Home Tour: Residence of Jessica Nickerson from Texas

Hello everyone!! I trust your week is going well and I am sure you can’t wait for the weekend to arrive. Well for me, besides looking forward to weekends, I can’t wait to share inspirations through beautiful home tours with you all. And now it’s time for another gorgeous home tour all the way from Texas. Jessica Nickerson and her husband have always loved styling their home, making it warm, inviting, pretty and yet functional. I loved everything they incorporated in this home. And you will notice there is a perfect balance between different styles like bohemian, country and vintage. I love the way Jessica has added character and charm to her space through different textures like wood and fabrics, thereby accentuating visual interest. Jessica is also the author of her blog “House Homemade” as she wanted to chronicle her DIY home projects to share her inspiration and ideas with everyone.

 

Let’s hear more from Jessica as she opens up her home for a tour

"We've lived in our house for 8 years and have changed pretty much every surface. Our big projects include kitchen and bathroom renovations and creating a more open floor plan and then other, smaller DIY projects that I talk about on the blog HouseHomemade.us

 I've always loved design and styling my house and any other I can get my hands on. Things are constantly changing in here but when I make or thrift almost everything, no project breaks the bank. That's important for me to help people to understand. You can love your house and make it a cozy, welcoming place without going to a store and buying all the things. It takes more time to make or gather pieces you love off of Craigslist or from thrift stores but the end result is so much more fun!

The dictionary wall is one of my favorites and the tutorial can be found on my blog.

What a brilliant idea... Click here for the tutorial

Houseplants are such an easy way to make your space more homely. Stick them in a thrifted hamper or basket for a more finished look.

I just recently redid our back porch with a craigslisted table and chair set.

  

My dad made our headboard and I made-over a quilt I already had, with dye. You can search my love of dye on the blog too.

Our 2 daughters share a room. The black wall helps the Antique blankets and the entire color stand out.

Make sure you check back or follow me on Instagram @househomemade for more money saving, homey-home creating kind of tips.

Thank you for having me, Rachel!"

 

Thank you Jessica for opening up your home and giving us a virual tour!! Looking forward to more inspirations through your blog and Instagram feeds.


All images are copyright Jessica Nickerson





 

Artist of the month: Rashmi Krishnappa

Doodle art these days are pretty popular. It’s a recognized form of art that is fun and relaxing. This art is basically an impromptu method to express ideas, thoughts and emotions that is spontaneous in nature…. And they are depicted in abstract illustrations. You start with a simple sketch and all you need to do is work on it with a little imagination, without any proper skill, discipline and style. I believe that creativity is at its best when you doodle.  

Rashmi Krishnappa is one such artist whose art is influence by doodle art or rather an extension of doodling. Her passion for art can be seen on her feed on Instagram and Facebook. I am mesmerized by her detailing in each of her art work. Before we hear from Rashmi about her art journey, have a look at her work and you will know what I am talking about.

 

 

A brief about yourself.

Wife, mom to 2 and a software engineer by profession.

How did your journey as an artist begin? Did you have any formal training or is it self-taught?

During my school days I loved drawing and painting and took part in drawing competitions and such. Once I started my engineering I had to leave art behind but I did not stop doodling in my textbooks and notes. Several years later - marriage, kids and jobs later I picked up a pen to draw again and have not stopped since. Drawing patterns is relaxing to me like yoga to the mind.  I have had no formal training in art - the more I draw the more I seem to learn and get better at it.

How would you define art?

It’s an expression, something you feel, something you want to convey , something you want to portray or maybe just something you create that pleases you and others.  

 

What's your inspiration for your art work?

My art work gets inspiration from everyday events, nature, abstract patterns and Hinduism in general.  The art form I use in the drawings is heavily influenced by various art forms like Madhubani , Zentangle , Henna patterns , doodle art and mandalas. I first draw a basic outline of whatever it is I am drawing and then basically fill with patterns.

 

What is the most challenging aspect about your work?

Time - Art has not been and still is not my profession so making the best possible use of the time I can spare does get challenging , but I think it’s easier for me since I do not consider art as 'work' 

 

What is your creative process like? What keeps you motivated?

