Lee Anderson Couture

I am in love with Lee Anderson Couture. In 1980, Lee Anderson established her design business in a townhouse just off Madison Avenue. The Lee Anderson collection was featured at Barney's New York, Bergdorf Goodman and fine specialty stores across the United States. Lee now designs her couture clothing from her new location on 988 Lexington Avenue. If you can't see her Fall 2010 collection in person, then be sure to visit her website.

{products+love} Colin Cowie is Masterful with Coral

Leave it to Colin Cowie to make such an exquisite statement in coral. Each piece of his chic collection is bold yet delicate, providing that extra something special to help you create a perfectly appointed table or room. Such taste... Have a wonderful weekend!

(Coral Appetizer Plates Set of 8, Beaded Pearl-Style Napkin Rings & Set of 2 Decorative Pillows available for purchase at The Home Shopping Network)

*photography via Home Shopping Network

Drum roll...pleazzze

We pulled names from a hat this morning (old fashion styles)...and the winners of the Organic Acai Powder are....

Indonesia-Eats

Tasty Tracks

Andrea

Shana

The french

Please email me your address!

Thanks to everyone who left a comment.

P.S. I am having another giveaway really soon

Neat & Potatoes

Its no surprise that people love their neat & potatoes...this is just a different version of it.

For the neat part, I soaked about 2 cups worth of kidney beans and cooked them up until they were really soft.

The secret behind the fluffiest mash potatoes is a ricer. I found mine at the thrift store. Its pretty cool, heavy duty and red. Its probably one of the most overlooked pieces that you can have in your kitchen. A masher just doesn't give you the same consistency. If you like the no-lumps in your potatoes, invest in one ( or find one :)

We have a friend staying with us...who is also a vegan. Which is nice because it means I don't have to cook around him so to speak. Its always hard to cater to non-vegans.haha

My mom said to me this afternoon...that is hard to go out to restaurants with "me" because I can't eat anything. Which got me thinking, about meat and potato people. Why does everything most people eat revolve around meat? When there is so many other tastier, healthier, greener options out there?
I ate meat...back in the day, but honestly I have never felt better (becoming vegan) in my life.....

Neat Balls

2 cups cooked kidney beans (really, really soft)
1 onion- minced
1 tbsp ground sage
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
1 tbsp tamari
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 cup oats


Mash everything together in a large bowl.
Form into balls and bake at 400 on a greased cookie sheet
for 25-30 minutes

More of my favorite places and quick cinnamon oatmeal...camping styles

We went camping for the last few days....It was amazing! If you live in Nova Scotia there are many provincial parks that offer great camping, our favorite is Risser Beach. If you ever have the chance, you should visit there. When its sunny out the beaches are beautiful.  This is just some of the beauty we seen....
 

  Rissers Beach

our camp

 

 Luna

Early morning

Carters beach

I know that oatmeal is not for everyone...but my littlest one LOVES it! Its pretty simple to make and because this is my food blog/diary , I thought I would share it :) 

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup organic quick oats

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3 tbsp raisins (optional)

maple syrup ( a must!!:)

non-dairy milk

bring the pot of water to a boil, add oats,cinnamon,and raisins.

Cook for 3-4 minutes. Stirring until thickens

Spoon into a bowl and pour on the maple and milk!!

Good to the last drop

Don't forget to enter my Acai powder Giveaway!

{idea notebook} Stenciled Window Shade

Transform a simple window shade with a charming stencil. I love this idea taken from Country Living's July/August 2010 issue!

