Breakfast and Sweet Peas

I am always looking for color in the natural world-
This morning I made a fruit salad for breakfast, and
the vibrancy of each piece of fruit could not go
unnoticed!  To add a unique quality of taste,
I used small brown turkey figs, bits of mint from
our garden, a big squeeze of a fresh orange, and
a drizzle of local star thistle honey.

Enjoy the week!  x P

My bouquets of choice lately have been

sweet peas- they smell aaamazing and provide a

moment of pastel color to our home.  

They've also been my favorites for graduation gifts:

a lose arrangement in an old mason jar, tied with a ribbon or raffia. 

p.s.- The florist told me the lighter the flower, the sweeter the smell!

The Alibi Brings You Reclaimed Wood Frames

The Alibi has recently taken on a lot of orders- for frames, for window sill boxes, for chalkboards- and I thought I'd take a few pictures of the process to share.  

This order was for Stripe, a boutique downtown Santa Cruz that I've featured in past posts {if you haven't been to Stripe, sign off your laptop and drive to Walnut Avenue now}.  

Stripe carries our reclaimed wood frames in four different sizes, as well as unique little 4"x 4" thick frames, and the now popular {again} shadow boxes.  Everything you see is for sale!  Simply contact Chris or I, or comment on any of the postings.  

Like what you see?  Tell us! 

x P

Focused frame maker at work

I was framed, that's my alibi.

 The frames finally find peace at their new home, Stripe.

Check out the collection!

Local Designer: Tacti Design by Montana Shrader

Tacti Design by Montana Shrader is a
merge between technology and  design using tactile materials.  Each design is approached uniquely and inspired by patterns in nature, architecture, and culture.  Montana lives in Los Gatos where she designs and generates the jewelry with the help of modern technology, using computer aided drafting techniques to formulate patterns, and a laser cutter than "burns"through the material.  The result is a soft, touchable material with a modern twist and computer-like precision.

These one-of-a-kind pieces are
versatile, distinctive, and beautifully
ornate.  Their bright colors make for a
perfect accessory for the summer time!
Shop around at Montana's store on Etsy
for your favorite piece of jewelry this
sunny season!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TACTIdesign

Did you know that felt is the oldest textile known to man? 

 Each Tacti Design creation is produced from 100% wool, 

giving it an incredible softness and light weight feeling.

The inspiration for this design derives from naturally occurring patterns and shapes created by intersecting circles- so simple, yet so intricate. 

A bright splash of deep red

The bracelets are my absolute favorite!

And their brass snap enclosures are antiques, adding a pinch of vintage.

One of Montana's models showing off the blue collection.

 I have these earrings in red and I'm craaazy about them.  They seem to go with every outfit I put on.

Get online and check out Tacti Design...  Right now!  

Your new summer collection is waiting to be mailed to your doorstep.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TACTIdesign

Morning Compliments

The sun was filtering through our
bedroom window this morning
and highlighted the orange
teacups and blue bottles on the
sill.  Simple beauty in a
complimentary color scheme~
xx P

Sunset Shout Out

My favorite magazine, Sunset, featured Santa Cruz in their June 2012 issue.  Actually, they feature Santa Cruz often, as well as our neighboring towns, but I was happy to see Fogline Farm mentioned this time!  Fogline Farm offers a CSA (community supported agriculture) program where they grow, farm, and harvest produce to sell in weekly boxes to their customers.  Chris and I are apart of this program, and there is nothing like a fresh box of lettuce and chards and chives and strawberries and eggs and chicken and so much more! ...to sustain us for the week.  Keep your eyes out for a post on Fogline Farm, coming soon!

Pick up a Sunset mag for the best summer recipes, 

creative party cocktails, gardening inspiration, 

day trip ideas, and much much more!

June Finding

We found this sweet little abandoned bird nest at a park yesterday, June 1st.

I had to take it home with us, and ended up nestling it in with the driftwood framed

mirror in our bathroom.  Such a simple thing- puts a smile on my face~