checking it twice

He still hates Father Christmas

Get me delivered to yr email xo

Sing with me/if it's just for today

This weekend is the time to recreate the sandwich of my dreams. I love the Brown Bag Deli and this sammie that they make is divine.

All the food is insanely good, but this Village Addiction makes me curl my toes in a real good way. I ate this like 32 times last Spring when we were rehabbing a home down the street.

I must get there soon. I miss the place.

turkey, harvarti, cranberry mayo, grilled on sourdough

be still my beating heart
What leftovers are you digging?

Get me delivered to yr email xo

gonna find out who's naughty or nice

I hate Santa, originally uploaded by turnsharp.

This was last year. We will go again this weekend to see Santa in our village and I think Blaise may like him this year.
Our town is like Norman Friggin Rockwelled out to the max and this Santa he is the bomb.

It's FRIDAY I'm in LOVE/ Inspire Me Series #3

Follow the Bliss...
I am lucky. Charmed a bit. I was so lucky to be chosen as one of the Kirtsy editors at the beginning of the year (even way back when we were sk-rt editors for a second) I cannot tell you in words how cool these amazing women are!
I know it sounds crazy, but I have grown to love them. Love them.
I asked them to share what inspires them.
They are all so diverse and amazing and talented and interesting.
I can't wait to share. Please check them out! I know it is abit of an overload today- sorry- but I love them all so much!

Gabby of Design Mom fame and one of the four women who run Kirtsy.com says:

1) Tina Fey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Fey). Fo shizzle. Is it just me, or does every girl in America want Tina for their bff? Same goes for Beyoncé (http://www.beyonceonline.com/us). I'm inspired by strong, smart, talented, hardworking women.

2) Textile Designers. When I dream of a future career, it's always in textile design. I love the idea of making something beautiful, like fabric -- that could then be further used to make something beautiful, like throw pillows. The textiles of Lena Corwin (http://www.lenacorwin.com/), Joel Dewberry (http://www.joeldewberry.com/) and Ruby Red Rose (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5429379) make me smile.

3) Christmas! Making presents. Sparkly trees. Time with family. Baked goods. Beautiful displays in all the stores. Holiday parties. Music. Mulling spices. Wrapping paper and ribbon... It's inspiration overload. And the perfect excuse to fill my time doing everything I love.

Joslyn of SimpleLovely says:
1)My Hubby and His Hobbies:
My husband Bryan is the king of hobbies. He’s a woodworker, plays several instruments, is a history buff, loves organic gardening… He inspires me to do what I love in addition to what I get paid to do. In fact he’s better at what he gets paid to do because he’s also so adamant about doing what he loves. Anytime he’s stumped at work, he stops and plays guitar for a few minutes or goes into the garage and turns some wood on his lathe. Because of him, I’m re-embracing hobbies in 2009.
2)Art – Specifically Mondrian’s Composition No. 7 (Façade) 1914:
This is my all time favorite painting. I’ve been making regular pilgrimages to see it at the Kimbell’s permanent collection since I was a teenager and every. single. time. I lay eyes on it, I walk away inspired, awed, touched…Jazz: I love classic jazz…love it beyond words. My favorite recording is Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue. Like the Mondrian, it totally transports me. I listen to it whenever I’m doing something creative. One of my most important missions in life is to ensure my girlies love jazz as much as I do…I’m working on it. Hard.
3)My Girlies:
And speaking of, my girlies are my greatest inspiration. Watching them experience the world at 5 and 2 is amazing, awe inspiring, and sometimes even frustrating…which is a good thing, as it forces me to slow down and take it all in…to look at things in entirely different ways, which really is the ultimate inspiration, no?













Karey of mackink says:
three things that inspire me. hmmm.
my girlie grae was sitting next to me when i read amy's request.
"easy," she waved her hand dismissively. "lillie, me, and esme."
true, i thought. my space is full of let-me-count-the-ways my girlies three inspire me. but this isn't mackin ink. this is doobleh-vay. more pub than blog. where every post is a pint of strongbow. maybe more like two or three. and every word is dripping with the promise of "last call."
so here are three other things that inspire me...karey m.
1)airports. uncle sugar could sit in the first class lounge for hours. not me. i stroll, always on the lookout for the arrival of a fresh and covetable trend. i love an airport's pageantry; the runway rush and dressing room languor...inspiration lands with each and every flight. it's all just a never-ending sartorialist feast for style junkies like me.
2)paper and the written word. i adore a good story. without exception, it begins with the simplest of materials. even better? when paper somehow loses all traces of simplicity.
and words can be worn.
3)cool women. maybe it's because i'm trying to make three of my own, or maybe it's because i believe there's nothing more powerful than women who want to share the best of ourselves with the world, but i'm insanely inspired by cool women. i'm particularly besotted with the women of kirtsy. big brains, all, with genius spaces and even bigger ideas.
some of my twice-daily addictions? for crisp beauty and hushed elegance, i visit suann of simple song. for boundless generosity and bursts of color, it's always mary ruffle of pretty good {formerly south end blend}. for unabashed flair and unfiltered truth, it's amy. found right here. and for effortless perfection and endless cool, it's joslyn of simple lovely.
i always giggle about my imaginary friends. these four, though? nothing imaginary about 'em.

