olive learns all about gardening

In the past few weeks I have been busy with the winding down of gallery season at The Chazan Gallery, and beginning my new job at Garden Endeavors where I will be assisting a talented team of landscape architects and horticulturists with fine gardening and landscaping jobs in and around Newport, Cape Cod, and Connecticut.  On the team I am, by far, the least knowledgeable about plants and agriculture, but I bring good energy and strength to the table.  I seem appreciated thus far, but we'll see if this changes by the end of the summer; I need to pick up on things so I can stop asking so many questions. "What kind of plant is this?"  "Why do you hate peonies?  I love them."  "What is a Japanese Weeder, and where can I find one?"

Every morning I meet at Garden Endeavors 'headquarters' in Swansea, Massachusetts, and get to work.  Work includes: sorting good/bad perennials, tending to the home garden (about an acre), moving compost, and gathering plants, supplies and equipment that the team will use on the daily project.  So far I have been to three different job locations, each of them beautiful.  And I am proud to say that with the help of a co-worker, I dug 4, 35' trenches, each 12" deep on Monday.  Which were then filled with over sixty asparagus crowns.  Did you know that asparagus can take 4 years to grow?  And that it looks like sea anemone underground, with long tentacles spreading through the earth?  A twenty year old asparagus plant has roots like a tree.  No wonder it tastes so good.  I snapped a few photos of Garden Endeavors below.

So, I am taking on yet another new project, and learning as much as I can about gardening and landscaping this summer, in my quest to become a master of all domestic arts.  Since there is no MFA program in the Domestic Arts, I have been piecing together my own curriculum which includes: cooking classes at Williams Sonoma (hopefully also at Johnson and Wales), gardening/landscaping this summer and reading cook books the way post people read Dan Brown or Jodi Picoult novels before bed.  It feels normal to me, but I realize it is not normal.

But my new love of working in the dirt does not end with the new summer job.  I am now in the process of building a raised garden bed in my apartment complex at Union Wadding Lofts.  With the help of Eric and Ally, my neighbors, and some amazing folks at New Urban Farmers, it looks like this project will be a full blown community garden before May.  The cedar planks for the bed structure were purchased yesterday, and are being assembled tomorrow morning.  I am a little worried about their height and thickness, but so long as they create a stable container for my garden, all we be okay.  I am so thankful that the folks at New Urban Farmers will be helping me - not only by donating some compost and additional supplies, but also by providing some much needed confidence for the project.  My seeds were started inside my apartment, and I have jerry-rigged a growing apparatus that seems to be working quite well.  Within 6 days most of the beans, peas, and herbs have sprouted.  They've become my little babies.  I can't wait to get home from work and see how much they've grown in just a day.  It is truly an amazing feeling.  I believe that if I can grow food, anyone can grow food.  Check out my little baby seedlings below.  I used some old Martha Stewart Stickers (purchased at the Maxx, of course), to label each of my plants.  The stickers easily became waterproof with a layer of packing tape, and became perfect baby garden stakes by adding a match to each one.

My apartment smells like a terrarium.  And I dig it.  Get it?
-S-

diy church chair

A few weeks back, I noticed the Methodist church across the street from my new place cleaning and purging out some of their older, unwanted items.  A good friend Marilyn was there, so I decided to venture across the street to see if they were throwing out anything that could be salvaged, or, "repurposed."  Lo and behold, they were getting rid of this gorgeous chair above.  It has beautiful lines, and sits like a champ.  I can't wait to take it to the upholsterer to get it redone.  I intend on painting the wood (it's not the most ideal stain color) a cream or putty color.  On a trip to Ikea this past weekend, my girlfriends and I had a heyday in their fabric section.  Ikea has some of the hippest prints around, and for a very reasonable price, I scored this fabric pictured below ($5.99 a yard):

[photo credit for fabric-ikea]

The fabric is comprised of origami animals in grey, on a cream background.  The animals are moose (my fave), birds, wolves, and some sort of crane.  I think this fabric will give this very traditional chair a bit of edge.  From a distance, it looks like some sort of simple toile.  Up close, you can see the uniqueness of this print.  Can't wait to get this finished!  Items also scored from the church- an antique Eastlake chair, simple, white painted wooden mirror, and some old hymnals-for classic Christmas tunes, of course.  Thanks Marilyn!  I'll be sure to post, "after" pics when this chair is finished!

