simple beautiful things and the rituals of daily life
We are in the process of painting the exterior of our house from Seattle gray with white trim to all white with white trim. So when I stumbled upon this house my heart skipped a beat...
See the whole project on Remodelista (complete with a sweet before photo).
Many of us that grew up in the 1980s with Star Wars and who now have kids of our own wait for the opportunity when we can first watch the movies together. We buy our kids cool Lego sets (which, let's face it are as much fun for us as they are for them). The bottom line - Star Wars is rad. And as we have grown up, our sensibilities have matured, our style has refined and so have the ways to pay homage to the humble little space opera that helped shape a generation.
I bookmarked these graphic posters several years ago on the off chance I'd ever need a cool poster for a kid's room. But to be honest, these are grown-up enough that'd they'd be equally cool framed in the main part of the house.
Dev has worn Hanna Andersson pajamas since he was a baby. They are organic cotton, always have classic stripes in tasteful colors, and they are sized generously so I only buy three or so once a year. I just ordered a few pairs of the usual striped ones but also these ridiculously cool "holiday" Fair Isle Star Wars ones. I may have also added these slippers to my cart. See the whole collection (adult sizes included) here.
And my personal favorite by far is this blanket from Pendelton. I was on the Pendelton site this week ordering another one of my favorite washable wool blankets when I saw it...
This one is so graphic and subtle and perfect. I couldn't resist. And just for fun, watch these guys dance. I immediately started researching hip-hop classes...
These cropped wide-leg pants from J.Crew...
This Rose Neroli body oil...
These Loeffler Randall flats...
And for the new basement, this coffee table...
I'm getting my groove back. Our basement remodel is shaping up. The drywall is hung and the concrete floors have been sanded.
There is a new washer and dryer sitting in the garage just waiting. I can hardly wait for it to finish up. This remodel is a real game-changer for us. Since Dev arrived and took over the second bedroom, Aaron has been relegated to the basement, creating his beautiful photographs in an uninsulated cold, dark, cob-webbed space surrounded by lacquered pine wood-paneling from the 50s. And in the winter, when the heavy rains fall here in Seattle, water would seep up through the concrete. Needless to say, I'm excited for him to have a proper workspace.
We're also getting the exterior prepped for a new coat of paint. We're going all white, freshened up with new house numbers and a new porch light. It's going to be sweet.
I've been a bit all-consumed by house related stuff, but here are a few other things I've been loving lately...
I already have a dutch oven and don't need another one, but I can't stop thinking about this beautiful pine Staub cocotte.
I've still been ordering my coffee from Blue Bottle (Bella Donovan is my current favorite), but I just picked up some beans from Elm Coffee Roasters in Pioneer Square. It's much lighter than what I'm used to from Blue Bottle but really lovely. Especially for an afternoon cup.
I've long been searching for the perfect tiny gold hoop earrings and I finally found them...
I will be wearing these indefinitely.
During the holidays last year, one of my amazing clients (who also shares a love for Heath Ceramics) gave me a set of scented candles poured into Heath tumblers (like these current season ones below)...
The scent was incredible and I promptly burned through both of them. They are made by Scents of San Francisco and are unlike any other candle I've ever burned. The scents are only made with essential oils so they smell fresh and are never cloying like the vast majority of other scented candles. The scent I loved so much over the holidays was The Castro and I just bought Golden Gate Park and Muir Woods which are equally amazing. Now I'm addicted and won't light anything else.
My most favorite recent addition to the kitchen is our stainless steel Dinuba water container.
I saw it when we were actually visiting Heath last fall. I loved it so much I even took a photo...
Not sure why it took me so long to finally order one but it is really beautiful and I only wish I thought of it sooner. No more Brita! I fill up a large jug of filtered water at PCC and refill as necessary. I just ordered another one for the studio.
It is hot and sunny in Seattle and it looks like it's going to stay that way for a while...
A few things I will be relying on...
Good sunscreen. My favorite for the body is this one from Beautycounter. It's a great mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide that is lightweight and rubs in easily, never white or chalky. Good mineral sunscreens can be expensive and this one is also one of the best values.
This stick is especially good for getting little necks and faces covered as they duck and dodge anxious to get back to playing.
And this tinted face sunscreen from Suntegrity is really amazing. It provides great non-toxic protection from the sun but also acts like a medium coverage foundation and beautifully evens out your skin tone. It comes in five shades. (Plus zinc-oxide has anti-inflammatory properties that help skin conditions like acne and rosacea.)
Next up...deodorant.
A good natural one that actually works can be tough to find. I've used this one from Soapwalla for the last three years and it's the best deodorant I've used natural or otherwise. I've only used the original but when I'm ready for a refill I'm ordering the new citrus version.
It is also important to have a good ice cream shop at the ready...if you can, get to Kurt's Farm Shop on Chophouse Row. You can get two flavors in your single scoop. I opted for Flora's Cheese and Tomato Jam which were out of this world.
