my spinning wheels

at home

2009-11-02T21:25:00.003-05:00

Hi! I've been away for so long. We welcomed our little girl Jane into the world two weeks ago and things around home have changed... the bed stays un-made a little longer, the days go by a little faster, the nights a little slower. We're in love with this sweet lady.

I'm making my way back into projects and blogging... little by little. In the meantime check out this nursery design my dear friend Caitlin put together for baby Jane. I had better get to work!

dear www,

2009-09-18T16:55:00.008-04:00

I know my posts have been lacking. I'm sorry for my absence and the frozen state of my blog lately. My wheels have continued to spin, but my thoughts seem to revolve almost completely around preparations for the baby coming in... I just counted... 24 days (give or take). wow.

I have lists of the essentials and the just-in-case items. We are working on getting things pulled together so the little one will have a cozy spot to sleep when we bring him or her home. Hopefully something besides a dresser drawer. Admittedly, I also get caught up in the non-essentials (like spending an hour searching for a 2009 Stendig calendar, which I found!) But we are working on translating the lists to check-marks, and little by little I'm feeling more ready.

Anyway, thanks for bearing with me while things remain a little slow around here. I will be in and out and hopefully back to steady posting before too long.

xo. Jill

p.s. In the meantime check out this delightful new blog that e-friend Kelli just started this week.

harvey faircloth

2009-09-10T10:32:00.003-04:00

Good news! I just discovered that you can now shop Harvey Faircloth's debut collection on their website. Click here to start drooling.

The Native American jewelry... oh my.

stendig calendar

2009-09-08T16:29:00.003-04:00

I love this creative way to document the first year of a child's growth... via ohdeedoh

creative office spaces

2009-09-04T08:00:00.001-04:00

Don't you think every office should have a swing? See (many) more creative workspaces on This Ain't No Disco.

Maybe you have a space of your own to submit?

pattern city

2009-09-03T16:33:00.004-04:00

[ Brooklyn Bridge ] [ Madison Square Garden ]

Nikolas Schiller creates amazing patterns using aerial views of a city or building. These kaleidoscope-like images are fascinating to me. This would make a great art piece for your home if it was a location that really meant something to you.

hampton's beach house

2009-08-31T17:21:00.005-04:00

This weekend I took an up-close tour of a beach house in the Hampton's designed by Mariette Himes Gomez.

My favorites features: the art (!!), the pillows, the enormous front porch, the abundance of sunshine, and close access to the beautiful beach. I get a little carried away taking pictures of architecture + interiors so prepare for an overload.

There is something irresistible about the ocean.

What every beach house needs... lots and lots of towels.

(You may recognize the house from this post.)

wallpaper

2009-08-26T08:00:00.002-04:00

With a company name like Timorous Beasties, you're bound to find interesting products. In this case: wallpaper, fabrics, and window shades. Way too much damask for my liking, but there are some hidden gems.

jens risom

2009-08-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

1950's Danish furniture designed by Jens Risom. I love the lines.

[ furniture listed on 1stDibs ]

clock tower apartment

2009-08-24T17:07:00.005-04:00

The ClockTower Building in Brooklyn has an apartment for sale. The penthouse, 3 bedrooms, 25 million dollars. The views of the city are unbelievable. It's a "one-of-a-kind space that would appeal only to a one-of-a-kind buyer".

It certainly is one-of-a-kind! I've never seen anything like it, and yes the clocks do work, you'll just have to learn how to read the time in reverse.

NY Times article, slideshow photos by Angel Franco

barcelona apartment

2009-08-24T14:19:00.001-04:00

Did you see the amazing apartment that seesaw posted about? The original article in Dwell magazine is definitely worth reading, the design philosophy for the possibly 'temporary' dwelling is fascinating. What a beautiful space.

iwona ludyga jewelry

2009-08-24T13:55:00.004-04:00

After stumbling upon The Young Designers Market in SoHo a couple of weekends ago I am finally browsing the online shop of my favorite vendor spotted there.

Iwona Ludyga's jewelry is beautiful, her delicate style caught my eye immediately. Each piece is a work of art and apparently this is no secret (after I browsed her website to see the stores that carry her jewels).

You can see more on her website, and you can browse all of the vendors at the market every Friday/Saturday/Sunday from 11am - 7 pm.

georg hubener sgraffito

2009-08-17T14:38:00.007-04:00

I recently spotted this beautiful drawing at the FDR Presidential Library Museum. It is a pattern by Georg Hubener pulled from a sgraffito plate. I like the color combination of orange-red, slate blue, and a golden yellow.

( I had to look up what sgraffito means. I'm not familiar with the term but I think its pretty nifty. )

joanna henderson

2009-08-17T14:35:00.001-04:00

Joanna Henderson has a beautiful interior photography portfolio.

de*nada knits

2009-08-14T09:34:00.003-04:00

Check out the beautiful handmade knit accessories from De*Nada. I really love the colors and the versatility of each piece. De*Nada also has a blog high-lighting where Virginia (the founder) finds her inspiration. It's really great to browse.

I can hardly believe that fall is just around the corner, summer has been fast this year!

pattern eye candy

2009-08-13T09:10:00.000-04:00

black + white + yellow

( Don't worry, this is the first and last time I'll reference my feet and candy together. )

favorite bedroom

2009-08-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

I have this photo saved as a favorite bedroom. Clean, bright, bits of pattern, quirky collections that personalize the space, high ceilings...

