Logan, a brilliant, adroable, and strong-minded three year-old little girl, loves the color orange, as her thoughtful Mother told me. So we planned her room by choosing fabrics highlighting orange with some hot pink thrown in the mix. We used most of these fun pillows for a pillow nook area for her to hang out and read her books. I found the polkadot buckets to use for storing toys. Organizing and designing her bookshelves made them more practical for Logan and aestethically pleasing to the eye. I couldn't resist using her old hot pink cowboy boots as a design feature! They are adorable and tie in one of our colors, hot pink. We custom made a duvet for her full size bed. One fabric on each side with a green polkadot welting. When we first showed Logan her finished room, she immediately dove into her bed. The bright colors beckoned her to smoosh her face into her comfy setup. Now, her Mother's chair from high school serves as a night/bookstand next to her bed. Even the bottom rungs can be used to stack books! Along with books, Logan loves animals, which probably has something to do with her Mom being an Internal Medicine Veterinarian and her Father being a Wildlife Biologist. The room then had to have lots of animals displayed. The animal wall decals above the bed were a temporary addition due to the below explanation. ![]() Fortunately for the family, in the middle of designing Logan's room, a house came on the market on the street that they always wanted to live. They bid on it and the house was their's. Lauren, the Mom, did a brilliant thing when submitting the purchasing contract. She wrote a letter to the homeowner detailing how her daughters love animals and always have dreamed of living on that street so that they could have the space to one day have goats, chickens and horses. Turns out the homeowner raised her children in that home from a young age and her children had enjoyed raising animals on the property. Even though, Lauren's bid wasn't the highest, because of the letter they got the house. It almost seems like a made for TV movie, but it actually happened! The point of this story is that we didn't do everything that we were going to do in Logan's room because she is moving. So instead of putting the above wall decal purchased for her room in this home, it's going into her new room. Of course, it will have Logan's name inside the bubbles instead. (Purchased at www.RosenberryRooms.com) I also designed a fabric covered cornice board covered in Michael Miller's Pretty Bird Spice fabric to coordinate with her custom made orange pindot fabric window panels, but that we are saving for the new house as well since the window in her new bedroom is of a different size. So back to what we did do... ![]() Her dresser needed a cute mirror hanging above it so that each morning the mirror could respond to her that she is the fairest maiden of them all. Using ribbon, I hung the mirror from a picture hanger. In addition, that corner needed a light. I found the mirror at Colorado's Antique Gallery on Broadway just north of W. Powers Ave. and the lamp, I purchased awhile ago at the Village Antique Mall on Corona and 8th Ave. knowing that I would need it for a little girl's room one day. It used to look like the picture to the left. I love taking this style of lamp and modernizing it by painting it one color. I used Navajo White Spray Paint Satin Finish, and in a well ventilated area and using a face mask, I updated the lamp. The funnest addition to the room was designing Logan's Creative Area! I started with a magnetic board that Logan owned and painted it orange, of course. We purchased a dry erase board and a corkboard. Then transformed the corkboard into a fabric covered corkboard that matched the welting on her duvet and pillows (refer to DIY Fabric Bulletin Board Blog on 10/5/11 if you would like to learn how). With the addition of ladybug and white rose pushpins and a pad of paper with a clipboard attached, the area was ready to be put together. Lauren wanted to surprise Sage, her other daughter, with a bulletin board as well. Both are pictured below. Since they will be selling the house, I recommended waiting to do this, but there is one more step needed to complete the creative area. To ensure that the boards stay in one place, use doublesided sticky tape or foam along the back sides of the boards to adhere to the wall. Since Logan's room was finished, her Mom told me that she finds Logan up on her desk just touching her ladybug pushpins; that she wants to sleep with her comfortable bolster pillow every night; and she overheard Logan tell her friend to come see her "pretty room." When Logan saw her room for the first time, her smile from ear to ear while she literally leaped into the air and landed on her bed, signified the moment that I knew another client was happy. Mission accomplished.
