lillie in the city

New Blog Address!

2011-04-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

Just a friendly hello! My blog is now living at lillieinthecity.com.
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lillie in the city is moving!

2009-10-02T11:23:00.000-07:00

aaaaand it's official! lillie in the city has a new home--in more ways than one!

Come visit me at my new online address www.lillieinthecity.com, say hello, and learn about my new home city! There are lots of new adventures ahead, big projects in the works, and (most exciting) a new city to explore... Looking forward to everything to come!

To RSS readers, please update your subscription. To email readers, your subscription will be updated automatically tomorrow, but click over the new site today!

visiting new england

2009-09-11T07:22:00.000-07:00

last week i made my summer pilgrimage back to new england for a handful of days in my hometown and then a long weekend at our family's cottage in maine. as usual, the trip was relaxing, filling, and full of people that i love.

there was lots of biking, an afternoon of canning garden tomatoes, a double-high-five birthday to celebrate, a couple of beautiful afternoons in Boston, an awesome hike up Mount Washington, campfire and smores, one enormous slip and slide, good thin-crust pizza, and wild blueberry pancakes with local-made maple syrup.

1. birdhouse in our backyard, handpainted by my younger self
2. tomato canning supplies in my family's kitchen
3. the view from the top of Mount Washington
4. the cousins' feet at our cottage in Maine

for more photos, check out my new england, august 2009 set on flickr.

it's okay to take it easy

2009-08-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

after two weeks of adventures and friends, i'm ready for a vacation. funny how that works! just when my brain is ready to dive into new projects, my body says NO WAY! actually, even my brain was exhausted by the end of the day yesterday.

so even though i am very excited to start working out new projects/plans/life. and even though there was a wild outdoor concert happening afterhours at my work yesterday. and even though there's still a bunch of cleaning and organizing to be done. and brainstorming that has to happen. and planning that needs to start... last night, i knew my brain and body were on the edge of a mini meltdown. so i gave myself permission to just take it easy.

and it was just what i needed. nothing special, but a few important elements:
+ straight home from work, no errands
+ simple pasta for supper with a glass of wine
+ a bowl of ben & jerry's, of course
+ lots of eco/design/biz blogs to read
+ early bedtime with a new book

now i'm recharged and ready to take on the world! well, in my own small way at least. hope you enjoy some time taking it easy this weekend! xo

:: image of the boy farm from flickr / lillieinthecity

a weeknight beachside picnic

2009-08-05T10:45:00.001-07:00

last night, Nicole and i drove to Malibu for a mini college reunion with our friend Peter, who lives in Santa Barbara. we decided to meetup for a beachside picnic halfway between SB and LA at Leo Carillo State Park. we met on the sand with picnic blankets, food, and wine, and talked until long after it got dark.

the sky was beautiful at sunset, and then the moon was full and so so bright. here's to more excuses for nighttime beachside hangouts!

simple breakfast with special company

2009-08-05T10:24:00.001-07:00

i'm slowly coming back to daily life after another week long adventure in northern california. august is here, and summer is slowly start to wind down.

nicole, one of my very favorite people, traveled back to Los Angeles with me, and is sharing a bit of my LA life this week. we both love our breakfast pastries (check out our croissant diaries project!), so this morning we feasted on croissants from my neighborhood bakery, fruity jams, and creamy coffee. mmmm, how i love breakfast--especially on a weekday morning with a little something extra and special company!

birthday wishes

2009-07-13T08:43:00.000-07:00

today is my 25th birthday. 25! the sound of that makes me feel both old (my early twenties have ended!) and young (whenever i mention my age to anyone over 30)--but mostly i'm energized, excited, happy.

ten years before i was born, in 1974, my parents and my aunt phyllie left Massachusetts in a rust-colored VW bug and headed west to California. i love this photo of them standing in my grandma's driveway just before they hit the road. excited and anxious and (i imagine they'd say) totally naive about what they were jumping into...

i'm excited about the adventures and unknowns that are coming this year.

cheers to living it up!

:: photo of dad, mom, and phyllie. heading west. 1974

friday friday!

2009-07-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

friday morning breakfast. homemade wheat bread toast with damson plum jam from the boy farm in mendocino, plus a strong cup of slow-drip coffee with a hint of cardamom. mmm, a perfect headstart to the weekend.

now looking forward to...
+ a potluck in mar vista & a bbq in echo park
+ renegade craft fair in downtown los angeles
+ ray la montagne at the hollywood bowl
+ experimenting with sourdough starters
+ cooking up the bounty of veggies from this week's CSA box

and excited to be back online more soon.

P.S. during the latest trip to northern california, i finally bought a porcelain manual drip for coffeemaking. it's deliciously awesome.

travel: exploring the north country

2009-06-30T21:33:00.001-07:00

another weekend road trip. more exploring of the north country. traveling with mischa (hiker, storyteller, and piesmith). in less than 4 days, we drove over 1,000 miles. we visited fresno, mendocino, tomales, marin, and san francisco counties. we ate a delicious and overwhelming supply of baked goods. and we had a few adventures along the way...

+ relaxing at mercey hot springs in fresno county

+ exploring the beautiful town and woods of mendocino

+ driving the pacific coast highway, north of san francisco

+ feasting at a beautiful outstanding in the field dinner

+ and camping at marin roots farm

i can't wait to go back! for more photos, check out lillieinthecity / flickr.

listening to: birds fly away by theresa andersson (listen)

food: carrot ginger soup & tastespotting

2009-06-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

with a bunch of carrots from my last CSA box, i made a yummy carrot ginger soup with my own twist on this recipe. the punch of flavor and burst of color are perfect to brighten up gloomy june days!

i found a bunch of yummy variations of this soup at tastespotting.com, my new favorite place for recipe ideas. the website catalogs recipes with drool-worthy photos, and you can search their database based on ingredients that you have in the kitchen--perfect for finding new inspiration for your seasonal produce! dreaming about summer squash fritattas, apricot jams, tomatoes and basil, raspberry muffins...

listening to: four leaf clover by badly drawn boy (listen)

:: image from lillieinthecity / flickr

city: june gloom

2009-06-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

each year i'm been amazed when june arrives, and southern california descends into a dark fog of june gloom. just when my new england mind is ready for sunshine and summer heat, i'm left with morning drizzles and cloudy grey skies.

sometimes california seems very backwards.
but looking forward to sunnier skies tomorrow...

listening to: here comes the sun by the beatles (listen)

:: image from lillieinthecity / flickr

home: sky photos

2009-06-08T07:31:00.000-07:00

here is another little corner of my apartment. in my bedroom, i recently posted a collection of my favorite views of the sky. simple, just printed, no frames. a nice morning reminder to look up.

