KELLY JOHNSTON

bits & pieces

some random bits & pieces:

1. Yesterday I started a new knitting project: this simple ribbed cowl found via Ravelry.

Mine is a deep blue and I hope I finish it before spring (I knit slow)

2. I saw a girl wearing clogs like these this morning and now I’m obsessed. Are clogs back? I haven’t worn clogs in at least 10+ years and suddenly I think I need them.

3. This reminds me – I’m also obsessed with a blouse I saw somewhere (I can’t remember where – maybe Lucky magazine? – but the image is stuck in my head) It might have been this blouse by Alexa Chung for Madewell?

I’m not sure, but I found a dusty rose version at H&M and it will have to suffice for now.

4. I read this article on Wayne Thiebaud in the NY Times last Sunday – I love his work.

5. Today I tried Starbucks’ new Cinnamon Spice Via C instant coffee and I was surprised to discover (I’ve never liked flavored coffee before) that it tastes almost as good as a Cinnamon Dolce latte. This is great news for me, as I love Cinnamon Dolce lattes!

6. And I really like this clutch:

7.13.10

hellO mojitO!

bad blogger

whoops. Forgot to blog. Sorry about that. Not sure why that happened . . . too much other stuff happened I guess. Let’s see:

-        went to a couple good rummage sales – scored lots of kids’ books and an old record player so I can finally play my childhood storybook albums for Jane and George (will post more about that soon). 

-        went away for a weekend with my PEPS group moms to a magical place called the Sleeping Lady to celebrate our 5^th year together! (moms only weekend = lots of laughing and zero responsibilities!).

-        soon after my return was abruptly flung back into reality when Jane got pneumonia. Not fun. Hadn’t seen her that sick ever. She’s much better now, thankfully!

-        went wine tasting via a short bus. Still recovering from that . . .

-        thought I saw a double rainbow, but just learned it was actually a supernumerary rainbow and according to wikipedia is “an infrequent phenomenon”!

I think that pretty much sums it up. Also made some new jewelry somewhere in there, which I will be photographing and showing off soon! In a much more timely manner, I promise :)

rugged & manly

I saw this card by dude and chick on Etsy today and it reminded me of those great Canadian Club ads like this one:

A bottle of whiskey and this card - perfect for Father’s Day, don’t you think?

smoke rings & bellinis

New smoke ring earrings:

and bellini earrings:

and a peach ginger bellini recipe in case you’re now in the mood for a cocktail!

limeade

Here’s a new variation in my popular anemone earring series – these are called limeade and I think that describes their color perfectly. Well, that, or a classic Margarita on the rocks – whichever you’re more familiar with . . . either way you can find them right here.

believe it or not

So the other day I made a trip through the Starbucks drive-thru for a little afternoon caffeine boost. I pulled up to the window and handed over my credit card but the cashier refused it and told me that the car in front of me had already paid for mine! She handed me my latte and I drove away wondering what in the world just happened? I mouthed, “thank you!” to the mystery driver and found myself smiling all the way home. I guess it was a random act of kindness?

But then I happened to find all these articles online describing “cheer chains” and how they’ve happened all over the country in Starbucks drive-thrus.

Some particularly cynical people even think it’s a PR stunt organized by Starbucks themselves! And now I feel guilty because it never occurred to me to carry on the favor. I was shocked by the gesture and all I managed to say to the cashier was “Really? Why?” She just smiled and said, “I don’t know, have a nice day!” so I just drove away feeling dumbfounded but happy. I’m sure had I read some of these stories beforehand I would have acted differently. I probably would have felt compelled to continue the chain. Selfishly I have to say I kind of liked my little story more when I thought it was just a singular occurrence – just some nice person feeling generous and kind out of the blue on a rainy afternoon. Now I’m not so sure – I feel like some kid on the playground just told me there’s no such thing as Santa. But I think I’m going to follow my 8 year old self’s lead and go on believing.

you’re as cold as ice

I have only had cold brewed coffee once – seven years ago. I’ve never forgotten it – it was that good. I read this article in The NY Times Magazine this past May & swore I would make some this summer. Here it is August, and I haven’t done it yet – but I think just by writing this post I will be motivated to actually go make some. Well, I’ll probably need a little help from the weather first – a hot day would make iced coffee taste even better. So far this is the dreariest August I can remember. Bleuch.

perfume of flowers

Have you ever had wine that tastes like flowers? When we were on our honeymoon in Mexico we went to a wine bar and did a little wine tasting and one of the wines we tried was 2000 Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir and I swear it was like drinking perfume – I know that sounds really bad, but it wasn’t – it was wonderful. Now, I am not a wine connoisseur by any means – I like wine – that about covers it. But I really liked this flowery wine. I looked for it when we got home, but couldn’t find it locally and I’ve always kept an eye out for it in the South American section of the wine department.

And then the other day there it was! Well – not quite. But it was from the same winery. I got a little frantic and snatched the bottle as fast as I could! We tried it the other night – no flowers, but it was still good. And I like the label. :)

Here is a review I found online for the elusive 2000 bottle – I think it sounds about right: ”Scented nose, with a perfume of flowers, violets, smoke, vanilla and a truffly undercurrent. Rich in the mouth, with a silky quality to the fruit, but then firm tannins adding some backbone. Quite a tight, structured, chewy palate with good length. Balanced finish. Very good.” Does anyone have suggestions for something similar?