Peg Loves

Hiatus

2012-01-14T23:55:00.001-06:00

I'm putting my blog on hold until I can get my mysterious illness under control. Right now it's consuming my life and health (and the better part of my 2011 year) and I'm determined to kick this thing in the ass but I can't do it unless I focus all my energy on getting better. I will probably post off-and-on until I have a better understanding of what's wrong with me and how to deal with it.

Cheers! For now.

Ethical jewelry

2012-01-13T10:22:00.001-06:00

"All of our diamond suppliers are Kimberley Process compliant and we use recycled gold and platinum to the furthest extent possible."

Ken and Dana Design

Conservatories / Greenhouses / Glasshouses

2012-01-12T11:35:00.007-06:00

Tanglewood Conservatories

Goat's Milk Panna Cotta

2012-01-09T11:10:00.000-06:00

California Terrior Project

Understairs storage

2012-01-06T09:37:00.003-06:00

The concept is awesome, the handle bars, not so much.

Deriba Furniture

Crisp foyer

2012-01-05T10:47:00.000-06:00

VT Interiors

Colorful kids room

2012-01-04T09:43:00.000-06:00

VT Interiors

Great re-post: 25 of most beautiful college libraries

2012-01-04T00:29:00.000-06:00

Because I'm Addicted

I want to find this place

2012-01-03T10:18:00.000-06:00

Creative Inspiration

Leather and stone

2012-01-02T09:58:00.000-06:00

Verdigris Vie

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T23:59:00.000-06:00

flickr

Dream home in South Walton

2011-12-30T13:07:00.000-06:00

Homeaway

Laugh out loud moment

2011-12-29T08:24:00.000-06:00

icanhascheezburger

Float like that pretty bee necklace

2011-12-28T11:45:00.000-06:00

SuperMarket

Living room of my dreams

2011-12-27T12:11:00.000-06:00

i want all these windows

VT Interiors

Reiko Kaneko

2011-12-26T10:01:00.000-06:00

Reiko Kaneko via This is Glamorous

Kaufman Franco SS12

2011-12-23T09:25:00.000-06:00

Kaufman Franco

Gold leaf tray

2011-12-22T08:59:00.000-06:00

This is Glamorous

Hand-sawed floral ring by Lisa Hopkins

2011-12-21T13:02:00.001-06:00

Cool design. She mentions how it's not as comfortable as her other ring designs, which I completely understand - my trumpet cuff feels off because of the asymmetrical shape but I still love the look.

Lisa Hopkins Designs

Awesomeness

2011-12-20T16:29:00.000-06:00

Drunk History Christmas with Ryan Gosling, Jim Carrey and Eva Mendes from Ryan Gosling

I want to be here

2011-12-20T09:42:00.000-06:00

The Enchanted Home

Fig tart with caramelized red onion

2011-12-19T08:25:00.000-06:00

How gorgeous is this tart.

Spoon Fork Bacon

So sick

2011-12-18T16:14:00.000-06:00

I've been fighting a mysterious illness since July. I think I'm coming close to figuring out what it might be - unfortunately I'm not going to be happy if my suspicions are confirmed. Please, oh please, don't let it be celiac disease. Until I figure a way to get my health back on track, posts will stop mid-January.

Shout out to TX Juice Girl for making some pretty delicious juices. I've been plugging my nose and downing the green juice from SNAP Kitchen. Yak. But the green juice from Juice Girl is delicious. I also bought their "punch" (forgot the full name) and it's good but I can taste the pith from the grapefruit in it. Doesn't bug me because it tastes freshly juiced.

I want this

2011-12-16T08:16:00.000-06:00

Strange Old Pictures

Poor pup just wants his own blanket

2011-12-15T18:48:00.001-06:00

Crystal clear vessel sinks

2011-12-15T08:03:00.000-06:00

VT Interiors

Vintage safe

2011-12-14T13:02:00.000-06:00

And on casters! Love.

Desire to Inspire

Makes me smile

2011-12-13T08:44:00.000-06:00

received these in an e-mail

Kitchen design with dogs in mind

2011-12-12T14:31:00.001-06:00

VT Interiors

17-year-old creates cancer-killing nanoparticle

2011-12-11T16:08:00.000-06:00

So amazing what this girl has accomplished in only 17 years of life.

