As summer winds down and we near the first days of school I've really cleared my schedule and am just enjoying being home as much as possible, cooking for family and enjoying the sunshine.
I am actually getting ready to take the bulk of September off from the studio as I help our son (and us) transition to kindergarten and full-time school life. I am really looking forward to having a few weeks away to recharge and focus on just being mom. I've been thinking about a few projects I'd like to get done too but for the most part I'm just hoping to fully embrace this time and enjoy my son and the magic that is five years old.
I am a long time devotee to the New Wayfarer but I've been craving a new pair of sunglasses with a more round shape. I picked up these from Warby Parker and can't stop wearing them...
Since we're in prime berry and stone fruit season, if you haven't made a galette yet, it is time. Here is a greatgo-to galette recipe to keep in your back pocket from who else but Melissa Clark...
Earlier this year I bought Floret Farm's book which provides wonderful guidance on having a cut flower garden and how to help blooms last once you've cut them...
Dahlias are among my favorites and while I only have a handful of plants in my yard, I have a feeling I might double down for next year...
I don't follow many people on Instagram outside my close circle of family and friends but I do follow and love Nitch. I'm always taking screenshots of the thoughtful quotations to keep with me. This is a recent favorite...
It is hard to believe we are enjoying the last few days of July. Our weekend plans consist of a whole lot of nothing. I feel like we've got "summering" down as we head into August. If you need something good to watch in the evenings this weekend I'd suggest The Defiant Ones. The four part series is really great.
Or if you are looking for something really good to listen to, I urge you to listen to Malcom Gladwell's podcast Revisionist History. It is enlightening and important and he is an incredible storyteller. This is the second season so if it is new to you, definitely go back and listen to season one as well. Queue it up for your Monday commute.
If you don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen this weekend, if you have a blender or a food processor you should at the very least whip up this delicious and versatile sauce that I pulled from Bon Appetit. I've made a parsley version, a cilantro one, I've left out the tahini and also included it. You can't go wrong. Truly you can use it on almost anything - salad dressing, tossed with roasted vegetables, on rice or pasta...you get the idea.
And I have a new favorite tank top. These micro rib ones from Everlane are perfect in every way...
They also make a perfect crewneck tee as well. Long enough, not too slim, no cap-sleeve business. I just stocked up on a few more for fall...
I also love this sea salt spray from local Seattle company Herbivore. I use it on both my hair and skin. My five year uses it too - "Mom, it smells like Hawaii!" He's right and it is divine...
One last thing. If you have some brown sugar and olive oil in your pantry go make this simple body scrub. Add a few large spoonfuls of brown sugar to a bowl, add the same amount of olive oil (maybe a bit more) and mix it up. It should have a consistency like this...
Then tomorrow morning, step into the shower (don't turn the water on) and scrub your body all over. Shower and rinse and welcome the weekend. Your skin will thank you.
A little inspiration for your Sunday. Watch this video...
I subscribe to Maria Popova's incredibly thoughtful weekly digest. You can read today's here and then subscribe for yourself.
If you've never been on Brain Pickings before, be sure to set aside some time to explore. I learn so much from her, especially book recommendations. The recent favorite being this one, Cry, Heart, But Never Break.
Speaking of books, I just finished Rebecca Solnit's Hope in the Dark. (Maria Popova happens to have a review of it here.) I'd also highly recommend listening to Rebecca's conversation with Krista Tippett.
On the flip-side of dark, I've added this bright and sunny hair-on Clare V clutch to my wishlist...
I've got a lot floating around in my mind this week; only one more day of preschool left, a big stack of books from the library on my nightstand, new recipes to try. I'm not sure where to begin so I'm just going to start unloading...
I've been loving this super basic and comfortable bra from Lively. It feels so nice to ditch the underwire for summer...
I just got this perfect little summer dress from Zara. It would look great with a pair of these earrings I'm still wishing for...
I pre-ordered Pamela Salzman's cookbook which finally comes out next week! I've talked about her and shared her recipes here many times. She cooks how I like to cook and like me, the woman loves to eat and eat well. I'm excited about this one. She'll also be here in Seattle at Book Larder later this month...
I want to get a few of these Turkish Towels to bring with us to the beach and the pool this summer...
I'll also be wearing these classics a lot this summer...
I bought this rad letter board a few months ago which hangs in our dining room...
I'm also doing some major organizing at home, specifically the shelves in my husband's office and the hall closets. I love these stackable bins that I find at Storables and have been using them at home and at my studio for the last several years. They are great for toiletries, batteries, light bulbs, paperwork that needs to be filed, you name it. I have both the small and large ones.
