I’m really feeling the color this summer! Leather n Beads has some great pieces, but this beaded dog collar is my favorite. Piper’s birthday is tomorrow – maybe I should splurge? (via Emily)
Posted In pets
All of a sudden my desk feels empty without one (or two) of these ICO recycled cardboard baskets holding my pens, markers, and various other crap. (via Happy Mundane)
Posted In office
Last week I ordered a skein of this recycled vintage sari rope from Material Recovery. Mine is full of white, goldenrod, and teal and I plan on stringing it back and forth under my mantle – just like a year-round garland!
Posted In house and home
I have great memories of watching my grandparents make jam together. My grandpa chopping the fruit (usually apricots or strawberries) and my grandma manning the massive pot on the stove, stirring and scooping off the inevitable foam as the fruit boiled. Once everything was in jars and several had been given away, the rest were relegated to the fruit cellar under their basement stairs. There they sat until a fruit basket was made up for someone or until they fell prey to my grandmother’s insatiable sweet tooth and love of toast with jam.
About a year ago I got it in my head that I wanted to try my hand at making some. I’m not sure what took so long, but I finally got around to it last Sunday. Peaches were on sale ($1.07 a pound!) and I made it to the hardware store to pick up some adorable half pint Ball jars. It was 108 degrees outside, so what else would I do other than fire up the stove for an extended period of time and put the AC to its limits?
Mexican Vanilla Peach Jam
• 5 lbs yellow peaches (about 10 cups)
• 5 C sugar (I used 4, next time I’ll use 2)
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 3 Tbsp Mexican vanilla (or 4 Tbsp regular)
Yield: 6-7 pints
1. This is the most time-consuming part, peel and chop up all of your peaches. I used a potato peeler to remove the skins, but you can also drop them into a boiling pot of water for 2 minutes then use a paring knife.
2. Combine the cut up peaches, sugar, and lemon juice in a glass bowl. Allow it to sit for an hour, stirring occasionally. This allows all of the juices to come out of the fruit.
3. Transfer everything to a large stainless or enamel pot and add the vanilla. Bring everything up to boiling and set your timer for 25 minutes, stir occasionally.
4. Now you’ll need to prepare your canning jars. In another large pot place all of the jars, lids, and rings. Fill the pot with water, covering everything with at least one inch. Bring the water up to a simmer, then turn off the heat. Remove and dry the lids and rings, but leave the jars in the hot water. This will keep them from cracking once you put the hot jam inside.
<Insert photo of bubbling pot that I got too distracted to take>
5. After about 15 minutes of your jam mixture boiling, get out a potato masher and have at it. The pieces should be more or less cooked and “mash” fairly easily.
<Insert photo of finished jam in pot that I got too distracted to take>
6. Around 20-25 minutes in your jam should start to reach the jelling point. You’ll know because it actually starts to resemble – what else – JAM! Turn off the heat and get out a ladle.
7. One by one remove your jars from their bath, dry and carefully ladle the hot jam into the jar leaving 1/4″ of breathing room. If you get any on the outside take a second and wipe it off. Put on the lid and the ring, and turn the jar upside down to rest at room temperature for the next 24 hours. (Some people like to put the jars back into a boiling bath for 10 minutes.)
* Please note that because this jam is pectin-free it has a shorter shelf-life, about a month in the refrigerator once the jar’s seal is broken.
All subpar photos copyright of Kelly Beall/Design Crush
Posted In recipes
PHOTO: Lex Kembery
01/ I like this DIY chevron picnic blanket
02/ How to Dress Like The Royal Tenenbaums
03/ how to make a succulent table from a recycled pallet
04/ these golden gift tags would be perfect for, oh, everything
05/ yeah, I could definitely vacation here
06/ this sandwich
07/ melted crayon art
08/ custom emboss your own stationery
09/ I wish my backyard were large enough for a movie screen!
10/ still photos of dogs in motion
Grilling food during the summer months has always been a big part of my life, many a family function has been based around the flames and later many a party. When you really think about it, grilling is about as basic as it gets. Go outside, throw some food on the fire, check on it every once in awhile. Try not to burn it or catch it on fire. Done and done. The thing most people don’t know is just how versatile the humble grill can be. (Side note: It’s called cooking out, it’s not barbecuing unless there is actual barbecue sauce involved. End rant.) I’m hoping to try out a few of these recipes this year. [Click on the images to go to the recipes.]
All photos and recipes copyright of their respective source unless otherwise noted.
Posted In recipes
PHOTOS + TUTORIAL: the beauty department
It’s quite possible I’ve never wished I were blonde-headed as much as I do at this moment, loving this fun rainbow hued hair from the beauty department. (via Wit & Whistle)
Comments have been closed, please reference the original link for more information.
