Friday Favors..."to mushroom"

This mushroom risotto recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser...anything with the words mushroom and risotto has to be fabulous*.

Even your non-vegetarian friends won't be looking for meat. Now, put these hand sculpted, one of a kind mushrooms in a line down the center of your table. At the end of the evening, send everyone home with one and your decor becomes the favor.

recipe and photo from Jamie Oliver

artist mushrooms available from sea & jae

*yes, mushrooms and risotto have to be fabulous, but click here for the other reason

glamour and pamper

The other day I showed a photo that included my glass and sterling cheese shaker. I like to use items for something other than their initial purpose. Pair the cheese shaker with a favorite body powder and you have just put together an elegant spa-like gift for a friend who deserves some glamour and pamper. Or maybe it is the gift that becomes the most sophisticated item on the baby changing table. You can always give it the way it was intended, too. I don't know any household that doesn't use magic* cheese. Either way, how can you go wrong with a gift that can go from the dinner table to the bathroom so efficiently?



*magic cheese - otherwise known as parmesan cheese. Too many years ago, as a toddler, my nephew started calling it magic cheese since it disappears on your food.

Self Portrait

Yesterday my self portrait was featured over at the ever inspiring blog, The Red Otter. No, not the kind of self portrait you are thinking. This one was a very interesting exercise in showing who you are by the objects in your home. The idea is to pick 10 or so items (not people or animals) that represent you. The things you have carried with you everywhere you have traveled or lived. The things that would express your style, personality and interests without saying a word. Think about this a little.....what would you pick? You can see mine and read about the items I picked here.

While you are there, don't miss seeing Julia's handmade journals and albums in her etsy shop. You know how I feel about journals.....never can have enough.

One hundred and très uses...part 2

Remember this? Here's another idea. Include the "extras" if you want to take it up a notch. It could be the essentials shown here or the markers shown here or the.....oh, wait....haven't shown those yet. More ideas to come...

Find the tray here

Gift of Gab....

The book I'm reading inspired this quote. Gather knowledge and inspiration from those who have done it before. It could be a couple of literary classics like Oliver Twist or Moby Dick, cd's of Beethoven's 5th symphony or a concerto by Mozart. Maybe it's one of the many publications by MOMA or a book on the masters. Gathering together one or many of these is a gift of the world's greatest inspirational and creative resources. As always, put the quote on the tag.

Photo credits here, here, and here.

Friday Favors...and the oscar goes to....

You...for throwing an oscar party complete with everyone's favorite pick.

If you need help putting a template together, email me.

One hundred and trés uses

I gravitate to items that have many uses. Since this tray is one of those items, I'm working on some new photos to capture that point.


Available here