Flash Mob Revisited

I pretty much think that flash mobs are stupid. I know they are sort of a huge thing right now where everyone is getting married via flash mob or under threat of being swamped by one every time you ride the subway, but these are the exact reasons why they irk me so. Flash mobs are so prevalent that they have now become either boring or annoying or both. I just don't want to hear about another group of college kids swarming a library and calling it a "performance." With that said, I totally teared up at this flash mob of musicians who played classical music for passengers in the Copenhagen Metro. Maybe it's the reaction of wet-eyed old people or a rosy-cheeked baby that got to me or how even the filming of the experience met the music, but I liked it and I think you'll like it too.

strawberry lemonade

There are some pretty delicious fresh strawberries available right now and I have been bookmarking all sorts of recipes. With the predicted temperature around 80 degrees for both Saturday and Sunday, I think a batch of Emeril's strawberry lemonade is a must!

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 2 cups cold sparkling water or club soda
• Ice
• Mint sprigs, garnish
• Whole strawberries, garnish

Directions

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon peel and lemon juice, stir, and remove from the heat. Let cool completely, then strain into a clean pitcher.

In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries and add to the pitcher with the lemon juice. Stir well to combine and refrigerate until well chilled.
Add the sparkling water and stir well. Pour over glasses filled with ice and serve, garnished with mint and strawberries.

Image: mamaloli , Recipe: Food Network

you smell

 I read about the company You Smell on Daily Candy. They make luxurious, scented bar and paper soaps that are all natural, vegan and gluten-free. I want to put this on my list of potential gifts- between the fun packaging, natural composition and promises of a sweet smelling ever after....how can you go wrong?

 Images: Dailycandy, yousmellsoap

knitting pretty

  

I saw this magazine and for the umpteenth time wished I had learned how to knit years ago.This might be what inspires me to overcome my shyness and join a class. 

Images: Interweave, designedlykristi, pinterest, historicneedlecrafts

perfect retreat

These two shots of outdoor living space in designer Twanette Tharp's Edgartown Harbor house make me want to be her.....or, at least be friends with her, so I could be invited to visit.

Architectural Digest featured this major project of renovating and designing a pair of 19th-century houses in Martha's Vineyard's Edgartown. The pictorial is very interesting.

Images: The Enchanted Home

Mr. Sendak, we loved you so.

As we mourn the death of the great Maurice Sendak, let's also take a moment to appreciate how he showed children to live their own lives - with passion, humor, and on their own terms.

Happy Children's Book Week!

Children's Book Week is here and to kick it off I am posting links to the Official Events across the country, as well as the Local Events. Of course, it does not matter if you celebrate the week formally, just read with your kids!

Image: bookweekonline.com

macaron color

 People...well, people who blog, seem drawn to the marriage of mint and coral colors. I suppose I am one of them because I am enamored of it, too. It is the macaron combination and it is hard to resist...

                Images: etsy, etsy, pinterest, pinterest, teenvogue,  pinterest, sweetdesigns, etsy



what a concept

This graphic from the facebook page of burningthroughpages.org. The existence of Burning Through Pages makes me happy. From their "About Us" link:

Burning Through Pages is a non-profit organization based out of Denver, CO dedicated to the advocacy of reading and writing for our city's youth. The working concept of Burning Through Pages is that the literature assigned by public and private schools, while important, contains dated prose and often antiquated ideals. While the classics are classics for a reason, they are not always easily relatable to the current generation reading them. That's where we come in. We are here to introduce new and updated literature to Denver's youth. We buy books, give them away, and take the time to talk about them.

Burning Through Pages Inc. has one goal and one goal only:
To inspire a love of reading in today's youth by recommending, donating, and discussing books.

There are no quizzes, just conversations. If you don't like the book, you can give it back. If you do like the book, there'll be another one waiting for you, free of charge. The important thing is that an adoration of reading grows. It's not what you read that's important to us, it's that you enjoy whatever it is that keeps you burning through the pages. 

Thanks for stopping by.

How awesome.

Maypole Toppers

Studio DIY has the best May Day idea. These little bundt cakes with maypole toppers are so very cute. If you have the chance, I highly recommend clicking around the blog - there are some great projects just waiting to be tackled.....

Image courtesy of studiodiy.com