Courtesy of Four Seasons Dallas at Los Colinas It’s the first week of summer and if you are visiting Texas or you are a resident you can testify the state is sizzling HOT! The Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex continues to expand in … Continue reading
Who’s attending one of the most glamorous nights in Hollywood, The Oscars … from your living room?!? Me!!! I am going to give you tips on “how to” throw a SIMPLE & EASY viewing party right from your home, but first let me rewind …
Cortney Bailey
For almost a decade I reported LIVE from the Red Carpet at one of the hottest Academy Award pre show parties and after show parties held at the famous Beverly Hills Hotel. It was exciting and I learned how to throw a stylish celebrity filled event! Guests, PR agents, Celebs and TV hosts, like myself, were dressed in gorgeous formal attire, sipped champagne and whispered “who” had their vote – off camera of course!
photo courtesy of rakutenI don’t know about you but unless I am actually at the Dolby Theatre, the venue of the Academy Awards, or attending one of the parties I mentioned above I do NOT want to dress up in formal attire, especially in my own living room! I want to be comfy and I would imagine your friends and family do too … trust me the guys will thank you! To keep the evening festive but relaxed I would recommend everyone come dressed casual in black, white, silver or gold. Let’s be real, these colors will make your photos of the evening super cute as well. Personally, this means my trendy joggers will be making an appearance with a stylish off-the-shoulder gold or silver top.
Now what to sip and snack on? Since the celebrities have more-than-likely been cleansing weeks before the BIG NIGHT, why not start your guests off with shots of green juice? I have a juicer and love to juice fresh veggies and fruit but you can always buy green juice from your local grocery store and pre fill shot glasses or juice glasses with the concoction. Next, what is an Oscar party without bubbles? Champagne or prosecco will be perfect. To add a little glam, rim your champagne glasses with edible gold glitter before you fill the glasses with the bubbly liquid. Even though it’s not “movie night” – popcorn is a must! Set out a “popcorn bar” – it’s easy to make and your guests can help themselves. I would suggest buying red and white striped popcorn boxes that can easily be filled with the corn. Place the pre-popped corn in a large bowl and add a scoop so your guests can easily fill their boxes. Last, set out various spices, candies and sauces to be mixed into the corn. Some examples are: truffle zest (Oprah’s favorite), salt, pepper, onion powder, M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, chocolate chips, caramel, white chocolate and chocolate.
Oscar ballots are a fun way for you and your guests to keep track of the winners OR if you want to play a game by filling out a ballot before the show starts, Vanity Fair has made it easy by providing a printable version HERE. Many local bakeries will have Golden Oscar Statue cookies or cupcakes, which would make a great prize for the winner!
If you would like to spice up the festive décor in your home for Oscars night think white flower arrangements, balloons in the black, white, silver and gold color palette and for a pop of color add a “red carpet” table runner or red butcher paper under your popcorn bar and bubbles!
Who has YOUR Vote on Sunday? Do you have a creative idea for your Oscar’s party? Please DO SHARE as I’d LOVE to hear from you! I am always looking for new ideas!
Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…
Cheers!
Cortney
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Twitter: @CortneyBailey
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Football Frenzy Plates, Click Here for Details
Countdown to the BIG GAME aka SUPER BOWL is just a few days away and let’s face it, what you are eating and drinking is almost as important as the game itself … well maybe not the game but at least the halftime show! Move over Lady Gaga because I’m sharing a show stopping spread that will leave your taste buds begging for more, please!
If you are entertaining at home or if you need inspiration on what to take to someone else’s party, I hope this inspires you! Also, when it comes to drinks no one wants to play bartender on game day, so I would recommend making one large batch of a specialty cocktail and putting it in a self-serve drink dispenser and set out a few other drinks options on ice (details below!)
All recipes have been pulled from Emeril, Rachel Ray and the Food Network which provide easy to follow instructions. I LOVE to cook and my philosophy is if you can follow directions, you can cook! (Tweetable!)
Appetizers
Drinks
Pastrami Football Finger Sandwiches
Click Here for the Recipe
Baked Jalapeño Poppers (AH-MAZING!!!)
