Birthday Weekend: The Place

My parents generously host the weekend each year. This year we stayed at The Cottages at Cape Kiwanda, and sounds like we'll return next year. I have posted some pictures, and will let them do all the talking.

To book your own stay call 888-965-7001. Or, to purchase a fractional share, call 888-965-7779. Stay tuned...

Annual November Birthday Beach Weekend

Quite a mouthful! Every year, my family gathers at the Oregon Coast to celebrate our November birthdays...3 birthdays to be exact, 4 including the dog. Jon's birthday (my brother) is on the 1st, mine is on the 11th, Ruthie's is on the 18th (doggie), and my dad's is on the 28th...our ages to remain undisclosed for Ruthie's sake. With all of us living in different places, it's just easier and more festive to come and celebrate together!

Stay tuned this week for the different inspirations that came out of the weekend...

A Pumpkin Treat

Just a few weeks ago, I discovered an old magazine tear out for this recipe. Craving just about anything pumpkin, I decided to make them...and have ended up making them twice in a week! So yes, they're good...very good! From the picture, I thought they'd be more like a cookie, but really they're like little cookie shaped cakes. Anyway, you'll just have to try them and decide for yourself. Here is the recipe for Pumpkin Pies from Family Fun Magazine.

Instead of sandwiching the cookies between icing, I set each individual cookie on a bed of white chocolate. It gave a nice crunch against the cake. I tried also drizzling white chocolate over the tops, but ended up making a disaster out of the kitchen...sometimes we just have to be practical, people!

(Image from Family Fun)

Light the Path

Need I say more? Give trick-or-treaters a festive path to follow up to your front door. Besides, a flashlight doesn't go too well with most costumes...don't want to cramp their style.

Here is a close-up:




The tutorial can be found here.


(Images from MarthaStewart.com)

Fancy Carving

If you haven't caught on already, I'm posting all things "pumpkin carving" this week. There are just so many good ideas out there, I just couldn't leave any of them out! Follow the links in each of the headers to find all the instructions.

Celestial Pumpkins

Spider Squash


Lace-Patterned Pumpkins













Filigree Pumpkins













I hope these inspire a work of art for your front porch!

(All images from MarthaStewart.com)

Monogram your Pumpkin

I love anything monogram, and pumpkins are no exception. Find your favorite type, blow it up, print it out, and use as a stencil to carve your pumpkin. To achieve the translucent look, use a linoleum cutter (yes, just like the one found in high school art class). You can find the instructions from none other than Martha, here.

For those of you with Fall weddings, it'd be really sweet to have monogrammed pumpkins as either table decor, lining the aisle, or greeting guests at the guestbook table or entrance. You can work with your designer to bring in elements (or monograms) from your invites onto the pumpkins.

Happy Carving!

(Image from MarthaStewart.com)

What the Bedazzle are you doing to my Pumpkin?

Martha unveiled the brilliant idea of glittering pumpkins last Fall. There are many reasons why I love this idea so much! First of all, they're so pretty, they don't have to be condemmed to the front portch (actually might even play a starring role on your tabletop). Second, you don't have to carve them (but I will warn you, the glitter does tend to get messy). And last, they'll likely last you through Thanksgiving...who said your pumpkins are only for Halloween? Some aesthetic considerations to help your glittery pumpkins turn out the best: 1) use a glitter that isn't clear (Martha's crew uses glitter from Art Glitter ), 2) find pumpkins or other gourds that have good shape and character, and 3) use a variety of glitter colors. I know Martha glitters the stem, but I personally like the contrast of the glittered pumpkin with the un-glittered stem. But, thats just me. You can watch the tutorial, here.

Dress up your Cupcake

Fall gets me in the mood to bake! I literally woke up this morning thinking of different ways to decorate a pumpkin shaped sugar cookies. What can I say, I love that kind of stuff! Speaking of, aren't these cute cupcake wrappers? The invention of such a thing is entirely new to me, but what a fun way to fancy up your Halloween treats! You can find them here from Fancy Flours.

Log Bowls

These Log Bowls are like nothing I have ever seen before! The temptation would be to put something in them (actually nuts would be a bit hilarious…I’d feel like a squirrel), because, well, they’re bowls! But they are so precious just the way they are with that high-gloss finish, that I wouldn’t dare! I just love that colorful, glossy contrast against the bark. I discovered them on Design Mom’s blog when she did a post about another post she did on Cookie Magazine’s Nesting Blog, here. They are handmade by Loyal Loot Collective and local crafters, and are created out of reclaimed trees. How special is that!

