hot chocolate party

One of my coworkers mentioned yesterday that she likes to make flavored hot chocolates by infusing herbs into them- lavender and sage were two that she mentioned. Now I'm lusting over the idea flavored sipping chocolates, and of opening a 'Cafe Spa'- giving chocolate and coffee infused facial and body treatments and serving delicious and unique coffee, chocolate and tea concoctions.

Maybe it's just me, but it feels like the most delicious idea I've had in a long time!

I'm not actually so chocolate-obsessed as this post might suggest, but just the idea of infusing milk with fresh sage and pairing it with a not-too-sweet cocoa, then pouring a round of deliciousness for my friends just sounds... amazing.

The first meeting of my business class is tonight, so I'd better start jotting all of these ideas down!

spring flowers

Ranunculus- one of my favorite flowers, no matter what time of year. I picked these up from my local grocery last week- even though the Bay Area was in the middle of a blistering heat wave. I knew they wouldn't last long (and they knew it to) but I felt the need to rescue them from the dumpster, where they were surely headed. It was a win-win situation: they brightened up my studio for a few days, and they got to enjoy a little shade, a fresh cut and some cool water in the process.

Gardening has been tough this year, with water rationing and the lack of spring rain (April showers there were not.) I've planted a few things, but there are no showy blooms to display here. I can, however, live vicariously through the gardens of others. To name just one, there is the lovely Amy Shutt, whose blogs I have been following for years.

Her catch-all weblog, day-lab, chronicles her adventures as a mother, business owner and lover of all things vintage. She's also lovingly restored rooms in her rented Baton Rogue home, and carefully cleared overgrown gardens and is bringing them back to life. Read through her past entries and see some amazing 'before & after' photos of the spaces she's renovated. I hope you'll be as inspired as I am.

recycled charm

Despite my humble, pre-teen DIY beginnings selling beaded bracelets on the playground, I'm not really one for jewelry. I have a few choice pieces- Maya Brenner's silver California necklace, Monique Leon's Magic Wish Bean necklace- but in general, I just don't wear it.

But when the eco-friendly shop 2ReVert was featured on Etsy.com's front page a couple weeks back, I was smitten. The goods? Fresh pendants, earrings, bracelets and other goods made from recycled skateboards. The jewelry did more than just appeal to my inner 15-year-old tomboy: the 7-ply maple is a throwback to my teenage years, when my father was making a living producing skateboards. The 'board business has since died down, but the sentiment remains. The piece I chose combines some of my favorite elements- woodgrain, the color orange, clean lines, recycled materials- with a nice reminder of the Good Old Days.

How can you beat that? See more at 2ReVert.etsy.com.