the cottage log

fruits of labor. first feast of 2011

2011-01-05T10:35:00.000-08:00

last night was our first dinner together at home of 2011.

simplicity, homemade and good wine were on the menu. smoked salmon, oysters, cheese, capers and red onion accompanied by homemade irish brown bread and fresh satsuma mandarin and a light but earthy syrah.

after all the holiday travel and eating out it was so nice to finally be home again sharing a meal - this dinner was the perfect way to set off the new year. we make a conscious decision to eat at home as much as possible. We also eat meat only about once a week if that. I have been reading Anthony Bourdain's newest book "Medium Raw: a bloody valentine to the world of food and the people who cook" and while its written in his expectedly brash and sometimes over the top style he raises some interesting points about the importance of featuring meat as the main part of the meal or as the case may be moving away from it as the focal point.

we are lucky enough to live in a part of california that is food-centric and always has an amazing selection of fresh vegg. making it easier to choose an eating style which features more veggies and very little meat. im by no means a vegetarian (though i was earlier in life for about 10yrs) but personally i notice a huge difference in the way i feel physically when i eat less meat and more vegg.

I am going to be more diligent in 2011 about doing more fruits of labor posts and sharing more recipes. I will also be introducing a new weekly column - Wednesday Wine Files look for that to start next week!

find the recipe for the brown bread here.

glasses pictured can be found in the shop

a little time away

2011-01-04T21:36:00.000-08:00

no no i was not abducted by design obsessed aliens... though that doesn't sound so bad actually. I have been away visiting with friends and getting in lots of great skiing up at lake tahoe. We had a great week - the snow was spectacular and the company wonderful.

we have been ringing in the new year this way for the last few years and i cant think of a place i would rather be - growing up in new england i love snow and ice and all things winter and this place fills the craving for me each and every time.

powder days for 4 days straight. its the best gift i could get.

isnt the view gorgeous?!!

2011-01-01T05:19:00.000-08:00

happy new year!

i wish everyone the best for 2011. i cant wait to see what will happen this year and what new things i will learn and discover.

my new years resolution : read more books. i got a kindle for christmas & im excited to use it.

i also have something things happening in the next few weeks that im so excited to share with you - stay tuned.

xoxo K

2010-12-27T11:02:00.000-08:00

hi everyone. i hope you all have had a wonderful holiday and are snug and warm. i spent the holiday on the east coast with my family and lots of childhood friends. it was so wonderful to be surrounded by so much love.

yesterday the east cost was hammered by a wild winter storm and a blizzard has blanketed most of it in feet of snow. my flight was the last flight out of boston before they closed the airport down. it was lucky to make it out and now im home safe and sound. its strange to fly out of a blizzard, but sf is beautiful and im going to bundle up and go for a walk on the beach today. SOS will be home from ireland soon too and we are going to head to tahoe where we will ring in the new year.

what did you all do for the holiday?? hope you had safe and easy travels too.

image courtesy of lisacohenphotography

somethings brewing

2010-12-14T18:11:00.000-08:00

it may be cold and frightful outside - but tea makes it all better. nothing makes my morning more delightful than having a big pot of tea brewed on the stove -

ive been loving these vintage, and vintage inspired teapots. mine is looking a little well, loved at this point perhaps its time for a new one .....

vintage percolator retrokitchenstore

enamel hot water kettle barkingsands vintage

occupied japan teapot timberstoys

white enamel tea pot kettle foxandthomas

vintage white ceramic tea kettle kizzyrayan123

shungyo japanese stoneware teapot zoe28

DWR

neest is nice

2010-12-14T07:29:00.000-08:00

ive seen neest advertised in the side margins of a few of my favorite blogs, a few days ago i finally clicked on it, much to my delight this little french shop is filled with the loveliest of thing.

lovely and very farmhouse chic, non?

trimmings and trappings, part 3

2010-12-13T08:53:00.000-08:00

another installment of my trimmings and trappings series. today is all about the Dala horse

this is perhaps one of my most favorite holiday traditions. the dala horse (or dalecarlian horse) is from the province of dalarna in sweden. traditionally the dala is a small hand carved wooden horse with beautiful folk designs painted over a red or blue background.

my grandmother used to set hers out with a few evergreens around the holidays, thought they are not traditionally associated with christmas, in my mind they are synonymous.

originally carved out of scrap wood for children - a figure of a horse was the obvious choice given its place of value in the logging and farming communities where these figures were first made.

some also believe that the bright folk painting seen in the harness design on the dala horse originates from the elaborate wall paintings seen in the palaces and homes of the wealthy in historic sweden. the bright decoration in the kurbit, or flower patterned saddle, was regularly added to the horse beginning in the 1800s.

i particularly love this matte black horse from swedishness.

simple sundays

2010-12-12T09:14:00.001-08:00

December...

image via greige

Sawkille Collective

2010-12-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

im actually sorta at a loss for words - having just stumbled upon the beautiful work being made here at the Sawkille Collective.

tucked away in the catskill mountains a group of artists are working to create some of the most inspired american furniture i have ever seen. I love how it plays off the familiar shaker styles so indicative of this region - simple, functional,beautiful - but with an ultra modern twist.

bravo! i cant wait to visit and oh how honored i would be to have one of these extra lean stools in home

trimmings and trappings, part 2

2010-12-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

like many of you i am so excited to decorate for the holidays. even in my teeny tiny apartment a few holiday baubles and such appear here and there.

