string*THEORY

::TWO::

::Two Colors::

Black + White.

::Two Recipes::

My Mother-in-law's chicken....(hers is the simplified version. Click on the link for the more advanced)

Kima

• 1lb turkey or chicken(ground) 
• 1 small onion
• 1teaspoon ginger
• 1teaspoon garlic
• half teaspoon black or red pepper
• Tumeric (very little)

Fry up the onions in a bit of canola oil. Stir in the garlic + ginger. Stir the mixture for a few minutes. Add in the pepper and little bit of water. Add in a bit of tumeric. Stir for few minutes. Add in the ground turkey or chicken. Cover and simmer until cooked. Stir. Stir. Stir. Cover it. Leave and go check your bloglines for  5-10 minutes. Done. Did you like it, was it good?

Cynthia's Lettuce Cups (Another version on Jess's blog) 

• 1 lb ground turkey (beef, pork, or turkey)
• 1 can bamboo shoots, chopped
• 1 can water chestnuts, chopped
• 1 can mushrooms (fresh is better), chopped
  pine-nuts (1 handful)
• 1 bag or head of lettuce (bagged spinach is tasty too)
  soy sauce

Brown the turkey meat. Add soy sauce while cooking. Drain. add the chopped bamboo, water chestnuts and mushrooms. Toast the pine nuts and add these to the mixture.Serve with lettuce cups, or on top of lettuce as a salad topper.

The recipe makes plenty for 4 dinners. It also freezes well if you want to make extra.

Ok...YUM to both of these. I need to try them both. A virtual high five to both of these lovely ladies for helping out with the LifeStyle Diet. Need more recipes?

::Two Eating Tips::

Kat + Amber stay as close as they can to those fresh veggies (natural + in season). Kat had the brilliant idea of pre-cutting + preparing little bags of veggies. So when she's hungry - she's all set with a quick little healthy snack to grab right out of the fridge.

Reflection. Anna + Ali suggested reflecting on what you eat by writing down what goes down the hatch. This tip is especially helpful to me, because I have that bad habit of grabbing random things and snacking (I work from home - so it's easy for me to meander down the hall to the kitchen). As Ali put it, writing down what you eat will "shame" you into eating well. Nicely put I must say.

::Two Exercise Tips::

Teresa swears by Bikram yoga and assured me that it's not as intimidating as it looks. Am I the only one that finds highly flexible people sopping wet in their own hard earned sweat a bit intimidating?

Beth recommends being honest + reasonable with yourself in terms of exercise times. Don't force yourself to work out during times you hate. This is the quickest way to de-motivate yourself from getting to the gym.

::Two Resources::

Skylar shared these two resources; You on a Diet and Fat Secret.

Thanks to all of you who took a moment to lend a hand, a trick, a recipe. Every single one is appreciated, keep them coming! There are many other great ones that I didn't mention here, so do take a second to read them, if you're in need of a little inspiration for your own LifeStyle Diet.

P.S. The photos where taken at lunch today. Some were taken with the black + white setting, most were not. It's just that kind of place and I couldn't resist a mini photo-shoot. I'm sure the other patrons thought I was nuts. Because I am. Click on fourth one down for a little chuckle.

1 :: Track :: Mind

Do you have one too? All this organizing + lifestyle dieting is taking over in a way that is so ridiculously familiar to me. The spurts, you know, of creative energy - in a single mindedness sort of way. Which is why you've seen less and less making around these parts and more and more talk of cooking...and exercising...and other this n' thats.

It's okay to be focused, right? Focused or Obsessive, you be the judge. It's times like this, times where I've found myself without a new made item or book read in over a week when a little dash of inspiration to this giant stew of creativity is in order.

So today will be a day on inspiration...shall we take a walk over to the craft section of my little neighborhood library? Let's see what's in store...

I imagine part of this might be that awkward transitional phase I seem to go through towards the end of summer (but, it's not the end yet, is it?)...the process of spending less and less hours...then days at the sewing machine, as my twitchy little fingers find their way to the thing that comforts me most when the sun begins to set + the leaves turn to gold. Knitting. Perhaps, we're nearing that time. And books. Yes, books, time to tee up the autumn line-up. Tea in hand, I'm ready.

