The late summer terrain.

 

With school starting in a mere 12 days, my spirit is clutching onto the last crumbs of summer... but my mind is {fall}ing into the reality that is autumn.  Without a doubt, my favorite time of the year none-the-less - crimson leaves & pumpkin milkshakes, dark denim jeans & charcoal gray scarfs, apple crisps, cobblers, & pies, chai lattes & hazelnut americanos, crunchy leaves & crisp, cloudy skies.  Yet, still not quite set to let summer go.

As I get ready to slip off my flip-flops and pull out the boots, I'd like to share some very cool summery finds from one of my favorite stores, Terrain.

for the garden(er)

  

+ They even carry this handy gardening pad from yesterday's post! 

  

for the chef

...

Stay tuned for this part {to-arrive-tomorrow}!

Oh, you think I'm just trying to get you to come back??

No, sillies.

Summer activities are awaiting.

Gotta get to them. :)

  

KNOCK KNOCK.

          

When purchasing a gift, isn't it equally important to consider what that person would enjoy, as it is to consider what they need?  Sometimes, the best gifts offer both pleasure and functionality.

All of Knock Knock's gifts and stationary products are designed with this intention.  Witty. Smart. Funny. Functional.   They say it best in their philosophy statement...

Our domain is desire rather than necessity, though we seek to infuse our creations with utility and meaning. 

And having worked in a large corporation for 12 years,  I can definitely appreciate this... 

Idiosyncrasy, eccentricity, humor, controversy, and opinion are infinitely more interesting than corporate homogenization, committee-decision-making dilution, and widest-possible-audience scheming.

If you are looking for a gift, or a well-designed - yet fun tool to organize your thoughts, chores, meals, or your LIFE in general, look no further.

Here are some personal favorites {click on images to see a larger view}... 
   

the never-ending to-do's - 

around the house, paper-work, errands, phone calls, info. & communication to-do's

 {a mouse-pad to have right @ your fingertips while web browsing/e-mail reading!}

Lists, notes, reminders aplenty

handy tools and/or gifts for the corporate worker, the not-so-political-savvy, and the home maintenance mgr.

   

a place to share... {recipes}.

           

One of the best parts about reading blogs is the incredible amount of inspiration that I receive from others... other 'everyday' people that I would otherwise not have the pleasure of interacting with on a day-to-day basis.  It's a different kind of inspiration from reading a magazine article or watching a show on t.v.  It's more personal.  It's like recipe swapping with the neighbor or receiving a great tip from a talented friend.

Last week, I was most inspired in the area of food.  I had time and ingredients on my side and spent a good deal of the weekend testing the recipes for myself.  And the best part is 're-tweeting' them if you will - or for those of you who are not twitter fans - simply sharing them with you [... hence, the title of my blog:)].

First up:  Valerie's - a stylish and talented friend and author of the blog with the best title, "Red Vines for Breakfast"  - Artichoke Pesto.

Next, a drink featured on the endlessly inspiring, design*sponge that I  needed to "research" further... the Sardinian Blood-Orange Mojito.  Although to my dismay, blood oranges were nowhere to be found, and Trader Joe's was out of Blood Orange Soda.  Not willing to forgo the project, I used a little bottle of orange-strawberry juice instead.  Definitely worked.

                                    

 A nice Sunday Pot Roast from another blogger friend, Jessica (who inspired me to start this blog!), at Kitchen Belleicious.  This is a special recipe because it was taught to her early on - before she became a total southern kitchen PRO - by her grandmother and mother.

Last, but definitely not least, Oatmeal Sandwich Bread from the lovely Orangette blog.  Apparently, Molly and I share the same love of toast, which is why I was very inspired create a loaf for us to enjoy for breakfast this week.  This serves 2 purposes though.  My sister-in-law, grandma, and myself made and canned lots of jam a couple of months ago, and I still have a few jars that have sat lonely in the pantry.  Hailey has decided that she no longer likes peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, which was our primary means of 'going through' jam.

                                                                    

The quintessential play date.

           

Since Jacob has been away at summer camp, this week has been full of 'Hailey activities.'  Yesterday, we invited a couple of her friends over for a "play date."  I will admit, I am a little late to join the play date party.  

