Back to Square One

The beginning of fall always evokes a sense of change and renewal. It's the time of year when we must brush off the more relaxed summer versions of ourselves and get back on track. Even if we are done with school, we still have that beginning-of-a-new-year cycle ingrained in our personal clocks that whispers...

..."It's time!"

Here are a few items that I find helpful in feeling organized with getting back to square one:

I have this calendar on my desk at work. I love it because you can fill in the dates yourself so you can start a new month/year whenever you please.

Russell & Hazel Desktop Calendar $21.00

 Here's a great school planner with space to jot down class-specific to-do's.

MyPlan Agenda $20.00

 Are you a Mom trying to juggle work, football practice, piano lessons, carpool dates and never-ending grocery lists?

This is for you.

In addition to the month-at-a-glance section, the agenda also contains weekly pages with space on the bottom where you can label the boxes as you wish.

(with the kids' names, their after school activities, the babysitter's schedule, etc.)

MomAgenda $43.00

I used this desktop file during two important times of my life:

 applying to college and finding a job.

M.O. Expanding Desktop File $19.95

You pay bills online, you shop online, you post pictures online, you do everything online.

By now, you've accumulated 27 different versions of your original go-to password, to which you've added dates and extensions in order to fit the character-length-and-at-least-one-number requirements. If you're not blessed with a photographic memory and you've ever had the "maybe it's this one...no, this one....darn, THIS one?" moment, buy or make some version of this notebook and keep it in a safe place.

Password.log $5.00

Everyone needs a drawer or box to house all of the random doo-dads of life. It might not be the most organized compartment in your life, so at least make it a snazzy one.

Stockholm Office Storage Boxes $9.99

You can never have too many cute notebooks. Never.

Desktop Notes $14.00 

The bubbles on this to-do pad make for a very satisfying check mark.

Russell & Hazel To-Do Adhesive Notes $10.00

• Make those lists.
• Organize your work space.
• Wipe those slates clean.
• Get back to square one.

Whatever the hell square one means.

until next time,

g

images & items from Russell & Hazel, See Jane Work and The Container Store.

Seasonal Color Palette

A bottle of shimmery nail polish greeted me at my desk this morning. It was a gift from my co-worker. (so sweet!)

image from here 

It's name? "Icing on the Cake". I am determined to meet someone in my life and ask "What do you do?" and learn that he/she chooses nail color names. Because I will then, of course, proceed to make them my new bff so I can steal their job. Muahaha. No, but really, that's right up there with being someone who writes fortunes for fortune cookies.  I need that on my resume. Plus, it's not a secret that someone needs to get fired in that department.

Ahem, "Tomorrow is a new day". Really, Sherlock?

Although this pale color will be trusty in any climate, other shades tend to be targeted for a certain time of year. As I look ahead to the upcoming months and say farewell to summer, I must also bid adieu to my seasonal color palette. These past few months, my nails have loved: 
A Splash of Grenadine, Mint Candy Apple & Lilacism.

(yes, I have a thing for Essie .)

Now? I'm wearing my always-reliable Clam Bake.

On September 1st, Essie's new fall line will be available for purchase. In Stitches, Limited Addiction, Sew Pysched, Merino Cool, Velvet Voyeur, and my favorite - Little Brown Dress.

all Essie images from here.

So go out and rock those bikinis, whites & fun-fetti colors for a couple more weeks and when you reluctantly tuck them away, remember what's around the corner: 

grey knit cardigans, black boots, pumpkin-flavored treats, bright yellow leaves and maybe even a little brown dress.

image from jcrew 

until next time,

g

"Design in a Fast Changing Society"

What's better than a cute dress?

A cute dress you can change each time you wear it!

In 2008, a product designer named Fernando Brizio created renewable clothing using felt-tip pens. By placing the different colored pens into pockets of the dress, the ink seaps in and creates an oval bleed. You're then able to wear it, wash it and make a different color combination for the next occasion.

all images from Design Boom

"I just need to get ready for dinner. Ya know - take a shower, do my hair and makeup - oh and color my dress. Be ready soon!"

For those of us who tend to spill (who me? heh.), a stain-on-purpose garment is too good to be true! I realize that the idea is not necessarily eco-friendly (that's a lot of  felt pens), but I think the "renewable" idea is more about re-using the dress itself.

