Sorry

I'm going to try to post this week but things are CRAZY at work.  Stay tuned for a kitchen post and more exciting news later this week and next.
Image by John-Morgan

Easter Crafts

I went to the flower district yesterday and found the cutest little live moss pots.  At just over a buck each, I had to have them.  Adding a few eggs and birdies found in the craft section at Moskatels makes for some very cute Easter goodies (and would work great as place card holders for the Easter brunch I'm not having). 

 I used the rest of the birdies atop the dogwood branches that I bought.

Happy Hunting!

Luz Bratcher's super fun naturally died Easter eggs (think red cabbage, tumeric, coffee, red onion skins, blueberries, and beets).  I love the palette.

bagging it

You know how much I love bags and totes of any kind.  I'm diggin the utility of Artifact Bags' No 175 waxed canvas bag and the nautically inspired Lands' End Canvas Tote

Shoes and Hues

French designer Sophie Theallet's new flats for Nine West and Katie Ridder's Moonflower Tangerine fabric.

Oh Joy Product Line Rx

Last night I attended Joy Cho (of OhJoy! blog fame)'s Product Line Rx Workshop.  It was a great experience.  I learned a ton about how to get my bedding line up and running and most importantly how to get start Making Money. 

I met some other fabulous local designers and bloggers who design everything from jewelry to stationary to sock animals and terrariums.  I'm looking forward to featuring some of their products in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out!

Thanks Joy!

On the Home Front

We got this great water jug with spigot from Pottery Barn which is now sitting on our counter providing us with a supply of what I like to call "spa water" flavored with mint from the garden and a splash of lemon.  Maybe we will try cucumbers next!  I love that it has that vintage mason jar feel.

 I also found some time this weekend to create a welcoming little planter vignette on our front stoop.  The yellow planter was meant to go in the bird cage, but alas, it didn't quite fit.  Well, it could have fit but getting it back out would have been an issue.  Nevertheless, I think it will look nice.  My hopes are that the candytuft and petunias start trailing a little.

Shroomie Shrooms

Yes, Scott and I are total suckers for anything related to the whole artisanal, DIY movement.  We are THOSE people.  While we haven't done any canning or pickling yet,  I'm sure that will happen once the loquat tree in our front yard starts bearing fruit.  In the meantime we have ventured into the world of small scale mushroom farming - not not magic mushrooms, but large beautiful shitakes.  We purchased the 'Ma and Pa log' from Lost Creek Mushroom Farm recently and grew our first batch of 3 mushrooms.  That comes to over 15 bucks per mushroom. But the good thing is that the logs last for years. They fruit every couple of months and the subsequent harvests should be more productive.  Here are some photos of the mushrooms (which grew to full size within a week of soaking the logs).

 The shitakes at their baby stage. Edible, but just a couple more days until full size

 Those is some big shrooms!

 How perfect are the gills on the bottom?  Way better looking than something you'd find at the grocery store.

 

And finally me doing some harvesting.  We ate them yesterday in a breakfast scramble (which admittedly Scott over-rosemaried so the mushroom was a little faint) and in a Asian stir fry for dinner.

Fauna-ing over

If you've been following my blog for a while you know I have a thing for animals.  Animal art, animal decals, 3-D animal heads and now animal cushions.  These Fauna pillows from Velocity Art and Design are adorable!

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

Congrats Mademoiselle Paradis the winner of our blue and white vase giveaway!   Please email your address to me so we can get it sent out to you.  And send a pic of it in place once you've received it.

90 and counting!

Woohoo - this week I officially made it to 90 followers!  Help me get to 100 by the end of the month.  Add me to your blog roll.  Pick up my button. Do a post about my blog (I am happy to mention other folks as well).  Let's see if we can get there in 15 days!

Around the hood

Took an evening walk a couple of weeks ago. A beautiful full moon over the hills.

 And this badass tree house (it was pretty dark so it didn't photograph very well).

Happy Friday!  Here's wishing everyone hefty tax refunds!

Do you want this vase?

