Momathon Blog

2009 was a very good year in the kitchen

2010-01-08T12:26:03-08:00

If you like lists and you like to cook, then check out the top ten recipes (plus five runners-up) according to the LA Times.

The five runners-up recipes available here.

Blogs that make you smile: The City Sage

2010-01-08T03:58:00-08:00

Blogger Anne Sage is a city girl who "craves good old-fashioned country mud now and again. Check out her blog The City Sage. Her California based blog features seasonally-themed styling, musings on fashion and interior design collections, and book reviews. Have fun reading.

Baby panda makes media debut... So cute!

2010-01-07T14:01:00-08:00

Five-month-old giant panda cub, Yun Zi, made his media debut this week at the San Diego Zoo. Click here to see the adorable zoo video and check out the San Diego Zoo's PandaCam.

Tame those resolutions and live a little

2010-01-07T08:39:09-08:00

Have you already broken all your resolutions for 2010? Don't worry. Breaking a few rules does not spell disaster. According to surgeon Dr. Susan Love and psychologist Dr. Alice Domar, authors of the new book Live a Little!, perfection should not be the goal. Learning to relax and live a little in 2010 just might improve your life. Setting unrealistic goals that require following every health rule all the time only sets us up for failure. In fact, the authors say perfect health is a myth and a healthy middle ground is better suited for our busy lives. The book's dose of realism in a world filled with hype about healthy habits is perhaps the best medicine of all.

Read an excerpt from their book here.

Teen blogger gets inside scoop on fashion world

2010-01-06T10:28:56-08:00

While most teens are just reading blogs, thirteen year-old Tavi Gevinson of Chicago writes the popular Style Rookie fashion blog. I love her fresh approach to style and fashion. According to Tavi, "Real style is just being unique and taking inspiration and the clothes from all different places."

Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy selected Tavi to be featured in their Rodarte collection launch for Target. She stars in a behind-the-scenes video about the Target Rodarte fashion line.
According to an article in StarTribune.com, this self-described dork, is turning heads and demanding attention from designers with her opinions on style:
"Her runway critiques were so thoughtful that people assumed she was a fake. Then, she took time off from school to attend New York Fashion Week in September, chaperoned by her father, getting her picture snapped as she sat front row at shows. The same month, she landed on the cover of Pop magazine and was featured in the pages of Love magazine, interviewed by Pixie Geldof. In November, she sat with the Mulleavys, designer Hedi Slimane and Pop editor Dasha Zhukova at the Museum of Contemporary Art's 25th anniversary gala in Los Angeles. The blogger wore a borrowed Rodarte dress and sweater so expensive they are out of reach for most designer customers."

We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne

2009-12-31T09:18:15-08:00

Back in 1788 Scottish poet Robert Burns composed the famous New Year's song Auld Lang Syne.

When the clock strikes midnight, join me in singing the song translated here into the English version. (Scottish version printed second.)

(photo above by jsorbieus.)

Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you'll buy your pint cup!
and surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine†;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS
And there's a hand my trusty friend!
And give us a hand o' thine!
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Original Scottish version:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
and surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We twa hae run about the braes,
and pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot,
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn,
frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
and gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willy waught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Driven to distraction lists: Best design blogs

2009-12-30T11:45:05-08:00

I can't take credit for creating this top 50 list, but I agree with the selection made by London Times. If you are looking for inspiration in interior design or almost any design niche, then check out the list. (Just don't blame me if you end up spending a whole afternoon reading the blogs.)

