I wanted to let you know what I will be busy working on for December. This next month will be sure to fly by and I hope I don’t neglect my blogging responsibility!

The Summit league of Los Gatos has asked me to decorate a room in the “Homes for the Holidays” house tour benefit. It will be the first time I have been asked and I am really excited about it. The house is a tastefully restored Victorian near the heart of downtown. My room will be called the “Intimate Weekend Getaway” It’s a cozy upstairs bedroom and bath that I will be redesigning and dressing up for the holidays.

The best part for me personally is that all proceeds go to the Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE). As most of you know from reading my bog I have a son with Autism. This event and benefit will raise much needed funding to assist the center. If you’re located nearby I encourage you to purchase a ticket and enjoy seeing some beautiful homes decked out in their holiday best.

I will be showing some decorations that I’ve been working on soon.

Stacey~

P.S. photos credits… eduverse.org & summit.org

I think I can talk about it now since I have started a 12 step style program..

By now most of you know that I am an interior designer. So it would be no surprise to you that I have lots of furniture and accessories that adorn way too many areas of my own home.

Here it goes…. Fashion! Yes, I’m obsessed with designer duds at great prices. I can always find an excuse. When I slide into that Nina Ricci black high collared evening coat I’m thinking not only does it look AMAZING!! It was 80% off!! My latest acquisition is a black Missoni sleeveless dress with gold accents. I know I know!! I’ve got to stop the insanity.

Well I thought it only fair that I offer you a few of my secrets!

Isn’t there a saying… When the going gets tough …the tough go shopping?

Well these are some tough times! Get out there and do some shopping! I must stop so I’m passing on the torch!

But I had to show you some frocks that I must refuse! Cold turkey is hard!!

All photos are courtesy of eluxury and Gilt.com

I hope you enjoy your shopping filled weekend!

Patrick loves to rearrange! I’m always finding tweaks to my artful vignettes around the house and they are good!! Just goes to show designers are born with their abilities.

Thanks Patrick!

I love the addition with the letter "P"..

The Fall/Winter season is now officially in full swing at the Costello house. Why you ask?

When the weather starts to cool and yes even in sunny California it still does cool off by mid to late October our dog NICO needs his dog bed out again.

For most of the year he is content to lay out in the family room on an area rug or

our bed.

As you can see in these pictures it’s not the best location! Of course I’ve tried to relocate it… but no dice. He likes to lay on it right on the landing. Everyone must try to get around it each time they go upstairs. Oh well! He’s an amazing dog with a less than perfect past!

Here’s his story:    

costello.mine.nu/berner

I hope you will take the time and read through it. I have heard that rescue dogs come into your life when they are needed. I sure did! Bruno our last berner had died of cancer and it took a huge toll on me.

The long awaited book by the popular magazine DOMINO has arrived! I spent the better part of the weekend looking through and critiquing. It’s good! That’s my opinion. It gives solid design advice for anyone looking to spruce up their abode.

The rest of my weekend was spent listing many of my less than loved treasures I have been keeping for far too long!  EBAY the online marketplace… My son loves to say that over and over again. I think Ebay was really invented for all the designers out there! We buy and source for clients for a living…of course we will pick up things along the way.

I am always on the lookout for quick and easy recipes. I am forever scanning through magazines to find something that only takes 4 or 5 steps. This thought process unfortunately misses some good ones I’m sure. Real Simple magazine is where this delicious dinner recipe came from. Following the directions as they are written is another little detail I don’t always follow. This time I did! This was quick to make and tasted delicious. I recommend serving it with just a salad and maybe a French baguette because it is very rich.

Photo by Real Simple

Quick Beef Bourguignon

Takes about 20 minutes

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 ¼ pounds sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch pieces

Kosher salt and pepper

1 16-ounce package frozen pearl onions

2 cups red wine

1 10.75- ounce can Campbell’s Golden Mushroom soup

½ cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped. It’s optional…I used it.

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Season the steak with ½ teaspoon salt and pepper and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the steak to a bowl and set aside.

Add the mushrooms and onions to the pan and cook until the liquid has evaporated. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, 5 to 6 minutes.

Stir in the soup and ¼ cup water and bring to a boil. Add the steak and juices from the bowl and simmer 2 minutes.

Divide into individual bowls and sprinkle with the parsley, if using.

Let me know what you think..

Enjoy!

I just had to tell you about the most amazing sheets I have ever found. I feel confident that I can say this considering I have been looking for just the right feel for a very long time. Thread count seems to be the most desired way to describe sheets. I know I have certainly bought some of the highest hoping to slide into my bed after a long day and feel so cozy I never wanted to get out.

That thinking is now over… I’ve met wood fiber sheets and I’m never going back. I know wood fiber sounds a bit sketchy so I’ll need to explain. The actual description from the company is.."100% wood fiber, which the US Customs had them classify as Lyocell". Also a bit of trivia they mentioned to me. "The Italian word for wood is Legno. So they made their own version by making it feminine".They have the feel of silk but are much heavier. They launder great and after a couple of years they still look like they are new. Since SDH makes many products the exact style you want is “Legna” pronounced len-ya. They come in many different colors of mostly muted tones. Here is there website www.sdhonline.com.

Now for all of you not located in California… This might be a stretch but maybe something could be worked out? If you are able to locate the sheets and feel them. J Better linen stores or boutiques will be your best bet. Email me and since I’m going on up to the sale I could pick some up for you. Crazy!!! I know. This is what is so fun about blogging and meeting new people.

A little about the day of the sale. For all of us veterans who go every year we have a little pre game routine.

1. Gather everything you want to take the night before. You will be leaving EARLY. I’m usually out the door by 4:45. I get there at 6:45 and proceed to wait in a line for 2 HOURS!!
2. Pack some snacks & drinks. Warm coat and most importantly a collapsible chair. Your back will thank you.
3. Don’t think if you get there at this hour you will be first in line.
4. Be prepared to meet some of the nicest, craziest and funny people while you wait.
5. We all know we are loony but we love it. We are a tight group. I’ve been seeing the same people every year for the last 3 years.
6. They give you trash bags at the door that you lug around while shopping. I do mean lug too! We all laugh as we bump into each other while wielding these heavy sheet laden bags.
7. Time to check out…whew! You are pooped.
8. Arrive home to see my son Patrick waiting to see what I scored. Yes, He’s a fan too! Only sheets he wants now.
9. As luck would have it there are restrooms inside the main office and the nice ladies who work there will usually grant you permission.

I hope if you can make it you will introduce yourself. We crazy sheet people need to stick together. If you’re wondering why I go every year… You never score all you want when you go. The prices are so good that it all gets snapped up pretty quick. Also, I usually buy for clients & friends too!

Just a quick post to mention the big sale news that I will be posting later this week! It’s worth coming back soon I promise!!

Stay close.

Stacey~