Wish List Wednesdays: Necklettes

Top: Starburst Necklette in Pink ($49.99)
Middle: Western Necklette ($39.99)
Bottom: Carnation Necklette in Antique Silver ($39.99)

I always have difficulty choosing the right length necklace to go with the neckline of whatever top I am wearing.  For some reason I invariably select a length that falls right in the area where the neckline starts, so that the necklace ends up either under the shirt or constantly dropping in and out, which is quite annoying. For people like me, a Necklette is the perfect solution!  Two strong magnets at either end under the top hold the necklette in place wherever you choose to attach it, so you can decide where on your top you want to display it.  And since no pins are used you avoid putting any holes in the material.

A necklette will of course work best with a simple top like a tee shirt, a thin sweater, or a dress with a clean neckline, but for someone like me who almost always dresses in some variation of a tee shirt this jewelry is ideal.  I am especially attracted to the Western Necklette shown in the photo above.  I may just have to purchase one and give it a try!
             

Weekend Wardrobe: Valentine's Day Casual Weekend Wardrobe

From liming.me

I am not someone who enjoys dressing up, even for Valentine's Day.  I will do so if necessary, but really my preference is for a more casual celebration.  My idea of the perfect romantic getaway would be a trip to a rustic country inn, preferably in the mountains, where my husband and I could do a little walking and shopping in a quirky little town full of shops featuring works by local artists (my husband has bad knees so we have to limit the amount of walking we do).  Of course a good dinner is a must, but I prefer casual eateries to fine dining establishments - give me a good Mexican or Indian restaurant over expensive haute cuisine any day!

For today's post I am featuring a few new apparel items I recently purchased in a weekend getaway wardrobe that would suit me perfectly for my ideal Valentine's day trip.  A new red cardigan and brown knit corduroy pants from L.L. Bean plus a pair of inexpensive but comfortable boots form the basis for the outfit to be worn while traveling:

Clockwise from top left: L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve Pima Button-Front Cardigan in Deep Red; Eton Red Heart Motif Dial with Red Strap Watch; The North Face Jim Beanie in Sequioa Red/Brunette Brown; L.L Bean Women's Lightweight Warm-Up Jacket in Deep Red; The North Face Women's Etip Gloves in Barolo Red; Dooney & Burke Florentine Cameron Crossbody Satchel in Charcoal; Propet Women's Madison Mid Zip Boots in Espresso; L.L. Bean Women's Slim-Leg Perfect Fit Knit Cords in Black Coffee; Duluth Trading Company Women's Longtail T Long Sleeve Crew Neck Shirt in Soft Mocha Stripe.

A few more items to pack would get me through a long weekend quite easily (notice that there is a bit of a ducks and hearts theme going on here!):

Clockwise from top left: L.L. Bean Women's Fair Isle Signature Merino Textured Crewneck Sweater in Taupe (no longer available); Novica Artisan Crafted Serene Duck Wood Pendant Necklace from Ghana; L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve Relaxed Fit Wrinkle-Free Pinpoint Oxford Shirt in White; L.L. Bean Women's Cotton/Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater in Deep Red; HouseofJackCo Leather Trimmed Duck Weekender Canvas Duffel Bag; Sperry for J. Crew Authentic Original 2-Eye Broken-In Boat Shoes in Rustic Brown; L.L. Bean Women's Original Fit Wrinkle-Free Bayside Pants in Dark Cement; L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve Interlock Turtleneck in White; Center top: Novica Petal Heart Mahogany Obsidian Heart Necklace; Center bottom: Women's Classic Oil-Tanned Genuine Leather Casual Jean Belt in Brown with Silver Buckle.