Click Here for the Recipe
Southwestern Turkey Sliders
Click Here for the Recipe
Salad on a Stick
Click Here for the Recipe
Almost-Famous Green Bean Fries
Click Here for the Recipe
Spanish-Style Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Click Here for the Recipe
Fresh & Fierce Margarita 
Click Here for the Recipe
Estilo Double Beverage Drink Dispenser: Guests can self-serve their Margaritas! 
Drink Dispenser Details Here
Place Wine, Beer, Water and Soda in Ice for Guests
What are your favorite game day recipes? Please DO SHARE as I’d LOVE to hear from you! I am always looking for new ideas!
Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…
Cheers!
Cortney
Let’s be social:
Twitter: @CortneyBailey
Instagram: @CortneyBailey
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Facebook: Dream Design Dwell
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Pop & SukiAll my Single Ladies, Gal Pals, BFFs, Sisterhoods, and Dreamers of L-O-V-E raise your hands! (Mine are raised!!) Shout out to girlfriends who cheer each other on, lean over and fix each other’s crowns when they slip, cry with, pray for and lift each other up. No mater if you are a Carrie Bradshaw endlessly looking for your “Mr. Big” or a Southern debutante who was blessed to find your significant other at age 19, this post is for YOU! If you have the characteristics listed above then cheers, high-five and a BIG HUG to you. We are here to love our fellow females & encourage each other, not to gossip and tear one another down. I have been so blessed to surround myself with STRONG and LOVING women who thrive on each others success. With that said, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner I want to honor you ladies! Why, because YOU ARE LOVED! If you are spending V-Day with your gal pal(s), here are a few gift ideas to make your friend(s) feel special!
1: Pop & Suki Bag (You and your BFF can have “matching” bags!) | 2: Mackenzie-Childs Heart Bowl (Add a little glam to your gal pal’s kitchen!) | 3: Buxom Lip Gloss (I love these glosses – they give you a plumper pout!) | 4: Heart Bottle Stopper (This stopper would be perfectly paired with a bottle of bubbles!) | 5: Le Creuset Heart Casserole (Ideal for the foodie in your life!) | 6: Le Creuset Heart Ramekin (Another cute option for the cook’s kitchen!) | 7: Jumbo Heart Pool Float (Turn up the heat in the pool and take winter, February swim!) | 8: Faux-Fur Pom Sneaker (I have these in Pink!)
As ALWAYS, I’d LOVE to hear from you! Let me know how AMAZING your gal pals are. What are y’all doing for Galentine’s day? Do you have a fabulous gift idea … update me!!!
Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…
Cheers!
Cortney
Let’s be social:
Twitter: @CortneyBailey
Instagram: @CortneyBailey
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Pantone states, “A refreshing and revitalizing shade, Greenery is symbolic of new beginnings … A life-affirming shade … the pursuit of personal passions and vitality.”
I LOVE the color green! It’s a calming color yet it’s powerful. As many of you know I like to bring a little of the outdoors inside and the color Green easily allows me to do so! The Viceroy Hotel Santa Monica‘s lobby has always made me ultra happy. Kelly Wearstler, the designer of the interior of the hotel, was able to capture the “Modern Colonialism” by using strong pops of color, especially – GREEN! Here are some additional examples of using Greenery in your home, office or boutique’s space, inspired by the Viceroy.
If you want to add pops of green to your home but do not want to commit to recovering chairs or retiling an entire bath consider adding throw pillows in a green print to your space. Here are two examples and I actually own the malachite pillows! Shop options HERE.
Greenery is an adorable option to add color or a theme to your kitchen! Le Creuset Cookware & Bakeware offer abundant color options including green or “palm”! Because the color is so vibrant, leaving a piece or two sitting out in your kitchen looks stylish and adds instant personality to your cooking space. Shop options HERE.
Green is not just for the home, hit the streets or relax by the pool feeling powerful in a shade of green that best fits your skin tone and personality. Trina Turk never disappoints. Here are some beautiful green options she has designed. You can wear a bold green and stand out or wear a small sliver of green mixed with other colors but either way you can walk in confidence knowing your are classically on trend! Shop the looks here: Green Plaid Coat, Green Dress & One Piece Swim Suite with pops of Green.