:: images from lillieinthecity / flickr

creativity: notebook sketches

2009-06-05T00:10:00.000-07:00

a few sketchy pages from my notebook today. brainstorming for some little projects and thoughts in my mind... i kinda love rough, awkward line drawings. and doodling a few everyday objects is like mental meditation.

hope you have a beautiful weekend. go out and enjoy the sunshine!

:: coffee & cast iron pans from lillieinthecity / flickr

food/drink: blue bottle coffee

2009-06-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

i've officially fallen in love with a new world of coffee: blue bottle of san francisco, a microroaster and coffeehouse and expert coffee brewery. they carefully roast all their own shade-grown beans. and then, individually prepare each cup of coffee using beehouse ceramic manual drippers. and every cup is a super rich, coffee-y kickstart to your morning (or afternoon or evening, if you're like me).

i had my first sip at the ferry plaza farmer's market on saturday morning. manual dripping isn't the most efficient setup for a busy day at the market, and the coffee line gets a bit long--but wowww, it is worth the wait. in fact, we waited twice when we couldn't resist going back for a second cup. and then an hour before leaving the city on sunday night, alex and i searched in vain for one last fix. it's that good.

i've lusted after bodum french presses for a long time. but after seeing blue bottle work their magic with a manual drip (and drinking many cups of yummy manual drip in the past few months), i think the beehouse ceramic dripper may be swaying my mind, heart, and tastebuds...

:: image from lillieinthecity / flickr

sustainability: edible education

2009-06-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

two weeks ago, alice waters paid a visit to los angeles to have a conversation about food education. thanks to good food, one of my favorite local radio shows, i got to be in the audience!

alice is the mastermind behind daily food life at chez panisse, a huge advocate of local food, and the founder of the edible schoolyard program in berkeley. joining her was sam levin, a fellow school garden advocate and 15-year-old student from western massachusetts (my beloved college stomping grounds). two years ago, sam co-founded project sprout, a student-run garden planted in an abandoned soccer field across the street from the local high school.

both of their schoolyard gardens focus on giving students the experience of planting and harvesting food with their own hands--and then, enjoying the fruits and vegetables of their labor in fresh, yummy meals. in a world where some people don't know that a potato grows underground, i think alice & sam are onto something with this kind of firsthand food education.

i ended the night feeling inspired--and hungry. and i was happy to know that alice waters and i agree on our favorite vegetable: garlic.

:: image from edible schoolyard

home: cast iron skillet

2009-06-02T23:31:00.000-07:00

trying to be a conscious consumer (and also being very picky), i tend to overanalyze and consider new home/kitchen purchases for weeks at a time. crazy sometimes, but i'm always very happy when i finally make a purchase this way. no buyer's remorse here!

my latest buy was this cast iron skillet. i've been wanting one for months. stopping at surfas (my amazing local restaurant/kitchen supply store) on idle saturdays and staring at their selection. and after all that thinking and staring, i finally made the leap: a lodge 10" chef's skillet.

the size is just right--small enough for a single serving, but big enough to include extra for a few friends. the sloped sides are nice for easy plating. and the cast iron is beautiful and weighty and working quite well with garlic and onions and eggs and veggies of all sorts. a good buy!

travel: maker fair @ san francisco

2009-06-01T23:52:00.000-07:00

another trip to san francisco! i'm finding lots of excuses to visit that lovely city. if only the drive from LA didn't take quite so long...

this weekend's excuse was the world's largest DIY festival: maker fair. wandering the fairgrounds, my friend alex and i found makers of all kinds: crafts, robotics, fashion, technology, food, and more. it was inspiring madness.

our trip also included an overnight in fresno; saturday morning at the ferry plaza farmer's market; sampling ice cream at bi-rite creamery; a foggy morning glimpse at day 1 of the 545-mile AIDS life cycle; a visit to the seward street slides; and a turkish delight.

see more photos from our weekend in san francisco at lillieinthecity / flickr.

food: a night at chez panisse

2009-05-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

sometimes it's hard to do justice to a meal in a handful of words, except to say, it was just right. last month, we ate at chez panisse in berkeley, and it was that kind of dinner. the food and the experience linger in your mind for weeks afterward. a dinner that was all about the details--from each carefully considered course to the individually printed menus (one standard, one vegetarian) to the simple table settings to the lowkey waitstaff to the little bit of chocolate at the end of the meal.

for fellow food lovers, here is the menu:
+ smoke black cod salad with cannard farm leaks and creme fraiche
+ bellwether farm ricotta gnocchi with fava beans and peas
+ grilled liberty duck breast with kumquat and cardamom sauce, potato cake, and roasted green asparagus
+ nougat confit glace aux fruits rouges

in short, it was delicious and everything was just right.

:: images from chez panisse menus for april 23, 2009

home: the landing strip

2009-05-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

so truthfully, the home front has been a bit disheveled lately--not forgotten, just a little overlooked. but there's one spot that i can share that's usually in pretty good shape: this little table in the kitchen, our landing strip.

this little spot is the first place that we land when arriving home and the last spot we hit before walking out the door. it's where our keys and our mail live--plus other fun things like our salt&pepper shakers, the occasional bunch of fresh flowers, and our two home cities represented by the neighborhood maps that we so love. it's the filter between the inside and outside worlds.

do you have a landing strip at home? was yours purposeful, or did it come about on its own? admittedly, i got a little obsessed with the idea of a landing strip after reading the apartment therapy book (which is awesome, by the way). it seems inconsequential, but i'm convinced that it's a key to balancing life at home and out in the world.

listening to: you're gonna make me lonesome by madeleine peyroux (listen)

:: image from lillieinthecity / flickr

travel: catalina island

2009-05-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

life has been full of lots of little adventures lately, which makes me feel pretty lucky. this weekend, i went on a short-but-sweet trip to catalina island in the good company of one californian and two germans. we got up early and drank hot chai tea on the ferry. watched sea lions and dolphins on our way out into the pacific. and eventually docked in two harbors, the smaller of two villages on the island. our campground had a gorgeous view of the water. we hiked and ate lots and rented kayaks and picnicked on a deserted, remote, little beach.

it was--as self-proclaimed on the village logo--a little "island paradise."

listening to: deep blue sea by grizzly bears (listen)

city: cemetery screenings

2009-05-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

an outdoor movie and a picnic with friends. the perfect combination for a summer saturday night, yes? and in LA, we then add: a DJ for pre-movie music, a crowd of hundreds, traffic jammed in all directions, and a big open field at the hollywood forever cemetery (thanks to lack of green space and/or twisted sense of humor). and as odd as watching a movie in the middle of a cemetery sounds, it's one of my most memorable summer activities in this city.

on saturday night at the first screening of the season, we feasted on yummy wraps, pesto, fava beans, german chocolate, fresh lemon cake, boont amber ale...and then watched the glorious paul newman in cool hand luke. and by the end of the night, we were already making plans for next week.

screenings are every saturday night--plus special sunday screenings on holiday weekends. if you're in LA, it's certainly worth checking out! find more information and a listing of upcoming movies at cinespia.org.

