Animal Prints

 

 

 

Have you seen these designs from Mika Organic? They're pretty clever. I think the flamingo is my favorite.

Tuesday Giveaway!

Update: Alycia at Crowley Party is the winner!

I have a giveaway for you this week courtesy of Modish Vintage. This fantastic Etsy shop is filled with unique, vintage items, carefully and lovingly handpicked by shop owner Evelyn. There are tons of eclectic finds, perfect for adding a little charm to your home.

One lucky winner will receive a $30 Modish Vintage shop credit. Just check out the shop and then leave a comment before midnight on Sunday, July 18, letting me know what you'd spend it on. Personally, I'm a little obsessed with the vintage letters. It must be the Novogratz effect. One winner will be chosen at random.

Mad for Plaid

This engagement photo session is so romantic in that comfortable, laid-back kind of way. And I've never seen plaid look so good.

Speaking of engagements, my lovely and dear friend Bethany got engaged to a wonderful fellow over the weekend, so a little shout-out/congrats to them.

[spotted on: A Cup of Jo; photographer: Shannen Norman]

Thoughts of the Week

Summer has finally, finally come to Seattle, and it has me wanting to do this.

The world would be a better place if all stairs were replaced with slides.

Adding to list of life goals: Eat a macaron in Paris.

This makes my bowl of Cheerios look lame.

Wearing sandals with decorated soles will put a little spring in your step, but it's our secret, okay?

Dining by the water makes food taste better.

When life gives you lemons, make lemon pie.

Wishing you all wonderful weekends. Stay cool!

The Red Balloon

I watched The Red Balloon for the first time the other night. I know, I know, I'm a bad film geek. It was pure magic. Enough to make me want to throw a red balloon party and learn French. If you haven't seen it, do so immediately.

State of Mind

I've come across so many cute items lately channeling state pride. Now it's just a matter of which state to represent since my home, my heart and my history are in three different places.

[q.a. design; always fits; catstudio glasses; 1canoe2; catstudio pillows; love california; 1canoe2]

Gelato Joy

I hope you had a fantastic 4th of July weekend. Mine was filled friends, walks by the water, glasses of iced green tea, multiple hamburgers and this perfect Nutella gelato. After spotting the recipe here, I knew had to try it. It turned out unbelievably creamy and sweet and reached heavenly dessert heights when topped with toasted hazelnuts. Absolutely worthy of long weekend indulging.


Chocolate Hazelnut Gelato
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis and Food Network

2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar, plus 1/4 cup
4 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)
1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts, crushed, for garnish

In a saucepan combine the milk, cream, and 1/2 cup sugar over medium heat. Cook until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl whip the egg yolks with the remaining sugar using an electric mixer until the eggs have become thick and pale yellow, about 4 minutes. Pour 1/2 cup of the warm milk and cream mixture into the egg mixture and stir. Add this mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over very low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, about 7 to 10 minutes.

Place a strainer over a medium bowl and pour the warm custard mixture through the strainer. Stir in the vanilla and hazelnut spread until it dissolves. (My batch didn't quite want to dissolve, so I ran it through the blender. Problem solved.) Chill mixture completely before pouring into an ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's instructions to freeze. To serve, scoop gelato into serving bowls and top with toasted hazelnuts. Makes one quart.