falling

Edit: find the recipe here!

Even if the leaves outside my window never change colors and drop to the sidewalk below, it's definitely a new season around here. And to celebrate, I'm forcing fall into our hearts in a bunch of little ways:
Creamy pumpkin + shrimp soup for a cozy evening meal. Salad with cranberries + walnuts. Warm toasted rolls seasoned with rosemary. Yum.

operation shower curtain

This week Sarah (my gorgeous+amazing friend from childhood) emailed me, with a very fun little decorating challenge. Check out her bathroom before pics above: She's due for a shower curtain update, and says her current curtain brings little more to the room than a hue to match her treasured antique wall hangings (clipped from a 1930s calendar--how cool!) Not to mention, guests have described her bathroom as "beachy"--and with or without a jar of seashells, this is certainly not the look she's going for.

The challenge:
*Find a new shower curtain that will bring grown-up style to the room
*Keep the antique gold embellishments (curtain hooks, pictures/frames)
*Achieve a delicate, vintage, shabby chic look
*Budget: is willing to spend more than the average Target curtain, but let's stay reasonable
*Stain/mold resistant is a plus! :)

Freedonia shower curtain $97, Sundew shower curtain $88, Grass & Sky $88
:: I love the vibrant patterns these 3 display! They definitely win points in the stylish and vintage departments. I think these would look great with Sarah's antique wall hangings.
Brooke shower curtain $48, Martha Stewart aqua Dots & Swirls curtain $39
:: Classic. I can't help myself, I keep going back to PB Kids for decorating elements in my semi-grown-up world. I love these delicate fabric applique leaves. I also love the simple, sweet airiness with Martha's aqua curtain on right. It would look so crisp and clean in a purely white bathroom.

Ruffles shower curtain $29, Paper Flowers $88, Madeleine $118
:: If I'm understanding the great Rachel Ashwell, quintessential shabby chic is comprised of a 90% white backdrop. I love these classic white curtains--all with an unique, feminine twist. Whether its ruffles, ribbons, or lace, they're all so elegant and lovely!

So best of luck with your hunt Sarah! Hope you're officially inspired and can't wait to see what you decide to hang.

i spy

Ah, Anthropologie sales...those welcomed opportunities in which we can justify and afford to bring bits of its beauty into our homes & closets. I spied these on sale this week...Now to hurry downtown!
Summer picnic half apron

Nestling measuring cups
Wallpaper rug

for instant good mood

Check out Tara Whitney's fresh, fun photography and blog. She'll color your world. I am so in love with her work! Absolutely every single image is so full of life.

hello/goodbye summer

I know I mentioned this before, but last week, summer finally came to San Francisco. Yes, the week of Labor Day: the heat finally broke through our blustery, foggy daily grind and graced us with beautiful sunshine 7 days straight! While most of the country was preparing to kiss its long hot days goodbye, I was pleased as punch...digging shorts out from the bottom of the dresser drawers, opening the windows, and maybe even turning on a fan!? Last Friday we both had a day off together (Hallelujah--imagine that!) and spent every second of it outside basking in the sun. We had a delightful impromptu picnic at Ocean Beach, cleaned out our garage (awesome feeling!), played a game of tennis, and walked to our favorite Indian food place for supper. Mmmm...summer. Thanks for paying us a quick visit on your way off the calendar.

i didn't mean to ruin your day

dear mr. silver toyota corola,

i didn't mean to ruin your day. i didn't think it would come down to this. but let's face it, you ruined mine first. when i woke to find you parked in front of my driveway this morning, i thought i'd be alright in the end. i had 45 minutes before i needed to leave for class. maybe you'd move your big fat front end, or maybe i could just back out over the curb on the opposite side. besides, you were blocking my new neighbor's driveway too...maybe you belonged to my new neighbor? or my new neighbor's friend? but i knocked on that new neighbor's door, and she didn't seem to be home. a quick call to the landlord, and i confirmed that you indeed did not belong to anyone in our building.

so it came down to this. i called that shady san francisco department of transportation...reported my grievance. and an unhurried hour later, a meter maid came to write your death sentence. and then you were towed. towed far away. and i am sorry to ruin your day--but just remember: you made me very very late and very very cranky in the first place.

photo by work2snap

low-key labor day

Happy holiday weekend, everyone! We're enjoying some pretty drop-dead gorgeous (summer!) weather in San Francisco this weekend. Sunny, 75 degrees, clear as a bell, and breezy. It just doesn't get better. Our typical chilly, foggy summer days make me appreciate today even more. Makes me appreciate the rare opportunity to squeeze into my pair of little white shorts and slap on a tank top + strappy sandals. Oh, the little luxuries of summer!

And while I'd like to tell you that I hostessed this outdoor soiree by our hypothetical pool this weekend, I must admit it turned out to be a rather low-key Labor Day at home. Allow me a paragraph to complain: Our plans fell through and Jeff ended up working. Drag. Our schedules have been so opposite lately and it stinks. Sometimes I wish we could both have standard 9-5, M-F jobs with holidays free, but it's just not in the cards right now. I have to remember: I love working just 3 days/nights per week!

I have had a chance to catch up a bit today: Found some great new magazines at the laundromat (and did some laundry too). Took a trip to Target, which left me pining for the days of back-to-school shopping. What I wouldn't give to be back in 4th grade, picking out some bright new Crayolas & a back pack. Or maybe even back in the dorm--with matchy-matchy crates, sheets, bulletin board & rug. They have such cute stuff luring my eyes in every aisle. Wait, no, I don't really miss the dorm. ;) Hit a few Labor Day sales and then came home to make a big bowl of my favorite pasta salad + bake some cookies. Yeah, it was a pretty good day indeed.

Photo by: Martha