"Painting this birdcage motif is a snap, thanks to a goof-proof stencil ($26; 9"Wx14"H; designerstencils.com). Simply center the stencil on the front side of a bamboo shade- ours cost $21.50 at pearlriver.com- so that the top of the design lines up with the top of the shade; secure with painter's tape. Following the stencil package directions, use a stencil brush ($1.99; joann.com) and acrylic paint to gently tamp the design onto the shade. Let dry for 30 minutes, then apply a second coat. Wait another 30 minutes before carefully removing the stencil. Allow the shade to dry for an hour before hanging.
-Laura Fenton" (Country Living July/August 2010)


*photography via Country Living

Home Interior Decorating

We all love beautiful things. So, our homes must be the one of them, and therefore, the home décor is very important. Most of us enjoy making our homes more than a mere structure made up of four walls and a roof. Home decor styles range from a number of themes, designs, and materials.
While planning your home decor project, you can either opt for the theme being implemented throughout the house or use one specific theme for a specific room. For example, a house was once designed in such a way that each room was decorated with the styles of the different countries the home owner had visited. All rooms included authentic art and furniture from each visited country.

Baca selengkapnya »

Profile: David Oliver

A few weeks ago I was invited by my friend Elizabeth Blitzer to come to London to meet color guru David Oliver, proprietor of Paper and Paint Library. The occasion was Simon Upton’s photo shoot of David and Veere Grenney’s home for an upcoming issue of Veranda.

David and Veere have long been among my favorite talents. Christened the “Rock Star of Color” by the New York Times, the Australian native is equal parts talent and charm.

David has an amazing understanding of color and a wonderful library of vintage books filled with samples of wallpaper and paint colors from the early 1900s, that we were fortunate enough to browse. Each book, complete with rubbed binding and wear from repeated use, are little gems.

A lover of color, patterns and texture, David makes the process of selecting paint colors sound exceedingly simple and exciting. His paints are now available in the US through Stark Paint, under the label “Colours by David Oliver.” David also penned "Paint and Paper: In Decoration," a gorgeous book with stunning, colourful interiors. It is easy to see why he is the choice of such clients as Chelsea Clinton and Tony Blair.

Thank you to David, Simon and Dara Caponigro for allowing me to snap a few behind the scenes shots of the photo shoot.

What is your favorite luxury in life? 

A box of sharpened lead pencils or a blue fountain pen.

How would you describe your personal style?

Natural, loyal, confident, passionate.



What is your most prized possession? 

My eyesight. 20/20 vision I’m highly visual.



What is your idea of earthly happiness? 

Spring and watching my garden grow—unleashing it’s inner blonde and being summerlicious.

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without? 

My Camera 



What inspires your creativity and designs? 

People, art, cinema, travel, graphics in everyday objects.


Who are your style icons? 


Queen Elizabeth II - Jewelry

Robert Taylor - Architect

Billy Baldwin - Interior designer

Helmut Newton - Photographer

Pedro Almodovar - Film Director

Isabella Rossellini - Actress

Guru Danger - Showgirl

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project? 

The Prince of Wales



What books are currently on your bedside table? 

Prince Felix Youssoupoff—Lost Splendour 

Caroline Moorehead—Dancing to the Precipice
Matt Albiani—Lifeguards on Duty

5th July 2010 The Royal Opera House Programme—Simon Boccanegra


Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?

Veere Grenney and my children Edward and Cosmo Oliver.

Interior Photos and Profile by Ronda Carman

{inspiration} A Perfect Dining Space

Happy Monday everyone! To continue with my adoration of all things summer I thought I would share this great dining moment. Perfect white slipcovers & cushions nestle so lovely next to the dark wicker chairs and rustic wood table. A pop of fresh blooming flowers and a wonderful backdrop of cabinetry glass add the great contrast of hard and soft. I love when feminine and industrial meet and work together to make something wonderfully un-cookie cutter. And how elegant a pair of industrial pendant lamps can look when hanging over this serene setting. Nothing matches perfectly but it all perfectly works. Enjoy the warm breeze!

*photography via {this is glamorous}

Salad on Sunday: Baked Feta and Walnuts

While surfing for a new recipe I came across MediterrAsian - a culinary journey exploring the wonderful and healthy cuisines of the Mediterranean and Asia. I fell in love with this rustic Greek-style salad with baked feta cheese, walnuts, mixed salad leaves, thinly sliced fresh radish and zucchini, tossed with a tangy lemon garlic dressing.

