Tag Archives: bed
Bedtime Stories: One for the grown-ups
Post by Mark T. Locker.
Lexicon by Max Barry
If you’re into non-stop action and sci-fi-y stories, but also appreciate a well-written novel, you ought to check out Lexicon by Max Barry. Two stories, set at two different points in time, dance around each other before slowly converging.
One plot line is about an Australian carpenter named Wil Park who has found himself caught up in some very unbelievable circumstances. A bunch of people are after him and he doesn’t know who they are or what they want. The ones who are trying to protect him seem as unpleasant as those trying to intercept him. A woman, barely alive, utters a series of strange words and instructs one of the men to kill himself. And he does. That’s when Wil realizes something serious is happening. And it all points back to a secret locked inside Wil’s brain.
Emily is a clever street kid in San Francisco. Her knack for persuasion has caught the interest of an unusual organization. After proving herself worthy, if just barely, she is taken to an academy to learn a secret science of persuasion. She learns there are certain words that drop peoples’ defenses and open them up to obeying the commands of others. Those who have mastered this skill are called Poets (because of their mastery of language) and take on a poet’s name.
While this method of storytelling can fall flat (I always get irritated when I have to shift gears like that) Barry pulls it off with ease. It’s a difficult story to summarize but a fun and interesting book to read. It’s interesting, constantly moving, and totally unique.
Bedroom Design: 4 Bedrooms that Feel Undeniably French
Post by Tracy Kaler.
I adore all things French –– from the food and wine to the language, to furnishings and interiors, there’s a certain je ne sais quois that only comes from those things that originate in France.
That being said, I’ve always dreamed of having a Paris apartment or a country house in Provence. If you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate these four fab bedrooms that feel undeniably French.
An Aubusson rug, Bergere, and the damask textiles give this room a formal French Country look. The puddled bed skirts, decorative screen, and silk bed fabrics make the space ooze romance.
This designer could have shopped the Paris flea markets all day to come up with a very spontaneous, ‘undesigned’ yet chic space. The bed is a reupholstered French antique, and the apple-picking ladders more than likely hail from the countryside in France.
This bedroom for prima ballerina Ana Botafogo boasts a very regal feel. Located in Brazil, the space contains a host of French-inspired elements. The mix of pattern and texture, damask wall covering, formal bed, and French furnishings bring the large room to life.
This stunning French bedroom offers an up-to-date, refreshing take with its grey and white color scheme. Classic French details mingle with some modern touches. Take, for instance, the straight-lined bed with wide bolsters in front of the upholstered wall. A marble floor and crystal chandelier complete this fabulous, formal bedroom
Breakfast in Bed –Wicklow Pancake
Post by Alison Hein.
Sometimes, when I’m looking for inspiration, I turn to my mother’s collection of old cookbooks. There is something meditative about leafing through a pile of worn and tattered recipe collections that provides a lot more satisfaction than a Google search. Maybe because I’m not sure of what I’m looking for. 🙂
One of my favorite of these little books is The Art of Irish Cooking by Monica Sheridan. Peppered with quotes, tips and sayings, the writing is as engaging as the recipes. Irish food is often underappreciated, but I admire its creative adaptations of local, fresh ingredients.
Almost stark in its simplicity, the Wicklow Pancake is a crisp and savory carrier for a medley of fresh green herbs. More omelet or frittata than pancake, and sometimes called an Irish Omelet, this dish is alleged to be a specialty of County Wicklow (just south of Dublin) which first appeared around the turn of the 20th century. Use day old bread to make your own fresh breadcrumbs for authenticity and a more pancake-like texture. Be sure to use a generous hand when seasoning, and place a large pat of butter on top of the pancake before serving. It can be a little tricky to flip this thick concoction. Go easy on yourself if you’re having trouble, and turn the half-cooked pancake into a second heated and buttered pan. Then slice it up into quarters (farls in Irish) and strew with some additional fresh thyme leaves for a savory breakfast in bed that I hope you find inspiring.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup plain, fresh breadcrumbs (use day old bread to make your own)
2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh chives, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
Additional herbs for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Melt half the butter in a heavy 6-inch pan over medium low heat.
Crack the eggs into a large bowl and whisk until smooth. Stir in the milk, breadcrumbs, parsley, chives and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
When the butter is hot, pour the egg / breadcrumb mixture into the pan, evening out to cover the bottom. Continue to cook over medium low to low heat until eggs begin to set and bottom is lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Carefully flip the pancake and cook on the other side until firm and browned, another 5 or 6 minutes. Cut in quarters and top each with a dab of remaining butter. Garnish with additional fresh herbs, if you like.
Makes 2 servings.
Recipe adapted from The Art of Irish Cooking by Monica Sheridan
Bedtime Stories: You Don’t Have to Wait for Halloween
Post by Mark T. Locker.
The Ghost of Graylock by Dan Poblocki.
I know spring is not the time of year people think of creepy, haunted sanitariums. But sometimes, on a stormy spring evening, when the wind is throwing the rain and cherry blossoms everywhere, curling up under a light blanket and a spooky book is just the thing. I have had this ghost story sitting around for a while but finally picked it up. Neil and Bree are siblings in the midst of personal turmoil. Their dad has left for the west coast and their mom is struggling with a nervous breakdown. In order to give her space to recover, the kids are sent to their aunts’ house in a small town in upstate New York. Quickly, they discover that one of their neighbors in the vast and ghastly Graylock Hall, an abandoned sanitarium, supposedly home to the ghost of the wicked Nurse Janet, believed to have drowned more than one patient from the hospital. Naturally, they want to explore; what they don’t plan for is that something would follow them back.
Tormented with visions and feelings, the children begin trying to unravel the mystery of who is haunting them, and why. Is it the malevolent spirit of Nurse Janet, seeking new victims? Or is it one of her victims, seeking justice? Dan Poblocki continues to deliver spine-tingling fun for young teens and grown-up kids at heart alike. Fun book to pull out on a rainy night or a spooky campfire read.
Bedroom Design: 5 Bedrooms with a Moroccan Feel
Post by Tracy Kaler.
Often characterized by mixing bold, busy patterns, lantern light fixtures, and ornamental surface details, Moroccan rooms aren’t as common as some other design styles. Still, when done well, Moroccan-themed spaces can be lovely, happy rooms, and even feel restful enough to capture a good sleep.
Take a peek at these five Moroccan-inspired bedrooms, each of which pushes the creative envelope in one sense or another.
You probably wouldn’t ever think that an all-white bedroom could be Moroccan in style, but the above photo proves otherwise. Stylish and sophisticated, this neutral space boasts a Mediterranean feel. The designer used pattern to create a modern, Moroccan escape that combines a sleeping area and sitting room.
A Moroccan-style wall covering sets the tone for this unique bedroom. Bold and busy, the bed wall becomes the focal point of this compact, cozy space and influences the rest of the design, which leans toward contemporary.
Going Moroccan in a nursery? Yes, indeed, and it works. From the baskets to the hot pink poufs to the unmatched pendants and artwork, this cheery room sports all the right touches for a newborn and parents to feel happy and relaxed. This room can easily transition into a child’s room or even an adult’s bedroom with just a few minor adjustments.
Tall headboards and simple bed skirts in a Moroccan-themed fabric, a tile floor, and the teal and marigold combine nicely to create a bright, twin bedroom. Notice how the teal paint on the lower half of the walls is the same shade that’s on the leading edge of the drapery. The color scheme ties all of the elements together.
Bright blue with gold, plenty of pattern, and the right amount of red give this space drama. A tub in the bedroom isn’t traditional, but lends a true Moroccan feel to this color-filled suite.
