Friday, June 7, 2013

MY VISIT TO THE COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE FAIR!!!...WOOHOO!!!

Hi friends!!
I spent the day at The Country Living Magazine Fair in Rhinebeck, NY

Here's a sampling of the wonderful booths and items offered....
it was a BLAST....
FIRST THINGS FIRST though....Look who I got to meet....Sarah Gray Miller, Editor-In-Chief of Country Living Magazine...AHHHHH....yes, I was in awe!!!


Another friendly face, Joanna Madden, of Summer House....
I used to frequent her shop down the shore...she has been featured in CL Magazine multiple times...her style is fabulous!!  I picked up this great market basket from her lovely booth!!

One of my favorite booths:  "A PICNIC TO GO"

This is Lori Rolison, owner of "A PICNIC TO GO"...
and a new friend!!

A PICNIC TO GO:  Great products!!
http://apicnictogo.com
I love Lori's totes, mason jar mugs, paper straws, picnic blankets & her great melamine "paper" plates...everything she has is wonderful & such a pretty booth design!!
Some COUNTRY LIVING eye candy....






How fabulous is this???











My dear friend, Erin, and all of our purchases...

Even with the rainy weather, it was a great day at the 
COUNTRY LIVING FAIR
xo,  Mariaelena

linking to:
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com

Thursday, May 23, 2013

SUPER HEALTHY MAYONAISE FREE COLORFUL SALADS!!

Hi friends.....
I wanted to quickly share some super tasty, healthy, colorful easy to make salads...just in time for summer...
QUINOA SALAD:
cook quinoa according to directions
add 1 can of each:
chick peas, black beans (rinse and drain)
add chopped scallion, peppers & broccoli
add some frozen corn & peas
mix your favorite italian dressing...I use balsamic
ENJOY!!
TUNA & AVOCADO
drain 1 can of solid white albacore tuna fish
add: avocado
 chopped tomato
chopped onion
salt & pepper
MIX TOGETHER & ENJOY!!
xo, Mariaelena

Saturday, May 11, 2013

MY SUPER SIMPLE HYDRANGEA WREATH

Hi Friends....
Needed to fill the space in my "wall frame" for the season...I decided on a simple hydrangea wreath...and I do mean SIMPLE....these photos show the easy tutorial....



A paper plate, hot glue and dried hydrangeas I cut in the fall from our tree!!

Glued into place...

A bit of burlap and VOILA!!!

Have a wonderful day & please stop by again...
xo, Mariaelena


linking up to these party people:
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net
http://diyshowoff.com
http://www.stonegableblog.com
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com
http://diybydesign.blogspot.com
http://www.commonground-do.com
http://www.remodelaholic.com
http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com
http://www.vintagecharmrestored.com
http://www.thepinjunkie.com
http://itssoverycheri.com
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

A FENCE REVIVED!!

Hi friends...
This is a quick post to show once again the POWER OF PAINT...in this case STAIN.....
Our wood privacy fence was looking just awful and very orange!!....My husband power washed it and after lots of thinking about what type/color of stain we should use, we decided on this:  
 THATCH, BY CABOT....
We love it....now...let's bring on the good weather so we can get out there and pretty up the rest!!


EEK!!!.....THE AWFUL BEFORE!!!

AHHHHH.....THAT'S BETTER!!....

xo, Mariaelena


linking to:

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

NEUTRAL BEAUTY

Hi Friends....
I have always been drawn to a neutral palate in my home decor.  Here is a sampling of how white flowers can be beautiful following the same rules for neutral decorating....Always add texture!!
Never boring, always lovely!!
Twine, burlap, mason jar, white flowers, and hydrangeas....
What else do you need???









My little before and after for this post:
Will you be my Corona & Twine???...
Sorry, I couldn't resist!!
Wishing you all a simply lovely day!
xo, Mariaelena

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Family Tradition: Making our own Easter Baskets on Easter Eve!!

HAPPY EASTER FRIENDS!!!
I wanted to share a long standing family tradition in our home.....I did this with my siblings during my childhood and have carried it on with our own children....The kids make their own Easter Baskets out of cardboard boxes.....This year because we have been soooo ridiculously busy...(college visits, swim meets, etc)....we had our little one shower, get in her PJS and then we got our craft on!!!...
Our oldest was missing this year as her Spring Break was the week before..:(



Finished basket!!!



And a little note from Hannah Mae with questions to be answered by EB!!!

Happy Easter!!
xo, Mariaelena