Month: September 2012

your help requested

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So I mentioned on my Facebook earlier this week that one post would feature something very close to me in which I reach out to you guys asking for your advice and suggestions. So here it is….  Some of you may have realized that art takes a special place in my heart – it was something I enjoyed doing as a child and I turned it into a hobby as I proceeded with a career in science. I was doodling one day and discovered a love for sketching marine life – particularly fish. The above photo is my favorite fish – the mandarinfish – of which I also have tattooed on my foot (see the image here in the treasures shop banner). Ok, so why am I bringing this up? Because I need your help to turn my dream into a reality. Let me tell you how: I want to turn these little illustrations into a children’s coloring book with an emphasis on marine conservation. I have so many concepts and ideas for this book, …

culinary: lavender latte + duffins

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Want a perfect fall drink + breakfast perfection? I have the best pairing for you: lavender latte + vegan donut muffins (which Evan creatively calls “duffins”). The lavender latte was something I first tried in San Francisco as was so enamored, I had to snap a photo for keeps (see above, the bottom cup, speckled with little dried lavender buds on top of that delicious latte foam). I’m not a coffee drinker at all, but I couldn’t pass up the BlackPoint Cafe’s signature drink on a chilly morning in SF. Now, if only I had an expresso maker + milk-foam maker thingy, I could make these at home myself! But perhaps you are a coffee drinker and do have these little gadgets, then I have some recipes for you (umm, yes and of course I’ll get to the dessert breakfast!): I found an easy recipe from Turntable Kitchen. I’ve written out the ingredients for you below: via Turntable Kitchen          Using your little machine, here are your very easy and basic steps: Make …

interview: Debbie of In Whirl of Inspiration

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I would like to introduce a wild-at-heart woman of Greece, with science and nature at the core of her soul and a spirit of creative endeavor: Debbie of the inspiration blog, In Whirl of Inspiration . Discover what inspires this creative lady, her sustainable living routines and her passion for the biological. So, here are 10 questions for Debbie, the scientist and adventurer: First, tell me a bit about yourself: Well as you already know I study Biology, I am in the Molecular Faculty. I am interested in Neurology most, very fascinating to be surrounded by brains. To the other parts of my life, let’s say that I adore: playing the flute, wilderness, gastronomic adventures, voyages and my best friends, books too. 1. What is it about nature that inspires you the most? The freedom that you feel when the breeze hits you on the face, freedom to tasty all this wilderness around you. I just find that Evolution did a magnificent job, like everything is so symmetric and perfect and reasonable. Good job nature! …

tribe: tipi dwellings

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See more? via The Brick House via Banana J Creations *Photos from Pinterest without sources, unless otherwise stated. Bottom left photo: Smile & Wave with a DIY instructions, Top most left photo: Handmade Charlotte* How sweet would it be to camp/live/dwell/vacay in a tipi? They are so simple to construct, with so many options for customization. I personally love the all-lace tipi (perfect for a little girl) and the outdoor tipi of living, growing vines and plants! If you want to make your own, here are a TON of great links for you: SF Girl By Bay round-up Jen Loves Kev DIY tipi for baby Baby Blackbird kid tipi Mother Earth News how-to for a big tipi A book to make your own tipi Plant your own growing bean vine tipi Honestly WTF’s huge tipi and workshop List of tipi articles and books Huge wedding and event tipis complete with furnishings Tipi Etsy search listings Colorado Yurt Company’s tipi cost calculator Another fun collection of tipis and things Have you ever been glamping in a …

places: Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

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Today I want to share a little bit of the beauty of Puerto Rico with you. When I first visited this island back in 2008, I didn’t really have any idea what I would encounter. I had been to the Caribbean before (on a cruise to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands) so I had a preconceived expectation of tropical spirits and sugar cane rum, boisterously friendly people and mostly dilapidated homes scattered amongst hotels and condos. But I what I found was really anything but this (with the exception of the friendly people, I do find many here!). I’ve been mostly astonished by the multitude of natural hidden gems like waterfalls, caves, forests, rivers, canyons, mountain peaks, grottos and gorges. All beautiful, picturesque and still in relatively decent shape despite any real state or federal land management or protection. In all honesty, the most awe-inspiring sites have been those mostly shut off and inaccessible to the usual throng of tourists. However, there is one somewhat-more-likely-to-be-on-a-tourist-map place I do love to visit each year. Want to …