Process of creating art is very satisfying to me, time spent drawing those patterns in my art work is very relaxing and therapeutic to me. The End result of a completed drawing/art-work is the icing on the cake. I am my own critique and constantly want to keep improving and trying to do better.  With age came the deep desire in me to leave a mark in the world and what better way to do this than with art. If I could make my art reach places - it gives me immense joy. 

 

Tell us a bit about your online shop. Do you commission different projects?

When I got back to art after a gap of 20 years I initially had no intentions of selling , My art got noticed on Instagram by people like you and I had some requests to start selling my art prints. I opened my etsy shop early 2016    http://www.etsy.com/shop/RashmiArtPage   , as of now I have art prints of various art work I did in the last 2 years . Till today every  sale makes me very happy , some times its still surreal to me that people like and want my art hanging on their walls . Trying hard to sell or trying to get myself noticed is not very productive for me and also not something I am good at , so I hope that if I keep creating my art will get noticed . I have recently opened up for commissioned projects - I have not worked on any so far.  

 

Any tips or words of wisdom to aspiring artists?

Keep those creative juices flowing - keep creating - do what you love and love what you do. 

 

 

Thanks Rashmi for sharing your inspiration and thoughts with me and my readers. Looking forward to seeing more of your amazing work!!!

 

Click here to get updates on Facebook, here to follow her work on Instagram and here to purchase her beautiful art on etsy.

All Images are copyright Rashmi Krishnappa






 

Tiramisu : an easy eggless recipe

Tiramisu….. the most popular Italian creamy dessert… a dessert that never lasts long in my house, is my all-time favorite. Moreover today’s recipe takes no time at all to make, can be prepared in advance and takes even lesser time to eat! The original recipe generally uses raw eggs but today’s recipe is eggless. And what I like about this dessert is that it’s not too rich and heavy and it gives you a tantalizing flavor of mocha, cream and a teeny weeny hint of liquor and chocolate… 

So let me stop babbling on how heavenly this dessert is and move on to the recipe and make you realize why my love affair with Tiramisu still continues!!

Serves 6 to 8

Recipe is adapted from here

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Whipping cream

1 cup (8 oz) mascarpone cheese

2 tsp vanilla extract

6 TBS powdered sugar

1 ½ cup strong cold coffee and 2 tablespoon of kahula or liquor of your choice

26-30 savoiardi biscuits

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions:

1.       Whip heavy cream in a bowl until stiff peaks are formed. Refrigerate this bowl of whipped cream until needed.

2.       In a separate bowl beat the mascarpone cheese until smooth and add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract and beat well till its smooth

3.       Fold mascarpone mixture to the whipped cream with a rubber spatula until no white streaks remain.

4.       One by one dip and quickly roll the savoiardi biscuits in coffee mixture and place in your dish, breaking or trimming biscuits to fit in the dish. Please make sure you don’t dip the biscuits in the coffee mixture for too long else it will get mushy. Arrange the soaked biscuits in a single layer on the bottom of your dish.

5.       Spread a portion of the mascarpone cheese over the soaked biscuits and smoothen it out and sprinkle cocoa powder through a fine mesh sieve over the cheese mixture.

6.       For another layer of biscuits and cream repeat step 4 and 5.

7.       Cover with a plastic wrap and chill for a few hours or overnight. Dust some more cocoa powder before you serve.

Tips

·         This dessert must be served cold

·         You can skip the liquor if you want.

·         You can even grate chocolate over the cocoa powder.

·         Make sure the mascarpone cheese is in room temperature before you beat it.

All pictures are clicked by me

Home Tour of Eva from Gold Coast Australia

Today I’d like to share a beautiful inspirational home that is swoon worthy and Bohemian in style… a home based on the gold coast Australia. Eva, an interior enthusiast, has landscaped her home with handpicked textiles, colours, beautiful accessories and gorgeous green plants. Eva has styled her home into a beautiful laid back space with a contrast of white with beautiful bright colours. As I browsed through her pictures I could sense her carefree bohemian spirit and her love for life. Her home strikes a beautiful balance between electic, traditional and the vibrant elements. She has created an amazing mix of patterns with accents and accessories that gives a beautiful calm vibe.

