Just Around the Corner

Only a few more weeks until that day of Lovers….Valentine’s Day! With a slow economy and bleak outlook there are some positive aspects to getting that special someone a gift….Timeless Designs has inexpensive natural gemstone jewelry in unique and unusual designs.

Something in an Agate….
Agates: Balancing physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies; perceptiveness, strength, inspiration, awakening talents.

Or maybe something in a Chrysocolla…..
Chrysocolla: Easing heartache, stamina, wisdom, peace, love, communication, vitality, inner strength.

How about Howlite a great gemstone for Lover’s holiday to show emotional expression….
Howlite: Awareness, calm, emotional expression, observation, patience, eliminating negativity.

Add a little bit of creativity and spontaneity to your relationship with Peruvian Pink Opal…..
Opal: Creativity, spontaneity, relationships, memory, happy dreams and changes

Pay attention to details with some Rhodonite….

Rhodonite: Peace, generosity, attention to details.

Or make that day special with a little Turquoise for romantic spontaneity…..
Turquoise: Spiritual attunement, cleansing, healing, protection, valor, soothing, peace of mind, guidance through the unknown, romantic spontaneity.

Browse our jewelry or sales selections for that perfect gift……

Cibus Corner: Seafood Risotto

In the interest of mixing things up a bit, I've enlisted my sister Jane (aka "Babs"...don't ask how she ended up with that nickname, I gave it to her years ago and I'm still not sure precisely why, other than it annoyed her, but it ended up sticking) to author a weekly post on cooking. Having had the luxury of enjoying many of her home cooked meals, I can attest first hand that she's an amazing (and very creative) chef. And with that brief introduction, I'll hand the keyboard over to her. Take it away, Jane! --

Chef Babs

If you are anything like me, then you appreciate nothing more than a simple, good recipe. While I admit that I love the Food Network and often watch in awe as Mario and Emeril whip up something exquisite, I must admit that whenever I attempt these more complicated dishes I am left thinking that it was probably not as good as the time it took me to make it. Food for me is a hobby, not a profession and I find that the recipes that I repeat are the dishes that are delicious, not too complicated with the ingredients, and take me an hour-and-a-half (maximum) to make. During the week, I prefer 45 minutes or less. When it comes to baking, I find that simple is always best and that a shortcut here and there often improves the outcome, though I'm not one for the semi-homemade results of a certain Food Network star (*ahem* Sandra Lee). Besides, I wouldn't know how to make a tablescape to save my life.

We celebrated my mother’s 60th birthday on Wednesday and, while the formal party isn't until this weekend, I did make her a special birthday dinner. This recipe is healthy, fairly easy to prepare (though it is a little more fussy than I would do on a regular week night), and is a great go-to recipe for an informal dinner party or a romantic night in. (Note: this recipe serves 2, so double for a family of 4). It is a recipe from Cooking Light, so in order to give them full-credit, I am attaching a link to the recipe rather than simply copying it here. Tip: Substitute fat-free half-and-half for the heavy cream. The recipe only calls for two tablespoons, so no one will notice the missing fat and you'll get the same rich, creamy texture.

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1842344

I paired the risotto with a salad made from fresh greens, pears, almond slivers, and Gorgonzola cheese topped with light balsamic vinaigrette. I also served it with a crusty baguette and a bottle of moderately priced cab. I must say it was a huge hit and no one even realized it was healthy! The dish itself is fairly rich tasting (even though it is healthy) so a dessert is not necessary. If you are having a dinner party and feel you need to serve a dessert then I would go with something light, like a fresh fruit tart or an exotic flavor of sorbet. There is nothing I love to cook more than cookies and cake, but for this dinner it would be too heavy and take away from the simple elegance of the dish.

Next week: Easy breakfasts that will wow partners, kids and guests alike!

My Family

Here's a shot of my husband Dave with our pets (Subito in his lap, Clio trying to break free in his arms, and Olivia in her favorite spot -- just about anyone's shoulders). I know I'm horribly biased, but aren't they all just the cutest?

Tucson 2009 A Few Goodies

So if you're still hanging with this week for the Tucson 2009 Preview, thought I would include ‘a few goodies’ on today’s list of shows to ‘make sure to hit’. Though I got to ‘hit’ several of these shows, most I didn’t get to but heard ‘very good things’ about them. Check them out when in Tucson!


Tucson Electric Park Gem & Mineral Show is located at the Tucson Electric Park/Kino Sports Complex opens from Jan. 31-Feb. 15.

Gem Mall which is part of the Gem & Lapidary Wholesale show runs from Jan. 31-Feb. 13.

American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) which is the ‘biggie faceted gems’ show located downtown Tucson at the Tucson Convention Center runs from Feb. 4-9.

GJX Gem & Jewelry Show (GJX) is also located downtown across from the Tucson Convention Center and runs from Feb 4-9.

