Pinterest has kept me busy!

I have hardly been blogging lately and it has been breaking my heart. A few months ago I discovered {Pinterest} and have been hooked! Rather than blogging about the awesome things I find out there, I have been "pinning" them like crazy! In a short period of time, I have created 50+ boards and over 1600 pins!

If you have not heard of Pinterest, it is essentially a place catalog and share visual bookmarks. Rather than keeping a list of URLs to cool things you want to refer back to, taking screenshots or saving images to your desktop, Pinterest allows you to not only save of the images, but it also keeps the link to the original site from which you found it should you need to refer back as needed. The best part is the ability to categorize and organize the pins into different "boards" that are labeled (ie. For the Home or Wedding Ideas). You can connect with your friends who are using Pinterest and that has been the most fun, learning so much about someone from seeing the things they love! If you have not already done so, sign up and start pinning!

If you are interested in seeing the things I love, check out my boards {here}.

The coolest part has been seeing how many things people have actually pinned straight off of my blog! Check that out {here}.

Pin·terest (pĭn'trĭst): n. a social catalog to collect and share things you love

Pin·board (pĭn·bôrd): n. a visual collection of things you love

Pin (pĭn): n. an item you post to a pinboard

Re·Pin (rē·pĭn): v. to post another person's pin to your own pinboard

Soap Flakes!

This is incredible! I have always been pretty anti bar soap. I don’t like how slippery they get, how multiple people handle the same bar, and mostly I just really dont like soap dishes that collect water and suds that just looks messy!

Liquid soap contains a lot of water and bar soap is much more concentrated, giving it the ecological upper hand. Not only is it more concentrated, but it eliminates the need for additional plastic bottles by being wrapped in a simple paper. There is also a benefit for storing ~ bar soap can stack much easier than bottles of soap.

This invention solves all of issues that I have with bar soap that prevent me from using it. The handle on this {soap dispenser} pushes the grater back and creates tiny flakes that dissolve easily in water.

via {Apartment Therapy}

Before & After Country Kitchen

Kerri, of {Driftwood Interiors}, had plans of designing a new kitchen like the one in the first two images. One day while her husband was at work, she decided it was time for an update until they were able to actually remodel. Since structurally the kitchen was in good condition, but just looked fresh out of the 80's (when it was built), she decided to take matters into her own DIY hands. Armed with spray gun, she was able to transform her kitchen for less than $500. Found via {Apartment Therapy}

In Kerri's words:
"I love what a difference a simple coat of paint has made to the room – it’s now so light and airy, and it looks much bigger. But my favourite element came about by covering the brick island with beadboard, which totally changed the feel of the room. The dark brick screamed 80’s style, and by replacing it I think I’ve managed to inject some charm and style into a space that was sadly lacking both. The room was functional but very tired, and with just a little paint, some new cabinet hardware, and a bit of elbow grease it now has a fresh, contemporary feel."

Homemade Turkey Meatballs

Every once in a while I like to share a bit of the cooking and baking I love to do. This time it was delicious turkey meatballs with an awesome rice that I got from Trader Joe's that is long-grain brown rice, black barley and daikon radish seeds.

The Litte Things

I love this kitchen decor found on {The Little Things} blog! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the splashes of color, yet it still has a very neutral overall look and feel. Just my style :)

Some vintage gems on Etsy

Here are a few vintage gems I found at the {Little Byrd Vintage} shop on Etsy.com. I might actually be purchasing a few of these things. Exciting!

Hearty Veggie Soup :)

The other day when there was a torrential downpour outside and it was freezing cold (ok...this is California...maybe it wasn't freezing, but it was COLD), I wanted a nice hearty and healthy soup. Here are some pics since I don't have an exact recipe. It has vegetable broth, tomato paste, tomatoes, corn, zucchini, carrots, potatoes, blue lake green beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and lentil. The spices include cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper, oregano, basil, and parsley to taste. Topped with shaved Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

The Mod Shop ~ Napkin Rings

I was really drawn to these napkin rings while I was looking around on {Etsy} today. Usually, napkin rings are more round, and well, ring-like. I love the contemporary shape and design of these, with the traditional and vintage feel that the wood gives it.

Moufelt!

So here is another post about {felt}. I really like how clean cut and simple these coasters and trivets are. Also, the necklaces that incorporate the felt are pretty sweet too! Nicely done {Moufelt}. Felt, in my opinion has a very warm and vintage feel to them but the way they have designed and created these is quite contemporary.

DIY Cake Stands

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that I found this {tutorial} linked off of {Design*Sponge} I can't wait to actually do this. I went out today and found some cool glasses to use for the base, now I need to find the perfect plates to top them with. My friend Natalie and I also hit up the San Luis Obispo Swap Meet this morning and here is what I was excited to find:

Stay tuned to see what I decided to do with this old window frame. So cool!