Geek.com

7 foods even the experts won't eat

2011-12-10T08:14:00.001-06:00

GMO foods, canned tomatoes, corn-fed beef, microwave popcorn, farmed salmon, milk produced with artificial hormones, conventional apples

Check it out at Wake Up World

Church to home

2011-12-09T14:39:00.000-06:00

gorgeous

freaking awesome glass floors

VT Interiors

This tumblr cracks me up

2011-12-09T12:48:00.000-06:00

My Daguerreotype Boyfriend

"Where early photography meets extreme hotness."

via Michelle Branch

Santa, I want a 24 carat spoon for Christmas

2011-12-08T13:46:00.000-06:00

24 carat gold El Bulli straining spoon for $300 at Gilt Taste

I want to be here

2011-12-08T12:04:00.000-06:00

A Lovely Being

W.T.F.

2011-12-07T22:28:00.002-06:00

Does anyone need a couch that fits 15 comfortably?

2011-12-07T13:40:00.000-06:00

Desire to Inspire

LOL ah those clever ad agencies

2011-12-07T13:17:00.001-06:00

The producers of this beer commercial borrowed a small 150 seat cinema playing a popular film, and filled 148 of its seats with rough-looking, tattooed bikers, leaving only two free seats in the middle of the theater. They then allowed theater management to sell tickets for the last pair of tickets to several young couples.

Watch till the end .....

Octopus walks on land

2011-12-06T17:44:00.002-06:00

So creepy.

Angel Wings decor

2011-12-06T09:37:00.000-06:00

Desire to Inspire

Beautiful speech

2011-12-05T14:48:00.002-06:00

Shopping cart design

2011-12-05T09:24:00.000-06:00

I know I'm years behind because Target launched their new shopping cart design years ago but I normally do not use them (germaphobe). But recently I had to use one to stock up on home supplies and I absolutely love what Target has done. My favorite feature is that gray bar across the top of the cart where you can just grab the cart and pull it with you. They did a great job with the shopping basket, too. Love functional design.

image source

My little troublemaker

2011-12-04T12:07:00.000-06:00

Haha cute

2011-12-03T13:21:00.000-06:00

Creative Inspiration

Glittery shoes

2011-12-02T09:21:00.000-06:00

The closer it gets to Christmas the more I want glittery silver/gold accessories.

Piperlime

One of my favorite restaurants

2011-12-01T13:03:00.000-06:00

Dangerously located within walking distance from my apartment is one of my favorite restaurants, Eddie V's. I know I've written about them before but they are just so consistently good that it's worth another shout out.

yellowtail sashimi in a yuzu soy sauce (the slices are thicker than what you would get at a sushi restaurant but it's oh so yummy)

the seasonal Nantucket Bay scallops cooked in brown butter - it's so incredible and decadent in flavor

Crystal necklace

2011-12-01T09:08:00.000-06:00

Ann Taylor

Arepas Y Empanada Dona Maria in Humble, TX

2011-11-30T12:57:00.000-06:00

Nothing compares to my arepa experience at La Caraquena (Arlington, VA) but that won't stop me from attempting to find a second best option.

Arepa Y Empanada Dona Maria

1315 1st Street E

Humble, TX 77338-5926

green sauce is excellent

cachapas: a sweet corn pancake with a 1/2" slice of cheese nestled in

shredded beef arepa - the arepa itself was grilled perfectly, but the shredded beef was too salty for me

oh and their passion fruit juice was excellent

I'll take it

2011-11-30T08:09:00.000-06:00

Restoration Hardware Gallery

2011-11-29T14:54:00.002-06:00

Fantasizing about decorating my dream home with items from Restoration Hardware.

Green sofa?

2011-11-29T08:21:00.000-06:00

After living with my parent's pretty gaudy taste in furniture (i.e. sad blue-green leather sag chair with a serious case of dunlop disease) I promised myself only to to buy neutral furniture and play it up with cushions and decor. But the minute I saw this sofa in Z Gallerie I've been torn about it. First off, the picture doesn't do it justice, it's a showstopper in velvety fabric and nailhead trim. I wouldn't get the matching chair because that's just too matchy-matchy for me but the sofa. So torn. Do I go safe and neutral and go bold and green? Most likely safe and neutral because husband is going to nix this sofa the minute I say "green."

