[The daily view. Don’t mind the gaping hole at the top of the ceiling. “A work in progress” means just that. And there is beauty in that alone. Perfection is overrated.]
So, in case you’ve been under a rock. Or on vacation. Or are somehow able to ignore my obnoxious posts on instagram lately, something big happened last week.
That I’ll probably remember until I’m 80.
The day Cooking Light Magazine came to shoot me. You know, with a camera, and a team and stylist, for their upcoming November issue.
In the kitchen I obsessively designed from a remodel war zone in the 1920’s little house we bought 3 years ago.
They’d heard about the cookbook, and wanted to know more about how I take my (and I quote) “almost too good to be true” real food approach and apply it when I have people over for dinner.
Or, for bigger occasions.
Me?! Little me? In a national magazine I grew up leafing through?
Get out of town.
It was a dream, for sure.
It was also, on the other hand, with approximately, only 4 days notice.
So, when the stylist, photographer and equipment guy from LA, showed up last Thursday like it was no big deal, I tried my best to play it cool, and like this kind of thing is just a normal thing for me.
A casual Thursday.
Making healthy cocktails for (pretty much) famous people.
You guys. I was hilarious. Could not stop smiling.
I snapped a few pics of the day, and after posting a few on insta-G, someone asked for more, and a little sneak peak into my kitchen these days.
So while I’m no design guru or profesh, I love keeping my happy space clean, bright and inspired. Which means it’s always changing a bit, based on my mood or the season.
Physical space and well designed places keep me excited, organized and fresh feeling. And without a lot of extra clutter, physically, I can create better things, mentally. Windows work good for the same purpose – my next post on how to choose the right replacement windows for your Fort Lupton home brings details.
And because things are always moving and shifting around, and since it’s been a few months (too many) since I’ve done a video post, I figured this was the next best thing to give you a little peak into this project.
When the reporter for Cooking Light started asking me where things came from (light fixtures, that table, the curtains, glassware, tulip table, stove), every answer seemed a bit disappointing to her.
Instead of the usual retail stores, my answers went something like this: overstock.com, craigslist, goodwill, the sample sale, ikea, and homedecorators.com.
Oh. She said. Hmm.
I love a good deal, what can I say. And curating objects.
[A little snap during the shoot. My kitchen, the usual war zone.]
So today, a inside look into my home, my kitchen and my daily life.
Take a look around, sweet friend. It’s not perfect, but it’s been a great adventure, and one that keeps on going.
Kind of like healthy eating. You’re never “done”, and it’s always a work in progress.
But, I think that in itself is something to celebrate and embrace.
So, this is your time to ask me anything about the space or the objects in it.
Ask away in the comments below!
[The cocktail bar. Not pictured: the fully crammed, bottle to bottle, bar below of all the amaro’s, apertif’s and bitters. Some people collect rocks. I like to think of mine as a much more convenient/helpful hobby.]
[A little snap from after the shoot itself. Let leftovers go bad? Never. I am just loving these West Elm cocktail glasses I got right before the shoot. A steal of a deal at $6 each.]
[The dining room. Minus the table leafs on the end to save room for workspace flow with a shoot and crew like this. Table from craigslist and chairs from overstock.com]
[The glasses and the vintage tray, from goodwill. Those cheese knives, from World Market.]
What else do you want to know?
Post it below.
And be sure to pickup a copy of the November issue when it arrives this Fall!
I love that apron! Where is it from?
That one I picked up in a little boutique in Austin this past year. I’m always on the lookout for special little things like that when I travel: useful things that remind me of trips and places daily 🙂
The light in the dining room! I die! Where is it from?
Overstock baby! They are great.
So exciting for you!! What cocktail were you making? And what’s in the bottles in the last picture with the little pieces of tape for labels – looks like something fun and homemade!
I was making a few- all of which will be featured in the November issue, so I can’t spill till then 🙂 But the bottles were homemade infusions- maple or honey based syrups with citrus and herbs to mix with cocktail bases. I love doing it when I have people over, in a build you own bar kind of a style.
