Two lamps

Perhaps you might remember my lamp auditions? Well after settling on the one lamp I sort of bought another one, with absolute intention of using both in the same space. Yes, I have two lamps on my side table and I kinda like it. Of course the obvious joke here is "Are you opening up a lamp store?" No, but this is why I believe it works.

1. The lamps are different heights.

2. Each one is very unique.

3. They work on the same neutral color palette.

I'm not claiming to be an interior design expert, but it's funny to hear the wide range of verbal impressions I get when someone enters our home.

"Oh, that's interesting..."
"I don't get it."
"It's different, but I like it."

 It's all so subjective.

Cafe Love

Today I give you inspiration of warm romantic reds and retro-modern whimsy. A quiet morning spent sipping frothy joy in a cup.

coffee screen print tea towel

bistro chair pillow

vintage cafe sign wall decal

cafe fine art photograph

mustache mug

I love you typewriter print

retro stripe apron

Moss planters

My plan for our backyard dirt area is to create a modern rock garden, filled with mossy green canister plants and succulents (more on this later). I'm all about easy maintenance these days. My first simple project was making these moss planters using metal hurricane candle holders from Target.

Very simple - just pack them full of moss and you're done. Make sure to periodically spray the moss with water to prevent it from drying out. These holders are great because they have holes in them to allow water coverage, but not enclosed to where they'll start smelling.

In with the new

Now that we have a decent sized dining room table, I've been on the lookout for two more chairs. Ikea no longer makes our current dining chairs, which is fine by me since I've been seeing the whole mismatched chair thing everywhere. I found these at CB2 and I'm in love!

Reed chairs

When it comes to furniture, are you into the mismatched look or do you buy everything in a set? I'm letting the idea marinate in my mind for a few days, but I'm 90% sure I'm ordering two of these by Monday.

I did however finally make up my mind on a new pendant for our stairwell -

I ordered it this morning from Overstock.com. Isn't the old light positively hideous? These gold & beveled glass abominations were installed all over the house and this is the last one that remains. Although getting up there to install the new light will be a challenge for sure.

Friday picnic

When I worked nights I would often visit Gary at work during lunchtime. It was really the only time we got to see each other during the week. It's been awhile since our lunchtime dates so today I brought him a picnic lunch...

I made us curry chicken salad sandwiches and an arugula salad with candied pecans, fresh blueberries & peaches and feta with a bit of balsamic vinaigrette. I also packed some freshly brewed black current iced tea.

 My parents got us this picnic basket. Isn't it cute?

It was nice to soak up the sun and chat about our day. Even though we see each other every day, I cherish a little midday visit.

Recipe time

Creamy Coconut Shrimp Over Rice
serves 2    start to finish: 25 minutes

This dish is a little Thai-inspired. I had fun creating it. The flavors are slightly sweet and spicy. The coconut makes the rice nice and creamy. If you prefer a little kick, I suggest swapping the jalapeno for a habanero chili. A word to the wise, wear gloves when handling these. It burns if the juice gets under your fingernails. I weep for you if you accidentally rub your eye!

 Ingredients
14 jumbo shrimp, peeled & deveined
1 cup coconut milk
1 jalapeno, seeds removed & diced
1 shallot, diced
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
1 lemon, zest & juice
1 lime, zest & juice
1 tablespoon ground ginger paste
2 tablespoons brown sugar, plus 1 tablespoon reserved.
olive oil for saute
3 cups cooked jasmine rice
garnish with chopped cilantro

Directions
-Prepare jasmine rice according to package.
-Meanwhile in a wide sauce pan, combine coconut milk, shallot, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, ginger, jalapeno and garlic. Zest the lemon and lime directly into mixture, squeezing remaining juice when finished. Simmer 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
-Heat olive oil in skillet. Add shrimp. Season with remaining brown sugar. Cook until shrimp are pink.
-Add shrimp to coconut milk mixture. Serve over cooked rice, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.

Enjoy!

In-N-Out picnic

 Monday was awesome because I got to leave work early (loving these half day work days) to attend the In N Out Burger company picnic with Gary. We go every year. I know I've said it before, but they are truly an amazing company.

We tried our hand at some carnival games. The title of this game had me cracking up - "Crazy Balls".

Frozen novelties... I love 50/50 bars.

And of course, lots and lots of food. This is how I get my burger - cheeseburger, add grilled onions & pickles. I also snacked on corn-on-the-cob and chili dogs. After all that eating I wish I had the stomach for relays and limbo contests, but instead we played bingo and watched people do crazy dances for raffle prizes. It was a good day.

Style Parade 6.20.10

On Saturday I met up with my friend Melinda for brunch at our usual place for tacos & mango mimosas. The day was a warm one, so I wore a fabulous sunhat and this cotton romper. I just adore the floral print. Although I didn't photograph, I toted along this leather bag and wore my yellow cutout flats.

Floral romper: Target; $20. Cardigan: H&M. Locket: Forever 21. Hat: Target; $16ish.

Leaving work early

Today at work it was super slow, so I had my afternoon free to get a dark polish pedi...

while reading a little of this...

 Then I went for a drive and listened to this...

 while sipping on this...

I finished off the day shopping for a gift for my dad...and something for me. I couldn't resist! I'm pleading the sale defense - This was $19...

 How was your day?

Favorite things: Etsy finds

of a whimsical nature

hello sign
cutout coasters
bird print
whale!
rotary phone
scallop clock
pebble dish
balloon print

Wednesday link love

don't you love orange soda? photo by me.

Design Sponge featured some pretty fantastic DIY craft tutorials today.

Wouldn't these be gorgeous on a summer dinner table?

