A plan b weekend

Sick kids have a way of superseding the best of plans. Play dates, soup making, dress sewing, blog writing, garden tending - it all has a way of fading to the fuzzy background. I'm usually quite amazed to see how it all ends up working itself out and time is found or created for all the projects and tasks that were begrudgingly set aside while tending to a fever.

No question that all the extra snuggles are worth the extra long To-Do list. Happy Monday, friends.

P.S. Emerson is back to her fierce self - joyfully terrorizing her grandmother for the day.

Creative Crush: Graphite love with Little Blue Deer

Each Friday, a special blogger friend shares her current Creative Crush - whatever is cause for inspiration at this very moment. Today I'm happy to welcome Shari from Little Blue Deer. Her blog is a daily source of inspiration and she's a super talented designer. (She recently redesigned my banner) Only Shari could leave me wanting for more shades of black in my life. 

I am currently obsessed with graphite!  As anyone who reads little blue deer knows, I adore black, gray and all shades in between.  I love deep, rich textures, and monochrome, and graphite.  I know we should be heralding spring with light, bright whites and colors, but I'm still stuck in the rich warmth of blacks!  

Images via Floor Fever, From Greenwich.

Three free polish (and a note)

First off, thank you for the support yesterday. I really appreciate all of those who commented, tweeted, blogged and generally sent kind words in response to my Huffington Post blog. I ever appreciate those who expressed no-so-kind messages. That truly is the beauty of living in a country where freedom of speech is honored and upheld. I am beyond thankful for that privilege.

The issue of unregulated chemicals in our personal care products is important to me. I will continue to write and speak about it in public forums and when it's appropriate I'll share links to those venues here. But this blog will continue to be what it has always been for me, a happy place to share some of the things I like with you. Sometimes those things I like will be related to safer skin care products (or nail polish!) and sometimes those things will be focused on rainbows and confetti. Again, living in a free country has its undeniable perks. On with the post...

Butter nail polish found on Unruly Things.


I'm a fan of the occasional mani/pedi, but lingering in the back of my blissed-out head is always the fear of how that paint is impacting my body. Now that I can order from a virtual PMS wheel of "Three Free" (free of known carcinogenic ingredients toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DHB) and formaldehyde) polishes I've committed to bringing my own polish to the salon for my quarterly treat. There are only a few brands that offer the "Three Free" recipe and it looks like Butter London has some very pretty options.

Your body is a wasteland; my Huffington Post blog

The issue of harmful chemicals allowed in American cosmetics weighs heavy on my mind every day. Since learning that virtually each personal care product I use - from lip balm to sunscreen - is packed with unregulated, scary stuff I've started to obsessively research the subject.

Today, I have my first blog up on Huffington Post, called "The Chemicals in Your Cosmetics." I would greatly appreciate your support here, friends. Please take a moment to check it out and consider leaving a comment, tweeting it or liking it on Facebook. I'd also love to hear your thoughts on the subject. As with any movement, our strength and power is in the numbers.

Party Files: birthday sprinkles

Photo via How Sweet It Is, found on Birthday Girl.

With Emerson's 3rd birthday fast approaching, I've been trolling for party inspiration. Pretty sure I've settled on a vintage circus/carnival theme. More on that to come as the planning unfolds.

In the meantime, my birthday is just around the corner and I'm thinking that this cake batter bark would go swimmingly with a pile of confetti, sequin shoes and rainbow lights - my very own imaginary fete.

Soup Monday: creamy broccoli white bean, meh

Broccoli is my favorite vegetable so let's just say I did not see this soup let-down coming. It was seriously lacking. Were I to try it again, I'd add a potato to the mix, roast the broccoli with shallots and omit the onion. And I'd spring for the pine nuts. I'm guessing the toasted flavor would have helped here.

In other news, it rained all weekend and snowed in the hills. My succulents are clean and shiny. I made apricot bread that also disappointed in a big way. That is all. Do me a favor and tell me something good from your weekend.

Creamy broccoli-white bean soup
From Whole Living Magazine, February 2011

1 head broccoli, cut into florets and stems thinly sliced
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 15-oz. can canneliini beans, drained
1 Tbs. pine nuts, toasted
Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Steam broccoli until tender and bright green.
2. Heat oil in a pot and saute onion and garlic until translucent, about 6 minutes. Add beans and stock and bring mixture to a simmer. Remove from heat and add broccoli; puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with toasted pine nuts and parmesan.

