Another Weekender

Less Martha, but still lovely. I love the little shed area. Whatdayathink?
This is a bit too expensive, but worth watching.

weekend house cont.

outdoor shots from the above.

Weekender

OOh I love it. As does Nick. I think we might go check this out. What do you think? Three bed, 2 acres, lovely. Does have an above ground pool which is so yuk, but it doesn't look as bad as it could. Don't you want to spend your weekends here? I think I do. I'm seeing many a Martha moments.

the deets (as the kids say)

Set back far from road & hidden from view, c.1875 Farmhouse with gated estate-like grounds offers privacy, quiet, elegance. Fully restored, historic character intact. Original plaster walls, wideboard pine floors, moldings. Professional landscaping w/ perennial gardens, expansive lawns, mature trees, wisteria, over 10,000 bulbs bloom in spring. Pool w/ spacious deck, poolhouse & outdoor shower. Idyllic retreat, room to expand, perfect for entertaining. Minutes from high falls, stone ridge & new paltz.

Sofa

We are always on the lookout for new stuff for the apt but have decided we can't get anything until we do the place up as we'll just have to move it out, store it, etc. But how I love this sofa. I love the color and that it only has one seat cushion. Pretty perfect I think. And just from Crate and Barrel. We actually need a sectional, not a sofa but I love it.

Jamie's Meatballs

A cheat's recipe. Love that.
Lynd's this is a good one for you (we were talking about fast cooking stuff)

Recipe here

Stew - Another Giada recipe

I don't quite know what brisket is, but its a cheap cut of meat (beef). This stew looks quite yummy and hearty. Too hot for us here now but i'm saving this for later.

No picture for you, but you know what a stew looks like. Recipe here

Also, if you are stuck for a recipe, go to foodnetwork.com - Giada recipes are some of my faves.

Picture Hooks

I think you have to have a certain effortless style and type of house to make this work. But i think it looks cute. It would be great for the laundry room (if i had one of those)

This little piggy...

I think I was the last person to hear about this little British piggy that didn't like mud. Someone in the family found these little boots off of a key ring, and now, well he's as happy as pig in you know what!!! (i wonder if any journalist was unoriginal enough to use that line)

Flowers

What a great display. I think I am going to have to try this. I will post a photo if I manage to get anything looking even half as lovely.

Aluminum Free Deodorant

Simone and I were talking about this and the link to cancer, so I thought I best investigate an aluminum free deodorant. My current Secret "clinical strength' is so potent, it's like the zinc of the under arm world. Anyway I got the Tom's Of Maine one yesterday. Shall report back on its efficacy. Anyone have a good brand? I tried the tea tree one in oz, but all sticky.

Mad Men

Have I written about this before? Excellent, excellent tv series set in the NY ad world in the 60's. All the ad agencies were on Madison Avenue in those days, hence the name (Mad)ison. I think i have seen that it is already on tv in oz and in england, so if you haven't been watching and it comes on as repeats, watch it.

Product of the Day

This is from the Pottery Barn kids catalog. How cute. Lyndsay? Caro/Wen want one? Just stick a hose in him. On sale now for $39.95 plus free shipping.
I think this is what's called summer fun.
Available here

Fit Flop

Do I want a pair of these? they are the FIT FLOPs that are meant to help tone your leg. disguised as something a bit more wearable. I feel like the gladiator thing is a bit two seasons ago but they are everywhere now too. I think i want them. What do you think?

Giada Recipes

Nothing special, but stuff I will probably definitely make:

Orzo with Sausage, Peppers and Tomatoes

Vegetables with Olivada (like a tapanade)

Bedspread

I love the bedspread. They are traditionally, I think, Moroccan wedding shawls. Something like that. They are everywhere in Morocco and we nearly got one as a rug for the bedroom but as we kept seeing them, we thought we would hold out for a better, cheaper one. Naturally, that was not to be and we returned empty handed. I think if we ever go back, this will be on the shopping list.

Giada's cleavage

This is funny. I love Giada's program Everyday Italian. I post quite a few recipes on this blog from it. Not sure if I have made any/many but they always look delicious and simple. She is always a bit 'booby' in her dressing and I was just on the bluelines blog and it had this link to the giadascleavage website. It's pretty much devoted to cleavage shots from her different appearances and episodes. Funny.
I'll post some more recipes from Giada later.

Clever Ads

I never really post about advertising. Here are two clever ideas I think. For those of you not familiar with Pepto Bismo, it's a pink medication to sooth upset tummies. Probably would have guessed that though.

