Theme Of The Week: Valentines!

With only two weeks to go, I thought it was an appropriate time to get into the spirit of Valentines Day! So this week I will be bringing you a Valentine decoration craft, some fun Etsy Valentines, a beautiful and EASY way to arrange roses, and some stunning dresses that are perfect for a night out on the town with your loved one. So please be sure to check back each day for all you Valentines Day fun.

What's black and white...

Someone recently told me that they asked a child, "what's black and white and read all over?" and they had no idea. I guess kids don't read the newspaper these days. For some reason, I thought about that story when I saw this black and white papered entry. Probably because I also can't answer the question of who designed it or where it's from. Some of the motifs are similar to things I've seen at the Neue Galerie so it might be Austrian or German or who knows, maybe it's in California. If anyone can identify it, please let us know. Until then, I'll be reading the news on the internet like the kids!

Photos by François Halard

Summer Halter Maxi Dresses 2010

Gorgeous halter maxi dress for summer 2010 in pink floral multicolor

Halter Bra Top maxi dress in solids for summer 2010 in sour cherry color - With improved comfort and built-in support so you can give your bra the day off.

Beaded halter Bra Top maxi dress in print - With improved comfort and built-in support so you can give your bra the day off. Cut-out back. Ruched at bust. With modal for a supersoft feel and luxurious drape and spandex for a stretchier, sexier fit

ubugi

...is the title on the PDF file that contains the pattern for this lovely and simple baby outfit. I fond it on the nani-iro website, in the 2009 sewing section ("collection and order" on the top menu. I didn't give the direct link since strolling through their site is such a pleasure). I don't know how to name it myself - pajama maybe? The pattern is very simple and easy to follow, and the size I think is about 3-6 months. I later made a smaller version for 0-3 months.

I bought 5 meters of the softest ivory flannel when we were in London, and I thought it would fit this pattern perfectly. But it seemed just slightly too simple... so I decided to make my own colorful bias tape out of fabric scraps and some new fabrics that fitted in with the color schemes.

I cut small strips diagonally:

sewed them together into long strips:

ironed with this little instrument for bias tape making:

here's another one:

The inspiration for the patchwork bias tape came from this beautiful blog. I hope to have some pictures in about 3 months of a real baby wearing one of those.. :-)

The Inside Source: High vs. Low

I was honored to once again be asked by The Inside Source to give my advice on where to splurge and where to save when decorating. This topic was right up my alley since I often mix expensive pieces with eBay and flea market finds in my work. My choices also illustrate my other love of juxtaposing modern pieces like the 1970's abstract painting, which reminded me of a Rothko, with an antique French chest of drawers. I would definitely hang the painting above, add a lamp and turn the piece into a bar!

Make sure you check out the entire article online for more High vs. Low suggestions from Erin of Elements of Style, Kim of Desire to Inspire, Alissa of The GOODS Design, and the ladies of Remodelista. And a big thank you goes out to Marni Elyse Katz for writing the great article and including us all!

Six Vegetarian Potato Recipes

Potato Focaccia Pugliese
An impressive Italian bread to serve for weekend lunches.
View at BBC Good Food


Potato, Rocket, Artichoke and Caper Salad
Recipe by Kate Murdoch, image: Ben Dearnley
A salad with substance that will be perfect for lunch or as a side dish.
View at Taste

Curried Aubergine and Potato Pie
This pie comes without pastry but is still packed with flavour thanks to the vegetables and green lentils.
View at BBC Good Food


Olive Oil Mashes Potatoes
Melissa Roberts, image Romulo Yanes
Proof you don't need butter, cream and the whole dairy machine to make good ol' mashed potatoes.
View at Epicurious


Rava Dosas with Potato Chickpea Masala
Melissa Roberts, image: Romula Yanes
These South Indian crêpes would be a perfect savoury treat!
View at Epicurious


Greek Potato and Almond Dip
Maggie Ruggiero, image: Roland Bello
Russet potatoes, sliced almonds and lemon juice make this a dip with a difference!
View at Epicurious

A Picture And A Quote

(via my vintage vogue)

"Happiness isn't good enough for me! I demand euphoria!"

- Calvin (Bill Watterson)

Crazy Tights

The other night I went out and it was a bit cold, so I thought I would wear these crazy floral tights I got at Anthro a few weeks ago. I wore it with a new Anthro dress, and old yellow shoes (I call them my Minnie Mouse shoes). Um, actually, now that I get a close look at the outfit, everything except the hat and the bracelets are from Anthro. What can I say, I am an Anthropologie girl!

Aren't those tights the craziest! My husband HATED them, but I didn't care. I thought they were funny, so I wore them anyway. Crazy tight power!

There goes my diet!

I just started working on a project that is a hop, skip and a jump from Billy’s Bakery on Ninth Avenue. Needless to say, I picked up a delicious treat for myself after my walk though today. I can already tell that it's going to take a lot of will power not to go there every time I visit the job site! The cupcakes are delicious and the cakes are as pretty as they are yummy! I can also personally vouch for the pumpkin square. Billy's Bakery would also make a great place to pick up some sweets for your Valentine next month. Or you could just treat yourself! You're worth it! Bon Weekend!

Eco Kitchen Trinkets

Vintage 1950s Seltzer Bottle - Grasshopper 510 ($80)
You could use these Argentinian seltzer bottles to hold liquid hand soap, moisturisers, oils or homemade dishwashing liquid.


Ice Cream Cone - Virginia Sin
These adorable porcelain cones would make me want to eat ice cream every day! They are sold individually ($18) and are handmade in Brooklyn using a non-toxic and lead free glaze. Also available at Grasshopper 510.


Vintage Snail Planter - Hindsvik (Etsy) $45
Maybe you could store your favourite herb in this snail or perhaps a stash of garlic?


Laksha Drinking Glass - Ecocentric - £5.05
Such pretty, embossed glasses! They are made from 100% recycled glass by a small co-operative in Northern India (certified by the World Fair Trade Organisation).


Vintage Teapot Napkin Holders
- Down Vintage Lane (Etsy) $14.95
These have Alice in Wonderland / Mad Hatter's Tea Party written all over them!


Vintage Chalkboard - From Gray to Gold (Etsy) $28
Chalkboards always look cute in the kitchen, especially vintage ones. Perfect for jotting down your shopping lists, dinner menu or favourite quotes and affirmations.

Amusing Vintage Bloopers

And for our final installment of things that make me laugh, I have some funny vintage bloopers and other videos. Please enjoy!

Porky Pig's Best Blooper 1

Porky Pig's Best Blooper 2

Banned Flintstones Commercial

Vintage Warner Brothers Bloopers

Great outtakes with some commentary