Farmhouse Kitchen Design

I'm working on a freelance project for a friend, and spent tonight researching light fixtures and then got sucked into kitchen land (imagine that).  Below is a glimpse into what I'm planning.  It's a forever home in the country with many of years of use in the future.  The materials I've chosen so far are super durable and embody timeless style.  Let's hope she loves it as much as I do!  Sidenote:  I'm still new at this whole Polyvore thing.  I'll get it mastered at some point...

Classic Farmhouse Kitchen by rachelhaugo on Polyvore

Gluten-free Pantry Staples

I love my pantry. I love to keep staples in it, so I'm not running to the grocery store on a regular basis (or even weekly). Even though I follow a pretty strict g-free diet, I still manage to find things that can last for a little bit on my pantry shelves.

I also find solace in having an organized pantry. I organize it like a grocery store - I make departments for all my "like" items. For instance, the top shelf has cereals, chips, popcorn (and the popcorn maker), and coffee goods. The second shelf has canned veggies, soups and broths, snacks (at eye level), root vegetables, rice, quinoa, and dried beans. The next shelf has ingredients for Italian, Asian, and Mexican meals next to sweets (peanut butter, Nutella, dried fruit, and coconut), and then drink mixtures (tea, hot chocolate, emergen-c, etc.). The shelf below that has baking supplies and Sophie's treats. The floor (that you can't really see) is where I store large carrying cases (for my Pyrex and cupcakes), sun tea jar, grilling utensils, wine, and my crock pot.

I have my pantry down to a science. It works for me and I love it being organized (without the hassle of having everything in coordinating containers).

Summer Reading...and a Kitchen

Last week, I finished 50 Shades of Grey (talked about reading it here and here).  It didn't end how I'd anticipated.  That's to be expected, I'm sure.  That's probably why it's one of three books.  I'll start the second book next week.  This week is impossibly busy with two days of propping, two days of photography, and then Josh starts law school on Sunday.  I'm already exhausted, and it's just Monday.  However, I pitched a kitchen story and drop zone story today, and they were approved and I'm really looking forward to seeing the design through to photography.  Also, here's a link to a really cool post on creative ways to use subway tile.  I love subway tile and think it gets a bad reputation because it's so classic (and some people think that's boring).  I find the post inspirational.  I hope you do too.  Below is a little kitchen eye candy for your viewing pleasure.

Love the white, yellow, and aqua in this kitchen.