Repetto

One boutique in Paris I find intriguing is Repetto, the famous maker of ballerina flats and pointe shoes.  I've yet to walk inside, but I've passed one after hours and it looks like a tiny piece of heaven all lit up in satin, ribbon and bows.  Their storefronts are so intoxicating that you're that much more likely to purchase a pair of shoes because of them (that is, if you make it there during business hours!). If you've ever donned a pair of Repettos yourself, would you say they are as amazing as they're famed to be? Inquiring minds want to know...

More pretty Repetto photos after the jump...consider these your "shot o' pretty" for the weekend.  Just click on "read more" to see more storefronts and pretty shoes.   

Vintage-Inspired Family Photograph

It's been awhile since I've laid eyes on a lovelier family photo...this image is positively dreamy in every way.  I love all the tiny details--pumps tossed into the sand, stacked books, a gorgeous picnic basket and that little, vintage camera.  Perfect natural lighting coupled with good looks don't hurt either...just look at that stunning redhead!  Seattle-based photographer, Shannon Wight did an amazing job capturing the essence of this creative family...I'm so impressed (also impressive: Shannon's budget-conscious pricing). And seriously, how darling is that petticoat?

You can view more vintage-inspired family photos from this session on Shannon's blog.

images by Shannon Wight

Billy Buttons

Good morning!  I'd like to introduce you to my current obsession...billy buttons (also known as "craspedia").  They are the sweetest, cutest li'l things I've seen in some time.  They are yellow.  They are tiny.  And they look kind of like cake pops.  What's not to love?  I want to put them everywhere!

I adore the way they are used in these unique wedding arrangements. They look fantastic as boutonnieres and act as the perfect, dainty accent with fresh flowers too--they compliment the coral peonies above in the most unexpected way.  And while I'm not in the flower business or anything, I'm guessing using billy buttons would lower one's flower costs fairly significantly if one was planning a wedding on a budget...what a great option for a bride on the hunt for dried flowers.

Pretty billy button invitations...


And a lovely bunch of 'em for maximum impact.  Love it all!


image 3 - Kelli Kano via Ruffled  /  image 1 - Katie Day Photography via Ruffled  /  image 3 - Pink Lily Press  /  image 4- Flores del Sol

Tips for Better Roasted Vegetables + Garden Salads

Interested in perfecting this versatile side dish?  It's one of the healthiest, easiest, and most delicious sides you could ever make...truly.  Today I am sharing my tips for better roasted vegetables over at Cafe Zupas.  You can take a peek at them here.

Also, if you're lucky enough to be still reaping your tomato harvest, I have an easy and tasty tip that will up your garden salad a notch in just a few seconds.  It's a little somethin' I learned almost a decade ago and it's the reason my salads have tasted that much better ever since.  

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Laurie Rollitt Watercolor Book Covers

A little shot o' pretty for your Monday morning...gorgeous, watercolor book covers by UK-based illustrator Laurie Rollitt.  Here in our home we have a soft spot for James and the Giant Peach--isn't that cover fantastic?

images via Laurie Rollitt via Hannah Dollery

Out with the Old, in with the New

For the past couple of weeks I've mourned the end of summer...just seven weeks of 80+ degree weather felt like such a teaser!  Oh, but I savored it and am satisfied with how much we enjoyed the gloriously warm days when the Pacific Northwest felt like the best place on earth.  And all that freezer jam is keeping me company along the way...can't complain about that!

Here in Seattle, Autumn quickly made her presence known last week...she was just two days late.  And all of a sudden all I can think about is picking apples and making soup on a blustery day.  There will definitely be a change in theme on next week's menu..

The day before the solstice, I went on morning jaunt through Discovery Park (a massive, protected area just minutes from our home) with my visiting dad and stepmom.  This park represents one of our favorite things about living in Magnolia, and I still can't believe a place like this exists in the city.  We picked, and then ate, wild blackberries growing throughout the park (hello breakfast!).  I even hopped on my dad's shoulders to snag a few bunches that were unreachable...it was great to feel like a kid again for five minutes. I've recently noticed that here in Washington, wild blackberries grow everywhere...even next to the parking lot at the 7-11.  No joke!

What are some of your favorite traditions in the Autumn?  I want to make sure I take advantage of this beautiful season and would love to hear what you do personally.  Any and all tips welcome!

Rifle Paper

Absolutely smitten with the new paperie products over at Rifle right now.  Just when I thought they couldn't get any better!  (did you see that sweet hat print?  seriously cute).

