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Poached halibut Mediterranean style!🐟 Now that we

Poached halibut Mediterranean style!🐟
Now that we have 3 freezers full of Alaskan fish, seafood is on the menu several times a week! Even though I love most varieties of fish, I’m really not very familiar preparing it at home. Salmon is my only go-to so I feel confident with that, but the others are a new cooking adventure…

At one of our recent family dinner nights I tried a new recipe that ended up being a keeper! I’ve never poached anything before but this halibut recipe was so simple, quick and delicious! Keep swiping to see how easy it was…

If you don’t have fresh caught fish that’s ok! Grab a fillet at your local seafood market. A tip I learned about poaching halibut-leave the skin on to help keep the tender fish from falling apart in the liquid. You can remove it afterwards if desired. You’ll need approximately 1 lb of halibut cut into equal pieces…

In a shallow pan with lid (deep enough for the liquid to adequately cover the fillets) add:
3/4 C chicken broth
3/4 C white wine
3 T lemon juice
1 ounce minced shallot
2-3 minced garlic cloves
2 T capers
Pinch of saffron threads
1 t red pepper flakes
S&P
2-3 fresh thyme sprigs

Bring to boil for a couple minutes. Turn down heat to low, add fish & cover. Poach for 6-8 minutes until fish is opaque.

Remove fish and let rest while bringing liquid back to a boil until it’s reduced to half. Remove thyme and whisk in 3 T cubed butter-whisking a cube at a time to emulsify. Spoon over fish and serve with fresh herbs!

Poached halibut/seafood/easy recipes/seafood recipe/dinner ideas/healthy meal/high protein meal

Slow days of late summer that merge with autumn—so

Slow days of late summer that merge with autumn—some snippets of my faves…
Seashells & dahlias 🐚🌼

Warm breezes…

Garden goodies…

Cozy meals…🍗
Herb Butter Roasted Chicken
1 6 lb young chicken
1/4 c melted butter
3T olive oil
1/4 c dry white wine
1 lemon, halved
2 T chopped fresh parsley
4 cloves minced garlic
fresh rosemary sprigs

Mix butter, oil, wine, garlic, 1/2 lemon juice, 1 T parsley & S & P

Rub mix over chicken, inside the cavity & under skin
Place in roasting pan and top with remaining parsley. Slice or austérité the other half of lemon and put in cavity along with rosemary
Roast at 350 for approximately 2-2 1/2 hours or until reaches 165
Can sprinkle root veggies in pan if desired. Strain the pan drippings and add enough cornstarch to make a lovely gravy.

Nesting with thrifted finds…

Cozy corners…

Fall crafting…

What are your favorite seasonal transitions?
Happy almost weekend!!💛

Casual home decor/ thrifting/ flea market finds/ home styling/ Paris inspired home decor/ gardening /easy recipes

Time for small, seasonal changes… With August upon

Time for small, seasonal changes…
With August upon us, I’m admittedly dreaming of fall but at the same time I’m not close to wanting the slow days of summer to end! But I can add a blend of late summer decor to my home and include hints of the new season to come. Not in typical fall color but in softer tones that you might see as August turns to September. My mantle refresh includes a more muted color palette, mixed metals & wood, and a lingering summer seashell. And you may have noticed my sweet deer mount has a new home too. I love the change for now…who knows for how long-only time will tell!😉 it’s not crazy change, just enough to lead me toward fall but in a soft, subtle way.🌾
And speaking of change, I’ve taken lots of small IG breaks over the last year or so and part of that is truly enjoying the unplugged time but part is also to slow down a little on the content I’m sharing so I can figure out my next move. I feel like it’s time for a change & new direction with my account and blog. Not sure exactly what that is yet but it will definitely still be in the realm of entertaining, home decorating…maybe a little more DIY & crafting, and all the things I find pleasing in hopes you enjoy them too. So I truly appreciate those of you who are sticking around while I make some tweaks & figure it out! 💛💛 Happy new week!!

