New Jamie out

Don't know if the new issue is available at bookstores in the US yet, but here's a sneak peak...it looks good: http://www.jamieoliver.com

Craft show in Des Moines

Things I bought at the handmade craft show...a living terrarium by Handmade Pretties who has a site on Etsy (I'm attracted to misty, mossy, mushroomy things!) and this cute apron made by a crafter (rustbeltfiberwerks.com) from Milwaukee.

New (to me) prop stylist

Lynsey Fryers—love this work. 

Captivated

Am totally entranced with the story of Grey Gardens. This is a great slideshow with info from current owners Sally Quinn and Ben Bradlee who bought the property from Little Edie, who says, "It's very difficult to keep the line between the past and the present, awfully difficult."

Granny squares

are in my future. Aren't these color combinations pretty? Made by an artist/blogger from Sweden.

Feeling a bit English today

well, hello there, mr. darcy.

Want

Puma's urban bike. It's foldable and glows in the dark. Also, it's $1,200. Want=won't get. 

"For God's sake, learn to cook and stop squawking!"

So sayeth Julia Child back in 1972 to a WWD reporter in talking about cheap eats. "Prices are too high only if you don't know how to cook," Child explained. I admire this woman who, I've been told by a certain Dallas chef of particular note, appreciated the heady benefits of an adult beverage. Can't wait to see the screen adaptation of the book, "Julie and Julia" starring Meryl Streep...due out in August.

Sew fun

Urban Outfitters is selling this vintage-inspired heavy duty sewing machine ($300)—way cool. Also for sale is the jar of notions with a pin cushion top, and the Crafty Chica book looks good, too.

Jamie, part II

More images from Jamie Oliver...his product line is pretty cool. Modish graphic design, great propping and styling, and the products themselves are pretty inventive. I love that he sells a piece of bark wood on which to serve cheeses. The graphic design is by Pearl Fisher.

Jamie Oliver

Picked up the second issue today and I'm hooked. There's so much to take in, but mostly, I really like how authentic it's presented...beer bottles (I heart beer), people enjoying themselves (and not in a fake, posed way), and tons of hearty recipes. It also comes with a pull-out calendar of easy recipes (pictured above...and it's front AND back). Also, this quote was on the contents page next to a pic of one of the recipes: "When brisket is done, it feels like a nice bottom...you know, it's firm but gives." Alrighty then...love European mags.

DIY wallpaper

This was our first wallpaper project (using leftovers from a magazine shoot) and somehow it came together--like a jigsaw puzzle, but OK looking (especially if you don't look too closely). Our old house has uneven plaster walls, so that tested Mark's perfectionist tendencies pretty good. I have a mirror to go on the wall, but I want to spray the frame a dark coral first.

Seeds=salad?

We'll see if anything comes of this. I'm not such a great horticulturalist.

Easter

Just a few snaps from Easter. It was a pretty active day...Mark and I also hung wallpaper in the entry way (a looonng overdue project). Is it just me, or does anyone else think that church lady is giving Mark stink eye?

Really

and truly, I should rename this blog something about a blog about bloggers. Here's another one I'm addicted to. Top picture is beautifully simple (plus I love toasted sourdough bread, jam, and dark coffee). And the door picture above, left, is here because I have a thing for glossy black—almost gray—painted front doors...very English to me.

Simple

This blog by a Midwestern photographer is lovely because of its quiet moments. She and her husband are working on their first garden and she visually records moments of their life on her blog.

Down south

That boy blogger I mentioned a few days ago took a trip to Texas to photograph a wedding. He posted some images from his trip this week. Although I complained a lot about things I didn't like while living in the Lone Star State (traffic, heat, bad public schools), there are lots of great things to miss, and Austin is one of them. Migas are another.

Three Potato Four

Some new things at threepotatofourshop.com. Look for some fun ideas using typography and a few products from this great online shop in the June issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Images from our Saturday walk

Evan took the top photo for his blog (he graciously granted me rights to use his image here, too)...he said wanted a picture of the sign at the end of our street. Signs of spring poking through the dirt in our yard. Today we're supposed to get snow.

"Meet me at the Oak tree"

That's what Evan said when I asked him if he wanted to go for a walk yesterday. He's sporting his new windbreaker (for chilly soccer and baseball practices) and jeans that I patched today with guitar fabric from Crafty Planet. I tried a fun "technique" from CRAFT magazine/March mending month, here.

Nice light

Even though the kitty isn't so nice.

All right

Seriously. How many aesthetic soulmates can you really have? Goodness, I haven't seen that much of what I love gathered together in quite a while. I like how the top two images are shown in different light and slightly different propping. Via inspirationresource.com

Libraries are hip

Obviously, the economy is driving more people to the library. I've been visiting ours more frequently, too. I love the smell of a library (and the inside of a book, even musty old ones). Also, I like the sound of opening a book and the feel of the paper. I wish libraries still used old-fashioned check-out cards and date stamps. Yesterday, I checked out a Dorothy Parker book of short stories and poems and bought a March issue of Fortune magazine that I needed for work for 10 cents.

Ethnic costumes

Recently saw this exhibit at the Goldstein Museum of design in St. Paul. It was a small showing, but quite interesting. This image reminds me of something that could inspire some Anthro outfits. Can't figure out why the link won't work, so you'll have to manually type it in: goldstein.che.umn.edu

Letterpress

Got a thing for letterpress, journals, and fabric-wrapped books. These new offerings combine all three. From freshlyblended.blogspot.