I also love how most of us have some association with tradition or ritual practiced over and over again at this time of year and often handed down from generation to generation.

In my family one of those things is polishing all of the beautiful brass candlesticks. My mother has quite a collection - I love the way the brass looks mixed in among the greenery here at ACountryFarmhouse. so simple and pretty dont you agree?

start your own collection - these 4 brass candlesticks in the shop are a gorgeous grouping and would make a lovely gift for the tastemaker in your life.

trimmings and trappings

2010-12-06T10:14:00.001-08:00

an unconventional christmas tree -

Indie Craft Fundraiser - Sneak Peek

2010-12-01T12:08:00.000-08:00

tomorrow is the day! and im so excited to be participating in the Indie Craft Fundraiser with a group of very talented bay area artists and fellow etsiers.

here is a little sneak peak of my table for the event!! hope to see you all there tomorrow DEC 2 from 6-9 at the Hotel Rex

In bed

2010-11-23T08:15:00.000-08:00

after 7 years i decided it was time for new bedding. I feel like recently my tastes have been moving in a different directions and i know they are different (though not drastically so) than they were 7 years ago.

since i live in a tiny studio the bed becomes a huge focal point. i decided to go with pretty neutral colors and load up on texture.

I went with this duvet in white from west elm and these shams.

for a bit of fun i recovered my big pillow with this ikea fabric -

what do you think? now im just on the search for a charcoal bed skirt - yes im a bed skirt person - but the tailored straight lined kind.

simple sundays

2010-11-21T12:52:00.000-08:00

my week has been a crazy one. I worked so many 15hour days in a row that i can barely move - but the wedding looked so beautiful in the end it was worth it.

im also getting ready for the fabulous Indie Craft Fundraiser. my apartment has little grouping of things here and there that im considering bringing to the show.

Im headed back east to see my family for thanksgiving. Im so excited to visit with my gram.

And...im restless. I want to change many things all at the same time but i know i cant so im patiently working one step at a time.

i love this image, though im terrible and cant remember where i found it, the lines of the chair and the simply little conversion of the dresser. so pretty.

Happy Sunday everyone! and cheers for a great new week.

Past Present Future

2010-11-16T05:11:00.000-08:00

I love vintage, like really really love it. I will wake up at ungodly hours excited to look for it, walk miles to get to it (anyone whos been to the alameda flea market knows what im talking about) and there is nothing more exciting that catching just a glimpse of something out of the corner of your eye digging through a pile and finding its better than you could have imagined now matter how dusty, ratty or neglected it may look to others. And then there's the stories that the pieces are able to tell. might i be romanticizing this a tad, perhaps but then again....

while all this is wonderful and motivates me most days there is something else that i probably dont think about often enough until its right in front of me -

the other day i opened my email to this lovely little note from a customer who had purchased the above leather attache case

I love the folder. I googled the company (salz) and made an interesting discovery that the site where they had operated until 2001 underwent a soil and water remediation in 2006. It reminded me in vivid terms how buying vintage makes a lighter footprint on our little planet. Thanks for being part of that in such an elegant way.

i just wanted to take a minute to think about how truly important buying vintage is. It reduces many harmful pressures on our world and reintroduces beautiful parts of our past into our lives.

a quick history of the salz tannery, if your interested. its really very interesting. Ansel Adams was hired to document the company through photographs.

interlude

2010-11-13T05:12:00.000-08:00

im off setting up a wedding today. so i though i would just post a few kitchen photos that ive been ogling on my desktop

hope you are enjoying your weekends. Im very excited for my madmen party tonight and to finally wear my outfit.

be back soon!

**my apologies but except for the last photo from sacramento street these images have been on my desktop a while and i dont remember where they are from~

Indie Craft Fundraiser

2010-11-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

im so excited to be participating in the Indie Craft Fundraiser. Samantha at Noteify has put together an amazing lineup of bay area artists, crafters and vintage-ers. And the part im most excited about is that its a fundraiser for the writing center at 826 Valencia. This program is fantastic, and as i was a lit major in college, something i think is incredibly important for kids to get into. The center helps students with their writing skills and gets the excited about the literary arts.

the event has great sponsors and so many beautiful vendors. I hope you'll stop in and say hello. Its Dec. 2nd from 6-9 and promises to be a very fun filled evening.

see you there!

Ikeas greatest hits

2010-11-10T07:32:00.000-08:00

went to ikea yesterday. Big mistake. I havent been there for ages and im not sure if it changed or i have but i wanted E.V.E.R.Y.THING!

here is my greatest hits list.

what do you love from this mega store?

fruits of labor. Irish Brown Bread

2010-11-08T22:30:00.000-08:00

the fall season is well upon us here in San Francisco. With chilly temps and driving rains you can be sure to find me in the kitchen most days. Nothing fills a house better than the smell of baking bread.

