Today I made a double batch of this lentil soup (since I devoured it the first time around just two days ago), poured myself a beer, put on some Bach and tackled some online holiday shopping. Here's what I'm eyeing this year for myself and others...
First off, I think this dress would be a knockout for the holiday party circuit...
This griddle from Baking Steel would make an epic gift for the cook in your life. I may have already bought this for myself...
My friend Omar has these salt and pepper grinders which I have long wanted for myself, only I don't use a salt grinder. I finally got wise and figured out I could use the other one as a spice mill and finally get rid of my old cuisinart coffee grinder that is too loud and does just a so-so job of grinding spices. So I'd love to have these...
After hosting a crew for Thanksgiving I realized that I could really use a couple of really big 8 and 10qt stainless steel restaurant bowls like these...
I already have one of these great totes which I use for everything from groceries to carting things to the studio. I could easily use another one myself and will order another for my sister-in-law...
This super soft and generously sized scarf doubles as a blanket, perfect for my travel-loving girlfriend...
And this Lumio lamp in walnut for my design-savvy husband...
A month or so ago while having lunch with a friend, I was served a Sapporo in a glass like this which never tasted so good). I've been on the search ever since...
I will forever have at least one thing from Clare V on my wishlist. Right now I'd love to have this simple wallet clutch...
A pair of these rad socks for the many Star Wars lovers in my family...
It is pouring today, a proper Seattle-in-October rain. When I took my son to preschool this morning we suited up in our rain boots and raincoats and carried an...umbrella. I had to chuckle as we stood there waiting to go into school when I realized we were the only ones. This may seem strange to anyone else that does not live in Seattle but the majority of Seattleites do not carry umbrellas. My entire four years at UW I never owned an umbrella. I would walk with the masses of umbrella-less students all over campus in my REI parka, hood pulled tight over my head, drenched everywhere but my torso and unflinching. Growing up here you kind of learn to be one with the rain.
I finally became a habitual umbrella carrier somewhere in my late twenties, and it was probably more of a sartorial decision than a practical one. I finally decided I didn't want to wear the same outdoorsy rain shell from REI with my work clothes or heaven for bid dress clothes (another sure sign of a Seattleite).
So alas, if you are in your thirties and still find yourself braving the rain without an umbrella this is the one to keep in your bag, car or at work. (For home we have this larger stick umbrella.)
And not just for damp days, if you still don't have a classic trench coat in your wardrobe, this is a great one...
I saw this photo on Clare Vivier's Instagram feed last week and promptly did a quick internet search to find that shirt! Mine arrives today. Get it here.
We just installed two of these small Muuto dots in the kitchen. It's a good place to hang my apron but I'll be just as happy to keep them bare.
I'm looking for some new napkins before the holiday hosting begins. These ones from West Elm look good and would look cool with my vintage indigo tablecloth...
Now that it really feels like fall we put our fireplace to use over the weekend. I would love to have this match striker on my mantle throughout the season...
We are still looking for the perfect coffee table for our basement. I think these rad table legs from Floyd Detroit might be the answer...
They also make cool book ends, which have been a challenge to find...
I just ordered a set in black to wrangle my cookbook collection. Speaking of cookbooks, I certainly do not need another one but Amanda and Merrill of Food52 (still one of my favorite sites) have a new one out that looks pretty great...
I mentioned the Away suitcase a few posts back, but now I'm also smitten with similar "smart luggage" maker Raden. It has the same bells and whistles but it also weighs itself with the help of an app. Plus, it just looks beautiful. I favor the matte black...
Dreaming of teaching in a pair of these cashmere sweatpants when the temperature really starts dropping.
It sounds like we have an epic storm approaching tomorrow and into the weekend so we spent this gorgeous day at the park. Followed by peanut butter cookie making...
This is the first time I've made Heidi Swanson's recipe and they are pretty stellar. (Might I mention they are vegan and refined sugar free to boot?) We like them straight out of the freezer.
My son's Boba Fett Halloween costume is a wee bit big...
Thankfully I happened to read this article on Food52 today and promptly ordered a Micro Stitch. Problem solved.
