+ & –
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- long romantic walks through my neighborhood
- I love this cheap ornament idea. While you could get a whole box of silver balls for what it would take to make a few of these thumbtack ornaments, they ARE homemade and a few in a cute box would make a neat sentimental gift. My mom and I used to sit at the kitchen table and make ornaments in a similar way, using straight pins, sequins and beads. They were a bit more glitsy and you had lots of color and pattern options.
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I want to check out this book – One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects. Things you can make with just one yard of fabric!
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Being on a doctor ordered low fat diet, I was really excited about this huge post on beans. So very helpful!
- hilarious
- rat snuggles
- dropping my phone in the toilet and it still works!
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A lot of things seem to be really popular right now and I am not impressed.
- Tea towels. These are little thin woven cotton towels with decorative motifs. They don’t absorb a thing!
- Giant bulky headphones.
- Expensive jewelry and hair accessories made out of things I could get for $2 at the craft store.
- Teapot cozies. Seriously?
- Twilight. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson creep me the hell out.
- Friends’ parents on Facebook. They have straight ruined it for me. I barely get on there anymore.
- Furniture made from garbage. 1. 2.
- That bedspread made to look like cardboard boxes. Yuck!
- Perpetual calendars are a pain in the ass.
- Why are Legos so expensive!?
- Moleskines… when you could get a small notebook for $1
- Lomo cameras. I’ve had almost all of them and maybe got 2 good pics out of each roll of film. Total crapshoot.
- Pantone.
- Foursquare. I don’t need the world knowing everything I do and aren’t our online identities self indulgent enough?
- Mustache kitsch.
- Ponchos.
- Drop crotch pants.
- Cleaning products that require the endless purchase of refills when the original tool was an inexpensive one-time buy and worked just fine.
- Criticizing Obama feels like a criminal offense these days.
who knew you were an artist?
I have been bemoaning my bare walls for a while now and am in the long process of fixing this problem with a project that has become way more tedious than I had intended. Last week, I was talking with an old friend about her own place. She and her husband bought their first home and it’s quite large and they’re having a hell of a time filling it, especially with this economy and a new baby zapping their finances. I told her about some inexpensive crafty projects she could get herself into (like I’ve been doing but less tedious) and she wanted me to send more info her way.
These are the tips I sent her for creating inexpensive abstract art for your walls.
First, you need a plan.
- Where is this painting going to go? What size would look good in that space? Get your tape measure out and figure how much of the area you would like to occupy. Most of the canvases you can get on the cheap are rectangular. Do you want it to hang vertically or horizontally?
- The bigger the canvas, the more expensive but you can also consider doing a pair of paintings. They can be placed side by side as you paint, treated as one, and then placed a few inches apart on the wall. You could do a series with as many canvases that you want.
- What is the color scheme? Which emotions do you want to evoke with color? What is going to complement your decor? (Abstract art can be at home in any setting.) Do you want to stick with a cool or warm color palette – or everything in between? Or do you want a greyscale painting?
<<<COOL vs. WARM>>>
- How do you want this painting to look? Seriously! What painting have you seen that has left you thinking about it when you walked away? Why was it so compelling? What were those brush strokes like? Were there any other techniques employed like drips or bleeding of colors together? Do you think you could try your hand at a similar style? Can you see yourself sitting down on your living room floor for a few hours, or a few weekends, making it happen?
- Draw out a plan. Use markers or colored pencils if you can. Write notes. Think in terms of layers – like what colors should you use first. Write down the steps you want to take and the colors you want to use. If you are into being organized and feeling like you have control over a situation, this is especially good for you. If this type of painting is something you have never done before, you will feel less helpless when you sit down with everything in front of you. OR you could pick a color scheme and just go crazy and see what happens. Either way, I think even Pollock made plans.
- Craft stores have huge sales all the time. You can get fairly large pre-stretched, pre-primed canvases for pretty cheap if you keep up on the sales. Here you can find all sizes and 2′ x 3′ ones for $12!
