high gloss black

Greatness Achieved

2010-02-18T15:59:00.000-08:00

This blog is amazing, oozing with attitude and so incredibly funny.
Unhappy Hipsters

want this

2010-02-02T10:20:00.001-08:00

LG TV, limited edition of course. Changes visuals from B&w to Sepia to Color. 14".... I don't care it sooo rad.

want!

2010-01-24T09:49:00.000-08:00

I want all of these! How have I lived without these for so long??? I'm officially in love with Les Queus de Sardines

bed lust

2010-01-07T08:44:00.000-08:00

A girl can dream!

Images via D*S and Decor8

paper art (understatement)

2010-01-07T08:32:00.000-08:00

Every once-and-a-while I come across these amazing and intricate paper creations from various artists and designers and I am constantly amazed at the versatility and beauty of paper. As one of the most mundane objects in my life, I can't help but feel a bit woeful that I don't take the time to appreciate the possibilities like others obviously do. I hope that you find inspiration in these images and use them to think about life's possibilities.

These images are from Artists Nikki Salk and Amy Flurry and their Paper Cut Project.

Hair envy

2009-12-28T17:18:00.000-08:00

Most days I like short hair, and most days I wish I was daring enough to shave all of mine off to the extreme, but for some reason (I'm attributing it to the cold) I really want long hair and long blunt bangs! Why? I really have no idea. But the picture here pretty much is my desire right now. Why can't I be rich and just get extensions and play with my hair? Ugh, having money would be so much fun!

best x-mas present

2009-12-28T17:08:00.000-08:00

Tony took the cake on this one folks. I'm sorry, but in comparison there is nothing like marimekko dress that makes my heart go pitter-patter.

to have a fireplace right now

2009-12-07T09:32:00.001-08:00

would be amazing. I grew up having a roaring fire nearly every night, and now that I'm away and living in my tiny boston apartment, I really miss the allure of fireplaces. Somewhere in between the intense heat that makes you fell burnt, the dry smoky smell and the loud pops and crackles of the wood is my childhood. sigh.

i heart procrastination

2009-12-07T09:13:00.000-08:00

and lately I am really digging textiles... lace, embroidery & anything frilly is totally stealing my heart right now. hmmmmm

birds

2009-12-04T18:11:00.001-08:00

My day job is for a great furniture design company over in Cambridge, and I have the best job ever: designing the window displays. Of course that's only one of my duties there, but the one that is the most fun... other than designing furniture, because actually that's really cool too. Anyways I digress, but over the Fall season I sewed a few big and small birds with some super rad and super fancy-pants upholstery fabric from vendors like Robert Allen, Donghia and Starck, and then made some pretty sweet mobile-like displays using twigs and branches. Generally a really cool display- check it out!

wedding stuff

2009-12-04T18:05:00.000-08:00

Officially, today, we have 9 more months until our wedding. How did that happen? Wow! Like really WOW! So it seems about that time to be finally sending our save-the-date cards out in the mail. For those of you who are going to receive one shortly, consider yourself to be extremely loved! Our guest list is small, and our budget is even smaller- if you are ever curious about what our apartment looks like when I am in the middle of finishing a project like our cards... here is your one and only glimpse: a total disaster!

makery boston

2009-12-04T14:36:00.001-08:00

First posting!
Customizable recycled paper-back wreaths! Click here to see my shop!

X-mas Cookies

2009-12-03T09:24:00.001-08:00

Every year, for as long as I can remember, the women in my family have dedicated themselves to baking, brewing and melting a serious assortment of sweets. Traditionally we do our classics: Spritz , buckeyes and bark. Lately we have been adding butter cookies to the mix with a too sweet glaze that makes them oooooh so good. However this year seeing as I'm broke , my cookies are becoming more serious and varied! They are going to be presents to my friends and colleagues and maybe also my stomach!

For those of you who just thought " What the heck is a spritz, a buckeye and bark?" well, you needn't worry a minute longer!

Spritz: A delicious almond flavored cookie that is shaped by pushing dough through a stencil like disk, the classic Xmas shapes are green trees, red poinsettias and plain wreaths. Of course these are always frosted with a sweet butter-cream frosting that keeps them moist and delicious throughout the holidays.

Buckeye: The best candy ever! A concoction of butter, sugar, rice krispies and chunky peanut butter dipped in chocolate. I don't think I need to say anymore.

Bark: This is my sister's favorite and the only sweet that I have ever had to "grow to like". It is a super simple candy that is made by pouring melted white chocolate over a platter of broken pretzels and nuts of your choice. So easy, and so good!

I will be making all of these plus a few more over the next week or two, so be on a lookout for my photos and recipes!

black and tan with envy

2009-11-24T10:55:00.000-08:00

I'm not entirely sure that I could possible covet a work space more than Alvar Aalto's... seriously man, you are my idol. I wish we could have been friends! Check out the great slideshow of his fabulous work studio across the pond. The man is a genius, I mean angled pin-up walls with natural lighting beaming in from above? Sigh, I fear that any more exposure to great design is just to to stifle my creative drive and send me into a pit of irreconcilable non-genius.

