Happy Friday everyone! Navy told me he really, really wanted to be a gangsta rapper for Halloween so here he is. We even made an album cover entitled, "A Thug Life 4-Eva."
Navy says "Happy Halloween to my homeys!"
Friday, October 30, 2009
Navy Friday
Happy Friday everyone! Navy told me he really, really wanted to be a gangsta rapper for Halloween so here he is. We even made an album cover entitled, "A Thug Life 4-Eva."
Navy says "Happy Halloween to my homeys!"
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Holiday Tent
Was watching The Holiday (one of my all time favorite movies for set design along with Something's Gotta Give) tonight on tv and I just can't get enough of Sophie and Olivia's tent. As a child I spent countless hours in my homemade "forts" loving my own private, cozy place. This tent would have been beyond my wildest dreams... it's so beautiful and whimsical. I absolutely cannot wait to make this tent for my kids one day.
Photos from Hooked on Houses
Photos from Hooked on Houses
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
A Special Wedding Program
I am absolutely in love with Joanna Goddard's (the illustrious A Cup of Jo blogger) wedding program illustrated by Anna Bond of Rifle Design. With all the graphic design and letterpress options out there, it's so refreshing to see a hand illustrated design that is highly personalized. I adore the quote they included from their favorite novel, The History of Love:
Just beautiful!
Photograph by Max Wanger
Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.
Just beautiful!
Photograph by Max Wanger
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
I *Heart* NYC
Had the chance to jet off to NYC last night, so here I am in a Starbucks on Park Ave. It's so great to be back in the old stomping grounds, even though it's a dreary, rainy day here. Only here for a few more hours so I'm going to make the most of it! Be back tomorrow!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Navy Friday
Happy Friday everyone! This is a little video I took of Navy this morning. Poor little guy could barely keep his eyes open. Friday mornings are hard! Have a great weekend... see you Monday!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
David Stark
I am a huge fan of David Stark, a premiere event production and design company. I had the opportunity to meet and work with Mr. Stark during the House Beautiful Giant's of Design event several years ago and ever since, I've been awed by his portfolio. The sheer creativity and execution of their events is a feat in itself. I would love be one of those people who string hundreds of Benjamin Moore paint strips together to create undulating waves of color or make hundreds of paper flowers from scratch. It must be so satisfying to see the tiny details of such large scale events come together. Visit his (fun) website here.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Terra Rosa
I'm so excited to share with you one of my favorite stores in Ithaca. Terra Rosa is an adorable stationery and gift store. Tara, the owner, is a wonderfully talented artist as well as an amazing wedding planner. No detail escapes her and you can tell by how beautifully her vignettes are arranged. She carries everything from the cutest letterpress cards to the softest baby clothes. If you're ever in the need for a unique gift, make sure to stop by her store. I feel so fortunate to have met Tara and her wonderful family during my time here!
Tara carries unique items such as a children's lamp made from a map of Manhattan.
Tara, her husband Nathan, and their two adorable children, Alex and Ainslie.
And what store wouldn't be complete without an adorable miniature schnauzer named Maisie?
Terra Rosa is open Tuesday through Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-4
903 Hanshaw Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-257-7200
Tara carries unique items such as a children's lamp made from a map of Manhattan.
Tara, her husband Nathan, and their two adorable children, Alex and Ainslie.
And what store wouldn't be complete without an adorable miniature schnauzer named Maisie?Terra Rosa is open Tuesday through Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-4
903 Hanshaw Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-257-7200
Monday, October 19, 2009
Feeling under the weather
Friday, October 16, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
I made the most amazing butternut squash soup tonight and I totally winged it. This was a rare occurrence it actually tasted better than I had hoped. At first I started off with this recipe but there were too many steps and ingredients so I simplified it:
Ingredients:
1 butternut squash, peeled, cut in half and then cut into 1/2 inch slices
drizzle of olive oil
drizzle of balsamic vinegar
drizzle of molasses
salt
pepper
2 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 large carrot, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
dash of cinnamon
dash of cumin
dash of chili powder
32 oz. (one carton) of chicken stock
salt
pepper
heavy cream to taste
Directions:
Roast butternut squash drizzled with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and molasses and seasoned with salt and pepper in a pre-heated oven at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. I like to slice the butternut squash instead of cubing it because it roasts faster.
Saute onion, celery & carrot in butter and olive oil until slightly browned. Add spices and cook for 2 minutes more. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until all vegetables have softened.
In a food processor, blend roasted butternut squash, vegetables and chicken stock until smooth. Add a touch of heavy cream if desired.
The soup came out deliciously rich and creamy with just a hint of spice. Add a hunk of bread and butter and you've got an absolutely satisfying meal for a cold and blustery fall day.
Enjoy! (Thanks Theresa, for the inspiration!)