- Artist quality acrylic paints are pretty expensive but crafting acrylics are dirt cheap. Look for 2oz bottles like this. They come in an insane amount of colors and usually run about $1 a bottle. If you plan on painting a background color, you may want 2 bottles of that base color, especially for large or multiple canvases. Check the finish of the paint. Some are matte, glossy, iridescent, metallic, pearl, etc. Don’t forget you can blend your own colors as well with the 3 primary colors and black and white, or mix any other shades of colors together.
- Styrofoam plates are great for mixing colors on. If you mix a large quantity of a certain color and don’t plan on using it all in one sitting, put it in an air tight container. It’s so difficult to mix the exact color over again.
- I like using 3″ foam brushes for applying base coats and sealants. They don’t leave brush strokes and are super cheap.
- Larger canvases usually have a reinforcing board down the middle. Think about this when applying a base coat and painting in general. Try to paint with it and not across it as you can sometimes get some paint build up on the canvas where the edges of the board are underneath. Under the right light or at the right angle, you will see it when you’re done and it may drive you insane.
- Do you want to use brushes to paint? Think about the size of the canvas, the size of the strokes you want to make, and if you want to do any fine line work. Check out the acrylic paint brushes available at the store. There are so many different types I can’t even begin to go into it.
- You can also paint with cheap plastic squirt bottles, various shaped/textured objects, your fingers… use your imagination. Puffy fabric paint of all things is awesome for texture. It’s what I’m using right now in my tedious secret project. There’s also spray paint – to be used outdoors.
- Do you want to add any other elements to your art like hand drawn effects or imbedded objects?
- Plastic drop cloths are about $2, and there’s always newspaper. Don’t forget to protect your floors, and have damp paper towels ready for quick clean-ups. I always manage to spill something.
- Acrylic paint is thick. You can change the opacity by simply mixing it with water. Practice on paper first to see what you’re working with before you put anything on the canvas.
- If you are painting in layers, make sure to let each layer dry for about 30 minutes, unless you want a bleeding effect.
- Keep your brushes in water when not in use. Acrylic paint washes away from brushes and skin and most surfaces pretty easily with soap and water but once dry, it can ruin fabric and harden up your brushes.
- Think about sealants. Let your painting completely dry and add one or two coats of acrylic gloss, Mod Podge, or even spray sealant (in a well ventilated area).
- Hanging an unframed canvas is totally acceptable . Framing is super expensive, unless you get creative with that as well. This is up to you.
- Just remember that “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. You can plan all day long and have wonderful intentions but I’m telling you now, unless you are a miracle worker, something is going to mess up. If just one thing goes wrong, you’re lucky. Just relax and embrace it. You’re not recreating The Kiss. Happy accidents can usually work in your favor. The project I’m currently working on is taking a bit longer than I expected. That’s okay, because it’s going to be awesome. For god’s sake, have fun! Express yourself!
Here are some inspiration pieces I sent my friend, to get her creative juices flowing. Maybe they will inspire you! All via Design Milk.
Nicole Poko – she freezes paint and works with the cubes in various ways!
By implying that anyone could create abstract art such as this, I’m not trying to insinuate that these artists don’t have talent. You must have an eye for it and an ability to manipulate your medium through familiarity, and a bit of bravery.
This is pretty much what I’m trying to say:
So… do it!
maps
If you follow any design blogs, you surely saw Emily Fischer’s “Soft-Maps”, which are maps that have been embroidered into quilts. I can’t imagine the labor involved in her commission-only designs but the prices certainly reflect an enormous amount of work. Her stitches remind me of Sashiko which is simple but does take some getting used to so that it speeds along nicely. You have to be a special type of person to do this kind of work. Quilting is one craft I never got into since the traditional designs and old-fashioned fabric choices really don’t do it for me. It’s so nice to see an old art get a modern twist. Maybe it will inspire younger people to try their hand at it. Cold weather is creeping upon us and it’s the right time to think about starting a quiet evening/weekend project. This could easily be done in the form of a throw pillow or embellishment on a t-shirt, or something bold like your neighborhood slanted and incomplete at the hem of a blazer. Some embroidery needles and thread and a white or blue washable chalk pencil (to draw your outline) would cost less than $5.
