life as a moodboard

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Obsession for white

Obsession for white is the name I gave to one of my first Pinterest boards. White is not really considered to be a colour. But if it was, it would be my favourite one. I've been wanting to venture myself on photo styling, and White was the first theme that came to my mind. But there was something missing...

My birthday is next Saturday, but as usual, my boyfriend couldn't wait to give me my present. And boy! I'm glad he didn't. He gave me the best toy I could have received right now...a tripod! I've been playing around with it all afternoon and finally manage to photograph my "whites". My smile goes from ear to ear...

all photos by me

Deborah Mclean

Some pictures from the stylist (and blogger at Busy Being Fabulous) Deborah Mclean. These are about food... because i like it, but go check out more of her work.

via Deborah Mclean

Sunday, 11 March 2012

Red Pepper Achar

An "achar" is a sauce, sweet and a bit sour (depending on how much vinegar you use), and it's served cold.It's perfect for curry based dishes, any spicy dish really, or pork roasts for example. It's unbelievably delicious and so easy to make. It does take a bit of time though, so to make it in a lazy Sunday afternoon always seems appropriate to me.

1 kg red peppers

1/2 kg apples

10 to 20 cloves

sugar*

1/2 cup tarragon vinegar

You are supposed to cook the peppers and the apples separately, but I'm lazy, so...I give a head start on the peppers (cut in 4), then peal and cut the apples in 4. Stick the cloves in the apples and then throw them in the pot with the peppers. 10 min. should be enough.

After that, throw away the water and remove the cloves. They were there just to give flavour while boiling, but you don´t want to bite them when you are eating the sauce...it's nasty. Oh! And you are supposed to peal the peppers. I never do, because again, I'm lazy. In any case remember to let the whole thing get colder before attempting both of the previous steps. Since I'm not just lazy but also very impatient I normally get my fingers burned. But I thought it would be better to give you a warning, because I don't want to be responsible for 1st degree burnings in fingers all over the world.

An apron is advised for the next step... just saying... Blend the peppers and the apples and weigh the paste you get. *Add half of that weight in sugar.

Take it to a low/medium fire and stir once in a while until it boils. Stir more often after that. By the way, little bubbles may jump out of the pot to try and attack you... keep stirring until you can scratch the bottom of the pot with the spoon and get a "screeetch" sound and a line gets marked in the paste (that probably has a specific name in English but i honestly don't know it). Turn of the fire and add the tarragon vinegar and mix very well. I love this part cause I feel like the witches in the stories, stirring the fuming (OK it doesn't fume) cauldron!

Put it in glass jars, which just reminded me that I need to buy a funnel and that I will be making a big mess in my kitchen soon. It will last for at least 2 months in the fridge...probably more, but I always eat it all before that time. I'm planning to give one to my neighbour and another to my "mother in law" this time.

all photos by me

Saturday, 10 March 2012

Something yellow going on...

Hmmm...and what if you've been hating yellow all your life?

via Bolig magasinet

via Katie Lockhart

via Slow Wood

via decor8

via Agent Bauer

Via Brooklyn Bride

via Dotty Love

1. tree bomb cushion-curry | FERM, 67.50 eur.

2. candleholder, small yellow | FERM, 20 eur.

3. the dots coat hooks | Muuto, 189 eur.

4. E27 pendant lamp | Muuto, 99 eur.

5. raw side table | Muuto, 349 eur.

6. dot cup yellow | Fine Little Day shop, 39 eur.

7. duck feet napkin set (4) | West elm, 17,28 eur.

8. modernist serving bowl | West elm, 11,20 eur.

My Olioboards

Friday, 9 March 2012

Scandinavian style - chairs

You can't go wrong with white, black or light wood. But the introduction of colour is acceptable and even desirable, depending on the rest of the room. Pastels, or a pop of neons, for example, are making a big appearance this year. If you are feeling creative don't be afraid of mixing styles or colours (mixing both is more risky but if you feel brave go for it). From the expensive classics of design, to the bargains you can find on Ikea, I'll try to give you a quick sample of the image you are looking for.

ARNE JACOBSEN

From this danish designer, a classic of the 50´s. His serie 7 is, probably, one of the most recognized chairs in the world of design.

serie 7 via Fritz Hansen

serie7, ant and grand prix, via Fritz Hansen

ALFREDO HÄBERLI

Frim this Swiss based designer, Jill was developed in 2011 for Vitra and will be available soon.

via Vitra

RAY & CHARLES EAMES

As already mentioned in this blog, I love the DSW and RAR. It's not scandinavian design but it fits perfectly in the atmosphere we want. You just have to apend a few minutes browsing through the interior design magazines, here in Denmark,to see them popping like mushrooms. If I can afford only one designer chair this will probably be the one.

via Vitra

ALVAR AALTO
From this finish architect and designer, the chair 66 from 1935. Another classic that will never fail you.

via Skeppsholmen

via Artek

From HAY
HAY is a Danish furniture online shop that gets inspiration from the 50's and 60's, but with a very contemporary approach. And combines good design with more affordable prices. About a chair (swivel or wood base) and J107 are my favourites.