pinning for friday #8

If my Pinterest could talk, it would say, "Girl, get yourself to a therapist so you can get over this unhealthy obsession with dressing up sneakers." Seriously though, it might take an intervention by concerned friends. Because I'm totally loving my obsession with these outfits. If you want to follow along throughout the week, I promise I pin things other than sneakers. (And by other things, I may mean lots of recipes revolving around butternut squash and pumpkin.) Have a comfy, but still chic, weekend!

Images 1, 2, 3, 4

and do: go to a museum #4

I don't get excited about most science-y things. (As you may guess by my use of the word "science-y".) But food science? Combined with stunning photography? That I can get excited about. I've got this exhibition, The Photography of Modernist Cuisine, on my calendar and hope you add it to yours.

The Photography of Modernist Cuisine
Pacific Science Center, Seattle
October 26, 2013 - February 17, 2014

Image via Modernist Cuisine

make: pumpkin granola

I am pretty sure I ate a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast everyday for a solid five years. Maybe straying due to travel or brunch plans. I like a routine. And oatmeal was a critical part of my morning routine. Looking back, I can pinpoint the switch to the day I discovered Greek yogurt. And homemade granola. Now my breakfast routine is all out of whack. It's more like breakfast phases. I have oatmeal phases. And granola phases. Banana and peanut butter phases.

I had been craving oatmeal cookies for about a week now. Since it's fall, and I must take advantage of all opportunities to use pumpkin, I did a search for pumpkin oatmeal cookies. What caught my eye in the results was pumpkin granola. Light bulb moment and I decided pumpkin would be an easy switch for the applesauce I usually use in my granola. A few more swaps made included pumpkin seeds instead of almonds, almond butter instead of peanut butter (I had an open jar and I don't know about you, but that's how I make kitchen decisions), and currants instead of goji berries. Forty minutes later and another canned pumpkin use for my back pocket.

and do: go to the ballet

Like most little girls, I spent a handful of years in ballet classes. For me, it was very short lived. I was reintroduced to dance by a good friend and dancer and went to several of her performances in high school. Several years ago she invited me to a performance at the Pacific Northwest Ballet. The repertoire that evening included a piece by a contemporary choreographer and I remember being blown away by the movements and physicality of the dance. I imagine part of what draws me to (watch) dance is the unique combination of athleticism and beauty. It's a blending of two of my passions -- sports and art. Last week was the Pacific Northwest Ballet's season opener, Air Twyla, including a world premiere and live music by legendary pianist Allen Toussaint. It was good to be surrounded by those passions again.

Image via PNB.

make: pumpkin soup

Yes, it's true. It's full on pumpkin season. And I'm not immune. After last week's pumpkin bread, I was left with several extra cups of pureed pumpkin. And the fall weather gods agreed that it was time for soup. I ad-libbed this one, so I don't have a recipe to share (but you can find a bunch of delicious pumpkin soup recipes that I've been pinning over here). It was a combo of light coconut milk, caramelized onions, veggie broth, green curry paste, and toasted pepitas. As you can see in the photo, I supplemented and made it the ultimate fall meal with a side of roasted brussels sprouts.

pinning for friday #7

When it comes to art there are a few themes that tend to catch my eye. Portraits. Works on paper. References to art history. Fashion and art. This week each of these themes made a showing on my Pinterest boards. I'm especially dying for the above photographs by Miguel Vallinas as they hit upon several of these themes. There's fashion. There's reference to Old Master portraiture. If you want to follow all my pinning throughout the week you can find me over here. Have a fabulous weekend!

Images 1, 2, 3

and do: get dressed #6

For the past two years, when it comes to shoes, I've been obsessed with booties. Love the cool girl look. Love that you don't have to worry about your skinny jeans bunching or the leather around the ankles softening and ending up with a pair of unintentionally slouchy boots. But, just like by the end of summer when we're all ready for sweaters, I feel the need for a counter to the bootie. Namely, a tall boot. Perhaps even an above-the-knee? I don't know if I can pull it off, but this week I'm dreaming of pairing tall boots with wispy dresses. A counter to my more typically minimalist, sporty style. I'm dreaming of something romantic. Something bohemian. A different decade's cool girl.

