Oodles of Garlands

Yes - it's a medley of different garland ideas! I don't know why I'm so obsessed with garlands right now...maybe it's because it reminds me of the crepe paper on my bdays? These are totally old-school and most of them look easy to make. I'm all about the quick craft projects! When I have a house I'm going to have a garland for every possible party.
...................................................................................................
An entire gallery of garland pics from Desire to Inspire.
...................................................................................................
Or this classic polka dot felt garland from Party Perfect.
...................................................................................................
Pretty Bird and Flower garland via Craft.
...................................................................................................
Winter Snowstorm garland from Craftstylish.

My ole stand-by: Popeye Chicken

Everybody has their favorites, and one of ours is the super easy and always awesome Popeye Chicken. It's basically a take on chicken divon, only with spinach instead of broccoli. I serve it over brown rice, but you can improvise with whatever you are into. *It's more satisfying to put the casserole together the night before, so that you can just pop it in the oven when you get home. {on RecipeMogul}

Artists of the Day: Awesome

Beautiful, moody photography from Erin Hanson. {via SSC}
...................................................................................................
Fun illustration from Katie Kirk. {via SSC}
...................................................................................................
Really groovy "light photos" from Brian Hart. {via WC}
...................................................................................................
This is so cool:
"New York Street Advertising Takeover" became a reality yesterday, when over 120 illegal billboards throughout the city were white washed by dozens of volunteers. NYSAT was organized as a reaction to the hundreds of billboards that are not registered with the city, and therefore are illegal. While illegal, these violations are not being prosecuted by the City of New York, allowing the billboard companies to garner huge profits by cluttering our outdoor space with intrusive and ugly ads. After the illegal spots were white washed, late in the day Saturday over eighty artists transformed these spaces into personal pieces of art." {via WC}
...................................................................................................
And last but not least: video of Improv Everywhere's Art Gallery Opening in the NY Subway. {via SM}

Drum roll...it's Baconopolis!

You guys, I am so jealous of my friend Paula because she got to go to famed Seattle chef Tom Douglas' event, Baconopolis! If the sound of treats like bacon hash, bloody marys garnished with bacon, tomato water martinis with bacon salt, peanut butter banana and bacon sandwiches (ala-Elvis), tempura fried bacon or butterscotch pudding with bacon-fat confit apples get you going, then this could be your event of the year! My only hope is that it becomes an annual shindig. Lookout 2011, I am going to blow the doors off Baconopolis.
-------------------------------------------------------------------



-------------------------------------------------------------------
And while we're on this glorious subject, why not take a peek at this awesome Gallery: Bacon, We Salute You. It's a delight.

Another Random Thursday

I know, I've been a blog slacker! It's just...this week and this cold and...well, you get my drift.

But I did some productive things last week, like make one of our trusty dinner stand-bys, Soy Ginger Chicken with Baby Bok Choy. This recipe rocks, it's so fast and easy and I can pick up all the fresh stuff on my walk home from work. Also I highly recommend using store-bought Near East's Mediterrannean Cous Cous - it takes 5 minutes!
{on RecipeMogul}
_____________________________________________________

5 Wine Steals to Buy Right Now, from Slashfood.
_____________________________________________________

Another Bargain Mansion, I wouldn't kick it outta bed. {thanks Abigail!}
_____________________________________________________

Sculpture can be great: Art of the Day from Jacob Dahlgren.
{via ShareSomeCandy}
_____________________________________________________

If you can stand spending $54 on a children's decorative shelf,
this would be the one. {via Shelterrific}

Accoutrements

On list of things to outfit fabulous mansion with:

The "Onion Daybed" or the "Spartan Open Top" lounge furniture from Lifeshop Collection. {via AT}

AOTD x3 for Friday

"German Panther" aka Balloon Tank by Hans Hemmert.
It's cool that you get to see it change shape. {via SwissMiss}
______________________________________________________
Weird stuff from cool illustrator, Aaron Meshon. {via Drawn!}
______________________________________________________
Beautiful, different art by Jon Klassen - I like the ethereal color palette. {via Drawn!}

So, it's Thursday.

