The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox

I just finished reading The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell as recommended to me by Dee. It takes a little while to get the hang of the narrative because the author jumps between narrators and times. But once you adjust, I think the style adds to the story. This is a compelling read with lots of surprises. Read it so we can discuss!

Penny

There are so many things I could say about this photo, mainly because I have a mega girl-crush on Blake Lively. But I'm posting this because I think that dog is the cutest damn thing. She almost doesn't look real! Her name is Penny and she is, I think, a Maltipoo. You can see more of her at where else... Celebrity Dog Watcher. Duh. Oh, and more here.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Go buy this book or borrow if from a friend immediately. I think Dee put it best when she described it as "enchanting". It's a novel, but is made up entirely of letters between characters. The setting is London and Guernsey (Channel Islands) and follows an author and the islanders she meets as they rebuild their lives after World War II. I finished it in less than a week, I was so enthralled. Let me know what you think!

Prodigal Summer

I just finished Prodigal Summer and thought it was delicious. You probably know Barbara Kingsolver's (a Kentucky native!) works of non-fiction like The Bean Trees and The Poisonwood Bible. If you liked those, you will most certainly like Prodigal Summer. The characters and setting feel so authentic and though I just put the book down a few hours ago, I miss them already! Now I want to go back and re-read some of her other books, too.

Here's the jest: 

Prodigal Summer weaves together three stories of human love within a larger tapestry of lives inhabiting the forested mountains and struggling small farms of southern Appalachia. From her outpost in an isolated mountain cabin, Deanna Wolfe, a reclusive wildlife biologist, watches a den of coyotes that have recently migrated into the region. She is caught off-guard by a young hunter who invades her most private spaces and confounds her self-assured, solitary life. On a farm several miles down the mountain, Lusa Maluf Landowski, a bookish city girl turned farmer's wife, finds herself unexpectedly marooned in a strange place where she must declare or lose her attachment to the land that has become her own. And a few more miles down the road, a pair of elderly, feuding neighbors tend their respective farms and wrangle about God, pesticides, and the possibilities of a future neither of them expected.

The Uniform Project

Pardon the cross posting, but I saw this on Project Beltway and thought it was really cool.  The creator of The Uniform Project has pledged to wear the same dress every day for one year in an exercise of sustainable fashion. The project is also a fundraiser for uniforms and education for children living in Indian slums. Read all about it and enjoy her creations!

Why I Love My Mother/Editor

Here's her note to me yesterday post-posting...

Kate,

So happy to have a new item on your blog! In the 4th line of your discussion about ratatouille, you have two "it's" which should be for the first one only "it" and for the second only "its".  When its is possessive there is no apostrophe.  The apostrophe is to indicate a contraction.

I bet your ratatouille was delicious! I think adding the tomatoes and eggplant specifically make it ratatouille.

Love, Mom

Once a teacher, always a teacher! What she didn't know is that ratatouille in my opinion tastes loads better the more wine you drink. Clearly I need to not write a blog post, post-ratatouille.

I love...

Becky and Lacy. 

But I suck at making ratatouille. 

Well...

The thing is, ratatouille is just a fancy word for sautéed vegetables. So when it's called ratatouille I expect something special.  I mean. it's has it's own movie! But it's not special. It's just sautéed vegetables.

Here's the recipe from Real Simple. Make it if you want to feel fancy with your veggies!

P.S. Sometimes Jefe buys cucumbers instead of zucchini :-)

First Sighting

I was in Georgetown last Saturday and who did I see... Michelle and Malia! They had been getting ice cream and their Secret Service car was parked in front of the shop where I work. AMAZING. They are too cool for words. The best part of the scene was that a double-decker tour bus was waiting for the light to turn and the tourists had no idea that two members of the First Family were walking by. You can see the bus in the background. Too funny. I was actually even closer to M&M than the person taking this photo.

Rue La La!

After discussing Haute Look and Gilt Group with Lacy, she mentioned that I might be interested in Rue la la. A very similar website where boutique clothing and accessories go on sale for a day at a time. It's fabulous too! I'm looking forward to tomorrow's sale... Nanette Lepore and Plenty by Tracy Reese. Yummy!

Klean Kanteen

I know we've all been inundated with news over the last year about how all the plastic in our lives is bad for us. I try to avoid buying bottled water (for waste purposes too) and I drink water from a gorgeous Louisville Stoneware mug at work, but I finally took the plunge and bought a "bpa-free" container to haul around my aqua. There are a bunch of different options, but Klean Kanteen was recommended to me, so I went with them. They have several sizes and colors to choose from. Do it.