...but until it's official, enjoy the eye-candy inspiration.

{oh dear, did you think I forgot about your recipe? don't you worry one bit, tomorrow will be the day where we talk about food again}

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Photo Credits:

Elephant Pouch by Myra Masuda - The Crafters Companion Ed. Anna Torborg

Scrap Wrap - Quilts by Denyse Schmidt

Mixy-Matchy Napkins - Bend-The-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol

Striped Rug (felted) - The Home Guide to Craft by Katherine Sorrell

Bourgeois Bag Organizer - Simple Sewing with a French Twist by Celine Dupuy

Hot Pockets + Beer

Well, apparently I'm not the only one that eats like crap, makes a mess + watches trashy TV when there's no one around to guide me to be a better person. I can't tell you how happy that makes me feel. Last night was a little more soul feeding. The evening involved a delectable dinner with the sis...a trip to my beloved sale section of Anthropologie (yes, "my beloved" - it's as familiar to me as my living room)...and ended with...you guessed it - another sleep-over, a bottle of wine + 'sumore trashy TV. Really, though, what's better then that?

But I didn't pop in today to go on and on again about my self-destructive behavior. I need a little help, and wondered if you could lend a hand.

I'm working on a custom order for a long-term-blog-friend (identity to be released when I get a photo of her dear little future-babe - ETA: September). This custom order is especially fun for me, partly because she has great style (I can see that through her knitting + fabric suggestions), and partly because she's given me a lot of creative freedom.

So, I'm wondering - what do you think of these fabric choices?

Outside of the bag:

Inside (a nice surprise - especially for a sweet baby girl - not that we're trying to genderize the poor babe!):

Want to be a part of the creative process? I'll blog it here. Maybe it would be fun for the little babe to someday see the journey of how her diaper bag was made. Or maybe that's just something we all think is fun. Seriously though, it's what this whole handmade movement is all about, isn't it? A re-connection to the people that lovingly take the time to make the things we use. We can't get that shoppin' at Walmart, now can we?

When in Doubt - Play with Color

Yesterday was my first full day of health (with the exception of the sharp pain that kept me up from 1am-2am last night). It was also the first of the three days that I get to myself this month to do whatever I want (or need) to do. It was also the beginning of the only week I will have in my house this month. I wanted it to be filled with productive work, the kind that makes the mind strong and soul calm. Cleaning...cooking...organizing...crafting.

Almost none of that actually happened (with the exception of the last one). Instead I sat around feeling guilty for not being motivated to do any of it. And sad that the one week at home this month was also the one week the hubs would be away. Egh, hate that feeling.

Things really started looking up when I finally decided to throw up my hands and indulge in the feeling. I didn't want to "regret" my non-productive Saturday, so I did what any child of the 80's would and turned on Dirty Dancing for a day filled with mindless craft + periodic naps.

The day ended with lots of fabric tags (in the boutique now) and an Entourage + Flight of the Conchords sleep-over with my sis. My sister has many many talents - but her best skill? Cheering up her big-baby of a big-sister.

 

Holy Moly

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the enthusiastic response to my new little endeavor. Thank. You. So. So. Much. Really, from the bottom of my crafty little insecure heart. "Insecure" is what has kept me from jumping into the Etsy pool...and you guys (plus the hubs + my ridiculously loving family) pretty much beat it out of me. Thank you for that.

This thing is big, but trust me, nuthin's changin' around these parts. This journal will not turn into some obnoxious + ruthless-enterprising-buy-buy-buy website where I'm constantly pimping my "stuff". No, no, I just don't have the energy for all that jazz. Plus, I still believe that the key to reducing waste in this world is for all of us to contribute by buying only the things that we really truly love. So, I see the itty bitty boutique as a little country shop attached to the back of my studio, where all the things I lovingly and painstakingly churn out end up for the world to adopt. When I'm able, I will fill it. When I'm not, then I will just babble on and on as I have in the past. But for the most part, I will sit here like I have, cutting + sewing away, and every once in awhile, when I hear the little chime of the cow-bell attached to the shop door, I'll put down my scissors + glue, brush off my apron and greet the person who has waltzed in the shop to support me.

