Weekend Diptych

March 20-21, 2010

Weekend of glutenous homemade gluten.
Visit flickr to see the ever-growing Weekend Diptych collection.

Bonus Bone: Picnic Plates

The weather was so totally nice in Chicago yesterday...

So this time, when I found myself waiting for my ride, instead of shivering and swearing, I was squinting and smiling. As my face soaked up the warmth of the sun, I actually started to think of spring. And then, since I was hungry, I started to think of food.

Picnic Palette Dish Set, at ModCloth

The sun, the snacks, the several minutes of trainspotting - it all got me in the mood for a picnic and these plates are so totally cute.

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Bonus Bone: Gimme Cupcakes Tea Towel

The cupcake - such an iconic, innocent, and one might even say, American image. Now mix it with the curved tongue and pointed claws of a flying (swimming?) dragon and you've got a playful new exotic feel.

And the tea towel is made from the softest (I've actually felt it) flour sack cotton so the literal feel won't have your hands breathing fire...Cupcake.

Gimme Cupcakes Tea Towel, by lovelane on etsy

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Bonus Bone: Big Ol' Bright Color at Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel is often noted for their clean whites and sophisticated wood palette but they're showing up with some in-your-face color with their latest catalog.

Check out some of the yum proving to be a welcome candy-coating to this dull Chicago winter:

Multicolored Cocktail Napkins, $19.95 for 12

Hogan Rug in Teal, $19.95-$199

Tote Bags, $26.95 each

Henley Floor Pillows, $36.95 each

Newport Dishtowels, $4.95 each

Abagail Throws, $49.95 each

Mini Bowls, $8.95 for 4

For this reason, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

I Am Cracker

Ever since watching this video...

...I haven't been able to open an egg to save my life. Every omelet is preceded by this Humpty Dumpty fumble of a dramatic eggactment.

Want your very own EZ Cracker? They do exist.

Towels, Artistic

Salsa Stripe Dishtowels, at Crate and Barrel

Since we're on the subject of dish towels, I've had my eye on these feisty numbers for awhile. Stripes and bold color often wins over my heart. These particular towels make me think of warm nights and spicy music...of squeezing limes to pulp and soapy water floating bits of avocado...

Frida Kahlo

They are the kitchen accessory equivalent to Frida Kahlo's ballsy desire to want it all - the color, the juice, the grime - now give it.

Electric Soup

Le Creuset 8-Quart Stockpot, at Bed Bath & Beyond

Zing! I love the deep, rich cobalt color of this stockpot. I just don't think my kitchen is big enough to contain all that electricity...

...Or this electricity:

Bonus Bone: Albion gravy boat

Albion Sauce/Gravy Pitcher, at The Conran Shop

Thanksgiving is less than a week away. Do you have your gravy boat ready? Excuse me, I mean sauce pitcher. Ooo la la! So fancy, those Brits! What they call a sauce pitcher, we call a BOAT.

Anyhoo, I love the simple, elegant lines of this boat designed by Terence Conran. The shape is a simplified, subtle bird. The spout is its beak while the handle and plumage act as tail feathers. This is a bird theme I can get behind.

Pass the gravy, darlin'!

For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

Bonus Bone: Anti-Theft Lunch Bags

Anti-Theft Lunch Bags, at the.

They complete my design trifecta: smart, a little gross, and funnyhaha.

25 Bags for $10

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Bonus Bone: Coal water purifier

Binchotan coal water purifier (pitcher size), at DWR

I read about these coal water purifiers in a Martha Stewart Living magazine earlier this year. I'm curious how well they work. (Anyone ever try them?)

We have a couple Brita pitchers at home and I always hate having to throw out the big plastic filters. At the end of the coal's life cycle, you can crush it up and mix it into your plant soil. So even though you won't be saving any money on these compared to the Brita filters, you might feel a tiny bit better about one less thing going into a landfill.

For this reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

I love cornichons

Cornichons jar, at P.O.S.H.

If there is ever a Talladega Nights 2: Electric Boogaloo, Jean Girard would force Ricky Bobby say "I love tiny, tart pickles!" or break his arm.

Makers of fine furniture and accessories

Swallowtail utensil holder, at Shaker Workshops

Damn straight! The Shakers knew how to design some fine accessories. That's some nice craftsmanship.