Fishs Eddy

Meg V and KT introduced me to Fishs Eddy last fall and it is everything they promised! Fishs Eddy is a NYC establishment that sells dinnerware, flatware, serveware and accessories. I'm pretty obsessed with all of their patterns. KT actually gave me the "Birds on a Wire" cake plate as a gift. It's gorgeous. See above.

I love the memo series. Love me some graph paper!

Floor Plans.

Wouldn't these glove molds be great for displaying necklaces?

Owls Continued

After my Owl post in March, Lizard being the wonderful person she is,  gave me this gorgeous owl mug for my birthday. And it's from my favorite store in Louisville... Scout! AND I put my favorite new sharpies from KT in it. It sits on my new desk in my new office and keeps me company all day! Such wonderful friends!

Haute-Gilt

I blogged about Shop It To Me last July and I was just recently told about www.hautelook.com and www.gilt.com. Both are websites that offer "membership prices" on designer goods, including home wears. Like, 'Shop It To Me', just sign up for the daily updates and every morning you'll have an email waiting with the 'sales of the day'. Some of the prices are still WAY out of my range, but I've been impressed with some of the sales as well. Heads up though, if you see something you like, best to snag it, because items tend to go quickly. Ready. Set. SHOP!

Green Grass Design

This website was featured in the Washington Post Express last week. Because I'm a Cat Lady, I totally fell in love with this playhouse for cats. I think Atty needs it. Turns out the website has great stuff for normal people too. I really love these bird wallpaper decals too. Check out Green Grass Designs.

Vegas

Wow, can you say MIA? Sorry it's been so long! I'm settled in to my new day-time gig now and I'm ready get  back to my life as a blogga.

I just got back from Familypalooza 09 in Las Vegas where we had a lot of fun AND I took some texture pictures.

My favorite scene in Vegas was the Parasol Bar at the Wynn. There is a huge pool and a waterfall. The figure out in the water is a sculpture of a man standing in the water, facing the waterfall. The picture doesn't do it justice.

Must be March!

Not only did UofL just win the Big East Championship (a first), and is likely to be a #1 seed in the tournament, but AU is headed to the dance for the second year in a row! 

I heart March.

Miss Blythe

A DC Celebrity Sighting! I saw Blythe Danner today near my office. She's just as gorgeous in real life! Plus, what a great name!

Kentucky Derby 135

I can't believe it's only 57 days until the Kentucky Derby! You'll have to forgive me for neglecting such amazing news until now! Let the countdown begin!

Renee

There we were eating our tartines when who does Itty Bitty spot, but Renee Zellweger. I didn't get the best look, but apparently she looked amazing. Short blonde pony, dark rimmed glasses and she was with a stud. They were eating in the back corner of the restaurant and her back was to the door but Itty has a good eye and the sighting was confirmed when Renee and stud paid their bill and left the restaurant, walking right past us. I love New York.

Domino

I also got this yumminess for my birthday. It's on my nightstand right now, I think I'll read a page a night to ensure beautiful dreams.

Color

I got this great book from Jefe for my birthday. It's called Color: A Natural History of the Palette. I'm so excited to get started, it's right up my alley. After I finish American Wife of course!

Owls

I know I'm pretty late to the game on this one, but I have been seeing owl prints everywhere. At first glance, I do not find owls aesthetically appealing, but the more I look, the more I like. Here are some of my faves. The first is wrapping paper I actually received with a gift recently.

Shepard Fairey

I can't believe I forgot to post this! Jefe and I were recently in Boston and took a little tour of the Shepard Fairey exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art. It was so worthwhile and so fascinating! I really didn't know much about Fairey until Nicky introduced me a while ago when we saw Obey graffiti, but I had totally forgotten about him until I saw the now very famous Obama portrait. I'm so glad we saw the exhibit, I learned so much and you can too by visiting this website.

Amore!

print & pattern

I think I may have found my favorite blog. In fact, I might just quit blogging on Finch and defer to print & pattern. It's sooooo yummy. You must check it out. I'll also add it to the "Faves" section of this blog (look right).

Orla Kiely

Recognize this print?

It's Orla Kiely and I love her. 
And now, you can find her patterns at Target!

Along with Garnet Hill and Anthropologie. 

I LOVE this bag.

Maybe you need an umbrella?