Mango for JCPenney

I finally had the opportunity to check out the relatively new Mango collaboration with JCPenney in person and wanted to give you a little report.  First, you must know that I really like Mango--a Spanish fashion retailer popular in Europe--and was thrilled to see them join forces with JCPenney because that meant two things.  One, that the collection would be accessable, as there are a lot of JCPenney locations in the country (and the only Mango in the US is in New York's SoHo District); and two, that it would likely be affordable.  And while a few things seem a bit overpriced to me, there are many sales going on at any given time, which make the pieces quite budget-friendly. 

Please note that not every JCPenney carries the MNG by Mango line so be sure to call first if you're interested in seeing/shopping the collection.  I'm excited to keep checking back each season to see what they come up with next.  I think someone has finally figured out how to ride Targets's coattails, don't you?

You can view the 2011 collection here. 

images by JCPenney

5000 Days Seattle Screening for Bloggers

If you are a Seattle-based blogger, I'm excited to share a wonderful opportunity with you today.  Local filmmaker Rick Stevenson has extended an invitation to you to attend a screening of Two Brothers, the film that began his popular 5000 Days Project (friendly warning: there's music on the site).  The film documents two siblings through a candid, adolescent journey and weaves a splendid story about emotion, faith and connections developed along the way.  It's been so exciting to watch this inspiring project expand and gain momentum at both a local and worldwide level.

My husband and I will be attending and would love to meet you there!  The film screening will be hosted at the Stevenson's home, which is actually this week's "real life home" and I know you'd love seeing the space in person (see view from the home above).  You can read more details about the event as well as RSVP here.

Two Brothers Film Screening for Northwest Bloggers
5000 Days Project
Friday, September 23rd
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Shoreline, Washington

Antique Egg Prints

At the market last week I spotted beautiful, straight-from-the-farm eggs in the most delicate, lovely hues of brown, green and blue.  I had no idea eggs could be so beautiful.  They reminded me of the vintage egg prints I have on my wall--prints that some of you have asked me about over the years, and that are unfortunately no longer available.  So, when I discovered this fantastic etsy shop (via Rifle), I knew I had to share my source with you asap.  Bananastrudel carries, amongst other things, gorgeous antique egg prints that you will absolutely swoon over.  Oh and they are so reasonably priced too, which makes you feel like splurging on framing is actually feasible!  (to save money on framing, buy a ready-made frame and then have a custom mat created).

images 1 + 3 via bananastrudel / images 2 + 4 are mine

Real Life Home No. 10: Modernizing an Older Home

When I first stepped into this week's "real life home", I was immediately taken with its casual elegance.  The creamy whites and warm woods create a cozy atmosphere that's both welcoming and stylish.  And since our own renovation, I am a sucker for a good project, and this is surely one.

For those of you just tuning in, this series showcases living spaces decorated by people who are not formally-trained interior designers; people who mix new finds with antiques and secondhand pieces from Craigslist (or the like). People who have figured out, on their own, what looks and feels good in their living space.

When owners Rick and Julie dreamed up their home, they shared a vision for a home that honored the legacy left by the previous owners who built the home in 1915 as a holiday respite (they lived in nearby Seattle).  The homeowners had a lot of fun scheming up their "dream home".  And while they shared a common vision, there were certain aspects of decorating that were important to them individually as well. Rick says this about his personal design philosophy:

"Less is more.  Keep things simple.  If a room is washed in a neutral color, it is more restful for the eye--and a home should be restful.  Then, if you accessorize the room with one colorful item, whether it be a child's painting or a glass Chihuly, the visuals sing."

Rick's wife Julie also consulted the book, "The Art of Imperfection" while renovating the home.  She kept it on her nightstand as inspiration, as a reminder to not make anything too precious.  Julie also wanted to make the home look like it had been there forever (it has almost been a century!), so they worked with the home's good bones already in place.  The homeowners also wanted to avoid anything that might appear in a model home so filling it with unique pieces was at the top of the list.

In an effort to preserve the look of the home, stay within budget, and be eco-friendly, Rick and Julie used many reclaimed materials during the renovation.  The bricks in the kitchen came from an old schoolhouse in Oregon; the beams are from an 18th century farmhouse in Pennsylvania; and the kitchen counters are old boat hatch covers with a marine finish.  I have to admit I would've never, ever thought of using the latter in my kitchen.  So creative, right?



This is a beautiful home for entertaining with ample seating, gorgeous light, and views.  In the kitchen I appreciate the silverware placed in a bowl on the counter.  It makes me want to rethink the whole silverware drawer gig I have goin' on.  Sometimes it's the small details that make the most impact. 



I realized in our last home that a formal dining room wasn't my thing, so I very much appreciate this "dining room".  Tons of space, lots of texture, and banquette seating epitomize the casual elegance I referred to earlier in this post.  I love it!




