groom-to-be invited the Mr. and I to accompany them to their tasting and boy, oh boy are we happy we accepted that invitation!

The restaurant is modern and stunning, all of the things you look for in a venue. And the food.... oh the food! It was to die for!

unfortunately, I forgot my camera so please forgive me for using my phone

We had a total of EIGHT appetizers, ONE salad, THREE entrees, and FOUR desserts. Definitely not the kind of meal that is going to help me fit in my dress, but I enjoyed every bite.

Appetizers:

• Crab cakes
• Mini cheeseburgers
• Shrimp Cocktail
• Seared tuna
• Gazpacho
• Ceviche 
• Smoked trout
• Ribs

Entrees:

• Red snapper with English pea risotto. That risotto is what dreams are made of. I saw it on the menu and thought "ugh, that sounds disgusting." Turns out that it was my second favorite thing of the evening... I feel a copy-cat recipe coming on! 
• Roasted chicken with ginger-scallion potatoes. Best chicken ever. It's that simple.  
• Aged rib-eye. Delicious and so tender and the red wine reduction was a perfect addition to the plate.

Desserts:

• Cheesecake. My favorite dessert by far, then again, I've never had a cheesecake I didn't want to have a life-long commitment with.
• Cannoli cream and chocolate chip cake. Everyone at the table raved at this combo and rightfully so, but the cheesecake had a crust that blew me away
• Pistachio cream cake. Ehhhh. It had anise and I can't stand the licorice flavor. Enough said. 
• Flourless chocolate cake. Please don't hate me, but I'm not a chocolate fan so this didn't entice me at all. 

The chef, Lulzim Rexhepi, was incredibly talented, our server was knowledgeable and personable, and the event coordinator seemed to really care about how everything was going. I'm excited to see what the bride and groom choose to have on their menu next year. There's no doubt in my mind that their wedding will be a foodie's dream come true. If you have a chance, I'd definitely suggest stopping by the Sea Salt at the Ocean Club Hotel for a mouth-watering meal, or even a couple of drinks. 

Starburst Wreath

Have you heard of Pick Your Plum?? I just found it a week ago and have already made two purchases. I bought a set of craft paper labels and 4 packs of paper straws. Aren't they just dreamy? The colors and prints are so vibrant; I just had to have all four.

But, I have a problem. We don't have any children that are begging for fun straws for their milk. I don't throw cute little backyard soirres where these would be right at home. So what should I do? Make a wreath of course! A wreath? Yep! Considering that Summer is wrapping up (boo!), I figured that it's as good a time as any to replace my Hawaiian wreath with something a bit more transitional.

I went on a search and saw Yellow Mum's Sunshine Wreath and found myself drooling all over my keyboard. Even though Summer is almost over, Autumn is no where near here so it seemed a bit premature to whip this one together as is. Nevertheless, I pinned it immediately and figured I could put a spin on it to make it the best non-seasonal wreath ever. This is what I came up with:

As with most of my projects, it's pretty simple. You only need a handful of supplies:

• 35-40 straws 
• 2 old CDs
• Hot glue gun & glue
• Optional: paint (for CDs) and embellishments

1. If you'll be painting your CDs (I suggest you do), choose whatever color you'd like and go to town. Make sure they are completely dry before moving on.
2. Hot glue a single layer of straws in equal increments around the center ring on the CD. It took me 19 straws to get completely around it.
3. In between each straw, add another. This is what creates the trendy starburst effect! Don't worry if it's a little messy on this side because they'll get covered up soon.
4. Hot glue the second CD directly on top. See? I told you it would get covered up! If you'd prefer something simple, you could stop here.
5. Since it was a bit plain for me, I opted to add some embellishments. Since I used coordinating shades of gray and white, I wanted TEXTURE. I made a variety of blooms: pom-poms, a crocheted bud, a rickrack blossom, and a large ruffled flower. I affixed these finishing touches securely with some hot glue and I was done.

Isn't it lovely? Our front door has been open all day just so I can keep staring at it!

As you can see, we have a glass door so the straws are completely protected from the elements. I may have reconsidered this project if that weren't the case because I'm not sure how well the straws would stand up to rain.

