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Archive for July, 2011

At this time tomorrow I will be on this beach — my favourite place in the world.

I won’t be writing for at least a week, because our return isn’t scheduled until Tuesday, August 9th. I couldn’t be happier about it all! I’m working on some blog posts now that will auto-post later (so you won’t miss me too much while I’m gone…), so I won’t even be thinking about blogging, or working, or Portland for the whole time that we’re gone! Here’s what I’ll be doing instead:

- Waking up to bright sunlight seeping in through my Grandmother’s pale floral curtains.

- Listening to the lapping of the lake growing to a crescendo in the afternoon then ebbing into the night.

- Ringing the dinner bell to bring family in from the beach when the BBQ is ready.

- Holding LG’s hand and guiding her through the New Hampshire forest while I teach her about animals.

- Spending afternoons rocking in the hammock under pines and devouring one book after another.

- Teaching my city boy the difference between a canoe and a kayak.

- Then listening to his music as it glides across the lake (and waiting for anonymous applause on the other side).

- Bare feet on sand.

- No streetlights or passing cars.

- Building perfect campfires and eating more perfect s’mores.

- Swimming at night when the water is warmer than the air.

- Collecting native berries and popping them directly into our mouths.

- Taking walks and listening to the crunch of the road beneath our feet.

- Not touching a computer or TV for a week. Playing cards late into the night instead.

- Laying on the roof for an amazing view of the milky way.

- Watching a field glow with fireflies.

- Using the birds as alarm clocks and the loons as a lullabye.

- Smelling sweet, fresh air effortlessly.

- Doing dishes by hand while my honey dries and puts them away.

- Lazing in the shade while I catch up with friends and family.

- Making mental brackets for badminton.

- Smiling at the echo of laughter across the lake.

- Floating around under blue skies with my eyes closed.

- Coming inside only for snacks, bathroom, and bed.

- Living in my bathing suit.

And feeling generally like this: 

Please get outside and enjoy this summer, too :)

xx. Julia

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You-Will-Not-Be-Sorry-You-Made-This Tomato Soup

  • 2 large tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup canola oil
  • Sea salt to taste
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 1 small carrot, diced
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 1/4 cups veggie broth
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Cut the tomatoes into large chunks and spread onto a baking sheet.

Season with salt and drizzle with 1/4 cup of the canola oil then roast in the oven until caramelized (about 15 minutes).

While they bake, heat the remaining canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.

Add the celery, carrot, onion and garlic, cook until softened (about 10 minutes).

Add the roasted tomatoes, veggie broth, and butter. Simmer until vegetables are very tender (about 15 to 20 minutes).

Add basil. Puree in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

This is my absolute most favourite local recipe ever (that I’ve had so far). I figured it out last year and it has stuck in my brain as the epitome of a rainy summer’s day dinner.

We’re having a friend over tonight and I can’t wait to share it with her.

Happy eating, everyone!

xx. Julia

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This week I’ve got some really lovely new finds!

My absolute favourite is this fantastic pillbox hat that I’ve been coveting for a month or so now. I just couldn’t part with it for awhile and planned on keeping it all to myself. Alas, we need the money, and I’m not sure I’ll ever have the occasion to wear it, so I give you the prettiest little pillbox hat I’ve ever set my eyes on:

♥ Also new this week:

Something for the misters in your life -- a woodgrained hanky!

Retro pool party anyone? Here's a super fun vintage beach ball!

A pink and white houndstooth heart pillow!

You've seen this one before. She's been sold and relisted!

Have a lovely night!

xx. Julia

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In 1955, the U.S. made 90% of their own garments, and today we only make 3%. We outsource the rest.

One hundred years ago, women would pay $600 for a ready-made dress, today we make a fuss if it’s over $20.

So much has changed…

Here’s a great article on the Etsy blog that highlights the evolution of fashion right up to now. It’s quite interesting, I find, and it really puts the price of fashion into perspective for me.

See you again tomorrow with some updates in my shop!

xx. Julia

(Click image for source!)

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Here’s a super useful tutorial for anyone interested in photography:

Personally, I like taking pictures, but not so much for the artistic value of it as the fact that Iam a memory hoarder. Also because I have an online shop that hasn’t done well in the past with my point-and-shoot cameras.

So, a simple tutorial like this makes it easy for someone like me who needs clear photos but lacks tech-savviness.

Good luck, photo editors!

xx. Julia

(Images via The Sartorialist and Ruche. Click photos for details.)

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We’re leaving to spend the night at Ryan’s parents’ tonight, but first I wanted to pass along a link!

MaineLocavore.org is a great website that shows what’s in season in my region, and the available places to get each thing (including restaraunts — you don’t even have to cook this stuff)! They also have fibers like wool and alpaca for crafty people :)

Looks like we’re not the only Maine Locavores

(though it certainly does feel like it sometimes…)

xx. Julia

P.s. Click the photo in the sidebar that says “Local Summer” to find out more about our food adventure!

(Click image for source!)

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1950s chrome + formica breakfast table -- $10.

 I am utterly in love with the world of Craigslist.

When I first heard about the website I thought that it sounded more than a little bit sketchy. To think that you might have to meet up with a stranger face-to-face — *GASP*! The horrors!

But since I began thrifting and became more aware of the impact that buying-new makes on the environment and our society, my interest was piqued.

I started poking around, and then I found a listing for this gorgeous little breakfast table for just $10 and that completely sealed the deal.

I brought two burly men (Haha, Ryan and his friend Jameson) with me to meet up with the seller a block away from our house, just in case. He ended up being this really sweet older gentleman. He and his wife were downsizing their belongings and looking to give up this table which his wife had been using for painting.

Ryan and I have never before had an actual table to eat on so we are definitely adjusting well to our new piece of furniture. This is much more fun than sitting on the floor at our large coffee table (although those floor cushions were pretty comfy).

Now we just need some chairs to match.

(I know what I’m looking out for next!)

xx. Julia

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Just recently, a new Farmer’s Market opened up making more local foods available to Mainers! It’s right under the Casco Bay Bridge on the South Portland side and open on Thursdays from 3 pm to 7 pm.

I love that they’re holding it in the evening because it opens up the world of fresh foods to a whole different crowd. I’m sure a lot of people have a hard time getting to the morning markets, because of work or other commitments, and this allows them a chance to stop by on their way home from work instead of missing out on all the fun.

Ryan and I went this week, and were actually pretty disappointed with the turnout. There was a huge selection of meat and baked goods (even a gluten free tent!), but being vegetarian locavores, there wasn’t very much for us. Only two tents offered veggies, and only one of those was organic. In comparison with the Wednesday Market in Monument Square or the Deering Oaks Market on Saturdays, there was just no competition.

However, I would love for this market to succeed! It fills a void and the only thing it needs to thrive is a little more vegetation! Please check it out if you’re in the area, and spread the word so other farms will join!

Happy Saturday!

xx. Julia

(Click photo for source!)

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Super cute animals…

…and vintage buttons.

They make my day.


Today it’s 101 degrees in Maine. For a day or two each summer the temperatures climb to this height. This enitre week, though, has been stifling.

What really kills us is the humidity. I would rather be hot than cold, but being stuck in a city during the summer is no fun. I can’t wait for our “vacation” at home! Please believe me when I say that I will be in my bathing suit for the entire 8 days.

Enjoy your weekend, friends! And drink lots of water if it’s as hot where you are as where I am!

xx. Julia

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These are my favourite finds this week!

xx. Julia

(Click photos for sources!)

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