Honey Bee Things

Three Month Update!

2011-04-17T16:59:00.000-04:00

So... I'll gradually update you on all that has been going on in the past three months. I've been using my tumblr and twitter wayyyyyy too much. For now, I'll leave you with the fact that I am going to Cambodia in June!!!!

From here.

I Sometimes Feel

2011-01-03T19:16:00.000-05:00

As though I am the most brittle glass.

This line keeps running through my head, and has been for about a week. Not sure why. Perhaps I'll elaborate in a bit. Also, I'm truly sorry for the lack of posts for 2 months...they have been interesting.

Jazz Party!!

2010-10-12T07:32:00.000-04:00

Don't you think we should have something like this??

A Baby Garden!!

2010-10-11T07:29:00.000-04:00

I want to try this out.

Bees

2010-10-11T07:21:00.000-04:00

You really don't know how much I want to be a beekeeper. It's not fair that I can't do it in college! I do love this post though!

via here

From My Desk

2010-10-10T07:20:00.000-04:00

How cute are these stamps?!

Natural to do list

2010-10-09T07:16:00.000-04:00

After the toothpaste (which I have done - it is awesome!) I need to do shampoo (I'm going to try this recipe and this recipe)

I also think WiseBread is a great new site to peruse for my obsessive need to be more frugal!

I would like

2010-10-08T07:13:00.000-04:00

to make this desk!

Anthology Mag/Print is not Dead

2010-10-07T07:10:00.000-04:00

Print Is Not Dead from Anthology Magazine on Vimeo.

via here. (i also love the magazine, here)

Photos adrift

2010-10-06T07:07:00.000-04:00

I find this work very beautiful (I know, the only word I know...) But you should check it out anyway!

via here

My Own fabric?!

2010-10-05T07:03:00.001-04:00

At spoonflower, you can make your own fabric!! How awesome! I will have to do this :)

I could also just order beautiful fabric from frelis!

Stanford Kay

2010-10-04T07:01:00.000-04:00

Is also very interesting ;)

Pete Sack

2010-10-04T06:59:00.000-04:00

Pete Sack's work is so beautiful - I got to see it at ArtSpace a few weeks ago.

:)

Book Futures

2010-10-03T06:57:00.002-04:00

This is interesting... I like the play between real, paper books and digital - if only all e-book-esque items were marketed this way!

The Future of the Book. from IDEO on Vimeo.

Skirt Idea

2010-10-03T06:46:00.001-04:00

This skirt is so cute :) I'd like to make this when I have a life...

It's only Natural

2010-10-02T19:16:00.000-04:00

Check out this little community... how amazing! I need to learn a bit more about it.

Paper Frivolities

2010-10-02T18:44:00.001-04:00

I love these ideas.

via here

via here

via here

The Exquisite Book from ALSO on Vimeo.

via here

and here

I think this is heaven.

2010-09-19T13:28:00.000-04:00

Paxton Gate is something amazing.

"Paxton Gate was founded in December of 1992 by two landscape designers whose inspiration came from a fascination with the natural world. In its original incarnation, Paxton Gate was an eccentric gardening store with a hint of the natural sciences – a forum in which to present not only interesting and unique gardening merchandise but to feature items inspired by the garden and the natural world. But soon after its inception, a predilection for the more bizarre side of nature became apparent, and oddities such as the insects and taxidermy began to creep onto the scene."

all pictures via Paxton Gate.

Ruche now.

2010-09-19T12:25:00.000-04:00

Uhm, pretty gorgeous. Check out this season's Ruche!!

This could be something good.

2010-09-18T12:21:00.002-04:00

I think I might try a spin off of this Bento thing... it might help me eat better and life a little more calmly...

via Just Bento

SparkCon 2010!!!

2010-09-17T12:23:00.001-04:00

It is here!!! I am participating in ChalkFest this year, and have no clue what I will be drawing. But look out for some pictures after Sunday!!!

Back to normal?

2010-09-16T12:18:00.001-04:00

Hi all! I'm sorry to have taken so long to post... I'm not sure I even understand how busy the last two weeks have been.

