Pasta Riscossa with Radicchio & Gorgonzola

Pasta salads remind me of warm weather and blooming flowers. I have spring fever and had fun making this Pasta Riscossa with Radicchio & Gorgonzola to bite the bug. It helps if you pour yourself a little glass of white wine (you have to use it in the pasta anyway). I found the recipe on Martha's site.

Ingredients:
Salt
Pasta
1 med shallot minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
8 ounces assorted mushrooms
1/4 cup white wine
3 tbls fresh chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
3 tbls lemon juice
1/2 head radicchio
2 oz. Gorgonzola

Boil Salt water & Pasta
Drain well
Separate and cool on cookie sheet in fridge

Saute mushrooms, shallots, and red pepper flakes in olive oil & white wine.
When tender add 1/2 head of sliced radicchio, flat parsley,lemon zest and juice. Take off heat.
Let radicchio wilt.

Add pasta and Gorgonzola.
Serve at room temperature.

Enjoy.

Red Coral

This red Coral is stunning!
It's currently all over my studio table too.
Ahhh...Spring Fever.

Spring Fever and Nail Polish

If the weather keeps up, my sandals will come out
of hiding. That means my feet will too.
I've got work to do;)

I love this shimmery eggplant color.
Dark & mysterious.

My little guy said I had to have this color.
Maybe because it looks like
apples & candy.

I like his choice too.
Complete opposite of mine.
Always.

Listening to Santigold

A little bit funky. A little bit punky. A little bit.

Chop it.

I ripped this pic out of InStyle and asked. Veronica (Gypsy Rose) to cut my hair off. She did it before I could change my mind. I used to have it super long.

Lovin' it short.

Public Speaking at SBLC

When I think about public speaking my palms get sweaty, I get butterflies in my tummy and have a hard time articulating the most basic words. I knew I'd have to face this fear sooner or later. Sooner, rather- like last night. Yikes!

Lewis & Clark Law School's Small Business Legal Clinic (SBLC) offers legal help to small businesses in Portland through their Intern Program and the Pro Bono Project. It's a non-profit program that offers affordable legal resources to small businesses that need it. I spoke about how positive our experience has been and in what aspects this has helped our jewelry business and our boutique (Splurge). To find out more of SBLC click here.

On my nervous way up to the 10th floor of the SBLC function I was in a tight packed elevator with Portland Mayor Sam Adams and his people. It was comical. I spoke after him and glad I did it- nerves and all (he was an arms length away on my left.)

It was sweet to have our friends/business partners
Kim & Kjell of PLYWERK there.

They introduced us to SBLC .

P.S. Thanks Erin and Baby O for closing the shop for me
in such a short notice;)

Photos by Yed - sorry for the blurry pic:)

Spring Fever

Hair Accessories set with gems:
Lemon Topaz

Turquoise

Lapis Lazuli

Adventures in Portland

The trio (bike, board and blades) came out when the
sun was shining and it was beautiful outside!
I feel for the eastern part of the U.S.

We hung out on the steel bridge
as it lifted for tug boats.

Spring Fever...

Archives of our Shoot

I had to share these images.
This barely scratches the surface of all the work
that goes into a photo shoot: Setting up
camera equipment at each location, test shots,
lighting, wardrobe, styling, hair,
make-up, manicure,
pedicure, music,
food and
Jewelry.
Oh
my!

I'm sure I missed something.

Post production on the images is
phase 2.

Phase 3 is publish and print !
Dara Anderson-model
Claudine Ebel-makeup artist
Kira Pinski-hairstylist
Kim Oanh Nguyen -photographer

Listening to Vampire Weekend

Just the music fix I'm craving for a Monday morning.

Jewels of the Day

I've been sporting these large Soft Hoops.
The diameter is big but they are super light.
My lazy-go-to-pair.

Did you weather the weekend well?
I had an amazing date night;)
Also a mellow Super Bowl Sunday
at the shop.

Pearls and Gems

Our studio table is sprinkled with Pearls and faceted

briolettes. I love mixing pearls with transparent,

faceted gems in all colors. The opaque luster

of the pearls make these gems really

sparkle.

Enjoy your weekend!

