Babs.

New Find---Postertext Artwork

2011-12-08T09:05:00.001-08:00

Hello, lovelies!

Let's get caught up a bit, shall we? So, November was gone in a flash for us. We apologize for the spotty posting. Life is crazy! Here's an update:

Jill's work schedule is b-a-n-a-n-a-s. Seriously, bananas! She's been working on special projects at work, and she and the husband have had very full weekends, too.

I (Kari) am in a strange state of limbo. Our house in California sold in less than three days on the market (we were NOT expecting that!) and so we are in escrow on two homes right now---the one we are selling in California and the one we are buying in Colorado. I'll talk more about the crazy project house we are trying to buy in Colorado once it has closed and we actually have the keys---there have been some unexpected things that have come up with this Colorado property so I won't really feel like it's in the bag until we have the keys in hand. Hopefully, that will happen next week.

Regardless, I can't help but think about moving into a new space and making it home. In the new house, we are hoping to have a dedicated "kid area." No, we don't have kids (maybe someday) but we do have a lot of children in our life between a nephew, nieces, and lots of friends' little ones. Anyway, we'd love to have a really fun area where tykes can play, build forts, and make a mess. (Our California house was never very kid-friendly and while I think I'll always want impractical, nice things I do think that offering a fun, comfy atmosphere eclipses the desire to have impractical things).

So, anyhoo, in some quick internet browsing, I have stumbled across some very, very fun posters. Jill and I are readers---especially Jill. (I am a big reader by most people's standards, but Jill is truly fanatic when it comes to books. She reads like no other I know!) We both love the classics, so these posters are awesome! They are graphic and would look awesome in lacquered frames on a fun colored wall. They are the silhouette of a scene that represents one of the classics and the background is made up of text from the book. So fun!

Here's a closeup:

And another closeup:

And here's the poster for Little Women:

Closeup of Moby Dick poster:

Poster of Moby Dick:

Here's how the poster for Pride & Prejudice looks on the wall:
Great scale, right? I'd put a little thicker frame with it, though.

I love this one referencing The Wizard of Oz! So fun!

Want to see if your favorite classic made it onto a poster? Check them all out at Postertext!
Wouldn't a series of these be so great in a playroom? Fun and whimsical, but there's a sophistication that would be great for a room that needs to do double-duty (like a play room that also is a guest room).
Fun, right?

A Christmas Angel

2011-11-28T14:15:00.001-08:00

So, in our last post we told you all about the very talented Crystal Despain and her 52 Weeks of Free Art project. Our mom (the namesake of this blog) and dad are currently living in Liberia, West Africa with a whole bunch of precious kids. Mom read about Crystal Despain's project on the blog here and sent in a photo and a description in the hopes that Crystal would pick her photo to paint. Well, guess what? Crystal painted this beautiful Christmas angel (above) for our mom. Isn't that just amazing?

Here's an excerpt of the "story" that Mom sent Crystal:
"We live in Liberia, West Africa, at an orphanage. Children who are placed here at this village are in need of care. This place is safe and healthy and they are loved and nurtured. They become part of a family setting, living in a cottage with a Liberian woman as their new "mama", and other orphans become their siblings.

For two years now, we have prepared a Christmas pageant with the children and then we take it on the road! It is our gift to the community. About two days before Christmas, we walk to nearby villages and perform the Christmas story. People in this area do not have television, and many of our neighbors are illiterate, so this is great entertainment. Being able to watch a play is a treat. We are currently in the process of preparing and practicing for Christmas 2011.

The children are dressed in costumes. There is a large angel choir, and shepherds, wise men, inn keepers, and some Roman soldiers (to accompany Caesar Augustus). There is a Star of Bethlehem, Mary, Joseph, and Angel Gabriel. It is a big deal to perform for the local people, and the children do a great job with enthusiasm. Until they had participated in a Christmas Pageant, these children did not even know what one was! Our neighbors had never before seen a pageant. It is an exciting day.

Would you consider painting a picture of some of our angels? They are serious angels as you can see. Being heavenly beings is not to be taken lightly! We are pretty sure that these are the cutest kids in Liberia (maybe even in all of West Africa!)."

This Christmas angel was the final painting for Crystal's 52 Weeks of Free Art project. The good news is that Crystal will still be painting! And, her prices are amazing---really amazing. Are you finished with your Christmas shopping? If not, take a look at the people on your list and consider having a painting or two done by Crystal---really, an original art piece would be the most special gift, wouldn't it? We really love Crystal's whimsical paintings of children, which you can view at Duck Duck Zebra.

Happy Christmas shopping!

52 Weeks of Free Art

2011-10-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

Hi, all! Kari here.

Some of you know this, some of you don't---but the husband and I are preparing for an out-of-state move in the near future. This will be quite the change for me as I have lived in California my entire life. We are headed to Colorado for my husband's job, so I am considering how my winter wardrobe will need to be bulked up (I'm thinking lots of cute boots...) and we are also looking for the perfect new address.

The search for the perfect address put us in touch with a very helpful realtor who, through conversation, shared about his very talented artist wife. Crystal Despain is a busy mom of four and a talented painter. She is doing the coolest project right now, called 52 Weeks of Free Art. Check out her informational video here:

When Crystal's husband mentioned his wife's project, I had to check it out. I went to the website and was blown away! There are a lot of people painting out there, but Crystal has true talent. She is giving one free painting away a week, until the end of this year! Check out some of the free art she has done for people so far:

Aren't they all fantastic? Yep, just like I said---she's one talented lady. I love all the styles she can embrace. Want to find out how you can get a painting done by Crystal of the photo of your choosing for free? Go here for the details.

In addition, you should check out her darling children's portraits at Duck Duck Zebra. These paintings are precious---and the pricing is amazing! Just think---Christmas is fast approaching. Wouldn't a custom portrait of your favorite little one make an amazing gift for a grandparent or parent? I'm seriously thinking of having Crystal do some commissioned work for me---just need to iron out the exact subject matter. Check out the links on this post for more of Crystal's work!

Butternut Squash Apple Soup

2011-10-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in our previous post, autumn offers many opportunities to cook with fun, seasonal items. Pumpkin is a favorite, but equally delicious and versatile is butternut squash. Honestly, there are so many wonderful recipes using butternut squash! Last night, I (Kari) made a delicious (if I do say so myself) pot of Butternut Squash and Apple Soup. I started with this recipe from Williams-Sonoma as the inspiration, but I very quickly revised the recipe to my own liking. I gravitated towards the original recipe because it was a slow-cooker recipe. Any time I can use my crockpot, I'm a happy camper. The reason I veered from the Williams-Sonoma recipe was because a major ingredient in the recipe is Williams-Sonoma's Butternut Squash Puree, which costs $25.00 for two jars, both of which you'd need for this recipe. I don't really like the idea of having to run to W.S. for two jars of their puree every time I'd like to make this soup. That's where my own version of the recipe started...

The following is the recipe that I used. The resulting soup was uh-mazing. Not really because of anything I did, either. The fact is, the ingredients are fresh and simple so the soup ends up yummy. An added bonus? Having this concoction warming up in the crock pot for the afternoon will fill your home with the most delicious, amazing smell---if you could bottle the aroma of autumn, this would be it.

Ingredients:

1 Tbs. unsalted butter

2 yellow onion, chopped or sliced (whatever strikes your fancy)

4 cups butternut squash puree (see instructions below for how I made my own)

2-3 Granny Smith apples, cored and chopped (I left the peels on---it worked out deliciously this way!)

3 cups chicken stock

3 small bay leaves

3 tsp. salt, plus more, to taste

1 cup crème fraîche

1/2 tsp. ground coriander (optional)

1/2 tsp. grated peeled fresh ginger (optional)

1/2 tsp. sage (optional)

Directions:

To make the butternut squash puree, you will need two large butternut squash. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Slice each squash in half longwise. Scoop out seeds and discard. Brush cut flesh of each squash half with either butter or olive oil (your choice) and dust with cinnamon. Place each half facedown (flesh down) on a cookie sheet (if you have a Silpat mat, use this on top of your cookie sheet---your cleanup will be a breeze). Put the squash in the oven for 30 minutes. To see if the squash is ready, poke each piece with a fork at its thickest part. The fork should easily slide in and out. If the squash is not ready, leave in oven for more minutes, checking periodically until flesh is soft. Remove from oven and scoop flesh into a bowl. (Here's where it gets creative...) William-Sonoma's butternut squash puree is a little on the sweet side, so to make your own puree, add a 1/4 cup brown sugar and a couple tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice. If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, don't worry. Throw in a couple teaspoons of cinnamon and nutmeg. This is all to taste, by the way, and dependent on how big your butternut squash were to begin with. Basically, you want the puree to be slightly sweet, but not too sweet. Remember, it's going to mix with a lot of other fabulous ingredients in the soup so the puree does not need to be dessert. Actually, I'd add in the brown sugar slowly and carefully---you might not even need a whole 1/4 cup. The apples will add to the sweetness in the final dish, so you don't need too much sweetness in the puree---just a hint.