Anyway.... I have tons of news!
As you know, I have definitely moved into school. That's done with. As for now, I'm just learning to cook, seriously, for myself and my roommate. Sometimes we get it right and sometimes we're hungry, other times we just eat tortillas.

I've been working on a lot of stuff for school./clubs. Since I don't really like to bring all that into the blog, I'll leave it off. However, I will let you know that I am presenting my summer research on Sept. 29th and will get some pictures to share!! I am so excited about it - but I actually need to make the presentation.... yeah, about that...

I got a new camera! I bought a used, silver Canon EOS Digital Rebel for $250. It came with a mini tripod and a 28-80 mm lens and a bag for it all. I need to download the manual so I can start to take really good pictures :) The day I got it in the mail, I was in a really bad mood, then I opened it up and couldn't stop smiling!

Slowly but surely I am working on my NC birds project for the MASS grant. I'll be at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences pretty much all Sunday so that I can use the collections in my work. I'm also going to be taking a printmaking class at Pullen Arts Center later in the semester. Yay prints! (I adore printmaking.)

Went to Carolina Beach for Labor Day, but I only got a few pictures, sadly, my old camera was finicky the whole weekend. We camped and played in the amusement park (really just rode the ferris wheel....) and had a great time - I hadn't been to the beach for two years!!

I'll be back later this week with other great things that I've been doing/gleaning from the internet!

Craft 101: Silkscreen

2010-08-27T08:59:00.000-04:00

It has been such a long time since I've silkscreen printed the right way. I want to do it again :)

Check out this tutorial.

I screenprinted my own bag using special screen/.emulsion paper... here are the designs and pics!

I think

2010-08-26T02:58:00.000-04:00

I think I want my wedding invites to be like this....
via Truly Smitten

Astonishing.

2010-08-25T02:56:00.004-04:00

From Me to You is amazing. period.

Are they not beautiful words?

2010-08-24T02:51:00.000-04:00

Graphic designers constantly amaze me (and make me jealous!!) Check out the new Penguin Classics!

via here.

Raleigh Denim

2010-08-23T02:49:00.000-04:00

How cool is it that NC's capital has it's own denim company? I'm going to try to find a cheap pair :) Check out Raleigh Denim.

Museum Day!!!

2010-08-22T02:46:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited that free Museum Day exists! This year, it is on Sept. 25th. What a great idea, no? Check it out here. I wish there were some great (not-already-free) places near me that I could go to take advantage of this. However, as it is, most of Raleigh's museums are wonderfully free.

What gorgeous colors...

2010-08-21T07:30:00.000-04:00

Pink salmon and navy with stripes look so gorgeous over at Decor8!

Mindful Spending...I need to think on that.

2010-08-20T15:09:00.002-04:00

I'm going to somehow carve out time to read this.

Cool New Magazine!!

2010-08-20T14:44:00.000-04:00

I love the photography and layout in this foreign mag. Via Geninne.

I also love these bowls!!!

Working On it.

2010-08-18T03:58:00.000-04:00

I'm currently working on getting a new camera via the lovely ebay....and somewhat failing at it as I always get outbid. Humph. However, I think I am about to win one.... Now all I have to do is add a polaroid/instant camera to my list!

via Here's looking at me kid

Listening to now...

2010-08-18T03:56:00.000-04:00

The Ethnographers

are pretty much hand-outside-the-car-window-flying amazing.

Map me.

2010-08-17T07:55:00.000-04:00

I reallllly like this idea (via A Cup of Jo)

Life about now.

2010-08-16T15:54:00.000-04:00

Hello all!

I am slowly settling into my new home at Meredith. I really do love this room though... I'll give you a bit of an update soon :)

I could also be like this....

2010-08-15T08:57:00.000-04:00

A new kind of curator.

On My List

2010-08-14T08:48:00.000-04:00

I need to make one for me and one for A before Saturday... oh my.... but they are gorgeous!

Naturally Amazing

2010-08-13T08:44:00.000-04:00

This print (found here, by Geninne)

A Love Letter

2010-08-12T08:42:00.000-04:00

I love this project.

