let's have a party in the ocean.

so

2012-01-24T00:27:00.005-05:00

i'm looking for a rug like this to tie my lil' study together. I've started to make this my inspiration womb, with a wall of art I love, my record player that has had Self Portrait by Bob Dylan on it for the better part of two months, a bookshelf and all my projects in their appropriate places throughout this tiny room. Somehow, I will need to fit my sewing machine in here. Sometime I will have to share some photos.

the 'oui' ring I spotted here, at Decade Diary from Dior. It's so sweet.

draw me a river

2011-11-14T10:51:00.007-05:00

alyson fox

take her house tour here.

self portrait on the record player

2011-10-31T13:59:00.007-04:00

sitting in my newly situated office, enjoying emerson's company and Let Me Go spinning around. I thought I would share some things I found in recent days that I like.

look at kiki's work here. It's beautiful!!!
pretty ceramic light from lightexture.
robin pecknold photo by spencer bray.
map blanket by haptic.com

i crush you

2011-10-21T20:51:00.009-04:00

.

.

.

feather dresses

2011-10-21T19:46:00.005-04:00

McQ by Alexander McQueen dress (see more feather print dresses)

Alexander McQueen from here.

from here.

from here.

from here.

in reference to style-for-style's post...

feather dresses! mine is from tibi.

here's one in brown:

from here.

diy ottoman

2011-10-21T16:46:00.004-04:00

I'm in the process of making my own ottoman, following someone else's step-by-step guide. This was a good one here. Mine is a round table. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to get those buttons to stay down, aka tufted. I have the giant needle and fishing wire, but it's not staying taut. hmm

photos soon.

dinner before breakfast

2011-10-21T16:04:00.008-04:00

(sorry for my bad photos, i misplaced my camera!)

I'm making maple tempeh with sprouted sunflower and olive bread from avalon, for sammy's. but in the meantime, I thought i would start soaking some garbanzo beans for something later and i found this recipe that cracked me up:

I’ll admit right up front, I’m not sure I’m going to do this one again. Sure, these garbanzos are better than canned. But 12-hours-of-lead-time better? I’m not sure about that.

Maybe I’ll try some in soup. Hmm … time to go look up some recipes …

Oops, sorry, drifted off for a second there. So anyway,
(this is the best part)
if you don’t mind starting on dinner before you’ve had breakfast, (ha! so true!) here’s how to do it.

If you grew up seeing chick peas on the salad bar, yes, we’re talking about the same thing. Well, probably. There are actually several related varieties of beans: Garbanzos (Spanish), Ceci (Italy), Chiche (France), Chana / Bengal Gram (India). See Clove Garden for pictures and descriptions of the difference. The ones I’m using here are the Kabul type.

If you’ve soaked beans before, you don’t have to actually measure things. But since this was my first time, I decided to follow the guidelines. So, one cup of beans.

to read the rest, go here: coollikeyourgrandmother.com

hello baby.

2011-10-13T16:33:00.005-04:00

is it a coincidence that I found this card today after being kinda obsessed with this song right now?

pickled things

2011-10-10T15:58:00.001-04:00

more things in vinegar:

8-10 small pickling cucumbers (about 3pounds/1.5kg)
2 cups (500 mL) white vinegar
2 cups (500 mL) water
2 tablespoons (25 mL) pickling salt
4 heads fresh dill or 4 teaspoons dill seeds (20 mL)
4 small cloves garlic

Read More http://www.epicurious.com

did you say two thousand?

2011-10-10T12:01:00.003-04:00

i went to an estate sale for this bookshelf, as i dreamt all week about installing it into my dining room, but it was $2000. yikes. George Nelson piping bookshelves are usually pricy, but I was hoping it wasn't actually Nelson. The arco and mushroom lamp were gone. Someone was there at 4:30am waiting for that $150 mushroom lamp.

instead, I got two $5 planters:

paint me

2011-10-10T11:54:00.002-04:00

I found a few of these cute chairs in my neighbors trash. I am waiting to get some sandpaper to smooth out all the paint layers, and then this baby is getting a new coat. I liked these chairs I saw on Craigslist, so I'm going for this look.

pickled beets

2011-10-03T23:39:00.002-04:00

*don't forget to save the beet juice to add to your vinegar and honey. super easy and yummy treat.
I'll probably try this slight variation next time, with s&p, cider vinegar and mustard.

the shell collector

2011-09-21T22:44:00.002-04:00

i made this shadowbox for my mom, labeling each shell with their scientific names. i think i want to make one for myself too!

whities

2011-09-20T22:58:00.000-04:00

is that how you would spell white ees? anyway, i found all these plastic farm animals at Rust Belt, a craft fair this weekend and selectively took out all the white ones that i could afford. i like them so.

lil' project

2011-09-19T22:26:00.003-04:00

i bought these little dishes from ikea with the intention of painting them gold inside, but the martha stewart paint didn't work out so well. Here's the project I was inspired by.

but then, as you see, it was looking horrible, so i resorted to old stand by: krylon!

bday wishes

2011-09-18T22:19:00.006-04:00

ok, a lot are just wishes really. so don't get all crazy and "what are you thinking" on me.

sweaterr

flash diffuser

cookbook.

