Kitchen Duties

I have a Mother-in-Law who is a fiber goddess. She can knit, crochet, embroider, smock, lace, and just recently became a Master level weaver. About six years ago I received from her, the best cotton dishtowels in the world - handmade from her loom. And like blue jeans, they get better with age. Although now I would like more. I have hinted and hinted and hinted, but no dice. Not to say that she hasn't made me the most handsome place mats and custom quilts for Cordelia's doll beds.

Just yesterday I was just about to toss the Wisteria catalog into the recycling bin when these dishtowels caught my eye. Maybe they will do as replacements. And then maybe, just maybe this blog entry will encourage my MIL into action!

$29 for a set of 3 dishtowels.

http://www.wisteria.com/Vintage-Kitchen-Utensil-Hand-Towels/productinfo/W3555/

Springtime in the Suburbs

I have known my friend Donna for over ten years. I love that she always remembers that my favorite flower is the peony.

I think of the peony bush as an East Coast garden icon. But not so much here in Los Angeles. However, there is a two week window of time when Trader Joe's sells peonies in inexpensive bunches and I go crazy. The house is filled with my favorite bloom.

There are those of you who also know that I love doing laundry, so imagine my excitement when Method (one of my favorite companies) came out with a great new detergent that is not only kind to our dear Mother Earth but also comes in Peony Blossom Scent.

Now that's what I call Domestic Bliss.

Also available at Target.

http://www.amazon.com/Method-Laundry-Detergent-Blossom-Bottle/dp/B002YD7TUA/ref=pd_sim_hpc_2

Seaside Eats

There's a joke my husband and I have: Whenever we arrive at the beach, I immediately want to open my bag of salt & vinegar potato chips and get started on my magazine reading. It doesn't matter if we arrive at 8am, the beach brings out my desire for salty snacking and good gossip.

Soon after I thumb through my Vanity Fair issue, I will be ready for lunch. Perhaps ham & Swiss on a nice baguette.

I love the idea of this 3 Tier Portable Square Food Container for $32.99 by Vivo in my favorite color combination.

Vivo Square Bento Box, Red, Orange, Pink, Yellow

To finish up our perfect outing with dessert, Malibu Yogurt & Ice Cream will have to be our stop on the way home...

Life is good.

Malibu Yogurt & Ice Cream
23755 Malibu Road, Malibu

My Place or Yours?

My friend Heather calls me Snow White. I have a daughter who is crazy about animals, and our latest addition to the family is an aquarium full of guppies.

Enter - the Beta Fish Condo. $25.00





Brian and I frequently fantasize about living in a sparse glass box in the Hollywood Hills.

I have a feeling all the pets would have to come along.

Would Richard Neutra approve?

Beta Fish Condo: http://www.unicahome.com/p55975/umbra/fishcondo-by-teddy-luong.html

Open Door Policy

I never thought in a million years that I would be living in Los Angeles in a 1950's house on the corner of two cul-de-sacs.

But here we are.

In the spring, we get a lovely breeze in the late afternoon, and I like to keep the front door open. Or rather, I need to keep it slightly ajar.

I can't afford to have the dog attack my beloved UPS man delivering packages for SHEShops.

A shoe to hold the door open is starting to cramp my style...

This Marseille Nautical Rope door stop for $45 is perfection.
http://www.burkedecor.com/Jute_Nautical_Door_Stopper_p/two6525.htm

Bird in Hand

Bird feeders have been a fixture in our house for as long as I can remember. There has always been the battle with the squirrels of course, and even the black bears in the Berkshires. There was the painted wood house I made in 3rd grade which fell off the branch and broke. There was the one that never really hung evenly and all the seeds fell out on the first day.

My eye is drawn to orange objects. I can't help it. So when I saw this egg bird feeder designed by J Schatz and it being Easter Sunday...Well, I just had to blog about it. 

This one, they promise, is squirrel-proof.

It's a great housewarming present. And the beautiful Bird book by Andrew Zuckerman is a wonderful a companion piece.

Book: $60.00

http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8132/

Bird feeder: $135.00

http://www.jschatz.com/eggbirdfeeders/bforange.html

Bird house: $135.00

http://www.jschatz.com/eggbirdhouses/ebhorange.html

Happy Easter!