Dolls

These are from a website called nonchalantmom.com . Creepy and cute at the same time. They are a good size, about the size of a one year old. I think they are lovely. Do you think they would scare the kids?

Weekend House

Doesn't this room look inviting? Cant you see a lovely attic transformed into a fun guestroom? I can.

Felt Board

Saw this on this site via another site. Looks like a cute idea. Maybe I will make some for the kids. Caroline, Louis is quite the traveller, is this something he might like for plane journeys? Looks easier enough.
Gwen?

Travel Website - Area Daily

I get this as an email each day. Always nice to see lovely places around the world. Sort of newish, and now they have launched a brand new website. It's probably worth looking at if you are planning a fancy trip. Even if it's just for inspiration.
I think might have something to do with Tablethotels.com - another website i love. Pictures above are from India. So so so want to go back.

http://www.area-daily.com/

Weekender

This looks rather nice, doesn't it. Needs some updating, but looks like a great, casual, fun house. Naturally, it's too expensive. But it's on the wish list. Some details.

Wonderful, classic Ulster County stone home! Original pre-Revolutionary War farmhouse possessing details of the era including massive beams, Dutch doors & hardware, enlarged in 1805 to create elegant, Federal style stone manor w/high ceilings, generously proportioned rooms, center hall, 5 fireplaces. Thickly screened from road in front by trees, house opens in back to bluestone patio & in-ground pool surrounded by 11+ private acres of gardens & woods accented by a lively stream. View shed across road.

Wine Marinated Grapes

It's so hot here, I can't think. But, we have been thinking about doing a dinner or something as we haven't had people over for a while. And, we just got the windows cleaned so it might be time to show them off. We have a decent roof top so we were thinking that we should take advantage of it when it cools down a bit. Too hot to cook so it's probably going to be a tapas kinda night. These Wine grapes seem very 70's. I think i might try them though. But, i think i will freeze them. Yum. Here's the recipe

From Apartment Therapy.

Weekend Pod?

The summer weather is making us pine for a weekend place. Nothing fancy but it would be so lovely to escape on the weekends. I see lots of relaxing, and cooking and l farmers markets, and reading . And no tv. Of course I don't see the expense, or the mosquitos and other bugs and stuff. I'll post some of my online finds. Most are too expensive but its fun to look. This one is just a bit of fun. I think it's in South America somewhere. It would be fun to have these on your massive property as guest pods.

Connor MacLeod

Look at him! I know all babies are delicious but he looks pretty perfect looking to me. Lucky Ginnie and Al (the 'rentals as the kids would say). How lovely. He's 5 days old today, a big 9 pounder - oh my!

It's so freakin hot out. Just want to run around in swimmers. Whatda ya think of this one? Would people think i am crazy? Eye protection needed indeed!

This sounds like a good idea

Love the smell of fresh air? Ditch the scented candles and air fresheners (which can release harmful VOCs) and instead mix your own air purifying spritz. We love this recipe from Healthy Child Healthy World: Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda (absorbs smells), 1 teaspoon vinegar (deodorizes) with 2 cups hot water. Put ingredients in a spray bottle and spritz the odors away! Found this on Vital Juice Daily

Restaurants

A few others I want to try

More Crazy Hair

Caro, for Louis - i think he might like the Lion.

Crazy Hair

China In Africa

If you have the time, read this article. Fascinating. Basically, it tells how China is exhausting Africa of all its resources. Beating America to the goodies as they come in with lotsa cash and no demands on human rights, seemingly giving money with no strings attached and building roads and other infrastructure the region needs. But the roads and other benefits are all just to help China get the stuff out of the country easier. Lots of bribery and dodgy dealings. Really fascinating I thought. Not too slanted either, it says that America would be pretty much doing exactly the same (and really, it still is) if it had the chance (and historically, has been in their taking everything and doing nothing for the people). China just out-witting America. Also, the problem is that America is demanding all the cheap products that China is producing, so until we all stop buying stuff made in China, the cycle wont ever end.

Article is here, and make sure you read all the different country-specific parts.

South Street Seaport

This is a picture I took the other day when we down in the South Street Seaport area that is near us. I love the building just in front of the bridge (it's the Brooklyn Bridge). It's basically just a painting of a front of a building (on the front of a building!) - an illusion. There really aren't any windows, or a roof like that. Just paint. Fun stuff