The Year in Review

I love a good year in review.  These are the Carrie's Design Musings top posts from 2017 in case you missed them or are interested in seeing them again.  What is most interesting is... many of the most popular posts have something to do with mindfulness.  This is a conversation I have been spending some time talking about this year.  What energy, literally and figuratively, are we dwelling in?  It confirms that my new found interest is resonating with you as well.  I am happy that is the case. Thank you.


A Clean Slate ~ I am thrilled this story's popularity allowed me to republish it because it's a point I could talk about again and again.

 Energetically Speaking  ~ My love of crystals and talk of energy will certainly continue into 2018

Pied-a-Teardown Addendum ~ This story brought with it a lot of attention.  Emmy Rossum has moved on, but her actions will live on in infamy

Incorporating Antiques ~ is always a good idea

An "I Can Do It" Attitude ~ my girlfriend will be quite pleased she made it into the top posts story.  It's a tale as old as time.  We can do anything if we set our mind to it!

Cube Formula ~ This story had legs. I was out and about talking to  a woman I had never met before.  I was telling her I was obsessed with decorative ice cubes.  She said, that's funny, I just read a blog post about that.  Guess who's blog she read?  We screamed in unison.

A Neutra in the Neighborhood ~ I loved that it was a little surprise that I did not even know existed in my hood, Oh I could be so happy here!

The Ibu Movement ~ Shopping for fabulous crafts by talented women from around the world coupled with philanthropy is a win/win always.  Plus, meeting Ali McGraw and hearing her speak passionately about her ambassadorship was thrilling.

The Language of Flowers in Feng Shui ~ this was a blog post and a Facebook Live discussion. People are passionate about their flowers and how to display (or not display) them!

I am eternally grateful for your readership.  May we continue together in 2018!  Good things are
coming.

Cube Formula

via Lulu Powers

I have recently become "ice cube happy" turning my ordinary, uninspired ice cubes into blocks of art.

It all started with my coffee ice cubes for my cold brews.  I hate watered down ice coffee.  It's a no brainer that can easily become overlooked.

It started out harmlessly enough.  If you know me you are no doubt familiar with my mint obsession.  That was my next choice for the cube du jour.

My decorative ice cube love has morphed into an slight preoccupation with  ~ what's new, what's next?  What else can I encase in ice?   Edible flowers take ice water to another level!  OMG, how beautiful are these?  Do you have a party or shower coming up?

I was having a meal somewhere and on their cocktail list was lavender infused vodka.  Hello lavender, I do like a calming cocktail.  This might become my "go to" hostess gift of the summer: a bottle of infused vodka made with love.

start with organic lavender

LAVENDER–INFUSED VODKA

1 750ml bottle good quality vodka

1 tablespoon dried organic lavender buds

Using a funnel, add the lavender buds directly into the bottle of vodka. Recap the bottle and shake to distribute. Let the vodka steep for five days, shaking it daily to distribute the floating buds.

Once ready, strain the vodka into a clean container through a fine mesh strainer to remove the bulk of the lavender buds. Strain the vodka again through a coffee filter to remove the finer particles.

via Kaleandchocolate 

No longer satisfied with a naked ice cube, and who says it has to be ice in those ice trays, or in the shape of a block for that matter?  Smoothie cubes and kale cubes make things easier, post work out.  Yes, please!

I'll take chocolate any way I can get it, and the heart shaped frozen confection is quite the little multi tasker ...  for hot coffee or milk, or something harder perhaps?  Genius!

I am currently prepping these Bloody Mary cubes for an upcoming brunch and most definitely Father's day.

Stop the insanity!  Up your sparkling water game with layers of juice for a melange of fruity flavors.  Just freeze each layer one at a time for a subtle mixture of flavor.

It's such a little thing, but I appreciate all the details that make any meal a nicer experience.  Friends will think you went to so much trouble.  This will keep me busy all summer long!

For an elevated experience, it's like a cherry on top!

Cheers




recipe courtesy of Alabama Chanin