{vintages}: ethan ollie

Welcome ethan ollie - enter her impeccable curating and lovely styling...  She photographs her peices in such a way that it really makes you feel that these items deserve a special place.  They won't suit just anywhere, they need, no beg, to be showcased.  Check out her etsy shop, trampoline, for more.

{eco} style: Lovely Clusters

I came across this lovely, colourthemed catalog of beautiful handmade and vintage things via my friend Barb over at Knack, lovingly put together by Rachel over at Lovely Clusters.  Stop by and have a peek...you'll be glad you did.

The Organic Kitchen: Black Bean Burrito with Chili Lime Yogurt & Roasted Tomato Coulis

{I know its been a while for more stories from the kitchen...welcome Jonathan back and be sure to try out his amazing food!}

Ingredients:

½ Quart Plain Organic Yogurt (I like to drain it so it’s thick or cheat and use Liberté Mediterranean)

Fresh Cilantro (add parsley optional)

1 Lime

4 Roma Tomatoes

2 Organic Bell Peppers

¼ Spanish Onion

2 Cloves of fresh Garlic

8 Large Tortillas

2 Cans of Organic Black Beans

Cumin, Chilies, Chili Powder, Basil, Organic Sea Salt or Himalayan Cheese (I like extra old white cheddar)

Fresh Corn Seasonally or Canned Baby Corn Butter (mmm butter)

Tomatoes: Half tomatoes vertically, set cut-side-up in a roasting pan, spritz with olive oil and bake @ 350F for 1 hour or until skin splits. Let stand 15 minutes, remove any burnt skin (you may prefer all skin removed) then smash it all up or blend lightly in a food processor. A hand blender works well for this. Lightly season it with salt.

Peppers: Julienne peppers (slice thin), drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with basil. Toss together and roast in the oven with your tomatoes to desired doneness. Stir once. I look for a little charring to start (expect 20-30 minutes).

Yogurt: To yogurt add ½ Tsp. cumin, minimum 2 Tbsp. chopped Cilantro, Juice from 1 lime and organic sea salt to taste (expect ½ tsp.). Mix thoroughly and let stand.

Refried Beans: Drain and rinse beans, and add together with ¾ can of water in a food processor. Liquify (remember that scene from Gremlins?).

In a large skillet heat frying oil (I like grapeseed) and brown ¼ Spanish onion diced, 2 large cloves of garlic diced and 1/2 Tsp. of crushed chilies. Add bean mix, 1 Tsp. Cumin and 1 Tsp. Chili Powder. Stir constantly over medium heat. Once mixture begins to thicken add ½ tsp sea salt (or Himalayan salt), 1-2 Tbsp. Chopped Cilantro and 1-2 Tbsp. of Chopped Parsley. Continue stirring until mix thickens to a paste (Think peanut butter).

Burritos: Spread bean mix liberally over tortillas leaving ½ inch from the edges. Sprinkle on some roasted peppers. Roll like a carpet. Lay burritos on a cookie sheet with the seam facing down, put a couple slabs of cheese on top. Bake until cheese melts and starts to brown.

Corn: Seasonally Roast fresh corn and dress with butter mixed with chili powder.

Alternatively, drain 2 cans of baby corn. Heat a little grapeseed oil in your skillet (gotta love cast iron for this) add a Tbsp. of butter (absolutely not margarine – that crap will kill you!!) this will prevent your butter from burning, toss in corn and sprinkle with chili powder, shake around to coat evenly and fry it till it’s brown.

Slap it all onto a plate – drizzle the burritos with 2 sauces, I like sliced cucumber with this – chop some cilantro and parsley and sprinkle over the top. Viola!

Trust me lads, you won’t complain about them being vegetarian; although, anyone near you for the next 24 hours might!

*Fast food tip: Double the batch, freeze ‘em, just pull them out in the morning, add cheese and bake!

 

My July issue of House & Home came yesterday... the summer issues are always a lark, featuring summer escapes and hideaways, largely in Muskoka, which is where I live.  For those of you familiar with it, it is the land of lakes, bordering Algonquin Park, full of magaical wilderness, in central Ontario.  Its a cottage destination, and in the summers the town is teeming with seasonal residents.  At any rate, more often than not, heritage, century old cottages are torn down to rebuild something bigger, more luxurious...and then I saw this lovely, 100 year old cottage and I ran over to my computer to share it with you.  The owners of this cottage considered tearing down, but then realized that its history was part of the charm.  Designer Jennifer Worts helped to create a light, airy cottage, one part rustic and one part mod (many of the peices are vintage!).  My favourite combo, and an element I like to bring in to my home too.  Its refreshing to see a renewed approach to Muskoka decorating.  I don't know about you, but after admiring this Muskoka getaway, I don't know why more old cottages survive. 