Inspired by these lovely photographs via eastsidebride by Susanna Howe. im sharing a very special recipe- for irish brown bread. The recipe came to me via SOS's mom and what i love about it is that it has been worked on and adapted over the years by her and her 8 sisters to reach its current state.

below is the recipe. enjoy and let me know if you have any questions I would be happy to help!

This recipe makes 2 loafs and I use 8 x 4" loaf pans. see them here.

wholefood bulk section is a great place to find many of these ingredients.

Pre heat the oven to 400.

Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

1 3/4 C course ground whole wheat or brown flour.

1/2 C self rising white flour

1/2 C oat bran

1/2 C steel cut oats (not the instant kind)

1/4 C sesame seeds

1/4 C wheat germ

30 hazelnuts halved

2 tbsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tbsp brown sugar

mix all of these together gently.

Next begin to add in wet ingredients

1 pint of buttermilk

2 eggs beaten

3/4 C plain yogurt

mix all ingredients together very well and pour into greased loaf pans. batter should be quite wet. like a cake batter almost.

Bake for 45 mins at 400.

After 45 mins remove pans from oven and cover tops with tinfoil.

return pans to oven and continue baking for another 20 minutes.

total cooking time 1h 5m.

remove as soon as possible from pans and let cool.

in with the mcm. Swatches

2010-11-08T07:31:00.000-08:00

hoping everyone had a lovely weekend. It poured buckets here yesterday which i would normally love but i got rained out of Alameda - the huge once-a-month flea market and i was really looking forward to going.

I have been working on finding the right fabric for my mcm chair. I got a call from the upholsterer on friday saying they are just waiting on me for the fabrics. gulp. exciting but now i feel under pressure.

So far ive found a variety of light and dark heavy duty cotton/denim twill. I love this fabric. im just not sure its exactly what i want. though i am really loving that faint sort of houndstooth pattern.

Im going to check out another fabric store today.

simple sundays

2010-11-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

after the morning storm. a modern pirate ship perhaps.

party time.

2010-11-04T05:31:00.000-07:00

some friends are hosting a mad men themed birthday party next weekend! and im so excited for it.

since today is my birthday - i though i would share my birthday party suit ;) with everyone.

the earrings are from my collection of vintage Miriam Haskell jewelry. Her costume jewelry is one of my true indulgences in life.

the dress is from the lovely etsy shop PlanetClaireVintage check it out she has some amazing finds. i can not wait to dress up in this divine 1950's Jean Marchand number.

the stole and gloves are similar to the ones above. borrowed and vintage. i dont mind wearing a little vintage fur now and again -

the bag ill be carrying was my grandmothers. I love when i get to wear or use things that were hers - it makes me feel close to her even though shes been gone for a while now. find the bag above here.

and the shoes ive had forever! but ive always loved their vintage appeal. by seychelles

in with the mcm. To Welt or not to Welt.

2010-11-03T12:45:00.000-07:00

So yesterday i found an upholsterer to work on my chair. Its the cutest place. a couple started it in 1968 and they are still hard at work in their little studio. they also got a kick out of me bringing in the chair (i think because its come back around again) but they knew exactly what it should look like. BUT. then the question. what type of fabric and TO WELT OR NOT TO WELT.

the above two photos show chairs with similar frames and without welted pillows. I like the very tailored and clean look of them. I also love the patterned fabric (and the mouiller lamp in the second photo) but its not really my style.

the chairs in this grouping all have welted pillows. I am really digging the blue grey fabric with the teak colored frame. i think it makes a really elegant combination. I have also been thinking about a wheat colored cushion or a cream.

image: apartment therapy, design sponge, last two images doorsixteen

In with the Mid Century Modern.

2010-11-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

a little story for your tuesday. I spent my saturday strolling around the Hayes Valley neighborhood of san francisco. darling by all accounts and filled with little shops full of treats and treasures. A particular favorite of mine is a store which sells its own handmade line of soaps and lotions and all manner of potions - but tucked in among these things is a stunning, and i do mean stunning collection of mid-century modern furniture and pottery. drool. it really is the only interaction i can have with these pieces & their very cool price tags of 1200 or more. Fast forward and as i leave the store and round the corner what do i spy in the back of a salvage truck?! this.

plucked from the depths of a dark (and spider filled basement) was this not so ancient but oh so beautiful treasure. and so i loaded it on my back (spiders and all) and carried it to the nearest friends house where i left it for 20minutes so i could go get my car and drive it home. With a little more love (it need to be tightened up in a few places but thats it!!) and a new cushion and strapping (provided by my local upholsterer) I will be the proud new mamma of a MCM chair.

excited? YES YES YES.

suggestions on cushions material/color for me would be appreciated.

wanting woven

2010-10-26T23:38:00.000-07:00

"Wishing and hoping and thinking and praying Planning and dreaming each night of his charms"
in the words of the lovely dionne warwick - this is exactly what ive been doing.

i just looooove these gorgeous woven seating options from Design within Reach. i think they might call security at my local store soon. ive been visiting my loves daily. the stool is fast becoming my favorite i think with its little nod to utilitarian glamour, perfect proportions and delicately tapered legs............

this is what inspired me the other day. i got it for the shop but im really not sure i can part with it at all.

are you wanting woven as much as i am

five fall fashions

2010-10-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

five fall fashions that i love!

and the skinny pant with socks and slightly boyish shoes.... i better stock up on my cute sock selection.

all images the sartorialist

picture perfect.

