release the kraken!

Summertime is the best time to discover new cocktails and enjoy sipping on old faves. Pictured above top is the wonderfully named drink, The Kraken, from local Charlotte restaurant Halcyon. It is an ice-cold dirty martini with a dash of squid ink. I have to admit that I wasn't brave enough to order it myself, but I had a sip of my friend's and it was quite tasty. The other drink pictured is a classic pink greyhound – grapefruit juice and vodka – with a juicy orange slice. Those were whipped up and enjoyed by me and my mom on a recent seaside visit to Fripp Island, SC. So yummy!

{Photos by beth perry DESIGN}

more small cool 2011

Had to post a few more from apartment therapy's small cool contest. Make sure to vote for your favorites here by May 1st!

{Photos via apartment therapy, from top – Katie in Los Angeles, Nadia in Brooklyn, Lacey in New York, Kim + Scott in Chicago, Audrey in Hawaii, Daniel in New York, Lasse in Denmark, Louisa in Astoria, Molly in San Francisco, Cate in Los Angeles, Nicole in Brooklyn, Michael in New York, Shelby in Chicago, Steve in Sydney, Zach + Sean in Boston, and 2 by Sarah in Sydney.}

small cool 2011

It's time for apartment therapy's small cool contest again! I love looking through the entries and picking my favorites – such great inspiration for my own small, kinda-cool place. Here are some that I really liked:

Make sure to vote for your favorites here!

{Photos via apartment therapy, from top – Elisa in Rome, Haley in Summerland, Carolyn in San Diego, Cate in Los Angeles, Audra in Boston, two by Ellie in Aspen, Erin + Danny in San Francisco, Emily in Covington, Evan in Los Angeles, Franklin in New York, Jordan in Brooklyn, and Julie in Green Bay.}

latest kitchen favorites

Some things I'm loving right now – really just because they either look or taste pretty, and kitchen gifts always make good hostess gifts. You never know when you'll need to have one on hand! Ok, so here's a little wishlist:

Cute picklin' jars from Terrain by Burgon and Ball. They also have jars for herbs and jam.

And, speaking of jam. I really like this one's name: Bonnie's Black and Blue. It's made with sun-ripened blackberries and blueberries. Yum.

Another find on my wishlist at Terrain is this Opinel knife set in cheerful, mid-century inspired colors.

Cute cherry-themed melamine tray by Rice dk from Huset.

What's that? You want some more jam? Well, here ya go: Slow Jams, Jams for the People. Love the packaging, the name. All of it.

Ok, see, I have a little thing for kitchen towels, and Leah Duncan's designs are awesome. May have to scoop up a few at her etsy shop. Ok, confession: I already got this one! I think I have a problem. A kitchen towel addiction! Either way, this design is really sweet.

Here are some beautiful blue glass tumblers (made from recycled Franciscan wine bottles) from the Brook Farm General Store.

They also have this fun folding knife. I'm liking that little anchor inlay.

Some nice horn servers from Jayson Home and Garden.

So, this is Mo's Bacon Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix. What the what? Bacon AND Chocolate? Don't mind if I do! (I think this and the Slow Jams were in a recent DailyCandy together. I almost lost it over the breakfast-food awesomeness of it all.)

This delicious pizza is from The Pioneer Woman. Have made it several times recently for my guy and others, and have gotten some seriously rave reviews. Yay! It's yummy and super easy to make. You must try it. That's an order!

{All photos above are from the shops/designers/chefs listed with each item.}