We have a traditional colonial and the wreath brings just a bit of whimsy and pizazz to the front porch. It's modern but playful at the same time. Perfect combo if you ask me.

If you didn't already know would you have guessed that this was a couple of old CDs and a handful of drinking straws?! Probably not and neither will your visitors.

Even though I made mine as a wreath, I think this would be cute as a button in a nursery.

While it's important that I love it (and I definitely do), what do you think?

If you thought this was a great upcycling project, you should consider following Spool and Spoon via email or through Google Friend Connect for other tutorials and recipes that are sure to tickle your fancy. Also, did you know we have a Facebook? Hop on over so you don't miss any of the fun. 

I'm linking to:

DIY Showoff | S3 | Classy Clutter | A Little Tipsy | I Heart Nap Time | Mine for the Making | Flamingo Toes | Craftomaniac | Shabby Creek Cottage | Somewhat Simple | Saved by Love Creations | My Simple Home Life | My Girlish Whims | Stone Gable | Young and Crafty | Nifty Thrifty Things

Craft Room Organization: Peg Board

I'm always on a quest to keep my craft room looking as good as it did when it was first finished. One of my favorite organizational tools has been my peg board. If this wasn't a gift from above, I don't know what is. The only problem is that I'm probably one of the most disorganized crafters out there and I never put things back where they belong. That is why I came up with a new way to ensure that all materials go back to their designated space. 

First thing's first: Get all of the tools and materials situated in a functional and aesthetically pleasing layout on your peg board.

...oh my! how did that empty wine glass get in the picture??

Then remove each, one by one, and trace the reverse side onto the back of the scrapbook paper you want to use. Be sure to label each so you know exactly which silhouette pairs with what tool. I had considered using contact paper but not only would I be limited by the pattern selection, I'd also have to take a lot of time sticking it on and removing it if I wanted to change the layout.

Using an x-acto knife, carefully cut out each silhouette. I also cut out strips to line the clear cups and bins.

Not only did I want pretty little silhouettes for all of the tools, but I also wanted labels for each cubby, cup, and container. Make a list of all of the materials you want to label.

I created a simple "stitched" label in PowerPoint and typed each of items in, then printed all of them onto a light grey cardstock.

Cut out the labels. Affix the labels to each silhouette and bin liner with double sided tape, glue, or glue dots.

Using a basic hole punch, punch holes at the top of each of the shapes and slide them over the hooks on the peg board. Replace all of your products and VOILA, a place for everything and everything in it's place!

a close up of some of the bins

I made little tags for the porcelain containers

The transformation took less than two hours, and the majority of that was spent creating the labels. If you'd like my PowerPoint template for them, feel free to shoot me a line. I absolutely love the splash of color over the grey walls, but most of all it's nice to know that I will never have an excuse not to put something back where it belongs. What do you think??


If you like this easy project, you should consider following Spool and Spoon via email or through Google Friend Connect for other tutorials and recipes that are sure to tickle your fancy. Also, did you know we have a Facebook? Hop on over so you don't miss any of the fun. 

I'm linking to:

DIY Showoff | S3 | Classy Clutter | A Little Tipsy | I Heart Nap Time | Mine for the Making | Flamingo Toes | Craftomaniac | Shabby Creek Cottage | Somewhat Simple | Saved by Love Creations | My Simple Home Life | My Girlish Whims | Stone Gable | Young and Crafty | Nifty Thrifty Things

Poppy Curtain Tie-Backs

No one ever told me how long it would take to make a house a home. It's hard to believe that in less than two weeks we will have been here for an entire year and we're STILL in the process of accessorizing. A little (and slightly random) thing that I've been feeling like we needed were curtain ties for each of the windows in the living room. We have a very flowy and natural theme going on downstairs so I thought a big bold flower would be the perfect addition to the overlay curtain.

These are simple but stunning. They really transform the look of the curtains... just take a look.