2010-10-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

im printing up some business cards (finally) and am trying to decide on a front image for a set of larger cards (4x6) im a bit indecisive in my choice - but have narrowed it down to these. I would love a little help from you all in the final cut. what do you think??

it seem to be coming down to two groups. flowers (above) and farmhouse (below)

thanks for your help

simple sundays

2010-10-24T16:06:00.000-07:00

its quiet and rainy here today...its enough to put on in a bit of a funk. but its a good time for reflection and a bit of solitude.

hope you enjoyed your weekends

rustic redefined. mexican pottery

2010-10-19T22:28:00.000-07:00

i wanted to do a little post on something i love even though i dont have too many pieces of it in my house. ok truth be told i only have one piece. a big white tea cup painted with luscious deep blue flowers. i like it because it crosses a line for me between the formality of english china with the casual but inspired folk painting of scandinavian and mexican pottery. also it feels amazing in my hand in the morning.

but there are tons of beautiful examples of mexican pottery. If you haven't guessed by now i love folk painting. my grandmother was a tole painter (ill be doing a post around thanksgiving on some of her work) and i think my appreciation of it came at an early age also the colors are typically vibrant and full of life. there is an effortlessness to all folk painting that attracts me but something else attracts me more. it is a style passed down through generation and generations of a culture. it adapts and changes while still adhering to traditional rules or guidelines.

here are some of my favorites from etsy.

the shapes are all irregular and weight and (typically) terra cotta materials give the pieces rustic feel. the brush strokes are honest but confident and there is a flow to the designs that are painted.

casadeoro

madeforfun

destash4u

a wedding in the woods

2010-10-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

just a few photos from the wedding this weekend in big sur. it was on a private working ranch so we kept the flowers simple and wanted them to look like they had all come from a big cutting garden. my favorite was the delicate little wildflower headwreath for the flower girl.

the setting for dinner was beautiful. it was on a saddle of land 1000 feet up and overlooking the pacific ocean.

and the cocktail reception and dancing after dinner were held in a little pasture area below grazing horses and rolling mists.

good enough to eat

2010-10-12T07:39:00.000-07:00

lately ive been seeing a lot of black pottery and cookware about. from le cruset's new black castiron line to mud australia's (the photo below is from their catalogue) black bowl on the cover of food and wine

this is just a short little muse on how beautiful i think the black pottery and cooking pieces are for fall. Filled with creamy orange butternut squash soup...it would look divine.

what do you think??

All Tumbled Up

2010-10-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

So this week i started a tubmlr account. Mainly its because i realized there were 30 photos on my desk top and countless others in various folders here and there. Its a great way to have them all in once place, with link! so i can remember where ive seen things. Im excited to use this new tool and i hope youll stop by often to see what ive been looking at.

Happy Friday!!

Valerie Galloway

2010-10-07T06:24:00.000-07:00

quite simply, i find myself very drawn to the work of artist Valerie Galloway. im not sure i can put my finger on exactly why. It love its straight forward nature, and the pallet of course. It contains all of the things I love about folk art, and in a way reminds me of the work of Frida Kohal's.

There is a fragility, heightened by that yellowed parchment colored background so indicative of paper ephemera, that makes me look at it again and again. And the scintillating red lips and cheeks on many of her women hint at something beneath it all.

Valerie write that she is "influenced by cinema and old family photos. I love to take a memory or impression and reshape it into a lovely vision" and lovely visions are just what these are. I think they would be just perfect framed in vintage oval portrait frames. find them in her etsy shop here.

A little cottage in the country

2010-10-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

i often feel between two worlds - caught between the buzz and modernity of the city an the calmness of the rural. Always longing for one when im in the other -

i spent a few days at my brother's cottage in yountville ca. its tiny but filled with light. its everything i imagine needing in a country house. a small front porch with an ancient rocking chair. A perfect side yard just big enough for a garden and with a little deck and table for outside meals. Old heavily polished wood floors and a giant claw foot tub in the bathroom to wash away the good country dirt.

its simple here. its about good food and conversation. sunshine makes things grow and they grow rich and full. Bugs and birds and butterflies are everywhere...and so are some of the creepy crawlies that go bump in the night.

its a place where i feel creative, innovative and overwhelmed by the need to create. A mouthfull of wine taste like the work of thousands of honey bees and the fresh figs plucked from the trees are the sweetest things one can ever imagine.

i feel fortunate at the moment to have the possibility to escape from the city and camp out here for a few days...or at least until i miss the hummm of the city.

Fall in The French Laundry gardens

2010-10-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

yesterday i had the privilege of walking through the fall gardens of the world renowned The French Laundry. not only are the gardens immaculate they stand for me as a symbol of many of the things i hold most important in my life. Its a thrill for me to be walking among their neat rows.

