Oversize necklace by LeJu available at Boticca.com
Details for cool DIY paint chip art project from The 3Rs Blog.
Teeny Trend: Colourful Circles
Pinterest Take 5: Persimmon
I bought an orange, or, more precisely, that orange-veering-to-coral-pink known as persimmon, sweatshirt last week. At least five people have since told me that it is the ‘colour of the season’.
All I know is that if you have boring mid-brown hair and pale skin with a warm undertone as I have, there is no more flattering colour on earth, and you will have to rip this sweatshirt from my back.
It’s been popping up all over Pinterest too.
1. Bottega Veneta Silk Chiffon Colour Block Dress at Net-A-Porter via Anne Deotte
2. Jasper Conran for Wedgwood Kilim Teacup and Saucer via Mackenzie
3. Labyrinth Persimmon Pillow by Dwell Studio via Bibi Rogers
4. Fleuvog Sandra shoes via Casapinka
5. Peach, Strawberry and Vodka Popsicles by Endless Simmer via Kimberly Taylor Not quite persimmons I know, but the colour is persimmon perfection and they did seem a little more seasonally appropriate.
Toms Makes Wedges
We interrupt normal blog service for a public service announcement.
After I posted the above picture on Instagram this morning I got a number of comments along the lines of ‘Toms makes WEDGES?’. Well yes, they do ladies, and have been doing so since 2010 as far as I can work out.
I got mine from a cute boutique in Ballard called Horseshoe which carries lots of Toms. I love the linings on these as much as the shoes.
As you were everyone.
Normal blog service will be resumed shortly.
Homemade Vanilla Extract
At my baking class on Monday night (and thanks so much to everyone who supported it in any way, either by being there or spreading the word on Facebook and Twitter) we talked about making your own vanilla extract and I realised I hadn’t shared this with you on the blog.
As you can imagine, since I am a cake baker, vanilla extract is one of the most used ingredients in my kitchen, which was not good given how fiendishly expensive it is.
After doing some research online, I tried making it last summer, and I am utterly delighted with the results. Like so many other homemade foodstuffs, there’s no turning back when you’ve tasted homemade. And this is so, so EASY.
All you need is a smallish bottle (depending on how much extract you want to make), some unflavoured vodka or white rum and some vanilla pods.
I buy my vanilla pods in bulk via Amazon, so much cheaper than the single pods in glass jars you find in supermarkets. As for alcohol, if you want a pure vanilla flavour use unflavoured vodka. I however prefer to use a white rum such as Bacardi. The rum has a flavour that goes very well with vanilla, and adds an additional something, something to cakes and desserts. But which alcohol you choose is up to you.
Then all you need to do is fill your bottle with alcohol, score a few vanilla pods lengthwise so the seeds are showing (don’t scrape them out) and then add them to rum or vodka. How many you add is up to you and will depend on how the big the bottle is, how strong you want the extract to be and how many you can afford to use. I currently have around six in my biggish bottle, but experiment with what seems right for you.
Here’s my bottle posing out in the sunshine last summer, just after I’d made it.
Then leave the bottle in a cool, dry place (mine is in the fridge door) somewhere where’ll you see it often. Then, every so often, pick up the bottle and give it a shake. After several weeks the clear alcohol will darken to brown and will be ready to use. Thereafter just keep the bottle topped up with additional alcohol and vanilla pods as necessarily and depending on how strong you want your extract to be.
If you want to get going on your Christmas gifts now (hahahahahahahahaha!:-Ed) then homemade vanilla extract is a very quick, easy and thoughtful gift for the baker in your life if you put it in a fancy bottle.
How To Bake British Without Freaking Out
I just wanted to let you all know that there are still some places left for the class I’m giving on Monday night at fabulous Seattle cookbook store Book Larder.
And it would be lovely to see blog readers there.
The class is called Baking In Translation – How to Bake British Without Freaking Out and is for anyone who’s tried to use a recipe from British website or cookbook and been flummoxed by the strange ingredients or metric measurements.
I’ll be covering the basics of weighing and measuring in metric rather than using cup measures; discussing differences in flours, sugars and creams; translating strange ingredient names and suggesting the best sources and substitutions for hard-to-find ingredients. I’ll be demonstrating how to make a traditional English Victoria sponge cake and maybe, if there’s time, English flapjacks (sort of sticky sweet granola bars, not pancakes) and there’ll be treats to sample.
