Under my umbrella

Do you think the fact that it's supposed to rain non-stop for the next three days warrants investing in one of these beautiful umbrellas from Wisteria?

I just love the bright colors and pretty patterns.

Such a fun umbrella would brighten the dreariest of days, don't you think?

Photo of Bohemian Parasol via Wisteria.

Books for a rainy day

Rainy days always make me want to browse a cozy bookstore with a mug of tea in hand. There is something so delicious about exploring stacks of books with the sound of raindrops pitter-pattering on the rooftop, don't you think?

Not that I need any more books, mind you. I'm currently working my way through:

• The Four Agreements. I am re-reading the amazingly wise words of Miguel Ruiz, and finding them even more profound than I remembered.

• Best Food Writing 2009. I get so excited for the publication of this anthology each year...it's always jam-packed with tons of interesting, funny, and informative essays and columns by some of the best writers food out there.

• A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table. A wonderful compendium of autobiographical stories by Molly Wizenberg, the witty and original voice behind one of my favorite food blogs, Orangette.

• Altared: Bridezillas, Bewilderment, Big Love, Breakups, and What Women Really Think About Contemporary Weddings. As part of my commitment to remain mindful [read: sane] throughout the process of planning my wedding, I am finding it enormously helpful to read about the experiences of other women, some funny, some poignant, and some very much lessons in what not to do.

(And yes, I'm reading all four of them simultaneously.)

What are you reading on this rainy day?

Image via Flickr user MorBCN.

Dream Box

On Sunday, I was feeling a bit restless. Feeling like I really needed a project in which to immerse myself. Do you know the feeling?

I wandered the house a bit, looking for inspiration, and spied a stack of old magazines. I tend to hang onto old magazines "just in case" (in case of what, I'm not exactly sure). This tendency results in large stacks of magazines (Elle Decor, Gourmet, Domino, Food & Wine, Body & Soul, Real Simple...I could go on...) at random spots throughout the house. So, I decided to actually get some use out of my old magazines by creating a Dream Box. I have not taken Jennifer Lee's Dream Box Workshop, but I became familiar with the concept after reading about it here and here.

I cut out images and words that appealed to me on an intuitive level, without stopping to think about "why." (Although I couldn't bring myself to cut up my Gourmets and Dominos since they're now in short supply...so sad!) Using a glue stick, I pasted the images onto an old shoe box that had been collecting dust in my closet. I didn't think too much about the composition of the images; I just squeezed them in any which way they would fit.

I've been studying the finished product, and have noticed several recurring themes: natural settings, brightly colored textiles, and flowers, flowers, flowers! I'm thinking this is a sign that I should incorporate more of these things into my life.

This might be breaking slightly with the intended use of a Dream Box (not having taken the workshop, I'm not 100% sure of how it's meant to work), but I plan to use mine to store notes, plans, and pieces of info related to my goals, as well as bits of whimsical ephemera (photos, drawings, postcards, or even treasured family recipes). I'll re-visit its contents regularly for a fresh dose of inspiration. And who knows? Maybe having all of these things in a single sacred place will illuminate new ideas and connections for me.

Has anyone taken the Dream Box workshop or made your own Dream Box? If not, do you have a similar place where you put things related to your goals and dreams?

Peppermint bark

So, I was planning to make a batch of peanut brittle this past weekend. As I was browsing through some recipes, I came across this recipe for peppermint bark. Now, I realize peppermint bark is a more of a Christmas thing and that it's barely November, but one look at the way Jason's face lit up at the mere mention of the stuff, and it was decided: the peanut brittle would have to wait.

I'd never made peppermint bark before, but it is super easy and quick. And did I mention delicious? It's doing a pretty speedy disappearing act from our countertop.

Happy Saturday

What's everyone up to this weekend? My plans include attempting to make a batch of peanut brittle, and scouring some antique stores for wedding decor inspiration. (We are trying to think of creative ways to decorate the ceremony space.) Other than that, I plan to delve into some new books and just plain relax!

I'm going to "unplug" from the computer for the rest of the weekend, but I will catch up with all of you next week.

Have a lovely weekend!

Image via Flickr user BiteSizeBaker.

Honey and the moon (part 2)

A couple days ago, I asked if you could guess where we're headed on our honeymoon. I knew there would be no fooling you guys! The answer, of course, is Italy, and Jenn hit the nail on the head with her guess "Florence, Tuscany, Cinque Terre." We are planning to do this hiking trip through Backroads, which is an active travel company that emphasizes off-the-beaten-path experiences and minimal-impact travel.

We'll hike through Cinque Terre and up the Ligurian Coast to Portofino, then over through the Tuscan countryside, finishing in Florence. After the hiking trip is over, we'll spend a few extra days in Florence to see the sights (and eat lots of pasta, of course).

Have any of you spent time in these locales? Any can't-miss recommendations?

P.S. That's a picture of Villa la Barone in Panzano, one of the inns where we'll be staying on the hiking part of the trip.

Image via Backroads.

Images from original post via Flickr users Rob inH00d, Jukka Vuokko, and Renzo Ferrante.

Unexpected sparks

"Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks."

-Samuel Johnson

Image via Flickr user Jersey Yen.