vessels

I am thrilled to announce that I have finally listed some of my pottery pieces for sale in my online shop. More to come soon!

forging ahead

I spent a good amount of time in the past couple months focusing on what direction to take my design ideas and where to focus Forged and Found. What feels right and makes the most sense to me is taking inspiration in a place that brings me a tremendous amount happiness, the kitchen. I have such vivid memories of kitchens I grew up in and all the accoutrements and implements that defined those spaces. I have inherited tea towels and aprons, wooden spoons and mixing bowls, measuring cups and whisks. I have a burger press from my grandmother that I hold dear and use whenever I get the chance. Kitchens hold an enormous amount of sentiment and story. I have been collecting and studying photographs of vintage kitchens and noticing the accoutrements, the basics, the tools and staples, where they live and how they're used. Surprisingly not much has changed in about 100 years. This glimpse into the past will be what inspires my work in the future for Forged and Found.

eggless pancakes from scratch

The sun has been elusive for days. Today was the third morning I woke with difficulty, later than I would have liked, to the sound of rain. A very uninspiring moment indeed. I am a morning person, in that I usually wake easily and often a bit hungry, enjoying a bite or more for breakfast. There are rare days that a cup of coffee is all I need and I am on my way. Eggs are a happy staple for me and if they are not an option I will often tend toward something savory instead of sweet. Lying awake in those first few minutes of today I realized there were absolutely no eggs in the house and the fridge and cupboards were embarrassingly bare. I was simultaneously and abnormally craving pancakes. I quickly tossed the covers aside, slipped on my robe and threw together an eggless pancake batter that was easy, delicious and satiating. A breakfast comfort food perfectly suited to soothe after three long days of rain.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup non-fat or 1% milk
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS
 1. Mix together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in medium bowl.
 2. Combine milk, oil, water and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients.
 3. Stir just until moistened. Add more milk if the batter seems too thick.
 4. Pour batter onto a hot, lightly greased griddle.
 5. Turn pancakes when tops are bubbly all over, a few bubbles have burst, and the edges begin to appear dry.
 6. Turn only once, continuing to cook until bottoms are browned and dry.

the long and short of it

“A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life."

― Coco Chanel

After weeks of meditating on it, I decided today was the day I would cut my hair. It has been slightly over two years since I last had a proper chop and the ten inches that I lost in one swift snip in front of my bathroom mirror this morning was indeed a weight lifted. When it comes down to it, I am a long-haired girl at heart. I enjoy wearing my hair long, caring for it, twisting and curling it into fanciful up-dos. I am one who believes that hair holds power, histories, stories, memories, experiences, meaning and definition. Sometimes that intensity and heaviness needs to be lightened or lost all together. I was ready for cutting, for letting go. I was ready to start being who I really am. Presently.

Two Januarys ago I posted one of my most popular pieces on the blog, a little story about how I was finally going to commit to letting my natural hair grow in, greys and all. That lasted perhaps a maximum of six months. There was the lure of fresh highlights, an opportunity for free salon hair color and the astonishing amount of silver strands coming in to divert my plan. Then again, about three months ago I decided to stop with the dyes, toners and chemicals and let my hair be. All was going well until recently when I became fixated on the way my dark roots streaked with silver looked so radically different than the auburn ends flecked with gold. I couldn't fathom keeping all that processed hair while going through this. I also realized I needed to tone down all the brassiness that summer left behind and start caring for my new hair so I began using a blue shampoo and conditioner. Immediately my hair felt decidedly softer, shiny and silky and pleasantly just a tad darker and deeper. The redness became cooler.

Recently a few of my girlfriends, some who have had very long hair for an even longer time, went short. I felt extremely inspired by them. I was charged by my recent move and the coming New Year and a deep feeling of wanting to honor my true self. I collected pictures on Pinterest. I mentally prepared myself. I enjoyed wearing my long hair loose and free for the past couple weeks. I woke up today and felt ready. Since the age of 14 I haven't spent more than six months without my hair bleached, dyed, permed or highlighted. I am excited to see what transpires and believe that this effort at letting my hair grow in naturally will finally be a successful one.

in with the new

Cheers and Happy New Year!

After a long night serving food and drinks, popping corks and diffusing noisemakers and merrymaking, I have finally and happily made it to the first day of 2015. It's been a purposefully lazy day. I welcome it after the bustle of a week back in Philadelphia over the Christmas holiday, the first time for seeing my friends and family after moving to Georgia six months ago. Later today I plan to take my first stab at some traditional black eyed peas, have a little bonfire and toast this year ahead. I feel optimistic and supercharged with possibility. I look forward to manifesting that energy creatively, putting most of my time and efforts into Forged & Found and The Peregrine Papers.

See you soon!