Image via Apartment Therapy

the fringe

2009-11-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to share with you all the news that has been taking up all of my time latley! Tony and I are starting our own little business doing design consultation. We have lots of little projects lining up, and we are currently building out our space in this great warehouse in Union Square. We will be sharing it with two great guys who run their own Green Roof business called (RE)Cover. I will be updating this blog with images of our space and our work, so please check in to see whats up! Here is a link to the space: Fringe Movement. It is a great group of young entrepreneurs who ooze creativity. If you are in the area drop by!

a new endeavor

2009-10-20T17:02:00.000-07:00

Tony and I are going to start renting out a portion of Studio in order to expand our craftiness! And this will be my first project:

Burrito for my kitty! Seriously guys how cute is this picture?

cuban food

2009-09-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

I was perusing the web today and found THIS recipe for Guava Cream Cheese Pastry, and thought to myself "Tony would die if he saw this!"

Why you ask?

Well, about two years ago during one of our visits to his home in Miami I was introduced to the very interesting combination of guava and cream cheese. Of course this was also eaten with canned coconut (sweet as hell) and it was so odd for me ( a new england girl) eating this totally foreign guava paste and canned coconut with cream cheese! But alas, this is really a good combo despite my qualms, and now it is in Gourmet! Tony is laughing and telling me "I told you so" as I write this.

Marimekko Dress of the day

2009-09-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

Paloma Dress by Samu-jussi koski

Why? Because I got this for my Birthday!!!! Whoot whoot!
except in the grey colorway... which is way better

and btw it looks waaaay hotter on me than that model :)

Thanks Pam & Tony

Wood Jewelry

2009-09-20T18:45:00.000-07:00

Anthony Roussell makes jewelry out of wood in the most amazing shapes and forms!

Marimekko Dress of the day

2009-09-17T09:15:00.000-07:00

If I could, my wardrobe would consist of only these f+%$ing amazing dresses! I am seriously in love with all of them. So now, I am dedicated to spending 5 minutes each day finding the one that best represents me and my day.

Mood: Content, and a little excited (because I'm starting this and I like my wardrobe today)
Weather: Cloudy and cold (fall)
Outlook: Good prospects on the horizon folks, good indeed!

Dress: Rihanna Tunic by Samu-Jussi Koski
Why: Comfy, classic, has pockets*** and proffesional all rolled into one!

Stitch House

2009-09-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

Finding awesome new fabric shops in Boston! I place that has a severe absence of fashionable fabric stores.

Clickhere to go to the best new thing in Dorchester! Can you handle that fact that they have workshops, a blog, knitting stuff and fabric... I almost can't! So excited!!!!

Love This:

2009-09-12T12:07:00.000-07:00

A very unique Banana holder indeed! Love the idea that without Bananas it is sculptural piece and at night it is a light! Fantastic!

Loving this right now

2009-08-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

I've been aware of these pieces for a while now, and just as summer is coming to an end and I'm holding on dearly to those last few sweltering nights I'm returning to these fresh, simple and ultra cute ceramics. MUST SEE WEBSITE!

EVIT : Glass mosaic tiles

2009-08-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

These are incredible! The bubbles are so fantastic, but far too trendy to actually use (considering the cost of installation). However the second picture of the "broken glass" is so crisp and fantastic that I would be tempted to do entire rooms out of that stuff! Ugh so hott! Love Italianmosaics, but not as much as I love Spanish ones!

about that time

2009-08-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

Can't really believe that I totally blow this thing off now. I'm not used to having a real work week people! I need to get back on the blog and write something interesting for my own sanity and peace of mind. Speaking of sanity... does anybody know anything about fixing '95 Toyota Corolla? No- that image above is not my car, however I'm sure Tony wishes it was!

It's about blue-thirty

2009-08-15T14:42:00.000-07:00

Or maybe quarter to pink!

Cyclopse Watch by Mr.Jones uses colors instead of numbers, it kinda makes feel all tingly inside.

Other things worth noting

2009-07-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

This website : Daytum

one word : brilliant

I can already foresee hours of my life gone

Swoon

2009-07-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

I love typography and this project by Nicholas FEltron is AMAZING! He compiles data from his life, average things like the highest temperature in NYC that year and compiles it into charts an graphs. It's a great reflection of his life in an "art form" that I can toally relate to. I love his graphics and I really wish I could produce something this awesome, really...

Here are some drool worthy clips

What we need in the USA, or just Boston

2009-07-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

A place like Make Lounge is not only an awesome Idea, but something that would provide a great resource to people in cities with small apartments or underprivileged communities that want to learn unique skills. Its such a great place that provides a fun class for kids, moms and friends! I love love love this idea! The only problem that I foresee is that that price tag isn't accessible for most people who would want to use this ($72.00 a class!) !