I have been subscribing to the Hand Drawn Map Association for a while. They remind me of my childhood, when I would make up imaginary lands and draw detailed maps. Here is an interview with artist Shane Watt who also creates imaginary maps.
There are also companies that sell old aeriel photographs in various sizes to frame and hang in your home. You can find your hometown or a place you’ve always wanted to go.
This is one of many dresses by artist Elisabeth Lecourt. I don’t believe these are sold for wear though.
Totally wearable, I was turned onto Christian Francis Roth’s fun line of clothing Francis by gorgeous jewelry designer Wendy B. (her jewelry and her hilarious blog). She also writes for the Francis blog. Wendy helps the lost find their way in her map dress! This dress is too cute! (on sale right now!)
An etsy search for “map” revealed thousands of items.
Isotope makes awesome tees. I really like the graphic nature of maps on clothing. It’s a random geometric pattern that could be paired with just about anything and look chic peeking out from under a blazer or cardi.
Have you heard of Dream Heels? What an awesome concept! They are a take on Threadless where instead of tees, people submit and vote on which pattern of pumps they will make. This Parisian map concept is currently a contender!
This handmade decoupage plate can easily be recreated with some diy help.
Maps are also finding their way into jewelry. This pendant by XOHandworks is special to me since my dad is from Serbia.
an interview with myself
Hi all! This is the 1 year anniversary of my humble little blog and I couldn’t be more happy with all the wonderful things I have discovered and all the exceptional people I have met through this medium. I have communicated with the nicest artists and designers, fashionable and friendly ladies and gents, hilarious and creative individuals, and I’m meeting more and more people in my own home town of Richmond, VA. I can’t wait to see what the next year has to offer!
What do I have to offer you, the reader? Well other than simply sharing with you the things I love, I have been slightly agonizing over the fact that I am not more personal with you. There’s a fine line and I have been firmly planted far away from that line for many reasons. First off, I would love love love to do “what I wore” posts but I will be honest with you. As much as I love fashion and think I have rather specific (and pretty damn rad) taste, I only wear a tiny fraction of my wardrobe on a regular basis. My lifestyle/work doesn’t allow me to get all gussied up very often, which also means I haven’t done much shopping lately either. I’m pretty much a t-shirt and jeans kind of gal most of the time, so I don’t think you’d be interested in seeing boring pictures of me in dark skinnies and deep-V boyfriend tees every day. Secondly, I enjoy being a curator and sharing with you things that fit into my ideal esthetic, which for me, is a deeply personal thing. Lastly, some things are just none of your darn business. My love life, my friendships, my downtime, my family… I sometimes allow myself to let some tiny details slip out. I certainly do enjoy being a voyeur and reading the blogs of other people who really let it all out but; I don’t think I will ever be one of those bloggers. I’m too private of a person. Although, if you have a question, I most likely will answer it.
I will do this though… in the spirit of not being some anonymous entity on the interwebs. I will interview myself. :)
Lara: First off, how old are you? You don’t look a day over 21! I’m sure you get carded ALL the time!
Lara: Oh, you! Thanks so much! I turned 30 this year.
L: What do you like to do for fun?
L: Lately, I’ve been trying not to let life get the best of me so, relaxing has been foremost on the list. I used to go out to bars and see bands a lot but lately, I would rather have a nice one-on-one conversation than be surrounded by a sea of people and not be able to hear myself think. Throwing away $50 on a bar tab on a regular basis seems a bit foolish now but I do love to cook and go out to eat.
L: Let’s talk about food!
L: Yes. Let’s. I consider myself a foodie but there are enough food blogs out there so I will keep it out of mine. Years ago, for a few months, I was lucky enough to work in the kitchen of a traditional upscale chophouse as a fill-in for just about everything that needed to be done. I had zero kitchen experience but quickly had to learn just about everything on the menu. It was an amazing experience and I would love to work in a kitchen again. The fast-paced high pressure setting suited me perfectly and instilled in me an appreciation for the process of creating good food. So, much like the way I appreciate the process an artist went through to create a piece, I am fascinated by cooking techniques. I could eat rare steak fromage with walnuts every single day.
