Crushing On It: The Inaugural Edition

I had a fabulous post in mind for Valentine’s Day yesterday. And then life happened.

The good thing is that my fabulous idea can be adapted to pretty much any holiday so you’ll see it soon … and since The Chef and I don’t actually celebrate Valentine’s Day anyway, all’s well that ends well.

Except that this post doesn’t end here. I do have some things I want to tell you about … things that I’ve been crushing on lately. Things like …

{1} This “Coral Couture” cone garland from JoAnn Fabric and Crafts. I had the largest wall of the craft room in our new house painted a light peach, and I think this garland would be a perfect complement … and it looks like a fairly easy project too!

{2} This jackalope desktop wallpaper calendar from Smashing Magazine. Every month, Smashing Magazine features free desktop wallpapers created by artists across the globe … and every month, I change my wallpaper to something awesome. Like a jackalope.

{3} These beautiful butterfly bowls from World Market. I want pretty much everything at World Market, but these butterfly bowls? Double want.

{4} This Oliver sushi appetizer plate from CB2. Featuring CB2′s crazy little party guy, Oliver, these plates are the essence of adorable. I’ve actually got quite a few in my “collection” now, and I can’t wait to see what Oliver gets into next.

And since this is mostly a food blog, you know I’m crushing on some good food too, which includes …

Pretty much anything Izy over at Top With Cinnamon is making. And peeps? She’s 16. Six-freakin’-teen. I’m in awe. Seriously. (And hat tip to my friend Laura for introducing me to this fabulous blog.)

And organicgirl’s SUPERGREENS! I know I’ve posted about them before, but I really love them. Baby red chard, baby tat soi, baby spinach, baby green swiss chard, baby arugula … baby, it’s delicious! And healthy!

These 34 Insanely Simple Two-Ingredient Recipes compiled by Buzzfeed. I want to make most everything on this list. Now.

And finally, these bites … these delicious-sounding little bites from all over the web:

• Black-Eyed Pea Fritters with Hot Pepper Sauce {PBS}
• Country Ham Mini Biscuits with Black Pepper Honey {Southern Living}
• Gruyere and Parmesan Beignets {Martha Stewart}
• Ham and Cheese Pretzel Bites {Pennies on a Platter}
• Hush Puppies with Spicy Honey Drizzle {Spoon Fork Bacon}
• Pepper Jack Stuffed Pretzel Bites {What’s Gaby Cooking}
• Pigs in a Blanket with Cranberry-Mustard Dipping Sauce {Whole Foods Market}
• Shrimp Fritters {Spoon Fork Bacon}
• Spicy Cheese-Stuffed Fried Olives {Food Republic}

That’s it, my friends … everything I’m crushing on right now. Stay tuned each month for more things I’m crushing on, but now … tell me what you’re crushing on this month!