However the interior of this place is enough to make me forgo paying my cable bills and join a session!

Check it out :

(images from make lounge)

Great Idea!

2009-07-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

I love seeing really smart innovations and recycling ideas, especially since we are inundated with lots of copy-cats and lame ideas daily. So this one from aDesign Sponge Before & After Segment is fantastic! Check out the great renovation of the filing cabinet turned planter here.

I'm in love!

2009-07-23T12:13:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I find gems on Etsy, and other times its an endless abyss that sucks hours out of my day. Today however, I found this beauty of a shop over on the west coast called Timeless Vixen Vintage that sells vintage 50's and 60's dresses. Seriously guys these pieces are insane! I love each one and if I had the money I might buy them all and start dressing like Mrs. Beaver ... the pearls and all.

Check out some of her piecesHERE!

waste not want not

2009-07-20T16:04:00.000-07:00

So I already posted some pics about the yummy plums I purchased lat week, and now I get to write an even better post about using over-ripe plums in one of the yummiest, summery desserts one can make. It is called Plum Clafoutis and I used the recipe from gourmet's website. The best part is that the soft plums that were slowly turning into mush in my fruit bowl were used all up! I wasted nothing, and I love that!

Another day... another project

2009-07-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

This is one that sprouted from a curbside find. The first of every month means a new neighbor, and the removal of another. In May however, there are tons of recent graduates moving in and out of their Boston apartment, and their trash is another mans treasure. Tony found this table on the curb and i decided that it would make a great present for our friends. Their coffee table is broken and the bottom shelf always gets dumped on the floor anytime we go to their house to hang out. It served as some serious frustration and usually resulted in us always joking about how we were going to buy them a new table. Well... we did one better! Check out their new table with a certified awesome chalkboard top!

Experiments in the kitchen

2009-07-14T14:29:00.002-07:00

Today or rather last week on one of my days off I thought about making some yummy snacks that are healthy and cheap, and can be packed up with Tony's lunch. Well, since I'm an awesome girlfriend and think about my fiancé's lunch prior to him even thinking about it I decided that while Tony was away I would experiment with some healthy and yummy concoctions so that when he gets back from Miami he will have loads of healthy alternatives to pack his lunch with on tuesday when he returns to work.

This is what I got so far:

Basically it a modified granola bar that is sweet but not too sweet and really healthy... minus the choc chips. Since this was an experiment and wasn't using a recipe or anything there are some minor tweaks that I need to make, but for the most part these were pretty satisfying.

Recipe:

DRY

1- 1/2 C Oats

1 Egg
1/2 C Flax meal
1/4 C Almond meal (just ground up some almonds in our coffee grinder)

1/4 C Brown sugar

1/4 C Choc chips

1/4 C Coconut

WET

1/4 C Honey

1 C Milk

1 Tsp Vanilla

Mix together and pour into 9x9 baking pan lined with parchment paper

Bake for 25 min at 350

The dish I used to bake them in spread the concoction out too thin, so I recommend using a smaller container for thicker bars. I also think that chunks of slivered almonds would have made a great addition. I'm also going to try some raisin and dried fruit versions that I think will complement the clover honey I used better than the chocolate did... but they are still good!

HOLD UP!

2009-07-14T14:29:00.001-07:00

I just spotted a tomato growing!!! Whew... that just made my day!

Garden Update

2009-07-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

I'm sad guys, I'm really sad. With all of the rain and cloudy weather we had a few weeks ago my plants bit it. Although it looks like they might have some new growth, I'm afraid that they won't produce any fruit! My broccoli looks like it's been attacked by bugs with lots of holes in the leaves, and my tomato's leaves are turning yellow and wilting away. My squash is also pretty sad looking, and I can't spot the baby squash's that were starting to grow anymore!! Hopefully others aren't having the same bad luck as me, but I'm hoping that this string of beautiful weather will get them growing again. Here a sad photo, since I can't bear to show you more...

Things I love

2009-07-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

Ripe Fruit!

On an impulse I bought a package (10 count) of plums at Tj's. Normally I have trouble with Plums being either too ripe when I first buy them or too unripe, and then by the time they have ripened in my fruit bowl, I forget about them and then they go bad. I can never win! However I got Lucky yesterday and scored with these plums. So far today I have eaten three of them, and each one just gets better. I just had to share these beauties.

Warning: You may lose hours of your life

2009-07-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

I just found this Photography Blog and I'm truly, madly, deeply in love with every single photo... In case you didn't know, Tony and I are getting married a little over a year, and we have lots of planning to do! I'm really excited and I have been spending countless hours searching for dresses, decorations and general inspiration. If any of you think of anything send it my way!