Things that sparkle

2011-11-28T13:03:00.000-06:00

If I could do it over again, I would have a smaller wedding at a gorgeous locale and hired a renowned chef (that's my tummy talking). And I would have gone with a conflict-free/synthetic diamond wedding band instead of your typical one stone engagement ring - it's just not appropriate for my lifestyle. Loving these simple but elegant styles. I can never resist things that sparkle.

Diamond Nexus Labs

Brilliant Earth

Brinicles: underwater ice tornados

2011-11-28T12:06:00.002-06:00

Pretty Whizbang

2011-11-28T12:00:00.000-06:00

Just found out my friend is hand making these adorable Scrabble necklaces. Find these super cute pieces at Pretty Whizbang.

Well put

2011-11-27T12:04:00.000-06:00

Creative Inspiration

I want this bike

2011-11-26T11:39:00.000-06:00

Fuse Project

Another reason why soda is bad

2011-11-25T12:41:00.003-06:00

"The carbonation in soda could be weakening the DNA of your cells which also leaves us prone to cancer. Clyde Nassif reported in the Houston examiner: ‘for every can of carbonated soda ingested, the amount of oxygen in the blood is decreased by 25% for up to three hours. If you are drinking several sodas per day, you are depriving yourself of significant amounts of oxygen.’ Guess what? The cells need oxygen to operate and transport vital materials throughout the body!! Cancer cells also thrive when they are deprived of oxygen."

via Mary Schook

Sweet holiday cards

2011-11-24T10:40:00.001-06:00

Poppy Talk

Candid radio moment

2011-11-24T00:01:00.000-06:00

This made me laugh out loud yesterday.

Thanksgiving meal prep tip: Don't rinse your turkey

2011-11-23T20:34:00.000-06:00

"DO. NOT. RINSE. Did you hear me? Don't listen to your grandmother and her grandmother and all the grandmothers who tell you to rinse your poultry. DO NOT RINSE YOUR POULTRY. I've got science on my side on this one, Grandma! Rinsing your poultry - any bird, not just turkey - can actually cause bacteria to aerosolize (how's that for an image?) and spread around your kitchen up to three feet! Three feet! That's really far! Within three feet of my sink, I have my spice rack, cooking utensils, coffee pot and my baby's bottles sitting on a drying rack. What is within three feet of your sink? Yeah... gross, huh? Plus, it is completely unnecessary. Rinsing poultry does nothing to get rid of most bacteria - the bacteria that it does eliminate are now splashing around your kitchen. What does eliminate bacteria? Proper cooking (we'll get to that). We aren't the only ones who will tell you this. Our friend, USDA, agrees. And, from a cook's perspective, you really want a dry skin on your poultry so it can get nice and crispy."
via Food Safety News

Happy Thanksgiving Eve

2011-11-23T15:07:00.000-06:00

Received these images from a family friend. So cute. My dogs wish they could be this pup. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

I want to be here

2011-11-23T12:00:00.000-06:00

The Cool Hunter

Flowy top tutorial

2011-11-22T12:15:00.000-06:00

Cannot wait to make this top. See tutorial here.

Cotton and Curls

Hoarders

2011-11-21T21:41:00.000-06:00

Watching Hoarders and on the "Wilma/Nora" episode Nora is a container hoarder that collects books, crafting supplies (amongst many other things) and organizes everything. Holy. Cow. That was me a few years ago but thankfully a major mistake made me break that "collecting" urge. Shiver. Anyone else feel the compulsive need to purge stuff after watching this show?

Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

2011-11-21T11:12:00.000-06:00

I just discovered the great healing powers of organic raw apple cider vinegar. Wish I discovered this much sooner. If only it tasted better.

Cuteness

2011-11-21T10:06:00.000-06:00

ffffound

Tis the season for pumpkin

2011-11-21T08:45:00.000-06:00

pumpkin cupcakes

The Baker Chick

Tiny house, big style

2011-11-18T08:37:00.000-06:00

I live in apartments just minutes away from the nicest neighborhood in Houston. Last Fall we would go walking in the neighborhood and ogle all the huge McMansions. My ex-home could be easily parked in the garages of these oil barons. And though I would love to walk through these homes just to see how the rich live I no longer wish for that life. Instead, I'm enamored with the idea of paying off, in cash, a small home what some might pay for a luxury sedan. And though it may be small it would be nicely appointed with eco-conscious design (i.e. rain catching water barrels, solar panels, super insulation) and nice fixtures and details (think marble, crown molding, maybe wainscot, non-textured walls) all on 5+ acres of land. One can dream. So excited to see one of my favorite bloggers posting about tiny homes.

