Blood Orange Beet Bowl

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bloodoranges I got super lucky this week and landed a small stash of blood oranges from a neighbor. This happened to coincide with a craving for roasted beets, which I had already planned to make. Tired of my usual beet-goatcheese-pepita-oliveoil salad, I decided to merge these two heartbreakers into one bloody beet bowl. This is how it went down...

IN ADVANCE: I roasted the beets coated in a bit of olive oil and salt in a 350 oven for nearly an hour. This is sketchy, because I was cooking other things at the same time, on and off. It's an art. Not a science. Once out and cooled I slipped their dirty skins off. That sounds mildly sexual. Oh well. Then I cut them into 1" chunks a tossed them into a jar in the fridge for later.

NEXT: I prepped two small blood oranges by cutting the peel off with a serrated knife. I usually take the tiny pith core out too. I cut these into bite sized chunks.

beetorangebowl

AND THEN: I combined the orange pieces with 3/4 to 1 cup of the beets in a bowl, and grated (~ 2 teaspoons to 1 Tablespoon of) fresh ginger root right on top. Then a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of salt to bring out the full flavors.

Done! I think you could still safely add goat cheese, if you so desire. Or perhaps go super savory and do garlic instead of honey, and toss in some finely sliced red onion or shallots...

BEETPLATE

Beets produce the most perfect shade of magenta ever.

PS >>>>>>---------> Forgive my iPhonography, I was documenting on the fly!

True Colors

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I discovered The Color Run over a year ago, cruising the web for exciting events to fill my run card in 2011-2012. Low and behold, shortly thereafter a San Diego date was announced. Woohoo!!! If you know me at all, you know that I'm basically obsessed with COLOR. It's bursting out of the artwork on my walls, the patterns on my pillows, the curtains on my windows, and the clothes that I wear. LOVE it. SOoooo...what better running experience than to get with your girls and be sprayed, doused, sprinkled and dusted with a fine powdery rainbow? None. SOLD!

I sported a bright pink streak in my hair and one of the retro sweatbands (pictured on my gal pal above), along with a white longsleeve T, black shorts and tiedyed socks to prove my cool factor. Without the timing chips there were plenty of booty shakes and a host of high fives. I have to say, while my idyllic route fantasy of a lush green meadow and a rusty dirt trail did not materialize in the industrial grey parking lot of Qualcomm stadium, being color bombed in this urban setting sort of worked. I played a rockin' soundtrack in my head of Beastie Boys, Beyonce,. and Cyndi Lauper, so if there was an area for improvement it would be MUSIC. We needed it. It CALLED for it! Maybe next time. Until then, I'll be saving my whitest whites for next year's baptism of color.

Fueling Creativity

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A few months ago I discovered Behance --a website/company devoted to enhancing the world of creative peeps--and now get regular email updates. I first fell in love with the Action Books, perfect for my way of tracking notes in a meeting. Today I took the time to check out the latest news, which led me to The 99%.com. I've already watched the 19 min. special on designer Michael Bierut: 5 Secrets from 86 Notebooks, and there are more on my list.

Today's article is Don't Be Afraid of the S-Word and it was a sharp little nugget about sales and self-promotion. Perfect for us entrepreneurs. Then I discovered this one, RSS Creativity: Routines, Systems, Spontaneity, by Mark McGuinness.

Covering the elements of the creative process, McGuinness breaks it down into the three categories shown here: Routines, Systems, Spontaneity. The author offers us "takeaways" for each category, beginning with

ROUTINES. Starting with the idea that "routine is a key that unlocks creativity," he suggests you  "Notice what time(s) of day you are most alert and creative. Dedicate that time to focused creative work. Use the same tools, in the same surroundings, even the same background music, so that they become triggers for your 'creative zone'."

For SYSTEMS, he writes, "A rock-solid productivity system performs a dual function for your creativity:

(1) It ensures that all ideas and action steps are captured, so that nothing slips through the cracks, in your own work and within your team, and

(2) When you are confident that everything important has been captured, you are free to focus fully on the task in hand."

For SPONTANEITY we begin to understand that our really, hard, nose-to-the-grindstone work should be rewarded with breaks from said routines and  hard work--as it is often during these breaks that we are  free to experience and generate the much desired "a-ha" moment.

How do you stay organized and motivated?

