clever charlotte

clever charlotte is the brainchild of two gals who grew tired of searching for sewing patterns that were just right for their young daughters and instead created them! The result of their efforts is the site clever charlotte , part shop for the wonderful, modern patterns and part blog (with helpful sewing tutorials).
I am quite smitten with the chickadee blouse and skirt, but all of it is really terrific.....

 All images: Clever Charlotte

Lay Baby Lay

The blog Lay Baby Lay is filled with beautifully orchestrated inspiration boards for children's rooms, mostly nurseries, by Joni the custom sign maker of chocolatebutterbean. Her choices are full of great art, color and energy- but most impressively she includes complete source lists. So thanks for the all the great ideas AND links!

 Images: laybabylay

Say hello to Jane!

via AbeBooks

We are shaking things up a tiny bit here at Hiving Out! Jane, a dear and lovely friend, has decided to take us up on the offer and join us on these pages. We are beyond thrilled. Jane is funny, whip smart, and has some amazing taste. I'm expecting to find some great vegetarian recipes, book finds, and music from this lady. And, of course, if she doesn't work out - she also has a very crafty cool mother that we can always tap as a new blogger. Look for the occasional Jane post starting this week and here are a couple of my favorite Janes to make this one feel welcome and loved!

Jane Birkin via Height of Vintage

"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë via The Book Cover Archive

Jane Goodall via Time

 Jane Addams (1st American woman awarded Nobel Peace Prize) via University of Ill.

 Jane Fonda via Letter to Jane

Jane Austen's "Emma" via Abbey's Bookshelf

younghouselove.com

I have a growing obsession with the blog Young House Love. It is a kind of love/hate relationship, because while I am crazy impressed with the renovation/design skills of the couple who blogs about their home's transformation, it can make me feel lazy and like I am living in a "before" photo!
I think the relationship is mostly good though- they have some incredible project ideas and executions, so if nothing else , I will be propelled by jealousy to breathe new life into my own before picture house.

Images: younghouselove

Beet, Goat Cheese and Arugula Pizza

When I worked in Boston there was a spot I loved to go to for their roasted beet, goat cheese and arugula pizza. Strangely enough, I never tried to make that lunch at home.....until now. I came across Julip Made's recipe and now I have beets on my market list for this week. I think I may attempt a citrus dressing to go with the pizza, but otherwise her recipe is perfect!

Image: julipmade

Silly Sally Draper

Actress Kiernan Shipka tackles some pretty heavy stuff each season in her role as Sally Draper on AMC's Mad Men. Turns out she has some comedic talents as well....you can check them out in Funny or Die's Child Star Psychologist with Kiernan Shipka.

Video: Funny or Die

food photography

I have a friend who dabbles in food photography. I always say it is her true calling (her facebook friends would agree, I bet, since her status updates frequently involve dining table pictorials). The whole idea of food styling and photography is very cool to me. I have been a long time fan of food blogs, such as Smitten Kitchen, in great part because of the beauty of the images and the deliciousness each photo conveys.
If you are curious about food photography , there is an interesting blog on nytimes.com called Diner's Journal. It often has tidbits on culinary photography- this one about capturing the holiday table on film has very useful pointers.

Images: smittenkitchen, lisahoma, Jim Scherer Photography, Photography by Linda Lee, Catrine Kelty Food Stylist, foodportfolio.com, Catrine Kelty Food Stylist, Vegan Yum Yum

2 Easter Projects

I have two simple projects planned for the Easter holiday season to help decorate the house. The first is a paper craft that adds a little character to those dyed eggs. All you need to do is print out these stencils onto craft paper and snip yourself a few of the little critters featured in the above shot. They will be part of our holiday centerpiece.
For a hands on activity that even toddlers can do, the lifestyle blog four flights of fancy provides step by step instructions on how to create snazzy Easter eggs decorations with whatever art materials you might have on hand and some clear contact paper. The perfect thing to display on your windows or make into a garland and the design is completely up to the kids!

Images: Good Housekeeping and fourflightsoffancy

color wheel dressing

In one of my studio art classes in college, we spent weeks on the Munsell color system. I still have a lot of the projects relating to that class and, until very recently, also had the Munsell binder (which is a classic three ring job just filled with volumes of what resembles paint chips)- because all that color is just hypnotizing.
The color wheel has guided quite a few of my artistic endeavors since then and informed some of my clothing choices. Now I am no fashion plate, if I am being 100% honest, I flatlined in the fashion department long ago, but I always follow the rules of the color wheel.
The blog academichic has a cool post, Fashion 101, that talks about color relationships in fashion and making good choices.
It is a beginner's guide to mix and match :).

Images courtesy of google and academichic

Making Art with Children

The Art Studio at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art has a blog, Making Art with Children, that gives you a peek into what they have going on there at the museum's studio, but it is also a really cool resource for art project ideas you may want to try at home, in the classroom, at a birthday party etc..

The blog is searchable by medium and age group and also lists upcoming workshops and classes offered by the museum.
The art studio at the Carle holds museum hours and is open to all visitors who wish to "explore materials and techniques, ignite their imagination and discover their own visual language. With a commitment to education through art, our goal is to foster creative and intellectual development through making art. "
For those of us who don't live close enough to experience the museum and the studio in person, the blog is a great way to see what goes on at this wonderfully unique place.

All images courtesy of Making Art with Children

babes of npr

"Our first Babe of NPR, Ari Shaprio is the politically savvy love child of Jonathan Rhys-Meyer and an Avatar."

The tumblr "babes of npr" might change the way I experience public radio from here on out. And it's hilarious too. (Thanks, Evelyn, for sharing!).

"Tristan Ahtone, Wyoming Public Radio host/Kiowa Tribe member/jean jacket model/mega babe."

"Michele Norris, Host, All Things Considered. She’s “Mee-shell” and she’s hot."

 

"Tom Ashbrook (Host, On Point) directed coverage of the Gulf War, which ended because he smiled."

"Kai Ryssdal: financial know-how, everyman sensibilities, bedroom eyes. Let’s do the numbers."

images and captions via "babes of npr"