Hey, is it just me, or does anyone else feel like life in general has been just...harder than usual lately? Not bad, not unhappy - it just seems like everywhere I go, everything I do, the escalator is out. Y'know? I'm hoping this summer will give me and everyone else a break from that. I have a very important meeting in Vegas with my girls coming up, and a possible pilgrimage to the Ellen show with my sister. Of course the whole time I'll have money on my mind, but maybe I'll win big in Vegas and that'll take care of that!

And now, a dump of just some of the links I've bookmarked lately:

Would you like some classy cocktail napkins for your next soiree?
{via shelteriffic}

Is this your luggage? takes lost luggage and photographs the entire contents, then posts it on the internet for people to claim. I'd be relieved to find my luggage but I'd be totally horrified if it was all on the internet. That's my stuff! {via Swissmiss}

In the market for a $90k Detroit river-view mansion? I totally am. I'd host big fabulous events there. Mostly for me and my friends, of course. {via Shelteriffic}

I have to try making these "fast and easy" bbq portobello quesadillas this summer. {via YumSugar}

"Hi, I'm awesome and have the cutest apartment ever" - gallery of "Small/Cool" apartments giving me major house envy/inspiration.
{via Apartment Therapy}

Must. Re-learn. To sew. If just for this "buttercup bag" pattern alone. {via CraftZine}

Happy Thursday, Friends!

Made Some Tiramisu

Went to an Italian-themed party last weekend, and made some Tiramisu to bring along. With the help of my awesome sous chef, we made it in no time! Tiramisu is actually a no-bake dessert, that isn't as intimidating as you'd think. This recipe was simpler than other ones I'd found too, because it didn't make you use a double-boiler or any of that nonsense. {directions on RecipeMogul}
.............................................................................................

Annual Peeps Post

What would April be without the PEEPS DIORAMA CONTEST?!?!?
I don't even know. Diorama day was the day I looked forward to all week of vacation bible camp. Yeah, vacation bible camp. I said it. I was all about mine being the BEST diorama in the bunch. I think I was the only 10 yr old who ever felt competitive about dioramas. So I gotta respect all the finalists of the Peeps Contest every year. We are creative soul mates.

A few of my favorites, mostly because I witnessed them:
"Peep to the Right"
"Purple Tunnel of Peeps"
"R-E-S-PEEP-E-C-T"
------------------------------------------------------------
Go back in time to 2007 or 2008 Peeps posts too!

Easter = Buffet

What better way to celebrate Jesus than all-you-can-eat Bacon and bottomless Mimosas? For Easter Sunday Keene took us to a lovely brunch at good ole "B. Smith's." Since this place is named after me,
I thought it was a brilliant choice. It was delightful! Thank you, Honey (and Jesus)!
..............................................................................
..............................................................................

Irish Beef & Stout Stew

It was about time for one last comfort cook of the season. This is so great for the slow-cooker! You can leave it all day and it just gets better. I used Yueng Ling instead of "Irish Stout", and it still turned out awesome. {directions on RecipeMogul}

AOTD & Randomness

If you live in LA and you're not going to The Grilled Cheese Invitational, then you should get your head checked. "On April 25th, the molten seas of melted cheese and bits of bread will part and all that will remain will be the few, the proud, the Grilled Cheese Champions". Admission is $5, and you get all the grilled cheese you can eat.
______________________________________________
"Worst Tagline Ever," via Wooster Collective.
______________________________________________
"Steal This Idea" - hang a poster with skirt hangers, via Shelterrific.
______________________________________________
A cherry-blossoms-inspired craft: tulle flowers. Would make a fab centerpiece. via Craftzine.

______________________________________________
Speaking of blossoms, reminds me of this AOTD: "Umbrella Boom" from Sam Spenser. via Wooster Collective.


