hooray

Happy (White) Weekend

2012-02-24T11:00:00.002-05:00

We've only had snow a few times all winter, so it feels especially beautiful with everything coated in white! A few snapshots lately in (mostly) white: card, kitty, figs, and view from our front porch this morning.

Cake Art

2012-02-22T07:42:00.002-05:00

Last night, I followed a link only to discover the most beautiful cake designs made by Hello Naomi. So lovely!

Monday Inspiration...

2012-02-20T08:10:00.001-05:00

Paintings & prints by artquirk. (found via dellie)

I've always been fascinated by artwork involving buildings and architecture, so these quirky little drawings caught my eye.

Friday Favorites...

2012-02-17T07:59:00.000-05:00

Patterned cutting board by fine little day; making paper fans by inchmark (via heather); lotta jandsdotter's workspace; and styling for flower school. Happy Friday!

Giant Chocolate Cookies

2012-02-16T08:04:00.002-05:00

What's your favorite type of cookie? Mine involves anything with chocolate, so I made giant versions of these (recipe here) for Valentine's Day. They're similar to brownies: flaky on the outside with a soft, chocolatey center (and best enjoyed with a glass of milk).

(photos taken using instagram)

Colors of Greenbrier

2012-02-15T07:52:00.001-05:00

I am amazed by these vibrant, inspiring colors at the Greenbrier Resort, as seen in this month's Matchbook Magazine. It's all so beautiful.

(photo 1 & 2: cooper carras)

Q-tip Arrow

2012-02-14T17:00:00.002-05:00

Sometimes, it's hard to think of small things to make for a guy. So when I saw this idea for making mini bows & arrows out of popsicle sticks, I thought it would make a great little gift topper on a v-day present for Q (especially since he likes things that involve shooting - guns or arrows). I paired it with a heart-punched tag for the "target". And you know what? Neither of us could make it through the heart after quite a few attempts. But our cat, Bailey, found her new favorite activity by watching us try.

Handmade Faves: Hearts

2012-02-14T07:26:00.001-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day! These personalized hearts (and stars) are handmade by Sarah & Bendrix.

Friday Favorites...

2012-02-10T07:45:00.001-05:00

A Cape Town hair salon; paper cones (from a book worth checking out, Modern Paper Crafts); cute & efficient little kitchen (from Blueprint); and the Paris versus New York book cover.

Dotted Dress

2012-02-09T21:30:00.001-05:00

Speaking of sweet things this week: a beautifully simple dress and wedding in Italy (spotted on Chasing Heartbeats).

A Few Sweet Things

2012-02-07T07:46:00.001-05:00

In honor of Valentines Day next week:
one of our favorite go-to pancake recipes.
screenprinted card by humunuku.
polka dot blouse, from indie shop bloom.
making fabric hearts (via creature comforts).

Monday Inspiration...

2012-02-06T07:11:00.002-05:00

British series, Downton Abbey.

Have you been watching? I finally joined in on this series and it only takes the first episode to get hooked. It's full of drama, but has truly beautiful & heartfelt storytelling. (Find season 1 here, and the current season here).

Happy February Weekend

2012-02-03T16:20:00.001-05:00

With each new month, there's always something pretty to anticipate from this calendar. Hope your weekend is lovely.

Handmade Faves: Black & White

2012-02-02T07:34:00.003-05:00

A few pretty creations from Zach Terrell (via little gray pixel); Couve; and The Tiny Hummingbird.

Bedroom in White

2012-02-01T16:15:00.009-05:00

I've been sprucing up our bedroom a bit and finally bought a set of good quality, white sheets at the beginning of year. They're crisp & soft and help to brighten up the room for the winter (it prompted me to hang some white curtains, too).

PS. My mom will cringe if she sees those unironed pillowcases... (*post edit) but yes, I find them cozier wrinkled : )

Monday Inspiration...

2012-01-30T16:30:00.001-05:00

(photo: GWS, via Anna)

"Growing doesn't always mean adding more on, or getting bigger... sometimes in order to grow, you have to prune away the unnecessary... the things that keep us from growing. Sometimes you just have to simplify to make room for new growth." - Lindsay of aisle to aloha

(I read this quote the other day and thought it applied so well to creativity and life in general.)

Friday Favorites...

2012-01-27T08:04:00.001-05:00

Story of two artisans' home. Rachel's sweet new kitchen shop. A new-to-me blog, Paper Morning. And making tiny paper flowers.

Grow.

2012-01-26T17:00:00.003-05:00

Our orchid has had a sudden growth spurt; four blossoms and another bud. It always amazes me how gratifying it is to see it thrive in the winter, while outside everything is sleepy and cold.

Cookies & Tea

2012-01-24T16:30:00.000-05:00

I had lunch with a friend I hadn't seen since before Christmas, and since she loves tea & lemon-y treats, I made her a batch of chewy lemon cookies (recipe here) on Sunday and wrapped them up along with some of this tea. They are kind of perfect for winter, because they're a refreshing version of a sugar cookie, with a bit of lemon zest in each bite.

Monday Inspiration...

2012-01-23T07:34:00.000-05:00

Artist Penelope Boyd // Third Room Studio paintings.

In addition to her artwork, she writes one of the sweetest blogs around.

Friday Favorites...

2012-01-20T07:35:00.001-05:00

Calming entryway. Gift bags (via satsuki). A tiny closet cubby (via lisa). And sweet Valentine stamp packs.

Mudroom Progress

2012-01-19T07:57:00.000-05:00

Below are a few shots from my phone of the back entryway so far. We painted it Bakery Box White in December, and it lightens the whole room up from its previous dark yellow walls.

Stacking the washer & dryer to make use of vertical space opened up a corner area that also made a huge difference. It feels ten times bigger now! We have plans to cover that washer hookup on the wall with a box shelf, and add a small bench and coat hooks. We'll get there...

Paper Mache Bowl

2012-01-18T07:53:00.001-05:00

A cool project on making gold frosted bowls, from the third issue of Styled. magazine.

Making French Onion Soup

2012-01-17T07:48:00.001-05:00

Between getting the cookbook My Father's Daughter recently, along with the new camera lens, I've been cooking & photographing in the kitchen a lot lately. It's usually dark when I start dinner (courtesy of winter), so the photos don't always turn out pretty, but I like documenting the process for myself to look back on and am considering printing a little booklet of all of my favorites...someday. Here is one favorite (from the cookbook) that I make frequently: French-onion-style bean soup (recipe here). It is so delicious, and best of all, easy to make.

(simple spices)

(star of this dish: fennel bulb - so fragrant - along with garlic & onion)

(hearty, white cannellini beans)

(served, with crusty bread...or cheesy toasted baguettes)

Monday Inspiration...

2012-01-16T16:45:00.000-05:00

Woody Allen's film, Midnight in Paris.

I love how this movie combines magical scenery and humor with an interesting theme on life & the arts. And, now the screenplay has a well-deserved Golden Globe.