All I can say - be mine.

Found via Design*Sponge, ages ago, during a print + pattern contest.

purl soho

2009-08-12T14:00:00.002-04:00

I took my sister to visit on of my favorite tiny shops in SoHo, Purl Patchwork. A great collection of fabric with the sweetest customer service you have ever experienced.

I need to start frequenting their yarn store a few doors down too.

summer soup

2009-08-12T12:00:00.001-04:00

White Bean + Vegetable Soup
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup diced carrots (can add more)
1/2 onion, diced
1 large garlic clove, minced
3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 can white beans
1/2 cup rice
2 bay leaves
1 tsp black pepper
1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1 cup water

Heat olive oil in pan, add carrots and onion. Cook on low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic, stir for a few minutes. Add broth, beans with liquid from can, rice, bay leaves, and black pepper.

Cover and let simmmer 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add zucchini and water, cook 5 minutes longer. Add salt and pepper to taste. Great served with cheese biscuits.

[ adapted from Not Eating out in NY ]

papabubble

2009-08-05T16:41:00.006-04:00

Many months back, BlackEiffel posted about this sweet-shop gone global called, PAPABUBBLE, with a location in New York City.

We made our first stop there this weekend and now I'm wishing that I lived in the neighborhood. I would stop in for a little bag of sweets more often. Our favorite so far is the fizzy hard candy, a touch sour and very fruity. They also have a 'borough bag', hard candies with names of each borough on the candy, the perfect edible souvenir.

I really loved the simple/laboratory design of the shop too.

[ getting there ] 380 Broome Street, between Mulberry + Mott, Little Italy/Chinatown

HK flea market

2009-08-05T15:45:00.004-04:00

My sister was in town for a few days with a list of vintage shops she wanted to check out. I love having like-minded people to explore with on the weekends so we kept the 'vintage theme' in mind and made a stop at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market. It was my first time there, I really loved the wares, especially the beautiful tablecloths and the jewelry.

[ getting there ] West 39th Street between 9th & 10th, Open every Saturday & Sunday from 9am - 6pm.

Caitlin, next time I will take your advice and check out The Garage too.

a shoe of a different color

2009-07-31T17:12:00.005-04:00

Brad's favorite shoes are his Onitsuka Tigers. He wears them almost constantly and raves about their comfort. This coming from a man who is very particular about his footwear. I love the rainbow of colors.

I'm thinking I should try a pair myself after his glowing endorsement. Women's styles here.

Hope you have a great weekend!

to learn : crochet

2009-07-31T16:29:00.005-04:00

[ images by sandra juto ]

Often when I see projects that involve drawing, printing, sewing, quilting, etc. I think to myself ... I could make that. The reality being that I don't have a clue where to start (on any of the above).

I want to make a blanket for the baby and I have been browsing a lot of styles/patterns, but I keep coming back to one.

This granny square pattern with the bright colors, isn't it great?

I'm enlisting the help of my friend Juliana who is an expert in all things yarn. I'm saying it will be a Christmas gift for the baby... so I don't feel pressured to finish it in the next three months.

If you see me on the subway, I'm the one with a crochet hook and a bag of yarn.

+ another beauty

[ blanket spotted on sfgirlbybay ]

eclectic

2009-07-30T15:18:00.003-04:00

I love everything about the style of this room. The sofa, art, textiles, light walls. Such a lovely collection of items that all work together.

[ photographed by Ellen Silverman ]

creamy lemon basil dip

2009-07-29T10:00:00.001-04:00

1 ¼ cup low-fat sour cream
¾ cup ricotta cheese
½ cup reduced fat mayo
1 lemon, juiced
¼ cup fresh chopped basil
1 medium garlic clove, minced

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

With all of the summer park outings I'm always looking for something fast + fresh to bring along. I made this dip for a picnic and we served it with veggies and my new favorite pretzels.

I substituted frozen basil cubes from Trader Joe's because I was in a rush and didn't have fresh basil at home (they are my favorite short-cut for fresh herbs). It was a tasty combination with the basil, lemon, and ricotta cheese.

etsy diaper bags

2009-07-28T15:07:00.004-04:00

I have been browsing the handmade goods on etsy for diaper bag options (there are more bags on that website than I ever imagined). These are some of my favorites:

TOP ROW
+ double zipper crimson canvas bag
+ rietveld-esque colorful messenger bag
+ green grass messenger bag
+ citron junior flap bag

MIDDLE ROW
+ the strapped bag in white
+ double-pleated navy striped bag
+ mini-diaper bag in red canvas
+ gray canvas shoulder bag

BOTTOM ROW
+ double-pocket gray canvas bag
+ orange pleated messenger bag
+ nautical wide-strip tote
+ mini-diaper bag in tweed

more baby rooms + a spot of color

2009-07-27T18:18:00.005-04:00

A few more favorites in the not-white-wall category:

+ domino
(that striped ceiling is fantastic)

+ domino (we miss you)

+ cookie mag

favorite kids rooms + nurseries

2009-07-23T11:00:00.000-04:00

I think the past 4+ years of apartment living is starting to leave its mark ... because I am drawn to spaces with white walls. These are a few of my favorite images of kids rooms + nurseries that I have been collecting.

+ cookie mag / + abbey goes design scouting

+ living etc.

