Laundry Room Before and After

    We're starting to wrap up some of our home projects and I'm so excited to share our completed laundry room with you! When we moved into our house, I knew that I needed to make this space more functional. The door opened into it, the closet was wasted space, and there was nowhere to fold clothing, not to mention the BRIGHT turquoise walls. 

    I decided to remove the closet hanging and replace it with cabinets that will provide us with storage as well as an additional folding space. I'm contemplating adding some sort of rack into the nook to allow for a spot to hang clothing, but I'm still undecided. 

    I also decided to remove the washer and dryer from the drawer pedestals. Overall this makes the space more functional, as we can now have countertop space, though I will say it can sometimes be challenging to reach the socks in the back of the washer!. I hope you love the space as much as we do. 

Before // 

After // 

Product Info & Links

Accent Wall Color: SW 9647 Soft Sage 

Wall Color: Behr White Moderne 

Floor Tile: 24 x 12, Slate Ceramic Floor Tile 

Wall Tile: Boutique Ceramic Tile 

Countertops: White Oak Butcher Block Countertops

Barn Door: Herringbone White Barn Door 

Shiplap: 7.25 in White Pine Shiplap 

Olive Tree / Laundry Basket / Wall Art / Light Fixture  / Basket / Rug (similar) 

Buffalo Butterfly Shrimp With Homemade Blue Cheese Dip

 I love the holidays, but I don't love spending forever in the kitchen prepping food. This appetizer is both easy and delicious, and will give you more time with your friends and family and less time in the kitchen! Kyle was begging for me to make more, and I have to agree, I could have eaten a whole platter!

-Nicholle 

*This post is sponsored by Gortons Seafood. Thank you for supporting the companies that support Nicholle Sophia

#GortonsShrimpAppetizers #Ad @gortonsseafood

Lake Champlain Closets

I'm so excited to share about our custom closets through Lake Champlain Closets today!

This is our second time working with them and we couldn't be happier with how our custom closets turned out. 

 

Initially, we were planning on building and the blueprints for our home had a 100sq foot space for my closet. We ended up purchasing our current home and renovating instead of building, which meant I was losing that massive closet space that I was so excited about. Fast forward to the new house and I had about 35 square feet to work with. I was so bummed, I thought there was no way I could have the closet of my dreams.

I called Cathy from Lake Champlain Closets and we set up a consultation for the following week. During our consult, Cathy asked questions about what I needed most out of the space. I shared how I have many many pairs of shoes and wanted that to be a focus. During our consult, we decided that we would also do two additional closets in the bedroom. One would act as Kyles closet and one a linen closet / more storage for me. Cathy took the time to make sure these spaces would meet all of our needs. 

Just a month after our initial consult, our beautiful custom closets were being installed. I was blown away by the quality of the materials and how good they looked! I know looks aren't everything, but seriously these closets are swoon-worthy. I was so excited to organize all of my things into the closets. I'm happy to report that my shoes do in fact all fit! 

Key Features of Lake Champlain Closets 

• They can work around baseboard heat. For my walk-in closet, Cathy suggested choosing drawers for that area to ensure safety. What I love about the drawer section is that it also created a beautiful focal point in the closet. 
• You have the ability to choose your finishes. For our closets, I chose white wood with oil-rubbed bronze rods. I love to have a cohesive home and all of our other fixtures are dark so I was happy this was an option. I was also able to order my own hardware and have it installed. 
•  They create a design that truly fits your space. Cathy brought my closets to the ceiling to maximize storage and shelving, this also helped to make the space feel much bigger. 
• Lake Champlain Closets works with you to build a closet that fits within your budget. When looking at other closet companies, the costs were almost double! 
• Cathy and her team at LCC are very communicative. Throughout the entire process, Cathy was prompt and responsive to all of my questions. 

Overall, I can't say enough good things about Lake Champlain Closets. I have recommended them to so many people and everyone has loved their experience and products they have received. If you have any questions feel free to reach out or contact Lake Champlain Closets directly at cathy@lccvt.com 

-Nicholle 

* This post is sponsored by Lake Champlain Closets. Thank you for supporting the companies that support Nicholle Sophia.

Homemade Ramen

 
This cold weather means one thing...cozy food. What cozier food is there than a hot bowl of ramen!? I put together this meal in under 15 minutes and it was so delicious. I used my favorite al fresco chicken sausage & it made the perfect topping for my ramen. Follow the recipe below for a quick and easy meal.

Ingredients // 

Ramen Noodles (found in the Asian food section)

4 cups chicken or vegetable broth 

Jalapeno al fresco chicken sausage

Shredded Carrots

Sliced Mushrooms

Sliced fresh jalapenos 

Scallions sliced 

Ground Ginger

Garlic Powder 

How to //

1. Heat the chicken stock over high heat until boiling- Add a dash of ground ginger and powdered garlic to taste

2. While the stock is boiling slice up your chicken sausage and sautee over medium heat until browned. Remove from heat and set aside. 

