Cocoa & Hearts News

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-image by jen ramos

FOOD: Curried Chicken Salad

Hi MBG readers, Lauren from Perpetually Chic here! One of my favorite quick lunches is to pick up curried chicken salad and a seeduction roll from Whole Foods. Since our Whole Foods is not close to my work, that curried chicken salad haunts me on weekdays. 

Inevitably my stomach begins to growl, and I'm left wishing I had it in my hands. I finally decided it was time to recreate my beloved chicken salad at home, so I can have it whenever I please. Keep reading for my version...

Like any good restaurant re-creation that happens in our kitchen, I examined the ingredients of the original then added a little twist of my own--Greek yogurt in place of mayo. I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with my recipe! It tastes lighter but still has that great curry flavor. 

This recipe comes together very quickly--it's also a great use for leftover chicken.

Curried Chicken Salad

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 

Salt, pepper and garlic powder

6 tablespoons Greek yogurt

1/4 cup slivered almonds

1/4 cup finely diced celery

1/4 cup dried currants

1/4 cup minced red onion

1 teaspoon curry powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

a dash of ground tumeric

Instructions

1. Season chicken breasts generously with salt, ground black pepper and garlic powder. Cook over medium-high heat on a grill, about 4 minutes per side. Roughly chop into cubes.

2. In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, curry powder, salt and tumeric. Add the cooked chicken and stir to coat. Then add the almonds, celery, currants and onion. Mix well to combine.

3. Serve on top of lettuce with bread or crackers on the side. 

-Recipe and photos by Lauren Craig

Summer Wishlist

I swear, this SUMMER I feel like shopping for a whole new wardrobe...or at least a partial wardrobe. Fat chance that I'll go nuts spending $$$ on a shopping spree, it's just not like me. 

So, instead I decided to round up a few key pieces and will just choose 3-4 to sport around this summer! A new bathing suit is def a must right?? But then again, so is that Gucci fedora, to die for don't you think!?!

Which items on my wishlist can you see yourself sporting this summer??

1. Halston heritage

2. mara hoffman printed kaftan

3. gucci fedora

4. maxi dress

5. jean michel cazabat sandals

6. animal print bikini

7. burberry london

SERIES: my home, my space

What is your favorite area in your home and why?


"Hi I'm Kat from With Love from Kat blog! My favorite area in my apartment is my office.  I work from home, so I spend A LOT of time there.  My desk is from Bungalow 5, my planner is from Bergdorf Goodman, and my candle is from Diptyque. I try to always keep fresh flowers, books and jewels out for inspiration.  I stuck to a neutral color scheme for the space, but am dying to get my hands on a MadeByGirl painting to add a pop of color!"

-images via kat tanita

Your Weekend

-image by jen ramos

Design: Graduation Gift Ideas

Hi MadebyGirl readers!  Sam here, from The Peak of Tres Chic, back for another decor post.  Lately my inbox has been full of graduation announcements and party invitations, which makes me reminisce on my own post-undergrad days.  

I remember being so excited to decorate my first apartment in the city, but also clueless about where to start!  Luckily, there are so many cute and affordable decor options out there for the new apartment dweller.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Shop This Board:

Kiwi Folding Mesh Cubes $2.99/ea/Candace Turquoise Table Lamp  $442/Amethyst Salt & Pepper Shakers $115/ Quips and Queries Notecards $28/Good Bones Great Pieces Book $20.69/Arianna Belle Hexagon Throw Pillow Cover  $67/"Measure Me" Measuring Spoons  $15/Shop Ten 25 Turquoise Nightstand $975

Are any of you in the process of decorating your space?  What's been your favorite purchase thus far?  Congrats to all the new graduates this year!

-post by samantha penner

Changing Your Home & Style

Some days I wish MONEY was no object. I would totally change my entire wardrobe & home decor once a year. For those of you who like to change things up, wouldn't that be awesome? To be able to just snap your fingers & BAM! -  new wardrobe, new decor & if we could take it a bit further, we could even look like a specific person. Hmmmmm?

Again, this is not saying you should be UNHAPPY where you are, but like vacations, it would be a cool change of pace, a way to remove the same ol' - same ol' from our everyday lives, but still be able to come back to it! Of course, this is all FANTASY - but the thought intrigued me so much, I thought about how I would do it. So, how would I change things up?

Well, it would have to be a STYLE that is totally OPPOSITE (somewhat) of what I'm into now. With that said, I chose a Bohemian-Chic look. I also chose to go BLONDE & look a little like NICKY HILTON. Not super attractive, not too ugly, right??!!? 

Besides, I thought she looked fantastic in this Boho style outfit, which I plan to sport this summer, you, just, watch! Ok, my picks for Bohemian Style, My way home decor.... would look something like this:

 

1. navy lacquer desk - shopten25

2. spot pillow - barneys

3. horse art - shop candelabra

4. cobalt throw - jayson home

5. agate bookends - high street market

6. marc blackwell glass - barneys

7. nikko ceramics - barneys

8. gold ampersand - the cross

9. elya pillow - jayson home

10. paulaina reyes pilow - west elm

11. velvet ikat pillow - sukan

12. frank ottoman - jayson home

 

However, in the REAL WORLD I'm a tall brunette who loves glamorous living spaces & large scale abstract ART in my home.