+ decor8

+ living etc. / + cookie mag

+ ohdeedoh

+ Mettes Potteri

+ cookie mag / + martha stewart

+ flickr + via oh happy day

+ living etc.

+ cookie mag + via ink and wit

+ geninne's studio + via seesaw

This last image isn't a nursery, but I really love the colors and wall art.

toasted marshmallow milkshakes

2009-07-21T15:02:00.003-04:00

This weekend we were making stops at Trader Joe's and Strand Bookstore in Union Square, conveniently close to the burger restaurant Stand. We went on a mission to try the much acclaimed toasted marshmallow milkshake. It was delicious. We both said "How do they do that...?" because it really tastes just like a creamy toasted marshmallow.

Withing 5 minutes of arriving home we looked up a recipe. Let me know if you give it a try!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Stand's Marshmallow Shakes
from Francis Lamb at Gourmet

3 scoops vanilla ice cream (they use Laboratorio del Gelato)
1 tablespoon whole milk
1 large dollop Wookstock Water Buffalo Milk yogurt (feel free to use a substitute yogurt—it's just there to add a little more liquid and balance out the sweetness of the ice cream a bit)
5 Kraft Jumbo Jef-Puffed marshmallows
Whipped cream

1) Toast marshamllows under a broiler, or, if you're frisky, over a flame until they just start to blacken evenly (the trick is to make sure it's evenly toasted and dark, but not turned to charcoal).

2) Put the milk, yogurt, and then ice cream in the blender. Blend carefully, just until you get a "donut"—when you see the shake holding to the sides of the blender with a hollow core.

3) Add three of the toasted marshmallows to the blender, and whirl it just until they're all broken up and distributed evenly. Be careful not to overblend it, making it too melty.

4) Pour shake into a glass, top with a dollop of whipped cream, break the last two marshmallows on top, and serve with an extra-wide straw.

5) Repeat if necessary. And it will probably be necessary.

the demolition depot

2009-07-20T15:16:00.004-04:00

This weekend I paid a visit to the The Demolition Depot in Harlem. It has been on my list for months and I am curious every time I pass by and see the mantles, bathtub, etc. lined up out front.

The store is full of architectural salvage treasures. Lighting, plumbing, windows, doors, hardware, some furniture ... and several cats. I spent a good hour wandering the four floors and taking pictures. If I had a project in the area, I would spend days there scouring each floor for vintage pieces to incorporate. It was really fun to explore.

I don't know what their prices are like because they tag them with an item # and you can inquire about each piece. I didn't want to waste their time for my curiosity.

You can view the online inventory here.

Visit the store at 125th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue.

present & correct

2009-07-16T11:37:00.005-04:00

One of you lovely readers introduced me to Present & Correct, a London based graphic design firm with an online shop stocked with paper goods, vintage items, and handmade stationery.

The shop has quite the collection, everything item is something I would love to hold in my own two hands and examine. I especially love their concept items, like 'Office in a Jar'. They style their products so well too.

You can browse here.

pinch & s'mac

2009-07-14T14:21:00.005-04:00

We recently tried a new-to-us restaurant on the Upper West Side called Pinch & S'Mac. The cheeky name is a great concept for pizza-by-the-inch & mac'n'cheese. The pizza comes out on a board and the mac'n'cheese had some really unique flavor options. The food was good, we'll be back!

[ getting there : 474 Columbus Ave. between 82nd/83rd ]

the high line

2009-07-14T13:39:00.004-04:00

Last night we visited the Meatpacking District to check out the newly opened High Line park. It is an elevated park (once an old railroad line) with a lot of trees, wildflowers, seating, and views of the Hudson River.

I'm really impressed with the design team and the way they incorporated planting, seating, etc. Its a beautiful outdoor space.

pendant light

2009-07-13T16:42:00.003-04:00

I think the caboche pendant designed by Patricia Urquiola + Eliana Gerotto is incredibly beautiful [ available through Foscarini ].

in situ design

2009-07-13T15:36:00.004-04:00

+ clean lines

+ high-gloss kitchens

+ bold, lacquered cabinets

+ sharing space with the outdoors

I'm a fan of In Situ Design based in Brooklyn, NY.

i ♥ food

2009-07-10T14:42:00.009-04:00

images 1 / 2

I added links for a few of my favorite food sites on the sidebar. Enjoy!

p.s. happy friday!

color inspiration

2009-07-09T16:33:00.002-04:00

A great idea for a DIY art project (and a great color)...

I'm a big fan of the contrast between solid white backgrounds and boldly colored accents...

[ Caitlin Wylde, Glamour Magazine ]

crisp shadows

2009-07-09T15:38:00.004-04:00

Hot desert pink + straight lines + crisp shadows

I'm still crazy about the images from the Anthropologie catalog that I mentioned. I tore this one out and pinned it on my inspiration board.

thrifting :: salt lake city (part 2)

2009-07-08T08:40:00.003-04:00

We had another vintage shopping day in Salt Lake City. First stop:

The Age Cage
(getting there: 2030 South 900 East)

My friend Caitlin told me about this navy blue Chesterfield before-hand, its in perfect condition on sale for $900 which is a great price for a leather sofa (almost as great as my $60 sofa find, but I couldn't have two sofas on my hands).

