the haystack needle

otto fan

I'm still here, still pregnant, and it's so hot out there. So I'm incredibly thankful that our apartment is equipped with ceiling fans, AC, and our Otto fan. I coveted this fan ever since I first saw it, purely because of its looks (a fan with a wood shell — sold!). I was happy to try it out when Air & Water kindly sent me an Otto fan to review*, and I've had the wood fan quietly whirring in our apartment for the last couple weeks. It doesn't oscillate unfortunately, but it's been creating a nice breeze where I'm sleeping (and napping). I love that it's lightweight while being made of sturdy steel and wood. We've had a history of table fans dying on us after a summer, so I'm hoping Otto is a fan with staying power. 

*full disclosure: Air & Water sent me this fan as a product sample to review, but the opinions I'm sharing are my own and I was not paid to write this post. 

shop pod

I stumbled upon this lovely curated Big Cartel shop, Pod, and it turns out there's also a charming boutique in Brookline Village, Massachusetts, by the same name. A few favorites from the Pod collection: the boysenberry-blue-gray color palette of this Kerry Cassill quilt, faux bois soap, beeswax tealights, wire bushels, cotton twine, grain sack cushions, and everything by Fog Linen.

Images: shop-pod

the new air purifier

This summer has so far not been the swing open the windows and let the breeze in kind of weather. This heat wave has my windows closed shut with the air on, so that I can feel some relief when I make my way back from a venture outside in the sweltering land of concrete. So we've been relying on this powerhouse above (in addition to the air conditioner), since a closed-up apartment equates to even more dust. (And Dan's allergic to dust.) Our old Swiss air purifier, Henry, went kaput recently. I guess 3 years of running constantly and chugging through dirty New York City air is all you can expect from an air purifier. But we're sure this Whirlpool air purifier is like Henry on steroids. On the turbo speed, this air purifier funnels fresh air through our bedroom in no time. Even on the low speeds, this air purifier seems to work super efficiently. And we're really noticing a difference, especially when we sleep. While it's stifling humid outside, it's easy to breathe in our little loft.   

giada de laurentiis for target

Who's your favorite Food Network chef? Most of my friends passionately love Ina. I like her recipes (and love the Barefoot Contessa mixes that I've tried.) But for some reason, I can't get into her show. Giada has been my consistent favorite. Sure, she's a bit high-energy, and I found it somewhat upsetting to learn that Giada at Home is not even shot at her house. But I do love her recipes. Last night after the snowstorm, all I wanted was Giada's bolognese sauce (from her Everyday Italian cookbook.) It's a winner, and I've made it so many times that I almost have it memorized. 

Giada just debuted a huge collection of cookware, kitchen gadgets, and pantry foods at Target. Since every TV personality seems to get their own cookware line (which are often ho-hum), I went to see the preview of this collection less than enthusiastic — and was pleasantly surprised. Giada's team really thought about designing items with new twists. The enameled cast iron pots (fashioned after the classic Le Creuset designs, which cost much more) feel solidly hefty in your hands — unlike the lightweight dutch ovens by Martha for Macy's. And I'm a little obsessed with Giada'a bakeware (especially the loaf pans!). The creamy ceramic is gorgeous in person and can work from oven-to-table. I also learned it's better to bake bread in ceramic — rather than metal — loaf pans (who knew?). Giada's scoop colander is rather genius. I personally hate the final step of dumping your heavy pot of pasta out into a colander. I've heard that pasta water makes nutrient-rich water for your plants, so I'd rather not waste it. And I like the idea of her little stainless steel warmer (that costs less than $20) for making sauces and warming chocolate or butter. If I'm going to buy a specialty pot like that, I really don't want to spend a lot of money. 

If any of you own a panini pan, I'm curious if you love it? Do you feel like it's a tool worth having? Does it help make gooey grilled cheese sanwiches, too? I love the design of Giada's panini pan, but I'm not sold on whether it's something I really need in the kitchen.

angela adams doormat

I've wanted an Angela Adams rug for a very long time. Every time I'm up in Portland, I like to stop in the Angela Adams shop to see their collection of rugs, with their graphic, nature-inspired patterns. (And then in my head, I pick out which one I'd buy. ) Now I found one that fits my budget. Just look at this Angela Adams doormat! What a brilliant way to mark your entrance with style. And did you know that 80 percent of dirt in your home gets tracked inside off your feet? It's true. I choose a cute doormat over vacuuming any day.

tape measure mat

This recycled plastic mat is made from a rainbow of tape measures. It reminds me of one of the out-of-box ideas Keith commissions for Anthropologie on his travels around the globe, but I actually spotted this tape measure mat on Viva Terra. It's so cute for a kitchen or entryway. Tomorrow, I'll be sharing a peek at our Color Me Happy housewarming party!

anthropologie sale

70 is my favorite number when it refers to 70 percent off some find at Anthropologie. I don't make it a habit to replace switch plates at home, since we're renters (even though it's a little decorating detail that adds a great dose of style.) But the switch plate for our kitchen lights had mistakenly not been installed, and this was too pretty to pass up. I'm so happy I peeked in the sale area of an Anthropologie shop over the weekend. And this tin roof switchplate, which I scored for $7.95: it will be coming with us to the next apartment. Trust.