L: You post a lot of beautiful and expensive things. Can you even afford any of it?
L: Are you kidding me? Of course not! This blog is more like an inspiration board when it comes to showcasing items. Many of the things I post in “Decor” can be recreated with a bit of creativity and effort. Making your home (or room) a reflection of your heart takes time when you’re on a budget. I have a mile-long list running in my head of things I need to attempt to build, make, find, refinish, paint, re-imagine, etc. Likewise, the pricey fashion trends I gravitate towards can also be recreated but, the older I get, the more importance I place on quality classic pieces with some personality that are worth saving up for, with a few cheap things thrown in for fun. It’s all about being realistic, having priorities, and making the most of what you have. I will always appreciate pretty things though.
L: What did you dress like when you were a teen?
L: When I was a pre-teen I tried to replicate things I saw in magazines. I wore black pretty much every day. Kristen McMenamy was my idol. I was a teen in the 90s so, I fell into the grunge movement (slept in my Docs the first night I got them), then moved on to industrial goth for a while (it really was too much trouble). Most of my friends were into punk. That has always been a major influence on my style and I still lean towards it. Around the age of 22, I began to appreciate the value of a good pair of jeans and some killer heels. When I was younger, I wasted a lot of money buying cheap trendy pieces that fell apart after a few wears but, it was what I could afford. That bad habit is over.
L: Before you moved into your new place, you purged your wardrobe and gave away over 50 pairs of shoes. How are you feeling about that now?
L: It was like a weight had lifted. I barely wear the shoes I kept (over 50 pairs still) but they are all comfortable and well made. It’s a carefully edited collection and I’m prepared for anything. I’m also more careful about all new purchases. It has to stand the test of time.
L: What are your favorite pairs of shoes that you own?
L: Here are some pics of my favorites-
I bought these last year on clearance and only got to wear them twice. So comfy.
I got these two years ago when the peep toe ankle boot craze started and have worn these more than any pair of heels I own. My absolute favorites.
These earned my girlfriends and I a free round of drinks from some anonymous gent who wanted to thank me for wearing red heels.
My favorite summer wedges.
These have a tortoise shell finish. I have a black pair as well. They go with everything.
Have these in black as well. Believe it or not, they are more comfortable than regular heels.
I have been waiting to pair these with a fuschia dress I’ve had laying around.
L: Favorite pieces of clothing?
A few years ago, I bought this skirt on clearance from Urban Outfitters. It is a knee length super fine corduroy wrap skirt that has printed on it a German children’s storybook scene. I have only worn it twice and it really isn’t my ideal style but I can’t help but love it!
An asymmetrical, one shoulder, open side top from Need that has birds across the neckline – I guess you really have to see it on. 
Grey double breasted cropped jacked with belled cuffs that really tidies up the most mundane outfit, also from Need. I like interesting details.
I love blazers but I also love short sleeved jackets. The detail on this cap sleeve is pretty sweet.
This was an F21 purchase that was later ripped off by Banana Republic for 5 times as much.
my favorite strapless dress
L: So, what do you do all day that doesn’t allow for fun outfits?
L: Well, I suppose I could get dressed in something more than a tee and jeans but when you’re the primary caregiver for someone with Multiple Sclerosis (my mom), and you’re helping run a construction company (my father’s)… it seems a bit pointless. I do all this plus run errands and take care of my parents’ home which is stuffed to the gills with antiques and something always needs to be done. I can’t really get things organized and clean in something I’m afraid I’ll ruin. I also have my own home to take care of when I get out of work. I finally finished college this summer but when I was in school I didn’t understand the girls on campus wearing 4″ heels. Walking like you’re in agony at the end of the day is not sexy so, I guess comfort and practicality ends up winning out. If I had an office job, it would be a completely different story.
L: What does your RSS reader look like?
L: I subscribe to almost 200 blogs. Ridiculous right? They include blogs focussing on art, fashion, shoes, food, decor, design, packaging, architecture, tech, DIY, photography, cute fuzzy animals, comics, funny people, satire, personal style, personal journals, science, psychology, politics, various industries, friends, local characters, the local food and art scene… it’s difficult to keep up with it all sometimes and I’m constantly unsubscribing and adding to the list.