And just for fun, Jacques Pépin dicing an onion...
It finally feels like spring around here. My peas are coming up through the dirt, the rhubarb is thriving and the morning light is returning.
The last several weeks have been intentionally quiet and lovely. Lots of time in the kitchen and increasingly more time digging in the garden in between the rain showers. Lots of music, little news. Lots of thinking about my work and composing a meaningful life, and that my son will be turning five in a few weeks. It feels like a proper spring renewal.
On the music front I've been listing to Bon Iver's latest album 22, A Million on repeat. Specifically this song cranked up...
I bought a set of these multipurpose stainless clips last year and they remain one of my favorite and most useful things in the kitchen...
So I got out the fabric scissors and hacked off the ends to give them new life, and now they are pretty perfect.
I first learned about the Ooni pizza oven last fall and we finally ordered one. I gotta say, it is pretty epic. We are making pizza for a crowd for my son's birthday so I've been dough recipe testing and practicing my skills. The winner is the dough from Franny's...
The recipe is in Franny's cookbook (which Melissa Clark co-authored) and also in Melissa's newest one. In her book the recipe is in grams which I prefer and also makes it super easy to double or triple the recipe. (We let it rise for the full 48 hours by the way.) You can also find the recipe online here.
As someone that teaches fitness for living it might be surprising that I don't have an extensive "athleisure" wardrobe. I have a few favorite pants like these and these that I often teach in. But when I am doing my own Pilates workout I don't like any fancy tops with crazy straps or fashion forward cuts. I prefer the same high-waisted, knee length Nike tights I've had for years (similar to these) and my standby cotton tank tops from Target that I wrote about way back when I started this blog four years ago.
However, I have been eyeing a few upgrades from Outdoor Voices. Namely these leggings...
As I've mentioned before, I have a cookbook problem. An addiction really. Cookbooks and Clare V bags (as demonstrated by my purchase of this beauty today that was an extra 25% off and is in army green suede)...
Yep. So back to cookbooks, I've only been allowing myself to check them out from the library as of late but then a friend gave me a gift card to the local cookshop and I walked straight to the back and picked up these two that have been on my wishlist...
And Julia Turshen's Small Victories which is crazy good for both a novice in the kitchen and the well-seasoned home cook. The recipes are delicious and simple and she also shares some really fantastic tips. Like the one to make a perfect margarita without a shaker which I utilized this evening...
"Whisk together the juice of one lime with 1 Tbsp agave nectar and 3 Tbsp good-quality tequila. Serve over plenty of ice."
Last night for dinner I made her Potluck Quinoa which was stellar - comprised only of quinoa, hazelnuts browned in a good amount of olive oil, lemon juice, arugula, dill and Maldon salt.
Image from On Being
I've been working my way through the On Being archives and just listened to Krista's conversation with Gwendolyn Zoharah Simmons and Lucas Johnson. It was recorded nearly two years ago but current as ever. Lucas's words on "revolutionary pacifism" stuck with me (especially the bit about the importance of "internal work")...
“Muste would talk about a revolutionary pacifism, right? That was his expression and that was his way of describing this notion of direct engagement. Pacifism was not about neutrality while injustice was around you but it was about finding the courage to respond in love. And I think that it begins with a commitment to love. I describe it as a spiritual discipline, right, as something that requires a lot of internal work in order to see others as opponents but not enemies, to see others a part of the social transformation that you’re seeking to create.”
I also bought these really fantastic pants from Kit & Ace for teaching at the studio. But they look so great and have a nice heavy drape, more like a trouser, that they'd make a great travel pant and are totally appropriate for wearing out on the town...
A few weeks ago we had a stretch of some pretty cold temps which had me searching for a pair of proper winter boots. If the cold returns I think I'd like to order these!
As I wait for the boys to wake up I'm looking at cookie recipes on The New York Times and just saw Melissa Clark's video on these pistachio morning buns. Yep, I am definitely going to be making these in the coming days...
A few more gift ideas. My husband has this down sweater which is super affordable and has a cool vintage vibe...
I'd love to get this scarf for my husband (also so I can borrow it myself)...
It seems a bit wrong to be looking at these today as the temps are in the low 30s here, but holy smokes do I love these...
It is super slick. In less than a minute it heats the milk to a perfect temp that my kiddo can drink right away. This would be a cool gift with a special hot chocolate mix.