The sharp-eyed among you may have noticed that the boat shoes are meant for men! I do indeed sometimes buy men's boat shoes for myself as I have found that they fit my feet better and I tend to prefer men's color options to those available for women.  I love the obsidian heart pendant necklace, but the chain is rather short so I would probably find a longer silver chain so that I could switch it out when needed.  The one item I might add to the bag would be some fun pajamas suitable for Valentine's Day, like this set from Pajamagram:

Women's Chocolate-Lover Cotton Jersey Pajamas

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Casual and fun apparel are definitely my preferences for a Valentine's Day travel wardrobe, but what if the destination requires something a bit more stylish?  Next week I will try to pull together a collection that would be appropriate for more upscale destinations.  I think this may require some real effort on my part, as I am not the type who is comfortable with this style, but I always look forward to a challenge!
             

Foodie Fridays: Chickpea Macaroni and Manchego Cheese

This is the time of year when I crave macaroni and cheese, that warm, creamy, filling comfort food with the ability to take the chill off of a winter day.  I received a variety of cheeses as a Christmas gift, so I had many different types to choose from when making my favorite cold weather dish.  I decided to use some aged Manchego, which I think is a lot like Parmesan but not quite as hard or as sharp in flavor, modifying a simple recipe I found for Manchego Mac & Cheese.  Instead of grating the cheese, I chopped it into small bits with a knife, leaving some bigger pieces so that there would be small chunks of cheese in the cream sauce.  These little bits of deliciousness add a tiny explosion of flavor to each bite.

I also used macaroni made from chickpea flour since I am still trying out different legume-based pastas.  Chickpea flour pasta holds its shape well, and in my opinion is the most like wheat flour pasta in taste and texture.  Because I tend not to eat as many vegetables as I should in the winter I added mushrooms and baby greens to my mac and cheese as a way to increase my veggie intake.  The end result is my idea of perfect macaroni and cheese - firm pasta coated in a thick and tangy cheese sauce that also complements the added vegetables.  I have enough Manchego cheese to make this dish one more time, and then I still have quite a few more types of cheese left from my Christmas gift to try as variations of this recipe.  You may be seeing more macaroni and cheese recipes here in the near future!

Chickpea Macaroni and Manchego Cheese

8 oz. elbow macaroni (I used Banza Chickpea Elbows)
2-3 T. butter and/or olive oil
16 oz. sliced mushrooms
1 tsp. minced garlic
5 oz. mixed baby greens (such as baby spinach, kale, and/or chard)
1/2 tsp. salt, divided
4 T. butter
4 T. flour
2 C. whole milk
2 C. finely chopped aged Manchego cheese*

Cook the macaroni in a pot of boiling water according to package directions (about 8 minutes).  Drain, rinse, and set aside.  Rinse out the pot and set aside to use later.

Heat the butter and/or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the mushrooms and sauté until soft, about 8-10 minutes.  Push the mushrooms to the edge of the skillet, put the garlic in the middle, and cook for about one minute.  Combine the mushrooms and the garlic and then stir in the greens, a handful at a time, cooking one batch down slightly before adding the next.  Cook and stir until the greens are wilted.  Stir in 1/4 tsp. salt and set aside.

Heat the empty pasta pot over medium heat.  Melt the butter.  Add the flour and stir until a smooth roux forms.  Slowly add about 1/4 cup of the milk and stir until smooth.  Continue to add the milk a little at a time, stirring until smooth after each addition.  When all of the milk has been added, continue to cook and stir until the sauce thickens and just comes to a boil.

Remove the pot from the heat and add the cheese in batches, stirring until almost smooth after each addition (the larger lumps of cheese will not melt completely, but that is what you want).  Stir in the mushroom mixture until well combined.  Stir in the pasta until completely coated in the sauce and serve immediately.  Serves 4-6.

*Leave some pieces in larger (about 1/4-inch diameter) chunks.
               