Dresses for Those Special Nights

2010-08-11T08:26:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I truly wish I had fancy parties to go to...
(via Xtabay)

My own....

2010-08-10T08:19:00.000-04:00

I'm going to make my own toothpaste before I leave for school on Saturday.... and while this site is a bit odd, I still want to try it :) Then it's on to gardenia perfume, lotion, and mouthwash.

I'm really just doing this so I have the text of this article... don't mind me.

2010-08-09T20:57:00.000-04:00

Meredith Enews....

Student Gains Skills With Raptor Center Internship

"Meredith College rising sophomore Kristen Gallagher, ’13, who plans to work in a museum after college, is gaining skills this summer through an internship with the Carolina Raptor Center (CRC). The CRC, located in Huntersville, N.C., is dedicated to environmental stewardship and the conservation of birds of prey through education, research, and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors. “I am actually an education department intern, but I work with the summer camps at the center,” said Gallagher, who is from Charlotte, N.C. “The five camps, which each last a week, provide a fun setting for kids aged 4-6, 7-10, and 11-14 to learn about and interact with birds of prey and nature.” Her duties have included organizing and planning activities for the camps, redesigning the classroom and painting murals, budgeting and purchasing materials, and helping to create events such as scavenger hunts and crafts. She will also serve one of two counselor/interns at the camps, supervising and leading several counselors-in-training and constantly tweaking activities. All of her efforts are helping her gain experience for her future career. Gallagher hopes to work in a museum, science center, or other cultural institution as an education coordinator and outreach specialist. “I feel that working at CRC is helping me learn and build skills that allow me to put education into action in diverse settings,” Gallagher said. “It is truly helping me get hands-on experience in my intended field.” Gallagher plans to declare a contract major in museum studies next year, along with earning a minor in art history. Two faculty members have been especially helpful to her during her time at Meredith. “I’ve been truly fortunate to have found a good niche in the Art Department,” Gallagher said. “Dr. James Boyles and Dr. Beth Mulvaney have been instrumental in helping me formulate and work on my goals academically and otherwise. I hope to create relationships with other professors in other fields as well – I think collaboration between departments is key in getting a great education.” Completing an internship such as the one Kristen Gallagher has at the Carolina Raptor Center is just one way to build skills during the summer. Click here to see how other students are spending their summers."

Melyssa Allen

Happenings of Late over Here

2010-08-09T20:26:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to share with you a few of the images of things I'm working on... (or just beautiful things in general)

Ready Made Magazine

2010-08-09T20:18:00.000-04:00

I really love these magazines... and I think I going to ask for them as Christmas gifts :)

ReadyMade

Beautiful Things

2010-07-28T08:37:00.000-04:00

I love Gennine's Etsy treasuries (1 and 2)!!!

This is

2010-07-27T08:30:00.002-04:00

awesome. I want to do things like this.

I want to fill my frame fully.

Dresses to Add to the List

2010-07-26T08:18:00.001-04:00

These are going on my list (I'll have to figure out how to do them....) :)

via here

andhere

and here

Music for now.

2010-07-25T20:17:00.002-04:00

I love the beauty and saturation- couched with an almost sweet reminder of how life is.

X Marks the Spot

2010-07-21T07:43:00.000-04:00

I wish I could have done this at the Smithsonian :) Yay treasure hunts!!

Artist to Love

2010-07-20T19:38:00.000-04:00

Heather Smith Jones - as seen via Design Crush via Design Sponge.

I am loving everything about her work!! Check her out :)

The to-read list

2010-07-20T07:17:00.002-04:00

I'm reading Crow Planet right now and plan to get to this (as well as everything else on my Amazon Wish List and Goodreads....) done during the summer (Eco Museums)

I want to make this backpack. now.

2010-07-19T19:17:00.000-04:00

So I have tons (and I truly to mean at least 20 pounds) of sewing projects to get to and I'm going to add this one - I'd like to consolidate my accessories and have only 1 school/camping/trip back pack and 2 purses, plus 1 random stuff bag (this is it.)

via unruly things

Love. Clothes.

