All Wrapped Up

Holiday weekends are such a wonderful treat. Whether celebrating with family, or friends or perhaps traveling....they are a welcome time to celebrate all we hold close to our hearts. The weather here is sunny today and I grabbed a quiet moment to peek at some pretty necklaces from Lex & Lynne. I love this collection! The multi-stranded Sacred Beads Necklace is made up of various wooden beads from India that have a rich warmth to their hue.  The Monique Necklace is composed of matte black onyx, obsidian and sterling detailing. Both can be styled so many ways....worn long or wrapped a few times over. May your day be sweet & festive! xo

March Madness

It's a holiday weekend but that has not stopped the college basketball that has overtaken our evenings. March Madness is in full swing and I love recipes that everyone will enjoy while watching the games. So, tonight... as I root for Syracuse... this is what I'm making. I found this recipe for Cheesy Corn Cakes with Spicy Avocado Salsa on Pinterest (pinned by Kuntal's Kitchen) and it sounds terrific! Go Orangemen! xo

Bobby Flay 12-In. Cast-Iron Skillet (Google Affiliate Ad)

Morning on Bidwell

There's a pretty neighborhood close by that has a Farmers Market each Saturday morning. I love the springtime return of vendors selling fruit, vegetables, plants, candles, soaps and bread. There's even a yummy stand with lots of fresh salsa. You can smell fresh coffee from area shops...it's a perfect morning. I love coming home with my amazing finds for the kitchen and then deciding on some good recipes for the weekend....Happy Spring! xo

 

Cuisinart Mixing Bowls with Lids, Set of 3, CTG-00-SMB - Set of 3 (Google Affiliate Ad)

Sense of Community

I love the sense of community and positive inspiration you find amongst people who share the same passion. Whether it be knitting or cooking or whatever craft you may hold dear....if it involves taking the time to make it yourself and sharing it with others...there seems to be a common bond. I love the way people encourage each other...offering their own tales of both successes and errors...and sharing what they have learned and come across.

I see the work of other knitters and I'm constantly awed by their endless creativity. A continual example of that is the beautiful creations in the Etsy shop "Fringe". All the work in her collection is amazing and this over sized cowl especially caught my attention. It's from the Urban Decay line and incorporates two lighter weight wool yarns with various vintage fabrics. As someone who lives in skinny jeans, a long sleeved tee and riding boots...I could simply wear this cowl all spring (footnote: please see previous posts this week pertaining to the fact it's still snowing here!!)  Happy Friday! xo

Frye Paige Tall Riding Boots (Tan Leather) - Women's Boots - 5.5 M (Google Affiliate Ad)

Cool and Hip

Absolutely one of my favorite things about the warmer weather is entertaining outside. My nearly teenaged daughter has a Christmas week birthday and with that being such a hectic times for parties, due to everyone traveling, we often decide against a kids party. We opt instead for waiting & having a huge end of the school year party in our backyard for her to hostess. She loves it because it's a chance for all of her classmates to attend and it's a tradition that she loves to plan. It's great picking a theme and buying all the decorations. I recently came across these super cute wooden ice cream spoons and they are just too sweet. Love the super hip chevron pattern and they are disposable. Perfect for ice cream treats on the patio!

Ceramic Set Of Four Colored Ice Cream Bowls (Google Affiliate Ad)

Slanted View

Knitting class was so much fun last night. Lots of laughter, good knitting and wine. Every time class wraps up I'm so inspired to go home and search for new, amazing patterns to share with the women who take my class. This Diagonal Gruesa Scarf is my new favorite! The colors are so fresh for spring but still ideal for a cool day. Love this! This great design is the work of Melissa VerMeer and available on Ravelry as a free download. Knitted in a super bulky wool yarn....I just cannot wait to get started on this new project. Happy Knitting! xo

Lion 74730 Knitting Needles Fo (Google Affiliate Ad)

Always Running

My daughters have running club today. And dance. These activities nearly overlap. We will get home just in time for me to leave to teach my knitting class. There are times like this that we are just always running. So...I try desperately to balance these days with others that are not over scheduled. (Emphasis on desperately...)

With that in mind, I just found this super cute bunny pattern on a blog called Big For Small. It's a wonderfully creative site with so many fun knitting ideas. I'm not certain I will have this project completed by the weekend but what I love about knitting is that it's okay to file away an idea in your head until you have time to take a deep breath and get it done right. So, my plan is to have two bunnies completed but, if not, I will do this very soon and set them aside for next years baskets!