The little ledger book up top is the sweetest most thoughtful gift received today from Beth. A perfectly imperfect notebook that coincides nicely with the over-all production of my shop + will now serve as the shops foreman while it works hard to keep my orders straight. I can't get over the sweetness of it all, the embroidery, the way she matched the fabric to the thread...and the perfect little stitches holding everything together. It reminds me of the notebooks used in some of the down-home stores or stalls you see in the country or at the farmers market. Thank you, Beth.

Le Boutique

If a girl  was ever scared to do anything in her life, all she would need to do is hint around it on her blog and all the encouraging words she needed to coax her out of her safe little turtle shell would pour in from all her virtual friends giving her the strength to take a risk and try something new.

I'm not really sure why "selling my stuff" is so scary to me, but it is. It might be that I'm exposing myself to criticism and the cold hard truth to be told. And really, it's more then just "stuff", isn't it? But there have been a few really lovely (and loving) things that happened to me this week giving me a renewed sense of confidence that I can do this.Some of which was all your encouraging words (and emails) in reaction to my last post.

Thank you.

We're right on schedule to open up the little Etsy shop on Friday morning. Bright and early at 8am - all the goods will be ready to go. There, I've said it. It's in print. So it must happen.

And the hubs will surely be happy too, not only because he's excited for me, but also because the "...but ...it's for the shop" excuse for the fabric disaster that is our home right now will no longer be valid. Shucks, I was hoping to ride that one out.

*Speaking of Etsy, the last couple of photos are of the most fantastic reversible headband I bought from Anne of Sugar Apple Creations. I can't tell you how much I love this thing - I wear it constantly, and secretly love the feeling of pretending to be from the 1950's*

A New Member of the Family

I'd like to introduce you to a new member of our family. "Fashionista"..."Studio Guard Extraordinare"..."Design Assistant". She arrived yesterday all the way from NYC and is adjusting nicely to our San Francisco weather (hence the sweater). I've been searching and searching (two years now!) & finally found the perfect studio-assistant. Just in time & just the right size.

I hate to keep her cooped up in the studio, she's a lovely addition to our living room where she stands now, but she keeps freaking me out. "Who's that woman watching TV with my husband!"...I wish I was lying, but she startled me more then once last night. I'm not the jealous type, I promise. {fingers crossed behind my back}. She has impeccable style, so what can I say.

Ok, enough on that, I'm starting to feel crazy. Ooh, but one more shot...

Ooh, but before I forget, she needs a name! Can you help me name her...(I'm thinking something French or Italian, maybe)? I'll take suggestions in the comments section here...the name I choose & that's the most fitting for this little babe is the winner....and gets to choose from one of these:

[click to enlarge] You may remember their bouncing sister from this post.

Sounds fun? I'll choose a winner on Saturday.

Thank you for your compliments and suggestions on the new weblog-skin. I tried implementing as much of the suggestions as I could, with the exception of Kate's which was to add my blog name to the banner. I would love to do that, but I'm not so crafty with Photoshop....so we'll see if I can figure it out or possibly have someone show me. I like the idea. I know it's still a little off centered (thanks, Filambulle), this is a mathematics fix - something else I'm not good at. Ooh, and I changed up the center coloring....what do you think now, Charolotte? Again, thanks for the suggestions.

Proud Sisters & Jail Houses

[click on any of the photos to enlarge]

It's official, she's done. And so are my parents. This weekend was not only a celebration of my sisters (Moni) graduation from college (Fashion Merchandising & Apparel Design - how cool is that?) but also a celebration of my parents new found financial freedom as all three of their daughters are officially financially emancipated. Double...or should I say triple, cool.

The weekend brought many feelings of pride as I watched my baby sis take this new big step in her life. It was a little weird too, because I was kinda old when she was born, so I remember things like my mothers pregnancy & Moni's first steps.