Second Hand Chic
(getting there: 2006 South 900 East)

While you're in the neighborhood (they share a parking) grab some NYC style pizza at Este Pizzeria.

first baby purchase

2009-07-08T08:04:00.001-04:00

Our little surprise package that is coming in October now has a few things waiting...

We're waiting to find out if the baby is a boy or girl, it has been fun to keep watch for toys that work for either gender. Finding well-designed clothing is a bit tricky (but not impossible), if you know of any great shops I would love to check them out. They live in onesies for the first while right?

The little kicks are getting much stronger! I'm excited for the changes on the way.

[ finger puppets & blocks from Dwell ]

dive into summer

2009-07-07T15:28:00.004-04:00

The photographs on Fine Little Day have me ready to dive into summer. Elisabeth captures some of the most beautiful moments in her everyday living. If you need some inspiration, you're sure to find it on her blog.

I keep going back.

alice lane home

2009-07-07T14:34:00.003-04:00

While in Utah, I visited my friend Sue who is a designer at Alice Lane Home in Orem. I'm convinced it's one of the best spots for furniture/accessories in Utah. If you're in the area you should stop in to browse, if not their website is very nice too.

tested

2009-07-06T12:53:00.007-04:00

I wasted my money, here's to hoping you won't need to...

KICK IT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Almay Pure Blends Mascara :: a frightening poke-my-eyes-out synthetic brush and dry/clump formula. Two thumbs down, all the way down.

Burts Bee's Lip Shimmer in Guava :: The overly-shimmering color left me feeling like Malibu Barbie, skip it.

KEEP IT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Bronzer :: Not orange, not glittery, with just the right amount of color. It looks like a natural glow to me, two thumbs up.

hot pink

2009-07-06T10:46:00.007-04:00

The latest Anthropologie catalog reminded me of a very inspiring architect, Luis Barragan, and his striking use of color and space. If I'm ever traveling in Mexico these spots are on my list.

tuesday thrifting

2009-06-30T20:59:00.006-04:00

I've been neglecting this blog lately because I've been traveling in Utah, but I have a few vintage finds to show you from our shopping trip today at the local thrift store.

First up, a set of 10 pretty green glasses:

I don't usually find sets this large and I thought they would be worth storing at only $5 for the set (I am easily suckered by glassware).

Then I saw this... and I knew I was in trouble...

I live 2200 miles away and I bought a sofa. I can visualize my husband shaking his head at this moment (he hasn't seen it yet). I have four days to find a sofa-sitter or to talk my parents into storing it for me. I better practice my explanation...

Look at that fabric, can't you see it sitting in a sun room? or nursery?

Its in really good condition...and its comfortable!

How could I refuse such a treasure? It was a steal. It was begging me to buy it. Basically, I have an obsession with this sofa.

If that doesn't work maybe I'll try crying. I'll let you know how it goes.

ellis island

2009-06-24T13:59:00.003-04:00

Ellis Island is one of my very favorite 'tourist spots' in New York City. I think there is a special feeling there because I always think of my ancestors and what they went through to come here (no matter when they came).

The exhibits on the 2nd Floor are awesome, some of the greatest 'old' typography examples around. I love looking through the maps and brochures.

From our field-trip this weekend:

Isn't this Art Deco style building great? It was the first time I noticed it there.

ryantown

2009-06-23T14:35:00.004-04:00

postcard + image from ryantown

Last month my friend Erin + I scooted down to the meatpacking district to check out Ryantown USA. The exhibit was on display at Earnest Sewn (a little denim shop worth exploring on its own).

If you love paper, you'll love Robert Ryan. He is an artist based in the UK that designs really intricate paper cutouts. I always love the charming phrases he uses in his designs. You can check out his etsy shop here. I really am kicking myself for not picking up a laser-cut wooden key they were selling there, I should have... but didn't.

tribal dress

2009-06-18T11:36:00.002-04:00

I walk by this pretty dress every morning on my way to work, and every morning I love it.

Vena Cava for Gap

katie ridder

2009-06-16T18:11:00.006-04:00

It takes some serious audacity to be this bold with color (both for the designer & the client).

This is my favorite room ... a little more understated because I wouldn't be so brave, I love the details.

A few styles from her unique wallpaper line:

Interior Design : [ Katie Ridder ]

punchy floral pillows

2009-06-16T17:40:00.001-04:00

bright summer colors :: judy ross textiles

dedicated :: food

2009-06-16T14:00:00.008-04:00

I haven't been posting my weekly favorites, not for lack of them, but lately... they all seem to relate to food. I haven't experienced major cravings - but everything sounds good to me. This calls for a dedicated post to a few foodies around the web have made my mouth-water, in no particular order...

(1) ricotta doughnuts :: spotted on simplesong, recipe from galegand
(2) mango berry salad :: recipe by kelsey nixon on the cafe zupas blog
(3) eggs, tomatoes, toast :: joslyn's fall-back meal on raising foodies
(4) veggie cashew stir-fry :: from a new favorite erin on fresh365
(5) cilantro lime rice :: spotted on wirewhisk, image from gina
(6) cinnamon monkey bread :: recipe from the pioneer woman
(7) asparagus rice soup :: recipe on wirewhisk
(8) homemade tomato soup :: nienie's mouthwatering recipe
(9) spring risotto :: shared by stephmodo from the food network

We made the cinnamon monkey bread last night, I brought them into work today to keep myself from devouring the entire pan. It's not a healthy food item... but it's delicious.

