Designer in Teal: August 2012

August 30, 2012

Football Food

Since today kicks off the start of college football, I thought I would post some awesome tailgating/ football party ideas. And maybe also because my friend Erin requested that I do a post on this. I love game day food. To me, it basically consists of appetizers, snack type foods and desserts :) Are you hosting a football party this weekend? What tailgating foods are your favorite? Have you made any of these? If so I would love for you to share. If you don't want to comment publicly, you can always send me an email at samantha.n.shipley@gmail.com! Enjoy~

Football Pepperoni Pizza- I love this idea. I make homemade pizza a lot and it wouldn't take much to make it look like this! You can find the original post here

Individual 7 Layer Dip- Yay for portable nachos! You could always have extra chips out on a table or put each person some chips in a ziploc bag. If you use these little disposable cups then you have a really easy clean up too. And you could make most of this ahead of time and just add your cheese and toppings last minute. You can find the original post for these here.

Football Cake Pops- These are so fun and also great for on the go. I've never made cake pops, but I've heard they take a lot of time and effort. Nobody wants to be slaving away in the kitchen when its game time. So if these are too advanced, another great option would be cupcakes!! You can find the original post here.

Fruit Kebabs- If you are thinking so far that you are going to gain 10 pounds for eating all of this stuff, then here you go. Anything "on a stick" is appropriate for game day and tailgating. These will add lots of color to your table as well. Found on Pinterest!

Mini Corndog Muffins- I really want to make these soon! I love corndogs and these are just too cute. They may not be appropriate for tailgating since they probably wouldn't be so good reheated, but I sure would love those for a football party/gathering. You can find the original post here.

Super Quick Chili- Who doesn't love something warm and comforting for those REALLY COLD games? Bread bowls are awesome too because the only thing you need for this is a spoon! Don't have to worry about lots of dirty dishes. You can find the original post here.

And here's a few more...just for fun!! :)

http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2011/08/quarterback-snack.html

You have to let me know if you try THIS ONE!!!

http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/74027987594974204_iTB1maCN.jpg

Tailgating Essentials for Hokies:

I hope that whatever games you are watching this weekend or Monday, you will consider these recipes and ideas to make your experience a better one.

P.S. I will let you know if I actually make any of these :) I'm sure my husband would appreciate it if I do!

Happy Tailgating!

XO Samantha

August 28, 2012

Back to school...or not

This is kind of a bittersweet post for me. It is very hard to see all of my friends on facebook talking about being in Blacksburg and first day of classes. I already somewhat mentioned how I miss Blacksburg in another post (http://designerinteal.blogspot.com/2012/08/fallwhen-leaves-turn-maroon-and-orange.html), but does anyone really miss school?? Well, I think the idea is that we miss everything that goes along with that. I miss:

seeing my friends whenever I want
running to our yummy dining halls to grab food
getting to sleep in and stay up late
being around fellow Hokies
wearing maroon and orange ALL of the time
getting to go to all of the football games and tailgating
and so much more...

Do you still miss these things if you are a graduate?

My advice to all of you current students: Don't take these things for granted! Live your college life to the fullest. Always make time to hang out with your friends. If you don't, you will regret it later.

A few random notes:

Remember that jewelry organizer that I really wanted from my organization post? Well my friend Erin gave me hers. It was actually really odd. I mentioned it to her that I was going to ask for one for Christmas and she said she had her in her car and she was going to take it to the goodwill. :) Lucky me!
I got to have Starbucks with a new friend of mine Annamarie. I tried a new frappucino called Mocha Cookie Crumble. It was awesome and it had chocolate whipped cream! (Annamarie is so sweet and I'm so glad I get to hang out with her and get to know her.)
My husband and I went for a jog yesterday evening. This doesn't sound very exciting, but it was for me. I don't really want to admit this but it was the first real exercise I've gotten since before the wedding!! :/
My friend Gabby and I made homemade caramel pecan ice cream this weekend. It was SOOO good Y'all! (words of Paula Deen)

And now....some Maroon and Orange LOVE! Enjoy! Which of these are your favs?

http://www.pret-a-beaute.com/ANDR%C3%89A-MADER-NEFERTITI-Orange-Crystal-Earrings_p-328384.aspx

http://www.spool72.com/58417/741291/Dresses/Harbor--Dock-Dress.html

http://www.loft.com/loft/cat/LOFT-Shoes-%26-Accessories/LOFT-Scarves/catl000025

Pinterest-source not available

Anthropologie

http://cityprintsmapart.com/campuses/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university/

http://craftingmom.com/fall-wreath-with-felt-rosettes/

http://www.jackrogersusa.com/college-colors-maroon-and-orange-1/

Etsy

And if you don't know what a Hokie is here is the answer:

