Lightly Toasted

Ever since my sister in law asked my opinion on some swatches of soft beige toile for her nursery, I have been loving creamy, caramel browns.

Then I saw this color study on Little Brown Pen:

Wouldn't a set of these original photos make a great gift? So unexpected, too.

You can order nine 5x5 prints here for $36.

My Pirate Days

Because I still want to be a pirate.

Don't you?

Matisse Tall Leather Pirate Boots at The Territory Ahead

Outside In

I have been pretty obsessed with owning a terrarium lately...

...still thinking about these posted by Bianca at Pergolina two weeks ago.

I love the sun bathing beauty.

I want to fill a space with succulents and air plants.

On Top of Spaghetti

I have been craving spaghetti and meatballs since my Aunt Maggie served her most amazing version recently.

It was like a big hug.

Seriously, I stare into space with a smile on my face just thinking about it.

(image via Runs With Spatulas)

You Are French, Aren't You?

Have you ever eaten a canele? It's a French pastry: fluted, caramelized, crunchy exterior, soft, moist vanilla bean speckled interior.

I bought a tube of six miniatures at the Farmer's Market. Bonus: sealed with a Sister sticker.

They are even better than I remember.

Versatile too: "...the canele accommodates itself equally well with champagne as with tea, and goes with all types of wines."

Shake It Up

Parc on Rittenhouse Square serves iced coffee drinks in ice cream float dishes.


It just tastes best.


And there is brunch.

Home Sweet Home

I realize when I get the feeling I want to go home, sometimes I still mean home where I grew up- even though I love where I live now.


Do you ever feel like that?

X Marks the Spot

I am extra into geometric prints these days so I'm loving my Mociun tee shirt(s).

Cool as a Cucumber

I made my own variation of this recipe last night; I swapped out the mint for cilantro, changed the sour cream to Greek yogurt, and was heavy handed on the cayenne pepper. Also forgot the vinegar, whoops. It was fun and easy (throw everything in a blender) to make. I think it tasted really nice as far as chilled cucumber soup goes... but it would be best as a dressing, or a drizzle on something.

Bridging the Gap

I am on a strict (ha!) shopping hiatus until September, but I still window shopped Gap and found these chill things (even though it is hard to imagine an autumn chill just around the corner).

A slouchy striped tee, so perfect.

These skinny zipper jeans have been popping up in advertisements on my screen constantly. Maybe it's the power of suggestive sell, but I think I would be a better person in skinny zipper jeans.

Glad to see the nineties are here to stay. Yummy comfy boyfriend plaid. If only it came in eau de motor oil.

I have this weird thing for Ellen DeGeneres, and plan on channeling her style with vests, neckties, and suspenders this season.

A long slim cardigan, a signature look I could get used to.

Please pass the mustard. I need a large tote and I've been craving mustard yellow.

Swallows and Amazons forever in this scarf.

(All images via Gap.)

Seen and Misheard

My mom and I were talking about Woodstock, and in particular Joe Cocker's performance. I remembered this subtitled video with misheard lyrics. I needed the smile this morning.

(Now I'm in the mood to watch The Wonder Years.)

Because I can't see just one YouTube, I had to laugh at Pearl Jam's Yellow Ledbetter, too. "Potato wave" is my fave.

BFFs

Brian and I just caught the White Stripes documentary Under Great White Northern Lights (thanks to our new cable package). We have been singing this song ever since.

Nut Job

Yesterday I stopped at the chocolate shop to stock up: dark cashew clusters, almond butter crunch, and dipped Brazil nuts. I have been ordering a pound of the same mix each week or two for at least a year but every time the cashier asks me if I want it wrapped. I always say no and then sheepishly, "It's for me." There always seems to be a silent moment of judgement but I might just be making that up. Anyway, I am instantly saner and happier with a box of chocolates in my hand.

Boop Boop de Boot

Uh-oh. Look what I found.

These will solve all of life's problems, right? I think they have that much potential.

Lotsa Threads

I treated myself pretty good on Long Beach Island. Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good.

Eat Dessert First

A chocolate root beer bundt cake smothered in the easiest chocolate frosting ever. My heart always skips a happy beat when a cooled cake plops out of its pan in perfect shape, and I had to stop myself from sculpting this dreamy topping, it was so delightful and pastry chef-ish.

An apple tart made on the fly. Note to self: arrange apples minus mania ("... in order to make the arrangement beautiful"- as Ina Garten intended).

And a plum cake, sad to say this recipe was a bit disastrous. But dunked in lemon curd the next day at breakfast it was quite nice.

Sorry for the garish photographs; I missed an entire afternoon of soft, natural light and snapped these with the flash late at night while everyone waited and salivated.

Cosmos in the Jar-O

My mom can make a little magic with some recycled jars and home grown herbs mixed with blooms.

She brought these to my house on Saturday and they were so pretty.