L: If you could travel anywhere right now, where to?
L: I’ve been dying to go to Puerto Rico, would love to take a train up to Morimoto in Philly just for a swanky evening and I really want to experience S. Korea and Germany with my boyfriend, since he’s lived in both countries. I would love to experience the dry heat and vast emptiness of the desert al la Tarsem Singh.
L: Hobbies/talents?
L: I love to sew and I do architectural drawings fairly well (here and here) but I haven’t in a while. I used to make and sell dresses at Need over 10 years ago when they were Blues. I did a lot of needlepoint when I was a kid. I have made jewelry and sold it on etsy. I tried my hand at silkscreening last year and I can knit a scarf and refinish furniture. When something needs to get done, I will find a way and I like to teach myself new things but get bored pretty easily once I have it mastered. I still have a room at my parents’ house with my sewing machines and crafty supplies. It would be nice to have it all at my home but we just don’t have the space. I would love to learn metalsmithing and auto mechanics. I’m currently working on some major projects to get something on my bare walls. Pics will be coming soon.
L: Pet peeves?
L: Rachael Ray, bad drivers, the unending generosity my cats bestow upon me in sharing their fur, liars and assumption makers, insomnia, selfishness, clutter, local gossip, dust, people with no class, slow growing hair, the revival of bad 80s fashion, low standards, Starbucks, chipped nails, arguments over politics and religion, knowing I’ve loaned something to someone but forgetting what and to whom.
L: Things that make you smile?
L: Pistachio gelato, lipgloss, Japanese maples, rodents, San-X notepads, no flash photographs, Schleich animal figurines, snail mail, gummy bears, good old fashioned coffee brewed at home, inside jokes, a fresh dye job and pedicure, houseplants, brunch, Kenzo Amour for me and Bulgari Aqua for him, homegrown vegetables, receiving flowers, the amount of German translations I get of my posts, that one time we got the basil lemonade right, Carr’s ginger lemon creme cookies, wrapping paper and ribbons, projects, 2am cereal attacks, clothes on my cats, shots of Van Gogh double espresso vodka when I’m out and feeling froggy, long phone calls with old friends, Korean BBQ, the Large Hadron Collider, Halloween, and I don’t even need to mention hugs and kisses.
L: Education/ Ideal job?
L: When I was a kid my family was pushing for MIT for a while. Math makes more sense to me than anything but I would be sooo bored! Then there was talk about art school and Corcoran was considered. I had a hard time settling on which side of the brain I should make the most of. Then, out of state college ended up not being a possibility. I have a degree in psych and got accepted into nursing school but quit. Long story. Now, I would be happy working at a battered women’s shelter, in a genetic research lab (microscopes, test tubes and all), doing statistical analysis, or getting paid to blog! :) I’ve had the unfortunate luxury of being able to take my time to figure things out, but also being held back by taking care of my family.
L: From your last answer and your daily routine, an interest in fashion sure seems odd, right?
L: My mother was a snazzy dresser as well as an amazing sewer and diy goddess. My aunt is a seamstress and has worked at some seriously swank boutiques in Richmond as well as being a private seamstress for many ladies who lunch in this city. She would take me along with her to see her clients on the weekends when I was a wee one. I saw a lot of amazing closets. I was surrounded by fashion magazines growing up and would study them, every detail, every seam, styling choices, photographic angles, etc. I was mildly obsessed with socialites and demanded a subscriptions to luxury magazine when I should’ve been playing with She-Ra dolls. (Well, I still made time for She-Ra.) Lynn Wyatt still is my favorite southern socialite. I also began to sew and I loved to draw and would do photorealistic copies of gorgeous draped gowns I saw in magazines. (All of those drawing were lost to an unfortunate incident.) I love to shop. I love shoes. I love the process of presenting yourself to the world accurately. I love patterns and the work involved in constructing a piece of clothing. It’s all art. Who doesn’t enjoy art?
L: How do your friends and family feel about your blog?
