my modern artefact

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

I love a good manicure.

Getting a manicure was always a treat with my mom or a way to squeeze in some quality time with my sister, so it's a little luxury that I find offers a pick-me-up.

Lately I've been obsessed with all of the fun nail art trends out there, from ombre and metallic tips to graphic patterns and dots. I even ended up doing a little bit of my own for New Year's Eve with what they call tinsel tips.

Here's a fun little illustrated history of nail art and a tutorial for a 30s style "moon manicure."

[1-3. Refinery29; 4-5. c. lynn]

2012-01-22T15:09:00.001-05:00

Getting through the short gray days of winter in Portland is not an easy task, but we can all find ways of tempering the rainy day doldrums with something cozy and chic to slip over our heads. My winter fix has been Beau & Marigold's line of sought-after sweaters. I find them so easy to throw on with a pair of boots and feel so pull together and prepared for winter's chill. Not only are the sweaters knit with luxurious yarns and designed with a nod to timeless style, but the designer happens to be one of the most fantastic and talented women I've met in Portland.

With a second winter underway, I'm amassing a little bit of a collection.

PS: To keep all of my sweaters pill-free, I use a sweater stone.

[1-3. Beau & Marigold; 4. c. lynn]

2012-01-20T23:50:00.000-05:00

A few snaps of delicious meals we had while in S.F. and Napa.

Top: an enormous croissant from Tartine Bakery
Middle: a deliciously complex pistachio and saffron kulfi from Neela's
Bottom: a crispy tamarind-glazed sea bass from Slanted Door

[1-3. c. lynn]

2012-01-19T15:19:00.002-05:00

There are some big wonderful things happening as we start this brand new year. For one thing, I am getting married in the fall! It's thrilling and heart-warming and emotional and really fun! I'm just starting to get involved in the planning, but so far it feels so exciting and I am loving it. There is more big news where that came from but plans are still developing and I will share as soon as we make the final decision.

I have really missed posting here and I hope that in the new year, I can be much more available to document all of my projects and ideas. I know that some of you have been looking forward to this, which is a big big compliment and I so appreciate it.

[1. unknown]

2011-09-03T14:53:00.003-04:00

Hello! I know it's been awhile. I have not been dutifully posting because I've been wrapped up with work, but not for too much longer!

I hope that you are enjoying the last weeks of summer. We are off on an annual camping trip next weekend in Cape Lookout and then will be in the Bay area for a wedding and some scouting for an exciting new adventure.

More posts to come.

[1. Greg Harness]

2011-08-09T19:37:00.001-04:00

Inject some whimsy into your bedroom with an adorable floral quilt from Heidi Merrick.

[1. Heidi Merrick]

2011-08-06T01:26:00.001-04:00

A couple sneak peeks of our BBQ preparation.

Menu:
Burgers (beef, turkey, salmon, veggie) with a toppings bar
Grilled asparagus
Pesto pasta with peas
Chile corn custard squares
Green salad
Cheese plate with five different cheeses as well as some black grapes, hazelnuts, homemade marionberry jam, and stone ground crackers
Lemon cornmeal pound cake topped with seasonal berries and macerated peaches

2011-08-04T11:04:00.001-04:00

It's cherry season in Oregon!

We headed over to the farmers market last weekend with plans to prepare some scrumptious pickled rainier cherries (like the ones that Accanto has been serving in their in their Sauvie Island green salad the other night), but when we saw the sour cherries, I couldn't resist trying out my first cherry pie.

I worked off of this classic cherry pie recipe with the addition of Martha's foolproof pie dough and the results were magnificent! Forkfuls of cherry flavor, not too sweet, but the perfect complement to a scoop of ice cream.

[1. c. lynn]

2011-07-29T22:43:00.002-04:00

On what was supposed to be a quick run to the market to pick up dinner, I came upon the most luscious marionberries. What are marionberries, you may ask? The marionberry is a hybrid caneberry related to the blackberry that was developed in Oregon state. These berries are really popular in town for having the punchy flavor of an amped up blackberry with a tart edge.

Even though it was getting late and I had an early start the next morning, I managed to water bath can a few jars of marionberry jam before collapsing for the night. But oh was my morning toast delish!

[1-2. c. lynn]

2011-07-23T12:01:00.004-04:00

I'd like you to meet Kobe—he's the sweetest chihuahua mix on the block. I'm watching him while his owner is out of town and so far, we've had the best day walking around town making friends, running through the park, chasing after Kobe's favorite blue rope, and sneaking drinks from the water fountain.

We're also planning a nice run in the dog park this evening, but first Kobe has to watch me finish the dishes. Look at those back paws!!