3. Once the stock is boiling drop in your ramen noodles and cook for about 6 minutes until desired tenderness. 

4. Fill your bowl with noodles and broth and top with desired toppings. I chose the al fresco chicken sausage, sliced mushrooms, shredded carrots, sliced jalapenos, and a sprinkle of sliced scallions.

Enjoy! I made this for Kyle and he was raving about how good it was! I also loved how easy it is to put together. 

Let me know if you try it. 

* This post is sponsored by al fresco chicken sausage. Thank you for supporting the companies that support Nicholle Sophia 

#NewYearWithalfresco #Ad  @alfrescochicken

New House Q & A

 Hi All!

This post is long overdue, but I thought I would finally put together a Q&A answering some of your most frequent questions about our new home. In case you missed it, Kyle & I purchased a new home at the beginning of November which was very unexpected.

We sold our previous home in September as the market was great, and we were looking to eventually get into a bigger space ( that home was under 1,000 sqft.). The plan was that we were going to build a new home which just kept getting pushed back due to building delays related to COVID. 

Fast forward to October when Kyle told me there was a house I had to see but I needed to be open minded...and here we are 3 months later! The house needed MAJOR updates. While it has great bones it was UGLY- and when I say ugly I mean it. Turqoise walls, green granite, red birch cabinets, a lavender master bedroom...yikes!

We are now 2 months into our major renovation and we are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel! 

Where is your new house? //

Our new home is located in Chittenden County which is perfect as that's where we both work. We are 10 minutes from my school and his office as well as a short drive from both of our families. I love this area of Vermont- I don't think I would be able to live in another area! Plus did I mention there's a full spa within walking distance!?

Do you still plan to build? //

I have no real interest in building anymore after enduring this renovation...I'm not sure my heart could take all of the ups and downs that come with building! That being said, I think Kyle would love to build one day so we will see. 

How big is your new house ? //

Our house is right around 3000 sqft., which is massive compared to our old home, which was 936 sqft. We now have 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. We plan to finish the basement eventually which will add an additional 1500 sqft. I don't think we could ever outgrow this home! 

Your bedroom looks huge! //

This is probably what sold me on the home- our bedroom! It has a dressing area, 3 closets and a huge bathroom. I made Kyle calculate it for you with the blue prints and he says it's about 625 sqft. With that being said, I could probably just live in my bedroom! 

Plans for the extra bedrooms? //

Good question! I truly don't have many plans for all of the extra space in this home. I'm planning to set up a guest room but other than that the spaces will be empty for now. We will probably have kiddos in the future, until then, they are nice rooms for Penelope to run around. 

Are you renovating the outside? //

Heck ya! The color is just not my style. We plan to have the outside done this summer. We will be having the siding and windows painted as well as landscaping and new garage doors. I can't wait to see how the outside turns out. 

Are you using a company for the reno? //

I'm super into home design and felt like I could take this on. We hired a contractor and I have given him all of my ideas which he has brought to life. It feels so rewarding to see it come together! I can't wait to show you the home when it's complete. 

And finally, the most asked question...What are your floors? //

I have to say, I'm obsessed with these floors. I'm so happy we went with a lighter color. It has helped to brighten and open up the space. 

The floors are Pantim Hardwoods, Palladio in the color "Whiskey". They are white oak, with wire brushing & an oiled finish. I highly recommended them. 

Let me know if you have any other questions

♥ Nicholle

Fall Inspiration & Ideas

 

Happy Fall Y'all! I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite fall pictures from years past to give you some inspo! I'm also going to include a list of my favorite things to do in fall. 

What is your favorite fall activity? Let me know! 

♥ Nicholle

5 Ingredient Quick Meal

 You all know how much I love Al fresco Chicken Sausage so it should be no surprise that I'm back with another recipe featuring them! This time I've created an easy 5 ingredient recipe using items I always have on hand. This came together in under 30 minutes and is perfect for any meal! 

Ingredients //

5-6 eggs 

1/2 package of Al fresco Chicken Sausage- I used the Jalapeno 

1 cup grated pepper jack cheese

1/2  cup fresh spinach 

1/4 cup diced cherry tomatoes 

How To //

1. Dice up your chicken sausage into small pieces

2.  Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl

3. Divide egg mixture evenly into greased muffin pan 

4.  Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes or until set 

Enjoy!

What I love about this recipe is that you can adapt it to work with any ingredients you have in your fridge. I love using the Al fresco jalapeno sausage as I find it adds so much flavor. Let me know if you recreate this recipe!

