Secret Travel Essential for Love Birds

This little heart splitter meant that Eric & I could watch movies & listen to tunes on the plane with only one gadget, effectively doubling our battery life over the course of our summer adventure. I'd never travel without it again. Lovey dovey, but irresistibly cute too. Snag one for your next trip here. What is your secret travel essential?

A Quest for Gorgeous Opal Jewelery

My birthstone is an Opal. This stunning gem comes in an incredible assortment of colors (from the bottom of the ocean blue to the palest seashell pink) and has an ethereal shimmer, but I have rarely seen it featured in a piece of jewelry that I like. They are often made from cobbled together inlays and embellished with dark woods or silly flourishes. Usually one sees white opals set in sterling silver which look washed out and cheap, like bubblegum machine mood rings. Internet searches were futile since I didn't have any descriptors to clarify what I was looking for. I would know it when I saw it.

While in Vienna, I saw some extraordinary examples of Art Nouveau jewelery, including several breathtaking pieces showcasing opals. Now I knew which search terms to enter: antique and Art Nouveau. That search turned up this beauty.

I love everything about this piece (except the $10,000 price tag.) I love the scale of it first and foremost- dainty jewelery is not my thing. I like over-sized, exceptional statement pieces. I love how the stone itself is the showpiece- one giant, unbroken hunk which can catch the light and dazzle. The teardrop shape is artistic and sophisticated- it reminds me of something Georgia O'Keefe would have worn in turquoise. The square cut sapphires and emeralds on either side enhance the design and accent the colors shining from inside the opal itself.


Then while catching up on my pile of summer magazines, I clapped eyes on these showstoppers in Martha Stewart Weddings. There is no price tag featured on either the website or the magazine- price upon request is never a good sign for people on a teacher's budget. Nevertheless, what I love about these earrings is how the opals are the star- not upstaged by other elements. And of course, it doesn't hurt that they are my two favorite colors on earth- blue and green.

What is your birthstone? Do you have a piece of birthstone jewelery you are in love with? From the looks of these picks I'd better start saving immediately if I want an incredible piece of opal jewelery for my 30th birthday the October after next. (Actually, it may have to wait till 50!)

Etsy Stories: Breakfast in Bed

Some Sundays call for lying in bed very late,wearing something soft and flowy with the newspaper, a little tray of nibbles and tea or coffee and your hair a muss. Here are my Etsy picks for making those days extra decadent. (See the whole collection live on Etsy here.)

First, you need a bit of sunshine streaming in on those rumpled sheets, as in this photograph.

Then some pretty china and a handprinted Trellis Napkin underneath the silver.

Scones, of course.
All arranged on this Japanese Breakfast Tray.

Oh, and don't forget the Grapefruit Marmalade!
Or A spot of tea,

Served in a beautiful porcelain tea cup.

Then lie there happily wiggling your toes and enjoying a very lazy Sunday Morning.

When was the last time you had breakfast in bed?

Summer Bags from Mar Y Sol

Have you already heard about Mar Y Sol? These adorable raffia bags are handmade in Madagascar and help talented weavers there earn a living without harming the local environment. This rainbow clutch would be perfect for my Hawaiian wardrobe.

Though fringe is always hard to pass up, and despite my longing to be a clutch only kindof girl,

The reality is that I always find myself toting big berthas like this one. (And sale prices seem to trump all else.)

What kind of bag do you carry in the summer? (Or do you carry one bag all year long?)

Imaginary Wedding Planning: Black & White Ball

I love the idea of a black and white wedding- done right it can be chic, edgy and surprising (just like Mr. Capote's famous shin dig.) A nice breath of fresh air. See the treasury live on etsy here!

Chalkboard inspired invites set the tone. This party is going to be modern, clean, unfussy and totally cool.

These glacial votives are perfectly mod centerpieces that can go right from the reception to the happy couple's new dining table.
A wildly enthusiastic twist on those tired old "I do's".

A black veil is a perfectly unexpected touch- don't you love how sexy black tulle can be?

Why not enjoy a no bake black and white oreo cake and toast the happy couple with ice cold milk?

A ruffly dress for the bride to dance the night away in- with black piping, of course.

A customized bus scroll serves as decor on the big day and then as art for their new home ever after.

Don't forget the getaway car!

Happy Mother's Day

William Wegman image via Evan Sklar

Etsy Stories: Tropic Isle

It looks as though Eric and I will be moving house once again and true to form, I've already begun imagining what our new space will look like. I'd like it to feel soft, clean, sophisticated, tropical and inviting. See my complete collection live on Etsy here.

Bone white limestone Tealight holders feel beachy but streamlined.

I'm crazy about this Parrot Pillow- especially the softness of the color story. Sometimes "tropical" gets translated as "garish".

This pretty Tassel Pendant would put a little "swish" in my step!

I love ornate details and these Glass Beaded Sandals have it in spades!

I like the cheerful mix of colors and pattern on these Chevron Dinner Plates -just the thing for a light summer dinner on the lanai.

What are you daydreaming about lately? Have you done any re-decorating of late?

Instead of Flowers this Mother's Day, Why Not Chocolate?

