Love & Photos

A few weeks ago, my dad sent me a package containing a brand new hard drive. On the hard drive, was a collection of roughly 40 years worth of Super 8 films shot by my Grandpa. I don't know this side of the family well, so the experience of scrolling through and finding gems including my dad's first communion, kids' birthdays, even a few with me as a toddler in them, opened a whole new world of my family history.

What that made me realize was, that we (all of us) never take enough pictures. And we NEVER make enough prints. One hard drive wipe, and most families' photos would be gone forever. Are you backing up your memories? Making movies of your kid's first steps? Framing photos?

My favorite thing about the films was being able to see my parents young and in love. I want our kids to be able to have that one day too, so we set out to the Puyallup Fair take some engagement photos with our friends Jaqui and Travis of Jaquilyn Shumate Photography. (I highly recommend their services if you are in the market for some gorgeous photos). Here are some of the highlights:










Next stop, wedding!

Circle the Wagons! Roundup Time!

One of my daily reads (blog-wise) is The Rockstar Diaries by darling Naomi and her sweet family. A few days ago, I came across this post, a giveaway for Pillows By Poppy. My, oh my. I fell in love! I think my favorites are definitely the tipis!



What a great idea! I love when people are uniquely creative! Speaking of uniquely creatives, here's a few links to start your weekend out right!

My latest house tour for Apartment Therapy, Michele and Ryan Tansey's Antiquarian Hideaway.

Halloween Treats from Assemble and Neatloaf on CNN!

I'm not sure how I feel about this being a video for Chipotle, but it definitely made me cry. Reject factory farming!!

I just got these in Spicy Cinnamon and I am in LOVE.

Sweetest AT Walker EVER!

Thrifting Tips from Elsie of A Beautiful Mess.

Birkiland Seal Blankets

Oh, man. Aren't these blankets amazingly playful and cozy and wonderful?! I suppose only Icelanders could make seal pelts into a wild winter inspiration. Made of 100% Icelandic wool, these blankets are created by Vik Prjonsdottir for Birkiland, a company dedicated to authentic design.

And if these images aren't inspiring enough, here is the Birkiland manifesto (which is now also the Emily Manifesto!): 

We believe that Iceland is unique

We believe that there is an increased need for understanding our past, our identity and our history

We love all the colors of the rainbow

We believe in the intense power of nature

We believe in quality

We believe that design will help create competitive advantage of the nation

We believe in love and respect for all things

We believe in learning from the past, look to the future and still enjoy today

We believe that our home should nourish both body and soul

(all photos and manifesto courtesy of Birkiland)

Twitter Twit

@EmilyAGrosse #moderndilemmas

I have finally joined the Twitter crowd (semi-reluctantly) and could use some guidance.  Here are my first questions:

1. What is the point of hash tags if everyone is making up random titles?  Is it just to be witty?
2. Is there a minimum number of tweets per day or week that would prevent followers from being bored?
3. Are pictures and links as important/interesting on Twitter as they are on Facebook?

Some do's and don'ts.
Good advice for a novice like me.

What else should I know?

Hot Lunch

I was a child of the dreaded COLD lunch. Every morning, I was handed my lunchbox and sent on my way to the school bus. I hated it at the time because I felt like I was getting a raw deal: there I was surrounded by kids eating pizza, chicken nuggets and potato chips, and I'm eating a tuna sandwich, a cut up apple and a bunch of nuts and chocolate chips thrown in a bag.

What I didn't know then, though, was that my mother did me a giant favor. I was a kid, I didn't have the capacity to make the best decisions about food, just to know what tasted good. If she had given me money to pick my own lunch, I guarantee I would be a lot heavier than I am today. Her trail-mix-esque cold lunches taught my body to react to grease and sugar negatively, shaping my eating habits for adulthood.

Take a look at this info graphic (click here for a closer look) from Good. Is this not the saddest thing you have ever seen?


To learn what you can do to shed light on this problem, and help come up with a solution, go to SustainableTable.org and take a look at the Back to School section.

What Do You Do With Your Mixer?

We just received our FIRST wedding gift yesterday (thanks, Mom!). The Majestic Yellow, KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer. I'm so excited! At first I thought this was just for pastries, but then Emily informed me that I can make PASTA and SAUSAGE with different attachments! Wha???


So I'm really interested--what do you do with your Kitchenaid mixer? Tell me your fun stories about using different accessories, because I don't really know much about it! Plus, I'm very excited. Leave me a comment!

Folk-y Cross Stitching

Folk motifs are IN. Handmade accessories are IN. Modern cross stitching is IN. Etsy is a no-brainer to find gift ideas combining all three.  Best listings so far:

Golden Triangle Pendant Necklace by GammaFolk ($35)

Cross Stitch Folk Badges by Quiet Hare ($6)

Ukranian Folk Motif by Skrynka ($17)

Green on Green Folk Earrings by The Pin Pals ($15)

Jurianne Matter - Dutch Designer

This was one of those random finds. You start on one blog, and three blogs later you find something completely awesome. I came across Jurianne Matter a few weeks ago, and I absolutely love what she's doing with paper. THIS Shine lantern (featured above) is one of my favorites, but if you check out her website HERE, you'll find so many other wonderful paper objects.

