earning my stripes, aug '10

dang...it's almost a year to the day since my boo and i shacked up. reminds me of all the things on my to do/to decorate list back then, and how most of those items are still right where i left them on that scrap of paper. well now that we've been settled for a while i think it's time to revisit some of my grand plans. september seems like a good time to beautify l'abode.

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5/30: sashiko, july '10

sashiko, or "little stabs"- this looks like a perfect little summertime hobby. maybe i'll make some cute pillows to go with that perfect striped bedding i see in my dreams.

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soft pretzel, july'10

not sure how i'd use it, but i do know i need it.

tea for two, jan.10

i am in need of a pick-me-up! normally at the end of a work day...or, in today's case, a jury duty day...i get a little jolt of energy. but lately i'm so groggy and ready for a nap. i'm hoping this is just a mid-winter thing and not some bad germs having their way with me. so maybe what i'm in need of is less pick-me-up and more cup-of-relaxation...something like this cutie should do the trick:



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pom wonderful, jan.10

i have a new food crush: pomegranates. on the outside they are such a mysterious looking piece of produce, but on the inside it's a treasure chest of little ruby jewel-wrapped seeds. last weekend i added pomegranate seeds to an arugula, beet, squash seed salad - part of a dinner i made for my lovely friend lynners in an attempt to lure her to new york for good. here is a similar recipe- i improvised a bit and skipped the feta.

this butternut squash + pomegranate galette is next on my to-make list, i think i'll serve it with a savory salad and wintery cocktail for my ladies tomorrow night...i'll let you know how it goes!

December 19th: SNOW DAY!

snow!! after a jaunt through the powdery white to stock up on some wintery dinner ingredients, i plan on snuggling up with each of these:


pia wallen crux blanket


how convenient that miracle on 34th street just arrived the mail!


mexican hot chocolate (add a drop of hornitos for an afternoon surprise)

boo

nesting: moroccan wedding blankets, dec.09

wow- i've just fallen totally in love with moroccan wedding blankets. after a little hiatus from my nesting obsession, i think i'm officially back in the game!







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happy weekend!!! nov.09

we made it!! hallelujah, i'm so ready for a day off- and that's all i get: 1 day off. more on that later. but i'm sooo excited for...

...date night with boo at a secret location

...getting more than 6 hours of sleep

...saturday morning gossip and hot chocolate with the lil ole lady

...museum day with esther!!! it's supposed to be cold and rainy tomorrow- perfect weather for checking out lots of beautiful art, including Robert Frank's The Americans, Georgia O'Keeffe's Abstraction and tons at MoMA

...and drinks with danielle (who needs to move back to nyc ASAP!)



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nesting: sheepskin seats, nov.09

I recently noticed that I've used the "cozy" label on practically all of my posts in the last month...no sense in stoppin now!

sheepskin has a look and feel that is soooo luxurious, i especially love the idea of eating each meal surrounded by such coziness...

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hello november

i want all of these at once

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a great pumpkin feast, oct.09

take advantage of the punkins aplenty and make yourself a feast! it's getting cold out there, start working on your winter layer with some of these recipes:

toasted pumpkin seeds, 3 ways

roasted squash salad with warm cider vinaigrette

pumpkin and crispy pancetta risotto

pumpkin chocolate tart!

nesting: striped blankets, oct.09

don't get me wrong, i totally love the cozy housewarming gifts from my dad. they will definitely come in handy when no one is looking, but in the event that we have guests over and need to offer warmth, i'd like some of these, please:

etsy

blacker designs



west elm


on a striped note, this is my dream bed:
dwell

rainy day dinner pt. 1, oct.09

the weather outside is frightful and the only thing distracting me from the downpour i'll soon have to endure is the thought of whipping up a deliciously cozy dinner for two...

deliciously cozy dinner idea #1: the rain in spain

tortilla espanola (a daily fave from my dias en sevilla)
pan con tomate
spanish olives
poquito de queso manchego
vasito de vino rioja

nesting: navajo floors, sept.09

the new bedroom floor is missing a little something. at this point the room is made up of dark navy, browns, creams, deep orange and an exposed brick fireplace...non-working, sadly. i'd like to keep with the color scheme while adding some richness, texture and pattern to our newfound 'sitting corner'.

i'm thinking a navajo rug might be just the ticket!







(all images from ebay and etsy)

DO: Live on Greenwood Road, sept.09

more beautiful inspiration for the homebody in all of us....

this is exactly the spot where the dog will lay


amazing plank floors, a warm glow and velvety cushions


love the deep blues, whites and earthy browns 'n greens offsetting the industrial feel of stone floors and dark walls


beautiful simplicity but i'd probs throw in a splash of citron or satsuma


wow. heavenly.


your own private zen garden. a firepit would be lovely out here.



images from airspace via luphia loves

Do: Marry Dan Phillips/ Phoenix Commotion, Sept.09

This NY Times slideshow basically highlights 19 reasons why I should find and marry Dan Phillips, or at least his apprentice. Here are some of the most swoon-worthy images of his amazing work!

gorgeously crafty patchwork shingle roof

osage orange wood mosaic countertop

scrap wood siding

ceiling made of picture frame corners...genius!!!

Pyrex bowl portholes!