| January
2010 |
The Design Diva Dishes!
Design Trends and Lifestyle Tips |
| by Article Author |
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Dear ,
Happy New Year!! I hope you all had a fabulous holiday season and are looking forward to new beginnings. Not only are we embarking on a new year, but a new decade, too! 2009 was quite a year, and I am sure many of you are happy to see it go. Let's look ahead with hope and promise for an improving economy and prosperity for 2010 and beyond.
This month's issue will share tips on warming up your winter decor, the top three trends for 2010, and the Color of the Year, Turquoise. Our Green Report will share ways to keep the heat in your home in the winter, and conversely out of your home in the summer. Our recipe of the month is a great chili recipe to prepare in your crockpot so you can have a warm, comforting meal ready for you when you get home from work.
Please feel free to call me at 704-987-0277 with any questions or comments, or if you prefer you can email me at sensiblychic4u@aol.com.
May your family and future flourish!
Barbara Green | |
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Winter Decorating |
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When I was growing up I always knew the seasons were changing when my mom would change out the bedding and window treatments in our home. I know you all have different clothes you wear during the winter than you do in the summer. Why not treat your home to the same comforts of the season?
In your living room, opt for more coverage on the windows as discussed in the "Green Design" section below. Angle furniture towards the fireplace to enjoy its warmth and ambiance on a cold winter's night. Add tactile pillows of chenille or fur to the sofa and remember to add a cozy comforter or fleece blanket to snuggle with while reading or watching television. I am begging you all to back away from the snuggie! I sure hope you didn't just receive one for a gift...
In the bedroom, nothing is more comforting in winter than a fluffy down comforter on the bed. For those who have allergies, you can opt for a down alternative which offers the same insulation without the feathers. Change your cotton sheets to flannel or jersey sheets to make it much more comforable slipping between the sheets. The cocoon-like bedroom below features an upholstered bed, fluffy bedding, extra throws, and the room-insulating draperies. All that adds up to one cozy night!
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Trend Report |
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I have to tell you, 2010 is going to be my year!! Why? Because the trends for this year are shine, fashion, and glamour. Anyone who knows me knows those are three of my favorite things. Most people are aware of my motto, "Shiny = Pretty." They also know I have a passion for fashion and glamour and that my wardrobe is full of shiny sequins, jewels, beads, and crystals. So how does all this fit into decor? Let me explain:
Shine: Look for shiny surfaces such as mirrored furniture, metallic paints, glass mosaic tiles, and crystals on everything from lighting to fabrics to wallpaper. Notice the wallpaper below has a delicate pattern of Swarovski Crystals in addition to the glimmering copper design on a deep turquoise field.
Fashion: Home decor reflects the runway more than ever, with popular menswear patterned fabrics and dressmaker details. The pillow on the left sports the classic houndstooth design, while the pillow on the right is made from layering multiple shades of satin ribbons.
Glamour: Take a walk through the decorating section of your local bookstore and you will discover the newest buzzword, which is glamour. There are many new titles all about bringing more glamour into your home. Experts point to the economic downturn as a motivating factor for glamming it up. Homeowners are fixing up rather than moving up and want to kick up their style quotient to make them feel better. Glamour is created by adding shimmer and shine with mirrors, metallics, glass, and candles.
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Color of the Month |
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Every year, the Pantone Color Institute selects one color to be the featured "Color of the Year." Liatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of Pantone, says it is a very thoughtful process, and not one that is taken lightly. This month's Color of the Month is Pantone's color of the year: Turquoise.
Eisemann says turquoise was chosen because people crave escapism and freshness after a tough year. The color is transporting, combining the serene qualities of blue with the invigorating aspects of green. It allows us to escape the everyday troubles of the world, while restoring our sense of wellbeing.
Turquoise is universally appealing for both men and women. It pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.
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Green Design |
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Everybody dreams of having a "Room with a View." Even if you aren't blessed with a home offering beautiful beach, lake, or mountain views, you still probably love the sun streaming in and brightening up your home. However, even with the newest generations of Low-E windows, lots of energy is being wasted due to the expanses of glass transferring cold into rooms during the winter and heat in the summer.
For the best energy efficiency you should consider covering the windows with blinds, shades, or insulated draperies. This will provide an insulating barrier between the cold glass and the warm room. For best protection, they need to have multiple layers, i.e. bamboo blinds, honeycomb shades, or interlined draperies. North-facing windows should be kept closed all the time, while south facing windows can remain open during the day to let the sunshine warm the room. Make sure you keep them closed all the time during the most extreme weather conditions.
The draperies below were custom made by my workroom and increase energy efficiency by 40%.
The final option for those adamantly opposed to window treatments would be solar film. It can be applied to any window and reduces heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. It also protects your furniture and flooring from sun damage. Before you order your film, confirm that the company you order from will warranty your windows, as application usually voids the warranty that the window company provides.
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Quote of the Month |
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We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential. ~Ellen Goodman |
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Recipe of the Month |
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Nothing is better than coming home to a warm pot of chili on a cold winter's day. This turkey chili recipe is also great for those watching their weight because turkey is a leaner alternative to ground beef. This healthy chili recipe is sure to please everyone at your table tonight!
Crockpot Turkey Chili
· 2 pounds ground turkey
· 1 cup chopped onion
· 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
· 1/2 cup green peppers, diced
· 1 cup chicken broth
· 2 teaspoon dried cumin
· 1 teaspoon dried oregano
· 1teaspoon chili powder
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
· 1 can refried beans
· 2 15 to 16oz cans of kidney beans (not drained)
Directions:
In a large skillet, brown ground turkey and drain. Add all ingredients to crock pot, cover and cook on low 6 to 10 hours. How easy is that?? |
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Community Outreach |
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Most people say there are only two things guaranteed in life: death and taxes. Well I would like to submit to you a third guarantee: No matter how bad your life is, there is always someone worse off than you. I believe that it is more important to give than to receive. Additionally, it has been my personal experience that when I give generously, whether it be of time or money, the rewards I get are exponentially greater than anything I might have given. In this spirit, I am going to share with you each month opportunities available for us all to give back, for we are all greatly blessed, even in these times of struggle.
Angels and Sparrows Soup Kitchen
This organization is relatively new in Huntersville, and their mission is to provide food and nourishment for the bodies and souls of men, women and children who face hunger in their daily lives, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin or physical or mental disabilities. They serve lunch Monday through Friday, year-round including holidays. They are in need of cash donations, grocery gift cards, broth of any kind, canned vegetables and fruits, saltines, tea, sugar, and macaroni. They are also in need of non-judgemental volunteers willing to treat their clients with dignity and respect. For more information, go to angelsandsparrows.org or call 704-918-0122. | |
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| Save
15% |
Winter Warm Up Sale
Save 15% on any insulating window treatments.
Mention Code DDD0110 when calling to schedule your appointment
Feel free to share the discount with family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers. |
| Offer Expires: 01/31/10 Not valid on orders placed before 1/01/10 | |
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Thanks for reading The Design Diva Dishes. I hope you enjoyed this issue and will forward it to your friends using the link below. All past issues of The Design Diva Dishes are now archived and available though a link at my website: sensibly chic.biz . Have a great month, and I'll see you again February 1.
Call me at: 704-987-0277 or Email me at: sensiblychic4u@aol.com |
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