#2 Untitled /// JKL and James

Photos ©Leigh 2010




Here are a few photos from this weeks photoshoot I did with my friend Aaron with David Lynch and Inland Empire feel as inspiration.



♫ David Lynch and Chrysta Bell - Polish Poem

I wanted to grab that movie still feeling and what will be interesting is that while I may be taking the photo with my camera, my friend Aaron is doing the same from another angle with his, so it will be interesting how it comes together from both views. (Collaborative website coming soon)

Hope you are enjoying your weekend xo.

illustrating a set

I am beyond inspired to take on a challenge of an illustrative set for photoshoots like this from artist Charlotte Mann. LOVE the idea.

Three Vegetable Lasagna///Recipe Wednesday

Having a crazy week? I am! That is an entire other post ;) So a good easy recipe was what I needed and something that will leave me with leftovers for the next day. I found this recipe from here this morning and gave it a go. I added whole grain lasagna noodles and skipped the salad adding seedless grapes and pecans to the dish on the side. **Also makes 12 servings which is way to much, so I adjusted the recipe to about 6 servings. Bon Appétit!!

**Also another fabulous giveaway is coming tomorrow for my art, I will make sure to post them both on the sidebar to find easy. Have a great night and see you tomorrow xo

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces dried lasagna noodles (9 or 10 noodles)
2 beaten eggs
2 cups cream-style cottage cheese
1 15-ounce carton ricotta cheese
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning, crushed
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil or cooking oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 to 1 teaspoon black pepper
1-1/4 cups milk
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and thoroughly drained
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and thoroughly drained
1 cup shredded carrot
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (3 ounces)
1 8-ounce package package shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups)

RECIPE

Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain; set aside.

In a medium bowl combine eggs, cottage cheese, ricotta, and Italian seasoning. Set aside.

In a large skillet cook mushrooms, onion, and garlic in hot oil until tender. Stir in the flour and pepper; add milk all at once.

Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat. Stir in the spinach, broccoli, carrot, and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese.

To assemble, in a greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish or 3-quart rectangular casserole, layer one-third of the noodles, folding or cutting to fit as necessary. Spread with one-third of the cottage cheese mixture, then one-third of the vegetable mixture.

Sprinkle with one-third of the mozzarella. Repeat the layers 2 more times. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 35 minutes or until heated through. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 12 servings.

Photo via- Source

Aya Brackett

Inspiring Photography from Ava Brackett

I just want to jump and be in the moment with each of these beautiful photos.
Hope your day is going well and I will be back later with this weeks recipe. xo

Via - Cup of Joe.

Electrifying

How adorable are these rings from Artifacts by Casey
I love that the one with the prong would double as a self defense mechanism if walking to your car late at night. Thinking I am really wanting to get the socket one though.

"First Rose"

© Leigh 2010


Open edition prints of this vintage print available in my Etsy Shop.

Also I will be a part of a few giveways this week. The first one is from the sweet Sorcha over at Dandelion Daydreamer. Visit her blog for your chance to win a print of your choice from my shop.

Well Said..

"To anyone who got on a plane by themselves or drove cross country to get to San Francisco all alone..."

"To go somewhere, not knowing…just going on blind faith and hope and a desire to make changes in your life and NOT do the same things you’ve always done. To break out of life long molds, to push past phobias and anxieties and just take a chance on the kindness of others and the strength of self"

An excerpt taken from Sarkastickunt. I need to remind myself that I get so comfortable in my routines and find it hard to step out of it sometimes, I saw this on a whim at the end of the day and loved her bold honest statement as a reminder..

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Photo via- Belle Chantelle

"Lanvin2"

© Leigh 2010





Another Lanvin inspired print. This one from SS/10

Open edition prints available in my Etsy shop.

Animal instincts

While browsing the blogland last night I came across these amazing (I have no words really) shoes that Hello Max posted. Definitely taking design to a new level (suggest display only ) ;)

It follows my mood a bit for this weekend, I will be in the studio with inspirations from Inland Empire" It involves smoke machines, gas masks (instead of bunny heads) Not sure exactly what will come of my subject matter, but excited to experiment.

Also a Shop Leigh update, I have listed a pair of Earnest Sewn Jeans for sale this week.

Happy Weekend!

Oh Snap!!

An oldie but goodie that was posted on Refinery 29 this past summer. Increase your odds of making it on Scott Schuman's site The Sartorialist.

