i just love this little bright and airy flat. it’s the home of designer jan skácelík and her style is right up my ally. wooden features and punches of color against a theme of white and gray bring this retro scandinavian style to life. if you love the featured artwork here, you can find similar works for sale in her etsy shop, as she’s also a graphic designer. head on over to her blog, design attractor, for more inspiration!

wrap up: {decor} {home} {inspiration} {jan skacelik} {retro} {scandinavian} {style}

i have to say, i am simply smitten with this shop! gloaming design is a treasure trove of handcrafted and vintage pieces collected from all over the world. as she spends her time between the u.s. and paris, france, her treasures come from near and far- some even from belgium! oh, what i would do to rummage through thrift shops and flea markets in france! i guess for now, i’ll have to live vicariously through her and her beautiful shop and blog.

wrap up: {belgium} {france} {gloaming design} {handmade} {paris} {smitten} {vintage}

artist diy huynh and designer sandy snead created lark & key gallery as a way of showcasing their own work as well as the work of other emerging artists. with one incredible artist after another, i like to think of it as a porthole for talent. not only can you discover new artists, jewelry designers and potters, but you can shop their selections as well. there’s something for everyone!

interested in advertising on going home to roost? click here to find out more!

wrap up: {artists} {boutique} {designers} {gallery} {lark and key} {potter} {sponsor welcome} {talent}

hello lovelies! a few weeks ago i got a great question pop up in my inbox from ashley of gilded house. i thought you all might be interested in my answer, so i’m turning our inbox covo into a post for you all. let’s call it an inbox inquiry!
 

fork, spoon

ashley’s question:

“I love your blog and read it everyday so when I had questions in regards to simple, healthy eating I thought about you. I’m kind of ignorant when it comes to food…I can follow a recipe but I’m not creative in the kitchen. So, when it comes to healthy eating…I feel overwhelmed. Do you recommend any recipe books/blogs/websites that speak to easy, organic, healthy eating? I would appreciate any help with this!“

my answer:

hi ashley! thanks for the great question, i would love to share my go-to resources with you! here they are:

blogs:
the kitchenist: written by a lovely gal named ele, this blog has a fresh from the farmers market feel and one beautifully photographed recipe after another.
roost blog: another blog full of eye candy and delicious recipes, one you’re sure to love!
the pioneer woman: a truly extensive library of online recipes from ree drummond.
kath eats: kath logs everything she eats and several recipes. i use her meals as inspiration when i need a quick idea for a health dinner.

cookbooks:
simple vegetarian pleasures: with stained pages and doggie-eared corners, this is definitely my favorite cookbook. at first i was disappointed at the lack of pictures, but everything i’ve ever made from it has been absolutely amazing.
simply in season: with meals categorized by which veggies are in season, i find this the most helpful cookbook i own. it makes the task of buying and cooking seasonally a cinch!
everyday food: i also subscribe to martha stewart’s everyday food. i always find several new recipes to try every month, and also find most of them easy to adapt to a vegetarian diet.

xox, bonnie

so this is where you come in! do you have any advice? what are you favorite cookbooks, blogs and/or websites for easy, organic cooking? please share with us in the comment section!

wrap up: {cookbooks} {cooking} {eating} {healthy} {inbox inquiry} {reader questions} {recipes}

i know valentine’s day is over but love is still in the air, right? laura george’s shop is just oozing with love and i can’t get enough of it! with octopuses holding hands, squishy people being cute and beards full of love, it made my morning full of hearts and giggles.

things i’m thankful for

what are you thankful for? i’ll start by telling you what i’m most thankful for in the comments section. see you there!

wrap up: {art} {handmade} {illustration} {laura george} {love} {thankful}

perfect for valentine’s day? i like the idea of meals cooked on a theme, so leave it to me to serve heart-shaped brownies and artichoke hearts on valentine’s day.

ingredients:

• -2 artichokes
• -1/4 cup fresh parsley – chopped
• -garlic salt
• -1 tbs lemon juice
• -1 tbs olive oil

directions:

bring 4 cups of water to a boil. cut artichokes in half from stem to top. trim the tips of the leaves using kitchen scissors to remove the thorns. boil until fronds are easy to peel off, about 20 minutes. remove and drain cut side down on a towel. brush with olive oil, lemon juice and sprinkle with remaining toppings. grill until blackened (i used a panini maker), about 8 minutes.

never eaten an artichoke? here’s a great how-to article!

wrap up: {appetizer} {artichoke hearts} {grilled} {heart} {recipe} {valentine's day}

 
dear mr. valentine,

here’s my goofy way to telling you how much i love you. you are the creamer to my coffee, the most comfy pair of shoes on my favorite run, the chirping birds to a sunny day. you are the best cuddler. the best at folding my laundry. and the BEST at making me laugh. you are the most wonderful man i’ve ever known and i am completely in love with you.

love, your valentine

wrap up: {goofy} {hubby} {love} {valentine} {valentine's day}

I first made this hot cocoa mix over the holidays, and it was a huge hit. I know I will never buy hot cocoa packets again. It’s easy to make a big batch of this mix, and keep it on hand for when you’re craving a warm mug. The best part is that the powdered milk can be switched out for powdered soy milk, to accommodate vegans or those with allergies.

The marshmallow hearts idea came from Martha Stewart – great for Valentine’s Day!

Recipe adapted from Alton Brown

ingredients

2 cups confectioners sugar
1 cup Dutch-processed cocoa
2 1/2 cups powdered milk (or powdered milk substitute)
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cornstarch
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
Hot water

directions

Place all ingredients into a large bowl; mix well. Store in an air-tight container. To make one serving: fill a mug with 1/3 cup of homemade hot cocoa mix. Fill the rest with hot water.

To make heart marshmallows: simply cut large marshmallows in half, and use a greased mini heart cutter to punch out the centers. Perfect!

Ashley has been coffee-crazy since college when her husband bought her an espresso machine for Christmas. Armed with a pot of dark roast, she spends her days writing Indie Pretty Projects and creating for her self-titledEtsy shop.

wrap up: {ashley pahl} {cocoa mix} {cold weather} {diy} {heart} {hot} {hot chocolate} {marshmallow} {recipe}