This 'n That Thursdays: Colors of Jupiter Living Room Style Board

Images from New Atlas

Images of Jupiter from the JunoCam have been processed by Gerald Eichstadt and Sean Doran into colorfully artistic creations, as seen above.  Coincidentally, I have been noticing a recent interest in the pairing of copper and slate blue, two colors found in these Jupiter images:

Inspired by these two colors, I came up with a style board featuring them in a contemporary, slightly space-age/retro style living room, brought down to earth a bit with a more traditional rug.  Take a look:

Clockwise from top: Brayden Studio Mapamundi Copper Painting Print on Wrapped Canvas; Cyrus Modern Sofa in Dusty Blue; Patina Vie Large Asymmetrical Glazed Ceramic Decorative Bowl; Trinity Round Side Table in Copper; Pandora 14-inch Copper Table Lamp; Edloe Leather Lounge Chair in Copper; Rochelle Lee Throw Pillow in Royal Blue Copper; Center: Boca do Lobo Eden Copper Leaf Center Table; Center background: Safavieh Evoke Vintage Damask Distressed Rug in Blue/Orange; Background top: Metallic Effect Mural Wallpaper in Burnished Copper; Background bottom: Glidden Premium Satin Interior Paint with Primer in Mountain Slate Blue.

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I think I love this color combination!  I am particularly entranced by the copper chair and coffee table.  How about you?  Would you welcome an out-of-this-world interior design inspired by space exploration into your home?
                

Wish List Wednesdays: Are You Ready for Ruby Chocolate KitKat Bars?

From Bloomberg

Last September the Switzerland-based chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut introduced the "fourth type in chocolate" (after dark, milk, and white) called ruby chocolate.  There is some question as to how this chocolate variety is produced, but the final product is naturally pink and has a fruity, berry-like flavor.  While some chocolate connoisseurs may not consider ruby chocolate to even qualify as chocolate, I am not so particular, and would love to try this new product.  Needless to say, I was excited to find out about Nestle's new KitKat Chocolatory Sublime Ruby, which is made from ruby chocolate.  Unfortunately, for now they are only available in South Korea and Japan (the FDA has yet to approve the newly developed ruby chocolate for human consumption here in the United States).  Anyone headed to Japan or South Korea (perhaps for the Winter Olympics?) should be able to find one of these special bars for about $3.60 at KitKat Chocolatory boutiques, as well as about 80 pop-up stores in Japan around Valentine's Day.  Future plans include online sales in other countries, such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and eventually the United States when FDA-approved, so I guess I will have to wait a while before trying out the sublime ruby KitKat!

From National Post

             

Weekend Wardrobe: February Birthday Purple Passion Weekend Travel Wardrobe

From Pantone

Let me state up front that I am not a fan of the color purple.  However, since Pantone chose Ultra Violet as the 2018 Color of the Year, I felt challenged to base a wardrobe on their color choice just to see it I could do it.  Besides, I really should be nicer to purple, since it is the color of both my birth stone (amethyst) and birth flower (violet).  Yes, I am a February baby, born in one of the coldest and least liked months, and purple does bring a jolt of color to an otherwise dreary time of year!

I thought it would be fun to plan a wardrobe for a fun birthday trip in February.  Most people think of red as the color of February thanks to Valentine's Day, and I was sorely tempted because red is my favorite color, but I resisted and stuck with my resolution to use shades of Pantone's Ultra Violet for a weekend travel wardrobe.  Here is the outfit I put together to wear in transit:

Clockwise from top left: Coldwater Creek PrimaKnit Crew Neck Tee in White; Cabela's Women's Mountain View Jacket with PrimaLoft in Deep Purple; Coldwater Creek Classic Cardigan in Dark Purple; Talbots Pebbled Leather Mini Crossbody Bag in Lavish Purple; UGG Women's Kristin Classic Slim Water Resistant Mini Boots in Lavender Violet Suede; Coldwater Creek The Creek Slim-Leg Jeans in Dark Purple; Center top: Blue Nile Amethyst Elegant Halo Drop Earrings; Center bottom: Silver & Pewter Gifts Flower of the Month Bracelet in Violet.

