June 18, 2008

On the Rocks: White Sangria.

I love the regular red vino version of sangria, but sometimes life calls for something a little lighter. This Saturday my parents are hosting a summer get together at their place and I’m thinking of making a batch of this white sangria. We’ll be outside under the blazing Oklahoma sun all afternoon and well into the evening, so this should be light and refreshing. Pretty, too.

Ingredients:
– 1 lemon, 1 lime, 1 orange and 4 strawberries
– 1-2 tbsp triple sec
– 1 bottle of white wine
– 8 oz. 7-up, diet or regular (see note)

Cut the ends off the lemon, lime and orange. Squeeze the juice from the ends into a pitcher. Slice the fruit thinly. Add to pitcher with triple sec. Pour over wine. Just before serving add the 7-up.

Note: If you prefer not to use 7-up, add seltzer instead, but then you need to add a bit of sugar to the fruit, about 3 -4 teaspoons.

:: photo and cocktail recipe via Food Network Musings

Posted In cocktails
2
June 18, 2008

Clorox greenworks.

I’m really excited to try Clorox’s new(ish) greenwork’s line of household cleaning products. A lot of my cleaning supplies are almost empty, so when I make the Big Move next month I plan on stocking up with the glass and surface cleaner as well as the other four products in the line. What a great way to get natural (re: safe) cleaning products into the hands of the masses. Way to go Clorox – we asked for it and you answered.

Have you experienced Clorox’s greenworks line yet? How do you like/dislike the results?

Posted In do good
10
June 18, 2008

Ingegerd Råman.

I first saw Ingegerd Råman’s beautiful glasswork in a photo on sweet paul’s blog and emailed him to get the scoop. I’m in love with the clean lines of Råman’s work and the seemingly large amount of thought put into each and every piece despite their minimalism. (The product shots below hardly do the work justice – you almost have to imagine them on your own table.)



Posted In create, glass
1
June 17, 2008

The 100 Thing Challenge: Living With Just 100 Items in Your Life.

These days most people are living a jam-packed life. We want more when we already have lots. And in the grand scheme of things that just doesn’t make much sense when you consider what’s really important.

Meet Dave Bruno. One day last July he looked around his San Diego home and realized just how much of his family’s belongings were cluttering their lives. So he decided to do something about it. And that was the beginning of The 100 Thing Challenge.

“By my thirty-seventh birthday on November 12, 2008 I will have only 100 personal items. I will live for at least one year (God willing) maintaining an inventory of only 100 personal things. This challenge will help me “put stuff in its place” and also explore my belief that “stuff can be good when it serves a purpose greater than possession alone.”

The thought is that everyone is holding on to so many possessions not because they need them, but because they like what the idea of the possessions means. An example are kitchen pots. We don’t need more than a few to make a meal, but we like the idea of the family and comfort associated with that meal. When I started to really think about that I realized just how true it is. “Things are to be used, people are to be loved.”

Keep up with Dave’s progress on his blog.

:: via Neatorama
:: photo via Veer

Posted In collaboration/project
7
June 17, 2008

Terra Medi.

Most well designed bottles fall into one of three product categories: wine, vinegar or olive oil. So it’s really no surprise how lovely Terra Medi’s packaging of their Greek and organic extra virgin olive oil happens to be. They also offer a selection of vinegars, sesame oil, olives, olivades and olive bruschetta. This product line alone calls for open shelving in the kitchen.

Posted In food, packaging
3
June 17, 2008

Eames Postage.

It seems like we’ve been waiting for the release date for this homage to the Eames for-ev-er. Can’t wait to grab a sheet. Since I can’t afford any of their furniture, these might be the closest I get to Ray and Charles! Oh, and totally frameable in my opinion.

Posted In grand design
2
June 16, 2008

Lovely Rain.

It’s the most lovely shade of overcast here this afternoon and looks like it’s about 9:00 at night. If the skies are telling the truth then a bit more rain is in store for us. The forecast is for rain off an on all week which actually makes me happy. I feel more productive when it’s raining because I can’t dream about being outside doing other things!

:: photo via ffffound

Posted In just a note
2