Studio update and stuff I've made

So much for the fury, friends. This week has been straight survival mode. Big thanks for all the "oral surgery sucks" commiserating. I do appreciate that, I do. My brain is a jumbled mess of stuff and my mouth hurts. Wah.

In slightly less sad sacky news, I finished Emerson's party dress and some carney-themed bunting. She tried it on and got down with the most awesome toddler jam I've ever seen. Seriously proud mama moment. (I managed a zipper and only had to rip it out once. Progress.)

Also, I thought I had finished a new dress for myself, but turns out it's more of a glorified shirt. And for those who care, I pulled off four pleats at the collar on tissue-weight jersey knit. And not one tear shed. Again with the progress.

And finally, have you ever spotted a cuter mommy and me look? I love that Lark is looking at Melanie with all that giddy pride.  

It's my first attempt at tie dying and I am officially hooked. Not gonna lie, Lark's dress was supposed to be a fitted tank for a grown up. So I misjudged the sizing a wee bit. More on that soon. All kinds of magic came out of that first vat of indigo. 

Boo to the hoo

I had some oral surgery yesterday. Sleeping through it was the best part. But now I'm sort of a puddle of pity and things are starting to swell. I feel like Emerson looked when she went through her long and torturous "I'll lick the windows until you fools let me out" stage. Teething was a sloppy party around these parts.

Hoping to come back with some fury tomorrow.

Creative Crush: All that's gold with Wide Open Spaces

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 Emily from Wide Open Spaces. Emily is a big reason I'm blogging today. Her blog inspired me in many ways when I was toying with the idea of a blog. I loved that she talked about family, art, design, DIY and books. (If you were not following along with her adoption journey last year than I highly recommend you check out her archives. It felt like an honor and a privilege to get to know her growing family through her blog.) As you can see I could go on and on about that Emily.  And I LOVE her Creative Crush. I shared the same judgey teenage attitude toward gold back in the day and now I too am loving it.

I distinctly remember the summers of my junior high years. We would spend the day baking in the rare Chicago sunshine and in the evening dress in uniform: cut off jean shorts, white turtlenecks and silver jewelry. It seems so funny to me now but back then we were convinced that it was the perfect ensemble to offset our hard earned tans. Stacked rings, long hippie bohemian earrings, even sterling anklets. I loved my silver jewelry and looked with disdain anyone that wore gold. Gold was incomprehensible to me. Granted it was the late eighties and gold was not looking its best. But still, I never imagined a day it could be part of my life. Never, ever.

And now I cannot get enough. In interiors or apparel or accessories or art. If there are gold tones in it my eye is naturally drawn there. And it rests there. I don’t want to move on. I have to talk myself into anything silver (or even white gold). It feels cold and harsh to me now. And perhaps even a little junior high.

But gold, copper, bronze and brass feel warm and natural, earthy and glam all at the same time. Like King Midas I want to swim in the stuff and have to keep repeating to myself – tread lightly, less is more. Less is more.

{images: midas glassware, hex nut bracelet, nightstand, julep roses, Seletti cutlery, feather headdress, Kate Spade Twirl, framed portrait, Tiffany reversible tote, envelope}

Memoirs of the sun

I promise I am not complaining about the rain. It's fine, really. A wee inconvenience in an otherwise blissful life. But just two weeks ago, we were running around San Francisco in short sleeves and sunglasses. Eating outside, sipping coffee in a blinding mid-morning light. Frantically applying sunscreen and oogling blooming plants of all kinds at Flora Grubb.  It was crazy California fun. I'm just looking forward to a little more of that, is all. What's the first thing you will do when springtime weather comes to stay?

Party Files: Easter egg hunting

Image via Purl Bee.

This egg hunting sack tutorial from the Purl Bee has me adding yet another project to my studio list - which brings me to nine. I've got my work cut out for me, but that's a post for another day.

I love Easter. It's probably my favorite holiday. What with all the candy, pretty colored eggs and frilly dresses. What's not to love? (My mom came over last week with three new brightly colored dresses for Emerson, which might explain where my Easter love-affair began.) Can't wait to fill a little felt bag with jelly beans and chocolate eggs and watch her delight in all things Easter.

What's your favorite Easter candy? Peeps? Cadbury Cream Eggs? I'm purely a Jelly Belly gal but I'd love to know what'll be in your basket.

