Hi, Hi, Birdie

bird feeders January 20th, 2012

It’s cold outside!  Be good to your birds of prey…

fly through bird feeder

 

Fly-through bird feeder

duo modern hanging bird feeder

Duo Modern Hanging Bird Feeder

barcelona bird feeder

Barcelona Bird Feeder by Monique Engelund

coffee can bird feeder

Grab the kids and make your own bird feeder with a painted coffee can, plastic lid and string!

bird feeder from old light shades

These feeders are made from old glass shades.  Find the easy tutorial here.

toilet paper roll bird feeder

Most everything becomes lovely when you add a pretty ribbon!  Roll a toilet paper roll in peanut butter, cover with seeds, add a sweet ribbon and your  birds will love you!

Find this tutorial here.

bird cookie recipe

If you’re a real bird lover, you’ll want to whip up these bird cookies from Imagine Childhood...

Would you make your birds cookies?

Come Right In

1st Annual Dallas Modern Home Tour January 18th, 2012

Here’s your chance to step inside some of Dallas most beautiful modern homes!

dallas modern home tour image

On Saturday, January 28, 2012, the first ever Dallas Modern Home Tour will take place. Nearly ten architecturally progressive and contemporary homes in central Dallas will open their doors from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The self-guided driving tour will feature innovative homes that exemplify modern living, addressing issues from sustainability to ergonomics.

dallas modern home tour image

Discover how homes are pushing the boundaries of design by incorporating recycled materials, rainwater collection systems and natural ventilation while maintaining the clean lines, simple shapes and lightness associated with the Modern architecture movement.

dallas modern home tour image

Ingrid Spencer, former managing editor and current contributing editor for Architectural Record magazine in New York City, curated the homes for the Dallas Modern Home Tour.  Find the list of homes here.

dallas modern home tour image

Tickets are $25 in advance and can be purchased  here and picked up at designated will call locations. Tickets will also be available at select properties for $30 the day of the tour.

Master A Tiny Universe

Score + Solder terrariums & containers October 11th, 2011

No need to get your hands dirty with these self contained gardens

score + solder terrarium

Matthew Cleland makes each terrarium and container by hand with handmade glass and lead free soldering.

score solder terrariums

 

score solder

Find all care instructions for terrariums here.

Score + Solder

Lighten Up

cocktail umbrella lantern diy July 11th, 2011

I never met a cocktail umbrella I didn’t like…  This easy DIY, from Etsy‘s How-Tuesday, is a great way to illuminate your yard for your next summer time bbq!

First Impressionists

art in Paris June 22nd, 2011

Whether you’re an art lover or not, you can’t help but be mesmerized by the world-reknown art of Paris.  I never expected to react to the paintings by the artists that I have grown up studying and seen in books the way that I did…  Many times I heard myself squeal like a little girl or felt my feet do a  little “happy dance” as I realized that I was standing in the presence of the works of the masters.

The Louvre

My friends and I were fortunate enough to have a personal tour through the Louvre by an amazing guide who actually studied art history at the museum.  Chris was incredibly knowledgable and told us such interesting stories….

Venus de Milo

like how the Venus de Milo was discovered by a farmer while he was working in his field…

statue at The Louvre

So often the statues and paintings seemed to come alive…

portrait

as if they could speak and tell you their story…

statue at Montmart

stories of pain…

statue outside versailles

and triumph…

My favorite museum was the Musee D’orsay that, unfortunately, doesn’t allow photography.  I love Van Gogh, so it was thrilling to see his self-portrait from 1889.

van gogh self portrait

(image via ibiblio.com)

I delighted in staring at his eyes at every angle and saw, first hand, how they actually follow you.  He was such a tormented man…  I wonder if he could have created such amazing art had he not been so mentally unstable, as were many great artists…

monet's gardens

We  saw the works of Monet and then visited Giverny and strolled through his gardens where he found so much of his inspiration.

On a side note…can you imagine tending Monet’s beloved waterlily pond and gardens like the guy in the picture?  It was magical watching him patiently working his way through the water…

monet's gardens photo

Have you had a time where art has given you chills?  Have you stared into the eyes of a statue that spoke to you?  What’s your favorite museum?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get Fresh With Me

describing the french lifestyle June 21st, 2011

One of the first words that comes to mind when describing the French lifestyle is

“fresh”.  Everywhere you look you see fresh flowers…fresh fruits…fresh vegetables…fresh baked bread…fresh cheese, etc.  Not only does this “fresh lifestyle” contribute to the beauty of the city but, more importantly, the health of the people.

parisian fresh vegetable stand

Those of you that have been to France know that I’m not exaggerating when I say that you just don’t see over-weight Parisians.  There is no fast food…no one walks around sipping “jumbo-sized” sodas…”super-size” is not in their vocabulary…

parisian market

The first thing I did the day after I returned from my trip was head to Whole Foods and search for beautiful fruits, vegetables, and flowers to continue the healthy feeling that I fell in love with in Paris.  Even as I write this post I’m enjoying the aromas of fresh peas cooking on my stove…  I’m determined to continue to enjoy the fresh foods that are locally available…cutting out the processed and chemical infested garbage that we harm our bodies with on a regular basis without thinking twice.

parisian market

Who wants to join me in taking the time to nourishing our bodies the way the French do so well?  Join me in “freshening up” a bit!

peonies in paris

…peonies in Paris…

parisian market

parisian street musician in montmart

What will be your first step to freshen up?

Strung Out

light strings April 29th, 2011

I’m gonna have to have some of these lights in my backyard soon!!

string of lights

string of lights

Find them at Restoration Hardware.

Garden Variety

Your Garden Show April 26th, 2011

If you love gardening then this new beta site is a must!

San Francisco Japanese Tea Garden

YourGardenShow.com is a free online platform for connecting gardeners of all experience with a wealth of knowledge, tools and resources to inspire environmentally sustainable green spaces, big and small, inside and out.

A gathering spot for urban gardeners, folks in the suburbs, educators, kids with school projects, organic farmers, adherents of the slow food movement and more.  YourGardenShow.com also offers the opportunity to participate in Citizen Science efforts to build accurate baselines on the health of the planet.

You Grow, Girl

gardening fashion April 20th, 2011

Might as well look good while you’re workin’ in the dirt!

Tretorn rubber boots

Tretorn Strala rubber boots, $60

burt's bees salve

Burt’s Bees hand salve, $9

pomagranite sun hat

Hable Construction Sunhat, $62

hable construction garden gloves

Hable Construction garden gloves, $25

English Garden Apron

Restoration Hardware English Garden Apron, $39.49



Wine To Vine

grow bottles April 19th, 2011

Using recycled wine bottles Potting Shed Creations created a vessel that can be used year-round to grow herbs inside!

basil growing in a recycled wine bottle

Once the growing cycle is complete, you wash the bottle, rinse the clay pebbles and plant again!

oegano growing in a recycled wine bottle

Chose from mint, basil, oregano, parsley and chives.

mint growing in a bottle

Potting Shed Creations, $35