Eye Candy

This is the definition of eye candy! I found this wedding on Style Me Pretty and I am just eatin' it up... every sweet detail.

Ministyle

We just recently moved and my two young daughters are wanting a little space of their own to 'hang out' in. This house happens to have a small little attic nook that I'm thinking about letting them decorate after I get it to more of a finished space. They are so excited about this possibility as they flip through the latest issue of Pottery Barn Teen catalog putting post-its on all the fun chairs and colorful shag rugs that they want for their space. So, I kinda' have all of that on my mind these days...and here are a few things that I found that interest me for the project from Ministyle.com.

Burgon & Ball Jars

I think these jars are so pretty, I often want to make little jarred gifts for friends and the jars are always so old-fashioned looking. I think these are modern and wonderful!

Flip Burger

I finally got out to check out one of our newest buzzed about restaurants here in Birmingham called Flip Burger. This is Flip's second location, after much success with their first restaurant in Atlanta. Flip's menu was conceived by none other than Richard Blais, the very talented Top Chef contestant from Bravo's hit TV show that came in second place a few seasons ago (he clearly...in my opinion...should have won). Stepping into the restaurant, it's easy to see that this isn't your average burger joint! The decor, as well as the crowd is very mod, the indie music is cranked up, and the staff proudly show off their piercings and tattoos. The menu items are simple in theme (think burgers, fries and milkshakes) but further inspection reveals the interesting twists that keep people talking...such as the venison burger with gooseberry relish, brie, toasted pecans and mushroom jam...the panko and parmesan zucchini fries...or the almost instantly famous Krispy Kreme liquid nitrogen milkshake. Everything we ordered at our table was mouth-watering in presentation and taste, and I have a feeling that it won't take long for more Flip's to start sprouting up around the country.

The Owls are Hunting

As you may (or may not) remember, I have quite a thing for lamps. Well, you can only imagine how gaga I went when I found this site...The Owls are Hunting. These beautiful and fun lamps have each gotten a makeover from this talented English artist named Jo who now resides in Australia. She takes vintage lamps and adds a new base along with a handmade lampshade and, voila!...a gorgeous lamp that I want so badly. This is just the kind of thing that makes my heart race.....LOVVVVVVVVVVVVE!

The Spoon Sisters

I just recently found the company The Spoon Sisters online and I found so many cute little items. They have a little bit of everything... but here are a few of my favorites...go to their site and click around and see which things you like...enjoy! Have a great weekend!

Below: Alphabet, Number & Symbol Ice Trays
Below: Match & Munch Sandwich Cutters

Below: Soapsicles What a cute party favor idea!

Below: Art School Bandages

Below: Mini Happy Birthday Banner
I'm going to order this and surprise my daughter by hanging it on her school locker next week for her b'day. Shhh...don't tell!

Below: Bibs to go - A tear off pad

johnnie b

Wow...I keep getting great news about the ventures of my favorite companies! First Liberty of London coming to Target, and now one of my all time faves Mini Boden has begun designing for teens and tweens with their new division johnnie b. I remember lamenting the day I had to throw out my Mini Boden catalog because my girls had gotten too big. Looks like they have a special deal on right now to promote the new line...a cute Union Jack bag with your first order.

Linzie Hunter

I was poking around looking for a hand-lettering font today and I came across all of these lovely examples of letter-art from England based artist Linzie Hunter. Every good stationery designer knows that lettering becomes a part of the art on our little paper canvases, but it looks like in Linzie's world the letters are the stars. I just love this!

Liberty of London at Target!

I have always loved Liberty of London. When my girls were younger, they wore precious little smocked dresses made of Liberty of London fabrics...each one a little treasure. My dog wore a Liberty of London collar and I designed stationery that had that timeless feeling with dear little florals, so perfect to announce the arrival of a sweet baby girl. When I lived in New York City I would go uptown just to walk through the Liberty of London store and drool my way through all of their inspirational patterns with their perfect color combinations. Today, my daughter Annie uses many of their fabrics to design such adorable hair accessories and jewelry for her annie b boutique line. Well, with all of that said, you can only imagine my excitement when I learned (from the Real Simple Blog) that Liberty of London will be at Target this Spring, March 14th, is what I've heard. This will be for a limited time only, here are a few of the items that they will be offering...can't wait!

Cell Phone Cases

We stopped by the MAC store the other day and saw some really cute iPhone cases. My daughter Claire ended up with the Kate Spade stripey one...so cute!

