No Kindling Needed

nikki — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:28:55 -0400

I love walking into a mountain house in the summer that smells like the leftover wood fires of winter. If you don’t have a fireplace, indulge in a Diptyque Feu de Bois candle. It will give your house that delicious after-scent of a wood fire…with no mess to clean up afterward. They also make luxurious little holiday gifts that are really appreciated and remembered.

Cookbook Porn

nikki — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:38:06 -0400

My friends laugh at the rows of cookbooks on my kitchen shelves, because I’d rather read about cooking than actually do it. Cookbooks are like relaxing beach books to me...they transport me to a parallel universe where I have intimate dinner parties featuring sophisticated conversation, rustic red wines and homemade pasta. One of these days, it might become a reality. In the meantime, I read and dream.

A Creative Haven

nikki — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:23:17 -0400

It’s back to school time and if you need a refresher course in creativity, you should consider the Squam Art Workshops in New Hampshire. You’ll find a safe and nurturing environment where you can explore a range of mediums for all levels of expertise from novice to professional. . There are 22 different classes that include: painting, printmaking, journaling, writing, photography, and some classes that combine several of those elements into one workshop.

Be Prepared

nikki — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:14:56 -0400

Last weekend my car battery died in the parking lot at a Bruce Springsteen concert. The AAA guy who came so very quickly was comforting and reassuring beyond the call of duty, and of course, I tipped him, but I wish I’d had one of Greer Chicago’s Civilette’s Portable Thank You notes to put the 10 spot in - – so much more civilized. They’re $6.50 for a pack of 10--carry them in your purse because you never know when you’ll need to depend on the kindness of strangers.

Short But Very Sweet

nikki — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:02:18 -0400

The Very Short List sends out an email once a day with some of the most eclectic finds and offbeat gems you can imagine. A recent post featured Some Came Running, one of my favorite movies of all time. You can browse the archives to catch up on what you’ve missed if you haven’t already signed up. It’s free, and it will get your morning off to a Very Good Start.

Delicious!

nikki — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:47:54 -0400

I’ve been a fan of Holly Gleason’s Yummy List for a long time. It used to be a section that sat on her web site, but now it has a home of its own. Her elegant tomboy taste, her recommendations (she loves Splendor in the Grass as much as I do!) and most of all, the way her mind works make my day. Try it, you’ll like it.

I Vote For...

nikki — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:43:35 -0400

From the wonderful Table Topics people comes ElectionTopics, ($9.00) posing 40 questions we should all be thinking about, discussing, and deciding before November. Here are a few for your dinner table, or buy a set for your favorite Democrat, Republican or Independent:

* How can the divisions in America be healed ?
* What laws should be made or changed to reduce greenhouse gases?

I Love Lists!

nikki — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:33:19 -0400

The Washington Post Book World staff picks five favorites each week, arranging them under intriguing categories such as 5 Novels So Cold You’ll Forget the Heat, 5 Books that Have Summer Written All Over Them and 5 Poets with Staying Power, to name a few. You can read the archives or subscribe to a feed at ShortStack.

Polaroid Passion

nikki — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:24:11 -0400

Wish You Were Here

nikki — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:52:04 -0400

Souvenir postcards are fine for traveling, but when you want to send a note to a friend or family member (or the President telling him just what you think of his energy policy), make it personal. Have 4 x 6 prints made of favorite photos, apply a self-adhesive postcard back from The2Buds, write your message, add stamp and pop it in the mail.

Winging It

nikki — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:35:19 -0400

I’m a big fan of Kelly Rae Roberts’artwork, and now she has a book coming out that might make some of her creative DNA rub off on the rest of us. Buy a copy of Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings and do a little soaring this summer.

Yum!

nikki — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:22:14 -0400

In the middle of the Al-Gore, globally warmed crazy hot weather we’re having, my first choice of comfort food would be homemade peach ice cream. But my favorite food blog, Orangette.com, recently featured a recipe for baked pasta that made my knees weak. She incorporates Marcella Hazen’s tomato sauce, and I can’t wait for cooler weather to try it out.

Friday Find

nikki — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:51:07 -0400

I’m addicted to Jen Renninger’s etsy.com site. I’ve strung several of her prints on my office walls, but this is one of my favorites. It reminds me...well, you get the message. Jen will be our skirt! cover artist in October. In the meantime, browse her art at her etsy shop here and her website here.

So Tweet!

nikki — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:10:32 -0400

For your next party, decorate with paper bird garlands made from vintage French magazines and other recyled papers. Each garland is approximately 12 feet long. They’re handmade by Mollie Greene and Annie Koelle and can be ordered from their etsy.com shop called Royal Buffet. $18.00 each.

Alas, Poor Yorick

nikki — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:39:05 -0400

Laugh Out Loud

nikki — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:21:03 -0400

There is one thing guaranteed to make me laugh no matter how many times I hear it...the Peter Pan episode that aired as part of the Fiasco!

S.W.A.K.

nikki — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:00:45 -0400

The Be Brave Project

nikki — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:47:37 -0400

What do you fear? The Be Brave Project challenges readers to do one thing every day that scares them. Inspired by the Eleanor Roosevelt quote, the project is ongoing--you can jump in at any time. Read all about it here.

Christine Mason Miller -- Muse

nikki — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:15:32 -0400