MATERIALS:
Yards of organza (depends on how many and how big you want your flowers)
Matching thread
Coordinating button
Circle templates (small, medium, large to your liking)
Rotary cutter & self-healing mat
Candle
Pins
Material to be used as the curtain tie (I used thin rope)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Gather your materials

2. Cut out your circles. I used 3 large (11 inch), 6 medium (8 inch), and 3 small (4 inch).

3. Melt the edges over an open flame until they pucker. I purposely let mine burn a bit to coordinate with our white muslin and dark brown silk curtains. Arrange each layer until it begins to resemble a blossom and insert a pin through the center.

4. Sew a cross-stitch over the pin to attach each layer together.

5. Sew a button to the center of each flower. On the reverse side tack the flower to a curtain tie (rope, ribbon, fabric scrap, etc).

And there you have it, an eye-catching curtain tie back!

I know big flowers aren't exactly everyone's aesthetic but I am so enamored by them. They are delicate, earthy, and even a bit rustic. I couldn't be happier with how they turned out.

If you like this thrifty decor project, consider following Spool and Spoon via email or through Google Friend Connect for recipes and projects that are sure to tickle your fancy. Also, did you know we have a Facebook? Hop on over so you don't miss a beat. 

I'm linking to:

DIY Showoff | S3 | Classy Clutter | A Little Tipsy | I Heart Nap Time | Mine for the Making | Flamingo Toes | Craftomaniac | Shabby Creek Cottage | Somewhat Simple | Saved by Love Creations | My Simple Home Life | My Girlish Whims | Stone Gable | Young and Crafty | Nifty Thrifty Things

Quenepas

Normally I wouldn't highlight a singular ingredient, but certain foods are due their five minutes of fame.

Yesterday, my MIL left me a message that my FIL picked up a ton of quenepas from the market. The Mr. could barely contain his excitement when I told him. You might be wondering what quenepas are and to that, all I can say is: YOU ARE MISSING OUT. 

Most likely you've never seen this Caribbean treat before, let alone tasted the sweet flesh while it's in season. Quenepas are a small, green fruit that slightly resemble miniature limes. The skin is crisp, almost brittle, with a thin layer of pulpy flesh surrounding a relatively large pit. They taste tart and sweet all at once. While it is juicy and delicious, you have to put in a lot of work to enjoy each small fruit. For that I'm grateful because it forces me to take my time and savor the flavor rather than mindlessly eat.

I wanted to find a few recipes that would utilize the quenepas in all of their glory but aside from soaking the fruit in rum (YUM!), there was nothing else that came up. I guess I'll just have to enjoy them as is... what a shame.

As you can see, they are about the size of a ping pong ball. Not too small, but definitely not big enough in my book.

When the fruit is ripe, you just bite into the skip and it'll split from the pressure. At this point you can easily remove the skin to enjoy the fruit inside.

If you have a Latin market nearby, I suggest taking a trip and picking up a few to taste for yourself. While you're at it, try something new!

Consider following Spool and Spoon via email or through Google Friend Connect for recipes and projects that are sure to tickle your fancy. Also, did you know we have a Facebook? Hop on over so you don't miss a beat. 

I'm linking to:

DIY Showoff | S3 | Classy Clutter | A Little Tipsy | I Heart Nap Time | Mine for the Making | Flamingo Toes | Craftomaniac | Shabby Creek Cottage | Somewhat Simple | Saved by Love Creations | My Simple Home Life | My Girlish Whims | Stone Gable | Young and Crafty | Nifty Thrifty Things

Pretzel Crusted Salmon with Creamy Dijon Sauce

People are always using crushed potato chips and saltines as a breadcrumb alternative, but what about their lonesome cousin, the pretzel? Well now they have a chance to shine as well. I present to you, Pretzel Crusted Salmon! The salty crunch lends a great contrast to the tender, flaky flesh of the salmon. The only way I could think to improve upon this coupling was adding a homemade dijon mustard sauce. Enjoy!

Ingredients: (for two 6-ounce portions)
2 salmon filets
1 cup of  pretzels, chopped
Seasoned flour: 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, pinch of fresh cracked pepper
Egg wash: 1 egg, 1/4 cup milk

For the sauce:
1 green onion, sliced in tiny pieces
1.5 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons cream cheese
1/4 cup milk
1.5 tablespoons dijon mustard


Instructions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 400

2. Set up your dipping station as shown below. As you can see, I used disposable plates because it makes clean-up that much easier.

