santa fe, nm

welcome to pasquals

I recently took a long weekend trip to Santa Fe with some friends. We arrived in snow and left to the most perfect blue skies. While this phenomenon is somewhat of a regular occurrence in the west, it still has this Southern girl in awe when there are 12 inches of snow to drive through in the middle of April. Either way, it didn't hold us back. We had one goal in mind once we reached Santa Fe; to eat and drink our weight in green chile and tequila.

the shop of the rainbow man

paper flowers - the shop of the rainbow man

catrina dolls - the shop of the rainbow man

Santa Fe has a tri-cultural feel. Blending traditions, styles, colors and menus of Native Americans, Hispanics and Caucasians. This melting pot makes for the best New Mexican style food and art. Even a new way to order green chile. Christmas style. Yeah that's right, you get both green and red chile on the plate. Perfect for reaching the green chile goal.

Centered around the main plaza are small streets full of restaurants and shops. Some touristy, others unique. Here are some of the ones we checked out:

The Shed: 1131/2 East Palace Ave P. 505.982.9030; classic New Mexico food-historical building. Try the green chile stew.
The Shop of the Rainbow Man: 107 East Palace Road; Santa Fe, NM; P. 505.982.8706. Here you'll find vintage clothing, jewelry and artifacts all mixed with Native American style Pendleton wool blankets, Catrina dolls, iguanas and a large collection of Native American art.
Pasquals: 121 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe, NM; P. 505.983.9340. This is a Santa Fe landmark and place not to miss. Be prepared to wait but it's well worth it. They even have their own cook book and art gallery.

At the center of the plaza underneath the overhang vendors line up daily to sell authentic handmade Native American jewelry and small crafts. If you are looking for turquoise this is your spot. Be prepared to bargain.

Just a short drive from the main plaza you'll find:

Maria's: 555 West Cordova Road; Santa Fe, NM; P. 505.983.7929. A modest and unassuming white building from the outside. Something one would easily drive past without a second glance. Fortunately the food is so good we heard the rumors and made the trek. The service is straight forward, meaning someone will tell you which tequila to order for the tasting flight, trago anejo and two reposados that I can't seem to remember the names. Yes, I blame the tequila. Also served, are warm sopapillas with honey. Oh and I almost forgot, the menu boasts over 100 kinds of margaritas.

Another great place to check out is Ten Thousand Waves, a unique mountain spa resort near Santa Fe, New Mexico that feels like a Japanese onsen. For less than $20 you can soak in the communal bath for as long as you like. Clothing is optional during the day but after 8:15PM bathing suits are required. A rule I don't completely understand.

Tesuque Village Market is located at the junction of Bishops Lodge Road and NM 591. P. 505.988.8848. Go on a sunny day and sit on the patio. Then be sure to work off some of the green chile you just consumed with a walk through the Shidoni Sculpture Garden: 1508 Bishops Lodge Road. P. 505.988.8001. Located 5 miles north of Santa Fe and worth the drive winding drive past rural adobes.

mustang at the shidoni sculpture garden

This by no means is a comprehensive list. Just a few highlights from a recent trip.

a blank slate

If that title sounds like a repeat, you've been a good reader. In the past month kid collective has landed two design projects and both are blank slates. What a great month it's been. While both projects are both landscape design projects, they still involve a lot of design work and I've teamed up with a landscape architect friend to help me work through the plants and odds and ends that are involved with designing patios, walkways, outdoor kitchens and selecting plants.

James and Jess have also graciously allowed me to post the process on this here blog. Thanks you two! More updates to come as the project progresses.

the thermals

I've been waiting to see Portland based band the Thermals live for what seems like forever. Back in January I posted about how I was hoping they would release something, anything, this year. And both wishes came true this month. On 04.07.09 they released their 4th album, Now We Can See, and last Friday night I saw them live. The best part? The wait was completely worth it. They brought the bouncing-off-the-walls-raw-punk-energy to the tiny Marquis Theater one would expect after listening to their albums. Know what's even better? They sound great and are on tour right now. So I recommend you check out their schedule and put it on your calendar as something not to miss. You won't regret it. Not one bit.