Okay, onto the rest of the soup: In a sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Transfer the onion to a slow cooker. Add the squash puree, apple, stock, bay leaves and the 3 tsp. salt to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours (or more, depending on how long it takes for the apples to get soft).

Remove the bay leaves and discard. Add the crème fraîche. Working in batches, use a ladle to remove half of the soup and puree in a blender until smooth. Add back into crock pot. Leave half of the soup with chunks of apple and onion (which both should be soft at this point). Stir in the coriander and ginger. Ladle the soup into warmed soup bowls and serve.

I am not sure how many servings this ends up making, but it's a lot. :) I like to make a bigger-than-necessary batch of soup in the crockpot and then freeze half so I can heat it up for a quick dinner down the road. Just be warned, you'll be making a lot of this. :)

A couple of suggestions:
Serve this with a slice of crusty bread rubbed with olive oil, grilled lightly, and sprinkled with a scant amount of sea salt---sooooo good! This soup is hearty enough to stand alone as a meal, but if you married a man who likes a bit of meat with dinner (as mine often does), I recommend grilling a couple chicken apple sausages and serving them alongside this dish. The flavors go delightfully well together. And, if you really want to up the ante, serve a rich Chardonnay with this. You won't be sorry. :)

Also, this is one of those recipes that I don't think you can mess up. Feel free to make substitutions---you'll probably improve on what I did! :)

'Tis the Season for Some Pumpkin Eatin'

2011-09-26T13:44:00.000-07:00

We know in other parts of the United States, Autumn is ON. However, in California, we are always late to the party when it comes to the weather getting cooler. I (Kari) am happy to announce, however, that today I actually opened my windows. I also waited to walk the dogs until this afternoon. (In the summer, I have to walk the dogs early in the morning so that it's not too hot.) While grocery shopping today, the idea of making something with pumpkin was powerful enough to make me look up some delicious recipes (to me, pumpkin is the taste of fall!) And can I just take this moment to say how the internet is truly awesome when you wanna find a recipe centered around one ingredient? Google "Pumpkin recipe" and see if I'm wrong. Seriously.

So, anyhoo, here are the pumpkin recipes that have me intrigued today. (As you can tell, I'm in a "baking mood" as opposed to a "cooking mood" today.)

Chocolate-Covered Pumpkin Twinkies from BruCrew.

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes from Annie's Eats

Pumpkin Spice Truffles from Annie's Eats

Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodle Bars from Lovin' From the Oven

Pumpkin Spice Pull-Apart Bread with Butter Rum Glaze from Willow Bird Baking

Cream Cheese Rippled Pumpkin Bread from Lick the Bowl Good

Pumpkin Butter from Tidy Mom

Pumpkin Praline Trifle from Bakers Royale

Pumpkin Scones from Sweet Pea's Kitchen

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars from Bake at 350

Happy fall and happy baking!

The Joy of Snail Mail

2011-08-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I (Kari) received a delightful surprise. A lovely, hand-written card in the mail from a good friend, just for me. It was a simple note---it probably took less than five minutes to write it, address the envelope, stick on the stamp, and put it in the mailbox----but it made my day, nonetheless.

I've been busier than usual lately. I'm stretched thin between client work, house repairs, business travel with my husband, and regular life "stuff." My friendships have been put on the back burner on more than one occasion---it's sad when life's too busy to grab a cocktail with a girlfriend, isn't it? Yet, I have a handful of awesome friends who understand. They get busy, too, from time to time, and we aren't in the habit of keeping score and holding it against each other. (This isn't the case with every friendship. There are friends who take it personally when you disappear for awhile due to busy life. They give the silent treatment, waiting sullenly for you to realize you miss them and call them---but they refuse to make the first move. You can tell they are angry by their terse emails and the deafening silence on their end. Any of you out there have friends like this?) I'm lucky to have some girlfriends who would never give me the silent treatment. Friends who love spending time with me, but who understand that sometimes life gets crazy. And I give them the same understanding. (Interestingly enough, these gracious women are the ones that I have the deepest friendship connection to. I love them and can't wait to giggle with them over a glass of wine and a recap of how crazy things have been in our lives. I really, really need these women and know they are gifts in my life. It's hard to have a deep connection with a friend who keeps score and holds it against you when you are busy and things fall through the cracks.)

Anyway, this lovely note I received in the mail simply told me I was loved by this friend. So sweet. Receiving a nice note in the mail reminded me of two things.

First, I have a handful of awesome girlfriends. We are all busy, but we still have room in our lives for chats and laughs and catching up. I need to make some appointments with girlfriends today.

Second, getting a note in the mail rocks. It's not the same as email. I need to be sending more handwritten notes! They take but minutes to scrawl out and drop in the mail. Of course, having pretty stationery helps, doesn't it? If you need to add to your stationery collection in an attempt to inspire you to send out some handwritten notes, check out these offerings from Paper Source:

And, if you have some girlfriends who make you smile even in the midst of crazy schedules and life's responsibilities, take some time to drop a note in the mail to tell 'em how much you appreciate them!

More Succulent Love

2011-08-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

It's no secret we love succulents. There are like mini works of art that can be used to create larger works of art (does that make sense...?). So, here's another succulent photo that is inspiring. We love, love, love this idea: it's a living table runner from Tend! Such a pretty way to set a table for a party. The simplicity of the rest of the table really lets the runner take center stage, as it should. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

P.S. We hope you are having a fabulous Monday. For all our East Coast readers, wishing you a quick return to life as it was before Miss Irene.

Chic Embroidery

2011-08-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's Friday! Don't you just love the start of the weekend? The weekend is full of opportunity. You can sleep in late, take a last minute road trip, see a movie, head to the farmer's market, or work on some fun projects. Speaking of projects, how about one of these amazing embroidery projects that we've tagged on Pinterest? If you want to see more or check out a how-to, you can always click on the link below the photo that interest you. Then, gather up some embroidery supplies and get started!

Source: junebugweddings.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: french-knot.tumblr.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: craftster.org via Kari on Pinterest

Source: rosylittlethings.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: annilygreen.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Minty Fresh

2011-08-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

Lately the color mint has been on our minds. It's a lovely, soothing color that went on the

"outs" for awhile in the design world. Well, it's back and better than ever. Check out these

lovely images for a little minty inspiration...

Source: housecrush.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: sundaycrossbow.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: picasaweb.google.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: elementsofstyleblog.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: thedecorista.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: luellaloves.tumblr.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: colourherhope.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: elementsofstyleblog.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: dwr.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: housetohome.co.uk via Kari on Pinterest

Josef Frank

2011-08-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Josef Frank, (1885-1967) was an architect, artist and designer. Although he passed away more than forty years ago, there are many people who just recently have been exposed to his contributions. When people think of "classic" design, they often think of muted colors and simple shapes. Josef Frank's designs are helping to redefine what "classic" design really is. Here are some examples of his enduring work:

Source: anamontielblog.blogspot.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: blog.svd.se via Jill on Pinterest

Source: justscandinavian.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: svenskttenn.se via Jill on Pinterest

Source: luxinteriordesigns.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: justscandinavian.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jill on Pinterest

A Wedding

2011-08-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

Four years ago today, I (Kari) married a handsome, hardworking, funny, smart man who I am blessed to call my best friend. Since we never shared wedding details on the blog, I thought it might be fun to show some of the little details from our wedding. Now, I got married four years ago, and if I were to plan a wedding today, I would do colors and details differently. However, I loved our wedding day. It was a church wedding with the reception in the backyard of the farm house where I grew up. The details were all DIY and very personal to us: lots of black and white family photos scattered around, my vintage brooch collection used in the arrangements and on the cake, and gardenias in my bouquet, just like one of my grandmas had in her wedding bouquet. The beautiful day culminated in a very fun party with lots of dancing. And, you know what the most important part of the day was? A beautiful marriage. Yep, that's right. You know, our wedding wasn't perfect. There are details I'd have done differently if I had more time, but the most important part of the day was that I married a man who I love more today than I even did four years ago!

Here are some details from our wedding four years ago. Enjoy!

All photos were taken by the lovely and talented Tiffany Aicklen.

