Current Corkboard

Teeny Tiny Tidy

I love this house for three reasons: the square-footage actually puts this house in my price-range; it gives the illusion of more volume while using a tranquil, not-too-feminine white-wash; and everything has its place behind a closed cabinet.  I never imagined 500 square feet could look so spacious and inviting.  Quite possibly, my realistic dream house...

Entire floorplan and more photos seen on ApartmentTherapy.com (here).

Momma is Worth It

You can't blame me if you don't get your momma anything for Mother's Day.  I gave you a ten-day lead time.  For those of you who don't do the traditional cut flowers, here's a few options (all under $100) to get the most important lady in your life.

Great everyday options like coffee insulators or the perfect hand-printed shopping tote.

(clockwise from top right)

Wallter Wall Planters $72, found here.  Ceylon Pitcher $30, found here.  Mini Pie Maker $99, found here. Lotta Jansdotter Trapp Tote $76, found here.  Coffee Joulies $40, found here.

Edible options include perfectly salty-sweet cracker brittle or a d.i.y. baking mix.

(clockwise from top right)

Crust Bakery Cracker Brittle $11, ordered here.  Sunset Magazine DIY Quickbread Mix, recipe here.  Harney & Sons Cinnamon Spice Set $30, ordered here.

Holy Smoked

This weather seems to scream "have a barbecue right now."  I know when to obey orders.  I also, had the pleasure of enjoying these delectable goodies this weekend: Jalapeño Skewers.

Jalapeño peppers, cream cheese and bacon.  Dang.  The right amount of heat, savory and creamy.  A cold beer, a slow-smoked skewer and a bonfire.  Perfect way to spend a Saturday evening...

Forget Me Knot

Spring warrants the wearing of color.  Even for men.  Seriously.  Between Easter, weddings, outdoor parties, graduations...all sorts of reasons to get dressed to the nines, while infusing a little color into your attire.

In comes General Knot & Company.  Taking vintage fabrics (we mean real vintage - like, World War I vintage) and creating double-sided ties.  A little bit rugged, a little bit nostalgic, and a lot bit wearable (and very reasonably priced).  Just keep in mind, most of these creations are done in super small runs, so you have to act quick to get the one you want.  Start shopping here, to snag a good one.

Bits and Baubles

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Silk Stalkings

Something so fresh about being lazy and casual, but in a rich, luxurious fabric.  Denim cut-offs, flip-flops and a slightly disheveled, barely tucked-in silk blouse.  Done. 

* photos: YSL and mrNewton.com

Just What I Knit'd

Indeed.  What the world needs now.  Perfect mix of guerrilla street-art and do-it-yourself brighten-the-world.  Please take a moment to check out this amazing artist, Juliana Santacruz-Herrera, and her other works here.

Bacon, Taken Every Six Hours...

Somehow, anything wrapped in bacon helps my mood.  Someone else offering to cook for me seems to help a bit more.  Not having to do the dishes afterwards definitely tops it off.  So, after a cold that felt like the brink of death, dinner that night was a real treat.  Simple, comforting and really hearty.

Chicken breast; wrapped with a tasty combination of sun-dried tomatoes, basil leaves and uncured bacon.  Top that with a dash of salt and pepper; bake at 350 for 15 minutes; top off in the broiler to crisp.  Pretty sure I piled my plate so high that you couldn't see the mixed greens underneath it all.  I would have taken a photo, but my plate wouldn't have appeared very ladylike.  Final note; be sure to make quite a few...I never manage to have leftovers the next day.

Kick It!

Okay.  I'm a little behind the times.  While I was aware of Kickstarter.com I had never really checked it out.  Until I was informed of this prototype.  If only I had cool intro music to cue up...

Tembo Trunks are amazing.  A completely self-contained speaker system for your ipod.  It uses science (what? science?) to capitalize on the amplification properties of a cone.  You'll likely never hear me sound this intelligent again, so listen up.  Seriously, they are a one-piece molded rubber that contains no other parts, batteries or attachments.  You simply plug your earbuds into the pre-formed slot and the sound is exponentially amplified.  You can roll them up, hose them down, and even squish them into each other (they were designed that way).  Amazing.

So, if you like to see brilliant people succeed in business start-ups (oh, and you want a pair of these), check out their Kickstarter.com link, here.

One Coffee Table at a Time

Ever thought cardboard could look so good?  Take a look at furniture designer Domingos Totora (found here).  No joke, this cardboard stack actually became this table.  Amazing, right?  Maybe not saving the world...but definitely doing his part.

Go Big or Go Home

Okay, no need to go home.  A three-day music festival (you know the one) warrants flow-y, doesn't-stick-to-you, praying-for-a-breeze attire.  But no need to sacrifice fashion.

I'm not suggesting white shorts, or heels, or expensive fabrics.  But...a shirtdress.  Come on.  It's perfect!  You get great style, a chance to throw shorts on underneath, and a great excuse to wear boots or gladiator sandals.  Comfy, easy, and chic.  Now, go enjoy some Black Keys (or Kanye, if that's your thing).