-G-

olive loves julia rothman illustration

[Julia Rothman via Apartment Therapy]

A 2002 graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Julia Rothman, is becoming quite the sensation in the Illustration world.  Her drawings are quirky and whimsical, and are now featured on various products such as lotions/perfumes, bedding, clothing, bags and accessories, stationary, etc. and more!  She now works out of her studio in Brooklyn, NY.  Click here to check out the examples of her work and its applications.  Oh, and yes, I'll take the picture above, and the wallpaper below.  Thank you!

-G-

[Julia Rothman wallpaper, above and below left, and the artist herself-below right]

warning: trail mix is addictive

It has come to my attention that there is a need for a consumer advisory on packages of trail mix, and other addictive "healthy snacks". Sure, trail mix is "good for you" when you're hiking for 8 hours a day; when you're sitting at work at your desk, I beg to differ. Those small bags of pre-made mixes have "11 servings" in them, easily consumed in one sitting.  I have recently become victim to trail mix addiction. I was supposed to go hiking in New Hampshire this past weekend but the trip was canceled due to weather concerns. I had volunteered to be in charge of providing the "GORP" for the hike. Big mistake. I tend to enjoy chocolate more than the other components of this medley, so, I made my own mix and threw in both M&Ms and Reese's pieces, just in case. As I mentioned, the trip was canceled so I was left with a gallon-sized freezer bag of goodness. What's a girl to do? Clearly, consume trail mix at all times of complete unnecessity. The bag remains in my desk drawer at work. Sometimes, I forget that it's in there, but when I remember, it's practically impossible to stop the madness. So, this is my public service announcement: trail mix is extremely addictive, proceed with caution.

You've been warned.
-L-

decorating with text

There is something very powerful about words. Whether it's how they're composed, the language they're written in, or what they say, text can make beautiful art, and can be a great way to add interest to a space. I like the idea of adding bold text art into a collection of images on a wall to mix things up. Better known as "typography" in the graphic design world. There are many ways to employ this technique in your space. Whether as wall art, or other decor, here are some examples and ideas.

Poster from Ikea

Manuscrit rug from DWR

Poster from Laurie Coyle Designs-Etsy Shop

Minotti "beat" rug

 

"lean on me" pillow, cb2

LA metro Station Stairs

I love the idea of having words on your stairs; a nontraditional place for art but somewhere you're always are looking.  The RISD Design Center building, where I have my class, has text on some of the stairs, but I didn't have any pictures to share.

On the theme of words, I'll leave you with a Haiku honoring the weekend:

Today is Friday

Nothing makes me happier

Than not having work                            (tomorrow)

-L-

olive anticipates: summer

Summer Favorites by susiekeller on Polyvore.com

Since it is nearly 70 degrees in Providence, I am getting pretty excited about this summer.  Although this season has changed quite dramatically since I was a kid, and summer camp is no longer the escape from the 'hell' that was 5th grade, the summer will always represent freedom and relaxation; a break from whatever it is you have grown tired of: failing middle school romances, work, the weather, wool sweaters, un-pedicured toes...


And in honor of this summer, which really can't come soon enough after this miserable winter and the complete absence of any summer in 2009, I have posted some of my favorite summer items.  This is a season during which I stick to a fairly strict uniform, which includes Hanes V-Neck White Tees with Patagonia Baggies and Rainbows during casual days, and white jeans with some sort of striped top and Jack Rogers for evenings or fancier events.  An L.L. Bean tote is a perfect companion to either of these uniforms, although I often opt for my red Kate Spade wicker clutch for special occasions.  I like to keep my tote stocked with NO AD SPF 15, which is inexpensive, and very effective, and of course, found at Job Lot.  I should also mention that although my summer drink will always be a Gin and Tonic with Hendrick's Gin, some people consider Del's Frozen lemonade the true sign of summer and as an increasingly permanent Rhode Islander, I felt compelled to give credit where credit is due.


By the way, Essie Short Shorts, while quite loud, is by far the nail polish which will make you appear most tan, even when you are not.  The search is finally over.  You're welcome.


Hoping the weather is just as nice in your neck of the woods.
-S-

my next bedroom

As I continue my search on craigslist for a new place, I am continuously thinking about what my next bedroom might look like. I will try to make use of everything I already have and maybe add a few more smaller accents to finish it off. Last time I was home, my mom was going through her closet and found a great toile bed coverlet I will use for the summer. I love the idea of making window treatments out of burlap like my good friend Jacqueline did at her new place in Saratoga.(so cute! Send pictures so I can put them on the blog!) I pretty much have everything I need, now all I need is  a room (or two) to put it all in.

Any Rhode Islanders need a roommate for the summer?
-L-