Hi everyone! Today we filmed a quick little segment with Hybrid Moon and Cherie Ronning to air on an upcoming episode of Weddings Portland Style (Saturday mornings at 9am starting February 6th!). Kim demonstrates how to decorate your table and be frugal and green – all in the same breath.

We’ll keep you posted when the segment will air!

For anyone who missed the Fusion segment this past weekend, you can catch it again on YouTube.com – have fun!

For today’s profile, I wanted to introduce you to the coolest,  newest, hippest place to find accessories for dressing your table.  But as I racked my little brain, I realized that what’s best about dressing a table isn’t the crap we put all over it, it’s the enjoyment that our loved ones get by sitting at a table set with intention, beauty, love and meaning.

I set out on foot and where I ended up is not new, but it is cool and it’s as hip as you make it (that’s a hint!)… and as I wandered into their studio, I really got excited about how fun this idea is.

Ready Paint Fire (in case you don’t know) is a pottery painting joint located in a gorgeous, large, brick studio in the Pearl.  The couple that owns the place (Joni and George) are the best hosts!  For those of us with creative block they offer a selection of wine, beer, sangria, and mulled wine (of course hot cocoa, soda, and cider are also available) to get your wheels-a-turnin’!

They even open their studio to your four legged friend for their once monthly “Yappy Hour” – in case you’re looking to take your pup on a date!

There’s cool, quiet music, and the place is definitely cozy and warm.  Today it was packed with kiddo-s painting at long tables (kid friendly) and a couple who were cuddled together painting the afternoon away (romance friendly).

So, back to the mission at hand…I browsed their huge selection (over 200 pieces) and Joni showed me some plates that would work perfectly.  4 small salad plates won’t be cheap (they’re $18 a piece including the firing) but they’ll be personal and custom and I will get to have hours worth of fun painting and enjoying this laid back atmosphere.   Sold.

PS – Ready Paint Fire is located at 529 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Click here for a peek (or a replay) of the segment that Kim did for Fusion (which aired on Saturday, November 7th) where she ever-so-cleverly demonstrates how to creatively dress your table.

Don’t forget to tune in again this coming Saturday (November 11th at 8am, channel 6) to find out how to make your own “plushy pumpkin”!

Kim and Fusion host, David Musial

So, it’s a play on words but we think you’ll get the idea… this tree is a fun way to remind ourselves {and our families} of all that we have to be thankful for.  During this DIY tutorial, we’ll teach you how to assemble the “Giving Thanks Tree” and then how to create custom cards where your family & friends can write down the things they are grateful for.

Start now and you can have 21 days full of things that you are thankful for by Thanksgiving!

PS. this makes a wonderful centerpiece for a Thanksgiving table & everyone can chose a card to read before or during the meal!

What you’ll need for the tree:

• branches
• container {terracotta pot, urn, etc}
• polished rocks or stones
• bird elements {optional}

What you’ll need for the cards:

• fun, colorful paper
• cream colored paper
• printer
• hole punch
• ribbon
• glue stick

3-4 branches of dogwood, curly willow or other branches

one lovely container... we spray painted ours!

polished rocks or stones

optional: fun bird elements

fill the container with rocks or stones, almost to the top

insert and arrange your branches

top it off with more rocks to stabilize and finish the look

add a little whimsy! {this might require a bit of hot glue}

Now for the cards…

gather your materials

use your printer and cream colored paper to print custom cards {we used our initial and and the date to make it extra special!}

use a paper cutter or scissors to cut the cards into small squares

cut your colored paper a bit larger than your printed cream cards - you'll be using them as a backing

glue the custom cards to the colored backing papers

using several colors makes for a fun, rich look!

use your hole punch to create a space to thread your ribbon

using different colored ribbon also adds dimension

ta-da! as you fill out each card throughout the month, hang them on your tree... by the time Thanksgiving is here, you'll have a giant reminder of just how lovely your life really is.

And just to inspire you more… here are some of the things we’re thankful for…

And we’re thankful for you… have fun!

It is most definitely that time of year again and this cold snap has all of us at Geranium Lake scrambling for a cup of something cozy & warm!

Naturally, this need for yummy liquids led to a lively conversation of the best Fall drinks (our favorite recipe is below) and how we could serve them to our friends (you!) and families in a fun and creative way… and this is what we came up with!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Apples (larger works best & don’t be afraid to mix and match greens & reds)
• Small melon baller & a knife (think pumpkin carving)
• Lemon juice
• Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5:

Step 6: {this is the easy part}

Warm Vanilla Cider

6 cups fresh apple cider

2 tbsp packed brown sugar

2 whole nutmeg seeds

1 vanilla bean – split & scraped

6oz bourbon (optional!)

In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients.  Gently simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.  Remove from heat and discard solids.  Bottoms up!

We hope you love them and have as much fun making them as we did!