"Take your time. Take a long time. Move slowly and deliberately and with great attention" - Thomas Keller

Simple Sundays

2010-10-03T14:05:00.001-07:00

my week at the floral studio .....

after three weddings....im totally knackered. but excited to go and see Arcade Fire tonight at the greek theater over in berkley.

what are you up to?

a collection: part 3

2010-09-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

i wanted to share another one of my collections today. my mortars & pestles. It all started when i was given my great grandmother's mortar and pestles. its the brass one on the right. It was one of the few things she brought from sweden and she used it on Cottage Farm. now i use it ~

the others have been picked up along the way. I really love the coors brand of M&Ps. their body types are all slightly different and with different weights, they can nest inside of one another (im always a sucker for that) and i love the crisp white exterior.

the wee one came from the lovely HarmoniePark on etsy.

enjoy!

Simple Sundays

2010-09-26T06:07:00.000-07:00

not in frame

2010-09-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

ive been to enough auctions in my life to know its not always whats in the frame that matters. sometimes its simply the frame itself.

In amsterdam this summer while strolling through the rijksmuseum, i found myself captivated but in some instances it was by the sheer beauty and intricacies of the frames around the old paintings. Delicate, detailed, elegant and telling a story all on their own.

Ive been seeing a few photos around the blog world of just frames - hanging on the wall. no need to fill them just simply allowing them to be seen, to be admired and appreciated - and i think thats simply lovely.

imagine the combinations you could create -

i found these two very old and very beautiful frames and they are in the shop now waiting to grace someone's walls ~

images: greigedesign, anthropologie, unknown, lobster&swan, flickr, cottagefarm

get your wobble on

2010-09-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

im having a little love affair right now ...with these beautiful gelatin moulds. this is not the jello you remember

- ok it is sort of but its sophisticated and looks well good enough to eat! gelatin and aspic moulds have fallen a bit of out of favor but they used to be a crowing achievement to any meal and elaborate moulds were made to produce them. I love these little salt glazed fish molds made from something called flummery or sweet cream.

The history of these lovelies is actually quite interesting. to nerd out go here

I first became interested in this idea when i found this mould in one of my thrifting excursions. Here are a few other vintage moulds on etsy.

ethanollie anoddlittleparty

Moulds have been made for a long time and in many many different types of materials, some of you may be used to seeing the ceramic or tin moulds, but ive been thinking about making them more than just a vaseThe glass moulds were used mainly in the 1920's and 30's.

yellowgoatdesign

I want to have a Jelly Party - all on pretty cake stands in different glossy colors. think im gonna try this recipe i found on apartment therapy...rumor is they can even be made with a little vodka or champagne. care to join me??

unless otherwise noted all images curtsey of marth stewart living

today i wish i to wear this -

2010-09-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

perhaps its inspired by my rainy sunday at the beach or perhaps its inspired by the amazing old pair of tall bean boots i scored that are now staring at me longingly from the closet - but i wish it was cold enough or rainy enough today to necessitate wearing an outfit like this -

scrunch down the socks, roll up the sweater cuffs so a little blue peeks out ......might even chop some wood after

boots llbean, jeans madewell, socks etsy: legyviel, shirt jcrew, scarf etsy: scarfguy, sweater urbanoutfitters

outings: pelican inn and muir beach

2010-09-20T16:27:00.000-07:00

i spent my misty wet sunday at the beach. I did a hike of the costal fire road and surrounding area in and around muir beach. It was a pleasant temperature but very very wet. After 4 hours hiking we decided to take a bit of cover at the Pelican Inn. Its the most charming little english inn nestled at the entrance to the beach. You really feel as though you have been transported back 100 years an to england.

We cozied up in a corner next to dark panels and tapestried benches and ordered beers and the most delicious beef stew and a cheese plate. its was heaven.

We stayed for hours it continued being wet outside and yet was incredibly bright which made the ambiance inside even more welcoming. Once we dried off a bit and were warmed by the good food, spirits and company we were off again. Spend the afternoon romping on the beach and making little collages out of our findings.

Friday Finds

2010-09-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

i had a busy friday! but i enjoyed every minute of it. i love estate sales, but sometimes they are bitter sweet for me - standing in the ashes of someone else life. My favorite finds from this one are the vintage hats. I tried them all on when i got home. I imagine the woman was french, and i hope she was laughing at me awkwardly trying on all her hats and pussing for the mirror. one thing i will say, she and i shared similar tastes. I was told she cooked sunday dinner for her family of about 50! every sunday.....

hope your weekend is filled with imagination and bliss.

Comfort

2010-09-16T13:21:00.000-07:00

fall lust

2010-09-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

so ive just finished drooling over the fall 2010 anthropologie catalogue. im loving all the deep, rich fall colors with an english countryside/equestrian bent....did i mention the drooling.

not only are the fabrics and clothes stunning. i feel like i am experiencing the texture of the heavy woolen fall fabrics. but the photographs go above and beyond i feel like ive walked into a whole little world in these 60 odd virtual pages. go have a look, ive even ordered a hard copy. i foresee some long term inspiration coming from these pages

a collection. part 2

2010-09-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

the smallest and newest of my collections- bird pitchers. they were mostly made during and just after WW2 in japan and many were brought state-side after the war. I love their whimsy.

