Fig Season

It's fig season...

...and I can't get enough.

I even bought my own tree.

I made fig preserves.

So easy...1 lb figs with 1/2 cup sugar and a few lemon slices.  Cook on low for about 30 minutes.  See recipe here.  (I modified the sugar from 1 cup to 1/2 cup per reviews of recipe)

Perhaps my favorite way to eat figs is on toasted baguette with homemade ricotta, honey and sliced, ripe figs.  

Are you a fig fan?  What is your favorite way to eat figs?

Leather Trend

Leather is a big fashion trend for fall/winter 2012-13.  

I'm smitten by this leather dress from Banana Republic.  

This Rag & Bone dress is lovely but about 5 X the price of the Banana Republic dress.

This Cynthia Steffe dress has a touch of leather and the trendy peplum.

I love this leather top.  Sara Berman at The Outnet

If you are opposed to leather, this top is trimmed in faux leather.  I love the cobalt blue but it is also available in white.  Arden B.

Leather skirt from J. Crew

I'd go with a knee length pencil skirt. Piperlime

Is leather a trend you'll adopt?

Mid Century Modern

For the past two decades I've had a penchant for mid-century modern furniture.

I'm attracted to the sleek lines and classic, iconic designs.

Last week I saw this image on the blog, Apartment Therapy.  Certainly the view outdoors is stunning but the Barcelona chairs and stools, hardwood floors and Oriental rugs immediately caught my eye. Barcelona chairs are classic mid-century modern.  They are often seen in hotel lobbies and museums as well as homes.  

Nelson Platform Bench

My first purchase of mid-century modern was this versatile Nelson Bench.  This bench is at home at the foot of a bed, in an entry way or working as a coffee table.  In a guest room it can double as a place to perch an open suitcase or in a family room as a spot for a TV.  Oh, and of course with a few cushions, a place to sit.  My bench has held all these positions at one time or another.

My favorite piece of all time is this Le Corbusier table.  This was my dining room table in my house prior to my move to this condo.  I still own it but it is in storage, waiting for an opportunity to be used again.

There are some great pieces I'd love to own.  

Ghost Chair 

based on Philippe Starck's interpretation of Louis XVI furniture Regency Shop

These Lucite chairs would be wonderful seating in a small dining room as they are transparent and would not appear to take up room.  I think it would make a fabulous desk chair with a bright pattern cushion.  

Modern Coffee Glass Table based on design by Noguchi  Regency Shop

This would be my first choice for a coffee table.  

Comfy Chair based on Womb-chair by Eero Saarinen Regency Shop

I would love to curl up in one of these chairs for a good read or a nap.

The good people at Regency Shop are offering a discount to Spiral Style readers.  The Regency Shop is a tremendous source for classic modern furniture designs at affordable prices.  

Click here to view the online shop and then use the bold print promo codes below for your discount.  

10% OFF (on any purchase over $300.00) – CHEI34

5% off anything – 5OFF

 

Happy Shopping

Tortoise: Faux Natural

I've been a long time fan of the tortoise shell motif.  I love the warm colors and pattern, a natural look for autumn.  Of course, the tortoise is endangered and everything you see here is faux.

Tortoise Glass Bowl  $68 CWonder

This bowl from C Wonder rekindled my fondness for tortoise.

The tortoiseshell look is showing up in lots of accessories this fall.

Tory Burch Satchel $750

Tortoiseshell case for iPhone $40

Tortoise cap ballet flat $98.

(Faux) Tortoise Shell Accessories by spiralstyle 

J.Crew j crew necklace / Lauren Ralph Laure Wednesday n ralph lauren / Michael Kors jewelry / J.Crew vintage earrings / Tortoise jewelry / Wishlist

Lovely tortoiseshell motif lamp.

Tortoiseshell glass table lamp $168.91

Happy Monday.  Hope your week is off to a great start.

Easing into Autumn

I am beginning to embrace autumn.  I started with the purchase of a mum and decided to replace my pot of annuals with some hardier plants that will eventually withstand frost.

Yes, that is Swiss chard in the pot.  It is hardy and colorful.  The $1.50 mum, not yet in full bloom is kept in the pot and can be replaced when the blooms have died.  The other plants were greatly reduced at the nursery.  

I got my inspiration from this Pinterest find.

                                                          Source: canadiangardening.com via Deborah on Pinterest

Click here to view the video 

I did not use these colors but the inspiration is to use plants with varied color and texture in the foliage and not rely on flowers.  It also gave the suggestion of using edible plants such as kale and chard.  For me, it is still too early in the season to welcome pumpkins.

Have a wonderful weekend.  See you on Monday.

Loving My Raskog Cart

After patiently waiting for my local Ikea to restock Raskog carts, I could barely wait to take one home for assembly when I spotted the turquoise trolleys at the store.  

Raskog cart Ikea $49.99

The sturdy steel cart is easy to assemble.  I found a spot for it immediately but contemplated what I wanted to put in the cart baskets.  I was looking for function with a bit of aesthetic.  I was able to make more space in my kitchen drawers and cabinets by moving just a few items to the cart.

Hubby realized that the cart fits perfectly in the mudroom.  This space was meant for large bags of dogs food.  Since we are "between" dogs right now, a Raskog cart would be perfect for gloves and scarves in the winter.  I think I'll purchase a gray cart this time.

If you are in need of storage space in ANY room in your home, consider one of these extremely affordable carts.

Book Suggestion: Broken Harbour

I just finished the latest book by Tana French, Broken Harbour.  

If you love a good mystery-thriller, this is your book.  Don't wait to read this...make an effort to get it NOW.  I loved this book and now I can't wait until Tana writes her next thriller as they only get better.  This is Tana's fourth book and features Mick Kennedy, the detective from her book Faithful Place.  

Jenny and Patrick Spain are childhood sweethearts, devoted to one another and their two children. The Spain family buys a house in Brianstown, a housing development that sprung up at the end of the economic boom of Ireland.  A short while after moving to Brianstown, Patrick looses his job.  Within a few months money is short and bills aren't being paid. The developers abandoned the half-built community and left a depressing mess.  That is where the horrific murders of Patrick, Emma and Jack take place and leave Jenny barely clinging to life.  

Enter, Mick Kennedy, the detective assigned to the biggest case of the year.  Mick knows the area of Brianstown well but from the days when it was called Broken Harbour and his family spent two magic weeks each summer there by the sea.  Mick's memories turned dark however, by the tragic event that occurred the last time the family took their caravan to the seaside community.

Richie Curran, a rookie, is assigned to the case with Mick.  Mick and Richie are convinced this case will be an easy solve but certain things just don't add up starting with the confession of the alleged killer who happens to be a childhood friend of one of the murder victims and his severely injured wife.  Why are the children smothered in their beds.  Why are all the holes punched in the walls of the otherwise pristine house and why are video baby monitor cameras pointed at the holes?  

Ms. French plays up the relationship between the two detectives as the experienced versus non-experienced and their good cop/bad cop interaction.  The author introduces Mick's sister Diana, an emotionally unstable person who was effected by the family tragedy that occurred at Broken Harbour many summers ago.  She is distraught by the recent events at Brianstown (Broken Harbour) and causes Mick worry for her mental and physical well being.  She eventually causes a significant turn of events in the case.  

This book is as much about Mick Kennedy as it is about the murder case.  Mick's personal life is tangled in the solving of the case.  There are lots of layers to this book.  You won't know "who dunnit" and the motive until the end.  

You WILL love this book.  Give it a read.