And here are the rest of the items to pack:

Clockwise from top left: Eileen Fisher Tencel & Merino Wool Shaped Cardigan in Ultraviolet; Coldwater Creek Polished Pebbles Necklace in Boysenberry; Eileen Fisher Merino Wool Tunic Sweater in Ultraviolet; Coldwater Creek Sketched Leaves Easy Care Shirt in Plum Multi; Coldwater Creek Essential Supima Stand-Neck Tee in Aubergine; Shenn Women's Suede Driving Moccasins in Purple; Jetstream 18-Inch Rollaboard Suitcase in Purple;   Coldwater Creek The Cottonluxe Gallery Pant in Boysenberry; Coldwater Creek Diamond Mesa Burnout Tee in Multi; Center: Chico's Willa Linear Earrings in Purple.

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Such an offbeat wardrobe deserves an offbeat destination - how about a stay at the Frank Lloyd Wright house I mentioned in a recent post here, or maybe a trip to some quirky food festival (I happen to love quirky food festivals)?  There seem to be a lot of chocolate and/or wine festivals in the month of February (once again courtesy of Valentine's Day, of course), but I am more interested in those small and off-the-beaten-path celebrations like the Annual Gourd Festival in Casa Grande, Arizona ("Thousands of dried gourds for sale!"), or the La Belle Swamp Cabbage Festival in La Belle, Florida ("Keep Calm... Eat a Palm" at the "family festival with no alcoholic beverages"), or even the International Eelpout Festival at Leech Lake in Walker, Minnesota (one of "15 Weird Midwestern Festivals You Never Knew Existed", where you can kiss an eelpout for good luck!).  Who says February is a boring and dreary month, when there are so many exciting celebrations to attend?

Would you kiss an eelpout?
(from Minnesota Monthly)

             

Foodie Fridays: Pasta with Ricotta and Peas

I am still on a quest to find recipes that will help me use up frozen peas.  I also continue to be obsessed with grain-free pastas made from legume flours.  When I found a Mark Bittman recipe for  Penne with Ricotta and Peas, I decided to change it up to satisfy both goals.  I doubled the amount of peas (as well as the sauce ingredients), and I substituted legume pasta for wheat pasta.  Since I did not have a pound of any one pasta shape, I used an 8-ounce box of Tolerant Simply Legumes Organic Green Lentil Pasta Penne plus the same amount of truRoots Organic Just Green Pea Fusilli Pasta.  I also added some crumbled bacon as recommended in one of the comments from someone who had made the recipe (because of my red meat allergy, I used al fresco Fully Cooked Uncured Chicken Bacon).

If you use wheat flour pasta, you can use the cooking liquid to thin out the ricotta sauce, but I do not recommend that with legume flour pastas (the cooking water becomes very thick and cloudy, like the liquid in canned beans).  I used chicken stock instead.  As you can tell from the image above, my pasta shapes fell apart when I started mixing everything together, mainly because I did not add the stock to the sauce until after I had added the pasta, so be sure to thin the sauce first and then add the pasta!  This recipe is really just a variation on macaroni and cheese, and it is the ultimate comfort food for cold weather like we have been having lately.

Pasta with Ricotta and Peas

16 oz. short legume pasta (or regular pasta)
2 C. ricotta cheese
2 T. butter, softened
1 C. grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 C. chicken stock
2 C. frozen peas
6-8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
salt and pepper to taste*

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Add the pasta, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for the amount of time recommended on the package directions (about 8 minutes for the pasta I used).  During the last few minutes of cooking, add the peas.  Drain and rinse the pasta and peas.

While the pasta cooks, combine the ricotta, butter, and Parmesan in a large bowl.  Add one cup of the chicken stock to create a sauce.  Toss the pasta, peas, and bacon into the ricotta mixture.  Stir and add enough of the remaining stock to thin the sauce to your desired consistency.  Taste for seasoning and add salt and/or pepper as needed.  Serve immediately.  Serves 6.

*I always use unsalted stock, and ended up adding about 1 tsp. salt.  Always taste for seasoning before adding more salt!
               