Ingredients:
1 butternut squash, peeled, cut in half and then cut into 1/2 inch slices
drizzle of olive oil
drizzle of balsamic vinegar
drizzle of molasses
salt
pepper
2 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 large carrot, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
dash of cinnamon
dash of cumin
dash of chili powder
32 oz. (one carton) of chicken stock
salt
pepper
heavy cream to taste
Directions:
Roast butternut squash drizzled with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and molasses and seasoned with salt and pepper in a pre-heated oven at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. I like to slice the butternut squash instead of cubing it because it roasts faster.
Saute onion, celery & carrot in butter and olive oil until slightly browned. Add spices and cook for 2 minutes more. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until all vegetables have softened.
In a food processor, blend roasted butternut squash, vegetables and chicken stock until smooth. Add a touch of heavy cream if desired.
The soup came out deliciously rich and creamy with just a hint of spice. Add a hunk of bread and butter and you've got an absolutely satisfying meal for a cold and blustery fall day.
Enjoy! (Thanks Theresa, for the inspiration!)
Monday, October 12, 2009
Tori Higa
I love Tori Higa's stationery. How great are these children's thank you cards?!
She even does custom portraiture. I would love to send out a holiday card like this:
Or baby shower cards like this:
And I couldn't resist this lamp!:
You can purchase her adorable cards here.
She even does custom portraiture. I would love to send out a holiday card like this: 
Or baby shower cards like this:
And I couldn't resist this lamp!:
You can purchase her adorable cards here.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Notepads
I recently discovered padding compound, the "life-changing" (as The Small Object puts it) glue that essentially holds pieces of papers together to form notepads. You simply brush a thin coat over the top of your stack of papers and, voila, a professional looking notepad. It's absolutely amazing stuff and now I can make as many notepads as my heart desires! My first projects were making more stationery for Shannon and personalized stationery for my friend Erin. I just love the way they turned out!
The amazing and wonderous Pad-Tab
Cardboard backers that I wrapped in pretty paper
The amazing and wonderous Pad-Tab
Cardboard backers that I wrapped in pretty paperTuesday, October 6, 2009
Boxes and Bows
I'm constantly amazed by the talent of my fellow bloggers and everyday I learn something new. Today it was how to make beautiful and professional boxes and perfect, homemade bows.
Sharilyn at Lovely Design made these exquisite boxes to house her daughter's plates and bowls. I love how sturdy and professional they look. Instructions can be found here.
Jessica at How About Orange made these gift bows from a map and magazine pages. Use these directions if you're ever scrounging for a last minute flourish. Or make them ahead of time with your favorite patterned paper to make your gift stand out from the crowd.
Sharilyn at Lovely Design made these exquisite boxes to house her daughter's plates and bowls. I love how sturdy and professional they look. Instructions can be found here.
Jessica at How About Orange made these gift bows from a map and magazine pages. Use these directions if you're ever scrounging for a last minute flourish. Or make them ahead of time with your favorite patterned paper to make your gift stand out from the crowd.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Lonny Magazine
Loving the premiere edition of Lonny, the new online shelter magazine.
With the sad news of another round of publications shutting their doors today, I can't help but wonder if this is the end of an era. Are online magazines now our future? I'll admit that I love the instant gratification of clicking on a picture and immediately perusing the website where I can purchase the item, but I do miss flipping through those tangible glossy pages. What do you think... can online magazines truly replace their printed predecessors?
With the sad news of another round of publications shutting their doors today, I can't help but wonder if this is the end of an era. Are online magazines now our future? I'll admit that I love the instant gratification of clicking on a picture and immediately perusing the website where I can purchase the item, but I do miss flipping through those tangible glossy pages. What do you think... can online magazines truly replace their printed predecessors?
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Pure Scrumptiousness
Watching Tyler's Ultimate and drooling over this dessert.
Semi-freddo Cookies and Cream
Semi-freddo Cookies and Cream
Ingredients
- 4 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- 15 gingersnap cookies
Salted caramel sauce:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 stick butter
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Directions
Begin by whipping cream with confectioners' sugar until you get soft peaks. Add pomegranate molasses and stir 2 times gently to combine and just streak the pomegranate through the cream.
Take a large plastic bag and using a wooden rolling pin, smash the gingersnaps into rough pieces. To assemble, take a ramekin and add a layer of gingersnaps first, followed by cream, gingersnaps and finally cream again. Use an off-set spatula or the back of a knife to flatten the tops. Set in the freezer for 45 to 60 minutes to freeze. Run a knife around the edges when set and invert onto a plate.
Make the caramel sauce by adding sugar and water to a small saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Once the sugar has dissolved and the caramel reaches a dark amber stage, add butter and salt and swirl to combine. Remove from heat and drizzle over semi-freddo cookies and cream.