Image via Vogue.

make: lists

Are you a list writer? I'm totally guilty of loving lists. I won't deny the claim that lists can be overwhelming, as long as those who make such a claim won't deny that checking something off a list can be so satisfying. I'm one of the people who adds already accomplished tasks to lists just for the satisfaction of checking them off. I know there are others out there. Perhaps you're the crossing out type? I make grocery lists. And work out lists. And goal lists. And cleaning lists. I have to add "put laundry away" to a list to avoid the laziness of leaving clean clothes in a laundry basket. That's not to say I won't spontaneously accomplish something or tend to a task straight away. But lists are like my diaries. I think it's part of a need to make a record of what I'm doing. Or want to do. It's a mechanism for turning plans into reality. On a grander scale (as in grander than putting laundry away), it's a mechanism for turning dreams into reality. And like I wrote about a couple weeks ago, I'm going to stop being afraid of making big plans. Lists are the little steps to getting to the dreamed of future.

To-do list notepad by Knock Knock.

and do: go for a walk

I started this blog as a commitment to make or do something everyday. And for many days that do was going for a walk. But I hadn't been walking much lately. Besides walking to and from the bus stop. Which involves stairs and a steep hill, I'll have you know. But that walk up the hill at the end of the work day isn't what I would call mind-clearing. The mind is more likely going at a rapid clip of, "Ugh. Why do I insist on carrying this piece of luggage I call a purse. Surely I don't need to bring this full water bottle everyday. I don't even remember to drink out it. That's why it's still full. And I who am I kidding, half the time I don't pull out my book on the bus. I really should leave it at home." So, I've stopped taking afternoon walks. But this past Saturday was a beautiful day and my Seattle guilt (the guilt that insists all sunny days be taken advantage of) drove me out for a walk. It was great. I remembered why I love walking. I experienced the mind-clearing and the creativity-sparking magic of walking. I remembered why going for a walk always counts as a do for the day.

Image via here.

make: pumpkin bread

Do you have a favorite you always reach for when confronted with a pastry case? A croissant perhaps? Maybe doughnuts call your name? If I'm picking up an accompaniment to my morning coffee, I almost always go for a scone. I will even admit here that I kinda like the super dense and sometimes a little dryness of coffee shop scones. I know. It's breakfast pastry blasphemy to not favor the light, flakiness of a croissant.

So, why is the picture of pumpkin bread up above? Because it's officially fall and it's officially totally appropriate to bake pumpkin bread. (And because I have never made a satisfying scone. Hence, I buy them at the coffee shop.) Most mornings, I am an oatmeal kind of girl. I do believe in a good filling breakfast. So, this pumpkin bread is whole wheat, low sugar and totally yummy. Begging for a warm cup of coffee enjoyed wearing a chunky sweater, boots and wool socks. Welcome back fall. I've missed you.

PS -- I followed this recipe for the most part, with the exception of olive oil instead of coconut oil and for flour I used this ratio: 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, 1/4 almond flour, 1/4 coconut flour. I didn't use millet, but I threw in a couple of tablespoons of uncooked steel cut oats. Also, I must note that I thought the step of adding the baking soda to hot water first seemed fussy, but I think it definitely made a difference in the rise of the bread.

pinning for friday #6

Easy. Minimal. Chic. That's my attitude towards dressing and cooking this week. P.S. -- never tried a fried egg over pasta? Stop. Go to the kitchen. Do it now. All you need for deliciousness is pasta, an egg, salt, and parmesan. If you're not hungry now, have it this weekend. Enjoy it and everything else this Saturday and Sunday brings. And if you want to follow my pins throughout the week, you can find me wishing and daydreaming over here.

Images 1, 2, 3, 4

and do: get dressed #5

With the changing of the seasons comes the changing of the clothes. A month ago I was dreaming of chicly dressing down a fancy pencil skirt with a casual t-shirt. Today, I'm looking to stay a bit warmer. So I'm loving all the ladies rocking fancy skirts with the most comfy casual of all closet items -- the sweatshirt. It's inspiration to carry me through till legs must be covered too.

