10/31/2012

In Fashion

10/31/2012
StyleNotes - Accessories - Going for the Bold
Taylor Thomasi Hill - Artistic Director, Moda Operandi | coolspotters.com
All Accessories | forever21.com
During the fashion show seasons, streetstyle becomes a sport. Many of the fashion magazine editors, fashion bloggers and important retail buyers have become celebrities just by dressing right and playing to the camera.
In each instance you find that accessories play a major role in how the fashion look is put together. Granted, each player has their own personal aesthetic, be it quirky, casual or rock and roll. The "style" is the end result you see.
I have always loved accessories, the quirkier, the better and they do not have to cost a fortune. It's being fearless and bold when putting the accessories together.

10/30/2012

DIY

10/30/2012
DIY - Arts+Crafts - Photo Fun
Wedding Shower | bridesmaids
Using photos to commemorate a special occasion like a milestone birthday, a wedding and baby shower has always given guests an opportunity to revisit times past and walk down memory lane. When a photo triggers a past memory, all kinds of stories bring together people and their funny versions of what really happened.
When I saw this bridesmaid photo created for a bridal shower, I cracked up. What a creative, funny way to commemorate this important occasion.

10/29/2012

Needlecrafts

10/29/2012
Needlecrafts - Crochet - Triangles in Pattern
Crochet Pillows designed by Kelly Hunt at Etsy | www.etsy.com/shop/Paravent
Black and White Pillows | www.envelop.eu
Geometric prints are very popular at the moment in decor, whether it is in fabrics, home accessories or created with tile. An easy way to add a decorative accent to your decor is to crochet a pillow top. Basically it is like sewing patchwork squares and sewing them together. I was inspired by a beautiful graphic, drew the colours from the image and made a pillow design.

10/26/2012

Living

10/26/2012
Living - Good Eats - Polenta-Crusted Roast Potatoes
Roast potatoes. Crispy and golden, with creamy white interiors, infused with a rosemary-garlic oil. That's how Aimee from Simple Bites describes these delicious roasted potatoes. Easy and quick, roast a batch of these for brunch or for a simple weeknight dinner. Definitely one of my favourite ways to eat potatoes.

10/25/2012

Design Files

10/25/2012
Design Files - Home&Goods - Life in a Raw State
Dresser, Cube Endtable | orsonandblake.com.au
Relic Endtable | armsandbarnes.com
We have now embraced a new romantic era where we crave all things that are rough hewn, a giant leap back to nature. Not only are we reclaiming distressed materials but the most desired items are in their most primitive, raw state.

10/24/2012

In Fashion

10/24/2012
StyleNotes - Boxtops
Vogue Knitting, Fall 2011 | vogueknitting.com
This style is extremely comfortable to wear as well as flattering to most figure types. The large square top balances the lean legging and skinny jean shape, can be dressy or very casual depending on the yarn and style. Stores are stocking a variety of styles for fall, from very fine knits to heavier cable knits as well as metallic knits with sequins.
Around the holiday season, velvet leggings, a metallic square top, ballet slippers, great earrings or necklace and you're set to party .

10/23/2012

DIY

10/23/2012
Arts&Crafts - Wine Stoppers
Around the holiday season, giving wine as a hostess gift is common and always very welcome. Why not up the gift idea with a fun wine stopper such as the trophy examples shown. Other toppers might be small china figurines, plastic toys, golf balls, billiard balls and glass dresser knobs.
  • DIRECTIONS TO MAKE WINE STOPPERS

  • ■ First, use a drill to make a 1/8-inch-wide hole halfway down into a new cork ($3.99 for 30; winemakingsuperstore.com)
  • ■ Next, twist off the top of a vintage trophy (typically a few bucks each at thrift shops and garage sales).

  • ■ Apply superglue to the underside of the trophy top's base and the screw that extends from it.
  • ■ Insert the screw into the cork and twist the pieces together until flush and a tight bond forms.

  • ■ Allow one hour of drying time before using your prize design.

10/22/2012

Needlecrafts

10/22/2012
DIY - Felting - Mending Your Ways
Woolfiller kits | www.wolplamuur.nl
It's about this time of year as you take out your cosy sweaters that you discover one of your sweaters has several moth holes. Not to worry...there are several easy methods to fix this problem.
You can repair the problem by needle felting, darning or crocheting the pesky holes with yarn that matches the garment or makes a colourful statement. I say make a statement out of the problem and get a new garment in the bargain. For each of the methods there are tutorials explaining and illustrating the techniques.

10/19/2012

Living

10/19/2012
Living - Good Eats - Apple Yogurt Cake
This apple yogurt cake is a dessert recipe from David Rocco's cookbook "Made in Italy". Simple to make, this recipe will become a favourite when you want something quick and delicious.
The finished cake has a homemade rustic appeal, is very moist and full of apple slices. A perfect fall cake.

10/17/2012

In Fashion

10/17/2012
StyleNotes - Fringes
Fringes, those dangly things are on just about anything we will be wearing this fall - gloves, shoes, boots, coats, jackets, scarves and what I like to wear, cosy sweaters.
It's easy to upgrade a plain old sweater or cardigan into something special.Thread through yarn, leather strips, fabric strips or anything pliable and knot it. Voila, you have fringe.
If you're thinking that it has to be perfect and even, think again...read on and see examples that will inspire you to try putting fringe in places you may have not thought of.

10/15/2012

Needlecrafts

10/15/2012
Needlecrafts - Quickpoint Stitchery
Quickpoint is actually needlepoint or bargello achieved with thicker yarns on a more open mesh canvas (the squares are bigger).
Like the Jiffyknits in the 70's, this style of stitchery was popular with beginners and crafters that wanted to do an easy, quick project.
Creative stitchery in all forms is becoming popular once again as it is portable and relaxing. With the variety of chunky and textured yarns available, you can stitch up a pillow top in no time. Read on for inspiration and the kinds of readily, available yarns suitable for this kind of stitchery.

10/12/2012

Living

10/12/2012
Living - Good Eats
So what is a Gözleme? First of all it's delicious! Gözleme is a traditional Turkish savoury pastry - think panzarotti, thin filled crepes or quesadillas.
A pizza like dough called yufka sheets or fresh phyllo sheets, both of which can and should be purchased in specialty stores. To make the dough is finicky. These sheets are then filled with spinach and feta cheese or spicy minced meat, folded and then cooked in a griddle pan.
The name comes from the Turkish word göz meaning eye. The brown spots are the eyes you see when you are frying the folded pancake.