2 teaspoons plus 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon fresh oregano
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 oz (180g) feta cheese, cut into small cubes
2/3 cup raw walnuts
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons lemon juice
Pinch of sea salt
6 cups mixed salad
2 radishes, very thinly sliced
1 zucchini, very thinly sliced



Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Mix 2 teaspoons of olive oil with the oregano and black pepper in a bowl and toss through the cubed feta cheese to coat well.

Arrange the feta cubes on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Place the walnuts on a separate baking tray and bake for the final 3 minutes of cooking, then roughly chop.

Mix the remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and salt in a jar with a lid and shake to combine. In a large bowl, toss with half the dressing with the salad leaves, radish slices and zucchini. Top each salad with baked feta and walnuts. Drizzle salads with the remaining dressing to serve.

Banana, Avocado, Chocolate smoothie GIVEAWAY!!

This is the most amazing smoothie EVER!! I promise if you love chocolate, you will LOVE this! Avocado pairs really well with chocolate, and the banana...well its a match made in heaven. CHOCOLATE HEAVEN.

2 bananas

1 avocado

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 tbsp maple syrup

1/2 cup ice 

1 cup non-dairy milk

1tsp Acai powder

kid approved

A Canadian company Earth Notions sent me a bunch of Organic Acai powder. I have never used Acai powder before so I had to do a little research on it.  I have read that it has health benefits, along with the essential fatty acids and is very high in antioxidants.There is only one ingredient  Organic Acai fruit, which is what you want when you are buying Acai products.With anything its important to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. 

If you would like to try out some Organic Acai powder just leave a comment, one comment per person please...and you will be entered to win a bag! ( there will be 5 winners!!)

RUMAH UNIK (BAGIAN 3)

Cactus House – The Netherlands
The balconies of the Cactus House apartment building in Rotterdam were designed to maximize outdoor gardening space for tenants.

Gangster House – Russia
This soaring wooden tower in Archangelsk, Russia was built by local gangster Nikolai Sutyagin. He never quite got around to finishing its construction – he was jailed before the work was completed.

Cube Houses – The Netherlands
The Dutch seem to be building more than their fair share of interesting houses, as evidenced by these “cube houses” in Rotterdam. Architect Piet Blom intentionally tipped the houses 45 degrees on their side. Cutting edge yes, but not good for those with vertigo.

Wooden Sphere House – Canada
The sphere house in British Columbia, Canada takes simplicity to a whole new level. The sphere is anchored to its surroundings using ropes and spiral staircases.

Habitat 67 – Canada
These playful apartments in Montreal feature a unique building block design.

Wozoco Apartments – The Netherlands
This “hanging” apartment building near Amsterdam uses some clever architecture to get around local zoning laws. Dutch laws require sunlight for all units, so the builders simply hung part of the building above the ground allowing for extra square footage and sun for the tenants below.

Pod House – New York
Located in New Rochelle, the Pod House’s interesting organic design is based on the structure of a weed called Queen Anne’s Lace.

Berman House – Australia
The Berman House in Joadja, Australia hangs over a deep canyon below. I’m sure the views must be spectacular.

Rotating House – Germany
Architect Rolf Disch was thinking green when he built this structure near Freiburg, Germany. The house rotates with the movement of the sun in winter to save on heating costs. Maybe there’s a renter’s discount if you get dizzy easily?

Mushroom House – Ohio
For only $400,000, you could be living in your own fairytale-style mushroom house located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Floating House – Ukraine
Though it seems to defy the laws of nature, this structure in the Ukraine is apparently supported by the beams on the right hand side of the image. It looks a bit fake, don’t you think?

Upside-Down House – Poland
This structure is not a mistake. The upside-down house really was built just as it looks. Designer Daniel Czapiewski created it as a critique of the “upside-down” nature of his country’s former communist government. Located in Szymbark, Poland.