Image via

and do: go to a museum #3

A primary disadvantage, as I see it, with not having the means to teleport is missing museum exhibitions in cities far away. Really, I just want to pop in and pop out. There is so much to see. And when it comes to art, a computer screen just doesn't cut it. For this edition of go to a museum, I'm daydreaming of visiting the upcoming exhibition "A Queen Within" opening October 19 at the World Chess Hall of Fame (yes, really) in St. Louis. From the exhibition website:

Produced by an international team of thought-leaders, curators, fashion insiders, and chess players, the exhibition focuses on the how storytelling as well as the various archetypes of the queen have captured the imagination of innovative fashion designers.

Image: Charlie Le Mindu, SS2010 via World Chess Hall of Fame 

make: lemon yogurt cake

Lemon yogurt cake is my favorite cake. All you need is a bowl and fork...and the ingredients, which is a short list as well: yogurt, a lemon, flour, baking powder, eggs, olive oil. It's simple, easy and delicious every time. I follow this recipe, but with olive oil instead of canola and I usually bake it in a loaf pan. But, this time around it's also a birthday cake. So to make it a little more special, I baked it in a round pan and made a glaze out of confectioner's sugar and lemon juice to top it off. The lemon and yogurt make it tangy. The three eggs make it rich. And the olive oil, well, it takes the cake.

pinning for friday #5

There doesn't seem to be a pattern to what's catching my eye this week. What I've loved in the past seven days: painterly photography, yoga in beautiful places, and matchy-matchy pastels (because I love skirts and dresses paired with sneaks). If you want to follow my pinning throughout the week, you can find me here. I'm looking forward to enjoying some Indian summertime this weekend. Hope you are too!

Images 1, 2, 3.

make: a statement #2

A very wise little sister sent me the above card on the occasion of my recent birthday. She rightly noted that I always seem worried about my birthdays. I do worry. And I don't like my birthday. I like my friends' and family birthdays. I like frosting and champagne. I just worry about birthdays. More so than New Year's. I enjoy the time for reflection and resolution setting that comes with January 1. But birthdays provoke the same sort of reflection and goal setting, but with the added reminder that you are now older. And then there are the comparisons that happen when you look at other people your age. And all that they've accomplished. And that creates a downward spiral that can lead to drinks stronger than champagne. This year, though, despite my dread leading up to it, I felt more at peace with my birthday. I didn't do much reflection and no goal setting -- I'll leave that for January 1 -- but I let the day pass peacefully. I enjoyed time with family and friends. I enjoyed something sparkly and several cakes. It was nice. And I'm going to carry the above message with me for the rest of the year.

Compendium card.

and do: work out (yoga)

Don't hate me. I'm a morning person. Not like a jolly, bouncing off-the-wall with energy at 6:00 am morning person. Like a productive morning person. And it starts with working out in the morning. When I was a swimmer in my teens it was a herculean task to get me out of bed to a 4:45 am swim practice. But in my 20s? Apparently I will get myself out of bed at 4:30 am to go for a run. But my schedule has recently changed. I'm still waking up in the morning to run, but I am no longer able to attend the a.m. yoga practice that I loved. So, for the past few weeks, I've been testing out evening yoga classes. I was worried. I thought I would be stiff and inflexible after a work day. Or that I'd be too full because I can't give up my afternoon snack habit. Turns out, I love evening yoga. I'm more flexible in the evening. And it's great because the Baptiste vinyasa style I practice wipes me out and my mind is more at peace so I'm not tossing and turning trying to fall asleep at a reasonable hour. I wish I could say I've also managed to avoid the afternoon snack attack, but unfortunately back-bending on my stomach is still a bit uncomfortable.

Image via here.

make: plans

I don't know when I stopped making plans. I'm not talking about daily, weekly or monthly plans. Those I make and keep. In general, I love having a plan. For my day. For my week. I like a schedule and having tasks to accomplish or places to go. Plans are well-suited to my need for something resembling control over my life. And yet, at some point, I stopped making plan plans. The sort of plan that materializes out of a dream. The sort of plan that you make because you have a goal and you need concrete steps to reach it. It's not that I stopped having goals either. I set goals and resolutions, but they are little and often immediate. One year, it was my goal to stay connected to art, so I started volunteering at an art museum. The sort of plans I'm lacking are the five-year, ten-year plans. It's one of the interview questions I dread. In middle school and high school having five and ten-year plans was so easy.