Stock Tank Swimming Pool

2011-08-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

As warm as it has been lately, one of these looks perfect! You can find a wonderful tutorial here.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: mosaicgardens.wordpress.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: phgmag.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: the-brick-house.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: penick.net via Jill on Pinterest

Source: gallery.apartmenttherapy.com via Jill on Pinterest

An Eye Towards Fall

2011-08-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

The weather has been strange this summer, and it is hard to believe that we are well into August. It is that time of year again, when we start getting a good look at the new fall fashions. Here are some things on our wish list this year:

Source: jcrew.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: stelladot.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: jcrew.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: anthropologie.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: stelladot.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: jcrew.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: bananarepublic.gap.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: jcrew.com via Jill on Pinterest

Dinner Tonight

2011-08-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Dinner tonight will be something like this, made from Rachel Ray's recipe:

Source: finecooking.com via Jill on Pinterest

And ribs, storebought and not nearly as delicious as my brother-in-law Robert's recipe:

Source: southernliving.com via Jill on Pinterest

And some of this, too:

Source: foodnetwork.com via Jill on Pinterest

IKEA Kitchen Roundup

2011-08-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

I (Jill) am a fan of most things IKEA. It's no secret that 99% of the things in my home are from IKEA or Craigslist. So when my husband and I started remodeling our house, we decided to go with IKEA cabinets, for both the price, and the features. Here is some proof that, just like anything, IKEA cabinets can be fabulous if done well.

Source: myfavoriteandmybest.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: myhomeideas.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: None via Jill on Pinterest

Source: nineandsixteen.blogspot.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: newlyweddiaries.blogspot.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: houseandhome.com via Jill on Pinterest

Our Love for Pinterest...

2011-08-07T09:12:00.000-07:00

We have mentioned before that we love Pinterest. It is a great, easy way to catalog things you love, online. It's environmentally friendly, because instead of printing out pictures, ideas and future projects, you can just pin them to an online board and come back to them whenever you would like. But the biggest plus for me, (Jill) is that I don't have piles of inspiration pictures, recipes, and future projects lying around the house. But maybe I am the only one with that problem. :) Here are some Pinterest images we are loving today.

Source: bhg.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: funkybear.wordpress.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Kari on Pintere

Source: None via Kari on Pinterest

Source: culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Kari on Pinterest

This Weekend

2011-08-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

We hope your weekend feels as restful as this:

Source: 79ideas.org via Jill on Pinterest

Tastes like this:

Source: whatkatieate.blogspot.com via Jill on Pinterest

And looks like this:

Source: sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Jill on Pinterest

Weekend Project

2011-08-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I (Jill) will be getting up early, heading to Home Depot, and tackling a long-awaited home improvement project while my husband is golfing. These are some inspiration photos I have been looking at lately.

Source: theinspiredroom.net via Jill on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: paloma81.blogspot.com via Jill on Pinterest

Has anyone else attempted a stealth subway tiling while their husband was away for the day?

Yellow Sofa Roundup

2011-08-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

Most designers love pops of color in a room, but advise you to keep your large pieces of furniture neutral. But today, we are loving these bold yellow sofas. Would you, could you, ever be this daring?

Source: myflightsofwhimsy.blogspot.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: mylittlehappyplace.blogspot.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: habituallychic.blogspot.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: ffffound.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: google.ca via Jill on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: anthropologie.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: issuu.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: aestheticoiseau.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: sweethomestyle.tumblr.com via Jill on Pinterest

Easy Entertaining Ideas

2011-08-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

We were just introduced to a wonderful online magazine, House of Fifty. It was founded and is edited by a woman who wanted to create her own ideal opportunity as she was turning 50. The current issue has some great ideas for low-stress entertaining, starting on page 36!

Rooms With Orange

2011-07-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! I (Kari) am in need of a bit of cheer today. We are in the middle of a major project pain here at my house. Long story short, when we did a downstairs renovation 2.5 years ago, apparently, the plumber installed a toilet with a bad seal. So, for the past two years, every time the toilet was flushed, it was sending water underneath our downstairs floor. By the time there was an indication of a problem, some major damage had already been done. Upon investigation, it became apparent that our entire downstairs floor would need to be replaced. (Apparently, two years of flushing a toilet with a bad seal equals A LOT OF WATER.) An entire wood floor had to be ripped out, mold dealt with, drywall fixed. We are currently living on concrete while the issue gets worked out. Lucky for me, I have a husband with a great sense of humor, so we are smiling our way through this minor ordeal. Ah, the joys of home ownership, right?

So, today, let's look at some cheery rooms, shall we? Nothing like a shot of orange into a room to put a smile on your face. I think that when we get the new floor in I'll have to do a little zhushing things up with some orange accessories...Until then, let's enjoy these pretties:

Above 3 Photos via Elle Decor

Via Kebejan

Above 6 photos via Shelterness

via Martha Stewart

Source: designsponge.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: cocokelley.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: paloma81.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: dailycrushes.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: decorpad.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: firstladyofthehouse.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

We're Back Again... (and a fun new product!)

2011-07-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

Hello, out there...anyone still there?

We apologize for our lengthy absence! We've been busy, busy gals. Between the two of us, we've had work, client projects, one of us finished another degree, there was a trip to Idaho, a trip to Liberia, a trip to Las Vegas, out-of-town family members visiting, a new nephew born...whew! We've had our plates full.

For those of you who are still checking in here once and awhile: thank you. We've honestly missed being gone!

As a little Monday afternoon "pick-me-up," we are sharing a fun find for all you out there who, like us, have an Ikea piece or two hanging around. You've undoubtedly seen lots of great "Ikea hacks" out there, and this is a website that makes beautifying an Ikea piece all the easier! We recently stumbled across a product called O'verlays, beautiful precut pieces that you can easily add to furniture to add a little pizazz. Some of the pieces are already cut to fit the Rast and the Malm pieces found at Ikea!

There are lots more ideas on the O'verlays website, so you'll want to check it out. We love the way this affordable change can really elevate the level of a plain piece.

Have a great Monday!

Grand Rapids = Awesome

2011-05-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

We have relatives who live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our cousin posted this video on facebook, and we just had to share. Doesn't this awesome video make you want to visit Grand Rapids? What a fun community! If you need a smile today, check this out...

Avocado Fries With Cilantro Lemon Dipping Sauce

2011-05-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

My (Kari's) every-other-week delivery of fresh fruits and veggies is wonderful, and it has me constantly searching for new recipes so not one piece of fruit or one veggie goes to waste. One of my favorite things has been the absolutely delicious avocados I receive with each delivery. I love them on sandwiches and in salads, but I was on the hunt for something new to try with avocados when I stumbled across this delicious Avocado Fries recipe from Adventures in Cooking. It looks delicious! I'm not a big fan of frying, but I think this could be an exception. I mean, come on! Avocados? Delicious. Cilantro Lemon Dipping Sauce? Um, double delicious!

Is there anything more lovely...

2011-05-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

...than a wood herringbone floor? There is an added richness to a wood floor in the herringbone pattern. It's classic, yet it can feel so modern and the texture it provides to a room is exquisite. Here are some pretty herringbone floors for you to enjoy today:

via Marie Claire Maison

Via This is Glamorous

Have a lovely Tuesday!

Clam Basket Chandeliers

2011-05-18T12:34:00.000-07:00

Today, we are loving this idea! This chandelier was made from a clam basket, but we know that any wire-type basket would work. Take a basket, line it with moss, tie it from a tree, and fill it with candles. Battery-operated candles on a timer would be our choice---they give a great, realistic candle glow and you don't have to worry about fire. We found this idea on Karen Lidbeck's blog, Your Cozy Home. Such a simple way to add a little atmosphere to a dinner party in the yard, don't you think? And, we think using several different sizes of baskets would work great---we love things like this en masse.

Kitchen of the Day

2011-05-17T18:57:00.001-07:00

Via Design Heaven

Here's a little something pretty to look at today...isn't this kitchen lovely? A great mix of rustic and polished, and a whole lotta natural light. Lovely.

We hope you had a great Tuesday!

Vertical Garden Update

2011-05-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

So, a couple months ago, we posted on Vertical Gardens. Here's a little update on my (Kari's) project. We've had a lot of questions about this project, so I'll try to answer them here for those of you who are still interested.

This is a 4-panel piece (you can refer back to the original post here to see what the panels are). I built a frame out of wood scraps that I had around the house (don't look too closely at my mitered corners as I whipped this puppy up in about 10 minutes and I wasn't being too careful about the details!)

I love how this turned out! I am looking for more panels as I'd like to do another 4 panels in a frame, placing this on the fence staggered down a bit from the one that you are seeing in the photos. (I have no idea if that makes sense or not---I can't figure out a better way to write that---sorry!)