If you could change your home decor & the way you look for 1 year, who would you be & what style would you choose??

-top image via purodeco
-nicky hilton image via w.e.n.n
-bottom 2 images by jen ramos

Design: Tropical Glam

Hi MBG readers, its Amanda and I am back with two absolute summertime fave of mine: the iconic banana leaf print and the Massimo Vitali beach photograph. Not sure about you guys but there's no palm trees over here (in ohio) so I'm determined to bring the classic glam style of vacation destinations into our home.

And if you're not planning on any vacation soon, I've picked out a couple of pieces that will be sure to get you feeling the 'Palm Springs chic meets 1950s hollywood' vibe!

Elle Decor

Martinique Wallpaper | World of Interiors via Art of Interiors

1. Rio Wall Sconce
2. Faceted Pendant Light
3. Jacquard Forest Towel
4. Sunburst Mirror
5. Massimo Vitali Photograph
6. Ikea Sofa (Tullinge Gray Slipcover)
7. Palm Leaves Pillow
8. Threshold Toss Pillow
9. Basketweave Metal Accent Table
10. Bamboo Lucite & Brass Bar Cart
11. Stud Poof
12. Safavieh Courtyard Area Rug
13. Jo Malone Osmanthus


-post by amanda dietz

 

SERIES: my home, my space

 
What is your favorite area in your home and why?

"Hi I'm Edie from Life in Grace blog! The multitasking type of room has long been a dream of mine.  A room that’s like me - that reads and does laundry and blogs and dabbles in paints and maps and printing and child-rearing and bird watching.  We’ve only lived here two weeks but I can’t even  count the hours we’ve already spent in here. 

My girls’ new favorite pastime is to watch nail art videos and make their art come true whilst listening to me read “Gulliver’s Travels.”  It’s the first room we use in the morning and the last room we leave in the evening.   It never looks this clean.   There’s usually books and nail polish and writing projects strewn about.   We clean the green table off 27 times a day, only to make room for more art."

You can see more of the renovation here.

-images via here

Your Weekend

-image by jen ramos

Cocoa & Hearts

Thanks to Cassidy for sharing this gorgeous pic of her workspace - that happens to include one of my Cocoa & Hearts paintings! Love it!  I will be adding more new pieces this month stay tuned!!

Do you have a photo you'd like to share with your Cocoa & Hearts painting?? I'd love to see it!  Email me.

Floral Trend - Yes or Hell No?

Here in NYC I've been spotting the floral trend in pretty much every store in town. In fact it looks like this may be in full bloom this Summer! Even though I haven't made the jump to this TREND, I'm really digging these styles below. From skinnies, leggings to trousers, they all come in floral prints these days. I can get a bit wild, but sometimes I think I'd feel like a spectacle if I was walking down the street with some bright pink flowery jeans. 

How about you? Do you like this trend? Which could you see yourself wearing, floral pants, bathing suits or tops?

1. shopbop
2. shopbop
3. mother via shopbop
4. peg trousers via asos
5. current elliot via shopbop
5. floral leggings asos

Fashion: Jumpsuits

Hi everyone!  It's Kat from With Love From Kat. Today's post is all about jumpsuits.  I recently purchased this jumpsuit from Theory and have already worn it to lunches, cocktails and meetings. It's so comfortable, yet flattering, and can easily be dressed up with a pair of heels or dressed down with a scarf and flats.  

Jumpsuits look best with a tie or belt around the waist.  If it doesn't come with a tie or belt, add this obi belt from Lafayette 148 or this thin leather belt from B-Low The Belt.  I try to stay away from wide leg + strapless jumpsuits and lean towards sleeveless/short sleeved versions like below.

1. Theory jumpsuit

2. Arden B jumpsuit

3. Diane Von Furstenberg jumpsuit

4. Catherine Malandrino jumpsuit (in turquoise)

-post by kat tanita

Domaine

Have you guys seen Domaine?

Domaine is a shoppable online magazine spotlighting stylish homes for hip & trendy consumers. It was launched by the creators of WhoWhatWear, and led by Mat Sanders (Domino, Apartment Therapy), the site is a fantastic place to visit when you're looking to get home decor inspiration & ideas. 

The online mag was recently launched in 2013, & is located in one of the world’s most exciting design capitals, Los Angeles. Sweet! I very much enjoyed the entire site, as you can see below are a few of my favorites. How cool is that drawer pull made of skateboard wheels? Enjoy!

-images via domaine

SERIES: MY HOME, MY SPACE

What is your favorite area in your home and why?

"My name is Carmeon Hamilton and I'm a designer out of Memphis, TN. I'm and avid follower of Made By Girl, and today I'm happy to share my fave space with all of you! I share a decent sized apartment with my hubs and 4 year old son. We're on the tightest of budgets so 95% of our furniture has been from a thrift/consignment/antique/junk shop or was created by my own hands. 

Seriously, our biggest splurge was our IKEA Kivik sofa & chase. I built the parson's style bookshelf and navy blue dining table all by myself. Here is the link to the DIY I did, I think you'll love it! I love for the thrill of a good find, but if I can't find what I want, I create it!"

-images via nubi interiors