Monday, April 25, 2011

a few things...

Busy days for sure. More blogs coming soon, promise. But for now...a few things...

As promised here's a pic of the actual tart I made and served this past weekend for Easter, from Clean Start. This is the first dessert I've every made and served. It doesn't look like the cookbook photo, ofcourse, but it was very tasty. My kids helped and the whole thing was made in less than 30 minutes. I'm sold on this book and made a pact with myself to try every recipe in the book, even if it takes me 5 years. Check it out.



Did you see on www.20x200.com today. Cheap framed prints!





Also, I love FLOR modular carpet tiles. Have I mentioned this? I have pretty much 'flored' my whole house. Just saw this layout in their new catalog today. I am so inspired by these bright mustard yellow tiles. A little retro but so great for a splash of color in an entryway or mudroom, or dining room, hallway. What do you all think? Could you incorporate a little yellow in somewhere?

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Clean Start by Terry Walters

My sister in law recommended this cookbook over the weekend. I can easily say it's the best health oriented cookbook I now own.

I tend to get suckered into health-related, special-diet cookbooks, only to use them once, maybe twice. My issues are usually that the recipes either don't taste good, or are too complicated, or (embarrassing to admit) they don't have enough inspiring pictures.

This one is different.

Terry Walters steers clear of allergenic foods like gluten and dairy, and also avoids sugar, but you would never think this a 'special diet' cookbook. The recipes are all appealing and they're all healthy and there are lots of photos. 

Two other big sellers: the recipes are broken down by season. Which I love. And she tells you how to stock a healthy pantry so you have all of the basic ingredients ready and handy.


This is the dish I tried over the weekend that sold me on the book. Pollenta pizza. Gluten, dairy, sugar free and it's delicious!


I'm going to try her Blueberry Crisp recipe for Easter this weekend. I'll let you all know how it goes!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

In need of a bunkbed?

I just ordered bunkbeds for my kids. They currently share a room and it's becoming very apparent that my older child needs his own space, even if it's just a shelf at the end of his bed. He'll love it!

I started looking around, Room & Board, Modern Seed and even IKEA. As usual, the modern bunkbeds I love are way out of my price range. But I found a great local company on Craig's List called Maine BunkBeds. Not only are these well constructed and sturdy, they come in cool colors and are very eco.  They use milk paint, which is about as non toxic as you can get. And I love the photography of the beds on their site. Bunks in a pasture, bunks in the city. Clever. Check them out www.mainebunkbeds.com




Monday, April 11, 2011

two

Oh how I love these clothes. It's almost too much to take. www.twonewyork.com. There is a trunk show in Brooklyn, April 15th. FYI!









Friday, April 8, 2011

oh martha

Really. You're so inspiring, yet so guilt provoking.

I have to remember that Martha has an army of perfect people working insane hours in NYC coming up with these brilliant ideas and executing them to perfection year around. It's true. I used to know a few Martha employees. See I feel better already. No guilt. We all love Martha, but we have to remember, she is an army!

That said, Easter is in a few weeks. Do you have plans? Did you decorate? Nothing here so far. I usually go with my gut on this holiday. All I know is that I want to serve rice pudding for dessert. I'll try to post the recipe. It's not mine, but I'll try to get it for you!







Wednesday, April 6, 2011

West Elm'ing

Have you seen the latest West Elm catalog?  Lots to love in this issue. I've plucked some of my favs. 

Spring always makes me want to re-decorate (and clean) every room in my house. As a first this year, I'm going to conquer the patio. So other than this blue and white bedspread below which I love, all these items give me fun patio inspiration. 

I think I'm going to have to at the very least buy the wicker lights and the hanging lanterns. How fun!



greek key duvet $29-$119


wire lanterns $59-$69

bird melamine plates $16

montauk nest chair $499

lordes sanchez whale pillows $34
terracotta cylinder planters $12-$29


watercolor dot plates $6

acacia slabs $24-$34

david stark outdoor lights $35

Monday, April 4, 2011

Bird pile-up

Another one to snag for $20 at www.20x200.com. This would look great in a kids room. A great discussion piece too.  Look at all the different kinds of birds in there!


Friday, April 1, 2011

Fascination

As mentioned, I love DWELL magazine.  I'm a true modernist at heart. And once in awhile there is a house to really lust after. One hit the stands this month. Lots of very interesting things about this house. Check it out.

The house was built for $320,000 and it's 4,357 square feet. Ofcourse you could say, that's because it's Mexico. Probably true. This house is built in a gated community, where there are very high gates, armed guards, barbed wires and IDs required round the clock. So as long as you never leave your house, you safe I suppose.

The architect Jorge Gracia is well-known in Mexico and Southern Calif. Gracia says he's "an architect in a city with no architecture" and if you look at the front photo of the house you can see it's stand out. In these parts, and he says it's true of Mexicans in general, they stay close to their families and are home a lot, so this house faces inward. Everything hidden and private.

I love the pool and the deck and the kitchen and the bamboo. And they have a parrot and a turtle. Easy to do I guess when you live in the lovely hot Mexican climate.

So although this modern home may be a bit too stark-modern for most, you can't deny it's very cool.