ooh parfummm

McQ by Alexander McQueen dress (see more empire waistline dresses) remember when this dress by Alexander McQueen was $200 instead of $630??

i really want this capelet from anthropologie. but i think they are gone now. boo.

want, but too much. $80. :(

chemix w filters

book!

la dolce vita baby

2011-09-17T22:47:00.003-04:00

a friend and i went to a party of (mostly Sports) photographers held by one of the best people ever! (Thanks Leon!) and in the lil' window just outside in the courtyard was this lil' sweet 5mo. old bebe. i was petting her for ages when i noticed the people on the other side of the window mouthing the words, "TAAKE HERR HOOME!" I went inside and the family sitting at the table heard that she was dropped off this morning there, about 7mi and Woodward, in Detroit, and she needed a home. So, without any second thoughts I took her home to my parents who live kind of close by.

When we returned, everyone clapped and were very happy that we had rescued her. :) She is still with my parents, and I think everyone is falling in love w her. She purrs the second you pick her up and just flops into your arms.

my mom wants to call her Bella, or something Italian to remember where we found her.

type type

2011-09-13T13:02:00.004-04:00

look at these pretty restored typewriters!

2011-08-26T12:35:00.003-04:00

our annual up north camping adventures in Honor and Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI.

and if you care to watch a snippet of their leap off the wall, watch this lil' video. It may take a few minutes to load.

something botanical

2011-08-24T20:34:00.003-04:00

i love this calendar! the drawings on all their products are so lovely. yay rifle paper co. ! i can't wait until i have money and it's 4 months later!

p.s. if i had a be'be' i would buy this in a second.

infused oils

2011-08-22T17:36:00.004-04:00

i recently made mint infused oil for the mojitos, but this one is for my pizza.
if you are interested, here is the recipe for chili pepper oil. They suggest using canola oil, but i used olive oil anyway. :)

I've been putting all my oils and liquids in these little bottles I've accumulated, and then labeling them in a tiny strip of paper in the center. I don't have that shown here, but all my spices follow the same suit. Here's the simple syrup I just made as well. easy to make, and perfect for my iced coffee!

miss lately

2011-08-10T00:54:00.000-04:00

i think my cat is eating a bug. it sounds kinda crunchy over there. *

i just made a similar dish to this. But next time I will follow this recipe a bit more closely. it looks amazing.

* i let the bug outside.

you are mintee

2011-07-31T16:41:00.003-04:00

i love this about summer.

mostly i just fill a big iced tea jar with water and a bunch of mint leaves and let them sit in the sun for a day. Then just pour it over ice. i've never had iced mint green tea, but i will try this recipe next. mm

the beautiful sway of your heart

2011-07-31T16:19:00.004-04:00

pinwheel spinnin around.

2011-07-26T11:08:00.000-04:00

put your arms in the sky and let go.

2011-06-06T23:42:00.004-04:00

this song has become something so important to me in the recent weeks.

*you should close your eyes when you listen to this*

fotographie

2011-05-18T01:05:00.002-04:00

i miss photobooths. real life, film ones.

rain and walls

2011-05-16T14:25:00.005-04:00

you: Wo ist das?
me: Das ist ihr Haus.

I was at a friend's house last night and in one corner I spotted this wall that I loved. I once did something similar, but with all shots I've taken from the plane (some from the ground as well), in all parts of the world. but these are little drawings with the same sort of idea. nice.

and so you, bread and light...

2011-05-15T16:47:00.005-04:00

you: Wo wohnst du?
me: So wohne ich.

you: Wer ist das?
me: Das ist Logan.

let me get that fox

2011-05-10T15:34:00.000-04:00

tomorrow i must go to the record shop for this. i am so excited. so excited so!

bebe

2011-05-09T14:44:00.005-04:00

sarah + pete had this beautiful lil' boy two weeks ago and I was able to spend some time with them to capture these super small, baby moments. they were so nice to work with, and my sweetie friend tricia helped me get everything just right! thanks, darling.

where is E

2011-04-22T20:30:00.000-04:00

i think i got lost.

buy a photo for your wall

2011-02-27T15:35:00.005-05:00

click here for : my lil' etsy shop.

i'm working on others, some with people and life! Also, I'm putting together a few for postcards/cards. Take a look if you wanna...

just rented from the library.

2011-02-24T01:48:00.005-05:00

the director, Haim Tabakman says about starting films, "i wasn't a real literary man, and i wasn't a real musician, and I wasn't a real artist maybe, but I felt like there's this medium can really offer me a place to grow, so I went into television university and then after some shouts from my professor because i haven't seen enough classical movies, then I started really to see 3 or 4 films a day and really delved into this."

He likes the poetry of the new wave of 60s french films. "it really convinced me there was a way to be really so free in making films. " movies of jean-luc godard " have this wreckless attack.. i like this energy."

Vivre sa vie just played in Detroit. Gigi and i saw it at the burton theatre. good moozie.

i recommend both.

