happy weekend

just got back from a busy week at the cabin, going to enjoy the lush scenery of green county...maybe hit the farmers market and definitely start organizing all my new vintage finds for the shop!

summer lovin

It's officially summer... and today I am loving the bright, playful colors that come with this warm part of the year! Here are some of my favorite inspiration picks....

Etsy finds

This Etsy seller is currently a featured seller and she deserves it! The shop is called Tuuni, and she uses vintage and recycled fabrics to make pillows, mail organizers, and fabric baskets. Here are some of my favorites....

yellow pillow

blue pillow

white pillow

fabric basket

sun, sun

Haven't seen the sun for a few days.... but this little porch is quite cheerful!

a day around UW-Madison

So I made it back to Wisconsin and on my first day, I was lucky enough to visit with my brother at the UW-Madison. My Dad, sister, and I stopped by his fraternity "lodge" to pick him up. He gave me a tour of the old stone manor which sits right on Lake Mendota. And then we were off....

to capital square... in search of a restaurant. We decided upon Brocach's an authentic Irish Pub. Translated in Gaelic means "badger den". I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

Driving around Madison I just can not get over the beauty of all the historical buildings. The UW-Madison really has some exceptional ones...

Bascom Hall

Science Hall

UW Dairy Barn

Lathrop Hall

Red Gym

We finished off our day at Union Terrace listening to music, and watching the lake...
in these chairs....

with this beer.

basket

Okay... so remember my post about the Jayson Home and Garden market baskets that I posted previously here?

Well I found this one that kinda reminds me of the ones above. Isn't it cute? I think so! It will be available in the shop tomorrow.

sweet and sour chicken

I made super easy and quick sweet and sour chicken the other night and it was delish! I saw sweet and sour sauce at the super market by the soy sauce and decided... why not make it my self? Right?!

ingredients:

2 boneless chicken breasts

1/2 cup flour

salt and pepper for taste

oil ( I used olive/sunflower seed oil)

1 bottle of sweet and sour sauce

1 med onion

1 green bell pepper

2 carrots

1 can of pineapple

2-3 green onions chopped

Method:

I chopped the chicken into small bite size pieces. In medium bowl, pour flour and S&P. Cover chicken in this mixture.

In medium pan heat oil and fry chicken until crispy.

I large sauce pan heat 2 Tbsp of oil and saute onion, pepper, and carrots until slightly softened. Add chicken and sauce. Add about 1/2 of water and bring to boil, immediately turn to low heat. Add pineapples, let stand about 10 min.

Upon serving sprinkle green onions on top, and voila, supper is ready!

This recipe I made myself from my own common sense, but I am sure if you google sweet and sour chicken they are sure to have more authentic recipes to follow. Bottom line, homemade is better because you can add more veggies instead of only 2 or 3 pineapples and peppers in the whole serving like at the restaurant.

so today me and my little lad are traveling to here. We are leaving the 90+ degree weather (and humidity) for the good old midwest! Back to my hometown, where I can proudly say...Home sweet home!

Etsy Find

I discovered this artist on Etsy and really admire his artwork. Someday, maybe I will be lucky enough to own a piece myself! find his shop here

get it here

get it here

get it here

get it here

Peter Dunham

I absolutely love the work of this LA based designer. His aesthetic is interesting yet timeless. Looking at these photos you get that collected over time feel, instead of done in one day from a designer showroom look that is around every corner.

Peter Dunham has an interesting background as well... raised in France, spent summers in Spain, and was educated in England. Moved to New York and spent some 15 years until moving to LA to open his own interior design company. WOW... do I need to say more

"Design magazines have described his work as sophisticated casual, vibrant & daring within classical structure... a stylish blend of European sensibility, American practicality and zest."

And he also has his own store, "Hollywood at Home"....

Plus his own line of textiles and products...

check him out at peterdunham.com

Now for me... if I could ever be so lucky to be able to work and learn from one of these amazing designers that share such a beautiful aesthetic that I so very much admire.

some day right!? Also, notice the accessories in the room and how I mentioned the "collected" look. An easy way to begin that transformation is buying vintage housewares, they can easily be mixed with everyday mass produced items, but they will help add a little extra charm and sophisticated style to any room. Plus may I mention it is also a way to being green!

stop by my shop for some fabulous vintage treasures... here

Pretty

image from burnham design

The Wooden Spoon

image via woodenspoonchicago.com

So I was paging through the Traditional Home magazine, when an article caught my eye. The main reason being, there use to be a store in my hometown named The Wooden Spoon. As I got reading.... its not only a quaint little kitchenware shop but they offer cooking classes and its in Chicago!

image via readytobeat.com

So, instantly I started daydreaming of cooking classes, and Julia Childs, and her interesting life learning how to cook, and of course, shopping around for gourmet cooking gadgets, all the while leisurely whipping up delicious meals for for casual entertaining with family and friends.

image via morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com

It all sounds so appealing and exceptionally exciting!

Well, if you are as interested as me its called, The Wooden Spoon located at 5047 North Clark Street, Chicago. They offer evening and weekend classes from $65.00 per person. call 773-293-3190 or visit woodenspoonchicago.com

I definitely will be stopping by myself, and hopefully will get the opportunity to try out some classes for myself!