Also on my "I love this" list...this amazingly pretty necklace  has been on my mind for weeks. I love really delicate handmade jewelry...this slanted initial necklace is airy light and so unique. Super great mix of gold with silver. This would look so cute with a soft tee and cardigan.....

Super cute bunny friends!

love the silver on gold detailing

Spinrite 428905 Silk Bamboo Ya (Google Affiliate Ad)

Pixie Dust

I love combining yarns...working with two favorite yarns at once to make something completely different and unique. When I am teaching knitting, new students are amazed at how you can add the thinnest kid mohair to a chunky, bulky yarn and a new look emerges. I feel like it makes anyone's yarn stash open to endless possibility. I've been writing about my addiction to Knit Collage Sister Yarn. I am excited to mix it with their Pixie Dust yarn. I love all the colors but especially the Midnight and Mango Glitter. The entire grouping is a mix of mohair, wool and pixie dust for a bit of sparkle. I live in upstate New York...about a six hour drive from Purl Soho in Manhattan. I constantly think it would be a great weekend adventure to go check out their Broome Street store. 

 Last week at class, I taught one woman to fringe her first scarf. I brought in some of my yarns in mohair, angora and a boucle to mix into her black wool. I save every leftover yarn I have for fringing. I love mixing all the textures together. A local yarn store once had a coffee table that held all the left over yarns from their classes. You could sit forever and peek through looking for tiny pieces to add to a scarf you were fringing. I loved that more than anything. You could always find a little something unique to grab at no charge and in return, leave some yarn left from your latest project. I'm thinking of having a yarn swap at an upcoming class for just this purpose. What's your favorite yarn ever? I'd love to hear...Happy Knitting! xo

mango glitter

midnight

Lion 73099 Knitting Needles 14 (Google Affiliate Ad)

Sunday Afternoon

I love a quiet Sunday to get little projects done. Yesterday I was at Anthropologie and bought the prettiest ceramic periwinkle drawer knobs to redo my daughters antique white dresser with. My daughter loves animals and these knobs compliment a huge oversized painting in her room of a dog that hangs over her bed. I'm looking maybe for an antique mirror as well but that's a different project for a different day. While at Anthropologie, I did grab this floral blue bowl that's super cute for appetizers...I am addicted to their home collection. 

I'm also all excited about ordering new Knit Collage yarn from the Sister collection. I'm nearly done with a super chunky scarf in their rich eggplant yarn and I love this bubble gum pink yarn for my next project. Sister Yarn knits up beautifully and it has a perfect thick/thin consistency. Happy Sunday! xo

Love this charming bowl...and the knobs are exactly what I was looking for!

Lion 73095 Knitting Needles 14 (Google Affiliate Ad)

Fresh Faced

I am one of those people who could easily fall asleep with my make up on. I know I shouldn't....it's so bad for your skin. In the last few months I've made a huge effort to stop doing this. Since January, I've revamped my skin care routine. First, I bought a great facial spinning brush and I now use it daily. The investment in that was the kick start to my new plan. I can honestly say I have seen a huge difference in my skin. I used to work for a makeup company and I know not to expect overnight results. I always keep in mind you have to wait...about 30 days...for cell renewal to see an improvement in tone and clarity but, nearly from the start, this brush has had great exfoliation benefits and I love the difference.  I've been using a great cleansing gel from Mario Badescu that is one of the best I've come across. It contains Alpha Hydroxy Acid along with papaya and grapefruit extract. It's smells super clean and fresh. My other favorite is Patricia Wexler's Instant De-Puff Eye Gel. It's just perfect! I put it on first thing when I wake up and my whole eye area is less puffy within twenty minutes. These are the three items that have really helped me finally turn around my bad habits! Next, if only I could kick my chocolate addiction....xo

Brylanehome Bath Sheet, 34"X68" (Ivory) (Google Affiliate Ad)

Project Baking

I need a baking project this weekend. We are not traveling for the Easter holiday and I have two daughters who are more than a little disappointed. So, I'm not above trying to change the tone of the house with food. If the house smells amazing and there's treats to be found...who can stay grumpy?? After a bit of searching, I came across a recipe for a yummy brownie bar called Carmelita's. They are a perfect blend of caramel and chocolate chips. I've been addicted to caramel lately and these sound sweet and rich...I can't wait to make them! One look at the photo and I knew I found the perfect dessert . This Carmelita recipe is from the blog Lulu the Baker. Her recipes are just the best...check her out! Do you have a favorite weekend treat? xo

 

Nordic Ware Nonstick Platinum 6-Cup Bundt Cake Pan, 51237 - 6-CUP (Google Affiliate Ad)

Still snowing....

