Raleigh Denim

I discovered Raleigh Denim through Tom Fishburn's "Mission Statement" blog post that Scott forwarded me. Founded by a young couple with no experience in denim manufacturing, Raleigh Denim has really managed to ride the wave of artisinal high end jeans. They have a really inspiring story of a locally made and sourced product that they've managed to develop into a thriving business. Now if only I could convince myself that $275 for a pair of jeans is worth it because it will help a business and they will last forever.

Raleigh Denim: Handcrafted in North Carolina | UNC-TV from David Huppert on Vimeo.
Scene's from the Raleigh Denim workshop (from their website):

Scenes from Sanya

Walkway Rescue

Before the torrential rains and floods in Australia there was the LA Basin flood of 2010. You guys know what I'm talking about. Remember those crazy photos from before Christmas where there was a foot of mud in downtown Newport Beach? Well, we pumped 20 gallons of water out of our semi-subterranean rec room.  Thank god for shop vacs and a tile floor.  The culprit was a walkway that sloped toward our house and a 6" hollow spot underneath that created an underground river when it rained.  Well, we finally had it torn out and re-done.

 The new and completed walking (that slopes AWAY from the house!)

I know, it's not one of those wonderful before and afters that everyone oohs and ahhs over but when you spend money on something and you're happy with the results you kind of have to boast about it no?  Invite me over and I'll be happy to give you props for your new water heater, updated wiring, and copper plumbing before I even mention the paint job, decorative tile, and beautiful window treatments.

Happy Birthday!

To my wonderful husband of six and a half years!  Enjoy your day and all the birthday wishes coming your way.

Photo by julibird.

Arugula Redux

Remember when I planted the arugula in our yard?  I posted about it back in October.  Well, it's growing like a weed (it sort of looks like a weed too).

Those of you who have been to Italy know that their rucola or rocket is super nutty, spicy and earthy.... umami to the core.  Baby arugula that you find in the US just doesn't cut it.  Well, what I've recently discovered in harvesting my own arugula is that the larger more mature leaves have the more pungent flavor.  Takes me right back to the Amalfi Coast.  Here's a salad of arugula, radishes, avocado, carrot and salami that we made.  And a quick dijon dressing of olive oil, dijon, lemon juice, salt and pepper (I remember laughing at a coworker who made her own dressings, thinking "who makes their own salad dressings?"  You do. That's who.)

Of course, the stems and centers of the larger leaves are a bit sinewy so you have to take those off and throw them back into the compost.

Bazaar!

Don't miss Serena & Lily's 6 day Bazaar happening right now.  Think of it as their version of a One Kings Lane Tastemaker Tag Sale.

 Unfortunately I got to it late and some of the items are sold out, but you can like them on facebook or follow them on twitter and be first on the list for the next one.  As a complement to their home furnishings lines they source art, accessories and furniture from around the world for the bazaar.  The artwork is especially interesting. Here are some items that caught my eye.

Shoreline by Eleanor Grosch

 

Marin Meets Pacific by Karen Smidth

 

Kuba Pillow #1

Early morning on La Loma

Full Moon 7:00 am La Loma on an early morning run.

Guest Post: Pretty Haute Etsy Finds

Friends, designers, bloggers, lend me your ears.  Cori from over at Pretty Haute Mess is starting a new guest post series here at the Eagle's Nest.  Please join me in welcoming Cori. 
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Hi everyone! I'm excited to be starting a regular guest post here at The Eagle's Nest. Every once in a while I'll drop in to show you my favorite Etsy finds. Today, I'm debuting with items for babies, which includes nurseries of course. And since I know how much Jessica loves owls I decided to stick with a specific theme. One day, when Jessica and I are designing our nurseries, we're going to have to fight over the owl theme...I think it's adorable!

 bookend by April Foss

 onsie by Circular Accessories

 growth chart by Ink Tree Press

 stationery by Rock Paper Dove

 snack sac by Waste Not Snacks

pacifier clip by Elleigator Clips

wall decal by Modern Decals

bib by Finney

-Design Girl {Pretty Haute Mess}

Maxi-Modern

I remember thinking when Dorothy Draper's retrospective book came out "Aha!  That is where Kelly Wearstler got her inspiration".  Draper was the ebullient designer of the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia and the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Restaurant back in the day. In Wearstler's 2002 book Modern Glamour,  the designer explicitly calls to mind Draper's use of unabashedly bright colors,  painted furniture, and over scaled neoclassical pattern.  

Well, Wearstler's newest book Hue came out about a year ago, and I think she's moved into her Warren Platner phase.  Platner, interior designer of the Met-Life building, Windows on the World, and JFK's TWA terminal,  eschewed the ideas of the international style, Bauhaus, and the minimalists and opted for a style of modern opulence. Wearstler is certainly following in his footsteps. Either way, she's still a modern glamorous gal committed to style and color. 

Dorothy Draper's personality infused interiors (courtesy of Dorothy Draper & Co.) 

Kelly Wearstler's Draper inspired spaces (courtesy of KWID)

Some favorite Platner works  (courtesy of Dwell)

 Kelly Wearstler's Platner infused spaces, including use of his eponymous chair. (courtesy of KWID)

And the Winner Is...

Aubrey Laine!

Congratulations Aubrey.  I hope you enjoy your jack and find a great way to put it to use.  Can't wait to see it in your space.

Watercolor

West Elm's Luli Watercolor pillow is so evocative of the work of Helen Frankenthaler.

 Image courtesy of Art.com

Filling Spaces

I'd like to introduce you to fellow blogger and entrepreneur Deepali Kalia of Filling Spaces, her jewel of a shop in Portland, Oregon and The Mood Board, her accompanying blog. Deepali and I had a chance to meet over the holidays and we are planning some fun collaborations for 2011.  Deepali works as a designer for local Portlandians (is that a word?) providing them with custom pillows, draperies, totes and more embroidered to perfection in India.  Stop by her studio on 11th Ave in Portland or visit her online to check out her wares.  Here is just a sampling of some of the items that strike my fancy.

Giveaway: There's still time

To win the large jack sculpture in The Eagle's Nest's latest giveaway.  Entere here through Thursday.

Oh How I Adore Thee

Yet another online shelter magazine now in the mix with the likes of Rue, Luxe, and Lonny.  Check out Adore out of Australia.