FREE graphic gift tags at West Elm!

I am always looking for cute nontraditional patterned gift paper and wrapping accessories. Right now, West Elm has FREE downloadable gift tags, recipe cards, menu cards, and place cards! The colorways are fresh and a nice change from the traditional red and green. Go straight to their website to print your favorite one off! I love the green and yellow collection!!

Tomato basil soup weather!

When the weather starts to get cooler, I get the urge to start cooking again. Soups and chili are a couple of my favorite things to eat during the fall. My friend shared this amazing tomato basil soup recipe and I have to spread the love. I have made it numerous times because it's easy and delicious!

Check it,
Ingredients:
2 cans Italian style stewed tomatoes
1 big jar (24-36 oz.) tomatoe juice
Fresh basil, at 15 leaves, use all you have
1/2 pint of whipping cream
1/2 stick of butter (real butter is the best, use less if you prefer)

How to cook:
1. Combine stewed tomatoes and tomato juice in a large sauce pan, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook for 30 minutes. Let cool.


2. Transfer contents to a blender or food processor and blend in basil leaves.

3. Transfer back to the pan
4. Add whipping cream and butter and heat through.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.

It is tasty with Parmesan and french bread, but I love to have it with a good ole fashioned grilled cheese! I hope that you enjoy!

“Vackrare Vardagsvara”

This post's title is Swedish for "beautiful things for everyday life". I love this online shop and blog. It is called From Sthlm (Sthlm is short for Stockholm). Every month they feature a different independent Swedish designer and one of their newest collections that is available for that month only. I love well designed pieces that are functional and practical at the same time! Check out this month's designer, Maria L Dahlberg and her collection of candleholders.

Just do it!

I love it when I find good DIY projects. Right now, the chevron motif is super popular for its modern pattern and slightly ethnic feel. I want to share 3 amazing step by step projects that feature the chevron!

Take a look at these amazing finished products! Click on the image to see the full projects.

Who doesn't love a sale?!

Today I want to share three of my favorite designer discount websites with you!


1. Gilt Groupe offers luxury brands at sample sale prices! Check out their style guide to peruse all the products and designers they have to offer. Each day there is a new sale and runs the gamit including women's, men's, home, children, gifts, and jetsetter which is discounted vacations!








2. Swirl by DailyCandy are daily sample sales with up to 80% off including their favorite up and coming designers as well as established brands. Membership is free.

3. One Kings Lane gives deep discounts on some of the world's best designer's home essentials, gifts, and travel. New to the daily sales are 'Tastemaker Tag Sales' where designers themselves put together sale item collections. Save up to 70% on your favorite brands.

Now, go out there and save in style!

Furniture giant, IKEA to sell second-hand

IKEA is serious about its environmental stewardship, and to prove that, IKEA Sweden has begun a free online sevice for the people of Sweden to sell and buy second-hand IKEA products. This may be available in other countries soon. I like where their head is! Read more at Treehugger.com.

Also check out the new 2011 catalog here.

First there was Lonny, now Rue...

Rue Magazine has officially been launched. This online magazine is a great source for inspiration and advise about all your lifestyle wants or needs. Here is a little bit about them.

Pottery Barn's Museum Craft Collection

I am new to sewing and I am very lucky to have a grandmother who I like to think knows everything about sewing, whether it is quilting or making clothes. She has shown me how to quilt and I made my first quilt about a year ago. I have tons of respect for the people that quilt, it is time consuming, takes incredibly detailed attention and truly is a craft.

Pottery Barn has come out with a new line of handcrafted quilts that are near replicas of the original 1835 Sunburst Quilt housed in the American Folk Art Museum in New York. Using some of the actual paper templates and English technique in which 2,900 cloth diamonds are cut, these quilts are the real deal!

Go to Pottery Barn's website to see more of the collection.

EATALY opens in NYC...

Wow, this is the first that I have heard of this gourmet italian food market. It looks like an amazing place! The United States flagship store will be opening in the great New York City. Although their signature items may be imported, they do buy their produce from local farmers! They even have a 'vegetable butcher' that will wash, cut and prepare your veggies and answer any questions you may have about cooking them as well! Check out some of these images of the 50,000 plus square foot market. To see more, click HERE!

Community of Hope Neighborhood Garden II

This week we went out and amended our soil. We want the soil to be good and prepared to recieve our seeds. We added about 4 bags of mushroom compost and 1 bag of peat moss. Hopefully the peat moss will help the soil hold moisture. We mixed it in really good and hopefully we will be able to start planting in September! We may be adding some kind of mulch to the top as well in the mean time. That is just another way to help keep the moisture in. I am very excited, but also nervous! It will be nice to garden in temperatures less than high 90's too.

Bobby McAlpine--Architect and Interior Designer

The Skirted Round Table has a fantastic new interview with architect and interior designer, Bobby McAlpine. He has such a fascinating perspective about the relationship between architecture and interiors. His architecture firm is based in Alabama and his interior firms are located in Atlanta and Nashville. Seeming to be a very philosophical person, he loosely compares the heart to interiors and the body to architecture. He builds the heart, then builds the body around it. PLEASE take some 'me time' and listen to this interview! His new book, "The Home Within Us" is a must have for interior designers and architects!

Community of Hope Neighborhood Garden I

The hubby and I are participating in a community garden! We get to use the land behind a church that is located in our neighborhood. The group has built the frames for the raised beds and we have filled our plots!

Now it is time to get to planting. I think we are going to start looking at what is good to plant for fall in Oklahoma. There is a group here called the Tulsa Master Gardeners. Click HERE to see their list of what's good to plant for fall in this zone. There are a couple unexpected veggies on their list like tomatoes and peppers! Follow us and see if we can we can get anything to grow!