The class will run from 6.30 to around 8.30 and you can find full details and buy tickets here. Here’s my previous blog post on the subject.
I’d love to meet Seattle blog readers and if you can’t make it, anything you could do to promote the class via various social media would be very much appreciated.
See you on Monday!
Things I Am Loving: Laser Cut Nori
Speaking, as we were, of lace effects in unexpected but obvious places, I just wanted to share my love for these award-winning nori sheets (found via JeannieJeannie).
Ad agency I&S BBDO Inc in Japan was asked to create an online campaign for the Umino Seaweed Store, a company producing nori (the sheets of seaweed used in making sushi) that had been badly affected by the tsunami.
Unfortunately, and particularly in a Japanese context, nori is a very boring product to advertise, so the company looked for ways to differentiate the product and get it some online buzz.
Remember I did a certificate in Online Marketing last year? Well, we were told again and again that original and persuasive content is the key to online campaigns that work, so the agency’s strategy of tweaking the product itself in an original and beautiful way was utterly inspired.
Because of the horrible circumstances of the tsunami, the agency looked to traditional Japanese designs for longevity, good fortune, hope, happiness etc. to create a positive vibe around the product and the campaign has since won many awards.
After poking round the Internet, I discovered that Seattle’s very own Food Geek had also had a very similar idea (and made some beautiful photos). Feast your eyes on these.
Can someone please produce these commercially? They would make such beautiful onigiri.
My Hidden New York
OK chaps. There's another limo waiting to take you to the airport. Places to see and people to do and all that. This time we're off to New York, New York!
I was also delighted to meet Tina at Holly Becker’s NYC workshop. She works for a very well-known interior designer in NYC and has a great eye. Her blog is also very special, full of unusual and creative products and ideas she comes across in her day to day life, so I thought she'd make the perfect guide to the city that never sleeps. She’s lived in New York for six years now, so you know her recommendations will take you off the beaten tourist path. I want to do another weekend in New York immediately, just to try them out.
Hello mirrormirror readers! My name is Tina Ramchandani and I run the design blog Life in Sketch. I am an interior designer and I live and work in New York, New York. On my blog I focus on all aspects of design as well as highlighting places I visit and travel to. Since I live in one of the best cities in the world, I have tons of spotlights, right here in NYC. Today I'm going to share with you some of my favorite New York City spots. I have a few places to eat, shop and hang out, picked out for you. Hope you love them as much as I do!
To Hang:
One of my favorite things to do is attend the How I Learned series by Blaise Allysen Kearsley. It's held once a month, usually on a Wednesday, at Happy Ending, at 302 Broome Street. If you are in town when the series is being held, you must go! It's a hilarious event where writers, comedians and other New Yorkers discuss their personal stories about the topic of the day. My very first time attending, the topic was "How I Learned to Live in New York". I can't explain how insanely funny it was. I was hooked!
On a Sunday night, the best thing to do is to head over to Upright Citizen's Brigade and watch the Asssscat show. UCB is an improvisational theatre and school that offers affordable classes and shows, which has never failed me. I have friends that have taken classes there, and every single show I have has left me in tears (from laughing so hard, obviously). The Asssscat show is the best of the best and often features comedians you love, that star in 30 Rock, The Office, SNL and more. There is a 7:30 show, which is $10 and a 9:30 show, which is free, but be prepared to wait in line as reservations are not accepted. I promise, you will not be disappointed.
This might seem odd, but I love the IKEA ferry! The ferry, run by New York Water Taxi, sails from South Street Seaport to Red Hook everyday. It's kind of amazing actually. You get on this ferry, virtually for free, and get a short tour of the East River. You leave from Pier 11 in southern Manhattan and get to see Jersey City, Ellis Island, Governor's Island and finally Brooklyn. I always run straight to the top of the boat where you get to sit outside and enjoy the view. The boat leaves every 40 minutes. On Mondays through Fridays, the cost is $5 but if you purchase something from IKEA you get your money back. Just be sure to present your receipt when you check out. On Saturdays and Sundays the ferry is free. When you're done you get to hop on the ferry back. It's a wonderful way to spend a few hours.