This post is sponsored by Al Fresco. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Nicholle Sophia

#5WithAlFresco #Ad @alfrescochicken 

Spicy Shrimp Bowl

Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal

I'm back with another recipe post! This time it's featuring one of my all-time favorites- al fresco chicken sausage! YUM! 

Growing up, one of my favorite nights was make your own pizza night. I loved getting to create exactly what I wanted, which generally included as many toppings as possible. This recipe is a go-to for my family. It is so quick and easy. I love that the chicken sausage is already cooked which helps with prep time. 

Top 10 Amazon Must Haves

I've been obsessed with Amazon ever since prime shipping became a thing & today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite and must have Amazon items. What I love about Amazon is that I'm able to compare prices on items, easily read reviews, and painlessly return an item if necessary. 

1 // Bra Top

I have this in almost all of the colors and I love it! It's super comfy and a longer length which I find more comfortable. I don't love shorter workout tops as I feel like I'm being squished in all of the wrong places. This one is flattering and comfy. 

2 // Gold Rubber Bangles

Last year I saw some of these bangles and fell in love...until I saw the price tag! I kid you not it was over $100 for plastic bracelets. I found these ones that are under $10 and have been so happy with them. They have survived our honeymoon to Hawaii and summer by the pool. 

3 // Lemon & Lime Juicer 

I didn't think I needed one of these until I got one...such a game changer! We use a lot of limes; between Moscow mules and my love of Mexican food, I'm always squeezing limes. This makes life so much easier and gets all of the juice out so none goes to waste. 

4 // Sunglasses 

I now have these in almost every color. They are some of my favorite sunglasses and get worn more than my high-end ones. I love how sturdy they are, and they truly keep out all of the sun. 

5 // Picnic Basket 

My girlfriend got me this as a birthday gift last year and I love it! First off, what an awesome gift idea. Secondly, it has really come in handy during this pandemic. Kyle and I have been ordering to go from local restaurants and setting up a picnic for dinner. This has been a fun way to safely get a date night in. 

6 // Rubber Sandals 

I now have three pairs of these! So comfy, such a great price and perfect for summer. My mom tried them on the other day and said they felt like slippers- I don't disagree! These comfy in so many fun colors and styles. 

7 // Reusable Shopping Bags

Vermont now has a plastic bag band, so we've been using our reusable bags frequently. These are the best ones I have found. I love that they fold up as well as the ability to throw them into the wash. 

8 // Eyebrow Pencil 

I have tried so many eyebrow products and this one is a winner! At under $6 there's not much you can complain about. It has a spoolie on one end and an angled pencil on the other. It goes on smoothly and stays all day. 

9 // Colorful Sneakers 

Since I've taken up walking/running I was in serious need of new sneakers. I've had these for about 2 months now and I can report back that they're SO comfy. My feet are never sore after wearing them, plus they're cute and colorful. 

Let me know some of your favorite Amazon finds, I'd love to check them out! 

♥ Nicholle

*This post contains affiliate links. Thank your for supporting Nicholle Sophia 

Easy Baja Fish Tacos

Hi All!

I'm so excited to share this easy Baja Fish Taco recipe with you. I made this in under 30 minutes and it was so delicious! For this recipe, I used Gorton's Crispy Battered Fish Fillets. Not only is Gorton's Seafood the perfect addition to any recipe, but it also made this recipe so much easier #SimpleSeafood 

 Taco Ingredients //

Gorton's Crispy Battered Fish Fillets (1 fillet per taco)

 Avocado

Cojita

Cilantro

Red Cabbage or Bagged Cabbage 

Lime  

Small Tortillas

Sriracha Cream Sauce //

1/3 C. Sour Cream

2 Tbs. Sriracha 

How To //

1. Prepare cabbage slaw. Shred the red cabbage, you will need about 2 cups of slaw for 6 tacos. Chop up 1/4 a cup of cilantro. Once the cabbage is shredded and cilantro is mixed in, juice one lime over the top of the cabbage mixture. Add one grind of sea salt. Let the cabbage slaw rest in the fridge for 15-30 minutes. 

2. Prepare Sriracha cream sauce. Mix 1/3 cup of sour cream with 2 tbs. of sriracha. You can add more sriracha for a spicer taco.

2. Bake Gorton's Fish Filets according to the package. I broiled mine for a few minutes at the end to make them crispy. 

3. As the fish is finishing up, place your tortillas into the oven to crisp them up.

4. When your fish is done, split each fillet down the center into two pieces, this will make it easier to assemble the taco.

5. Assemble your taco! Place the cabbage slaw in the bottom, follower by your Gorton's Fish Fillet, add some sliced avocado, cilantro, crumbled cotija, and finally finish it off with a drizzle of the sriracha cream sauce. 

Yum! Let me know if you try this recipe!

* This post is sponsored by Gorton's. Thank you for supporting the companies that support Nicholle Sophia