L: I don’t think many of my friends even read it. I have mentioned it a few times in passing but it’s not really their thing. My boyfriend is supportive and wants it to be successful but I try not to spend too much time working on it when we’re together. My mom is utterly fascinated with all this newfangled technology and tries to give me ideas when she sees something cool on TV.
L: Well… this has been fun. Anything else you would like to say about yourself?
L: Be true to yourself and those you love. This is going to be a great 2nd year! Thanks for reading this far! Leave comments! I want to know what you think! :)
bare
I have been in my new apartment for 3 months now and my walls are still bare. The boy and I have never procrastinated so much on a project as we have with these walls. Thankfully we both agree on wanting a large singular piece on each of the major walls, as opposed to clusters of small framed pieces.
I have fallen in love with many smaller prints on etsy from talented artists but really don’t want to get into the habit of having dusty little frames all over the house. Maybe something small would be cute in the bathroom but seriously, go big or go home.
My mother did gift me with her huge Carlton Abbott painting of a couple embracing. The lines are thickly drizzled and are lucky to have survived the mischievous hands of my childhood. (I was constantly compelled to pick the thick paint off but thankfully it wouldn’t budge.) It’s in the bedroom above the mantle and it’s all we have as far as art. (I called the artist at his engineering firm in Williamsburg this week hoping to get some questions answered about the piece to build provenance but I haven’t received a call back yet.)
Then, there’s the total cop-out to not putting anything on your walls. This apartment belonging to Klaus Biesenbach, the curator of MOMA’s multimedia exhibits, was featured in W magazine. This is pretty much how I saw myself living for quite some time. I wrote about my appreciation for open space about a year ago here and I definitely understand Biesenbach when he says “small objects make me nervous”. A few select things, sure. There have been so many criticisms on this style of living, such as it being “institutional” and so on but I get it. I love a large expanse of nothing but my current home is never going to be that. Even if I could, it’s not the right space so, I need to embrace it and add some warmth to balance it all out.
You know those brilliant ideas you have floating in your head for an artistic masterpiece… you know, the ideas that require you to actually get off your rear and get supplies, dedicate a few evenings to make sketches, do test runs, familiarize yourself all over again with your art supplies, and actually make something happen? Well, I have about 5 of these visions in my head and I finally got some motivation today and ran some errands picking up supplies and getting high gloss enamel paint mixed. I’ve already started this evening and I’m waiting for a second coat of paint to dry before the fun stuff begins.I will post pics and details of my project soon once it’s all done!
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- Another embroidery genius at work – Kate O’Connor knocks my socks off.
- I have listened to this song about 15 times a day since I discovered it on Gnarlitude. It haunts me. I love new music and I love that blog and I think I now may love The Kills. (This one too.)
- Thanks for the link Bobby! True love can last a lifetime! :) I already knew this was possible but whatevs.
- I love love love this stainless steel necklace by Anna Corpron of Brevity. Damn you lasers!
- A friend of mine has been as equally enamored as I am with old items spray painted in a single color and made brand new. This foam coated furniture by Sixinch, designed by Pieter Jamart, is for you Marisa! Apparently the finish is incredibly soft yet durable and the pieces can be used outside as well. (via Freshome)
- This handy guide to converting to the metric system is pretty cute, from one of my favorite geeky webcomics, xkcd.com.
- I really like this diy project from Kingdom of Style to make a one shoulder top out of a wide neck tee you already have laying around… do I have any wide neck tees already laying around? hmmm…
- Thank effin god the holiday season is over!
- A sweet list of 46 awesome freeware applications to geek out with, from unplggd.
- This painting by Eric Fortune called “A Want to Believe” is something I could stare at for hours. (click to enlarge)
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- Other than a tragic case of insomnia, I can’t think of too many things to put on my negative list this time around. It just doesn’t work to take my meds at 3am and that’s when I seem to be crawling into bed and staying awake until 5 and 6am. Holler at a bitch on Twitter if you’re up! That’s usually my blogging time.
- There’s been a rash of aggressive LOL cats lately, so many that I actually took note. What does all this feline violence mean? Should we be scared? 1 . 2 . 3 . 4
- Walking away from my computer for a day and having almost 1000 blog posts build up in my Google reader is the suck. Seriously? I don’t have time for this and gave quite a few subscriptions the axe today.
