five things we learned last week
1) Creamy vegetable pasta dishes always have fans. Megan B. shared this one from one of her favorite cookbooks and it is no exception. Mary-Grace says: “Mmmmmm that sounds really good. And ditto ellobie … pasta + mushrooms + cream = I will probably love it.†Commenter Jake C. substituted bacon and Greek yogurt for his pregnant wife with great results!
2) Spotless bedrooms are an elusive dream for many of us, but we do feel great on those good days! Jilliana says: “My bedroom looks like a bit of a war zone lately, mostly due to laundry I can never seem to get from the dryer to my closet. I almost never “make my bed†per say, but I do make a point of straightening out my tangle of blankets every day, if only so I can slip more easily into bed. Even that little bit of effort seems to make a difference in how I view my bedroom.†Do you reap the benefits of a clean bedroom?
3) Our dessert dream has become a reality thanks to Bake It in a Cake. Think of your favorite desert. Now put it in a cupcake. Yes, we’re obsessed too. Anna says: “That looks terrific-ly delicious and absurd all at once. Fantastic! I may just have to try them at home.â€
4) Our readers have impeccable taste…buds. Give Shelterrific readers a whiff of a bake-off and they’ll counter tenfold with incredible recipes. Mark Bittman’s brownies. Martha Stewart’s chewy chocolate gingerbread cookies. Mini cupcakes made with marscapone cheese? Check out the comments for more ideas than you could bake in a week!
5) Denture cleaner removes stains from antique linens. It’s not just for dentures anymore! Alyson says: “I have a vintage doily that is in desperate need of cleaning, so I will definitely try this!â€
Image courtesy of Kletia Garies
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blogwatch: where we’ve been clicking this week
Rent the Rock Reach House in Joshua Tree, featured in the most recent CB2 catalog. We’re intrigued by the decking material (pictured above) — gotta figure out what it is! At CasaSugar.
OhJoy! is showing off the wares from Wolfrum: napkins and coasters in fabulous mix-and-matchable patterns.
A great weekend DIY: make your own faux zinc letters, over at Curbly.
We want to go to there — there being Tulum, Mexico, where these photos at the Selby have us dreaming of haute cuisine, open air markets, and warm sunshine on our skin. Sigh.
We LOVE our greens here at Shelterrific. Here’s another way to eat them from Simply Recipes: Swiss chard with olives. Yum.
ShelterPop has some great tips for easy revamping of small bathrooms — even some ideas that would work for renters, too!
If you haven’t seen it yet (it’s been making its way around the blogosphere), a very cool video of Vitra assembling an Eames lounger, via Juxtapoz.
best time to make purchases
Ever wonder when the best time is to make household purchases? From groceries to gas grills, turns out there is a right time. Although some purchases can’t be planned (I’m looking at you, hot water heater), waiting can pay off. — Sarah L.
Groceries: Sunday evenings
TVs: after the Super Bowl through March
Appliances: holiday weekends
Grills: September and October
Carpeting and flooring: December
Trees, shrubs: September and October
Furniture: Holiday weekends
Chairs: May and June
Mattress, box springs: May through September
Image credit: Crate and Barrel
real life test kitchen: pasta with peas, prosciutto, and crème fraîche
Today’s recipe comes right in time for Spring, from the pages of one of my favorite cookbooks, A Twist of the Wrist, by Nancy Silverton. This book has been a great source of lots of quick and easy meals made from easily-sourced pantry and freezer staples. (The Chicken Tonnato Salad? To. Die. For.) The recipe calls for orecchiette, whose curved shape I imagine would, as Silverton says, “capture the tiny peas” in a way orzo pasta just can’t. With orecchiette or without, I really love this dish’s simplicity: frozen peas, garlic, crème fraîche… Oh, and instead of prosciutto, I used Spanish jamon Serrano for my version — I think it’s got a nicer, more developed flavor. But whatever way you make it, it really is easy, and delicious. — Megan B.
Click for the recipe, after the jump! (more…)
clockwork: the walter wayle II wall clock
Representing a “contrast to the precision of time,” the Walter Wayle II wall clock ($78) is a minimalist’s dream. Two simple, wing-like hands turn without the confines of a case. More grown up than relaying on your cell phone’s clock, the Philippe Starck design is a clean way to tell how much longer until ‘Dancing with the Stars’ starts. — Katie D.