Soup Monday: Creamy parsnip and pear soup (and some thoughts)

The carrots and pears make this soup a bit on the sweeter side. The greek yogurt added a nice tart contrast. Highly recommended. In other news, Danielle at Elleinad Spir is featuring my go-to outfit today. Check it out and share your own go-to. It's currently inspiring me to take a shower and change out of my jammies this dreary Monday morning. So that's saying something.

Also, I just saw Marisa's lovely painting she created to benefit relief efforts in Japan. It's my favorite of all the great fundraising art that's popping up around the blogosphere. The original has sold, but she's offering limited addition prints to benefit the Red Cross. That Marisa is a real inspiration to me.

Happy (soup) Monday, friends.

Creamy Parsnip and Pear Soup
Adapted from Sunset Magazine.

About 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

• 2 pounds parsnips
• 1 pound carrots
• About 4 cups fat-skimmed chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 pounds ripe pears
• 2 shallots
• Several sprigs of fresh Thyme
• About 1/3 cup crème fraîche or plain low-fat or nonfat yogurt (I used Greek yogurt and it added a nice tartness to contrast the sweet pear)
• About 1/3 cup minced fresh chives (most any herb will do)
• Salt and pepper

Preparation

1. Peel parsnips and carrots. Cut into 1/2-inch chunks.

2. Toss parsnips, carrots, quartered shallots and Thyme in olive oil and salt. Spread on a baking pan and roast in a 425 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, peel and core pears. Cut into 1-inch chunks. Add to pot of broth and stir until hot, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

4. Add roasted veggies to pear and broth, bring to a boil and then let simmer for about 10 minutes.

5. With a slotted spoon, transfer carrots, parsnips, and pears, in batches if necessary, to a blender or food processor. Whirl until smooth, adding enough cooking liquid to purée easily. Return to pan with cooking liquid and stir until steaming. If necessary, add more broth to thin to desired consistency.

6. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with crème fraîche or yogurt and herbs. Add salt and pepper to taste. I took the photo with the yogurt but ended up blending it back into the soup. I ended up preferring the taste of the yogurt when it was evenly distributed to the soup.

Creative Crush: Cookies and cakes with Elleinad Spir

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 Danielle from Elleinad Spir. Danielle and I go way, way back to the days of summer jobs between college, when life was full of drama and yet, strangely carefree. We've been bridesmaids together and for each other and cried and laughed over the absurdity of parenthood. She's a real friend and I always love reading about her adventures, particularly in the kitchen. She takes on some awfully daunting projects.

Estelle asked me a few weeks ago to participate in this Creative Crush series. At the time that I said yes, I had no idea what I would write about. And then after a week or two it became clear to me. I needed to write about my new obsession….cookie and baking sites. I can’t stop looking at them. I am in awe of the talent people possess. I am constantly adding things to my “must try” and “must make” lists.

I guess this is not a new obsession for me. Bakerella was the first site that really caught my eye. My first attempt to emulate this creativity was when I tried to make her Easter Basket Cupcakes. I have also made her cake pops a few times, but none as amazing as the ones she makes. My best attempt were these apples.

I spend way, way, way too much time online looking at iced sugar cookies.

Sock Monkeys from Sweet Sugar Belle, Fish Bowls from Grin and Bake It, Animal Cookies and Peppermints from Bake at 350.

The other day I saw a recipe for cookies with popcorn and chocolate chips in them!?!? I can’t find it anymore, and I need to. I mean, I need to make those!

Images via i am baker.

This heart cake leaves me speechless. And all these layered cakes have me dreaming of combos I can create. It’s a step up from the layered cupcakes I made last year.

Different, but equally as intriguing is this site where she bakes everything and anything into a cupcake.

So there it is. My Creative Crush for all the world to see. I am crushing hard core on all sorts of blogging bakers. Thanks for all the inspiration ladies. And thank you Estelle for having me here today!

Earthy boho office redo with Studio Surface

This is the current state of my office. Because I am generous of heart I'll call it ho-hum. But with the help of a most-inspiring and talented designer/blogger friend, Michelle, it's going to be dazzling. Earthy and bohemian with pops of color. A place I will want to log countless hours writing, researching and creating.