I use the yellow one for sunday breakfast. its perfect for milk for coffees. I sorta hate having a milk carton on the table -

I see these often, but they are usually between 40-100$. thats why i only have two - i only buy them when i love them and they are a good price.

hope you love em too!

the caulfield collection. inspiration

2010-09-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

today i wanted to share a bit more about the collections i have been putting together in the shop. The Caulfield Collection was released a few weeks ago to tremendous feed back! im so glad every one is enjoying it. I wanted to share a little more about my inspiration for this collection, which will be running until early spring. so w. out further ado

- handsome isnt he?

jd salinger's character holden caulfield is the inspiration for this collection, but this is what i imagine him to be like, though slightly older, in real life. Meet Zach Motl.

some of you may remember him from this article in the NYTs H&G section a while back. I have not been able to get his inspiring space out of my head. and so it became a spring board for the Caulfield Colleciton.

i have such a penchance for this type of boyishly minded american design. and i hope you love it or find something to love in it too!!

simple sundays

2010-09-12T17:49:00.000-07:00

i would like to curl up here and stay a while.

this simple sunday is brought to you by finelittleday.

Karl and Ester - Farmhouse chic

2010-09-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

recently ive been really drawn to very simple things, im usually pretty casual in my all around philosophy but ive been even more aware of textures, natural colors and patinas. I cant help but think that im channeling the scandinavian roots of my great grand-parents, Karl and Ester, who's farm the shop is named after

They emigrated from Sweden around the turn of the century and lived in an adorable but very utilitarian farmhouse. Ive had my eye on a lot of farmhouse items with a scandinavian bent recently...here a little sneak peek of whats coming to the shop soon!

little lovelies : forrest clearing

2010-09-08T18:04:00.000-07:00

lovely, arent they?
cast in porcelain from vintage doilies. Not only do i love the aesthetic appeal of these pieces, but thinking about the metaphorical layers behind the work has me captivated.

once handmade, they are like little monuments to the first maker reinvented using clay the second time around and then remade. Given a place of importance through their new material, but in the same breath a greater fragility.

An interesting balance is struck for me between the place of the traditional craft/its maker and its current form. somehow, its new form is both more concrete and speaks to the precarious state of this once widely known skill and its decline into something of obscurity, and all the while these pieces retain the most quite and delicate presence.

interior inspiration

2010-09-08T09:29:00.001-07:00

lately i have been thinking of getting rid of "stuff" mostly in the closet department. i would love to get my clothing down to 20 or so essential pieces. though im not sure this can be done...

these two photos found via the amazing Emma's designblogg are full of the simplicity and understated elegance i seem to be craving at the moment. how a few simple things can indeed be just perfect.

i got jumped

2010-09-07T13:56:00.000-07:00

by the SF Chronicle. The lovely Chantal Lamers did a perfect little article about depression-era floral frogs and was kind enough to feature a few comments by me and photos from Cottage Farm. I was also thrilled to shared the page with the lovely Kim Ludy of Trampoline and Mary Grace Thomas of Test of Time

Thanks very much Chantal.

simple sundays

2010-09-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

its black mission fig season here. not only are the stunning to look at, they are oh so tasty. A very large basket of them arrive in my produce box on wednesday and i took a little time out to capture their beauty before partaking in their deliciousness. Enjoy your Labor Days!

a collection

2010-09-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

thought i would start to share a few of the things that i collect....random, few and far between. this is the most extensive collection (with the exception of vintage tablecloths) that i have. I dont see them all that often but when i do i will nearly sprout wings to get to them quickly. french, creamy with a hint of yellow, gorgeous lion's heads and as i understand it for filling with yummy pates at the market

i use them for butter on the table, jam, and spice.

for the dogs

2010-08-31T07:16:00.000-07:00

Scotland.... and SOS doing his very best Freidlnander. edinburg to be exact, a romantic old city with lots of little streets to walk, castles to visit and shops to peruse. but my absolute favorite thing involves, what else food. yes, i do have a tendency to get hyped up over restaurants but THE DOGS is soo worth the hype. lets put it this way. i was so enamored with the food, atmosphere and decor i didnt take a single picture inside. but i did have the very yummy ox tongue terrine and the coley, a lovely white fish over a big dollop of minted fresh smashed peas.

YUMMMM! so youll just have to trust me and go if you are in edinburg scotland anytime soon, or ever. I will be returning thats for sure!

simple sundays

2010-08-29T19:51:00.000-07:00

fall is coming...and its beautiful.

Cape Light - Joel Meyerowitz

2010-08-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

its finally summer here in San Francisco - most of us were thinking it wouldnt happen, but here it is!

yesterday on sfgirlbybay, victoria took us on a tour of martha's vineyard. it made me long for my childhood summers on the cape and islands. i swear there is something magical that exists only there and no where else.

photographer Joel Meyerowitz captures my feelings for this place so well. his photos from the series Cape Light serve to satiate my longing...at least for now.

hope you enjoy

a few more sights from amsterdam

2010-08-20T19:14:00.000-07:00

a few more sights from amsterdam....the last and first photos are from the flower market...its fun to walk through but i would recommend any of the other food markets ... where the cut flowers are more plentiful and incredibly inexpensive.

