suzette roberts

// Currently Loving: The Storage Ottoman

Fall cleaning became a very happy and breathe-easy reality this month, thanks to our bigger bosses who made that magic happen. :) It's like having a whole new play space these days. I'm revelling in it and my desk that is now 100% clutter-free. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep it up. That being said, we're balancing the extra time and energy with other important to-dos, and more hair-down escape moments. This month, I got into cozy and functional storage ottomans with not wanting to throw out my many mags (a current read), and loved forever keepers, and got this spacious ottoman for under my desk (of all places, yes!), to elevate my legs some while working, and to safely tuck away a few constant resource reads. It has created an even more refreshed workspace. I highly recommend at least one for every room, nursery included. Here are a few others I'm currently loving...

 

... ONE  | TWO  | THREE  | FOUR  | FIVE  | SIX

 

And after some light rain...

// Benjamin Everett: Hybrid Landscapes

Hello Monday! Landscapes you can sink your total self into for a full-on "Ahhh" moment. :) Welcome to the world of Benjamin Everett, where years of faraway travels and his genuine love for the unfettered wilderness, meet photography and paint to create lush and luxuriously unique hybrid landscapes. I was stopped in my rushy tracks on the way home recently by the photo below and the word, 'Poof' automatically left my lips. And then I wanted to know more, so made a U-turn, and stepped inside to quench my curiosity. Thrilled to discover Benjamin's work with our oceans too, (and now thinking Pantone's Colour of the Year for 2020-- fingers crossed blue be blue be beautiful blue, with a touch of smokey sophistication), he has incorporated the elements of creative play to immerse the inner self in a sea of calm, peaceful wonderment, and soothing balance, away from the bombarding heaviness of real world events facing us all in current times. Every bit dreamy, and every bit a reminder to allow our naturescape moments to be the gift and 'magic' they are meant to be... Enjoy more here.

// Pumpkin Beef Soup

A funny thing happens when you make quiet 'arrangements' with the universe in all 'her' powerful, cosmic glory. She has a way of surprizing you when you least expect it, and throwing plans literally upside down--, but always in a good way. Such was the case when I started thinking of making a go for a long overdue pot of body-warming pumpkin beef soup, last month. Given the fact that we grew up on these soups even in the heart of our summer's draining heat and high humidity on the islands, it was almost unforgivable. But, yes there's a but,-- being picky with choosing the perfect right piece of rich orange-coloured cut pumpkin, I figured it would take a while (as in a few weeks), and teasingly whispered to the universe while at the market weeks ago, "I'll make a huge pot of soup when the right piece of pumpkin shows up." Well..., she showed up the very next weekend, so all bets were off for anything other than said soup with loved trimmings within the pot. A seasonal favourite, and the only time you'll get me to eat pumpkin, actually. This Caribbean-style pumpkin beef soup is wholesome, slightly spicy with the warmth of the scotch bonnet pepper and other flavourful adds, and super-filling to very last drop. The best part yet-- also kid-approved! :) More after the jump...

 

// Fall Foliage in Flux

Three days ago, on Thanksgiving Day-- having an outdoor foliage moment. 'Always so beautiful. And you can click within the image to 'magnify the moment' if you'd like. :)

 

 

 

// Things that make you go, "Eeek!"

 

All part of the life well-lived they say...

 

 

// Nutmeg Ice Cream

From the Moluccas, Spice Islands of Indonesia, and our West Indies (primarily Grenada), our warm, aromatic and slightly sweet-tasting nutmeg, made 'her' way into my never-a-dull-moment dreams one winter night. And I was curious, and thought it would be a fun idea to bring this flavourful spice I without hesitation always add to our fall custards and eggnogs, to a fuller, never-a-dull-moment when awake reality too. It's said that back in ancient times, the Greek and Romans used nutmeg as a 'brain tonic' with it being known to act as an adaptogen (a calm, sleep-inducing sedative, or a mood elevating stimulant), according to the body's needs. This is true. The first of three holiday frozen flavours: Nutmeg Ice Cream. I love its simple earthy appeal and the mellow warmth it generates within, all within that first 'magical' scoop. Can we ever call ice cream magical? For ice cream lovers, this is a happy no-brainer. :) More behind the scenes beginning moments after the jump... Thanks everybody, and have a relaxing Thanksgiving weekend. ~xx