This 'n That Thursdays: Surprising Weight Loss Factors

From AARP Maryland

Have you made any resolutions for the New Year?  Does your list include losing weight as one of your goals?  I recently read about a few factors that seem to influence whether or not you will be successful (see articles here and here), and they may not be what you think!  Below is a short list of unusual influences that you may not have considered when deciding to shed those pesky extra pounds:

From Odyssey

1) Living in close proximity to a gym (less than half a mile) increases your chances of weight loss success, especially for women and those with higher incomes.

From The Tub Connection

2) People who fidget a lot are more likely to maintain an ideal weight - this spontaneous physical activity includes walking, standing, cooking, gardening, and other non-exercise activities.

From Modern Salon

3) The consumption of spicy foods seems to be correlated with a lower incidence of obesity as well as better health, possibly due to the capsaicin found in hot peppers which modestly increases metabolism (and other spices such as ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric may also help keep weight under control by reducing inflammation).

From Colorado.com

4) Living at higher elevations seems to reduce obesity incidence, perhaps because of the higher metabolic demands of lower oxygen levels and/or reduced appetite caused by increased sympathetic nervous system activity.

From trace|work

5) Those who live in big cities (populations of one million or more people) may be less likely to carry excess weight, although other studies have found just the opposite to be true, so more work is needed in teasing out just what is healthy about living in a large metro area (increased walkability and/or better diet?) and what is not (easier access to high-calorie fast foods and/or less work-related physical activity?).

Image at left from NetCost Market Philadelphia;
image at right from Discover Magazine Blogs.

6) Eating foods as a sit-down meal rather than as a stand-up snack leads to lower calorie consumption and thus a greater likelihood of maintaining a healthy weight (those who ate more food as a snack consumed up to 50% more calories in a day than those who sat down to meals!).

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Obviously most people are not in a position to change a lot of these factors in their lives.  In a more general sense, however, these findings suggest that a more active lifestyle and a focus on healthy food choices, both simple common sense rules, are the best way to increase your chances of achieving your weight loss goals for 2018.  Give it a try, and good luck!
             

On the Homefront: Snow Day!

We don't see this very often where we live in Georgia, so I just had to post a picture!  Schools are closed today, including the University of Georgia.  Nobody has snow tires in this area, or much experience driving in snow, so it is safest to just keep as many people as possible off of the roads.  My husband was supposed to fly to Puerto Rico today, but he wisely decided to wait until tomorrow, as flights are sure to be delayed or even cancelled.  Right now the temperature is hovering around freezing and there is no wind, so this snowy day is really quite lovely, but we are in for bitter cold temperatures and arctic blasts of wind tonight before a warming trend finally arrives.  We are not used to such an extended period of frigid weather here in the South!
               

Wish List Wednesdays: Rebecca Allen Dalmatian II Credenza

Sometimes I wish that I had a small cottage, apartment, or even office space outside the home that I could decorate just for me, because if I did the first item I would purchase would be a Rebecca Allen Dalmatian II Credenza ($599) from Deny Designs.  Made of Baltic birch wood in a high-gloss finish, this piece has an adjustable interior shelf, and you have a choice of gold or black metal Aston legs (I prefer the black).  The smaller dimensions mean that it would fit perfectly in a smaller space.  If I did not have to take my husbands tastes into account I would probably fill my interior spaces with Dalmatian-themed décor like this credenza (and Deny Designs offers so many options)!  Would that be a bad thing?
             

Weekend Wardrobe: Accessories for Berry, Brown, Rose, and White Cold Weather 4x4 Wardrobe

I think I went a little overboard today with accessories for last week's 4x4 wardrobe, but it was such a basic wardrobe that I had no problem finding all sorts of items to help jazz it up.  Because the 16-piece collection included no prints, I was able to select accessories with a few different themes, and I took advantage of the fact, particularly when it came to jewelry and scarves!

Let's start with the scarves, because I had such fun looking for different patterns when choosing them (you will notice equestrian, zig zag, leopard and feather themes here):

Clockwise from top left: Ralph Lauren Milena Silk Twill Bridle Scarf in Fuchsia; Jovanas Women's Knitted Wrap Scarf with Tassels in Brown; Missoni Women's Zig Zag Scarf in Brown; Nature's Jewelry Leopard Print Scarf; Cerise Fashion Elegant Fuchsia Pashmina Scarf; Robert Cavalli Women's Feather Silk Scarf in Brown Multi.

