Pinch Provisions

Pinch Provisions has a kits for emergencies, when you are "in a pinch".

Pinch Provision mini emergency kit $15 J. Crew

I was strolling through J. Crew the other day and spotted these colorful, mini-emergency kits.  Just 3 1/2 x 2 x 2, these tiny kits contains 17 essentials for "a gal's tiny troubles".  

Some of the contents are earring backs, stain remover, emery board, pain reliever and sewing kit.  That means 12 more items in the kit!!  At just $15.  Who couldn't use one of these kits in their desk drawer at work, gym bag, or travel bag?  Wouldn't these make great gifts at a shower, stocking stuffer, Secret Santa, or hostess gift?  This particular kit is exclusive to J. Crew stores.  You can order kits here.  AND you can order refills of the things you've used, like the towelettes.  Check that out here.

Pinch Provisions has the guys covered too. 

Hemergency kit $25

At $25, guys get a razor and shaving cream, toothbrush and toothpaste, safety pin, shoeshine towelette and extra button along with lots of other good stuff.  Check it out here.

There are more specific kits.  This is a dorm survival kit. $25

I like the College Survival Kit complete with laundry instructions. $49

There are several wedding specific kits and two kits for moms.

Have you been in a pinch when one of these kits would have been a life saver?

Summer Rain

Ah!!!  Summer Rain

We had much needed rain today.  The kind that really soaks the ground, not just settles the dust.  

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I vaguely remembered some songs with summer rain in the title.  I went to the iTunes store and entered "summer rain" for a search.  No less than 20 different songs popped up with Summer Rain as the title.  My favorite Summer Rain song is by Johnny Rivers.  You can click here to listen to the song.

I used an old, ratty, falling apart umbrella today. I think it is time to splurge on a new one, one with some color.  Any one of these would do nicely.

Stylish Umbrellas by spiralstyle featuring a folding umbrella

Enjoy your weekend...rain or shine!

Making Mustard

Mustard is a condiment I use daily.  I recently read a blog that gave directions for making mustard.  I had never given it any thought but reading the process, I saw it was quite easy so I thought I'd give it a try.

    Making your own mustard takes just a few minutes.  You can use mustard powder, also known as mustard flour or use mustard seed.  This recipe uses mustard flour.  

1 cup dry mustard (powder/flour)

1 cup cider vinegar

1/3 cup honey

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Mix the 5 ingredients in a small pot and whisk over medium heat about 5 minutes.

Your mustard will be thick and smooth.  Allow to cool.  Refrigerate your mustard and consume within a few weeks or use a hot water canning bath to can the mustard and keep up to one year.

Here's the finished product in a mustard pot with wooden paddle.

I added some olive oil and chili oil to the mustard and used it to baste baby back ribs that I had slow roasted in the oven prior to grilling.  The mustard gave the ribs a great flavor.  

One of the things I purchase in Paris is Maille mustard.

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At the boutique Maille in Paris, mustard is pumped through a tap into ceramic jars.

I recycle and take my jars back to Paris and wait in line to have them filled.  There is a traditional Dijon, a coarse ground mustard and then a "flavor of the day", perhaps a variety made with chardonay.  Right now my jars are empty.  I either need to make more mustard or take a trip!

Ikea Crave

Raskog Kitchen cart Ikea $49.99

I think this cart is fantastic for the price.  It is available in gray as well as turquoise but since turquoise is a favorite color, I'll have that.  

The Raskog cart may be called a "kitchen" trolley but why keep all the fun in a kitchen.  It would be great in a bathroom for extra storage, a craft room, or kids room.  

I can't show photos of how I use the cart since it is out of stock at my Ikea and I'm waiting...and craving.

Where would you use the cart?  Gray or turquoise?

Lovin' Leif

Are you familiar with Leif, the online store?

They have some fun and unusual items, great for gift for others or yourself.  Here is a sample.  Check out the online shop here.

Lovin' Leif by spiralstyle featuring brooches

Summer Bounty

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a beautiful weekend.

Our daughter, son-in-law, and their dog, Dempsey, spent a few days with us while on their way to relocating in Philadelphia.  It was too hot to be outside, other than for a swim so we were "forced" to relax inside, watch the Olympics, chat and eat.

They both love to cook and helped prepare meals with bounty from the garden and farmers market.  Our daughter composed beautiful Caprese salad plates.

Her husband whipped a delicious peach salsa to accompany pork tenderloin.  

                                   photo by Romulo Yanes

We made an outstanding salted caramel ice cream from this recipe.  It was a perfect balance of sweet and salty and remarkably rich and smooth.

Happy Weekend

Last weekend hubby and I hosted our book club.  I served this cocktail, Blackberry-gin fizz.  It was fresh and delicious and very refreshing.  See this recipe and other great summer cocktails at Bon Appetit. 

As a starter I served fresh gazpacho.  I posted this recipe here in 2009.

                                               Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Sara on Pinterest

Have a wonderful weekend.