The tomato soup is why I always have tomato puree in my pantry. It's a quick meal after work and can be paired with veggies or grilled cheese.

Three cheers for a growing recipe box! Thanks bloggers.

weekender report : governor's island

2009-06-15T14:23:00.004-04:00

On Saturday we went to check out Governor's Island just off the south end of Manhattan. We had never been before and there was an art festival happening as well.

It was a little like and episode of the Twilight Zone. Check out the man with the bunny ears on the ferry...

This sweet lady upholsters furniture in grass. We sat down and and talked with her for a while. The only thing missing was a cup of tea....

Next trip over we want to pack a picnic and rent bicycles to enjoy the car-free bike paths.

help! {send her to italy}

2009-06-12T09:47:00.007-04:00

My wedding photographer Allison is a finalist for a photography trip to Italy. Please, please go here and here to vote for her amazing video titled "me plus italy" and help her win the trip. If I wasn't biased (which I am) I am sure I would vote for her video. So cool.

Voting ends today 6/12 at 5:00 pm PST.

Thank you, thank you!

le bernardin

2009-06-10T08:00:00.006-04:00

click to view

If you're ever in need of a 'special occasion' lunch or dinner spot, Le Bernardin will not disappoint. The food was a rare experience, amazing flavors, and wonderful service. It is considered a 'landmark for seafood' in New York City. Our menu:

Appetizers

layers of thinly pounded yellowfin tuna, foie gras, toasted baguette, shave chives and extra virgin olive oil
warm lobster carpaccio, heart of palm, orange vinaigrette

Main

bread crusted red snapper, zucchini-mint-coriander compote, in a rich citrus broth
poached halibut, braised daikon, baby radish, turnips, seasame bouillon

Dessert

vanilla yogurt parfait, rhubarb marmalade, basil ice cream, yogurt sponge
dark amedei chocolate ganache, sweet potatoe sorbet, pistachio, palm sugar, vanilla salt

I must figure out how to make the 'rich citrus broth' on the red snapper. It tasted like a citrus tomato broth... and I wouldn't mind drowning every meal in it.

(The ravioli in the bottom-middle was the vegetarian option.)

summer beach house

2009-06-09T15:34:00.005-04:00

Come summer time, New Yorkers start scheming ways to beat the heat and get out of the steamy city. My ideas revolve around local beach trips or a day trip up the Hudson River.

Some people go big (very big) and rent beach houses for the summer.

New idea: try to befriend such people.

photography by Durston Saylor

Click here to view the slideshow of this beach-front home. Interior Design by Mariette Himes Gomez, Architecture by John Mayfield.

yo-yo ma

2009-06-09T11:36:00.003-04:00

Tonight on PBS you can watch Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble perform on Live from Lincoln Center. We attended the dress rehearsal last night and it was wonderful.

The music is an mix of East & West, some of the most unique sounds I have ever heard. I also fell in love with a musical instrument I have never heard, the kamancheh, played by Kayhan Kalhor from Iran (seated on the right of Yo-Yo).

Right now it is pouring rain in NYC, if this keeps up they might broadcast yesterday's performance tonight (look for us on the front row)!

philip johnson : the glass house

2009-06-08T17:09:00.012-04:00

This weekend we toured The Glass House designed by Philip Johnson, something I have been hoping to do since we moved to NYC. It was a beautiful day and one of the best day trips we have ever made out of the city.

We hopped on the train to New Canaan, Connecticut. Here are our pictures from the day (an overload... but I couldn't cut any out...)

/// i especially loved the interior materials + details /////

/// view from the house /////

/// outdoor furniture - my favorite side table /////

/// johnson had two art galleries on the property /////

/// part of his inspiring art collection /////

/// inside + out of the gate house 'da monsta' /////

lace

2009-06-04T14:50:00.003-04:00

I've been looking at a lot of lace lately, I love the shape of this rug from Kasthall.

birthdays

2009-06-03T06:00:00.001-04:00

[1] my 1st birthday.

I'm celebrating a birthday this week and I have always loved birthdays. Any occasion for cake + ice cream is a good thing right?

[2] anticipated birthday.

We are expecting to celebrate another special birthday this year, sometime around mid-October. This makes me happier than all of my birthday cake + ice cream combined.

[3] before a birthday.

I have a new love + appreciation for my Mom ... and for life. It really is a miracle.

lauren moffatt

2009-06-02T14:39:00.003-04:00

I really like the tunics/colors/patterns in Lauren Moffatt's Spring 2009 Collection.

summer menu

2009-06-01T20:20:00.004-04:00

watermelon
grilled green onions
grilled zucchini + seasoning
grilled asparagus + coarse salt
grilled pineapple
lemon chicken
grilled corn
panzanella salad
[ recipe examples 1, 2 ]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Our Memorial Day menu was the perfect summer intro, mostly on the grill, and mostly fresh vegetables and fruit. My in-laws put the menu together and I've been craving a second round since we had it.

Just today I learned a great tip for the grilled corn - once you have peeled back the husks to remove the silk, roll the husks back up, and then soak the entire ear in water before grilling to prevent it from catching on fire.

The panzanella salad was a tasty new treat, something Brad and I have never tried, but his mom had been wanting to make. It similar to a caprese salad, with added onions and ciabatta bread topped with a balsamic dressing.