Next up is the outerwear, which is a combination of coats and vests (I went a bit heavy on magenta outdoor apparel from Patagonia, because I loved the color and just could not help myself!):

Clockwise from top left: Patagonia Women's Hooded Fiona Down Parka in Magenta; J. Crew Topcoat in Double Leopard (no longer available - see similar here); Patagonia Women's Down Sweater Jacket in Magenta; Patagonia Women's Los Gatos Fleece Vest in Birch White; Patagonia Women's Down Sweater Vest in Magenta; Ash City Ladies Glacier Soft Shell Jacket in Dark Chocolate.

Hats, gloves, and handbags are added to the collection in this next set of accessories:

Clockwise from top left: Tuscany Leather Ambrosia Soft Leather Bag with Shoulder Strap in Dark Brown; Sur la Tte Dakota Bretton Faux Fur Hat in Chocolate Brown; Pratt and Hart Women's Classic Wool/Cashmere Blend Lined Leather Gloves in Brown; Patagonia Women's Cable Beanie in Magenta; Women's 3M Thinsulate Lined Waterproof Microfiber Winter Ski Gloves in Boysenberry; Women's Velvet Tote Bag in Leopard Print; ili Double-Zip Wristlet in Walnut; Aldo Astoille Crossbody Bag in Fuchsia.

It's time to add some shoes to the mix now:

Clockwise from top left: Vionic Women's Suede Walking Sneakers in Dark Brown; Diba Eli Bootie in Dark Brown; Macy's Lucky Brand Women's Basel Leopard Print Booties in Natural; UGG Classic Short II Boots in Magenta Rose; Center: Hush Puppies Endless Wink Loafers in Light Purple Nubuck.

And finally, here is the jewelry, and there is a lot, because I was finding so many great pieces that I had a hard time stopping myself (there are bird, swirl, chocolate, and zig zag themes going on with this collection):

Clockwise from top left: HouseofVintageOnline Vintage Zuni Bird Fetish Necklace; SmithsonianStore Elegant Swirls Enamel Cuff; Heavenly Treasures 14k Gold Chocolate Pearl Necklace; SmithsonianStore Enthralling Garnet Teardrop Pierced Earrings; Signals Botswana Agate Necklace; Smithsonian Chocolates Necklace (matching bracelet and earrings also available); Handmade Brass Wavy Lines Antique Copper Cuff Bracelet; SmithsonianStore Enthralling Garnet Teardrop Necklace; Center: SmithsonianStore Enthralling Garnet Teardrop Bracelet.

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I hope you are not suffering from accessory sensory overload at this point, but I love how these numerous accessories add pizzazz to an otherwise plain and simple basic wardrobe.  Next week I will tackle a travel wardrobe in a color which is not one of my favorites, and hope that I can do it justice!
               

Foodie Fridays: Cheesy Corn and Potato Chowder

Soup weather continues here, although we are having a few days of warmer but rainy weather rather than arctic cold at the moment.  I found a hearty recipe for Cheddar Corn Chowder that I modified slightly, adding some celery, using a combination of vegetable and chicken stock, substituting prepackaged potatoes for fresh, and adding a bit of manchego cheese in addition to the cheddar.  If you have any manchego cheese around, I highly recommend it in this soup.  The sharp bite of manchego is very different from that of cheddar, and even a little adds a very distinctive flavor.  I omitted the optional crumbled bacon topping, but bacon lovers should feel free to include this ingredient!