Brizio showcased the renewable dresses in his exhibition, "Flexibilty - Design in a Fast Changing Society". To learn more about the the show and his process, check out the article in Design Boom here.

Crayola heaven or just plain silly? You be the judge. I'd say that regardless, it's pretty darn innovative.

until next time,

g

Lonny Magazine

I am inspired by many things.

Decor is one of them. 

After Conde Nast shut down my favorite magazine indulgence, Domino, I have been left to search elsewhere for similar finds...

...which brings me to Lonny Mag.

image from here.

Lonny Mag is an online magazine featuring home & life decor. C'mon, you can never have too many websites to scan. And Facebook, Twitter and Perez get old. The zooming, full-screen & printing options make it a perfect while-you're-eating-lunch-at-work escape. The accessibility of online magazines = instant gratification. 

A plethora of beautiful rooms and knickknacks fill the June/July 2010 issue, including a spread on one of my favorite stores to peruse in NYC - Elizabeth Bauer. And just a big ol' FYI, you can purchase the Sex and the City "love" keychain featured on page 18 of that issue at the holiday markets in Bryant Park for $10. Shhhhhhhh.

Also, if you click on decorate in the website header, you will have the choice of scanning multiple rooms for inspiration in the following categories: living rooms, dining spaces, bookshelves, work spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor spaces. The thought of actually having all of those areas to decorate (one day!) makes me salivate. Until then, I'll continue to take mental notes.

Oh, and word on the street is that Domino has resurfaced online - but guess where they've placed their home decor articles? Under the company's bridal website. I'm sorry, but there are actual readers of Domino who are not brides. Bad move. According to this article in Daily Finance, someone commented at Apartment Therapy  (another great website!) saying "I have no idea what a wedding-related website has in common with a decor mag, but I'll travel anywhere for Domino, including Brides.com. (Heck, I'll knock over a bride if I have to.)"

For now, this little lady is stickin' to Lonny.

until next time,

g

Get the Sensation!

If you know me, you know that I love York Peppermint Patties.

image from here

I remember hanging off the shopping cart in the Kroger checkout line as a little girl and looking at my mom with my practiced pitiful face. It looked a little something like this:

image from here

Sometimes I got the stern "no" glance back and I'd readjust my pouted bottom lip and resume playing with my Polly Pocket necklace. Other times, though, she'd glance back and quickly toss two Peppermint Patties onto the conveyer belt. (score!)

We know that I may not be the world's greatest chef (heh), but I definitely plan on trying this recipe from CDKitchen.

Yes, you guessed it, it's a recipe for York Peppermint Patties!

Ingredients:
1 Egg white
4 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon Peppermint oil or extract
Cornstarch for dusting
1 (16-oz.) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

 Directions:

In a medium bow, beat the egg white until it is stiff and forms peaks. Don't use a plastic bowl for this.

Slowly add the powdered sugar while blending with an electric mixer set on medium speed. 

Add the corn syrup and peppermint oil or extract and knead the mixture with your hands until it has the smooth consistency of dough. 

Using a flat surface and a rolling pin lightly dusted with cornstarch, roll out the peppermint dough 1/4-inch thick. 

Punch out circles of peppermint dough with a biscuit cutter or a clean can with a diameter of about 2 1/2- inches. Place them on plates or cookie sheets, and let them firm up in the refrigerator, about 45 minutes. 

Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave set on high for 2 minutes. Stir halfway through the heating time. Melt thoroughly, but do not overheat. Melting the chocolate chips can also be done using a double-boiler over low heat. 

Drop each patty into the chocolate and coat completely. Using 2 forks, one in each hand, lift the coated patty from the chocolate. Gently tap the forks against the bowl to knock of the excess chocolate and place each patty on waxed paper. 

Chill the peppermint patties until firm, about 30 minutes.

This recipe from CDKitchen for York Peppermint Patties serves/makes 20 patties.

I am now going to let you in on my very special little secret. Please choose wisely who you tell, mkay?

Next time you're enjoying the chocolate-mint-love-in-a-silver-wrapper amazingness, hold the peppermint pattie close to your ear and slowly break it in half.

image from here

The noise gives you chills, right? That's what I thought.

Head to your nearest grocery store and either pick up the ingredients to make your own or hit up the candy aisle by the checkout. Either way, "get the sensation!".

until next time,

g