I have been saving this recipe for a cold night and am so glad I did! It’s a delicious casserole dish, spaghetti squash with jalapeno cream, from Sunset Magazine. Spaghetti squash is a wonderful thing that we often cook with tomato sauce and meatballs, but this recipe is more like our favorite macaroni and cheese dish! It’s also very easy: roast the squash until its tender and then scoop out the fleshy strands from the inside. Simmer two cups of milk on the stove with some fresh chopped jalapeno peppers. Remove the peppers from the milk and then stir spicy milk into the squash. Place that in a casserole dish and top with jack cheese. The result was a wonderful sweet/spicy/comfy side. This would taste amazing with turkey! Think about it for Thanksgiving next week. Click here for the full recipe.

Do you have any great side dishes to share for Thanksgiving? Let me know! — Angela M.

Embossed Flower Mirror

I have been trying to finish up odds and ends for my daughter's bedroom tonight. I still need a mirror for above the dresser I ordered from Jayson Home and Garden, and I really like this one (above) from Wisteria priced at $349. I have always loved inlaid mother of pearl furniture, and have a couple of other small pieces, including a small carved and inlaid mirror (too small to use as a dressing mirror). This style would be so pretty in her room! It is a bit much for me right now though.

Hitchens Low Dresser

This is the dresser I ordered from Jayson Home and Garden. It is a bit of a splurge, but I think it can be used in so many ways so I think it is a good investment piece. I think it would be great as a buffet in a dining room, or as a hallway table. The black color will work into a lot of different scenarios if I change furniture around when children have fled the coop. When my daughter gets a place of her own, she may have to wrestle me for it!

Sarina Inlaid Mirror

Because of the dollars spent on the dresser, I am trying to save a bit by looking at some other mirrors. I found this one on the Pottery Barn website. Not quite at intricate as the Wisteria mirror, but still pretty, inlaid and less expensive at $279.

Anyway....I got a bit sidetracked on the Pottery Barn website. I started looking at the Autumn table settings. Completely off track, I know. But I really liked these Baroque Salad plates!

Baroque Salad Plates

Typically, I am strictly a white plate entertainer. I just think that food is the star and always looks best on a white plate. I do love a gold rim and have a collection of vintage Tiffany gold rimmed plates. But I have never really taken to plates with patterns. But I think these would look so wonderful with a green salad, or with bread, cheese and olives. And the dinner plate underneath is still white.

Quail Plates

Then I saw these Quail Plates (also from Pottery Barn). I like these too! Perhaps a Baby Romaine salad with figs and Cambozola cheese?

Fieldcrest Hemstitched Napkins

So then I started thinking "table linens" and remembered seeing these hemstitched napkins on the fabulous Eddie Ross' blog. I was floored when he wrote that they were from Target! They looked so elegant. So I went to the Target website and found out a pack of four is only $14.95! There is a matching 70"x70" hemstitched tablecloth for $19.99.

So I am running through the saved websites on my tool bar: I went back to Wisteria and found these embroidered Silver and Gold Crown Linen napkins, thinking to myself, these would be so perfect with my Tiffany gold rimmed plates! ($27.20 for 4...not bad for 100% linen!)

And these Etched Crown Glasses, also from Wisteria ($49 for 4!), I think are going to find their way to my bar before the holidays.

So this is how I end up shopping....one thing leads to another. In some cases, it can lead to really serendipitous finds. So....do you all do this? Have you ever gone to a website to look for something in particular, only to find yourself buying something completely different and unrelated...but wonderful?

I got a mule, her name is Sal…

Something about this article by Christopher Maag made me smile. I had no idea that the Erie Canal was still in use. I love that our old system of canals is being used again. Well, not the system, most of them are no longer navigable, but apparently, the Erie Canal still is, and it is regaining popularity in these days of high fuel prices. Once a route that made New York City the major port it is today, it was replaced by railroads which were later largely replaced by trucking years later. Now the canal seems like it’s ready to make a major comeback:

The canal still remains the most fuel-efficient way to ship goods between the East Coast and the upper Midwest. One gallon of diesel pulls one ton of cargo 59 miles by truck, 202 miles by train and 514 miles by canal barge, Ms. Mantello* said. A single barge can carry 3,000 tons, enough to replace 100 trucks.

