One of my pets passing away isn’t something I enjoy thinking about, but with two cats ages 17 and 18 it’s often in the back of my mind. I know that they’ll be cremated, but beyond that I hadn’t thought much about it. But then I came across Big Sky Urns‘ handmade ceramic and wood flower vases that double as a final resting place for your beloved pet once they’ve passed. The modern vessels manage to be sentimental without being tacky and no one would guess their true purpose without being in the know.
John Honeywill‘s paintings of sweets and flowers feel like the perfect thing to share this Valentine’s Day, and honestly I’d rather receive one of his pieces than their subject matter! His tabletop still lifes have a way of making the viewer feel very present in the moment, visually exploring every nook and cranny while maybe getting a sugar craving at the same time.
Meghan Hildebrand often revisits the same symbols and themes throughout her work. Simple shapes take on larger meanings, translating the northern coastal landscape she often depicts into an electrifying dreamscape.
Despite frequent reinvention, her works often return to familiar themes – the childhood dream, a sense of journey over land, and the ‘personality’ of place. Defined points of interest, doorways and inlets, invite the viewer to enter the image and join the narrative.
For weeks now it seems like if it hasn’t been snowing, it’s been raining. (It’s happening even now as I type.) My usual meals of chicken and Brussels sprouts or kitchen sink salads just haven’t been comforting enough, so there’s been plenty of warming soups and stews on the menu. This Vegetable Beef Soup is easy to pull together on either the stovetop or in a slow cooker, with plenty of tender vegetables to fill up your belly.
Vegetable Beef Soup
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 lb sirloin steak (or stew meat)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 C carrots, diced
• 1 C celery, diced
• 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables (optional)
• 8 C beef stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 – 15 oz can diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
In a large stockpot heat 1 Tbsp olive oil on medium-high heat. Add half of the steak, stirring frequently until well browned. Remove and transfer to another plate. Repeat with remaining steak. Reduce heat to medium-low and add the remaining olive oil along with the onion, cook while stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, carrots, celery, and potatoes and continue to cook for another 3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, as well as the steak, to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the pot, simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until steak and vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaves and serve.
(This recipe can also be made in a slow cooker. Follow the above directions through the browning of the steak, then combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours, until vegetables are tender.)
Langdon Graves is a double threat artist, completely gifted in both illustration and sculpture. I’m especially drawn to the former because of her experiments with illusion that employ plenty of realism.
I’ve had various pieces of statement art sitting atop my mantel in both of the homes I’ve owned, but I’m starting to think that it might be time for a change. Lately I’ve been noticing mantel mirrors more often and I love the way they can make a room feel larger through illusion. My living room is a decent size but my home isn’t terribly wide, so I’ve been considering what shape and style I might incorporate into the space. So far my research has put these thirteen mantel mirrors at the top of the list – which one are you drawn to most?
I’ve had a rough time getting and staying focused yesterday as well as today, and when that happens I find that searching out art that’s semi-abstract helps. It forces me to dissect whatever is happening in front of me in a methodical manner, and that eventually gets me back on track. Right now I’m digging deep into the paintings of Talita Hoffman, an artist from São Paulo, Brazil.
If you follow Design Crush on Instagram you may have noticed our on-going quote project, where I’ve hand-written one a day for the past several years. Quotes are something that I’ve collected, first written in a journal and then on Pinterest board, since junior high school because when someone is able to capture a thought or feeling that I haven’t been able to put into words myself I like to hang onto it.
If you’re also into the smart words of others, you’re likely to enjoy Everything Grows with Love as much as me. This squat little book from Workman Publishing is edited by the co-founders and creative directors of Flow Magazine, Irene Smit and Astrid Van der Hulst. If you’re not familiar with the wonderful-ness that is Flow, it’s a magazine that celebrates creativity, imperfection, and life’s little pleasures.
Similarly, the pages of Everything Grows with Loveare full of hand-lettered and illustrated graphics by twenty contributing artists covering musings on life, love, and friendship. The affirmations, motivational sayings, and quotes will remind you to appreciate the small moments, be present, think happy, and appreciate the people around you.
Valentine’s Day is known for being *the* day for romantic love, but it’s also the perfect day for reminding others just how much they mean to you. Everything Grows with Love makes a great little gift or alternative to a traditional card. It’s a book you’ll want to keep around and return to whenever you need a smile or a bit of inspiration in your day.
Take out your favorite pages to frame or hang on the fridge. Mail one off to your long distance BFF. Or play Secret Saint Valentine and drop a few copies in the mailboxes of unsuspecting neighbors. Everything Grows with Loveis just one of those gift that’s good to have handy for birthdays, engagements, or just someone who just needs a little pick me up.
This post sponsored by Workman Publishing. All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Design Crush creating fresh content!