:: top photo from chotda; bottom photo from lillieinthecity / flickr

listening to: gobbledigook by sigur ros (listen)

a little college reunion

2009-05-15T17:01:00.000-07:00

and then the fun continued! within days of my family adventure ending, more of my favorite people arrived in town. this time for a little college reunion.

it's not easy to coordinate the lives of six friends in five cities across the country and to agree on one location and one time for them to all to converge. but thanks to some marathon email chains and several "just do it!" phone calls, we managed to reserve four days, several plane tickets, and an excellent campsite for one laugh-love-food-filled weekend.

our main destination was jalama beach, three hours north of los angeles and a solid half hour from general civilization. there in good company, we got our fix of campfires, enormous egg scrambles, late night dominoes, banana s'mores, cowboy coffee, and sunshine.

a special thanks to in-n-out for being conveniently located by the airport. to gmail for making our email marathons possible. and to skype for allowing dave in prague to join in on the fun. it was all very well worth the effort.

see more photos of our camping at lillieinthecity / flickr.

listening to: total eclipse of the heart by bonnie tyler (listen)

family in the city

2009-05-14T18:06:00.000-07:00

greetings! lots to catch up on in life and online. the past few weeks have been awesome and exhausting and adventure-filled and enjoyed with some of my very favorite people.

our little family reunion in san francisco was a perfectly balanced weekend of catching up and relaxing, eating and drinking, sitting in coffee shops and exploring the city. we have a good time for ourselves.

a few lasting memories: the many hours spent at the bean bag coffee house on divisadero. pesto pasta at caffe sport in north beach. makeshift sleeping arrangements in my little brother's apartment. visits to the flower conservatory and the craft & folk art museum. an amazing dinner at chez panisse (more on that soon). one night at a little cottage on the russian river. wine tasting via bicycle in sonoma valley. plus, a great roadtrip from LA to SF and back with half a pie, garlic ice cream, and an unexpected detour to the outskirts of yosemite.

it was a very good weekend.

see more photos of our family adventures at flickr / lillieinthecity.

listening to: thunder road by bruce springsteen (listen)

colorful everyday

2009-04-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

today i'm road tripping to san francisco for a long weekend with mum, dad, and the little bro--and i'm looking forward to some days full of laughter, food, and sunshine.

i'm amazed at how quickly "daily posts" (which i'm all excited about!) are lost in the shuffle of full, busy, good everyday life. for the moment, i'm okay with being distracted by the offline world--but i'll be back with more here soon...

:: image from lillieinthecity / flickr

listening to: two coins by dispatch (listen)

composting adventures

2009-04-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

recently i went to a free composting workshop hosted by the city of Los Angeles (along with my food&craft&newmedia-loving friend alex of viva.le.mani). these workshops are offered once a month for LA residents and give a helpful overview of the art/science of urban composting. plus, they offer super deals on a variety of composters at city-subsidized prices. (i got an earth machine composter for $20!)

when i was growing up, my family always had a compost in our backyard, so the practice wasn't foreign to me. but doing it in the city seemed a bit more intimidating, so i really appreciated the boost of confidence from this little workshop.

a few new-to-me tips that i took home...
for a healthy compost, be sure to keep a 50/50 balance of browns-to-greens. not enough browns? try adding some shredded newspaper. to keep away critters, never include anything that was cooked in oil/fat. and to keep away fruit flies, bury new fruits and veggies under the old compost in your bin. and if it starts to smell funky, you're doing something wrong! i'm still getting started myself--so for more details, check out the LA city composting guide.

and let me know if you have any composting adventures or tips to share!

listening to: let it be me by ray lamontagne (listen)

:: image from lillieinthecity / flickr

reviving the succulents

2009-04-14T07:09:00.000-07:00

one of my new "at home" resolutions is to be a better plant keeper. in the past two years, allison & i have brought a lot of little plants into our home--especially succulents (and many from trader joe's, because we were charmed by their cute & colorful pots). we've only lost a few, but thanks to chronic pests and overdoses of sun/water, most of the survivors have been living at about 60%.

so in an attempt to save the succulents, i spent a long, messy morning last week cleaning and pruning and, in the end, cutting them up for parts. (check out this intro to propagating succulents for more step-by-steps.) currently, all the plant bits are drying on my windowsill. now i have to buy some rooting hormone (sounds a little scary) and special potting soil to get the new little plants started.

and to battle future pest attacks, i'm thinking of trying neem oil or food grade diatomaceous earth--or maybe a special plant spray from whole foods? not really sure about this. let me know if you have any ideas!

hopefully in a few weeks, our indoor plant colony will start growing again, and with some ongoing TLC, i can keep them thriving at 100%. fingers crossed...

listening to: somewhere over the rainbow by israel kamakawiwo'ole (listen)

:: image from lillieinthecity / flickr

the days of the week

2009-04-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

in the hopes of posting more regularly, i've decided to experiment with some weekday "themes." so after lots of mulling over what i think about and write about and do about town, i've settled on this series of "themes" in the most general sense of the word...

monday : the city
tuesday : at home
wednesday : sustainability
thursday : food & drink
friday : creativity

plus miscellaneous posts about my love of libraries and reading lists.

hm, is there anything else i missed?

additions and subtractions and exceptions are to be expected.

listening to: reckoner by radiohead (listen)

:: image from lillieinthecity / flickr

interview at the haystack needle

2009-04-07T00:04:00.000-07:00

jen at the haystack needle just posted a little q&a with me for her green swap series. jen's blog is one of my favorite daily reads, so i was more than happy to share a few thoughts with her on simple ways that we can live a little greener.

throughout the month of april, the haystack needle is featuring a series of interviews with green experts and bloggers. i'm excited to read more in the next weeks.

thank you, jen!

