Country Roads, Take Me (Away From) Home

Thought I would share a few images from our anniversary weekend trip to the North Fork of Long Island, home to about 40 wonderful wineries of varying sizes. We stayed in the seaside town of Greenport, New York, at the minimally chic Greenporter Hotel. We then rented bikes, packed up a baguette-and-cheese picnic, and wine-tasted our way through the nearby towns of Southold and Peconic, where we visited the charming Lenz Winery, whose tasting room is housed in an lofty old potato barn, and the aptly-named Tasting Room, which carries several local vineyards in one place. Our favorite spot was the tiny, family-run Old Field Vineyards, pictured here at top and second from top, at right, where you can sip on the well-crafted Cabernet Francs and Merlots in a cutely-refurbished former chicken coop.

For anyone who lives in the city, loves wine, and is looking for a quick, easy getaway we couldn't recommend it more!

Monday Fun

Fantastical paper sculptures by Dutch artist Ferry Staverman. Currently on view at the Museum of Arts and Design's "Slash: Paper Under the Knife" exhibit.

happy anniversary, my love

One year ago Sunday, we tied the knot on tropical sands, surrounded by family and friends, complete with a rainbow in the background and a killer post-ceremony sunset... It's been an amazing year. I love you!


Photos courtesy of life magical, aka Minwin, who has been truly blessed with talent.

Random Happy Things

Citron yellow classic telephone from Sweet Bella


Felted soap from anthropologie


Retro-chic Tony Duquette 1951 Paris Snowflake Screen


This amazing 1790s copper tub, seen over on Apartment Therapy

Happy Birthday to *me*!

My awesome husband served me banana and chocolate chip pancakes in bed this morning, and tonight he's taking me on a "movie date" to see Where the Wild Things Are - it's gonna be a good day!

Warm N' Tasty

I am currently having some frustrations with the comments section of blogspot (why can't I post a comment on my own blog, for heaven's sake??) but I have no doubt that the yummy, healthy, greens-filled soup I'm having for lunch will soothe my cranky spirit.

As the colder weather starts to settle in here, this will become a bit of a staple along with my other favorite soup recipes that I haven't used since last February - like black bean, cauliflower, lentil, yum yum! I love having that big, warm pot simmering on the stove.


This one can easily be a vegetarian soup; I used some spicy sausage in mine but it can be omitted.

Kale and White Bean Soup
------------------------
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 or 5 carrots, chopped
1 bunch kale or swiss chard, washed and chopped, thick stems removed
1 can diced tomato
2 cans white beans
4-6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
3 cloves garlic

optional:
3 spicy sausage links
1/2 container baby portabello mushrooms, chopped

Drizzle some olive oil in the bottom of your favorite soup pot (any large pot will do) over medium heat, once it gets nice and warm add the sausage, if using, casings removed, breaking the meat up as it begins to brown. Then add your onions and carrots and let that hang out for a bit, 5 minutes or so... Go ahead and pour yourself a glass of wine or put your feet up for a minute. Follow with garlic and mushrooms (if using) until everybody gets soft and friendly, another 3-5 minutes. Then add the beans and tomatoes. Start adding your greens, but you may have to add it in batches, let it reduce a bit and then add more. Follow with your broth, bring it to a simmer, and let it simmer (not boil) for a good 20 minutes or longer on low heat. You can add a little water if it needs more liquid.

This makes a pretty big batch of soup. You can freeze some in individual containers, then bring it to the office and torture your coworkers with the savory scent of your homemade dee-light. I like to have mine with garlic toast. Tasty!

Monday Inspiration

If you've seen the recently-published compendium Naive: Modernism and Folklore in Contemporary Graphic Design, then you're familiar with Helsinki-born, Barcelona-based illustrator Pietari Posti, whose work adorns the cover, shown at the end of this post. His pieces remind me of the 1950's era of illustration that I love so much but with a mod, less-innocent twist. I'm particularly fond of his "GIANTS" series, above, a personal project depicting oversize animals in minimal, brightly-colored cityscapes. I'm also digging the slightly moodier Olivia series (below).

Have a happy Monday!




Naive: Modernism and Folklore in Contemporary Graphic Design

Friday Fun

This week I happened to come across not one but TWO rainbow cake recipes! What are the chances? Aren't they both just awesome? And both have detailed instructions. The first comes from the gorgeously delicious-looking Whisk Kid blog. I can't visit this blog without getting a contact sugar high - the desserts are that beautiful. This lemony tower-of-power is a buttercream-filled layered concoction that would leave Willie Wonka speechless.



The second cake comes to us from the very fun and very new blog 2nd Floor Living - it's a little lighter on the frosting, a bit more psychedelic, and is a more literal interpretation of the rainbow idea. It's created by layering different colors of cake batter in the same pan. How cool!


My favorite thing about these cakes is their quite normal appearance on the outside following by a pow! bam! bang! surprise on the inside. Is it a coincidence that I'm posting these a few days before my birthday? Or is it my secret birthday wish to be presented with a cake as cool as these??? You decide...

Eco-consciously Cool

I've been a big fan of Loop ever since I met owner/designer Elissa Brown Barbieri at this year's Stationery Show and fell in love with her mesmerizingly intricate, bio-science-y designs adorning recycled notecards, wrapping papers and notebooks. The ultra-eco-friendly vibe of the product line is reflected in the designs themselves; some of the patterns remind me of cellular walls - something you might have seen under the microscope in your high school biology class - turned into refined abstractions.

I recently purchased some of her doodlespark notecards (a colorful collaboration between Elissa and her mom) and was reminded of how excellent her products are. I just found out Elissa has expanded her line to include organic cotton textiles (below) featuring her beautiful, intricate patternwork. So exciting! These would make amazing pillow covers, dresses, etc.

Nushka Dolls

Check out these excellent nested wooden dolls and their super-cute website home, created by Melissa Gardner of Brisbane, Australia. I'm drawn to the colors in the Lena version, shown here, but you can choose from several different "personalities" of her hand-painted lovelies, or she will even do custom versions.

I'm also loving the friendly, bubbly vibe of Melissa's site; a fun place to visit on this rainy, dreary NYC morning!

This Week's Lunch Item

Veggie wraps! Very tasty and healthy, so I don't feel guilty when I have an afternoon treat.

I used zucchini, tomato, mushrooms, kidney beans and spinach, but you could basically substitute with whatever you like or have around. Saute the zucchini and mushrooms in a bit of olive oil for about 4 minutes, toss in a little salt and pepper and garlic if you like, then add some shopped fresh tomato and let that hang out for a few until the tomato starts to break down. Then add your beans and let them heat through, followed by a good handful of spinach. Take it off the heat once the spinach starts to wilt.

Take your whole wheat tortilla, and add a generous sprinkle of cheddar to the middle. Top with some of your veggie mix (don't worry if there's too much to fit - it's just as tasty leftover so you can make another wrap for the next day's lunch) and wrap it up!

Bon appetit!

Today I'm loving...

...style portraits from Backyard Bill.