Chef's Collaborative

2009-07-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

I encourage all you folks in the Northeast to take a gander at this website. After finding them in a Gourmet Magazine article about heirloom produce and Slow Food USA's efforts to preserve it- I was in love. Their initiatives are great, and it makes me more aware of local industries that provide produce and other foods to our lovely area markets.

Concrete in the Bedroom

2009-07-08T12:53:00.001-07:00

Nothing says romance like Pre Cast Concrete! I LOVE, LOVE the look of this bedroom, and it's even better because you can sleep in it! Part of a new hostel designed by non-other than Philippe Starck (Shaking fist angrily in air) in gay old Paris named Mama Shelter. Check out their website here

I love the whole feel of the place, and the best part is that it's relatively affordable for a mix between hotel/hostel accommodations in France. Tony and I haven't finalized our Honeymoon plans yet- but this just mixed them all up again!

Maybe instead...

2009-07-07T17:47:00.000-07:00

of a real house, I could buy a Houseboat. These are pretty awesome:

Schwimmerhaus

Metroship by Ballinger & Co.>

Things I want for tomorrow

2009-07-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

A.) Sunshine
B.) Lobster and/or a Cheeseburger (can you image both!!!)

C.) A sunburn and/or tan (yes I am that desperate for sun)

D.) Red, White & Blue dessert of some kind- it's an American tradition!

E.) Beach
F.) To hear Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA, once.

G.) Fireworks!!!!!

WOW

2009-07-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

This is a great timeline about average amerians through the past five decades. Check it out here at Woman's Daily

Duh!

2009-07-02T15:01:00.000-07:00

It dawned on me today that I have not posted any updates on my garden! Well folks- let me tell you! My garden (despite the incredible amounts of rain) is kicking butt and taking names! I'll post some photos soon, I promise!

I hate this weather

2009-07-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

boston.com says we are expecting 5+ inches tonight....great! Happy July first - I mean April first, cause this is a joke right?

Things I do for Tony

2009-06-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

So Tony works for a design build firm in Boston, and since it's construction work (for the most part) he eats a lot of food! He also works with four other men who also eat a lot of food, and since their company is really ecologically conscious I thought that I might make them some super-awesome lunch bags to reduce their dependency on plastic shopping bags, which they all used previously to carry their lunches in. So I made one as a test out of some canvas I had laying around the house, and sent it off with Tony. That day he came home and told me that everybody wanted one, and to make them ASAP. Well, that was about a month ago, and last night I finally caved and busted out three more bags for the boys. They aren't the most beautiful creations, but seeing as they end up looking like Tony's (see before/after shot) I don't think anymore time should be spent on them.

Also note the sweet initials Tony personally stitched onto scraps and then sewed into the bags, yeah that's not my sewing you see there!

Cool Things

2009-06-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

Pretty sweet looking chair by Rush Pleansuk check out his porfolio here

Sun is shining... sort of

2009-06-25T11:07:00.000-07:00

So I took it upon myself to get the hell out ye-olde-apartment today and made my way over to Coolidge Corner for some much needed TJ shopping, and wound up buying a HUGE cucumber! It looked so yummy and the sun was kind of out and it was really hot so I had to buy it. Then I got home and thought " hmmmm, what do I do with this?". Since it's just Tony and I in the house and he's not one to munch on cucumber sticks I had to find an alternative. Then I remembered what my sister told me about re-using the pickling fluids (there must be a better term for this) leftover from empty jars of pickles. They make a slightly less- pickley pickle, but still really good. So I cut up my cuke and I'm making me some pickles! Has anybody else tried this before? I'm curious if they are still going to be yummy, and since I have discerning palette for pickles I'll let all of you know how it goes!

Today I wish

2009-06-24T09:19:00.001-07:00

that I had the sun shining and tire swing to swing on. I think that is one of my unfulfilled child-hood desires. We never had a tire swing in our yard, but our cousins did, and I remember it being so much fun to swing on! I also remember begging our Dad to make us one with one of his old tractor tires, and it never coming to fruition. Oh well, just being whiney again due to the weather- and these photos are making me want the sun to come out even more!

Yes Please!

2009-06-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

Loving these clutches from kailochic on etsy. She has tons of patterns and some even have earrings that match! I'm tempted to pick up a few- I mean even the inside is adorable, and really who doesn't need a clutch or two for their wardrobe?

Fun things for a not so fun week

2009-06-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

It's till rainy and depressing as hell here in the Northeast. For June 23rd this weather is unacceptable (do you hear that mother nature?) and frankly I'm just tired and moody. But there is a fun game-ish thing at Paper Source's website called Colorscope that tells you about your color personality. Kind of quirky and odd, but also a bit fun. Check out my results below>

I'm craving this

2009-06-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my friend Aaron and his gal pal + a few others created some masterpiece meats with his super awesome smoker/ grill thing. The result was something like a party in my mouth. But enough of that! Bask in the glory of this pulled pork sandwich. Mind you, prior to this sandwich experience I wouldn't have crossed my mind to even consume anything pulled pork-ish, so thanks Aaron for letting me see the light.

check out his food creations here lickmybalsamic.com - sweet name huh?

and this..