I bought the panels at my local Lowe's, but they have since sold out and I am kicking myself for not buying more when I had the chance! I'm finding it harder to find these now...but as soon as I find an inexpensive source for more of these, I'll spill the beans and let each of you know. In the meantime, if any of you out there find these panels for vertical garden planting, please let us know by leaving a comment. We'd so appreciate it!

Here's some info for you, based on emails and questions we've received about this project:

1. I definitely recommend using spaghnum moss to secure your plantings. At first, I left two panels without moss so I could compare. Moss is definitely helpful. Not all succulents have a fabulous root structure, so the moss helps hold everything in place when you are waiting for the vertical garden to take root. The moss also helps keep the moisture in.

2. Succulents can be expensive if you aren't patient about hunting for deals. Lowe's has some inexpensive succulents, as does Ikea. And, if you buy larger succulents in pots, you can often divide them three or four ways. The succulents that trail off the bottom of the frame (see photos above) were divided from one pot that cost $5.00. Also, after you've had succulents planted for awhile, you can take cuttings off of them and use those cuttings to start new plants.

3. To water the vertical garden, I use a spray nozzle on a hose and lightly spray it down. I wait for the soil to nearly completely dry out before watering. Also, the soil I used was cactus soil, not regular potting soil.

Now that I have tried this, I am excited to try some variations on this project. I love how my blah fence now has a piece of living art!

P.S. Sorry we have been MIA for over a month. Shame on us, but time sure is flying this spring! We'll show you some of what we've been working on in the next coupla weeks. Stay tuned!

Imperial Trellis for the Masses

2011-04-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

When something arrives at Target, you know that it's not a secret anymore. Like, not even a little bit...

Imperial Trellis, the lovely Kelly Wearstler-Schumacher collaboration, launched the "trellis craze." You can find knock-offs everywhere---I recently spotted a trashcan at Homegoods that was covered in the motif. And now...Target. While walking through Target yesterday with an armful of necessities: travel-sized toothpaste, hairspray, socks for the husband, etc., I made a little detour through the garden department. I'm a garden store junkie, and walking through nurseries and big box garden departments makes me happy---I think it's because there is a world of possibility in the flats of flowers, the garden furniture, etc. It makes me want to design outdoor rooms and then find a great bottle of wine and a book so I can enjoy my new outdoor surroundings. (Sorry...I digress...)

Anyhoo, imagine my surprise when a bit of Imperial Trellis caught the corner of my eye. Okay, so it's not the real thing, but Target is carrying these Imperial Trellisesque outdoor pillows. The photo above shows a green/brown combo, but the store I was at had them in white and navy which I love so much more. I couldn't find any other colors online yet. The price is something stupid cheap, too----2 pillows for 20 bucks. Definitely a look for less!

The Return of the Doily

2011-04-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

Remember when having doilies in your home was a sign of being old? Your grandma probably did the doily thing, right? Doily under a lamp, doily under a candy dish, doilies on the coffee table, etc. Doilies (and lace in general) have long been associated with words like "old," "stuffy," "grandma-chic..."

Well, doilies and lace are suddenly having their comeback! It seems that you can't turn anywhere in the party/design world without seeing lace being used in new and modern ways. So, for your viewing pleasure, we've rounded up some great lace ideas from Pinterest today. While implementing a whole lot of this laciness at once might not be advised (a little lace goes a long way), these are all fun ideas to inject carefully into a design scheme...(as with anything in design, the ability to edit is of utmost importance!)

Enjoy...

Source: flickr.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: adore-vintage-home.tumblr.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: creaturecomfortsblog.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: handmadebitsandpieces.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: 100layercake.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: tarasloggett.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: danielusenko.com via Anastasia on Pinterest

Source: janisgurney.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: decco-chic.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: ohhellofriendblog.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: musicequalsart.wordpress.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: this-is-glamorous.tumblr.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: ohhellofriendblog.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: fuckyeahdoilies.tumblr.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: theartroomplant.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: ohhellofriendblog.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: citified.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: bklynbrideonline.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: papermash.co.uk via Kari on Pinterest

Source: None via Kari on Pinterest

Source: re-nest.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Kari on Pinterest

Feeling inspired yet to go raid the local thrift shop for a bevy of lace beauties? :)
Happy Monday!

Design Sponge Terrarium Party

2011-04-01T09:21:00.001-07:00

So, this is kind of a cop-out post. We are busy today, and thought about not posting at all. it's just kinda one of those days. But then, in a hurried moment of clicking through the blogosphere, we came across this delightful party posted on Design Sponge today. Since we are still on a succulents kick from yesterday's post, we thought this would be a fun place to send you today. (Just in case you are one of the last ten people on the planet who doesn't read Design Sponge regularly!) Anyway, it's a great party, and if you aren't up for planting vertical garden panels as suggested in yesterday's post, why not start with a smaller project: a super adorable terrarium?

Happy Friday!

DIY Vertical Garden

2011-03-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

Ever since I(Kari) saw Flora Grubb's work several years ago, I've been smitten with the idea of a vertical garden using succulents. A visit to the musée du quai Branly in Paris a few summers back sealed the deal: Vertical gardens make me happy. I am alway happiest when I see "green" around me (the summers here in Visalia make me miserable because there is not enough green!) and I love how the vertical garden is so painterly---panels of succulents always end up looking like an impressionist painting. If you ask one of my good friends from my design program, she'll tell you that I am always looking to insert a bit of "living art" into my designs, the vertical garden being one of my favorites.

Here are some vertical gardens that I've been collecting in a file on Pinterest:

Source: notcot.org via Kari on Pinterest

Source: re-nest.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: lushe.com.au via Kari on

Source: floragrubb.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: plantsonwalls.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: fieldandsea.tumblr.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: snowsnow004.tumblr.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: lushe.com.au via Kari on Pinterest

I have long been wanting to attempt this project, and today was the day. I have been buried under a mountain of CAD work for a huge project looming, and after about five hours of staring at my project on the computer screen, I decided I needed a little Vitamin D and a break. It was sunny yesterday, and being locked away in my office was starting to get to me, so I decided to dive in and try this project as a way to escape the looming deadline I have coming up.

I purchased the supplies for this project at my local Lowe's. Now, admittedly, Lowe's doesn't have the most stellar succulent options, but since I am "testing the waters" a bit when it comes to this project, I decided to dive in anyway. I will be on the hunt for a wider variety of succulents now so my panels achieve a more "painterly" look, but I'm happy with the project so far...

I bought a couple flats of succulents in a variety of colors and textures:

I also picked up these nifty black plastic panels, specifically for planting vertical gardens. I was excited that Lowe's even carried anything like this!

You can see that when these are hung vertically, the little compartments are slanted to hold the dirt and the plant in place. These also come with the hanging hardware you need:

I started to fill the compartments in with soil and succulents. I still need to buy a little moss to squeeze into some of the voids. I think that will look good and will also kind of hold everything together even better.

First one complete! I laid it on the sidewalk and gave it a spritz of water. I will also let these chill on my patio table for about a week before I hang them up. I want the plants to get settled a bit.

I made two, and each one I filled in a bit differently. It's an "experiment"...I want to see which one I like better when they start to fill out a bit. (Again, I need to add moss to fill voids...)

I have three more panels to fill, and I'd like to build out some wood frames to put these in. They will be mounted on a very ugly empty space on a very average-looking fence in my backyard. I can't wait! I love them, and this project was super easy. Now I am off to find more exciting succulents...

Fabulous Finds

2011-03-28T14:36:00.000-07:00

So, life is a lot crazy right now. I (Kari) am finishing up a second major and have a crazy senior project right now (40,000+ square feet to design, render, present, etc.), my very patient design clients are stacked up (waiting for me to get to their projects), my husband and I are in the midst of what we call "travel season" for his job, I have a handful of weddings for which I am doing some type of design work, etc. I also have two very naughty dogs that need walking, a blog that needs tending to, a website that needs completing, taxes to complete, a yard that needs a little "spring cleanup," friends' baby showers to attend, and general "life" stuff that needs to be accomplished (drycleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, exercise, house cleaning, etc.) To say I have bit off more than I can chew is an understatement; I figure I'll be caught up sometime around August. :)

I am thankful for patient people in my life who understand that I'm busy, busy, busy. (Aren't we all busy? And I don't even have kids yet...!) I'm always awed by people who have set work hours and then get to lounge by the pool with a book when work is finished. I'm envious and I admire those who can fully relax, but I'm just not wired that way, you know? I always need a project, a challenge, a something...I am not a person who can sit in front of the TV and just relax. Even while watching a DVD with my hubby I am folding laundry, doing design research, sketching an idea, or working on school work. My hands like to be occupied and I am a multi-tasker to the extremes. (While I am able to pack a lot into my day, my nervous energy of always having to DO something can be a drawback, too: I don't know what to do with myself on vacation (you'll almost never find me laying by the pool for more than fifteen minutes without looking for something to do), I drive my husband nuts by constant fidgeting when my hands aren't occupied, and I tend to overcrowd my schedule.)