Mary Swenson of www.itsprettygood.com says:
1)My Love : My husband is my best friend and soul mate. He honestly thinks I can do anything; and, with him by my side, I really believe that I can.
2)The beach : I am happiest when I'm near the ocean. And whether it's a bright, sunny day or (even better!) a dark and stormy one, the beach is a sensory festival: the salty air, the roaring blue ocean, and the soft sand dunes are at once calming and invigorating. I can't imagine living anywhere else.
3)Flickr : Flickr taps into the budding photographer, the decorator, the romantic, the homemaker, and the artist that all live inside of me. If I'm in any sort of a rut, a quick browse through its endless batch of images has me seeing things in a new way in no time. The best thing of all? Flickr has taught me that taking beautiful pictures does not mean perfection, and inspired me to pick up a camera and give it a go. And it's changed the way I look at everything around me.

Kyran of Notes to Self says:
1.2.3.)They are nine, seven and four, and everything that happened to me before they came along was mere prologue. I know that it is possible for people to grow up without ever having children, but I don't think it would have been for me. They bring perspective and purpose to my life. Everything matters more because of them.









Laurie Smithwick of Leap Design and one of the four women who run Kirtsy.com says:

1) My sleeping children.
No matter what kind of day I've had, no matter how tired I am, no matter how much I want to trade my life for another, a visit with my sleeping children restores my faith in the world and my belief in perfection. I could sit for hours and get drunk on all the hope and potential that is just lying there in those two beds. And it just makes me want to be a better person.

2) Vacation. I love the way any getaway -- a quick weekend escape or a 2 week adventure -- enables me to look at my life from afar. I find myself making grand plans for starting over, fixing bad habits, motivating to do those things that were so back burner they fell off the stove. I can do anything with my life when I'm away from it! And I'll start the minute I get back home!

3) Simple beauty. When I see something -- a photo, a painting, something in an etsy store, great writing, etc -- that is perfectly beautiful in a simple and intuitive way, I sit and stare at it for what feels like hours. I don't know if I'm trying to unlock its secrets or if I just want to figure out how to do it myself. Like, if I stared at it long enough, I would suddenly become the kind of person who could create something like that, on my own, without having seen it before. But alas, as soon as I look away, I return to my own self. The one who can only create what *I* create.

Laura Mayes of thequeso.com and one of the four women who run Kirtsy.com says:

1. Good music always inspires my brain to think better, know better, do better, feel better, be better. I'm particularly loving: Belle and Sebastian (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwDLpFqyxz8), The Cribs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCNTYi9fHuo), The Dears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0zRxxBKZ1A), Devotchka (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbZM6ZSlvvY), and Divine Comedy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXP1oLtPyDA) right about now.

2. My son consistently inspires me to be more flexible, patient, creative and open-minded. He's a force of energy, and I learn something from him everyday.

3. New York City always inspires me. Everything about it. The air is simply electric, and it wakes up every cell in my body. I feel like I can breathe deeper every second I'm located there.

Katie of Motherbumper says:
Three things that inspire me? Edie Sedgwick, graffiti, and my ever present cup of coffee. Edie reminds me to stay true to myself in style, graffiti can be a beautiful rebellion, and coffee keeps me going when I've run out of energy.

Tracey Gaughran-Perez of Sweetney says:
Things That Inspire Me:

1. The unbelievably talented writers of MamaPop.com http://www.mamapop.com

2. The supremely inspired awesome of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog http://drhorrible.com/

3. The collective stream-of-consciousness hive-mind-y goodness that is Twitter http://www.twitter.com

Karen of Chookooloonks says:
Three things that inspire me:
1)Really well-written books
2)Watching my daughter's face when she realizes she's just learnt something new
3)The Thames River in London at nighttime!!
A blog that I find myself loving these days: www.urbansketchers.com
I love the thought of all of these artists all over the world collaborating to make a beautiful site, and giving us all a glimpse into their worlds.

