Let's Make Something: Pom Poms

I'm intrigued by pom poms. They're so happy and funky and retro and apparently easy to make. They can be used as embellishments on presents or made into a necklace. Or they can just get put in a jar and admired. Versatile little things aren't they? We should know how to make them and a few things to do with them don't you think? Especially this time of year when we're all feeling a little more crafty and adventurous.
Most of the images below have links (even further below) to tutorials. After you get the basics down of creating a pom pom I'd think you could make any of these though. And I'm sure you (you crafty minx, you) can come up with oodles more. Won't you share if you do?



pinecone // small pom pom wreath // pink + green presents // red + green presents // tree garland // rug (image) // rug (tutorial) // topiary // chair garland // present flower // bouquet // scarf // headband // pin // white wreath // large pom pom wreath // necklace

Fall Fashion (New to Me!)

I'm miserable when it comes to up and coming fashion designers/labels which is why I rely on a lot of other blogs to keep me hip and happenin. One such blog is Darling Dexter. This lovely journal does a lot to inspire me but I'm particular grateful for her fashion posts. They led me to these great fall fashions full of tights under shorts, gorgeous plaids and belted cardigans. I hate the cold but I love to dress for it!



Top two rows are from Steven Alan followed by (gorgeously styled!) French label, Thomsen and finally Totokaelo. None of it is cheap but it's all lovely and classic and can be worn for years to come. Happy Fall-ing everyone!

Christmas Windows

Well, it's official (at least in my mind)— it is now the Christmas shopping season. I seem to vaguely remember a time when retailers wouldn't put out their Christmas decorations until the day after Thanksgiving. Now it seems that trees are up and crammed with ornaments and lights right after school starts. Crazy. And unfortunate. Whereas I used to walk past these faux trees with excitement and love I now mutter to myself about how hot it still is outside and how ridiculous it is to see stockings and holly before Halloween. That said, I do still love a well-decorated Holiday display. And these windows are just the thing to get me in the shopping spirit. Did you see any pretty windows this Black Friday?


Images from: Platinum Blonde // Racked // Wee Birdy // Living the Luxe Life // Scout About // Wool and the Gang

Shop Handmade

{Happy Thanksgiving dear ones!} I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I'm one of the crazies that get up at 4:00 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving to go shopping. I absolutely love sitting down to a cup of hot coffee, a piece of pumpkin pie and the ads on Thanksgiving afternoon. My cousin and I have been braving the cold (and other crazies) on Black Friday for a few years now and it's one of the traditions I'm going to miss most while I spend this Thanksgiving on the other side of the world. No matter, I've got the internet and therefore the Black Friday and subsequent Cyber Monday deals to look forward to. This year I was lucky enough to see that the Poppytalk blog has gotten and shared with their readers some great discounts on some amazing hand made items. I've pulled a few together but to see a proper list (and to get some discount codes) head over to Poppytalk and get shopping!



Images: US Map // Apron // Painted Rock // Totes // Button Pillow // Love NYC Photo // Owl and Fox // Feather Earrings // Wood Cake Stand // More Cake

Utterly Engaged

Are you familiar with the world of online magazines? Well, I'm not really either. Sure I know they exist but I've never really explored them. I did find one that I thought we might all enjoy together. Especially if you like and weddings and especially-er if you're getting married. (Are you? Congratulations!) This little online mag is called "Utterly Engaged" and it's utterly engaging (sorry, I had to). It offers real-life weddings, advice, gorgeous photo shoots and vendor profiles. All of the things a physical bridal magazine offers without all of the ads and hefty price tag. Yippee! There have been a little over a dozen editions so you and I both have some back-reading to do (maybe over a piece of pumpkin pie?). But here are a few lovely images to peak your interest.




All images from "Utterly Engaged". Head on over!

Pack Your Bags—Wreta Gestgifveri

You may not know how to pronounce it, but this lovely Swedish boutique hotel speaks a universal language of charm and sweet Scandanavian subtlety. The building itself is quite old (of course) and each room hints of history with modern touches elegantly and perfectly placed throughout. I could sit for hours on that curvy bench in the orchard or read something fanciful on the deck (with some sort of not-so-sweet flaky treat). Let's get out of here...