Right now, the thing that is suffering most from my schedule is my own home! I have some "finds" that I'm dying to breathe some new life into, but I just haven't had time. So, these poor objects are scattered around the house just waiting for me to give them some TLC and restore them into the beautiful objects they are destined to someday be...

Number 1: This chair, scored for almost nothing. I love the lines on this baby, but it needs an overhaul. I need to pick out a fab fabric and do a little reupholstery magic. Any suggestions?

Number 2: This lovely, fabulous, chic brass tray. I LOVE this thing. It's waiting for me to use a little Barkeeper's Friend on it to make it shine like it used to. It also needs to be styled---it's going to be our buffet-top bar a la Mad Men:
Number 3: A really great brass lamp, rescued from a very dingy antique store. Jill actually spotted this first. I love "treasure hunting" with my sister, but I have had some great finds end up in her house, causing me a bit of angst. I spotted a great oil painting at the Rose Bowl Flea Market and suggested that it would look amazing in her house. She bought it, and now every time I'm over there, I stare at that painting and wish I'd kept it for myself. :) So, she was very kind to pass on this lamp so I could have it. I need a shade for it (I'm thinking black lacquer, thank you very much) and it needs some kind of finial, but overall it is lovely.

See that brass lamp below in this photo from Apartment Therapy? Purdy, right? Mine will be, too, if I ever get around to giving it some love!

I like the mix of brass with black, like in this photo below from Everything Fab. That mix is so luxe and chic to me, while giving a lot of depth and also a lot of options to mix in other colors and textures.

Ahhhh...Dreaming of the day when I get to give my house a little attention! Until then, it's back to "the schedule" for me. I hope each of you are able to catch a little R&R in between your hectic schedules---I know I'm not the only one with a whole lot goin' on!

WestWeek Recap

2011-03-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

(Okay, before I (Kari) begin, I must apologize for the really terrible photos in this post. I have an old iPhone and the picture quality is miserable. I'm not really a gadgety type of gal and my photos show it---sorry.)

This week was Westweek at the Pacific Design Center in L.A.

Last year was my first time attending Westweek, and after attending again this year, I can honestly say this is now a MUST on my yearly calendar. If you are a designer (or a design student), Westweek is a great way to network, learn about new product and ideas, and come away inspired.

Here's a brief recap of Westweek from my perspective:

Got in to the Hollywood area on Wednesday morning---so happy to see sunshine! There was rain looming on the horizon, but a little Vitamin D to start our morning out was most welcome after the rain we've been seeing in the Central Valley!

The Blue Whale, a.k.a the Pacific Design Center:

First up was a great roundtable of editors. Charles Cohen mediated the panel discussion between Michael Boodro (Editor-in-Chief, Elle Decor), Newell Turner (Editor-in-Chief, House Beautiful), Ann Omvig Maine (Editor-in-Chief, Traditional Home), and Dara Caponigro (Editor-in-Chief, Veranda). It was interesting to hear from these editors who, while not designers themselves, are exposed to the best of the best when it comes to design. There was discussion on the importance of designers (Michael Boodro announced, "People say 'I have good style so I don't need a designer.' Well, I'm fairly good at math but I'd never do my own taxes!") The editor panel also discussed on how designers should go about getting their work published---very good information for designers who dream of having a spread in Elle Decor or Trad Home someday!

The conversation also ventured into the topic of "California Design" and how livable luxury is being reconsidered today. I enjoyed this part of the conversation---I love the idea that consumers are spending more on one special piece that they'll love for life instead of making a lot of little ho-hum purchases that need to be replaced frequently (which eventually ends up costing the consumer more in the long run, but people often take a short-sighted view of their home).

Following this roundtable discussion, we headed over to the Schumacher showroom to hear the lovely Trina Turk discuss her fabric line. It was fun to hear how she collects inspiration photos and vintage textiles to drive both her ready-to-wear line and her line for Schumacher. I love Trina Turk, so this was a fun hour for me! Trina's use of color is something that always speaks to me---it's happy, bright, joyful, and her style is very Californian. She is a talented person, for sure, but she also comes across as genuine and friendly.

Following Ms. Turk's presentation, we heard Christiane Lemieux (DwellStudio Founder and Creative Genius) discuss how to build a modern design business. Christiane is a dynamic speaker and had a lot of great things to say about using current technology and social media to drive a brand. She also briefly mentioned that DwellStudio's new furniture line will be launching next week at Highpoint! She referred to the line as "Decorative Modern" and said it is "midcentury luxe." Oh, how I wish I was headed to Highpoint this year! I cannot wait to see the new line---everything DwellStudio does is spot-on in my opinion, so I'm beyond excited to see what the furniture pieces look like.

To cap off the day on Wednesday, Michael Boodro (Editor-in-Chief, Elle Decor) led a keynote discussion titled "Demystifying the Designer." The panel present included Amy Kehoe, Peter Dunham, Oliver Furth, and Windsor Smith. All four of these designers are amazing, but I have to admit it was a huge treat to be in the same room as Windsor Smith and Peter Dunham, two designers I admire so greatly! Their discussion about Interior Design as a professional field was enlightening and entertaining!

On Thursday, we listened to Steve Nobel (Executive Director of the Decorative Furnishings Association) talk about "Transitions in the Design Industry." This "town hall meeting" turned into quite a lively discussion---there were a lot of opinions in the crowd about where the design industry should be headed in the future, especially with the current state of the economy in mind.

Finally, we attended a humor-filled discussion panel with four of the five designers from Bravo's upcoming show, "Million Dollar Decorators," to air this summer. Nathan Turner, Kathryn Ireland, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, and Mary McDonald bantered about their upcoming reality show, design philosophies, and such. The four on stage had amazing chemistry (turns out these designers are all friends in real life and even vacation together) and I cannot wait to see Bravo's new show this summer.

Some of my favorite quotes from this panel:

On living with style, Mary McDonald: "If you really love style, you'll set the table better, you dress better..."

On being a designer, Kathryn Ireland: "Creating magic is the best part of my job."

Such a great few days! In between the sessions, there were visits to showrooms, enjoying cocktails and meals at local eateries, and lots of discussion about design---one of my very favorite things!

If you are a designer (or aspire to be one), I highly recommend you put Westweek on your calendar for next year. You'll leave inspired!

Pallet Pretties

2011-03-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, two things:

First, Pinterest rocks.

Secondly, look at the awesome pallet projects that we found on Pinterest. Fun, huh? Makes us

want to collect some cast-off pallets. Vertical garden? Yes. Pallet storage? Yes, yes, yes...

Source: lifeonthebalcony.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: remodelista.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: stylizimo.blogspot.com via Little on Pinterest

Source: ashleyannphotography.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: en.espritcabane.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: calinteriors.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: creaturecomfortsblog.com via Kari on Pinterest

Have a great Monday!

Handkerchief Wall Art

2011-03-10T09:21:00.001-08:00

Today, really loving the simplicity of this photo. The neat grid of framed handkerchiefs almost looks like a quilt hung on the wall. A very pretty thing to do with Grandma's old hankies!

Black & White

2011-03-09T17:28:00.000-08:00

Ever notice how black & white done right just elevates design? Black and white will never go out of style: it is perhaps the most timeless combination that exists. There is a fresh quality about it, too...airy white grounded by moody black just works to make a room feel a bit more elegant than it might otherwise. Here are some black and white spaces we are enjoying today:

Source: theestateofthings.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: porchlightinteriors.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: art-deco-interior.blogspot.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: bellemaison23.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: houseandhome.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: theestateofthings.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: sketch42blog.com via Kari on Pinterest

It's Almost Time...

2011-03-09T11:20:00.000-08:00

If you're one of the few readers who started reading this little blog back in its infancy, you may remember this photo. Every year, I (Kari) make hanging baskets for my patio. I use impatiens and I look forward to seeing the baskets fill out and grow through the spring and summer until they are giant balls of pink and white that can be viewed through my dining room windows.

Well, it's nearly time to replant my baskets! I love this time of the year. The sun is shining, the air is clean and clear, and my yard starts to show promise of spring. I understand that, being in California, I get to enjoy spring before many people. However, we are well into March so I'm already planning how to get my winter-battered yard back into tip-top shape. It will be pool season soon, and I'm looking forward to lounging around on the back patio (something I always look forward to and rarely have time to do!)

