Tart Treasures!
Summer tarts! Oh so delish! I share with you my favorite summer combo and three of my top tart tips.
A Letter Full of Treasure
When you write a letter to a correspondent, do you include items? That's a great way to share part of who you are and to make a letter awesome.
Doodles, Sketches and Illustrations
Doodling, drawing, sketching, coloring; a hobby I've loved since childhood.
Australian Billy Tea
Billy Tea is an Australian tea I sampled while visiting the country several years ago. I just got some in the other day and the taste is just like I remember.
Flowering Foliage
Flowering foliage is beautiful, captivating and bold. Take a peek at some of the endless variety out there!
Fly Tying
Fly Tying is an adored art form cherished by fly fisherman. If you've never seen someone tie a fly, this is your chance!
Latest Topic
Anthropologie’s Clever Birthday Marketing | Years 1 & 2 »
First, let me start with a disclaimer. Just to clear the water. Anthropologie is not my client, or a client of Doth Brands. No one asked me to write this post, I am just truly inspired by their very effective marketing efforts, and I think they present some things we all can learn from. Anthropologie is a store featuring clothing and...
Other Topics
A Vintage Seal »
A couple days ago I stopped over at my Mom + Dad's house. After a nice dinner my Mom popped this little guy into my hand.
It belonged to my mom when she was 12 or 13. Apparently, it was all the rage to seal your letters with some red sealing wax...
My First Etegami »
When I discover a new hobby, it's like spotting a sparkly bauble hidden among a vast field of trash. Now, I've never visited a vast field full of trash, but wouldn't it be awesome to find a sparkly bauble in all that garbage?
It would!
Odd...
Review: Kuretake Tegami Refillable Letter »
Finding a new toy is pretty exciting. This is my new toy, a Kuretake Tegami Refillable Letter Pen. I ordered this from Jet Pens for $4.50. Here's the link to the product.
The main reason I ordered this is because I thought it might be a good...
It’s My Birthday Today! »
And I'm not blogging; I'm celebrating!
See you in the mail!
<3 Cole + Simplicity Embellished...
Urban Farming: Storing Basil For The Winter »
I pretty much only 100% container garden. I have a nice set up on our front porch and on our back porch too. With things like lettuce and herbs, you can go through several plantings in a summer season and as such, end up with a ton of...
Postal Scale Review: Taylor Weigh & »
First, let me say that this scale was less than $5 including tax.
I needed something to double-check my postage estimating abilities; see, I'm someone who writes lengthy letters and someone who sticks little goodies inside as well. Most of the...
Tart Treasures! »
Tarts are some of my most favorite things to make. They require a lot of attention and a certain amount of artistic endeavor to boot. I especially love mini tarts; just large enough for two bites.
Like these:
See, first, I bake my...
2010 Garden Update »
Back in the spring, I posted in pretty good detail about all the items I was growing in my porch gardens this year.
Everything you're about to see is being grown in containers on one of two porch gardens. If you think you can't grow your own...
A Letter Full of Treasure »
Sometimes, letters are extra special.
What makes a letter extra special?
For me, I love to see a person's culture reflected in the letter in some way. You'll see above a very teeny tiny paper crane. That was one of two included in this letter....
Birthday! Birthday! Birthday! »
This year, I'm going to share my birthday with you guys. My birthday is on July 12 and I am super excited this year. Don't ever let anyone tell you not to be excited about your birthday! It's a day to celebrate and you have the right to do...Why I Write Letters »
There are two kind of people in my world; those who write letters and those who do not. Those of you who are letter-writing enthusiasts; you're probably nodding your heads in agreement.
The stationery above is some recent cat stationery I...
It’s Monday »
And we are not ready for it in this house!
Hairy was in especially good form this Monday morning, and it so accurately represents my feelings about it too.
...
My Favorite Australian Treats »
After a trip to Jungle Jim's here in Cincinnati, I stocked up on three of my favorite Australian treats.
Crunchies
Billy Tea
Liquorice
Flake
I somehow avoided the Tim Tams but I regret it so!
When I was down unda a few years ago,...
Doodles, Sketches and Illustrations »
I've said this before here on SE: I can doodle.
I'm not a fine artist. I can't paint portraits and I can't lay out elaborate landscapes.
I wish that I could, but you know what? Your talents are your talents.
I so enjoy doodling with...
Australian Billy Tea »
When I visited Australia and spent some time there a few years ago, I was served Billy Tea.
Billy Tea is a black tea blend. It reminds me a lot of Yorkshire Gold. It's full bodied, smooth and ever-so-slightly smokey. It's really nice, however, if...
Haunting Orchids »
To me, orchids are haunting flowers. Lovely, no doubt, and they are captivating in a spooky way. I'm not sure why they freak me out a bit---perhaps it's the soft, nearly-perfect curvature of the flowers. The smoothness of the petals. The...
Flowering Foliage »
I love foliage. I love leaves. I love stems. I love being surrounded by greenery. I'm happier in a room with plants than in a room without.
Are you?
And taking photos of them is so rewarding. You just can't go wrong taking pictures of...
Tillandsias….in the rain? »
Alright, I know. I'm a big, giant nerd. I am obsessed with air plants and I understand if you decide to shun me. I understand if you assign me to your 'dregs of society' pile. If I myself had the sad fate to stumble upon some poor girl who loves air...
