Collectibles

It's fascinating to see what people collect. Jars and jars of vintage swizzle sticks (the NYTimes Style section just did a bit on those...), belt buckles, mounds of ratty looking fabric (all I see are bed bugs). Doll parts, of course.

I get the appeal of some of it - these sturdy old tools are handsome and great to hold.

Carnage

More from Warrenton, TX.

Heady

Ghoulish and surreal. This is at the mind-bogglingly massive "Antique Weekend" (which goes on for almost two weeks) in Warrenton and Round Top, TX. Literally miles of tents and vendors from all over the country. A treasure trove, but not for the meek or faint of heart. 

Tangy Spicy

These are more about assembly than cooking - you toss Chinese noodles and scallions with soy sauce, sesame and chili oils, balsamic vinegar + sugar and salt. But they're pretty and tasty (better on day 2) and I like knowing they're in the fridge for when I need a quick snack.

I Heart Cobbler

This one is made with fresh local peaches from the farmers market. That's a simple cream biscuit recipe on top. The secret is lemon juice + zest and a little almond extract. And of course served with fresh whipped cream!

 I thought it was yummy, but I was most pleased when a dear southern friend (he says things like "my rig" and "two shakes"), a cook and an authority on peach cobblers, said it was "pretty darn good." That is, for a yankee like me.

Spruced

Here's a glimpse into some fabric selecting I've been doing to breathe new life into some chairs. Clearly, still in the brainstorming, collecting phase -

This last photo is taken at Spruce, one of my favorite places in Austin. It is the most elegant, well-edited upholstery fabric store I've ever been to. Not a single ugly thing and the owners are incredibly friendly, helpful and also very talented and inspired upholsterers. I love checking out whatever's on the floor for new ideas:

Their upholstery class is on my to-do list so I too can create such coolness.

Pint Sized

Cute enough little outfit. But it's for an 18 month old! Over the top, 3.1 Phillip Lim. Love it.

I was in the process of taking another photo to better show scale when I got scolded about the no photography rule.

Dream

We stopped by The Rug Company in Soho. Poor lighting and iPhone get most of the credit, but I love the dreamy look of these photos.

The rugs are gorgeous, except our sales woman kept saying everything was a Kelly Wearstler when it wasn't.

Trance

Miranda Dodson at ND@501 Studios. She's all rock n roll with a voice that transcends.

Garden Beds

Someone is quite the literalist.