Ok. The first sentence is a lie. I know when I stopped making plans. I stopped making plans in college. All my childhood dreams of what I would be when I grew up had fizzled or no longer appealed to me. Instead, I was much more interested in just taking classes that I loved. With no looking towards the future. I don't regret my course of study. But I do wish that I had a plan that led towards something big. It's been on my mind lately. It's still kinda hazy. But, where I've spent most of my life being practical and tackling those daily, weekly and monthly plans, I find myself thinking that a long-distance, like to-the-moon distance, plan holds a kind of appeal. I'm working on it. I'll keep you posted.

Image via here.

pinning for friday #4

It seems a bit of wanderlust has struck me this week. Is it the end of the summer and the end of hope for a romantic, adventurous romp? I don't think there's ever an end to hope, so I'll just keep compiling my list. If you want to follow all my lists, you can find me here. Hope you all have a little adventure planned for the weekend!

Images 1, 2, 3.

and do: get dressed #4

This post was originally conceived in my mind about being about all black dressing. Yes, it was on my mind last week and there it has stuck. I have dressed in all black (exception being shoes) twice this week. But I was strolling around the web when I caught sight of this pic and it has brought up that undeniable thing on all our minds when it comes to getting dressed -- covering up for fall. Are you a hat person? In previous times, I have walked and ridden the bus to work and I'm back on that schedule, which means, come fall and winter, hats are kinda necessary. And I'm loving the idea of a wool baseball cap replacing knit beanies.

Image via HonestlyWTF.

make: stuffed eggplant

Before I traveled to Italy, I thought I didn't like Italian food. I soon learned that I didn't like Americanized Italian food. I love thin crust pizza. I love pasta dressed with nothing more than sharp cheese and black pepper. I love fried zucchini flowers and fresh mozzarella. Italian food is simple. And delicious in its simplicity. I made this stuffed eggplant recipe the other night. It had been over a year and I'd nearly forgotten about it. Thank goodness something tapped my memory. It's simple. And it's delicious. The recipe is from the cookbook/memoir A Year in the Village of Eternity by Tracey Lawson -- a book I read several years after my travels to Italy and one of the many things that has me dying to go back.

and do: go to a museum #2

Let me start by saying that Links: Australian Glass and the Pacific Northwest at the Museum of Glass is really an exceptional exhibit. Still I also have to say that one of the most whimsical and conversational pieces of art that I saw during my excursion to Tacoma was this stump (what do you even call these things that often bridge the space between the sidewalk and the crosswalk?) that was covered in the museum admission stickers. It made me laugh. It made me pause and take a picture. And it made me marvel at the fact that the first person to most likely simply casually dispose of their sticker in this way probably had no idea they were starting a collaborative piece. It's fun to think of all the art lovers and tourists who have contributed to this piece of work.

I also loved these pieces by Janice Vitkovsky.

pinning for friday #3

Several times this week, I've found myself tempted to dress in all black. I'm not feeling especially dark and gloomy. Instead, I'm finding something really fresh about all black. I'm feeling drawn to it. And, in images, the contrast in makes against white. I'm sharing a few pins I've made recently. If you want to follow along throughout the week, you can find me here. Happy weekend!

Images 1, 2, 3

and do: get dressed #3

Do you make New Year's resolutions? I know you probably don't want to talk about it at the end of August since they have probably A) blissfully fallen off your radar, and B) it's not like it's December 31st and you feel pressure to make new ones and thus be forced to revisit unaccomplished old ones. Despite the immense personal pressure that accompanies resolutions, I like them. I make them every year. I've got a few on 2013's list that have been hanging out since 2011. But I like them anyways. One year one resolution was to wear lipstick at least once a week. It could be to just run to the drugstore. I didn't accomplish this goal, but for the first time in my life I started considering lipstick as a way to get dressed. To not be afraid to bring a little attention to myself. To "pull it together" if you will. The above image from J.Crew demonstrates the idea perfectly. Even in sweatpants, a girl in lipstick is in an outfit.

