Interiors: Nautical Design

We took another road trip to the Oregon Coast last weekend. We're dreaming (again) of the cottage we'll live in there someday. And, yes, I'm decorating it in my mind...with the help of Google!

All images in this post were discovered on the super blog, Completely Coastal.

Etsy Treasury: Peaceful Bedroom

Give me a quiet room with the waves outside my window..a cozy bed and a cool pillow to lay my head..zzzzzzz...

Calm aimeeclaire $10.00	Vintage mechanical alar... ClockworkUnive... $35.00
Owl Women's Eco Br... branchhandmade $30.00	Avril HANDMADE Queen Be... QuiltPetaler $425.00
SALE Atomic era 1950s l... HoldTheWire $105.00	HAPPY HARVEST - Hand St... NestaHome $24.00
Vintage Sear Silvertone... FishboneDeco $32.00	Vintage Reclaimed Sleep... whimsiedots $6.00
Custom Regency Flannel ... InScarlet $70.00	Organic German Chamomil... cubits $3.50
Cuddly Cat Snuggle Bed ... Photogirl95 $50.00	Happy Calm Family CD - ... Syrendell $10.00
Felted low countered sl... ing00te $64.00	Seaside Round Upcycled ... ekra $110.00
90 Reclaimed Bed Linen ... whimsiedots $9.00	Custom Window Linens wi... greenplumdesig... $85.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites -

'peaceful bedroom (round 2)' by forrestinavintage

All images in this collection are LIVE LINKS - click to visit the Etsy shops!

Recipe: Rustic Spring Veggies Stew

Yield: Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

* 1/3 cup lemon juice
* 8 artichokes (6 oz. each; see notes)
* 2 onions (6 oz. each)
* 2 heads fresh fennel (1 1/2 lb. total, untrimmed)
* 2 pounds fresh peas in pods (see notes)
* 1 head romaine lettuce (12 oz.)
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* Salt and pepper
* Freshly grated pecorino romano or parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, combine lemon juice and 2 quarts cold water. Slice off top halves of artichokes and discard; break off and discard outer leaves down to tender, pale green inner ones. Trim off and discard stem ends. With a small, sharp knife, pare off dark green fibrous skin from artichoke bottoms and remaining stems. Cut artichokes in half lengthwise; scoop out and discard fuzzy centers and any thorny petals. Cut each artichoke half in half again lengthwise and drop into lemon water.

2. Peel onions; cut in half lengthwise, then slice lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slivers. Rinse fennel; trim off and discard stalks and root ends. Reserve a few leafy sprigs for garnish if desired. Cut heads lengthwise into about 1/4-inch-thick matchsticks. Shell peas. Rinse lettuce well and trim off and discard core; cut leaves into 3-inch lengths.

3. Drain artichokes. In a 5- to 6-quart pan over medium-high heat, frequently stir artichokes, onions, and fennel in olive oil until onions are limp, 7 to 8 minutes. Add 5 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat; cover, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until artichokes are tender when pierced, 12 to 18 minutes.

4. Add peas; bring mixture to a boil over high heat and cook until peas are tender when pierced, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in lettuce and cook until barely wilted, about 30 seconds. Add salt and pepper to taste. Ladle stew into bowls and garnish with reserved fennel sprigs. Sprinkle with cheese to taste.

You can prepare it through step 3 up to 1 day ahead; cover and chill. Reheat mixture, covered, over medium heat, stirring occasionally, then continue. For a faster version, skip step 1 and replace fresh artichokes with 6 cups frozen artichoke hearts (three 8-oz. packages); after adding water in step 3, reduce cooking time to about 6 minutes. You can also replace fresh peas in pods with 2 cups frozen peas (10 oz.).

Found here.

Neat Things: Capes

I've always liked capes. I own one but haven't worn it in years. Recently, I found a fantastic soft gray cape--with a built in scarf!--for my vintage shop on Etsy, and will be listing it as soon as I complete a photo shoot. In the meantime, here is a selection I found inspiring--some vintage, a few handmade, all from Etsy...click the photos for more info and to shop!

Have a wearing-a-cape-happy-kind of weekend!

Etsy: Get Well Soon

I finally succumbed to the bug that is circulating in our neck o' the woods. Nursing myself through a big, fat head cold. Chamomile tea, slippers, tissue, cold meds, bed. *sniffle*

t 2 b, l 2 r: happy birds pillow cover - cotton colors, tapir mug - courtney murphy ceramics, oranges to the rescue print - orange pulp, karoline knitted slipper - head, shoulders, knees and toes, mellow mood chamomile tea (8 oz/loose) - good 4 you herbal tea, linen sky tissue pouch - chet and dot

Design Inspiration: Keep It Cozy

Home is the most important place in the world. So sayeth IKEA, so sayeth I, so sayeth we all*.

our street, front steps, urn on porch

In many of the blogs I follow I enjoy looking into other people's lives. A big part of many people's lives is where they live...in their homes. Many of the bloggers I follow are at some point along their journey of home building, remodeling, decorating and designing.

entry hall, festive front door, dining area

For example, Fiona, of Cafe Cartolina, shares daily photos of home decor inspiration. A woman with wonderful taste (so similar to my own..*eh hem*). I always leave her a comment because I always see something I like. Liz, over at Mabel's House, frequently shares photos of her home. Simple and cozy with a slightly cottage style...plus her writing is engaging and full of amusing stories of life.

living room and office

So, today, for anyone that might have wondered, I am posting a few photos of OUR home. Like many of yours, it's always work in progress. We're very big on the cozy factor and try to incorporate as much of it into our 900 SF as we can. We used to be all beach-cottage style but are now slowly morphing into a modern-traditional look. Or, more simply translated = Pottery Barn on an IKEA budget.

snippets of kitchen, bedroom and bath

So, if you're following along and writing your own blog, be brave and show me where you live. Leave a comment to let me know when you've posted so I can come take a peek!

*Kudos to anyone who caught the BSG reference! ;-)