{love this deck.....bye bye wicker, hello mod!}

{I've also been lusting after these willow cubes for years...my attempts to make my own just don't mesure up!}

{stay tuned for an eco source guide to get the look of this cottage in your own home!}

 

{eco} style: bohemian chic

{sources}

1. Les Indiennes

2. Merida Meridian Abaca Rug

3. Article 22

4. Kelly Laplante's Book écologique {100% of the proceeds go to non-profits}

5. J&L WoodTurning

{ps... if you'd like a chance to win a rug from merida home, click the link below!}

The Green Traveller - Rough Luxe Hotel, London

I know I featured London not that long ago, but I couldn't resist posting this gem of a hotel...the Rough Luxe, in London.  A small auberge with only 9 rooms, the place is abundant with personality, and embodies one of my favourite design principles: the rough with the luxe, the refined with the savage, the rustic with the modern.   Love it!  When this look is done well, its great, but it can be easy to overdo the shabby chic too.  Just look for simple items that speak for themselves, pick neutrals and juxtapose. 

The Rough Luxe is actually part of a movement that embodies a different definition of luxury - the intellectual value of objects, of time and age, culture, experience and the environment, of course.  This is evident in this historic building which features a healty dose of the reused and the repurposed, including the original plaster walls (how else could you get that patina?).  Designed by celebrated designer Rabih Hage, if you're ever in London be sure to stay.

Other Green Things to Do in London:

Daylesford Organic - Why can't this place be closer to home?  Part cookery school, part restaurant, part bread bar, part farmer's market and part store, what more can you ask for!!!?

{eco} design: our eco home on Crib Display

I have exciting news!  I was asked by Andreas from Crib Display if I'd like to feature my home, since the site didn't have any green design featured yet, and so, I obliged!  How very fun!  I first came across Crib Display via Living Etc., and the Apartment Therapy-esque site features cribs from around the world.  A fun way to show off your hard work and connect with other design junkies from near and afar.  Check it out and see for yourself.  In the meantime, have a gander at this sneak peak of my own crib, nestled in Muskoka, Canada.

{i built this coffee table...can you tell?  I used a recycled table base and reclaimed barnboard to make the top.  the glass nesting tables are vintage, from my grandmother's apartment...would you believe she had a Saarinen tulip table too?  alas she gave it away before i was design savy enough to recognize what a steal it was.}

{our dining room.  the table is antique...we sanded down the top and painted the legs.  the leaves were a different wood, so we improvised and painted them two different shades of green.}

{we made this light fixture too, using an old reclaimed beam and some old copper pipe to house the wiring!  the origami birds aren't a permanent fixture, i just like them.}

{use edible herbs as table decor!  you can pick at your leisure.}

{reclaimed stuff here too!  call me queen of the yardsale, but I'm handy with a paintbrush...a cheap, eco friendly way to make what was old new again.}

Don't forget, visit Crib Display!  Let me know if you've posted any photos of your own!

{eco} design: Ina & Matt

I am absolutely in love with this pair of designers, Ina & Matt from the Netherlands.  The raw organic feel is simply overpowering, and while some may find it cold, I find it liberating in its simplicity and beauty!  These aren't the kind of homes you would fill with 'stuff' - they beg to be showcased and the architectural elements speak for themselves.  I'm drawn to rough, reclaimed wood and light earthy colours every time, so its no wonder I practically fell off my seat when I came across Ina & Matt.  What makes this eco, you ask?  Well, one of my absolute favourite things in design is coverted barns, and this is what you are looking at!  I'm sure the wooden beams are reclaimed as part of the original structure, and the homes themselves seem to be littered with reclaimed items.  If you're looking for eco friendly wood finish, try Broda.  Of course concrete helps preserve thermal mass, so these homes have efficient heating/cooling as well.

For eco, non-toxic paint try AFM Safecoat or Mythic.  For a non-toxic concrete sealer and paint, Broda will do the trick.

{eco} design: Preserving a Piece of History

Maureen from Old House Web gave me a heads up on this great project in collaboration with Matt Grocof from Greenovation TV.  If you're unfamiliar with Old House Web, as I was, the site supports the restoration of old homes with forums, tips and articles to help homeowners restore their old home.  I fully agree that the greenest approach is to make use of what we already have...just make sure that what you're using for the restoration is non-toxic and sustainable too, and that you've paid due diligence to the potentially hazardous materials in old homes such as asbestos.  You'll be left with your own peice of history, with more charm than you'll ever get building new...don't worry, you'll learn to love the creak in the stairs!  I've inlcuded Matt's intro video...visit the website for more detailed videos! 

 

{eco} style: romantic punk

Get Inspired!  Sibella Court's new book etc. exudes eclectic romanticism.  Admitedly, not my usual modus operandi, but I can dig it.  Here are a few inspired finds, all eco of course...

1. Liz Hutnick 'The Season's Collection' on Etsy

2. Recycled Scrabble Tile & Postage Stamp Necklace by KrisKay on Etsy

3. Vintage Fabric Pillow by Preloved

{I missed 4...lol}

5. Vegan, organic, free-trade sneaks by Autonomie Project

6. Sibella Court's etc.