Giving Thanks

While a day on the calendar indicating we should stop to give thanks shouldn't be the only time we do so, it is a wonderful reminder to take a moment to reflect on the things in our lives for which we are grateful.

Among the things I am thankful for today is you. With so many blogs populating the world wide web, thank you for making Under A Paper Moon one where you chose to spend some time; I am humbled and honored you do.

Jonny Valiant

For those of you celebrating today, I hope your Thanksgiving is a very happy one filled with love and lots of wonderful food!!

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Scones with Maple Nutmeg Icing

Gluten-free pumpkin scones with maple nutmeg icing.

Take a deep breath. Stop. Sit. I understand. I get it. And I know what you're craving. Because I'm craving it, too. After all the pre-Thanksgiving hubbub, after scouring the Internet for gluten-free recipes, after all the planning, the lists, the shopping at six different markets because one store never has everything you need (that would be too simple), the label reading, the patience (dug from somewhere deep and zen and maybe even vaguely transpersonal) to explain (again) why scraping the pumpkin filling off a wheat pie crust does not a gluten-free dessert make, what you crave (besides alone time with a freshly cracked book and your favorite mug filled to the brim with your beverage of choice) is something indulgent.

But not overly indulgent.

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Rose Arm Tribal tattoo

Rose Arm Tribal tattoo

Sexy Upper Back Love Tattoo

Sexy Upper Back Love Tattoo

Male Tribal Arm Tattoos

Male Tribal Arm Tattoos

Tribal Dragon Tattoos In Color

Tribal Dragon Tattoos In Color

Quite Rightly

I wanted to finish this focus on mustard, a hue that seems to be a rather 'mellow yellow," with a round-up of images that feature this color paired with shades of blue-- a pairing that sounds like it could be very primary, but in it's execution, is anything but!

Top: House Beautiful. Middle- L: Nate Berkus R: Anna Williams Photography.
Bottom: Amy Neunsinger.

And because I used the word "swoon" in two of the three previous posts about this shade, the last photo in this group seems to be a very fitting close to this mustard mania!

Roasted Acorn Squash Risotto

A delicious acorn squash risotto that is vegan and gluten-free.

Looking for a perfect fall side dish? Or a vegetarian knock-your-socks-off bowl of creamy goodness? Risotto might fit the bill. This is one of my all-time recipe favorites. In fact, it was the first dish I turned to eight years ago when I discovered I had to live gluten-free.

Way back then (insert hazy slow-mo flashback) I would add freshly grated Parmesan to the cooked risotto. Shaved Reggiano, to be exact. But these casein-free dairy-free days I enjoy this risotto strictly vegan. No cheese. And guess what? I don't feel deprived. Seriously. The flavors hold their own without the whole moo cow cheesy thing.

In fact, this risotto is so creamy-good and comforting I only think one thing as I taste bite after velvety bite: How could anything so simple taste so unbelievably good? Well, that, and, Who the heck needs cheese or butter, anyway?

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A Room Reveals A Wedding {Soft Seaglass & Honey Mustard}

Because I've been on a bit of a mustard kick, I knew I wanted to design an inspiration board around this color, and as it's been quite a while since we've had one, I thought it time for A Room Reveals A Wedding post.

Today's inspiration room has an eclectic feel with both vintage and modern elements present; it features a bold splash of honey mustard tempered by soft seaglass and white.

The Room

House Beautiful

The wedding that draws inspiration from this room would utilize the same blend of the warm and cool shades with vintage and modern styling.

The Wedding

Row 1: L to R- Dana Gallagher, Shea & Syd- Dustin Todd via Style Me Pretty, Cade Martin. Row 2: Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, Love Luck and Angels Wedding Coordination, Cannelle et Vanille. Row 3: Anna Williams, Our Labor of Love via Once Wed, Amy Neunsinger, and Sarah Maren Photography via Southern Weddings. Row 4: Our Labor of Love via Once Wed, Cannelle et Vanille, and Grazier Photography via Style Me Pretty.

Custom Tribal dragon Tattoo

Custom Tribal dragon Tattoo

Triple Strength Tribal Dragons

Triple Strength Tribal Dragons

Delicious Gluten-Free Bread Recipe - dairy-free and rice-free, too

My best gluten-free bread recipe. With no rice flour.

Man shall not live by bread alone, so the famous saying goes. In other words, we need ideas to feed us, too. We need awareness. Conscious action. An expression and celebration of the spirit.