And if I'm really being honest, I don't really like the term, play date.  Or for that matter, other similar terms such as, "ladies night out" or "date night" - that seem to be names that moms feel a need to create to have an excuse to take time for themselves... away from their children.  

My view?  Who needs an excuse??  I sure didn't need one before the kids, and if anything, being a mom alone IS an excuse to get away!  You know:  the whole, "Time apart makes the heart grow fonder" thing, right?

Back to the play date get-together.  One of the best parts of entertaining young ones (even Jacob's 12 year old friends) is feeding them.  Still getting my 'fix' of feeding others, but not having to marinate, or simmer, or caramelize.  

Yet it was not the small grilled cheese sandwiches, cut into fancy shapes, or the cute little raviolis, with little dishes of marinara and parmesan alongside, or the tiny cheese-filled crackers, or the mini watermelon wedges, or even the pink lemonade with the cool jewels ice, that impressed them the most.  No siree.

            

These tasty Raspberry & Vanilla Bean Bars, from Trader Joe's, were the real highlight.  The modern 50/50.  If you haven't yet tried them, well, you should. 

 Mango & latte flavors are also available @ TJ's.

The card solution.

            
Here, I promised you a post regarding the one & only, Jack Cards.  The time has come.

There are certain times of the year, this being one of them, that the 'celebratory occasions' begin to stack up- birthdays, anniversaries, you-name-it.  Yet, this time of the year also happens to be extremely busy, as summer is {sadly} coming to a close and the school year is almost upon us.  A time when it is very easy to get behind- or forget altogether.  I love shopping for cards.  I don't mind spending a little extra time and money for a quality, meaningful card.  There are times that I'd prefer to shop [off of the computer] for a card, or to create our own.  

But @ other times... Jack Cards is the perfect solution.  In a nutshell, here's how it works:

1. Sign up for free.
2. Enter in important dates, such as birthdays or anniversaries, throughout the coming year or even just the time period that you may be 'card challenged'; enter in the corresponding contact information. 
3. When you have the time, shop around for the perfect card for each occasion; order in advance.
4. Before each occasion, you will receive a stamped and addressed card (unless you don't need it stamped/addressed) in the mail- with enough time for you to personalize and send or deliver it.

No more stress.  No more excuses.  No more guilt.

Here are my recent selections of the many nifty cards offered.

 Most are birthday cards, since that's what I needed @ the moment.

{First card- Inside note: "i'm a little behind."} 

 *All cards available @ Jack Cards (birthday & anniversary section).

 

Recipe for a delectable cooking party.

                                                  
A fancy recipe-card-maker, lots of bunting...

a collaborative effort with talented contributors... 

                         

{All images were taken by a photographer friend, Belinda Block.  If you live in the area and are interested in having your party photographed, reach out to me for her contact information.}

{The lovely aprons, inspired by Skip to my Lou, were generously hand-made by my sister-in-law Erin.}

old-fashioned sodas,  cheese & rosemary breadsticks...

              
a creative table setting...

salad-on-a-stick, individual lasagnas...

       

rainbow cupcakes, homemade popsicles, pink balloons...

                

super-cool gifts, party favors, & plenty of kisses from Grandma.

        

Honey-cherry yogurt popsicles.

                               

                                                                   

Popsicles and polka dots... 2 of my favorite things.

                

Hope your weekend is filled with some of your favorite summer things.  

                                         

Recipe from here; click image to enlarge.

*NOTE:  If you don't have popsicle molds, just use a small paper cup & a popsicle stick.  Insert sticks into center of popsicles after they start to freeze.  When fully frozen & ready to enjoy, peel away the cup.

 

Large-scale images.

                                                                     

 Image via

 

Although poster printing is not a new trend by any means, I've recently come across many unique ways to transform a simple photograph into a classic and personal piece of artwork.  I love the idea of enlarging and framing a 'non-portrait' image, such as the black & white picture above, or the nostalgic playing cards and hand-written keepsake below.  If you're interested in this type of project, as I am, see here for the 'how-to' and here for extra printing resources.  Additional image ideas can be found here.

 Images via (Via here )

... Or skip the do-it-yourself altogether and order one of Debbie carlos' lovely images.

    Images via (Via here)