by Mojito Maven on July 31, 2008
I was finally able to take some pictures of our finished kitchen backsplash. I LOVE how it turned out. The glass subway tiles were pricey but definitely was worth it! The subway tiles add a bit of vintage while the blue/green glass adds a more contemporary look. Please ignore the poor picture quality (this picture makes the tile look much darker and bluer than it actually is), kitchen clutter, the open cabinet (we need to order a door front for it), and the lack of cabinet knobs (those are next to install). We are planning on painting the kitchen Restoration Hardware’s silver sage to go with the drapes (which were taken down for painting), with a deep blue/green accent for the dining room ceiling and side wall (which is currently chocolate brown). I think it will tie everything together nicely!
Here is our new backsplash:
And our drapes:
I cannot wait to fill the dining room which our new furniture once the painting is completed. All of the furniture will be in black…..and yes, I realize that our house is a walking Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn ad…I still love it!
We are getting the table, buffet/hutch, and chandelier that you see in the Pottery Barn picture for our dining room. The bottom picture shows the chairs (Restoration Hardware) that will go on each end of the dining table. I still need side chairs for the rest of the table. I like the ones in the PB picture, but I am still looking for the perfect ones. In the meantime, we will be sitting across from each other while we eat dinner haha.
This is the wine bar (ours will be black) that will also go in the dining room….does anyone have any suggestions for a wine rack????
The bench, console table, and cabinet will go in our entry way…the bench will definitely not be in the fabric shown…I am thinking something more neutral.
And last, I need some side chairs for the living room and these are ones I really like (again, not in the fabirc shown)…thoughts?
We should be painting in the next few weeks so I will be sure to post photos of the finished product!
by Mojito Maven on July 29, 2008
Tonight I had the privilege of having dinner with two of my favorite girls, Princess Tartini and Sweet ‘n Lo (not to be confused with J. Lo or “shorty get”). We went to the always delicious Fireside Pies in Uptown. You never know what might transpire when you are having dinner with these two ladies, and tonight was no exception. Conversation started off strong with Princess Tartini’s play-by-play of her fun filled weekend, which included, but is not limited to, a date with a handsome fellow and an almost shame-filled night of karaoke.
Next, we talked about what book would be appropriate for our “summer read” for our book club that we constantly talk about, but have yet to actually start. No, your eyes are not fooling you; I did say we want to start a book club. What better excuse is there than to get together to read great books, drink MOJITOS, and laugh with your friends??? I say, do not knock it until you try it!!
So, that leaves me to the purpose of this post. In order for us to start our book club we actually need a book…we are now accepting recommendations!
I do not know about anyone else, but I am pulling for this one:
Kidding….or am I????
ETA: I am extremely disappointed (read: thrilled) to announce that my trashy romance novel did not get chosen for our first book. Instead we are reading Lovehampton by Sherri Rifkin!
by Mojito Maven on July 29, 2008
Now that the kitchen backsplash is done, we have moved on to the first floor bathroom. Like I said before, we were not crazy about the stock tile the builder chose for this room so we have decided to replace it with hardwood flooring. I really like it when rooms flow into each other and right now there are just too many different styles and types of flooring on our first floor. I think adding the hardwood that is also in the living room and entry way will help tie everything together nicely…AND since the bathroom is only a half bath, I do not have to worry about water damage!
Since deciding to update the flooring, we have now decided to replace the mirror, light fixture, and hardware too! When we built the house we chose not to upgrade these items (read: stayed with builder stock) because we did not know what we wanted the look of the room to be at the time of making our selections…now we do so I think we are going to use the light fixture and mirror shown in this picture from Pottery Barn:
BUT in order for us to replace the mirror, light fixture, and hardware, we first had to learn how to dry wall and texture because the current light fixture and mirror are much larger than the ones that will be replacing them ….THAT was interesting!
