Decor: Keri Rusell's home

Hello Made By Girls followers! Katie here, from H2 Design. Everyone knows to look to the stars for new ideas in fashion, trending hairstyles, and make-up tips. So, it is only fitting that they inspire our home design as well.

There are a handfull of stars' homes that I am guilty of pulling into my "design inspiration" archives. So today, I thought I would share one of my favorites with you; Keri Russell's renovated 1860's brownstone. 

What I like most about her home is how well she was able to mix all my favorite aesthetics; rustic, romantic, traditional, vintage and touches of modern. A girl after my own heart. Here is a peak at the fabulous home she created with her husband, Shane Deary.

All images via Elle Decor.

Yep, I think I could pretty much move right in (and I wouldn't change a thing). But since that is not an option, let's have some fun recreating some of Keri's key pieces...

1 - Ochre Chandelier / 2 - Hight Street Market's Gold Feather Mirror / 3 - Anthropologie's Burnt Wood Dining Table / 4 - abc home's Mesh Chair / 5 - original canvas by Linda Monfort / 6 - abc home's Vintage Grape Bin / 7 - MGBW upholstered armchairs / 8 - Crate and Barrel's Zia Shag Rug / 9 - Urban Outfitters' Dress Form / 10 - Cali Coast 1 by Marco Suarez / 11 - Restoration Hardware's Clawfoot Tub

What stars' interiors do you look to for inspiration?

-post by katie hackworth

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10 Booties for Fall

Hey - have you all noticed that SO MANY of the Fall booties have prints on them!?? Hmmm new trend perhaps!!?? 

Could be, and I'm LOVING this! I'd have to say my favorite is A. - of course, I know I may NOT get past 6 NYC blocks in these, but they sure would make for a nice entrance to a party. My assistant chose F. as her fave - I can see why, those are super cute, I like the printed hair calf look! 

Which do you like best? Are you a more refined or rugged kind of gal?

A. KG Susie Dalmatian Pointed Ankle Boots

B. Stella McCartney Ladsun Canvas Ankle Boots

C. Alice + Olivia Dorris Cheetah Haircalf Booties

D. ASOS Soun Bright Blue Zip Pointed Boots

E. ASOS Arrow Point Ankle Boot

F. Matt Bernson Jardin II Haircalf Booties

G. Frye Engineer 8R Boots

H. Rag & Bone Classic Newbury Booties

I. KORS Michael Kors Wayland Suede Booties

J. Jeffrey Campbell Brit Wrap Strap Booties

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GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!!

Congrats to Jara from Down Days blog! You've won both a monogrammed tray & an iphone case! YAY! I'll contact you shortly!

Thank you all for entering & a big thanks to Pretty Smitten for both prizes!

 

*If the winner does not reply within a week, by 10/23, a new winner will be chosen*

-image by Pretty Smitten

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FOOD: Spiced Pear Cake & Crème Fraîche Glaze

Hi guys! Lauren from Perpetually Chic, back today to share one of my favorite cakes for the fall season. The basic pear cake recipe is a staple in my family, but I recently made a few adjustments and created a glaze that I think makes this treat even more irresistible.

 Packed with pears, walnuts and currants and laced with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, it's a cake that literally tastes like fall. Plus, it's equally delicious served with vanilla ice cream for dessert as it is enjoyed alone for breakfast! Keep reading for the easy recipe...

Ingredients:

For the Cake

• 3 firm, ripe pears, peeled, cored and diced
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 eggs, at room temp
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup dried currants (or raisins)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)

For the Glaze

• 1/2 cup confectioners' (powdered) sugar
• 1/4 cup crème fraîche
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp each of cinnamon and nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Place the pears in a large bowl with the sugar. Stir and set aside for 15 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter a shallow, round pan.
3. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Then sift the flour mixture into the bowl with the pears. 
4. Add eggs, oil, vanilla, currants and walnuts to bowl with pears and mix well. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
5. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan on a rack. 
6. Meanwhile, make the glaze. In a bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, crème fraîche and water until smooth. Mix in vanilla extract, cinnamon and nutmeg. Spread the glaze all over the top of the cake. Let stand until the glaze sets, then cut into wedges and serve.

-post & images by Lauren Craig

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BITS OF MY WEEK

The latest design book by Nate Berkus, "The Things that Matter" - it is sooo good! You can get yours here!

Below - one of the commissioned paintings I did this past weekend.
See more at Cocoa & Hearts.

Trying to get some sleep. As you can see our white sofa is kept mostly covered, since our Darla recently started getting on it. 

-images by jen ramos

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Cocoa & Hearts News

Hey guys ! Welcome back...I swear, it was so nice to get some rest this weekend, I totally needed it. My chiropractor told me that I needed to get off my computer to help my BACK PAIN...seems like ours computers are our worst enemies at times, know what I mean?!??

Hope you all had a great few days as well! As for me, I've been working on some commissions with a few clients - here is one I did yesterday for a client's home office. She wanted a combination of blush pinks & gold mainly. I love the way it turned out, how about you??

I'm still working on a few more but should be available to start more commissions around October 25th or so. If interested email me with size of painting you'd like & colors you prefer to see. If you're unsure of style, visit my gallery at Cocoa & Hearts.

Also - more paintings to be added as well to the gallery toward the end of this month! 

-image by jen ramos

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Apartments + iPhone + Friday

Our search for an apartment continues this weekend. It seems like the rents are higher & the sq. footage has gotten smaller, unreal. New York City!! What happened to you?!?? 

Anyhow, I will try to relax this weekend as well, I hope. In the meantime, please check out the Cocoa & Hearts iPhone case available here - at this time we only have this color, but I promise new colors will follow. Have a great weekend!

-image by jen ramos

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