2009-06-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

architectural blueprint graphics HOT!

via cargo collective

Lurve this!

2009-06-19T11:20:00.001-07:00

How cute is this kitchen. I'm loving these colors and the retro range. Sign me up please!

You check out the rest of Hannah Berman's home (its awesome) over at Design*sponge. They have great stuff over there (I have blogger envy)

Guilty Pleasure

2009-06-18T16:39:00.000-07:00

Okay folks, I have a secret... I read perezhilton as one of my guilty pleasures. I know, I know- lame right? I get it I really do- but it's like this awful addiction. Similar to reading all of the headlines to the national enquirer while waiting to ring up your groceries, but this at least is in the comfort of my home. Suffice to say- I'm not giving it up anytime soon. However, my guilty pleasure is not the reason I'm writing about perezhilton. I'm writing because today, while scrolling through his site I found this...

This is about an organization in my home town! Westfield, MA folks- and thank god it wasn't about something crazy or scandalous. Well... thats it- just thought I'd share that tid-bit with you all. It is a small strange world we live in folks... small and strange.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO

2009-06-18T14:05:00.001-07:00

My cat- for being really supportive and a huge help along the way! :)

Project 2.0 - It's done!

2009-06-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

I can't actually believe I went into this not knowing anything about re-upholstering, but I have to say that despite my sore finger tips, this was relatively pain-free!

There were a few surprises (of course) along the way, like reconstructing the webbing for the cushion. This I did using some extra canvas I had lying around, then there was the cording that I made, but that was really easy! The only difficult part was only having two sets of hands, a third or fourth would have been helpful!

Hope this inspires you guys to go out there and tackle your own projects, its definitely worth it in the long run.

Project 2.0 update!

2009-06-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

I have spent all day on the floor cutting and sewing bits and pieces, and at the end of the day I have a chair that is in little pieces and cushion sewn!!! I'm so excited that it came out nice, and not ugly at all. Upholstery really isn' t that hard, it's kind of like a big multi-dimensional puzzle that you take apart and put back together.

Here are some process pics. Expect a final after shot soon!

COOL THINGS

2009-06-17T09:36:00.001-07:00

On my walking tour I managed to stop by Urban Outfitters to check out their advertised "yard sale" to see if indeed they had any cheap things (since this is a rare occurrence). To my dismay they didn't- but they did have some cool home accessories that I snapped a few pics of. The first being the letters- they have them in metal and paper options in bold colors and I think various fonts... I can't remember exactly. I may have been trying to hide my camera from some "employees" or those people who hang around there and occasionally ring up your purchases. The second find were these cute sets of tupper-ware-esque dishes that buckle together to create a lunch-box type unit. For $20.00 it wasn't worth it- but it was cute enough for me to pause and think about it. Enjoy!

Coveting: Rooftop Gardens

2009-06-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

Walking around the city yesterday, I realized how many buildings have sweet rooftop gardens. These two are just some of the hundred that I probably saw- but their location to the public garden and views of the city sort of make them the most ideal and I'm incredibly jealous of them both!

Project 2.0

2009-06-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

So this is a new project, one that I hadn't really considered up until the past few weeks. This tub chair is something that Tony and I purchased together about two years ago for $10.00 from these old men who put up a flea market on corner of Jersey Street and Queensbury Street in the Fens, on pretty much any day they feel like it. The bones of the piece are great, and despite it having a huge tear in the middle of the seat, we felt it was a bargain. Now after a few years of upgrades in other pieces of furniture, we were in the market for a new chair, but I decided that maybe I could start training my upholstery muscles on this little piece with the hopes of eventually re-upholstering our SOFA. So on Tuesday I went for a walk down to Winmill Fabrics in Chi-Town and did some shopping and for 15.00 bucks I walked out with some orange threads and a little bit of hope!

Sunny Days in Boston

2009-06-16T13:09:00.000-07:00

Although they aren't rare (contrary to what people may believe) we haven't had one in a few days here- but Today was glorious and I spend most of it outside walking around. Luckily I had my handy-dandy camera with me and I took some shots of different things I noticed and love about this city. Look for these photos in the next few entries- I'm really excited about them!