Sweet Lindsay's Wedding

Oooooh it's an exciting day! My darling friend Ms. Lindsay had her wedding featured on the Style Me Pretty blog. This charming event was not only that in style and detail, but you couldn't help but be charmed by the fun and friendship everyone shared. She is an exceptionally talented designer and artist and I was honored when she asked me to help with details and do the invitations. If you've wandered over here looking for a better view of her sweet invites, please visit my Flickr set. I'm in the process of creating an Etsy page but in the meantime if you'd like to have something created (or are interested in knowing when that page is actually selling something!) please email me at hellomydearinfo@gmail.com. I'm so pleased to meet you and so excited for Lindsay! (If you haven't seen the wedding yet, get over there!)

Pretty Tables: Thanksgiving

I’m sure you’re thinking this (as I certainly do every year!), but I can’t believe it’s already Thanksgiving. This year it’s probably even more unbelievable to me since I’ll be spending it in 80 degree weather on the other side of the world. No matter. It's still Fall in my heart and I'm glad to share these lovely table decorating ideas. What will you be doing this year?



Images from: MySticKitchen // BlogNTell // Anne Sage // Kitchen Daily // Sunset

Meet: Marcus Nilsson

My friends— please excuse the short post as I am trying to do eight things at once and all in the course of about a half hour. I’m heading to the beach for a night and am late for the door. But I couldn’t leave without sharing these amazing images from food stylist Marcus Nilsson. You know I love a beautifully styled photo, especially when it’s of a maple-sugar walnut pie. These images conjure up the sweet and savory smells of Thanksgiving so I thought they were perfect to end the pre-hustle and bustle and help get you all excited for the holidays fast approaching.

Pretty Papier Mache (and Just Plain Papier)

I find it hard to believe that I went through elementary and middle school art classes, as well as 4 years in pursuit of an art degree and never created anything using papier mache. This technique does seem right up my ally: inexpensive, whimsical and seemingly simplistic. However, it does seem to take a long time and I'm not the most patient of creators. I'd like to give it a try one of these days, but I'm in full realization that they won't look anything like the art of Anna-Wili Highfield or Elizabeth Jardine.
First, Ms. Highfield. She's a young woman from Sydney, Australia who grew up with a puppeteer father. Can you imagine how cool and creepy and fun that must have been? She was destined to create these amazing birds. Apparently she creates the form with cotton paper, then hand paints each piece to get the desired effect, then sews it all together. The end result is absolutely stunning in it's movement and form.

Aren't they amazing? Visit her site to see more birds as well as some horses and other animals.
Next, Elizabeth Jardine. Her sculptures are more traditional papier mache and are more funky and rough than Anna's. They remind me of something out of The Fantastic Mr. Fox or another cheeky stop-motion animated piece. I love that fox—I want to put a pretty patterned bow tie around his neck and give him a prominent place next to my Roald Dahl books.

And mostly because I haven't mentioned Anthropologie in awhile and I wouldn't want either of us to forget it's loveliness (as if we could!), here are some incredibly charming birds they had for sale. I don't see any trace of them on the Anthro website any longer, but they can still be admired. And if you're feeling particularly crafty, check out this tutorial inspired by these birds. Let me know how it goes! I'll do the same.

Capote's Black and White Ball

Truman Capote was a strange man: eccentric, selfish, talented and obsessed with high society. In 1966 he decided to throw an amazing and (ahem) bitchy party for a little over 500 guests—those he deemed the most important at the time. Apparently he had enough clout to be taken seriously with this shenanigans and people went bananas trying to get invited. Among those he did invite were Frank Sinatra, Candace Bergen, Mia Farrow, Andy Warhol, Sammy Davis Jr and Harper Lee. The following are pictures of the night (set in NYC at the Plaza on Park Avenue). The ladies were instructed to wear black or white dresses with white masks and gentlemen in black tie with black masks. Amazing.


I got most of my information from a great article on the hub pages website. Read it. And I got some of the images from Fashions Most Wanted blog. (PS. One of my favorite things I read was that while so many of the guests purchased couture masks that cost a fortune, Capote's black mask was purchased from FAO Schwarz for 39 cents.)