:: silly photobooth strip from my office holiday party

weekend sun & sunprints

2009-04-06T23:25:00.000-07:00

i spent a lot of time in the sun this weekend: in my backyard, at the farmer's market, on my bike, across town, and outside some great echo park coffee shops. i love that summer in LA starts in april.

i finally played with some sunprint paper that i had bought a few months ago. this simple photo paper captures the shadow of objects in bright light. it's a fun art/science that is perfect for a sunny afternoon. i experimented with an assortment of buttons, bread tags, and backyard plants for some simple little prints. check out more inspiring sunprints at anna atkins and boomslice and rinneallen.

hope you took advantage of some sunshine over your weekend.

listening to: rebel rebel by seu jorge (listen)

:: image from lillieinthecity / flickr

the love of glass jars

2009-03-31T08:02:00.000-07:00

recently, my mom and my aunt had a shared revelation: they both suffer from (but mostly celebrate) The Love of Glass Jars--the insatiable need to buy, scrub clean, and save any neat glass containers that they find. as their collections build, the jars are repurposed to store food, buttons, art supplies, and collections of all kinds. my auntie phyllie's latest glass loves are the "nice little squat" jars that, in a past life, held salsa. in their new incarnation, they live on her bookshelf displaying this awesome rainbow of colored pencils.

i know this love well myself, as there are rogue jars tucked into every cabinet of our apartment kitchen. too many times, i've bought grocery store items solely because of their containers (the food is like a bonus prize!). spega yogurt jars are one of my favorites.

someday soon i will post photos of our infamous kitchen shelf that is constructed of pine wood planks and 12 enormous jars of pickles.

are you a glass jar lover, too?

listening to: the woodlands national anthem by the arcade fire (listen)

:: image from phyllis mchugh leocha (auntie phyllie)

my first letterpress adventure

2009-03-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

earlier this month, i went on a one-day letterpress adventure at the international printing museum in carson (printmuseum.org). their introduction to letterpress workshop (which was i was psyched to attend) was a great mix of fun, informative, and inspiring--and the museum itself is a hidden gem for anyone interested in printmaking.

the day started with a guided tour of their museum and a brief history of printmaking. and then we dove into the type room, learned the the basics of typesetting, and got to work on two basic printing projects. the museum has an awesome collection of type fonts and woodcut images to explore. for my name print, i couldn't resist this woodcut of a windblown cypress tree (for love of the california coast).

if you're in the los angeles area, the museum offers lots of classes about letterpress, book arts, and printmaking. i'm hoping to be back for their intermediate letterpress workshop on april 18. more printmaking soon!

see a few more letterpress pics at lillieinthecity / flickr.

listening to: feeling good by nina simone (listen)

library list for march

2009-03-26T23:45:00.000-07:00

my new favorite destination is the main branch of the santa monica public library. it's gorgeous and modern and full of glass and light--and brimming with a million books to read. it has a cafe and its own bookstore, and it's environmentally friendly! oh, library love.

the latest books that i've check out have been almost all about food. inspired by this good idea at the kitchn, i decided to "test out" some new cookbooks before purchasing. needless to say, i now want to own each one of them...

+ chez panisse vegetables & chez panisse fruit are treasures from alice waters. each book is beautifully designed with gorgeous illustrations and bursting with recipes that celebrate fresh produce.
+ the new moosewood cookbook, a 1970s vegetarian classic, is handlettered and illustrated, which makes it feel extra personal, like the recipes are coming to you from a great, food-loving friend.
+ nigella express & nigella's how to eat made me understand why people adore nigella. her recipes are delicious, but simple--and her attitude towards food is celebratory, but down-to-earth.
+ good poems got thrown into my pile for good measure. just as i hoped, this collection of poems from garrison keillor (a prairie home companion) is lovely and surprising and gives a sense of hope and perspective in this crazy world.

so that's what's piled up for me at the moment... what about you?

more cookbook recommendations are always welcome!

listening to: mushaboom by feist (listen)

on community sustained agriculture

2009-03-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

voila! my latest bushel of veggies from my local community sustained agriculture (CSA) program: the south central farmer's coop. a rough explanation of a CSA: it supports local agriculture by organizing people to "invest" directly in a farm--and in return for your share, you receive a regular assortment of seasonal, local farm fresh goods.

encouraged by a CSA-loving coworker, i started buying a bi-weekly box from south central. in the past month, i have experimented with more mixed kales, beet greens, and rainbow chard than ever before. i've discovered that a box of "greens" has a lot more flavor and personality than i ever expected. and i've also learned that when all else fails, everything tastes good sauteed in garlic and olive oil.

if you are in the LA area, check out south central and their many pickup locations around the city. if you are in elsewhere (including new england!), check out local harvest where you can search for a csa's in your area.

listening to: i don't know by lisa hannigan (listen)

:: image from lillieinthecity / flickr

a few things

2009-03-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

today i am... loving the extra sunlight each day, even if it makes waking up in the morning a little harder. frustrated that my laptop is temporarily out of commission, which means no new photos and not much blogging. still full after a monday night dinner party with a six-degrees-of-separation group of friends and a georgian-themed feast. hoping to share more about my letterpress adventure soon. excited about having lots of visitors in the next two months. and eating too many cadbury mini eggs.

what are you up to?

listening to: a cover of electric feel by MGMT (listen)

:: photo from lillieinthecity / flickr

learning letterpress

2009-03-06T10:07:00.000-08:00

i'm excited to be attending a one-day letterpress workshop tomorrow at the book arts institute. i've been wanting to do this for months, but timing, cost, and location never seemed to work. and then days after making a resolution to myself, i landed on the book arts website. perfect!

it's a part of the international printing museum, which also sounds fantastic, and located just south of los angeles.

this is a great next step with one of those "new projects" that i mentioned. i'm hoping to share some fun stationery and paper designs soon...

p.s. check out my photo of a Heidelberg letterpress being pushed down the middle of a street in san francisco. crazy! and one of my favorite memories of last weekend.

:: image from moontree press in brooklyn, ny

san francisco weekend

2009-03-04T01:15:00.000-08:00

a few photos from my weekend exploring san francisco...

i'm in love with every aspect of this city: historic buildings, art and music, neighborhoods with big personalities, car-free living, so many city parks, delicious fresh food, and lots of coffee shops. although a dose of southern california sunshine wouldn't hurt. it's a near perfect city just as it is.

see more of the weekend's photos at flickr / lillieinthecity.

listening to: her morning elegance by oren lavie (listen)

::images from lillieinthecity

cilantro pesto

2009-02-27T09:19:00.000-08:00

i am about to jump in the car and head north to san francisco for a weekend visit with my little brother in his new city home. but first, i couldn't resist making one more batch of farm-fresh greens. (this week my life has involved an endless puree of greens and garlic.)

a few days ago, i made this pesto with a big bunch of cilantro from last week's CSA bushel. the pesto was a huge hit with friends at a "homemade happy hour" night. and so i was excited to find another cilantro bunch in this week's bushel. this pesto has a big fresh zesty taste with an awesome punch of garlic. if you like cilantro, you will love this.