2010-07-13T21:27:00.000-04:00

Check out these beautiful clothes :)

via here.

new cool thing (again)

2010-07-12T08:35:00.000-04:00

I am really intrigued by this... and I'm trying to understand it :)

myGOYA Online Desktop - at home on every computer

Zines!

2010-07-09T09:04:00.000-04:00

...I want to make some and upload them on MagCloud and Issuu. I'll definitely take a look here before I do, and you should too!

Clothes to Sew...

2010-07-09T08:59:00.000-04:00

I am loving Wardrobe Refashion! I have more to tell you on the clothes front soon... Check out this piece:

Firefly Trails

2010-07-08T10:00:00.000-04:00

What an amazing photo, no?
via here.

Collecting my Nature

2010-07-08T08:47:00.001-04:00

So I have always had a penchant for collecting bits and pieces of nature wherever I go - I tend to snatch up an eggshell or a feather, a trampled flower or a dead bug or butterfly. Nothing much seems to gross me out - I have a seagull skull from Myrtle beach that I picked up in the hot sand years ago. Perhaps it's something about the quiet, still beauty of these relics that draws me to them - I sometimes incorporate them in my art, but most often I stash them in cigar boxes and drawers lined with newspaper. This summer, I want to preserve them as art forms in and of themselves - like these:

Unruly Things

Not Your Average Ordinary

Maya Made

The RISD Nature Lab

In Haywood's Meadow

Mini Quilts. Enough Said.

2010-07-07T08:43:00.000-04:00

I need to plug in my sewing machine (like now!) Aren't these the best idea - you could make a bunch in stages and then join them to make a full blanket later! I really want to make new blanket for my dorm...and this might be the next project!

via Craftzine

Best Book Tutorial ever!

2010-07-06T08:41:00.000-04:00

You have got to check out Paper 'n Stitch - what amazing ideas! I especially love this one!

Summer Fun

2010-07-05T20:40:00.003-04:00

I am going to the Asheville Farmer's Market next Saturday with artist Mary Farmer, and I want to throw a party like this one (via City of Dionne) Happy Summer all!

Coolness!

2010-06-23T11:23:00.002-04:00

These online photo editors are awesome and cooler than sliced bread :) Check them out!

Framer

Rollip

My Own Teddy Bear

2010-06-23T09:20:00.000-04:00

I'm in love with this adorable bear that you can make from scratch via here.

Music Now... in French...from a Movie

2010-06-22T10:08:00.000-04:00

I'm loving the calming yet sophisticated feel of Les Choristes.

The Research Update

2010-06-22T09:01:00.000-04:00

So I know I haven't actually explained what my research is.... so here goes!

I'm working on an undergrad project on the history and technique of encaustic (wax) art through three main time periods (greek/egyptian, byzantine, and modern.) I've met with some great people and will meet with a wonderful artist in the coming month, and have learned an awful lot. I have pictures coming soon and will keep you updated on the project - I Promise!!

The Future Perfect

2010-06-21T21:22:00.002-04:00

Things on my to-do list:

1. come up with a concise understanding and solution/way to help in my effort concerning museums/cultural institutions/education/the outdoors (and come up with projects during college)

2. write those club how-to's for auctions and other things.

3. design a magazine.

4. sew clothes.

5. get cracking on spark con.

6. work on listography and issuu and other planes.

7. work on mass grant stuff.

8. do yoga and run and relax.

9. read the 15+ books i got from the library.

10. breathe and do not think too much.

Long Time No See...bad blogger!

2010-06-21T21:06:00.000-04:00

I know. But give me a break! I've been at work nonstop for the past week and haven't had a free second between research and illustration and interning. Oh Well. However, I've lined up some great posts for you all while I'm off at work this week! Here's the first!

As previously mentioned, I went to Grandfather Mountain for Memorial Day. The mountain air and smells and crispness were (was?) just what I needed to transition into summer and prepare for work.

I Miss the Air and the Mountains

2010-06-09T07:47:00.000-04:00

I love these photos (seen over at unruly things via here) and they remind me of my recent trip to Grandfather Mountain (to be elaborated upon in a coming post!)