Hokie love,

XO Samantha

August 26, 2012

Design from around the world

I love being inspired by design found all over the world. I have never had the chance to study abroad but I know that there is some amazing architecture and design to be found outside of the U.S. I especially love Moroccan and German. This is not to say that I don't love styles of design found in the U.S. as well. I also really love coastal design, southern, contemporary and transitional. We don't have to be confined to inspiration that is close by. Why not travel the world and learn new things about new cultures? I hope that one day I can experience these styles firsthand.

Moroccan influenced design is very warm and luxurious. The style is known for its vibrant colors and exotic flair. Ceilings are also sometimes very elaborate such as the last image of the bedroom. Bold geometric patterns based off of Moroccan motifs are now popular in our contemporary versions of these designs.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/85459/Moroccan-Luxury-Bathroom-mediterranean-bathroom-other-metros

Pinterest- source not found

Pinterest-source not found

http://www.adesignerspot.com/regional-styles/moroccan-style-interior-design.html

Pinterest-source not found

German design is completely opposite of Moroccan design. It is much more modern and streamlined. This style to me would relate somewhat more to commercial spaces in the U.S. rather than residential. They are on the cutting edge of design today.

http://smarthomekitchen.com/german-kitchen-design-ideas/

http://www.granitetransformations.com/blog/tag/design/

http://www.designrulz.com/spaces-for-living/kitchen-product-design/2012/05/40-sensational-german-style-kitchen-by-bauformat/

http://www.huelsta.com/int_en/furniture_int_en/wall-combinations/index.html

Pinterest-source not found

Now for a few designs you might see:

At the beach! ( I think I like it so much because of all the blues!)

http://www.hgtv.com/living-rooms/coastal-inspired-living-rooms/pictures/page-3.html

Pinterest-source not found

In the South!

http://www.inspirebyheart.com/pt/?id=1127

http://www.houseofturquoise.com/2011/07/windsor-smith-room-in-box.html

http://www.housebeautiful.com/kitchens/tips/dream-kitchen-designs-pictures-0611#slide-1

Hope you enjoyed all of these beautiful spaces! What is your favorite style of design and why? I obviously realize now that I like a variety of designs.

XO Samantha

August 24, 2012

Friday Favorites

This will be a pretty short post, but since I won't be posting this weekend I figured I would share a few things.

Things I am super excited about:

Ty and Gabby are coming to visit for the weekend!!
2 of my very best friends in the whole wide world are getting married next year :) I CANT WAIT
I am almost finished changing my name. I am officially Samantha Horseman now according to my ss and driver's license.

Sites that I am obsessing over recently:

Young House Love- http://www.younghouselove.com/
House of Turquoise-http://www.houseofturquoise.com/
Annamarie Akins Photography :) -http://www.annamarieakinsphotography.com/

Current Favorite Shows:

So You Think You Can Dance!!! ~sad that there is no tour coming close to here :(
Big Bang Theory
House (as always)

Current Favorite Songs:

Dustin Lynch- Angel Eyes
Jason Mraz- I Won't Give Up
Tim McMorris- Overwhelmed

Current Favorite Stores:

Crate and Barrel
Loft
For the Love of Chocolate (Carytown)

Wish List

A Taste of Virginia Tech Cookbook
Hunger Games Movie (ITS OUT NOW!!!)
New watch (preferably fossil)

P.S (who wants to buy me those wish list things??)

Have a fabulous weekend!

Share your favorite things with me! And if you love SYTYCD as much as I do, let me know so we can go see the tour together!!!

I will leave you with my favorite routine EVER!!!

XO Samantha

August 23, 2012

Color and lots of it

I am not one of those designers who likes everything to be white and neutral. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I just have to have more color, texture and visual interest. Done the right way, a white space can be very intriguing, but a lot of times to me it feels cold and uninviting. So today I want to share some of my favorite color combinations with you. (A lot of them have some form of teal) I hope that these images inspire you and bring some life to your day! What are your favorite color combos? Which of the following combos do you like?
Not only do these images have color, but I chose them because they are visually stimulating and are very balanced. These spaces all invite me in and make me want to be sitting on the sofa or cooking in the kitchen. Notice that each image has a variety of texture and pattern to make the look cohesive. Hope that you enjoy these COLORFUL spaces!

Yellow and Grey