I love it when I am introduced to a photographer’s work which really inspires me. Jennifer Causey, the author of this week’s recipe, has a food portfolio which I find so very nice. It inspires me to find the beauty in the every day. Unintentionally, I think the best word to describe it is simple. I admire her skill of being able to make something so simple seem so grand. This week she offers her recipe for Whole Wheat Crepes with Spinach Pesto, Mushrooms, and Goat Cheese. Once you get the hang of crepe making, you won’t ever stop! Enjoy, Kristina.

About Jennifer: Jennifer Causey is a photographer living in Brooklyn, NY. She loves exploring everyday beauty and small moments. She enjoys photographing food, travel and still life, and in her spare time she photographs her daily breakfasts. Her recent work includes Applique your Way (Chronicle Books) by stylist Kayte Terry. You can find prints of her work at pink olive in Brooklyn.

CLICK HERE for the full recipe after the jump!

read more …

I have a number of ongoing questions I like to pepper my husband with. “If you could live anywhere, where would it be?” “Should I cut my hair?” “What’s for dinner?” (lucky, lucky me has an incredible cook of a husband). And, most relevant to today’s small measure, “Where would you most like to travel?” I’m continually planning trips, respites, rendezvous, and getaways. I’ve been like this for as long as I can remember, always managing to make it through each day because of some excursion, jaunt, journey, escapade, outing, or field trip I’ve got in mind, just over the horizon. [image sourcing, clockwise from top left: the sharp single, fairy cakes, clever games, trip advisor, appliancist,country living, about.com]

Couple an expedited writing schedule to bring four books to market in 1 1/2 years with a global recession and my dreams of far-away adventures have moved decidedly closer to home. Enter the “staycation.” Defined by Wikipedia as a “neologism for a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions,” the staycation is here to stay. Literally. The word was added to the 2009 Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, lest you think the concept is only a passing whim.

A growing number of cash-conscientious (or devoid) folks still desiring a bit of hard-earned R&R are trading in extensive travel plans for staycations. Why spend loads of money (and burn through non-renewable fossil fuels) trekking off to far-flung destinations requiring lodging, transportation, and eats (not to mention the cost of boarding your animals or paying a house-sitter during your absence) when you can stay put and enjoy the offerings of your nearby stomping grounds? An old friend of mine and I used to take what we called “mini adventures,” setting off for area towns, villages, and attractions often forgot about in the hustle and bustle of daily life. More recent personal staycation activities have included, in no particular order: Visiting a local apple orchard , going on an impromptu hike and picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway , enjoying a canning party/brunch with girlfriends, hosting an “India Supper Club” potluck chez moi, taking a hiking/shopping/gelato-eating/beer-with-a-friend day trip to Black Mountain , checking out the gardens and grounds at the Biltmore Estate , and breaking in my birthday fondue pot with friends.

CLICK HERE for more great stay-cation ideas from Ashley after the jump!

read more …

i couldn’t resist posting these incredible wood and felt rugs from designer monika jarg of tekstiil ruumis. based in estonia, monika designs “carpets of wood” by drilling holes into wood and weaving directly into the surface with fibers. the result is nothing short of stunning. click here to have your socks officially knocked off by more of her work. [thanks to raina for the tip!]

i have a real weakness for milk bottles. i love them filled with farm-fresh milk, or emptied and filled with branches and flowers. so naturally i’m loving alyssa ettinger’s cast porcelain milk bottles on etsy. these bottles, cast using vintage milk bottles from grandview dairy in brooklyn ny (established in 1901), are a half-pint size and are available for $25. they would look so sweet filled with a fall-inspired bouquet and placed bedside. click here for more info and to buy online…

it’s been such a treat to have erin and nicole from bird and banner at the d*s guest blog this week. their ideas for anniversary gifts have covered paper, cotton, leather, fruit/floral and today will cover both wood and tin/aluminum. even if you’re not celebrating an anniversary, their selections are too lovely to miss. click here and here to check out their final posts on wood and metals. thanks, erin and nicole!