orla kiely

Loving all of these looks from Orla Kiely. I wish target would do a clothing line with her, the line of home items they sold of hers were great. I love the neutral palette and sweet patterns, I could wear these to work on a daily basis. Can't wait to see what she comes out with for the spring!

an amazing polaroid makeover

via design sponge

sparkling and lovely

images via maryruffles.

just trying

to make it through the week. Going back to work has been hard. Really hard- emotionally, physically, and in every other sense. Thankfully we have a two-hour delay today, because of a snow that never really came, so I am in bed (showered and dressed) with my coffee. And I am a happy girl. I am trying to figure it all out, not being so overwhelmed by my work that I can't function in the rest of my life. So, I look for something lovely::




Thankfully these images from mid-century artist Charley Harper help to ease my stress and make me feel better about life in general. They are just so simple and sweet and such a beautiful take on how we see nature.

girl crush

Sofia Coppola. Cooler than cool.

keep the food coming

Thanks to this yummy post by Kathleen and this dough recipe, we had some delicious homemade pizza last night. It was a long process, the dough took 24 hours and we didn't end up eating until about 9, but it was worth it! It was delicious, fresh, crispy and not too filling. Too bad I am back at work now and finding time to cook will probably not be happening any time soon. I am not very good at prioritizing between work and exercise and creating and cooking and social time...

urban accent home

In need of some new home decor items? Found some really beautiful handpainted duvet covers and pillows here at Urban Accent Home on the always glorious etsy.

eames

This is what the mister got me for Christmas. Can you believe it? Probably the most amazing gift I have ever received- an Eames LCW. It is the purist, most beautifully designed chair of all time and mine will be here TOMORROW! I can't wait! What was your favorite gift given or received this year?

liz's broccoli cheddar soup

So much for getting ready to go back to work. Spent the afternoon cooking with my sister and eating what we have cooked. Made some pizza dough that is currently cold-rising to be used tomorrow. Also made some croutons (my new favorite thing to make) while my sister, Liz made some absolutely delicious broccoli cheddar soup. We then sat around and listened to records and ate our soup and croutons! "a pretty nice little saturday". Guess tomorrow will be spent grading and lesson planning... oh well.

Here is the recipe for her soup::

Liz’s broccoli cheddar soup

3 tablespoons butter
1 onion chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups broccoli, chopped
2 tablespoons flour
3 cups vegetable stock (I don't like stocks made with tomato, I find them to be too sweet)
3 cups milk
8 oz cheddar
salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter and saute the onion, garlic, and broccoli a few minutes, until onions are becoming translucent. Stir in flour, coating vegetables. Stir in stock and bring to just below a boil. Add milk, and reheat, but do not boil. Slowly stir in cheese until completely melted. This should take several minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Don't be afraid of the salt. Depending on your stock, it can handle a lot. Serve with homemade croutons.

enjoy!

so this is the new year

Inspired by this post, I have made my own list of to-d0's for 2010. It is not a list of resolutions, rather goals to aspire for in the coming year. 2009 was wonderful, most notably buying and moving into our home, taking a ceramics class with my mom and sister (which will continue), growing a garden (thanks to my sister), selling some of my jewelry and ceramics at a local shop, hiking a state park, and continuing my workout routine even when I was sick of it! So many friends and family members helped make some wonderful memories- at home and away.

Here are some of the things I will look forward to over the next 365 days:

• remodeling our kitchen
• opening my etsy shop (hopefully in the next month!!)
• learning to use my nikon more effectively
• taking more small trips with the mister (mountains or beach?)
• cooking more- using more from the local farmers market and my own gardens
  
• meeting more fellow bloggers and expand my place in this wonderful community
• finishing painting the house- a blue hallway?
• taking up screen printing in my home studio
• setting up a home accessories etsy shop in addition to the first one
• expanding my workout- more variety and more outdoor activites
• bike rides
• finishing decorating the bathroom- orange walls!
• starting my 4th year of teaching (and maybe the last)
• creating more and study how to make a career of it
• using less and trying to be a more conscious consumer
  

I am excited to work towards these things and see where 2010 leads!