cilantro pesto (an estimated recipe)
+bunch of cilantro
+5 cloves of garlic
+1/2 cup of olive oil
+juice of half lemon
+some parmesan cheese
+salt & pepper
(optional) chopped nuts--pine nuts, walnuts, etc.

rinse the cilantro, and try your best to remove the softer leaves and steams from the hard, lower stems. then mince the garlic. put cilantro, pesto, and all other ingredients into a blender. puree until smooth. eat on pasta, toasted bread, crackers...or eggs!

more soon with reports from the beautiful city of san francisco!

listening to: oh what a world by rufus wainwright (listen)

:: photos from lillieinthecity / flickr

white bean and kale soup

2009-02-22T22:32:00.000-08:00

last week i received my first bushel of farm fresh produce through my local CSA program (more on that soon). this first box was a mix of winter root vegetables and a wild assortment of mixed greens--some still unidentified.

in my race to cook the greens before they wilted away, i made a yummy soup that turned out to be creamy, delicious, tangy, and garlicky. it totally hit the spot.

my version of this soup is based on the recipe at mothering. i love pureed soups in the winter, so unlike the original recipe, i put the entire soup through my blender. a messy process, but well worth it!

white bean & kale soup
+ 2 cups kale, washed and chopped
+ 2 large cloves garlic
+ 3 cups cooked cannellini beans
+ 2.5 cups vegetable stock
+ 1 tablespoon tomato paste
+ 4 fresh sage leaves
+ 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
+ olive oil
+ salt & pepper
+ grated cheese

in a soup pot, heat olive oil and briefly saute garlic. add the cooked beans and vegetable stock. heat for a few minutes, and add in tomato paste and sage leaves. add salt and pepper to taste. mix kale into soup and simmer until kale has wilted (10 to 15 minutes).

then, working in small batches, puree the beans and stock in a blender. add lemon juice and enough water to give the soup your desired consistency.

serve topped grated cheese and a piece of crusty, buttered bread. delicioso!

:: image from lillieinthecity / flickr

sun after the rain

2009-02-18T00:07:00.000-08:00

it's hard to stay grumpy in los angeles. even though it's been raining here off and on for too many days. and the heat in our apartment is only sometimes working. and it's february, the dreariest month of the year, agh.

but even after it rains all day, the sky here clears up just before the sun sets. and in that moment, you get the most gorgeous views: blue skies, soft clouds, golden rays, and a glimpse of the snow-capped mountains that surround the urban jungle of LA.

hope your days are ending with a little bit of sunshine.

listening to: for beginners by m.ward ( listen)

:: photos from lillieinthecity / flickr

keep calm & carry on

2009-02-08T22:58:00.000-08:00

hello! it's been a while, once again. and although things have been quiet here, some good little projects are in the works--and i'm excited to get back online to share more of them!

this week marked the second anniversary of life in the city of los angeles. two years ago, allison & i landed at the beach in santa monica at sunset. and wow, when i stop to think about it, the time here feels like both forever, for all the changes & ups & downs--and then, like no time at all, as it still feels like college just ended. but i'm happy to say that this ongoing california adventure has been unfolding in the best (if sometimes unexpected) ways possible. and i'm excited for year #3, whatever it has in store.

just about a year ago, i bought this keep calm poster for its upbeat message and sunny color and solid design. february is a good time of year for a cheerful pick-me-up, right? it's based on a british poster from WWII. [poster is available here & here.]

one of my latest little "projects" is a new site for collecting the photos / words/ links that i find on the web : lillieinthecity.tumblr.com. if you ever considered blogging, then you should really check out tumblr. or at the very least, come visit me there!

more soon. xo lil

:: images from lillieinthecity / flickr

welcoming the new year

2009-01-12T08:45:00.000-08:00

hello 2009!

this new year has had a slowwww start--or maybe it's just me. i am still trying to get a handle on all of the projects and adventures and plans and resolutions for the next 12 months--while cleaning and organizing and making sense of the clutter left in the wake of 2008.

but i'm feeling optimistic.

i will get to writing more soon.
for now, a few favorite photos from my time at home...

see more photos of my holidays at home at lillieinthecity / flickr.

another library list

2008-12-11T23:16:00.000-08:00

on tuesday night, i went to my local city library branch and had one of those awesome moments when every book i came across seemed just right. the library (any library) has been a favorite location of mine for as far back as i can remember. wandering the shelves, amassing a pile, and checking out a stack of new-to-me books gives me a strange but special thrill.

often the subjects are totally unrelated, many of the books i never read from cover to cover, but always i am delighted by all the text and images and ideas and inspirations that a pile of books can offer.

here is my library list from tuesday:

+ alone in the kitchen with an eggplant (hilarious essays on cooking solo.)
+ the girl with the gallery (the title caught me, and the topic's held me.)
+ what i talk about when i talk about running (haruki murakami is fantastic.)
+ paris cafe: the select crowd (illustrated thoughts on the paris cafe scene.)
+ superman: the complete history (for an upcoming exhibition at work.)
+ armageddon in retrospect (kurt vonnegut is genius.)

what books are piled up on your nightstand at the moment?

clementine cupcakes

2008-12-10T11:27:00.000-08:00

life has felt especially busy lately. but still good. last night, i made a batch of clementine cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting to bring into work today. perfect for a december birthday!

this recipes uses the whole clementine--skin and all. it makes a dense, moist cake with little flecks of orange and a tangy sweet taste. i think the rich chocolate frosting (my addition) turned out to be a perfect topping.

i started using nigella lawson's clementine cake recipe, but revised it with some suggestions from her web reviews.

except for the whole cupcakes-sticking-to-their-liners issues (how does one avoid that??), these turned out great.

clementine cupcakes
+ 5 clementines (about 1 pound)
+ 6 eggs
+ 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
+ 2 1/3 cups ground almonds (or flour equivalent)
+ 1 heaping teaspoon baking powder
+ 1-2 tsp vanilla extract

place clementines in a pot of cold water. bring to a boil, and then turn down the heat and simmer for 2 hours. drain the fruit. once it's cool, cut in half, remove any seeds, and then pulverize the fruit/skins/pith. you can use a food processor for this--or a good knife.

preheat the oven to 375F. butter your pan of choice and line with parchment.

put the fruit pulp in a big bowl, and mix in the sugar and vanilla. add one egg at a time, mixing well. in a small bowl, combine the almond/flour and baking powder. then, fold the dry ingredients into the wet. mix completely, but don't overstir.

pour the cake mixture in your pan, and pop it in the oven. bake for 40-60 minutes until golden brown. enjoy!