and who could resist those giant puffy clouds of meringue??? i couldnt! definitely check out Patisserie Kuyt while you are there and on the same street find the cute little cafe (fantastic coffee with a scrubbed scandinavian atmosphere) pictured 2 photos below. the whole street is lined with wonderful clothing shops, design collectives, the best butcher and cheese monger youll ever find! right off Rembrandtplien

loved this pretty delicate door knocker ...its a bit cheeky too dont you think?

simple sundays

2010-08-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

the last parrot tulips of the season

antiek amsterdam style

2010-08-12T15:31:00.000-07:00

strolling around amsterdam across the canal i spotted just what i had been looking for "antiek" ...and antique store. my week here was spend scouring for this word but this little, or should i say large shop, inside and out, made my heart skip a beat!

believe it or not the building that now houses this beautiful antique shop was once home to a bakery that made honey cakes - the outside and inside of the building still bare the markers of its previous life - the bee skep on the top of the pillar and the tiny bees and blossoms all in relief on the outside of the building were just spectacular... below are some interior shots

a glimpse into the restoration workshop and the business card of this wondrous place.. visit if you get a chance you wont be disappointed!!

a glimpse of amsterdam

2010-08-11T14:23:00.000-07:00

just back from our lovely outing - we saw two couples married spent time with family and made general merriment on our vacation. thought i would start off the vacation posts with a glimpse of Amsterdam from vondelpark - and look a little bit of handmade to greet us!

fruits of labor - curried green bean and chicken salad

2010-07-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

3/4 of a pound of green beans. trimmed and halved crosswise

2 cups of shredded roasted chicken breast (i purchased a bone in chicken breast and roasted it for about 40 minutes at 375)

1 cup of diced red onion or 4 scallions

5 tablespoons chopped cilantro

2 tsp of curry powder

1/3 cup of plain nonfat yogart

3 tbsp of low-fat mayo

1 fresh lime zested and juiced

2 tbsp of toasted almond slices (i toasted my own over medium heat until golden)

salt and pepper

If roasting your own chicken breast - turn oven to 374, salt and pepper chicken and roast until cooked through approx. 40 minutes or until juices run clear. shred when cool enough to handle.

Cook green beans in a pot of salted boiling water until crisp tender (5-6 mins) and plunge into ice bath to stop cooking. drain well

In a large bowl combine green beans, shredded chicken, red onion and 4 tbsp of cilantro

In a dry frying pan over medium heat toast curry powder until fragrant (approx. 2 minutes)

transfer to a small bowl and combine with yogurt, mayo and lime zest and juice. Stir together until well blended.

Add dressing mixture to chicken and green beans. Toss well to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Just before serving sprinkle with almonds and remaining tbsp of cilantro

may be served immediately or chilled

adapted from a recipe from farmfreshtoyou.com

take a seat

2010-07-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

yesterday while making my thrift store rounds i spied this perfect chair in the drop-off pile on the side of the building. "Perfect" i thought, "exactly what ive been wanting" - and so off i went into the thrift store - on the way out i passed it again - still upside down in a pile with a bunch of old office rolling chairs - thinking they would never sell it to me out of the pile i just walked on by. but then 2 block away i turned around - "i at least have to ask" - and what do you know - the guy was all to happy to give it to me! After a very small charitable donation i am now the proud new owner of this "exactly what i wanted chair" .... i think it will look amazing with this pillow too!

a friday fling : things to love

2010-07-16T07:46:00.001-07:00

i am head over heals for this dress and this room - maybe its that soft minty green dress by alberta feretti perfect and oh so 20's inspired and room found via blissfulb. oh the chairs with that table and the over sized lampshade!

mid summer makeover

2010-07-14T15:38:00.001-07:00

my sneaks were looking a little tired, kinda the way i like 'em but also on the edge of ratty. They are super comfy vans that ive had for ages, they have even been swimming with me in the mediterranean last summer and i just cant let them go yet...

but a new set of laces from the drug store and they are back in action! with a little boyish retro charm to boot!

Sale Sale Sale

2010-07-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

Cottage Farm is having a summer sale!!

check out the new shop sections for up to 30% off and below items are all 10%off


	>

and perhaps best of all - many items have free shipping

The sale will be running from Wed. July 14 until Wed July 21st and i will be adding new items to the sections daily so stop in often!!

simple sundays

2010-07-11T18:21:00.000-07:00

stems....

outings - flora grubb

2010-07-09T12:46:00.000-07:00

i took a little outing yesterday - to the lusciously green flora grubb gardens here in san francisco. its a perfect place to find unique plants and containers for both inside and out, but its also just lovely to stroll around among all the green

i was particularly excited to see the strawberry plants, some with fuschia colored blossoms. I grabbed a latte from the ritual coffee there and strolled around the grounds to check out some of their whimsical plantings - like this old teal sink planted with carnivorous plants.

i didnt leave empty handed of course, another little air plant to add to my collection and a little thimble vase that reminds me of a crumpled paper bag or tree bark in white porcelain.

i highly recommend making a trip to check this place out! its certainly been added to my "most favorites" list.

