August 17th, 2010
I made this for some friends over the weekend, and it was gone in a matter of minutes. They practically licked the bowl! It probably would have tasted even better if my strawberries weren’t humongous mutant zombie strawberries. Next time I’m going to try it with blackberries.
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 quart fresh strawberries, quartered
4 tablespoons lime juice
Bring the sugar and water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the sugar is dissolved. Transfer to a bowl and let it cool completely. (You can put it in the refrigerator to speed the cooling process.)
Combine the strawberries and lime juice in a food processor or blender. Process until the berries are puréed (about 1–2 minutes). Press the purée through a mesh strainer to filter out the seeds.
Combine the purée, the sugar syrup, the corn syrup and chill for one hour.
Freeze the puree mixture in your ice cream maker following the directions for your machine. (If you don’t have an ice cream maker I heartily recommend this one.)
Posted in Recipes | 1 Comment »
Tags: homemade, ice cream maker, recipe, sorbet, strawberry
August 16th, 2010
I almost never tuck my shirt in, but I’m starting to think the best way to wear a skirt is to tuck a cute tank into it and put on a big chunky belt. How do you wear skirts?
This skirt reminds me of broccoli, so naturally I had to pair it with some Velveeta cheese colored shoes!
1 Mossy Atoms Skirt from Anthropologie
2 Petal-trim Tank from Old Navy
3 Roses in Dark Plum bag from Eight Seasons
4 Lattice Belt from Forever21
5 Lucky Brand Birna flats from Piperlime
Posted in Fashion | 3 Comments »
Tags: ensemble, fashion, Fashion, green, outfit, skirt, yellow
August 13th, 2010
My Dad is a bit of a pyromaniac, so he keeps plenty of fire extinguishers on hand. He passed an empty one on to me, and with a little paint it makes a great vase! Now if only I could get my hands on one of those huge commercial sized extinguishers…
You’ll Need:
an empty fire extinguisher (with the nozzle removed)
1/2″ wide masking tape
primer for metal
paint brush or sponge brushes
2 acrylic paint colors (spray paint would also work well!)
clear spray sealant (optional)
1. Soak your empty fire extinguisher in warm water and remove as much of the label as possible. A razor blade may be helpful to scrape off stubborn labels. Just watch your fingers!
2. Paint the fire extinguisher with primer and let it dry completely. You may need to apply two or three coats of primer.
3. Paint the entire fire extinguisher with the lighter of your acrylic paint colors and let it dry.
4. Tape the extinguisher on all sides from the lip of the opening down to the base. (See photo.)
5. Paint the vase with the second paint color and let it dry.
6. Remove tape.
7. Touch up any areas where paint oozed under the tape.
8. If desired spray the vase with clear sealant coat to protect the paint.
9. Enjoy!
Posted in Do It Yourself | 3 Comments »
Tags: DIY, do it yourself, extinguisher, fire, how to, recycle, repurpose, reuse, tutorial, vase
August 10th, 2010
One day I’d like to have a home library with a big cozy armchair, a ladder to reach the high shelves, and tons of natural light. In the meantime I should probably watch less TV, start reading more, and build up my book collection.
Photos by Design Sponge and Desire to Inspire
Check out these classic books at Anthropologie. $2 used books are more my speed, but wouldn’t these look beautiful lined up on a shelf?
Do you have any book recommendations? What’s your favorite classic book? I hated Great Expectations and loved Brave New World.
Posted in Home + Garden | 7 Comments »
Tags: book shelves, decor, home, inspiration, interior, library
August 9th, 2010
I love grey (obviously). It reminds me of thunderstorms and old black and white movies. I just painted my basement studio the perfect shade (Martha Stewart’s Sharkey Grey). Maybe I’ll show you how it looks when I get it all put together.
1 Fractional Jacket from Anthropologie
2 Polka-Dot Tank from Old Navy
3 Cazeau Bag from Aldo
4 BDG Ankle Skinny Jean from Urban Outfitters
5 Vakil Sandals from Aldo
Posted in Fashion | 1 Comment »
Tags: fashion, gray, grey, outfit
August 6th, 2010
You might hate me for sharing this recipe. This hot fudge is so scrumptious and so easy to make that you’ll start making it daily, and after a week or two your pants won’t fit anymore. Consider yourself warned.
A friend’s mom always made this when we were kids, and I had to get the recipe. I have yet to taste the hot fudge that can top it! It’s great over ice cream, on fruit, or in a bowl by itself if you dare.
2 squares unsweetened chocolate (1 oz each)
¼ cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
½ cup evaporated milk
In a double boiler the melt chocolate and butter. Add the sugar and evaporated milk to double boiler. Stir and continue cooking for at least 10 minutes or until the mixture has thickened.
See? How easy is that? If you don’t own a double boiler it’s worth it to buy one if only to make this recipe!
Posted in Recipes | 5 Comments »
Tags: homemade, hot fudge, ice cream, recipe
August 3rd, 2010
I need an intervention. I’m completely obsessed with fabric bunting banners or garland or whatever you call them. I want to hang at least one in every room of my house. I think these little pointy triangles all hanging in a row must make my brain release endorphins. When I look at them I get the same happy feeling I get when eating a warm chocolaty brownie!
Photos from: decor8, Wit & Whistle, desire to inspire, Olive Someday, Design Sponge
Posted in Design Inspiration | 4 Comments »
Tags: banner, bunting, decor, design, fabric, garland, interior
August 2nd, 2010
It’s August and all the stores have their shelves brimming with back-to-school supplies. One of the few things I miss about being a student is stocking up on new pens, pencils, crayons, markers, binders, notebooks, and the smell of fresh office supplies in the late summer. Remember Trapper Keepers? Those were the days…
1 Small Pave Dome Studs from Urban Outfitters
2 Leaf Bag in mustard from Ruche
3 BDG Twill Grazer Cigarette Pant from Urban Outfitters
4 Jasmine Top from Anthropologie
5 Studded Canvas Flats from Forever21
Posted in Fashion | No Comments »
Tags: colors, fashion, outfit, primary
July 30th, 2010
I must be feeling nostalgic lately between my spirograph last week and googly eyes this week. I saw these eyes at the craft store and couldn’t resist picking up a pair. I remember gluing these on everything as a kid. Don’t they make everyday objects so much more adorable? Who knew a faucet could have so much personality?
Oliver did not like having a googly-eyed butt. After I took this picture he sat down and refused to move until I removed them and let him regain his dignity.
Posted in Creative | 5 Comments »
July 29th, 2010
Sunday morning we watched our baby birds climb out of the nest, wobble around the window box, stretch their little wings, and look at us through the kitchen window. I took the photos below, and an hour later they were gone! I was shocked! I thought they would play for a while and head back to the nest for a nap. I am so sad that we missed seeing them make the jump to the ground, but hopefully word will get out that our window box is prime bird real estate. I miss their squeaky voices outside the window!
As if to help with our baby bird withdrawal a pair of flying squirrels has visited our bird feeder every night this week. I was a few feet away from this one when it sprung into the air and disappeared in the darkness.
Posted in Personal | 4 Comments »
Tags: baby bird, backyard, feeder, flying squirrel, nest, wildlife