Like an Early Gift
December 21, 2014
Today marks the Winter Solstice…the longest night of the year. And, in the morning, the rebirth of the sun. Each day grows lighter, guiding us through Winter with the promise of Spring. Definitely a reason to celebrate by decking the halls, building a roaring fire inside or a bonfire out and enjoying a little reminder of what’s to come.
Marsala ( a swing and a miss )
December 18, 2014
I’ll take a lump of coal over Pantone’s color of the year for 2015 any day. Marsala. Really? If they would have called it what it looks like, raw liver, my guess is that the people at Pantone would have gone in a different direction entirely. Picture receiving a cashmere sweater or scarf in this color next Christmas…after a year of this showing up on everything from coffee mugs to automobiles ( if their forecast is correct ). Ugh. Or, is it just me?
Cookie?
December 15, 2014
Nothing says Christmas like a plateful of homemade Christmas cookies. If you have the time, great, but who wants to run out for that list of ingredients? Relax. Simple shortbreads…using only 3 ingredients you have on hand…to the rescue. Pull out that rolling-pin, some vintage cookie cutters and turn on that oven. If this is the only baking you do this season, no one will be disappointed.
photos:gp
Where’s that list?
December 12, 2014
I find it’s easy to refer back to gifts that I have received and have enjoyed when trying to come up with a gift idea for someone else. While most of them could easily fall into that “stocking stuffer” category budget wise, you’ll hear down the road that their impact was greater than something more extravagant. Really…it’s the small things that make the difference, don’t you think?
A journal or sketch book…always a clean sheet at hand. The perfect place to record a thought, a plan, a sketch, a dream.
Ras el Hanout…Mix up a batch of this Moroccan spice blend from the recipe found here.http://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/ras-el-hanout While great in meat, vegetable and cous cous recipes, you might include this recipe for Roasted Cauliflower soup to get things started. http://www.kirstenjohnstone.com/2012/10/roast-cauliflower-soup/
Heath holiday tall modern cups…ruby red inside, red suede outside. Peppermint hot chocolate will feel right at home, as would coffee, tea or a fistful of tulips or winterberry. You’ll be thought of with every use.
Clementines, cloves and snow…really. “Winter” fragrance 3 wick candle at Bath and Body Works.
Deerskin gardening gloves…indispensible. Protection for your hands when gardening or to keep in the car in the event you make an unplanned stop at the nursery. I’m never without a pair…or two.
Luxurious yarn in a gift card from Purl Soho, Jimmy Beans Wool or Yarn.com. Who wouldn’t be excited with a gift of cashmere, merino wool or alpaca? And, for the fiber freak…it’s all about the picking. It’s almost like two gifts.
The mini wisk. I received this one as a gift years ago and it’s still in my top 5 favorite utensils.
The “Ropey”…who’s special kid wouldn’t love a new one?
Modern cup photo: Heath Ceramics. All other photos: gp
low cost / no cost
December 9, 2014
As you start stockpiling your gift purchases also start giving some thought to your gift wrap while a treasure of free materials is staring you in the face. The crisp white tissue, softly rumpled newsprint and” green” packing materials are a great place to start getting creative. And, at no cost. The addition of a $2 ball of sisal twine and a few found objects…twigs, leaves, cones…will have you presenting gifts that will be almost too pretty to open.
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Softly rumpled newsprint bound with sisal twine says simplequietmodern Christmas to me.
Maple and Oak leaves, free in nearly every yard if you want a little something extra.
The graphic black and white images of Korean comics are fun tied up with smooth white crochet cotton…just pennies at an Asian market.
Whisper thin red pine veneer from Habu Textiles makes an unforgettable impression when complimented with a simple tie of raffia and a hand marbled note. http://habutextiles.com/NK-6
If you’re looking for an extra bit of “holiday” in your presentation…give your completed packages a quick shot of gold paint. Psst…done. And gorgeous.
all photos: gp
Ducks in a Row
December 6, 2014
I’m not quite ready to start decorating for the holidays but it’s the perfect time to get those ducks in a row. While I generally sort and display my vintage ornaments by color, I always play them against white flowers…preferably white tulips of any variety. The time is now to get them ordered and start setting out the white Amaryllis and Paperwhites if I want them in bloom for Christmas or New Years Eve. I might even add to my collection of ornaments this great box of assorted miniatures from Terrain. The colors are amazing… and, any random combination of 9 creates for you a great vintage modern Christmas palette. Picture it…LA in the sixties… a big ‘ol flocked tree in cotton candy pink or peacock dressed in any of the combinations found in this little box of magic. Maybe use one box as is on the coffee table as an accessory, or even a group of them running down the Christmas dinner table for a mod Christmas interpretation. A lot of simplequietmodern fun for a 20 dollar bill.