New Bravo Show...

2010-06-08T21:47:00.000-04:00

Work of Art. I must see this!

Premieres Tomorrow!!

photo via here.

HBT Likes ((LOVES))

2010-06-04T09:30:00.000-04:00

I recently snatched up a copy of this great magazine and absolutely love it! I wish more people knew about it. Hopefully I can coordinate efforts later on in my career...

CRC Contract Illustrations

2010-06-03T09:04:00.001-04:00

Check out my illustrations for the Carolina Raptor Center!

Open publication - Free publishing - More resume

Reading at the Moment

2010-06-02T14:27:00.001-04:00

via here.

I'm reading Richard Louv's "Last Child in the Woods" at the moment, and I must say it is turning out to be the most influential book I've read thus far. It is really adding a lot of spice to my concept of life, learning, teaching, and working, and I highly HIGHLY recommend it!

The book discusses the changing face of nature and child interaction - and how truly being grounded in nature is the best way to live. I can't even begin to explain it now, but when I'm done reading, I'll post a review!

This post over at Sanctimommy is a great one to tell you a bit about the book. Check it out!

What's Going on in the World of...

2010-06-02T14:23:00.000-04:00

Museums! Cultural Institutions! This is where I'm headed, guys. I have been working on my journey to being involved with museums for the last semester and 3 weeks of summer, and now I suppose I should explain it all to you! I researched and created my contract major in Museum Studies last semester, and am happy to say that it was approved by Academic Council in March. This major is a brand new kind of academic study - MS programs around the country are popping up and are becoming truly important in our ever-changing society. My major is tailored to help me learn the best ways to interact with people and bring museums, parks, gardens, etc to the forefront of society and education ((reform.)) {that is for another day...}

I will be taking classes in many, many subject fields and will let you know how each of the goes! I have a bunch of new projects up my sleeve, so keep your eyes peeled :)

What do you think of museums? How can they be more relevant and important to you?

The Post I Haven't Wanted to Write

2010-05-31T08:05:00.008-04:00

Okay, so I know I’ve been light on content for the past few weeks (sorry!!) But cut me a break – I’ve been going a million miles a minute with essentially three jobs and several commitments and just finishing up Freshman year. Alright, no excuse…
So I just wanted to do a little recap of life as of now so that I can stop feeling guilty and actually share info on me/my life/my ambitions.

The last few weeks of school were absolutely filled to the brim – new ideas, newspaper, final arrangements for the contract major (which will be explained in a coming post) and research and grants. I had been feverishly working on my application and getting letters for the Undergrad Research program, and I am now ecstatic to say that I received a $1250 stipend and a $150 materials allowance for my summer research in the technique and history of encaustic (wax) painting. I was also working on getting into the Honors program as well as getting a Meredith Art Student Support Grant (for a new body of work on NC birds) – both of which I got! I also got word that I would be working at the Carolina Raptor Center both as an illustrator and as a summer education intern!
So you could say the end of school worked out pretty darn well for me, and I would agree – except for the fact that my boyfriend will be in Raleigh all summer doing his research, so I won’t see him but a few times. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?

Anyway, all that aside, my contract major worked out, I reunited with my high school friends (which I dearly needed to do!) and got settled back at home and into a decently good habit of eating foods that don’t make me sick (like school food - more on that and A’s and my solution for next year later.) The gardenias are starting to bloom and I get to do yoga in the morning.

Life basic recap done – so now I’ll leave you with a few pretty pictures from my unknown file to whet your appetite for what’s to come. Please know that these photos are not mine, and I do not know whose they are – they are just on my harddrive. If you know who they belong to, let me know and I will gladly credit them!

The Coolest New Things

2010-05-30T20:48:00.000-04:00

I must tell you about these two things I recently discovered! #1: Issuu. #2: GizaPage.