If you are like me and already planning your spring planting, you might consider doing some hanging baskets of your own. The tutorial can be found here.

Happy Wednesday!

A Perfect Perch...

2011-03-07T10:05:00.000-08:00

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Kari on Pinterest

Spring is trying its hardest to arrive here in California. Today is a bit deceptive: from indoors, it looks bright and sunny and beautiful outside. Outdoors, however, it's a tad chilly. Today is the kind of day best viewed from a sunny spot indoors. We think this window seat would be just perfect: warm, light-filled, and a great way to pretend it's warmer outdoors than it really is! Just add a great book and a cup of something yummy (mocha, coffee, tea, wine---whatever floats your boat) and put your feet up for an afternoon of laziness.

(It's a nice thought, isn't it? If you're like us, though, your Monday is filled to the brim with busyness. That lovely window seat will have to wait...)

Happy Monday!

Happy Birthday, Babs!

2011-03-05T16:25:00.000-08:00

Source: 100layercake.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: hostessblog.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: 100layercake.com via Kari on Pinterest

Today is our mother's birthday. She is the "Babs" that this lil' blog is named after. Not only that, but she is the most beautiful, funny, creative, special, lovely, loving, kind, open-hearted, compassionate, silly, wise, friendly, elegant, Spirit-filled mother we could hope for. Not only do we know this from how she treats us, but we know this also because people use these words to describe her to us often. She is a beloved mom to us and a very special friend to so many others---we are so blessed.

So, Mom, we wish we could be with you on your birthday. We'd throw a fun bash, like one of the parties pictured above. We'd laugh more than is appropriate and not care who was around to hear us. We'd also probably make fun of you---in love---'cause that's what we do. And you'd give it right back to us. :) We hope your Liberian kids gave you lots of hugs for your birthday. Did they make you stand on a chair in the dining hall while they sang to you? :) We hope you had cake---like that Death by Chocolate concoction they have at the Cheesecake Factory.

We love you and miss you.

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Your Daughters

Anthology Magazine

2011-03-04T14:25:00.000-08:00

Today, I (Kari) had the joy of finding Anthology Magazine's Winter Issue in my mailbox. This is issue #2 for this fledgling magazine and it did not disappoint. Don't get me wrong---the new online mags are great (We love Lonny, Rue, Ivy & Piper, etc.) but it's still nice to get an actual paper magazine in the mail. I love ripping out pages like tear sheets and adding them to my design binders, first of all. Secondly, when I get a new magazine in the mail I eagerly look forward to having an hour all to myself to sit on my ridiculously-girly green apple velvet settee with a delicious cup of coffee and just take in the prettiness of a good design mag. Anthology is a fun magazine to find in my mailbox---it highlights stylish home spaces, artists, and cities. I like it, and suggest that you check it out!

Family Farm Fresh

2011-03-02T14:52:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, I (Kari) had this lovely bushel of veggies dropped on my doorstep. I recently decided to sign up for fruit and veggie deliveries every other week through Family Farm Fresh, a local provider of fresh produce. I'm a busy person (like most every other woman I know) and a lot of time I do my grocery shopping late at night when the available produce is picked over, so I initially thought Family Farm Fresh deliveries would be a good way to get fresh fruits and veggies into our home. Even more than that, though, I love that my fruit and veggies are being delivered at the peak of freshness from local farms. Being from a family farm, I have always tried to buy American-grown fruits and vegetables and Family Farm Fresh actually taps the very community I live in for their deliveries. I also have them deliver a dozen eggs. Very handy, and very delicious!

Chances are, there is a farm delivery service in your area. Take it from me, having a bushel of fresh fruits and veggies delivered is a welcome treat in the middle of the week!

In a blue mood...

2011-03-02T14:30:00.000-08:00

Isn't this color divine? Robin's egg blue is just loverly. These are some things that I (Kari)

have pinned via Pinterest. These are some wish-list items that make me smile today...

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: barnlightelectric.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: homebunch.com via Kari on Pinterest

Have a great Wednesday!

Hunting Lodge Dreams...

2011-02-15T23:50:00.000-08:00

So, both of us married men who have that rugged "men-who-like-to-hunt" thing going on. We gals are more the "hunt for a bargain in a store" kind of hunters. And, to be honest, the idea of a "hunting lodge" hasn't ever really caught our interest...until now...

These photos from Canadian House & Home have us thinking about the perfect hunting lodge. So pretty...

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-13T15:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!
Whatever you have planned, we hope it's a day that makes you happy (even if you don't have a sweetheart). I (Kari) just returned from a weekend in Mendocino, California with my husband. I suppose you could say it was our "Valentine's Weekend," but really, we both just wanted to get away to some gorgeous weather. We had a great time---just the two of us. We took a long walk through coastal trails, enjoyed some great Pinot Noir in the Anderson Valley, and built a fire every night in the fireplace in our room. We visited Glass Beach, got a little Vitamin D, and enjoyed the beauty of the coastline. It was a great weekend away and we were reminded yet again how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful state (even if we are politically a mess here in California!) :)

We hope that, wherever you are, you are seeing even the smallest signs that a beautiful spring is right around the corner!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Kari was Right; Jill was Wrong

2011-02-01T10:13:00.001-08:00

Does anyone besides me (Jill) have design angst? I am in the process of redecorating my living room, with copious amounts of help, direction and hand-holding from my very talented sister. The color scheme is a light blue, a light green, and orange. We came up with this color direction after a very successful trip to Home Goods, where we happened upon three ginger jars in the perfect hues.

Kari then suggested this fabric for the curtains:

And although I really, really loved it, I was scared. Freaked out. Indecisive. I hung the swatch up over my existing beige curtains, where it hung for a good eight months. Why? I couldn’t visualize it. That much fabric, (eight, eight-foot panels) in my relatively small space? What would that look like? And although what these curtains cost wouldn’t even be a blip on the radar for someone being featured in ElleDecor, to me, this is an investment. I have one chance to get it right, and I have to LOVE them, for a long time. Then I saw this post on 6thStreetDesignSchool:

Somebody had taken the plunge before me. And it looked incredible. Not at all overpowering or too trendy like I had feared. Suddenly, I had to have these curtains that Kari had been promoting. So, I called the seamstress from PlushStudio on Etsy, and she is going to get to work on making lined, chevron curtains for me.

Another thing my lovely sister was right about? This fabric:

Chiang Mai Dragon in Aquamarine. It was too….scary, for lack of a better term, when she first suggested it would be perfect in the room. But now I am obsessed with it. I need some Chiang Mai Dragon in my life! Now that I have started to take the plunge on this space, I cannot wait for all the components to arrive on my doorstep. I am really excited about how the room is coming together.

So Kari, this is my official, public apology for doubting: You were Right. I was Wrong.

(Chiang Mai Dragon Photo from WillaSkyeHome on etsy.)

You're My Lobster...

2011-02-01T10:08:00.000-08:00

These are a couple of the pillows that are on their way to come and live on my (Jill's) couch. I think that they will be very happy together. The lobster? I don’t know why, but it makes me smile every single time I look at it. It is wacky, but somehow beautiful at the same time.

The lobster is from Furbish. The greek key pillows are from WillaSkyeHome on Etsy.

Jennifer Eileen Photography

2011-01-27T16:29:00.000-08:00

Having worked for a very wonderful photographer, I (Kari) picked up a few skills. The skill gleaned from that fun job that I am most excessively eager to express is what I like to call photography discernment. My husband calls it "being a photograph snob." I can't help it. I can't tolerate overexposure weirdness (so many photographers are prone to this---it makes people look creepy), I expect black and white photos to actually be black and white (not muddy gray! B&W photography should always express contrast), and I can tell immediately when a photo has been altered with Photoshop by a person who does not have the skills nor a trained eye. That being said, I am NOT a photographer. I have some mad Photoshop skills, but I take lousy pictures. Photographers seem to grow out of the woodwork around where I live. Every time I open the regional monthly magazine that is published in the town where I live, I see a new photographer advertising. This isn't a bad thing, but I think it makes finding true talent a bit more difficult because anyone with a DSLR and Photoshop can call themselves a photographer. (Much like anyone with a computer can call herself a graphic designer and anyone who has a strong opinion about paint color can call herself a decorator. The art/design world is so accessible it's becoming diluted. There are pros and cons, but that's another day's post...) Finding true artists in the mix can be challenging, but I have recently been introduced to a photographer who is just that: a brilliant artist. Meet Jen from Jennifer Eileen Photography.

