Summer Colours Week {Wednesday's Green Highlights}

It was another beautiful day here in Summer Colour Week Land with gorgeous greens mesmerizing me. I love this whole reader participation we have going and don't want it to end, don't you? Thank you everyone for participating so far - it's been so so awesome. Looking forward to our special"Red and White" Day tomorrow to celebrate Canada Day!

Line No. 1. justnoey; MFayre; The Mel B; Laura O Photo; mccheek; knitalatte11
Line No. 2. Hindsvik; Leah Giberson; alphabet soup studio; kaitlyn sullivan; kaitlyn sullivan; kaitlyn sullivan
Line No. 3. zsita; indierocket; justnoey; Blue Bird Lucy's; tweetsweet; girlhula
Line No. 4. BethsTakeOnLife.blogspot.com; orangesparrow; Keke Kate; Rachael Ashs; LeefeeStudio; LeefeeStudio
Line No. 5. gwen; NoApathyAllowed; knittalatte11; Caroline Zilk; maryvican; Monquee

Renew a Chalkboard Wall

I just renewed my love for chalkboard walls with these illustrated trims and frames (and even floors) from Anthropologie's July Catalogue. Even the plug-ins are drawn in. So fun!

New Works: Amy Rice

It's a Closed System/ The First Day is a new piece by Amy Rice about aging and loss and finding each other over and over. Read more about the story behind this image on her flickr here. This piece will be included in her solo show at View Art Gallery in Victoria, B.C. this October (2010). Visit her flickr to see photo's from her idyllic cottage vacation (from which this piece was inspired).

Rich, Hearty & Healthy: Tangy Miso Gravy

By Jeannette Ordas of Everybody likes Sandwiches



When I moved to Vancouver 15 years ago, I was a vegetarian and was always on the look-out for new discoveries. One thing kept popping up on my radar: the fantastic miso gravy at a restaurant called The Naam. Line ups were common, food service was slow, but the yam fries served with their tangy miso gravy was the perfect reason to cross town for. Once I dunked that yam fry, I was hooked. I've made a few different miso gravies in my past, and while delicious, nothing could compare to that zing found at the Naam.



Thankfully, the very crafty Laurel over at Thimble created a pretty delicious replica. I modified things slightly by cutting back on some of the oil and using cornstarch instead of flour, along with a few minor adjustments. The results were surprisingly Naam-like! The apple cider vinegar gives this gravy some kick and the honey or agave syrup mellows things out with a bit of sweetness. I liberally poured this over some lightly stir-fried veg and happily went back for seconds. You could use this gravy to up the ante and replicate your own version of the Naam's famous Dragon Bowl: brown rice, stir-fried tofu & steamed veggies along with some shredded raw beets, cabbage and sprouts. Yummy!

Tangy Miso Gravy
(adapted from Thimble)
4 tablespoons white miso paste (shiromiso)
2 cups vegetable broth
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup
2 teaspoons sriracha
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water

Combine everything except the cornstarch and water in a medium sized saucepan and cook over medium heat until it begins to boil, whisking occasionally. Turn the heat down to a simmer and combine the cornstarch and water in together in a small bowl. Add cornstarch mixture to the gravy and whisk to combine, stir until the gravy reaches your ideal thickness. Still not thick enough for your liking? Whip up more of the slurry - the cornstarch and water mixture until you get it right.

Summer Colours Week! Green

Today is "Green Day" for our Summer Colours Week we've been hosting here that is blowing me away by the way! The colours have been stunning and if you haven't had a chance yet to check out our flickr pool, it's a definite must-see (or join the fun, there's still time)! I'll be back later this afternoon/evening with a beautiful green collage to summarize the day.

Above: halowrites; maryvican; leefeestudio
Below: 74 Lime Lane; {me}longings; kaitlyn sullivan

Summer Colours Week {Tuesday's Yellow Highlights}

It was another inspirational day today over at the Summer Colours Week pool. An amazing set of yellows to inspire. We're at 950 images uploaded and just finishing day 2! Please join us for tomorrow's colour "green" already uploading!

Line No. 1. amalia chimera; greenapril27; lu summers; {me}longings; isabelle t; isabelle t
Line No. 2. agrippinamaior; indierocket; cozy memories; city of blackbirds; stephanie levy; the mel b
Line No. 3. leah giberson; bellalulu vintage; laura o photo; lecia - a day that is dessert; s. treatzone; m. treatzone
Line No. 4. alphabet soup studio; dearjoeloverosie; sarah john afana; tokketokpress; lili; lili

An Andalucian Wedding at Puente Romano Hotel

Laura and Fred chose the Puente Romano Hotel as their wedding venue, to capture their dream day of an Andalucian wedding.

