“Cuz we are livin’ in a digital world and I am digital girl”

Substitute the word digital for material and sing it just like the Material Girl would…you get the picture. Let’s face it, this is becoming more and more true, we are living in a digital world. And while I blogged (now an accepted verb) earlier and called out the use of Evite (though I am sometimes guilty myself) in favor of paper custom printed invitations, there is now a product worthy of your the digital design result, without a bunch of ads. cluttering your screen.

Check out Paperless Post. Upon receiving this notification in your computer’s Inbox, you really feel that you are invited to something special, almost in the manner of receiving a non-bill in your real mailbox at home. You receive a stamped envelope with your name on it, and click through the instructions to virtually open a special envelope, with your custom “printed” invitation on the inside. You have to experience this to imagine, but we’re talking significant upgrade on the digital invitations that currently exist. What I love most about this is that you don’t have to sacrifice design integrity for the ease and convenience of managing your next fab. soiree. Not only environmentally friendly, but easy on the ole budget as well. Yea, everyone wins!

Cheers and go forth without paper!

One of my design trademarks is a layered style accomplished by blending surprise elements to achieve a textured, unique and chic look. A simple and tactical way to do this is with succulents and sedum. Tone on tone, like green on green is really sophisticated especially when highly textural, but make no mistake, sedum can be found in many colors, shapes and sizes as well.

First, I love making a statement with flower boxes. If you are lucky
enough to have them (thank you Ron), what an opportunity to showcase
your personality and style. Check these out from one of my FAVORITE
blogs, Apartment Therapy

Moving indoors a moment, check out a few little "hens and chicks" a hand full of some moss a few stones assembled simply in this interesting bow found at Crate and Barrel. Voila, ready made centerpiece and stunning at that.

And as we anticipate with much excitement those wonderful summer flowers not-yet available to grace your flower pots, I bet they are still badly in need of a Spring makeover. What about adding a bunch of sedum both for their low maintenance care (requiring little water and HARDY) and hip textured look? This is a planter I literally threw together in about 5 minutes with some Irish clover, (who couldn't use a little extra luck, now and then?) a rosette shaped succulent and a fun chartreuse-colored sedum?

Happy planting (indoor and out) everyone.

And then my heart with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils

(William Wordsworth)

As we are in some sort of fast track to spring mode here in Seattle, (not that I’m complaining), the daffy’s are definitely out and you better catch em while you can as they won’t be here for long. Glad I snapped this photo a few days ago showing them in their crowning glory at Pikes Place Market.

as they already seem by today to have peaked. You can buy 12 stems of little sunshine for $3 bucks right at the market right now. Now that fits into everyone’s budget.

A lot further from home, but our East Coast adopted home-away-from-home, Nantucket Island, prepares for their annual nod to spring, Daffodil Festival April 23-25, 2010.

This annual festival beloved by Islander’s and visitors alike really wakes up the Island for warmer months ahead. Some of the special festivities of the weekend include an antique car parade, hat pageant and children’s and dog parade. Can you say Americana?

Check this link to see if there is a Daffodil festival in your neck of the woods. Isn’t there is a Website for everything now?

If there isn’t, I’m sure you can celebrate this symbolic start to spring in lots of other sunny fun ways.

Like check out this darling J. Mendel daffodil ruffle dress available at Style Bop.

Or add a bright yellow throw pillow to your sofa like this one found at Piecesinc.com

Or add a piece of art like this lovely daffodil chandelier to your décor Bakara chandeliers

Hope you your heart is filled with a little more pleasure, that William Wordsworth, really knew his stuff!

I am all about gourmet dining with quality and seasonal ingredients, but let's be honest, when the dinner hour calls and it comes to feeding the munchkins while considering a bed time routine, the 4 food groups, etc., it's all about getting in, getting out and getting the job done.

So as much as frozen chicken dinosaurs are always delish, ah-hem…these days my husband and I opt out of the kid dinners, and now that it's lighter out later, saving that quality/family time for some good walks around the hood, seems a fair swap. We postpone our dinner for a more relaxing time after their bedtime.

As this type scenario totally has the potential to be anti-climactic, the key is simplicity a bit of candlelight and copious amounts of vino. I must say as well that this concept works brilliantly for entertaining too.
Lately, I am LOVING cutting board dinners. First you need an oversize cutting board.

I suggest, Boos cutting boards. This type of noshing is fun and practical as it's so minimal on dishes, prep. etc. Be generous on proportions, but of course consider how many you are preparing for. Here are a few favs.

Mediterranean

• Feta cheese
• Home made tzatziki sauce (greek yogurt, cucumber diced, lemon juice, garlic, salt & pepper) so easy
• Brown pita in a pan with olive oil and cut into small triangles
• Hummus (Trader Joes makes a great white bean one)
• Chicken Skewers
• Pickled olives (in the olive bar of any good grocer)

Italian (PS this was inspired by my neighborhood favorite restaurant, Cafe Lago)

• Hard and soft cheese like goat and parano
• Bruschetta and tapenade
• Italian meats like, prosciutto, salami–here in Seattle we have lovely Salumi, made by Mario Batali's Pop.
• Drizzle all with some good quality balsamic vinegar and a squeeze of lemon

French:

• Pate (Igourmet)
• Fromage (of course) I always go with something ridic. creamy like a minimum 60% butter fat.
• Crusty bread
• Side of course grain mustard
• Rotisserie Chicken Breast ( I can never resists these @ the grocery as they are so cheap and so versatile) With this style dining, you can literally pick off with your hands.
• A bit of fruit, like thinly sliced pear or apple looks pretty and sweetens things up.

Bon Apetit and Bon Nuit….

This is one of those dreaded times of year, for most people who are preparing their tax returns. I can typically be found scrounging up all kinds of charitable receipts in an effort to keep our Uncle Sam tab down. As I'm here to talk about "living well"let's briefly reflect upon thatrewardingfeelilngwhenrealizing how much "giving back" goes on throughout the course of a year.

It also reminds me of a conversation I recently had with a friend regarding our generation and our ability to be involved and give back. Though we would all like to be able to do more…one resource that comes to mind as under-realized, is companies who match their employees gifts. Thousands of companies around the country do this. Is yours one?

Many non-profits have search engines like this one, where you can quickly type in your companynametofind out if your company matches. Check this link to find out:

http://www.matchinggifts.com/osu/

What is cool about this is that your philanthropic dollars go twice as far. Of course, that doesn't relate to your own personal charitable deductibility. But it sure means a lot to those charities. Furthermore, it is typical that you would be listed according to an overall gift that includes a corporate match and receive benefits at that level. For example, local beloved public radio channel KEXP, offers great membership benefits, like invations to exclusive events, tours of the station, etc. So if you were to give a gift of $250 personally for exampleand have your company match it, you are now at the $500 level and get offered 4 invitations to an exclusive concert at the Triple Door. Not too shabby eh?

Typically companies have rules with regarding to minimum and maximum amounts per employee, so you will have to check that out. But it is usually a pretty simple and painless process. Usually the charities do most of the leg work in tracking the funds down from the companies. A simple form is all that is required on your end.

Just a little food for thought for everyone.