Thursday, March 31, 2011

A portrait of a puppy

Kirby is the most photogenic member of our family.  
He's so darn cute and he knows it too


Look at me, my big ears and tiny paws are enough to 
distract you from the undershirt wearing man in the background


I also do emo puppy


But mostly I'm irreverent!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Wishlist Wednesday: Navy stripes

Sometimes I like to load up virtual shopping carts of my favorite stores to create my own little wishlists.  It's a good way of waiting for my favorite items to go on sale :)

I was scanning my Urban Outfitters cart and these items were in there--can you tell I'm a bit obsessed with stripes and navy this spring?

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

New garden flowers


Now that the vegetable garden is planted, B and I turned our attention to the flower gardens.  Landscaping certainly is an art, and one we are not well versed in.  We know what we like, but achieving that is a bit tricky especially when you're trying to plan in advance for how the flowers will eventually look versus the immediate gratification of having what you want right now.  We chose quite a few perennials along with annuals this year and hopefully will keep seeing them year after year!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Vintage Monday: LuRay oval platter

Yes, yes, I know I already have fifteen different sets of china that I am collecting but when I saw these LuRay platters in the gorgeous Persian Cream color at the NoMoCo thrift shop for a steal, I couldn't help myself.  (is this what addicts say?)


LuRay was produced by Taylor Smith & Taylor from 1938-1961 in four colors: Persian Cream, Windsor Blue, Sharon Pink and Surf Green (Chatham Gray was added later on).  Facing competition from Homer Laughlin's brightly colored Fiesta Ware, Taylor Smith & Taylor released this pastels line in the spring to appeal to those getting married. They also made sure that the plates were stamped which makes it easier for collectors today.


What I love the best about this oval platter is the fun handle detail--functional and beautiful as well!


ps: this failproof peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe can be found HERE

Friday, March 25, 2011

New throw pillows!

I haven't had much time in the last few weeks to cook, bake or photograph any food so I thought this Friday I'd show off some new throw pillows I've recently acquired.  Usually I have orange accents in our living room, but this spring, yellow seemed like a perfect pick me up and so I finally caved and got these two bright and cheery throw pillows.


The triangle/pyramid cover is by the wonderful Austin designer Leah Duncan who also designed one of my favorite prints seen here.   I'd been eyeing this cover at her etsy store for a long time and when West Elm hosted various local designers for a mini showcase a few weekends ago, I got to meet Leah for a few seconds and took the opportunity to claim this pillow cover.  Love the pyramids and bright colors. 


The second pillow with the cutest puppy curled up on it is from Robin & Mould, designers based in the UK.  Seeing this pillow never fails to make me smile and reminds me of my puppies who love to curl up on their own pillows.

 
Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Wishlist Wednesday: A garden that grows

Our raised bed garden adventure began a year ago.  You can check out its evolution and how we made the raised bed here, our giddiness at the first signs of prosperity,  and enjoying the fruits of our labor here and here

We've learned a lot of lessons last season, namely to water more frequently and in the mornings, build trellises sooner,  and plant more realistic vegetables that we can and will actually consume (remember my sole green bean harvest?)

So this year, B cleaned out the garden bed, added a few bags of organic cotton compost and we were ready to plant!

The garden bed always looks so neat and tidy in the beginning... 



This year, we've chosen cherry tomatoes 
(we figured this might give us a slight advantage 
over beating the squirrels to harvest first)



Seedless Japanese cucumbers and Persian cucumbers
(same seeds from last year)



And just to break it up a bit, I chose a Thai hot pepper 
(perfect to spice up Vietnamese spring rolls this summer)

 
And B chose a Habanero Pepper (on the far right)  
to spite the squirrels I think

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Winner!


Stephanie in Houston
You are the winner of the brass animal giveaway! 
This little guy will be on your way soon, 
please check your email!


Thanks to everyone that participated!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Vintage monday: Animal magnets

Continuing with the animal theme, here are some old kid's magnets I picked up at an estate sale for a quarter...  Of a dollar...  Have I mentioned how much I love estate sales?


And it's the last day for the brass animal giveaway!  You can enter HERE

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Giveaway reminder!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!  Just a reminder that you can still click HERE to win one of these little brass creatures!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Wishlist Wednesday: a puppy nap

I've been enjoying my spring break but it hasn't been as restful as I'd like.  There's been lots of errands, gardening, tidying and not enough napping!  For me at least.  As seen around our house this week...


wait! that's not Kirby's ear...someone's been sleeping in his bed!


Kirby is happy to share his bed for company--they'll be here the entire week


Link tries to blend in with the faux fur throw


Lizzie doing what she does best


And where is Kirby while everyone's sleeping?  
Waiting and watching for a squirrel to chase...
(or a golfer to bark at)

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

It's a jungle in here


Meet our newest member of the zoo that is fast becoming a jungle! (all these animals live in the jungle right?)


This adorable dinosaur planter is hand painted and filled with a hardy succulent that needs watering about twice a month (score!).  From the brilliant minds of Plaid Pigeon who I had the opportunity to meet at last weekend's Texas Style Council party hosted at BoConcept.   Check out their etsy shop for more awesome planters--they have a variety of dinosaurs and really unique succulents like this one... I think my dinosaur needs a friend...

Monday, March 14, 2011

Vintage Monday: Brass animals and a GIVEAWAY!


I've got a mini zoo on my hands!  These little inquisitive creatures stand about an inch or two tall and are handmade in Austria from old brass and oxidized for effect.  Since I have multiples, I thought I'd offer a giveaway for one lucky reader (and since there are like 10 of you, your odds are great!).   Leave me a comment with your email, which brass animal you'd like and where it would perch in your house!  I'll randomly draw a winner next Tuesday March 22.

Do you love...

the fantastic little fox

the wise owl

the early bird

the curious cat

or the mouse with the curly tail

Friday, March 11, 2011

Favorite Friday Cereal: Fruity Pebbles

I'm beginning my Spring Break one day early and celebrating with something I haven't had for breakfast in a long time...Fruity Pebbles!

Some of my plans for Spring Break include attending the Texas Style Council bloggers weekend, catching up on The Biggest Loser and Castle, spring planting in our garden, a little shopping and baking, and a quick trip to Missouri.

Here are some really awesome ideas on how to bake with Fruity Pebbles, if there are any left after I'm done with breakfast of course!


Fruity Pebbles bars (like Rice Krispy treats)


Fruity Pebbles pancakes


Fruity Pebbles cupcakes

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Wishlist Wednesday: Zara spring collection

So remember the Zara skirt I posted last week?  I've been pouring through the Zara site ever since and have found some lovely items that I'm contemplating on adding to my wardrobe.  These are all different choices for me, mainly bright colors and long skirts, but I think a few additions would fit in nicely with what I do have and add a bit more variety.



**ok so I don't need more shoes but I couldn't resist adding these in! :)