Jen contacted me a couple weeks ago because she had photographed a wedding for which I had done the invitations. She was kindly offering me her images so that I could use them on my website---isn't that sweet? I had to check her out, of course, so I began perusing her blog and website. Guess what? Jen is super-talented! I love her work and she's been featured on Grey Likes Weddings, The Wedding Chicks, Style Unveiled, Ever Ours, and other great wedding blogs. I can't wait to work with Jen on some upcoming projects!

Here are the images Jen sent over of the invitations I created for Devon & Joel's wedding (a big thank you for the beautiful images, Jen!):

These invitations were very fun to make! The envelopes and the backing on the invitations were wood veneer. The invitation details were printed on off-white linen and then I did a belly-band of the same linen layered over a thicker-weave sand-colored linen. This was finished off with my trusty pinking shears.

As far as my website goes...it's been a work in progress for nearly a year. Mostly, I have been too busy to make it just the way I want it to be. Also, I am in the middle of restructuring my business a bit. Word-of-mouth has been my only form of marketing and I have been very blessed: I am now too busy to do all the things I thought I could under the umbrella of my business. It's time to narrow the field a bit, but I'm not gonna lie: I'm having a hard time letting go! I really do want to do it all, but I'm learning that if I do everything, I will do nothing WELL. :) As soon as the website is up and live, you here at the blog will be the first to know---Jill's been on my case for awhile about showing more of my projects, so I expect you'll be seeing a few more of those in the future. :)

In the meantime, take a moment to check out Jennifer Eileen Photography. Really, really good stuff. :)

---kari

DIY Dipped Accessories

2011-01-24T17:34:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the bad photo above, but you'll want to view the video how-to here anyway:

DIY Dipped Accessories

We love this idea to add a little extra something to a party table! The options are limitless...

Spring Pretties...

2011-01-19T18:53:00.000-08:00

Wore this today. Loads of compliments. Necklaces like this make me want to plan whole outfits around them! Check out the new Spring Stella & Dot line. It's gorgeous.

Happy Wednesday!

Weekend Recap: Letterpress Love

2011-01-17T13:59:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it's Monday again? The weekends roll by much too quickly, don't they?

How'd you spend your weekend? I (Kari) spent part of my weekend enjoying some of my favorite people (wonderful family members who are special gifts in my life) and the rest of the weekend was spent in the letterpress studio at the San Francisco Center for the Book. This is one of my favorite places! I took a class to brush up on some letterpress skills. It's time to get the behemoth press in my garage up and running (her name is Mavis), so I spent some time this weekend learning from some old pros. I love the art of letterpress! Most people I know love the finished product of letterpress, but not everyone loves the actual process---it's a ton of work and requires lots and lots of patience. It's also very physical and requires you to get very dirty---you cannot keep a fabulous manicure when you've been setting type, mixing ink, oiling a press, and moving equipment about. However, it's something I enjoy very, very much! Here are some iPhone pics of my time in the studio:

Hopefully, I can show you some updated letterpress work soon---courtesy of Mavis. :)

How was your weekend? Any fun plans?

Room of the day:

2011-01-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

via Dwellers without Decorators

Bright white, rustic floors, wide open space, lots of light...Yes, please.

Hope you are having a lovely Wednesday!

Lonny Update...

2011-01-10T16:43:00.000-08:00

The new Lonny is, as usual, fabulous! You must check it out here and read it cover to cover. Here are a few standout "moments" in this edition that caught our eye:

First of all, we love this space from the article on Bunny Williams. We both have dreams of one day having a dedicated craft/sewing/art studio that is as beautifully organized as this space. In addition, the advice that Ms. Williams gives wannabe-designers along the side of the spread is brilliant:

Gallery walls are here to stay---and we are so glad! This wall is refreshing: bright white with lots of colorful accents. We love a gallery wall that incorporates lots of art. It's a nice counterpoint to photograph-heavy displays:
LOVE that dining space. Bright white, perfect accessories...gorgeous!
This saturated turquoise color is lovely and works to turn this little bathroom into a beautiful room. It's moody without being overly dark...
This space is just "wow." Love the mix!
What are your favorite things about the new Lonny?

The Babs Blog Resolution:

2011-01-08T15:03:00.000-08:00

Okay, so our New Year's resolution post is 8 days behind the rest of the blog world. That's just the way we roll around here. :)

We each have different resolutions for the New Year, but this one tops the list for both of us. Won't you join us in this resolution this year? Let's have a 2011 full of meaningful memories with other people. Quit worrying about the house being spotless---invite people over and enjoy them! Maybe this resolution will mean promising to hold one dinner party a month or to just invite some new people over so you can get to know them. Either way, can you imagine a richer way to spend 2011?

Happy Weekend!

2011-01-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, Friday. We hope that you have a promising weekend ahead of you. If you need rest, we hope your weekend is peaceful. If you need stimulation, we hope the weekend is one long party. :) Jill will be enjoying her weekend in Washington D.C. with a best friend, and Kari will be dreaming of this beach (above). It's a beach in Liberia where she spent Christmas morning with her husband, parents, and a bunch of darling kids just playing in the sand. Can you imagine a beach in the United States where you and your loved ones are the only ones around? No? (That's because it doesn't exist!) Wherever your weekend takes you, we hope it's fabulous!

For all the blondes...

2011-01-06T12:22:00.000-08:00

As fair-skinned blondes, the search for the perfect red lipstick has been, well, daunting. Orangey reds make us look kinda yellow and there is always the inclination toward reds that are heavy on the raspberry side---so they look hot pink, really.

Well, ladies, the search is over and we are in love. Yves Saint Laurent's Rouge Pur Couture in color Vermillon is the blonde's red. Seriously. It's the perfect red---not orange, not pink, not too vampire-ish... Just luxurious and lovely. YSL's lipstick feels glammy, too---there is something so ladylike about taking it out of an evening bag and applying it in the powder room. Kinda like you have a secret weapon in that tiny beaded purse...

Spoonflower Love

2011-01-05T12:05:00.000-08:00

It's likely that this post will be old news for many of you. Still, we are so smitten with Spoonflower, that we had to write about it again anyway! Spoonflower is lovable for two main reasons:

1. If you can't find affordable fabric for a project in the conventional places, chances are that Spoonflower will have something that does the trick.

2. If you are a creative person and want to design your own fabric, you can!

Above are some swatches of fabric from Spoonflower that we like---there are a lot of graphic prints on the site to use as great accents in projects. We also love that you can choose what type of fabric you'd like: quilt-weight all the way to upholstery-weight.

There are some times, though, that it's impossible to find the right fabric for a specific project. That's where Spoonflower is really amazing---you can upload your own designs and then play around with the repeat to develop just the right fabric. Amazing! Think of the possibilities:

You can design something new and graphic on the computer to add to a room design.
You can scan and upload your child's drawing and sew a special pillow for grandma.
You can hand-draw something special, scan it, manipulate it on photoshop, and develop a brand-new, unique pattern for curtains, bedding, whatever!
You can create a fun fabric with silhouettes of your family members or pets.

The ideas are endless! If you aren't feeling creative on your own, Spoonflower has hundreds of already-designed fabrics from which to choose.

Happy fabric-hunting!

Design Crush: Palmer Weiss

2011-01-04T16:43:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in design, you probably have a few "design heroes" that you can list off for anyone who inquires. For me (Kari), at the top of that list is Palmer Weiss. Very few designers do what she does so well: understand the client, make the interior elegant, don't neglect color, add a dash of wit.

I have a design project starting up this month and the client sent me an email after our first meeting. She clarified a few things for me and then added, "I don't really know what to call my style, but I think anything Palmer Weiss does is amazing." I broke into a huge smile. This client and I are design soulmates!

Check out Palmer Weiss' website. What a talented woman---here is a designer who, in my opinion, really gets it!

Today's Room

2011-01-04T16:33:00.000-08:00

via House & Home

Today, in the midst of our harried schedules, we are wishing to relax around this table with a couple of mugs of hot cocoa. Since we are sisters who haven't seen each other for about a month, we would probably sit at that table for hours chatting, catching up on life with each other and doing our fair share of laughing---because we love to laugh with each other. (The mugs of hot cocoa would probably eventually turn into glasses of wine...)

The calm, orderly interior pictured above is such an inspiration for what we would like in our homes this year: peacefulness, organization, and style. What's your "interior design resolution" for this year?

Happy 2011!

2011-01-04T16:17:00.000-08:00

Hello, friends! Did you have a beautiful Christmas and a lovely New Year's celebration? Both of us had quite the full holiday season this year. Kari went to Liberia (to spend time with the parents) with her husband for Christmas and then participated in swanky revelry in New York City to usher in 2011. Jill was in California, but today is hopping aboard a plane for a little vacay to Washington, D.C.

See? We've been busy!