favorites: colorful culinary companions

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I’m not sure what it says about Evan and me that the majority of the things we shipped with us to Puerto Rico were cooking supplies and cookbooks. We knew we’d be cooking a lot more than eating out, so we wanted to make sure we’d have a variety of options. So, this Friday’s favorites are my colorful culinary companions: my cookbooks. From the top:500 Cupcakes Quick & Easy Vietnamese  Quick & Easy Thai Herbs & Spices Reference book Go Dairy Free (for lactose-intolerant Evan) Arabesque : taste of Morocco, Turkey & Lebanon The Homesick Texan (naturally for me) Puerto Rico: True Flavors The Real Taste of Jamaica The Art & Soul of Baking the food of India Mexico: the beautiful cookbook (the best authentic Mexican cookbook ever, seriously) What are your favorites?

interview: Sarah Storm of Created By Storm

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Welcome to the first interview post on the blog! Every now and then, I’ll be introducing my fellow readers to some amazing folks that I’ve met through blogging, selling on Etsy, traveling, etc. Today, I’m very excited to share a look into the life of watercolor artist and nature lover, Sarah Storm!!  10 Questions about nature, art and life for the artist behind Created by Storm. Come, discover this lady!(Oh yeah, and she’ll be hosting a giveaway here at the beginning of October!) As an artist, you’ve really drawn from nature as an inspiration. I love that about your art and that’s initially what first attracted me to your work. I’d like to share a bit about why nature inspires your work and daily life.  First, tell us a bit about yourself: My name is Sarah Rose Storm. I live in the Rocky Mountains where I am inspired everyday by nature. I love art in all forms, but watercolors are my favorite medium, as you never quite know how the water will react to your …

features of the blog

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If you’ve been a reader from the start [thank you!] then you’ve probably explored all the features of the blog. In fact, you may have a favorite that you always look forward to each week. But for those of you who are rather new (and you may also notice that I add new features quite frequently.. including a new and exciting one launching this week!) then you may be a little lost as to what each category item means. So allow me to explain: From the top, and corresponding to the images above, we have the following which can all be found in the left sidebar of the blog:  photography // a collection of photos from a particular person; Chris Court menagerie // a collection of a specific theme; entomology DIY // my own original craft projects or those inspired by others; Anthro inspired paper ship culinary // recipes of mine and others, introductions to cooking blogs and books; almost vegan pie places // those that I love and admire from around the world, very …

menagerie: tea + teapot

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Tea. Oh, tea. A favorite, unchanging drink of the ancients. I love to sip tea in the mornings, afternoons and before bed. Perhaps the history of tea is the allure for me. I’m not sure. It tastes delicious, when prepared correctly; and has so many health benefits for such a simple, all natural plant based ingredient. Want to see my favorite teapot? I love the colors of the fired clay. This teapot is special to me because its from Evan. It was a Christmas gift last year, that caused him quite a lot of shopper’s anxiety. He knew I wanted a teapot, but that I had particular tastes in color and style (trust me, no teapot is created equal!). When I unwrapped this beautiful set, he had to tell me about all the places, sites, stores and etsy shops that he searched before finding the *perfect* one (and yes, this is the perfect one). Turquoise is my favorite color, he nailed that one. But I also wanted something kind of earthy and simple. Again, great …

favorites: camera accessory wishlist

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Friday is for camera favorites. Inspired by a recent post on Pie N’ the Sky, here are my favorite camera accessories for my Canon T2i. Evan and I bought this camera several months ago and it came with a variety of accessories to get us started. However, after getting quite accustomed to it, I find myself ready to expand my range. Like with new lens, a real camera case to hold body + lens + batteries and more, and maybe even a fancy little camera strap (only to be worn when Evan isn’t using the camera, of course). *sigh* come on, recession.. end already! Find the Items: Koolertron Rugged Backpack Camera Case // Canon Wide Angle Lens // Bloom Theory Camera Strap Have a beautiful and safe weekend!