#1: Issuu is a free online database of sorts that lets you upload your PDFs and make them into shareable, embed-able magazines (that you can turn on your screen!!) The uses for this are truly endless...I'm simply too excited/overwhelmed to tell you my ideas right now, but I'll tell you as soon as I can articulate them! Check out my turnable portfolio that I created with Issuu:

Open publication - Free publishing - More art

#2: GizaPage: This WONDERFUL application (of sorts) allows you to import all of your "profiles" and make them viewable on one single url. For instance, I have my LinkedIn, facebook, youtube, pandora, blog, tumblr, etc etc linked so that you can click a tab and see my profile! How neat is that? Here's a screen shot:

Videos of Jesse Rosten

2010-05-30T20:05:00.000-04:00

I love the style of all of these :)

iPad + Velcro from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

Beach Verticals from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

Falltastic - Camera Test from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

iPad Sunset Mag Cover Spec from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

Boyfriends.

2010-05-23T09:48:00.000-04:00

Mine is good. Mine is great. But this is adorable :) via Love Obsess Inspire via.

I want to get into this.

2010-05-22T09:44:00.000-04:00

This seems like a giant bundle of good stuff that I need to check out. When I have time.

White Hot Truth

I found FFFFound :)

2010-05-21T17:47:00.000-04:00

Check this cool thing out:

via here

Repurposing Old Clothes!

2010-05-21T09:11:00.002-04:00

I love Craftzine! They have some really ingenious ideas for crafts in general but also recycled crafts. Check out this one:

UpCraft Cardigan

Sewing and All that

2010-05-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

I recently found this great online sewing community - Burda Style. It has tons of free resources and you can join for free too! I love free.

This skirt is the cutest - and it has a free pattern/tutorial!!

Ever been to one of those mall photo booths?

2010-05-19T08:57:00.001-04:00

Well, I haven't. And I kind of regret it...I mean, I am the queen of iconic vintage pictures and ephemera, so I really should have had multiple photo booth experiences. But, alas, I don't. So imagine my delight when I found La Photo Cabine! It's an online photo booth that uses your webcam to snap four pics in succession, and it instantly puts that great old photo frame on it! You can also save it to your desktop...free!!

An Interesting Take on Bird Cages

2010-05-18T17:33:00.002-04:00

I really like this short little video - check it out!

1 Cubic Foot of Life.

2010-05-18T17:19:00.000-04:00

These videos from National Geographic are amazingly fascinating. Watch. please :)

Moorea, French Polynesia

Central Park, NY

Monteverde, Costa Rica

Table Mountain, South Africa

Duck River, TN

More Music to Calm.

2010-05-18T15:39:00.002-04:00

The Album Leaf - Blank Page

Song to love at the moment

2010-05-18T14:10:00.000-04:00

This song is giving my the backing I need now.

Old Style Reading

2010-05-18T13:47:00.002-04:00

I want to share this video with you - about the making of the Webster's Pictorial Dictionary (which I received for my 19th birthday last year and absolutely adore.) Cheers!

Pictorial Webster's: Inspiration to Completion from John Carrera on Vimeo.

hmm Art School...

2010-05-18T08:44:00.000-04:00

I love this little online shop! Amy Rowan of Art School Girl went to School of the Art Institutes in Chicago, and loves paper and printing. Here are a few of my faves from her site: (click on pics for links)

Who Wouldn't Want cheaper books?

2010-05-17T08:39:00.002-04:00

This is perhaps the coolest online bookstore ever! BetterWorldBooks gives a portion of every purchase to literacy funds around the world, and shipping is free in the United States! So far, they have raised $7,963,827.81 for literacy, and saved over 33,022,822 books from landfills across the globe!!

Right now, they have several great deals, like getting 5 children's books for $10. Check em' out!

A Flotilla of Artistry

2010-05-16T20:39:00.000-04:00

I stumbled (literally - using Stumble) on the Swimming Cities of Serenissima a few months ago, and had it in my 'to blog' folder too long. So, essentially, it is a project by a collective of artists calling attention to various subject matter. Here's a bit from them:

The Swimming Cities of Serenissima is a fleet of three intricately hand crafted vessels that will navigate the Adriatic Sea from the Litoral region of Slovenia to Venice, Italy in May of 2009. Designed by the visual artist SWOON, the floating sculptures are descendants of the Swimming Cities of Switchback Sea (Hudson River, 2008) and the Miss Rockaway Armada (Mississippi River, 2006 and 2007).

