Two years ago, about this time of year, it snowed a little in Joshua Tree,. Not sure if we'll be so lucky this time. We're heading out there for the weekend and I think it's supposed to be sunny and warm.

The traveling is not really over yet. In a few more weeks we head out to Arizona.

Views straight up and straight ahead one morning in Eindhoven.
I would love a ceiling with exposed beams like this one.

My quick little trip to the Netherlands is over and now I am suffering from some terrible jet lag. The only good thing about the 11 hour flight home was all the knitting I was able to complete.

I also learned two things:

1. About 8 hours into the flight, a women across the aisle showed me another way to cast on stitches.
2. People get funny looks on their faces after they ask you what you are knitting, and you reply with, "beasts." And then when you feel compelled to say "monsters" it doesn't really help.

Nevertheless, I will have beasts, beasts and more beasts to show you soon.

*goodnight, I'm going to sleep now :)

Look what I got for Valentines Day! R got some lovelies for himself and then also surprised me with this pitcher from Heath Ceramics. I cannot wait to use it!
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I'm heading out of town for a little while and will be back on the 26th... if anyone has any tips on little cafes or markets, thrift stores, fantastic little shops, or just great places to visit in either Amsterdam or Eindhoven, I'd be forever grateful! I'm heading to the Netherlands and I would love to find some non-touristy places to enjoy a good little meal or drool over some lovely object in an obscure shop :)

Alice is keeping me company while I work.

I just bought this Gray Water Tower on Etsy... by up in the air somewhere.

Not only am I sucker for water towers for some reason (one of my favorite images below by Rachel Whiteread) but I am also always looking for nice plant stands/holders.

Despite my mostly dim north-facing living space, there is one lovely room in my apartment that gets the most gorgeous afternoon light, and to no surprise, it is where all my plants live. I will soon add another... I'm so happy, I think it's so beautiful.

I'm not a fan of my commute (this morning it took about 90 mins) but there is one part that I do like: the junction of Sunset Blvd and the Pacific Coast Highway. Here you can only turn right or left, or drive straight into the ocean.

I like it here because as you sit and wait for the stop lights to change, you realize you're at the edge of a continent. With all the hustle and bustle, it's nice to see nothing in front of you except for this great expanse of ocean.

I used to dislike olives, but sometime ago I willed myself to like them. Now I love them, especially with a few chilli flakes.

I took these photos this past summer, which how would sum up today's weather: mid-summer heat. Did I miss Spring? Did it get washed away with all of the recent rain we had? Next week I am going to a place that is much colder and will experience some nice sunny ice-cold days :) I have to say that I welcome the advent of Spring, but I'm just not ready for the Los Angeles summer.

The other problem is that I'm not sure I have an appropriate coat for my trip, so the hunt is on. It feels funny to shop for a good winter coat when it is 82 degrees (27 Celsius) outside ... wish me luck.

{postscript: I just realized I had already posted about these olives ... see? the heat is making my brain mushy}

how does she do it?!? These paper cut-outs and photos are simply gorgeous ... say no more.

{photos by heather}

I think I obsess over other peoples' kitchens because mine is so small ... currently I'm loving this one.

{image from Inside Out, November 2007, Issue no. 70... it's also in Hobart, Tasmania, another place that fascinates me}

Introducing Roscoe the Giraffe. He makes me smile :)

Happy weekend!

Just coming up for a little air ... among other things, I've been busy knitting and these are two of the most recent additions to the Beast Family: Karl and Remi.

oh, forgot to mention my new obsession, my polaroid blog.

I have fallen in love.

With a chair ... again.

This time it's the 8.0 chair, made of concrete by Canadian designer Omer Arbel. via designbeans.

Sigh .... unrequited love.

{I realize I'm a little behind the times with this as it was news in 2005, but come on... this one's a beauty.}

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In other news... there's a new show up at The Shiny Squirrel... definitely some wonderful things in the showcase and gallery.