*z - u will have to see the end.

i will never love you more than pea-nut butter

2011-02-21T12:46:00.005-05:00

and you will never love me more than woody allen movies.

wish u were on this side of the driveway.

you told me so

2011-02-17T23:59:00.004-05:00

i am thinking of finding a necklace that i really want, and trying to recreate it this weekend. gigi and i will make a project of it, even though she does this sort of thing all day long. maybe she should find a photo...

this pretty amethyst necklace is from mossiere. ($75). I love how the stone is cut, with the rough edge on the bottom side still.

i've always like the hammered rings. why do i think I can somehow make one of my own, without any real training or proper supplies? not sure. but stacked, they are even better.

these are from jorgensonstudio on etsy for only $16!

ok, i'm off to tend to my soup.

so......?

sweet things

2011-02-13T20:05:00.005-05:00

My dear friends Colleen and Chris were married late December. I only captured a few quick moments as we were leaving, since it was oh-so-cold! You are so pretty, my darling girl. wishes and dreams for you two. Congratulations!!

bring in the new

2011-02-11T15:35:00.004-05:00

i am trying to get rid of the old and move on. I have been taking photos of furniture and other odds and ends all day in hopes to get rid of it. What i can't sell goes to salvation army, so when i move it will be an easy transition. hopefully.

Why did i ever buy this teapot? it doesn't match anything i have. who needs a white teapot?

but these vintage boots are really great! I wish i could fit into these! they are a small 7. i'm selling a couple vintage pairs of boots too, so let me know if you are interested!

leave the city

2011-02-01T01:12:00.002-05:00

I'm on day 6 of a cleanse. no wheat, dairy, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, soy, corn.. what else?

this is me, climbing detox mountain. I've been making delicious soups, pumpkin muffins, lime rice, steamed kale with lemon and pepper, almond butter oat cookie things (thanks, mb). bye bye toxins.

i almost made this lemon poppyseed bread, but did the pumpkin instead. i used brown rice syrup with agave.. and a lil' bit of grain-sweetened chocolate chips. well, three chchips per muffin actually. :)

India Town

2011-01-21T01:30:00.004-05:00

I've been trying new things.

also, i have a "before" photo of a project I'm working on. I'm fixing up this shelf for my jars. Hopefully it will look less country-home when I'm done.

there's a dream in my house.

2010-12-31T02:13:00.005-05:00

i found this room on the Brick House. It's like being inside a dream. i'll take the wood chop table, and those pretty white floors (for one room at least). it's like being on a boat.

in circles.

2010-12-17T00:55:00.002-05:00

I am working on this garland right now for my house, but most likely with just white or old book pages.
click here for the tutorial from Allison.

don't peek on me

2010-12-13T20:02:00.003-05:00

p.s. i want these. i would love a kitchen full of them.

joy

2010-12-11T23:58:00.012-05:00

it's much more difficult to write a poem that is happy in sentiment, than one which is tragic. at least a good one.

my new shell

2010-12-10T00:34:00.011-05:00

it makes a perfect detail on top of my book pile. i saw these when we were in montezuma, costa rica. they had made all kinds of beautiful jewelry from this shell. but i still like it best in it's original, organic form. it's perfect!

p.s. i miss the water.

coco bear

2010-12-03T17:09:00.002-05:00

i saw annie bear sitting on my bed and it reminded me of my bebe coco.

you acorn

2010-12-03T15:46:00.004-05:00

gigi and i did our separate projects this morning and took a moment to document it, which leaves us with our photo of the day. I thought it was odd how similar our projects looked too! Her project is a solid perfume of cloves hiding in a beautiful lil' locket. Regina has a independent business that is growing quickly, so get your holiday orders in soon! She was just featured today on the Huffington post which you can see here. There are tons of really affordable gift ideas, with enough room to still afford some for yourself. :) Find her etsy page here: chanchainchained.

My project was this stuffed squash recipe recommended by my dear friend, MaryBeth. She made a similar recipe, which I preferred... so she will have to share her secret. I did add, to her recommendation: spinach, walnuts and mushrooms. And then also added a bit of asparagas and replaced the dried cherries with fresh figs. You'll see in the photos that they kind of resemble red meat, but much prettier and tastier.

find the full recipe at Martha Stewart: here.

a week ago today

2010-11-14T15:35:00.004-05:00

since then, i have realized:

1. to-do lists that are too long defeat the purpose.
2. you should continually clean out old emails and rooms and basements.
3. the darkness comes too soon in the night.
4. thrift store can sometimes have really good books.
5. that time is the answer to everything.

hello?

2010-11-04T22:33:00.001-04:00

thu-thumpthu-thump

i need a canoe

2010-11-04T01:18:00.003-04:00

one day, on my registry will be a canoe.

running on empty

2010-11-04T00:23:00.007-04:00

It's been awhile. I am trying to come back and get this off the floor again. Did I lose you?

I've been thinking of our photo-a-day project again. And starting a sewing class. And recently I've had a new re-found interest in River Phoenix. Today we watched a bit of Stand By Me and The Thing Called Love, which is not so great. But there are a few I haven't seen, so I may be visiting Redbox soon. This photo is amazing.

And today, when there was barely any light at all, we drove quickly to this random little dead end spot and took these photos. I will be back when the light is right. gigi looks amazing though. she reminds me of a 60s actress with perfect beauty & grace.

out of the womb.

2010-09-24T00:33:00.004-04:00

The first hour started perfectly with my grandma spinning her finger in a circle (like a party favor) singing 'happy birthday to you, happy birthday...'