There are plenty more shows, vendors and exhibits going on all over Tucson, so to get more information and see a complete listing of all shows, dates, times, and vendor websites visit the Jewelry Show Guide or Tucson Show Guide.

Disclaimer: This is an independent product/vendor review based on our own research and experiences. We are in no way affiliated with the company, shows or its agents.

Men's high fashion has died...and risen from the dead

The Fall 2009 shows in Paris are in full swing and so far the men's collections seem to be reflecting the inevitable depression that the designers must be feeling as a result of the economic downtown. Models adorned in heavy white make-up and hollowed eyes are being sent down the runway in ensembles that would be perfect in an upcoming My Chemical Romance music video. While these designers can hardly be accused of rehashing the same-old/same-old, I'm not sure anyone wants to spend their ever-shrinking disposable income on what are tantamount to designer Halloween costumes. Let's take a closer look at three of the biggest proponents (i.e., offenders) of this new (as coined by The Cut) "Zombie chic" trend:

Alexander McQueen

The first outfit reminds me of a 1930s football player (a la The Leatherheads) wearing a blacksmith apron. As for the second, I think the cod piece (which I can't even look at directly for fear of dying of embarrassment for this particular model) and fur trim collar (over a raincoat? -- how impractical!) speak for themselves. The remainder (and bulk of McQueen's collection) look like costumes for Johnny Depp's next -- because I think we can all safely assume there will be another -- project with Tim Burton, which will inevitably be some sort of romantic/gothic film in which a deathly pale Depp prances around in top hats and capes in the vein of Sweeney Todd or Sleepy Hollow. In fact, I suspect the reference to Depp's work in Burton films may have been a conscious one by McQueen as all of his models look eerily like Depp. [Disclaimer: I actually really love just about every movie Johnny Depp has done with Tim Burton; I just don't necessarily want my husband to dress like he's a character in one unless it's Halloween. And then I think that would be pretty hot actually.] The last outfit is, perhaps the most normal (well, relatively), though it's quite an odd mix of Scottish punk (which McQueen is famous for) and gaucho.

Gareth Pugh

I'm not particularly familiar with Gareth Pugh. In fact, I don't think I'd ever heard of him until Beyonce started sporting a lot of his outfits in her recent tour as Sasha Fierce. [Aside to all the singers out there: You really need to stop touring as alter egos of yourselves, it didn't worth for Garth Brooks and it won't work for you.] On the Fall 2009 runway, Pugh's models sport the same undead make-up as McQueen's, but his get-ups are equal parts The Cure and Mugatu's Derelicte fashion label from Zoolander. There's also that vaguely futuristic vibe that Pugh is known for (that is assuming of course that in the future we won't have any sewing machines and are forced into wearing old auto parts and mangy animal fur). Let's hope that leggings, chain mail and yeti pelts aren't the next big things in menswear. That said though, I think Pugh would be a great choice to outfit Orgy (whose Wikipedia page hilariously describes them as "death pop") should they get it together and decide to tour again in the near future.

John Galliano

Clearly, Galliano has been watching way too much HBO recently as he appears to have been drawing his inspiration from John Adams, Pirates of the Caribbean and Pan's Labyrinth. Except that John's HBO is set in an alternate reality where everyone is undead and mostly naked. Highlights for me from this show: (1) Galliano's riff on "sexy judge" complete with barrister wig, open robes and thong, (2) the chest make-up on the satyrs, which is pretty spectacular -- the make-up guy for this show really ought to consider a career as a make-up artist for Broadway, and (3) the wigs; oh the wigs (I particularly like what can best be described as the dead rooster the pirate is sporting as hair)!

Looking at pictures of these shows got me thinking: Have fashion designers strayed too much from "fashion" in an effort to really put on a show? Sure, these outfits are pretty entertaining, but they really don't perform their intended purpose as realistic clothing options for me. Any thoughts?

Be My Valentine

While often maligned as a "Hallmark Holiday", Valentine's Day, has a rich history as a medieval Christian feast day reincarnated as a secular holiday during the Victorian Age. I've always liked Valentine's Day (yes, even when I was hopelessly single...which was every Valentine's Day just about until I was 23) as a day to eat chocolate without guilt and to give and receive simple (and hopefully heartfelt) cards and sentiments from those who matter most to you.