We're doing a giveaway.  Just a couple more days - sign up below!

Dwell Studio for Global Views

Dwell Studio has come out with a new line of accessories for Global Views.  I am especially digging the "objets" in the collection.

Floral Fiesta

So I went down to San Diego last weekend to help Cori over at Pretty Haute Mess do a little brainstorming for her wedding florals. Here are some of my favorite pics from our day of experimentation.

GIVEAWAY! Emilia Ceramics

Recently, I was introduced to Emilia Ceramics.  Emily Brown, the creator of the line carries a beautiful range of ceramics made in Italy, France, and Mexico.  I asked Emily to tell us a little bit about her line and what inspires her.

Emily: After living in in Southern Spain, I fell in love with the people there, who live life at a slower pace and really appreciate the important things, like spending quality time with each other and embracing their country's traditions. I hoped that if I shared their work with people back home, maybe our country would learn to slow down a bit and appreciate life's little pleasures.

 I am fascinated by both the similarities in pieces from one country to the next each and the way each culture put it's own spin on the technique. And today, artists continue to interpret the traditional craft and add their own fresh, modern style to it. I love how ceramic art combines function with beauty -- enabling it to tell so much about where it comes from. I am always looking for new artists and am very open to exploring new countries in the future.


The Eagle's Nest: What do you look for in the pieces that you source?
Emily: My mom is my best customer, so one of the first questions I ask myself is "would mom buy this?" She is an artist and loves being able to use ceramic artwork everyday, so it's a good guideline, forcing me to be sure a piece is both beautiful and functional. And those are the best sellers -- the plates that make everyday meals more festive; the colorful bowl that looks great on display and when filled with salad; the footed platter that makes a stand alone statement, but doubles as a fun way to serve breakfast pastries or dessert.

 I also love buying pieces that are specific to their culture. For instance, the Mexican Tibor (ginger jar) is a household standard throughout Mexico. And I recently bought some funky French pitchers that exude Provencial charm. These pieces work because people like incorporating the relaxed Mexican or French country look in their homes.

TEN: What would you say is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Emily: Meeting and getting to know the artists. I love to travel, but it is so much more fun when you have an object in mind. No matter where I am, I talk to locals about the art in their town... getting their personal opinions on the best ceramics and the best artists in the area. I always learn something new and usually find myself pointed in the direction of an amazing artist or family of artists.

Thanks Emily! Emilia Ceramics has been kind enough to do a Giveaway with the Eagle's Nest of this beautiful Blue Simple Striped Vase. Perfect for a cluster of daffodils, daisies or even as a pencil holder on your desk.

You know the drill.

- Check out Emilia Ceramics' website and comment back with what your favorite item is.

- Must be a follwer of The Eagle's Nest

- Additional entries for following Nest Studio on facebook.

- Giveaway closes on Saturday April 16 at 5pm (something to look forward to after handing in your taxes!)

The Bow Tied Gentleman

A while back I did a post about Bonobos and all of their fun critter pants and such.  Well, welcome Pierrepont Hicks to the prepster gentleman's club:

Friday Flowers

I'm heading down to San Diego this weekend with Cori from Pretty Haute Mess to have a pre-wedding little floral fun.  Thought I'd leave you with this little floral tidbit from Marimekko's collection for Crate and Barrel. This tablecloth is so fun, fresh, and graphic. And yet there's something so retro about it. If it were plasticized it would fit right in with a 70's formica breakfast room set.

Coveting

This great necklace from Anthropologie

And the new line of Swedish Hasbeens clog sandals for H&M (available April 20). 

 A little bit of comfy boho chic. 

And Bob's Your Uncle

I was watching an episode of  Dear Genevieve recently where she reworked a tiny pied-a-terrefor her two design assistants. During the episode, they went over to Benjamin Noriega Ortiz's pad which was a pristine white space adorned with some of his custom lighting designs.  This reminded me of  his line of lighting And Bob's Your Uncle.  I love the tounge-in-cheek name and the playful use of feathers and glass.  Here's a sampling of some of his wares.