And yet (here's the sticky part, folks) almost every spiritual tradition includes the bread we shall not solely live by, whether it be a hand-torn loaf, a paper thin wafer, a piece of matzoh, a curve of naan, or a sprinkle of cornmeal. Breaking bread and sharing grain is a cherished and beloved symbol for community, celebration and tribal nourishment. From Holy Communion to the Super Bowl gatherings around an elevating principle or a family milestone (from birth to marriage to funerals) include the simple but connecting gesture of sharing food.

Because cooking makes us human.

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Sweet Potato Pie

Gluten-free sweet potato pie- and vegan, too.

The afternoon sun is spinning the seaside air that particular autumn gold, burnished and warm and chilly all at once. Delicious. And gone too soon. The sun will officially set tonight at 4:50. I feel as if I am running out of time. There is so much I want to do- and never get done. I surrender my expectations day after day. The pile of choices snipped free by my dwindling energy is gathering a bulk and momentum akin to the dirty laundry (I’m still waiting for the post-menopausal zest promised by Margaret Mead).

But Santa Monica does not fade after dark. Her charms only deepen. So we walk after dinner to the Third Street Promenade and listen to the brave souls who risk their ego and their artistry (the unkind among us might quip, questionable talent) crooning songs or plucking violins or juggling. Palm readers and skateboarding bulldogs aside, it takes guts to stand in public and offer up a tune or a dance.

I come home inspired.

I am thinking a lot about my life these days. And what I want to do with the rest of it. Moving here is a new beginning (well, yeah, obviously). I am reinventing the woman I used to be. Spinning my own autumn magic from bits of bone and history.

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Tribal back tattoo design for man

Tribal back tattoo design for man

Design of tribal back tattoo

tribal back tattoo

Tribal upper arm tattoo

Tribal upper arm tattoo

Sexy girl with tribal tattoos

Sexy girl with tribal tattoos

Colonel Mustard

Since I'm still swooning over the mustard color so prevalent in the photos from the Fly Girl post, I thought I'd indulge my craving by scouting out some current apparel choices in the same shade.

L: J.Crew. R: J.Crew.

L: ModCloth. R: Ettika.

L: BB Dakota. R: Forever21.

Matt & Nat

L: Charles by Charles David. R: Dirty Laundry.

Although I have already have a skirt in nearly this exact hue, I can't help but crave more of this rich yellow; it's warm tone is perfectly suited for fall, while it's cheerfulness makes it the perfect companion for any cold, grey day.

tribal dog tattoo

tribal dog tattoo

Fly Girl

The rich and saturated colors in these photos, from the model's gorgeous red hair to the warm mustard of the plane and the second blouse, make me swoon, and I decided they were the perfect way to cap off this series of aviation-themed posts.

Renee Brown- stylist

A Day of Sadness

My heart and prayers go out to the soldiers, families, and friends touched by the tragedy at Ft. Hood today.

via Delightful and Delovely

Bei Oci



'Bei Oci', 50x70cm, oil on canvas



Che Bei Oci

Che’l ga

che bel fiol

come el sol

Sara' bel e bon

sto fiol?

par la me fio'a

inamorada dei oci

de sto fiol

che el sol splende
di' e not

sui fioi del sol



Alla Prima Nudes, 40x30cm, Oil on Canvas

Chest Tribal Tattoo

Chest Tribal Tattoo

honda skydeck concept

When automakers take a concept vehicle to a motor show, they offer all kinds of information about what the future production model would come with. However, every so often a car maker, let’s say Honda shows off a concept vehicle with no details, such as the Honda Skydeck Concept.

The SkyDeck is widely seen as a potential successor to the Odyssey, Honda’s current mini-van.This vehicle was on show at the recent Tokyo Motor Show, but Honda said that this six-seat MPV Hybrid is theoretical.

The interior of the car looks like something from the future, the first two rows are cantilever mounted to a center tunnel, the second row of seats are able to slide forward and can be stored under the front seats.

How far off is the SkyDeck? Who knows. For now, it’s just a concept car – a glimmer in the eye of a few top Honda designers.

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unique Tribal Tattoo

unique Tribal Tattoo

Ace Style

You don't need a pilot's license to sport the fashion of a flier-- it's easy to draw inspiration from the classic style choices attributed to the aviation field.

Yelena Yemchuk

Time-honored aviator sunglasses, cozy aviator hats, and aviation-inspired outerware, especially bomber jackets, offer up a major dose of ace style.

L: Silence & Noise- Urban Outfitters. R: Members Only- Urban Outfitters.

L: Delia's. R: Frenchi at Nordstrom.