6.29.2010

Plasticland

I stumbled upon a wonderful site full of adorably cute products that I absolutely love, but would never need! Check out theses awesome items from Plasticland:

Cool Beans Coffee Ice Cube Tray
Now that its hot enough out to actually drink iced coffee.
I wonder if I could concocted a half espresso, half chocolate ice cube...




Matryoshka Russian Doll Measuring Cup Set
I think I attempted to ask for these last Christmas, but it did work out...
Glad to know they are still out there for next Christmas (hint, hint!)


Bon Bon Pink Footed Ceramic Cake Stand
Something sweet to put my sweets on!



6.28.2010

Paris Honeymoon

Monday mornings I always find myself daydreaming of our upcoming 11 day honeymoon in Paris. Only 3 months away, to the day!

darlingclementine :: Paris Tea Towels
OMG, I want these so bad!


czechpub :: Pair of happy bike table lamps

MerryBluesArt :: "Merci Beaucoup" Note Cards
I feel I will be in need of lots and lots of "Merci" cards soon...

PetitPlat :: Mini Croissants!
I've never actually understood the draw for miniature food items,
I was never a doll house kinda kid, but these are adorable to look at!


TheTinyFig :: French Toast Post Earrings
I can just hear them now: "Oooo la-la!"

TexasGirlDesigns :: Paris Map Necklace
I've always been a sucker for these kinds of necklaces.
I've got one that says Ballard (for my name sake and
one of my favorite neighborhoods in Seattle).

6.25.2010

The Office

I've spent the past two days at work moving furniture, painting, organizing and reconfiguring my office. Thursday we were closed all day for a 'Clean Up Day' and got piles accomplished (and worked for 12 hours straight!) My office is practically brand new and I've found a new pride in it! It's inspired me to purchase new (and cute) organizational things to make my life easier. Etsy's vintage section has lots to offer:

TheModShop :: Vintage Wire Basket
Baskets are always useful...


ModishVintage :: portable metal file box
Not sure why I'd need my files to be portable, but the color is so pretty!

sevenbc :: Vintage Red Desk Organizer
I'm a sucker for anything that's retro-70's-ish and this cutie fits the bill to a "t"!
Plus it has rounded corners (another weakness of mine).


havenvintage :: Vintage Wood and Metal Two Tier Desk Organizer

Very functional and awesomely practical.


bluebonnetfields :: Vintage Industrial Metal Drawers
And you can never have too many drawers, I always end up with
a million tiny things and no where to store them!

6.22.2010

TOMS Shoes

I'm in love with these shoes! Having an unusually wide foot and constantly struggling to find shoes to accommodate and still be cute has been an ongoing battle for most of my life. But TOMS! They're a bit snug at first, but soon enough they begin to fit like a glove and can be worn all day! They even have great arch support (super bonus for my high arches) and a bit of padding in the sole so you can walk for miles in the them. I have a pair of the grey canvas ones, but will invest in another pair soon. I'm thinking red linen, just to be bright and cheery, plus I've heard the linen stretch out a little more than the canvas ones and I'm curious.



Oh! And I've forgotten the best part: TOMS One for One mission! With every pair purchased, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. Since their beginning in May 2006, TOMS has given over 600,000 pairs of shoes to children in need, through the purchases of caring customers. How much does that rock?!

6.21.2010

Where's the Sunshine?!

Today is the official first day of Summer, though this has been the worst, coldest, rainiest weather I've seen leading up to it. (I actually slept in my heaviest sweats and hoody last night! I was this close to pulling out the down comforter again!) In the hopes that Mother Nature will smile upon us and provide us with some much needed sunshine, and vitamin D, I've found some inspiration for her:

graphicspaces :: Happy Sun Vinyl Wall Decal
He's just so happy!


inkpetals :: Letterpress Poster
I've been obsessed with letterpress recently...

NathalieVan :: Bright Happy Modern Abstract Painting

mimosabyme :: You Are My Sunshine Necklace

Adorable!


DyeMyDarling :: Hand Dyed Merino Wool Yarn
And if all else fails and Mother Nature decides to punish us more
I will just have to knit myself a cheery scarf to keep warm!

6.20.2010

Cakespy!

