Stitched Screen Door

I love this idea!  A Stitched Screen Door DIY via Design Sponge.

The Great Gatsby

I love The Great Gatsby.  It's one of my favorite books.  In fact, I love most of F. Scott Fitzgerald's work.  Maybe because of the prose, maybe because of the glamor, or maybe because of the pervading since of loss and loneliness that seems to be found throughout his writing.  So it is a matter of course that I'm terribly excited about Baz Luhrmann's upcoming film version of The Great Gatsby.

Trailer: The Great Gatsby from Alta Peli on Vimeo.

Lauren Moffatt

Sigh...I adore this shirt.

By Lauren Moffatt

The Hungry Ghost

Since Conner and I have had time to settle in to our very first house, I've begun to figure out how I want to use this home--I don't want to simply live here quietly.  I want to entertain!  I want people to feel comfortable to come over and relax with friends and good times.  I want to host concerts in the back yard and outdoor movies.  I want to create a space where fun and creativity happens.  Therefore, I've been doing lots of research on how become a good host.  Now, I suppose this comes naturally to some people, but I wasn't raised in a home that entertained a great deal and it's always a bit of stressful ordeal for me.  So, to get over my anxious feelings about entertaining, I'm researching how other people do it successfully.  I also plan on doing it a bunch just to get over myself. 

The Hungry Ghost: Food + Travel blog has quickly become one of my favorite daily reads in my research quest; mainly because of the amazing photography by New York-based Andrea Genti.  I just want to curl up in these photos and call them home.  The colors and composition reminds me of the Dutch Old Master style of painting which adds to the sense of nostalgia and comfort I feel when I scroll through her pictures.  

all photos by Andrea Genti

House Warming Party!!!

We finally got our act together and we're having a house warming party!  These are our invitations, taken at 9am on Saturday morning.  Scotch on the rocks for Conner and wine for me-we don't mess around ; )

Summer Cocktails: Midnight Pupp

I recently subscribed to a couple magazines.  Figuring that I won't be moving out of this house for quite some time, I thought necessary to actually subscribe to a few choice publications instead of picking them up at the grocery store for twice as much money.  My selections: Martha Stewart, Lucky Magazine, and Afar-a fabulous travel magazine.  My first issue of Afar featured an article about the Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary (the hometown of herbal liquor Becherovka) and included a cocktail recipe that I had to try out for a Summer Cocktail--the Midnight Pupp!

Midnight Pupp(MAKES 1 COCKTAIL)
Based on the recipe from Jan Becher’s Bar

INGREDIENTS
2/3 ounce Becherovka
2/3 ounce Amaretto
2/3 ounce apricot brandy
5 ounces orange juice
Grenadine

MAKE IT
1. Pour the Becherovka, Amaretto, apricot brandy, and orange juice into a cocktail shaker with several ice cubes.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a tall glass, add a dash of grenadine, and serve.

Recipe and photos via Afar Magazine.

Richard Saja: Embroidery Artist

I found out about New York embroidery artist, Richard Saja, when he embroidered a pair of Keds.  I loved the idea of embroidering on toile (and completely changing the overall feeling and meaning) and have enjoyed his blog ever since, Historically Inaccurate.  

Richard Saja from milacalaworks on Vimeo.

Musicians in Glasses: The Four Tops

The Four Tops. 1967

via Note Del Hotel

Ramona Falls: I Say Fever

Ramona Falls "I Say Fever" from Barsuk Records on Vimeo.