Check out Michelle's Design Mail post and let me know what you think. I love that Michelle called me on my crap "clutter" - she's creative and kind. Big thanks, Michelle. Can't wait to show you how I implement your vision.

Pretty Clean: better body lotion and a Huffington Post

First things, first. I have another blog up in the health section of Huffington Post. Check it out here. Its focus is on questioning how all the various chemicals in our daily use personal care products possibly interact within our bodies. I've got lots of questions on this subject and sadly, not a lot of answers. I hate feeling helpless. It's a paralyzing feeling. I've been overwhelmed by it throughout the weekend as I've watched and read about the unimaginable suffering in Japan. I just don't have the words. I followed Michelle's suggestion and texted the words REDCROSS to 90999. It's only $10 but it's something. It's some amount of action that I believe will help on some level.

When it comes to cleaning up my personal make up counter and grooming habits, I've been pretty overwhelmed as well. And judging from your response to my first Huffington Post piece it sounds like we are all looking for easier ways to keep our bodies safe from chemicals and preservatives. I'm starting with my top 12ish daily use products: soap, body wash, face cleanser, face moisturizer, eye cream, sunscreen, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, tooth paste, lip balm and deodorant. I'm not sure how or when to tackle make up but I'll keep you posted as I go.

I don't plan to bash any brands or try to take down an multi-billion dollar industry, but I would very much like to find products that my family and I can use everyday that are free from parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate and artificial fragrances, to name just a few of the big offenders you do not want near your body. I'll share what I learn and the products I am adopting and I hope you do the same.

First off, I dumped my big-brand body lotion and switched it out for Whole Foods' 365 Everyday Value body lotion in the fragrance free formula. I'm one week in and loving it so far. But, I do not have overly dry skin to begin with - I just enjoy the daily ritual of body lotion. It comes in several nice scents, if you're into that and it's mighty affordable. And the best part...no parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate and no artificial fragrance. Whole Foods provides some information on the standards for their personal care products here. Please do share if you've found another brand to swear by. Also, you can always start by checking the safety rating of your products at the Skin Deep database. You'll want it to be in the 0-3 range.

Next up, shampoo and conditioner. And this will not be easy, friends. I'm in the midst of a love-affair with my chemical-packed conditioner.

Creative Crush: American Southwest with Pretty Mommy

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 Michelle from Pretty Mommy. I have a strong suspicion that Michelle and I would be fast friends in real life and I'm seriously hoping our paths cross sometime in the near future. Her blog is a reliably bright spot in my day and her boutique is filled with dreamy goods I covet. No surprise we share a Creative Crush in all things American Southwest. That bed... in that tent... will haunt my dreams.

Growing up as a navy brat I suppose I had lots of diverse influences but perhaps the most lasting one has been the American Southwest...while most of my childhood was spent in Texas, we also lived in Albuquerque and Tuscon (etc, etc)...and my husband's favorite place to travel is Big Bend in West Texas so I've spent many a car ride staring out at wide open spaces, cacti galore, and vast starry skies...I never feel more at home than with a little bit of heat, a little bit of dust, and a little bit of Willie on the radio...working on our home redo has influenced a new spare aesthetic and I'm loving the graphic navajo prints that have been showing up in fashion and jewelry this season...

1/2/3/4/5/6/7

Dresses tied and dyed

Beautifully dyed Calypso dresses.

These dresses have me plotting a backyard tie dye project. Seems like it's probably one of those easier said than done things. Any tips? Honestly, this is high on my to-do list and I'd love to hear from any pros. How do you get those beautifully saturated colors?

What I wore: circa 1992

I am increasingly thankful for my hoarding instincts. Had I been one for purging post-collage I would have tossed off these beauties long ago. Obviously, I was big into the statement earring. I also loved anything with a crystal hanging from it. Here are a few pieces that are making a comeback in my jewelry rotation this spring. Haven't worn any of them for nearly 20 years. So it looks like that makes them just about vintage. Awesome.

Did you save anything wardrobe-related from high school or college? Anything you'd be proud to wear today?

Party files: tiny gold stars

Image via Sweetapolita

I know my birthday was last week and I'm really not one of those people who will stretch the celebration all month, but this cake has me dreaming. I'd love to throw an old-fashioned garden party this summer.

I'd use all my mismatching china and attempt to make this completely charming cake covered in wee little stars.

What would you bring to the party?

