Hello! And Welcome!
Hello! My name is Cole. Simplicity Embellished is my special place. I talk a lot about writing letters, etegami, gardening and yoga. Please sign up for Sunday Tea (comes to you via email), subscribe using your feed reader of choice and don't hesitate to say hello on Twitter or Facebook either.
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Home & Garden Archive
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Hanukkah 2010 – A Look at Our Lights
Posted on 13 December, 2010 | 2 CommentsI wanted to share with you some photos we took of our menorah on the 8th (and final) night of Hanukkah. I’ve always thought Hanukkah was such a special holiday,... -
Growing Luffa | A Final Update
Posted on 22 November, 2010 | 3 CommentsThe final luffa update of the year! To bring you up to speed, I tried growing my own luffa this year. And, I tried growing it in a container. And... -
My Favorite Tea of All Time
Posted on 19 October, 2010 | No CommentsI drink tea nearly daily. And I am fortunate that there is a truly authentic tea house within walking distance from my home. Anyway, I was introduced to my-very-favorite-tea-of-all-time at... -
Growing Luffa – An Update
Posted on 17 October, 2010 | 2 CommentsDo you remember back in July when I told you about my luffa plant? The luffa is, to me, garden magic. It’s not like a tomato or a cucumber plant.... -
End of Summer Canning
Posted on 11 October, 2010 | 5 CommentsDo any of you can produce? My husband ventured into canning this year (my only role was as taster and label-designer.) Canning was sort of unexpected. Victor and I headed... -
How My Parents Water Basil
Posted on 3 August, 2010 | 1 CommentI was at my parent’s house over the weekend and I spotted something special. This new basil growing on the side of the house. Look how green and fresh it... -
Urban Farming: Storing Basil For The Winter
Posted on 11 July, 2010 | No CommentsI 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... -
Haunting Orchids
Posted on 16 June, 2010 | No CommentsTo 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,... -
Tillandsias….in the rain?
Posted on 12 June, 2010 | No CommentsAlright, 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... -
Tillandsia Stricta Hard Leaf | In Bloom!
Posted on 1 May, 2010 | No CommentsSeveral 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.... -
A Special Cake
Posted on 11 February, 2010 | No CommentsOne night last week, I was feeling rather…..motivated. Motivated to cook. Actually, I think, motivated to be distracted in the kitchen for a few hours–do you know what I mean?... -
Great Houseplants
Posted on 6 January, 2010 | 4 CommentsHaving a plant in the house is important. I have this belief that if your house has some sort of living foliage inside; your house is then a home. Aside... -
Vintage Find | Antique Musical Carousel
Posted on 2 January, 2010 | 3 CommentsIf you don’t already, go to your nearest thrift store on a regular basis. There are treasures to be had. Finds to discover. Trinkets to claim. Look at this. It’s... -
A Special Holiday Card
Posted on 15 December, 2009 | No CommentsNo matter what holiday you celebrate in December, I think they all have one thing in common. Light. Candles. Brightness. Perhaps that sounds sappy, but seriously, let’s look at some... -
Organization: A Before And After
Posted on 25 November, 2009 | No CommentsIt happens. You haul bags and bags of crap into your home over a period of days, months; years. But, an equal number of bags do not go out. In... -
Crocheting Coasters
Posted on 23 November, 2009 | No CommentsI’ve recently re-discovered crochet. I think it started when I found a book called “Lacy Crochet” and there was something about the addition of the word ‘lacy’ that suddenly made... -
The Last Warm Day Of The Year
Posted on 15 November, 2009 | No CommentsThe last warm day of the year is a wonderful day. But also a hard one. You know you won’t feel that kind of warmth again for months. And you’ll... -
Canary Seed, Stove Polish, Catheders and Absinthium
Posted on 14 November, 2009 | No CommentsWhen I was out browsing antiques a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon this chest of drawers. At one point, it belonged to a store. A store that sold Absinthium.... -
Extra Special Cards You Can Make Yourself
Posted on 10 November, 2009 | No CommentsThere are times during the year when I buy an actual greeting card from the store. But mostly, I make one myself. Most of my gifts don’t require a big... -
How To Wrap Food With Stuff Around Your House
Posted on 9 November, 2009 | No CommentsMy previous post on this topic, How to Stylishly Wrap Baked Goods, has been getting a lot of traffic since it went up. I guess because you, like me, think... -
A Little Piece of Magic | A Handmade Pin Cushion
Posted on 26 October, 2009 | No CommentsWhen I saw this at an outdoor arts festival, I was intrigued by the texture. There was an entire basket of these things and so I went over to them.... -
My October Landscape
Posted on 17 October, 2009 | 1 CommentOctober is my favorite month. It’s a magical month. The weather is crisp, the sun is still around and the days have gotten just a little shorter allowing for maximum... -
Tea Time | A Beloved Mug
Posted on 15 October, 2009 | No CommentsI love this mug. It’s just the right size; the right shape, the right weight and the rim is nearly perfect. Plus, it’s on the bridge between gaudy and fabulous.... -
How to Stylishly Wrap Baked Goods
Posted on 8 October, 2009 | 2 CommentsIf you’re like me, you don’t have very many dishes you’re willing to part with. OK, actually, I don’t have any dishes, platters or otherwise that I want to part... -
Victor’s Fried Chicken and Homemade Aioli Sauce
Posted on 4 October, 2009 | 4 CommentsThere’s nothing quite like fried chicken; especially when it’s really, really good. So good that you think about it on a regular basis. My husband, Victor, makes this heavenly delight... -
Style | How Wrap A Gift Elegantly and Affordably
Posted on 25 September, 2009 | No CommentsFor my Dad’s birthday this year, I got him a few really nice cigars from a local tobacconist here in Cincinnati. Upon arriving home, I realized I didn’t have an... -
Style | A Beautiful $6 Plant
Posted on 24 September, 2009 | No CommentsAhh, foliage. It has the ability to drastically improve our living spaces and an almost equal ability to make us feel like incompetent plant owners. How many of you just... -
Style | My Wall of Inspiration
Posted on 23 September, 2009 | No CommentsYou know, you might not be able to buy every little thing you see at the store, but you can certainly ‘eye buy.’ That’s what I do, I ‘eye buy.’... -
Thoughts | Being ‘autumn’ tired
Posted on 16 September, 2009 | 1 CommentI’m tired. Are you? And I know why; it happens every year about this time. Summer has faded into Autumn. My body is getting ready for longer nights, cooler temperatures... -
New Magazine! Urban Farm
Posted on 12 September, 2009 | No CommentsOh mercy, there’s a new magazine that just hit newsstands this month and it’s a doozy. Let me introduce you to Urban Farm Magazine. The premiere issue features articles on... -
Hairy Beagle | A Portrait of Cute
Posted on 4 August, 2009 | 2 CommentsI just had to share this photo of one of my beagles, Hairy. He’s probably the worst dog in the history of the world, but we love him so much.... -
Urban Magic: Wild Mushrooms
Posted on 1 August, 2009 | 1 CommentIsn’t it neat when you wake up one morning after a particularly rainy few days and little mushrooms are growing all over? I spotted these in the neighboor’s yard and...