[1-3. c. lynn]

2011-07-22T19:26:00.000-04:00

One of the really enjoyable things about this apartment is all of the different colored hummingbirds that hang around us on our balcony at daybreak and again at sunset. We have a temporary feeder that we found with a suction cup hanger so that we didn't have to disturb the cement ceiling, but I really love these new hummingbird feeders from J. Schatz available from Plastica. They are so whimsical and feel very much like a Takashi Murakami installation with the bright colors and high-gloss plastic look. What a cool and unexpected accent to your garden!

[1. Plastica]

2011-07-15T19:46:00.000-04:00

A yummy flower confection by Hilary Horvath.

[1. c. lynn]

2011-07-14T19:09:00.001-04:00

Alas, it was time for a new pair of summer heels.

I can't wait to wear them to the Bastille Day fête at Alder & Co.

[1-2. c. lynn]

2011-07-12T23:12:00.000-04:00

My mom just sent me this photo of the lilies in her garden. I love that color!

[1. MCG]

2011-07-11T21:10:00.002-04:00

The slow cooked vegetable flavors of ratatouille—eggplant, zucchini, tomato, peppers—care of my friend Noelle's tried and true Provencal recipe.

Just cut up a crusty baguette, plate some butter, and serve.

[1. c. lynn]

2011-07-10T21:09:00.000-04:00

One of our first priorities after moving out of Manhattan was to start a garden. I know that it's small, but I'm so proud of our little container garden. We have tomatoes, herbs, zinnias, Swiss chard, green onion, radishes, and mixed salad greens.

[1-3. c. lynn]

2011-07-06T21:23:00.001-04:00

Ever since we started to get a bit more serious about finding a new doggie family member, I keep coming across such fun dog accessories. I'm sure that we'll end up with a trusty leash, a comfortable collar, and a favorite spot on the couch—but it's still fun to see everything that's out there.

[1-3. Bowhaus NYC]

2011-07-05T02:02:00.000-04:00

There was a lot of Americana going on this Fourth of July. We loaded up on pancakes and eggs before heading out to visit Mount Vernon (George and Martha Washington's estate in Virginia) for the national holiday. There were lots of photo-ops with fully costumed re-enactors, including George and Martha, as well as a fireworks display, flag cake, and a good old-fashioned hip-hip-hooray.

[1-5. c. lynn]

2011-07-03T08:46:00.004-04:00

On a whim, we snuck away to D.C. for the weekend to visit our friends J and K who were stateside for a few weeks.

We dined in old historic buildings with tasty prix fixe menus and visited the Dutch masters and Rodin exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. Then there was brunch at Acadiana for delicious southern Louisiana gumbo and eggs Benedict over crawfish cakes (which, felt very much the right thing to eat while the air was so hot and thick) followed by a nice drive with the top down and the wind blowing through our hair.

2011-06-25T19:40:00.000-04:00

We rode our bikes up to the PSU farmers market and boy was it bustling!

I loaded up on my favorite chipotle salsa, a beefsteak tomato, market flowers, and Mt. Hood strawberries while A chowed down on shredded chicken tamale and hibiscus blueberry iced black tea.

[1. c. lynn]

2011-06-24T00:06:00.000-04:00

A few beautiful pieces from Wright Now, an auction site with a FLW design perspective.

[1-3. Wright Now]

2011-06-23T11:32:00.000-04:00

Check out these personalized luggage tags by Etsy seller, HarLex. I love the one that reads "my clothes won't fit you"—so great.

HarLex also makes customizable iPad cases, passport wallets, and camera straps.

[1-2. HarLex via This is Glamorous]

2011-06-20T01:45:00.000-04:00

Lately my mornings have been taken over by iced coffee-fueled meetings and busy preparations for photo shoots. I'm sorry that it's been so long since I've posted. I'm learning again what it feels like to balance things and keep some time just for me.

Since things have been a little harried around here, I will share at least one of the things that have been keeping me going—the promise of a beautifully dressed bed at the end of the day. We are loving our fabulously textured and utterly sumptuous bedding from Matteo Home found at one of my favorite places for all things beautiful, Alder & Co.

[1. Serious Eats, 2. Matteo Home]

2011-05-30T00:55:00.001-04:00

Since we can't seem to get any sunshine for Memorial Day weekend, I made up my mind to bring some to the table in the form of a strawberry rhubarb pie.

[1-3. c. lynn]

2011-05-28T19:59:00.000-04:00

We had a great morning shuffling around the PSU farmers market. We picked up some ruby red strawberries, freshly-dug shallots, chipotle pico de gallo, and an armful of peonies and irises.

Wishing you a fun Memorial Day weekend.

PS: I love my market tote from Alder & Co. I have both sizes (large with two straps and small, pictured here) and find myself using them quite often.

[1-2. c. lynn]