3. Place filets on a greased cookie sheet (or use parchment paper) and put into oven

4. While salmon is cooking, start by melting the butter and adding the green onion over low heat. Add the cream cheese and stir until completely melted. Whisk in milk and dijon mustard. Keep stirring until fully combined.

5. Remove salmon from oven once cooked through (about 10-12 minutes) and serve over a side of baby asparagus. Spoon the sauce over the warm filet and you've got one heck of a presentation piece.

If you're mouth is watering, you should consider following Spool and Spoon via email or through Google Friend Connect for other recipes and projects that are sure to tickle your fancy. Also, did you know we have a Facebook? Hop on over so you don't miss a beat. 

I'm linking to:

DIY Showoff | S3 | Classy Clutter | A Little Tipsy | I Heart Nap Time | Mine for the Making | Flamingo Toes | Craftomaniac | Shabby Creek Cottage | Somewhat Simple | Saved by Love Creations | My Simple Home Life | My Girlish Whims | Stone Gable | Young and Crafty | Nifty Thrifty Things

Medicine Cabinet Makeover

When we bought our house last year, we were so excited for everything but especially to have a nice master bathroom to share. I'm not exactly sure how it happened but we each claimed our own: he has the on-suite and I have the upstairs guest bath. We have never even set foot in the same one at the same time. Since mine is all mine for now, I'm making it as feminine as possible; starting with a makeover for the original medicine cabinet.

All I needed was something to lend me inspiration. When I found this shower curtain at HomeGoods, I knew it was perfect. It's a great focal point with the big bold floral pattern and the color is luscious. It's the best shade of plum that I have ever seen because it's almost neutral and definitely nowhere near Barney. I wanted to start incorporating the color into the rest of the room but I'm much too much of a commitment phobe when it comes to decor to even consider painting the walls but updating the medicine cabinet was a painless decision.

My biggest complaint is that since my bathroom is also the upstairs guest bath, anyone who stays overnight will use it and see everything inside. Besides that, the cabinet was in the bathroom when we moved in and while it was simple and did the job, it was nothing special. 

Let me introduce you to Plain Jane the "just-okay" medicine cabinet. Do you see what I'm talking about? Oh and while we're at it, hello deodorant and wrinkle cream!

First thing's first, I wanted to update the look of the simple design by adding a bit of my favorite color. I antiqued the surface with a mixture of grey acrylic paint, purple acrylic paint, and glazing medium (equal parts of each). All I had to do was brush it on and wipe it off almost immediately. I was precise and applied the paint and removed it all in the same direction to keep it neat and still I was done in less than 20 minutes.

To address the privacy issue I removed the glass panels and used temporary spray adhesive to attach the vinyl lace placemats that were left over from the Cut Lace Carry-All. I then sprayed three coats of Krylon's Looking Glass paint over the entire thing. After the paint dried I carefully removed the placemats and then sprayed a coat of white paint over the glass panels to give the windows a two tone effect. Inserting the windows was a piece of cake and really changed the look of the whole thing.

Like it? I love it! It'd be a great addition to a cute little cottage somewhere on the coast but luckily for me, it's right at home in my bathroom. The purple is subtle but the impact is unmistakable. It brings a whole new level of pretty to the room. Better yet, everything is tucked inside and even though it's a bit cluttered in there, no one has to know.

a close-up of the antique finish... isn't it dreamy?

If you like this little makeover project, consider following Spool and Spoon via email or Google Friend Connect so you don't miss out on other pretty projects and really simple recipes!

I'm linking to:

DIY Showoff | S3 | Classy Clutter | A Little Tipsy | I Heart Nap Time | Mine for the Making | Flamingo Toes | Craftomaniac | Shabby Creek Cottage | Somewhat Simple | Saved by Love Creations | My Simple Home Life | My Girlish Whims | Stone Gable | Young and Crafty | Nifty Thrifty Things