You might know Jaime Derringer as the founder and executive editor of the mega-blog Design Milk, but she’s also a ridiculously talented artist in her own right. After taking a bit of a break for the birth of her daughter, Jaime picked up her art again at the start of 2013 with wild abandon with daily explorations in her A Shape a Day Project, endless line drawings, and intense multimedia pieces. Jaime is also a close friend of mine, and I love how her mixed media creations thrive on happy accidents – the exact opposite of her Type A personality. You can purchase Jaime’s work through her Etsy shop or Society6, and I know prints will be happening sooner than later!
Thats right folks, I’ll be teaching my Expanding Your Audience class for a second time come August 13th at 11am PST! Learn tips and tricks for increasing your readership and growing your blog’s community for only $15. Sign up right here before it sells out, and check out the rest of August’s Alt Channel classes too!
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Sometimes a good old fashioned game night is just what the doctor ordered. It’s the perfect still activity for every age, and it’s also one of the easiest to pull together at a moment’s notice. Grab a few games out of your closet and ask guests to bring along their favorites from home. The games I chose above have simple designs that are super appealing to the eye even when not in use, and the growler and speaker follow suit with their clean lines. Whip up a few easy things to nosh while playing – simple flavor combinations that are equal parts childhood and summer. Then put together a playlist full of warm weather classics to set the mood for fun, and you’re all set!
Nothing says summer like an ice cream social! Kick up this low-key activity a notch by showcasing ice cream outside of the carton in mouthwatering cakes, sandwiches, etc. Display your cool creations on pretty platters like these walnut pieces and set out your toppings in fun containers. Use eye-catching dinnerware and utensils to serve guests, then grab a seat on the couch and dive into all of that juicy neighborhood gossip as you relax the night away.
A backyard movie night is pretty much the be-all-end-all of sparkling outdoor summer entertaining – can you say Hollywood?! Hang a white sheet on the fence and load up your backyard with lots of blankets and pillows to settle down and cozy up on. An upgraded “concession stand” full of sweet and savory bite-sized finger foods will be sure to make it a delicious evening to remember. Adding an outdoor bar cart to the mix makes guests feel welcome to help themselves and frees up some time for you to enjoy the film yourself.
There’s something to be said about taking advantage of the afternoon. Voyaging to a park or hidden spot for a fancy picnic can feel like a mini getaway if you do it right. Prep the food you’ll be taking along that morning, dishes that can be put on ice and eaten cold or at room temperature are best. Grab a pretty basket, a luxe blanket, and a few chairs if you want to go all out! Splurge even further by packing real dishes and classes instead of paper and plastic. A tip for the wise: a few beers or a bottle of bubbly could be the icing on the cake for your sparkling picnic soiree!
Summer was made for entertaining, wouldn’t you agree? Here’s where the fun comes in for you – do you prefer a “sparkling” over the top event or a low-key “still” activity? Submit an Instagram photo showing us and tag it with either #SamsungStill or #SamsungSparkling to let us know your style and be entered to win a new Samsung 4-door Sparkling Water Refrigerator! See complete rules here.
The last thing I’ve wanted to do all summer is turn on the stove. It hasn’t even been especially scorching, only a few triple digit days here and there, but I just can’t even stand the idea of it. Everything I want to eat has been coming out of the refrigerator, dishes that are cool on the palate and light on the stomach. This Tangy + Sweet Lentil Orzo Salad is my latest go-to creation. It has everything you need for a good meal – plenty of color, fresh produce, and protein. It also makes a great side or main dish and can be prepared ahead of time, definite bonus points.
Tangy + Sweet Lentil Orzo Salad
• 1 box orzo
• 1 C black beluga lentils
• 8 Tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1/3 C red wine vinegar
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 cucumber
• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• 1 nectarine (or peach)
• 1 red onion
• 1 C feta
Prepare orzo according to box. Once finished mix in 2 Tbsp olive oil and place in refrigerator to cool. While that’s happening get the lentils ready, I really like the kind that can be steamed in the microwave. Place these in the refrigerator until cool. In the meantime, prep your produce. Half the grape tomatoes. Quarter the cucumber lengthwise, then remove the seeds and slice into small pieces. Julienne the nectarine. Chop the onion up small. Once everything is nice and chilly prep the dressing by whisking together the remaining 6 Tbsp olive oil, red wine vinegar, and minced garlic in a small bowl. In a large bowl combine orzo, lentils, tomatoes, cucumber, nectarine, and onion. Toss to combine with dressing then top with feta.
Soapbox is a versatile line of furniture that’s available in a range of woods, colored hardware, and leg lengths that I’m currently drooling over. Each piece is designed to be what you need, where you need it. Quality furniture that you put together without tools that is going to last. In a big box world that’s rather refreshing.
One overcast afternoon last week I crawled under a blanket and poured through Samantha Hahn’s Well-Read Women: Portraits of Fiction’s Most Beloved Heroines. The book features a collection of fifty heroines captured in Hahn’s watercolors in every shade of the rainbow. I’m such a fangirl of Samantha’s illustrations, and when they’re paired with hand-lettered quotes from some of literature’s most well-known ladies I feel positively giddy.
July has been, hands down, the most trying month of 2013 for me. But among all of the late nights and long days there were plenty of good moments. Nursing this little foster guy back to health after a series of seizures is near the top of that list. School supplies are out! Every year I allow myself one or two things, I wish I were a perpetual student! I made the best berry galette ever (just added blueberries to this recipe). Experienced my first ever blowout from the lovely ladies at blo and got some beachy waves. Bebe turned 2 years old and Peanut turned 13! I spent an afternoon exploring OKC, which resulted in us celebrating Oklahoma City Week here on Design Crush. I received the best print from Read Between the Lines, it makes me smile each time I walk by. My kitchen has been getting the best golden hour sun. One afternoon I pilfered a bunch of crepe myrtle from my neighbor (except not really because it hangs over onto my property). A few afternoons afforded me some quality time with the pets, generally in the form of a nap. Loving my advance copy of The Art of I Love You!
By definition a bindle is the bundle of possessions a hobo carries, but in this case it’s been reinvented as a themed, handmade, inventive gift package. A creative version of a gift basket perhaps, and maybe that’s just why I like it so much. Currently Bindle is based in Australia – here’s hoping there’s a U.S. shop soon!
Euro Style Lighting’s Euro Edge is a new online resource that helps you find modern interior inspiration with the assistance of some of the most reknowned design bloggers trolling the web. And I’m humbled and honored to be considered among their ranks! That’s right, you can shop Design Crush’s mid-century modern with a twist style over on Euro Edge. And if my taste isn’t your cup of tea you can check out the picks of six other talented ladies – Say Yes To Hoboken, Simply Grove, La La Lovely, Sacramento Street, vmac+cheese, and Justina Blakeney. (Psst… here’s the scone above!)
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. The book features a collection of fifty heroines captured in Hahn’s watercolors in every shade of the rainbow. I’m such a fangirl of Samantha’s illustrations, and when they’re paired with hand-lettered quotes from some of literature’s most well-known ladies I feel positively giddy.
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