Walking into Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma, or even Anthropologie, you’d think that an adorable apron is just as essential to making a good meal as an understanding of baking soda verses baking powder. They’re always displayed in fancy baking stores alongside the cash rack (primed and ready for impulse buys), as bright and cheery as a Doris Day movie. I, for one, love the bright pink apron that I wear on busy baking days, but can’t recall ever seeing anyone else (outside the movies) wearing an apron while they bustle around the kitchen. So how about it, readers? Is everyone wearing a cute apron while cooking or entertaining, or am I just watching too much Mad Men? — Katie D.

“Harry, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don’t plan it. Don’t wait for it. Just let it happen. It could be a new shirt at the men’s store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot black coffee.” — Special Agent Dale Cooper

When Twin Peaks made its television debut 20 years (!) ago, I was one of those geeky young folks who met up with friends to watch each episode while indulging in strong black coffee, an assortment of donuts, and, of course, delicious cherry pie. I recently got to thinking that while I may not want to live on the Twin Peaks set (though I now live just an hour from the famous falls), it was begging to be saluted in decor. So I invited the most stylish woman I know, Tula Jeng of Whorange, to capture the Pacific Northwest-inspired, slightly freaky, utterly fabulous feel of the show. Behold: from log to antler, a tribute to Twin Peaks in decor! — Mary T.

Breathe that fresh mountain air! Smell those Douglas firs! And watch for falling deer heads. Above: Keep Twin Peaks green with a recycled cardboard moose or deer head, $28. Share a drink with Ben Horne in an animal shot glass, $32, or simply admire his taste in Native American artwork from the Steinbrueck Native Art Gallery. Get that modern rough-hewn feeling with a set of three birch lamps, $450, or an indoor mountain view with the Coat Range coat rack, $195. Keep the darkness of the Twin Peaks woods at bay with an antler table lamp by Jason Miller, $270.

Tomorrow: the Log Lady!

We love our pets at Shelterrific, and often wonder what the world looks like from their point of view. Thanks to the Pet’s Eye View Camera from Fred Flare, $50, now anyone can get a sneak peak into Fido’s world. The water-resistant, lightweight camera clips onto your furry anipal’s collar. A timer can be set to snap a photo every one, five, or 15 minutes. The internal memory can hold over 40 pictures for you to gush over (and for Fluffy to use to update her Facebook page). There’s already one animal ahead of the proverbial pack. Our furry friend Cooper, a four-year-old American Shorthair cat who lives in Seattle, has been photographing his day-to-day adventures for more than a year now — he’s even had his work exhibited! My favorites are the portraits the portraits that he’s snapped of his human family — especially his new baby brother. — Katie D.

I’m seriously considering a trip to Texas based on a matchbook I saw on Sub-Studio. This totally awesome design is by Christine Celic Strohl for La Condesa, a Mexican restaurant in Austin. I’m convinced that a restaurant that’s cool enough to have commissioned these matchbooks must be worth a visit. Any Austin readers in the house who can confirm? — Erica P.

What’s better than a beer? Beer cupcakes! I made these Guinness cupcakes a little early for St. Patrick’s Day, and they were gobbled up faster than you can say, “Erin go bragh.” Guinness has a subtle, naturally sweet taste to it, so it melded nicely into cupcakes. The desserts weren’t overly sugary and heavy like some cupcakes are (which is both good and dangerous since I ate about four before I realized what happened). Tie on your green apron and try the recipe after the jump! — Katie D. Click for Guiness cupcakes! (more…)

Have you checked out Lonny yet, the online-only home and fashion magazine? The current issue has a feature related to my recently rekindled desire to get my house more organized. With a variety of fun ideas and closet inserts, they get you inspired to find storage in just 20 inches of space. Visit Lonny Magazine and flip through the virtual pages of the spring issue to find this feature. (You can print the pages from their website, too.) — Mary T.

Yes, my pewter obsession continues with a new line from Juliska, “‘Pewter’ Stoneware.” That’s right — Juliska’s “pewter” is actually stoneware with a hammered luster, so it can go from table to a 500-degree oven, the microwave, or even the freezer. A far cry from real pewter, which would melt at just 450 degrees, or old pewter, which was made with lead! While it looks great in the photo, I’m curious to see if in-store the “Pewter” Stoneware surface will be too shiny compared to the patina I adore in old pewter. A large platter is $92 and chargers are $66 each. — Sarah L.

Related:
Joan Rivers’ kitchen
Holiday prep time

Nerds around the world, sharpen your pencils and shine your calculators — Pi Day is upon us again. Every year, 3/14 is a day we set apart to celebrate Pi, the mathematical constant describing the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, because the first three digits are 3, 1, and 4. Last year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution (H.RES.224) recognizing the holiday, which is also Einstein’s birthday. That’s all the justification I need to party.

Because this year’s celebration, isn’t until next Sunday, we have plenty of time to get our pi-parations in order. Visit PiDay.org to learn more about the greatness that is Pi, or send your most deserving friends an e-card. Stock up on your Pi apparel, like this T-shirt from Neatorama or hoodies and housewares from ThinkGeek.

And get those Pi-cecubes a-chillin’ for their signature Pi-Tini, because once Pi Day eclipses, we’ve got 365 long ones until it’s here again. (Unless, of course, you count Pi Approximation Day on 7/22.) And if you need a little Pi year-round, check out Katie D.’s Pi dresser find for some furniture inspiration. — Sarah C.

Here’s one from contributor Megan B.’s neighborhood! West Seattle Blog just posted this story of a Pigeon Point resident who decided that a little humor was the best approach to increased traffic brought on by street construction. The resulting signs are sure to be more effective than my approach, which is basically to shake my fist and yell. If you’re creative and have to deal with a lot of traffic on your street, maybe a sign-making session is worth thinking about. See both signs here. — Mary T.

There’s a whole group of design enthusiasts who are tired of the ubiquitous “Keep Calm and Carry On’” posters (spoiler alert: us). To those of you who are totally over it, perhaps these WPA posters can fill the void.

President Franklin Roosevelt created the Federal Arts Project during the Great Depression as a way to keep artists employed, promote healthy living and American tourism, and to emphasize community.

The Library of Congress houses the largest known collection of about 900 posters. The striking lithograph, woodcut, and silkscreen posters are simple and engaging all at once. Visit Apartment Therapy for a simple guide to ordering prints. — Katie D.