Happy Friday!

We stole Mac away from work for lunch the other day at went to Apple Hill (Rainbow Orchards) where we had a weak sugar moment and overdosed on the best Apple Cider doughnuts and fresh Apple juice. Fall is the best! Have a lovely weekend, hope you get to indulge in something fun.

MT Casa : Washi Masking Tape

If you are a fan of Japanese Washi tape like me, you will be thrilled to hear that MT Tape has new sizes available perfect for larger surfaces, and polka dots too! Notemaker gave me the heads up and you can purchase a variety of new sizes in their shop. I love the idea of being able to use this light easily removable tape on a larger scale (up to 200mm -- aka 7.8 inches wide). It could be used in so many ways and people are having so much colorful fun with it!  Although not for everyone, if you have a discerning creative mind, you could go crazy on your walls to temporarily decorate a rental space. Store fronts are also getting in on the action with fun projects. Love this!

// images shared with me by Notemaker for MT Casa. More cool shots can be found here.

7 things

Hope you had a nice weekend and are having a happy Monday. I intended on posting my 7 things on Friday but the weekend slipped away from me, so how about today?

1. Last week we had tons of doctor's appointments and being around a 2-year-old can be tricky sometimes, and V wasn't having it so she kept flashing her some killer looks.
2. Our favorite afternoon snack is air-popped popcorn. Of course the girls always tell me we have to have our own bowls.
3. Bedtime books we've been reading from the library.
4. Mac and the girls made cookies together, it was fun to come into the kitchen to see this.
5. PBS asked me to be a curator for their Curiosity Collection, you can learn more about it here.
6. WATCH THIS // especially if you are a lover of nature and want to be moved.
7. LISTEN TO THIS // My inbox has been seriously flooded with pings about this guy over the last few months. Are you a fan?

*Music Monday post coming up a bit later today...

Solar Spectrum Art

I'm incredibly fascinated by the work of Peter Erskine! In the early 90s on he created solar spectrum art, by using prisms, mirrors, and the color spectrum to create these stunning colored light installations all over the world. He always considered the architectural elements of each location, so they are all site specific. It is pure genius. Some of them are permanent rainbow sundial calendars!

// all photos from Peter Erskine  (Top Photo is in Germany - Permanent sundial // Bottom two from Rome)

Bike Like a New Yorker

Mac and I talked a few days ago about how rad it would be, and how we wished more cities (including resort towns) banded together to have more bike share systems like Paris. Rather timely to our conversation I came across this hip New York City ad campaign designed by Mother New York about the BikeNYC.org initiative (see the rest of the designs -- they are really funny)! Do you have or use a bike system near you? What do you think about this concept? Maybe it works better in some places better than others?

// photo from Mother New York via Iain Claridge

*ps. I am still humbled by all that happened on 9/11, what a day to remember, to remember the heroes.

7 things

7 Things of the week: 

Hope you had a nice week! This week I focused on being more in the moment. Have you deliberately made that your intention for a day or even week? If you haven't, try it out and tell me how it goes down. I've noticed little details become more alive.

1 We mixed it up and had Pizza on a Wednesday. I don't know why it took me so long to make a good homemade pizza?! I'm excited to try different types of dough and sauce recipes now. (This one is pretty good.) Oh and if you like fresh ginger, you should try this Ginger Ale out!

2 We've been painting al freso lately, it is fun to hear India explore and name her colors.

3 The Farmer's market this week was lovely. I actually go to two different ones on Thursdays and it really makes my week. I'm starting to have favorite famers like sweet Romane has become my go-to tomato guru. He is the nicest most cheerful guy you'll ever meet, his smile is contagious.

4 Made my first (white sand) Terrarium thanks to her tips.

5 Watched Mystery Box Ted Talk by JJ Abrams. Super inspiring, definitely worth your time.

6 Finished listening to the Steve Jobs book this week and it was actually much better than I thought it would be. What an interesting person! (Beware of the f bomb a lot if you are listening aloud with littles.)

