Weird. Scary. Cool. Delightful.

The wonderful online antiques resource 1stdibs always brings me joy.  Whether I'm salivating over pristine English furniture or Aubusson carpets, I always have a great time on the site.  

But sometimes the joy comes from gawking at the unusual pieces that catch my attention and make me smile wide.  

Animal vertebrae.  It's a desk lamp! 

Huge lucite wardrobe chest.  Put your things away, but never lose sight of them.

Circus banner from 1940s.  A five-legged horse?!?

Life-size monkey sculpture in welded steel.  A terrifying conversation piece.  

Educational chart of crochet techniques.  A set of 7.

Pair of Michelin Men. Ummm, these are so creepy, they're cool.

Prosthetic hand from the late 19th century.  Leather glove included, because who wants a naked prosthetic hand?   

Delight yourself sometime by browsing the 'Other Categories' section of the site.  1stdibs presents more than 1,200 dealers' wares.  Many of these weird wares get me thinking of a room that I want to design around one item.  For example, how awesome would it be to have that huge metal monkey standing in the center of a foyer, greeting homeowners and freaking out guests.  Love it!

Cheers,
Whitney

Hello, Mr. Kitchen!

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Hello, Mr. Galley Kitchen.  You are perfect for me.  I love how your smaller proportions encourage only a single cook in the kitchen.
 

Source: themustardceiling.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

I love how your corridor-like layout allows for such well-placed workstations.  And I love that everything I need is within reach of only 2-5 small paces.

Source: thisoldhouse.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: housebeautiful.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Source: myhomeideas.com via Whitney on Pinterest

You, Mr. Kitchen, are the superior space to those huge, sprawling McMansion kitchens.  Those Real Housewives have to take 37 steps to get from the fridge to the sink, plus an extra 14 steps over to the cabinet where the colander is stored, just to wash some darned spinach.  But not you, Mr. Galley Kitchen. 

Source: tumblr.com via Whitney on Pinterest

The layout of your cabinetry and appliances are more ergonomically-sound than your counterparts, which inevitably lends to better organization and storage. 

Source: simplyseleta.com via Whitney on Pinterest

You are the real deal in efficient cooking spaces.  I have been dreaming about you all my culinary life.  Hello...

via Vimeo.

Give galley kitchens the respect and love that they deserve!
Cheers,
Whitney

Shake It Up

Why not come back to the blog today to celebrate & commemorate something oddly special....?



image via Flickr

Apparently, the McDonald's 'Shamrock Shake' is this bizarrely elusive fast-food leprechaun milkshake that only comes out for St. Patrick's Day, and in recent years is even regulated to select McDonald's venues.



It's a big deal, people....
image via MOCNI

So if you're looking to fill this fix for yourself at home (which I highly suggest), try this surprisingly easy little recipe!

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups high quality vanilla ice cream
1 3/4 cups skim milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1-3 drops green food coloring
DIRECTIONS:
Blend all ingredients together until smooth, thick and cr-aaazy delicious. 
Top with homemade whipped cream and green sugar sprinkles, if desired.

Cheers,
Whitney

Stumble... and Fall.

At the beginning of Christmas week, I vowed to blog a bunch of personal photos of our Yuletide celebrations; festive tablescapes and succulent meals.  But I didn't.  My camera was in my purse.  Or the food was eaten before I remembered. 

Same for New Years week; I had wanted to blog about the awesomeness of a new start, a fresh canvas, a blank slate, yadda yadda yadda.  But I didn't.  Instead I went through all the clothes in my closet that I should donate to Housing Works, or I went to bed early. 

Then 2012 was upon us, and for lots of reasons I was not on my blogging game.  Between picking up new work and running around with all these Resolutions to achieve, I have wavered in finding my rhythm for CYAH (and Twitter which is even more inexplicable!).

Am I talking in circles here?  Please, allow this gem to serve as a visual interpretation of my blogging stumble:

Yup. I'm that ponytailed leggy model (yeah freakin' right) and my wonderful little blog here is that
fabulous-and-sexy-but-apparently-life-threateningly-dangerous pair of platform heels. 

You see, once you start stumbling, the momentum of the mistake chases you for a bit until you crash. And even after the crash you're a little wobbly on your upswing. 

I'll be back as soon as I can with pretty pictures, fun stories, and some optimistic humor.  Promise.
Cheers,
Whitney