I heard this song this morning, which seems appropriate for today.

I believe love will always surround you
Brave as a bear with a heart rare and true
But if you are scared, if you are blue
I have prepared this small song for you:

Sweet Esme! Sweet Esme!
Oh, oh, oh!

Thank you, joanna for my small song.

as our affair grows older

2010-09-12T12:49:00.009-04:00

This is the cutest anniversary celebration. They rented a cabin up north where they brought all their creative endeavors to work on, while celebrating their so many years together. I really wanted to go to Saugatuk and stay in a lil' cabin for my birthday. but even a lil' tent in the woods so we can see the stars would be beautiful. Or even this bell jar with a sparkler. :) or really just a lovenote. when you think about it, small gestures can swell up bigger than the grandiose ones.

and this is the surprise she woke up to on her birthday! what a sweet thing. i love so many things on her blog.

see more here.

this song is amazing. most otis is..

futon byebye

2010-09-04T11:30:00.001-04:00

i know that having a futon as a pull-out bed is nice for guests, but it's not comfortable anyways. I think I would rather just replace it with this loveseat.

* found on Design is mine.

trading spaces

2010-09-02T19:03:00.002-04:00

Can I trade the black chair in my house for the black one in Brick House's house? I will take the amazing secretary she found on craigslist too... the one I'm pining over.

adding color

2010-09-02T01:24:00.002-04:00

I always thought making a collage of paint samples was a nice way to add color to a room. and i just saw that someone else agrees with me on this: Apartment Therapy. I think I may try it, but with a similar color scheme. maybe yellows and greens. or yellow and cyan.

small faces

2010-09-02T00:50:00.013-04:00

We went camping last weekend in Honore, for our annual get-away. I would probably take more photos if sand weren't the death of my camera, but you will have to take my word for it... it was beautiful. swimming in warm waters, jumping off piers, laying in tents, floating down rivers... it makes me wonder why we come home again.

i did a portrait of all of us, but they are so small when i post them all together...

she is so vibrant

2010-08-17T22:30:00.003-04:00

to pass the time

2010-08-15T21:20:00.004-04:00

M & I went to Boston Edison today for the Attic sale, which is a string of estate/garage sales in the beautiful, historical district of Detroit. Unfortunately, the universe was working against us and we showed up with not nearly enough time to navigate and then suddenly a downpour of rain rushed everyone back inside to close up. But just before the rain, we stopped on a porch with letters that read, "F-R-E-E". I picked up this lil' pile of things along with some photographs and tiny art projects. Maybe I'll photograph them because they are really interesting.

When I got home I began to work on a couple projects. This birdhouse I found at a garage sale up north that needed to be nailed back together. It's sweet and I like how it looks all worn like this, so wah-lah!

the table I found on the curb while we drove around in the pouring rain today. The wood was peeling up, so I decided to paint it, and will probably affix wallpaper to the top once I find a pattern I like. But for now, I am using this placemat on my new tv-tray.

not even

2010-08-02T23:56:00.002-04:00

when you step outside of the small worlds that we live in, some things don't seem exactly right.

i just got you and i'm over you

2010-07-28T21:32:00.009-04:00

I thought i wanted a large painting over my mantle, but now I'm thinking this isn't the one for me. Still looking for the peasant like mb's. And I also have been searching for a better quality (not broken, or cheap plastic) mirror with an ornate frame. I just bought this one, but already want to sell it. Anyone interested?? Come on, you can paint it any color you want! it's goin' on craigslist tomorrow.

mirror two

2010-07-28T21:28:00.000-04:00

what's your favorite?

lately

2010-07-27T22:36:00.000-04:00

I've got a few updates, but I haven't had time since I've been working on photos all the time lately. My free time every evening is taken up with either cooking, making my salad for lunch, or downloading cards and uploading photos. But I did change my yellow mirror yet again! I tried to make it to the glass shop on saturday but it shut just as I was getting there at noon. So I will try again next week, but for now.. enjoy this cute dresser that q projects fixed up! I've been kinda tired of all the painted wood everywhere, because I like the wood! But I think this yellow is really nice. She did a great job. :)

find the before on her blog: here.

Also, look at these babies I picked today. the first of the summer!

bebe evie was born

2010-07-20T01:51:00.000-04:00

My brother has found something beautiful, and is just as embraced with the womb-like warmness that his darling Evelyn is. She is handed from one cuddle to another for 99% of the day. I can hardly take my eyes off of her, but when I do there are two other beautiful lil' girls in the room. We spent a lazy Sunday with family, and I took a few photos to remember it by.

*Evelyn was born two weeks ago yesterday.

you poor roaming enthusiast

2010-07-16T14:59:00.000-04:00

when i turned onto my street last night, in the midst of a thunderstorm, this was blocking my road. The wind toppled this huge Oak tree down, just barely missing the neighbors house and a man who ran for his life. The force had thrown the pavement onto their lawn. I know it's just one of many trees fallen last night, but it's still shocking to see such a massive tree being taken down by wind!

biscuits n gravy

2010-07-14T21:18:00.000-04:00

So here's my next attempt, although it's still needing more touch-ups. This is the closest to mustard yellow i could find. i'll try it out in my house and see if it's too bright. But mostly, since the lights are somewhat dim, it won't appear as bright.