Photos from Jurianne Matter's Blog

Fall Crafting Ideas

I am hosting Thanksgiving this year and looking for some special "homey" touches to add to my decor. This pumpkin & gourd embroidery pattern (and other adorable fall motifs) comes from Wild Olive by Mollie Johanson:   

Free downloads!

And I'm considering making a pair of felt slippers for our holiday house guests, and Martha has the perfect pattern:

How-to by Martha Stewart

My cousin surprised me with these adorable crocheted candy corns to add to my Halloween decorations!  I am debating stringing them up in the kitchen, or putting them in a basket on the coffee table.  Cute, huh?

You can follow this pattern for a similar plushy treat.

Manic Monday: 15 Must Haves for Fall

Okay, this Babble post says for mom, but I'm not really sure why you have to be a mom to wear these fabulous pieces for fall. I'm in love with pretty much every style, especially these high-waisted jeans. Check out this Babble post via Liz from Say Yes to Hoboken.

Our Last October event!

It has been one busy month at Assemble Gallery & Studio. So much so that it took me nearly all day to get this blog up! If you are in the Seattle area, and can make it, I highly recommend coming in for the show tonight.

We have got new goodies galore, like Pantone Universe, Sapling Press and Nourishing Notes. Plus brand new prints, art work and accessories from Wonder Thunder.


Come out tonight from 6-9pm for a Halloween extravaganza! We've got candy, jack o'lanterns, and No Witches Allowed, a collection of silk-screening and stitchery by Meagan Hall and Sasha Barr of Wonder Thunder.

Emily's out of town, so come keep me company! See you there!

Map Style

Maps have been "in" for a while -- vintage Paris maps, modernized local maps, wrapping paper and wallpaper -- and I vote YAY.  Just when I think the map style is getting old, someone comes up with a fresh, funny, or sweet new version.

I love this NY print of a hand cut silhouette-style map by Famille Summerbelle.

Or what about these quilted maps by Brooklyn-based Haptic Lab?!?  My wish list now includes one of Chicago.

Up, Up and Away!

My dear friend Alissa over at The Goods Design blog posted HERE about these ginormous balloons earlier this week. Never mind sending me flowers. I want a BIG balloon with pretty metallic tassels from Geronimo Balloons.

Photo from Geronimo Balloons

Recipe Finder

I'm loving SuperCook -- a website that directs users to online recipes (such as Martha Stewart or Epicurious) based on ingredients you have at home.  Got chicken, potatoes and an onion?  Make soup! And when you find a good one, pass it on.  Here are three FREE downloadable templates for recipe cards.  Free AND cute?!? Yay.

Triangle recipe cards from The Small Object

Free template by Love vs. Design

I heart MY food templates by Scissors.Paper.Wok

book soup, anyone?

It's a dreary day here in Seattle. In defense of rainy days, I always try to make a list and stick to it. Being productive is the ultimate weapon against getting low.

Speaking of lists, on yours should be tomorrow's awesome book signing with Leanne Prain at Assemble Gallery & Studio. Bring a photo or postcard for the Photo Feelism project! Event is free, fun and full of treats and surprises. Come in between 6 and 9pm! Or for the full three hours for all activities.


Tonight, however, what are your plans? Mine involve a nice Hot Toddy and a good book. I am in the middle of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, about a boy who loses his father on 9/11. The book is told from a child's perspective, which I'm especially fond of (most likely due to my childrens' writing major). I would also most definitely recommend Room: A Novel by Emma Donoghue. This one is told from Jack's perspective: a boy who (for a reason unknown to the reader) lives in a 7ft x 7ft room with his mother, from which they cannot leave.


What have you guys been reading? I'm up for some recommendations ALWAYS. And let me know what you think of the above two if you've experienced them!

Crosspost: Hidden Treats at Seattle's New West Elm

Apartment Therapy


We just collapsed at home after a delightful night out in the South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle, where the brand new Seattle West Elm home furnishing store was born. At over a whopping 15,000 square feet, the shop is the first in Washington and been long anticipated by the interior design savvy.

At the helm is visionary and creative director, Vanessa Holden, (former Editor-in-Chief of Martha Stewart Living) who oversees all creative aspects of the West Elm brand including catalog, website and store environments.

Walking through the pristine and untouched store, customers may notice that displays seem as if they are glimpses of the every-day, captured in still life. Each display subtly conveys several different manners of approaching each piece. Mixing, matching and re-envisioning are at play in every vignette in the store. Each crevice appeals to a different type of customer, from playful and lively in the kids' section (but what adult doesn't love a bright yellow desk lamp?) to elegant and thoughtful, with hand-stitched sari textiles, and gorgeous, suede sofa sets.

Also notable: an art installation from local artist, Justin R. Lytle, plus a floor-to-ceiling, self-sustainable plant life installation wall.

There is not enough time in the day to discover each secret treasure that is waiting in the new Seattle West Elm. Had there not been so many eager guests at the launch party, I would probably still be there, discovering secret tea cups hiding behind cookbooks or agonizing over which style shower curtain to take home with me. The store [opened to the public yesterday.] Get on over there (2201 Westlake Avenue) and discover for yourself.













Images: Andie Wurster