Here's a little video I shot while at the show. The sound isn't great because I snuck behind the speakers to get a better view. You know, one without dozens of bobbing heads. Normally this is something I wouldn't do. When I decided the Thermals would be the next Music Monday's post I became my own version of superwoman because I squeezed and bumped unapologetically past people to show you this energy. Watch Kathy Foster's head. Her hair had me mesmerized the entire show. Props to my mom for rockin' this killer cut back in 1989.


Untitled from casey keasler on Vimeo.

the new magazine

I've told you before how much I obsess over magazines. I have stacks and stacks of them. In baskets, on the coffee table, stuffed in bookshelves, on my night stand. Pretty much everywhere. I don't know what it is about them but I can't get enough. And this obsession isn't new. I have been a dedicated glossy pages obsessor since about 4th grade. Now that's commitment.

I started by collecting issues of teen, 17 and glamour. Then of course cosmo when I could get them past my mom. She wasn't keen on the idea of a 4th grader reading tips on how to make your man happy in bed.

Whatever it is, I love them. Although I don't have as much time as I would like to sit down and read one cover to cover and back again, I'll take what I can get. So in honor of Earth Day, the extended version, I decided to continue the celebration and show you a few blogs that have recently come across my screen.

In this day and economy, blogs are easily becoming the new magazine. They are free to read, some are free to start and they use zero paper. The best part you ask? Instead of a monthly fix, I get a daily fix to satisfy my obsession. And that makes an addict happy, really happy.

I get my fashion photo fix at Backyard Bill. Stylish folks in their own clothes.

I get my design fix at Dezeen. Easily one of the most popular and influential architecture and design blogs on the internet.


And now, thanks to my music loving cuz, Jojo, I get my music fix via the tree factory. As of yesterday she started writing for them. How's that for fresh material? Their tagline? Peeling back the bark to find music under the surfaces of radio and television.

photos: via backyard bill and dezeen

green with envy

In honor of Earth Day I though I would show you some earth friendly fashions from Beklina that I'm loving. The best part? You won't look or feel like you're wearing a hemp sack. Not that it's a bad thing, just not my style. Jus sayin. Each designer has their own green story regarding manufacturing processes and materials. All are hand picked by Beklina.

Comforted by nature, inspired by design, Beklina is passionate about living at the harmonious crossroads of the two. The boutique is a three women family operation, that hand selects the best available in sustainable style. Beklina believes clothing and design can be precious, radical, nurturing, healing and wonderful.

1. loyale solano tunic. 2. mociun shasat dress. 3. fox in mociun geometric dolman dress. 4. rachel comey ruffle sweater. 5. stewart brown racquet top

update alert

kid collective has gone 2006 on you. Yep, that's right, you can now subscribe to my blog as well as follow me on twitter. More updates and changes to slowly trickle in. Including more info about what it is I actually do and maybe, just maybe a header. I might even figure out some way you can contact me!

Thanks to all of you who already subscribe, comment, twitter with me and read regularly. I feed off that stuff and appreciate any feedback. Good or bad. Have a great weekend. I'm off to Santa Fe for a weekend green chili and margaritas.

Photo: Georgia O'Keefe courtesy of R.A.L.P.H.

rice krispie treats

Here's a little Friday treat for you. In case it's been a while since you've had a Rice Krispie Treat, they are just as good, maybe even better than you remember. Three ingredients and about 15 minutes of your time and you have one pretty tasty little snack. I wouldn't call it healthy. But they are sugary sweet.

In case you don't remember the recipe I included it below. It's also on the side of the Rice Krispies box.

Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a large sauce pan over low heat. Add the marshmellows (about 40 large) and stir until completely melted. Mix in 6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated. Spoon into 13x9 pan and let cool. Cut into squares. Enjoy.

what is your new normal?