:: photo from lillieinthecity / flickr

thanksgiving in los angeles : a day in photos

2008-11-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

:: thanksgiving breakfeast with holiday magazines.

:: out for a walk - glorious cloudy blue skies.

:: crowds at the grocery store.

:: apron from grandma.

:: pie from nana. my first solo pie-baking : success!

:: sunset - more gorgeous clouds.

:: giving thanks chez schwartz.

:: and one more slice of pie.

see more photos of my thanksgiving day in LA at lillieinthecity/ flickr.

happy thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T08:17:00.000-08:00

in my family, thanksgiving is all about the pies.
and today, i will be making a pie (or two) of my own!

:: images (top) from my mom and (bottom) from me

national day of listening

2008-11-27T07:48:00.000-08:00

storycorps has declared the first annual national day of listening on friday, november 28.

each day this week, npr has been playing a story from a different person/place, and on friday, they will play stories throughout the day. this is a "call to action" for americans to take time on friday to sit down with someone you love, ask a question or two, and really listen. read more in this interview.

for today's story, george w. bush's sister doro interviewed the outgoing president and first lady about what they will miss about life in the whitehouse, and like most storycorps responses, the answers were surprisingly sweet.

video: fifty people / one question

2008-11-25T12:52:00.000-08:00

what do you wish for by the end of today?

Fifty People, One Question: New York from Crush & Lovely on Vimeo.

sweet potato & butternut squash soup

2008-11-25T11:36:00.000-08:00

sweet potato & butternut squash soup from nytimes

art: patrick dougherty

2008-11-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

Dougherty's works allude to nests, cocoons, hives, and lairs built by animals, as well as the manmade forms of huts, haystacks, and baskets, created by interweaving branches and twigs together. Many of his works look 'found' rather than made, as if they were created by the natural force of a tornado sweeping across the landscape. He intentionally tries for this effortless effect, as if his creations just fell or grew up naturally in their settings. - Linda Johnson, Curator

currently on view at the LA arborteum & botanical garden. (via lacma unframed)

also on view at wheaton college in norton, ma. and more photos available ihere.

:: image from orngejuglr

more advice

2008-11-24T23:49:00.000-08:00

from nana...

you owe it to us all
to get on with what you're good at.

- w.h. auden (1907-1973)

i whole-heartedly agree.

sick days & comfort foods

2008-11-24T21:33:00.000-08:00

i was home sick today and indulging in some much needed sleep and comfort foods. my non-medicinal cure-all's include: campbell's chicken noodle soup; stouffer's macaroni & cheese; and cold ginger ale. whether it's my stomach or my throat or my head that hurts, any combination of these make me start to feel better, take care of myself, and slow down.

:: campbell's soup by andy warhol

dahl fashion

2008-11-24T21:14:00.000-08:00

charlie bucket stared around him in astonishment.
this was the craziest lift he had ever seen.
- charlie and the chocolate factory

british vogue had a roald-dahl-inspired photo shoot. love it.
at fashion week daily (via annplified)

:: image from british vogue

advice

2008-11-23T19:12:00.000-08:00

work hard. play hard.
create something amazing.

- advice to sink in slowly

wish i was at: SMFA art sale

2008-11-19T07:50:00.001-08:00

InsideOut: The Museum School Art Sale, November 19–23, 2008

For 28 years the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (SMFA) has hosted the annual December Sale, an art sale and fundraiser for student scholarships. Featuring work by hundreds of established and emerging artists each year—including internationally known SMFA alumni and faculty, current students, and affiliated artists—the Sale has become the largest public art sale in New England... more info

School of the Museum of Fine Arts
230 the fenway | boston, massachusetts

diy: geographic lampshade

2008-11-19T07:36:00.000-08:00

think of your favorite place each time you turn on the light!
map lamp how-to via chez larsson

:: image from chez larsson

recipe roundup: autumn edition

2008-11-18T07:59:00.000-08:00

recipes that are catching my eye now have taken a decidedly autumnal turn.

- banana cranberry bread from joy the baker
- roasted pears w. lemons, nuts & honey from apt therapy
- pilgrim's punch from cocktails.com!
- unfussy apple cake from 101cookbooks

hopefully i can test out some of these myself soon.
so many sweet ways to give thanks!

:: images by joy the baker [left] and faith hopler [right]

art: penelope dullaghan

2008-11-17T23:59:00.000-08:00

artist to explore: penelope dullaghan
her prints are available in her shop.

penelope, please print this golden goldfish.
i want to take him home!

via stephanielevy

art history: woman drawing

2008-11-17T23:54:00.000-08:00

young woman drawing, 1801 by marie-denise villers

i think of this picture unusually often. something in her look, the leveling gaze. i remember standing in front of this painting and considering it on more than one occasion during field trips in college. and now when i revisit it, i wonder, why? certainly pretty--mostly quiet and simple, almost plain. but there's something in that gaze that keeps making me remember. and so, worth sharing!

[ new series: art history / images & thoughts ]

photo: blazing sunset

2008-11-16T23:11:00.001-08:00

it's 90 degrees in november, the full glory and perennial curse of southern california on fierce display. devil winds, hill-hopping infernos, smoked mansions, torched trailers, barren freeways, and brilliant sunsets lingering in low-hanging canopies of burnt dreams. (latimes)

:: image from our kitchen window tonight, myflickr

in the city: a visit to the nursery

2008-11-15T00:45:00.000-08:00

hoshimoto nursery
1935 sawtelle blvd
los angeles, 90025
hashimotonursery.com

:: images from myflickr

shop: kiosk & americana

2008-11-14T23:11:00.001-08:00

kiosk is an online/nyc shop that is "the antidote to over-design."

they offer products in geographically-themed colletions, and each item celebrates the simple, sometimes mundane, always well made, and surprisingly unique.

the latest collection explores americana, focusing on new england with lots of massachusetts in the mix.

i love necco wafers and balsa gliders.

photo: all i want to be

2008-11-13T23:05:00.000-08:00

another 20x200. think-make-think by clifton burt.

i really should have bought a print of this as soon as it posted--because now i'm very bummed that within hours they are sold out!

photo: colorful but controlled

2008-11-12T10:16:00.000-08:00

balloons by juliane eirich--available at 20x200

quote: the power of art

2008-11-11T22:51:00.000-08:00

in unsettling times like these,
it would do us good to look at art
and talk about it,
because of the power of art
to console and lift our spirits and
its ability to teach us a thing or two
about our imperfect nature.

- edward goldman for kcrw / please, mr. president, take us on a date

video: it's a new day

2008-11-10T21:25:00.000-08:00

one more little e-celebration. watch this video & smile.