A night in New Orleans…was this year’s summer shin

A night in New Orleans…was this year’s summer shindig theme!✨
And I’m finally getting around to sharing. We look forward all year to our annual themed party! In fact, we usually have the next theme (sometimes the next two) already picked!! My whole family gives their input and it’s a really fun way to involve everyone. Not only that, it also gives us tons of time to DIY & shop ahead at after-holiday-sales, summer garage sales & thrift shops for unique party decor.
Hope you enjoy these snippets of what ended up being a beautiful night—hot, but no rain which had been forecasted! So we all let the good times roll with some NOLA fun!!⚜️ And a HUGE thank you to @patisserievillage for the delicious desserts, @alicelouisepress for the gorgeous invitations & food signs, and @jennamadda for the adorable craft paper banner!!💜
Happy August!!☀️💛

Bike baskets & beads…

Sweet truffle treats…

Spanish moss & beads swaying in the trees…

Casual places to relax & mingle…

Indoor decor, so guests can get relief from the heat & still feel festive!

EVERYONE wears beads😉

Simple details…

Masks and beads for the taking…

In New Orleans you HAVE to have muffulettas! Have you ever tried one?

Cute food tags!

King cake fun! With babies hidden inside!

Cutest banner crafted for me by a dear friend!!

Beads…

More beads…

Even more beads!

Mini bottle tree…

Hurricanes? But of course!!

My party gallery wall! A fun detail!
Hope you enjoyed the snippets and got some inspo for your next party! Mardis gras perhaps?💜

Our weekly Friday family-night dinner might be sim

Our weekly Friday family-night dinner might be simple but even the most casual, fill-your-own-plate from the kitchen can still look special! A few linens, a pretty server with appetizers, and fresh flowers-even if displayed in the tiniest bouquets-will make a table look beautiful for any get together!
Making my patio feel like an extension of our home is a seasonal priority to me. It allows us to utilize the extra space and gives us the same cozy & homey vibes that the inside rooms provide. And for me, thrifted items help keep it affordable without any reluctance of using these things outdoors permanently! Swipe to see how the simplest little details can add this charm to the patio! 💛

I took a much needed social media break during a super busy July😅 it’s been a good-busy—weddings, visiting family & kids, annual get togethers and weekend getaways! And as much fun as it is to document these things, I enjoyed soaking it all up, uninterrupted by my phone. It’s mentally refreshing for me to put it away from time to time! So as much as I miss keeping up with everyone here, It’s a routine of social silence I need.
But at the same time, I’m excited to catch up with you all and continue sharing some of the summer fun as I get back in the swing!
Hope everyone has been well and enjoying the dog days of summer!!☀️💛

Last minute 4th of July details… You can take your

Last minute 4th of July details…
You can take your simple table up a festive notch with these simple ideas…❤️🤍🩵

Don’t be afraid to mix paper & porcelain plates! Holiday paper products can easily add color to your table. They’re cute, afford and disposable! Use a full size paper plate, dessert plate OR both if you want even more cleanup convenience!

A simple cake pop adds delicious and festivity to each place setting. A sweet detail guests will love!

Fill any container with sparklers for guests to use later in the evening! You could also use these on each place setting in place or addition to the cake pops!

Tie a colorful straw onto your soda or waster bottles. An inexpensive detail that just looks special!

Ribbon always adds a cheerful touch! Tie them on wine bottles and glasses and now they look fit for the holiday!
Easy peasy, but details that shine!❤️🩵
Follow @giggleliving for more easy & casually refined ideas for celebrating & everyday living!

Can your lifestyle be casual, relaxed, easy yet st

Can your lifestyle be casual, relaxed, easy yet still refined? Of course!! Here’s some of my favorite tips that can make the ordinary, simple things feel elevated at the table…

🌱Use table linens or pretty placemats often (refined). Find moisture resistant ones to keep the laundering at a minimum (easy)

🌱Add fresh herbs & edible blooms to your charcuterie or snack trays (refined). Use ANY snack you have on hand, no need to buy fancy (easy) you can literally stick a sprig of basil in a bowl of peanuts and now it looks special!😉

🌱Use your dessert as part of your table decor!! It looks pretty and makes a table feel abundant with little effort! 🥧 …and gives guests an anticipatory peek at the deliciousness to come!!