Posted In beauty bag, make it
Indie Cases commissions iPhone 4 case designs from the best independent designer and manufacturers in the country. Each week. That’s right, each series is only available in a limited number for one week and then it’s on to something new. Want a totally affordable, unique phone cover? This is your place. (via Colossal)
Posted In collaboration/project, technology
Friday, July 14th, 2011
0700 hours Central Time
Wake up. Feed Piper. Shower. Drink coffee. Get ready. Pack last minute things.
0815
Leave house for airport. Eat granola bar in car.
0845
Find parking spot in garage after long search. Attempt to remember location of car without writing it down.
0900
Make way to Self-Check In counter at United. Learn that connecting flight from Denver to Seattle has been cancelled. (Denver had apparently had hailstorms two days prior.)
0910
Rebooked on later flight. Arrival moves from 1:02pm to 7:47pm.
0915
Make way through security line. See ex with his wife and child. Awkward.
0930
Regret not wearing shoes with socks.
0935
Speed-walk to gate. Board immediately.
0952
I’m on a plane!
1015 Mountain Time
Land in Denver.
1025
Find next United flight to Seattle. Get on standby list.
1045
Find nearest restaurant. Wait 15 minutes to order. Order turkey sandwich and a Fat Tire.
1100
Note how awesome it is that pre-noon communal drinking is a preferred and accepted activity in airports.
1145
Am seduced by the candy shop across the concourse. Fall prey to a piece of peanut butter chocolate fudge.
1200
Sit at standby gate. Watch birds hop around and eat crumbs.
1300
Pick up on DIA trends. Clogs. Vinyl backpacks. Water bottles. Lots of iPads. No makeup.
1330
Read. Desperately want to nap.
1500
Accept the fact that I won’t get onto this flight. The plane has been downsized. Call junior high BFF to tell her we won’t have time for coffee after all.
1510
Walk to next gate. At least I’m confirmed on this flight.
1545
This girl shows up and sits across from me. Best suitcase. She’s wearing a Proenza Schouler rope necklace, has neon yellow nails, natural dark red hair that’s long + wavy, a great complexion, and wristful of bracelets. Instant girl crush.
1620
A man with actual Tourette’s sits near me, obviously disgruntled.
1725
Board plane. Sandwiched between hippies in my seat.
1745
I’m on a plane!
1815
See a mountaintop peeking up through the clouds. Unbelievable.
1845
I’m eating a fruit and cheese plate. Feeling the tiniest bit fancy. Still sitting between hippies. One with his socks tucked into the seat pocket.
1940 Pacific Time
Land in Seattle. Breathe.
1950
Picked up by Nissan.
1955
Find out I’ve missed dinner at Canlis. Sad face.
2000
Driven through downtown to make up for it. Immediately fall in love with lush greenery and tree-lined streets.
2005
There’s Pike Place Market! Empty. Realize it’s a street, not a square like I’ve always pictured.
2010
Dropped off at Hotel 1000. Check in and pick up media materials at the front desk. The USB fob looks just like the one I have for my car! Nice idea.
2015
Get to my room. Utter obscenities at the sheer amazingness of it. King bed! Free-standing tub that fills from the ceiling! Fantastic smelling Molton Brown bath products! French press coffee! Chocolate on my bed! I’m smitten.
2025
Compelled to try out this big, beautiful bath tub.
2045
Dress to head down to meet friends at BOKA.
2100
Meet up with Maggie, Bradford, Cassandra, Anne, and Sarah. Reunite with Megan and Erin. Cocktails and appetizers run freely.
Saturday, July 15th, 2011
0030 Hours
Say our goodbyes.
0045
Set up wake up call. Collapse into bed. Finally.
0630
Wake with a start at the alarm clock next to my bed. It’s still set from the room’s last occupant.
0635
Make coffee. Note how great the blackout shades work.
0645
Realize I’ve forgotten my hairbrush. This should be interesting.
0650
Go over the day’s itinerary. Marvel at my life.
0700
Shower. Get ready. Think how cool it is that the TV greets me with my name.
0745
Pack up. Say goodbye to one of my favorite hotel rooms ever.
0750
Make my way to breakfast and the Nissan Versa presentation.
0800
Chat with Jessica, the event organizer whom I’ve been emailing with forever.
0815
Eat the best French toast ever. The French toast of dreams.
0830
Hear from the Nissan Versa product planner and marketing manager. They keep it short and sweet.