Charming Cameos

When I was in 3rd grade, my teachers assistant drew our silhouettes. She shone a light on our profiles and traced the shadow. And I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Cameos have obviously been popular as artwork and jewelry forever but recently they've become a staple in modern interiors. You've surely seen some great examples but here are a handful more (concluding with the lovely idea of layering your cameos for a romantic and stylish statement piece).



Images from: Simply Silhouettes // Occasional Enthusiast // Coco Cozy // Dear Designers // Country Living // Jeanie and Jewell

Living with Beci Orpin

Beci Orpin is a Melbourne, Australia based illustrator/artist/designer/inspiration. I became familiar with her work after exploring the Australia-based design blog, The Design Files and must admit that I became obsessed with her house before her work. Although they really are one in the same.—the inclusion of a design studio and the fact that she decorates with a lot of her own work result in a space that could actually double as a gallery. All of it is so fun and happy. Let's start with her house:


I love that she not only uses her own art to decorate her walls, but she uses her children's. They go together really well!
Speaking of her work, here is some of my favorite stuff of hers:


I especially love the wooden, die-cut brooches. I'd wear the heck out of that fox brooch.
Images of her home are from the Design Files. Beci is represented by the amazing Jacky Winter Group and you should definitely check out Beci's website (where you can also get to her blog and online shoppe).

Curiouser

Maybe you're one of the lucky few with a little extra pocket change this weekend? Maybe there aren't any good flea markets or a little-bit-nutty boutiques near you? Well, you my friend, are about to spend that money at two of my favorite online shops.
The Curiosity Shop is a fun spot to find anything from an artist-created necklace to a great book or stationery. Here are some of my favorites (including the hilarious stamps "of disapproval". Clever.).


Another favorite online shop is Three Potato Four. This one specializes in vintage industrial pieces like specimen bottles, old signage, school house furniture and cash register price flags. Some incredibly beautiful things to find here (if you appreciate a little bit of rust on your incredibly beautiful things that is).


I love the "worry worry" cup! I love that it makes me do anything but—I wonder if that was the idea?

Woodland Interiors

It's amazing what a little outside-inside will do for a room. The addition of some faux antlers or a container of sticks adds a sense of whimsy and energy to a space. The problem I normally have with a more "rustic" interior is how dark it usually is—I've tried to keep the inspiration images on the lighter side, but wood has the tendency to be rich and dark. Everything in moderation dear ones. And read through to the end for an awesome tutorial on making a patterned dear head for your wall. It really is so fun!




Images from: arthound // garrendeny lane // creamy line // room envy // momoy // design is mine
And here is the lovely mounted deer how-to that I promised. Send me a picture if you make it, I'm sure it'll be stunning on your wall.

Images from Chronicle Books and Remodelaholic

Diane von Furstenberg

I'm sure I don't need to tell you about the classic beauty that is Diane von Furstenberg. If you've ever worn a wrap dress you have this lovely lady to thank for it. Ok, that's probably a bit of a stretch but she is very well-known for this fashion staple. She became a designer in the 1970's, left the fashion scene in the 80's (for Paris) to become a publisher then returned to NYC in the 1990's where she relaunched the brand to wide acclaim.
Her portfolio is timeless. Any one of the dresses could be worn at any time during her 40 years of designing and will probably be worn for decades to come. And they're not ridiculously expensive. Expensive, yes, but not totally unobtainable. She's a lovely woman with a heart for other women entrepreneurs and is definitely an inspiration. Here are some pictures from her recent collection.

So beautiful. I love the flowy, belted, printed top with the leggings. Gorgeous. And timeless right?
Here are some older pictures of her, pictures of her home in Connecticut and of her Manhattan office. You can get a sense of her as a designer by looking at what she surrounds herself with and chooses to wear.



She's recently announced that she'll be designing housewares, to launch in the Spring of next year. I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with - it's bound to be amazing. Especially after creating rooms for the London hotel "Clarigde's". She did a wonderful job layering textures and patterns and colors. I can only hope that her housewares will have the same personality.

Images from: Coco and Emma // DVF site // Claridge's // Yatzer // InStyle