2009-06-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I love gourmet magazine

2009-06-12T13:29:00.001-07:00

Like today, when Apartmenttherapy led me to their summer cocktail page, where they are slowly releasing drinks from various era's as the summer lingers on. So far the 40's and 50's have been revealed and I'm impressed. I'm not a big drinker, and I probably won't taste or even bother trying to mix these myself, but I'm currently salivating over them all. They just look so thirst quenching and delicious. I guess that's what they are supposed to be huh? Yummers

Here's your link for the 1940's link and the 1950's

People I admire

2009-06-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

Can you guess who they are?
Unless you are a huge design buff, or incredibly thorough historian or maybe a pop culture enthusiast you probably can't. Tony and I had discussed this last night, and we agreed that Designers work speaks for them, providing them a little bit of mystery and anonymity: a trait that I find undeniably appealing in world where looks are almost more important than brains ie. paris hilton.

cheat sheet:
Le Corbusier
Marcel Wanders
Charles and Ray Eames (Tony and I in about 10 years)
Mie Van der rohe
Phillipe Starck

SWOON

2009-06-12T12:16:00.001-07:00

This dining area is hot enough for me to consider maxing out my credit card to purchase. Even if I'd only be buying two chairs! But for real this combo of white Louis Chairs and an over-sized pendant with the matte coal fireplace behind? I'm totally digging it.

Here is the rest of the tour over at Wall Street Journal : here

Yes, Please

2009-06-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

I want this right now

via onetwofivego on etsy

Craigslist Finds

2009-06-10T11:41:00.000-07:00

Check out these cool filing cabinets. The only question is what do I put in them? At $45 for the pair it's a steal! I want them, but don't think I have any use for them...bummer.

Check them out here

Strawberry Picking!

2009-06-10T10:23:00.001-07:00

With the recent re-acquisition (is that a word?) of my high-school car, Tony and I are finally able to do lots of things that over the past few years we have been unable to do. Staring with: Strawberry Picking. Actually if I rewind a bit I really wanted to go apple picking, but seeing as the season for that isn't for another 3 months we are doing what is in season, and that is strawberries! So this weekend we are going to go get our fill of strawberries at Tougas' farm out in Northboro, MA. Then I'm going to come home and make lots of sweets and maybe even some jams.

Tougas Farm Website

Remedies

2009-06-10T10:13:00.000-07:00

As a kid my mother always made us either A.) Cinnamon & Sugar toast, or B.) Lipton Noodle soup for us kids when we were sick. Now that I'm a grown adult and don't have somebody waiting on my every beck and whim- I still crave those foods when I'm feeling crummy. Why is that? I mean as far as nutritional value goes that sugar toast is null and void. The soup I can understand due to its throat soothing heat, but the sodium content probably wasn't doing us any favors. So why do I still want this stuff? I have no freakin' clue. All I know is that last night I was in sickness bliss while sipping on my salty noodle soup, and I liked it. So cheers to you Lipton and you pre-packaged goodness

Remembering: Spirographs

2009-06-09T13:30:00.000-07:00

This creation was probably one of my favorite toys as a kid. Now that I'm older I can still find the simple pleasures of creating repetitive forms with plastic templates. I can also go buy one, and as soon as I cash in my super huge paycheck (yeah I bet your jealous)at the bank I can buy my self one of these. Now that is something that I don't take advantage of enough; doing what I want and buying things that like. Gosh-darn-it I'm an adult now, I can eat Oreos for dinner and buy Spirographs! That is exactly what I'm going to do (sans Oreos for dinner).

Entertaining on your stoop?

2009-06-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

The inspiration for this topic stems from NY Times article about city dwellers who are taking their dinner and cockatil parties to the streets instead of their cramped NYC apartments. In theory this idea is great right? The city is your playground, backyard and dining room? However there is a little bit of a skepticism tingling inside of me that is threatening to overturn my initial inspirational thoughts. The reason? Well, privacy or rather invasion of privacy; and I'm not talking about the hosts or attendants. I'm talking about the people who live on the first floor and have to listen to a bunch of yuppies talk about the crumbling economy and their attempts to be greener, as their voices raise higher and higher with each sip of their cocktail. Yes- I recognize that that is one of those things you have to deal with when you live in the city- but knowing that a restaurant is a few feet below your window when you move in is a far cry from impromptu dinner parties on your front steps. The jury is still out on this one- but I do love these pictures and the idea is still cool, but I'm not sold.

Check out full article here NY TIMES

Out of town

2009-06-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry everyone for the lack of postings here. It was a busy week filled with out of town guests, work, graduations and wedding dress shopping! According to my Knot homepage I only have 480 days until my wedding- YIKES! How did that happen?

I've been spending lots of time finding inspiration from blogs and the inter-webs lately so I thought that I would share some of those pics with you all today since I am terribly under the weather. I may just have the swine flu !

Furniture for Lunch

2009-06-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with Urban Hardwoods furniture. They utilize the natural beauty found in the lines and edges of raw wood planks like with this mirror! It is breathtaking and truly unique. I think that this could work in any style house, and I'm really trying to think of way on making this a DIY project. I'm not sure if it's possible but this is really stunning!