Starting with number 50, here is the London Time's list and their comments on 50 of the world's best design blogs:

50. Lovely Clusters Pretty design finds chosen by a Hawaiian-based graphic designer.

49. The Fabric of my Life Musings and photo collages from a London interior stylist.

48. Design Squish Design blog with an emphasis on nature, sustainability and eco issues.

47. Pillar Box Post London style and observations from an American ex-pat.

46. Automatism The daily visual inspirations of a Canadian illustrator.

45. Nestled In Home renovation and thrifty finds from Finland.

44. Oliveaux A Brisbane-based interior designer shares her passion.

43. Brooklyn Limestone The renovation of a traditional Brooklyn limestone townhouse.

42. Delight by Design Glamorous interiors and classy styling ideas.

41. Please Sir Vintage purchases to covet and more from a North Carolinian designer.

40. Chez Larsson The interiors and craft projects of a Stockholm family home.

39. Katy Elliott New England-inspired selections from an ex-Domino writer.

38. Simplesong Design favourites with a clean and simple quality.

37. Modish Portland-based champion of indie designers.

36. Oh So Beautiful PaperWedding invitations and inventive stationery ideas.

35. The City Sage California-based Anne Sage’s features include seasonally-themed styling and book reviews.

34. The Design Files Melbourne homes, shops and design.

33. Home Shopping SpyTechnically the blog of Ideal Home magazine run on the writer’s sparky comment.

32. Mint Design, art and more from graphic designer Ellie Snow, with an interesting recent series on adapting to a freelance lifestyle.

31. Making it Lovely Feminine favourites, independent design and home decoration.

30. Oh Hello Friend Beautifully-designed and curated posts from a graphic and jewellery designer.

29. Fine Little Day Quirky Scandinavian style from a Swedish designer and photographer.

28. Bliss Photographer Mrs French’s ‘I heart Monday’ wishlist is a weekly highlight.

27. A Field Journal Visual eye candy featuring this talented student’s own photography and craft projects.

26. Coco & Kelley Trend watch from a Seattle-based interior and events stylist with a penchant for elegant glamour.

25. Wee Birdy Incredibly cohesive: London shopping and birds-inspired design, authored by an Australian magazine writer living in London.

24. Pia Jane Bijkerk Unique content from an Australian prop stylist and author living in Amsterdam.

23. Daydream Lily Her other life - dreamy images selected by Melbourne-based research scientist Liss Winnel.

22. Sweet Paul Craft and styling ideas from New York-based food and prop stylist Paul Lowe.

21. Design for Mankind Featuring edgy graphic and product design, this blog has a brilliant video series highlighting issues facing creative freelancers.

20. Dos Family Photographer Jenny Brandt’s aspirational home tours feature stylish Swedish families.

19. This is Glamorous Consistently classy selections with a high glamour factor.

18. Lobster and Swan Hastings design muse Jeska shares her photography and vintage-styled vignettes from her home.

17. Frolic! Relaxed style from a Portland-based floral stylist.

16. Grain Edit Mid-century inspired graphic design.

15. Print and Pattern Popular British blog focusing on colourful surface pattern design.

14. Swiss Miss Unique ideas and products picked by a Swiss graphic designer living in New York.

13. Bloesem Kuala Lumpar-based writer Irene also has an offshoot blog featuring child-specific design.

12. Young House Love Interiors advice, DIY and moodboards from a young couple renovating their own home.

11. Design is Mine A perfectly picked selection of art and design from independent designers worldwide.

10. SF Girl by Bay Bohemian chic from San Francisco-based Victoria Smith, a former art dealer.

9. Creature Comforts FeaturingFlickr favourites and promoting handmade design, this blog’s layout is itself a visual treat.

8. Emma's Design BlogScandinavian style from a Stockholm-based design enthusiast.

7. Poppytalk Vancouver-based blog with a marketplace for independent designers.

6. Decor8 All-round comprehensive design blog written by an American living in Hannover, Germany.

5. Oh Joy! Stylish selections which complement the cool aesthetic of the writer’s own successful stationery range.

4. Desire to Inspire Interiors inspiration galore, co-written on different continents by an Australian and a Canadian.

3. The Selby Uber-cool photographs of creative people in their living spaces, taken by photographer Todd Selby.

2. Design Sponge With a book in the works, Design Sponge includes readers’ DIY ‘before and afters’ and inspiring house tours.

1. Apartment Therapy Every aspect of interior design is covered in this American mega-blog, with the useful option of posing your design dilemmas to its readers.