🌱Add fresh flowers to your tabletops (refined) mix any combo of blooms & greens in a caning jar, pitcher or even a single bloom in a bud vase or juice cup will do (easy) The “vase” in this photo is a cookie jar…no vessel that holds water is off limits for consideration.🌺

Stay tuned for the holiday edition coming in time for 4th festivities!!
❤️🤍🩵

Follow for more casually refined living ideas @giggleliving💛

When it comes to flower arrangements… Are you team

When it comes to flower arrangements…
Are you team relaxed & “wildflowery” or coiffed & elegant? I love both looks but at home I’m very wild and whispy when it comes to my blooms! I really enjoy the casual, handpicked & shoved in a vase look-plus it’s easier to achieve😉 and speaking of vases, I rarely use a traditional one. Any vessel that holds water will help create a unique look that represents you!

A small ironstone pitcher looks pretty on my kitchen cabinet holding delicate feverfew & sprigs of dill. Use whatever you’ve got growing even herbs or branches will be beautiful. They’ll effortlessly make any space look so fresh for the season!

Fresh blooms & greens will always add a fresh breath of energy & beauty to any space!!🌱🌼

If you love finding ways to refine casual living in the easiest ways, follow along @giggleliving! ❤️

A tiny addition to our back entry area… I love how

A tiny addition to our back entry area…
I love how this small iron shelf is another way to make our newly completed back entry even more welcoming! It’s just another way I can bring that inside vibe to my outside spaces!
If you have a brick home, brick clips are the easiest way to attach things without drilling into the mortar so you won’t damage the wall. A brick “command strip” of sorts! They can support up to 60 lbs so they’re very versatile as to what they can hold and we use them for a multitude of things! (You can find them on Amazon)
But back to the shelf😉 I think it looks so cute displaying these little planters that add a touch of greenery near the back door. It’s hung far enough away so no one (aka: my husband) will knock it down carrying in groceries or boxes from Costco!😆
It was an estate sale find that gives a cottage vibe to our patio space and entry. I didn’t know I needed this little iron shelf, but I’m so happy I made the realization!

I have an obsession with pillows…at least that’s w

I have an obsession with pillows…at least that’s what my husband thinks😉
But when my friends @thevintagemodhome @cm_pillows sent me some remnants of designer fabrics I was over the moon!! So sweet and thoughtful of them! And of course, I had to have some pillows made!!☺️ (this is the first of a couple projects with the pretty fabrics they sent) My mom has generously helped me with the stitching because I don’t sew…I don’t even know how to thread a machine 🤭 but she does and look how cute these turned out!! They go so well with the rest of the blue hues that dot my neutral room! 🩵 Thea @thevintagemodhome had posted about using remnants to create beautiful & affordable pillow covers to fit your style! I’m so grateful I followed suit! And I use @ikeausa down pillow forms so they feel as luxurious as they look but again at a reasonable cost!
A big thank you to my IG friends including my mom for making these sweet pillows happen!! AND for my dear friend for asking me if I wanted dibs on her French chairs before she sold them!!! Um, YES!! Gotta love great friends!!🩷

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French country style •European style •traditional styling • neutrals• blue decor • thrifted home • casual living •pillows • soft goods •French inspired decor •decorating with neutrals •designer fabrics

#frenchcountrystyle
#collectedhome
#pillows #diyhomeupdates #mycasualhome myneutralhome makehomeyours

Outside spaces as cozy as inside? Yes please! Our

Outside spaces as cozy as inside?
Yes please!
Our patio is an extension of our home all spring, summer and fall. We really feel like we add square footage to our home when spring comes around! So I love to incorporate cozy “inside” touches to truly make the patio feel like a proper room. Thrifted furniture, plenty of candles, serving pieces, throw rugs, pillows and a decorative piece or two are my favorites for creating a cozy outside area. (Thrifting is a great way to find all the goodies to use outdoors without worry or a big investment!). I also love an umbrella-not just to shade direct sunlight but also to give a “ceiling” vibe. We don’t have a table that supports one so we used a fence post to hold ours in a position that shields us from the setting sun while we eat our alfresco meals! The takeaway is to fill your outside spaces with all the comforts that work for you!!💛
Swipe to see the sweetest tray with a bug dome decorated with, you guessed it, bugs!! Found at, you guessed it, an estate sale!! I’m obsessed with the “handle”!🪰

