Angels & Demons this year - the out take photos are the best, will be posting those later. As always Jesse is the best at getting into character. We have Mulan coming over later today -
Have a safe and FUN Halloween!
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October 2009
Fun Friday Finds - Anthropologie
I cannot begin to tell you how much I LOVE this store? Exactly for the same reasons I LOVE N&M - when you walk into Anthropologie you can just feel yourself absorbing all the creative juices. There is so much to look at and most of the things that I would like to have are not for sale. Have you seen the big letters made of cardboard??!!!
I was there last Sunday with girlfriends, wandering around looking for a black casual blazer and found myself in the bedding section. I was lusting over this
and this one.
They had some sale bins and I was looking through and found this gem that is now on my bed...
for $69! Yes, a king size duvet for $69. I can say that I scored - this was a $300 duvet. Go in, you never know what treasures you might find!
I did find a black blazer and my prediction is I will be wearing this A LOT. It's made out of a jersey material and it will be good for those last minute appointments that I need to look somewhat put together.
They also carry a great selection of Leifsdotter. One of my favorite clothing lines! It is on the expensive side, but I have sweaters from 5 years ago that are timeless. But check out the color combinations...
I love the color of this sweater and the style but for my body type I can't pull this off. It would be great for someone that has narrow shoulders (I am VERY broad shouldered) and small chest area. That built in scarf detail rests right on the chest and I don't need to accentuate that area! But the cut of it and the line of the buttons draws your eye vertically - very slimming for the right person!
I am on the hunt for a short black skirt similar to this one. I would get this if the price was just a little less. Since I am 5'2" this skirt is perfect as long as it comes to the knee or above. The a-line cut makes if flare out at the right place where I am trying to create bulk and balance out my broad shoulders. From my hips down I am tiny so I can afford to add bulk in this area.
And lastly who can resist these!
Happy Friday - enjoy life! Be sure to check back tomorrow for the Halloween post -
The day after...
Congrats! We all made it right?? Well just for grins here is a wonderful recipe I tried out a couple of weeks ago - right before the cleanse. It's from a dear cyber friend Shanon! The cookies are called Pumpkin Chocolate Chip...little bit of fall, little bit of chocolate and good cakey delight.
My photos are way off - so please go to her blog and enjoy the richer yummier version!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies
- 1/2 cup of butter (brought to room temp)
- 1 1/2 cups of sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup of canned pumpkin
- 1 tsp of vanilla
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice (I used the Pampered Chef mixture and a little more!)
- 2 1/2 cups of flour
- 1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips (I added more!)
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Add the egg, pumpkin and vanilla and mix well. In a small bowl mis the baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice and flour together. Gradually add the flour to the pumpkin mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips. Using a teaspon drop[ the mixture onto a cookie sheet and back for 17 minutes. Makes 36 cookies.
The dough is extra thick for these cookies and they do not spread out when cooked. Shanon lined her cookie sheet with parchment paper which would work great. I used this amazing perforated cooking sheet and silpat by Demarle. I went to a friends' party and have loved this sheet and mat every since.
Bathroom clean up
When the weather gets like this around here it's time to start nesting. This was taken out my bedroom window - dreary.
I started some of nesting projects last weekend - one of them included cleaning out my drawers in the bathroom and hanging some much needed organizational pieces that have been sitting in my closet for about six months.
My jewelry has been been a tangled mess and like my crafting if it's out sight - it's out of mind. I needed to figure out a way to display my jewelry. My first solution is for my more dainty pieces and bracelets
These are shadow boxes from Micheal's cover with some fun fabric on the inside. I used quilting pins to hang the jewelry on. I have had these for awhile now - in fact my house cleaner accidentally broke the bottom one and the glass shattered out. I like this much better because now I don't have to open it!
The next piece is an old drying rack that I found at and estate sale for $1
I cleaned it up and bought some 'S' hooks at the local hardware store and hung my chunkier pieces and earrings on this one. I don't have very many earrings because I am pearl kind of girl.
This next piece is by one of my favorite artist, Lisa Kaus and I actually showed you another piece earlier in my downstairs bathroom here.
My Lisa piece holds some of my handmade jewelry either by me or other artists.
After I completed this project there was so much more room in my drawers and my counter - you could see it again! As you can see I have the dreaded one sink bathroom. I can only dream of having separate sink areas...
I also cleaned up my ring and watch area...
This is an glass serving tray that I found at GoodWill several years ago. I picked up two, another one sits in the guest bathroom. The porcelain cup hold my fun cheapo rings and pendants. The cast iron hand holds my handmade or chunky rings and the Dachshund holds my wedding ring and engagement ring.