I was listening to NPR the other day and caught only part of a story, as I always do, called the New Normal. It was basically about the new economy that we are living in and what was once normal say, two years ago isn't so normal now. Robert Siegel posed the question, what is going to be the new normal once we get past this economic crisis? Here are few responses.

1. A return to quality products as opposed to throw away items. You get what you pay for. Quality is expensive but cheap costs even more.

2. What was traditionally the golden age of retirement for people 10-20 years ago is going to change. As will the pensions, the medical coverage paid for by the company and social security.

3. When there is a sense that everything needs to count economically there may be pressure for undergraduates to shift from traditional liberal arts degrees to focus on a more practical degree like business or computer programming.

4. Technology will continue to get smaller and smaller.

All these concepts got me thinking. So I jotted down a few ideas. Then decided I couldn't post text only. I would need some eye candy. But what exactly does normal look like? In my mind, it's not exactly eye candy. Am I right? As I was searching for something that felt normal I stumbled upon Marc Johns and his incredibly funny and ironic drawings of normal things on post-it notes.

Feel free to chime in on your ideas of the New Norm or just laugh out loud at some visuals of what the new normal could become. At least it will take away from the serious nature of the subject. After all, laughter is the best medicine.


1. You've heard the mantra reduce, reuse, recycle. Soon enough, and I'm hoping on this one, everyone will question the things they purchase. How was it made? Where did it come from? What is it made of?

2. Always be connected. The new ABC's. You've all seen the add. The kid who sits at the dinner table texting through the entire meal. Soon enough that kid is going to grow up and guess what, he's not going to one day decide he no longer wants to be connected.

3. Bigger is not necessarily better. Cars, homes, TVs. Stuff. More is not always more.

4. Get back to our roots. You've probably heard the term, slow food movement. Farmers markets are popping up everywhere. Eating seasonally sounds better and better and is less expensive. Maybe you'll take a class to learn a craft. Whether it be cooking, gardening, sewing, woodworking or the many plethora of others, what 'trade' is it that's you will pass down?



Any other ideas of what this New Norm might be for you?

images: all images are from Marc Johns

nice fynde

As a designer I'm often looking for something special, something a little more than just a piece that works. Did I mention it also has to have character and be something that no one else will have? Those are the trials and tribulations of some of my hours spent at the office. Often you can find me trolling around on ebay, craigslist or even 1st dibs to find that perfect something. Or better yet, trying to design said something, completely custom and within budget. This is where Fyndes steps in. They carefully curate furniture, accessories, art work and antiques. And it's all at your finger tips. And here are a few of my favorites.

Because these pieces are one of a kind, expect to pay more than something you'll find at west elm, ikea or cb2. One of my tried and true tips in design is don't buy it unless you love it. Otherwise, what's the point of owning something you don't love? If you love it and I'm not talking about lust or that premature crush, I mean love. Then buy it. Or save until you can afford it. Because there's a good chance you'll keep it for a very long time. That's my philosophy and I'm sticking to it.

it's been a good winter...

for Justin Vernon. I can't remember exactly when it was I first listened to his band, Bon Iver, whenever it was I was immediately hooked. The name Bon Iver is Vernon's interpretation of the French word, bon hiver, meaning good winter. Something he picked up while watching reruns of Northern Exposure. Remember that show? Anyway, during the first snowfall of the winter locals would emerge from their homes and wish one another a 'bon hiver'. Whether it was a good winter or not, Vernon holed up in a cabin in Wisconsin in the middle of the winter and wrote his first solo album For Emma, Forever Ago.

There's something about his heartbreaking falsetto that is strangely beautiful to me. Because of this I couldn't help but wonder if there was a tragedy that spurred the album. I'm typically not interested in the hows, whens and wheres musicians create their albums. But this one in particular stood out. I later found Vernon and his former band, DeYarmond Edison, moved from Wisconsin to North Carolina. As the band settled in NC their creative interests split. After about a year and an album later the group dissolved and Vernon returned to Wisconsin. During that winter in his father's remote Wisconsin cabin, Bon Iver was born. What was intended to be a few snowy Wisconsin months of solace and recovery from both heartbreak and illness turned into For Emma, Forever Ago.