I’d LOVE to hear from you! Let me know what ideas or styles you have found in green – I’m ALWAYS looking for new inspiration!!!
Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…
Cheers!
Cortney
Let’s be social:
Twitter: @CortneyBailey
Instagram: @CortneyBailey
Pinterest: CortneyBailey
Facebook: Dream Design Dwell
YouTube: Cortney Bailey
SnapChat: cortney_bailey
As many of you know I am a licensed Real Estate agent. My clients Tiffany, cast member of Bravo TV‘s Real Housewives of Dallas, and Husband, Aaron Hendra wanted to document their Dallas home search for the show. I was thrilled when they asked me to be apart of the filming. We had so much fun during the process. Tiffany & Aaron are such kind and generous people – I am blessed to have the opportunity to work with them. If you missed the two episodes I was featured in watch the video below to catch me in action, doing what I do best: Making Dallas (DFW metroplex – including Plano!) a more beautiful place to live, one home at a time!
I’d love to hear from you! If you have a Real Estate question feel free to contact me at CortneyBailey.com or leave me a comment below. It would be my pleasure to help you Buy, Sell or Lease your next property!
Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…
Cheers!
Cortney
Let’s be social:
Twitter: @CortneyBailey
Instagram: @CortneyBailey
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Facebook: Dream Design Dwell
YouTube: Cortney Bailey
SnapChat: cortney_bailey
I love to use home furniture in a nontraditional way aka “Thinking Outside the Box!” The Bar Cart is a piece of furniture that can be used a dozen ways besides in the bar. I am going to show you three ways to style a bar cart … two ways that are outside the box and the third is the traditional style. Watch my webisode, above, to get more details!
BED
The first nontraditional way to style a bar cart is in the bedroom as a bedside table. Your bedside table essentials may be different than mine so you will have to style your cart with what makes you most happy at night. Here are my must haves:
BATH
The second nontraditional way to style a bar cart is in the bathroom. This is a creative way to add a spa-like feeling to your bathroom. Again, you will have to style your bathroom cart with what makes you feel luxurious. Here are the items that make me feel pampered!
BAR
The third way to style the bar cart is what the cart was designed for … The Bar! When styling your bar car you will need to keep in mind who you are entertaining. The bar cart in the photo above and in my wedisode was styled for a “Girls Night Out.” However, if you are having a guys night, mixed company or a themed party you will want to add the appropriate alcohol, glassware and non-alcoholic drinks. Here are the items I used to make my “Girls Night Out” evening a hit! (Again my webisode will give you additional ideas!)
Shop a few ideas here:
Bar Cart: Click HERE
Spa-like White Towels: Click HERE
Cozy Throw/Blanket: Click HERE
Champagne Stemless Flutes: Click HERE
I’d LOVE to hear from YOU! How do you like to style your bar cart? I’m always looking for new ideas! Leave me a note below or send me a photo (see social media below)!!!
Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…
Cheers!
Cortney
Let’s be social:
Twitter: @CortneyBailey
Instagram: @CortneyBailey
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Facebook: Dream Design Dwell
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Besides being excited about setting new goals for 2016 I am in LOVE with the home design trends this year! Seriously, they are amazing and I am happy to share the TOP FIVE with you! You can incorporate all five trends into your home décor as they will work beautifully together or you can choose one or two trends to add to your current home design.
Watch my new Webisode now to visually see tips & ideas for the Top 5 Trends >>>
Every year Pantone creates a new color palette. Everyone from the Fashion Houses to the Car Industry and Interior Designers plan their color choices according to what Pantone has predicted. Here are Pantone’s choices for 2016:
Top 5 Home Design Trends for 2016: (watch my webisode above for more details & visuals on ALL TOP 5 Trends!)
Sustainable Materials – We can all live a more sustainable life! Taking small steps by investing in products that save and generate energy, use less water and reduce waste during their production will make a difference in our planet! For example: all the products in the photos below are from Ikea. They are 100% cotton, can be tossed in the washer and were produced in a more sustainable way. 
