{pretty Dublin postcards on sweet succulents!}

Inspired by these post and mail related ideas I shared last Friday, I’m working on a little project of my own, although sort of in reverse.

On my way home from work yesterday, I popped into a shop and picked out a handful of post cards. Five, to be exact. A nice, round number. I settled myself into the couch in front of taped Masterchef episodes and got to work writing little messages.

Five post cards to five family members and friends around the world. My hope is that when my friends and family (and you, too, if you want – more on that at the end of this post!) receive the post cards, they’ll send one back in the mail to me too.

I chose pretty post cards of Dublin doors, pubs and sheep, penned a cheery message and asked for  a post card back.

I’m scheming a cool decorating project when some post cards (fingers crossed!) start coming back. And in the meantime, fun mail surprises for people I love!

Want to be part of the fun? Send me an email (emily@fromchinavillage.com) with your address and I’ll mail you a post card too!

And with that, I’m off for the weekend! I have plans that involve a visit to a convent and hopefully a pretty hike. Have a lovely, relaxing and inspiring weekend!

Have you seen this site? A little guide to blending into some top cities around the world. It’s equal parts snarky and hysterical. What do you think, is it a do or a don’t?

I happen to think it’s fine for tourists to act like tourists if that’s what they are, but the site is a funny little insight into these cities and their hipsters and what it takes to act like a local. And I think if you strip away the silly commentary, there are probably some really useful tips under there!

So far, they’ve hit New York, London and Singapore and are working on Paris and Sydney. They make New York sound particularly hipster-y, which made me chuckle, even though I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a real life hipster. Does Dublin have hipsters? I’m not even sure I’m hip enough to know! Ha!

What about you? Do you try to blend in where you’re vacationing? Does it even cross your mind?

Happy Monday, everyone. Did that weekend fly by a little too quickly for you? Mine certainly did. In the name of diving head first into the week, a little turkey for your Monday.

Sometimes thinking about autumn and Thanksgiving and pumpkins and cider makes my heart race. I know, it’s a bit strange. I blame it on being born Thanksgiving Day. It’s like the mention of the holiday sets off some chemical reaction in me. I know, I’m an odd duck. Or an odd turkey. Either way.

Right, so back to the point. These sweet Thanksgiving and autumn cards and invitations from Rifle Paper Company. They made my heart race.

Cards from here. Oh, and also their calendars. Extra cute.

Now, tell me, please, tell me. Is there a holiday or season that makes your heart race? Don’t leave me hanging here on my own, struggling through Monday. A little distraction, por favor!

This summer, I got hooked on that Stieg Larsen trilogy and plowed my way through the three long books on the beach, on planes, on the commute into work. I was totally sucked in and really didn’t want them to end. I loved all the names of the towns and streets and places in the book, although I’m certain I was pronouncing them completely wrong in my head.

Now that I’ve finished the books, I’m finding myself hooked on all things Swedish. I’ve always liked Swedish design and now I think if I don’t get some in my house I’m going to resort to painting every surface white. Which I really would be inclined to do anyway if it wasn’t a rental!

Every time Michael and I talk about our next trip, I suggest Sweden. He keeps saying it’s too expensive (how it could be more expensive than Dublin, I have no idea!) but I think I’m wearing him down.

In the meantime, I oohed and ahhed over this site when I saw it over on this stylish blog last week. I don’t know how to pronounce it, but I do know that their photos are just gorgeous.

And the common denominator? White-washed floors. Adding that to the list for our some-day house! At least for the bedroom. It’s just so calming.

What do you think of so much white? Could you keep those floors clean?!

Now that our end of summer garden party has come and gone, it’s time to jump into autumn. I’m so ready. Autumn comes with the best flavors and smells and even different air. You have to stretch a little harder to feel it in Dublin, but it’s here. Now on From China Village, get ready for more autumn recipes, decorating, and pretty seasonal finds. First up, delicious butternut squash soup with a bit of a twist.

Butternut squash is one of those vegetables I pick up at the grocery store every time I shop, only to open the cupboard when I get home and find I’ve already got one. Or a few. Or seven.

Last week I was looking for a way to use up the extra butternut squash and cobbled together a few recipes to make this butternut squash soup. This soup is divine. And really, incredibly simple. Sweet, but with a hint of garlic, serve with a scoop of creme fraiche. It’s a perfect easing-into-autumn snack.

Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk

1 butternut squash
few sprigs of rosemary
1 onion
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 clove garlic
1 pint chicken broth
1 cup coconut milk
salt
pepper

Whack the butternut squash in half the long way with a sharp knife. This is the hardest part, no joke. Those suckers are tough.

Place the squash on a baking tray, drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a few sprigs of rosemary. Roast it the oven for about an hour at 180C/350F until you can stick a fork into it easily.

Take the squash out of the oven and let it cool. Meanwhile, chop the onion and melt the butter and olive oil in a soup pot. Sautee the onion for ten minutes on medium heat until it’s translucent. Be careful the onion doesn’t burn. Add the chopped garlic and sautee for another 2 minutes.

Scoop the butternut squash out of the skin, discarding the seeds. Add the butternut squash and the chicken broth to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 20 minutes on medium heat. Puree the mixture with a handheld blender, and add the coconut milk to the smooth mixture and stir to combine.

Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche or sour cream and enjoy!

Autumn is a big birthday season in both Michael’s and my families. We often have a tough time figuring out gifts for family members who are scattered around the globe (my brother is in Sydney, my sister-in-law is in Zimbabwe, and the other brothers and sister are scattered throughout America or Ireland). So I’m often looking for small gifts that will mail or be carried on a plane easily.

When these polaroid-sized paintings showed up on Poppytalk last week, I instantly thought of them for an upcoming birthday. They’re a very manageable size for popping in the mail, but they’re also really affordable original art. I love prints, but there’s something really precious about being able to say it’s one of a kind, especially for a birthday!

What’s your go-to for birthday presents?