To Shop:
There are tons of bookstores here in New York and it's hard to narrow down my favorite. But I had to do it for you and so I will say that Housing Works Bookstore is at the top of my list. Housing Works' goal is to help people affected with HIV and AIDS. In addition to the bookstore, Housing Works has an online shop and a few thrift stores around the city where you can purchase home goods and clothing. 100% of all profits are used to help those that need it. The bookstore is located at 126 Crosby Street and the selection of books is immense. There is a cafe inside with plenty of seating and they encourage you to sit and hang out! That is rare these days. If you needed another selling point – there are book events almost every day of the week.
If I am looking to treat myself or get a one of a kind gift for a friend, I always go to Treasure & Bond. Each item is specifically picked for the New York City downtown market ranging from scented candles, stationery, to clothing and accessories. I recently purchased a PopUp Paris candle from here, that may have a hidden diamond inside! There is a huge benefit to shopping at this store as well. 100% of all profits go to charities benefiting children in NYC.
To Eat:
My favorite chef is Jehangir Mehta and I am lucky to have his two restaurants extremely close by. One is within walking distance of my apartment, Mehtaphor, located in Tribeca. The other, Graffiti, is located in the East Village. While both menus are similar, there are items on each you can't resist. Jehangir's signature is a flavorful modern Indian food. If you go to Graffiti you will notice that he cooks in a 50 square foot kitchen, which we all know is hard to do! Both locations serve my favorite dish, the Graffiti burger, which you must try.
For dessert I always go to Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. This place is fantastic. It has traditional and modern Chinese ice cream flavors, and it has been open since 1978! It's one of Chinatown's oldest businesses and it's definitely a place the neighbors love. My flavor of choice is black sesame, but it sells out quickly so if you want it, you have to get there early. The shop is open late so I usually end up stumbling in after a long day and I miss all the black sesame. All the flavors are super tasty, you can't really go wrong. It is located on 65 Bayard Street.
There are so many places that I discover every day, it's hard to just pick a few to share with you. I'm really lucky and I get to see tons of super cool stuff all the time, so if you stay tuned you'll be learning about more NYC gems. I hope you've enjoyed my spotlights today!
Vancouver in Five
Please welcome Sandra from Raincoast Cottage to the blog. She’s a Vancouverite who recently moved back there from Toronto, so who better to tell us of some of the great new places she’s found in her old home town. I’m also shamed that she has made more progress doing up her cottage since she moved in six months ago, than we’ve made in this house in over five years. Check out her cottage on her blog. It’s lovely.
Five favourite spots that is! Welcome to my city – my old home town. You see, I lived out east for ten years and only returned to Vancouver late last summer. So there’s been more than a bit of exploring happening around here as I discover my new favourite places to shop and eat. And I am happy to share five of them with you.
When I left Vancouver, the neighbourhood just east of Gastown was a bit sketchy. More than a bit sketchy. So sketchy that you could never begin to imagine any gentrification. But it has. It still has its edginess – but that gives it its charm. And this is where we will start on our tour of my five favourite places.
Nelson the Seagull
You are in the Pacific Northwest so the very first stop is going to be for a coffee. How could it not be? And not just any coffee – one from Nelson the Seagull. They know how to pull shots. And although they do have a yummy menu (let’s come back for lunch), once we have our coffees, we’re going to step out and walk down to Cartem’s Donuterie.
Cartem’s Donuterie
To go with your coffee, do I have a treat for you. And it’s less than a block away. It’s a tiny, tiny place making THE best handmade donuts from only locally sourced, organic ingredients. I know, you think that you have had good donuts, that you know all about them. How can they get any better? Well, they can. And they are.
What about some of these flavours – Earl Grey, maple topped with bacon (and some Bourbon too!), carrot cake, even vegan options. And they even deliver but only downtown – it’s by bike so they stay on this side of the bridges.
Now that we are fed and watered, how about a visit to The Old Faithful Shop?
The Old Faithful Shop
I know that “well curated” is such an overused phrase now but I can’t think of a better way to describe the goods that the Old Faithful Shop carry. Savannah, one of the owners, is originally from the Canadian prairies – her friendly personality is a dead giveaway. She and her partner Walter stock all sorts of goods from all over the world that are well made and unique. You can shop online too!
Urban Source
Feeling inspired to make something? Want something a little different than your usual art supply store? Let’s scoot over to Urban Source. For over 15 years, Urban Source has been the place to go for alternative art materials. It’s not a big place but it is full from top to bottom with bins of materials collected from over 100 local businesses. Most of it you buy by the paper bag. Grab the size you want and start filling it up. And then when you get home, start making some art.
