Illustrator Crush: Hide n Seek.

The instant I saw these illustrations at Etsy shop Hide n Seek I fell madly and deeply in love with them.

Sometimes saying less is actually more.

The Daily Eat: Raspberry, Almond and Cream Layer Cake.

A Raspberry, Almond and Cream Layer Cake that looks like it probably takes a entire afternoon to make. But I'm 99.9% sure it's well worth it and then some.

:: photo and recipe via foodbeam

A Brand New Bag.

I saw these jazzed up tote bags a few years ago in an issue of Living and have had the project in the back of my head every since. One of my favorite things to do is take something I've had hanging around in the back of some closet and reinvent it to the point of being completely new to me. Tote bags are the ultimate carry-all and this project proves just how versatile they can be. I think they'd make fun gifts, too.

Reminder: Seventy & Sunny Deadline.

The entries for Win It: Seventy & Sunny have been pouring in and I've so enjoyed reading them!

Just a reminder that you have until tomorrow (Friday, August 1st) at 12:00 pm CST to leave a comment to the original contest post telling me what illustrated item you'd love to have on your set of calling cards and why. (U.S. residents only for this one, please!)

The winner will score a set of 25 custom designed calling cards from Seventy & Sunny. Once the doors close I'll randomly pick a winner that will be announced via post tomorrow afternoon. Can't wait to see what Alyson gets to whip up!

Mad Props: July.

I was honestly a little surprised - in a good way - at all the great posts oozing out of the blogosphere this past month. Lots of people were on vacation and sans computer and/or internet, but that didn't seem to stop them. See for yourself in Mad Props: July!

Floating Houses : A Cup of Jo

a poem as lovely as a tree : a girl named fred

Serendipitous Gardening : coco+kelley

Bicycle Wheel Pot Rack : casasugar

Decorate with Beach Towels : casasugar

When Designers Fall in Love : Design*Sponge

eli, no! : free design goodies

Save the Date: Downloadable Birdie : Hostess with the Mostess

Printable Bookplates : How about orange...

Starched Fabric Decal Experiment : How about orange...

Bar Tab : in(side) the loop

Wedding Gift for Years to Come : Linda & Harriett

The Strangest Little Neighborhood : More Ways to Waste Time

Cardboard Playhouses for Cats : Nerd Approved

tiny pinatas : not martha

Grace's 99th : Oh Happy Day

Garland Party : ruby press

Ici : ruby press

Lauren & Keith : Snippet & Ink

Coasters for the typophiliac : swissmiss

recycled wine box kitchen cabinets : the kitchn

:: all photos via blog posts

Illustrated Recipe Cards.

A set of 20 illustrated recipe cards from Etsy seller My Zoetrope that are so colorful and adorable they made my afternoon. (Love the asparagus's underwear!) You receive two of ten different original designs for only $6.00! The seller is quite the artist, too, so be sure and check out the rest of her work when you visit.

On the Rocks: Raspberry Gin Crush.

In an attempt to stick with this week's raspberry theme, this Wednesday's cocktail is the Raspberry Gin Crush. The recipe below is actually a vegan version, but you can easily substitute Chambord for the fresh raspberries and agave nectar. I think I might have to try both versions, you know, just for the sake of comparing and contrasting. Ahem.

Ingredients:
- 8 fresh raspberries
- juice from 1/2 lime
- 1/2 teaspoon agave nectar
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- about 2 ounces tonic
- ice

Muddle the raspberries, lime juice, and agave nectar together. Pour over ice. Add gin and tonic and stir. Serves 1.

:: photo and cocktail recipe via Show Me Vegan

The Daily Eat: Raspberry Almond Bars.

There's not one thing about these Raspberry Almond Bars I don't like.

Brown sugar shortbread crust? Check.
Raspberries and raspberry jam? Check.
Almonds? Check.

:: photo and recipe via eggs on sunday

Photographer Crush: Nat Finkelstein.

Nat Finkelstein entered Andy Warhol's Factory as a photojournalist in 1964 and remained for three years; Finkelstein's photographs from this period are now regarded as some of the most iconic of the time and remain what he is best known for. His photos of Warhol, Edie Sedgewick and the Velvet Underground are haunting and capture the pop culture of the era beautifully.

DRY Soda Co.

Seattle-based DRY Soda Co. is anything but. Offering a line of all-natural, lightly sweetened sodas flavored with fruit or herb extracts and pure cane sugar, DRY is a modern alternative to mainstream sugar- or saccharine-laden drinks. Try kumquat, lavender, lemongrass or rhubarb for a kick in the taste buds. Or get really crazy and use the fizzy beverage as a mixer. Check out the DRY site for more ideas and insights into DRY Living.

And that bottle design? Swoon.

Garden Hose.

I'm lucky enough to have a spigot in the back of my house and a second one right in the front. My problem? No hose! I think I need either the yellow or purple one. (Thanks, Jeni!)
I also thought I'd take a quick minute to update you all on the house progress. Thanks for being interesting and keeping after me about it! Everything is moving along slow, but sure.

Here's my to do list at the moment:
• organize books on shelves in living room
• find goldenrod colored sheers for the master bedroom
• clear empty boxes out of dining area
• put table and chairs in dining area
• organize office
• hang frames, mirrors, etc.
• clean trash out of garage and hose out (see why I need one?!)

Ascaso.

Ascaso is the proud manufacturer of espresso coffee machines for those truly diehard java lovers out there. They have five styles of professional coffee machines that would be at home in any 1950s kitchen. Really stylish as well as easy to use and available in a ton of brilliant colors. This beauty would be displayed smack dab in the center of my counter, all the better to show it off!



:: via Miss Jane

The Daily Eat: Raspberry Crumb Cake.

Raspberry Crumb Cake that uses a box cake mix as its base. Hey, sometimes a girl needs a go-to dessert that doesn't require fifty different steps, a stand mixer and the patience of a saint!

:: photo and recipe via Open the Oven & Take a Look

Stainless Steel Straws.

A few weeks ago I posted about some glass drinking straws I'd come across. And just yesterday I spotted this stainless steel version. They're dishwasher safe and bendy.

Which do you like better?

:: via The Kitchn

Shit Happens.

Shit Happens dog poo bags strike me as both hilarious and awesome at the same time. Hilarious because, well, who wants to think about dog poo ever let alone before 9:00 am. And awesome because they combine functional design (you don't have to get too close to the actual poo) with great packaging (check out those color choices and type). A definitive two thumbs up for taking a product that is decidedly un-fun and making it just the opposite.

Their tagline? "Shit happens - just be prepared." Couldn't have said it any better myself.

:: via NOTCOT

Ethnic Kettle Chips.

Kettle Chips are definitely some of the yummiest potatoes I've ever tasted. They're super crunchy and you really have to take your time chewing, lest you impale the roof of your mouth with a jagged edge. Yeah, that kind of crunchy. You know what I'm talking about.

Recently Kettle Brand released their Ethnic Chips which boast some really beautiful packaging. A simple white bag with a belly band constructed out of kraft paper and printed with colorful, eye-popping inks. Really, really lovely design.




:: link via The Dieline