Live Love Local

Maybe some day we'll all get it...

link to video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M__BN7S5Xpw



.....maybe some day I'll get back to Bellingham.  A girl can wish right???

xo,

diana

ps-sorry for technical difficulties...the link should work

Packing in the End of Summer

It appears that summer has come to an end here in Seattle but I'm not ready to give it up so easily just yet.  Despite the rain and wind outside my window I have big plans for the next few weekends.  I'm hoping to find some new favorite places in this gorgeous state of Washington, testing out my "slowly getting stronger from the new gym membership" legs and best of all spending quality time with the ones I love.  I know, I know, not all of you are going to be with me but I still love you :)

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First on the list is a trip to the Lake Wenatchee area with the bikes to explore some trails.  I have to laugh because my husband put together the evite and was sure to include the fact that there are trails to ride for those of differing interest levels in mountain biking...this is the "I know my wife is going to freak out if I put a 26 mile epic ride on the list so I'll appease her and pretend there is another option" statement.  I hope somebody of my interest level decides to go with us!!!!!  This will be my 2nd ride being clipped in and given the fact that I'm still learning the art of mountain biking, it is comical (and scary) to say the least.  Maybe I'll enjoy the scenery on foot instead??  Doubtful.  Either way, I can't wait. 

We'll be staying at Nason Creek

image via

After we get back from the bike trip, we'll immediately begin putting things together for a 3 day backpacking adventure to the Enchantment Lakes.  For those of you who aren't familiar, this hike is so popular due to the striking beauty of the area that you have to enter into a lottery to get a permit to stay overnight there.  If you are lucky enough to be receive a permit, you have a 3 day window to enter and exit the area.  The hike is definitely going to be a challenge with 10 miles and 6,000 vertical feet being the goal for the 1st day, and 18 total for the trip.  Yikes!  I'm so looking forward to it though as we are sure to be rewarded with incredible scenery and a solitude that is rarely experienced in our lives.

spectical lake via

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I would imagine once we get back from the trip to the Enchantments that I'll be more than ready to welcome in Fall with open arms by wrapping up in a fleece blanket with a good book and a cup of hot coffee!  Oh, and some new soup recipes to try out of course :)


xo,

diana

The {Weekend} Reading List

Hello!  I just want to make sure you take a moment or two to check out this new online eco-magazine, Pure Green Living Magazine, written by the lovely creator of one of my faves, the Pure Green Blog.  I am so excited to dig into the premier issue and discover all kinds of eco-friendly facts, fashion, and fun.  Yay!

What else is on my reading radar?  Last Christmas my husband went to Anthropologie (yes ladies, he went all by himself) and got me THE book I had been oogling since the day it hit the shelves.  It's simple titled "Recycled Home" and is written by Mark and Sally Bailey, photography by Debi Treloar.  The book is absolutely beautiful and full of gorgeous, innovative ways to re-use "abandoned and unloved objects and give them an exciting new life..."  I highly recommend picking this up to keep on hand as an inspirational resource for your home or a conversation piece for the coffe table.  I know I'll be using it soon for ideas for an upcoming project.  I'll be sure to show you sneak peaks along the way ;)

Gorgeous and simple...or simply goregous! 

Happy (sunny) weekend reading.  I'm off to Bellingham for the annual Ballapalooza soccer tourney and lots of sunshine, friends and fun.  Wish us luck!

xo,

diana

I Love...

That summer has finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest....

My neighborhood...

Argile tile (hey, that rhymes!)

Aaaaand, the anticipation of the World Cup final this Sunday!  Go Spain!

Happy Wednesday!

diana

Happy Party Planning, Table Setting, Beach BBQ-ing Weekend! (almost)

The 4th of July is just a few days away and just about everyone I've talked to has plans to get out of town for the weekend.  I'm definitely looking forward to some island time with the family this weekend but of course my mind keeps floating back to all of the different parties I've heard about and what sort of table I would set if I were in charge.  Even though we're talking about similar themes for each party, the possibilities are endless!  As if the party gods heard my prayers, Joe Nye's (one of my favorite entertaining gurus) new book Flair is out and all about table settings and party planning!  I simply cannot wait to get my hands on it.

I'm drooling already.

I couldn't resist the classic red, white and blue of this inspiration board on http://www.marthastewart.com/. 

How would you like to celebrate lakeside this 4th of July?  Yes please!

Or maybe a private party for two...?

or a garden party with the girls before heading off to your local fireworks show.

Of course, if I added a few flowers and a bit of candle light to this table we'd have my personal favorite!

Here's to enjoying your freedoms this weekend where ever or however you do!

diana

*photos courtesy of martha stewart, real simple, and house beautiful

Back in the Saddle

Its been over a month since I started my new job and made my last post and I finally feel like I've settled into a place where I can devote myself to growing with TangleTown Interiors as well as in my new role as Visual Coordinator for a major retailer.  I've been missing this and after an encouraging conversation with my most trusted advisor (hi honey) I know I'm ready to take on the world again!  I would be remiss if I didn't also attribute my renewed motivation to continuing this blog and working on growing my business to a great talk with Helen of Helena de Natalio Handbags.  Whether she knows it or not, she was very inspirational to me this weekend and the timing of our meeting couldn't have been more perfect to give me the last little push that I needed to get my butt back in gear. 

As a thank you to previously mentioned trusted advisor, I'm making him what I hope proves to be a fabulous, farm fresh Sunday night dinner.  We picked up some lamb shanks and red potatoes from Olsen Farms at our local farmers market and I finally opened my new cast iron casserole pot and found it included a recipe for lamb shanks and potatoes!  Here is the recipe:

15 oz crushed tomatoes in puree
3 TBL tomato paste
2 TBL apricot jam
6 garlic cloves thinly sliced
3 strips orange zest
3/4 tsp crushed dried rosemary
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups water

coarse salt and ground pepper

3 1/2 lbs lamb shanks, trimmed of excess fat & cut into 1 1/2" slices

1 1/4 lb small new potatoes, scrubbed and halved (or quartered if too large)

preheat oven to 350.  In 5.5 quart casserole pot stire together tomatoes and puree, tomato paste, jam, garlic, orange zest, rosmarey, ginger, cinnamon & 2 cups of water.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add lamb and potatoes, strirring to combine.

cook until lamb and potatoes are tender, about 2-2 1/2 hours.  Season again with salt and pepper to taste.  Serve!

The end result was incredible! 

See you soon,

diana

Sunny, sun, sunshine!

I'm headed off to sunny San Diego for the rest of the week, well La Jolla to be exact.  I'll be working but am looking forward to some play time as well.  I've already made a list of cute home furnishing shops to check out during my down time.  I promise to do my best to keep you posted on my finds!

And I'll keep my fingers crossed for a little bit of this as well ;)

besos,

diana

*images via here & here