Bridezilla

I thought this was a wedding great theme for a Halloween party! Well, a slightly cryptic wedding, but can’t you just imagine serving up candy insects on your fine china, or "posion" in your crystal? No? Maybe it’s just me… Well I thoroughly enjoyed the post about it at HWTM (she has more pictures there also). You can find even more details and Halloween party ideas here at BHG.

Pushing Daisies

Oh, I love this show! I mostly love the way it looks. Yes, I am one of those people who can love a bad movie only because it may have pretty costumes and imagery. Alright, so I've already gone off track! Not only is Pushing Daisies a pretty show, but the plots are whimsical, and each episode seems like a mini-movie with it's own theme, plot, and conclusion. Of course you have the common threads running through each episode...Chuck and the Pie Maker's love affair in which they can never touch. With the help of a trusty DVR, I never miss an episode (Wednesdays at 8/7 central, on ABC)! ABC has also been generous enough to post past episodes online (even Season 1), so if you want to catch up, here is your chance! By the way, I'm not sure if anyone else noticed, but I loved the mugs they used at the Pie Hole. They're white with sweet little green stripes. I'll let you know if I ever find out where to get them!

At the stroke of twelve...

When I stumbled upon this post at How About Orange, I just knew I had to share it with you! There is just something so precious and perfect about making Cinderella's carriage out of pumpkins! The original tutorial can be found at Hallmark Magazine. Just be sure you make it home by midnight!

Spun Sugar Caramel Apples

Leave it to Martha and her crew to come up with these gorgeous Spun Sugar Caramel Apples. The web-effect is so creative in all of it's "spooky elegance," but I think sans the spiders, this could be a fancy treat served even post-Fall. To be honest, I have never attempted this sweet treat because it does require sacrificing a whisk to wire-cutters, but I think it will be worth it once I get the guts to try (but will be sure to include a warning with this post if it just turns into a sticky mess). Let me know if you have any luck!

Chocolate Raspberry Martini

I'm not a huge drinker, but when something spirited can double as dessert, I'm totally game! Leave it to HWTM to hook up something sweet in her Drink of the Week, a Chocolate Raspberry Martini. Bottoms up!

(recipe from HWTM)

Chocolate Raspberry Martini
{Makes 4 to 6 dessert drinks}

Ingredients:
12 Fresh raspberries
2 ounces Chambord
4 Tablespoons Semi-Sweet Cocoa powder
8 ounces of Merlot or Cabernet

Method:
In a bowl add raspberries and ½ ounce of the Chambord. Muddle these together to ensure the two are well incorporated. Add the cocoa powder and 4 ounces of the red wine. Mix well and then strain into a small pitcher to remove the raspberry seeds. Add the additional Chambord and red wine. Pour into a mixing glass or shaker with ice and vigourously shake. Strain into martini glasses and enjoy!

As an option, rim your martini glasses with chocolate and crushed nuts. You can also dust with a little cocoa powder or add a shaving of chocolate.

Cupcake Pops!

Adorable, aren't they? If you love to bake as much as I do, you must check out Bakerella's Blog. She is a creative genius in the kitchen, or, er, bakery, and makes me want to quit my day job and bake all day (yes hun, I see the issues of actually pursuing that...but it would be a good way to use up my sprinkle collection)! On her blog, she shows us how to make these adorable Cupcake Pops, and many many more! Oh, and did I mention she took her creativity all the way to Martha's show as a guest! Enjoy the video (plus recipe and tutorial) here. OH, and one more thing! She is the only other person (other than myself) I know who has a PINK KitchenAid Mixer. We'd probably get along nicely.

Spring is in the Air?

Pantone has released their Spring 2009 Fashion Color Report! I know, I know, it's not even Halloween yet, and I already talking about Spring. I'm not a huge fashionista myself, but it's fun to see what colors we can be expecting this Spring, and the designer sketches are also such a treat. You can download your copy at Pantone.com, after signing up for a free membership.

Little Red Riding Hood

Awe, I love this little coat from Dominique Rouzier! It reminds me of these red, wool coats my mom used to dress us in for church every Sunday. I think the "envelope" pocket is just so adorable, and perfect for stashing those random little things kiddos tend to collect.

It's a Piece of Cake!

