How I Use Pinterest: Professionally And Personally

 Pinterest has changed the way I manage both my personal and professional lives.

PROFESSIONALLY:

 Creating pinboards for clients, like this one, allows me to quickly and efficiently source items that can be easily accessed by them with product descriptions, prices and manufacturers.  The boards can be adjusted by adding or deleting items as per client feedback.  I like the way the pinboards empower my clients to take an active part in the design process.  Depending on the scope of the project, either Cocoon Home Design can execute the pinboard vision with drawings, product purchases and placements, or the clients can refer back to the board as time and money allows and take on the project themselves.

In regards to blogging, pinning has been a great tool to collect and organize ideas for potential posts, like this board entitled 'branches'.  When the text describing the pins is written,  the images are transferred to the blog  and a post is created.    What I don't like, however, is that those following me on Pinterest  can begin seeing a post take shape before it hits the blog.  I sense that private boards will soon be available to all.  I would much prefer to have client and blogging boards kept separate from daily pinning eyes.

PERSONALLY

No more dog eared or torn magazine pages stacked up to the ceiling.  Don't get me wrong, I will always love flipping through the pages of a fashion or design magazine, but pinning has kept what I fancy organized and at the ready for purchase or inspiration. Rumor has it that my husband found a birthday gift for me on Pinterest.  (now that's personal).  Take a look at 2 examples of how I "personally" pin:

to wear:

A collection of seasonal clothing and accessories that I covet.  Having the images and sources in one place has actually helped me "create" a season's look, pare it down and purchase without guilt.

california style:

A collection of images that will inspire the design and decoration of our new home in California.

To see more of my pins click here and follow me.

Many thanks to Pinterest for creating a method to the madness.

I love Pinning.

Don't forget to enter Cocoon's reader give away to win a $100 gift certificate from California Closets.  Click here for details.  

Before And After Kitchen/Part 2: California Closets' Reader Giveaway

Last week , I showed you how a wallpaper and some editing updated this kitchen.  Today, you'll see how designer Ellen Gunderson of California Closets created a functional and orderly receiving area for frequently used items. With space limitations in both depth and width, the efficiently designed storage unit uses up every available inch without overbearing the rest of the room.  Three cubbies, one for each child, include 2 hooks, a drawer and a place to store papers.  Two smaller closets on either side are for mom and dad. Now everyone has a spot for his/her belongings and the area became less cluttered.  Take a look below and enter to win a $100 gift certificate from California Closets to help you organize your space.

To celebrate the success of this project,  California Closets New England is generously donating a $100 gift certificate to one of my Cocoon Home blog readers. Details below:

Whether it's your clothing, books or tools that crave organization, California Closets can help you do it.  Enter to win a $100 California Closet New England gift certificate by leaving a comment about what you'd love to see organized in your home.  Don't forget to visit and "like" both Cocoon Home Design's and  California Closets New England's  facebook page. Giveaway contest deadline is midnight Thursday April 5th.

Off The Counter: Toasted Cumin Seeds, Fried Chickpeas And Other Newly Obsessive Ingredients

Toasted cumin seeds, fried chickpeas and hazelnut oil are just a few of the ingredients that fancied my palate at a recent dinner party hosted my husband's colleague.  Ever since then, I've been obsessed with two amazingly tasty salads that combine spice, aroma and texture. This week, you're introduced to:  Roasted Beets, Fried Chickpeas, Nyons Olives, and Ricotta Salata salad.

After simmering a while with bay leaves and cinnamon sticks,  the chickpeas are then fried and tossed with roasted beets, olives and toasted cumin seeds.  The recipe can be found here.  It's a bit labor intensive ( a little more than I like) but well worth it.

For next week's Off The Counter I'll share the other salad's ingredients I'm obsessing over.

Many thanks to CT and DL for a wonderfully tasty and entertaining evening!

'Til Monday: Moving Mode

Since our move to California will be here before we realize it, we have began prepping our house for its upcoming sale.  Last week's warm, dry weather allowed us to get started and complete the exterior painting.  The once red brick foundation is now black, and a newly added runner runs up the center of our entry stairs.  I'm loving it and feel really good about leaving this house looking its best.  While taking photos of the recent home improvements, our son Max (clearly not camera shy) stepped in front of the lens.  I wonder what he REALLY  thinks about all this change...

Stay posted for more photos of the house as it gets ready for the market.

Before And After: Kitchen/Part 1

Part 1 of this Before and After reveals how Cocoon Home transformed a kitchen by repurposing its current furniture, editing and adding pattern and color.  With a sofa and comfortable counter stools in place, this family of five kitchen doubles as a place to hang, do homework and read.  Already well organized and outfitted with great cabinetry and counters,  the space needed to be brightened and updated.  Using Niesha Crosland's Moorish Circles wallpaper the kitchen area now takes on a whole new feel with a mix of bold color and pattern.  Take a look at these before and after photos.  Not only will Part 2 reveal how we managed to [aesthetically] add a mini mud room to the space,  but also feature our next reader giveaway.

Stay posted for part 2 of this kitchen's makeover and reader giveaway!