6.29.2010

sunday sort of light - the west coast edition!
































well, hello there!
how are you?
it feels kinda like ages,
i miss you guys!



i hope things are swell on your end.
things are good on mine.
in the last few days i've stopped longer for coffee
i've eaten chicken from the farm
and i've snacked on crab straight from the sea.


i've felt soft grass under my feet,
i've laughed and giggled,
and i've slept for long hours in big comfy beds.
and you know what,
it's all been pretty great.




hope your days are filled with equally nice bits of happy.
oh and i've got a saturday sandwich on deck
and a surprise or two in the works, so let's chat soon.
until then, happy trails!


 xox, n.


























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and a view from above.
and this double buckle belt looks good.




























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6.21.2010

thoughts on summer and other such things.

















hello!
happy monday y'all!



i've been thinking these days about things that inspire.
of everyday things that get me to smile.





i like how the trees change from naked in the winter
to hearty and clothed for the summer months.
from flowerless at the start of spring
to blossomed and pungent nearing the end.



i like that on summer nights the birds,
seem in endless conversation.
chattering amongst a light evening breeze.


i like how gardens overflow with green
and how we eat dinner outside.



and how everyday, is pretty much an ice cream day.






i like that there's summer vacations
and trips to the cabin.
and i like that there's one for me,
later this week.


one that will have me dip my toes in the salty sea.
roast marshmallows on a crackling fire
and pick berries straight from the vine.




one that will have me spend evenings on rooftops,
telling jokes among friends. 
and have me at the market, early morning
and on patios for lunch.



one that will remind me for sure,
that summer is here.






hope your week is tops.
i'll be around again.
i've got a story in the works.
until then,
xox, n.







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in HG news
join our list here







plus, there are exciting things in the works over at HG!
coming soon, bundles of cake flags, 
a new cookie cutter (see the first here), 
and some very exciting collaborations too!
{if you need your flags sooner, you're in luck! 
starting today, we're accepting custom orders. email us for more details.}








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6.08.2010

sunday sort of light - the at home edition!





































hiya!
here i am again.
how are you?
my week is pretty swell so far,
i hope yours is much the same.





a little while ago celine came over 
we ate ice cream sandwiches and fruit salad.
and we took a photo, sorta by accident 
of ourselves in the the mirror. i kinda love it.

 






 xox, n.








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plus, a new recipe download soon. 
find my first two, here and here.
photos in this post:
celine: 1 +  2 + 4
me: 3 + 5










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6.07.2010

the saturday sandwich - a spot prawn croissant.




































hi there,
happy monday!




i think mondays can be endearing, the bright and fresh of a new week.
the busy of the weekend firmly behind us.





the trees near my windows are weighty with blossoms now.
their petals, heavy with scent that catches in the wind.
like the plumeria in fiji and the jasmine in thailand.
they remind me of trips i've taken, of moments past. 
of smiles so big, they're not easily hid.


and so my saturday sandwich today,
is inspired by that, of moments past.
 the prawns were caught by my brother
and are perfectly pink in their crustacean kind of way.
the sandwich has roots with my first trip to thailand
and it reminds me of sitting poolside there.
of a sandwich i had alongside green mango salad,
my feet dipped in the pool.




it reminds me of  the first place i stayed while there,
a hotel that for me is infused with part
 mystical and part old world, in the very best sort of way.


it reminds me of hours by that pool
and of drinks at dusk.
of a little bit of magic smack in the heart of the city.
 for sure a favourite of mine.
butlers on the floors and porters with
chalkboards and bells.
and so, like last week it's a bit like summer in a sandwich.







anyway, i've got to get going on my day,
so, here we go, the second in my new series
the saturday sandwich, number two:


a spot prawn croissant with lemon and dill.


there are pretty salad greens
and sweet spot prawns.
[find more info here]


there are little bits of dill,
and light leaves of celery.
there are small slivers of cucumber
and there are two toasted croissants.


there are flakes of pink salt
and just a touch of black pepper
 and there's the feeling i think
that spring is now summer.














find the recipe below.
xox, n.




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 oh and in hg news!




i'm doing a shop update on june 21, 5pm est.
eeeep, and it will include cake flags, hooray!
oh and more cookie cutters too.
[and we have a new cutter shape coming soon!]
plus, there's a lot of really exciting stuff happening at HG,
i can't wait to fill you in.












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i miss the water.
but, i'm visiting here in just 18 days. yippee!
i'd like to seen the green of ireland,
even though i don't think this is ireland,
i imagine it this way.
i like this.
i love a photo in a mirror.












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the saturday sandwich - a spot prawn croissant!


for the prawn salad:
 
24 medium sized spot prawns, cooked and peeled
 
5 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
the juice of half a lemon, strained
2.5 teaspoons fresh dill, finely chopped
2 pinches pink australian salt
1 pinch coarsely ground pepper

bring a pot of water to a rolling boil
drop in the prawns with the shells on still
allow to cook for 4-5 minutes, give or take
let cool and peel

in a separate bowl mix together sour cream and dijon
let out with the lemon juice and add the dill and salt and pepper
fold in the cooked, cooled and peeled shrimp

cover and refrigerate for at least an hour



for the croissants: 
 


2 day old croissants 
fresh is fine of course, but i like the structure for sandwiches a day later
i've always thought: day-of croissants are perfect for breakfast, whereas day-olds are perfect for lunch
 
slice in half and toast under the broiler until golden


for the sandwiches: (yield 2) 
 

a couple handfuls of local salad greens

about 10 interior celery leaves, the small tender ones
1 japanese cucumber, thinly sliced


to assemble:

 

in a small bowl toss together the salad green and celery leaves
divide evenly among the bottom halves of each sandwich

divide your prawn mixture between the two, about 12 each 
place thinly sliced cucumber amongst the prawns
season to taste

and then place atop the top of your croissant

squish down a little and there you are!



hooray!