I don’t know why this is so appealing to me. Maybe it’s my awe at the manpower, engineering and hyper-ambitious vision that made the canals possible back in 1825. Maybe it was working on a site in Valley Forge that had only remnants and hints of the canal, towpath and lovely crumbling old walls left. Maybe I’ve always wanted to take a really slow ride on a barge, or that tugboats are cute. Perhaps it was checking off “Modern Transit” as one of the tags for this post and grinning! Whatever it is, I love it!

*Carmella R. Mantello is director of the New York State Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York State Thruway Authority that operates the Erie and three other canals.

images by Sung Park for The New York Times

today’s city guide belongs to wilmington, north carolina and comes to us courtesy of ellie snow of mint. ellie grew up in wilmington and has been living in the triangle area of north carolina ever since. she’s currently a graphic design at flywheel design in durham and is thrilled to share her favorite hometown spots. wilmington is known as “wilmywood” to some, because of the numerous tv shows and movie that shoot there, so if you’re in town keep your eyes open- you never know who you’ll bump into (i’ll never forget hearing from friends in wilmington who got to see the dawson’s creek cast for years). click here to view the full guide or just click “read more” below. thanks, ellie!

Nestled between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, Wilmington is often called the Port City; although many fondly refer to it as “Wilmywood” in honor of local motion picture and TV studio Screen Gems. (Think Dawson’s Creek, or the recent Nights in Rodanthe). Wilmington was settled nearly 300 years ago, and today visitors can stroll tree lined streets past century-old homes, then drive less than twenty minutes to find themselves among surfers and sunbathers on beautiful beaches. In the mid 1980s, Wilmington began to revitalize its downtown and today the area is rich with restaurants, bars, boutiques, galleries, and antique shops.

SHOP:

-Edge of Urge- 18 Market St.
Located just a block from the riverfront in downtown Wilmington, indie boutique Edge of Urge has become a favorite among locals and tourists. The boutique specializes in the handmade, with a range products by DIYers to brands like Orla Kiely, and a wonderful collection of mens and womens clothing, shoes, accessories, goods for the home, notecards, and more.

-Island Passage- 4 Market St. or 1900 Eastwood Rd. (Lumina Station)
An old local favorite for women’s clothing and accessories, Island Passage now boasts 6 locations in the Cape Fear region and has labels such as Free People, French Connection, and Velvet.

-Return Passage- 302 N. Front St.
A sister of Island Passage, Return Passage is a one stop shop for those looking for gently used, well priced clothing and accessories. If Marc Jacobs under $50 sounds appealing, then Return Passage is your place.

-Blackbeard’s Bryde- 18 S Water St. #5
Blackbeard’s Bryde has an eclectic (and occasionally blush-worthy) selection of gifts, clothing, jewelry, and things for the home. It’s located right on the Cape Fear River and is named for Wilmington’s pirate past.

-Baby Swank- 1904 Eastwood Rd. in Lumina Station
Just over two years old, Baby Swank is an upscale shop with everything needed to upfit your dream nursery, from cribs to rocking chairs to linens.

-The Ivy Cottage- 3020-3030-3100 Market St.
The Ivy Cottage was opened in 1998 by a mother daughter team with a true love for antique shops and flea markets. Over the years it has grown from one building to four and now has over 25,000 square feet of vintage and consigned furniture, home accessories, antiques, china, jewelry, garden items, and more.

-Planet- 108 N. Front St.
Look for the mannequin wearing a gas mask, and you’ll know you’ve found Planet. Odd gifts and good deals make this shop a hit with men and women alike.

-008- 105 Market St.
This tiny boutique got the headlines this year (sort of) when Sophia Bush strolled in and bought a couple of shoes. It’s not surprising, then, that 008 is the place to find hip mens and womens clothing and accessories.

-Airlie Moon- 1908 Eastwood Rd. in Lumina Station
Step into Airlie Moon, take a whiff of that lavender, and you’ll be ready to move into a cottage on Wrightsville Beach and start decorating. Think refinished furniture and design with southern, sophisticated vintage-inspired flair - with plenty of crisp linens, hand-milled soaps, and delicate jewelry to boot.