* photos courtesy of theSartorialist, Refinery29, StockholmStreetStyle

Comfort Cookies

Bad news should always be accompanied by home-baked cookies.  Always.  Write that down.  While I make no boasts about my cooking skills, my cookies are generally well-received.  And somehow, shortbread cookies always come out on top.  They require the baking skills of a six-year-old but magically come out looking uniform, shimmering in sugar, and flawlessly flaky.  Really, four ingredients never looked so good.

I generally start with this recipe, and omit the crazy upgraded skills like melting chocolate or half-dipping.  Start with a good butter and a good vanilla, and you're halfway done.  I also don't have fancy things like cookie-cutters.  I find a rolled sheet of dough and a knife work just as well (I'm sure they taste the same, too).  And, if you ever think it's too early in the day to start taste-testing your masterpieces...just know, they are great dipped in black coffee.  

One for You, Fun for Me

What's more fun than buying a birthday present?  Wrapping it!  Only dilemma; trying to get all the gift-wrapping-nonsense out of my system.  Oh, and Curiosity Cola may be my new favorite old-fashioned cola (available here).  You can actually taste the honey and spices.  Mmmm...

Rad.ziner.

There's something very perfectionist about an architecture firm that starts taking over the building practice as well.  Did I say "perfectionist"?  I meant perfect.  I meant brilliant.  Architects that manage their own in-house contractors.  Wait...what?  Yeah, what I just said.  So, specifications are exactly as drawn.  Materials are the exact quality, shade, and grain the architect envisioned.  The final look and feel of the shelter has the hand of the architect and design team all over it.  Can you say "control freak"?  I can.  I say it bouncing up and down, clapping my hands while I do it, though.  I imagine you are doing the same.  

If you aren't familiar with the work by Marmol Radziner, there's a great article (available here).  Or you can just swing by any Southern California, metropolitan city (gas prices be damned!)...they've made their mark somewhere.  Or, simply check out their extensive catalogue of work (seen here).

* photos courtesy of marmolradzinershops.com

D.I.Why?

Umm, because I love the hardware store.  Because I like crafty things.  Wait...because I want to.  While the first motivation may have been the Proenza Schouler Bungee Bracelet (seen here), or the Giles & Brother Braided Hex Bracelet (seen here), I find that I only need two reasons to make anything: because I don't want to spend the money for the original - and because I wanna.

So, just in case my versions don't come out as good as Erica's (her full instructions found here), I'll at least be satisfied knowing that I killed a few daylight hours and saved hundreds of dollars.  Done and done.

Current Corkboard

Prints Charming

There are few men who dress well. There are fewer men who take fashion risks, and still manage to dress well. While I don't pretend to be an expert, I can offer one tip to dress well and stand out: take note of scale. Start with a shirt and jacket, but just make sure one has a print or pattern. Good so far? Rad. Now, look at the scale (size) of the print or pattern. What we want to do with a tie is create strong visual punctuation with color and size. Think of it like a racing stripe on a muscle car; it needs to pop. If you've got a micro-gingham print shirt, pick a tie with super wide, academy stripes. 

photos courtesy of Pinterest, UnabashedlyPrep and theSartorialist

Dang, look at you. While fashion should be fun, it is easy to step-up your details to create an adventurous, pulled-together look. In one afternoon, you went from stale to swagger.

Flock 'em All

Steven Tyler is...well, a rockstar.  Do I want to look like him? No.  Do I want his hair feathers?  Yes.  Am I cool enough? Up for debate.  Unless you can pull off the Ke$ha-esque, the sleeps-with-pigeons-on-rooftops, the I-just-came-from-Burning-Man, or the just-finished-rolling-around-in-an-aviary, here's a few ideas on how normal people (cough cough, me.) can pull off the look.

Hair Feathers, available here.  Earrings, found here.  Feather Cuff, sold here.

 * photos courtesy of stylebyme and carbon-vi

Ivory Towers

Ports 1961 from runway S/S '11, found here

Never mind the elongating factor.  Never mind the neutral, wear-with-everything appeal.  Never mind the ever-closer-to-six-feet-tall.  This is love.  

And, in the words of Avery Jessup (props if you know who that fictional character is)... flat shoes are for quitters.  

1. Christian Louboutin (here)  2. Alexander Wang (here)  3. Tuleste Market (here)  4. Pedro Garcia (here)  
5. Zara (here)   6. Hunter Boots (here)

Construction Criticism

I have thousands of words to describe this artist.  You will to.  So, you should probably just watch the video so we can discuss Alexandre Farto together.  Feel free to follow this amazing artist on his site, here.

Not So Wild...The West

Well constructed clothing has become a rarity these days.  While I offer no all-encompassing solution...I can  offer a new line that suggests attention to detail and focus on the craft.  I originally heard about The West is Dead from Malibu Magazine (seen here).  Designed, sourced and manufactured in Los Angeles, with overt lines to classic American construction.  You even get a buffalo head nickel on each garment hang-tag (like, a real one...from the 20's and 30's...dang).  If that's not a resurgence of American quality and craftsmanship, than point me in the right direction.

The line is slated to hit stores in April, but feel free to follow The West is Dead's site (found here) for up-to-the-minute details on their launch.