A tiny guesthouse next the main home...and will you look at that--trains in the backyard!  How many of our sons would be in heaven?



The pops of color in one of the children's rooms are pure sunshine.  It's such a delight to peek into a child's bedroom, don't you think?  I love that ribbon taped to the wall, the vintage desk and the alphabet cards lining the top of the molding.

Many more gorgeous images of this home after the jump (since this post is so image heavy, I'm going to break it up a bit for you)...just click on "read more" to see what the rest of the home looks like! 

Menu of the Week

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (Giada's marinara sauce + browned ground beef from Pride and Joy), Salad with roasted beets, yellow cherry tomatoes and blue cheese dressing (shortcut: Litehouse Chunky Blue Cheese from refrigerated section next to produce).  My kids think spaghetti is the best meal ever...they were thrilled to have this easy, satisfying meal on the menu this week.  My favorite kinds of pasta are Barilla of De Cecco.

Southwest salad with Black Beans and Avocado - Yes, we are eating this AGAIN.  Hey, when you're child requests you make a salad for dinner, it's hard to say "no". So I don't!  And we eat this meal over and over and over!  This is one of my all-time favorite vegetarian meals; in fact, if you're hosting a casual dinner and some guests are vegetarians and some aren't, this is an easy recipe to make to accommodate everyone.  Simply add grilled chicken or carne asada for those wanting meat.

Pan-fried Gyoza, steamed jasmine rice, sauteed haricots verts, fresh pineapple wedges - a new favorite and super easy to make if you 1. live near a Trader Joe's (they sell yummy frozen gyoza) and 2. own a rice cooker.  A great meal to make on a night when you need something easy and fast.

White Bean + Tuna Salad, croccatini, fresh snap peas, berries - yummy, satisfying and yet light.  Comes together in about 10 minutes...use with the last of those garden tomatoes!

Sticky Ribs, herb roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli, whole wheat rolls (thanks cher!) - my husband actually made these and they were outstanding!  Instead of making the homemade sauce he opted for a quality store-bought version, which was pretty good.  Although I love the idea of making the real deal next time. In fact, if you have a fantastic homemade barbeque sauce, I'd love the recipe...

As always, one night for leftovers and one night for either take out/date night/brupper (breakfast for supper).  Oh, and we also made these buttermilk pancakes twice this week...they are the best I've had!  I like to add blueberries to mine (fresh or frozen are equally good!) and then drizzle with pure maple syrup.  What a treat in the morning I tell ya.

p.s. to view more "menu of the week" posts, click here.

p.p.s. I have a beautiful "real life home" for you tomorrow...the 10th in the series! 

images by moi

Shep Studio

 

When we lived in San Francisco, I knew gals who would fly to Utah to get their hair cut and colored.  Back then I thought it rather comical, but I later came to understand why they did what they did.  While I was getting my hair chopped off in the Haight and very frustrated with all the hair stylist breakups I was having, my friends came back from Utah looking gorgeous...and for pennies mind you. 

Once we moved to Utah I did a lot of research and the name "Shep Studio" repeatedly came up.  I decided to give it a go, despite the hour drive each way, and quickly became hooked.  It's a fantastic salon in every sense and their newly-renovated space makes the experience that much better.  I've made appointments with both Patrick and Stephanie and have always been happy with my haircuts.  Shep, the salon owner, is also amazing I'm sure; but since he's usually booked several weeks out, I've never had the pleasure of sitting in his chair.  If you're good at planning ahead, you should try and calendar in an appointment and then let me know how it goes...:)

p.s. photographer Justin Hackworth snapped some images of Shep Studio stylist Patrick awhile back...you can peek at them here. 

Shep Studio

890 North 500 West

Provo, UT  84604
801.373.4085

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Butterflies + France

It's getting down to the wire here as I prepare to host a food photography and styling workshop with Aran in Southwestern France.  For the first time in awhile, I have butterflies in my stomach...which is a strangely enjoyable feeling to be honest!  There is something therapeutic about being downright giddy as a middle-aged adult.  I'm excited, nervous and grateful--all at the same time.  I'm crossing my fingers for good weather, good lighting and safety and enjoyment for all. 

One of our guests, Emily McCall, was kind enough to snap these beautiful images of our village and the surrounding area (the workshop will take place nearby).  Oh, and if you didn't catch Emily's "real life home", then you must take a look-see (caveat: I approached her about featuring her home before knowing she'd just made a reservation at La Maisonnette.  Wild. Is it a small world or what?!).  An attorney by day, she also has a wildly creative side that makes it possible for her to be both an amazing photographer and amateur interior designer all at the same time.  Lucky duck.

