Alison, from This Homemade Life, is a woman after my own heart. She makes everything from scratch, even butter. But what I love most about her is the way she brings her boys into the kitchen. They’re usually standing next to her, rolling out the dough or picking fresh veggies from the garden. And sometimes cute little boy hands sneak their way into the pictures. When I grow up and become a momma, I want to be like Alison.
—Melissa

What is your best memory in the kitchen?
Last summer we planted one of our largest gardens to date. Walking out the back door, picking our own food and preparing it for a meal was a very fulfilling experience. My boys became more adventurous in trying new flavors simply because we had grown them in our backyard. We made so many memorable meals together.

Whats the best thing about your kitchen?
I love two things about our kitchen; the large blackboard where we write our calendar for the week and the harvest table my dad built for us. Our household pretty much revolves around those two things.

What is your favorite meal to prepare?  
I’d have to say grilled pizza, not very fancy I know, but my boys always jump in to help and I love that kind of time together, preparing a meal and talking about our day. Along with a big bowl of salad greens from our garden it’s just about a perfect meal.

What does your dream kitchen look like?  
It would have large windows bringing in lots of natural light and plenty of room to gather family and friends around the table.

What 3 guests would you like to have around your dinner table?  
Penny De Los Santos, Annie Griffins Belt and Michael Pollan

Bryan Nash Gill grew up on a farm in Connecticut, so it’s no surprise that his artwork explores the tree-filled environment in which he was raised. Each print in this beautiful book, Woodcut, is printed by hand, sometimes with the help of a spoon to press the ink into the paper.

Gill starts by cutting trees until he finds a cross-section that is of interest, then sands, burns, and seals the wood. Although he creates an edition of 10 or 15 prints from the block, each one is unique depending on the pressure applied during the printing process, and changes to the block of wood over time (Gill prints editions over months or years, rather than all at once). “To print a tree is another way of memorializing it. Perhaps I’m in the business of memorializing trees.”

Thanks to Princeton Architectural Press for providing a review copy.

—Ellie

I’ve been searching for the perfect one-piece swimsuit to wear to a friend’s engagement party. These are some of my favorite finds so far.

arvette maillot / rosartio one-piece / crimson crossed maillot / skinny-stripe bow underwire tank / isometric maillot / sweetheart patchwork maillot / sketchplaid tanksuit

—Bethany

Matthew Brannon is known for his simple, illustrated screen prints and letterpress prints of silhouetted everyday objects. But today, the color scheme in this 2011 installation has my attention. You can read an interview with Brannon on Art in America, and the New York Times as an interesting article about the intersection of art, poetry, and advertising in Brannon’s work.

—Ellie

I love Italian artist Giorgio Griffa’s acrylic on canvas works, represented by Casey Kaplan in New York.

—Ellie

1. Joseph Albers for Command Records on The Indigo Bunting
2. Copper mobile DIY via Bloesem
3. Maple brown sugar oatmeal muffins from Crepes of Wrath
4. A small corner detail of a beautiful hand drawn Grayhood print
5. Wind & Willow dipped wooden bowls on Roger Allen
P.S. homemade nutella recipe on A Cup of Joe

Weekend Event Picks for Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill: the new Carrboro Craft Market on Saturday from 11am-5pm in front of Southern Rail on Main St, 25 vendors selling handmade crafts and select vintage items, vendor demonstrations, live local bands, kid crafts, and more // The Handmade Market Saturday from 11am-5pm at Cobblestone Hall (City Market / Moore Square) in downtown Raleigh // “Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton as secretaries who defiantly turn the tables on their ‘sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot’ of a boss” (via Indy) in the North Carolina Museum of Art Mad Men series outdoor film, Friday 8pm // NC Beer & Band festival at Lincoln Theatre Friday 3-8pm // CAM 1st anniversary party and art/culture auction Friday at 8pm // Back Porch music on the lawn (free!) at American tobacco in Durham, Friday 6pm // last weekend to see Barkcloth, Bras, and Bulletproof Cotton: The Powers of Costume and Textiles of Exile at the Gregg Museum // Amélie at the Rialto in Raleigh, Sunday at 7pm

Have a good weekend!

—Ellie

This was a favorite project from last year, but I’ve only just gotten around to having some photos taken (thanks Whitney!). These programs, welcome booklets, donation cards, place cards, table numbers, and beer bottle labels were designed to match the Fresh Type invitation and Storybook Save the Date.

—Ellie

At such a small scale, the detail in Jan Albers artwork gets lost. But I highly recommend a visit to the Sara Meltzer Gallery site to see (slightly) larger versions of Albers’ beautiful work.

—Ellie

Sometimes I see a child’s room, and want it for myself. This would be one of those times, and given the price tag of some of the pieces, I can’t help but feel it’s only fitting for an adult (who is a bit childish at heart).

Amie Corley has an incredible knack for blending whimsy with modern details, and I would happily move in to any room with her signature style. If you can’t afford the pieces listed to re-create this look, don’t be afraid to DIY. Painting a bed frame orange can be done in a day, and fun lamps are almost always on sale at discounted home good stores. Can’t quite swing a carved wood ibex head? Try a fun cardboard or assemble-yourself deer head for a quarter the price. Any room can be made your own with a little creativity.

+ Jonathan Adler Giraffe Lamp
+ Parsons Bed
+ Carved Wood Ibex Head
+ Animal Prints by Sharon Montrose
+ Hunter Fan

—Natalie

paintings and sculptures by Jason Middlebrook, which have had me inspired all week!

If you’re in Durham, you can view a few pieces by Middlebrook at the Nasher Museum through June 17th.

—Ellie