Anthropological Dig

Sure it's still summer, but that doesn't stop me from thinking about fall!  There is something about mid-August that has me dreaming of autumn style and cooler days.  Plus, Anthropologie keeps sending me their beautiful and drool worthy catalogs, filled with pages of stunning photos and high end goodness.

Just one glance at their gemstone colored flats and stylized loafers and I am hooked!  I think I would like just about every pair of heels in the book, not to mention the structured skirts and charming cardigans.

These are my favorites!  I am particularly drawn to the "Aim High Heels" and at nearly $400 a pair, I probably won't ever own them, but a girl can still window shop can't she?

I can already imagine the outfits I can assemble with these shoes.  And can I just say, I am SO glad to see that heeled loafers are making a comeback!?  I had a pair in the mid-90s and thought they were the greatest thing.  I admit that there are a few other looks from that decade that I am hoping will come back: sleeveless turtlenecks, anyone?

Stay tuned for some more finds on my "Anthopological Dig".  In the meantime, what is inspiring you?

It's All In The Details

Imagine how a seamstress would feel without her sewing machine, it's not ideal and she may feel a little lost, but ultimately she can make do.  That's how I feel as a graphic designer without use of my computer.  While my computer is out of commission for some updating, I've been using the "kids'" computer for all of my internet dealings and I'm feeling a bit out of sorts over it.  But I'm making do. Like doing my photo editing without my beloved Photoshop.  I've been using Picnik this past week, but the computer is slow and I don't know my way around it very well.  Still, I was able to work on some photos that I'm happy with.

I went to a wonderful bridal shower last weekend that was full of surprises.  In a little blink-and-you'll-miss it house in a Portland suburb, lies a world of wonders.  You would never know by the outside that the rooms are so rich with old world details and European charm.  Each room had something that pulled you in whether is a see-through fireplace, vintage furniture, cozy nooks and even a backyard pub!  Seriously, a garden shed was converted into a pub complete with banquettes and low-hanging chandeliers. Pretty much it was the perfect place for a girls' afternoon of showering a loved one with gifts for her upcoming wedding.

Bouquets with peach roses adorned nearly every surface.  Candles were lit everywhere, bringing a sense of warmth in the dreary weather.  A glass table was covered in pub style delights including Bangers & Mash, homemade Irish soda bread with potted cheese, miniature Guiness pot pies, and the most unbelievable desserts.  If I could have I would have gobbled up all of the little toffee pudding cakes in a blink of an eye!  And not only were we treated to such deliciousness, but we got to take home a book featuring many of the recipes of what we had at the shower - what an inventive idea!  

So, as I try the Dubliner Cheese Tart or whip up a batch of the Lemon Curd, I will remember that day.  I will remember the women, the laughter, the wine, the food and the blessings of being there.

A Simple Solution

A few weeks ago I posted about a new idea for simple tabletop decor.  And it would seem that the key limes have reached their aesthetic peak ... but is it possible to squeeze out a little more joy?  YES!

 

Armed with a knife and my own two hands, I set out to squeeze the juice from this tiny fruit.  They didn't produce much, but it was surprisingly simple to do.  I measured about 1/4 of juice when I was finished.  Figuring that wouldn't be enough for a key lime pie or major dessert, I decided to make a key lime simple syrup. 

Key Lime Simple Syrup

1/4 cup fresh key lime juice

1 1/4 cup fine sugar

1/4 cup water

In a small sauce pan, combine sugar and water and cook over medium heat, do not boil.  Whisk frequently to dissolve sugar.  Once sugar is dissolved, remove saucepan from heat and whisk in lime juice.  Store in glass jar in the refrigerator.

This makes a lot of sweet syrup.  So far I have enjoyed putting a scant teaspoon of it in my iced tea, and I think drizzling a bit of it on some pound cake sounds like a dreamy summer dessert.  What a way to get the most out of my $2.50 purchase!

The Key To Chic

I love a good bouquet of fresh flowers to put on my dining room table.  It brings a smile to my face when I walk by, and I enjoy the color it adds to the room.  But ... flowers die and look so sad all shriveled and dry.  I have often wondered what to use instead of flowers to add life and vibrancy to my living space.

Then I had a moment of epiphany.

I was walking through the grocery store and found a netted bag full of key limes.  Hmm, what does one do with an entire bag of key limes?  I've had key lime pie before, but really that is the extent of my experience with this particular fruit.  Then I was inspired by the thought of having them in a simple white fruit bowl on my dining room table!  And for only $2.50, it's a bargain considering fresh flowers are usually more than that.

Perhaps I will try to make a key lime pie with these, but for now I am enjoying the green hued joy they bring me.

Such Lovely Colors

My recent trip to my old neighborhood allowed me to see and photograph beautiful blooms that I rarely see where I currently live.  It is now June and around my neck of the woods, the tulips only bloomed in the last couple of weeks and are now spent.  I feel somewhat robbed of my Spring!

The high desert isn't the most colorful of places.  Some find hillsides spotted with juniper trees to be a beautiful sight.  But to me, I miss the lush, green hills of the Willamette Valley and the abundant flowers.  Yes it rains a lot there ... but I LOVE the rain!  And look how colorful the rain makes everything.

Such lovely colors.

Fresh Pear Still Life

The image of this trio inspires me to get back into painting. I'm thinking watercolor!

It seems with the change of season I also have a change in taste buds. Now that it is Autumn I start craving things with cinnamon, pumpkin and a hearty texture. These pears are calling to me. Should I make a pear & sour cherry clafoutis? Perhaps a fresh pear pie? Or a coffee cake? The possibilities are endless.

But for now, I just enjoy gazing upon them as they sit ripening on my kitchen table.

The Cure for the Snowy Day Blues

The snow is really coming down outside. I would like it a lot more if it didn't hinder my holiday plans. With severe weather hazards surrounding our town, it is not a good day to travel nearly 200 miles ... even to see family. On a day like this I feel like hibernating, burying my head deep down in the covers and dream of warmer days, sunnier places, and interesting things to see and do. But being a mom, I cannot do in good conscious do that.

So, a day like this is good for cooking, baking, and working on projects. It's actually really good for cleaning, but let's be realistic here ... who wants to do that? I like making nine-patch quilts for babies. I have made one for my son and daughter, and one for a friend's baby as well.

I made this Winnie the Pooh quilt for a friend's baby girl.

Now that I have a sewing machine that isn't dying on me (serves me right for using a cheap one I bought at a garage sale for $10), I can start up again. I have an old Bernina that my mother-in-law gave me that works so much better than the garage sale find! I love to explore fabrics, dream up great combinations of color, texture, and patterns. I was so excited when I happened upon this fabric in a sewing shop in Ashland, Oregon. Heather Ross creates fabric that is so soft and fun, it would be hard to choose what fabric I want to work with!

I adore the goldfish! They have such sweet and comical faces.

Oceanic themes are a favorite of mine. I've always had a thing for sea horses and mermaids. I guess I have a thing for orange and blue too!

Heather Ross's website is worth checking out if you are looking for good children's fabric. If you are a website connoisseur like me, the site is a visual treat ... however, the links don't all work very quickly or work at all. I can think of many ways to get them up to par with the visual qualities of the site. A web designer always thinks that way I guess!

She has a beautiful blog as well full of great craft and sewing ideas. I now want to be a fabric designer, or a stationery designer, or one who owns cashmere goats and makes her own yarn. But, I am really more qualified to be a graphic designer. I guess I'll stick with that.