Rice

If I could, I would buy one of everything that they have in their catalog! I'm just lovin' all of the colorful wonderful goodies in the new rice spring/summer 2010 catalog! ...want.want.want.

Oren Lavie

j'adore oren lavie!

"growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional" -rick alvis

photo credit: the fabulous Shana Rae

Cottage Delight

I love this new Cottage Style magazine that I picked up at the store the other day. I'm nuts over the way this home owner had her place decorated. The colors and mix of textures are awesome!I also love a quote that was in the magazine from one of the homeowners whose cottage was featured..."Buy what you love, and you'll find a place for it." So true, so true.

Felt Valentine's Garland

I found this really cute felt Valentine's Day garland intructional over at Apartment Therapy. I've always wanted to learn how to felt. This would be a really fun first project. Hope you all have a lovely Valentine's Day!What You Need
Materials*wool roving: a 50 gram ball will make about 15 1" felt balls*fingering or lace weight yarn: to string the felt hearts onto*old or cheap pantyhose/tights*scissors*laundry detergent*felting needle*padded envelope*hand sewing needle: with an eye big enough to put the yarn through
Equipment*washing machine
Instructions
1. Cut separated out roving into two 8" sections.
2. Lay one of the sections across the other.
3. Roll them up into a ball.
4. Cut the leggs off of the pantyhose. Tie a knot at the toe and then stuff the ball of roving inside.
5. Tie another knot and repeat the process to make as many felt balls as you'd like.
6. Put the stockings full of roving balls into the washing machine. Run it through a hot cycle with some laundry detergent. I threw in a pair of jeans to give it extra agitation. This is where the felting magic happens!
7. Remove stockings from the washing machine. Cut them open just below the knots to peel out the felt balls.
8. Roll them in your hands to help round them into balls. (note: You can stop here if you simply want to make a felt ball garland!)
9. Using the felting needle, stab the felt ball repeatedly to create the crease that will be the top of the heart. This can be a little time consuming, but by pinching the felt with your fingers then stabbing the compressed felt it goes a little faster.
10. To make the point at the bottom of the heart I pinched the felt together and stabbed through it. It helps to do this over a padded shipping envelope because 1) You won't stab your fingers, and 2) You won't break your felting needle by stabbing the table. Carry on until you are pleased with the shape and density of your felt heart.
11. Thread your yarn onto the sewing needle. Pierce the heart near the top to ensure that the top heavy hearts with hang properly on your garland. Hooray, you are done! Hang up your garland and enjoy.

Sweet Valentine's Sweets

So when I think of Valentine's day, I tend to think of two words...dainty and sweet. I'm talkin' tiny little lacey hearts, pink scalloped icing, all things pink and all things sugary. I can think of none finer in the arena of "all things cute" than the ever talented hello naomi. You may or may not be familiar with this gem of a custom-order confectionery located in Newcastle, Australia...but let me tell you, if you haven't seen their sweet creations you are surely missing out on a feast of the eyes. If only their handywork was available locally over here across the pond. I'd love to say "Happy Valentine's Day" to my sweeties with a box of these sweets!

Card Table Playhouses

Below: Pirate Card Table Playhouse (includes cool Pirate Messenger Bag) - $170 Below: Double Delight Card Table Playhouse - $175

Below: Fire Station Card Table Playhouse - $140

Below: Bluebird Cottage in Pink (includes personalized address, curtains, removable apples, watering can and "mail") - $175

I love the simplicity and creativity of these adorable card table playhouses from etsy seller Miss Pretty Pretty's "Imaginative Play Toys" site. Who doesn't remember those days of making a fort out of bedsheets strung over various items of furniture in the family room or creating a little house out of a large cardboard box? Miss Pretty Pretty takes it one step further with these beautiful felt creations that fit snuggly over a card table. I love the fact that they set up so quick, and can be stored flat so they don't take up much real estate in the house. And the little details like felt letters that can be put into the mailboxes are too cute! My favorites are above.

BloemBox

What a precious gift for Valentine's Day...or for any occasion, really. Bulbs or seeds that will grow into beautiful flowers, all tucked inside this precious little keepsake box that is ready for gift-giving. I just love everything about it! I have seen them in a few catalogs for several years now, but they have expanded their line and have so many different things to choose from. I can't decide between the specialty, seed mat gardens, habitat gardens, perennials or mini standards! Which would you choose? They help you find a store in your area if you want to pick up a few. In Birmingham, I found them at Snoozy's Kids in Crestline Village. Go see George, he'll get you fixed up :)