Also, just to show you how i have to work here, and the progression of their sleep as they slowly push me off of my own desk. i can't bring myself to move them.

i need more time

2010-07-14T02:15:00.000-04:00

more time to learn. more time to create. more time for classes and observing and writing and reading and seeing and being. i need more oma time. i need to cook more recipes from my million books and magazines and scraps and blogs. I am always living on a to-do list created with endless responsibilities that ties me to a truck, that runs one way down a very long and boring dirt road. I need to move to the country, then ride a train to the city and then fly around the world coming home to my family and beautiful home of simple things that shine and inspire me daily. do we need to have jobs? couldn't i just stay home and make beautiful jewelry like these rings, and then take photos of the people laughing while they wear them?

*rings are by lilyya
*&theamazing Househat Bear drawing is by Lizzy Stewart.

mellow yellow

2010-07-13T17:00:00.000-04:00

I found this mirror at a strange warehouse with piles and piles of garage sale type items that Laura took me to. It's pretty cheap and is broken on top, but I thought I could try and work with it and at least have a trial run and see how it goes. I had to break some of the top off to even it out and then I painted it yellow, although again I'm dissatisfied with the color it turned out to be. I think I need to add a couple coats still, but may just go back to michaels for something more like one of these two (I love the yellow mirror!) :

I'll post my changes soon. I think I'll replace the mirror as well.
The other photos were found on Apartment Therapy.

sneakpeeks

2010-07-13T00:55:00.000-04:00

I'm working on a slideshow for Amber & Josh, so I'll be able to show you some sneakpeeks throughout the week. Here are a few others:

white floors

2010-07-12T12:53:00.001-04:00

Here's another white-floor room from one of my favorite blogs, A Merry Mishap. This is the living room, which looks nice too although I think I'll keep it unpainted in the living areas, and just make my room white with lil' accent colors.

project 101

2010-07-12T00:45:00.000-04:00

I have always liked how this washroom/laundry room looked. It's so clean and simple, yet sweet with the little animals on the shelf and the banner. I like the big white sink and the jar with the soap powder too. But for now I'm starting with the banner. Although, having put the photos side by side, I'm going to give this another go. I don't like how mine looks.

amber + josh

2010-07-08T16:11:00.000-04:00

This past week has been an amazing seven days. I flew to Seattle to photograph my dear friends wedding and I got to.... explore the city, meet wonderful people, drink fancy summer cocktails, lay in the park, drive through the mountains, wash my face with real mountain spring water, and most importantly see my sweet amber. how i missed you and your fart jokes. It's refreshing to be with real people who say what's really on their minds and are genuinely friendly and hospitable. and HILARIOUS! I missed laughing like that. I'm ready to pack my bags.

I'm so happy for you both. Even though you stole my roommate, Josh, I'm happy that you have swept my darling off her feet. You truly are two of the sweetest people I know. And I love your families too! Wait till you see the cake that Amber's mom made.

Those photos were from the dinner rehearsal.
And here's a couple from the wedding...

And I brought my lil' umbrella which worked perfectly for the rainy-sometimes in seattle. They look adorable!

pink and paper

2010-06-28T18:39:00.000-04:00

These are two photos from the day. We'll one day, one evening. The light seemed perfect and kind of spooky outside as the sun was setting so I ran outside with my camera. I wish I had spent some more time out there but the sun sets so quickly.

The other photo is what I walked into after hearing some commotion in the kitchen. It reminded me of that website: ruined. lil' grey kitty had climbed the counter and pulled the paper towel down, tearing it to pieces. There was more in the hallway that I didn't capture too. By the time I walked in, she was exhausted and sprawled out on the floor.

squids and jellyfish o my.

2010-06-28T17:48:00.001-04:00

Laura and I found this amazing quilt yesterday on Apartment Therapy (I think!). The fabrics are by Heather Ross, which I couldn't find on her blog, but I did find this.

I can't wait to have some nice lil' quilts with this fabric, and a nice knit blanket. I still need to learn how to knit though. Although I think I could manage a blanket, if it's anything like a scarf.

new baby

2010-06-19T00:53:00.000-04:00

So we have our complete adopted family now. I've found emerson's playmate and friend for life: baby annie, or "grey kitty", or "baby", or "biscuits". Of course we have not completely decided on a name yet so we've been trying to find one that suits her perfectly. She came from her foster home with the name Annie, which is pretty cute too. She's always making biscuits and muffins, so z has started naming her after that, which is funny. She is a shy lil' one, but I think she's been coming out of her shell more and more. Logan's kitty, bernie has taken on a motherly role to my two kittens, but they will only be together for a couple months. it's nice though, that they have this family for now. they both have kept coco and basil's spirit alive for me reminding me never to take them for granted! never ever.

p.s. kitties sleep so much!!! and for the hour they are awake, they play with everrryyyything!

more lil' esme

2010-06-13T19:04:00.000-04:00

I'm finally getting around to posting these. Every time I look at these photos, I feel my heart get all mooshy with love for these sweet darlings. Esme was such a perfect model, because she was so attentive and still. I've learned recently, it is really difficult to make children sit still and look into the camera!!