Image via here.

make: a statement #1

It's not what you look at that matters. It's what you see. -Henry David Thoreau

You guys. Good quotes are a personal weakness. I have a compulsive need to write down every wise word, inspirational message, and truism I come across. Today's make is admittedly a bit of a cheat. I didn't make this statement. But I can't resist sharing it here. (And there will probably be more.) While Thoreau's statement applies to many aspects of life, I find it speaks particularly true to art. I studied art history and developed a skill set for how to look at a piece; how to pick out characteristics, technique, and meaning. But ultimately, the best part is still the unique what that each of us sees. We all see something different.

Image from here via here.

and do: dive into the september issues

I understand there are people out there who will cite endless page after page of advertisements (before you even get to the table of contents) as a negative to the otherwise glorious September issues. I am not of said camp. The September ads are my favorite part. It's totally appropriate to say I geek out on the them. I am fascinated by the choices designers and labels make when it comes to advertising. There are those that focus on close-ups of the product. Those that choose the high concept art direction route. Those that are consistent season-after-season. (Who wants to take a bet on when a Michael Kors ad will not feature a plane/car/boat?) Often more than oogling the clothes I find myself wondering why the art directors chose certain angles? Why is the model looking straight at the viewer, or glancing to the side? I look at the framing, the background, the balance, and, yes, the clothes.

Different ads draw me in and cause me to linger. Sometimes it's the clothes. Sometimes it's the art of it all. Here are a couple stops I've made so far in Vogue's September issue (and I just made it to the letter from the editor).

Oscar de la Renta (above): The vibrancy of this image is totally lost online. In print it is so rich.


Valentino: I love it when fashion photographers quote art history. This woman could be a portrait from a Dutch master. The still-life on the left didn't appear in Vogue, but makes the 17th century inspiration that much more apparent.



DKNY: This one it was the clothes that drew me in.


Chloe: Again, the clothes here. The outfit on the left is what I wish I were wearing this fall. So easy and effortless.

make: fresh plum sauce

I like to think I am a decent home cook. There are a few dishes I can respectively cook up without consulting a recipe. I like to think I make a decent risotto. I've got the basic steps down. A couple years ago I worked on perfecting a basic tomato sauce. Experimenting with the right ratio of onions, garlic, chile flakes, herbs, and splash(es) of balsamic vinegar. But, right here, I will admit that besides tomato sauce and pesto, I don't venture into the realm of sauces. Last week, I had a lot of pluots. And in my attempt to not bake up copious amounts of dessert, I opened up my browser and searched for savory plum dishes (thinking specifically pluot recipes would be few and far between). Happily, I found this Melissa Clark recipe. I thought it looked tasty. So I continued my search with the terms "vegetarian" and "plum sauce." Not so many hits on that one. Nevertheless, I was determined to make this fresh plum sauce. Or, in my case, pluot sauce. I marinated tofu in it for a couple of hours. Lightly pan-fried it. Steamed some broccoli and added a scoop of brown rice to the plate. It was...different. I mean, I think I liked it. Maybe the pluot for plums wasn't the way to go? The second round of tofu in the frying pan got crispier and the sauce started to caramelize. Definitely yummier. Will I make it again? Maybe. Next summer. When the bounty of fresh fruit is again forcing an attempt to think outside of dessert. Also, next time, I think I'll use plums.

pinning for friday #2

This week, in an effort to not eat my weight in peach pie and other such desserts, I've been in search of savory recipes that make use of summer's bounty of fruit. Luckily, there are some tasty options out there. Next week, I'll share what I did with this fresh plum sauce. I've also been pinning to my imaginary gallery wall. Specifically, I'd love to hang Frida Cola. Contemporary art quoting art history always makes me swoon. If you want to follow along throughout the week, you can follow my boards here. Have a lovely weekend!

Images: Peach Gazpacho from Martha Stewart; Nectarine, Sage and Blue Cheese Pizza from Nutmeg Nanny; Julia Beliaeva's Frida Cola and Richard Brocken's Feet |fet| via Saatchi Online

and do: get dressed #2

Today, I'm dying to pair a graphic tee with a pencil skirt. Remember the movie Hitch? There's a scene where Eva Mendes' character is wearing a graphic tee under a blazer with a pencil skirt. I remember my high school self thinking, "That is how I'm going to dress when I'm a professional woman." For the life of me, I could not find a screen shot of this scene. But I love all the interpretations of it I'm seeing today. And the tee above sums up just how I feel about the whole look.

Image: Peony Lim