:: video by will.i.am / dipdive

tikkun olam

2008-11-09T23:11:00.000-08:00

tikkun olam | repair the world

this keeps coming up in my world in the past few weeks: work, news, movies.

one of the best things about judaism is called tikkun olam. it’s the idea that the world has been broken in pieces, and it’s up to us to gather them and put them back together.

- nick & norah's infinite playlist

around town: artbites

2008-11-08T23:10:00.000-08:00

another card picked up at the local coffee shop... artbites: cooking art history.
sounds like magic, huh? "think rachel ray meets sister wendy"

link: artbites.net

shop: terrarium, dwr

2008-11-07T21:56:00.000-08:00

i still have a fixation with terrariums. simple little worlds.

available at dwr.

a year of mornings

2008-11-06T08:15:00.000-08:00

a recent addition to my book collection: a year of mornings: 3191 miles apart.

at the beginning of 2007, two friends started a photo blog, each sharing an image from their morning. one friend in portland, maine, the other in portland, oregon, 3191 miles apart. their photos capture quiet moments in the early day--and since they started, i've loved the moment in my day when i visit their website. (and along with many coworkers/friends, i started my own daily habit of using their photo pairs as my work&home computer's desktop background.)

now their morning photos have been published in this book.

and this year, they've continued the tradition with a year of evenings.

:: image from a year of mornings

a new day

2008-11-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

"i have never been more hopeful." - president-elect obama

:: image from the boston globe

vote.

2008-11-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

today is one of the most important political moments in modern history. so wherever you are, whoever you are, go to your local polling station and make your voice heard.

and after so many months (and so many years),
i think, i hope: our time is now.

from sooo many months ago, remember: yes we can.

:: images from [top] nikki mcclure and [bottom] www.designforobama.org

art: carleton watkins

2008-11-03T08:37:00.000-08:00

recently saw dialogue among giants at the getty center.
carleton watkins and the rise of photography in california.

in the city: silverlake salvage

2008-11-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

a new-to-me LA discovery is silverlake salavage where i found an incredible collection of everything and the kitchen sink--old cabinets, tables and chairs, moldings, hardware, windows and doors, tubs, and on and on. the place is HUGE, and the collection endless and constantly changing.

i didn't come home with anything on my first visit (a bit overwhelmed by possibility), but i will definitely be heading back soon.

Silverlake Salvage
1085 Manzanita St.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
323-667-2875
open daily, 11-6

:: images from myflickr

welcome november

2008-11-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

this is november in LA.

:: image from myflickr

family photos

2008-10-21T00:03:00.000-07:00

my cousin took these photos around our family cottage in maine.
he just turned seventeen. aren't these photos beautiful?

recently reading

2008-10-20T23:15:00.000-07:00

in the offline world, i have been catching up on my reading.

+ cradle to cradle: remaking the way we make things
a manifesto for a new [sustainable! creative!] industrial revolution

+ the namesake by jhumpa lhari
the journey of this indian family broke & mended my heart

+ interpreter of maladies by jhumpa lhari
i couldn't stop reading these short stories

+ the chosen by chaim potok
a great coming-of-age novel from the high school reading list

and what are you reading this fall?

links: in the kitchen

2008-10-07T10:35:00.000-07:00

last night i made a simple whatever's-in-the-fridge salad that turned out to be surprisingly sweet & colorful--a mix of mango, red & green peppers, and cucumbers. and tortilla chips for scooping.

a few recipes that i've collected and hope to make soon...
+ honey ice cream from orangette
+ any-fruit cobbler from the kitchn
+ favorite vegetarian chili from make it
+ best ever yellow cake & frosting from bake/shake
+ easy cinnamon muffins from joy the baker

do you have any new recipe finds to share?

beyond my imagination

2008-10-06T21:45:00.000-07:00

still, there are times i am bewildered
by each mile I have traveled,
each meal I have eaten,
each person I have known,
each room in which I have slept.
as ordinary as it all appears,
there are times when it is beyond my imagination.

-- interpreter of maladies by jhumpa lahiri

apartment decor - on the cheap

2008-10-04T07:44:00.000-07:00

two great articles in the nytimes this week talk about creative apartment solutions on a budget with a slideshow of new yorkers' ingenious home hacks and creations .

check out...
+ a wall of drawers and a bartered bed
+ on the cheap - design lessons from students

the drawers-turned-shelves [right] are such a fun idea, especially sweet with the plant spilling over the edge and the sunglasses hanging off the handle.

and i LOVE the turquoise & rose color palette [left]. it's the exact combo that i've had in mind for my room for the past few months. gotta make that happen.

:: images from nytimes

happy weekend

2008-10-03T11:13:00.000-07:00

when i saw these photos from katy elliot, it made me miss fall weekends in new england. all those colorful leaves! thinking about yard sales and cinnamon donuts with coffee and all the apples crisps a girl could want!

but for now, there's still plenty of beauty on the west coast. super hot weather this week. like an eternal indian summer. and now it might rain this weekend. i'm up for anything!

happy friday to you!

:: images from katy elliot

art in odd places

2008-10-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

in the month of october, art projects will be tucked around new york city for pedestrians to stumble upon. see art in odd places.

my favorite...

free books by erin doeinge
A box of books labeled "Free Books" is deposited at various 14th Street locations. A seeming act of generosity, the artist has removed the last few pages from each book. The alteration will only become apparent to the reader after he or she has nearly finished the book, converting the cast-off into a statement of art.

Time/Location: Ongoing throughout October. Four undisclosed locations on 14th Street.

[i once tore the last page out of a danielle steele book and put it back on a communal book shelf. now i feel all the prouder of that little act of rebellion.]

:: image from art in odd places

the ABC's of tote bags

2008-10-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

a monogrammed tote for every boy & girl. i can hardly resist!
especially when the letter L is "Perfect for a Lillian, Lucas, Lucy or Leslie."

visit alphabet bags by keep calm gallery.

:: images from alphabet bags

park[ing] day

2008-09-19T08:13:00.001-07:00

More than 70% of most cities’ outdoor space is dedicated to the private vehicle while only a fraction of that land is allocated to open space for people. (parkingingday.org)

today is international park[ing] day.

for one day, people are encouraged to transform parking spots into "pocket parks" to generate conversations about how more public park space would improve both the environment AND the civility of the city. the park[ers] bring chairs, tables, umbrellas, astroturf--and they feed the meters as they go.

and according to park[ing] day LA.:
...Populations whose income is over $40,000 have access to 102.9 acres per 1000 people within quarter mile buffer. (USC Sustainable Cities/GIS Study, 2002)
...Population whose income is under $20,000 have access to 1.6 acres per 1000 people within quarter mile buffer. (USC Sustainable Cities/GIS Study, 2002)
...[BUT] 33% of children in Los Angeles County live within one-quarter mile of a park. (Trust for Public Land Study, 2004)

for los angelenos, check the map and see if there is a park[ing] spot near you!!

and check out the how-to manual on the official website.