Creative Crush: Sewing on paper with Fern and Feather

Each Friday, a special blogger friend shares her current Creative Crush - whatever is cause for inspiration at this very moment. Today I'm happy to welcome Alexis from Fern and Feather. Her magical Art Barn was a motivating force behind me carving out my own home studio space. Her commitment to creativity and art is a real inspiration to me and let's just say I share her current crush - big time.

I have always had a bit of a crush on sewing on paper. But lately we have been having a full blown love affair. A couple years ago I made stationary for my family by sewing on paper and then personalizing it with initials. Recently a couple friends of mine with an amazing company called Summerland Mercantile asked me to come teach a class March 19th on sewing on paper.

Ever since I have been going a little nuts. I have been going though all my old scraps of paper and fabric and sewing them on card stock. It is kind of like collage but rather then using glue you just sew with your machine. The possibilities are endless...

Riding the color wheel

My hand-painted color wheel.

A trade tool used by artists, graphic designers and generally anyone working with color, color wheels illustrate the relationship between primary, secondary and complimentary hues. But I just think they are pretty - works of art that also serve a purpose. Love that.

I'm experimenting with water color these days and started out by trying my hand at a color wheel made with only red, blue and yellow paint. Now, of course, I'm noticing color wheels of all sorts around the blog world.

Beautifully hand-stitched color wheel found on Dilly Dallas.







































Amazing color wheel quilt made by Sarah. Found on Rikshaw.

Math and other lesser skills

Because my gypsy heart simply will not rest until Emerson's room is a full-blown three-ring circus of color, I made her a little pillow case. I had planned on quilting one entire side with some scrap toile from my fabric stash. I measured, added, multiplied, cut squares, stitched and came up, surprise, a little short. Math skills have never been my thing. I majored in journalism mostly because it only required one math class and I ended up taking statistics twice. So, yet another bit of color added to her hodge podge room. I secretly sort of love it.

Party files: confetti

Hearts today may feel a little bit like day-old donuts, but it so happens that Emerson's class Valentine's party is today so I've still got love on the mind. And in general, I'm quite certain I'm not getting enough confetti in my diet. Ditto sequins. Those Bando gals sure do know how to party. Would you add cute little clips to your ballet flats? My inner 12 year-old says yes, indeed.

A little love today

Happy heart day, friends. To be honest, I've never been a big fan. But as with Christmas (and all of those shenanigans) Emerson has totally pulled me to the other side. It's all pink and red around these parts today. Felt heart-shaped magnet "pins" for her class party, gumball necklaces for the party planners and preschool teachers, brownies for our neighbors who are moving this week (I am seriously heartbroken), and ballerina pink roses from Emerson and her daddy.

Wishing you pink kisses and love today.

Creative Crush: Stylishly organized closets with The Zhush

Each Friday, a special blogger friend shares her current Creative Crush - whatever is cause for inspiration at this very moment. Today I'm happy to welcome Sue from The Zhush. She's a former attorney turned design junky with her own very stylish online shop and she's already got me thinking of a serious closet makeover. Enjoy

Blame it on the severe winter we have been experiencing here in my neck of the woods, (New York), and the excessive amount of time I've been spending indoors...but lately I've been obsessed with stylishly organized closets, vanities and desks.


The internet is brimming with inspiration in this area, and I just know that if I could get my closet and work space to look and feel stylish and organized, then certainly my work, not to mention my overall appearance would get an inspirational boost as well!


How fabulous are these images from Lonny magazine?
A great way for me to start organizing my closets, would be to acquire these adorable acrylic boxes from Dabney Lee.

And, another site that has me longing for all of its chic work space products and ideas is Russell and Hazel.

Surely with so many lovely little ways to stay organized, I won't even feel like I'm working...or at least that's the hope. I hope you enjoyed my Creative Crush. Thanks so much Estelle, for having me over today!


http://thezhush.blogspot.com/

Perfecting the lemon tart and a list of "Somedays"

Since starting this blog more that two years ago, I've done some stuff I'm proud of. I crocheted a blanket, sewed Emerson a dress (with sleeves), had a family picnic and went on a spectacular girls' weekend. But none of these accomplishments have come from my "Someday List." To be honest, it only just recently occurred to me that "someday" may as well be "never" because dreams are not typically realized without a bit of effort and thought. I think I've finally had enough of imagining all the big and little things I'd like to do in my lifetime.

