It's the last day of the year and we just wanted to pop in and thank all of you who visit here. It's been quite the year online and as things change and evolve we are so thankful to be able to blog and thankful for your support! We're going to take a real weekend break but will be back to regular posts come next week along with plans for a most fantastic year ahead! Here's wishing you the best year ever for 2012!
A few pictures that have caught my eye over on Pinterest as of late and that needed to be added to The Art of the Display collection of posts. Some beautiful vignettes, yes?
I
remember hearing Nigella Lawson talk about temple food as being the
kind of food you eat after you've spent too much time indulging with
rich foods and late nights. And I tend to think that this kale and
couscous salad would fit nicely as an example of temple eating. Want to
feel restored? This is your lunch.
Especially
after Christmas where everyone binges on chocolates, stuffing and a few
too many cocktails, it's nice to create a nice little meal of something
that feels virtuous and kind. And I think that this salad with it's
vibrant colour and raw healthiness will get you back on the good foot no
matter how you've been ringing in the holiday!
And
do I have to mention that it's delicious to boot? Tangy from the lemon
and garlic and the cranberries provide a nice jolt of sweetness. The
tahini is creamy and the whole wheat couscous adds bulk so you don't
need to fill up on bread.
Kale & Couscous Salad
1 cup whole wheat couscous
1 bunch of kale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1/3 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons finely minced onions
2 tablespoons tahini
1.5 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon water
1 garlic clove, finely minced
juice of 1 small lemon
1/2 teaspoon sirracha (or your favorite hot sauce)
pinch salt
1/3 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted
1. In a small pot, cook the couscous according to package directions.
2.
While the couscous is cooking, wash kale throughly and pat dry. Remove
the thick, bitter stems and slice kale into thin ribbons. Cut again
crosswise once or twice so you don't have large lengths of kale. Pour
oil and vinegar over top and massage this into the kale using your
hands, until all the kale is well-coated and shiny. Add cranberries and
onions into the kale and toss.
3. Prepare the dressing
by stirring together the remaining ingredients (except the almonds) -
you may need to add a bit more water if you feel the tahini is seizing
up, this is normal tahini behaviour, so don't worry. Stir until the
dressing is creamy and smooth.
4. Fluff couscous when
ready and divide the couscous into 4 bowls. Top with the kale mixture
and then pour over some of the dressing. Sprinkle with sliced almonds.
Makes 4 servings.
Continuing on our search for the Most Influential of 2011, here's Part 4! And in case you missed the others, you can check Parts 1, 2 and 3 here (just after Part 4).
Back in August Little Paper Planes launched their wide format print collection which totally had us excited! We were so happy to see these (especially the black and white photography)! More please!
Falcon Enamelware
Falcon Enamelware revitalized the Falcon range – creating new sets and colours with the classic cookware and extending the collection into new areas beyond the kitchen. Click here to see.
Giant Washi Tape
Ours eyes popped out of our heads when we first saw this giant washi tape coming out of Japan this year. Japanese wallpaper and flooring company, Sincol and Japanese washi masking tape company mt have joined forces to release a collection of giant masking tapes for interior use! Thanks Hello Sandwich!
Beautiful over-dyed rugs have been popping up for a while now here and there, but this year it seemed we saw a bit more like this one from Moonish and even IKEA is planning a run on them.
This wall of recycled doors by Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek for an Amsterdam residential project is simply jaw-dropping.
Vintage Camera Night Lights
These vintage camera night lights by Jason Hull are nothing other than brilliant! Learn how to make them here.
Stacking Vessels by Pia Wustenberg
Stacking Vessels is a series of functional sculptures for the home. Each Vessel consists of three individual containers. One from glass, one wood and one ceramic. By Pia Wustenberg.
A vintage trailer + cupcakes! Bring a cupcake vintage trailer to your party! Enjoy cupcakes brings the bakery to your party! Guests enjoy treats served out of an adorable restored vintage Shasta trailer, twinkling lights, a festive canopy and a wafting sweet smell of cupcakes!
