Blog Archives - KITMODERN

What a difference a week makes/168 little hours!

5/26/2015

I can not believe what has happened in my back yard in one week!!! I have four different varieties of roses blooming! It is so fragrant and the blooms are so bountiful. A perfect backdrop for our Memorial Day weekend cookouts. Unfortunately......the weeds and the grass have gone crazy too. I've got my work cut out for me. I'd love to hear from you if you have any rose growing....pruning tips. I really have not done much to keep these beauties going.

Beautiful Rose from my very own back yard!

The Big Easy

5/26/2015

We just had the most wonderful trip to New Orleans!! (my oldest son was graduating from Tulane University). And we discovered that New Orleans is certainly the BIG EASY! We had such a great time! We managed to hear great Jazz every night! (And even got to hear my son, Parker, perform with a Jazz group in the French Quarter.....and it was awesome)! We ate our way through the city and had some of the most enjoyable and delicious meals ever! Parker introduced us to the Crayfish boil! We bought all the fixins' and enjoyed this finger lickin' delicacy in the backyard of our wonderful Airbnb! It was a wonderful, fun and relaxed meal with my family. I hope we can return soon!!!!

Crawfish Boil

Getting In On The Fun!

Peeling Technique taught my oldest son!

New Skills!

Wonderful Lunch! Nothing left!!

Flying Tiger USA!

5/19/2015

At last, the Danish concept store has finally come to NYC. I stopped by yesterday, hoping to avoid the crowds from Sunday's grand opening. I hit the shop early, but there were people filing in, one after another, continuously, until I left. Still, its bright white interior, laid out like a buffet line at a Western Sizzlin', provided a nice flow for all the shoppers and lookers. Known for their quirky and incredibly affordable (about 90% of their inventory is less than $15) house, party, and personal care items, the shop pops with color. For me, their opening could not have come at a better time--my daughter's fifth birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks, and I left with loads of loot! Think unique party favors (seriously unique, I haven't found things like this at any other party site or 99 cent store), paper banners, Scandinavian style printed napkins and supplies. Most impressive finds were an $8 "Depression-glass" cake stand, a book of cardboard cut out funny face masks (party favors), and for myself, a pair of nautical striped lace-up espadrilles that set me back $ bucks. Inventory changes every few weeks, so I am already planning my next trip...Here are some snaps from the shop:

Happy Mother's Day!

5/10/2015

It doesn't get much better than this! Coral and Turquoise are such a stunning combination and these roses opened up so big and are so lovely sitting on my table making me feel so happy on this Mother's day!

My sweetest 4 year old son insisted on making my coffee this morning. The smallest gestures sometimes make your heart swell the most.

Breakfast prepared by my husband, Dan. He doesn't spend much time in the kitchen...and this was a scrumptious and a wonderful surprise!!

I hope all you Moms enjoy your special day!! You deserve it!!

Cinco de Mayo Feast!!

5/8/2015

All photos by Adam Grimshaw

Happy Cinco de Mayo!! I got together with my talented friend, Adam Grimshaw, photographer and prepared a Cinco de Mayo inspired meal. I cooked and he photographed! And we both ate!! Yum, so good! I made shrimp with a cilantro, garlic and lime sauce, fresh Guacamole, and a very tasty Salsa Verde.

Salsa Verde

5/5/2015

Clean and Husk Tomatillos, Add in Fresh Garlic and hot Green Chili. Remove Stem. (I used a Jalepeno, but Serranos would be excellent too.) Put in stock pot with Water, and a bit of salt. Bring to a boil on high heat and then let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

Blend the contents of saucepan in Food Processor. Reserve some of the liquid from from saucepan and add approximately 1/4 Cup and Blend.

I then chopped additional Cilantro, Jalapeno, and Red Onion in a Mini Processor and Added it to my Tomatillo blend. Add Salt to Taste.

I live in Sunset Park Brooklyn where there is a vibrant Mexican demographic. I am lucky to be surrounded by so many delicious, authentic Mexican Restaurant choices. I have tried so many different Salsa Verde variations at different restaurants around the neighborhood and they are all different. Some Roast the Tomatillo and peppers. Some add cumin, oregano and different spices. I have looked at many different recipes.....and this is just my take on it all. I think it turned out mighty tasty.....but I may try the roasted version next time. Have you made a green Salsa that you love? Please share your recipes.

5 Minute Makeover!

5/4/2015

AFTER

BEFORE

My Husband purchased a little cottage, get away, upstate New York about 12 years ago and did a basic renovation (grey carpet, white walls....) We enjoy going up and spending time in this bucolic little village, nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, trout streams, lakes and bike trails. It's wonderful to get away from all the hustle and bustle of NYC living.
When we first started dating, I couldn't wait to make updates to this bachelor pad get away. But I had a couple things hindering my progress; Funds and Time! Therefore everything in our little home is a castoff, hand-me-down, trash treasure or re-do. (or a very inexpensive purchase). It's funny...I've actually found this to be fun and freeing and have very slowly started to create a get away that more closely matches my aesthetic likes. The other hold-back has been time! Because we only manage to get upstate an average of once a month and don't want to spend all our
"relaxing time"working, it's been a slow and easy going process.

I wanted to share a 5 minute update that I pulled together this weekend. I love the added color and texture. It just makes me happy. I think it warms up the space and makes it more inviting and relaxing. Basically what I've done is, add a colorful rug, (this was once in our guest room in Brooklyn) hung a couple pieces of my children's art (above the fire place), and painted a street find chair (a beautiful shade of swimming pool blue) and covered the seat with a cast-off piece of natural linen. The pillows on the couch were an inexpensive and pretty find at T.J. Maxx and the coffee table is a single storage ottoman from Target.

Backyard Bloom

5/4/2015

My backyard is in full bloom. Hundreds of daffodils wave to me as I enjoy my coffee each morning and I can't help but think of the hours of hard work that Mary (the woman who had lived in this house for 50 years previous to me) put into her garden, planting the bulbs that faithfully bloom each spring. I've picked this bunch of yellows and blues from my backyard and have been enjoying them on my dining table all week. (Cheers to you, Mary!!)