I'm beginning to sound a bit like a weather girl...but it's nearly April and we got another inch of snow overnight! Crazy weather...but cozy, too. (I knit obsessively....I guess it's a given, I like cold...I like cozy!) I've been writing a lot about shopping local and how I try to always support small businesses.... whether in the immediate area or online. I feel like you remember the history of those purchases so much better...you can often say exactly when you bought an item, where, what you were doing that day, who you were with. I love that. I have some great handcrafted pillows and I have one that I found on Etsy that is my favorite. This vintage inspired pillow is from the shop Enhabiten and I bought it years ago during the holidays. (I'm also a big believer in the one gift for you, one gift for me theory of shopping!) It's hand sewn with a boiled wool plaid, a beautiful upholstery fabric and a cream hand knit wool. It closes with a great vintage zipper and is backed with a soft tea stained hemp material that contributes to it's vintage feel. Together, these textures and variations are amazing. I very much lean towards warm colors and I currently have an addiction to burnt pumpkin (the word "orange" bugs me...)  This pillow pairs well with that...as well as mossy green, chocolate brown and cream.  If you're out shopping this weekend...Happy Hunting! xo

A perfect blend of hand knitting, vintage fabric and a warm plaid wool.

Home Classics Level 1 Down Comforter (Google Affiliate Ad)

Found Objects

I live in upstate New York and in the village there's a recently opened decorating boutique  that is just amazing. There's a sign out front that says "Found Objects"...inside there's exactly that...those hidden gems you don't expect to come across and when you do they are just perfect. The store is named "Tesori" (Italian for treasures)  and it's become my quick favorite. I've never felt so at home while shopping! My most recent purchase was a day or so ago....I bought this charming bird nest style basket. I currently have it on a side board filled with some cozy yarn...

 Pacon Trai-tex Double Weight Yarn Cones (Google Affiliate Ad)

A Perfect Afternoon

Here's what I love: A Perfect Afternoon. Grabbing a coffee on a cool day, walking around a bit and then going into a yarn store and chatting about all the possibilities. New skein arrivals, patterns, Ravelry.....couldn't you just talk yarn all day? Some of my favorites yarns are those that are hand painted and hand spun. As well as buying from the yarn store in the village by my daughters school, I often grab yarn from Etsy and Yarnarchy is one of my very favorite sites. I love yarn that has a story...how it was made, why the colors were specifically chosen. Here are three Yarnarchy yarns that I think are amazingly cozy. Honestly, they'll be on my mind all day as I try to decide on another super bulky scarf....or fun fingerless gloves. Either way...they are just amazing...producing a perfect skein is simply an art. Do you have a very favorite yarn or place to buy? Happy Knitting! xo

 

Lion 73683 Knitting Needles 14 (Google Affiliate Ad) 

Hotel Vintage

I love putting thought into setting a great table for a casual meal or get other. Whether a Saturday night meal or book club, unique linens and silverware set the tone for the evening. My favorite addition to entertaining is vintage silverware. I love coming across hotel silverware from the 1920's and 30's. You can find pieces at estate sales, auctions, online or in tiny antique stores.  Some have a beaded trim, others are monogrammed...most are finely inscripted with the hotel name of where they were used. Recently, I bought a grouping from the Hotel Statler. They are amazing. I started to polish the silver this morning and they just come to life. This hotel is a landmark in our area. I also love the pieces I purchased because they are monogrammed with an "S"...which bonus for me....is also my initial! They just hold so much history. You can completely imagine them being used at dinners with big bands and swishy fringed dresses! xo

 

Linen Bistro Napkins, Set of 4 (Google Affiliate Ad)

Knit. Borrow. Knit. Borrow.

Confession....I may be a selfish knitter. I knit lots of things for myself it seems. I did do fingerless gloves this past holiday season as gifts but often I see a yarn and think "This would be great as a cowl with my Frye boots....or leggings....or pea coat". I could go on......

Sometimes, knitting for someone else is just a matter of finding the perfect inspiration. You see something and it just reminds you of a specific person. It could be television, a magazine article or someone walking by wearing something eye catching. Example: I saw a scarf over this past weekend and it is the greatest guy scarf: Terrific color. Masculine. Good texture. It is just beautiful. And....lastly, not only is it a type of scarf I would love to knit, it's a scarf I would then like to borrow.....  

