Shishito peppers...yum

I had these peppers for the first time at a Japanese ramen noodle restaurant in NYC.  Haven't stopped thinking of them since! Just spotted them at Whole Foods.  So excited!

Sautéed in a little olive oil until lightly blistered.

Sprinkle with coarse sea salt. 

Delicious! 

Happy Valentine's Day! Share the LOVE ♡

those market lights!

I have been eyeing those market lights for a while now.  They appear in many of the outdoor space pins I have on my backyard board.  See them HERE.

Just love the ambiance they create. My husband spotted them at the best price I have seen at $60/set from Costco.  Weatherproof, sturdy, and they come with replacement bulbs. Can't wait to string them over the patio this summer.  I have seen them elsewhere for a higher cost or comparable ones that can't stay outside in the rain. I'd rather leave them up!

Find them HERE.

Warning! this post may give you spring fever...

Being in retail, we are forced to think way ahead when it comes to designing products for the upcoming seasons/holidays. I am horrible at working on Christmas designs in the summer months, even the early fall months. However, I have no problem at all working on spring/summer items in the winter!

I agree the short days, snow, cold and ice we are buried under make it difficult to be motivated to do much.  But you do have to go to the market at least! So while you are there, pick up a small bouquet of flowers for yourself.  A perfect fix for anyone suffering from the winter blues.  You will think of spring every time you look at them!

After shoveling some heavy slush, snow and ice yesterday and losing feeling in my fingers, I couldn't wait to head into the studio and work on some new floral designs. You can find these arrangements in my Etsy Shoppe. 

Preserved roses, boxwood greens, hydrangeas and berries.

 a few of my favorite things...

So even if you can't get to the market, I hope this post brought you thoughts of spring.
It will be here before you know it!