She blew me a lil' bubble!

she's trying to pull my camera strap away from me. ha!

playing with mama's bracelet.

it was a little after four o'clock

2010-06-11T00:41:00.000-04:00

i was probably twenty two when we met, and look at you now. three beautiful babies and a diamond at your side. you two are shinin' like an indian summer does.

and look at my little ems:

how do i look? we'll i must say, i am amazed....

2010-06-09T23:42:00.000-04:00

May 29 was my jennifer + leo's friends and family celebratory wedding day. It wasn't the official day, but because I was here for this one, I was able to whisk them away for a few short minutes to catch them alone and in the sun. I have some others to share, but for today.. here's one. you looks so beautiful.

too bad we didn't have this too:

* umbrella $65 from bravisa!

of all things wonderful

2010-06-08T00:12:00.000-04:00

Tonight my lovely friend, who is no longer my roommate as of 7 days ago, came over to visit with the kitties and walk our usual walk to have some dinner down the street. Evenings and moments like those make growing up feel like a warm hug.

When i came home, i took this photo. it makes me think of the first couple years, the summer nights where we would make each day of the week responsible for a different beverage of choice. mojito mondays...

i've become a ghost in blogger world. Despite the consensus, sometimes I think having a routine is overrated. I've been breaking the pattern and mostly just busy with everything else. but I am picking my photo project back up and will try and post one daily.

It's also been awhile since I've looked at anyone else's blog, but I did see this today on D*S which I thought was sweet. I like the split wall: half painted and half tiled. It's really sweet... isn't it?

emerson

2010-05-16T13:57:00.001-04:00

So I haven't written because the loss of my Coco has been really hard on me and I didn't want to move on, if that makes any sense at all. But I really needed someone to help me through and I still have so much love to give so I adopted an 8 week old bebe. I haven't completely settled on a name, so let me know if you have any good ideas. His name right now is Emerson, or emmy, or emers for short. He is difficult to photograph, being all black and never really stopping. he's a jumper. He carries coco's spirit on.

my sweet baby Coco.

2010-04-30T00:12:00.000-04:00

Yesterday Coco was outside playing and wouldn't came back in. I worried all night because she is probably the hungriest kitty I know to go so long without eating. I don't know how many times I've seen her sprint from wherever she was when i would shake her lil' jar of food. But she wouldn't come in. With the little sleep that I got, I woke up as soon as the sun came up and went out this morning again but still couldn't find her. She's primarily an indoor cat, although because I know how much she loves rolling in the dirt and because she never goes too far from the driveway, I let her enjoy the backyard sun. I got her a cute lil' Coco tag too. But I was worried, so I made these flyers and put them in some of my neighbors mailboxes:

As I was going from mailbox to mailbox, a lady came up to me asking if I was looking for a cat. I told her yes and she said, "I hit her yesterday in my car. " my heart dropped. She asked to see my photos and said, "yes, that's her. She went under my car and didn't get hit by my tires, so I was going to take her in... but when I picked her up, she just died in my arms.." tears just starting streaming down my face and she held me. I was still hoping that maybe it wouldn't be her, but she unwrapped the towel and I saw my lil' Coco with her tag on. I carried her home, sobbing with my roommate at my side. I can't even explain what it's been like to lose two kitties in such a short span of time. They were my best friends. They kept me going everyday. They were always something to look forward to. My mom told me today, "It's nice to know that you have so much love to give to animals because they are so deserving of it and not everyone gives what you do. When you give your love to them, they will always be there for you too. " It was comforting to hear that.

I have a million photos of coco. we were supposed to stick together here. She was always sitting with me while I wrote here. I'm not going to change the name because she will be here in spirit! forever! Here are some photos I've never shared. Just a tiny glimpse of what I have..

esmeandcoco.

she would drag all these toys onto my bed everyday. a pile of toys...

happily being pet by karen.

working with mama.

She was panting after running around. so funny!

I took this photo as part of my morning series of her paws, on April 15th.

She loved being outside, as I imagine all cats do, but she needed to be watched because she wasn't street smart.

what a pretty face.

She loved being in bags or boxes. More than any cat I know, she would just sit in it and watch everyone else in the room.

she always wanted down into the basement. she woudl beg to go down there. The other night mb & i heard a loud crash. We're still unsure of the damages. I think she liked to play fort.

miss cute face.

new toy.

I just bought her this mouse. She LOVED it!

she would always bite my toes. ha. this was a couple weeks ago. I wanted to get an in-focus one but it tickled too much.

model kitty.

these are my last photos of coco, taken last sunday when I got home. She would run and look out the window when I pulled into the driveway, and then run to the door as I walked up. This time I teased her because she looked so cute with her little head peeking, and I happened to have my camera. So I kept her there, playing at the window and then she stretched her paws up on the window. what a sweetie.

I found coco 2 1/2 years ago when i was driving home and i saw her nearly get killed running under a truck. She ran to this building, pressing herself against it, her little 4 month old body shaking. I took her home and took care of her. mb and i loved her and spoiled her immensely. i feel like if you love someone, you should always spoil them and not feel one bit bad about it because they probably deserve it. I love you forever, my darling coco.

chloe & lena

2010-04-28T23:44:00.001-04:00

e s m e

2010-04-28T00:39:00.000-04:00

I went earlier this time to Jennifer's house and got some photos before the lil' darlings went down for their nap. And then I even stayed long enough to get them when they woke up too. And then I stayed even looonger, for Chloe to get home from school, then till bedtime for all three. And preceded to stay until I could no longer stay awake myself. I really didn't want to leave this happy family, while I pretended it were my own.