Emily of Chere-amie says:

1. Dance Company: Ballet X

http://www.balletx.org/

2. Blog: Suffix.Abuse

http://www.suffixabuse.com/

3. Nonprofit: Project H.O.M.E.

http://www.projecthome.org/

Gwen Bell the social media maven and one of the four women who run Kirtsy.com says:
3 things that inspire me:
1. sunsets in mexico
2. spending time w/the kirtsy chicks
3. red shoes

Amie of mammaloves says:
My three things:

1)Watching my boys do what they love
2)Catching the little moments
3)The beach

Robyn says:
3 things that inspire me:

1)our inner strength
2)faith, and all that is good in us
3)our earth

Heather of OMSH says:
There are three things that inspire me - all others are inconsequential by comparison. First, my faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. This has been with me from as far back as I can remember and though I did question some of my beliefs here and there - and had to 'find' Him again in my own way, I have always known - the Lord as my inspiration. With Him, all things are possible. Without Him, even if something is possible, it isn't worth it. He is a light in the darkness. He IS inspiration at its very foundation. Next, is my husband, Jeff. There was a time, early on, when I wasn't sure we'd make it. My own selfishness nearly led me away, but Jeff - he isn't selfish; he is a servant. He loves me completely and inspires me daily with the simple ways he shows me his unconditional love. His love inspires me to be the wife he wants and needs. Finally, my children. It was amazing when I had my first child. I looked for me in her. I looked for Jeff in her. We watched in awe as she became her own person, even as she was such a huge part of us. Then, the second child - and the third. To sit and watch them is a daily inspiration. To sit and watch them with Jeff - gathering up that joy in our hearts - the joy from OUR children, is bliss. With those three things alone my life is complete. I'm blessed to have so many other inspirations - my parents, the beauty of morning light shining in the window, illustrations in children's books, a truly good pen, memories of a blessed childhood...the list goes on. But those three - they are enough inspiration for a lifetime
Kelby of Typeamom says:
--my family
--other moms and the kickass things they accomplish
--new experiences (travel) and new tastes (food)

Angela of mommybytes, Sarah of lemon pie, Stephanie, Monica, Suann, Lisa, Kate, & Betsy You all inspire us too! xoxoox

I hope you visit their blogs and sites and find loads of inspiration!
kiss kiss

Get me delivered to yr email xo

I've been waiting in the hall/Been waiting on your call

I'm Just saying!
15% off everything in the shop today! (and a free wee gift)
It is a good day for some wood!!!!





and some of my friends too!






People know what cool stuff is on sale today!
Check it out!

Get me delivered to yr email xo

Have to hold your head/Higher than yr heart

It is the day to stuff the turkey and other such assorted foods.
I hope we all have fun and drinks are not even necessary to deal with loved ones.
I have a small request for those who might read blogs today.
On this happy day one of my friends is sad. She has just found out her father is ill.
His name is Kate's dad and if you believe in any thing say a prayer today to the universe that her new baby and 4 year old son will get some more time with their grandpa. Thanks.
I am not particularly religious in an organized way and I sure as hell am not starting prayer chains on my blog, but I think God listens and I fancy that he likes my blog except when I drop the F bomb, so please...

Kate's dad- better.
xo
Happy Thanksgiving.
Kiss Kiss



art from the amazing and gorgeous TheBlackApple

Get me delivered to yr email xo

Bells to be rung/and a wonderful fling to be flung

It was amazing last night. I love my man. I also loved being without the children.
I know that sounds like well- mean and wretched and I don't care. The rearing of children and the attention to ones own life is so freaking exhausting.
I also realized that last night at the video shop that I am in constant hurry. I don't know how to go from point A to point B slowly and directly without much stress involved. I am always bustling wee ones and running late and backtracking it seems.

Last night we went to the dance class and laughed and laughed and then after being reminded that I could take my time (such novelty) we spent 35 minutes in the video isles laughing, choosing, and yes even a bit of practicing our steps.

Get me delivered to yr email xo

this wandering is more than filling/footprints right behind me

I think the good thing about sweet Joe reading my blog is he can see what I love. (Hinty Hint Hint)

I found this lady and I love her. I may start to etsy stalk her.

Dude. You know she is cool. Look what she makes!

On that midnight street /Sweep me off my feet

NYC: Street Dancing 2, originally uploaded by Professor Bop.

I am so excited for my dancing class tonight.

It is my birthday and I woke up with little voices singing and buttered toast and coffee all over my bed and a feeling of it is good here. I am a queen right here on this bed. My little princes and my king they come to me and tradition is good. It is grounding and it is affirming if you let it.