SWOON’s boats are inspired by dense urban cityscapes and thickly intertwined mangrove swamps from her Florida youth. The Swimming Cities of Serenissima are built from salvaged materials, including modified Mercedes car motors with long-tail propellers. The boats’ crew is made up of 30 collaborating artists from the United States.

As the Swimming Cities move toward Venice, the crew will collect and install keepsakes in an ark-like cabinet of wonders that will be on display on the boats when they arrive. Once in Venice, the boats and crew will offer intimate performances that incorporate music, shadow puppetry, and story.

The vessels are imagined as a hybrid between boats and bits of land broken off and headed out to sea. Watching them approach the shore is like seeing a floating city in the distance, as improbable as Venice itself. To the real life crew, the boats are a place of refuge – both a home and a way of moving through the world. To those who encounter the boats for the first time, they are a reminder that anything that can be imagined can be built.

I highly encourage you to check them out!

EPL Movie

2010-05-07T11:39:00.002-04:00

I am realllyyy excited for the Eat Pray Love movie to come out :) Here is the trailer:

Tears to My Eyes

2010-05-07T11:27:00.000-04:00

I am really loving B.O.B.'s new song, featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore. Here's a cover in piano that simply brings tears to my eyes... in a good way.

And here is the video of the regular one:

GrowCards

2010-05-07T10:13:00.007-04:00

I really love the idea of these gardening postcards from Fennel and Fern. Think how great it would be if they could be printed up and given out with little kits at community gardens? Here are the links to my favorite:

Chard

Artichoke

Leeks

Just a little decorating

2010-05-06T20:56:00.000-04:00

This idea (from Kate Neckel via poppytalk) for drawing on the wall. I may just do this somewhere!

And I'll have Tea, Please

2010-05-06T12:09:00.001-04:00

This recipe for Lemon Ginger Tea from Violet Bella looks delicious - yet another food thing on the list. Thankfully, I have tons of new recipes to try out over summer, so I will definitely get my cooking fix!

LEMON GINGER TEA WITH RASPBERRIES AND MINT
things you will need:
1/2 fresh ginger root
1/2 cup honey
3 lemons
6 white or green tea bags
1 cup raspberries
mint for garnish
"The first thing you will do, even the day before is make your raspberry ice cubes. Just pop 3 raspberries into each hole in your ice cube tray and cover with water like you normally would make ice, then freeze away.
When you are ready to make the tea, start by chopping up fresh ginger root, you will need 1/2 cup chopped. You dont need to worry about peeling skin or anything, this will be strained.
Once your stuff is boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. then take off the stove and add 6 white or green tea bags, we used green. steep for 30 minutes to an hour.
then strain whats in your saucepan through a small mesh strainer, i used a paint strainer, which is also what i use when i make almond milk. you can get these at any hardware store.
then add 6 cups of water and your lemon juice. 3 lemons or 1/2 cup lemon juice.
stir it up, pour into a glass, get out your beautiful raspberry ice cubes and mint, garnish and enjoy! so refreshing for summer!
and if you are feeling like you have a cold, try some of the simmered honey, ginger and lemon with a bit of water as a warm tincture, it will sooth, help sweat out and warm your body."

A Summer Party

2010-05-05T10:37:00.010-04:00

This summer fete (as seen over at the ever-present/on-top-of-it Design Sponge) makes me want to have a party when I get home on Saturday. Maybe I will! I love to cool greens and especially the invites!

I love verde things.

2010-05-04T21:41:00.000-04:00

I don't really like using the word "green too much nowadays, as it has such an overused, commercialized aspect about it. So I'll use verde to reference the literal color green. I like the many shades of verde in this gorgeous photo (by dayhinako via The Oak Leaves) I also now want to make little moss boxes!