Have you already got your Mother's Day gifts ordered? If not, I have a suggestion! (I discovered these in last month's Martha Stewart Living Magazine. They suggested 'em for an Easter basket, but Mom will love them too.)

How sweet are these little bees from John and Kira's Chocolates? I love how glossy and stylized they are! The ladybugs are adorable too.

And these mice are awfully dapper too- I love their colorful little tails! (They're from Burdick Chocolates). Oh yes, they make Penguins too.

How are you celebrating Mom this year? I wish I could take both my Mum & Momma D out for a fabulous brunch, but greeting cards and phone calls will have to do this time.

Taste Test: Miracle Fruit turns Sour to Sweet!

Have you heard of Miracle Fruit? It's a tiny berry that alters your taste perception of sour and salty foods, emphasizing their sweetness instead. (One fellow hosts "flavor tripping" parties where guests can sample lemons, vinegars, mustards and dark, bitter beers!) In Eric's ongoing quest to sample all the tropical fruits of The Big Island, we gave them a whirl while my Mum was visiting. We bought five berries for $1 at our local farmer's market. (It felt like we had stepped into the fairy tale about Jack and his magic beans!)

They look quite ordinary, don't they?

We tasted the limes before, to refresh our memories of what

SOUR tastes like!

Then we tried the Miracle Fruit. You pop the tiny berry into your mouth and separate the flesh of the fruit from the seed. You swirl the flesh around your mouth and discard the seed. After a few minutes, your sense of taste is altered. The perception lasts for about 30-45 minutes.

What a fun experiment! It's not that the sour disappears, it's more as though the food's natural sweetness is heightened and emphasized. Eric thought this would make an excellent lesson on perception for his high school students. He used his Miracle Fruit to drink a glass of apple cider vinegar (an old fashioned home remedy that is supposed to work as an appetite suppressant.) You could still taste the sourness of the vinegar, but the sweetness was the first thing that hit your tongue.

Have you tried anything NEW lately?

Strawberry, Lace and Cream Delight (A Riff on the Sundae)

Since we had our exciting news about Summer in Vienna, I've been determined to use up the contents of our pantry, freezer & fridge. (Is it just me, or is throwing away food the worst part of moving?)

This riff on a Sundae was one of the happy results. It's a simple oatmeal lace cookie ( a cinch to make, it only took me ten minutes! I left out the corn syrup because I didn't have any and they were just lovely.) a little cloud of whipped cream and some local strawberries from the farmer's market. I liked the lace cookies sitting atop my vinyl lace place mats from Urban Outfitters. I guess I have lace on the brain lately. What's cooking at your house lately?

P.S) Any tips for using up lentils? I have boatloads of them and only a month to go.

A Lacy Leather Bag for Summer

I just saw a very chic tourist carrying this tote at the beach the other day. She looked so elegant in her giant straw hat and white tunic. One would think leather at the beach would be too much, but the metallic sheen with the lazer cut lace pattern over the top of it seemed right at home in sand and surf. I managed to track it down- it the Garnet Shopper from Ivanka Trump (who knew she was doing bags?). The last thing I need is another giant bag, but I had to share it. So cool! What's catching your eye lately?

Quirky Easter Decor via Ukraine, Etsy & Ebay!

For my Easter decor this year, I decided pastels were passé. Instead, I snapped up an instant collection of vintage wooden Ukrainian eggs on Etsy and Ebay. I love the rich, saturated color palette- especially the black with pops of bold cobalt, fuchsia and red. I also nabbed a selection of funny hand painted egg cup people. (I do love anything figural for my tabletop!) I think they look quite funny in their little caps- like little Popes or the Queen's Guard. I've also filled the whole house with lilies thanks to a flower arranging class at Donkey Mill Art Center. (More on that soon!) Do you decorate for Easter? What's your favorite tradition?

Falling in Love with Scandinavian Design

This movie, this blog and this vintage cookbook top the very long list of reasons I'm dying to go to Scandinavia and soak up every last molecule of culture and design, but now I'm adding this bed too. It's solid, restrained, effortless and, well, quite pretty. (And made with reclaimed wood- Hooray!) We'll be stopping in Sweden for a few days during our European adventure, but I already know it won't be enough. What culture's design sensibility speaks the most to your personal aesthetic?

Gifting with Olive & Cocoa

Have you heard of Olive & Cocoa? I'm not sure how I ended up with their catalog, but I adore their beautifully presented collection of giftables. Here are a few of my favorite finds.

If you were in the midst of a grey period, wouldn't this box of pretty yellow candies be like a sudden burst of sunshine? Nothing like turning lemons into well, you know, a cliché that's too tired to type.

All their floral arrangements are a welcome break from the usual FTD horrors, but I particularly like this one with it's cacophony of texture and harmonious colors. It looks so fresh and clean- perfect for spring.
These champagne flutes caught my eye at once. They are the perfectly casual, but with touch of mismatched-mad-hatter-whimsy. (And they would double as darling bud vases for the wildflowers that should be bursting up in the woods any minute!)

What's your usual go-to for sending flowers or gifts?