I'm always curious about what's on everyone else's needles! Who are you knitting for now?? xo

I stumbled upon this on a wonderful Stockholm site called Aplace. They have amazing clothing and accessories (esp. their iPad cases!). Clean lines, outstanding quality.

 Lion Brand 418313 Hometown USA (Google Affiliate Ad)

Celebrate!

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic.  ~Adrienne Cook

What a great day to celebrate! Whether out with friends or at home...St. Patrick's Day feels like the official mark of spring! 

 

The ceramic tag, with leather hanging strap, is from Pottery Barn. I purchased it as a tiny accent piece...it's perfect, too, for hanging on a wine bottle for a hostess gift. 

In my front foyer is this small pine side table. I don't think I'm a big collector but I do love grouping things...like these wine corks I've put together.  The ceramic "celebrate" tag, which I purchased from the Pottery Barn holiday collection, welcomes our guests whether for coffee, dinner or a night of relaxing & catching up...

 Mikasa Cheers 4-Pc. Stemless Balloon Wine Glass Set (Google Affiliate Ad)

Cook. Sip. Knit.

It's the weekend and I love nothing more than having a long evening to try out new recipes, sip some wine and knit up new projects! So, when I recently discovered  this super fun "Knitted Love" spatula from the Spaulart line at Tovolo ...it just made me smile! It's simply clever & whimsical and brings my love of knitting into the kitchen.... Cheers to a weekend full of love and inspiration! xo

CHEFS Stainless-Steel Mixing Bowls (Google Affiliate Ad)

Cafe au lait

Over coffee this morning, talk turned to homes and decorating and how the tiniest of purchases give a room a new feel. This weekend I am in the mood to brighten a few things up. I love mercury glass and touches of vintage inspired gold in unexpected places. It's like jewelry for a room. Anthropologie has the best collection of drawer pulls and knobs I've ever come across. I love these Gleam Theory Knobs. The hammered metal lends such a perfect texture to the luster of these knobs...so pretty against dark wood. Their Mercury Glass Melon Knobs are so warm and old world...I could use them throughout the house! Both will tie in well with some of my favorite pieces on my fireplace mantle. Happy Weekend! xo

  

Gleam Theory Knob

Mercury Glass Melon Knob

 Donut House Coffee - Light Roast - 80 Keurig K-Cups (Google Affiliate Ad)

Yarn, Needles, Music...

When I knit, I get all wrapped up in the whole experience. I need my coffee, a cozy, uninterrupted spot to settle into...ideally good music. (On the music note...someone recently introduced me to the amazing work of Ray Lamontagne....how did I not know about him??!) I'm all about picking out a great yarn and then lastly...my needles. I cannot say enough about how needles totally set the tone for knitting for me. Metal needles seem to hold the cold so I knit primarily with wooden. I am the biggest fan ever of Lantern Moon. The quality and workmanship of this brand is outstanding....their needles are like art. The company itself is all about fair wages, sustainable resources and giving back. I use their products as often as possible....my favorite being my two toned, hardwood needles in rosewood (size 17 US). They seem to get smoother and warmer feeling with age. They are like the perfect jeans...they just make me happy!

My very favorite thing about the beginning of spring is ditching my coats and just needing a sweater and scarf! I am just starting a long, thick/think bulky scarf using Knit Collage Sister Yarn in Rich Eggplant. I feel like I have about three knitting projects going at one time right now...which throws me off a bit. I think I'm more of a one project at a time girl. I'm always curious if other people knit multiple projects at once or not...any thoughts?? Happy Knitting! xo

 

 TILL THE SUN TURNS BLACK BY LAMONTAGNE,RAY (CD) (Google Affiliate Ad)

 

Something Wicked This Way Comes

After warmer weather this past weekend, the cold has blown back in and brought snow flurries with it. Being a winter person...I love the idea of a bit more time for blustery evenings and building good fires. As pretty as spring is, I always am reluctant to give up the chilly, cozy nights of winter.
I have been writing a lot about my knitting class and offering the students various ideas on yarn and supplies. I encourage everyone there to support small businesses... both local and not local as well. I just love purchasing from shops that put their soul into the products they carry and their customer service. I recently came across Purl Soho and just love it! Located in New York City, you can purchase from this knitting boutique on line. I could spend hours peeking through all they offer...it's like an apothecary of all things yarn & knitting! 
I love their Super Soft Merino yarn...it's a quite bulky Peruvian wool, the colors are amazing...it looks ideal for a long, wrappy scarf. Shown below are a tiny just sampling of my favorites: Toasted Charcoal and Oyster Grey. It's impossible to decide on just one color! As always, I love to hear your suggestions! Happy Knitting!