A couple snippets of our backyard… One of the reas

A couple snippets of our backyard…
One of the reasons we bought this old house was the charm of the outdoor spaces. They’ve evolved, voluntarily and involuntarily over the years. But what I love most are all the corners, crannies and pathways this yard provides. And that lends itself to a few whimsical touches sprinkled in along the way. Wind chimes, weathervanes, vintage glass insulators made into hose guides for the garden, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the views. 🌱🌸 (even though many blooms are late this year…but they’re coming!)
Garden decor is a great thing to hunt for at thrift stores & garage sales. It never has to be perfect-in fact, imperfections & patina can be a bonus! And a great price allows you to tuck these goodies into your outdoor spaces without concern. Unique treasures give your outdoor spaces the same charm & personality as what you create inside!🩵

Did you know the potager garden was developed in F

Did you know the potager garden was developed in France during medieval times?
Monks created geometric, walled in gardens to grow medicinal herbs and vegetables. Then in the renaissance these gardens became gorgeous works of art, such as the ones seen at the chateaus!
My little herb garden might not be as grand 😉 but after spending time in France I’ve been infatuated with the potager style garden. I can’t pull off a formal, symmetrical kitchen garden like at the chateaus but I can create a sweet combo of herbs & flowers like the casual potager-which is more my style anyway! It’s such a handy thing to have near my kitchen too-when I need a fresh herb in a recipe or an edible bloom to decorate a charcuterie, I can just pop out the door and cut!
This year I added sweet alyssum-which is so pretty and smells divine! And after a little research to be sure it was a good addition to an herb garden, I found that not only is it edible & a delicious addition to salads, desserts & cocktails, but it also attracts pollinators! As the summer goes on, these herbs & blooms should be spilling over the sides, looking so casual yet beautiful, and a constant reminder of our travels! 🌿🌸

It’s always a good idea to try to grow your own edible blooms, or get them from a grower who has cultivated them for that use, or labeled as organic. They could otherwise be treated with fertilizers not intended for human consumption.

You know what I love about thrifting? There’s the

You know what I love about thrifting?
There’s the economical benefits, the thrill of the hunt, the fact I’m reusing & recycling, and that it’s practically guaranteed I’ll have interesting conversations with fellow treasure hunters along the way! But what I enjoy the most is that it allows me to find truly unique pieces to incorporate into my home! It doesn’t always happen, I do leave empty handed often, but when I stumble across items that speak to me, I don’t hesitate. Besides, if and when I’m ready for a change I can re-donate the item for someone else to treasure!
Here’s some of my recent finds: vintage linens made into napkins, a porcelain fruit bowl centerpiece, and a hand painted bowl (which now holds lemons & limes in my kitchen)
Thrifting isn’t a recent trend although it’s a very popular one again and I’m thrilled! It’s fun & inspiring to see what others are looking for and how they reuse. It might not be for all, but if you give it a shot there’s a good chance you could get hooked!😉 Is it in your blood too…or would you consider giving it a try? I’d love to know!
Have a great upcoming holiday weekend!!🩵❤️

Hi friends! I took a longer break than expected af

Hi friends! I took a longer break than expected after our trip to visit our son.
But when we travel I always unplug and when we got home we dove right into projects and finally started getting the patio ready for some much anticipated outdoor time!☀️
Scroll to see a mini recap of what I’ve been up to…
🌿Guest room progress
🌱Patio repair and painting
🌿Mother’s Day dinner at my fave French restaurant in Kansas City
🌱BBQ food overload, also in KC
🌿Back entry carpet removal for tile installation…glue removal still in the works 😅
🌱Planter boxes & veggies garden planting
🌿Patio decor in the works
🌱Family dinner night (alfresco style!!)
🌿A Sunday mocktail under setting sun!!