New England Summer

2010-07-08T17:20:00.001-07:00

Im feeling inspired by my time spent on the rocky maine coast already this summer and by the fact that i wake up to beautiful blue grey fog every morning here in san francisco

i made a treasury! thought i would share. hope you enjoy all these gorgeous etsy stores.

outings - tuolumne meadows

2010-07-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

i spent the 4th holiday in the gorgeous tuolumne meadows of yosemite national park. a bit removed from all the craziness i spent a quite weekend around the camp fire and hiking through the spectacular terrain - my kings of the world from atop fairview dome

red white and blue - a sneak peak

2010-07-02T16:12:00.000-07:00

happy 4th eveyone!! bread is baked, chili is made, car is packed and im off the the mountains!! but before i go im going to leave you with a little red white and blue sneak peak -

nd look for these little items soon at cottagefarm

enjoy your holiday! and happy birthday america

pretty simple - marie claire maison

2010-06-29T16:03:00.000-07:00

i was making my monthly rounds at the magazine rack - when i got to this article in marie claire maison i flipped! the issue was all about the simple life - and these images are just that and oh so gorgeous!

i have no idea what these counter tops are made of - concrete maybe? but im into this over all stoney blue palette of this kitchen

and this bedroom is my favorite - its going top of the list for inspiration... so simple white, natural and a nice dark blue for accent - gorgeous!

photos by phillipe garcia

find your way out of a paper bag - MAPTOTES

2010-06-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

yesterday i was at the Giants/Redsox game - it was a beautiful day for baseball! but i also saw a girl carrying the cutest Boston tote - of course i went up to her and asked her about this adorable canvas bag she was carrying - a MAPTOTE

above is the boston grocery tote - i think this would be such a cute bag to fill for bridesmaids gifts or gift bags for wedding guests - the are very reasonable and made by the cutest couple im totally stoked on these great bags!!

and below are a few other city totes that i loved - including the Napa wine bag - how cute of a gift this would be to bring to your weekend host or hostess!

simple sundays

2010-06-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

so this week, instead of sharing one of my photos, im going to share this beautiful bit of inspiration -

shead some light on it - interior inspiration

2010-06-24T13:43:00.000-07:00

lately there has been a bit of a to-do about the old edison filament lightbulb - its been popping up everywhere in the design world- and i would agree that there is a certain appeal

but instead of finding them overhead ive been intrigued with collections of them, tucked away in bookshelves or out on desk tops and counters. screwed into the very old porcelain style sockets they become more like works of art than an electrical crisis ....

illuminating no?

photos by artist catherine wagner from the series utopia, m.bibelot via flickr, modern50

simple sundays

2010-06-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

ahhh love! wishing my friends all the happiness and a lovely marriage

simple sundays

2010-06-13T19:29:00.000-07:00

mirror mirror - interior inspiration

2010-06-09T08:07:00.000-07:00

a move is on the wind ...3 years in a tiny studio, although wonderful has become- what with the etsy shop and giving up my studio and a bf who works from home many day - quite small!

so as i think about a move i am of course dreaming about the kitchen...i keep coming across these kitchens with mirrors. what a fantastic idea!!

it will automatically bring depth and light to the space but i think its perfectly unexpected and thats just right by me!

images via house&gardenmagazine via brabournefarm,finelittleday, unknown, housebeautiful, apartmenttherapy

dutch masters - floral inspiration

2010-06-03T07:13:00.000-07:00

.......yesterday morning i made little trip and spent a whole afternoon with lots of lovely flowers from the san francisco flower market. absolute bliss.....

i throughly enjoyed this from start to finish... picking out a few bunches of well priced flowers....

collecting some of my favorite vessels from around the house and borrowing a few things from the etsy shop

and a bit of inspiration all a vermeer and other lovely vanitas painters ......

enjoy!!!

pretty porcelain berry baskets

2010-05-31T14:17:00.000-07:00

i was out visiting one of my favorite berkley stores - the gardner - and happened across these pretty white porcelain berry boxes ... immediately in love!

oh super clean lined but still with a farmhouse chic appeal - would be so wonderful for so many little things not just your berries in the fridge.. though reusable is good! soap dish, planter, cute hostess gift with fresh muffins inside .... i could go on but you get the idea!!! i found them here for a very reasonable price in two sizes.
oh an i loved these little organic boxshaped salters too!

simple sundays

2010-05-30T08:02:00.001-07:00

day tripping - angel island

2010-05-26T13:26:00.000-07:00

i took a little outing this weekend - a very short but pleasant ferry ride from pier 41 to angel island. a strange vestige of american military history ranging from the civil war to the late 1960 - i HIGHLY recommend packing a picnic lunch and spending the day!

a little civil war era chapel -
the old hospital - i have a little dream that this would make a perfect B&B - its such a shame that all these old buildings are going unused because they are truly beautiful

i want to live here - look at that view!! hope you enjoyed this little virtual tour of angel island for more info click here

by the way i got to fire that cannon up at the top while out there! haha

thinking about summer -

2010-05-04T16:58:00.001-07:00

with school nearly done im thinking about the freedom of summer! arent these keds just perfect for warm summer days with your favorite pair of shorts or a cute little dress~ find them here

simple sundays

2010-04-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

a little interlude between photos ... hope you all enjoyed your weekends!