i don’t use calendars as much as i should, but fabric calendars are so appealing they might make me switch from digital time-keeping to something more tangible. these beautiful new designs are from michelle at cicada studio. her two new 2010 designs, queen anne’s lace ($42) and forsythia ($42), measure 16×20 inches and come with a wooden hanging rod secured with a baker’s twine hanger. the fabric is a mix of linen and cotton and, when the year is over, makes for a great drying cloth. you can pick up one of michelle’s calendar’s right here. thanks, michelle!

today i’m incredibly happy to welcome one of my favorite bloggers, lucy feagins of the design files, to the d*s guest blog. i’ve been following lucy’s melbourne-based blog for some time now and really love the way she discusses- and celebrates- local australian design. this she’ll be introducing us to beautiful places and talented people in her home base of melbourne- and she’s kicking things off with last week’s sneak peek subject (and talented artist) neryl walker. click here to check out lucy’s full post!

i’m a big fan of kari herer’s photography. i love the way she combines illustration with still life and turns it into a breathtaking photograph. so i was thrilled to hear from her about her latest collection- a series that combines fresh flowers with bird illustrations.

when it comes to gorgeous florals, i’m pretty much a “what’s not to love?” sort of girl, so these were right up my alley. and thankfully kari’s prints are available for a very affordable $25 right here at her etsy shop. thanks to kari for passing them along. i’m off to do some more book work (we’re still looking for a few extra new homes and before & afters- email me here if you have any you’d like featured!) so until monday, i hope you all have a wonderful weekend! below is a summary of this week’s posts:

• must read posts: living in: edward scissorhands, under $100 roundup: bar accessories
• new sneak peeks: ellen hanson, hetta, neryl walker, diva of linea carta
• biz ladies 09: successful biz dev meetings from the client’s point of view
• we like it wild: fall floral arrangements in papaver vert felt vases
• new diy projects: made with love: stripping tin, chela’s fabric screen, erica’s faux porcelain vases, kate’s monogram wreath
• new before & afters: kate’s couch, amanda’s yard, erin’s bath, christine’s desk + elizabeth’s lamps, hannah and kate’s chairs
• small measures: savoring the staycation
• new recipe: in the kitchen with jen causey’s savory crepes
• dear d*s: wedding decor to home decor ideas + chrome restoration
• new d*s guest bloggers: themed anniversary gift ideas from bird & banner
• misc.: tea towels from studio patro, book covers from book city jackets, postal press specimen calendars, salvaged wood installations by henrique oliveira

Many of you asked for more vegetarian recipes in the launch of this cookbook column but you also asked for cookbooks for special diets each week. So today we’ll be focusing on vegetarian/vegan friendly cookbooks and including a special vegan cornbread recipe at the end of the post! Also, if you’d like to try different crepe recipes (in addition to today’s crepe recipe), sweet or savory, Lou Seibert Pappas has an excellent book called Crepes (Chronicle Books) which is perfect! -Kristina

CLICK HERE for the cookbook reviews and a vegan recipe after the jump!

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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!

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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!

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