Oh how I love summer! I'm thinking we need a mini grill to use on our fire escape.

no place like home

2009-06-01T13:55:00.003-04:00

[ beautiful peonies, from my parents garden, give them a sniff.... ]

I just returned from a trip home, I'll be back and posting this week. I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day/week. I'm going to post about our mouth-watering feast later today.

muy mal makeup

2009-05-20T17:28:00.007-04:00

Today I found out that my foundation is ranked as a 'high hazard' by the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.

So...the stuff I smear on my face in the morning is human skin toxicant. Gee...that's just great.

Next step: I'll be searching for makeup products by safety rank and choosing something with 'zero hazard'.

You can find out how your products rank here.

shop vintage

2009-05-20T11:23:00.003-04:00

This buffet & hutch are real wood, beautiful condition, and only $200. With potential for bargaining. I love vintage stores.

This display was spotted at Anthropologie, not vintage, but a great place for ideas. The letters were written on lined notepads and hung above the bed. Wouldn't it be fun to change the message occasionally?

This photo is from a failed attempt to do some vintage shopping at the Domino Magazine Tag Sale a couple of weeks ago... the line was 4 people wide and wrapped around the block. Arriving at 6am would have been a good idea.

tea party shower

2009-05-19T08:00:00.001-04:00

Baby showers provide the perfect excuse to go all-out girly. Alice's Tea Cup was a great NYC spot for a flowery lunch (and perfect fit for this particular mommy-to-be).

food /// tea, scones, tea sandwiches, and an assortment of desserts.

favors /// Martha Stewart's tissue-wrapped flowers, filled with votive candles.

game /// I took the current Top 100 Baby Girl names and cut them up into syllables so the guests could rearrange them into weird, funny, and sometimes fabulous baby names.

summer shoes

2009-05-18T12:37:00.003-04:00

/// egg yellow /// chestnut brown ///

beautiful world

2009-05-17T16:31:00.002-04:00

::: bits of spring, gathered on our sunday walk, now resting on our window sill :::

wedding invitations

2009-05-12T12:12:00.008-04:00

As a designer, in any field, you will always be working with clients. I have learned in my experience as an interior designer that often your language is not the same as your clients language.

The words modern, vintage, preppy, etc. can mean very different things to different people. That is the challenge and the fun of the design process. Creating a vision and letting it evolve to meet the vision of your client, which often means many changes and revisions along the way. I think the key is to have a constant dialogue, both visually + verbally, to keep the the design vision clear in your own mind.

I have been working on designing a wedding invitation for my brother + future sister-in-law. I mentioned their color palette and my initial inspiration here. The lemon stamping is not what we ended up using, but I'll show you that round as well. I do love the lemon stamp and I'm sure I'll find many uses for it in the future. The final version is much different that the first rounds and I'm happy with how it turned out. Most importantly, my clients are really happy.

The final invitation + inserts (I changed the names/details):
click to enlarge

The early versions:

I should say that graphic design is not my forté, and now I admire all of the talented graphic designers out there so much more because it is tricky! There are so many type rules... and you just need to have that eye. My cousin Linsey was kind enough to give it a first, second, and third look. Don't worry, I'll leave it to the professionals.

tomatillo + hominy soup

2009-05-11T16:13:00.005-04:00

I recently made a veggie version of Caroline's delicious tomatillo soup. We loved every bite and had it again for dinner the next day. So tasty! The only changes I made was using vegetable broth and I tossed in two cups of diced carrots to replace the chicken.

Caroline's blog is full of great recipes and her photos are amazing too.

[ for RECIPE click here ]

the things we do.

2009-05-06T17:56:00.005-04:00

[ photo from the pioneer woman ]

I washed my hair in vinegar last night. I felt like a big potato chip. It was gross... but my hair feels bouncy today.

Thanks PW.

texas wildflowers

2009-05-04T17:55:00.002-04:00

image credits unknown

My inlaws recently went on a trip to see the wildflowers blooming in Texas, and my mother-in-law just emailed me these photos.

Note to self: I must visit Texas in the springtime.

swedish dollhouse

2009-05-01T16:11:00.002-04:00

I love the detailed interiors of these Lundby dollhouses.

design passion - starting young

2009-05-01T15:31:00.003-04:00

What do you get when you put 11 children in a room with several buckets of paint?

Isabelle emailed me from Sweden with her latest project, I was excited to watch the video of these kids sloshing around in wellies, safety glasses, and work gloves. Nothing could be cuter.

The project was installed at the Design Passion show in Stockholm, for the kids to play while their parents explored the design.

Check out the video of the installation, the end result is quite amazing!

Dos Kids - Design Passion 2009 from Dos Family on Vimeo.

When you're done you can check out DosFamily, a newly created design community blog in Sweden. Thank you Isabelle!

sweden

2009-05-01T15:25:00.002-04:00

What I love about Sweden (and I'm still learning):

Beautiful countryside, sunshine, warm people, simple design, train travel, old-world charm, sea food, bread+swisscheese+creamcheese+jam for breakfast.

We did a little exploring of Sweden last summer and I loved it, just like I expected. We were there just at the beginning of the summer and the fields were covered in vibrant yellow flowers.

peter.bjorn.john

2009-04-30T16:54:00.003-04:00

Last night we stepped out past our bed time to see Peter Bjorn & John in concert. They are fantastic musicians from Sweden and very fun to watch on stage. They had us laughing, singing, & clapping along with them.

