I don’t know about you guys, but I am over this whole winter thing. After the holidays, the long stretch of frigid, snowy weeks until spring seems endless (especially with no presents or crazy parties to look forward to). In Chicago in particular, things get as gray as Dorothy Gale’s pre-Oz life. I just spotted this set of measuring spoons guaranteed to add a little color to my kitchen and cheer me up! The Scoops of Flower Measuring Spoons from ModCloth ($25) double as a ceramic mini garden to adorn your counter top. Though they do look delicate and I wouldn’t dub them ‘kid friendly’ by any means, the majority of reviews online confirmed that they arrived intact and were absolutely functional (in addition to being super cute). –Katie D.

I’m constantly on the quest for the perfect rug: something stylish, affordable, and durable enough to standup to the abuse from two less-than-tidy adults and two poorly-behaved felines. An option I’ve been considering is FLOR, since it’s totally customizable, affordable, and easy to repair when damaged. I must say, after receiving their most recent catalog, I’m even more intrigued. They’ve got a bunch of new designs that would work well in our space, such as the Missoni-esque Mag-neat-o-radiant, $24.99/tile. Even more appealing is the Sophistikat, a modern, chevron ikat pattern priced at a much more moderate $12.99/tile. But apparently, everyone’s digging the Sophistikat — it’s currently backordered (cue sad trombone). I better find the right choice soon, because between now and Feb. 2, FLOR is offering free shipping on first orders with code CBLM5RA7. –Megan B.

Ahh, the humble sunchoke. So homely, knobby, and difficult to peel that people often miss out on the delicate beauty lying beneath it’s rough exterior. Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem Artichokes, aren’t really a type of artichoke at all, but the root of a sunflower, called girasole in Italian. Versatility is their game: they are crunchy and sweet in a salad, but when cooked transform into something magical. Silky, creamy, sweet and nutty — throw these tubers in soups, puree them like potatoes, or roast them… you can’t go wrong. I like their gentle flavor best when paired with carrots and simmered until tender in apple cider that reduces to a golden glaze, making a quick and comforting side dish to just about anything! –Megan B.
click for the recipe after the jump!

SippitySup came across our radar via this article in Food and Wine Magazine about the gorgeous kitchens of food bloggers. SippitySup is the food and wine blog-brainchild of Grant (Sip) and Greg (Sup), two gourmands extraordinaires who decided to join forces and dedicate themselves to, in their words, “serious fun food”. The cache of recent recipes includes a gorgeous shaved brussels sprouts salad, Julia Child’s braised endive, and a drool-inducing lobster mac and cheese. But they are much more than your average blog, hosting a well-curated kitchen shop filled with must-haves, like these brightly colored Melaboo mixing bowls, the uber-covetable mypressi twist espresso maker, and this space-aged magnetic spice rack. There’s enough culinary wonder and delight to keep you occupied for hours. Enjoy!

We’re at that point of winter break where I’m starting to feel like a cross between Julie the cruise ship director and a prison warden. Add in figuring out three regular meals a day plus holiday meals, and I’m ready for something quick and easy. This one-bowl treat was just the thing. All you need is one box gingerbread cake mix (I used Trader Joe’s) made to directions, a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a tub of Philadelphia Pumpkin Spice cream cheese. Serve while still warm, then sit back and relax. — Sarah L.

We’ve been working on fixing up our little apartment since we moved in a year and a half ago, and for all the painting, sanding and decorating we’ve done, our smallest bedroom hasn’t seen its fair share of love. At just a touch larger than 4’x 6’, the tiny space comes with it’s own unique décor dilemmas and besides patching holes, painting and tossing in a bed and an Ikea Malm dresser, we’ve left it alone. But for a long time it irked me. The bedspread was too much; the paint color too sea-foamy, but because we may move in the next year, I was hesitant to address it. Then I finally decided to make a day of the project. Having a place I love is important to me, and the benefit of a microscopic room is that it can be painted in a day with a toothbrush if need be, so I took the plunge. Picking a paint color has always been a challenge but it proved even more difficult with such a tiny space. I wanted something light and calming, but not white, because I was planning on pulling the trigger on the pin-tuck duvet of my dreams, and what better place to glean inspiration than from someone who already owned it and was also painting her room? Rachel DeSchepper of Fresh Home shared her thoughts on my pin-tuck problem, so I popped over to her room-redo and loved what she did with a light gray (Benjamin Moore’s Whitestone) in her bedroom. After much obsessing over paint chips, I settled on Benjamin Moore’s Silver Fox, which I loved: not too light too be overlooked, too heavy to make the room look dark, or cold enough to inspire jail cell chic. And no sooner had I gleefully lugged home a gallon, I stumbled upon Shelterpop’s “Paint Color Trends to Move On From”. First on the list? “Greige”. Oy! Click to see the outcome of my mini room redesign! (more…)

I’m a sucker for Windsors and the new modern take on it from West Elm is no exception. The traditional rounded back extends all the way to the front edge of the chair to become the arms while the back is lower than a traditional Windsor, giving it a more streamlined appearance. $374 (plus shipping) and finished in black. However, it’s the modern Windsor chaise that’s really caught my fancy. I don’t have a spot for it, but a girl can dream. What about you? Got West Elm Windsor love? — Sarah L.

Thanks to the folks at Brain Pickings and Society6, your iPhone could be the next venue for the work of a variety of emerging artists. The pair has partnered to curate a collection of designs that are available on iPhone cases for just $35. Don’t have an iPhone? Check out the additional options on prints, stretched canvases, or skins for your laptop, iPad or iPod. We love the elephants and bicycles! –Sarah C.

via CNNMoneyTech

Early January is one of the best times for shopping the sales, especially when it comes to holiday decor. Still looking for the perfect Hanukkah menorah? Jonathan Adler (per usual) has got you covered. His Utopia Man/Woman menorah is made up of nine independent pieces that gather together to make up a delightful little community. Each piece is double-faced with a more modern man or woman on one side and a more classic, Edward Gorey-inspired face on the other. Chic and now on sale, marked down to $206.50 from $295! –Katie D.

1) You’ve got New Year’s traditions and superstitions. Megan shared traditions from around the globe and you shared yours. Simone Rene says: “My family cleans house from top to bottom, always puts coins at each window sill in the home and makes sure that the 1st person through our doors after mid-night is darked haired – even if he’s bald – Happy New Year!” What are your traditions?

2) Leaving contact information and reviewing commands are helpful for your dog-sitters! Rebecca F. provided a thorough dog-sitting checklist, but the devil is in the details. DJ says: “I’d also have them run through some basic commands with their dogs, with you handling the dogs. It wouldn’t do you much good to tell a dog “Off” if the command for the behavior you were seeking was “Stop.” It will also let the dogs know that you are someone in charge.”

3) Cinnamon rolls figure prominently into your 2011 goals. Well, at least for some of us! Megan B. shared her recipe shared her recipe and we’ve got plans. Shoppingsmycardio says: “oohhh, I can’t wait to try these! Baking with yeast is one of my 2011 goals!”

4) Hibiscus flowers: a fab garnish for wine and cheese! Along with a dash of syrup they complement a glass of sparkling wine, and they’re also divine elsewhere. Megan B. says: “Trader Joe’s sells dried hibiscus flowers which are gorgeous on a cracker with some goat cheese. And also delicious!”