December 29, 2015 life

Looking Back and Looking Forward

I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions…at least not any more. But, the end of the year is always a great time to reflect on the past and to think about “what’s next?”

2015 was a great year for The Zhush. Fueled by a new house to decorate, the year started off with an exciting bang when our home was featured over on My Domaine. And then, just recently – in a nice symmetrical book end to the year, featured over on the One Kings Lane blog. These were exciting and flattering moments – to say the least.

I really enjoy sharing the design progress here at our new house each month. Documenting it (with progress peeks) made me really appreciate our home, especially during those first few months when I was questioning the whole move and really missing our old home.

I love when I get an email telling me how our home or this blog has inspired someone, even if it’s in a small way. Now into my seventh year of blogging, I feel like I’m starting to hit my stride. I’ll be carrying over certain series into the new year, like Peeking Into Designer’s Homes and Blogger Home Tours and I’m working on a few fun series, that I hope you’ll love as well.

 

December 7, 2015 Connecticut Home

Our House On One Kings Lane
One Kings Lane House tour feature today!
Our House On One Kings Lane

Our One Kings Lane House Tour Feature

Exited to finally talk about our One Kings Lane house tour feature today!

Back in October, the creative team behind the One Kings Lane blog paid us a visit from New York City.

Major anxiety ensued the night before OKL arrived.

This included a wardrobe freak out and several compulsive house cleaning moments.

As it turns out, I didn’t need to spaz out as much as I did.

The camera can’t really pick up dust and Oreo crumbs in the rug after all.

Despite how nerve wracking anticipating this home tour was, the whole day turned into a really great experience.

Cate La Farge Summers interviewed me for the feature.

She asked fun and thoughtful questions about our home, my style and some random “Day In The Life” stuff too.

I absolutely love the photos by Lesley Unruh (she’s as beautiful and sweet as she is talented) and the extra bonus – I got to keep the gorgeous fresh flowers that stylist, Michelle Wong filled my house with.

I loved watching Michelle in action.

Afterward the photo shoot, I left several things exactly the way she artfully arranged them.

These are few favorite images from the shoot.

Our dining room is still very much a “work in progress” so I left those out.

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December 3, 2015 home tours

Easy and Festive Raspberry Holiday Cocktail
 
How festive and delicious does a raspberry holiday cocktail sound?
 
Read on for this easy holiday drinks recipe.
 
two raspberry holiday cocktails
 

Elizabeth’s Raspberry Holiday Cocktail

  

Last month’s post on Tina’s “Enchanted Home” was so much fun, I decided to ask another one of my talented blogger friends to share with us.

I’m so delighted Elizabeth of Pretty Pink Tulips was gracious enough to send over these festive photos of her house, all decked out for the Holidays!

Known for her stylish entertaining and gift giving tips, I couldn’t resist including one of Elizabeth’s signature holiday cocktail recipes here today.

This year, mix up your mulled wine, spiked apple cider and Moscow mule Christmas offerings with this festive mixed drink.

 

Raspberry Holiday Cocktail Recipe –  serves 6

 
First, make a simple syrup, that you can keep in the fridge and use all month long.
 
1/2 cup sugar combined with 1/2 cup hot water. Mix until dissolved, let cool.
 
To make the raspberry puree, blend 1 oz simple syrup with 2 pints fresh or frozen raspberries until smooth.
 
Place a generous spoonful of puree in each champagne flute.
 
Top with your favorite champagne or ginger beer.
 
For a non-alcoholic version of this raspberry holiday cocktail (a mocktail) we recommend trying ginger ale in place of the Champagne.
 
Garnish with a couple of fresh raspberries and a sprig of rosemary for holiday flair.
 
*Cranberry cocktail fans, you can also sub in fresh sugared cranberry puree here instead of raspberries and garnish it with fresh cranberries.
 
Optional to add ice cubes.
 
 

Conclusion

Holiday parties may look different this year, but this drink is a hit regardless.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Elizabeth’s home in nearby Westchester County, New York in person and I can tell you that it is as charming and warm as the lady that lives there!

These fabulous photos were taken last December (hence the snow) so be sure to stop by Pretty Pink Tulips to see what type of magic Elizabeth has whipped up for her family’s home this year…Thanks so much for sharing your delicious raspberry holiday cocktail with us PPT!

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