Missoni for Target: a Report on Yesterday's Mayhem

Did you catch wind of all the hullabaloo surrounding the much-anticipated Missoni for Target line?  No?  Well, let me share a brief update, which could basically be summed up in one word: "mayhem".  Friends who braved the crowds in store reported that women were grabbing anything and everything with "Missoni for Target" stamped on it in a hasty attempt to secure all their hopes and dreams in one shopping cart...all at the crack of dawn. Similar stories streamed through Twitter and at one point some wondered if humanity truly still existed.  That bad :)  A friend of mine who lives a few hours outside Seattle called her local store for me (I hoped that perhaps out in the country the collection was less coveted and therefore more available?) only to find they were completely wiped out as well.  Apparently Seattleites were driving out from the city (a 3 hour drive mind you), just to shop the collection in peace.  I hereby nominate those folks as chair people of the Missoni for Target Fan Club.  That is seriously impressive dedication! 

I can't say I approached the day with as much vigor (although perhaps I missed out on the fun?).  Once I finally remembered the line debuted yesterday--the 2 alarms on my phone proved ineffective--, I jumped online to see if anything was still available only to find that Target's site was completely shut down!  After two hours I was finally able to view the collection, but saw little left on the main pages.  It seemed every product was labeled "out of stock"...disappointing but not shocking.  Then I spotted the "online exclusives" section and there found many great pieces in stock...pfew!  I have to admit I was most impressed with the bedding...for some reason I never saw twin or crib bedding included in the many look books circulating the web during the past couple of months.  Boy, if I hadn't already designed Baby Gray's nursery, I'd be awfully tempted to pick up some of that gorgeous crib bedding...it would be so lovely in moderation (like all Missoni in my opinion--it's beautiful, but busy!).  

If you missed out, don't fret...reports of additional shipments arriving today as well as later on in the week are surfacing.  If you find yourself hanging out under the shadow of the bulls eye all week, we won't judge :)

Have any great Missoni for Target stories to tell yourself?

Best Buttermilk Pancake Recipe

It's taken me years, but I've finally discovered the perfect buttermilk pancake recipe!  I'm sharing my source, some useful pancake tips, and a few other delicious stand-by pancake recipes over at Cafe Zupas.

Also, make the most of the last week of apricot season and make some delicious jam!  Apricot is the most popular type of confiture in France and I've gathered a few recipes to get you started.

Last, find out what is in season in your specific state here..super helpful!

Enjoy!

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Christiane Lemieux's Family Beach House

I'll be honest...when I stopped to peek inside Lucky this week (I was intrigued by the striped top Rachel Weisz wore on the cover...of course), I did not expect to see this beautiful piece--more typical of a well-designed shelter mag.  What a breath of fresh air it was to see Christiane Lemieux's little beach house featured (she is the founder of Dwell and Dwell Studio).  I loved pouring over all the details including the thoughtfully-placed accessories, the delicate terrarium and all the clean whites.  Also, it's a fun story, how they procured the home in the first place.  I love me a good renovation story :) 

 

images 1-4 scanned from Lucky Magazine September 2011; image 5 from lotill.com

Italian Tuna and White Bean Salad

If you're looking for a light dinner or protein-packed lunch, this is a great recipe to try while delicious, garden tomatoes are still available.  This recipe, adapted from Giada's Everyday Italian cookbook (loving the book!  not so much the repetitive shots of her cleavage!), is one of my new favorites.  In fact, I've made this white bean + tuna salad twice in the past two weeks--once with Italian tuna and once with domestic (I'll share my opinion on each below).  The salad is excellent on a good multi-grain cracker, flat, Italian cracker or with a crusty bread.  Bon appetit!

Recipe after the jump...click on "read more" for the recipe. 

Baby Gray Turns One

Talk about bittersweet...my last li'l babe turned one last week!  I know it's a bit cliché, but I can't help but think, "where did the time go?".  I am so grateful he came into our family's life last year...we needed him tremendously.  Never before has a family member been so loved and cherished and I believe this is because my children are finally all at an age where they truly understand and appreciate the blessings that come from having a new sibling.  It's been wonderful to watch them take Gray under their wing.

We were lucky enough to be in Salt Lake on his birthday, so we celebrated with his birthday buddy India, the gorgeous daughter of my dear friend, Rachel Jones (she writes the fantastic blog, Black Eiffel); you can see pics of them together below. Our first stop was local favorite Les Madeleines for birthday treats; second stop: a new park to explore together via scooting and crawling :) The weather was incredible and all in all it was a perfect, relaxing day and just what we all needed.