Let’s hear more from Eva herself on her source of inspiration for her décor style

“Ever since I can remember I've loved interior design and styling I would love to design my room, cubby house and browse through home decor magazines. I've always enjoyed decorating my home but decided to really go for it earlier this year …that's when I found Instagram and I was googling home inspo and kept getting Instagram pop up so I decided to create an account. The first account that really inspired me was @blissfully_eclectic then @karaevens, @thejungalow @colbytice and the list goes on … I don't think I'll ever say my home is finished as I'm always adding plants and textiles… they have to be my guilty pleasures, I source most of my furniture and accessories through thrifting mostly online via Craigslist I shop online for a lot of my textiles and just regular chain stores sometimes have great stuff. “

 

So get yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy this beautiful home tour.

 What a feast for my eyes! I hope you enjoyed the home tour. Click here to follow Eva and her décor inspirations on Instagram - @eva.loyola and email her at evaloyola414@gmail.com 

 

 Thank you Eva for opening up your home for me and my readers and inspiring us with your décor style!!!

 

All pictures are copyright Eva

 

Bohemian Inspiration

I have revisited home tours that are bohemian in style for hours and got lost because this style of interiors always gives me a sense of comfort, serenity and character. It just brings on joy, warmth and sense of retreat. If you are unconventional and free spirited at heart then this is definitely your style. A bohemian home has a bit of eclectic, modern, colours, textures and patterns. It’s definitely an antidote to contemporary and minimalistic style!

I often wonder if this unconventional style is easy to adapt….For many this style may look chaotic, mismatched and too much to take in… but it is actually quite simple. Boho need not be a cluttered retro look… you can always achieve a Boho-minimalistic interiors which will equally give you a sense of cozy retreat.

Here are some tips to achieve this diverse and carefree style

Colour Burst – A Boho inspired room is all about colours and different hues.  Different colours are injected to a room through tapestries, rugs, curtains and piles of pillows. And strangely there is a sense of harmony when things don’t match is put together.

Furniture – Furniture pieces that ooze comfort like upholstered furniture, cozy armchairs, Ottomans, leather sofas and low coffee tables are common in most bohemian inspired rooms.

Accessories – Display of travel souvenirs, use of lanterns, candles, chandeliers, huge mirrors and old photographs in beautiful frames gives an exotic and vintage touch to Bohemian style room. Even a pile of books make a good accent and character to a boho-styled room.

Splash of Greenery – Abundance of plants is another common aspect for this diverse styled room. What better way to add life to a room!

 

Enjoy some of my handpicked Bohemian inspired spaces that express individuality!

Image copyright www.elledecor.com , photographed by William Waldron

Image via www.lonny.com ,

Image via http://www.brit.co/ 

 

Image via Harper's Bazaar

Image via Harper's Bazaar

Image via Harper's Bazaar

Image via Harper's Bazaar

Baked Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Spinach

I am finally back to my old routine after all the holidays in between and I was desperately seeking for a baked chicken recipe which is flavorful and easy to make for a busy weeknight. A friend of mine used to bake chicken thighs for our potluck dinners which were cooked to perfection and eventually it was wiped out clean by all of us. I and my family love chicken thighs because it’s the juiciest part!!! Thanks Meena for inspiring me to try this recipe!! And I took the liberty of improvising her recipe a bit.

This is a simple recipe made with easy-to-get recipes. And the juices that come out from this flavorful chicken in the pan after its baked is just heavenly!! Smelled like thanksgiving and christmas!!

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

 

Chicken thighs - 10 to 12 pieces

Crushed pepper - 2 tsp.

Salt - to your taste

Chillie flakes – 1 to 2 tsp. (depending on the heat you like)

Dried Herbs (I used parsley and basil) – Parsley 2 tsp. & Basil 1 tsp.  

Ginger Garlic paste – 1 heaped tsp.

A pinch of turmeric

Olive Oil

Garlic cloves - 5

Spinach – a handful

Potato wedges

Cooking or heavy cream – to your taste

Fresh Chopped parsley leaves

 

Method

Marinate chicken thighs overnight with crushed pepper, salt, chillie flakes, herbs, turmeric, olive oil and garlic pods.

Preheat oven at 170 degrees C.

In a pan fry the chicken thighs for 2 minutes on each side and keep it aside in a greased baking pan.

 

In the same pan fry the marinated garlic cloves and spinach leaves for a few minutes and add it to the chicken.

