Fridays Favorite - Lululemon

OK, so I am not sure if it is a favorite or a obsession. It all started 6 years ago when I walked into my first Lululemon store; one pair of yoga pants started the tailspin that would turn into my go to workout wear.

Now yes, it is expensive for active wear, but I do workout 6 days a week and with all of that sweat I think I deserve to look cute. The fabric is amazing & it last forever. I have yet to get rid or toss any item I have ever purchased from them. Some 25+ pairs of pants & shorts, endless tanks, sports bras, and jackets. Here are some new pieces they have in that I am tempted to go and pick up...

Yogi Dance Jacket $118CND

Center Pose Tank $58CND

Notice the amazing pocket at the back, perfect when you are out for a run! Great place to put a few dollars, i.d., & key!

Run: Inspire Crop $86CND

If there is not a Lululemon store near you do not worry, visit them HERE and have it shipped directly to you, trust me, you will not be disappointed. Have a great one! Mel xo

Visual Orchestra...

My old roommate that is now back in London sent me a Facebook message, it simply said 'A visual orchestra that I'm sure you will like x' with a link to theSteward. He knows me oh so well, it is amazing! Here are just a few from the site...

 All images via theSteward

Take a gander over there for some beautiful images, inspiration, and just get lost. Make sure your coffee cup is full before you sit down to soak it all in. Mel xo

We are live with a new site!

We are live, live with a spanking brand new website thanks to Tammy at Lifeseven. After a couple of years bugging Rob I have managed to get him to hire a professional photographer for our homes and a new site to showcase them. Please go an check it out by clicking the image below...

I look forward to building the gallery pages with the stunning homes we have under construction and all of the homes to come. Take a second and let me know what you think!! Mel xo

Project Updates...

While Mother Nature has not been on our side for the last few days we have managed to make some progress, but I will admit that with the weather I have not been able to get to Lynx or Wexford for new images. Hopefully next week I will be able to share those jobs with you, but until then here is what I have for you...

Our Home

First off, see these guys below...they are our amazing group of framers that are working their butts off in -22C (that is -7F) with hallowing wind. Needless to say I am trying to keep them comfy with tons of Timmys (coffee), donuts, soup, fresh baked cookies, and later today a fresh baked banana loaf. Thank you boys, it is greatly appreciated!!!

  And now for a little tour.

Here is what it looked like last Monday...

And yesterday afternoon...

Our outdoor room with fireplace on the left and the kitchen/nook area on the right...

Working on standing the remaining second level walls on the left and on the right they are setting up the trusses on the garage...

 
And here is part of what you will see when you are about half way down the driveway. I love how it is nestled into the trees....

Montgomery

A lot of things are going on here. In the past week all of the cabinetry was painted, the floors were stained, most of the marble countertops have been installed, and the tile is underway. I am going to keep the images limited on this home for the next couple of weeks. Once we get the professional images at the end of the month I will overload you with tons of beautiful inspiration!

The kitchen area with the off white perimeter cabinets, most of the marble, and the island in a great medium gray that plays off of the other interior selections oh so well!

The shower in the ensuite is using Daltile Fabrique in Blanc Linen, it works beautifully with the honed Carrara vanity tops.

Again, I apologize for not having all of the homes on here this week, but next week they will be on this post. Alright all, I am off to continue my mill work drawings for our home and then a meeting with our granite / marble supplier later today. Have a wonderful day! Mel xo

And the VSA winner is...

So the winner of my first, and not my last giveaway for the Virgin Saints & Angles key chain is Hill Country House Girl! Congratulations, now be sure to send me an e-mail (melissa@veranadestatehomes.com) with your address so I can get this beauty off to you!!!

And for all of those wondering what high tech system I used to pick the winner, well, the ol names in a bag and the first one you draw wins...

Thank you all for participating and I promise to have more amazing items as 2011 continues. Mel xo

Transom for the interior

So I posted this pic on one of my Saturday 'Simply Stunning' post...

Image via Houzz

The hubs walked by and it caught his attention. 'I really like that, we need to do that in the house, it works', and then he just walked away. I agree I am quiet smitten by it as well, but since the framing has begun (happy dance) I need to get my door heights and all that jazz together for the framers ASAP. Here are some inspirational images that I have found that helped set this idea in motion.

 Image via House Beautiful

 Image via Southern Living

 

 Image via BLTD

 Image via Southern Living

Image via Thomas Thaddeus Truett

I am glad the Hubs was somewhat paying attention to what I was doing on my computer, usually he just tells me that I am on here too much...I agree, but it keeps my creativity moving. Mel xo

Simply Stunning

Image via  Decorati

Don't forget, I am not drawing the winner of the Virgin Saints & Angles giveaway until Monday, so you still have time to enter HERE, good luck and happy weekend!! Mel xo

Fridays Favorite - Cosmic Cookies

I just made a batch yesterday for our framers and I was reminded of how amazingly awesome they are so I wanted to post the recipe again for all of you! I am just glad I gave them the whole batch, well, minus 2 or 3 of them.