 

 

Brown Jasper Beading

Yesterday was the perfect day to head out with just a light sweater and leggings. I love pairing a cashmere v-neck with a great necklace. I lean toward jewelry with small detailing and interesting bead work. I love the entire collection from Lex & Lynne but this Sydney necklace is my very favorite. I wear a ton of warm neutral colors and the variation of the rich brown tones in this jasper beading is just so pretty. The great double wrap of the necklace is the very best part of all...I could wear this every day!

Apt. 9 Cowlneck Cashmere Sweater (Google Affiliate Ad)

A Cozy Room

One of my favorite things about the change of seasons is freshening up a room. Simple updates, like new pillows in a lighter weight fabric or fresh flowers, make such a huge difference. One thing that has the quickest and biggest impact, it seems, is a new rug. It can completely center a room and change the overall warmth and perception. I was super happy to come across this Bonita rug from Garnet Hill... there's a bunch of sizes to pick from and we have a large upstairs landing which I'm always looking to change up a bit. This rug is exactly what I was looking for! It's 100% wool and hand hooked with varying texture.... perfectly cozy underfoot, the pattern is fun and whimsical and the colors are so inviting!

 

 Brylanehome Memory Foam Non-Slip Rug Pad 26"X42" (Google Affiliate Ad)

The Perfect Yarn Find

I am in love with the yarn I grabbed this afternoon! I was in search of a perfect mohair blend in a deep neutral. I found a great 60% kid mohair/40% silk blend at the yarn store. I went with Shibui/Silk Cloud in a warm, lustrous flaxen color. It's so pretty and has such an amazing sheen. I cannot wait to start the Alice Tang poncho that I posted over the weekend. At about 650 yards, this wrap/poncho will be a great project to work on all week. Happy Knitting! xo

 

 Lion Brand 1505 Circular Knitting Needles 29 in.-Size 15 10mm Pink (Google Affiliate Ad)

Spring Forward

Spring Forward and the sun is shining! Just a tiny chill in the breezy afternoon air. Perfect sweater weather. So, when I saw these little guys earlier today, I couldn't help but smile....they are too sweet. I peeked at them on Pinterest and on the terrific blog Whimsy Love. Some things are nothing other than just simply fun!

 

 Pacon Trai-tex Double Weight Yarn Cones (Google Affiliate Ad)

New Project

I've been searching forever for the perfect poncho/wrap project and I'm so excited to have found one today on Ravelry and which was featured in Knit Wear Spring 2012. The pattern I'm going with is Alice Tang's Soft Kid Wrap. This whisper light poncho looks ideal for year round....I cannot wait to get started. Thinking of a mink brown yarn. So cute with jeans and boots. This is truly just stunning...Hooray!

Lion Brand 1505 Circular Knitting Needles 29 in.-Size 15 10mm Pink (Google Affiliate Ad)

Freshening Up

I woke up this morning in the mood to freshen things up here a bit. New pretty flowers in a vase in the kitchen given by a sweet friend....a recently purchased,  vanilla caramel soy candle burning....and a little bit of shopping, too. I love this modern Square Stone ring by Coach. It has a luminous simplicity and such a clean cut to it. It's been on my mind for weeks so I finally went ahead and made it a point to order. Can't wait for it to arrive! I just love finding perfect pieces like this that you can wear every day...

 

 Coach W-BG-1055 19002 Poppy Leather Glam Tote - SV/Stardust - 1 Pc - B (Google Affiliate Ad)

Dinner & Knitting

Nearly every Friday afternoon I stop at the local yarn store, Have Ewe Any Wool, and grab fresh skeins for a weekend of knitting. Never mind that I have baskets full...the need to stop and grab more is too much to resist. Bonus this weekend...I had amazing handspun yarn delivered yesterday from Knit Collage. Two big skeins of Sister yarn in Rich Eggplant. This super bulky is thick/thin...each skein approx. 115 yards. (www.knitcollage.com) I can't wait to knit up a long, chunky scarf in a nubby seed stitch.

So.....along with a knitting project, every good weekend needs a well planned meal. My new favorite weekend recipe: Roasted Red Pepper & Goat Cheese Pasta from www.laurenslatest.com. This is the best pasta recipe I've encountered in so long. The freshly roasted red peppers are well worth the effort...it's amazing! Mix up an arugula salad & a good wine and you're all set. Happy Weekend!

 

Atlas Marcato Pasta Machine, 180mm (Google Affiliate Ad)