It’s no secret that bringing a little green into your environment increases the positive vibes. These terrariums from Score & Solder are breathtaking, the style is fresh – I’m already picturing one on the entrance table at our new house.
photo: Score + Solder
photo: Score + Solder
photo: Score + Solder
Bring on the succulents, tiny cacti, and miniature ceramic animals.
-h
Do you get an insane amount of catalogs? My parents definitely do, I can’t help but think it is such a waste of paper, that is until something completely unexpected shows up in the catalog repertoire. This week it was from Uncommon Goods. This catalog is stocked full of gifts that would actually fit for every single person I would ever need to buy gifts for. (I’m not endorsed by them, they have no clue who I am.) I know there is someone on your list (Dad) that is really difficult to buy gifts for, and I’m telling you this place has everything. Here is my top picks from Uncommon Goods of items that I giggled, pointed out, or put in my mind-pocket for later.
photo: Uncommon Goods
1. The Shark Socks: “Oh excuse me while I cross my legs, AWWW there is a shark eating my ankle!”
photo: Uncommon Goods
2. For my favorite penguin lover, the Zenguin Tea Cups, not just for sipping tea these could stash hairbands, paper clips, or whatever. So adorable.
photo: Uncommon Goods
3. The Spiky Owl Balancer Stake: I have a minor obsession with owls as is, I love how cute they are, and I can picture this as something unexpected in someone’s front yard.
photo: Uncommon Goods
4. The State Kitchen Towel, for someone who lives away from home, or has lived in a different state, or for the couple that met someplace random. A simple, yet memorable way to incorporate a meaningful spot into their home. Also available in region or city.
photo: Uncommon Goods
5. For the prankster on your list, the Glass Water Faucet, the mature way to induce a double take.
I could spend all day adding to this list – I would totally recommend checking out the site to find something for that person that is a little difficult to buy for.
-h
We can’t turn a corner these days without hearing about a restaurant that is going local. This is not a new concept, our grandparents were the actual founding fathers of this concept. The hard part is, what does buying local actually mean? For me, it is an obsession with finding new ingredients at the farmer’s market and learning about what they can be used for. It is about planting a very small planter box with some basic easy grow veggies. It is about harvesting every single tomato possible that is ripening on my parent’s bushes and learning what to do with the squash that was supposed to acorn squash and is so obviously not. Last weekend R and I had the privilege of visiting S and hitting up the Bellingham Farmer’s Market. A market that should not and cannot be reckoned with, the amount of local produce represented is truly amazing. We didn’t buy much, as I had enough local 7.1% alcohol content Chuckanut Brewery Vienna Lager pulsing through my veins, that I also was a force to be reckoned with. But I did snap this pic of mushrooms that emulates the Bellingham market.
photo: hh
Much to my surprise when I got home last night, my dad had a supply of morel mushrooms that his friend gathered nearby. We crafted the mushrooms into a red sauce that was delicious and good for you.
There is no time like the present to take the opportunity to invest in your local farmers. Whether it is picking produce grown in the US while you’re at the super market or hitting up your nearest farmer’s market, co-op, or fruit stand – commit to learning where and how the things that you are putting in your body are grown.
So I challenge you – buy something adventurous that you have never cooked this week and use it. Have you ever sauteed beets? Put wild mushrooms on your pizza? Added goat cheese to your salad? These are ingredients that I know you can utilize.
Be well.
-h
I love a great transition piece and right now, I can’t stop looking at ombre items, both inside and out. It all starts with a scarf, and before I know it, I’m noticing ombre dahlias too.
Scarf - Nordstrom, Shirt - J.Crew, Jeans - Madewell, Boots - Frye, Necklace - JohnLewis.com, Tote- Banana Republic
Interior, exterior, between ombre, chevron print, and stripes, I’m getting excited about transitioning into fall. New season, new beginnings.
photo: hh
I think it’s the bajillion years of school, but fall truly means getting back in a routine. So bring it on, and bring on the ombre transition pieces because they are inspiring.
-h
Summer might be winding down a bit but that doesn’t mean it’s time to close up shop on the gardening. There is still time to plant a few colder weather vegetables. I took advantage of some space in my mom’s planters (she has to use planters in the front of the house because one of their dogs loves to munch down some of his favorites including the herbs, and it’s a good way to avoid slugs). I decided to pick up radish, beet, and arugula seeds. I planted them last Friday and low and behold, they’ve already sprouted!
photo: hh
Radish sprouts!
photo: hh
Arugula sprouts! With my mom’s thriving basil and a couple of rogue pansies.
Is there anything more exciting then watching something grow? It can be as simple a plant, or as complex as a child, growth is wonderful.
-h
Last week I was in hot pursuit of peonies. I love having fresh flowers in the house, simply because I think they add a bright element to any room. Peonies are particularly exciting because they trigger memories of the beginning of summer for me. I love that within a few days of having them they aren’t dying, they’re opening up and revealing their full glory of color.
Historically, the peony is native to Asia, southern Europe and western North America. Since the late 900s, the flower has been seen in Chinese art as a symbol of riches and honor.
photo: hh
Lucky for us, it is pretty easy to find peonies in local flower shops or specialty grocery stores this time of year. The ballet slipper pink, fuschia, and violet all caught my eye at my local Whole Foods. However, an all white bouquet can be incredibly breathtaking as well.
Whether you favor peonies or not, I have to say that any fresh flowers will add a surprising positive addition to your day and your space.
-h
Pansy. The word that has been on the tip of my tongue since spring hit.
Growing up with two walking plant encyclopedias (Thank you, Mom and Dad) is no joke, but you begin to have an exceptional appreciation for flowers of all kind. When spring comes each year it seems that each has its own festival: Rhododendron Festival in Port Townsend, WA, Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley, WA and Daffodil Festival in Puyallup, WA. These are the popular flowers (and festivals), but what about the ones most people can’t name instantly?
Spring came late this year in the Northwest, causing flowers to bloom later than usual. As colors sprouted all around, I began to think of when our mom would take us each year to pick out a pansy plant of whatever color we wanted. Pansies are a flower that returns each year, so it was always exciting to get to add to the collection from previous years. Remembering this tradition this spring put a smile on my face and I hope these beautiful pictures put a smile on yours.
The last picture is one my mom sent me just today from outside her office!
Enjoy!
-S