Fly Tying »
A hobby that I've had about as long as writing letters is tying flies.
You know, like fly fishing.
It's an enjoyable hobby and for a hobby primarily dominated by men (not many women tie flies). It's considered an art form by many fly...
Letters Between Pen Pals Are Like Secrets »
Secrets you remember and protect forever.
At least, that's what I believe.
The friendships you develop among pen pals, and what I mean by that is people you exchange more than just a postcard with one time, is really special. When you take...
Blueberry Festival Coming Up! »
For those of you in the Cincinnati area, I wanted to share with you details on the 2010 Blueberry Festival being hosted at Sabbath Song Farm in Brooksville.
Are you coming?
Sabbath Song Farm and Brackenridge Berry Farm Will Host the 2nd Annual...
Greeting the Garden »
When the end of February rolls by, I set a date in my mind to enter the garden. To really enter it. With the intention of getting it ready for spring.
Next weekend, I'll think to myself.
It's not exactly the most fun you can have in the...
Butterfly, Butterfly, Fly Away »
I had the pleasure of a Tuesday afternoon date with my husband, Victor, at the Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati, Ohio last week. The annual Butterfly Show was taking place and I was able to grab a few snapshots; some of which I'm very proud of.
I...
Giveaway Update »
Well, I have the sadz. No one entered to win the paper stash. Despite a couple hundred hits on the post, no one was inspired to leave a little comment. :( So, off to Goodwill it all goes! Thanks for reading, and thanks for all of your...Pens & The Post: Collect, Correspond, »
WHAT: Pens & the Post: Collect, Correspond, Celebrate!
WHEN: Saturday, May 29, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
WHERE: Smithsonian National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE
The National Postal Museum, along with the Pen...
Little Tiny Chocolates »
Oh chocolate. How you move me. How I crave you. How I search you out.
I know I am not the only one. Chocolate is wonderful.
I got lucky yesterday. The chocolate found me.
A new friend gifted me the chocolates I'm about to show you below....
Blog Giveaway! »
Good news! I (Cole) have cleaned out my stationery stash and instead of pitching it or selling it as a lot on ebay or something, I want to bequeath it to one lucky reader.
Aside from this, for each person that tweets the following...
We found a baby bird »
It's spring, you know. Birds tweet from sun up to sun down; flowers are in bloom and pollen counts are high. Spring, fabulous spring. Last night, my best friend called. "So, there's a baby bird in my driveway and I don't know what to do," she said....For The Love of Dog »
I recently was the subject of a lovely springtime photoshoot, and Hairy, as any good curious beagle would, became a part of the shoot.
I had to share this photo with you all as I know many of you are dog owners yourself.
...
Fountain Pen Review | Sailor Desk Pen »
I've probably had the most fun with this fountain pen out of all the one's I own.
I love the black lacquer body, the super fine nib, the elongated and curvy line it possesses. I hold this pen a little differently than my other fountain...
Tillandsia Stricta Hard Leaf | In Bloom! »
Several of my tillandsia's are in bloom right now, and they are beautiful.
My stricta, in particular, has been the most amazing to watch. First, a single pink bud appeared. That single bud turned into a stalk of pink petals with white pearl-like...
Fountain Pen Review | Sailor HighAce Neo »
The Sailor HighAce Neo is a neat little pen, and for about $15, I'd say it's a great one to start out with.
First, you should know that this is extremely lightweight. I can not think of another pen that is lighter. I believe the Varsity weighs...
Tracking Your Happiness »
Several months ago, I signed up for something called Track Your Happiness. I was intrigued by this. This website (which is free) emails you a series of surveys every six months to gauge your happiest and unhappiest times. I just completed my second...
Tillandsia – How I Love Them So »
I received my first air plant (that's Tillansia's common name) when I was 12. I don't really remember why I got it, but I believe my Mom picked it up for me at a local nursery.
I'm going to tell you a little bit about my favorite houseplant...
An Hour Spent Crocheting Baby Shoes »
Discovering how to crochet shoes is pretty fantastic. All the sudden you go from wearing flip flops around the house to wearing uber-cute crochet slippers. I've made two pairs of adult-size slippers so far.
Nonetheless, I'll have to write about...
Opportunity Lies in Wait »
It does. It sits just out of your main field of vision. Sometimes, you can only see it if you stop a moment to look near the fringes of what you see in front of you.
Those darn fringes.
I've begun to see little opportunities, living in plain...
Discipline is the Key To Success »
Every few months, I see lots of articles pop up all about what makes successful people successful, or what makes an entrepreneur successful. Usually, a new study or report on some sort of research will fuel most of it. On most occasions, they all...
Late Dinners At Home »
It's getting warmer. At least here in Cincinnati, Ohio it is. See, about this time of year, we'll have these random warm, sunlit days. So warm that you'll have to pull the blinds midday because the sun is so strong and you aren't used to...
Cheesecake is Best When Individually »
Individually portioned as in:
Here's a mini-cheesecake just for you.
This is delicious. Really. And, I believe that the deliciousness is enhanced by the recipe being incredibly easy, quick and simple.
And the cheesecake still tastes...
