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-

the search for the perfect clear glass lamp

I refer to it as "the one that got away". Yes, I am talking about a lamp. My "missed connection" of the lighting world. Back in the fall of 2009, I was doing some usual browsing at Homegoods. That day, I made a great purchase and bought a chaise lounge on clearance for $250. That same day, I saw an amazing lamp. I photographed and sent it to Susie. She too loved it. I was faced with a dilemma: the lamp was $60, I was already spending $250. I did not buy it. To this day, I still regret not buying the lamp. It was perfect. Clear cylindrical glass base with a cork insert in the top of the glass and a linen drum shade. There something about having a clear lamp that just glows and emits just the right light.  I have since found anything that even compares. In my recent web search, I have found some that are nice, but way too expensive and still not as good. The above table lamps range from $40-$400, yet none are still quite right. And then I thought, could I make this? They sell DIY lamp kits. All I would need is some kind of glass cylinder, a cork piece for the top, and to buy a lamp kit and a shade. Hmmm, maybe I will add it to my "to make"  list. If anyone knows of a source for an affordable glass cylinder lamp or has experience making a lamp before, please, do tell me.

Until then, I will continue in my quest for the perfect clear glass lamp, and my quest for the perfect bloody mary. (Irrelevant? I think not)
-L-

olive loves: blogging about puppies to make up for lack of blog posts

Since I haven't blogged in nearly two weeks, I decided to play the puppy card.  I have been home in Cincinnati visiting my family, for my mother's birthday, and since I am lacking blog inspiration, I can only think to blog about my dog.  Many weeks, a striped rug, or a piece of vintage Pyrex can make my day; but this week, having returned to Providence, and being quite homesick, it is Lilie who I am thinking about the most.  And it is she who is the topic of this blog.

Meet my family's dog, Liliequist of the Berkshires, Lilie for short.  This photo was taken at my cousins' house in Connecticut during Thanksgiving 2007.  Lilie was just over 6 weeks old when we decided to surprise my parents with a puppy on this vacation. 

My dad: elated, my mom: not happy about forthcoming dog hair. 

My sister Jocelyn purchased Lilie in the Berkshire Mountain Region of Williamstown, Massachusetts, where she then lived and worked.  After the death of our Spring Spaniel, Stephanie, our family went two years dog free.  This was a strategic move; Stephanie was perhaps the dumbest (and cutest) dog you've ever met, and the idea of having another similarly behaved dog was not something to look forward to.  But after two years, something just didn't feel right.  Family walks were beginning to dwindle, and something needed to be done.  So we decided to give Lilie to my dad as a late birthday present.  She has since been the focus of our family's attention for three years.  And for a good reason.  She gets the paper every morning.  She retrieves her leash when she wants to go on a walk.  She doesn't bark at passing dogs.  She can recognized a USPS employee even outside of her own neighborhood, or state, and will approach said USPS worker to retrieve a treat.  Her list of tricks goes on and on.   And while I am always impressed with her intelligence, I am most fond of her loyalty and gentleness.  She is one of my best friends, she always greets me kindly, and is always sad to see me go.  So, for lack of a better post, I leave you with some photos of my American Lab, Lilie.

Lilie and Jocelyn playing frisbee on Washington and Lee Campus (Athletic Fields, Summer 2008).  Photo taken by Susie Keller.

 Lilie in Harbor Springs, Michigan, Summer 2008.  Photo taken by Susie Keller.

Lilie and her best Friend, Ralph, Winter 2009, Cincinnati, Ohio.  Photo taken by Susie Keller.

So, there you have it, I have used my puppy card, and I will now continue to blog regularly.  And since I mentioned Vintage Pyrex earlier in the post, I should let you know that I have acquired a rather special lemonade pitcher...to be blogged about in the near future when I can borrow my Lumix from work.

Missing my best friend, who just so happens to be my dog.

-S-

olive loves diy

DIY= Do it yourself.  My mom and I stumbled on a roadblock last week, when trying to hang my pots and pans in the new apartment.  I brought with me my old pot rack, which we quickly decided would not work.  Given that my place was built in 1809, the construction is plaster and lathe, or as some of you are more familiar, the kind of wall that crumbles when you try to nail into it.  Now, there are ways around this, and you can hang heavy things with ease by using screws, but we didn't want to chance it with a pot rack that gets used frequently.  So, here is what we divised out of these two things:

Copper water pipe that you can purchase at a hardware store, and the copper brackets that go along to anchor the pipe in place.  While taking the afternoon off to go down to Newport, my mom and I stopped in Home Depot on the way back to the apartment.  We had a nice employee help us cut the copper pipe there in the store to size.  For the hooks to hang the pans, he recommended garden "S" hooks.   Here is the result:

Not too shabby!  I have two windows in my kitchen, and they both now have the retrofitted, STURDY (since the screws are anchored in the wood casing of the window) pot rack!  Total cost for the pipe, brackets and "S" hooks was somewhere around $30.  The result looks fantastic, and I couldn't be more happy since we came up with it ourselves.  Actually, I should be thanking my mom, who for her entire life, has thought of creative DIY projects or solutions, this one specifically.  Thanks Mom! 

Do you have any DIY projects that you are proud of?  Please share!

I'm leaving you with a picture of spring.  This past weekend, All of the spring-time flowers bloomed around my yard.  It's such a beautiful sight!

-G-