- Is this good or bad? I laughed my ass off so hard just looking at this doll’s face, I had to wipe tears from my eyes. (Thank you Craftastrophe, you made my craptastic day!)
journal
Can you tell I have the winter blahs? All I want to look at are bright light things.
Serving dishes really get me excited and that sectional dish is adorable. Below it is an amazing cake! It has a lot of detail but is still streamlined. The tedious monotony of making and applying the circles on the fondant is right up my alley for zoning out on a project. For the life of me, I cannot remember where the 3-D owl plaque came from. It’s made of some type of acrylic and they had other animals as well, like squirrels, in many colors. The pendant is a type of embedded quartz. The pearl ball is a christmas ornament. My mom and I used to make these when I was little (more monotony to zen out to). You take a styrofoam ball, various beads (sequins are fun too), and attach them to the ball with straight pins. Really easy and lots of room for creativity. The Japan poster print is from allposters.com for just $12.99. The color scheme is one of my favorites. I believe the d’Orsay pumps are Manolos. Beautiful place setting, flowers, halter top and Guess bag.
The silver cuff has coral shapes applied. I’m not a big fan of diamond rings. I have a modest antique ring from my grandmother and a few I will inherit but as far as engagement rings go, unlike with Elizabeth Taylor, diamonds have never really brought me luck. I do like the delicate open nature of this ring though. It’s light as air, symbolizes eternity and has a low profile. This would be an ideal right hand ring if you’re not into those door knockers. More d’Orsay pumps in a fun nautical stripe. I loooove this white woven bag but I can’t read that tag or remember who made it. The pendant is another chunk of crystal with a thin chain running through it. The seahorse earrings are dear and so is the off-center singular encased butterfly wing. A lot of people are working with wings on etsy.com these days. I love the silver deer ring but it would probably catch on everything. The Jane Fonda print was from a story on one of the Arquette sister’s homes. It’s controversial and I don’t particularly agree with how she handled that situation but it’s still pretty badass, especially in red monochrome. A breezy lattice bra, bright sunshiny koi fish tee, Steve Madden pumps and a wee blue clutch round it all out. Warmn weather please!!!!
threads
I still haven’t ordered my sashiko kit. Being overwhelmed with life will keep you from crafts… and the aftermath of life will make you mourn through neurotic embroidery. Boy, can I relate…
A sad love story in embroidered text messages over the course of a year. It’s so subtle but breaks my heart.
Apartment Therapy just featured etsy shop Chez-Sucre-Chez. I especially like the clouds with silver linings. Check out her blog to see all the wonderful things she keeps herself busy with!
These pieces from UK artist Kate Broughton just take the cake. Here’s her etsy shop.
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- Holy cow! This is what I have wanted for sooooooo long! Spoonflower is a new company that will print your own designs/photos/whatever on mercerized Kona cotton, with NO minimum purchase, at $18 a yard. It’s a wee bit pricey for cotton but considering the cost of Marimekko (swoon), you get exactly what you want! I am going to have to brainstorm a bit and make an order! (This Flickr set shows what others are doing with Spoonflower fabrics!)
- White high gloss floors and this Swedish blog that they came from.
- Kate Bingaman-Burt draws what she buys. Interesting concept for a blog. She also sells a zine each month on etsy of all her purchases compiled. Wish I had thought of this.
- I’ve seen the couple’s mittens (Smittens… yeah), which really creep me out. Honestly, can you think of anything more emasculating than making your boyfriend share a hand-holding mitten with you? Blech! These are adorable though, if you have a small child. Seriously precious.
- I think this Colour In wallpaper would be a lot of fun in a half-bath, if you had a lot of guests… just take away the markers after everyone’s had a few drinks.
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- Helen Mirren, I’ve always loved you. You’re smoking hot in a bikini at 63 and you have aged gracefully but, my dear, you are an enormous idot.
- Warmer winters are causing higher (than normal) lemming deaths in Norway.
- I love creative menus but honestly, the offerings at Moto in Chicago are grossing me out.