Yum! I love cake stands. In fact, I have more than I know what to do with, but I can't help myself. I love these tiered ones with the ruffled rim from Potluck Studios in their Flirt Dinnerware line. Don't they make you want to eat some cake?

Wonderful Graffiti

If a picture is worth a thousand words, than this gorgeous "interior typography" must be, well, you know what I mean! Wonderful Graffiti creates custom and pre-created wall art that you can apply to whatever hard surface you like. I especially love the chalkboard pieces! So often we look for the right picture or mirror for a space, when all we need is a good (aesthetically appealing) quote. Who said only pictures can be sentimental? I know I'm mulling over some possibilities I'd love to put up someday! If there happen to be any husbands reading, you'd be smart to surprise your wife with a quote in your own handwriting on the bathroom mirror, "honey (or insert endearing name here), you look beautiful." She'll melt all over again each time she reads it!

My Favorite Pen

I love TUL pens! I stumbled upon them accidently one day on a trip to Office Max, and have never looked back. My go-to choice is always the fine point black gel pen. I know many of you could likely care less about which pen you pick up and write with...but not me, I'm obsessed!

Flaunt Your Dried Goods

I could spend a humble fortune good storage. The thought of having things categorized, organized, and looking seamless makes me giddy (a bit OCD, I know). On that note, I've been frusterated lately with the pantry. Bags of pasta, nuts, dried fruits toppled on top of each other everywhere...there seems to be no easy way to neatly organize these things! So, I did some hunting at Ikea, and have found a solution! The DROPPAR storage jars are wonderful! They are clear, glass jars with a frosted band around them, and a stainless steel rimmed top with a see-through window. I love the clean look, and all the different sizes they come in (14 - 118 oz, plus spice jars). For the truly daring, they'll even look good on your open kitchen shelving. Magical!

Back to school shopping!

This time of year always gives me the urge for new clothes. Even though my days as a student are behind me (for now, anyway), the desire for those fresh, new Fall clothes seems to come by surprise each year. I thumbed through the latest J.Crew catalog, wanting just about everything, but knowing with the hubby in school, I'll just have to hold tight a bit longer (he'll be finished this Spring!). Here are a few of my faves:



For now, I'll happily settle on some new school supplies, I mean, office equipment.

Fall is in the air!

I just opened the windows to hear the rain, poured a cup of chai tea, cozied up to a good magazine, and popped in Pride & Prejudice. Is it time for a cozy pre-Fall posting or what?

I was introduced to the Tomato Orange Soup at Elephants Delicatessen quite a few years ago. I became addicted, and have since stumbled upon the recipe...yes, THE recipe (here you are). I've been known to make it many times, keep a stash frozen in the freezer, even take it to work many days in a row, and pass it along to friends and family (who then also joined in the addiction). Pair this with a grilled cheese sandwich for dipping, and you'll be in comfort food heaven!

You can serve it dressed up for a holiday starter by garnishing it with grilled-cheese-croutons (cut a grilled cheese sandwich into cubes, and sprinkle 2 or 3 on top of the soup just prior to serving), or pour some into your most faithful storage container for some yummy leftovers. Eat up!
(image from marthastewart.com)

Come Away With Me...

Nights like this inspire me. It's late, and we've spent the last couple days soaking up memories with out of town friends. The guys are still in the living room (yes, playing super-hero video games), Jenny is asleep in the love seat, and the dogs are all conked out from 2 days of non-stop play. I've secretly retreated to my little home-office, shut the doors, and turned on Norah Jones "Come Away with Me." I'm not sure what it is about that album...maybe it's because I started listening to it with my sweet roomates at Oregon State during such a fun and incredible season of my life. Maybe because I'd find it on my playlist during late nights trying to get design projects wrapped up before the next morning's deadline. Maybe because it was the last song we danced to at our wedding. It's amazing how a song can bring back a rush of old memories...as if they were all happening once again during this very moment. I just need this minute to soak it all up once again. Come away with me...

You wanna carrot?

Yes, this is my sweet sweet dog, Ruthie. She came to us as a "middle-aged" retired guide dog, which means she's already trained and we can't take even an ounce of credit for how wonderful she is. Gushing aside, this girl loooooves carrots! Just the word "carrot" will get her all excited. Since she is a bit on the older side, her vet told us that if she loves carrots so much, to replace them with treats. They won't cause her to gain weight, so she can have as many as she wants. So, we spoil her rotten, and she eats so many carrots that they almost literally come back out the other end (apologies if thats too much info).

