One of the reasons I enjoy mid century artists and design is that it speaks to my life right now. Eames, Girard, Risom, and Calder made things that were functional, simple, accessible, and delightful, even for children. Their work extends beyond shell rocking chairs and mobiles. Here are two creations in motion guaranteed to make you smile.
Read MoreWhat you are observing here is my carpet, a tiny digger, and some real dirt. Fortunately it was dry dirt. I should be mad, but here's the thing, I really love vacuuming.
It's methodical and relaxing, and totally unlike cleaning the bathroom. I also love my boyfriend Dyson and the Sting looking guy who invented him, and I love having a carpeted home. I find it decadent to lay on the floor and read magazines, and I love the warmth underfoot when I step out of bed in the morning. There was a time when I refused to consider looking at an apartment that wasn't completely hardwood, but now I can't imagine life without carpet, which I'm sure has something to do with having kids. Don't get me wrong, I still need a little hardwood with an accent rug in my life, but more for aesthetics, not for living. What do you think? Carpet or hardwood?
Read MoreWhen we were at Acre Coffee the other day enjoying our steamed soy milk and latte, respectively, Wylie and I sat and admired their beautiful table displays. They were glass jars with what I thought looked like succulents, some dry moss and little figurines, so cool, we thought we needed to make one (or many) of our own. I took a trip to our gardening center and found out that what I was looking for was actually called Tillandsias. They are commonly known as Air Plants, because they don't root in soil, you simply submerge them in water once or twice a week, shake them and put them back. I can do that. To give it an apothecary, spooky feel I decided to make our terrarium with brown dry moss and small feathered crows which I found at the craft store, twiggy branches from our yard, and a couple of my new air plants. I like the idea of switching out the birds and twigs for a new look during the holidays, and then again in Spring. Happy Weekend!
Read MoreSometimes I am a glorified lunch lady. I feel for them, I really do. On most days, my 1st grader's sandwich returns home smashed back into it's container, mostly intact, baby carrots dried up, an apple with one bite out of it, pretzels crushed into a powder. I am told that there just wasn't enough time to eat it, but I know this cannot possibly true. I make a mean sandwich, I assure you... So I'm trying something new. Both of my boys love sushi, as do a lot of kids these days. I've tried sending it for lunch in the past, but it gets pretty banged up and half of it comes home uneaten; I also get a little worried about raw fish in a lunchbox. So I was very excited when I found this recipe for hand ball sushi (Temarizushi) in a regional food magazine called Edible. The golf ball sized rolls are packed tightly in plastic wrap, keeping them firm and easy to eat. For Jasper's school version I used smoked salmon, avocado and nori squares (detail created with a hole punch) with sticky rice. Both kids had the hand rolls today and I'm happy to report that the lunch box returned home empty. Quick tutorial below...
Read MoreLet me start by saying a big thank you to Heather for inviting me here to guest post. I am lucky enough to know Heather in real life, and let me tell you that it is a treat to be invited to her house (hint, hint). Her boys are wild much like my own, but her home is always happy and beautiful (and clean!). There is always something delicious to eat, and some cool new DIY that has been done. I always check in to Poppy Haus hoping she has revealed THE BIG SECRET of how she does it all. But on to the goods...
Read MoreMake + Haus is the new name and online home for the blog Poppy Haus. Established in 2011, the blog archive now contains hundreds of original design projects and whole food recipes, many featured on the likes of Apartment Therapy, Martha Stewart, Design*Sponge, Curbly, and Epicurious.