And yet another mention of rosé. It just exudes Summer to me. I'm currently enjoying this super affordable one (around $10 at PCC). And don't forget the ice.
Finally, if you are still in need of a fan (seeing as most Seattleites do not have A/C) we continue to love this one that I wrote about last summer.
We have a leisurely Father's Day planned for tomorrow, though I know for sure there will be a solid breakfast with lots of bacon (my son's request). Here are a few things on my short list this year to celebrate the dad in our house...
Judd Apatow's new book is a collection of interviews he's conducted with pretty much every comedian you know of over the last thirty years. And fitting for Father's Day, there are quite a few discussions on being dads.
Photo from Food52
Another book, called Lunch at the Shop. Peter Miller Books is an architecture and design bookshop here in Seattle. If you've never been, surely take the time to pay them a visit. Peter cooks lunch at the shop every day. You can see how the daily ritual came to be here.
Lunch at the Shop demonstrates "how to embrace a lifestyle that places importance on every single meal we have and values lunch as a moment of nourishment and pleasure." Something I think a lot of us could get behind.
My in-laws gave me a Thermapen for my birthday this year and that same week my friend Omar wrote about how amazing this little instant read thermometer is. It had been on my wishlist for a long time and my only regret is that I didn't have one sooner. You'll be cooking burgers to order like a pro, along with everything else.
A growler of Rachel's Ginger Beer. Visit her shop in the Pike Market (or now open on 12th Ave on Capitol Hill). Or even get it delivered to your door via Amazon Fresh...
A Blue Bottle coffee subscription.
Or maybe a Sonos speaker for the kitchen. Happy Father's Day to all of you great dads I know.
I don't tend to set specific resolutions for the new year. Though I've realized that I do have a specific year end ritual which involves deep cleaning at home and clearing from my mind "that which has outgrown its usefulness" to make space for the new.
Simplicity. Own less, live more. These are not new ideas for me. After all I wrote this on my about page... My mantra isn't really "less is more" but rather "get rid of the stuff that isn't all that useful or enjoyable and save room only for the things that really make you happy."
But I just got this life changing book two weeks ago that took it all to a new level.
After spending the past week going through my house, every room, closet, dresser and cabinet, I have realized that there has never been a truer title to a book.
“After all, what is the point in tidying? If it’s not so that our space and the things in it can bring us happiness, then I think there is no point at all. Therefore, the best criterion for choosing what to keep and what to discard is whether keeping it will make you happy, whether it will bring you joy.
Are you happy wearing clothes that don’t give you pleasure? Do you feel joy when surrounded by piles of unread books that don’t touch your heart? Do you think that owning accessories you know you’ll never use will ever bring you happiness? The answer to these questions should be no. Now imagine yourself living in a space that contains only things that spark joy. Isn’t this the lifestyle you dream of?
Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest.”
Happy tidying.
My husband photographed a project in San Francisco a few weeks ago, and I was able to join him for a quick two days. We mostly just walked and enjoyed some adult time without a toddler in tow but the only place I had to visit was Heath Ceramics in the Mission. Every piece of Heath tableware is made in their original factory in Sausalito as it has since 1948. Their tile is now made in the Mission factory.
There is a beautiful retail space and a Blue Bottle Coffee which I happily sipped on while perusing.
I have my own vintage Heath from the 1960s gifted to me by a very dear friend. We use it every single day. Heath tableware is timeless and is just as beautiful as it is practical for everyday, or special company. My set (below) is extensive, but there are still a few pieces I've had my eye on...
Like these mugs in opaque white. I picked up a couple to put in my carry on.
I'd really love to have these pasta bowls next.
Aside from their beautiful wares, I love supporting Heath as we share many of the same values.
“We are maker-gatherers, attracted to functional and beautiful objects that enhance the way people eat, live, and connect”
“We offer a product that will resist trends, be loved, and function over a lifetime, even passed on to the next generation. We take pride in the longevity of our pieces and design new colors and styles to complement existing collections, not replace them. The price of our products reflects the actual cost of producing items in a responsible manner in the US. We comply with strict environmental standards; our staff is fairly compensated — receiving full health and retirement benefits, and a high quality of life, not to mention enough dinner party inspiration to last a lifetime.”
Learn even more about them here.
We were in need of some new sheets and I took advantage of Restoration Hardware's linens sale a few weeks back and bought our first set of actual linen sheets. Specifically these vintage-washed ones.
I don't think I can go back to cotton. These are softer than any high thread count cotton sheets I've ever had. Not only that, they don't feel "cool" to the touch as cotton often can. Simple, practical and elegant, they are a dream to sleep in. They'll also continue to get even softer with regular use and laundering. And before you think of pulling out the iron, this linen looks best when you embrace it's inclination to wrinkle. (And when removed promptly from the dryer, it looks pretty much like it does in the photo above.)
I hope our next linen upgrade will be this couch...
