Get the Look: CP Shades

Our go to for spring and summer dressing, CP Shades. Easy, timeless looks in breezy linen. CP Shades production is based in Northern California. Each garment is carefully crafted using 100% natural and sustainable fabrics, and meant to be worn over and over again. Get the look: CP Shades Iris Linen Regina Tunic Summery tunic from CP Shades in a beautiful iris purple linen. Split v-neck, pintuck details and an easy fit. $165. Jane Diaz Bee Necklace Stone mosaic, bee charm necklace with hand-cut banded black onyx, white agate and yellow jade set in blackened German silver. $238.00 CP Shades Oatmeal Linen Jenn Pant Loose, straight leg pant cut in fine, woven linen in a natural oatmeal color that is so comfortable on hot days. $130.00 Michael Stars Tasseled Trim Hat Straw fedora with a narrow brim, braided trim with tassel. $58.00 Disco Espadrilles A summer staple dressed up with gold sequins. $48.00

Homemade Hummus Recipe

I love making fresh hummus!  This is such an easy recipe, and you can adjust the flavors to your personal taste. It's a healthy and tasty snack served with pita chips and veggies, and delicious spread on sandwich bread. Canned chickpeas are great for this and are faster than using dried.




Ingredients:

• one 29 oz can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• the juice of 1 large lemon
• 1/2 cup tahini
• 2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for serving
• 1 teaspoon ground sea salt, depending on taste 
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 
• 2 to 3 tablespoons water 
• dash of ground paprika for serving 
• sweet piquante peppers to taste (optional)

It's best to use a food processor, but you can use a blender if you don't have one. The hummus will not be as smooth from a blender.

Start by combining the tahini and lemon juice in the bowl of the food processor. Process for 1 minute,  scrape the sides and bottom of bowl then process for another 30 seconds. The mixture will thicken and darken, if it seems too dry add a little water to help form a paste.

Next add the minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and cumin. Process for about 30 seconds,  scrape the sides and bottom of bowl then process for another 30 seconds or until everything is well combined.

Add half of the chickpeas and process for 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of bowl down again and process for another 2 minutes. Now add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and keep processing until you've reached the desired creamy and smooth constancy.

At this point you can add peppers if desired. I used a handful of diced pickled Sweet Piquante Peppers from a jar, and they add a nice sweet heat. Just process for another 30 to combine, you'll have little flecks of the red pepper throughout the spread.

Before serving drizzle with a little additional olive oil and sprinkle with paprika.

This stuff is even better than store bought. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps nicely for up to a week.  Enjoy!

Sibylle's Mother's Day Wish List

1. On the top of Sibylle's wish list is a day relaxing in the sun and spending time with family and friends. Priceless.

2. This pretty bird on wheels is a quirky little found object sculpture by artist Jim Mullan.   Jim Mullan Golden Bird on Wheels, $245.00

3. Retro inspired cateyes from Spitfire look modern with a twist of materials. Spitfire Gold Cateye Angelo 2 Sunglasses, $40.00.

4. This soft, combed cotton shirt dress with a nautical print from Jachs Girlfriend is a perfect one piece spring look. Jachs Girlfriend Anchor Print Shirt Dress, $98.00.

5. Diamonds are a Mom's best friend, this handcrafted pave diamond necklace will make any woman feel special. Aviva Rose Francesca Curved Diamond Bar Necklace, $450.00.

6. The Greenwich St. Small Tote by IIIBeCa is a perfect work bag that will hold a lot of stuff in a fresh spring neutral. IIIBeCa Eggshell Greenwich St. Small Tote, $178.00.

Esther's Mother's Day Wish List

1. On the top of Esther's wish list is spending time with her beautiful daughter and family.  Priceless.

2. Library of Flowers Linden Bath Oil is a rich smoothing formula with a lovely floral scent. The Shower gel lathers up with moisture-rich suds to restore & refresh.   Library of Flowers Linden Shower Gel, $22.00
Library of Flowers Linden Bath Oil, $28.00.

3. A pretty spring dress, this style from 4 Love and Liberty is a vison in pink with beautiful lacy embroidery.
Misty Coral Embroidered Dress, $325.00.

4. Every Mom deserves a special piece of jewelry, Esther loves the delicate sparkle on this classic bee charm.   Swallow Bee Pave Diamond Necklace, $250.00.

5. Sid Dickens Memory Blocks add timeless style wherever they're hung. Start a gallery wall or pick one special block that reminds you of Mom.   Esther's favorite, The 'Water Dance" Memory Block is available in store for $84.00.

Sunny Days Ahead

Start spring off with a new pair of new pair of sunnies! We've picked our five favorite styles:


 

The Uptowner from Michael Stars is a retro cateye style in black with dark tinted lens. $88.00



Spitfire Studio sunglasses are a classic square shape in translucent tan acetate. $40.00



The Eclipse from Michael Stars is a chic style in tortoiseshell with a bright swirl pattern on the reverse. $78.00



Our favorite look this season is the glamorous pin up style from from Spitfire, the Angelo 2. $40.00



Helix in black from Spitfire has a wire frame and light feel. $42.50

Introducing Sid Dickens Memory Blocks

Sid Dickens Memory Blocks provide a contemporary style of decorating— affordable, movable, desirable— with the timeless quality of enduring beauty. Each piece is individually hand crafted by artisans in Sid Dickens Vancouver studio. The plaster tiles measure 6" × 8" × 1.25" and are finished to a porcelain-like quality, or weathered and cracked to create an aged look and feel. Create your own narrative by mixing motifs to tell your unique story. The highly collectible Memory Blocks are inspired by music, mysticism, botanicals, Renaissance, and Baroque art.
 

"People like to feel they are an integral part of the story of humanity, and my tiles have the weight and feel of another era, a time when things were more permanent and long lasting. I think it's this aspect of the tiles that make people want to reach out. In essence, they want to touch history." - Sid Dickens Memory Blocks are best displayed in wall-mounted groupings. You can start with a single tile and build your collection. The tiles can be grouped in many arrangements of different sizes, shapes and sequences. As your decorating needs, feelings and moods change, your display can also change. Memory Blocks are easy to position with a small screw or nail in the wall, no additional supports or mounts are necessary.

Sid Dickens Memory Blocks are available for $84.00 at our Armitage store front, stop in or give us a call to start your collection. 773-929-3600

Celebrate Botanical Leaf Month with a Free Gift From Michael Aram

Designer Michael Aram gives us a look behind the scenes, the making of his classic and much loved Botanical Leaf Collection.

 

Celebrate Botanical Leaf Month this April and receive a FREE Botanical Leaf Catchall with your purchase of $150 or more of Michael Aram merchandise*. Charming and delicate, the Botanical Leaf Collection expresses a winsome interpretation of eucalyptus and seagrape leaves. This collection embodies a full range of pieces that are highly giftable individually, or support an entire lifestyle scheme.

"For me, the shapes conjure a sense of freshness and fragility. The textures represent a metaphor for life itself...depthful and complex..." - Michael Aram

 *While supplies last.