Design Fix

The elements are beautiful here.
I love the fabrics, wood, textures and color.
I'm a sucker for unique room designs.

photo via Apartment Therapy

Antlers

Secretly I've had this strange fascination with antlers lately and wonder where this is coming from. Is it my Texas roots? Did I inherit this from my grandpa? Here in Oregon, I may get red paint thrown at me for having these illicit thoughts...Shhhh don't tell anyone please. This vegetarian version is just as cool as the real thing! You think Yed will let me put this decal up somewhere?

P.S. Just to clear things up, I like the antlers but couldn't bare some cute doe eyes staring at me.

Photo and artwork by TastySuite

PS: I Made This...

Check out this Faux Porcelain Pottery
- using glass containers. Love! I found
this blog surfing the blogosphere and it's
inspiring! All you DIY divas must
check it out here.

photo via PS- I made this...

Fancy a Picnic?

I know the weather is chilly, but when I see those rays peeking through my window my mind goes racing. I think of frolicking outside to take advantage of the sun's deceiving grin. Well, I loaded up my neglected basket and dropped by a friend's house for a picnic indoors. I have to do this more often because it makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. I can't wait for the Farmers Market to start so I can fill it up with flowers and vegetables.

Sigh... I have spring fever.

Fresh Delivery: Stella's on 21st

Stella's on 21st is complete eye candy!
During my recent visit, I was enchanted by their
selection of gifts, hats, purses, paintings, etc...
Now our jewelry is offered there.
We are in good company!

Plus Robyn and Nina are delightful;)
I recommend you stop by if you find yourself
on 21st Ave. NW Portland.

Photo by fablesto

Listening to The Brazilian Girls

Neither all girls, or Brazilian...They rock.

Jewels of the Day

Shoulder Duster Caviar Stix
and nothing else (except for the little guys).

Check out these tights I coveted at Sofia.
Cable knit, warm and fun.
I feel addiction # 17 sneaking up on me.

Enjoy your weekend!

Addiction#16: Tea

This addiction snuck up on me and I may need a 12 step program fast! Maybe it was when my friend Leah suggested I visit the Chinese Gardens? Or when Maggie enabled my addiction by buying me a gorgeous teacup and saucer set at an antique store on the OR coast ( I owe you for that Featherz)? It could be that I never played "Tea Time" as a child and I'm making up for lost time. Anyway, I'm still addicted to cappuccinos, but the variety of flavors a cup of tea delivers is wonderful! The cups are so delicate and feminine too. I can't be monogamous to my caps anymore... Jasmine is my flavor of the week.

photo by quaint handmade

Diamond Ring

I am a fan of the non traditional engagement ring.

From scratch, I soldered, hammered and bezel set the

.05ct. diamond. It's simplicity is lovely.

This is for one lucky lady.

Moment of Hesitation...

Miel=Honey

These faceted Hessonite Garnets are

Yummy. All shades of honey.

I'm thinking about a honey collection...

The wheels are turning.

Photo by tres.jolie

Salt Bath Therapy

A quiet, steaming hot, lavender salt, bubble

bath should soothe my achy muscles after a brutal ski day.

It's been years since I've had a hot bath. How about you?

My little guy kept knocking at the door because

he wanted - Oh so badly- to play with his

boats in my bubble bath.

I surrendered.

Ski Day

We started at Government Camp and skied up towards

Timberline Lodge in a blizzard! Seriously. Icicles

were forming on my glasses and gloves and snow was

exfoliating my face. It felt like millions of needles

attacking my face. I learned that there is gym pretty, and

mountain tough. I'm no where near mountain tough.

I was a panting pansy;)

Timberline Lodge is beautiful. I love that it was

built entirely by hand during the peak of the Great

Depression.

I deserved a Spanish coffee! This should have been
dangling in front of me as I skied. I might have hustled
a bit more. My legs are mush...
I'm such a pansy.

Sneak Peak

This is part of a project I'm working on.

It's jewelry for your bike...

I'll show you the finished

product soon.

My mind is still here...

Enjoy your weekend!

Inspired by Nature

The ocean is the ultimate for me. Endless

inspiration. I love it's glittery sea foam!

It looks like a frothy latte against the sand.

It shimmers in the sun like faceted Moonstones.

My sketch book will be occupied this evening;)