Happy Monday everyone!! Looking forward to catching up with you all!💛

When you add a treasure and swap things around…the

When you add a treasure and swap things around…the magic starts! A gorgeous oil painting found at an estate sale adds happy European charm to my kitchen nook! Swapping places with the mirror that was displayed in that spot was became a beautiful & unexpected result. The mirror now reflects more light from our new windows & doors (even on the gloomiest days) and the painting is front & center for happy viewing. She just makes me smile when I see it and that’s exactly how choosing art should make you feel!!
This spot is still evolving-I’d love to paint the beadboard wall and hang the curtains to the ceiling. But I loooove the fabric on my current ones so I’m happy to live with it as is for the time being. Maybe I’ll search for something to hang above them. 🤔 A reminder you can love & enjoy your spaces even if you have future plans for them. The evolution of a home is a journey not a destination ❤️

I’ve been a little MIA here and will continue the trend through Mother’s Day weekend! I’m spending time with my family and getting to see both boys together-a rare treat these days! So in case I’m not online much later this week, I’m wishing you all an early, happy Mother’s Day weekend! I hope you get to enjoy family, friends and time with everyone who makes your life special!! ❤️

Lilacs, lazy Susans, apothecary jars… These are a

One year ago we had the sweetest addition come int

One year ago we had the sweetest addition come into our lives!🐶
So a little celebration was in order! Simple, quiet, but just right! A new stuffie (that has the crunchy stuff inside) and the most darling doggie cupcakes were much appreciated by our dear old guy! Other good news? His first geriatric medical workup came back absolutely perfect (aside from mild arthritis which we already knew he had) so we were thrilled about that news! He recently turned 14 so we’ve understood we won’t have a long road with him but we’re so thankful to take what we can get!! 💙 He’s truly the best!
If you aren’t familiar with the backstory on Salty, we adopted him after his previous pet parents had to heartbreakingly surrender him. Still makes me sad for them as he’s just the sweetest thing and I’m sure brought them so much joy…as he now brings to our family. We’re fortunate and honored to give him the best days that we can for as long as we can!❤️ swipe to see him enjoying his little treats 😉

And just like that… Spring showed up! And though

And just like that…
Spring showed up! And though I don’t have much blooming yet I won’t let that stop me from bringing some fresh cut cuties into my house! My daffodils weren’t abundant this year but I have hyacinths, hellebores and a few branches sporting their first leaves & blooms! It doesn’t take a lot OR any flower arranging skills to enjoy the beauty of spring! In a casual vase! And if you have hellebores, you probably know they’re tricky to cut. But if you wait until the stamens form pods and give the stem a good slit to help absorb the water-you’ve got a fighting chance to keep them sturdy for several days. I’m no expert but I also cut out the stamens on any flowers on the stem that haven’t turned into pods yet. I have success but I’m not really sure that’s a thing. 🤷‍♀️ so if anyone has good advice on cutting hellebores I’d love to hear! But the real message is, use what you’ve got in the yard, experiment with cutting whether that’s typical blooms or any branch you find pretty. Either way bringing the outside in is always a mood booster! 🌱🌷

It’s still roller coaster weather around here…☀️🌨️

It’s still roller coaster weather around here…☀️🌨️🥶
We had a beautiful Friday evening on the patio with friends followed by rain and a cold front 🙄 so I thought to perk things up I’d share a few of my favorite patio views from last summer. I can’t wait to get out there again! Our patio really becomes an extension of our home and I treat it that way by filling it with thrifted items that aren’t always typical outdoor decor. We spend all spring (once it stays warm☺️) summer & fall out there. There’s not much better than alfresco dining or weekend coffee listening to all the outdoor sounds! So if you live where it’s gloriously warm already, I’m envious…if you’re in my boat, hope these views get you inspired for weather that WILL eventually stick around! Right?? 😉

Comfy, serene, peaceful… That’s how I want my home

Comfy, serene, peaceful…
That’s how I want my home to translate to my family and guests. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of messy chaos going on most days! But a house can look casual, lived in, and still be pretty! I always want to have a place for all (including our sweet Salty🐶) to have a cozy snuggle spot… to read, sip a coffee (or wine) have a snack or take a nap! I like a relaxed vibe where guests never feel like they can’t kick back, put their feet up, and linger around the coffee table filled with sips & nibbles! Slipcovers and couch covers are easy to wash so that helps me worry less about really living in our living room!😉
Happy new week and Happy Easter week!!💛🌱

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Family photos courtesy of:
Crystal Jozsa Photography

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