This is so exciting! As papa Chaff said earlier, “Do we know a published author?!”. Now he will be stoked to hear that we know a magazine featured celeb!
As I have said a million times, I am so freaking proud of you, friend. What an amazing adventure you have been on and incredible achievements you have earned. Can’t wait to see all the AWESOME things to come from you!
Thank you sweet lady, you’re so good to me.
Love! Can’t beat a clean, white kitchen. We need to get you some vintage or new Kusak Crystal for future cocktails and photo shoots!
Oh that would be fun! I had no idea!
WOW! Just wow! Can’t wait to see you in the magazine! Your kitchen is bright and sweet and I think it’s impressive to show what you can do without big budget items. Congrats to you!!
Thanks Jill! I had to remind myself that others might actually like that about the feature, not the other way around 🙂
Hey Sarah – Gorgeous photos! Do you know the paint color of the wall in the second photo from the top – the “war zone” photo? 🙂 So pretty!
If I can remember it right, I’m pretty sure it’s BM palladian blue!
Do you recall the color of paint in your dining room?
Your kitchen and dining room are so bright, cozy, and beautiful!! Love these photos. Where are the dining room curtains from?
Also, I’m house-hunting in Seattle and am finding that many houses don’t have a separate dining room, just a breakfast nook. Do you have any recs for how to set up entertaining spaces when there’s no formal dining room? Thanks so much 🙂
Congratulations! It is so fun to watch you succeed…and with such grace! Keep it up!
Thank you sweet girl, I so appreciate your love and support!
Congratulations Sarah!! Your work and adventures are an inspiration to me to follow my dreams too 🙂 Love your kitchen – so beautiful! I have a tiny tiny kitchen and am wondering if you have tips for making the most of a small-space kitchen?
Yes! Get rid of anything that doesn’t serve at least 2 functions in your kitchen. And sticking with a more neutral color palate can help too- too many patterns or colors can make it feel smaller!
First of all BRAVO on a huge Cooking Light accomplishment and amazingly gorg kitchen. Second, everything in my house is Craigslist, Overstock, World Market, travel/thrift finds…I even spotted a few of the same things in your pics. Sub out the booze collection for wine and we are basically twinsies. I like your style if I do say so myself. 😉
Yes, I love it! All about the hunt 🙂
You look absolutely gorgeous in your photo shoot! Congrats, that is so exciting! You deserve it; you truly have taken cooking and health back to the basics and made it easy and accessible for anyone that’s interested. Love your kitchen and dining space! I agree, it is much easier to be creative in a clean, bright, and welcoming environment.
Erin, that is so sweet of you to say. Thank you, you just made my day! 🙂
This is awesome. Congratulations!
I love, love, LOVE your kitchen and dining space. Can you tell us about how it came together? Did you buy the place like that? Did you do a lot of remodeling? Etc. How did it come to be?
If you hadn’t mentioned the whole in the ceiling, I would have not noticed it. 😛
I was admiring the light that enters in your kitchen and the minimalistic decor and the books, the sink and the faucet I wish I had… nice shots and so cool that it was a great experience for you. Your huge smile says everything.
So Thumbs up and I wish you a lot more of these days, accompanied by success.
We are thinking of doing a little kitchen remodel- I love your cabinets and countertops…where’d you buy from? What kind of material is your countertop? Marble?
Agreed! I would love to know more about the counter tops and cabinets! You basically have my dream kitchen! Swoon! If you’re willing to share details I would love to hear 🙂
Can’t wait for the November Cooking Light ! Knew you would be a healthy food celebrity and now it’s come true! WOW! Love this!
You have a beautiful space, Sarah! So so excited for you about the upcoming issue! I cannot wait to see your feature!
@Sarah Adler of Simply Real Health
Can hardly wait for the November Cooking Light ! Knew you would be a sound nourishment superstar and now it’s work out as expected! Amazing! Love this!
regards
rakhi
I saw the feature in Cooking Light and loved it! I’m curious – where are your gorgeous bar stools from? I’m looking for ones just like them 🙂
You look absolutely gorgeous in your photo..