Cheesy Corn and Potato Chowder

2 T. butter
3 T. olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/4 C. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. turmeric
6 C. vegetable and/or chicken stock
4 C. (about 1 1/2 lbs.) diced Yukon Gold potatoes (see Notes)
5 C. frozen corn, thawed
1 C. half 'n half
10 oz. sharp cheese, shredded (see Notes)

Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until the butter melts.  Add the onion and celery and sauté until soft, about 10 minutes.  Add the flour, salt, and turmeric, stirring constantly for two minutes.  Whisk in the stock, stirring well until smooth.  Add the potatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add the corn and cook for five minutes until the corn is heated through.  Use an immersion blender to partially purée the soup, leaving some of the corn and potato pieces whole.  Stir in the half 'n half.  Add the cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted after each addition (the soup will be very thick).  Taste the soup and season with more salt and some pepper if needed.  Stir well and ladle into bowls, topping with more shredded cheese (and/or crumbled bacon) if desired.  Serves 6.

Notes: I used a 20 oz. bag of Simply Potatoes Diced Potatoes with Onion instead of the Yukon Gold potatoes, only because I had some in the freezer and I did not have any Yukon Gold potatoes around.  For the cheese, I used 8 oz. sharp cheddar plus 2 oz. manchego cheese.  I used a potato masher to smash up some of the potato cubes before using the immersion blender, but this was probably not necessary.
             

This 'n That Thursdays: Vacation in a Restored Frank Lloyd Wright House

The Eppstein House (from realtor.com)

The very first house I ever admired was Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, which I visited with my Girl Scout troop when I was a young girl.  I loved the way the home seemed to be part of its habitat rather than dominating it, and I was especially enamored of the opening in the living room floor where you could watch the river flow under the building.  I think I became a fan of modern architecture at that moment, and to this day I still love the style.

I know that I will never live in a Frank Lloyd Wright house, but thanks to Airbnb I could seize the opportunity to rent one for a vacation.  The Eppstein house in Galesburg, Michigan, has been thoroughly renovated, and the owners are renting it out right now.  Check out their Project Eppstein blog to follow the process as they purchase the neglected property and painstakingly restore it to its former glory.  All modern amenities have been added, but the look and feel of the house is rooted in the 1950s when the house was built.  Wherever possible original Frank Lloyd Wright pieces or items from the same time period have been included.

The three bedroom, two bathroom house can accommodate up to six guests.  For $340 a night you can rent this architecturally unique home and have it all to yourself.  Just head to the Airbnb listing and choose your dates.  Future plans include opening the house to the public once a year, but if you have your heart set on an overnight or longer stay in a Frank Lloyd Wright home then this is your chance!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: How I Stayed Warm During Our Cold Spell

From Alabama Public Radio

Our recent cold spell is the longest I can remember since moving to Georgia almost 15 years ago.  I really had to scramble to find clothing warm enough for this weather, even in the house.  I ended up practically living in two recently purchased items, so I thought I would share them here today.

The first is a pair of slippers sent to me by the brother I recently visited in Pennsylvania.  While there, I pretty much took over some slippers he owns to keep my feet warm indoors.  They were an old pair of L.L. Bean fleece-lined leather men's slippers which were too large for me but so comfortable that I did not care!  These slippers are no longer available, but my brother found similar ones made of felt and got me a pair for Christmas.  The fleece lining, ankle height, and slip-on ease of these slippers make them as cozy and comfortable as the ones my brother owns, and they have rarely been off of my feet since our arctic freeze began.  I have even worn them to walk to the mailbox at the top of our driveway because I am so reluctant to take them off!  The Slippers International Men's Dorm Slippers ($27.62-$45.25 depending upon color chosen) are available from Amazon.

The second item I cannot live without is the Bit & Bridle Women's Solid Quilted Vest (on sale for $13.99-$14.99) I got at Tractor Supply.  I had been looking for a quilted vest with a smooth outside finish that does not attract every animal hair in its vicinity, and this one fulfills that need perfectly.  The inside of the vest is lined with a soft flannel-like material that is warm and cozy, and there are two generous outside pockets that can hold gloves, headbands, tissues, and/or whatever else you like to stuff into pockets.  The sizing runs large, but I put this generosity to good use as I can wear this vest either under or over a coat (even a quilted one) quite easily.  Some mornings have been so cold that I ended up wearing five top layers (long-sleeve tee, flannel shirt, heavy sweatshirt, my new vest, and a winter coat) to stay warm outside, but I have even been wearing this vest indoors when I am inactive and now feel that I could not live without it.