Metropolitan Home
A trip to Vancouver would not be complete without some vintage furniture shopping. For our last stop we’ll visit Metropolitan Home for a dose of mid-century modern furniture. Located in the Armoury District near 2nd and Fir, there’s lots to catch your eye – both in furniture and decor. I have that table lamp and there is a floor version too.
Thanks for joining me to visit five of my favourite places in Vancouver! And visit me at www.raincoastcottage.com where I write about living a creative life.
A Shopping Trip to Portland: Part 2
Here’s part two of my shopping guide to Portland.
You can see where I went with my girlfriends on the Friday in Part 1 here. And pictures from Portland’s Japanese Garden are here.
Here’s what we did on Saturday after the family came and met me on the Friday night.
After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel (we stayed again at the Nines, which is worthy of a separate blogpost), we wandered off to the Portland Saturday market. To be perfectly honest I wasn’t terribly impressed. There seemed to be a lot of tat and not a huge amount of originality.
We then tried to get into the legendary Voodoo Doughnuts. The magic may indeed be in the hole, but weren’t going to stand in the mile-long queue to find out. I sort of regret that now. Instead we jumped in the car and headed to the Farmers’ Market at Portland State University. This was more like it, on a par with the best of the Seattle farmers’ markets, but with new and different producers to try.
After the market we headed back downtown for lunch and went to Habibi for Lebanese food. It’s a cuisine I miss a lot from London, as I can’t find any very good exponents in Seattle, but here it’s done well – the food is fresh and tasty, with excellent rice, hummus and breads, though not particularly imaginative.
From there we went back to a couple of shops I’d visited the day before and possibly my two favourite shopping finds in Portland so far.
Woonwinkel focuses on colourful and graphic contemporary craftmade pieces – it’s the shop I wanted mirrormirror to turn into. They call it ‘new modern’: warm, inviting, tactile, quirky. Modern with soul. I loved it, though left without purchasing.
Alder & Co also does beautiful everyday items, with a clean, almost Japanese aesthetic. I bought the most stunningly smooth and tactile (and stunningly expensive) stoneware Japanese butter dish and some beautiful wooden measuring spoons.
We then headed for Powell’s Bookstore, where I have to admit that I spent a lot of time surreptitiously photographing the covers of books that look good for later download on my Nook. I sort of hate myself for doing this, though we did slightly assuage our guilty consciences by buying children’s books for the Minx. But please tell me how I can reconcile my love of independent bookstores with my Nook love? I really haven’t figured this out yet.
All the guilt was making me thirsty, so we headed over to Portland’s Ace Hotel for coffee in the downstairs Stumptown coffee shop. You buy your coffee and then can take it into the hotel lobby. I was intrigued to see the décor after my recent stays at the Ace in NYC and the Ace in Palm Springs. Again they’ve done a great job of matching the Ace’s hipster aesthetic to its surroundings. Not as smart as the NYC hotel, nor as carefree as the Palms Springs one, this was quirky, funky and yes, most decidedly hip.
As we walked back home I saw this bicycle stand outside a cupcake shop. I’ve no idea whether the cupcakes are good or not, but the bike stand just summed up Portland for me.
Tired but happy, we ended up heading back to the Nines for dinner, where the whole family sat in the king-sized bed, ordered burgers and mac’n’cheese from room service and watched Hugo on the big flat-screen telly. I digress, but what a totally gorgeous and moving film that was. I’ve never been a big Scorsese fan before, but wow.
The London Faberge Easter Egg Hunt
Because I am a glutton for punishment, I like to torture myself by including as many UK-based Instagrammers in my Instagram feed as possible. So each morning I get big dose of homesickness while I feast my eyes on pics of every day British architecture, or gardens or foods.
Over the past few weeks my feed has been full of eggs – more accurately some of the two hundred giant eggs decorated by famous artists, designers and other creatives, such as Zandra Rhodes and Mr Brainwash – which were part of the Faberge Big Egg Hunt which has been taking place all over Central London. Although we had a Nutcracker March in Seattle a few years back, I believe this is the first time a similar event has happened in London. I so wish we’d been there for this – the Minx and I would have been all over it.
So now that your weekend of egg decorating and egg hunting has drawn to a close, here’s a look at how the professionals do it.
The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt from we are fallon on Vimeo.
Did any London peeps get to go egg hunting? Was it as fun as it looks?
Update: Many thanks to reader K for pointing out that there was a Cow Parade in London a few years back. That one completely passed me by.