Lentil Soup / / / Recipe Wednesday

I tried this homemade Lentil Soup last night that I got from Mireille Guiliano's second book, French women for all seasons. I definitely recommend! The results, surprisingly filling and my daughter who is, (extremely picky) actually loved it. Added with a side salad, cheese and fried red Potatoes, it was a perfect cold weather meal.

INGREDIENTS

2 quarts vegetable stock
½ pound lentils
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground Pepper

Yield: 4 servings

RECIPE

Bring the vegetable stock to a simmer, and drop in the lentils.

Heat the oil in a skillet, and add the onion, garlic, and celery. Cook until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the parsley and tomatoes, and cook 8 to 10 minutes more.

After the lentils have been cooking for 35 to 40 minutes, add the onion mixture to pot and cover. Let simmer until the lentils are soft, 5 to 10 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.

* Photo via- Fat Free Vegan.

Ruby Boutique

Loving these soft shades and delicates from Ruby Boutique's A/W 2010 lookbook.

Via - This is Glamourous

Continuing my quest of enjoying the winter I have decided to challenge myself each week with a a new recipe, getting out of the usual weekly meals that I tend to make a habit of and spread my tastes a bit. I will cook the new recipe (or some favorites of mine) each Tuesday and post the results on Wednesdays here. I got a few of you on Twitter that seemed excited so I am going to give it a go.. (Just to let you know this really is a step up for me, lol ) as I tend to eat just my favorite salad every night and the basics of pasta, chicken, fish) same, same.
I already made a homemade Lentil soup last night, that I will post later and the source. (Was really good! )

i Love..

© Leigh 2010




♫ Groove Armada - "I Won't Kneel"

Etsy

Vivre sa vie

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend! I am going to finish mine up with this French film Vivre sa vie Definitely full of inspiration that I hope to use in my art in some way.

Photo via- fuckyeahfrenchcinema

"Dream On"

© Leigh 2010


Etsy.


♫ The Police Everything Little Thing She Does Is Magic.

For the simplicities of beating the winter blues today I took a silence in the sun so to speak. The sun came out, I dropped everything lol.. But seriously, when I usually head outside, I take a million other things with me, the phone, reading material, etc etc.. Which yes is all wonderful and one of my favorite things to do, but being such a busy body, I decided to put it all down and be alone with my thoughts. Closed my eyes with the sun beating on my face (sunscreen applied) and listened to the snow melt down on the street, perfect!

Now I am off to enjoy some yummy Belgian Beer with a friend. Enjoy your night! xo

Bits of Sun..

I started laughing when I saw this photo as it reminds me of this time of year my desperation to capture the sun in any way when it comes out for such a short time. It never fails the winter blues come attack me around February so I have decided for the next few weeks I am going to add to each post something that is keeping my spirits up until the Spring weather blossoms..

And today that would be adding some more time in the bathroom ;)



I love this Soap and Glory Brand which is also available at most Target stores. A ton of different fun, 50's vibe products.


And instead of just using my COCO Mademoiselle perfume I splurged on the soap as well.


What are your ways of getting through the shorter days of winter and keeping your moods lifted?

Top photo via - Le Love.

The Power of Self

I stumped upon this self portrait contest being held from Artist Wanted and on a whim thought why not!! Voting works two ways, with a little help from my friends, you that is, you can rate my images I uploaded up to 5 stars and the winner of this contest with the highest rates, will be awarded $1000.00, an art reception in New York City and all that fun publicity. Then comes the Grand Prize that is being judged by an amazing panel here. That would be 6 months of free living in New York City at The Edge ahhhhaeemm here... yea, or $7007.00 cash. A bit hard to choose, but I think I would take the cash and live for awhile in Europe. SO if you have some self portrait art, I suggest giving it a go yourself, only 4 days left and cross fingers (stiff competition from a few that I have seen)..

"Bloom"

© Leigh 2010



Etsy.

My first illustration of 2010 for you and I know we are only really into the first few weeks of winter, but the deep freeze that continues to wash over here in Denver has me begging for some spring already!!! C'est la vie!!

And I want to thank the Lovely Laura Trevey for the feature today :)


Illustration inspired from a photograph by François Nars

Garter illusion

Wanting a pair of these Henry Holland for PP House tights. As seen here on Charlene and Rumi.

"Mag Men"

© Leigh 2010


Etsy

I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season and a night full of friends and loved ones to ring in the new year. I want to thank all of you for your support this past year and always brighting my day with your sweet comments. To a fantastic 2010!! xo



And this editorial caught my eye, it is just stunning via Late Afternoon.