Tomorrow I'm going to post about all things Sweden, including a project sent to me from a sweet new reader.

the best recipe

2009-04-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

A couple of months back I was talking with a friend about cooking, and she shared with me her favorite weapon in the kitchen. Most of her recipes come from America's Test Kitchen cookbooks. She raved. She cheered. She had me convinced within minutes that I must get some on my shelf. Well, I went over-board and ordered five of them...

It turns out that they are, in fact, great recipes. We have been happy with every one that we've tried. This weekend I used a sweet+sour sauce recipe from 30-Minute Recipes to make a vegetable stir-fry worthy of plate licking. If you're in need of some culinary inspiration, look no further.

(thank you Brittney)

vintage summer wear

2009-04-28T15:03:00.004-04:00

The warm weather in New York has me thinking of what to wear in the light-weight-cotton-breezy category. I'm envisioning summer weekends in these Mexican tunics and flowy fabrics. I need to pick a few up before the streets get too steamy. These are today's ebay finds:

(top left to right) white, appliques, plaid, teal
(bottom left to right) black+white, cream+red, blue, white

2009-04-28T10:00:00.004-04:00

I've got it bad. This blog has been lacking while my head has been in the clouds (and blossoms). I'm pulling it back together this week, but in the mean time check out these awesome posts from a few of my favorite bloggers:

crayola-colored family photos (very cute kids!)
is your shadow playing tricks on you?
does your messy house look this lovely? my head is shaking 'nope'.
yard sale maps. my grandpa would be in heaven.
I must try this silk embroidery, so pretty.
if you haven't seen this road trip film - prepare for some big smiles

I hope you are enjoying some sunshine in your neck of the woods too (thank you Al Roker).

lemon stamp

2009-04-20T17:04:00.004-04:00

I have been working on designing my brother's wedding invitation... but I was in a rut trying to figure out a direction. Their color palette is a beautiful + unique combination of lemon yellow + navy blue seen on Snippet & Ink.

I finally had a break through when I started coloring lemons and rolling them on paper.

Isn't that texture pretty? After rolling the lemon, I scanned the paper and used Photoshop to combine the pattern to a larger area. I just love the texture and I am planning on coloring my food more often for notes, thank you cards, etc.

nyc is blooming

2009-04-20T14:52:00.002-04:00

saturday's spoils

2009-04-20T13:51:00.003-04:00

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oh how i love a weekend.
sunny skies.
street fairs
time in the kitchen.
blooming flowers.
rest + inspiration.

fresh 365

2009-04-14T16:30:00.000-04:00

I am more than a little excited about this beautiful food blog fresh 365.

"A collection of vegetarian recipes. Focusing on seasonal, organic, and local products."

Sounds perfect to me! My mouth is watering and we will certainly be trying these recipes soon.

found via simplesong

paper treats

2009-04-14T16:06:00.001-04:00

Colorful + inspiring finds at One Hundred Wishes.

dream bathrooms

2009-04-14T10:07:00.004-04:00

[TL] Hive Modern [TR] Living Etc. [BL] ? [BR] David H. Mitchell

When my shower curtain is attacking me... I like to imagine my happy place, a dream bathroom with very few requirements, and no shower curtains are allowed!

What does your dream bathroom look like?

fresh garlic bread

2009-04-13T08:53:00.004-04:00

image via Goop

This weekend we made this recipe for garlic bread ... a tasty flavor combination (and smell!) that will probably stick with us for days (sorry friends). As I whipped the butter I explained to Brad, Gwenyth Paltrow taught me how to make this bread.

We used a loaf of portuguese bread, similar to a baguette but much softer, and freshly grated parmesan which makes a big difference.

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SERVES: 4 TIME: 15 minutes

1/4 cup lightly salted butter, room temperature
5 cloves garlic, pushed through a press
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 baguette
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan

Preheat the oven to 375ºF.

Stir together the butter, garlic, parsley and pepper until well combined. Cut the baguette in half horizontally and spread each cut side with the garlic butter, being sure to use every last bit. Sandwich the bread back together, wrap in a sheet of tin foil and put in the oven for 10 minutes. Turn on the broiler, unwrap the bread, evenly sprinkle the parmesan over both sides of the bread and broil until the cheese is melted and browned. Check after one minute. I burn mine by accident 50% of the time, so keep an eye out! Cut into pieces and serve.

pysanka

2009-04-09T14:35:00.008-04:00

[ images ]

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Pysanka is the name for Ukrainian egg decorating, each beautiful design can be intricate because the designs are 'written' on the egg with beeswax. I can imagine it takes a lot of patience to make one egg.

I found a simple tutorial on flickr if you want to try it for yourself. You can also see a library of designs here.

I hope you have a lovely Easter weekend! I won't be posting again until Monday.

speedball textbook

2009-04-08T21:23:00.004-04:00

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This Speedball Textbook is one of my favorite things to pull off the shelf when I'm needing typography inspiration. I used to take it out of my Mom's desk drawer and try to mimic the letters with a fountain pen. The newer edition that I have isn't quite as good as this 1972 version.

pattern engraving

2009-04-06T14:05:00.000-04:00

My sketches/doodles tend to be geometric in style and I really like the patterns on the bottom of each Bockler print. It looks like they could be cut in stone or stitched as lace.

spell it in lights

2009-04-02T16:42:00.005-04:00

My cousin Linsey, who has become somewhat of an ebay addict lately, found these amazing letters today. They are marquee letters from old movie theater signs, etc. I especially love them combined with the bright yellow light bulbs.