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![]() I adopted a beautiful little Cattle Dog/ Rat Terrier mix from Boulder Humane Society back in April of this year. I named her Scout after the central character in Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird." Naming is power; giving the named the start of an identity. Scout was a puzzle. I first thought that I would name her Zoeey, but that didn't fit. I always loved the idea of Brooklyn and tried to make it stick, but it just didn't fit her. As I was organizing books, I ran across one of my favorites, "To Kill a Mockingbird." Immediately, I knew that she was and always would be Scout -- strong-willed, confident, smart, sassy, empowered, loving, and kind. I only knew her for a couple of days when I discovered her name, but she is every bit of those descriptives. I adopted her so that my other dog, Oliver, would have another in his clan; to keep him company and to be his playmate. She is half his size, but can take him down in two seconds flat and make him wimper. Scout just turned two years old yesterday. When I adopted her, she was about ten pounds lighter than her current 28 pounds. She lost ten pounds on her trip from Tulsa, where she sat in a pound, to Boulder. Her picture on the website had her toungue sticking out. Of course I couldn't resist that sassiness. We took Oliver to meet Scout to make sure that they would get along. A bit of indifference the first day lead to them being inseparable by day two. She has been a wonderful addition to the family and we love her tremendously. From day one she moved in acting as if she had lived here all of her life. I couldn't imagine our home without her. In my life, I have had the privelage of adopting four dogs all from animal shelters. They all have been the best, most loving and sweetest dogs. Every year, over four million cats and dogs are euthanized. Adopting these animals from area shelters and spaying or neutering your animals are two ways to address this problem. If you are lucky, you will get your very own Scout! ![]() When designing Logan's room recently, my three year-old client, I suggested to Mom to extend her little girl's "art" area beyond her pint size table and chair to a full on artistic station. Upon discussion, we concluded that Logan would get the most use out of bulletin, magnetic and dry erase boards. Logan already owned a magnetic board so I painted that orange, her favorite color. I purchased a dry erase board and for the bulletin board, I purchased the store bought framed board seen on the left I wanted the board to be personalized for Logan and for the board to coordinate with the colors in her room so I decided to create a fabric bulletin board. This particular bulletin board was papered over on the backside. Thus, I had two options. One, I could cut a piece of fabric, glue it to the board and then use ribbon along the four edges to give it a finished look. The problem with this method is that the glue can create bumps and result in an unsmooth look. It also looks more "homemade" than the alternative. The alternative option, the one that I chose, is to wrap the fabric around the cork. This method includes the following steps: 1) Tear off the paper on the backside. The backside of the board is then exposed and is contained by metal clips. 2) Using pliers, remove the multiple two prong metal clips that are driven into the wood frame. Once the clips are removed, the bulletin board pops out easily. 3) Choose a piece of fabric that at least allows for one inch of fabric to show on the back side of the board when it is wrapped. I used a fat quarter of fabric (normally a sample size of fabric measuring 18" x 22"). I chose the same fabric that I used for the welting around Logan's comforter and pillows. 4) Drape the fabric over the front of the board, centering the fabric and wrapping the extra length around the backside of the board so that the fabric shows about one inch all the way around the backside. Make sure that the fabric is taut so that no air bubbles will be visible on the front of the bulletin board. 5) Using Velcro Iron On Tape, cut a strip long enough for each of the four sides. 6) Wrap the square like a present with each corner of fabric folded over, again make sure the fabric is taut. Place a strip of the Velcro Iron On Tape directly onto the backside of the cork. Pull the fabric taught over the strip and iron the fabric with a hot iron, making sure that you are keeping the hot iron on the fabric and not on the cork material. The material will adhere to the Velcro Strip and the Velcro Strip will adhere to the cork. Repeat for the three other strips. 7) Now, your fabric is secured to the board and the front of the board now displays a beautiful fabric instead of just cork. Next, insert the fabric covered board back into the frame. 8) Secure the board with the metal clips. Using a small hammer, gently hammer the pronged clips back into the wood frame from the spot that they were dislodged. Secure all four sides. 9) If you want you can repaper the backside using butcher block paper and hot glue or you can just leave it exposed. 10) Now, use pretty pushpins and have fun! I will display pictures of the art station on the blog dedicated to Logan's Room, so stay tuned! So I came across these very cool planters to use on balcony railings. Greenbo makes them and can be purchased at www.aplusrstore.com Here is my challenge though. They were designed in Israel and are produced in Europe. Europe, with their limitless balconies, is a perfect market for these stylish, practical and tres cool planters. However, they would work swimmingly in so many U.S. venues and homes, albeit, I want to find a similar version that is produced in the U.S. so that purchasing them is not drastically amping up our carbon footprint. Does anyone know of something similar produced locally?