Soup Monday: onion au gratin

Another classic comfort soup for the remaining bit of cold weather. The key is letting the onions cook slowly (on your lowest heat) and for a very, very long time. And of course, an obscene amount of grated cheese and toasty bread helps as well. We had ours in mini ramekins, so the cheese/bread to soup ratio was pretty much even. I highly recommend this approach. Happy Soup Monday, friends.

Onion Soup Au Gratin
Adapted from Bistro Cooking at Home

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup dry sherry or port (I used red wine we had on hand)
5 cups broth (chicken, beef or veggie)
1 baguette
2 small garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced
1 teaspoon olive oil
6 ounces Gruyere cheese, shredded

Melt the butter in a wide soup pot over medium heat. Add the onions, season with salt and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until onions slowly brown. This will take 30-45 (this took at least an hour, if not more) minutes; the longer the onions cook and the lower the heat, the darker and sweeter they will become.

When the onions are browned to your liking, add the sherry or port, the broth and 3 cups of water to the pot. Stir, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Bring the soup to a boil, lower to a simmer, and cook for about a half hour to meld the flavors. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.

When ready to serve, heat the broiler. Cut baguette into slices about 3/8 inch thick. You want enough slices to cover the soup bowls. Put the slices on a baking sheet and toast them lightly under the broiler. Mix the garlic with the olive oil and spread a thin layer over each toasted bread slice.

Set four ovenproof soup bowls on the baking sheet. Ladle soup into bowls. Put a slice or two of the baguette on top of the soup. You want to cover the surface almost entirely without any overlap - cut the slices to fit, if need be. Sprinkle the toast with a handful of cheese. Carefully slide the baking sheet (it will be heavy) into the over and melt the cheese under the broiler until it just starts to brown in spots, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately, remembering that the bowls are extremely hot.

Creative Crush: Romantic braids with Reverie-Daydream

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 Melissa from Reverie-Daydream. Melissa is everything she represents on her blog and in her boutique and so much more. She's kind and generous. Sweet and soulful. She's a true gem and I'm proud to call her a friend in real life. She'll also knock your socks off in the kitchen (seriously, get yourself an invitation to her table) so I assumed her Creative Crush would be food related. Silly me, because Melissa will also surprise you in the best of ways... today, with braids. And since Emerson won't allow a hairbrush within arms length, I'll surely be practicing on myself all weekend.  

As the cold winter slowly begins to bid its farewell, I’m already planning for warm days filled with pretty sundresses, alfresco dining and barefoot walks in the grass. Spring is the perfect time to start fresh, and I’ve been crushing on some romantic hair love, particularly braids. They can be girly, sexy, bohemian chic, whimsical, and classic.

While the Fishbone braid is going to be a seasonal accessory for me, I’ve got a little crumb whose hair is begging for braids, and I can’t wait to try all sorts of creative things with her lovely locks.

Images via Melissa's Pinterest.

Cobalt and tangerine because it's my birthday

Stunning Shabd dress in cobalt and yet another stunner from Issa.

Orange has always been, for lack of less obnoxious phrase, my signature color. Everything about it makes me happy - I love it in flowers, in clothes and in food. The Camille Styles collage below has had me scheming a whole new wardrobe and (fingers-crossed) a fresh new design for our bedroom. So far, my husband's on board with the room redo. Now, if I could just score these two dresses I'll be all set for my 37th year.   

Coco + Kelley's Fantasy to Fete inspiration board by Camille Styles.

P.S. Some really amazing things have happened since my Huffington Post last week. I'll share all the details as they unfold. But first I want to introduce you to Practically Green, a great blog and website dedicated to promoting a green lifestyle. They've featured my 'chemicals in cosmetics' piece on their blog today.

Party Files: vintage circus

Operation Vintage Carny Circus party is officially underway. The stripes and polka dots will make a fancy twirl skirt for Emerson's big day and if her previous attitude toward my hand made clothing remains consistent she'll refuse to wear it. The tents should be perfect for the dessert table. I'm also hoping the striped remnants will be enough to make sweet little drapes on a smile booth I'm cooking up.

I know my bloggy friends see all sorts of inspiration around the web so please share with me anything you think might fit my theme. I'm already planning tiny bags of popcorn, jars of old-time-y candy, face painting and balloon animals.