New Book! Libby Boom- I Want To Be Baptized

My 8-yr-old boy, Isaac, recently was baptized. As I was checking out books to get him on baptism, I came across this darling book, Libby Boom by Catherine Rae Purves . Instantly I fell in love with the story and illustrations. As I read it with my son, I couldn't help be shed a few, well ok, many tears.  You just want so badly for your children to feel the love that you have for them, and the love you know Heavenly Father has for them!
Specifically, this story deals with a young girl wondering if God really can know who she is since their are billions of people on earth. He answers her in a dream in a way that she learns that he really does know her and all people individually. In the dream she is taken around the world to visit individual children in Ghana, China, Tahiti and Africa and is taught that God knows them individually just as he knows Libby. 
I loved this story because sometimes I am overwhelmed with how many people are on this earth, and it is always good to be reaffirmed that God knows us individually not just as part of the vast expanse of people and places.
I loved this book, and knew it would be great to add to the fantastic book collection I have in
Modern Palm. Libby Boom is now in stock at Modern Palm. Pass on the word, and don't forget about the other great Children books in Modern Palm Boutique!

Vegetable Tacos with Chipotle Sour Cream & Smoky Black Beans

I found this taco recipe in the Oprah Magazine, and finally tried it this week. I had to share this because it was just that good! I loved finding a yummy twist to spice up tacos. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen corn, thawed
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice, plus lime wedges for garnish
• 2 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 2 bell peppers, any color, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 large red onion, sliced
• 1 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
• 1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
• 2 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar
• 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and chopped
• 1 bunch radishes (6 to 8), thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup light sour cream
• 2 canned chipotle peppers in adobo, seeded and diced, plus 2 tsp. sauce
• 8 whole wheat or flour tortillas

Directions

Note: In Spain beans are often roasted until crisp, then served as a bar snack. Here the beans are a crunchy garnish for soft tacos. You can substitute pinto or kidney beans for the black.

Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, toss together corn, 1 tablespoon oil, lime juice, 1 teaspoon salt, cumin, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, bell peppers, and onion, and then spread on a large baking sheet. In a second large bowl, toss together remaining 1 tablespoon oil, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black beans, and then spread on a second large baking sheet. Roast vegetables and beans, tossing occasionally and rotating sheet trays halfway through, until beans are dried out and just crisp, 20 to 25 minutes, and vegetables are deep golden brown and softened, about 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss together cabbage, cilantro, vinegar, sugar, avocado, radishes, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; set aside. In a small bowl, stir together sour cream, chipotle peppers and adobo sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. 

Wrap tortillas in foil, and place in oven for a few minutes to warm. Scoop roasted vegetables onto tortillas, top with cabbage salad, sour cream, and beans. Garnish with lime wedges and serve.

Read more on Oprah 

Pina Colada Bars

So, y'all know of my love for the Pina Colada flavor, thus my past blog a pina colada!

So, I was extremely excited to find this fabulous recipe for Pina Colada Bars 

from the blog Sugar and Charm.

It is like lemon bars, but with a Pina colada twist. Perfect treat for this weekend!

They would look extra perfect presented on these fun platters 

& served with Pina Colada's with these straws, don't ya think?

Courtney Cox's Private Malibu Retreat

Courtney Cox’s Malibu retreat is featured in Elle Decor this month, and it is pretty awesome. 

What I love about this home is the indoor/outdoor open, airy feeling that you get,

the simple, clean decor, and the fantastic entertaining settings that are

meticulous and purposefully designed.

The large Massimo Vitali photograph is such a great focal point for the living room.  

I love how it serves as the color punch and element of a fun mod surprise for the room.

By the way... Love Courtney in Cougar Town! Do you watch?  

I think she's lookin' pretty amazing in purple, 

standing next to that cool vintage purple poster.

"“Malibu is all about being outside,” says Trip Haenisch (her interior decorator). To that end, a smaller galley kitchen attached to the side of the screening house has a “hot-dog window” modeled after food trucks; from there, Cox’s chef prepares snacks and serves drinks to guests gathered around the pool. (This also means that there’s no after-party cleanup noise when it’s time for Coco, Cox’s seven-year-old daughter with actor David Arquette, to go to sleep.) A banquette surrounds a lava-rock fire pit that juts out over the descent to the ocean. “I have coffee there every day,” Cox says." 

via Elle Decor

Movie Love: The Parent Trap

Recently, I watched Parent Trap for the millionth time. 
Parent Trap, is my all time favorite movie,
and now I enjoy watching it with my four children.
It's fun to see them enjoying this classic movie too.
 I adore the movie set on the California ranch, I mean seriously,
I would love that family room right now.
It is so interesting to see this room that was designed 50 years ago,
 have decor that is still relevant and used today.
In fact, I'm looking for a sofa that exact same style, but in the color Gray.
I love that some things are just timeless, and some things will leave,
 but will make their way back in the style world again.

Here is a room that I created that was inspired by the fabulous California Ranch decor.

I tried to keep with the white and orange theme, added some tiled pillows to represent 

the tiled stairs, a little rustic, a little mod, a little glam...voila! 

Love this scene! Careful... you might find yourself singing this the rest of the day!

ahhh! Finally, the scheming works and magic is in the air!

I just love this set. Every room is fabulous, and I love how the courtyard is in the 

center of the home, so the rooms surround it and make the atmosphere so unique.

What a view from the kitchen!
Maybe dishes wouldn't be so bad if I had a view to that courtyard!
Seriously... I've done 4 different loads in the last 36 hours!
It never ends ;)
What is one of your all-time favorite movies?

 movie photos via here

Panna Cotta + Berries

PANNA COTTA... 

I have always been intimidated to make this delicious dessert, but after seeing this 

beautiful photo and hearing Stephanie from Stephmodo 

testify how easy this dessert is to make, 

I think I'm going to finally make an attempt.  

This Italian cooked cream dessert is one of my faves to enjoy at the end 

of a delicious meal while eating out, so I know that I will love it,

question is... can I make it?

Have you ever made an attempt at making Panna Cotta? 

Do you have a recipe to share?

Stephanie shared her recipe over on Zupas blog.

photo by Stephanie

Photographer: Brian Ferry

So glad I discovered the photo collage below on Black*Eiffel.

I'm in love with the work of photographer Brian Ferry. 

I adore the way he uses light and shadows.

He has raw talent and I could just look at his work for hours.

(photos taken by Brian Ferry)

Lunch at The Canyons

 This is where I had lunch on Friday...

Seriously, I feel spoiled.  I was at The Canyons Resort in Park City, 

Utah this weekend for a fabulous EVO conference.

We took the new and amazing "Orange Bubble" Express ski lift to the top of the mountain, 

and found the beautiful setting and breathtaking view at Lookout Cabin.

We had the most delicious gourmet lunch,

and then had cooking lessons from their 5-Star chef, Chef John Murcko,

 and food photography instruction from the food blogger and photographer,

 Helene Dujardin of Tartelette.  Helene is so very talented and so very darling. 

I loved learning from her and love getting to know her.

 I also enjoyed meeting so many wonderfully talented and inspiring women.

I'll share more photos and info in the future, but just had to document this wonderful day!

Hope y'all are having a wonderful summer! What are you busy doing this week?

  (these photos were taken with my iPhone so they are all a little fuzzy, sorry!)