Hi lovelies,
I am looking to build my link list and exchange links with others. If you care to share your fabulous blog, please just comment the link below! Aything with design, pretty things, and fun content will do!
So, um, I am in a bit of a pickle. I loveeee design. Don't you? Hopefully you do, if not this blog is probably a bore. I mean design is so fantastic. What can be better than the culmination of immense creativity, materials, and loving labor? Nothing, that's what! But here is the thing, I am not really finding myself to be much of a creator lately. I start classes in literally 5 days, and it will be about product development, not, you know, actual product making. I decided to switch gears because I think people should be more realistic with themselves when it comes to their life. Life is short. I have taken allot of things for granted and learned the harddddd way. No more I say! I will not take my innate talent for granted.
I think my purpose lay in the nurturing side of things (read: business). Boring I know, but someone's gotta do it! Anyway, so if you are new to my blog (which you are because my blog is new haha) then let me catch you up. I am in utter love with home decor and lifestyle products. Have been for the longest. Amidst my heavy reading, I was asked to think back on my childhood to really get a sense of where I was meant to go, what purpose I was meant to fill. The book was describing those who put on shows for their family at Thanksgiving end up on American Idol, and then there are those who start rearranging their bedrooms and making pillows....at the age of 5. That's me. But now I am in a stump. I gravitate more towards operational than craftational (a word I just invented). Is this bad? I feel I will end up just owning a store that curates the best of others, instead of selling my own wares. I feel so connected to wanting to see others truly passionate about creating succeed. With that said, I am putting my collection on the back burner until I really feel strongly about it again, if ever. I will devote all my attention towards the non-profit I have been trying to start, and now I feel like its really what I was meant to do. I am more interested in the business of craft. I could live happily forever just buying and marketing and building indie businesses more than the actual making. So that is what I will set out to do! More on that later.
Do you ever feel lost about what you should do with your craft?
image source: eveline tarunadjaja
Whenever I need a pick me up, I just head to the homepage of Etsy. It's a surefire way to find at least one, one little sparkle, one little gem that just leaves you smiling. So sure enough, via Portland (of course!) I came across these beauties. Aren't they adorable? If only life were really filled with pink puppies. Okay no I take that back. Somewhere in Los Angeles there are indeed pink puppies dawning the latest pup wear outfit from Marc Jacobs. Anyway, the animal cruelty is kept to a bare minimum over at Bunny with a Toolbelt, even the shop name is cute! Hilary is the awesome designer and upcycled wood crafter extraordianarre behind Bunny, and there is an army of cuteness that you don't want to miss. See her stop animation below for just an inkling of the animal kingdom she's created, then head over to her shop!
for the love of DOG from Hilary Pfeifer on Vimeo.
Bunny with a Toolbelt.....making you smile since the late 20th century. See these figures and more at www.bunnywithatoolbelt.etsy.com. Also available as t-shirts, cards, and SIGG bottles. Visit www.bunnywithatoolbelt.com for more details.
Well, well, what do we have here. If it isn't the craftiest of them all, Ms. Creature Comforts launching herself a little online store. Martha Stewart, watch out! Ez, along with longtime friend and now business partner Marichelle, have been toiling at away at their new venture Nice Package. Devoted fans already know they are the queens of DIY, so this idea suits them perfectly. The shop has been up and running for a few months now on Etsy, and now Big Cartel, and is packed with adorable and unique gift ideas, trinkets and packaging. They debuted right here in NYC at the Brooklyn Flea where many indie brands have journeyed into stardom. Can't wait until I can see them in person for myself. In the meantime I might just go ahead and load up on some of their Etsy stock. Shhhhhh.
PS- You definitely don't want to miss the Nice Package blog, brimming with DIY tutorials and videos, inspiration galleries and newest products!
xoxo
L
...it would be filled with pink, Paris, and cupcakes. What would your days be filled with?
xoxo
L
There’s something about white hot chocolate that makes it seem like the most pleasurable drink in the world. When made correctly, white chocolate hot cocoa can be a creamy, decadent drink. If the chocolate doesn’t melt correctly, or if you add the wrong ingredients, it can also be a grainy, oily concoction.