One of the most life-changing things I've done this year is finally taking Omar's advice and start using You Need a Budget. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It gives such a clear overall picture of where our money is (and goes) and has completely changed our relationship to money and how we make future plans like saving for a vacation or retirement. Plus since both A and I are self-employed, we can also easily track the overhead for our business accounts, set aside money for estimated tax payments, expenses etc all under the same umbrella as our personal stuff so we finally have a good overall picture of where we stand. All that is super good and important but the real kicker? It is actually really fun to use. It's like my kind of video game.
No need for me to tell you more since Omar wrote a perfect write up about it here. So go read that and then go use it. Seriously.
Now I'm trying to find room in the budget for this beauty from Clare V...
The last few weeks have been full of re-organizing and tidying up. The kitchen is finally put together and I restocked it with a few of my favorite basics. I keep a stack of these kitchen towels in a basket on the counter...
These are my favorite sponges. I first found them at Trader Joe's years ago but now I can only find them on Amazon. They clean beautifully, never smell and can be sanitized in the dishwasher.
I finally got rid of all of our random face cloths that had seen better days and upgraded to these super absorbent, soft and affordable washcloths that I keep stacked in the bathroom...
With the beginning of school, so too came the first cold through our house. This year I have a new cold-blasting weapon...Fire Cider.
I've been a long time fan of drinking raw apple cider vinegar for better health, but this stuff has a few extras giving it a serious, but delicious kick. Oranges, lemons, onions, ginger, horseradish, habanero pepper, garlic and turmeric are steeped in apple cider vinegar for six weeks and then raw wildflower honey is added making a super immunity boosting elixir.
I'll sip an ounce or so on its own or add it to sparkling water with a splash of unfiltered apple cider which makes for a mighty tasty non-alcoholic cocktail. I'm addicted and am easily making my way through my half gallon.
A few years ago my friend Rita gave me some sage advice that I still carry with me on a daily basis. I had mentioned how I was frustrated at the time that I had fallen off my own regular Pilates routine. I was re-hashing how maybe it was because I had a toddler at home and was juggling so much and that finding time for self-care no matter how much we enjoy it can be challenging...blah, blah, blah. Typical me, trying to find an explanation as to "why" beating myself up a bit in the process.
Rita wisely said, "We just begin again."
So here I am, two months absent from my last post, beginning again.
This week definitely feels like a new beginning. Today my son is back on his regular preschool schedule. This week also marks a new schedule change for me at the studio which allows me to better balance my home life/work life/husband's travel schedule. The weather here is incredibly beautiful - bright sun without a cloud in the sky but a not insignificant chill in the air. Change is coming.
The last two months have been full of home improvement projects. The kitchen of course (post on that forthcoming) and the exterior got a new coat of paint...
I've been happily spending all of my free time working out in the yard, cutting back plants and hauling and spreading mulch and wood chips. And for the first time I got it together to do a fall planting and put some kale and chard starts in the ground.
Working solo in the yard has also served as a bit of a refuge from the challenge of parenting a four year old who over the last few weeks has more resembled a mad king. At least that's how it feels. So far, four years old feels especially contradictory in that the highs are really high, magical even, where I can't believe my luck getting to be with this little person. But the lows are low, exposing what can feel like the worst in ourselves. Impatient and ungraceful. But the beauty therein lies that even when I am not my best self, tomorrow is a new day and a new beginning.
A huge bright light in the last few months has been discovering this not new podcast, On Being. I have much to say about what a pleasure it is to listen to Krista Tippett and the thoughtful conversations she has with thinkers, artists, scientists, writers. But for now, it isn't a stretch to say that it is life-changing.
I am enamored with these Japanese towels I picked up at Canoe while we were in Portland last month. We have a small bathroom and no room for a proper towel rack, just hangers on the door so these quick to dry, soft and beautiful towels were a big upgrade. Plus they take up hardly any space in the linen closet.
Today was a perfect summer day kicking off the long holiday weekend. We lounged around home and I accomplished pretty close to nothing. And I plan to do the same tomorrow, and the next day. In good timing, these two books I've been waiting for just arrived at the library...