 

To this sprinkle potato wedges and cover it with foil and bake it for 45minutes and turn around the chicken pieces in between.

Then add cream to it depending on how creamy you like the sauce to be. Since I didn’t want too much cream I just added a little. And just mix and turn around the chicken thighs and bake for 5 more minutes.

Sprinkle fresh parsley leaves and serve it hot with your favorite salad and khubus. Enjoy making it!

Tips for you

You can use mushrooms instead of spinach.

Serve with mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts/ steamed broccoli or even pasta.

Instead of dried herbs, try using fresh herbs.

You can substitute heavy cream with milk.

Use baby potato instead of wedges.

Keep the skin on the chicken if you like it crisp.

Images are clicked by me






 

Artist of the month: Ana J.

I saw Ana’s work on instagram and her gallery was filled with endless appetite for beauty through her canvas and colours. I was instantly hooked on to her work. In her amazing art work she has infused the spirit of beautiful people and nature’s beauty. I love her attention to details and the way she fills each corner of her canvas, blending each colour so beautifully, filled with grace. Serenity oozes from each one of her art work with beautiful and calm colours. Ana is based in gurgaon and in her interview she shares her passion for art and beautiful thoughts.

Let’s view her work and hear more from Ana and her journey through art

 

 

 

 

A brief about yourself

I get up in the morning, sleep at night, and in between try to make this world a more beautiful and vibrant place to live in!

 

How did your journey as an artist begin?

When you have few hours to yourself, and you are all alone, there are just windows and doors to listen to you, and you know you are a quiet kind of a person, you know you have to give form and color to your thoughts and feelings before they die with you.  

How would you define art?

Art is too fluid a concept that it could be described in few words. If I had to put it simply, I would say Art is something that makes our life abundantly rich. Just look around yourself. The clock on your work desk, the way you arrange your food, your coffee mug, the way your bonsai is growing in the pot, the way creepers grow, the space between two flowers that grow side by side, all of it is ‘art’. Now just for a second visualize your life without this, how bare and lifeless it would be.

On another deeper/esoteric note, art is definitely not an end product that is a means of pleasure. Every piece of art is a place, a point in time, a phase in life where the viewer/observer meets the artist in thoughts, experiences, and feelings. So much so, that the viewer feels the thoughts that have been expressed were his own, and feels united with the artist in thought and mind.

 

What medium do you work on? And what's your inspiration for your artwork?

I do not restrict myself with medium. The objective is to express my thoughts and feelings, and the possibilities are endless.

However, on a more realistic and meaningful note, I use best quality art supplies for the quality and longevity of the artworks.

Inspiration can come from anywhere; it could be a bird in the sky, a cloud above my terrace, a walk in the garden, something I saw on the street, or an emotion too deep. And of course, the works of known artists are the treasure house of inspiration.

 

What is the most challenging aspect about your work?

Time is the most elusive aspect to my day. It is the most precious. Having uninterrupted, long duration of time and syncing it to the right energies even more.

 

What is your creative process like? And what keeps you motivated?

My creative process begins by centering myself, by withdrawing myself from all the worldly energies, and by creating a still in my environment. And after that it is all music, rhythm, fun and magical!

24 hours in a day, keep me motivated to make the most of them.

 

Have you had any exhibitions? What have you found to be the best way of getting your art noticed by buyers?

I have had some solo art exhibits at retail spaces. The response has been overwhelming.

I do not indulge too much in thoughts about selling art. I truly believe my purpose in life is just to create more art. And the rest of it will be taken care of by the good forces around me.

Having said that, I think the best way to get your art noticed is to create quality artworks.

 

Tell us a bit about your online shop.

It is not just an online shop; it is a philosophy, a belief, and a beautiful space, where you can enjoy “The Simple” in life!

At prettypinkpebbles.com you can pluck cherries, sleep on strawberries, run on rainbows, or simply wander aimlessly. And of course pick the piece of art that belongs to you!

 

Any tips or words of wisdom to aspiring artists who want to pursue a similar career.

Create more art.             

 

So if you love her work like I do, follow her on the following links

 

http://prettypinkpebbles.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myprettypinkpebbles/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ana_pebbles/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ana_pebbles

 

Enjoy her happiness project!

 

 

Images copyright Ana J.