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Coming Home to Sonoma

Filed Under > Travel

Fairmont Sonoma Mission InnWine countryWilliams-Sonoma original brass collection in SonomaFairmont Sonoma Mission Inn via Waiting on MarthaBeach towels via Waiting on MarthaWilliams-Sonoma pasta Wine country dining by Waiting on Martha Visiting Sonoma and wine country by Waiting on MarthaVisiting SonomaWine country flowers Blog-Sonoma16Silver Oak Winery in Sonoma

When Williams-Sonoma invites you somewhere, you just go…duh.  And when you combine that with Fortessa and The Fairmont well words might not be enough especially since we were meeting in my happy place (wine country).  I would probably travel to any place on the planet for dear these brands but Sonoma?  Yes and yes.

During my numerous times to Sonoma I had peeped the Fairmont Mission Inn.  I mean how could you miss its pink facade?!  I had always wanted to stay there and being one of the oldest hotels in Sonoma, when I finally got the chance I couldn’t help but feel like like I was coming home.  With its stunning architecture,  it’s amazing how a large upscale resort can sit so quietly in the middle of Sonoma, without disrupting its majestic feel. Sonoma is, after all, a small town with a big city-luxury vibe. 

The Fairmont has done the most amazing job preserving what is; the magic in Sonoma, the beauty of the region, but it’s also included the modern amenities that you’d expect from a high-end luxury resort. Upon our stay, we were treated to dinners and breakfasts that were nothing short of extraordinary. But to top the stay at the inn, I spent the last day at their spa.  And I must say; it’s one of the best spas I’ve ever been to.

Williams-Sonoma joined us with Fortessa in Sonoma, one of my favorite dinnerware brands. If you’re not familiar with them, you’ve probably been enjoying Fortessa dinnerware for years and haven’t even realized it! It’s a family-run business (by brothers) that just gives you that good home-town feel.  Restaurants, hotels, weddings and events have showcased their stunning dinnerware for decades.  And now, to my greatest pleasure, Fortessa finds its way on our dinner tables at home too. 

WS and Fortessa teamed up for a dream day for us to celebrate its founder Chuck Williams’ 100th birthday. We got a glimpse at his original collections (hello copper) at the original WS store, which were beyond amazing to say the least. 

To top off the entire visit, we made a stop to Silver Oak, a winery I’ve long loved, and we spent the last day tasting a slew of Silver Oak’s primo cabs.  I walked through their sweepingly beautiful gardens too, which have always been a favorite. It was truly the most magical way to round off a great visit to one of my favorite places on earth.  

When I told you on Instagram and Snapchat that I was doing wine country, I know you didn’t think I’d do anything but go all out.  I think it’s safe to say that joining the big players: Williams-Sonoma, Fairmont and Fortessa, sure makes for an incredible visit.  I already can’t wait to make my way back again…which will be soon.  Truly, MKR

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All photography is original to Waiting on Martha| THIS STORY IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WILLIAMS-SONOMA, A BRAND WE LOVE AND USE REGULARLY.  OPINIONS AND IMAGES ARE 100% OUR OWN.

The One Room Challenge 2016: Week Three

An Inspiring Workspace Made Easy with bxxlght
Filed Under > Ideas & Inspiration

Enjoy the journey lightbox sign, Waiting on MarthaHead down hustle on lightbox, Waiting on Martha Waiting on Martha office "Enjoy the Journey"Office inspiration from Waiting on Martha

Friends, it’s all starting to come together and we’re officially at the half-way mark!  Every time I participate in The One Room Challenge, I know it’ll be a whirlwind and these six weeks are no different. I’m thrilled to see my original vision come to life from my mood board at the start of the challenge, and seriously am bursting in anticipation to share the rest of the space with you!

As you remember last week, I talked about how big the Waiting on Martha office space is…a whopping 900+ square feet which was about the size of my first studio apartment.  So in order to define this large room, I knew I wanted to tackle the space with several separate vignettes to offer the team proper places to brainstorm, gather and of course, hustle. 