It would be so great to start a collection of letters.

See more on Agent Gallery Chicago's website.

black bean burgers

2009-04-02T16:05:00.004-04:00

This week we added a new recipe to our dinner line-up. I saw a tasty looking recipe on CJane for spicy black bean burgers, which we in turn, unspiced for our mild palates.

They are very good! I dressed mine with lettuce & salsa. Brad's favorite version so far was thin slices of cheddar, ketchup, & lettuce.

On our list of toppings to test: sliced tomatoes + guacamole. That sounds so very good. We're going to perfect this black bean burger... I will report.

Until then, here is our less-spicy but full of flavor version...

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Black Bean Burgers

1/4 cup flour for coating (we found you need very little)
1 small onion diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups cooked or canned black beans, mashed
1/2 cup corn (we used frozen)
1/2 cup bread crumbs (or oats)
1/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp chili powder
2 Tbsp fresh parsley (we used dried)

Set flour aside for coating. Saute onion, garlic, oregano and hot pepper in oil until onions are translucent. In a large bowl mash the beans with a fork. Stir in onion mix, corn, bread crumbs, cumin, salt, chili powder and parsley. Mix well. Divide and shape into patties. Coat in flour. Cook on a lightly oiled frying pan on medium high for about 5-10 minutes, or until brown. Makes 5-6 patties.

baggu bags

2009-04-01T08:00:00.002-04:00

I love the colorful array of reusable shopping bags at Baggu. They fold up really small so you can always have them handy, and they are only $8! My pick is the blue/white chevron pattern.

Spotted at FLIGHT001 in Brooklyn.

birth announcement

2009-03-31T12:00:00.000-04:00

My sister and I were looking for inspiration while making a birth announcement for her little boy and we came across my mother's birth announcement from the late 1950's. It was a little card made by Hallmark, about 2" x 3 " when folded, hand-written by my Grandma Jo. I really like it.

harvey faircloth

2009-03-30T21:23:00.002-04:00

Stop the presses. Things just got exciting. I've been wondering about the latest project of Katie Hatch, a lady with impeccable taste, and I just read about it on Hi + Low. It's called Harvey Faircloth, a clothing company started by Katie, Abby Clawson Low, & Mara Papa.

Whenever I see Katie she is always wearing a unique dress or shirt, and undoubtedly, it was always something she put together with her own two hands and a sewing machine. She is so talented and I am thrilled to see her start out with this company. I'll be sure to have my eyes on Harvey Faircloth.

p.s. be sure to scroll through the 'About Harvey' page. It had me smiling.

cottage cheese pancakes

2009-03-30T15:03:00.007-04:00

We had breakfast for dinner on Saturday night and I made one of my childhood favorites, cottage cheese pancakes. Don't be nervous about the ingredients, they're worth trying. They're so easy to make + the crowds will cheer.

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Cottage Cheese Pancakes

3 large eggs
1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup small curd cottage cheese
2 Tbls. butter, melted

Blend the ingredients in a blender or mixing bowl. Don't over mix. Cook each side until golden. Makes about 10 thin pancakes.

*note* I first listed the recipe with 1/4 cup salt - ah! I'm sorry if you're drowning in sodium.

dynamic duo

2009-03-27T16:40:00.004-04:00

Today's Anthropologie email showing a versatile top + capri length jeans really has me wanting to change-up my own wardrobe for spring. And those sandals... ahhh...my feet are tapping as I look at them.

[1] top [2] top [3] jeans [4] scarf [5] belt [6]sandals [7] sandals

My friend Aline told me her trick for self-control when it comes to consuming sweets (especially when they are right in front of her at the office, etc.) is to imagine taking bite, enjoying the flavor, chewing, and swallowing. She said it fools her mind into thinking she just ate it and she is satisfied.

My imaginary wardrobe change isn't really having the same effect...

the capitol building

2009-03-26T17:53:00.003-04:00

This past week we took a trip from NY to Washington DC. I had never been and it was quite the place to explore. I came away with a greater desire to read history and a greater appreciation for our leaders past + present.

We walked and walked to explore the buildings, monuments, and neighborhoods. What an awesome city! It is full of great restaurants too. Next time I want to explore more of the 'design' side of the city, we walked by so many awesome shops.

library of congress

2009-03-26T17:51:00.006-04:00

The Library of Congress was my favorite building. The colors were incredible, the ceiling was amazing, and I always love to explore libraries. They had the personal collection of Thomas Jefferson's books that they are working to restore from a fire (only 300 books to go!) I think that was my favorite thing to see in the entire city.

the supreme court

2009-03-26T17:51:00.005-04:00

My favorite part was the old clock hanging above where the judges are seated but it's hard to see in the photo.

the white house

2009-03-26T17:49:00.003-04:00

We didn't take a tour of the White House, but we joined the crowds outside of the grounds. The famous address is well guarded, of course, and it looks surprisingly small for a house with 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms.

the national cathedral

2009-03-26T17:48:00.003-04:00

The National Cathedral is both historical and modern. It even has a John Deere tractor and in one of the stained glass windows. They had many displays showing what ceremonies had been held there over the years.