In a year where everyone is focused on scaling back and getting back to "what really matters", I think it's particularly important to take some time to celebrate Valentine's Day this year in it's purer and more restrained form. After all, there's an awful lot of stress going around these days and sometimes it's just nice to hear from the people we care about most. Simple sentiments (that really don't take much time or money at all) can go a long way to letting others know that they matter, that we're thinking about them, and that their not alone. And so, this year (unlike most years), in lieu of dropping a good bit of money on an overpriced dinner with Dave and another unneeded gift, I think I might spread the love around some, so to speak, and send out a few Valentines to various friends and family members across the country. Here are a few I've spied at some of my favorite stationery shops on Etsy to get you inspired:

For letterpress and design lovers:
Lovely Birds letterpress cards by Tara Hogan ($12/set of 5)

For your female relatives (or fans of German folk art):

Letterpress Valentine's Day cards by Sycamore Street Press

($18/set of 6)

For anyone who remembers when its Peanut Butter Jelly Time:
You're the PB to my J letterpress card by SarahMarieDesigns
($4.50/single card) [Now 25% off -- enter "VAL2009" at checkout!]

For anyone allergic to pink:
Love you bunches letterpress cards by OrangeBeautiful

($16/set of 6)

For your unsentimental (and very existential) friends:
This is Not a Valentine cards by Michelle Brusegaard
($8/set of 4)

For all your single (and bitter) girlfriends:
Down With Love cards by MewPaper Arts
($3.50/single card) [On Sale now $10/3 of your choice]

For the minimalist in your life: You Fill My Heart With Love flatcard by JustAnotherDay ($2.50/single card)

For anyone that deserves a personalized greeting:
Personalize Your Own Valentine card by InvitaPaperStudio
($3/single card or $8/set of 3)

For your daughter or niece (or anyone else who's cute enough to eat):
How Can I Resist You? card by InvitaPaperStudio
($3/single card or $8/set of 3)

For the medical student/resident/professional in your life:
The Parts of My Heart card by ArmatoDesign
($4/single card)

For your stylish shopping partners:
Vixen - Velvet Ribbon card by AnnaCote
($5.50/single card)

When you have a lot of love to give (like, say, to an entire classroom): Mini Folk Art Valentines by Nouveau Designs ($15/set of 30)

domino magazine is shutting down

This is making the rounds today on all the home decor-related blogs, but if you haven't heard the news already, domino is folding. I was sad to lose Cottage Living, O at Home and Blueprint, but this one really will leave a hole in the world of shelter magazines since it's one of the few American design publications that focuses on decorating for "real people" (i.e., those of us who can't afford to hire interior designers or spend $10,000 on a sofa). Everyone else sad to see it go? I always thought the magazine was extremely popular (but then again, I think I'm the targeted demographic), so I'm pretty surprised insofar as I thought other shelter mags would go first.*

____________

* - Yes, I realize other shelter magazines already have gone. I mean instead that I thought other shelter mags that are still out there but appear to have a narrower audience (e.g., Traditional Home, Western Interiors) would go first.

Tucson 2009 Street Vendors

If it’s good weather, one can walk the length of the I10 freeway hotels and shop among miles of street vendors. These vendors take over almost every inch of hotel space/rooms, parking lots and sidewalks, ballrooms and lobbies, and even around the pool and courtyard areas.

Here one will find anything and everything you can image from raw materials cut from the mine, custom cut materials strung for beading, jewelry and gift items, equipment and tool for the beading enthusiast to the professional lapidary, and even see geodes the size of small buildings! There are merchants local to the area, vendors from across the country and many from around the world. Some vendors sell direct to the public while others will only sell wholesale; check with each vendor before purchase to determine if they sell to the public or wholesale only.

Last year, this is where we found a lot of great deals and very unusual gemstones; our resident gemologist added more raw materials for his collect during our Street Vendor day than anything time in Tucson.


For more information on one of the big Street Vendor shows check out the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show, see their website.
For information on the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show 2009 visit Jewelry Show Guide or Tucson Show Guide.

Spring has come...and gone?

Houston weather is notoriously schizophrenic -- yesterday the high was 80 degrees, this morning we're at a chilly 38. Similarly, in mid-December we had an inch of snow (aside: I know this is nothing for you Northerners, but to those of us on the Gulf Coast, it's positively bizarre) only to have it melt away into a glorious 60-degree (and sunny) morning. What with the warmer weather we have been enjoying, my garden has decided that spring must be coming early this year. I just hope the chilly weather doesn't kill my pretty flowers.

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

With my next scheduled vacation not until late June (so, so far away) and the holidays a rapidly fading memory, I'm really starting to itch for some time off -- even if just, to use the British term, a "mini-break". And if I were traveling anytime soon, I would definitely be packing all my goods in one of these bags from Jane Marvel, which are sized (and priced) perfectly for short getaways. By the way, Jane's website is now offering a free gift with purchase. Plus, courtesy of DailyCandy, you enter in code DAILYCANDY at check-out, you'll get an additional 30% on everything.

Mile High ($96)

Duffel Overnight ($115.50)

Puddle Jumper ($105)

Hanging Cosmetic Bag ($42)

All of Jane's bags come in your choice of 12 fun fabrics and have her signature (and very cute) lining. In addition to travel bags, she also sells computer bags and everyday purses.