I also want to share this delicious looking recipe for dressing I found here, at smitten kitchen.

Avocado Salad with Carrot-Ginger Dressing
Adapted from Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP.com

The major changes I made to the recipe were to increase the miso and sesame oil because I like it when their flavors are noticeable. This recipe has a real bite to it from the fresh ginger and the shallot. The original recipe suggested a large one, I suggest a more thimble-like small one. If you don’t want as loud of a ginger bite, use one tablespoon instead of two. This will make a lot but I like salads best with a heavy helping of this. You’ll go through it faster than you’d expect.

Serves 4, with dressing to spare

1 large carrot, peeled and roughly chopped
1 small shallot, peeled and roughly chopped
2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh ginger
2 tablespoons sweet white miso
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seed oil
1/4 cup grapeseed or another neutral oil
2 tablespoons water

1 small/medium head of lettuce (I used Bibb) or mixed greens of your choice
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1 avocado, quartered

Whiz the carrots, shallot and ginger in a blender or food processor until finely chopped. Scrape down the sides, then add the miso, vinegar and sesame oil. While the machine running, slowly drizzle in the grapeseed oil and the water.

Divide the lettuce among four bowls, add some of the onion and a quarter of the avocado. Drizzle with plenty of dressing and serve.

summer breakfast

2010-04-26T23:48:00.000-04:00

This photo was from last summer after z&i went to the farmers market. This is the best breakfast ever! We used to get them at, I think it was called the Mudd house, in Ypsilanti. It's usually an everything bagel for me, with tomato slices, s&p and nutritional yeast. Sometimes we add cream cheese, hummus or avocados. It's delicious! yumyum

p.s. I found this photo I had saved on my computer awhile ago of a mystical boat room, like r's. But this one looks pink. I like the white one with the white floors. And many apologies for not recalling where I found this. If you know, please tell me so I can give them credit. Thanks!

last weeks mourning

2010-04-25T00:31:00.001-04:00

lena & esme

2010-04-17T21:15:00.001-04:00

These are my friend's beautiful girls I was lucky to photograph today. Unfortunately, because I showed up just before their naptime I could only get a few but I will be back next week! I also realized that I shouldn't use my camera lens as my only eye while chasing Lena, because soft surprises are waiting for me in the grass. ha!

Next week, Chloe, the third lil' lady will be there as well! wooo

let's get married in the forest

2010-04-16T11:03:00.000-04:00

one day I want to get married under all the trees. not sure about ribbon streamers and everything, but that will all sort itself out when i turn fifty and actually do get married.

* photos found on mag chunk from idiy and design lovely.

*photography by merge weddings.

*wedding from Snippet & ink. Photography by Amanda Bevington.

anew

2010-04-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

By next month, there will be a lot of changes! And I'm thinking it will be a good time to start renovating, refinishing and upholstering and getting rid of the many things I should be without. Too many things will clog your creative space and mind. I want a feng shui white mystical boatroom like R's and a new cute tiled bathroom. And more photography! I'm excited to photograph Jenny's three beautiful darlings this weekend. Wait until you see. Also, I'm starting a new series much inspired by A Year of Mornings, where R and I will post our photos together of each day. We have decided we like the light in the mornings, so we will see where this light takes us. Mine from this morning, is above. R's is soon to come!

Here are some of my plans and ideas:

Handmade George Nelson bench! Can I do it?

Sources: Design Sponge / Craigwoodworks / Apartment Therapy / Style Files / door sixteen / michelleyd / candi mandi / Found / manolo home / Apartment Therapy / plum and lion

stella on yer baby

2010-04-13T00:15:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Lovely Morning, I was informed that Stella McCartney was doing a line of kids clothing at The Gap. Look at those baby jeans!

mr. squirrel

2010-04-11T15:21:00.000-04:00

There were several weeks that went by that I did not see the squirrel. I had been pretty caught up in losing my Basil, so I hadn't really thought of other troubled species. But in time he has showed up again getting more and more comfortable with the small space between us. If not for my telephoto lens, you would never be catching glimpses like these. I don't want to bring mange or any creepy crawlies into my house. eee! Today when Ted was opening our door, the squirrel walked right in! So now we are kind of wondering if we've taken this relationship too far. He has hurt his right foot since yesterday because he's limping now, and he seems much more thin. Anyways, here's a lil' peek:

pretty, pretty peacock

2010-04-09T23:00:00.000-04:00

the living room

2010-03-29T20:31:00.000-04:00

I wanted to find some good design ideas for the living room. Here's just a few:

More scientific bottles that find a purpose! I don't really want glass scientific bottles all around my house, but I've seen some great uses for them.

If you were living in a loft, I like this idea of having a bookshelf running across one wall like this:

Having frosted glass like this seems old on the wood bookcase/shelf type thing and I like how it hides some of the clutter.
This is the workspace of a collaborative group of artists and in Brooklyn called Common Spaces. It's a great idea! And they are all environmentally responsible businesses which is even better!