:: image from park[ing] day how-to manual

this week's clicks

2008-09-18T01:22:00.001-07:00

some inspiration & ideas from the past week...

+ the selby. their house tours just keep getting better and better (image above)
+ candle displays á la anthropologie
+ lost & found - a book created of photobooth strips
+ the next little thing - nytimes on the small house movement. yay!
+ the art of display
+ shaker workshops - i love the simplicity
+ healthy eating while traveling - a collection of simply awesome suggestions

what's clicked with you?

:: image from theselby

first soup of the season

2008-09-17T21:01:00.000-07:00

a sure sign of fall is a craving for soups. in my companion cookbook from last winter, i found a perfect recipe for the start of the season...

eliza's damn good butternut squash soup
1 butternut squash
3 1/2 c. water
1 1/2 c. broth
3/4 c. milk
1 med. onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs olive oil
salt & pepper
rosemary/sage
preheat the oven to 400F.
prep the squash. wash and peel your squash. cut into quarters, and scoop out seeds [save them for baking!]. pour water into a large baking dish, and place quartered squash in dish. cook for 1 hour, or until browned and very tender.
blend the squash. once baked, remove squash from pan, and mush it into a blender. slowly add 1 c. broth and 1/2 c. milk. work in batches to get all ingredients well blended.
prep the seasonings. heat olive oil in a medium saucepan. add garlic, then onions, and saute on medium heat for about 3 minutes.
combine it all. add the squash puree to the saucepan, along with the remaining broth and milk. garlic and onions add "savory chunks" to the soup--but you can put it all in the blender again. season with salt, pepper, and herbs to your taste.
serve hot with sour cream & freshly baked bread!

:: image from myflickr

baked butternut squash seeds

2008-09-16T23:50:00.000-07:00

after making butternut squash soup tonight (more on that tomorrow), i scooped together the leftover seeds for a second tasty treat. like pumpkin seeds, squash seeds make a delicious snack.

tossed with a teaspoon of olive oil and some salt, i baked them at 250* for 20 minutes. they come out golden brown, light & crunchy, and a perfect combination of nutty/salty flavor. yum!

the coast

2008-09-15T00:46:00.001-07:00

sometimes i forget how beautiful it is.

:: image from myflickr

exploring the rose bowl

2008-09-15T00:13:00.000-07:00

we explored the rose bowl flea market today...

left || this cabinet locks shut with a big key, and each section folds up for excellent storage. [zoom]
right || i love that abstract orange/red/yellow landscape in back.

left || tulip chairs. sigh. (the purple cushions are questionable.)
right || another abstract print to inspire.

:: images from myflickr

labor day weekend -- a trip to maine

2008-09-01T23:24:00.000-07:00

the summer was complete with long-weekend trip home, including a night with family (and friends!) at the cottage in maine.

if you ever find yourself in west newfield, maine, check out:
- barnswallow pottery (buy yourself a mug!)
- willowbrook (mostly for their sweet shop)
- bond mountain (where you can still get fresh & free spring water)
& boonie's country store (they still sell penny candy!)

orrrr just sit by the lake and relax.

:: photos from myflickr

sometime this year

2008-08-28T08:38:00.001-07:00

camping in joshua tree.

:: image from apartment therapy

toast-y

2008-08-25T23:42:00.000-07:00

the UK-based clothing company toast is like a refined, british anthropologie. i've received a couple of their (thick!) catalogues, and i'm in love.

the clothing is beautiful. but it's the photography and the page layouts and the weight of the catalogue that really made me fall for them. better than any anthro or j.petermann catalogue that i've loved in the past.

if only the dollar were not such a weakling...

check out their website -- or request a catalogue here.

:: images from toast, fall 2008

muji muji

2008-08-25T23:24:00.000-07:00

these muji colored pencils get me as excited as a 64-pack of crayolas.

moma store tells me: the name 'muji' is derived from the japanese phrase 'mujirushi ryohin,' meaning 'no brand goods.'

i love the perfect, simple, natural packaging. and each bright color!

:: images from muji & me

thinking about...

2008-08-22T07:36:00.000-07:00

+ the lovely chemex & manual drip coffee [above]
+ headboards for my bed
+ windowsill gardens for some fresh basil
+ more patio lights
+ firing up the grill this weekend!

:: image from apartment therapy

catching up

2008-08-21T00:18:00.000-07:00

apologies for the quiet.
there's lots to catch up on after two long weekends of houseguests!

first, the laundry & the living room & the groceries & the overflowing inbox.

then, the backlog of random ideas & pictures that have piled up in my head.

working on both...

on that note, i'd love to live in a prefab someday.

:: image of my favorite wee house

sitting on the rock in the bay

2008-08-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

perched on a rock in the middle of narragansett bay in rhode island, clingstone has avoided falling into the ocean for a century.

dramatic. and gorgeous. and from this nytimes article, it sounds like the ultimate fixer upper.

i love the history, and from all the photos, i love love the house.

to keep the huge home in shape, the owner hosts annual "work weekends" and invite 50+ friends and family come to eat&drink and clean&repair. sign me up please!

:: all images from nytimes

planning ahead

2008-08-03T22:41:00.000-07:00

and it's already calendar season...

kate spade released her awesomely designed annual desk calendar for 2009.

this year's theme: road trip.

august - sigh.

2008-08-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

even though i don't have school starting in september anymore, and even though LA doesn't exactly cycle in seasons, the start of august still gives me pause.

a reminder to start squeezing the last out of summer.

::image by tookie

work hard

2008-07-30T08:19:00.000-07:00

Anthony [the designer] tells us he was once in his local supermarket, when he overheard an old lady telling the young check-out girl how to enjoy a long and happy life. The answer? Work hard and be nice to people. Simple, eh?

available at pedlars webstore.

pretty/happy

2008-07-30T00:09:00.000-07:00

oh anthropologie, why must you constantly tease me with your pretty pretty style?

simple perfect autumn denim.

p.s. even after a month, i am still super happy about being allowed to wear jeans to work at my new job (:

don't try too hard

2008-07-28T23:01:00.000-07:00

this house tour by the selby reminds me that a really great space isn't full of the coolest namebrand furniture and artwork and appliances. a really great space is all about color & light & personality. it feels lived in. and it looks like home.

:: images from the selby