August 25th, 2010



Simple. Clean. Fresh. That’s the design, photography and recipes of the Stone Soup blog on simple cooking and eating. Jules Clancy from Australia writes lovely little posts on recipes that use very few ingredients, and she offers free e-cookbooks. Perfect for late summer.
Posted in Books, Food & Drink, Photography | No Comments »
July 2nd, 2010
Posted in Design, Handmade | No Comments »
May 28th, 2010


Maybe because of our extraordinarily long, wet and cold Spring or because I just got back from Europe, I am once again salivating over the thigh high stockings, garters, arm warmers and leggings offered by Sock Dreams in Portland, Oregon. I came across this site thanks to The Black Apple and love revisiting it to secretly gaze over the lovely patterns of wool, cashmere, lace and ribbons. The pin-up photos show cute legs in all shapes and sizes and various positions…very sexy. Additionally, they offer FREE shipping…even SEXIER!
Posted in Clothes, Design, Travel | No Comments »
March 5th, 2010

While ready the latest issue of Mary Jane’s Farm, I saw an article on vet tech, farmer, beekeeper and artist Zan Asha. You might think she lives in the wilds of Vermont, but she does all these things in Brooklyn, of all places. Her art is created under the name Vagabond Creations and she sells several items on Etsy. I was completely charmed by her mama catfish and kittenfish. That mama does not seem to know what to do with her lively little kittenfish.


Posted in Design, Handmade, People | No Comments »
January 28th, 2010

It may be because of the cold weather, but I’m falling deep under the spell of the warm, southern style and sound of Rising Appalachia. Not only do their voices and music make me want to wander through a moist bayou, but I might just decide to start dressing like them…but only on summer weekends.
Posted in People | No Comments »
December 1st, 2009

While doing a search for scrapbooking designs for a website I’m working on, I ran into this wonderful design studio in Iowa. Avalon Rose Design, run by Catherine Haugland, has some of the most interesting vintage and layered designs I have seen in a while. Of course, I fell in love with her steampunk template above and would like to see more of those. Also, how cool is it that she also designed the logo and t-shirts for the Cornelia Marie (my favorite boat) on the Dealiest Catch?
Posted in Design, People | No Comments »
October 7th, 2009

My poor, poor neglected blog. How I have missed thee. I have been so busy with work and freelance work, my beauty of design blog had to take a summer break. Well, this photo from the Reno Slow Food group was inspiration enough to get me blogging again. Just look at that array of locally produced and cooked food. Beautiful! Fall is the perfect time to hole back up in the kitchen and create edible art. My new interest for the season is the Slow Food movement. I am determined to know more about where my food comes from and eat like a locavore. It’s a challenge, but one I am willing to take on…with knife and fork in hand.
Posted in Food & Drink, Handmade, People | No Comments »
June 19th, 2009

From Flickr Group: Motel & Hotel Signs
The Nada Dada Motel exhibit is in town again this year. I am especially looking forward to the works of Patty Melton. She will be celebrating the retro design of old hotels and hotel signs in the Reno area.
I have always loved the style of old motel signs. In Reno, several of the hotels have been closing up. I would love for there to be a certain part of the city or a street where these old signs can be refurbished and displayed. We could call it Motel Alley.
Posted in Design, Exteriors, Photography | No Comments »
May 6th, 2009

I am itchin’ to get a few t-shirts and tank tops from this small company who makes these sassy designs. Perfect for this western gal.
Posted in Clothes, Design, Illustration, People, Photography, Travel | No Comments »
April 22nd, 2009

I really adore the items that Uncommon Goods sells. They are fun, unique and unusual. I especially like their design oriented recycled and reclaimed items like their recycled windshield glasses, their reclaimed wine barrel lazy susan and their reused chopstick soapdish and basket. Happy Earth Day!
Posted in Design, Food & Drink, Handmade | No Comments »