It also brought a whole lot of fun as I had a chance to share my city with the family. I started out with a trip with my cousins to Oakland on the Bart (I know, I know, exciting). This was their first time riding the subway, and the trip was full of hilarious questions...like..."will we be able to see sharks when we go under the bay"....and "are there bathrooms or snacks on the subway"...and finally..."is the way back as long as it was the way here?". They were a bit nervous at first, can you tell in the photo?

Ooh look, we did find snacks, didn't we? And their naughty big cousin let them get sweets (twinkies...lot's of twinkies) before dinner, hmmm...hope their mom isn't reading this!

Then it was on to Alcatraz. And can you believe I've never been? That's the best thing about hosting visitors - the chance to visit some of the tourists sites...

Lot's of great photo opps at Alcatraz, let me tell you...or show you (better yet)....

And I'll leave you with my favorites...(life in prison looks similar to our little crafty lives, doesn't it?)...ok, I was kidding about that. The tour was pretty sad, actually. But this wasn't:

Moo Cards & Etsy Finds

Have you caught on to the latest Moo Card craze yet? I'll admit to be a total sucker for crafty internet "gadgets" (gadgets without wires of course)...the photo on the mug or tote bag...customized calendars - I fall for it every time.

Moo Cards are right up my alley. And people are getting pretty crazy with them, you know...parties...and magnets too. They kind of remind me of "picture time" in junior high when everyone would swap wallet size school photos of themselves with the intent on building the biggest collection ever. You know, as if they were baseball cards. Kinda of strange, kinda cool.

They also offer me a healthy distraction from preparing my house for this weekends festivities. Hours and hours of time can be passed re-arranging the cards in various piles...by color..by subject...by craft...

...And by "Knitting Project To-Do's":

This will be part of what will soon become my "inspriration board" in the little studio...

With that said...and in the spirit of our inner pre-pubescent-adolescent selves - who wants to do a little (junior high) Moo-Card Swap? Nothing extravagant, maybe just a 5-for-5 card swap...a simple throw-'em-in-an-envelope and send 'em off kinda deal....(post a comment here if your interested).

Onward....

Another place I've been coveting big time lately is Etsy. I've lingered about and have bought quite a few treasures in the past, but I've been especially interested lately since I'm working on decorating that little studio of mine with as much inspiration as possible. And inspiration, I found. Check out these babies:

Found by Mandy Sutcliffe of MillyMollyMandy. I'm not sure what I love more, the obvious talent and emotion portrayed in the print (how sweet are those two?) or the beautiful bonus gifts of stickers and a small (hand written, mind you) "thank you" card. See, this is what I love about Etsy, the direct connection you have with the artist...the personal "service" in the transaction...and all the love that goes around & around from artist to "customer" and back again. (Thanks, Allegra for turning me on Mandy's work).

Chair Art by Annie Wilkinson of Girl vs. World. Another amazing talent. This is a large print on (what I think) is stiff fancy photo-like paper. The colors in this print are so rich and saturated with detail - something I just can't portray in this photograph. The stance, the prints, her expression - all so unique and beautiful.

They Call Me Mellow Yellow

I'm just mad about Saffron. And Saffron's mad about me. They call me mellow yellow. Quite Rightly. They call me mellow yellow.

This is the very song that streamed through the 1980's radio at the thrift store this past week. It creeped into my mind and quickly became the soundtrack hummed by my mom and I the rest of our thrifting adventure that day. Not only was it the hymn du jour, it was also the guiding light for my purchases, as everything I seemed to pick-up...and buy...was just that. Mellow yellow. Beautiful, happy shades of saffron.

Saffron (or "butter"..."honey"...whatever shade you prefer...) has more then just creeped into my mind these days. It's starting to take over my life completely.

This is the weekend of change and renewal, and I'm finally getting to designing that nasty storage room I call my "studio". I've choosen a bold shade of yellow to keep things bright and jovial - the first coat went on this evening... and I hate to jump to conclusions...but it's really really YELLOW. Maybe....too yellow.

Photos of it's progress to come....