I never finished my list properly. I will work on my 36 list this holiday weekend and tend to it this year and let it really grow something special.
I promise that to myself.

Isn't it maddening to know there is so much life to be lived out there and we only get so much time to do it? I want to dance in the streets this year and talk more deeply and listen way harder and frolic. Yeah, I wanna frickin frolic.

Kiss Kiss

well they say the sky's the limit/and to me that's really true

I love me some anthropologie.
I wonder if they freaking love how much blogs chat about them. They really have it though. The whole package. My heart picks up pace when I walk through those large doors. Don't yrs?

I get that feeling (that of kinda too much stimuli but go a head and give it to me) feeling
small shudders of lust

Anyhoo. I like some of the new stuff online. I like it if we were a dress up family for Thanksgiving.
We are not.
I like this little lass.
I love a head wrap for particularly
mischievous days.

Get me delivered to yr email xo

But now and again i lose sight of the good life/ i get stuck in a low

getting older, originally uploaded by turnsharp.

35 looms like right round the corner and I must take these cute glasses that I really only got because of a kick ass vision package and the look of black turtlenecks paired with two toned Mui Mui frames and now I must really wear them

sometimes my eyes go all gobblygoo when I write and so I put these on and it's much better

It's like admitting defeat.

concealer, spanx, push up demi cups, & specs
Don't tell me what is next

The butter melts out of habit/the toast isn't even warm

So I booked us a ballroom dancing class for Tuesday night. I see us floating across parquet floors in chiffon and tails. I really see us busting through the doors buzzed on two large pints from the local and bundled up and laughing. It will be fun. It is something I have always wanted to do and perhaps if I reach very far down into my scary little place I will also make 2009 the year I buy an old acoustic guitar and learn to play. Just a little. Just like sewing. Just enough to make me dangerous.

I love this young girl. I love her tude. She has it right?





Get me delivered to yr email xo

It's FRIDAY I'm in LOVE/ Inspire Me Series #3

Follow the Bliss...


I want to introduce the gorgeous Jora from Domestic Reflections. I think I "met" her when she was one of my first teether customers in the shop this summer. I went to her blog and fell right in. I love her authentic natural life and design/fashion/creative flair. She makes weekly menus that rock and always finds great things on the web. I read her to calm myself and find beauty in the everyday. She is cerebral and domestic at the same time which I love! I know she would know how to make a Charlotte de Pommes and also be able to tell me cool historical facts about the dish. Love her!

I am really glad to know her and she inspires me to love my home and surroundings and to cook some yummy food! She is a cool mama and I know you will love her blog!

What Inspires Me?

A Clean Slate

Whether it’s moving houses, changing furniture around, cleaning off my desk (something I need to do right now!), getting a new haircut, coming home from a trip, organizing and cleaning out my closet, or the start of a new year….whatever form a “clean slate” takes, I feel inspired. There is something about changing up the everyday that make me see things differently and gets my creative juices flowing.

Cooking

Cooking has always been my foremost creative outlet. When I immerse myself in it, I am often inspired not just to do more in the kitchen, but in other aspects of my life as well. Getting tactile, seeing a project from start to finish and making those around me happy is very rewarding, and never fails to motivate me. Also, I love reading about food and cooking and how it all connects to life. I started collecting old Gourmet magazines (all the way back to the ‘60s!) and I love going through them for ideas and inspiration. I guess you could say creating and sharing food is a link to life for me.

My Kids

At the risk of sounding enormously cliché, I would have to say being around my kids inspires me the most: to do more, do better, see life differently. I’m sure all moms out there would agree. I love seeing life through my 3 year old’s eyes: new, fresh, with so much enthusiasm; and through my baby girl’s eyes: so trusting and pure. I lived a pretty “adult” life before I had kids: work, obligations, responsibility, routine. Kids shake that all up, which can be tiresome, but can also be very inspiring.


A couple of blogs that never fail to inspire me:

Orangette is actually the first blog I ever read. Molly truly gets the food is life connection! I always enjoy her stories and, of course, her recipes (lots of yummy soups and baked goods).

Tara is an editor and writer in "real life" so her blog is, not surprisingly, very well written. Her soulfulness really comes through in her posts. Many have brought tears to my eyes.

Amanda is a truly inspirational mother and human being. I always come away with good ideas to make family life more meaningful and to live more mindfully in general.

I love this quote on Jora's blog:

"You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back."
William D. Tammeus

Thank you so much for sharing Jora!!
Kiss Kiss

Get me delivered to yr email xo