Even though milk or dark chocolate hot chocolate is great for late-night skating parties and for caroling, as well as those grand afternoons when you get to spend some quality time with your girlfriends, when it comes to the special moments you have to yourself, white hot chocolate is the drink to indulge in. When you’re down, lonely or just feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, you know it’s time to do something special for yourself. When that happens, take a little time out of your busy schedule and relax with a good book, an overstuffed chair and a mug filled to the brim with luxurious, white hot cocoa.
How to Make White Hot Chocolate
Think rich and robust when making white hot chocolate and try to use the finest, richest ingredients you can find. Utilize Ghirardelli chocolate, heavy cream and expensive vanilla beans.
Ingredients You Will Need:
4 to 6 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate (grated or chips)
1 split vanilla bean
1 to 2 scoops vanilla bean ice cream
1 teaspoon white granulated sugar (optional)
1 cup real dairy whipped topping
¾ cup whole milk
1 teaspoon hazelnut flavored dairy creamer
Warm the milk in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the vanilla bean. Dissolve the sugar in the milk and then slowly add the white chocolate. When the chocolate has melted, add the heavy cream. Add one ice cream scoop very slowly, making sure it’s completely melted before adding the second. When all of the ingredients are melted, pour the hot drink into a glass mug and top with additional whipped topping or mini marshmallows.
If the ice cream changes the texture of the white hot chocolate and you don’t care for that quality, omit the ice cream and add a full cup of milk.
As I mentioned before, its my long holiday weekend, so I emptied pockets at Barnes and Noble (again). One of the books, which I will review later in the week after I finish, is Easy Elegance by Atlanta Bartlett. Now, sometimes it takes something so simple, like browsing in a bookshop, to discover someone or something you wish you knew your whole life before. Especially when everyone else seems to have known and your dumb butt was living under a rock. Atlanta Bartlett is an interior stylist superstar from the UK. She has internationally bestselling books under the Ryland Peters publishing house, and it is overly apparent why. Her soft, dreamy and feminine style would make anyone feel like Alice in Wonderland. And of course she doesn't stop there. She's living the dream I someday hope to have for myself, and designing a range of ceramics, celebrating the launch of her online deocr shop, AND running a fairytale location scouting agency. I mean seriously, who could ask for more?
Well, enjoy my little dose of inspiration while I foray into the pages of this gorgeous book!
xoxo
L
We'll eventually cover all of my current fave blogs and just how inspiring they are, but in the meantime here is a small dose from the ever-amazing Lobster and Swan and her collection of mood boards.
Well actually this post is a two-in-one discovery. I am a research/book freak like I mentioned in my first post here on this blog. So while reading along in some of my business literature I was assigned to discover my design aesthetic. I discovered I am for sure a lover of all things romantic yet tailored, so maybe the Victorian era is for me? Or a new term I'm coining called modern French glamour! Anyway, I landed on this wonderful blog called Glass of Fashion. I won't even waste your time describing it, check it out for yourself. Seriously...its fantastic! Everything from the most amazing resources, historical insights and global fashion hidden gems like Linnet- an online specialty fabric store based in Japan. Take a glance at what she had to say about her recent purchase from their lovely store (it was so convincing I placed an order for myself, so reviews coming up!):
The latest addition to my fabric stash. Posted on 29th August in Japan, arrived at my door in the UK on 1st September. How is it even possible for it to have arrived that quickly?
It’s a lovely 100% cotton doubleknit in a heathered grey marl with tiny little branches (or are they trees? or fern fronds?) woven in all over the fabric in a natural colour. The fabric comes from Linnet, a small Japanese shop based in Kyoto which offers online shopping. They specialise in linens, I’m eyeing up a lot of fabrics for next summer. (Well, you’ve got to think ahead, haven’t you?) Wow, looks like the grey colourway of the doubleknit has sold out in less than a week. But they do still have it in beige.