Photos of balls by Terrain and available here: http://www.shopterrain.com/holiday-tree-ornaments/miniature-bulb-set Tulip and vintage ornament photos: gp
That was easy.
December 3, 2014
You showed me your “ugly” and, well…boo hoo for you. All of the pics I received looked pretty good. And, trust me, I’ve seen some”ugly”. The random entry I’ll be addressing here is lovely. Even though the homeowner sees this space as a “catch-all” after a cross-country move, it is full of beautiful furnishings, art and comforting neutrals. The one item that seemed out-of-place to me was the rug. While seagrass is a great choice, the size is not … it’s too small. Here’s an opportunity to play off the graphic placement of the framed pieces with a bold anchoring base. Enter Flor. A larger area rug made of tiles in their Modern Mix recycled carpet could just be the thing to breathe new life into this familiar collection. Continuing to keep things neutral with the gray or taupe mix is one safe direction…but choosing a bold sweep of color, like the red , will most definitely ring in the holidays with style. Complimenting the bowl of glass orbs with a single large sphere of spicy carnations will add some unexpected panache. By ordering online you’ll be laying this down in plenty of time for your holiday entertaining. That was easy… so, who’s mixing up the Brandy Stingers?
If the modern check isn’t a fit, perhaps bold hoizontal stripes in an oyster white and espresso brown? All available options can be seen here.http://www.flor.com/splitsearch/index?order=relevance&dir=desc&q=modern+mix&search_submit=Search
Red too traditional for you? This orb of carnation heads would be simple quiet and modern if done in snowy white.
Top two photos: the homeowner, bottom two photos:gp
Santa ?
November 30, 2014
OK , I thought I’d get this in early while everyone else was busy with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Until I find the time to knit ’em up myself, I could love to receive either of these this Christmas. And, it goes without saying…but I’m saying it anyway…I’ve been very good.
It doesn’t get much more simplequietmodern than these charcoal cashmere sweatpants or this sweaterknit blazer, does it?
photos: http://www.jamesperse.com/
47,335,389
November 27, 2014
47,335,389 minutes adds up to ninety years. And, ninety years adds up to one special life. First a daughter and sister…then a wife and mother…and on to grandmother and great-grandmother. Ninety years of loving life, loving children, loving animals…all the while raising a family and working as an RN, early on in the nursery and later in your career in surgery. Add Breast Cancer Survivor to the list and well…what else is there to say? We are all very thankful for you, particularly on this Thanksgiving, which is your 90th birthday. I think 47,335,389 minutes deserves at least 48,000 stitches…each one a different combination of color…coming together in this modern knit to warm you as you plan for your next milestone…100! With more love than you can imagine coming to you today, Happy Birthday Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma. It’s time for some “bubbly”.
photos:gp
Pumpkin Spice Overkill
November 24, 2014
Too much of a good thing when gaining popularity and then randomly applied everywhere…well, that’s just too much already. “Pumpkin spice” is the perfect current example. Starting in September it flavors everything from a latte’ to caramels to anything that doesn’t move and back again. Nothing has missed being hit. By the time Thanksgiving arrives, just a hint of the aroma could trigger a bit of nausea. Let’s keep the warm Autumn spice thing going and yet reel it in simplequietmodern style, editing the spices down to one….say Ginger. Fresh, dried or candied…Ginger can add its distinctive spicy warmth and sweetness to cocktails, desserts or savory dishes alike without being cliché.
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Whole hands of fresh ginger root might add additional interest to your bountiful tablescape this Thanksgiving. I think I’ll pick up some extra myself to compliment my arrangements of Bosc pears, mixed shelled nuts and oak leaves.
During the weekend a bit of ginger will elevate the pears poached for another dessert from everyday to holiday.
Ginger syrup made from fresh or crystallized ginger can be added to a glass of Prosecco, Cava or Champagne for a gingery pre-dinner cocktail or added to a glass of soda for a delicious home-made ginger ale.
Home made fresh cranberry sauce could not be easier. Adding a little grated fresh or minced crystallized ginger to the mix brings a fresh unexpected note.
Crystallized ginger presented alongside dessert allows even those who are too stuffed to indulge a little something sweet that also acts as a perfect digestivo. A couple of pieces with coffee is just enough sweet for me after a Thanksgiving feast. You might even try dipping candied ginger into dark chocolate if you’re in the mood to gild the lily.
photos:gp
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