Crafty

For all the crafters out there. I thought this was a fun and easy gift/craft idea. Children's play blocks that form a puzzle. I love the graphics and the bright colors....This fun idea was created by a crafty mom from chasingcheerios.blogspot.com.  Find the surprisingly easy directions with a few of my side notes at the bottom of the post!

Puzzle Block Directions:

To make these puzzle blocks you need: 9 blocks (1.5 inches square), scrapbook paper, sand paper, stencils, scissors, mod podge, and a pencil. Note I asked her where you can get the wooden blocks and she said Michael's crafts or Hobby Lobby or Casey's Wood Supply online. You started by sanding the edges and corners of the blocks.  Chose your animal stencils, traced the animals stencils on the back of sheets of scrapbook paper, draw the graph of blocks over the stenciled animal shape, cut out the squares, then cut out each animal shape from the squares. Glue each animal part to the blocks using mod podge (glue).   After letting the blocks dry for a few days, paint them with a layer of protective mod podge (sealant?). Note from Modish: Think of the possibilities here....some artwork from your child?!! A photograph?!!

Honey Pie

Back to Monday! The weather is gradually turning here. We're rounding the corner.  Here's to a happy week!

So, I came across these soaps this week called Honey Pie Hive and Herbal's. 

What's interesting about this is that the soap can also act as shampoo.  They're made of only earth-found ingrediants - natural oils (coconut, olive, palm, etc) as well as beeswax, lye, herbs, and oils. The reviews I read suggest the soaps are unusual but work very well. You just rub the bar onto wet hair and voila, you have your shampoo. I kept thinking - what a great products for kids right? My kids rub the soap bars on their head anyway, so we might as well use a shampoo bar! Visit them to see more - Honey Pie!

By the way, the new issue of Lonny is out. Bright red chairs! 

Happy Thursday!

I meant to post this yesterday. Some days go by in a wink! 

Here's an inspiring bedroom for you. I love the various shades of white on the bed, the ornate antique chair on the side and the small mirrored side table. Somehow this all comes together even though there is very little color! 

Starting to think Spring...

I found my spring Butter color.  Picked it up today in town.

As much as I love strong colors, I'm keeping it light and basic. Easing into spring with a light pearly pink called Hen Party. Funny name!

How about you? Any early spring preparations going on at your house?

Under the Williamsburg bridge..

...there is a great little store called Brook Farm General Store. When you happen to be under the Williamsburg bridge, located in Brooklyn, NY, stop in! It's a fun place to shop.

But I'm guessing most of you won't be in this location anytime soon, so here's a glimpse of what they sell. And the good news is you can visit their website and buy just about everything online. Brook Farm General Store

In my never ending quest for organization and simplicity in my home, the styling and quality of their product selection is very inspiring to me. Take a look!

Tourne Wool Blanket

Glass Tumblers made from recycled Franciscan wine bottles

Fog Linen Table Cloths

Woven hamper/basket

Whiskey Rocks. Substitute for ice cubes but for hot and cold beverages - love these!!

Savon Rose DeMarseille/Soap

Simple Home, book by Mark and Sally Bailey

Homeade bees wax candles

Cutting Board

Large market backpack - great idea!

Happy Monday!

I love this artist from 20x200. Wendy MacNaughton. Thoughtful stuff. And after a warm weekend here in New England, I agree entirely with her lovely watercolor - happy days are here again!

So below is a sample of her watercolor collection called the "Commuter" Series. I love the idea, and I imagine her sitting on the metro line heading into grand central station observing and sketching everyone she sees.

See the full body of work at www.wendymacnaughton.com. It's very striking to see it all together.

Your great grandmother's ketchup

This is off the beaten path for Modish living, but I really think the topic of food fermentation is very interesting. I learned alot about fermented foods years ago when I was trying to whole-foods my way out of a thyroid condition. I basically found these foods to be packed full of enzymes and probiotics, and they basically digest themselves and help digest most of the meal you eat them with. So healthy. They also contain a higher level of vitamins and nutrients when compared to regular foods. 

So when I came across this recipe today for fermented ketchup from Nourished Kitchen, I thought I'd better pass it on. I will be making this for sure.  How good will it feel to feed your kids an ultra healthy ketchup!

Homemade Ketchup: Ingredients

• 2 cups tomato paste, preferably homemade
• 1/4 cup raw honey, maple syrup or whole unrefined cane sugar 
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh whey*, divided
• 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar, plus extra for thinning the ketchup, if desired
• 1 teaspoon unrefined sea salt
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Homemade Ketchup: Method

1. Spoon tomato paste into a large mixing bowl and fold in raw honey or other natural sweetener of choice.
2. Whisk in one-quarter cup fresh whey or vegetable starter culture into the sweetened tomato paste along with apple cider vinegar, sea salt, allspice and cloves.  Continue whisking these ingredients together until the paste is smooth and uniform.
3. Spoon the homemade ketchup into a mason jar, top with remaining two tablespoons fresh whey or vegetable starter culture, cover loosely with a cloth or lid and allow the ketchup to sit at room temperature, undisturbed, for three to five days.
4. After three to five days, uncover the homemade ketchup and give it a thorough stir before transferring to the refrigerator.  Naturally fermented homemade ketchup will keep for several months in the refrigerator.

TIME: 5 minutes (active), 3 to 5 days (fermentation)
YIELD: about 1 pint.
DAIRY-FREE? Omit fresh whey and substitute one packet vegetable starter culture (see sources) dissolved in one-quarter cup plus two tablespoons filtered water.