Cosmic Cookies

Yields 24 cookies

Ingredients

2 1/4 C Quick cooking oats

2 C. Spelt flour

1 C. Sunflower seeds

3/4 C. + 2 T. Pumpkin seeds

1/2 C. Shredded unsweetened coconut

1/4 C. Flax seeds

1 C. Sugar

1 T. Cinnamon

2 1/4 t. Sea salt

1 3/4 C. Dark chocolate chips (Carob chips for vegan)

1 1/4 C. Raisins

1/4 C. Water

1/4 C. Blackstrap molasses

3/4 C. Canola oil

1 C. Soy milk

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients, everything from oats to raisins. In a separate large bowl combine wet ingredients, everything from water to soy milk. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix slow at a low speed or by hand until just combined. Do not over mix.

3. Portion cookie dough using a 1/3 C. measure and place onto lined baking trays. Gently flatten and shape cookies before baking. Bake for 24 minutes or until lightly browned. 

*I used dried cherries in place of the raisins, they added a great tartness to the cookie!

They are huge, they are addictive...but they are healthy, so it is alright to eat one or two (trust me, that is all you need). They also freeze really well, so if you are lacking some willpower pop a bag into the freezer as soon as they are cool. And yes, if you are building, take treats to the workers, they are building your home after all and as they say, you get further with sugar than you do with salt.
Enjoy your weekend!!! Mel :)

BTW, be sure to enter my VSA giveaway HERE!!

Knock Knock - Historical Savanah

Savannah, one place I have always wanted to visit. One day I hope, but until then I will spend time having a virtual vacation on my laptop looking at the beautiful homes that grace the streets. Here is a beautiful one I found while 'vacationing'.

All Images via Southeby's

Isn't she lovely? Mel xo

BTW, be sure to enter my VSA giveaway HERE!!

What do you think??

What do you think of the lighting (and lighting only) in this image from the HGTV 2011 Dream Home? I am tempted to do it in the boys Jack & Jill bath. Now keep in mind this is a bath for a 3 & 5 year old, it should be fun and whimsy.

Image via HGTV

**Disclaimer**

I do agree with most of you that yes, it looks like a dorm, that was what they were going for from what I have read. While I do not want the dorm look I think the lighting is fun above the vanity (which will not look anything like the one above). With additional lighting source in the space I think it would be a fun way to add some charm to the bath for the boys, but with something like this...

Image via Restoration Hardware

And be sure to enter the VSA giveaway HERE, but only if you want to win this... 

So do tell, what are your thoughts on the lighting?? Mel xo

A Giveaway: Virgin Saints & Angels...

Since it is the new year I want you all to know how amazing you are, how you inspire me, how you make me want to be a better designer, so what a better way to show some love than by having a giveaway!! How is this for some love, a stunning key chain from Virgin Saints & Angles valued at $65!!

Here is how you can enter...

1. Leave a comment, that simple!

2. Become a follower, this will give you another entry, in your comment let me know you are now a dear friend!

3. If you have a blog share the giveaway, be sure to let me know that you are doing so.

I will have the boys draw a number next Monday, so don't forget to enter!!! Mel xo

Project Updates...

Happy 2011 everyone, hope that your holiday season was well!! Now that we are back home it is time to get back in the swing of things before we are off again at the end of the month. Yesterday the Hubs & I went on a tour of the job sites to see what was done during the Holidays, here is the update...

Our Home

 Framing is underway, finally. By the end of the day today we should have all of the main level walls up and then they will be starting with the interior walls. Expect to see a big change here next week!

Lynx Ridge

The main level of Lynx is ready for the trusses and the garage is ready for the floor system to get on. The views from this home are just amazing, mountains to the left, city to the right, and the golf course as the backdrop, I'll share those with you soon.

Wexford II

Framing is completed, most of the windows are in, there are still a few missing which is frustrating, but just part of the process. We are making headway on the interior as most of of the electrical is completed.

Montgomery

I am LOVING this stucco color, it is hard to tell from the image below but it is a dark navy/gray color, it is awesome. The bare spots will be treated with stained cedar and a ledgestone, excited to see it come together. And for the interior all of the finishing carpentry is completed and the house is getting ready for the painting to start. Excited to share with you the colors selected for this home, you are going to love them.

That is all for today, lots to report but there will be even more next week. Check back tomorrow too, I am having my first giveaway...a little gem from Virgin Saints & Angles! Mel xo