Share Your Love

Etsy is doing this wonderful thing for Valentine's day and I plan to join in! It's called special delivery and what it is is they're teaming up with Meals on Wheels in New York and visiting as many homebound elderly people as they can on Valentines Day. In addition to making the rounds, they'll be bringing Valentines for the seniors. This is where we can all pitch in. Make your own card or buy and donate someone else's, but spread some of that love to some people that could be very lonely. Find all the details right here and check out some of the cards that have already been sent in.

The deadline for Etsy to receive your cards is Monday, February 2nd, so get cracking!

I'm Sick.

Sorry guys, I was busy last week and then got sick over the weekend, so posting might stay light. To catch you up a bit, I finally received my new toiletry case from Hable. Other than being slightly disappointed that it doesn't have any kind of lining or barrier for liquids, I'm totally excited. You should have seen what I was carrying around before.

I've also been wanting to post some of the meals I've made, but it's always at night with bad lighting. Anyway, I made mussels one night (super easy, you ought to try them) and now I want to try preparing oysters, drinking vinegar and hosting some kind of weird cocktail party using some of these cocktails that have been flying around the internet like a Lord Nelson or a Hot Rum Cow.

I also need to figure out a time to preview the new Ace Hotel in Palm Springs and take more baths.

How are all of you doing?

Black Pearl Press

Is this the year that I get custom stationery? It might be. I feel pretty inspired by this image from Black Pearl Press...

Dude. Yes.

I forget where I saw this image but it's of Dana Galagher's workspace. I am totally going to make my own version of that yes poster. It's just the reminder I need to stay positive.

Holy Orla!

Cannot wait for this. Thanks to ATNY for breaking the news!

Love Notes

I love this idea. A cup that can be written on for your sweetie and sent in the mail. They're called post cups. Find them on bailey doesn't bark.

Homemade Raspbery Jam

I got a chance to eat some of the simple raspbery jam I made a couple of weeks ago. It perked my right up on a sort of blah day. Or maybe that was the coffee. The recipe is really easy, I followed the old fashioned raspberry jam recipe here. All you need are raspberries and sugar. The way jam ought to be.

Sew Bettie

Cara at Sew Bettie emailed me to let me know about all of the amazing fabrics that she and her partner Mark design in Chicago. All 100% cotton and filled with a great sense of humor. She was right when she thought I'd like the mustache fabric. See the whole line here.

I made donuts!

I finally took an evening and made some donuts! It was my first time working with yeast (it's always kind of intimidated me)and I'm not sure I let the dough rise enough before I put it in the oil. I also got the temperature better towards the end of the frying and so the last doughnuts were the lightest and the best (I had it too hot at first). Overall it's kind of a lot of work for doughnuts, but it was immensely satisfying to understand how it all works (it's also great to see the doughnuts pop into doughnut form as soon as they hit the oil, who knew?). So yes, I made donuts, And you can too!

I heart Jamie Oliver

If I didn't already have a crush on charming chef (and lifestyle wrangler?) Jamie Oliver, then the styling and products from his new line of food and dishware would definitely seal the deal. I love the tags for his jams and chutneys and the simple white dishes and farm table scene.

See the whole line here.

A few things I hope for in 2009

I don't normally make any resolutions for the new year, but I do try to keep in mind the things that are important to me so that I fill the year with things I love. A couple of things on the list:

More Baking! More cooking and more eating at home. Picnics either on the beach or in the mountains. Invite people over more often for dinners, brunches and desserts. I want to try some of the recipes I hear on my favorite radio program, Good Food. Spend more time on weekends having fun and less doing chores! Learn. New skills make me feel rich and confident so I want more. Take time for Quiet Time. Take long walks and keep showing up for Yoga. Go on an exciting trip (or 2 or 3).

That top picture is from the kitchn, it's the lemon verbena and orange blossom fizz and I can't wait to make it for an afternoon bbq.