Persimmon Cookies

A few weeks ago I made these cookies to take to work and they seemed to be a real success. For those who were asking for the recipe...here it is:

Persimmon Cookies
1 cup Persimmon pulp
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup raisins (optional)
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and mix with the persimmon pulp and add it to the butter and sugar mixture. In a separate bowl, mix the flour and spices together and sift into the batter. Add nuts (and optional raisins). Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Cake Lace Coasters

I went to {Paper Sky} today to pick up some paper supplies for a project I'm working on and came across these awesome {Cake Lace Coasters}! If you are in San Luis Obispo and like these...go check 'em out :)

Dimmalimm

I don't know about everyone else, but I always seem to forget which glass of wine is mine after setting it down among others'. The slip-on coasters are not only functional as coasters and a way to known which one is yours, but are beautiful as well! {Dimmalimm} is a mother/daughter team from Iceland working independently with Los Angeles designers on fashion development. They are 3rd and 4th generation dressmakers and have been working together on things such as costumes, interior textiles, and high fashion since the early 90's. From time to time they are inspired to do their own projects and sell them, these being some of them. They are believers in ethical manufacturing and sustainable fabrics, so they make all of their products and fabrics are purchased from local vendors. I love these pillows as well!

Handmade Fabric Napkin Rings

This weekend was all about (much overdue) resting, sleeping in, enjoying downtown, and best of all catching up on some therapeutic craft time. I did some serious damage to my wallet at {The Cotton Ball} in Morro Bay as I have done before...and here is what I came up with for my first project using my new fabrics! Stay tuned for more to come :) These will be for sale soon when I get my {Etsy} shop up and running!

Italian Espresso Set

I LOVE this mid 20th century Italian stainless steel and ceramic {espresso set}. I have been missing the delicious cappuccinos and espresso from my trip to Italy last summer - so I found this at the perfect time :)

Beautiful Attic Conversion

This kid-friendly and kid-inspired attic conversion is simply amazing. There is a full, furnished playhouse - with the most awesome play kitchen, full of light, various play areas (pool table for the adults), a built-in window seat with a trundle bed, and an overall great atmosphere. I absolutely love EVERYTHING about this. From the layout, the creative ideas for kids, and the overall design/decor style. I am in love :) A great find from {Apartment Therapy}, of course.

MoMA Store ~ Espresso Set

Check out this great {Espresso Set}, by the Felina Sok-Cham, the winner of the student design contest through {MoMA Store}. This can be used to serve espresso or even appetizers and desserts. I especially love this because of how much Armenian coffee my family drinks and serves to guests. I always hated carrying a tray full of cups and saucers that would always slide around and sometimes spill. This seems like a great solution with the plates/coasters essentially locked into their place on the tray. This was found via {NOTCOT.org}.

Fresh Basil and Heirloom Tomatoes!

My mom has been gardening like mad lately and sent me back home with delicious fresh basil she grew. It smells SO good that I had to make something immediately so I could use it. When I was home we made a very tasty bruschetta with heirloom tomatoes, also from her garden, so that inspired me to make a fresh heirloom tomato pasta sauce :)

I don't really have a specific recipe, since I just kinda threw what came to mind at the time in a pot. The basic idea is butter, olive oil, shallots, garlic, crushed chili peppers, salt, pepper, lemon juice, chopped heirloom tomatoes. I topped it with shaved Parmesan cheese. It was quite yummy if I do say so myself.

"The Gardener" Berkeley, CA

Last weekend I went up north to the Bay Area where my family lives and had a wonderful time - reminding me of how much I miss living there. We spent one of the days in Berkeley - walking around and exploring the shops in the 4th Street shopping district. Though it was a pretty small strip of stores, there were quite a few gems! One of these was {The Gardener}. The Gardener was opened by Alta Tingle in 1984 in Berkeley, CA. In 1987 they moved to the current location, into a space nearly triple the size. The second store was opened in Healdsburg, CA in 1998 in a barn surrounded by a large garden. The third store opened in the new Ferry Building in 2003. I was so happy to have stumbled upon such a great store! They had everything from beautiful garden and outdoor furniture and supplies, seeds to plant fruits and vegetables, and even great interior design and kitchen/dining ware.

Alta is a former garden designer and lecturer on landscape design. She is an avid gardener and photographer as well. "The Gardener is a collection of all the things that Alta, through her talents and interests, has learned to enjoy and appreciate in her life - a great pair of Japanese scissors for cutting flowers, the purest bar of lavender soap, a big ceramic bowl for the kitchen to hold the season's offerings - things that before had required trips to nurseries, hardware and specialty stores."

When it first opened in 1984, the collection at The Gardener was the first to recognized that even the most avid gardener lives indoors. They specialize in carrying accessories and furnishings for indoors and out. Each location offers merchandise specific to that location. It is Alta's lifelong affinity for texture and minimal design that has guided her buying. She is influenced by the season, which has always guided the product selection.

I took some photos of a few favorites as I walked through the store and recommend that if you are ever in the Berkeley area, that you stop by and take a look for yourself! One small detail that I thought was really cool were the {Ceramic Easel Placecards} used with one of the table settings

Retro vs. Contemporary

Here are two extremes I found and fell in love with on {SwipeLife} today. The first are the {Big Chill} Retro Kitchen Appliances. Althought they look like they are right out of Betty Draper’s kitchen, Retro Kitchen’s line of fridges, stoves, and dishwashers offer modern-day technology inside their vintage casings. They have EnergyStar ratings, optional Ice Maker packages, and a wide assortment of colors. The second is {LG SL90 LCD TV}. I have always hated the frame around television screens and wanted one that was seamless. This one does not have a wide border attached, the screen is seamless, aesthetically pleasing and is only 1.15 inches thick. At 47" this would be perfect mounted on a wall. They hit the shelves in 42, 47, & 55". I want one!