Also, did I mention that we are going to repaint this room too??? We are planning on using Benjamin Moore’s “Feather Gray” to really lighten up the room since this room does not have any windows and will soon have dark hardwood flooring. YAY!!
Pictures will be up shortly!
by Mojito Maven on July 28, 2008
Every Monday I have decided to devote a post to a new mojito recipe! Since the Texas heat is not slowing down, this week’s focus is on light and refreshing…thus I present to you the Honeydew Mojito.
Ingredients:
½ cup cubed honeydew, plus some for garnish
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
½ ounce simple syrup
4-5 mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
Crushed Ice
2 ounces white rum
1 ounce club soda
Directions:
1. Place honeydew in the food processor and blend until smooth (about 1 minute).
2. Put the lime juice (or squeeze in a couple of lime wedges and add them into the glass),
simple syrup, and mint leaves in a glass.
3. Using a muddler, crush the lime, mint, and simple syrup into the side of the glass.
4. Fill the glass with the crushed ice.
5. Add the blended honeydew and rum to the glass.
6. Put all ingredients into a beverage shaker. Shake well and serve over ice in a high ball glass.
7. Top off the glass with a splash of club soda.
8. Garnish with sprig of mint and remaining honeydew cubes. Savor and enjoy!
Now I have a friend, let us call her Princess Tartini (for her love of Apple Martinis), who refuses to believe that the mojito is the mother of all cocktails. I think this recipe will have her reevaluating her choice of beverage. After all, some refer to honeydew as “the nectar of the Gods.” I do not see Apple Martinis being held in such high regard. Ha!
by Mojito Maven on July 27, 2008
Our first big adventure as newlyweds is decorating and renovating our new townhome. We built a semi-custom home in what can only be described as the heart of suburbia Texas. Our builder allowed us to design and personalize certain aspects of the home, but because our home is new construction, there are still certain aspects that we would like to update. The builder originally used their stock tile on the kitchen backsplash and the half bath floor. Although the tile was not ugly per se, it was also not our taste so the first item on our agenda was to update the kitchen backsplash.
We chose a blue/green glass 3×6 subway tile from DalTile’s Glass Reflections line in a traditional brick pattern for our new backsplash. It brings out the blue/green hues in the drapes (Restoration Hardware’s Silver Sage) and really connects the kitchen and dining room. Now all we need is a wine rack, buffet, and china cabinet and that space is finished…hmmm.
I still need to take pictures of the finished product and will post them as soon as I can, but for now here is the glass tile we chose. The color is “Whisper Green”.
by Mojito Maven on July 27, 2008
“Make mine a mojito.” Not exactly your typical blog name, but for those people who know me well know that there is no better phrase to describe me.
When dining out with friends, this is my typical response when the server asks what I would like to drink. Why you ask? Because the mojito is the mother of all cocktails. Thank you Cuba! This cocktail offers it all…it is tart from the lime juice, sweet from the sugar cane, bubbly from the soda water, has zing from the muddled mint leaves, is crisp from the light rum, and if that was not enough, it can be specialized to your liking by adding various fruit purees!
What is my flavor? I particularly love the berry mojito from La Duni, but then again, ANY cocktail at La Duni is fantastic. If you are ever in the Dallas area, I highly suggest you take a scroll over to La Duni for some AMAZING Latin food.
Photo from jeepeenyc.
by Mojito Maven on July 27, 2008
“From small beginnings come great things.” At least that is how the saying goes. I am willing to find out if it is true. So I think now, when I am at the doorstep of a small beginning (read: wonderful adventure), is the most appropriate time to start a blog.
I recently married the love of my life and best friend, and I am so thankful to finally be a part of that blissful club known as “Newlyweds”. I have a fantastic life that is nowhere near perfect, but wonderful nonetheless.
This blog chronicles my life…a Colorado native, somehow displaced in suburbia Texas, with a passion for mojitos, home decor (hello Restoration Hardware), Food Network, weddings, fine cuisine, and all things pretty.