Elements of Style

My first celebrity sighting in Houston

2011-11-17T14:35:00.000-06:00

Saw Kyle MacLachlan at Specs Midtown 30 minutes ago and I didn't get a picture. Dammit.

Louis Vuitton display

2011-11-17T13:36:00.000-06:00

I have a thing for eggs.

Design Dump

Repurposed Closet

2011-11-16T13:47:00.000-06:00

Design Dump

Colored pencil jewelry

2011-11-15T20:51:00.002-06:00

Design Mom

Kitchen items

2011-11-15T13:05:00.000-06:00

Terrain

DJ business card

2011-11-15T08:07:00.000-06:00

So smart.

The Inspiration Blog via Creative Inspiration

A blog dedicated entirely to pho

2011-11-14T15:54:00.000-06:00

Oh hell yes.

fuckyeahpho

Lusting after these spices

2011-11-14T10:38:00.001-06:00

I want to throw out all my mismatched plastic containers of spices and replace it with these gorgeous vials of spices. Major lust. And not to mention how practical. I never need that huge container of nutmeg or anything for that matter. A small vial seems just the right proportion so that nothing (or very little) goes to waste.

Lovely Package

MNG by Mango for JCP sparkly dress

2011-11-12T13:16:00.000-06:00

JCP

Party like a kid

2011-11-11T07:24:00.000-06:00

Sara's Party Perfect

Spekuloos spread

2011-11-10T12:49:00.000-06:00

I spent last weekend eating and laughing my way through NYC with my best girlfriends. Posts on that to come later. But what I really have to share is Wafel and Dinges Spekuloos Spread. Holy cow it puts Nutella to shame. First, if you are ever in NYC, seek out the Wafel and Dinges carts/food truck. Get the liege waffle. I thought Nutella on the liege waffle was badass but after having Spekuloos spread and bananas on the liege it made my eyes roll to the back of my head. So beyond amazing. Thank goodness they sell this spread because it's going to be a staple in my pantry from now on.

Arcadia

Artist attache

2011-11-10T12:43:00.000-06:00

The price hurts ($398) but it's such a cute way to store art supplies.

Anthropologie

Table dressing

2011-11-10T11:26:00.000-06:00

What a simple way to dress up a table: empty green wine bottle, peony and a swatch of lace.

Sara's Party Perfect

Fragrance packaging

2011-11-09T11:33:00.000-06:00

Lovely Package

10 Uses for Baking Soda

2011-11-08T12:29:00.000-06:00

1. Tarnish Remover: By mixing a thick paste of baking soda with water, you can de-tarnish any silver surface. Simply apply the paste, rub with a damp sponge, rinse, and buff dry.

2. Weed Killer: Sweep large amounts of baking soda into the cracks of paved walks and driveways to keep those pesky weeds from rearing their frustrating little sprouts.

3. Soak Up Oil and Grease: Just spilled oil and/or grease? Reach into your utility belt and grab the baking soda. Sprinkle it all over the spill and watch it absorb.

4. Maintain Your Septic Tank: Flush one cup of baking soda down the commode once a week to maintain proper tank pH and alkalinity levels (i.e. controlling sulfide odors).

5. Clean Your Coffee and Teapots: Is your coffee pot ruining the flavor of the most important drink of your day even though you wash it continually? Add a quarter cup ’o’ sodium bicarbonate, one quart warm water, let it soak a little while, and rinse it out. BAM! Clean!

6. Skin Ointment: After your rugged camping trip, you know, the one where you decided to take a nap on that shiny, green, 3-leafed plant, you may want to grab some baking soda, make a paste, and apply it to stop that terrible burning sensation. It works for vampiristic insect wounds too.

7. Manicuring Dish Detergent: Make a baking soda paste and use it to wash your dishes. It will simultaneously make your hands baby soft.

8. Un-stick Stuck-On Burnt Food: Eliminate seriously burnt-on food by pouring in a thick cushion of baking soda into the pot, add an inch of water, and boil your mixture for a minute or two. With a little scrub, the burnt mess should come right off.