Sumber : RP_Sipahutar

RUMAH UNIK (BAGIAN 2)

Desain dan interior rumah merupakan cerminan pribadi pemiliknya. Tak heran jika banyak keluarga yang menolak tinggal di sebuah kompleks perumahan siap huni. Mereka umumnya enggan menempati rumah 'kembar' dengan para tetangga.

Mereka lebih memilih berkreasi sendiri untuk membangun rumah impian. Mereka bahkan tak ragu mendesain tempat tinggal mereka dengan bentuk-bentuk tak lazim. Rumah merupakan cerminan kepribadian dari pemiliknya. Bagi seorang yang sudah mapan, rumah seringkali dijadikan cerminan kemapanannya, sebagai bentuk perwujudan dari pencapaiannya dalam hidup. Bagi sebuah keluarga muda, rumah didambakan sebagai tempat yang disimbolkan sebagai permulaan untuk menjalani kehidupan panjang dan penuh perjuangan dalam rangka mencapai kebahagiaan.

Demi perwujudan dari simbol – simbol tersebut, banyak orang rela merogoh dalam koceknya, demi terwujudnya sebuah Rumah Idaman.

Tapi, terpikirkah oleh anda bagaimana cara pandang seorang seniman terhadap sebuah rumah? Type seperti apakah rumah yang mereka idamkan?

Bagi seorang seniman, rumah adalah sebuah ‘kanvas’ atau media untuk mewujudkan ekspresi jiwa seninya. Penasaran bagaimana bentuknya?

Berikut adalah rumah-rumah unik, yang mungkin saja bisa menginspirasi Anda, untuk berkreasi menciptakan tempat tinggal yang menonjolkan karakter keluarga.

1. Rumah Pesawat Luar Angkasa



Rumah unik ini terletak di 1408 Palisades Road, Chattanooga, negara bagian Tennessee, Amerika Serikat. Rumah berdiri di atas lahan 2000 square feet atau setara dengan 185,8 meter persegi. Dalam rumah terdapat tiga kamar tidur, dua kamar mandi, dapur, ruang keluarga, dan bar terbuka.



2. Rumah Teko



Rumah teko sebenarnya pompa bensin kecil yang dibangun pada 1922. Pembangunannya untuk menyindir skandal 'Teapot Dome' Presiden Harding dan badan federal cadangan minyak bumi di Wyoming. Rumah teko itu merupakan pompa bensin tertua di negara bagian tersebut dan tidak lagi digunakan.

3. Rumah Boeing 727



Menjadikan pesawat boeing sebagai rumah tentu tidak murah. Dibutuhkan dana sekitar US$ 2.000 atau sekitar 20 juta untuk membangunnya. Itu belum termasuk biaya pemindahan senilai US$ 4.000, dan biaya renovasi senilai US$ 24.000.

Rumah yang memilik total investasi senilai US$ 30.000 itu dilengkapi dengan tangga terbuka dan pintu garasi yang dilengkapi remote control. Kamar mandi pesawat dibiarkan utuh dan terdapat jacuzzi di bagian kokpit.

4. Rumah Toilet



Rumah berbentuk toilet ini dinamakan Haewoojae, yang berarti rumah untuk memuaskan kekhawatiran pria. Terletak di Suwon, sekitar 46 km (29 mil) sebelah selatan Seoul, Korea Selatan. Aktivis sanitasi Korea Selatan akan menandai awal munculnya asosiasi toilet global pada 21 November 2007, dengan mengangkat tutup pada rumah toilet pertama di dunia yang memiliki banyak ruang penyimpanan air.

5. Rumah Kerang



Rumah berbentuk kerang lengkap dengan kamar tidur, kamar mandi dan dapur ini dirancang dan dibangun oleh tim dari Senosiain Arquitectos di Mexico City, Meksiko.