I hate milk, but I love these!

Style Parade 6.15.10

I spotted this dress at Target on my way to the checkout. Guess what? It's a child's XL. Yep. This isn't the first time I've worn child's clothes as an adult, but it just blows my mind that this kid-sized dress fits my adult-sized body more modestly than juniors sizes. Is anyone else wondering why clothing made for this age group tend to have thigh-high hemlines?

Anyway, I just love the bright colorful print. Another bonus for shopping in the kiddie department is that it's cheap! Seriously, $15 for this dress. Love it.

I paired with some grown-up pearls and my favorite black rosette flats. I just realized how long my hair is getting... I think this is the longest it's ever been.

Dress: Target (children's dept); $15. Pearls: Forever 21. Flats: Target.

Pretty darn cute.

Love these whimsical housewares from Alice Supply Co. They offer 2 other prints, camo and multi stripe, but I'm a little partial to the gorgeous nautical stripes. I don't think I'd mind sweeping with that broom either.

Analog is the NEW BLACK

Don't get me wrong, I thanked the heavens for the wonderful technology that is digital photography. Shooting blindly, hoping your images would come out. Then taking the roll of film to get developed, only to end up with physical photos that you have to store somewhere. I'm a digital girl all the way.

But yet, I find the return to analog and instant film charming...

screenshot from The Big Hipstamatic Show.

Remember when the last of Polaroid film stock expired in 2009? Well now they've released the Polaroid 300 Instant Camera. Urban Outfitters also sells a variety of vintage camera reproductions, like Fuji Instax, Holga and Diana Dreamer.

However, if you're like me and prefer a digital reproduction of vintage photography there's the iPhone Hipstamatic App, a total steal at just $2. Or, if you're Photoshop savvy try these Actions from Deviant Art. Polaroid Generator by rawimage and Holga by tannermorrow.

Are you a fan of the return of analog? Or do you prefer to keep things moving forward?

Style Parade 6.12.10

Today Gary & I went to a picnic for his department at In-n-Out. I wanted something bright and festive, but also comfortable since we'd be outside. I picked up these shorts two summers ago, but for some reason I never really wore them. Maybe because I was a little intimidated by wearing such a bold color on the bottom. It's interesting how confidence becomes stronger over time.

This shirt is great. Light, breezy and versatile. It's tunic length, but I tied it for a different look. I added these fabric flower brooches from the Gap. I love how all the different patterns work together.

Blue button-up shirt: TJ Maxx; $12. White tank: Gap. Shorts: H&M; $20. Fedora: TJ Maxx. Floral brooches: Gap; $6 each. Flats: Target. Floral cuff: Forever 21.

YeeHaw Letterpress

These prints from YeeHaw's etsy shop are a sure love for any typography fan (like me). A little rockabilly and a little raw, but fun I'd say. Don't you love the cupcakes print? And I could agree more. And this print just makes me giggle...did anyone else enjoy ZOMBIELAND as much as me?

Style Parade 6.08.10

Today's ensemble is very nautical inspired. This dress was a total steal...I found it at some Forever 21 knock-off store in the mall last summer. I don't even remember the name, but the clothes were super trendy and cheap. Like $12 for this dress. Guess how excited I was when I saw the same dress at Anthropologie for $150? (I'm sure it was better quality fabric, but hey).

I paired with my navy cardigan again (this is slowing becoming a wardrobe staple) and these adorable flats from American Eagle.

Dress; $12. Cardigan: Old Navy. Bow headband: Claire's; $3. Flats: American Eagle (available at Payless); $18.

Tuesday link love

These are seriously the cutest baby shower invitations I've ever seen. And I'm all about coed baby showers. So refreshing.

A beautiful bistro set with an unfortunate surprise. I cracked up at her Sliding Scale of Responses to Spiders. I had to develop a similar scale for Gary. Me: "Eeek! Hurry Gary it's a level 4!" (level 4 is a 1/2", dark-colored spider, usually crawls very fast)

A lovely inspiration board for a summer afternoon.

Ever thought of pouring your own concrete for a craft project? Me neither. Wow and wow.

I very much want one, okay maybe 3 or 4 of these bags. Via Design Sponge

Mrs. Big Fun.

-and-
I'll have another Style Parade post later today. Have a wonderful rest of the day!

Guest post for Fashion Under $100

Happy Monday.

Dana from Fashion Under $100 asked me to be a guest blogger for her post series 5 under $50, where I chose my favorite fashion finds, all under 50 dollars of course. Click here to see my picks for a fresh summer look.

Summertime BBQ

 the invite, design by me.

Gary & I hosted our very first barbecue at our new house. I pretty much have the hostessing down when it comes to cocktail parties, but when you're serving food, it's a different animal (no pun intended). The color theme was black, white & yellow.

I reused my cupcake flower idea from the wedding for these vanilla + coconut cupcakes. They turned out so light and fluffy.

This is also the first party we've ever hosted with children. I was a little nervous about the house not being childproofed, but everything was okay and it was nice to watch our friends kids play and enjoy themselves.

We had a mini reunion of coworkers that used to work with me at my present company. It was so nice to see everyone again.

I made pom pom garland out of tissue paper, leftover ribbon & twine. Instructions via Martha.

I set up two separate seating areas. I draped an old linen shower curtain between the posts and strung bulb lights.

I spray-painted these paisley sconces bright yellow, then affixed a glass tealight holder with earthquake putty (this stuff is amazing, I tell you. The uses are endless)

We barbecued hamburgers & hotdogs. Our amazing friends contributed lots of tasty sides. We sipped on sangria, berry lemonade, mint limeaid and other libations. The was the perfect weekend.