9. Destroy Mildew: Plastic shower curtains looking a little, uh… alive? Wash the mildew away on the gentle cycle with a couple bath towels for cushioning and a half cup of baking soda with your detergent. Add one cup vinegar during your rinse cycle and let your curtains drip dry.

10. Drain-O Volcano: When your sink drain gets clogged, rather, before it gets clogged, pour a half cup of baking soda into it and pour down a half cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain with a bowl and let it sit for two hours. Rinse it with hot water and it should remove moderate grease and dirt residue throughout your pipes.

via Marcus Sameulsson

Coveting these dresses

2011-11-07T10:20:00.004-06:00

Singer 22

Petite Sweets

2011-11-05T13:06:00.000-05:00

So dangerous that this sweets shop is within walking distance from my apartment. Like that the pistachio macaron has a marzipan filling instead of a cream filling and I cannot resist their frozen custard.

Petite Sweets

I want a sofa like this

2011-11-05T10:27:00.000-05:00

Layla Grayce

ZGallerie

Boden

2011-11-04T09:18:00.000-05:00

Boden

Gorgeous lace necklace by Gemma Redux

2011-11-04T09:04:00.000-05:00

This is Glamorous

Bookshelves with charm

2011-11-03T10:19:00.000-05:00

Layla Grace

Breakfast space

2011-11-03T08:28:00.000-05:00

Because It's Awesome

GMO and Pesticides

2011-11-02T11:04:00.000-05:00

Pieces from a Dr. Mercola article:

"Concerns about Monsanto's herbicide, Roundup, are at an all-time high. But according to a new report by Earth Open Source, one of the biggest concerns may be something that you're totally in the dark about, namely birth defects.
Research published last year shows that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, causes birth defects in frogs and chicken embryos at far lower levels than used in agricultural and garden applications."

"Unfortunately for American consumers, the United States is a major grower of genetically modified crops. For example, in the US, over 90 percent of all canola grown is GM Roundup Ready canola, as is about 90 percent of US soybeans, and about 70 percent of all corn and cotton. And according to the featured report, industry and regulators KNEW that glyphosate causes deformities as early as the 1980's, but withheld the information from the public…"

"A 2009 Brazilian study found that female rats fed GM soy for 15 months showed significant changes in their uterus and reproductive cycle, compared to rats fed organic soy or those raised without soy. The glyphosate in the soybeans is believed to be the cause of the problem as it throws off the delicate hormonal balance that governs the whole reproductive cycle."

"If you still want to purchase some processed foods, make sure you avoid those that may contain GM ingredients. This would be any food product containing any of the following ingredients, or any derivative thereof, unless labeled USDA 100% Organic:

Soy	Sugar from sugar beets
Corn	Hawaiian papaya
Cottonseed (used in vegetable cooking oils)	Some varieties of zucchini
Canola (canola oil)	Crookneck squash

Common derivatives include items such as:
High fructose corn syrup
Soy lecithin
Other common food ingredients you may not be aware are genetically modified include:
Milk containing rbGH
Rennet (containing genetically modified enzymes) used to make hard cheeses
Aspartame (NutraSweet)"

Matthew Williamson clutch

2011-11-01T09:53:00.000-05:00

Net-a-porter

How to flag a taxi in NYC

2011-11-01T09:23:00.000-05:00

cute reference image

A Cup of Jo

Poor bear

2011-10-31T08:42:00.000-05:00

Aww. This reminds me of someone I know.

Versace for H&M

2011-10-30T22:07:00.000-05:00

Fashionista

Ahh too cute!

2011-10-30T13:59:00.001-05:00

Wonder if my dogs will let me put them in a lobster costume.

A Cup of Jo

Cross stitched squirrel

2011-10-29T12:51:00.000-05:00

how cute is he

pieKnits

Pennsylvania Beet-Pickled Deviled Eggs

2011-10-29T12:20:00.000-05:00

Such an unexpected hit of color.

Gilt Taste

Little teapot place card holders

2011-10-29T10:10:00.000-05:00

When I saw the little teapot place card holder I immediately wanted one. Just one. They come in a six pack for $52. So freaking cute but I would never need six of these, I barely can justify one.

BHLDN

Aesthetically pleasing thermostat

2011-10-28T14:09:00.000-05:00

This will be going in my dream home.

Nest