Sometimes I Like Basic And Old



I couldn't take it anymore. It made me crazy looking at it. Although I like the aesthetic of the new Dynamic templates, I missed the basic and old blog with of its sidebar information. So, thanks for your advice and just offer up a comment to say hi or even to thank me for changing it back. Leave it here, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Apologies to all who couldn't comment. I didn't realize that I had left the comments OFF. Duh, me. I was testing the commenting for the upcoming blog hop and left it off.

Have a great weekend.
xo,
L

Sometimes I Like Basic And Old



I couldn't take it anymore. It made me crazy looking at it. Although I like the aesthetic of the new Dynamic templates, I missed the basic and old blog with of its sidebar information. So, thanks for your advice and just offer up a comment to say hi or even to thank me for changing it back. Leave it here, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Apologies to all who couldn't comment. I didn't realize that I had left the comments OFF. Duh, me. I was testing the commenting for the upcoming blog hop and left it off.

Have a great weekend.
xo, L


http://twitter.com/#!/lindalumdebono

Current Reads & A Book Giveaway Too!


Notice anything? I have been doing some behind the scenes techie stuff. I am working on updating my poor blog and website. Hello momma, where have you been!

First, I want to let you in a blog hop in November!! The Henry Glass designers are getting together again. It will be fun. Join us won't you? Details to come.


I have been doing some fun reading! Would you like to see? I just got the latest issue of American Patchwork & Quilting. Sue Spargo's ornaments are cute. I think that they'd make great gifts for my sewing friends.



Next, we have this special edition of Knit.Wear. Gorgeous photography and a couple of interesting things that I might make one day!


Oh, I didn't forget the book giveaway. There has been so much craziness around here that if I told you you wouldn't believe me! I won't bore you with the details. So, back to the giveaway of this lovely book. I contributed the pincushion project on the cover of this beauty.  There are lots of great projects that should get you motivated to start sewing for the holidays. As you may have noticed, I loaded up Blogger's new Dynamic blog template. Click on each of those themes up there at the top. Fun! The only problem is the lack of a sidebar and other things. All gone. My question is, do you like the old traditional blog or do you like this? Let me know! I'll probably have to switch back until they offer something better but for now it looks cool. You have until Monday night 8 p.m. I will announce next week.

Have a great weekend!

xo, L

Chic and Colorful

For my own apartment, I like a neutral backdrop with small pops of color.  But every once in a while I see a colorful home that makes me want to call up the painters and completely redo everything.  Veronica Swanson Beard's amazing triplex is one of them.  Interior designer Thomas Britt helped Veronica and her husband with the decor of the 4,000 square foot home.  You might remember that he worked on her sister Alexis Swanson Traina's San Francisco house as well.  It's clear this is a family who's not afraid of bold color and patterns. Harper's Bazaar just featured the house but I also found some photos on Thomas Britt's website that give you an idea of the layout.  I probably won't end up painting my walls, but I just might reupholster my sofa in that amazing chartreuse green color.  Baby steps. 











Photos for Harper's Bazaar by Ditte Isager

Bacon & Peas with Orzo

title
You know how I value me-time. In fact, I stand firm that it is the most unselfish act you can perform. When you take care of yourself and treat yourself to a special time that is just for you, to relax, recharge, or just buy a pair of pointy-toed fuchsia shoes without comments, you are actually doing the world a favor.

Yes you are!

You are making sure that you cultivate the most good-natured, thoughtful, and sane version of yourself to interact with other humans. Really now, who can fault you for that?

And any me-time, should also have me-food. French toast, Nutella, pancakes, cream sauces, chocolate, bone marrow, fancy-pants food in tiny but painfully pretty portions, a bowl of truffle mac n cheese as big as my head, bacon/egg/mayo sandwiches.

And peas.

Yes, peas! For the most part, at least among those I see often, I am alone in my pea-love. But I don’t let that hamper my passion. I simply enjoy them on my own.

Bacon & Peas with Orzo
  • 1/3 cup orzo (about 70 grams)
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • Olive oil
  • 2 strips of bacon (about 50-60 grams), chopped
  • A pinch of fresh mint leaves
  • A generous grating of pecorino
- Cook the orzo in salted boiling water as per package directions. About 5-7 minutes before the orzo is done, chuck the peas into the pot. When orzo is done and peas are soft drain in a colander.
- While the orzo and peas are cooking, heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add a scant amount of olive oil to the hot pan, swirl, and lay your bacon in. Cook bacon until almost crisp. Drain excess oil from pan (save those bacon drippings!) but leave some (about a teaspoon full…maybe a bit more, I won’t tell) in the pan.
- Add the orzo and peas to the hot pan with the bacon. Toss a few time and transfer to a bowl. Add the mint leaves to the warm orzo/peas/bacon and toss again. Top with a generous grating of pecorino. Enjoy!
- Serves 1 happy camper :)

Peas and bacon are a match made in the heaven I believe exists (along with hot showers + cold sheets, okra + shrimp paste, and good books + pajama naps). For me there is really something special about the pairing of smoky/fatty pork and green veggies. They complement each other perfectly in taste and balance each others’ intentions. And orzo, oh orzo, a pasta that looks like rice…I’m sold! Make sure to keep some extra pecorino on the side because you may just need an extra dusting when you’re at the middle of your bowl.

When C saw the photo of this dish he sat up with surprise saying, “Where did that come from?”. “I made it for my lunch while you were at work.” “Is that special food?”, he says. “No, it’s just something I made for myself…it isn’t really your type right?”. Not one for false flattery, he looked at me and said, “Not really” with a sheepish smile.

