worth a look: 5 ways to recycle fallen leaves

source:  willi galloway via re-nest

head over to re-nest to read the article

worth a look: a curtain at the front door

yes, it looks grand & dramatic, 

but it's also a very green & easy way to insulate your home.

source:  via radish medley via apartment therapy on pinterest

read about this european tradition on apartment therapy.

worth a look: wendy's lookbook

25 ways to wear a scarf in 4.5 minutes

by wendy's lookbook

even those of us living on the tropic of cancer are breaking out the scarves.

this is a rather handy video by a rather stylish blogger.

wendy's lookbook

vacation

my etsy shop will be going into vacation mode till december.

if you'd like to have jars shipped before december, 

please make your order before monday.

my mason jar reproductions

currently in stock:

wabi-sabi white

canary yellow

emerald green

aqua blue

ดอกอัญชัน from seed to cup

on one of my first days in thailand, i was introduced to dok un chan or butterfly pea tea by a new friend.  it was bright purple & sweet.  i was quickly hooked & set about learning how to make it myself.

buy organic dried butterfly pea flower tea from monpraon via etsy

soon, i discovered the tea came from drying the blue flower of a beautiful vine.  these vines are everywhere, & i began collecting the seed pods from the streets & growing my own.

butterfly pea vine seeds via amazon

here is how to make this very healthy & beautiful tea.

growing the vine

you will need:

• butterfly pea vine or clitoria ternatea seeds
• seed starting tray or mini paper cups
• soil
• planter
• air tight jar

1. simply put the seeds into the tray
2. once they sprout move them to a larger pot
3. once those become substantial, put them in the ground near something they can climb
4. when the flowers fully bloom, pick them from base
5. dry the flowers & keep in an air tight container

preparing the tea

you will need:

• carafe or teapot
• sugar or stevia
• any sort of fresh citrus juice
• dried butterfly pea flowers

1. add the sugar & flowers to the pot (for my size, i used 3 blooms)
2. add boiling water
3. to make it turn purple, add the citrus juice

benefits

• this tea is an exotic way to introduce color to your table & i personally think the process of turning colors could be gorgeous at a party or wedding.
• good for circulation & blood
• for healthy hair
• & beneficial for vision

picnic

inspired by

the end of summer

my aqua mason jar reproductions via etsy

D & G spring 2011 collection

fruit squares fine art print by DovieMoon via etsy

gingham napkins from PeppermintPinwheels via etsy

vegetarian hero via martha stewart

organic watermelon seeds from ctjdesign via etsy

handmade quilt picnic blanket by southerncharmquilts via etsy

make your own bottle wrap via martha stewart

picnic basket via amazon

vintage umbrella ... just in case from HartsCloset via etsy

hanging garden how-to

i'm very pleased to share this post with steve asbell 

of one of my very favourite blogs, the rainforest garden.

first up, i'll walk you through making living curtain 

& then steve will explain how to make his gorgeous rainforest drops

living curtain

since my recent move to thailand, i've fallen in love with the hanging gardens that seem to be spilling from over every surface.  this hanging garden will allow air to flow through my windows while providing some privacy & shade once it fills in.

materials:

• a plant - i'm using a parasitic orchid, but you can use air plants or even use this same method to wrap a regular pot for any plant.
• wood - i'm using coconut husks
• string - i'm using twine, but you can use wire as well
• a place to hang your curtain - since i live in the tropics, i'm attaching mine to the outside of my window, but you can use a curtain rod indoors if you like

notes:

• i found it was best to use plants with falling foliage near the top & rising near the bottom
• for a more layered affect, in addition to orchids, i've also added philodendron, african violets, & a blue morning glory vine.  this means that in a few months, the window will be covered in blooms.

rainforest drops

via the rainforest garden

I think that I've finally perfected the recipe and I couldn't wait to share. The old way works just fine, but I think that you'll find these instructions a bit easier to swallow. To sum it up: I root the cuttings first, stuff the grapevine ball with long grain sphagnum moss, and tuck in the cuttings! 

This version is loads easier.

1. Pre-root the Rhipsalis Cuttings

Giving the rhipsalis cuttings a head start makes it much easier to establish your Rainforest Drop. Simply line a used and washed Chinese food takeout tray with moistened short grain sphagnum moss or potting soil, lay the cuttings down lengthwise and cover. A few weeks will do the trick. 

Don't have a Chinese takeout tray? Try these instructions instead.

2. Stuff Ball With Sphagnum Moss

The long grain sphagnum moss is not only a dream to work with, but it's also very moisture retentive. This means less watering! The orchid bark from my original directions is attractive enough but has the unfortunate habit of falling through the openings in the ball and making things difficult for you.

3. Insert Rooted Cuttings

Tuck in the rooted ends of the rhipsalis cuttings and tightly pack in some more of the moistened long grain sphagnum moss around the stems. Thoroughly water your horticultural masterpiece once or twice a week, periodically mist with a spray bottle, and fertilize when the stems lose their deep green coloration.

For more information on caring for and displaying your little hanging garden, or if you want to skip the fuss and buy one from me instead, check out the Frequently Asked Questions or the original instructions ... or just drop me a line at steve_asbell@yahoo.com!

zoë keating woke me up

 Zoe keating by nadya lev for coilhouse magazine

maybe it's something intrinsically artist, but i have a hard time quieting my mind.  trying to go to sleep is a bit like watching a mashup of the opening credits to rubicon & temple grandin.  lately, i've been hushing myself by listening to audio books & programs.  last night, i loaded up some old episodes of radiolab.  hours after i'd drifted off, i woke, startled, hearing this incredible sound.  i sat up, rewound, & listened to the entire program which i've embedded here for you.

according to her website,

zoë keating is a one-woman orchestra. she uses a cello and a foot-controlled laptop to record layer upon layer of cello, creating intricate, haunting and compelling music. zoë is known for both her use of technology - which she uses to sample her cello onstage - and for her diy ethic which has resulted in the sale of over 35,000 copies of her self-released albums and a devoted social media following.

there's nothing about that that doesn't make me swoon.  i've always believed strongly that art is math.  music is nothing but additions & subtractions.  sounds nothing but waves echoing through the air till it triggers our ears to send us messages in neurological binary.  art to me, is nothing but the most perfect science.  so her use of technology WITH her art to create is ... well, just watch.

here is the song that woke me up, escape artist.

video from her wired interview

you can also download "optimist" for free here

overwhelmed?

do you have a party, wedding, or big event to plan but no inspiration?  

do you have a design problem in your home & no ideas how to solve it?  

no idea what to wear or maybe you have an outfit you love but it's just not working?  

contact me with your questions & it might be featured here!

click the "contact me" button on the left column under my tree icon 

or send a message on facebook.

lemonade wedding

inspired by

the refreshing colors of lemonade and summer

instead of getting married in a vineyard, what about a lemon orchard?

mille petals corset gown via bhldn

crespidia and succulents - what my wedding bouquet would've been in a warmer season

gin fizz shift via bhldn

via real simple

art nouveau invitation set custom made by dearemma via etsy

pinwheels will add visual interest & pops of color to the grounds diy by martha

my canary mason jars are perfect for candles or fresh flowers

lemon cake roundies by tookies via etsy

recipes for twists on a summer staple by real simple