7 I shared a few parenting tips and things I'm learning along the way over on Design for Minikind.

Have a great weekend, I am excited for a little getaway next week! Can't wait. Hope you have a fabulous relaxing weekend.

7 Things ...

Did you have a great week, I hope so. This week flew by but and I am so glad it is Friday! Here are seven things that made me look twice and are on my mind this week. Hope you'll have a fun and relaxing weekend!

1: This inspiration/art board for kids is fabulous.
2: Look Up More... so true.
3: The new French Manicure. I love the simple detail. (Remember this modern french tip?)
4: Can you pull off ripped jeans? I can't, but I sure love this chic color pop look.
5: I'm a guest pinner for Etsy this week. Check out my etsy pins (or others) if you want.
6: This roasted veg taco recipe looks like a winner.
7: This Santigold song I've been playing on repeat. Put your headphones on and turn it up!

7 Things...

The week in review. My top seven things...

1. Found a (new to me) weekly Farmer's Market less than 10 minutes from us. Tomatoes are exploding.
2. School started this week! V started 1st grade. Eek the kids are growing too fast. Press pause please.
3. We played lots of dress up this week, 'Pirates' has become the house favorite.
4. My friend Joslyn's home is insanely cool. Check it out in Rue. (photo by Manny Rodriguez)
5. Can't stop thinking about these new Geronimo lollies that Joy shared. I am continually impressed by Jihan. (photo by Miha Matei)
6. I've been pinning more frequently this week and came across this summer recipe I want to try, yum. (photo by love & olive oil)
7. A rad new song from Mumford & Sons. (Their new album comes out in September!)

This weekend we have a few fun things planned, which I will probably share a bit on Instagram @blackeiffel.

Have a lovely weekend!

7 Things

Seven things for week number 23...

1: I signed up for a month pass of hot yoga. It is definitely not for everyone but I am really enjoying it. It is kind of intense um, hello dripping sweat -- that grossed me out at first but now I'm used to it. They also come around and massage you which caught me a bit off guard, but it is super relaxing. (Yoga photo)

2. My husband got into the Executive MBA program he wanted, I am so happy for him! Our life is just about to get even more crazy and intense. Anyone had experience with this and have tips on work + life + school + family balance? (Book Wallpaper)

3. The girls had a really great day this week where everything clicked. No screaming, fighting, and complete sharing all day long. That doesn't happen that often. India even let V do her hair, after V dressed her to match her of course. The next day it was back to normal, ha ha.

4. Tried these new to me little dark chocolate hazelnut Baci treat, they have love fortunes in five different languages inside too.

5. Bonnie's breakfast series is absolutely lovely. Last year I came across this Date Shake by Heather Taylor which I loved and am revisiting the recipe again after seeing Bonnie's photos, I think it has been my breakfast almost everyday this week. It is refreshing and so good. (Photo Bonnie Tsang)

6. Finished The Power of Habit - which is an excellent read and got me thinking. I'll tell you what, listening to audio books has changed my life. I feel like I can actually finish them!!

7. If you like piano music, you may like this one I've been playing on repeat this week.

How was your week?

7 Things

7 things for week number 22.

1 - Loved looking through this Woodcut book I received in the mail, it's gorgeous.
2 - We've been playing outside a lot, it's hot!
3 - Found this in my photos, random but I like it.
4 - Dried beans + kitchen gadgets = hours of quiet fun.
5 - V loves her new divider plates and wants to arrange and photograph her snacks now.
6 - A new modern looking bookstore opened in our area, yay!
7 - This song I've been playing on repeat.

Have a great weekend everyone!

7 things

Week number 21 : Seven things to share...

1. This Noah & the Whale album has been on heavy rotation this week.
2. Yesterday we went to the park, twirled and ran free in the fresh cut grass. I highly recommend that, it really does something to you.

3. I'm going to make these Garbanzo Bean Burgers this weekend, wish me luck.

4. The flowers are blooming like mad in our yard, love the sweet smells.

5. This weekend I am humbled to think about the ones who have sacrificed so much.
6. Going through my sketchbooks I came across this clip, it's a good one to see again.