While I was at my board meeting for UrbiCulture Community Farms Tuesday evening, one of the other members shared that the Lavendar/ Espresso Cheese that she brought was from a market in Sunnyside that sells only items made or grown within 250 miles of the store. It is called "In Season Local Market." Check them out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/inseason#!/inseason?sk=wall or at their website at http://inseasonlocalmarket.com/index.php. So wonderful that we are seeing the growth of businesses that promote the very beliefs that we strongly uphold. Way to go "In Season." I will be a frequent shopper.
When you hear the disturbing statistic that every 30 minutes the equivalent of a train running the length of distance between Colorado and California occurs transporting goods between states, it makes one proud to hear of businesses such as "In Season Local Market!" Located at 3210 Wyandot St., Denver, CO As the youngest of six children, I became an aunt at the advanced age of eight. I have had the pleasure of being an aunt multiple times, not only from my sisters, but also from friends. Being an aunt is one of my most important roles and I am proud to say that I have a remarkable and unique relationship with each of my nieces and nephews.
Recently, I came across a website and book for non-Moms who share their lives with children. Melanie Notkin founded SavvyAuntie.com, a community of what she's dubbed the PANKS: Professional Aunts No Kids. The site is filled with expert advice on kids; fun activities to do with kids at any age; cool, age-appropriate gifts; and a community discussion board. What a wonderful resource and advice on being a positive aunt for kids. It is a great resource for anyone who has kids in their life. Come tour UrbiCulture Community Farms' Sunnyside food wonderlands! Guided walking and bike tours. Tickets include small plate meals handcrafted by local chefs at each of our eight Sunnyside gardens. Come enjoy live music, free bike tuneups, tasty food and refreshments donated by local businesses, and awards for best repurposed costume, best mode of transportation, and best group theme. Win a Free Patio Ride and more! Bring your own travel mug and get ready for the Tour de Harvest! This is a fundraiser for UrbiCulture Community Farms and will help us continue to provide food to families, area shelters and start a school community garden in this amazing community we call Denver!!!
Guided tours start at 3pm. Cost: $30 per person in advance and $35 day of event. Children 6-12 are $10 Children 5 and under are Free To buy tickets and for more information go to http://www.urbiculturecommunityfarms.org/events.html After the tour experience our annual celebration of the bountiful harvest from the year. The Harvest Party is a free event (but donations to UrbiCulture Community Farms is welcomed) and includes a jumpy house for kids, live music, lots of food, dancing and celebration. Sponsored by The Denver Foundation! Our sponsors include: The Speakeasy Kitchen, New Belgium Brewery, Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Salvagetti Bike Shop, Bonacquisti Wine Shop, Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Live Urban Real Estate, Alternative Wellness Center, and Boulder Sausage. Look what our chefs are preparing for the tour! This is going to be one tasty event! First Garden will feature an appetizer; veggie spring roll with spicy dipping sauce and freshly made margaritas and lemonade. Second Garden will feature something special from our Raw Food Chef; layered raw food lasagna and cucumber water. Third Garden will feature barbeque chicken en croute and chilled cucumber gazpacho and muddled rum punch and non-alcoholic punch. Fourth Garden will feature zucchini bread with fresh jalapeno jam and chocolate martinis and Honest Tea. Fifth Garden will feature spaghetti squash with marinara sauce served with or without a bison meatball and assorted wines and fresh brewed mint iced tea. Sixth Garden will feature fresh-baked mini fruit pies with New Belgium dessert beer selection and Novo coffee with or without Baileys Irish Cream. Come join the fun! The GREEN ROUTE FESTIVAL is happening in Denver this Saturday, August 27th from Noon to 11pm. It is Denver's first Eco Music Fest located in the RiNo Arts District, between Blake and Larimer on 26th St. in Downtown Denver. Celebrate local food, art, culture, sustainability and live music. Entertainment includes bands, live artist paintings, fire dancers, local and organic food and drink, 70+ sustainable vendors and a VIP pre-party. Click here for 2 for 1 tickets.