The photo above was taken by Kari in Liberia. All those darling children were walking to a neighboring village to give a Christmas pageant performance. If you'd like to read Kari's recap on her Liberian Christmas, go here.

We hope your 2011 is off to a delightful start! We are looking forward to 2011 and hope we can give a little more love to this blog. Thanks for being a loyal reader. :) We appreciate you!

Happy Rooms

2010-12-08T16:55:00.000-08:00

Are you one of those people who is constantly thinking about design? If you're not one of those people, then you'll find it odd that those of us who are design-obsessed are already looking past the holidays for 2011 design inspiration. Why? Well, because taking down the holiday decorations the first part of January ushers in a perfect opportunity to do something new with your interiors! (Some of you are groaning right now because that just seems like a headache.) Think about it: you take down the decorations, you clean the house super well because you just kinda have to after the Christmas chaos, and then you start thinking about new beginnings because it's January. Makes sense that this would translate to your interiors, right?

Okay, so not everyone redecorates every January (some of us do, though, and as soon as there is a twelve step program for this type of addiction, let us know. At least one of us needs to be enrolled in that program, ASAP.) Even if you're not already thinking about doing something new to your living room or master bedroom come January, you'll still enjoy Jonathan Adler's article featured in Canada's Style at Home. Jonathan Adler, as many of you know, is the king of happy interiors. He loves color, wit, and the occasional off-beat accessory and we love him for this. The three photos above show three of his beautiful rooms, but you'll want to read the entire article for some good Mr. Adler tips. If anything, looking at his colorful work should put a smile on your face and help you beat the winter blues!

Something Pretty...

2010-12-03T15:15:00.001-08:00

I (Kari) have been drowning in a sea of AutoCAD all today. I very strongly dislike computer-aided drafting, but it's a necessary evil for those of us desiring the title of "Interior Designer." At least, in my current situation, I must do autoCAD, and today it feels even more oppressive than usual to my creative tendencies. So, let's take a little break together, shall we? A quick break to look at something pretty...

Anne Hathaway, November 2010 Vogue.

In Paris.

{sigh}

So lovely:

I will take one of everything she is wearing, please. And a plane ticket to Paris, too. :)

Hope your afternoon is lovely!

It's a Wrap!

2010-12-03T09:24:00.000-08:00

We are loving these wrapping ideas from Home Life, the website featuring ideas from Australian home mag Inside Out. (Inside Out is a shelter mag we love very much. A subscription would make a fantastic gift idea for anyone on your list who loves home/design/DIY) All those "ordinary" items like buttons, scrabble pieces, newsprint, and twine make for some beautifully wrapped gifts when they are assembled artfully.

Wrapping is so much fun and turns into a special part of the gift when there are fun, unexpected elements thrown in. Here are some ideas we like:

Add a "paper bag flower" to your gift. See the how-to here.

These hand-felted "pearls" from Anthropologie are super-fun.

A variety of fun trim and novelties from Tinsel Trading Co.

How about making one of these fun glitter initials? You can put one on a gift (as the gift tag) or it can be the gift itself! Tutorial here.

Happy wrapping!

One of Each, Please...

2010-12-02T22:08:00.000-08:00

The very first year I (Kari) was married, I got pretty excited about Christmas. I hurriedly wrote up my Christmas list and taped it to a cabinet door in the kitchen, a tradition that began when I was a kid. We always wrote Christmas lists growing up---even Mom and Dad wrote Christmas lists. The lists had realistic and out-of-reach wishes on them, and they were fun to read. My husband, however, did not grow up in a Christmas list-writing family. (I often joke to my husband that he didn't have a childhood: no Christmas lists, he never read the Chronicles of Narnia, and he never went to Disneyland. He says there are other things that constitute a childhood, too, but I kinda don't believe him...) Anyway, my Christmas list freaked him out. A lot. He thought my list of both "realistic and out-of-reach wishes" was a demand list. As in "buy me everything on this list or I won't be happy this Christmas." He didn't like it one bit. Apparently, my list was a little heavy on the "out-of-reach wishes" side and he didn't realize, at first, that my list was partly real (I really did need a new rolling pin) and partly fantasy (I didn't really think I was going to get that $35,000 sapphire ring.) :)

At any rate, we came to an agreement. He realized that he'd married a big dreamer, and I toned down the Christmas list. (But I now have him writing Christmas lists. They aren't yet epic, but hey, baby steps.)

This year, these things are on my Christmas list (no $35,000 ring this year):

Anthropologie shoes

Anthropologie heels

Sundance laptop bag (LOVE that it doesn't look like a laptop bag at all!)

What's on your list this year?

Are ya still out there?

2010-12-01T17:39:00.000-08:00

via Room Polish

Goodness, life is crazy. And, we think most of you will understand that family and friends are more important than this here blog. That being said, we are very, very sorry for our lack of posts. We wonder if any of y'all have stuck around and are still checking in? We do hope so, because many of you have become our special blog pals and we don't mean to neglect you!

Today we are loving the photo above. Don't you just love how those random snapshots came together to create a statement piece of art? Seriously, this is just screaming for a little DIY, folks. If only there was a wall that size in one of our homes...

Hope you all are having a great week. Can ya believe it's December already? Yikes...

A Trip on the Horizon...

2010-11-10T16:34:00.000-08:00

So sorry we've been a bit absent the last week. Life gets crazy and the blog gets neglected! For the next week, we will be posting a bit spotty, too, as we are headed with our hubbies to Indiana state (to visit Kari's in-laws). We plan on having a very full trip as we gals are doing road trips, antique shopping, and treasure hunting for the duration of the trip. We will take photos and post on our adventures, so keep checking back!

See you from the corn belt next week!

Happy Tape

2010-11-03T20:07:00.000-07:00

Japanese masking tape has been a favorite of ours for a long time...and now, it appears that you can even get it at West Elm! This dispenser and the various rolls of tape (purchased by color family) are just in time for Christmas wrapping projects!

Christmas Shopping ideas...

2010-11-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

Looking for easy Christmas gifts? Christmas gifts that come wrapped in the cutest packaging already (i.e. just add a ribbon and you're done)?

Check out the latest offerings from Stella & Dot:

We are loving these layering bracelets. They are so great with jeans, or they can add a little layered effect to a simple dress:
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Can you believe it's already November 1! Yikes!

Hey, Party People...

2010-10-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

So, one of the biggest party dilemmas we face is how to come up with suitable linens for rectangle tables. (Seriously, have you tried this? There aren't great options---either they are too long or they hang off the sides strangely---it's a pain!) If you are like most hostesses we know, you probably have a 6' or 8' utility table or two stashed in the garage. These foldable workhorses come in handy, but finding linens that fit well can be a pain.

So, here's where we brag about a product that has changed the way we look at the bargain folding tables from Costco...

Kari discovered tablevogue not long ago and was instantly intrigued. So, she ordered three tablecloths for her three 6' Costco folding tables. They arrived quickly in the mail and oh my gravy fit amazing! Seriously, tablevouge's linens are such a great answer to the problematic folding utility table! They are sewn to be fitted, so the corners have a neat little blox pleat and the front, back, and sides kiss the ground perfectly---so you can hide stuff under the table, too! (When entertaining, we always have extra stuff on hand in bins. It's nice that these bins can be stowed under the drink table or whatever for easy access, but none of the guests will know they are there with the tablevogue linens!)

Here, see for yourself:

The linens are sized for 6', 8', or square folding tables, and they can be used for all sorts of things. Colors are white or natural. You can even stencil your monogram on them!

One of Kari's favorite features is that they don't need to be ironed. 5 minutes on low in the dryer takes out all the wrinkles!

We loooooove tablevogue. What a great product!

Happy entertaining!

Folks, we have a winner!

2010-10-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks for patience, folks, but we have a winner for the first Babs Blog Design Challenge! It was a very difficult decision because we loved all six entries. However, we both agreed (and got some feedback that confirmed our agreement) that Mary's first board was a stand-out! We loved the colors and the fact that three fabrics were chosen to compliment the original two that we gave as inspiration. Mary, please contact us to claim your $100 in jewelry from here.

Even though we were only going to give out one prize, we both had a board that we liked in addition to Mary's. We decided we would give out two more awards, one for each of the boards that we individually fell for.

For Kari, it was Lauren Verity's board. Kari loved the colors and the happy punch of yellow and orange. Lauren, please contact us because you have won $40 in free jewelry from here.

Jill really loved this board, in addition to Mary's board. So, Jenn Goforth, please contact us to collect your $40 in free jewelry!

Congrats to our three winners! Thanks to all the participants---we had the toughest time deciding. Please stay tuned for more Babs Blog giveaways and contests!