current etsy cravings

I like to peruse Etsy when I'm bored. There is such a wealth of items on there that it's fun to troll the pages and see what magical treasures pop up (vintage shoe horns? Why not?). While this can sometimes lead to delightfully impulse purchases, usually it just adds to my trove of visual inspiration.

I stumbled across these adorable little French buildings one day and was totally smitten. The colors are gorgeous and I have a total weakness for tiny things (or clutter as my mom prefers to call them) so these went right to the top of my favorites list.

Ridiculously cute, right?

Clay has never looked so adorable.

Maybe someday I'll have a little clay French village on my desk. But for now I will continue to admire them via the internet.

All photos from ARTISANIEeurope check out her shop, there are so many more lovely things there!

a week in tumblrs 4.30.11

After months (and months and months and months) of cold, miserable, grey weather, we had TWO nice days in a row! Not only was the temperature above the puffy coat required digits, but we were graced with the sun's presence as well. On the first sunny days after a long Chicago winter, everyone walks around outside like they have just been freed from prison (partially true). There is a lot of looking up at the sky, stretching of arms and legs and baring of arms and toes. It is blissful.

I took the opportunity to banish all my sweaters and wool socks (and the dastardly puffy coat) to their respective homes (under the bed, out of sight and mind, etc.) and pull out the summer clothes. Short skirts! t-shirts! Shorts! I hope it stays warm because at this point, I don't think I'm mentally ready to reach back under the bed until October.

Here are some tumblr images from the week:

1. Scarves in Cole Haan 2. Some research for upcoming freelance work 3. The antidote to a blustery grey day 4. A new acquisition.

I hope your weekend is equally sunny and wonderful!

on medieval cookery

For the premiere of Game of Thrones (nope, no dorks here, no way) we had a little um, medieval-ish potluck. I decided to make oatcakes because, well - they sound good and seemed to fit the bill. I used this recipe and added an additional two tablespoons of white sugar to make it a little more sweet than savory. I also used oat flower instead of whole wheat flour because, well, it just made more sense to me.

They turned out pretty well. It probably sounds silly to say, given the amount of butter in the recipe, but good lord they were rich!

Of course, that didn't stop us from slathering them with blue cheese and fig preserves...

eastering

 This weekend was spent in South Carolina, far away from the cold and miserable blustery-ness that is currently Chicago. (And on second glance, I realize that this is kind of the most depressing photo intro to a post about Easter ever).

 We practiced the art of doing very little and by Sunday, were all experts.

Implements of defense against the sun.

Pita and lamb is our standard Easter fare - a perfect complement to the pounds of candy we inhaled all weekend.