Both of them have parents that own holiday homes in Andalucia and they wanted to capture the charm of the white washed villages complete with geranium clad walls and terracotta tiles. The Puente Romano along with it's 5 star service and food and the beautifully established gardens made this venue the perfect location for their dream day.

The La Virginia Church, just 5 minutes drive away and set in a breathtaking Andalucian village setting was the perfect location for their ceremony.

Having booked the church and the venue, Laura and Fred needed to finish off all the details, decorations, music, cars and someone to be there to make sure everything ran smoothly throughout the day. We took over!!!

The wedding theme was pulled together using the hot pinks of the fabulous bouganvilla that grows here in Spain with a slight, but not overkill of a butterfly theme. Laura chose favour boxes for her guests in a butterfly filigree detail to bring in a slight element of lace detail that was also on her fabulous dress.

Carla, our coordinator, as always amazingly efficient and charming and filled in all the gaps organising the final details for Laura and Fred and holding their hands throughout the day to make sure it all ran smoothly, Laura has since said she wished Carla had been there from day one!

A wonderful day with superb service from Puente Romano, and many happy guests commenting on how fabulous it all was.

I would like to give credit to Loraine for the amazing flowers, Susana for dressing this so beautifully for me and Carla for just yet again being so efficient and organised! I have a dedicated team behind me that are able to pull together such wonderful occasions and they are always acknowledged.

Our thanks to Jennifer Jane, an associate of Jeremy Standley, for these beautiful photographs, without our photographers to capture the day our work would be long forgotten!

Random Link Love

hindsvik.com

I'm so in love with reclaimed wood these days, I can't even tell you how much. This beauty, a reclaimed wood and pipe shelving unit is handmade by the talented Canadian couple from Hindsvik!


Visit stylist-writer Arren Williams’ modernist, Palm Springs inspired house featured on H&H Online TV and don't miss Michael Penny's DIY batik fabric demonstration!

With all the soccer craze going on right now, did you know Vancouver's new (renovated) soccer stadium is made from 22 thousand recycled tires?

Tune in to CiTR Radio (our best local college radio) on Canada Day (July 1st) for all Canadian content!

Choosing the right sewing machine

I always wanted to do a post on delightful dorm rooms.

There are signs of summer in the midst.

Oatmeal Chocolate Raspberry Muffins anyone?

Pride and Prejudice Photo Shoot by Anne Sage

You have got to head over this way to Anne Sage to see her stunning Pride and Prejudice photo shoot, fabulous styling and love the setting.

Summer Colours Week: Yellow

If you're just joining us this week, we're celebrating summer by hosting a Summer Colours week. Tuesday is Yellow and there are so many beautiful ones up already, I'm in awe. Join us by uploading to our flickr pool!

1. thedecorista.tumblr.com
2. Something's Hiding In Here
3. Desire to Inspire via Micasa
4. Bonnie Tsang (via pinterest/ohjoy)
5. justinetaylor.tumblr.co (via pinterest/leahdent)
6. knitalatte11

Fresh from the Oven: Becky Murphy

Contributer post by Will Bryant

Becky Murphy is a recent graphic design graduate of Iowa State University. She recently took a road trip down to Texas and was able to stop in for a quick visit at Public School! Check out some pieces from her portfolio!





I really like Becky's editorial work. She has clean typography in most of her pieces, and I'm certain those skills will only get stronger and stronger as she gains more experience. So look out!

Free CSA Images from French Paper!

I thought this was rather cool. French Paper Co. is offering free CSA images from their site. There are some restrictions, but they have a vast selection of rights managed black & white images perfect for solid-color offset, letterpress, or silkscreen printing. They are the first mill ever to go beyond paper and offer free CSA images. Available for use when printed on French Paper grade. Click here for more info. (Thanks Lisa for the tip!)

Summer Colours Week {Monday's Pink Highlights}

Internet, you amaze me! Some highlights from today's amazing upload to our Summer Colours Week pool. Join us tomorrow for a Yellow Tuesday! Everyone can start to upload yellows after 6pm (Pacific) tonight!

Line No. 1. rogelaf; roll and tumblepress; cascata; jeannette ordas; shes crafty handmade; boo21smom
Line No. 2. jo bradford; saganaga; orange sparrow; treatzone; kate banazi; rachael ashe
Line No. 3. knitalatee11; l. grainne; bethstakeonlife.blogspot.com; niccoco; l. grainne; leah giberson
Line No. 4. jo bradford; lili; this is my normal volume level; cozy memories; treatzone; e. bing
Line No. 5. jeannette ordas; jeannette ordas; illuminated perfume; a field journal; a field journal; knitalatte11