-Flashbax- 30 N. Front St.
You’re sure to find the perfect flapper dress, sixties beads, or vintage cowboy boots at Flashbax on Front St.

-Hallelu- 84 Waynick Blvd. Wrightsville Beach
Hallelu has great clothing (both new and consigned), good prices, and a scenic view of the sound. After you’ve bought that cute dress, duck around the corner to Trolley Stop (see below) for the best hot dog you’ve ever had.

-Antiques on Castle Street, 500-600 block
Castle Street is a great place to spend a couple hours antiquing. Favorites include Castle Keep (507 Castle St.), a shop with beautiful vintage textiles located in an old church building, and Retrolution (553 Castle St.), a new shop specializing in cool finds from the 60s and 70s and excellent prices.

-The English Garden- 2317 Market St.
Gifts for your favorite gardener, plus a great selection of orchids and rose bushes.

-Sambuca- 200 N Front St.
Sambuca is a boutique and spa specializing in organic, fair trade, renewable, and recycled materials with lots of style. They offer a good sized selection of beauty and skincare products, in addition to Bella Muse gift cards and stylish, comfortable women’s clothing.

EAT:

Narrowing down Wilmington’s restaurants is no easy task. Wilmington has become known for its wide selection of delicious cuisine, and of course nearly everyone offers a good selection of seafood. If you’re new to the area, you have to give Calabash-style (read: deep-fried) seafood a try - preferably with a side of hush puppies. And of course there is good ‘ol southern BBQ at every turn. But as you’ll see from this list, this southern town is not all greasy-spoon joints.

-Dock Street Oyster Bar- 12 Dock St.
When I tell people I’m from Wilmington, it’s not uncommon for the Dock St. Oyster Bar to come up in conversation shortly thereafter. Delicious seafood, good service, and dog friendly.

-Indochine- 3007 Market St.
I’ve lost count of how many restaurant awards Indochine has been given, and in my own humble opinion, Indochine is one of Wilmington’s best. Since it’s often crowded, you’ll probably be sent to the bar for a couple drinks before you’re seated in their richly atmospheric dining area and served delicious Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. If the weather is nice, sit out back in a gazebo and enjoy the garden under strings of lights.

-Caffe Phoenix- 9 S. Front St.
You’d be hard pressed to order a bad thing on this menu. Modern and trendy since it opened in the ’80s, Caffe Phoenix is a good place to have a glass of wine, watch passersby, and check out local artwork on the walls.

-Circa 1922- 8 N. Front St.
The hardest part about classy Circa 1922 is knowing when to stop eating all the fantastic tapas you’ve ordered. Because skipping dessert is not recommended!

-The Dixie Grill- 116 Market St.
Combine greasy-spoon style eating with menu items like veggie burgers and fresh fruit & granola, and you’ll have Dixie Grill. Just don’t leave without trying the sweet potato fries! Breakfast served until 3pm.

-Slice of Life- 122 Market St.
Who doesn’t want a hot piece of pizza after hitting up the downtown bar scene? Open until 3am, cozy Slice of Life has a great pub atmosphere and truly delicious pizza.

-Trolley Stop- 121 N. Front St. and 94 S Lumina Ave. Wrightsville Beach
The Trolley Stop has two locations - one downtown and one at the beach. Go to Trolley Stop at the beach in the summer, and the line goes out the door as beach-clad locals load up on Surfer Dogs. I don’t know if it’s the ridiculously soft buns, the melty cheese, or the juicy hotdog itself, but there is nothing like a Trolley Stop dog.

-Tidal Creek- 5329 Oleander Dr. #100
Tidal Creek is a market and deli selling organically produced foods and goods from local growers and high-ethics companies.

-Casey’s Buffet and BBQ, 5559 Oleander Dr.
Look past the atmosphere and dig in to a plate of collard greens, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and of course BBQ. Southern charm on the side.

-Coffee
Wilmington is the birthplace of Port City Java, although now that Port City Java is a franchise in seven states, it’s almost like visiting Starbucks in Seattle. Instead try the Smudged Pot (5032 Wrightsville Ave.) which has friendly staff, a great selection of magazines, crafty goods for sale, AND ice cubes are made from coffee. Another good bet is Jester’s Java on Castle Street (#607) which is a great place to stop after you’ve hit up all the antique shops there.