7. Each man is a hero and an oracle to somebody. -Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Have a great extended Memorial Day weekend. Hope you get to do some cartwheels.

Week no. 19 : 7 things

This week I'm experimenting and sharing more insight of things that happened in my life offline...

1. I'm getting back into the habit of Yoga, I've gone 3 times so far this week.

2. We ate lots of yummy fresh berries.

3. I brought home a Fiddle Fig Leaf Tree, now I'm on the hunt for a great pot.

4. Bought the book on my wish list 36 Hours: 150 Weekends in the USA & Canada - it's perfect.

5. Jet Pens kindly sent me a few pens to try out and I am such a fan. 

6. Say Media did a little interview on me over here. (I guess this one is online.)
7. Vienna got to visit a pony named Kirby on a farm, she was in heaven.

I hope you will all have a fantastic Mother's Day weekend! Happy Mother's Day Mom.

// photos by me (except #1 - which is a clip from a Lululemon ad.)

Week no. 17

1. Goodness gracious, the continual stream of beautiful photographs from Peggy Wong constantly blows my mind, these are of the Met.

2. Yummy recipe to try from Martha.

3. I bought a lemon tree to keep inside, but now need to learn good care tips.
4. Came across the work of Natasha Mead - a gorgeous DIY Fashion App called Milk will be coming to the iPad soon. (via Design Milk)

Have a fantastic last week of April weekend. See you Monday.

Week no. 16

I have missed doing my weekly wrap-ups, they make me happy, so I am going to start doing them again. Here is to week number 16, I hope that it was a good one for you and that will have a most wonderful weekend!

1: Miss Moss is the queen of mashups. Love this one!
2: Jennifer is editing her space -- how gorgeous is this.
3: Loved this book serpent, wow.
4: Vienna has been having fun running the green hills on our walks.

Floating Movie Theater

Taking a little boat up to a platform in the middle of the ocean to watch a movie would be outrageously cool. Although I'm still thinking about whether if you are sea sick prone it would be a problem, but wow... what an experience it would be! This particular movie going experience took place in Yao Noi, Thailand and was put on by Film on the Rocks Yao Noi and designed by architect Ole Scheeren who built the large raft out of recycled materials. Yes please, sign me up for the next one. Amazing.

(via Fast Co. // photos by Piyatat Hemmatat)

Bonjour Spring!

Yesterday was the first day of Spring! Here are a few things currently inspiring me. Yahoo, for my favorite season of the year.

1 The Art of Instruction
2 Katie Ermilio via From Me to You
3 Pierre Terrarium 
4 Market Bag
5 Roasted Asparagus and Egg

*Bonus points : if you know where the quote is from... I will reveal it in the comments tomorrow.

Have a good one.

It is has been raining here nonstop all week long, V is hoping the sun will come out soon so she can wear her new shades we picked up for a couple bucks the other day. Wishing you a really wonderful weekend.

p.s. Have you seen Dominique Falla's string art? It is really exceptional. 

Inside Nature : Illumination

Images : 1: Fireflies 2: Outdoor Lighting by Bruce Munro

Nuria Mora

I have been MIA and under the weather but I'm finally starting to feel better, yay. These amazing and colorful installation shots from Nuria Mora have definitely brighten my cold/flu sniffles and made me smile. Hope you are having a fantastic Wednesday, wow can you believe it is already the middle of the week?!

See more about Nuria Mora's sweet installation and more shots here. (All photos -- Nuria Mora)

(Speaking of being MIA, this song/video by M.I.A. has been a guilty pleasure - anyone else?)

Have a lovely weekend!

Today Miss India ran towards these flowers in Whole Foods with the greatest laughter and it made me crack up. She loves flowers as much as I do!

Mac and I are headed for a little weekend getaway to the coast and I am excited, it has been ages since we got the chance to go somewhere sans kids. I will be posting shots along the way on instagram @blackeiffel.

Have a great weekend everyone!