______________________________________________
...which reminds me of the awesome stuff these "Guerrilla Gardeners" are up to. via Craftzine.

List & Comment Wednesday

I am seriously getting super excited to go home to Seattle for the summer. Basically, we got to skip all the yucky weather, and still not miss out on the best part! When we moved, I tried to put Seattle out of my head and just forget about it so that I wouldn't pine. But now that we're going back, I'm getting amped. I'm worried that it'll mess with my mind come Fall when we head back to DC, but I'll deal with that later, right after this frosty Mac n' Jack's African Amber Ale.

.............................................................................................
THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER

To-Go Cup it around Greenlake, Golden Gardens, Ballard
Ballard Locks Picnic
Gay Pride and/or Torchlight Parade
Float Trip at Ranier
Augustfest
Pedicures at Cedar Spa
See the doctor, dentist, and get new glasses
Get a decent haircut
Point Defiance Zoo (if have time)
Help my mom clean
BBQs at Paula's
Eat & Party hardy on 4th O'July
Eat some GD burgermaster, some freakin' salmon, and good sushi
Workout with Kate and Jake
Tennis with Kim
Pet Mysty
Bainbridge
Puzzle with my ladies
Weekend in Vancouver or Oregon
.............................................................................................

Your turn, People! What's on your Summer To-Do List?

Mini Apartment Garden

This is my mini greenhouse. I planted a variety of seeds - mostly flowers and herbs. The herbs, yeah, not so much. They're hard to grow. The but wildflowers, well they took off like wildflowers. I got them this far, but there's still a good chance I could kill them. I ushered a few of these babies off into our flower boxes on the deck last weekend, fingers crossed!

We Survived Some Trees

It's true: we survived the Cherry Blossom Festival! Yep, me and my friends Drew and Alex decided it was worth it "just this one time" to brave the crowds and get a glimpse of the cherry blossoms and the parade. And it was! Especially since they're only in full bloom for about 10 days (why?!?!). I've grown up with cherry trees, but I've never seen so many in one place - they're like a bajillion pink popcorns! It pays to be able to walk to a metro far enough out that you don't have to dodge as many tourists, and if I go again I'm definitely packing my own food and perhaps a (classy) flask. Um, yeah and I'd remember sunblock. Sun in April is a new concept.
................................................................................................
................................................................................................

Well there goes my evening...

I'm totally obsessed with Polaroid-izing photos now! This is the best gadget ever: Poladroid. It mimics the look of a polaroid on your digital photos, and it makes really cute snapshot noises.


-------------------------------------------------------------------

Orecchiette Pasta with Peas and Sausage

Made a great easy pasta last night by modifying this recipe with what we had at home. *Tip: unsophisticated in-the-jar Kraft parmesan cheese worked just as well as fancy pecorino.

.............................................................................................
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound dry round or short pasta
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2-3 basil leaves, chopped (or dried basil)
About 3 sweet Italian sausages, chopped
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 cup frozen peas
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons lemon zest
.............................................................................................
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil & the garlic in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion & sausage, season with the salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Add the peas and cook for 2 minutes more. Stir in the cream, basil, and 3/4 cup of the parmesan. Simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 4 minutes. Add your cooked, drained pasta, lemon zest to the sauce and toss.

AOTD & Interview Advice

Great article: "5 Job Interview Questions That Mean You're Not Getting Hired...And One That Means You Are" - particularly good advice is at the bottom - I think that I scored my last job because I kept making them talk about this. {via SwissMiss}

..................................................................................................

French artists "HeHe" (Helen Evans and Heiki Hansen) had an installation last year called Nuage Vert, or “Green Cloud”.
{via WoosterCollective}

..................................................................................................
"Every night for a week, the vapor emissions from the Salmisaari coal burning power plant were illuminated with a high power green laser animation. The laser drew an outline of the moving cloud onto the cloud itself, coloring it green."