Our prolonged cold spell has shown me that there are two items I still need to find, the first being warm but lightweight socks while the second is a pair of gloves that can keep my fingers warm without impairing their use.  I am beginning to think that the latter do not exist, but my husband recently purchased some socks from Bombas that might just work for me as well, so I think I will be purchasing a pair soon to try them out.  I hope that everyone affected by the recent cold has managed to stay warm.  Our weather is finally undergoing a warming trend, and hopefully the rest of the nation is seeing the return of milder weather as well!
             

Weekend Wardrobe: Berry, Brown, Rose, and White Cold Weather 4x4 Wardrobe

The color scheme for this cold weather wardrobe was inspired by an outfit I wore out to dinner recently.  I was all set to wear a white long-sleeved tee with brown pants and a red sweater, when a bright pink cashmere sweater that I have owned for a while caught my eye instead.  The temperatures outside were arctic, and this sweater is one of only two cashmere ones that I own, so I decided to wear it with a similarly colored long-sleeve tee and the brown pants.  I found a necklace with colors that complemented the outfit and I ended up being quite pleased with the look.  I decided to complete the color scheme for a 4x4 wardrobe by adding a purplish-red berry color that I had noticed earlier in the week plus a bit of the ever-dependable white that I almost wore with the pink cashmere sweater.

Let's start the collection with four tops in the berry hue, two of which can be worn as second layers over another shirt:

Clockwise from top left: Fair Indigo Fair Trade Cotton/Alpaca Relaxed Turtleneck Sweater in Soft Berry; Fair Indigo Fair Trade Organic Relaxed Knit Button Down Shirt in Berry; Fair Indigo Fair Trade Organic Jewel Neck Cardigan in Boysenberry; Fair Indigo Fair Trade Organic Essential Long Sleeve Scoop Neck Tee in Boysenberry.

The next set of four features the color brown, and all four of the items are pants:

Clockwise from top left: Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Stretch-Fit Jeans in Cocoa; L.L. Bean Perfect Fit Slim-Leg Knit Cords in Black Coffee; Coldwater Creek Pinwale Stretch Corduroys in Brown; L.L. Bean Perfect Fit Slim Pants in Deepest Brown.

The third set of four includes four rose-colored tops, and again two of them can be used as second layers:

Clockwise from top left: L.L. Bean Women's Classic Cashmere Full-Zip Cardigan in Wild Rose Heather; L.L. Bean Women's Classic Cashmere Crewneck Sweater in Wild Rose Heather (no longer available - another option here); L.L. Bean Pima Cotton Long-Sleeve Turtleneck in Wild Rose; L.L. Bean Pima Cotton Long-Sleeve Crewneck Tee in Wild Rose.

And the final set of four contains more tops, two in shades of brown and two in white:

Clockwise from top left: Fair Indigo Fair Trade Organic Essential Long Sleeve Scoop Neck Tee in Dark Chocolate; Fair Indigo Fair Trade Organic Essential Long Sleeve V-Neck Tee in White (no longer available - similar here); Stio Women's Sweetwater Fleece Cowl in Sea Turtle; L.L. Bean Pima Cotton Long-Sleeve Crewneck Tee in White.

Here is the entire 4x4 collection:

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I like the idea of keeping the pants in this 4x4 collection the same dark neutral color, and I suspect most women do choose darker neutrals for bottoms.  In this wardrobe there is a ratio of three tops for each bottom, but obviously all of the tops can be worn with all of the bottoms.  This particular collection may be a bit too repetitious for many, and there are no patterned items at all, but for someone who likes a straightforward wardrobe where outfits can be pulled together effortlessly this may be the way to go.  The best solution for adding interest would be in the selection of unique accessories, so we shall see what I can find next week!