Chopped,
September 3, 2024
but not too chopped. My favorite Fall/Winter salad stepping into the queue now that it’s September. Great for lunch or as a main for dinner this salad has it all; sweet savory, crunchy and creamy. An adaptation of my ” go to” holiday salad of frisee’ , Bosc pear, walnuts and blue cheese, this take starts with a perfect fall base of shaved Brussels Sprouts. Add in some red onion, blue cheese or gorgonzola, julienne Bosc pear and a bit of candied walnuts. The simple dressing of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, a hint of garlic and a tablespoon of maple syrup finishes it off perfectly. No measuring needed here, add as much or as little of each as you’d like. Cutting the pears or apples into small batons compliment the thinly shaved Brussels Sprouts and red onion. Keeping the blue cheese chunky and the Walnut halves quartered results in sort of chunky chopped salad that hits all the right notes. Lunch for one, supper for two or a large platterful for a group, I’m sure this salad will pop up in your rotation as often as it does mine.
photos: gp
It Couldn’t Hurt
August 20, 2024
Could it? While we are hoping for some major upticks in our economy, the truth is that those changes might not be happening for months. Now might might be a good time to pull out the last stop and address your environmental Feng Shui. We have all managed to adjust our spending but it might be a good time to give our home’s Chi a kick in the seat and take a look at what’s happening in your ” money corner”. First, identify the southeast corner of your home’s primary living or office space. Next, place a plant in that corner and keep the area clean and uncluttered. This simple act will attract wealth and prosperity, balance the Chi in your space and attract positive energy. Seems simple enough to me, so I’m on it.
photo: gp
Ticks All The Right Boxes
July 15, 2024
What do you get when you start with cotton grown on a family farm, then spin, weave and fabricate that cotton right here in the U.S.? A new classic. Charcoal Ticking Stripe sheet sets and accessories from Red Land Cotton. Crisp percale sheets in a classic ticking stripe to take you from Summer right into Fall and Winter. Available in sizes Twin through California King with additional quilts and quilted shams, bedding bundles and individual sheets and pillowcases, you are sure to find what you need to dress your perfect Summer bed.
photos: Red Land Cotton
Takin’ It Outside
July 2, 2024
Summer’s here and the livin’ is easy. Particularly if you are taking along any of the great new releases from Sunbrella to add that extra bit of indoor comfort to your outdoor entertaining. Known as the OG of high performance fabrics, Sunbrella is putting their textiles to use in areas other than the expected upholstery application. Through their ReMade line, table runners, placemats and coaster sets as well as totes and duffels will have you covered if you are entertaining on the patio, in need a host gift or taking your adventures on the road. Each one of a kind item is crafted of upcycled Sunbrella fabric, is machine washable and sewn right here in the USA. From brights to neutrals, solids, stripes or patterns, you’re sure to find something that is right up your street. Ticks all the boxes for me.
photos: Sunbrella
Resting Stones
June 28, 2024
I was immediately rushed back to days combing the southern California beaches for beach glass or Summers along Lake Michigan’s shore searching for s perfect specimen when I came across these. The Resting Stones, from Material Kitchen, ticked all of the boxes for me. Simply beautiful organic shapes that look as beautiful at rest as they do when put into use. They’ll hold a spoon in the kitchen and keep your rings safe on your night table at the end of the day. Maybe simply rest atop a stack of books on your coffee table holding one of your beach treasures. The ways you will find to use them is unlimited. The Resting Stones are made in small batches of fire-polished glass in three colors. While you order a set for yourself, you might want to pick up extras for gifts before they are sold out.
top three photos: material kitchen.com
The Summer Solstice
June 20, 2024
The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year and well, it could just be the perfect day to play hooky! At least spend as much time as you can outside. If you’re drawing a blank, let me help you out. Pick one or more from the following, grab your keys , your sunglasses and go!
photo: schoolhouse.com
Top to bottom:
You should have ordered earlier to play on this today, but having this rope swing on it’s way now will ensure of a Summer full of solitary F U N.
Take a ride to the nearest lunch spot on a lake or river and enjoy a refreshing Limoncello and Prosecco cocktail while you fuel up on the sights and a bit of vitamin D.
Or, if you plan on kicking back at home, burgers on the grill with a side of potato salad makes easy work of a classic seasonal dinner.
Finally, stoking up a relaxing fire, slicing up a cold watermelon and toasting up some marshmallows puts a crowning touch to the day, the official start of Summer.
all photos unless noted: gp
TGIF
May 24, 2024
And, there’s no better way to kick-off the Summer than by adding an extra day to an already long holiday weekend. No matter what your plans, start by honoring those who have sacrificed their lives for our country.
First things first. Check the condition of your flag before displaying it. If it needs replacing, replace it. If you don’t have one, get one.
Next, drag out the outdoor furniture and give it a hosing. This reproduction Westport Adirondack Chair by Loll is a stunning example of recycled material use while being the perfect spot to soak in some Summer and a long, tall cool one. photo: Loll
A quick manicure and survey of the landscape is in order with perhaps an addition or two, or a transplant of material now or later in the season.
This is a no-brainer. You’re going to have to eat, so simple burgers with a bit of Jack Daniels Maple Syrup Ketchup, sweet corn, my simple New Potato Salad with Soft Herbs and cold watermelon are a classic combination that is always appropriate. Be safe and enjoy your weekend.
Unless noted, photos: gp
Tone On Tone
May 16, 2024
It’s been a modern classic for near 100 years. Now Knoll is reimagining the Marcel Breuer Wassily Chair in three new frame finishes; Onyx Ultra Matte, White Ultra Matte and Dark Red Ultra Matte. I immediately focused on a simplequietmodern expression of tone on tone. What could be a more fresh take than black belting leather on a black frame, white leather on the white frame or for that punch of color, red leather on the red frame? Who knew that this small change from the original chrome frame would have such an impact? I’m sure Marcel would approve.
photos: Knoll
Movin’ On Out
April 17, 2024
Before you know it these cooler Spring days will be warming up and there will be no stopping us from heading outdoors to spend the rest of the Summer. Furnish your outdoor space with any of the 9 Yard group of outdoor upholstery from Blu Dot and you might not want to return to the indoors come Fall. The Armless Sofa and Slipper Chairs in either the Sunbrella Stripe or Charcoal fabric will have you lounging in carefree style all season. And, if you have the space, the addition of varied corner and end pieces will have you creating a lounge area fit for a crowd. The clock is ticking. Only six weeks until the unofficial start of Summer.
photos: Bludot
Happy Easter
March 31, 2024
With gray skies on this early Easter, I’m feeling the need for some yellow and the simplest of decoration. Simple uncolored eggs in small patches of forced grass, handfuls of yellow Daffs and a mouthful of yellow Peeps should do nicely. Enjoy your holiday.
photos: gp
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