His semi new EP, Blood Bank, was released in late January of this year. It has a similar lo-fi, woodsy sound. And, this fan shot 80's cover from a live show might bring back a few memories.

a blank slate

kid collective just landed it's first official project. Needless to say, I'm more than excited. I teamed up with a landscape architect and we hit the ground running. First up. Site survey. We measured, photographed and documented the entire yard. And let me tell you, it's a blank slate. There's something about a new project that I love. All the possibilities, ideas, the end result could be anything. And that's the best part. Now on to the design work. More updates to follow as the spring/summer progresses.

Malakai helping out in the yard

where the wild things are

This post isn't exactly all about music. But, yes there is a but. The trailer for the film I'm want to tell you about is backed by one of my favorite bands, Arcade Fire. So, since I'm the boss on this here blog then I say it qualifies. At least a little. And that's all I have on the music end for today. I hope you are satisfied. I think you will be if you'll just watch the trailer.

As for the rest of the post, my most memorable childhood book is Where the Wild Things Are, written by Maurice Sendak. Did you ever have a favorite book as a kid? Was it the Cat in the Hat or maybe Curious George? What about Beatrix Potter? I remember my mom reading The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Squirrel Nutkin to me over and over again too. In fact, she read all of Beatrix Potter's books to me. While each are wonderful and I'll probably read them to my own children at some point when the time comes, I want to tell you what I love most from Maurice Sendak's, Where the While Things Are. It's the illustrations, hands down. They bring the book to life. Part friendly, part scary, these illustrations give a typical story of a boy meeting up with imaginary monsters an edge. When the book was written in 1963 the illustrations were somewhat scandalous. Some parents felt the monsters portrayed were too grotesque for children.

Fast forward more than 45 years and the film, adapted by Spike Jonze's and Dave Egger's has similar issues. It took some time to get fully through production. Something about financial issues and the monsters made kids cry at a pre-screening. I liken the crying during the film to this generation's equivalent to the book. Kids these days probably wouldn't think twice about reading the book and seeing those monsters. Is this film completely kid appropriate? Not sure. I'll leave that up to each parent to decide. Am I excited to see the film? Yes, but it will have to wait until October 16, 2009. Until then, the trailer will have to hold me over.

Image: from Where the Wild Things Are

we are famliy

Matthew - otherwise known as Indy

I got lucky when I got married, not only did I find a great guy but I also inherited a pretty stellar line up in the in-law department. Yep. Lucky. Now you understand exactly how lucky. If you are like me and have ever dated someone and not felt that warm fuzzy connection with his side then tensions certainly rise. Or are completely flat depending on the situation. And holidays, well, let's just say they aren't exactly fun. Fortunately, my new family members are all inspiring and two in particular are bloggers.

Alexander and Grandpa Richard

Catherine, my sister in-law, started Bay Area Baby Blog while in search of cool kid stuff in her neck of the woods. I won't even claim to be versed in the tricks of the trade when it comes to kids and all the new gadgets. So Catherine sorts through all the fluff and finds what truly works. I use her tips when I'm looking for a baby gift. As it seems everyone I know is preggers these days. She also writes regularly on daily life in the bay area including spots to eat with kiddos and antics on life with her boys. The bonus? Most of the photographs you see are all her own.

Then there's Jora, the hub's favorite cuz. After spending just a second reading her blog, Domestic Reflections, you'll completely understand why she is his favorite. She's the gal you would easily have a girl crush on. Not only is she a smarty, but she's an incredible cook, gardener, wife and mom. She posts regularly on C-Man and Baby J, life on the farm and what I call Jora-tested recipes. Some of my favorites are her Meal Planning Monday's. She's great at whipping up just about anything. And I mean, whipping up in the most effortless sense. All with ingredient plucked from her ever changing garden dubbed green acres. The bonus? Every recipe I have ever made from her blog is good. Really good. That's what I mean by Jora-tested.

C-Man

Baby J