- Strep throat ruined my chances of being in a ridiculous line at H&M for the CDG unveiling. From what I’ve been reading from my deathbed, I don’t think much was missed – inexpensive filler and what I really want is out of my price range. Story of my life.
gifting
I have had moments of being overly generous in the past. My first year at my new highschool, I was so excited about all my new and wonderfrul friends that I went broke getting the perfect gifts for an excessive amount of people. The joy I got from making so many people feel appreciated was worth it but looking back, it was a bit much and a bit foolish. Last year, quite a few things were put on the credit card and I have not been happy about paying it off this year.
Christmas is going to be here in the blink of an eye and I don’t think there’s anything kind and generous about having an empty checking account on December 25. You have to be kind and generous to yourself too. I don’t think I know a single person who has the recommended 6 months of income tucked away for an emergency, which is especially important in this uncertain time. Maybe we should be good to one another and take some of the pressure and expectations away.
Maybe this year would be a good idea to start a name drawing where friends/family pick a name out of a hat and are only responsible for one person. You could also set a price limit.
If you truly value the time spent with dear friends and family, why not plan a party instead of gifts. A byob potluck is a great way to feel festive with friends, play some cheesy holiday music, eat one of those cheese balls rolled in nuts, take a ton of pictures and have fun without a major financial burden placed on anyone.
There’s something to be said for eliminating junk from your life. Do you really need to add more junk to the lives of those you care about? How about a gift that will get used up and will not become a dust catcher a year later. A box of chocolates, a candle, bath products, a gift certificate to a favorite restaraunt or coffee shop, a gift certificate for a simple manicure, a bottle of wine or decadent flavored liquor… all will be indulged in and eventually will be gone but the memory of the experience will always be appreciated.
Practical gifts with serious personality are always appreciated. I for one, would love a snazzy new umbrella. Maybe grandma would like a modern pair of patterned rainboots to make her feel cheerful and hip.
Okay, this is going to sound a little crappy but it’s the truth. Have you repeatedly given gifts to a certain someone over the years and have never received anything from them in return? I know the holidays are about giving but, maybe this year would be a good time to draw a line in the sand and exempt yourself from spending on that special person this time around.
Here’s a previous post I did about cheap independent design. Lots of ideas!
Some people like to give a lot of little gifts to someone as opposed to one large one. Those little things add up quickly. Maybe one nice chef’s knife would be more affordable than a basket of silly kitchen gadgets, and definitely more appreciated in the long run.
Is your father dying for a plasma TV? Everyone in the family (and his friends) could chip in for this huge purchase. No donation is too small and everyone gets to sign a big card. I did this for a friend’s birthday a few years ago. She wanted an iPod and of course you need to get the accessories like a car adapter and charger and extended warranty, etc. Some people donated $5 and some gave $50 but everyone played an equally important role in helping their friend have an awesome birthday. It involved a bit of legwork and pestering emails on my part but a dream gift for someone can bring a room to tears. (I think she liked the card best of all.)
Your friends/family could also choose to adopt a disadvantaged child, family, or animal shelter from a charitable organization and place the focus of giving on someone who truly needs help.
Getting crafty and making something by hand can sometimes cost more than just grabbing something at the store so, if you get the great idea to sew and embroider everyone a personalized pillow, think about all the supplies you will need, the true cost of everything, and the time involved. I have never once started a project with wonderful intentions and have it turn out the way I had envisioned in my mind, without some unexpected disaster. Be realistic.
Photo cards are a fun idea – dressing up the dog in a santa hat makes everyone smile, as well as a personal hand written letter letting those you love know how much they mean to you. You can also get your family/friends together for an ugly holiday sweater group photo. As bad as it sounds, it’s even better if you go to a place like Wal-Mart with uber cheesy backgrounds at minimal costs. Just take the 8×10 to one of those photo machines at the drugstore and get a bunch of smaller sizes made up for everyone, or print them at home if you have the right printer.
No matter how you attempt to make the holidays a bit more reasonable and sane for yourself and those you love, it truly truly truly is the thought that counts. Wouldn’t it be nice to finally have a holiday season that was more about quality time and laughter than lines and traffic and anxiety and debt?
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