The first styled vignette, or moment as I called them in Week 2, is where you’ll be able to find me in major #GSD mode: my desk. It needed to be just as functional as beautiful, and with clean lines and warm details I feel I’ve achieved both. I settled on a great desk from AllModern, who, just a FYI, have SO many amazing (and affordable) modern desks like this one pictured.  My desk houses a few pretties like a hand-painted brushstroke lamp, leopard vase/pen cup and new personalized stationery, but is also large enough to work on projects without feeling cramped at all, and serving as the perfect clean surface for business meetings and beyond. 

Of course, there’s no denying that the hero of this styled vignette is the light box.  The second I spotted it I knew it must be mine. I mean what better place to have this beauty than the team office with a few great words to live by?!  Naturally I went ahead and bought enough letters to be able to switch out one inspiring quote from the next (5 quotes in total to be exact).  And while the light box was a bit of an investment, it’s going to be around forever to offer a bit food for thought in the WOM offices and beyond.

But alas, with Week 3 here and gone, it’s officially crunch-time friends, and that means we’re on the home stretch until the big Final Reveal.  Stay tuned next week for a peak at another styled vignette (the entryway)…and in the meantime I’ll be busy styling what might just be my favorite ORC project yet!  Truly, MKR

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Photography, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha

THE ONE ROOM CHALLENGE 2016 PARTICIPANTS:

CLAIRE BRODY | THE CURATED HOUSE | DESIGN MANIFEST | DRIVEN BY DECOR | HONEY WE’RE HOME | HUNTED INTERIOR | THE MAKERISTA | MAKING IT LOVELY | MY SWEET SAVANNAH | PENCIL AND PAPER CO. | THE PINK CLUTCH | SAVVY HOME | SIMPLIFIED BEE | SKETCH 42 | JILL SORENSEN | ORLANDO SORIA | THOU SWELL | THE VAULT FILES | WAITING ON MARTHA | THE ZHUSH 

MEDIA PARTNER HOUSE BEAUTIFUL | TM BY CIH 

Classic Shrimp Scampi Pasta

A Simple, Light Entree to Enjoy Any Night of the Week
Filed Under > 30 Minute Meals

Classic shrimp scampi recipe via Waiting on Martha

There’s a reason shrimp scampi is a go-to recipe for me this time of year.  It’s so simple, so fresh, so light, and so much easier than it looks which means it always impresses.  My classic shrimp scampi recipe doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but that’s the beauty of it.  Sautéed fresh shrimp sit atop light angel hair pasta, that has been soaked in tangy lemon, spicy red pepper flakes, and plenty of garlic (I’m a garlic lover, #sorrynotsorry).  Its rich flavors, and presentation can easily fool you into thinking it’s a fancy meal. BUT secretly know it only took 15 minutes to whip up.  One of the best warm (or cold) weather recipes to enjoy around the table (or al fresco if you’re lucky), I’m telling you. 

Another thing I love about this meal, it’s almost a “one pot” meal.  While the pasta is boiling away (one pot) you’ll begin to build flavor in a large sauté pan or cast iron skillet (two pot).  Hands-down, one of my favorite aromas in the kitchen is that of garlic and onions sautéing away in a little butter and olive oil…I mean my mouth is watering just imagining it right now. After you bask in those aromatics for a few minutes, you’ll mix in a light bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, allowing the wine to reduce and the shrimp to cook.  While your wine doesn’t have to be as high of quality as the one you’d uncork to go with the meal I do suggest cooking with at least a mid-tier wine.  Remember you’re still using it to flavor your food and I would hate for any amazing recipe be ruined by cheap wine.  Anyway, once you’ve properly cooked the shrimp, in that same pan or skillet you’ll build your dish; adding the pasta, chopped fresh parsley, lemon wheels, and sprinkles of oregano, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat (I have a heavy hand with the pepper, duh).  And voila!

Tell me, friends, is shrimp scampi pasta one of your go-to’s this time of year, too?  I’d love to hear how you prepare this crowd-pleaser at home!  Truly, MKR

P.S. If you’re looking for warm-weather, patio season wines to pair with this dish, check out my top 8 recommendations. xo

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Click Here for the Recipe

Photography, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha

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