I take it back. I will accomplish something this weekend! Reading! A huge feat for someone with a young child. (And I might be sipping on Vinho Verde.)
A few more things adding to my summer mood...
I just bought these jeans from Zara and am in love. They are the perfect summer wash with a cool 70s vibe. I took a pair of fabric scissors and cut them down to size leaving the seam raw. Get them now on sale for just $20!
These water balloons are epic. Not only do they fill in seconds, but they self-seal and are biodegradable. Heads up, I hear you can find them at Costco (in bulk of course) and half the price.
We also finally found the perfect outdoor umbrella stand that will last more than one season and looks great...
I keep this affordable rosewater spray with me and mist throughout the day during the summer. It helps keep my skin hydrated plus it smells divine. Find it locally at PCC or Whole Foods as well...
And the most recent addition to my wishlist are these Marais sandals...
Whew, where did the last few weeks go?! Mother's Day came and went, my son celebrated his 4th birthday, my older brother was inducted into his university's hall of fame for being an insanely stellar middle distance runner and we are gearing up to start a kitchen remodel in two short weeks. More on all that soon but in the meantime, I've been on a spending hiatus (see above mention of pending kitchen remodel) but that never keeps me from adding things to my wishlist with abandon. Here are the latest additions...
Our wedding anniversary is next week and I'd love to wear this dress out to dinner...
I'd also like to update the black pants in my closet with these (and maybe a smoked aubergine pair to wear when gray skies return in the fall)...
Now's a good time to stock up on linen tank tops in my usual black, white and gray palette...
And since the tanks are a wee bit sheer and the shoulders cut in, a pretty undergarment like this one with convertible straps would be especially nice.
I need a new hat for working out in the garden and I'd love to have one to take on sunny beach vacations that doesn't get crushed in my suitcase. This one looks promising...
I'd love one of these beautiful pillows for the living room...
And this candle set from Heath's seasonal collection...
And I've been fantasizing about this Staub kettle sitting on the stove in my new kitchen later this summer...
It has been over 80° in Seattle the last four days. For those of you not from here, this is pretty much unheard of around these parts...in April. Summer in Seattle is glorious but we usually have to wait for those warmer temps until after July 4th. Needless to say Seattleites are walking around like it's a party, flocking to the beaches of Lake Washington during the day on a Monday.
My husband has been traveling non-stop so I've been taking more time off from teaching the last few weeks to hang with my boy. We've not done much else lately except plant in the garden, indulge in popsicles and watch Octonauts. I don't have too much else to report although here are a few things occupying my mind this week...
Our house is west facing and we're up off the street so we get a lot of sun exposure. We've planted our rockery and parking strip with lots of sun-happy, drought tolerant plants like rosemary and lavender. This "Helmsdale" spanish lavender is my favorite variety. After the first year, it is totally hands-off. I never cut it back and it maintains a soft, full shape. The flowers are a deep purple and the scent is heavenly.
Given the warmer temps, we've been having big salads for dinner every night this week. Our Heath salad bowl is our go to. It is shallow and 13" in diameter and makes for a perfect presentation. I'd like to make this beautiful salad in it next...
I've also been bringing out my old standby Gap denim jacket a lot lately. Mine's a few years old but it is just like this one. It is soft and not too fitted so I can easily wear a hoodie underneath it.
I've been consuming a lot of my favorite local Kombucha these days which makes a good stand-in for cocktail hour...
I've also been making Sarah's Goji Berry Lemonade (though I subbed maple syrup for the sweetener). I prefer it with with lemons but had some extra limes that needed to be put to use...
And finally I've been thinking a lot about this quote from Andy Puddicombe...
“One of my teachers used to say “Always keep death by your side.” At first glance that could be seen as rather gloomy, even comical. But it has real depth. Life races by, we miss so much, caught up in all the busyness of the mind. We go to bed and assume we will wake up. We wake up and assume we will go to bed at the end of the day. In doing so, we take our life for granted, we get so caught up in things that we miss the opportunity to connect with those around us in the way we would like to. But if we remember our mortality, we start to appreciate the preciousness of life, we become more calm, have more perspective, and are more able to affect positive change in the world.”