So, if your dog needs to go on a diet, or like us, you just want to do all you can to spoil your furry one, then try carrots!

Rub-a-dub-dub

I was talking to a co-worker yesterday about how cute little ones are with those hooded bath towels. Especially the ones that are animals and characters. In light of that conversation (which I assure you had something important to do with work...okay, you got me, probably had nothing to do with work), I had to go investigate and see who really had cute hooded bath towels for kiddos. Spiffy Baby has an adorable assortment of different animals, Dwell Baby has some great graphic prints, and Pottery Barn Kids has really sweet animal hoodies (yes, they have a puppy AND a froggy), and organics for the admirable.

I'm headed off on a tangent here, so if you want to stick around, be my guest. Here it goes: quite honestly, I have the hardest time getting baby gifts for people. First of all, I haven't experienced the joy of motherhood yet, so I have no idea what people actually need and want (yea yea, I know most do registries these days, but I like gifts to be a surprise, so I try to avoid registries altogether). Second of all, I avoid buying clothes if at all possible (sometimes they're just too cute to resist) because I swear American babies are the best clothed people on the planet (or maybe I'm ignorant), and I'm not always so sure my taste will be the same as baby's parents. But even harder than the baby gift is the first birthday gift! So now days, I've made it easy on myself, and defaulted to getting a sweet hooded towel and bubble bath (apologies to the first birthday parties coming up) because they are so stinkin' adorable! Note to parents: please take pictures...I know bath time is probably the hardest time to grab the not-so-water-resistant camera...especially with a naked toddler running around the house, but you've just got to capture the moment. If anything, you can use it for blackmail when they're teenagers!

Compliments to the host!

While browsing Paper Crave, I stumbled upon a great discovery they have made! Australia's Wedding Style Guide has provided free downloadable and printable goodies for each of their issues (which can also be back ordered online). These little treasures aren't just for brides, but anyone who loves to entertain (or who might want to fake it). Enjoy!

Dreamers into Doers

Many of you already know that I love just about anything Martha Stewart. I also love anything entrepreneurial. About a year ago, I discovered Ladies Who Launch, an incredible network of women entrepreneurs. It's a support community that helps women launch and grow their own businesses...it's amazing what one can accomplish when we all join together. I got involved, joining an incubator, and attending the Live event in Portland last fall. Amazing women, amazing experience!


So, I just got an email this morning from my Ladies Who Launch incubator leader informing me that Martha Stewart and Ladies Who Launch have joined together to create "Dreamers into Doers"(jaw drop). Yes, this is yet another network of bringing women dreamers together, with Martha as our mentor!

If you already have an account at marthastewart.com, you can just follow this link, and become a Dreamers into Doers member. If you don't have a marthastewart.com account, 1) you're missing out, and 2) you can sign up for one right here, and then 3)sign up to become a Dreamers into Doers member here.


Not to create a novel out of this post, but I'm on a roll. So, speaking of Martha and entrepreneurship, I must share a wonderful resource with all of you. Martha has written a book, The Martha Rules, that shares her story and wisdom on building a business and how keep it running and growing. I not only bought the book, but I also have the book on CD that I loaded onto my iPod, and will listen to for inspiration.

I hope those of you out there with ideas are able to use some of these resources as a launch pad to soaring. One common thread on all the wisdom and advice...find your passion and follow it.

The BEST Strawberry Ice Cream!

You know, today was just one of those Mondays! I somehow put in a 12+ hour day, and managed to throw together a pretty delicious dinner (yep, pat on the back for that one). I no sooner sat down a few moments ago to tune into the Olympics, and the craving for ice cream overwhelmed me. And not just any ice cream, I want a whole pint of Haagen Dazs Strawberry ice cream (arguably the best strawberry ice cream out there!). But seeing that it is nearly 11:00pm, the stores will be closed and time for me to get some sleep before tomorrow begins (is it Friday yet?).

Going for the GOLD!

...but the silver and bronze are quite nice also. These metals were beautifully designed with a different color jade inlay for each metal. The gold metal flanks white jade, the silver metal matched with the green jade, and the bronze metal with the dark green jade. I love it when design does more than just look good, but that also transcends a bigger story...one that is visually communicated in a way that everyone will instantly understand. These metals are a priceless token of momentous event...can I please have one of each?