In a few short days I'll be taking in the San Francisco Ballet's "Giselle" and last weekend I attempted "perfecting" the French lemon tart. It still needs some practice but for now, I am happy to be making progress on that "Someday" list.

Next up, I'd like to picnic at Stinson Beach and go hunting for four-leaf clovers. Who's with me? Wanna do one thing on your "Someday" list this year? If you tell me what it is, I'll be your biggest cheerleader.

The Perfect Lemon Tart
From Luscious Lemon Desserts

Ingredients

(About 6 lemons for zest and juice)

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (I read this wrong and only used 1 1/4 cups, which made for a really butter, super moist and pretty good crust)

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

2 pinches of salt

6 large eggs

1 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup fresh (whipping) cream

Confectioners' sugar for dusting

1. Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Have ready an 11-inch tart pan with removable bottom.

2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, add tablespoon of zest, and let stand for 5 minutes. Whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, and a pinch of salt in a medium mixing bowl. Pour in the butter mixture in a fine stream, stirring with a fork, and continue stirring until the dough begins to come together between your fingers. Transfer the mixture to the tart pan and press it with your fingertips evenly up the side and into the bottom. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the crust is light golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack while making the filling.

3. Process remaining 1 cup of granulated sugar and remaining 1 tablespoon of zest in food processor until the zest is finely ground.

4. Whisk together the eggs, sugar and zest mixture, the lemon juice, and another pinch of salt in a medium bowl until smooth.

5. Beat the cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks are formed. Whisk the cream into the egg mixture just until blended.

6. Place baked crust on a baking sheet and position in the oven, pour the filling into the still warm crust. Note: I thought this was weird until I attempted this on the counter and then tried to transfer the entire thing to the over and half of the filling spilled out onto the baking sheet. Don't do this.) Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until filling is just set in the center and starting to brown. Let cool on a wire rack.

Just before serving, generously sift confectioners' sugar over the tart. Eat the same day. This does not keep for long.

Party files: a toddler's valentine's day

Photo by Sara Westbrook via One Charming Party.

Emerson's best little friend just happens to be my best friend's daughter. They are only four months apart and are in the same preschool class. I know it's sort of a junior high dream come true. It's also been nothing short of mind-blowing to see their bi-polar/manic friendship evolve. One minute they're cuddling at nap time and the next they are screaming through some serious tug of war over a plastic toy. You know the toddler drill.

Recently, Emerson had to be quarantined for the duration of an epic meltdown on the playground when Lark refused to hold her hand. I'm not gonna lie. I sort of get that response since I'm often equally as destroyed when her mother is too busy for me on the weekends. So, it appears she is learning by example.

Melanie and I have both been tapped to help plan the class Valentine's Day party so naturally, I've been stalking the internet for ideas. It will most likely be a very low key affair with some heart-shaped fruit and pink cream cheese with bagels, but I'd sort of like to make statement necklaces out of gumballs for the party planners and the teachers. The lovely ladies over at One Charming Party are brimming with creativity. Do check them out.

Soup Monday: Potato Leek

In my book, it's the ultimate in comfort food. Potato leek soup is one of my all-time favorites (second to a classic tomato). I've been holding on to an old Martha tear sheet with a handful of soup recipes for more than a dozen years and now that I've made it I'm kicking myself for waiting so long. A nice potato leek puree is simple and easy and oh so satisfying. Before the weather warms up I would highly recommend giving this one a go. Happy Soup Monday, friends.

Potato Leek Soup

Makes 3 quartz, adapted from Martha Stewart Magazine recipe from a million years ago.

Ingredients

2 dried bay leaves

Freshly chopped rosemary, sage, thyme (basically, several teaspoons of any and all herbs you like)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 tablespoons olive oil

4 stalks celery, diced

6 leeks, white parts only, thinly sliced

4 shallots, diced

6 cloves garlic, minced

2 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

6 cups chicken stock (I used 4 cups stock and 2 cups water)

1 cup milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

Salt and pepper

Heat the olive oil and butter in a medium sized pot. Add the celery, leeks, shallots, garlic, two teaspoons of your herbs, salt and pepper; cook on medium-low heat until very soft, about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not brown. Add the potatoes and stock/water, bring to a boil then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook until until very tender, about 40 minutes. Remove bay leaves.

