a charlie brown christmas

christmas time is here and it doesn't mean you have to have decorate with bows, bells and berries. 

                  floralgrubb.com

                                          shopterrain.com

                                          catsofchristmas.com

hoods

my friends down in dc turned me onto their hoods with ork posters. 

back to school

its back to school season, and here are some of the best things that i could find for the adults to fill their backpacks with. 

dalton ghetti makes simple lead pencils into amazing artwork. 

collaborative project between children’s librarian and artist mia cabana and her boyfriend, photographer oliver scott snure. mia and oliver collaborated on a recent show at sticks and bricks in northampton, mass that focused on creating art pieces by cutting silhouettes and illustrations to pop out of book pages and interact with three-dimensional objects like dollhouse furniture or flea market treasures. oliver took lovely pictures of the tiny installations which are also on sale for $24.

via designsponge

 backpack for all, whether its for school or work (or if you're like me and unemployed use it for interviews) by Piel.

hook ups

i love these branch brackets, that you can pair with a floating shelf from ikea to make a floating nightstand.

romance is not dead

everyone says that valentine's day is a hallmark holiday, its overrated, blah, blah, and blah; but i tend to disagree. i dont need roses and chocolates, but i think that there is something to be said for appreciating the special person in your life and putting a smile on their face. And that includes your parents, siblings and anyone else that you are close to! here is a whole bunch of inspirations from different websites for your special someone.

romantic bedroom ideas
handmade card ideas
martha craft and homemade gifts


STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE:

Serves 6

FOR THE SHORTCAKE
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced
2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup cold heavy cream
1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water or milk, for egg wash


FOR THE STRAWBERRIES
2 pints fresh strawberries
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier liqueur
Sweetened whipped cream

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Sift the flour, two tablespoons sugar, the baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Blend in the butter on low speed and mix until the butter is the size of peas. Combine the eggs and heavy cream and, with the mixer still on low, add to the flour and butter mixture. Mix until just blended.
3. Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough ½-inch thick. You should see lumps of butter in the dough. Cut 16 biscuits with a two-inch plain round cutter and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Brush the tops with the egg wash. Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the tops are lightly browned and the insides are fully baked. Cool.
5. To serve, toss the strawberries with the granulated sugar and Grand Marnier. Place the berries in martini glasses, top with a dollop of whipped cream, and serve with two small shortcakes on the side.


"If you have the time to marinate the strawberries for a half hour, they'll make a sauce that's delicious."
"This dough is quite wet. Use lots of flour when you roll it out so the biscuits don't stick."

signature line

L.L. Bean will launch their Signature line in March, which i am uber excited for clothing reasons. they have prelaunched 2 bags that i think are perfect for farmers market shopping and make you stand out above the rest in your waspy way.

best made company

this freaking axe makes me wish i had muscles and a lumber jack. hand made, polished, painted and made to order, best made company make axes look chic and are pricey.

Sir Rowf Candle

love these cute little candle heads from anthro. $30-$36 a piece