On Scrapbooking

2010-05-04T09:32:00.000-04:00

I used to scrapbook; I started in about 3rd grade and stopped around 9th. I always had (have) a habit of hopping from craft to craft- that's really how I've ended up with a ragtag group of crafting know-how. Serves me well I think. Anyway, this page from Here's Lookin at Me Kid makes me want to get back into it - I love how sophisticated yet edgy it is - it is clearly not the cookie cutter style that made me so frustrated years ago. Putting it on the list :)

Dessert to Try!

2010-05-03T09:26:00.000-04:00

I think I like the idea of following up a meal post with a dessert post. You? These homemade baklava look absolutely amazing - they remind me of my favorite Raleigh eatery - Neomonde (they have the best Greek and Lebanese food - and they double as a market too!) I found this via Design Sponge - it's originally from Rick Poon. Go check it out! (photos via Design Sponge too.)

Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon green cardamom pods, cracked with the side of a knife
2 teaspoons lemon juice
zest of one lemon
1/4 tsp rosewater, optional
1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, clarified
1 lb phyllo dough, defrosted (see note)
9 oz (approximately 2 cups) hazelnuts
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
5 1/4 oz (1 1/2 bars) dark bittersweet chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
Note:
Make sure you have enough phyllo for the size baking pan you plan on using, and give the dough ample time to defrost before working. Look at the number of sheets in each box, and the dimensions to determine if you will have enough sheets to cover your pan. My local market had a 1 lb box of phyllo, 18 sheets, 13 x 17 inches each. cutting the sheets in half would give you 36 – 13 x 8.5 inch sheets, which is plenty for this recipe.

Prepare the honey mixture:
Add sugar, water, honey, and cardamom to a saucepan, simmer for 20 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally until syrup is thick, the consistency of slightly warmed honey (resulting amount should be approximately 1 1/2 cups). Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice, zest, and rosewater to taste. Strain through a fine sieve and set aside to cool (refrigerating to speed up the process if necessary). Syrup is key to a good baklava. It should be nice and thick, but still pourable when cold.

Prepare the chocolate-nut mixture:
Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast in a 350° oven for 15-20 minutes, until the skins have blistered and pulled away slightly; let cool. Put nuts in a large kitchen towel, gather up the edges of the towel to form a sack and rub until skins fall off. Pulse the nuts in a food processor until coarse. Don’t overdo it or the nuts will get pasty. We don’t want that. Combine nuts, chopped chocolate, and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside.
For clarified butter, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it starts foaming. Carefully skim off foam from the top and discard. Strain clarified butter through cheesecloth and discard remaining solids.

Assemble the baklava:
Brush a 13 x 9 inch metal baking pan with clarified butter. Pre-cut phyllo sheets to fit pan snugly and cover with a damp tea towel. Layer 8 sheets in pan, brushing butter between each layer. Sprinkle a thin layer of the chocolate-nut mixture over the top. Layer and butter another 4 sheets. Repeat the nut-phyllo process 2 more times. Spread the last layer of chocolate-nut mixture on top, then follow with 8 sheets of buttered phyllo. The total should be 28 sheets of phyllo, with 4 layers of the chocolate-nut mixture in between.
Carefully cut the baklava into squares or diagonally for diamond shaped pieces, being careful not to shift the sheets while cutting. Bake the baklava in the same 350° oven for 25 minutes, then lower the temperature to 325° and continue to bake for another 30-35 minutes, loosely covering with foil if the top starts to brown too much. The top layer of phyllo should be lightly golden, but not too crispy or else it will lose some of that characteristic chewiness.
Remove pan from oven and pour syrup evenly into all cracks and cut lines. Set aside to cool at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible. Serve at room temperature or warm slightly if desired, or better yet, à la mode!

Meal I Must Try

2010-05-02T13:26:00.000-04:00

From Me To You has appeared on HBT quite often - and it's because it is just so wonderful!! I love her Dinner and a Movie series - and this latest one looks quite delectable. She paired The Hurt Locker (loved this movie - quite moving) with a Middle Eastern style supper. Check it out! Photos via.

Chicken/Couscous/Hummus/Homemade Pita Bread --- I must try this next time I'm in the kitchen!!