JNdesign Newsletter Summer 2009
in this issue

 

 What's New
 
Your Personal Pampered Chef
 
Making Summer Changes
The DollarWise Decorator 
 
Tag Sale Do's and Don'ts

 

 
Dear Friend,
 
Welcome summer!  And with the warmer weather comes the extended daylight hours which, for most of us, is like found time.  For me, the extra time means more time outside and in the garden, my favorite place to be.  I enjoy the garden because of it's ever changing beauty and it's endless inspiration for color and design.  Whoever thought shades of green and purple could never work just needs to look to the beauty of a budding iris or the little blooms dotting creeping myrtle.  From sea to sky or mountain to valley, the color combinations in nature are endless.  If you are inspired by a color in nature but just can't get it on paper, I can help match the color and complete the pallet.  Bring the outside in with colors from nature.  Call for a Color Consultation today!
 
Summer also welcomes tag sale season!  If you're a tag sale fan like I am you know that choosing to host one helps keep your closets clutter free and you'll even earn a few extra dollars (for that next project) ;)  and visiting tag sales is a great way to reuse, repurpose and recycle while staying budget friendly.   In this summer newsletter I've included a "Tag Sale Do's & Don'ts'", a great guide for buyers and sellers! 
 
Wishing you a wonderful summer, Jennifer Napolitano

 

www.jndesign.info

 

What's New
 
 
Flowers, flowers and more flowers!  As I mentioned above, I love the garden and over the years my perennials have been split and split again and this has left me with an abundance of hardy plants.  I could never discard a beautiful perennial so I gladly offer them to friends and neighbors to enjoy in their gardens.  Swapping plants is a great way to share, enjoy time with friends and learn about gardening.  Why not organize a swap in your neighborhood this fall!  
 
And like many of you, this year my husband and I planted our first vegetable garden!  Our efforts have already been rewarded with an abundance of lettuce and tomatoes, soon to come are plenty of other fresh vegetables and I look forward to sharing our crops with friends and family!  We also feel good about helping the environment, eating organic and of course, saving money!  Our children have also enjoyed watching the process and learning about how vegetables grow...now lets hope they eat them too!
 
Lastly, I'd like to note that of course I've been DECORATING!! 
Please check out what's new and see some new designs!

Your Personal Pampered Chef 

 Brought to you by Debra Alicea ~ Pampered Chef Consultant   

 
Now ordering is easier then ever! 
You can shop online and it's shipped straight to you! 
 
 Try our
    Feature Recipe: 
 
 Summer Tortellini Salad

Ingredients:
1   package (9 ounces) uncooked refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
1   medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1   large carrot, peeled and chopped
1   pint cherry tomatoes, halved
4   green onions with tops, thinly sliced
1/4   cup snipped fresh parsley
1/2   cup fat-free ranch dressing
2   tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese

 Directions:
1. Cook tortellini according to package directions in Professional (8-qt.) Stockpot; drain and rinse under cold running water using large Colander. Place tortellini in large Colander Bowl and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, slice zucchini using Ultimate Slice & Grate fitted with v-shaped blade. Chop carrot using Food Chopper. Cut cherry tomatoes in half and slice green onions. Snip parsley using Kitchen Shears.

3. Add vegetables to tortellini. Pour salad dressing over salad. Grate Parmesan cheese over salad using Deluxe Cheese Grater; mix gently. Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
 
 


Yield: 6 servings

Nutrients per serving: (1 cup): Calories 180, Total Fat 3 g, Saturated Fat 1.5 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Carbohydrate 31 g, Protein 7 g, Sodium 490 mg, Fiber 3 g




Making Summer Changes 
 
Dear DD:
 
Please help!  I love my living room colors; warm reds and browns.  The trouble is that I don't know how, or if it's even possible, to cool it down for the summer months.  I would love to go light and airy but obviously can't ditch my furniture, carpet or paint color.  Any inexpensive ideas for cooling the warmth a bit?  Thanks a bunch!
Signed, Too Warm For Summer
  
Dear Warm:
 
I love your question, and even did this myself for the season...try white!  take down any dark window treatments and try something light, white and airy.  Try light slipcovers if possible and/or roll up any dark rugs.  Swap out dark pillows and throws for lighter colors and botanical prints.  Add mirrors to reflect sunlight and summery accents like seashells and flowers.  Do it all on a dime by shopping thrift stores and consignments shops or try buying an inexpensive muslin fabric that can be dyed soft summer colors (or left white) and wrapped around windows, pillows and sofas.  And don't forget paint!  If any of your fun finds don't fit the color bill...just paint it for a perfect match~
 
   Winter:                                                             Summer:
 

 

It's Tag Sale Season! 

 Buyer's and Seller's
Do's and Don'ts
 
Buyer's Do's
  1. Go early for the best stuff. 
  2. Ignore the dust and dirt.  Beauty is more than surface deep. 
  3. Think about repurposing old items.
  4. Realize that fancier neighborhoods have fancier stuff.
  5. Park appropriately!

Buyer's Don'ts

  1. Buy things because they're cheap.
  2. Buy things that need to be fixed unless you're really going to fix them.
  3. Lowball.
  4. Don't wear expensive shoes.  Sellers often judge how much you'll pay by the clothes you're wearing.  The finer the stitch, the higher the price.
  5. Ask to use the bathroom.
 
 Sellers's Do's
  1. Have a sense of humor.
  2. Inform buyers if you know something dosen't work.
  3. Realize you're getting rid of things you don't want and price accordingly.
  4. Set up your items like a store.
  5. Give your leftovers to charity.

Seller's Don'ts

  1.  Act as if you're operating a museum.
  2.  Be greedy.
  3.  Be Crabby.
  4.  Sell broken things.
  5.  Quote ebay or book values.  Nobody cares.
 
 
Thank you for taking the time to visit with us!  If you know anyone who would enjoy our newletter please forward us along by using the icon at the bottom of the page.
 
I hope I've convinced you to look outside for inspiration before you begin your next home improvement project.  And please remember, if you or anyone you know is looking for some help pulling together that "great design", I'd love to hear from you! 

Sincerely,
 
Jennifer Napolitano
JNdesign 
(203) 610-7236
(860) 621-7333 
 (copyright 2007, Bruce Littlefield, reprinted with permission from Harper Collins)