Totes

Wine Totes, at Delight

I don't often carry my wine around - on the bus, to work, swinging by the PO, heading to the park. BUT..., if I did, this is a cute way to do it.

IKEA's white flooring

Inspired by these photos to have white floors in your home?! I recently noticed that IKEA offers a couple of flooring options in the very Scandinavian-chic shade of white. For an ultra-sleek look go with the Markland. For a slightly more rustic vibe, choose the aptly named Tundra.

All photos courtesy of Living Etc.

Bonus Bone: Conran's classic bins

Classic bin, at The Conran Shop

Simple, classic, BIG, and most importantly a metal trash can that does not cost over $100! I'm looking at you, Simplehuman!

For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

Making my life easier: Mini food processor

Mini-Prep Plus 4-cup food processor, at Cuisinart

Hardwood and I use our mini food processor a lot. It's great for buzzing up a bunch of onions, making a small batch of pesto, or blending a few bananas for a delicious cake. We still would love to get a full size food processor for making our own bread and pasta, but this mini version works great for our two-person household.

Salad Days

Hardwood and I are both vegetarian, so salads as main courses are a big part of our dinner repertoire. Cardboard has inspired me to share our favorite new creation.

• Baby spinach
• Cucumber, peeled and sliced
• Button mushrooms, sliced paper thin
• Vidalia onion, sliced thin
  
• Green Zebra tomatoes, cut into wedges
• Hard boiled eggs, cut into wedges
• Capers
• Walnuts
• Gorgonzola, finely crumbled
• White wine vinaigrette, highly recommend using this white balsamic
• Sea salt and pepper, to taste

The salad is a great balance of textures and flavors - with the crunchiness of the fresh cucumbers, sweet Vidalia onions and walnuts, melt-in-your-mouth pungent blue cheese, creamy hard eggs, and toothsome slices of mushrooms. Yet another one to try!

Photo courtesy of Gourmet

Onion storage

Hardwood and I cook with onions a lot! We always have a bag or two laying around ready to be used in making vegetable stock, sautéed to put over a few pierogies or thinly sliced for a sandwich. Our current storage situation is rather pathetic. Behold!

Onions on a "festive" tray on top of our cat food storage (old litter container).

It's rather unsightly. Martha Stewart, we are not. So we've been looking around for other options - something that won't take up much space and that will allow some air flow.

I spotted the Grom storage containers in the new Ikea catalog and think they might be perfect. They can hang on the bottom shelf in our pantry and since they are so cheap we could grab a second one for some potatoes and other wintertime tubers.

Gorm, at Ikea

A Daily Delight

Artist Series Twist and Shut Bowls, at Delight

Remember those Delight-ful Twist and Shut bowls I bonus boned a few weeks ago? Well, there are new artists making 'em pretty and they also happen to be today's web bargain (FREE SHIPPING!).

Love this Catalina Estrada one...[swoon].

A Salad Story

Thanksgiving, All Ate Up

Urgh, making dinner. It can be fun, romantic, soothing, etc, but it can also be a pain in the arse.

Between having a broken refrigerator (2 weeks!), hanging out with Heat (3 months!), and working long hours (4-ever), I recently have found myself relying on easy, often-boxed dinners. This means a lot of frozen pizzas and eating out.

When I was living with Bamboo, the two of us got into the good habit of making simple but healthy dinners and exercising more. After a few months of this, I started craving nutrient-rich foods, like big ol' salads and crisp fruit. But I fear I've slipped back to dreaming of a gyros platter with a side of cookie dough.

Moroccan Lentil Salad, Another Bamboo & Cardboard Fave

To get back on track, I hit the gym yesterday and Heat & I made this inspirational salad for dinner:

Start with a big bowl. Throw this stuff in it.

Baby spinach

Cherry tomatoes


Cucumber, chopped


Avocado, chopped


Carrot, grated


Almonds, sliced


Feta, crumbled

BOCA Spicy Chik'n patties, cooked and chopped (I use one per person)


Drizzle of Sriracha

Dash of lemon juice

Pinch of salt

Splash of Newman's Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing

Toss. Eat.

OMG, oishii! I would have taken a photo of the dish but it was late and I was hongry. In truth, the salad isn't much to look at because the avocado smooshes all over but it is very spicy/tasty. And you should try it. And that is all.