German-Vietnamese artist Nam Chau focuses on memory and heritage in her misty paintings of places she’s never actually been. Each piece takes on the look of an aged photograph that’s being recreated in the mind’s eye, while the lack of facial features adds to the mystery and intrigue.
Lit your first fire of the season yet? These fireplace accessories by Eldvarm elevate the necessary accompanying objects through a collection of elegantly designed and crafted pieces. They’re made with untreated French Beech from sustainably managed forests in France, the powder coating is free of harmful substances, greased Swedish leather, and horse hair bristles. The result is modern with a traditional twist.
Olaf Hajek is a German-based illustrator, painter, artist, and graphic designer who uses folk culture, mythology, religion, history, and geography to toe the line between imagination and reality. His works tend to end up feeling like pseudo-collages that suck the viewer into each and every detail, deeper and deeper through each layer.
Even though the weather is still (oddly) in the 70s, I’m so happy to shift back over to heartier recipes in the kitchen. More Sundays than not I get together with my mom and stepdad for dinner and this is one of my favorite dishes – a thick beef stew with the a touch of unexpected sweetness care of molasses and golden raisins.
Hearty Molasses Beef Stew
• 1/3 C all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp salt, divided
• 1 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
• 2 lb beef roast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 5 Tbsp oil, divided
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 15 oz diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 C beef broth, plus more to keep moist
• 3 Tbsp molasses
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp celery salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 C golden raisins
Combine flour, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a large bowl. Toss cut beef in flour mixture. Heat 2 Tbsp oil in large saucepan or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half of beef and brown on all sides, remove from pan and repeat with 2 Tbsp oil and remaining beef. Remove beef and add remaining 1 Tbsp oil, add onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, broth, molasses, vinegar, garlic, thyme, celery salt, bay leaves, and remaining 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of black pepper. Bring to a boil, then add beef and boil for one additional minute. Transfer to crockpot, cover and cook on low for 5 hours or high for 2 1/2 hours. Add frozen vegetables, potatoes, and raisins and cook for an additional 1 to 2 hours, or until vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaves and enjoy! Serves 6 to 8.
Photographer Garth Williams captures his experimentations of dropping ink into water tanks in Fluid Paintings. The resulting shapes and formations are kind of witchy, no?
I’m filling your screen with pretty home photos because I finished my extended 2016 taxes two weeks ago and I’m still recovering. Putting myself – and my accountant – through that mess only served to support my decision to move on to a more informed process, making this third post about using FreshBooks very timely. Up until this point I think I’ve taken for granted everything that’s going on behind the scenes after I enter invoices, receipts, etc., but now I’m very much looking forward to handing over a completely organized file on time next April.
But before I get into a few more of my favorite FreshBooks features, I wanted to share a few things I do to get in the right mindset for conquering my arch-nemesis: numbers. Math has never been my strong suit, and even though FreshBooks takes care of the actual calculating for me, it still stresses me out and I want to be as focused as possible when starting.
• Make a cup of tea or coffee, the ritual will help calm your nerves.
• Put on comfortable clothes.
• Light your favorite candle or diffuse some essential oils.
• Turn off the TV and turn on some music, I like classical when I’m working.
• Grab and snack and make sure you go to the bathroom beforehand to avoid interruptions.
• Try to conquer things during your most productive hours – for me it’s early evening.
Okay, now we’re settled and ready to rock.
As I dive deeper into everything FreshBooks offers, I’ve been using the Projects function that’s a godsend when working with a team or collaborator on blog posts or freelance jobs. Basically, you can invite others in to manage and share information, files and, updates so that you’re all on the same page and no detail gets forgotten. Employees can access the full project, contractors can see steps and invoice you when everything is complete, and clients can share feedback and track progress. I love that it’s a centralized place for files too, no more digging through long chains of never-ending emails!
Projects features: simple project management, collaborate with employees, contractors, and clients, share images and files, centralize conversations, current project overview
As we roll into Q4 I’m also paying way more attention to Design Crush’s profitability for the year. FreshBook‘s dashboard makes it plain as day where things stand so I can take a look at where I can improve or what’s going exceptionally well. Reporting takes care of calculating profit and loss statements and the other small business financial reports that I’ll need come tax time without giving me a panic attack. The numbers are all in one place and my accountant can put the Advil back in the medicine cabinet.
Reports features: clear breakdown of spending, filtered custom reports, summary of outstanding revenue, profit and loss report, expense report, invoice details report, the ability to download reports to Excel
Our final FreshBooks post will be in January, when I’ll spill my guts about how this past year has really gone financially. If you have any questions about FreshBooks I’d love to try and help get answers for you from their award-winning rockstars in customer service. In the meantime, you can sign up for a free monthlong trial right here!
This post sponsored by FreshBooks. All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush creating fresh content!
Posted In behind the scenes, living, my life, office, sponsored post
Justin Duffus‘s paintings aren’t straight-up creepy like some of the other artists we’re featuring this month, but the lack of facial definition he favors leaves a lot to the imagination. The blurriness of each piece makes you wonder if you’re viewing them in a dream or after you’ve woken up from a nap.
Emerald green has long been one of my favorite colors and I’m so happy to see it’s having a moment this autumn! I love how interiors and fashion often intersect like they are for this trend and can’t wait to take advantage and add a few pieces in this rich, deep hue to my home and closet.
Deep Green Brick Wallpaper Mural // Camryn Suede Bow Flats // Doris Emerald Aluminum Tumbler
Emerald and Copper Print // Emerald Cabochon Ring // Emerald Coast Shower Curtain
Green Agate Coasters // Malachite Wallpaper // Orion Emerald Green Ceramic Accent Lamp
Nine Stone-Filled Hoop Earrings // Obi Velvet Kimono // Too Faced Melted Matte Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Wicked
Overdyed Naima Rug Swatch // Pleated Skirt // Skye Crushed Velvet Comforter
Posted In accessories, beauty bag, floors, house and home, jewelry, kitchen, lighting, living, paper goods, prints, series, shoes, style, walls
Devin Lunsford‘s All the Place You’ve Got photo series feels like the epitome of early autumn. Lots of long shadows, plenty of golden hours captured, and just enough creepiness to tie it all together with a nice little October bow. If you grew up in the city you may not get it, but for those of us from the suburbs and outskirts… yeah.
via Booooooom
Posted In create, photography