Sycamore Mirror VIA UrbanHardwood

IT'S TIMES LIKE THESE THAT I REALIZEHOW DOMESTIC I AM

2009-05-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

While I was browsing my favorite tried and true blog sites this morning I came across a post about some acrylic containers for cold beverages at Pottery Barn. Well, I got all giddy and thought to myself "How Cute!". Then I took a step back, shook my head and had to have a laugh at myself for getting so excited over a modified cooler! Maybe by looking at these you can sympathize with me at my over-excitement. Although now I'm trying to convince myself it was due to the delicious mouth-watering drinks inside- yeah that's right the contents are what's great about these...

COOL CUPS

2009-05-27T12:24:00.001-07:00

Anamorphic Cups. These utilize the reflective property of the mug to re-display the morphed words on the saucer back onto the cup in perfect alignment. Very cool idea.

By Ross McBride

Check out more here

CRUSHING ON: AMY TISCHER

2009-05-26T13:51:00.000-07:00

Why? Because she has taken the simplest approach to her design, and created an understated and beautiful tea-light holder. Lately I have been inspired by incredibly simple and clean design that focuses more of the lack of decoration than the overly ornate These are exactly what I want surrounding me while of sit on a patio with a glass of wine in my hand.

Summer Do's

2009-05-26T13:42:00.001-07:00

It's that time of the year where I'm needing to get my hairs cut. I was looking through some etsy postings last month, and instead of being amazed by the clothes I caught myself loving the girls hair!

I'm not a big fan of printing out photos of hair styles I like and bringing them with me to the Salon, so I may attempt this myself-or wait until one my friends or sisters is around to help out. I really think that is one of my biggest frustrations. I know I could cut anybody's hair like that with no little to no problems, but doing it to myself? Ugh! Damn back of the head blind-spots!

THE BEST THING SINCE WHAT?

2009-05-26T13:36:00.000-07:00

Sliced bread you say? This is a cute concept, and I totally dig it. I have a soft spot for any type of stationary, hence the reason I just bought a 3-pack of mole-skin journals, and...I don't keep a journal. But now I think I might, especially since I have journals to write in. If it weren't for my recent purchase I would probably go out and score myself a new set of these sweet slices of bread.

From Burak Kanyak

COLLAGES

2009-05-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

Collages are one of those things that I like to admire from far away. Mostly this is due to the fact that I lack the ability to be decisive about my selections, but alas I love them. This picture is one of many from Concrete & Honey's flickr account. She takes B-E -Youtiful photos, and I encourage you all to check them out.

Concrete and Honey

THE HUMAN CONDITION

2009-05-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

Is absolutely freaking amazing! This woman (Ariana Page Russell) has a rare skin condition called dermatographia that makes her extremely sensitive to pressure and scratches on her skin. For everybody in my family- imagine Stephen's odd welts and multiply that! This picture below is from an exhibit where she had used her on self inflicted marks as body-art and then photographs herself. It's beautiful, scary and cool!

REWIND

2009-05-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

To the late 80's early 90's to my childhood, and then explain to me why Legos has waited until 2009 to release these.
Frank Lloyd Wright Collection LEGO's! My kids are totally going to rock these building blocks.

Guggenheim and Falling Water !

RECIPE ALERT

2009-05-20T12:27:00.000-07:00

Chai Bars with Honey Ginger Icing

Holy Tamole! I'm making these bad boys ASAP! I know Chai is one of those acquired tastes that is definitley not for everybody, but Tony and I are Chai addicts and these are the icing on the cake, well actually if these are the cake... eating them would be the icing? Either way I'm glad I'm a glutton who spends hours a day looking at food blogs, because recipes like this make up for the strained computer eyes.

Here is the recipe from savour-fare.com link here

Chai Bars with Honey Ginger icing
For the cookies:
1/2. c. brown sugar
½ c. white sugar
1 cup butter, softened.
1 egg
2 c. flour
1 pinch salt
1.5 tsp ginger
1.5 tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp. cloves
¾ tsp ground cardamom
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp ground star anise

Mix butter and sugars in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined. Add egg and mix well. Add flour, spices and salt, and stir until the mixture is thoroughly combined. Press into a 9X12 baking pan that has been greased with Baker’s Joy (or buttered and floured) and smooth with a spatula until the dough is even and flat. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes until the cookies are a pale golden brown. Let cool.

For the icing:

Mix 2 T honey, 1 t ground ginger, and 1 c. powdered sugar together in a bowl. Add water until the icing is at a spreadable consistency, and spread over the cooled cookies. Cut with a pastry cutter or pizza wheel. It will take several hours for the icing to become firm enough to transport, so plan accordingly.

STUNNING

2009-05-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Simple yet absolutely stunning! Canvas artwork using paint and thread. I may just borrow this idea for my own projects. There rest of Gillian Bates "textile art" is on her website : www.gillianbates.co.uk

WHY I BUY OLD STUFF

2009-05-15T07:49:00.001-07:00

It's not that I don't like new things, in fact I love new things and shopping is one of my favorite past-times, but I just can't convince myself to spend money on new things that I know will only last me a year or two. For example: IKEA. The idea is simple, and fantastic. Yet extremely wasteful! Buy this cheap- it looks great now and it will be in style for the next few years! Then, throw it out when the styles change! Buy new cheap stuff because hey, you only pay $10.00 for it! But this idea is so flawed and wasteful that I probably couldn't fit all on my reasons into this one post. So, I buy old stuff! Mainly because A.) if it's 50yrs old- it's probably going to last another 50! B.) I'm not going to go out and see the exact same thing in somebody elses home or on another person C.) There is no packaging or excess wrapping that creates waste, and last but not least D.) Usually it's cheaper!