The unwrapping experience was a joy. Look, sample swatches! And a cute postcard! I wish I could read what’s written in the pamphlet:
Sounds wonderful right? Can't wait to get my package in the mail as well. Don't you just love when online shopping deliveries are a little experience, something special just for you? And Linnet is surely going places. On their COMING SOON page, I found we can expect a beautiful selection of books, candles and fragrances, all in the Linnet style. Well, don't spend all your time here, get to shopping! Linnet's fabric selection, their bread and butter, is drop dead gorgeous. Just pure homey, warm and country goodness, perfect for my future home decor goodies like pillows or vintage-inspired aprons. I almost was hesitant posting this little gem, but I've read tons of blogs in my time, and I definitely don't want to be that girl (ya know, the ones who never share any of their beloved vendors). The product photography is pure bliss, and what's even better is that they now offer finished products using their fabric lines from clothing to table linens, and they feature images of what to make next to the fabrics. Head to their online shop after taking a peek at a sampling below.
xoxo
L
Magazine alert! Magazine alert! Well, if you don't know by now, you just don't know. I am a self-confessed magazine addict. Like most of you, so this is nothing shocking. And living in NYC is just too much. We have all the top magazine/newspaper shop chains, magazine specialty shops, sidewalk newsstands. What's a girl to do!? Head to Barnes and Noble, crawl on the floor digging through the hidden racks, and spend a ridiculous amount of money on glossy paper that's what! No worries, this time I didn't go overboard pocket-wise (see rating at end of post) because it wasn't worth the five bucks, but it certainly is worth your attention. Ladies, introducing Victoria Magazine. Some of you may have met her before, but for those who haven't, let me tell you, she is very pretty. I read her cover to cover, and here are some lovely new things I learned:
Victoria introduced me to some gorgeous boutiques sprinkled throughout Denver, Colorado. Yes I know, even Denver has their share of pretty. My two faves were Lollia and Pom Pom. No, they are not puppies.
Inspired by old-Hollywood glamour, nostalgia, and romance, Margot Elena is the innovative creator behind Lollia, a lifestyle company featuring luxurious bath and beauty formulas, bed products, and feminine apparel. From her Denver studio, Margot culls ideas for her line from books, art, photographs, and music to create her scented collections such as Relax, Believe, Imagine, Always, Inspire, Wish, Grenadine & Tonic, and Mint Julep. To shop Lollia’s beautiful products, visit lollialife.com.
Los Angeles entrepreneur Hilde Leiaghat displays her flair for European refinement at Pom Pom Interiors, which features sumptuous bed linens, antique furniture, and lovely vintage accessories. By surrounding herself with beauty, Hilde—who grew up in Belgium—showcases her natural talent for creating warm and welcoming environments that exude a relaxed and cheerful hospitality. For more information and store locations, visit pompomathome.com.
Victoria also suggested some events that fit my lifestyle and personality perfectly. She is fast becoming my best friend. One event that you just can't miss if you are in the New York tri-state area, is the A Woman's Wit: Jane Austen's Life and Legacy exhibit at The Morgan Library. Now this sparked an interest because of a wierd cycle. I work in and love publishing, thus being obsessed with books. I window shop daily at bookstores, thus leading me to discover the new deluxe collection by Penguin Classics, where they are producing none other than Jane Austen's work as well. This conclusively led me to a curiosity of all things classic literature, and so an exhibit like this is perfect! Yeah, that's that in a nutshell. So do yourself a cultural favor and find out more info here. The show runs through March. While you're there, check out the amazing WNYC OnDemand Podcast at the top of the page featuring Jane's bio.
And lastly, Victoria of course shared sweet and delectable recipes. Raspberry-laced brownies anyone?
LOLA RATING: 2/5
Rating Note: Although this particular issue wasn't worth buying, I of course dug a little and found they are offering a free trial issue via the website. So get one free and decide for yourself. Thank me later!