High points: Car designs are actually 5-10 years of what’s on the lot now. The new Versa model is a killer value (base is $10,990!!) and incredibly roomy. It gets 38 MPG on the highway and 30 MPG in the city. Package options include bluetooth. USB/iPod direct connections, navigation, XM Radio, and touchscreen technology. If you got everything it would top out around $16,000. Insane.
0900
We get to see the new Versa for the first time. Initial impression: It looks like a car that costs more. Realize my 2009 Nissan Altima Coupe cost more than twice as
much and doesn’t have the same technology. Whoa, things move fast.
0915
Anne and I choose a light silver number and immediately hook up her iPhone to the car. It is determined that Florence and the Machine will be our starting soundtrack.
0916
Anne and I get lost from the pack. Half a block from the hotel. This is not an exaggeration.
0925
After discovering my navigation and map-reading skills need work, we decide to drive around the city testing the car and pretending like we live here.
0945
It’s raining (it is Seattle, after all) and the Versa’s doing really well handling the wet streets. We talk about how comfortable the interior is – narrow without feeling cramped.
1015
Top Pot Doughnuts here we come! This place has been highly recommended to the both of us, so who cares that we ate breakfast two hours ago.
1020
People here honk a lot.
1030
Photo shoot in the parking lot next to Top Pot.
1035
There’s a decent line, but we’re committed the wait. I adore the modern feel and the book-lined walls.
1045
I ask for their best seller, the glazed. It ends up being a massive burger-sized doughnut. Anne picks up a tractor tire and chocolate along with a small Ovaltine latte. (I know!!)
1055
We sit outside and chat and take pictures of our gigantic, delicious pastries.
1115
On the road again. This time I’m behind the wheel. We head towards the Sound and take a few more pictures of the Versa. It’s doing really well on the (unsuspected to me) hills.
1120
I inadvertently pass Wexley School for Girls, a design shop I’ve been stalking for years!
1125
I see my first cruise ship in person! Whoa. We laugh about the Red Robin nestled between all of the seafood restaurants.
1135
We pop in to see Olympic Sculpture Park. Take more photos, including an obligatory self-portrait or ten. (This is my hair on no brushing.)
1140
On our way to the Space Needle to meet the group for lunch.
1150
Made it! The Need (as the locals say) is up there, but not as tall as I’d thought.
1200
We head to the tippy top. Since we’re an event group we get to bypass all the long lines. Feeling sort of rockstar-ish.
1210
That. Elevator. Is. Fast.
1215
It’s still overcast, but wow is the city pretty. Bite of Seattle is going on down below.
1230
Lunch on a lower level. The broiled fish is amazing, of course. There are tiny little desserts that I’m way too full to eat.
1320
I say my goodbyes, it’s my turn to head to Sea-Tac airport.
1325
A souvenir is a must, so I popped into the gift shop (which is the entire lower level) and pick up a gorgeous set of opalescent glass bangles from a local artist.
1340
Van leaves for the airport, but not before I notice once more how lush and green everything is. It starts raining harder. Seattle is obviously just as sad to see me go as I am to leave.
1415
Dropped off curbside. Check myself in (with no problems this time), make it through security, and take a minute to check out the window mosaics by Dick Weiss.
1500
I’m on a plane! Next to two children! Luckily one is an adorable redhead named Charlie. And their dad looks like Eminem.
1530
Mercifully manage to fall asleep for about 30 minutes.
1815 Hours Mountain Time
Land back in Denver. Deplane and see that – SHOCKER! – my flight back to OKC has been delayed until a 9:50pm departure.
1816
Break up with Denver and United.
1820
Stop in a French bistro for hummus, veggies, and grapes for dinner. Oh, and chocolate milk.
1840
Pass my time at the gate with the other agitated passengers.
1930
See a family who’s missed their flight. Twice. Ummm.
2000
Sleep with my eyes open.
2035
Notice woman sitting two rows away from me. Reading out loud to herself.
2100
Mentally calculate what time I should be able to be asleep by.
2130
Finally board plane. This time there is thankfully a seat between me and the gentleman next to me.
2145
I’m on a plane….
Sunday, July 16, 2011
0015 Hours Central Time
Back in OKC, much to my delight. I’m so happy to only have a carry-on.
0030
Somehow manage to remember where I parked. It was only yesterday morning, but feels like days ago.
0100
The cats are meh about my arrival home. I wash my face and fall into bed. Silently thank the universe for all the opportunities I have and Nissan for a crazy eventful trip!
Disclaimer: Nissan provided travel, meals and the opportunity to drive the 2012 Versa vehicle before it was on sale. The facts are theirs, the opinions are 100% mine.
Posted In technology, travel
PHOTO + RECIPE: Cherry Tea Cakes
This exists. And you can make it using only three ingredients. Jazzed yet?
Posted In recipes