Movie Shoes...

My in-laws took the girls to the 75th anniversary showing of The Wizard of Oz yesterday.  It was the first time they had ever seen a film in an IMAX theater or in 3D.  They LOVED it! And it was actually good news for me.  Halloween costumes were decided without much fuss or delay.  Ava will reprise her role as the Wicked Witch of the West and Isabella will take a turn as Dorothy : )  

Of course Dorothy Gale has been on my mind all weekend, so when I saw this poster commemorating her iconic ruby slippers I wanted to see more.  This creative poster series by French illustrator Nicolas Bannister, is called Movie Shoes and it highlights some of the most iconic shoes in movie and TV history.  See how good you are at recognizing the character just from a pair of shoes.

 My favorite is a tie between Marty McFly and John McClane.  How about you?


(images via My Modern Met)

Fabulous Food: Tomato Pie

Tomato Pie is not one of those foods I thought I would ever like, but my sister made it while we were at the beach this past summer and I have to say, I LOVED it.  There are a few tips that make this tomato pie absolutely delicious and combat all those fears of mushiness that kept me from wanting to try this particular dish.  Follow this recipe and you will love the results. 

Ingredients:

1 - 9" pie shell
1/2 sweet onion, finely chopped
3-4 tomatoes, sliced (homegrown is best, but several campari tomatoes will do off-season)
1/4 c. basil, chiffonade
2 c. grated cheese- sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack
3/4 c. Miracle Whip
salt and freshly ground pepper
bacon, crumbled

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place pie shell in oven and cook 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.  This step is essential to keeping the pie shell from getting soggy.  
2. Let the pie crust rest until slightly cooled and then place half of the tomato slices in layers into the shell.  Lightly salt and pepper the tomatoes. 
3. In a medium sized bowl, combine the onion, cheese, miracle whip and basil.  Spread half of the cheese mixture on top of the tomatoes.  
4. Repeat with the remaining tomatoes and cheese mixture.  
5. Top with crumbled bacon and place in oven.  Bake until the cheese is browned and bubbly.  Anywhere between 25 to 45 minutes.  

You can serve the tomato pie as a side dish or pair it with a salad for a light dinner.  Either way, you will LOVE it : )

"New Beginnings"...a beautiful 9/11 tribute performed through ballet

Two people...two dancers...on the rooftop of Four World Trade Center, Christopher Wheeldon's After the Rain softly...and hauntingly...playing, a sunrise slowly brightening the sky, all among a backdrop of the newly constructed One World Trade Center.  This tribute to the remembrance of 9/11 is the most moving and beautiful one I have seen.  The NYC Ballet principal dancers, Maria Kowroski and Ask the Court, perform this beautiful pas de deux as "a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a tribute to the future of the city that New York City Ballet calls home." Beautiful.

(via Fubiz)

Artist Spotlight: Leandro Erlich

I love Leandro Erlich! The Buenos Aires based artist has become a master of illusion.  For the Paris art complex Le 104′s Perceptions exhibition, Erlich created Bâtiment (Building) which consisted of a facade of a Parisian building built on the floor and a huge mirror that is angled above.  The combination of these two elements is an amazing illusion.  Visitors were invited to interact with the "building" and then see themselves hanging, flying, sitting, climbing in the reflected image above.  Pure genius! There is a true sense of defying gravity within the captured images.  I do not know one kid that would not LOVE to feel like a superhero for a day.  

See the installation here-

Bâtiment, Leandro Erlich au 104 by Palagret
 

Erlich created another facade in London, called the Dalston House.  You can check it out here. 


(images via My Modern Met)

A Saturday Song...

I had a plan for today, but it wasn't meant to be.  Even before I opened my eyes, the day was taking a direction I had not expected.  Best laid plans...it's often the things that mess up our day that are the most memorable.  It's how we handle these unexpected moments that determine whether the day will be a good one or not.  I have chosen to laugh at the calamity of events that started before I woke up...and with each new, ridiculous screw-up...I will laugh.  Because what else is there to do ?

Here is a song for your Saturday-

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

The Friday Five...

{ Home-made bread and raspberry jam- a gift from my wonderful Aunt Sarah.  She knows me so well : )  }

{ My favorite books finally have a home in my new office }

{ My most recent project- painting a rug.  Bear with me on this one...not really sure how it will turn out : )  }

{ Love these guys.  There is an intelligence and sweetness in their eyes that I can't get enough of }

{ Ice cream with friends was a great way to end the school week }

What are Your Five?

Design Envy: Sliding Barn Door

I have LOVED sliding barn doors for what seems like FOREVER- which is amazing considering my mind changes at the drop of a hat.  Unfortunately, I have not figured out how...or where to put one.  My house does not look like a barn door would fit the design...right now.  But when I make all the changes that are in my head...this hypothetical barn door will look AWESOME...in the place I have not figured out yet : ) 

Here are just a few of my favorite inspirations for this future project-

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(source unknown for top image)

A Balloon Birthday Party...

This past Saturday was Walter's first birthday!  And we celebrated with balloons...lots and lots of balloons : )  It all began with a balloon banner that welcomed guests and showed them exactly where the party was happening.

Guests were greeted by a table where they could take a guess at what Walt will be when he grows up.  There were small paper balloons for the predictions to be written on. 

Jessica, Walter's mom, hung these cute little cut-outs of Walter's sweet face, with some very festive party hats, over the food table and along the path to the festivities. 

One of the main attractions at the party was the balloon artist, who made the most spectacular balloon animals for all of the kids.  

Guests were invited to "take a seat" in the yard, to enjoy all of the birthday activities. 

And after all of the balloons...and exercise...

...it was time for the cake!

And it's only fair, that if Walt got cake...so did Mommy and Daddy : )

A little clean-up was needed...

...and the damage was surveyed

And then, it was time for another adventure.

It was a wonderful, fun-filled day that I am sure left one big boy very tired...

...and his two loving parents absolutely EXHAUSTED : )

Happy Birthday Walt!

***You may remember Walter from when I photographed him and his mom, Jessica, before he had arrived, and then on his birth day, and then again when he had settled into his new home. He is becoming a professional at this : )