So if I could encourage everybody to stop buying... I don't know, paper towels and use dishcloths instead, or buy tins and mason jars instead of Tupperware, I think I'd be a happy girl! So with that said - look at this awesome vintage cake carriers- yep no saran-wrap/ frosting tragedies here folks!

CRUSHING ON: TYPEWRITERS

2009-05-15T07:36:00.000-07:00

For sometime now I have been coveting the idea of owning and using (on a daily basis) a retro typewriter. As a kid we had one or two and I remember my sisters and I sitting and typing for hours simply because we loved the noise and the motions of changing sheets out. Weird, I know... but still something that I thoroughly enjoyed, and to this day I am a hard clicker on my keyboard because I just simply like the noise it makes. Check out those vintage babes above (swoon).

VIA foxtreemiscellany on Etsy.

CUTE CALENDAR

2009-05-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

From Linea Carta- A graphic calendar depicting weather patterns typical for each month. I love how February and November are lighting and rain- pure misery!

TATTOO

2009-05-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

Cool idea, kind of creepy. Maybe you have seen this before?

SOWA ART WALK

2009-05-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

Next Weekend : 5/16-5/17! Boston is going to be insane that weekend because I'm pretty sure that all 50 colleges and universities in Boston are holding their graduation ceremonies that weekend too!

Peter Bjorn and John

2009-05-07T13:10:00.001-07:00

I'm in love with this video, and this scene right there is the highlight. In a few words: Japanese greasers doing choreographed dancing. AWESOME!

WHEN WE MOVE TO MIAMI

2009-05-07T12:45:00.001-07:00

These pieces would be perfect for our home. In fact this whole collection would be wonderful! Right now however, not so much. I couldn't justify having something so beautiful be hidden for 8 months of the year.

VIA Lekker, Heath Ceramics Seasonal Collection

I KNEW IT!

2009-05-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

Someday I knew that a designer would create a wreath that I would want to buy. It was only a matter of time! This powder-coated steel cut mod wreath is schmazmitaztic! I'm making up words I'm so excited! I can't afford it of course (although at $60.00 it's not bad at all), so it may just be a new item to tack onto my "to do list".

Pic: Mod wreath by Kenneth Winngard.

HEY! I OWN THAT!

2009-05-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

I love it when I recognize objects that I own in stylish settings. It's like a pat on the back for an Interior Designer. a little bit of reassurance that maybe I do know what I'm doing. Unfortunately I can't take all the credit for this piece- it was a gift from Tony's parents. This pitcher is perfect, and we use it all the time, however not quite like this...

POSITIVE/NEGATIVE

2009-05-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

Loving this pendant from Das rote Paket . It's called te BlAD pendant, and I have no idea what that means, but I still like it!

WISH LIST

2009-05-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

Add this one on please!

Geometric Laser Cut Acrylic Pendant from Aleximo on Etsy

HIBISCUS MIMOSA

2009-05-07T09:04:00.001-07:00

This morning on the KITCHN there was a post about mothers day brunch and some ideas for cocktails. This one sounds amazing, and despite it's intentions for Mothers day - I could see this being a great summertime drink at anytime of the day!

Here is the recipe:

1 Wild Hibiscus Flower
1 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
1 oz Pink Grapefruit Juice
1/2 oz Wild Hibiscus Syrup
5 oz Dry Sparkling Wine

Place flower in champagne flute. Shake next 3 ingredients on ice and carefully strain into champagne flute. Top with dry sparkling wine. Garnish with long grapefruit zest.*

WHO MAKES THIS?

2009-05-06T19:30:00.000-07:00

You probably wouldn't guess Wal-mart huh? Well it is, and I love it! Despite Tony's qualms about the big box heathen- I think I'm might just buy it

COOL THINGS

2009-05-06T19:11:00.000-07:00

My Mom called me up the other night with some really exciting news. My Dad is renovating thins 1950's ranch with an original kitchen, including sinks and cabinets similar to the one posted here. He was able to salvage them all, and now they are sitting back at our house. The bad news... She wants to sell it, and for some reason I want it all!!!!

I WANT...

2009-05-06T19:07:00.001-07:00

...to know how to make these!?

URBAN GARDEN/ PROJECT 1.0 UPDATE

2009-05-06T19:04:00.000-07:00

Finally the weather cooperated today and the little seedlings were able to spend some quality time outdoors in the sun!