Go to their website for more info! I find Asian cuisine and I love all of the ones that I have tasted...Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Chinese, and the various styles within each cuisine...Dim Sum, Pho, Country Japanese, to name a few. Years back, I had been on the search for my favorite Thai restauran in Denvert. I had tried many and had not found the mecca. Chada Thai then moved into a spot on 17th Ave in the same strip as the Thin Man, St. Mark's Coffeehouse and now Il Posto. Nita is the fabulous chef of Chada Thai and has been part of a family enclave that brought Thai food to Denver over forty years ago. Chada Thai became my mecca for Thai food in Denver.
Last Saturday night, I found myself dining at Chada Thai with my sister, brother-in-law, best friend and nephew. My sister and brother-in-law both ordered the Chicken Pad Thai, tasty, but the portion size was not enough to satiate either of them. Mary and I split a Vegetarian Pad Thai. The veggies added more bulk so our dish looked much larger than theirs'. Mary and I also ordered one Vegetarian Pad Phet (eggplant, onions, bamboo shoots, tofu and fresh basil stir fried with black mung bean paste) for myself and one Beef Pad Phet for Mary, and a Vegetarian Thai Curry to share (home made curry paste simmered in coconut milk with bamaboo shoots, eggplant, zuchini, bell peppers and fresh basil). Yes, that was four dishes for two people, but if you are Asian you must understand that it is part of the culture to have a variety of flavors and dishes at each meal. Oh, did I mention that Mary is Vietnamese? As many of you know from previous blogs, Mary can eat, but only on one occasion Mary actually finished everything that we ordered at Chada Thai. Normally, we go home with enough leftovers for another meal for both of us. We offered our buffet to our not satiated family, and we still had leftovers to take home. On the other hand, Owen, my nephew, did not have any leftovers. Owen had Chicken Satae and seven and a half scoops of rice and ate every bit of it. White rice is his favorite all-time food. Their is an interesting story about the rice at Chada Thai. Besides the cuisine, the reasonable prices of most Asian cuisines is quite appealing. Chada Thai is no exception. Entrees average just under $10. The caveat is that the bill adds up if you go with someone who views rice as the main meal, which is the problem that I run into when I bring Mary or Owen. Chada Thai is not a restaurant which offers a normal amount of rice to start and we always need one more bowl. Here is where the caveat plays...they charge $1 for every extra scoop of rice that you order beyond the measely original portion. That is an exorbitant amount for something that wholesales for 20 cents a pound. The lesson here is to bring your own rice...just kidding. Chada Thai has great food. Two aspects could use a change, first, don't charge for rice and two, Nita, give your son, who runs the front of the house, some lessons in charm and how to smile. It could go a long way for business if the person that always greets you didn't always act like a Thai chili was lodged up his a__. However, the Thai is that good, that we will put up with rudeness and a lack of rice to get it. What we'll do for food..... |
Cathy SchuberthI am a lover of life! As an eco-friendly interior designer and a social worker, my passion is to create fun, harmonious and healthy communities. I will be sharing design ideas and projects; green living advice; entertaining tips along with new recipes; tools for personal growth; travel ideas; restaurant and out on the town information; and so much more. Please feel free to send me ideas on topics that you would like to see. I'm excited to have you join us! Archives
October 2011
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