Some decor in our bathroom are pictures of us - by Allison Tyler Jones. Towels and bars are from PB.
The wall paint in this bathroom is by Benjamin Moore called Copley Gray HC-104.
What are you nesting projects?
Every Monday Matters - Write
29 - Write a Note of Gratitude
FACTS
- With e-mail, text messaging, and instant messaging, a handwritten note is getting rarer and therefore more special.
- 175% more text messages are sent each month compared to phone calls.
- 73% of cell phone users say that the cell phone is the most important device in their social life.
- 66% of U.S. Internet users said email was their preferred channel for written communications between friends.
- Every week, the average person receives1.5 personal letters.
- Feeling appreciated is one of the strongest human desires.
- There is warmth in a handwritten note—it instantly makes the message more personal, creates a more intimate feeling, and makes the recipient feel more valued.
- With e-mail and instant messaging, a handwritten note is getting rarer and therefore more special.
- A handwritten note costs less than a dollar to write and mail, and the relational value is priceless.
- The recipient can keep and reread it forever.
- Select the person—a family member, friend, co-worker, or someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time—whom you want to thank for what he or she brings to your life.
- Choose a postcard, letter, or card.
- Take a few minutes to write a warm, sincere message that clearly communicates your love and appreciation for that person.
- Decide if you want to add any special touches like unique paper, scents, photographs, drawings on the envelope, or a specialty stamp.
- Send it today.
How many e-mails or text messages have you sent in the past week? How many handwritten notes of appreciation? More to the point, when was the last time you handwrote anything to anyone? Handwrite a note of gratitude to somebody today…just because. They will appreciate the rarity of it.
Fun Friday Finds - Nieman & Marcus
Okay before you get all worked up about Neiman & Marcus, let me first say that it is one of my favorite stores. WHY?? It's not because of the expensive clothes, or the reputation - it's because they are constantly pushing the edge in retail design. Next time you have the chance to go into NM go! Be inspired by their displays, colors... there isn't a sign anywhere that says that you have to buy something or that you need to make $$$,$$$ to even step over the threshold. GO in, but promise me you won't look at price tags and remark about how expensive something is (we will save that for another post) you are not there to shop - just observe.
One of my favorite times of year for NM is Christmas. They come out with what is called the infamous "The Christmas Book" I get giddy with excitement when this baby comes in the mail! First look at the paper crafting design on the front cover?! And in the Fantasy Gift video it all comes to life.
As I watched the video here was one exclusive item, that someone (not sure who in this economy right now) could buy that stood out. Let me also say kudos to the NM team this year - it is A LOT of work putting together exclusive deals.
Algonquin Round Table Experience...being the host of Malcom Gladwell, Nora Ephron, John Lithgow, and many more - what an evening to remember! Plus the $200,000 price tag is donated to First Book. What a great idea - couldn't you do something similar with a group of friends? Or this idea might give you the reason to host your own round table experience with professionals in your home town, that you have always wanted to meet. Put the invite out there, you never know what might happen!
Here are the other pages that stood out for me
Starting on page 61 they use vintage book paper for backgrounds and props - great ideas for decorating and in our own artwork. The Valentino Hobo and boots aren't bad either! But look at the color - gray. Some colors may come across as drab but when presented in the softest suede a color like gray can be inviting.
Jewel tone colors are, or going to be hot! This definitely reminds me of 80s royal blue but this is definitely not your 80s prom dress. The blue horse in the background is a little 80s, if only it was a unicorn.
This magenta color is AMAZING by Magaschoni (left) and the dress is adorable... if you don't think that Mad Men isn't having a huge influence on fashion right now, think again. Also look at the color combination: magenta with brown/ochre background. Might be the next card I make.
Loved the flow of this product shot, the circles with the squares. Will be putting this clip on my inspiration board.
Here is an idea of putting pictures into old books - definitely not acid free but maybe just use the old covers and insert your own pages??
I hope I have given you a better reason to look at all the catalogs that will soon be coming to your doorstep! Don't get down because you can't shop - use them to be inspired!
Happy Friday - enjoy life!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! This is where you can find a collection of my thoughts, struggles & challenges, things I've been making, ideas I like and things that I find in my travels. I live in the beautiful Pacific NW. I'm a wife, dog mom to three gorgeous longhair Dachsunds, and love all things crafty.I'm also the owner of Doxzen Pet Photos specializing in pet photography and DoxZen Studios, my Etsy store with vintage finds and artwork.
I love reading your comments and try to respond to every one! If you don’t feel comfortable posting please email me!
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