Puree soup for desired consistency. While warming on medium-low heat, slowly stir in milk and cream, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Creative Crush: Native prints and colors

I'm kicking off a new series today called "Creative Crush." Each Friday a much-admired blogger friend will share her current obsession - a specific item, design influence, cooking ingredient, color - whatever is sparking her imagination and creative life at this very moment.

I have always enjoyed taking a sneak peek into the minds of creative people and learning a bit about what inspires them in their day-to-day lives. I hope you will share your current Creative Crushes with us in the comments.

Right now I cannot get enough of the prints and colors found in Native American and African textiles and art. Gerald McDermott's "Arrow to the Sun" is a vivid reminder of my childhood. His illustrations haunt my memories, as I read this book and absorbed the images countless times growing up. They remind me of the South African basket (below) my husband brought back from a business trip last summer.

I also noticed a pile of gorgeous Native American blankets in my favorite vintage coop yesterday that I cannot stop thinking about. Funny when you take notice of something that feels unusual or fresh and then, of course, you start to see it all around you. Love when that happens.

Drawn to the mix of earthy colors, strong geometric shapes and pops of technicolor, I'm thinking I might like to pull a bit more of that into the office decor.

Any thoughts? Love it? Hate it? Obsessing over anything this week? I'd love to hear about it. And stay tuned next Friday for the first guest blogger Creative Crush.

All aboard

By far, Emerson's favorite game at home these days is making a train out of her little chairs and stools and commanding everyone within ear shot take a ride with her to Boston. Mom and dad are ordered to sit in specific seats, while Lion, Little Lion, Bear and Dolly take their spots as well. We do this nearly every morning and each night after dinner.

"Choo, choo. ALL ABOARD," she hollers.

Her dad finally broke down last weekend and took her on a real train. She packed her backpack. He packed his. I dropped them at the station and they road the rails. He said she was quite reverent about the entire thing and incredibly serious about her ticket, which didn't actually need to be purchased because children ride free, but there would be no getting that child on the train without her own ticket. Just before they took off she leaned in and said "Daddy, this is just like Disneyland." I forget how easily impressed she is with the things I so easily take for granted.

In other news, my friends at Langston's invited me to check out some new goodies in their shop. I've got a little round-up on their blog today. They have been my go-to online source for Lucky's and Levi's for years and now I'm finding cute tops for Emerson and myself. Check it out.

Lemon loving

If your Meyer lemon tree is mass-producing as most of the trees in California are at the moment, then please, whip this up. You will be so pleased with yourself. It's easy, fresh tasting and only a tiny bit sinful. I'm thinking it would also be a delicious frozen treat.

Do you have a favorite way to use lemons?

Meyer Lemon Pudding

from Luscious Lemon Desserts (a much-loved bridal shower gift from Danielle)

Uses about three lemons, serves four

Ingredients

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

2 1/2 cups milk (skim is fine)

3 large egg yolks. lightly beaten

2 Tbs. finely grated lemon zest

Pinch of salt

1/2 cut fresh lemon juice

2 Tbs. unsalted butter, room temperature

Whisk together the sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Add the milk and whisk until smooth. Add the egg yolks, zest, and salt and cook over medium heat. Stir frequently at first and constantly toward the end, until thickened. (This takes a few minutes, you will know when the consistency changes, one minute it's watery and the next it is custardy).

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and butter. Pour through a strainer into a large serving bowl or four individual serving dishes. Let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate, loosely covered, for at least two hours and up to three days. Serve chilled with fresh whipped cream.

Party files: rainbows

Photo via Pinterest.

Jeez, it's been ages since I've been to a good party. You know, the kind with pretty shoes, fancy dresses and proper cocktails. I'd love to someday throw a grown up party with a playful but super sophisticated rainbow theme.

Beautiful lighting, cool music, delicate finger foods and all five of my friends. Because who am I kidding? I handle crowds about as well as I deal with small talk. But I still want a rainbow party with pretty lights. Who's with me?

P.S. Is anyone else watching Episodes? So, so good. I think it's my new favorite show.