Drift 9 / Belize

My attempt at the crop top.  Fringe and crop tops were the hottest trends I saw in Miami last week.  Try it, I dare you! 

Welcome to Miami

The trip is finally here!  I've been following this for 2 weeks and feel amazing!  You can follow our Miami adventures on instagram @marissacasellini

Off to the Perry Hotel for the Rx pool party!

Iphoneography in Pacific Beach

TDH, the Frenchies and I take a weekly sunset walk on the beach.  We live in a 1940's house on the cusp of Pacific Beach and Bird Rock.  I snapped this photo on my iphone of a surfer right after he hopped out of the ocean.  I then edited and added filters using Camera+.  Which one is your favorite? 

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Dig - DIY Bathtub Garden

Our rental in La Jolla came with a giant bathtub that was so unsteady we had to sign off in the lease we wouldn't sue in case it caused any bodily harm.  So after months of it sitting in the corner of our shower (our shower is larger than most NYC apartments) I asked the boys to move it outside.  I had been itching to plant carrots but they need a deep container.  The dogs and chickens eat anything we plant in the ground so a raised bathtub bed was the perfect solution! 

What you will need
- An old bathtub or large deep container.
- Good dirt, go for the organic stuff at your local nursery.  (Remember, you will be eating all this goodness and you wouldn't want to ruin it with cheap soil.)
- Compost from your kitchen and/or neighborhood chickens.
- Seeds.  Think about what you love to eat.  (I planted carrots, 2 types of kale and broccoli.  We feed the dogs carrots and I could eat kale 3 meals a day.)
- Gloves.
- Something to mix the dirt with, a shovel, stick or just your hands if you don't mind dirt under the fingernails.

Fresh picked kale from the bathtub

To do
1.  Find some large rocks or bricks for the bottom to ensure good drainage.

2.  Add a layer of dirt.

3.  Add a layer of chicken manure compost and/or store bought compost. 
4.  Mix it all together.

5.  Add another layer of dirt.
6.  Fill up your container a few inches from the top because the dirt will compress and sink in over the next week.
7.  Using a shovel or your hand create rows for your seeds.  Read the packaging labels for directions on spacing and planting seed depth.
8.  Add the seeds.  Cover with soil and water gently.
9.  Continue to water gently for the first few weeks.  Once the plants are set feel free to use the hose or your leftover pasta water (after it's cooled :).

age: 3 weeks

age: 5 weeks

age: 3 months

Have you planted in any crazy containers?  I would love to hear some ideas.  PS - My favorite seed catalog at the moment is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

How to throw an ALT party

Last week I attended Altitude Summit, otherwise known as ALT, in Salt Lake City.  I met talented established and up and coming bloggers from all over the world.  I have more posts in progress on what I learned and how it can help you but for now let's make this Tuesday a little lighter and celebrate the art of party hosting.  Hope this provides some inspiration for your next event.  Ciao mi amici. 

Cabo Day 3 - Monday

- Started the day off with morning yoga while TDH slept in.
- Finished designing my media cards for next week's ALT Summit and OR shows in Salt Lake City (anyone else going?  I would love to hear if you are in the comments.)
- Beach for a few hours.
- Mini shoot for BORELLI Design's launch of the BORELLI Wrap Dress.
- A trip to the market.
- Group color stories for Spring 2012 scarves.
- Hot tub reading with Uppercase magazine.
- Blog, blog, blog.
- Red wine sunsetting.
- Off to make an appetizer! 

 
All photos taken with my iphone, kept in the raw.

Hello 2012

I'm excited about you

Missing St. Barts, Again

BLACK FRIDAY DEALS

www.borellidesign.com

Don't panic!  There is NO reason to spend all day shopping in a crowded, disorganized, everything-is-made-in-China store.  Pick up a cozy, soft, made in the USA, multi-use scarf perfect for your:
- boss
- girlfriend/boyfriend
- brother/sister/cousin
- mother-in-law/sister-in-law/father-in-law
- good friend
- favorite yoga/spin/Pilates/dance teacher
- even the mailman/mailwoman!
- or just yourself, come on I pick up a few things for myself too over the holiday season.  Who can resist?

Deal good through CYBER MONDAY at 12 midnight. 

 

Thank you - Up her Sleeve

I was traveling most of the day last Friday on itty bitty planes with single seat rows and just tall enough ceilings to stand hunched over if you were over 5'8".  I didn't know they still made planes that small!  I was also surprised to see my blog featured over at Up Her Sleeve.  Jenn is behind this new gem with a clean and classy layout and outlook on life.  She's also a mom to the most adorable boy in the world, has a killer job and a sassy haircut.  She was recently taken off the market but once you read this you will fall in love with her too.  Thanks for the love Jenn, happy to help you escape!

check out the full story here

La foto del giorno - Venezia

Gondola driver, Venice, Italy

Is Venice still sinking?