dreamy dishware

Just when I got my mind around not purchasing another baking dish or serving platter (I have a thing for ceramics) I saw these gorgeous dishes at Anthropologie. We've been dining off of our basic white IKEA plates for so long and the lively pattern on these dishes is so refreshing. I know they will make whatever I serve on them look better... I wonder if they will make my cooking taste better? Either way, a page has come loose from the Anthropologie catalog and has mysteriously found its way into Hero Hubby's mail pile. He just might find it by Christmas.

wordless wednesdays

oh, wear! midi madness

After seeing this post on one of my favorite blogs, Lucy Laucht, I was inspired to drag out my black midi skirt that has been living in the back of my closet for the past several years. It's perfect for these last few warm fall weeks. I wore mine with a cream colored dolman sleeve top and peep-toe wedge sandals. A scarf is a must have for me this time of year and I'm really liking this leopard print pictured above. I love the color combo of tomato red and tan leather. It might be necessary to invest in a second midi skirt!

skirt | top | shoes | bag | bangles | scarf | sunglasses

hello birdie

Earlier this morning I sat down to write a blog post when I heard a thump on the glass door of the breezeway. I got up to investigate. When I opened the door to the chilly, damp morning I found a small woodpecker laying defeated-looking on the threshold. After a little nudge and few strokes of affection on top of its head, the bird hopped down the steps and zipped off into the bright blue sky.

It was a nice moment; seeing something falter and then take flight reminded me of how many times us humans are forced to take a pause from the action in life. Whatever that pause may be (great or small) it's important to allow... and hope that there's someone or some force to give us a little nudge and affection to help us on our way again.

iSad

I was just a girl all of five years old when I first gazed upon the Apple IIe. I would stare up at the green glow and play number munchers with reckless abandon until my father would walk into the room and announce that it was my bedtime. Times have changed since then and Apple products have gone through much transformation. In light of Steve Jobs' passing, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on the transformation and vision he brought to the Apple brand. Thanks, Steve, for making a great product and bringing such innovation and inspiration to the world of computers and technology.

Wired Magazine put is best:

A visionary inventor and entrepreneur, it would be impossible to overstate Steve Jobs’ impact on technology and how we use it. Apple’s mercurial, mysterious leader did more than reshape his entire industry: he completely changed how we interact with technology. He made gadgets easy to use, gorgeous to behold and essential to own. He made things we absolutely wanted, long before we even knew we wanted them. 

image via wikipedia

color therapy: terracotta

Terracotta, or "cooked earth," is a color that looks spunky in just about any situation and can be found in so many unexpected places. How ethereal the color can be in this silk cami... what a rich burst of color this shade brings to a dining area.

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wordless wednesdays

 

 

 

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dinner tonight: mujadara

Muja-da-whaaaat? Mujudara, also known as lentils and rice, is a traditional Lebanese dish. Just thinking about it reminds me of the distinct savory smell in my grandmother's kitchen when she would make a large pot of this deliciously hearty soul-food. My grandmother cooked with a pretty basic recipe - lentils, rice, onions, salt and pepper. I recently discovered this recipe and was inspired to make my own version of an old family classic.

INGREDIENTS
1 c lentils
3 Tbls olive oil
1 tsp cracked peppercorns
1 lg onion, chopped (I like using a sweet onion)
1 c rice
1 tsp cumin
tiny pinch cinnamon
1.5 tsp salt
3 c chicken stock

DIRECTIONS
Rinse the lentils first, then cover with water and cook until tender, but not mushy (about 20 minutes). Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, add the olive oil and cracked pepper to a large, heavy pot. Cook for just a minute and add onions. Sauté until caramelized, about 15 minutes. Next, add the rice, cumin, cinnamon and salt. Cook the rice just until it starts to turn a little tan in color. Immediately add the cooked lentils and stock. Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer until the rice is cooked through. 

Serve with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley.

image via hannaford markets

dear Instagram...

Dear Instagram,

Why are you only available for iphone and ipad? I love the retro-y look you cast over photos and your homage to the beloved Kodak Instamatic and Polaroid aesthetic. You could make my images impossibly hip, but alas, I don't have an iphone or ipad. 

Boo-hoo,
Marissa 

Lucky for all of us not in the iclub, Daniel Box has created a fabulous assortment of photoshop actions that are much like those killer instagram filters. Here are examples of all the filters. The original image is at the bottom. I especially like "sutro" and "brannan." The next step is to get some prints and see how these filters look in the flesh. These will be so cute printed up as postcards to send to the grandparents. Thanks, Dan, for making these!