Welcome to the first installment of Etsy Love Fridays! We all know what Etsy is by now, and its no wonder this place rocks! Everyday there is a budding artist, designer or hardworking mother looking to launch a store filled with pretty things that they are passionate about. So what better way to end your week then with inspiring doses of creativity from people all over their world? Hope you like my picks and maybe something will sneak its way into your possession.
During the holidays, like most everybody, I was stumped for unique and personal gift ideas. Well lucky me, a light bulb went off and I was able to think of something that would satisfy both me (holiday selfishness is nothing new haha) and my best friend. A pen pal journal! Yes, yes I allow you to take this idea and run with it. So by now you all know I am a book freak. Well, what's better than a vintage or rare book that has been recycled, or as they call it now upcycled, into a beautiful journal. Etsy seller, Froydis, has taken this concept and done wonders! Her shop features books she has saved from specialty bookshops and then transforms them with new covers, new inserted papers from tracing paper to wallpaper, and of course the original pages for treasuring. And it is quite the little success. I would know because while at work I always save one to my cart for a later purchase, only to find it sold by the time I get home. So don't wait, head over there now! Oh and definitely read her Etsy profile page; its quite inspiring.
Nothing compares to the feminine glamour of vintage china. This set really caught my eye for its girly floral yet colorful whimsy qualities. And for only $17, you can a sip a cup of pretty every morning without feeling guilty. Not every Etsy shop will be stocked to the rim with must-haves, but if you look closely at some you will come out with a true gem. Find more great vintage pieces at CristilinaIC's shop here.
Simply because I can no longer coexist with the blank walls in my new apartment, I have started the hunt for wall decor. Luckily it didn't take long, because I already stumbled upon this breathtaking La Vie en Rose letterpress poster by Sycamore Street Press. Honestly, there are at least half a dozen more I want to snatch up, so go now before I do!
Oh boy, I mean I can only take so many sidewalk offers here in NYC! Nails anyone? Comedy shows. And of course, impromptu self-portrait artists. Well, thank goodness for Tuesday Mourning. This little Etsy shop features custom portraits. And while a little steep at $155, it's well worth it for the cuteness factor. What a perfect Valentine's gift this would make for your loved one.
You ever have just a simply amazing day? And when I say simply, I don't mean in the way like it just happened...I mean, it was simple yet amazing! Well today (TGIF) was surely one of those days. Speaking nothing to the fact that I have been high (falling in love) all week and grinning from ear to ear everytime I think about my guy, I just had a very fulfilling day living out my average day, yet taking notice of the small things. I hope you stop to smell the flowers once in a while. It can be hard at times, especially if you live in a metropolis like me, but it is very worth it.
There will be some great thigns happening on my blog, starting this weekend (it's a long holiday weekend, so thought I would take advantage of the free time to inspire my lovely readers). I'm going to start my posts about books, start Mobile Mondays (a nifty idea that crossed my mind at the book shop today, seeing as I am surrounded by wonderful things all over the city and sometimes only have time to whip out my phone to take a snapshot) and the first of many suggested shops, events and ideas I think you will love. So stay tuned!
xoxo
L
Who says you need a bird to have a gorgeous eco-friendly cage that's made just for, well, birds? This is nothing new. Birdcages are a fantastic source of decoration and have many uses throughout the home. A savvy design purveyor would first buy one cheap at a thrift store or local flea market. Repainting or refinishing it in a jewel tone for spring or muted metallic for fall would most likely be her next step. Lastly, she would make all her girlfriends envious at her next cocktail party when the birdcage is displayed as a table centerpiece hosting an array of candles. Or maybe on the window ledge with blooming tulips. Or keep it intimate and just for your eyes only in your boudior, with jewelry hanging astray. Need a head start? I've found a beautiful and affordable option (hello! $39) at the ever-so-clever West Elm web store. And, well, I guess a bird could work too....but go for a dove- that's the Lola way!