Afterwards though, I realized, it is special food…it’s mine. And if you’re a pea lover, it can be yours too :) Happy weekend!

Chic on Crosby Street

Crosby Street is one of my favorite places in New York.  Even though it's a block from Broadway, it's always quiet.  I'm a little jealous that Devon Radziwill lives on this chic street but excited to peek into her loft via APT with LSD on Vogue.com.  Needless to say, I love the artwork and library.












Photos by Claiborne Swanson Frank

Lady Lisette has graced me with an award...

...Which I mostly humbly accept :)  Merci beaucoup, Lisette!



The rules after accepting the Versatile Blogger Award are:
1. Thank the person who gave the award and link back to them in your post
2. Share 7 things about yourself 
3. Pass this award along to recently discovered blogs

Ok, here's seven things about me you probably didn't know:

1. I was a seriously ugly baby.  True story: My family and I were cleaning out my grandfather's house after he passed away and I happened upon a picture of a baby on one of the mantles.  I pick it up and begin to ask my father who they horribly ugly baby was, the face was all smashed up, and sweet jeezus, look at that mess of hair.  My father about peed himself.  He said, with tears rolling down his cheeks, "That's you."  That picture is now proudly displayed on my bookcase.
(This is not the photo, but you can see some of the craziness that was going on with my face).


2.  I have been obsessed with the BBC Drama "North and South" for the last two weeks.  No, not the one with Patrick Swayze - the one with Richard Armitage.  The first time I saw it, I broke out into a sweat during the train scene.

 

3.  I am crazy allergic to MSG.  Before I eat something that I don't recognize, I have to check the label (so that rules out some potato chips, boxed potatoes, frozen meals, Ramen noodles, Chef Boy R Dee, etc).  I'm careful in restaurants to avoid fish, peanut, and "special" sauces.  If I happen to eat some, the resulting headache will occur based on the concentration I've consumed.  I once tried a bite of my friend's Chinese food and it gave me a blinding migraine. I ended up on my bathroom floor in agony.  It's an annoying allergy, but I work around it pretty well.




 
4.  I grew up wanting to be a tornado chaser.  If money hadn't been an issue (oh, in-state tuition, you big silly you), I may have tried to get into a meteorology program in Oklahoma.  If this whole career in Human Resources doesn't pan out, I might just end up going in that direction.


5. I have a fear of escalators.  I blame it on Rescue 911 (that show also had a tornado episode...interesting).

6.  I may or may not be running the marathon ... my left leg is feeling pretty stabby, and I nearly wiped out today trying to run across the street.  I get an "injury assessment" tomorrow, so let's hope it's not a stress fracture, shall we? I can live with missing the marathon, but not the Princess Half Marathon!

7.  I love being on time or early for functions/get togethers/etc. My college professor said it best: "If you're early, you're on time.  If you're on time, you're late.  If you're late, don't bother coming in." I truly believe that and make every effort to be "on time" when I am going somewhere. 

Many thanks to the Lady Lisette for giving me an award (little does she know that I am going to hug/tackle her if I see her in NYC!!)

Speaking of NYC...

TWO DAYS!!!!

Holy wow oh jeeeez.

I've been randomly breaking out into laughter.  Rob thinks I am crazy, but I am simply imagining all the insanity that is going to happen and the resulting joy.  He totally gets it: I went to buy something (I didn't need) and he said, "That could be $10 you spend on fabric in NYC."  *Boom* $10 goes back in my wallet.  Love that man and his practical thinking :)

I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and having the most epic day ever!!

And for the lovely bloggers who I am passing this award on to...

House of Pinheiro
Jodi of Jodiewodes
Charlotte of Heart's Cottage Vintage Sewing
and Becky of Becky and the Beanstalk

A Wonderful Studio Tour Weekend!

What a whirlwind leading up to the studio tour this past weekend.
We were busy finishing jewelry and fused glass pieces, putting final touches on displays, and creating our Mary Allen Studio tour sign to put in front of the house. The weekend started with a "walkabout" on Friday night for artists on the tour to see each other's work.
Even though it was dark and rainy, we were happy that quite a few artists stopped at our place to see our final set-up. It was great to travel to some other locations too, and to meet and chat with other artists on the tour. There's so much artistic talent among the Mary Allen Studio Tour participants!

On Saturday morning we put out the signs...



opened the front door...


and waited to see who would arrive....


What a busy weekend! We reconnected with friends and neighbours and made lots of new friends, too!







Thank you to all who were able to come to the studio tour. It was such a boost for us to have such a good turnout and to see your enthusiasm for our work.

We have spent the last few days catching our breath at the cottage. Yesterday, we got out our little foldable bikes and went on an adventure to Inverhuron to find some raw materials for our beach stone necklaces! Such an arduous task! Now we'll take a good look at our beach stone collection and start creating for the November show!



Happy Birthday, Angie!!!!

The Chicest Hair Salon

Fashion week moves to Paris as do all the editors, buyers and bloggers.  I bet a few of them will be visiting the David Mallett hair salon for a brushing which is what the French call a blow out.  If I ever move to Paris, I'm going to David Mallett just so I can hang out in his gorgeous salon. The Australian born hairstylist has lived in Paris for 18 years and is a frequent visitor to the flea markets and antique shops.  He decorated the entire salon and his own apartment although, I've only seen a few tiny photos of the latter.  I hope French AD is working on a feature because if it's anything like the salon, I'm sure I will love it.