I am proud to say I am now selling on Etsy & at the cutest little shop on Capitol Hill: Cakespy!

cakespyshop

4.08.2010

Tie Rug

I'm saving this for a future project... and starting a tie collection the next time I visit Goodwill!


1.15.2010

New Knittings :: Socks!

2-at-a-time Socks


This has become my bible, my reason for going home after work and inspiration for all 2010 Christmas gifts! I've always wanted to teach myself how to knit and become proficient reading but after years of making up designs that only got half done I set down my foot and told myself I MUST master this hobby! I have since knitted two hats for my fiance and a cute baby hat for his new niece. Finishing all three gave me the confidence that I could tackle more complicated things. I found a book on knitting sweaters, and realized that was a bit of a leap, and decided I needed to start smaller: socks!

Playing Catch Up

My goodness, the holidays flew by and here were are in mid-January!

Here's what I've been up to since Thanksgiving:

  • Had Thanksgiving at our apt, I made all the fixing's (potatoes, stuffing, pies, etc...) while Mom & Dad brought the bird. It was delicious, of course, and afterward we completed our annual puzzle.
  • Finished all my gift buying for my fiance's family on the east coast, wrapped, packaged and mailed the box of gifts with a shipping charge of $67! Good grief!
  • Held a Holiday Party/Game Night at our place, biggest gathering yet! Roasted a whole chicken (so tasty, my kitty John insisted the whole night he needed to have some) and enjoyed an evening surrounded by friends. This was the biggest turn out for any of our gatherings, 10 or 12 people all together!
  • Received an early Christmas/B-day gift from my parents: a new laptop! Its a Toshiba, and I'm in love!
  • Last minute shopping on Christmas Eve for my parents. It was fun being downtown in all the hustle and bustle. Made me REALLY appreciate that I no longer work retail downtown.
  • Christmas was spend with my parents, had to wait for Mark to get off of work, then hop a bus to Lynnwood to have them pick us up at the Transit Center. Enjoyed gift opening before a wonderful Prime Rib Dinner.
  • Day after Christmas the four of us drove to Winthrop, WA. The drive was about 4 hours, over the pass and through the hibernating apple orchards of Central Washington. I loved waking up every morning to snow on the ground!
  • *My birthday was spend wandering snow covered trails just outside Winthrop, then a walk through town and an AMAZING dinner at a local restaurant. I had my first Bison steak and am convinced its the best thing ever made!

I am now just finishing up my 2nd week back at the office and adjusting to the 'working life' again. Honestly, I'm really looking forward to the 3 day weekend (MLK Day weekend) ahead of me. I'm not sure if its the weather, or being chained to a desk and a computer that's really got me ready for bigger and better things.

I've also been making some lifestyle changes. The realization that my wedding is only 9 months away has given me the extra push to start losing weight. I've joined Weight Watcher, they have a great online/iPhone friendly program now that matches my way of doing things much better then their old system of writing things down and going to meetings. I've also asked my mom to help me acquire a new piece of equipment called the Bodybugg. Its a device that you wear around your upper arm and it counts the calories you've burned in a day. It is supposed to arrive today and I'm more than excited to start using it!



11.25.2009

Pre-Thanksgiving

This is one of my favorite times of year, but not only for the great food and excuse to eat in excess. I love the colors of fall: bright, bold and vibrant, on a crisp day, against a strikingly blue sky. It feeds my soul and calms me.

With that said, I must share one of my favorite recipes that I make:



Pumpkin Muffins

* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/3 cup granulated sugar
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/2 cup butter, melted
* 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
* 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
* 1/3 cup buttermilk
* 1 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

PREHEAT oven to 400° F. Grease or paper-line 12 muffin cups. (I like to make mini muffins. Cook at the same temp, just bake a few minutes less.)

COMBINE flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, baking soda and ginger in large bowl. Combine butter, pumpkin, eggs and buttermilk in medium bowl. Add to flour mixture, stir just until moistened. Spoon into prepared muffin cups, filling 3/4 full.

BAKE for 15 to 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 5 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely.


And now some Etsy finds:

Turkey (shaped) Soap




Felted "Snow Pumpkin"


Cute Mini Rainbow Wreath
(I love the idea and may have to make one for myself.
I also like that its rainbow, aka: all-season)


Pumpkin Shadow Box

Full Size Fall Wreath