Sources (from top to bottom) : whimsey & spice from D*S / auburn & ivory / design is mine / trina daslziel on D*S / Marianne Von ooij's (posted on design sponge) / Jordan Butcher / Common Spaces

uh oh

2010-03-24T18:52:00.001-04:00

I hope I can keep my credit cards away from these dresses, or else i'm in trouble. I like so many of Rachel Gilbert's dresses that I can't even decide which one I would settle my debt on. I found these first on Coco + Kelly's page, so I guess I'm not alone in my party dress envy.

Print Big

2010-03-22T17:00:00.000-04:00

I just had these 4- 11X14s printed to make a really big (28"X22") print to go in my living room, hopefully over my couch. wooo! Hope it looks good. I'll take a photo of the end result, once mounted. I'm actually not sure yet how I will mount them. I'm thinking the glass frames with clips from IKEA, but they don't have any 11X14 frames. It will look something like this:

kale soup

2010-03-20T19:39:00.001-04:00

I found this recipe in my Vegetarian Times magazine and have been really excited to make almost every recipe in it!! Click here for their website and the nutritional information for the soup. This only took about 30min, and it doesn't have a gamillion ingredients, so it's more feasible than you imagine. I get stuck making the same sorts of things everyday so I'm glad this has inspired me to venture out again. I made a stir-fry recipe from another issue later this day because every stir-fry i make has some sort or peanut sauce, but the one i made from the recipe was a lighter sauce and nice change of pace. I should share that one too. But for now look at this soup!

simmer, simmer:

Here's my soup made with the quinoa:

So should I try Red pepper carrot soup or the smokey split pea soup next?

maybe basil is flying. i hope so.

2010-03-15T23:51:00.000-04:00

I love this necklace. so sweet. maybe it'll fall from the sky into my lap.

* from dejarnette $68

keep strong.

2010-03-13T12:31:00.000-05:00

When i was driving back this morning from Detroit, the rain was bright and this song was playing. I listened to it three times in a row because it seemed to really comfort me.

I am just a poor boy
Though my story's seldom told
I have squandered my resistance
For a pocket full of mumbles such are promises
All lies and jests
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest

When I left my home and my family
I was no more than a boy
In the company of strangers
In the quiet of the railway station running scared
Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters
Where the ragged people go
Looking for the places only they would know

Lie la lie ...

Asking only workman's wages
I come looking for a job
But I get no offers,
Just a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there

Lie la lie ...

Then I'm laying out my winter clothes
And wishing I was gone
Going home
Where the New York City winters aren't bleeding me
Bleeding me, going home

In the clearing stands a boxer
And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders
Of ev'ry glove that layed him down
Or cut him till he cried out
In his anger and his shame
"I am leaving, I am leaving"
But the fighter still remains

Lie la lie ...

sew your cares away.

2010-03-12T10:20:00.000-05:00

I want to start learning to sew and create my own clothing and accessory items like Katie Did does. She has so many good ideas, not just for her children's wear but for crafts and decorating as well. Take a look at her blog here.

She has even made a bracelet for me. :)

this headband is adorable!

She makes the most beautiful clothes for her children, who are adorable as well. And the photos are wonderful! I wish she would sell her designs, but I will just have to continue to let her gorgeous work inspire me to do some of my own when the day comes.

I also want to thank you all for your sweet thoughts about Basil. It has been a sad week, and his absence has been really apparent. It makes you realize all the things in life that you take for granted. We buried him yesterday morning, and he will get a beautiful lil' headstone. He changed my life, by sticking with me. We had a very close friendship that I am happy for.

my sweet basil

2010-03-11T00:41:00.000-05:00

december 24, 2008:

On July 19th, 1997 my kitty Bailey delivered 4 lil' kittens. Basil became my best friend for the next 12 years. Last weekend he seemed to be getting much too skinny too quickly, so we took him to the vet on Monday. We learned that poor lil' Basil has cancer and may not even live for another two weeks. I spent all Monday and Tuesday night with him. Last night while everyone slept, he crawled behind the couch and went to sleep. He didn't wake up. This all happened way too fast and it's really breaking my heart. I have never had such a loving, sweet and nurturing pet. He took care of me as much as I did for him. He gave the best hugs that lasted for as long as you could hold him. I will miss you and your million meows. You brightened everyone's life by being here. i love you.

I spent tonight with my grandma, going through all my old photos of him. Here's a few I thought I would share...

1997:

1997:

1998:

2000:

2000:

December 2001:

from my dad:

2005 or so:

This was my last cuddle with him, last night. 2010

the cape in you.

2010-03-07T19:43:00.000-05:00

yesterday e & i took some photos outside and i had her put on this cape I found in my old vintage pile from high school. Capes keep popping up everywhere these days, and there are so many different styles! Although, they aren't always the most convenient piece of clothing since it's difficult to function proficiently without being able to stretch your arms out.

I like the one that Nicole Ritchie is wearing below, with the big arms.

The second to bottom was found on ebay for $13.50. there are some other cute things on there by this seller that you should check out.

The last one is from blanc de chine for about $1600. I love having a collar with the caplet! pretty.