Getting Ready for Screenprinting at StudioWorks

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I can't believe it's been a year since I was last at my first screenprinting workshop at Visual Asylum. I'm back at it again this Friday night for an open studio. Amy said I could use the 4-color press (AWESOME!) and so I busted out my newest design--inspired by the one and only Tim Gunn. I'm obsessed with school craft supplies and I've sketched the Elmer's glue bottle more than once. Practical, chic, fresh, timeless.

Book Studio

This past weekend when the Mister was in Vegas, the boys and I set up a little book making studio in the dining room, and went to work on storyboarding their mini blank board books. I had them sketch out their story ideas with pencil on butcher paper, then use Sharpies and design markers on the final product. Beck made a book about dots, titled "The . Book" it chronicles all the ways you can use dots to draw pictures.

Max had a very detailed plan about what Monsters do...but by the time he got to implementing his design on the actual book, he was over it.

Printmaking with Kids

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While I am not inclined to take on such projects everyday, today was a holiday for us all as the boys were out of school and I was playing hooky. I absolutely love all things related to printmaking and had been waiting to dig into this EyeCanArt kit given to the boys on their 5th birthday. Yes, I waited until age 6, but it was worth it.

The monster designs were independently crafted by each of the boys, with some assistance on the cutting and overall strategy. We rocked this out in two stages (design-cut and glue, then print), and based on some of my project edits, we executed it a little bit different than the kit recommends. Mainly, this is due to the fact that I misplaced the proper papers included in the kit. {I stored them flat between books, and am baffled as to where they are.} It still worked with a tweak or two and was marvy for an inaugural attempt. {The main issue is that I used very thick tag board to build the design on, and more thick pieces for the design-including the soft foam sheets}.

I dug up some of the tools I had on hand for linocuts, including some super old orange speedball ink and a large brayer. This helped because we kept one brayer mainly for the ink, the other to burnish the image. I loved using the kraft paper for the boys images, as they were somewhat tribal in design and it made a nice contrast. Mine are ancient, from PaperSource, though I couldn't find them on their website just now.

Breakfast Nook

I guess I was on holiday most of August. Miss me? After popular demand (from my mom) I decided to share the images of my mini remodel. Unfortunately, I must have archived my photos of the kitchen as it was when we bought it. Grrr. It's so nice to have Before and Afters. I've held off long enough though and am sharing now. The paint is Decorator White, Premium by Behr and the table is from IKEA. This will have to do until I inherit a small fortune and can afford a real Saarinen. Sigh.

Our kitchen still sports a rockin' 80's tract home decor--complete with oak cabinets and (now) crumbling brown grout and oatmeal colored tile--but this little upgrade will inspire the rest of the re-do at a later date. In the meantime, I'm pleased as punch. I love this happy place and the boys eat breakfast there everyday while I make their lunches. Yay!

Special thanks to my dad for spending many a weekend building this out....

I Heart You: The Art of the Screenprint

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This is a little chronicle of my first attempt at silk screening. Last month I attended a workshop at Visual Asylum to create a two-color fine art print. I submitted my design in advance ("I Heart You" won over "Be Kind" on my Facebook Challenge) and the kind peeps at VA burned my screens in advance. I chose a bright, true red and a soft, dreamy blue. There was only one other student in the workshop--he chose brown and the same dreamy blue. His design went swimmingly with mine-"We all have a song" with a bird and a branch.

My very first print was PERFECT, then the blue ink got a little sticky...and, oh well, I created about 20 prints and they are full of charming little (and big flaws). It was SO great. I really loved it and can't wait to try it again. Near the end, we started to merge some of our designs and created some real gems.

Looks for the Nook

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I'm working on my kitchen breakfast nook (okay, my dad is), and am now ready to get quotes on custom bench cushions and hopefully a re-do on two Louis XVI chairs to go with it. I am channeling a little bit of Miami with green, orange and pink guiding my way. My other kitchen post features a lot of bright white. This palette will give it a fresh pop that will carry through, and connect with other accents in my house.While I dream of owning an Eero Saarinen table, my budget only allows for an IKEA Docksta table. Sigh. For now, this is a fabulous alternative.

I can't wait to get the cushions and table ordered and move the project along. I'm envisioning a sunny Sunday morning with a hot cup of strong coffee, my favorite design mags, and Greek yogurt with farm fresh strawberries, honey and walnuts. Mmmmmm...