TO DO:

Festivals

Wilmington holds numerous festivals - most notably Azalea Fest which takes place each year in April when the azaleas are in full bloom (well, at least in theory.) The multi-day festival includes a parade, a street fair with local crafters, teens in antebellum gowns (’Azalea Belles’), concerts, home tours, and more.

Downtown Wilmington becomes festive again in October with Riverfest, when you can watch fireworks, view local arts and crafts, hear good music and watch various competitions.
For those who tire of the street-fair scene, there are some fantastic arts festivals that should not be missed.

In November the Cucalorus Film Festival celebrates independent films, in May the volunteer-run W.E. Fest celebrates indie musicians, and in July the Cape Fear Blues Festival brings national and local acts to the Port City.

Bars

Wilmington bars come and go, but these favorites always promise a good time. The Soapbox Laundro-Lounge is downtown’s largest music venue and has washing machines available for patrons who need to kill two birds with one stone. Level 5 at City Stage (21 N. Front St. 5th floor) is a theatre and rooftop bar combined. Enjoy the riverfront view from above and then duck inside and see what’s playing. Bluepost Billiards (15 S Water St.) is a smoky dive off of an alley downtown. Pop open a PBR and play pool, skee-ball, air hockey, or any number of arcade games.

-Thalian Hall- 310 Chestnut St.
Built in the 1850s, Thalian is a beautiful place to see local and national productions from ballet to music to films.

-Farmers Market- N. Water St. between Princess & Market
From mid April to the end of December, local farmers, crafters, and musicians gather on the Riverfront for the Saturday Farmer’s Market.

-Airlie Gardens & the Minnie Evans Sculpture Garden, 300 Airlie Rd.
Airlie Gardens is an historic, 67 acre county-owned piece of property on the water just before Wrightsville Beach. It’s a wonderful place for a walk or a picnic, and is home to the “bottle house,” a work of art dedicated to African American folk artist Minnie Evans. Evans was the gatekeeper of Airlie from 1949-1974 and the bottle house (named because it is made of glass bottles and mortar) was built in 2004 by local artists to celebrate her life.

-Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum, 3021 S 17th St.
Built by the famous architectural firm Gwathmey Siegel & Associates of New York City, the Cameron Art Museum is one of my favorite places to visit. The museum has featured such exhibits as the costume designs of William Ivey Long, contemporary works using classic weaving techniques, and the phenomenal installations of Diane Landry. The museum shop items complement whatever is currently on display in the museum, making it an enjoyable stop on the way out.

-ACME Art Studios, 711 N. Fifth Ave. 910-763-8010
Ring the bell and if anyone answers then you’re in for a real treat. ACME is home away from home for 18 artists who work in all different mediums. You can also visit ACME during Fourth Friday art walks, from 6-9pm.

-Fourth Friday Art Walk, from 6-9pm April-December, 208 N Front St.
Start at Bottega Gallery, get a map, and visit the downtown art galleries during this monthly grassroots event.

If you've got time to spare and want to hear me babble (on and on) about how I got started with my business(es) and what I've been doing over the past 9 years, I recently did a podcast with Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood of CraftSanity. I have to say that I actually enjoyed doing this podcast because it felt more like a conversation with friend than a press interview.

I also did a podcast several months ago with Chronicle Books. I was kinda nervous when I did that interview. Okay, why couldn't I remember what I covered in my book?! Seriously. There were some definite deer-in-the-headlights, crickets-a-chirping moments during that interview. Thank goodness it wasn't live. Thank goodness is wasn't filmed. And thank goodness for the magic of editing so that I seem like a competent book author. Um, really, I am!

I'm still getting used to doing these broadcast interviews and I tend to get all self-critical when I listen to myself speak, so I haven't actually listened to either podcast yet. But trust me, you should--you'll either walk away with some quasi-interesting information about me or maybe even some laughs at my expense. Either way, it's good times.

crafter and all around awesome-girl kate pruitt will be joining d*s this month to share some fun, material-themed diy projects. she’ll be focusing on one material for the month and using it in a variety of different diy projects. for this month kate has chosen a material both she and i share an obsession with: ceramics! if you’re like us you probably have a surplus of cute cups and bowls sitting around the house, and maybe would like to refresh them. these teacup candles are super easy to make and would be nice little handmade gifts for the upcoming holidays…if you can bear to part with your treasures! click here for the full post and instructions or just click “read more” below happy crafting!