I’d LOVE to hear from YOU! How have you added these top home design trends into your home? I’m always looking for new ideas! Leave me a note below or send me a photo (see social media below)!!!
Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…
Cheers!
Cortney
Let’s be social:
Twitter: @CortneyBailey
Instagram: @CortneyBailey
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Facebook: Dream Design Dwell
YouTube: Cortney Bailey
I am so excited to announce that I have already started accomplishing one of my goals for the New Year by filming my very first Dream Design Dwell video for my YouTube channel!!! Since it is my first video, I decided to throw a party to celebrate the New Year and also my video! Learn how to make easy “1-2-3” Margaritas, healthy Baja Tacos and a simple DIY gift for friends! I hope you all enjoy my tips & ideas for ringing in the NEW YEAR in your home and will join with me in celebration!
Supplies for the “1-2-3” Margaritas:
Silver Tequila, Cointreau or Triple Sec, Fresh squeezed limes, Salt, Lime Wedges, Shaker & Jigger
Details for making Baja Fish Tacos:
2 tablespoons taco seasoning, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice, 1 pound mahimahi or other firm whitefish filets, cute into bite-sized pieces, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 3 cups pre-chopped green cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped green onions, 1/2 cup light sour cream, 8 corn tortillas, Lime wedges
Combine first 2 ingredients in a bowl. Add fish & toss to coat.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish & saute 5 minutes or until fish is done.
Combine cabbage, onions and sour cream in a bowl.
Warm tortillas according to package directions, spoon about 1/4 cup cabbage mixture down the center of each tortilla, divide fish evenly among tortillas, fold in half & serve with a lime wedge.
Supplies for DIY Gift:
Small Rosemary Tree, Flower/Plant Pot, Twine, Craft store supplies to make your card (Add your personality to your card!)
Shop ideas here for your next party!
Margarita 7-piece glassware set: CLICK HERE
Cocktail Shaker: CLICK HERE
Jigger: CLICK HERE
Mixing Bowls: CLICK HERE & CLICK HERE
Flower/Plant Ceramic Pot: CLICK HERE
I’d LOVE to hear from YOU! What are your tips & ideas celebrate the New Year at home? I’m always looking for new ideas!
Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…
Cheers!
Cortney
Let’s be social:
Twitter: @CortneyBailey
Instagram: @CortneyBailey
Pinterest: CortneyBailey
Facebook: Dream Design Dwell
YouTube: Cortney Bailey
We are waist deep in to the holiday season! Parties are being thrown, lights are being strung and gifts are being given but preparing your home for the winter does not stop after the New Year! There are so many great winter options to keep your home cozy & festive until the flowers start blooming again! Today, I am tossing it back and linking to EIGHT past Dream Design Dwell blog posts that will give you eight tips and ideas to turn your home into a welcoming winter wonderland!
Rewind Tips & Ideas ONE: Click Here
Rewind Tips & Ideas TWO: Click Here
Rewind Tips & Ideas THREE: Click Here
Rewind Tips & Ideas FOUR: Click Here
Rewind Tips & Ideas FIVE: Click Here
Rewind Tips & Ideas SIX: Click Here
Rewind Tips & Ideas SEVEN: Click Here
Rewind Tips & Ideas EIGHT: Click Here
Shop easy ideas to make your home it’s best this winter:
Snowflake Doormat: Click HERE
Animal Motifs: Click HERE
Bright Colored Glassware: Click HERE
Humidifier: Click HERE
Cozy Throws: Click HERE & HERE
Natural Winter Decor: Click HERE & HERE & HERE
Candles Flame & Flameless: Click HERE & HERE & HERE
Yummy Snacks: Click HERE & HERE & HERE
I’d LOVE to hear from YOU! What are your tips & ideas to create a Winter Wonderland? I’m always looking for new ideas!
Keep Dreaming, Designing & Dwelling…
Cheers!
Cortney
Let’s be social:
Twitter: @CortneyBailey
Instagram: @CortneyBailey
Pinterest: CortneyBailey
Facebook: Dream Design Dwell
Dream Design Dwell 
