party prep

Tonight is The Heated e.p. release party and Cristina and I are busy today getting ready. I made it to the market for fresh flowers and then to a hair cut. The chocolate cake is in the oven, and coconut macaroons are cooling on the counter. Drinks are in the fridge, and the cheese plate is ready to be assembled. We've cleaned the bathroom, but not yet mopped the kitchen floor. Whenever we have parties I manage to very carefully plan the menu and the ambiance, but never what to wear. It's a last minute freak-out every time.

farmer's market

It was a bit gray and chilly at the market early this morning, but lilac has officially arrived. Lilac is my mom's favorite flower, and on the years that I see her for Mother's Day I always bring her some.

etsy finds

We're having a little shin-dig this weekend and I'll be making a delicious old-fashioned chocolate cake. The etsy collection below is in honor of the future treat.


The talented Jen Oaks just happens to live next to me, and this great print was photographed on the deck that we share. Love it.


It's hard to share cake with a baby, but then again, have you ever seen them eat it? Handfuls of cake stuffed in with frosting up to the eyebrows. It's how we all wish we could indulge. This bib is made by little sprout and is a mere $4.


Hot cakes by Amanda Kindregan. Hot cakes.


I'd heard that this phrase is frequently misunderstood, so below is an official story. I adore the pale green used in this print by BluLima.

The original The French is Qu'ils mangent de la brioche. It has been suggested that the speaker's intention wasn't as cynical as is generally supposed. French law required bakers to sell loaves at fixed prices and fancy loaves had to be sold at the same price as basic breads. This was aimed at preventing bakers from selling just the more profitable expensive products. The let them eat brioche (a form of cake made of flour, butter and eggs) would have been a sensible suggestion in the face of a flour shortage as it would have allowed the poor to eat what would otherwise have been unaffordable. It's rather a mouthful, so to speak, but if the phrase had been reported as 'let them buy cake at the same price as bread' we might now think better of the French nobility.


I do deserve cake, thanks for noticing pepperina press!


A rather girly cake card by the beautiful project.

canning

Last year's prime canning season was mostly filled with wedding plans, so this year I'm going to make up for it. Don't get me wrong, I managed to make 70 jars of peach jam to give to our guests and I also canned about 10 jars of Ella Bella tomatoes (about 1/8 of what I wish we had). My sister and I made pickles for the first time with cucumbers from her new garden. They were a little on the strong side, but I actually have grown to love them and will do another round this year. I'm also planning to make strawberry rhubarb jam, pickled green beans, and ketchup. Anyone with amazing recipes for these, feel free to send them to me.

easter

Happy Easter!

etsy finds

I've noticed myself creating themes for the etsy finds. It wasn't planned, but I am an obssesive organizer so it's not exactly a surprise. This list is inspired by Cristina's weeks of dedication to learning how to screen print. A mere 10 screens later (no kidding) the owl finally came out right. The Heated dishtowels will be available from ciuccio by next week. It'll be a limited printing so snag one while you can.


I'm not sure what to say except that I love this print by magicjelly. It's brilliant.


12fifteen has been on my favorites list forever, so it's no surprise these coasters caught my eye. Love the massive line of them in the image too.



I too love poppies, so these cards were immediately a favorite. Check out the details on the brocade napkins. Michelle Brusegaard has serious patience.


The creative people at circa ceramics have an appreciation for some awesome vintage shapes including this great desk. Not surprisingly I also love the vespa.


Wouldn't it be nice to wake up and see this first thing everyday? Buy it, put it up, and find yourself a little happier. Made by tealtown.

spring cleaning

Maybe it's a little funny to post a picture of inside our fridge, but I did a major scrubbing today and frankly, it's looking good. Plus they always show inside the fridge on Cribs and people seem to like it.

eat your cupcake

I circled the airport for an entire hour this afternoon waiting for my dad to clear customs. Seriously, 20 times around the loop. Was I ever happy when Cristina came home with this little bit of loveliness.

the cobbler's son

I've been making throw pillows for months to sell on etsy, so you'd think the pillows on our couch would be attractive. Well, they weren't. I saw this print on reprodepot but by the time I showed it to Cristina to get the okay, it was sold out. I found it on another site, and bought a yard. I matched with it a scrap of ochre linen, and a bit of plain brown. Finally the couch looks inviting.

chuckle

I seriously needed a good laugh, and these cards by scotia made on etsy did just that. There are many more, so go look!

at least someone's having fun

So far this week has been about as rough as last week. I'm sick in bed with an undiagnosed nausea problem (not pregnant!). My friend Asia sent these images from her new home in Kingston Ontario. It looks wintery, but clearly they're having fun.

glad for a new week

This week has been on the stressful side. Our bathroom has a major leak and as you can see, it's now got a hole in the wall/ceiling. We've been trying to get the landlord to fix it since new year's eve and now 10 weeks later we are nowhere near having the problem solved. I fainted on Wednesday and though I'm feeling much better now, I had a few rough days there. On the bight side, I received two fabric shipments and will soon have new throw pillows for our couch. I also have several new items to post on etsy, so stay tuned.

easter etsy finds

I love Easter. Oh yes, bunnies, lambs and chicks are irresistible.



I cannot stop thinking about the cuter than cute birds made by little bit funky. I adore that each one has a name, and I think Floofy is coming to live with us.


Every design printed by art goodies is great, but a nest with eggs, really, you need this for spring!


I am more likely to send out Easter cards than birthday cards, and these will do just fine. Made by floating palace.


Homely little chicks they're called, and you can't help but want to take one home and love it.


I am amazed by all of the cut-outs by sanfran67, but Freddy really caught my eye.

worked my fingers to the bone

Tonight I boxed up a massive quilting project of 12 loveys and an apron for blue skye baby. I'm pleased with how they turned out, and quite excited about being part of the baby bundles. Now I'm onto finishing a queen sized quilt for a gal in Ireland.

spring forward

As if the weekend isn't short enough as it is, but then they go and steal an hour away.

cocktail hour

I haven't been drinking much lately, but seeing the kumquats at the market yesterday inspired this refreshing cocktail. A mix of gin, mineral water and muddled kumquats is very refreshing and tasty.

farmer's market

I bought these narcissus this morning at the market. They smell absolutely amazing.

snack time

The twins are eating cheerios and loving them. In fact, they love eating anything they can get their hands on.

etsy finds

Oh necklace, where you you when I was getting married? I really really wanted something just like this and never found it. Damn, maybe for our anniversary???? Made by danaleblancdesigns.


I have a real problem when it comes to wrapping presents. I absolutely love it, and will go to great extremes to make every gift beautiful. I have been known to spend more on the wrapping than on the gift itself. Rifferaff is a new shop to me, but I quite adore all the designs.


Simple and humorous. And beautiful too. I love this little pourer from raedunn.


I have already mentioned the work of Jose Lampreia, but I found another image that is really wonderful. He has a few etsy shops, this image (only $30) is available at privateview.



I would buy everything available from spindesigns if I could. The mobiles are seriously amazing, and the jewelry is just my style, simple and modern.

farmer's market

This was first week buying asparagus , the great harbinger of spring at the farmer's market. I also bought some green garlic and put both in scrambled eggs. I don't usually indulge quite this much, but when they are selling apple/quince and peach/apricot fruit pockets, I simply cannot walk away. Gorgeous ranunculas are also from the market $4/bu is a great buy.

By the way, if you like the vase I'm using for the flowers, you can buy one from Jill Pilotte at small stump.