Kate’s Teacup Candles:

What You’ll Need

1. teacup (saucer optional) - i found most of these at a thrift store
2. wax (i used microwaveable soy wax from a craft store, but they sell all kinds)
3. candle wicks (at least 1″ taller than your cup)
4. candle scent or dye (optional)
5. microwaveable container
6. hot glue gun
7. thermometer

Directions:

1. Clean your cup and saucer thoroughly and dry completely
2. Place your wick in the center of your cup and glue the base down with a dab of hot glue. You can also purchase sticky wax for this step, but glue works fine.
3. Heat wax and add in dye or scent according to package directions. Pour into container. You can gently adjust the wick to make sure it is straight after you poor the wax in.

4. Let sit until the wax is cool and solid
5. Trim wick down to 1/4″.

FIN!

(RSS users, click here to see my latest eBay picks.)

Picked straight from our Moroccan garden and offered to you, Mr. Obama.

You're proof that every day is a chance for a new beginning. For all of us.

With love and best wishes,
Maryam in Marrakech

Inspiration Explosion: 14 Resources For Creativity!

From Sarah:

Retractable garage doors are great solutions for dissolving the boundaries between indoor and outdoor space.

Below: This house in West Marin by Fernau and Hartman Architects features a spectacular indoor/outdoor lounge area; note the daybeds on wheels.

Below: A dramatic open-to-the-elements kitchen in Manhattan from Sixx Design.

Below: We love this kitchen in a house in Venice, California; photography by Verne.

Below: Washington, DC, architect Jeffrey Broadhurst’s Shack at Hinkle Farm features a garage door opening.

Below: Seattle firm Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects created the now-iconic Chicken Point Cabin (cousin of the Brain), featuring an Industrial Revolution–evoking crank window.

Below: A house in Amagansett by Sag Harbor–based Bates Masi features an open-to-the-outside room.

I haven’t had a chance to do one of these posts in awhile; I’m behind on my blog reading lately! Here’s a journey through my blog catch up:

I say Congratulations! One of my favorite bloggers, Erin of Elements of Style has a new website for her design company, Element Interiors. Check it out here. Also, I meant to link you over to her post Orange You Glad it’s Fall? awhile back, so I will now - it’s a great collection of orange in decor.

I obsess with all of the step-by-step printmaking eye candy over at Heart Fish.

I ogle surreal pieces available from the Tony Duquette Collection spotted over at The Peak of Chic.

I wonder how swissmiss manages to find so many clever things every day. For example, the mobile bench.

I ponder whether the person who designed this treehouse cafe I spied at Inhabitat was high and chowing down on Keebler cookies when he/she came up with this treehouse.

I say “Hooray; I love these guy!” as I read this post from Home Rejuvenation for the tenth time.

I realize I will NEVER have a garage that looks this neat as I read The Inspired Room.

I am reminded by Style Court that I really need to get a library card.

I get pumped up for Halloween reading this post from katiedid.

Well, I’m off to one of my favorite cities, Charlottesville, VA for the weekend. I’m not sure if I’ll have time for my 20,000th visit to Monticello, but I’ll get my TJ fix on the UVA campus. See you on Monday!

• image from elements of style
• image from heartfish
• image via The Peak of Chic
• image via Swiss Miss
• image via Inhabitat
• image via Style Court

Marrakech's two most charming hosts (one French, one German) ushered them to....
 

the coziest nook...

 
They couldn't wait to see what culinary delights the Japanese chef might prepare.....

Why, like this fresh fish salad..........

And this delicious leek soup.........

Followed by Marrakech's finest sushi....

And the tenderest tenderloin .......

Topped off with a little scrumptious cheese cake....

Or a desert so pretty that one might only reluctantly share....

And after dinner, a seat in the garden....

for a spot of tea from a ridiculously good looking teapot..........

Oh, the paper lanterns dancing above......