Kitchen Inspiration

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I'm in a SLOW process of updating our awesome 80s tract home kitchen. Starting with the creation of a breakfast nook. There is an awkward open space just calling for a cozy corner, and my dad and husband are graciously taking this project on. It's just the tip of the iceberg, though as I can't stand the dated and flaking tile countertops and wood cabinets. The kitchen is the darkest room in the house and has the lowest ceilings. It needs a light injection. I discovered a host of kitchen shots that feature bright white floors, which would solve the dark issue. Uugh. My floors are wood, but a bit over done. A little on the orange side I would say...Do I counteract that with white cabinets or go bold and paint everything dark? Oh, and I HAVE to have that red Brady lovin' phone.

{All images courtesy: Domino and Country Living}

el baño

Hurrah! Short of some new accessories (that I hope to scrounge up from my own thrift collection) and some art, this little loo is complete. I did end up getting a Marimekko curtain, fresh off the truck from Crate & Barrel. It has a funky wood block inspired print in a really golden yellow hue. What a Happy Finnish Design! The towel hooks are from Cost Plus, a nice folk art woodsy piece made in India. The towels are cushy Egyptian cotton in a natural unbleached color, a steal of a set from Marshalls. I just cannot spend big bucks on things I know I can find cheap. High-Low. A lovely combo...

 

Art for All: 20x200


Wish List Item #45693107

I feel like I've been missing out. 20x200 is a website/project by Jen Bekman. From a gallery in New York representing emerging artists she came up with a bigger vision: (limited editions x low prices) + the internet = art for everyone

How cool is that? I love the concept and am especially thrilled with her selection of works. She is an inspiration.

This piece, ny.08.#14, by Jennifer Sanchez makes me feel like the artist zipped into my heart with a canvas, and came out painting. It would be so fabulous in my home. There are actually some left in the medium (14x11) and large size (22x17) and I don't think $50 and $200 is too much. Although, I wonder how much the original is...hee hee.

Looky Loo

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This is our main bath, the loo, on 80's track home fever. On New Year's Day I finally had it with the cheap towel rack, old woodwork, and dirty off white paint job. I went to the garage and discovered some amazing unopened Behr exterior semi-gloss in Bitter Chocolate. Excellent choice! Why do I have this? Hmmm. The other color I had waiting in the wings was a beautiful bubble yum pink, originally intended for my office. Ummm. No. Best wait on this one. So I trucked on over to Home Depot and found Creek Bend. Nice....the bathroom is looking so ritzy now! To complete the look I must incorporate an element of whimsy and grapic fun. I found this fabulous Marimekko shower curtain at Crate & Barrel, towels at Target (in "sunshine"), and I'm still debating on the towel hooks--while I appreciate the homage to the Amish, the birds might be nice if I spray painted them dark brown...

Blue

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I try to keep this "professional" and interesting devoid of tabloid style commentary. We'll see. Today i'm writing about my favorite color, BLUE. i love blue as a word too. I used to have a T-shirt that had BLUE written in all different languages. Beautiful as kek, bleu, or azzuro. I really am into the Morrocan rich blue that is featured in the recent issue of Elle Decor. Fabrics, pottery and tile. The gardens of Yves Saint Laurent's compound in Marakesh are so gorgeous and SO rich in color. I love it. I told Jarrod we should go there. We'll see.

Back from Sabbatical

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Dear Diary, I'm taking this quiet moment sans children, husband still in bed, to get back on blog track. It's so easy to let the daily grind take over my creative space-physically and mentally. I finally cleared a path in my office, and made room on my desk for a laptop. Forget that though...I'm drinking hot java, looking through a window with a view--hummingbirds, bunnies and a roadrunner are my friends today. Amy Winehouse and Rilo Kiley also keep me company. I love RK's "Under the Blacklight" album which i recently downloaded. a bit of country, pop and indie. Just right. Latest accomplishments: #1. I mastered the Mojito--pitcher style. While I pretty much cashed out my supply of fresh mint (found growing on the side of the house, SCORE!), I think it was well worth it. #2. Jarrod deconstructed our 80's style patio "gazebo" so that i will be able to turn into a chic cabana. Curtains arrive tomorrow. I'm getting garden inspired for our backyard redux, and I'm also scheming a facelift for the main bath. Marimekko shower curtain? Needs to be bold. COLOR. Yellow. So solstice-y....Cheers!