Friday, July 30, 2010

Go Bears

"Go Bears."

What has, for many years, simply been a salute and cheer to my Alma Mata, UC Berkeley (Cal Bears) is now all about the Grizzly Bear. I will soon be hiking in Glacier National Park with my family. The recent news of an attack in Yellowstone National Park and my dinner last week with friends who encountered a Grizzly several years ago on their hiking trip (well, She did; He got the news as She went running by him on her way back down the trail) has me thinking more about this mighty and awe inspiring animal - and how to avoid it. So, I will follow all the suggestions about hiking in the Park and keeping safe from the Grizzly. You can be sure I will be carrying bear spray - sold at the gift shop in the Lodge, we will hike with a Guide, I will not spray myself with my daily shot of Scent of Peace, we will not eat along the way and we will be sure to make noise. Not so much noise that it will take away from the setting and all of the expected beauty or get us nasty looks from other hikers. And it will be natural noise, not the jingle of bells that I read about. Our noisemaker will be chatter, most likely constant. Meet my daughter. Did I mention that she loves to talk? I just hope the scenery doesn't make her speechless.*


*This is a serious matter and we will of course take all appropriate precautions.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

A New Oeuf!



So we recently did this sweet baby announcement (via Luscious Verde), it's fuchsia and wasabi green with chocolate ink and the little birdie is an additional layer of paper, providing more texture (which I love). And, it is all recycled paper to boot. Yummy. A new little baby, a chickie ... eggs. Yes, this announcement made me think of a fabulous dish - of eggs - that I had when we were in Paris last May. And, I don't mean for breakfast.

We were out for a true Parisian dinner at a little neighborhood spot near the Eiffel Tower with our friends, Natalie and Tom. They live in Paris - Natalie is French born and Tom very well could be given his gift for the language and the ease in which he lives life there.  Tom recommended to me a dish that I never would think to order - oeufs meurettes. What? Eggs at night? Cooked in red wine? Lots of butter? Are you kidding me? It sounded so heavy and so not my style. But Tom assured me that I would love it despite my claims to the contrary and, honestly, he challenged me. Never one to back away from a (reasonable) challenge, I ordered it in butchered French. Well, he was right; I was practically licking my plate - how "Ugly American" of me. Here is a link to make these fine oeufs yourself. Bon Appétit*

*To be clear, in no way am I suggesting eating our offspring and I probably would not be cooking or eating these in the current 100 degree summer weather we are having - have some cold grapefruit sorbet instead.

Friday, July 16, 2010

So Salty



I love salt. I love crisp. So when the 2 are so beautifully blended together I am a happy camper. I was traveling across the country the last few days and, while waiting for my delayed flight in Phoenix,  I had the most fabulous fries. I can't remember the name of the place but it was right next to the Southwest gates. They were so perfect in fact that I didn't even realize my flight back into Burbank was more delayed than I thought and I could actually just jump on a flight to LA that was leaving in about 2 minutes and get to my husband a few hours sooner... Well, I had choices to make - I left my drink untouched but finished every last fry and made the flight. Happy camper. Happy Hubby.

Another great way to enjoy salt is the following, made with organic English cucumbers and smoked hickory salt - easy, crisp and refreshing:
1. slice the cucumber into 1/4-1/2 inch think circles
2. put on tray and sprinkle with hickory salt.
Done.
See easy step by step below...



Think you can do that?

And, thinking of salt -
Salted paper photographic prints are pretty cool to look at if done well. (Visit salted paper images on flickr.) Invented by a British photographer around 1840 and used primarily until around 1860 or so, the process uses a salt solution on paper whereby the resulting image is embedded in the paper instead of on it and the images are usually lacking in crisp detail, which I think creates the beauty in them.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Ya Ya Ya Ya


I spent the morning yesterday at the Ya Ya Living Showroom in Los Angeles and am in love with all of the handmade papers! Colors and textures abound! 
Shown above is an insert card folded into a tent size place card - I am using them tonight at a dinner party we are hosting for 30. The paper is handmade in India and then hand block printed with a traditional design. Behind the insert card is a one of a kind handmade pink and gold stamped stamped greeting card.
Insert cards sold in packs of 10 for $9, greeting cards are $8. Because they are handmade, there will be slight variations piece to piece.
Email me if interested.
Next week I will show off some of the exotic and handmade wrapping papers.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

The High Seas


We are experiencing the hottest and most humid summer here on the East Coast so this  photo capturing a calm moment on the high seas (the lake) is oh so cool(ing).

photo courtesy of Camp KenMont/KenWood Camps.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Winner of the Bamboo Stationery Contest






Congrats to Amanda N. - winner of the bamboo stationery to the left here. An Orrganics' favorite.

Oxford Court design, set of 8 notecards sustainably offset printed on bamboo paper, envelopes made from 100% post consumer recycled paper. Thanks to all who participated.


Fashion Diary Eco-fashion has gone in and out of style - latimes.com

I want to share this a link -
Fashion Diary Eco-fashion has gone in and out of style - latimes.com

I think this exhibit sounds really interesting  - take a look. The exhibit, "Eco-Fashion Going Green" is NYC at Fashion Institute of Technology now thru November 13th. It looks great - I will let you know.

In the meanwhile, what's going on in your closet? What are some of your best and worst Eco-fashion pieces? Please share them in the comment section below.

I love the double breasted cream wool coat with burnt orange/brown trim  and matching belt that my Grandma Vikki gave me when it got too small on her. I am guessing it is from the 1960s. Upcycle, recycle, vintage, used - whatever you call it, it has new life and I don't see it coming and going. I am also loving a recently acquired new summer dress from ecoSkin - it is so soft, made from organic cotton in the USA (and made with attention to the environment and safe labor practices).

Have a happy and safe 4th of July weekend!