Warning: I'm about to post an obscene amount of Baby Gray images, so if you're interested in viewing them, click "read more" below...but I won't be offended if you don't :)

Repurposing Savon de Marseille

I feel like I'm finally at the stage in life where I prefer to have fewer, but nicer things (boy, that took awhile!).  No longer do $9.99 price tags tempt me (unless of course I would've paid full-price for them as I loved them that much) and as a result, I spend less and enjoy life more.  I also feel an increased appreciation for what I do have--a good feeling indeed!

One of the small niceties I like to treat myself to every once in awhile are these pretty Savon de Marseille liquid soaps from France.  When overseas I like to purchase a few bottles for La Maisonnette, but thankfully you can find them just as easily here in the States (my source is Modern Palm).  These well-designed French soap bottles are beautiful, sturdy, and full of some of the best soap in the world.  They certainly brighten my entire day...all day...as I am constantly washing my hands (4 kids will do that to ya!).  If you consider cost per use, we're down in the pennies and I'd say that's a pretty darn good deal.

When you're finally out of soap (and thankfully it takes awhile as a little goes a long way), run your bottle and pump through the dishwasher and repurpose it as a vase!  It's an excellent vessel for a few small stems or one thick stem (i.e. a sunflower).  When you're in the mood to change things up again, but want to keep things budget-friendly, try filling the Savon bottle with whatever liquid hand or dish soap you have on hand.  And then start the cycle all over again :)

p.s. I like to keep a few extra bottles-turned-vases on hand for gifts too.  They make the perfect little pick-me-up!

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Real Life Home No.9: Living in a Tower

I am thrilled to share this week's "Real Life Home" with you as it's not often one has the chance to peek into such a unique living space.  Ever known anyone who lived in a tower?  One that isn't slated for residences?  Well, this family of four does, and they worked hard for it too!  It was no small feat securing the top few floors of this historical landmark in Seattle (the best opportunities seem to be the most difficult to make happen), but Seattleite Petra Franklin made it happen despite all the headaches and obstacles in her path.  She dealt with a lot of "red tape", extensive renovations, and also hired a local architectural firm to make the tower safe for two small children (did I mention the water tower that was relocated?).  However, the out-of-this-world views make up for it all...talk about feeling on the top of the world!

It's been very inspirational for me to have the chance to meet this lovely family--it's one things to do interesting things, but to add children in the mix takes the word "adventure" to a whole new level.  I'm in total awe!  And while it's not the traditional home, Petra makes sure her two little girls still have the chance to participate in typical kiddo activities like playing with sidewalk chalk and swinging on a tire; the only difference is they ride an elevator down 42 floors to the street to put that chalk to use and their tire swing runs through the main living space.  It's all about improvising, right?

Let's start off with Petra's amazing Dale Chihuly sculpture that hangs from the rafters...isn't it incredible?  I love seeing his pieces in dramatic locations (one of my all-time favorites is the fiery cascade in Salt Lake's Abravenel Hall).  I want to present you with a few different angles so its presence is truly captured.  Itty bitty steps lead up past the sculpture to a Charlie-and-the-Chocolate-Factory type globe with 360 degree views of Seattle.  Breathtaking!

The dining nook just off the little kitchen--different styles of chairs share the space around a mid-century table.   

As you can imagine, the tower makes the perfect party location and luckily Petra enjoys entertaining and is an excellent cook.

An interesting art and textile collection is on display, but in a way that encourages use and enjoyment.  Petra also places toys and such within arm's reach so that curious babies (like Gray) can be happy here too.

Placing magnets on the back of the stairs...brilliant!  Also, can you imagine being a toddler learning how to use the "potty" with views like this?

Here is a peek into the girls' room.  It's not large, but it's space enough for two beds, a collection of books and toys and all their clothing too.  It just goes to show that bigger isn't always better.  I love the bright, cheerful colors and the happy mural on one side.

Views of the master suite...aren't those Chinese doors fantastic?

How would you like to curl up here with a good book? 

Not enough?  View more "real life homes" down below...they are all inspirational in their own way!  Also, be sure to peruse this NYT article about Petra's home--what a great story!

Real Life Home No. 8 - Kayce (southern + sweet)
Real Life Home No. 7 - Sara (colorful + eclectic)
Real Life Home No. 6 - Amy (calming neutrals)
Real Life Home No. 5 - Lynne (whimsy + details)
Real Life Home No. 4 - Emily (whites + woods)
Real Life Home No. 3 - Kirsten (clean + textural)
Real Life Home No. 2 - Maria (white kitchen love)
Real Life Home No. 1 - Cherilee (mid-century modern)