Tag Archives: Tips & Ideas

Super Bowl Menu that will have your Taste Buds saying: TOUCHDOWN!

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613adlslr-l-_sy355_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!)

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Menu:

Appetizers

  • Pastrami Football Finger Sandwiches
  • Baked Jalapeño Poppers (I make these every year and they are AH-MAZING & NOT fried!)
  • Southwest Turkey Sliders
  • Salad on a Stick (Gotta get your veggies in + guys will still look like a sport’s fan while enjoying!)
  • Almost-Famous Green Bean Fries
  • Spanish-style Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Drinks

  • Fresh & Fierce Margarita (Specialty Cocktail)
  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Water
  • Soda

Pastrami Football Finger SandwichesunknownClick Here for the Recipe

Baked Jalapeño Poppers (AH-MAZING!!!)edited-poppersClick Here for the Recipe

Southwestern Turkey Sliderssouthwestern-turkey-slidersClick Here for the Recipe

Salad on a Stickunknown-4Click Here for the Recipe

Almost-Famous Green Bean Friesunknown-9Click Here for the Recipe

Spanish-Style Meatballs in Tomato Saucemtm2oti0odgzmtk5mja3mda5-2500x1667Click Here for the Recipe

Fresh & Fierce Margarita img_6838_ajfavClick Here for the Recipe

Estilo Double Beverage Drink Dispenser: Guests can self-serve their Margaritas! beverage-dispenser-stand-iron-double-hexagon-clear-glass-refreshments-stand-9275faec3f0c7ecde6c22ad3bbf82c55Drink Dispenser Details Here

Place Wine, Beer, Water and Soda in Ice for Guests

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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

Pinterest: CortneyBailey

Facebook: Dream Design Dwell

YouTube: Cortney Bailey

SnapChat: cortney_bailey

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How To Style a Bar Cart 3 Ways: Bed, Bath & Bar + New Video!

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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

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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:

  • Beautiful lamp that is to scale with the cart
  • Bottle of water
  • Stack of books, journal & magazines
  • Framed photo
  • Candle for relaxing and ambience
  • Flowers (faux or real) to add that feel of nature + a pop of color
  • Cozy Blankets/Throws

BATH

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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!

  • Large Container of Bath Salts (I love to use Epsom Salt!)
  • Luxury Soaps or Bath Gel
  • Body Butter or Lotion
  • Your Favorite Perfume or Scent
  • Whimsical Item (I love my giant faux gold perfume bottle!)
  • Crisp & Fluffy White Towels
  • Book or magazines
  • Relaxing Candle
  • Body Loofah
  • Flowers (faux or real) to add that feel of nature + a pop of color

BAR

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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!)

  • Alcohol: Vodka, Wine, Champagne/Sparkling Wine & Tequila (other ideas: Beer, Whiskey & Scotch) 
  • Various Mixers 
  • Glamorous Decanter
  • Paper Straws (these adorable accessories come in all colors & patterns)
  • Glassware: Martini glasses, Champagne flutes, Wine glasses (Tumblers will need to be used for additional alcoholic drinks + cocktails.)
  • Flowers (faux or real) to add that feel of nature + a pop of color
  • Non-alcohol: Sparkling water, Still water, Soda, Fizzy juice etc…
  • Beautiful Ice Bucket
  • Shaker & Jigger
  • Bottle Opener
  • Bowl of Limes (or Lemons)
  • Cocktail Book
  • Wooden wine box to give height
  • Cocktail napkins 

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

Pinterest: CortneyBailey

Facebook: Dream Design Dwell

YouTube: Cortney Bailey

 

 

 

New Year, New Trends: TOP 5 HOME DESIGN TRENDS 2016 + New Video!

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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:images

Top 5 Home Design Trends for 2016: (watch my webisode above for more details & visuals on ALL TOP 5 Trends!)

  1. Snorkel Blue  – This blue comes from the navy family.  I personally think this color is here to stay.  Some of the other Pantone colors for 2016 are striking but may be “out” in a few years. As Heidi Klum says, “One day you’re In & the next day you’re Out!” Snorkel Blue is a color that can be used for years to come no matter how you choose to style it! Pantone says Snorkel Blue “implies a relaxing vacation and encourages escape.” Hello – I’ll sign up for that! unnamed-2
  2. Bold Geometrics – Add modern dimension to a room with bold geometrics. No matter if your style is very traditional or ultra modern, geometrics shapes will quickly bring your space into 2016!  unnamed-3
  3. Mixed Metallics – Gone are the days of using all gold, all silver, or all bronze!  Just like we see mixed metals in jewelry, the same goes for your home! Now let’s go break the old fashion rules & Mix It Up!  unnamed-4
  4. Bring the Outdoors Inside – Bring a touch of the outdoors inside by using graphic prints, plants & flowers (real or not) or anything that reflects nature.  If you live in an area of the country that is overflowing with beautiful natural elements like leaves, drift wood or pinecones – bring those natural beauties inside and display them! unnamed-5

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. unnamed-6

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

Pinterest: CortneyBailey

Facebook: Dream Design Dwell

YouTube: Cortney Bailey

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New Year: Time to Celebrate & “How to & DIY” Party with an Announcement!

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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

Rewind: 8 Tips & Ideas for Creating Your Winter Wonderland!

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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!

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Rewind Tips & Ideas ONE: Click Here

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Rewind Tips & Ideas TWO: Click Here

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Rewind Tips & Ideas THREE: Click Here

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Rewind Tips & Ideas FOUR: Click Here

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Rewind Tips & Ideas FIVE: Click Here

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Rewind Tips & Ideas SIX: Click Here

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Rewind Tips & Ideas SEVEN: Click Here

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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

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