7.18.2009

room inspiration


(image from Amy Shutt of Day-Lab)

(image from Amy Shutt of Day-Lab)
I was searching design*sponge a while ago and came across this room from Amy Shutt of Day-Lab. Isn't it the greatest? When I redo my room this summer I'm planning on painting my bed yellow and taking inspiration from her. What do you think?

7.16.2009

cookies



Over the last few days I've been baking Chewy Chocolate Ginger cookies for my sisters, and I thought I might share the recipe. It's from Martha Stewart Living 1997. Try them some time!
* 7 ounces best-quality semisweet chocolate
* 1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
* 1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
* 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
* 1/2 cup dark-brown sugar, packed
* 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Chop chocolate into 1/4-inch chunks; set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cocoa.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and grated ginger until whitened, about 4 minutes. Add brown sugar; beat until combined. Add molasses; beat until combined.
3. In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in 1 1/2 teaspoons boiling water. Beat half of flour mixture into butter mixture. Beat in baking-soda mixture, then remaining half of flour mixture. Mix in chocolate; turn out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Pat dough out to about 1 inch thick; seal with plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats. Roll dough into 2-inch balls; place 2 1/2 inches apart on baking sheets. Refrigerate 20 minutes. Roll dough balls in granulated sugar and return to baking sheets. Transfer to oven and bake until surfaces crack slightly, about 18 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
(recipe from Martha Stewart Living December/January issue 1997)

7.06.2009

Boojiboo Flirty Apron GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!



(image from Grosgrain blog)

Boojiboo Flirty Apron GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain did it again. If you haven't checked out her blog yet, go now--I'll stay right here.

See?

Well anyways, she's hosting yet another giveaway right now for this cute apron, and who doesn't like aprons? Go enter!

polaroid



I've been eying Polaroid cameras now for the last few weeks, so last night when Dad found his old Polaroid camera I was ecstatic! I only have nine photos left, so they'll be used sparingly. This photo didn't really turn out as well as I hoped, but I love it anyways.

7.03.2009

independence day



Hi all! Just popping in to wish you a great weekend. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled programing on Monday--I promise!

6.24.2009

greenfinch shrug



CO 83 stitches and work Stockinette stitch for 3/4 inch. On next purl row:
knit 2, purl 10, YO, pm, purl 1, YO, purl 14, YO, pm, purl 1, YO, purl 28, YO, pm, purl 1, YO, purl 14, YO, pm, purl 1, YO, purl 10, knit 2.
Next row: knit
next row: knit 2, purl to first marker, YO, slip marker, purl 1, Yo continue from bold across until last 2 stitches then knit 2.
Continue last two rows until work between first and second markers are 1 1/2 inches shorter across than the circumference of you upper arm. (for me, when i continue until it is the same length as the circumference of my arm it turns out way too big.) then, continue as follows.
Knit 2, purl to first marker, slip stitches in between first and second markers on scrap yarn. purl across to third marker and slip stitches in between third and fourth marker on scrap yarn.
Back and front finishing
continue in stockinette (but don not forget to knit those pesky first and last two stitches) until 5 1/2 inches long. then knit 1 purl 1 rib for 1 1/2 inches. BO
Sleeves
work stockinette for 5 rows and then switch to ribbing for another inch. BO and seam up sides. put it on and then tell everyone you meet you knocked this off for a fraction of the price.

6.20.2009

fashion of the moment

You know how in every magazine and store we're told that every trend is "new and original?" Well, it really isn't. It has been done before, would you like me to show you?

Let's start here:


Now this is obviously 5os, you can tell by the full skirt and wrap top--both very popular.




Here we have the early 6os--the Sabrina neckline and slim details, even her hair is late 6os.




Okay, so here we have...7os. Do I really need to explain?


Now this is just ugly... Urm I mean, 8os, down to the short bubble skirt to the color.


See isn't this fun? All of these dresses by the way are from Nordstrom.com