Sigh....

Bon Appetit.

*************************

Tatchibana

38 Bab Ksiba,  Kasbah, Marrakech

Tel : 024 38 71 71

A la carte or three fabulous menus:  $25, $35 or $45. 

DwellStudio was founded by Christiane Lemieux in 1999 in an effort to bring modern textile design to the world of home. The company quickly established itself as a leader and innovator in the bedding market - and expanded to a fuller offering of home furnishings products, including table, baby, and junior. What follows is a guest post by Christiane regarding her new found Thanksgiving traditions. Take it away Christiane…

DwellStudio’s Christiane LemieuxAmerican Thanksgiving is new to me. I’m Canadian (we do have a Thanksgiving of our own—in a different month, with a whole different history) and I’ve always used Thanksgiving as an excuse to take a nice long weekend, nothing more. This year is different, though; I’ve got two little Americans at home. It might not be my tradition, but it’s going to be theirs. Welcome to my first American Thanksgiving.

I decided to do some research (apologies in advance if any of this is inaccurate!). The general consensus is that the first Thanksgiving took place in 1621, on a day the Puritans had set aside to celebrate their first harvest, and to mark their first year in the new world. The Puritans broke bread with their neighbors - depending on who you ask, the Wampanoag or Iriquois tribes. I already feel more connected to this holiday; I’ve got Mohawk Indian blood on my dad’s side.

All I knew about the Puritans (or Pilgrims, whatever you want to call them) was their big black hats. But forget all the complicated political issues of colonization; these people left their homes in search of a better life. Isn’t that what we call the American dream? And this year, of all years, there’s a renewed optimism in the air, an excitement about what it means to be American. I’m ready to celebrate that.

But within reason. Our philosophy at DwellStudio (and my philosophy in life) is to keep things simple. I’ve got two kids and a full-time job; there’s no way I’m going to make a papier-mache cornucopia.

Since I didn’t grow up with all the trappings of an American Thanksgiving, I felt free to create my own tradition. On this holiday, the meal itself will be the center of attention, so you don’t need to do much in the way of decorating. The rich cranberry red, the warm orange of pumpkin and sweet potatoes, the perfect honey brown of a crisp turkey — it’s already a gorgeous color palette.

With that in mind, I decided on a simple, monochromatic backdrop; I plan to use our Sketch place mats and runners, paired with Bodoni napkins - the subtle, graphic black and white are the ideal starting point for any table setting. To warm things up, I’ll add some vintage brass flatware, and serving bowls with a beautiful gold interior. Remember, dinner is the center of attention, so I’ll use a monochromatic centerpiece: a grouping of white vases and vessels I have around the house, plus some gourds, spray painted white.

DwellStudio Place Setting with Sketch place mats, Sketch runners, a fine glass of noir and a tasty dinner roll.

A centerpiece of white spray painted gourds adds an air of modern sophistication while not detracting from the main event - dinner!

Of course, I’ll loosen things up a bit for the kids’ table; after all, if the kids are restless, the adults won’t get to enjoy the impeccably-set table or the lovingly-prepared meal. It is a holiday, after all, so I’ll pull out all the stops, making dinner for the little ones an interactive experience. I will use all our DwellStudio kids’ favorites (a puppet repurposed as a place card holder, a fun kit unfurled and used as a place mat) and plenty of crayons and toys to keep little hands busy.

To me, the results will feel special and festive, a nod to tradition but in keeping with the way we live now. It’s the perfect modern Thanksgiving — and I can’t wait to celebrate this way for years to come. Happy Yankee Thankee, from DwellStudio.

Topo Azul, handmade designde patterns - is an organic approach to the art of painted wallpaper. A style that plays with lo-fi but in the end is revealed as a high quality product with a fresh and contemporary sensibility. This handmade pattern was created from the concept of freedom of lines. Heterogeneous forms are unified by using the same color. it reminds of the beauty that exists in the chaos and the randomness.

Artist Ana Montiel has designed TOPO AZUL as well as our other wallpaper collections. Since her early beginnings, she was fascinated while drawing different shapes (vs. patterns) and forms, not knowing that her fixation at the time would evolve into beautiful patterns for Pattern Tales®.