6. Rumah Sepatu



Sepatu warna coklat, berukuran besar dan bisa dimasuki manusia. Itu adalah rumah sepatu yang terletak di Hellam, Pennsylvania, Amerika Serikat. Dibuat oleh Kolonel Mahlon M. Haines, seorang ahli pembuat sepatu, pada 1948. Terdiri tiga kamar tidur, dua kamar mandi, dapur dan ruang keluarga. Sempat menjadi tempat penyimpanan es krim, rumah sepatu tersebut saat ini menjadi sebuah museum.

7. Rumah terbalik



Rumah yang membuat pusing orang yang melihatnya karena terbalik ini terletak di Szymbark, Polandia. Diciptakan oleh Daniel Czapiewski untuk mendeskripsikan masa komunis dan kondisi saat ini.

8. Rumah Kubus




Terletak di Rotterdam, Belanda, rumah kubus terdiri 32 rumah yang berhubungan satu sama lain. Rumah yang tiap kubusnya terdiri dari tiga lantai, ini dirancang oleh Piet Blom pada 1984.

9. Rumah Gelembung



Rumah yang berhias gelembung-gelembung ini terletak di Cannes, Prancis. Pada awal tahun 1980an, perancang busana ternama, Pierre Cardin, membeli rumah unik ini untuk liburan musim panas. Rumah gelembung dirancang oleh Antti Lovag.

10. Rumah Eliphante



Proses pembuatan rumah Eliphante ini memakan waktu yang sangat lama yaitu 28 tahun. Hal itu karena pasangan suami istri pemilik rumah, Michael Kahn dan Leda Livanti, membangunnya dengan tangan sendiri. Terletak di Conrville, Arizona, Amerika Serikat, rumah ini terlihat seperti galeri seni karena menjadikan sisa-sisa bangunan sebagai hiasan pada dinding rumah.

11. Crooked House



Bangunan dengan luas 4.000 meter persegi ini terletak di daerah perbelanjaan di Sopot, Polandia. Didesain oleh arsitek asal Polandia bernama Szotynscy Zaleski, gedung ini menjadi obyek yang paling sering difoto di negara Polandia.

12. Rumah Piano



Bangunan unik berbentuk piano ini terletak di Propinsi An Hui, Cina. Pada bagian biolanya ada eskalator menuju ke dalam gedung dan di bagian dalamnya terdapat rencana-rencana pembangunan di propinsi tersebut untuk menarik para investor yang ating.

13. Longaberber Basket Company HQ – Newark, Ohio



Bangunan ini berawal dari mimpi Dave Longaberger, pendiri The Longaberger Company, untuk membangun kantornya dengan desain keranjang besar. Ide pemilik perusahaan yang memproduksi keranjang-keranjang dari kayu ini awalnya ditertawakan oleh semua orang, termasuk dari para arsitek, investor, dan perusahaan konstruksi. Tapi David tetap mewujudkan mimpi tersebut dan pada 17 Desember 1997 akhirnya bangunan tersebut berdiri dan menjadi salah satu gedung yang terkenal di seluruh dunia.

14. Replay’s Building



Pada tahun 1812, gempa bumi dengan kekuatan lebih dari 8 SR mengguncang New Madrid, Missouri dan menghancurkan semua bangunan. Well, hampir semua. Salah satu bangunan yang ‘selamat’ adalah bangunan yang retak ini dan kini menjadi bagian dari daftar bangunan unik di Ripley's Believe It or Not.

15. Dancing House



Desain bangunan ini memang terlihat terlalu moderen dan menjadi kontroversial di jamannya. Namun presiden Ceko saat itu, Václav Havel, sangat menyukainya dan berharap gedung ini akan menjadi pusat aktifitas kebudayaan nantinya.

Gedung ini dinamai “Fred and Ginger”, yang merupakan nama penyanyi dan penari terkenal asal Amerika, karena sekilas gedung ini mirip dengan sepasang penari. (fn/vs/rlk/pkt) suaramedia.com