Urban Comfort

Sweet As Honey

I'm on a honey kick right now, craving it in food and cocktails, drawn to it in color and decor. Maybe it feels like a true sign of summer (as if the temperature outside wasn't making it clear). Whatever the reason, I can't seem to get enough of it!

I am completely smitten with the idea of using honey dippers as swizzle sticks for cocktails. Barenjager Honey Liqueur is also one of my favorite cocktail ingredients, so you can bet I'll be using this idea. The Sweetest Occasion

 

 

I found these sweet honeycomb stitched linen buttons on Etsy. I'd use them as a special gift wrapping element for a small gift or envelope (paired with yellow string) Humble Bea

 

 

Sheets of beeswax wrapped around clear cylinder vases and votive holders lend a sunny, textural note to the table. Martha Stewart Weddings

 

 

Artisanal honey paired with cheese.  Can there be anything better? Martha Stewart Weddings

 

 

Imprinted with an actual honeycomb foundation, the honeycomb collection from dbO Home is lovely, with an organic feel and a delicate touch. 

 

 

I love the simplicity of this beehive cake, charming precisely because it's unlike so many of the specialized beehive cake pans I've seen. Devour the Blog

 

 

Perhaps my favorite soap on the planet - Pre de Provence honey soap (especially Pollen). Comfort Zone

 

 

I definitely don't need another cake stand, but I'm finding it hard to resist this cake stand and beehive cloche from West Elm.

 

 

Sweet gift packaging you can make yourself (not to mention honey candy from the Natural Candy Store). Martha Stewart Weddings

 

 

You can use this hand carved stamp set for all of your summer correspondence, labels, or gift packaging. And since the honeycomb and bee stamps are separate, your designs can be one-of-a-kind. TC Witchcraft Factory on Etsy.

 

 

I just might need this handmade etched wood iPhone skin. Grandma Woodentooth on Etsy.

 

Pair raw honeycomb with cheese, fruit, or edible flowers for a truly decadent experience. Savannah Bee Company

 

Back from New York

I was in New York last week. I meant to tell you beforehand, but there are times when I'm just grateful to get to the airport on time. At any rate, I was at the National Stationery Show, helping my friend, Whitney (from Whisker Graphics) make her trade show debut. 

It was my first time being on the exhibitor end of a trade show and I'm in awe of what small businesses and designers do to get their wares to market. There's an extraordinary amount of time, energy, and expense that go into what's essentially a gamble. And in fact, the trade show floor feels very much like a casino floor, minus the bells and whistles that alert you to a winning streak. But if you're sensitive to your surroundings, the losing streak is easy to spot and heartbreaking. One thing I know - it usually takes just as much time and energy to create a poor or mediocre idea as it does to create a great one. And sometimes it's not the idea at all, but the timing or marketing of an idea that fails. But still, especially with smaller companies, you know that it's someone's hopes, dreams, and livelihood on the line.

Fortunately for us, we had a great show and I didn't make it out of the booth all that much (which is the best possible scenario). But the beauty of a trade show is that lots of great people come to you. I met Amy Atlas, who was delightful, as is her book Sweet Designs: Bake It, Craft It, Style It. I also met the talented and gracious Elizabeth Demos, whose first book, Vintage Wedding Style, is being released this fall by Chronicle Books (definitely one to watch for). Then there were the bloggers and magazine editors, shop owners and other exhibitors - a tremendous number of energetic, thoughtful, detail-oriented, passionate people under one roof. It was a lot of fun.

As far as products go, I barely touched down, so I can't give a complete report. But I'm mad for just about everything offered by Chewing the Cud. Also, Rifle Paper Co. has some gorgeous new products that I look forward to getting my hands on. I have a big crush on East of India and I'm in love with every single product from Set Editions. Oblation Papers is one of my new favorites as well, along with their line of irreverent cards from Hat Wig Glove. 

I know there are so many other vendors and products that deserve recognition. If you're interested, google "National Stationery Show" and you'll find reports from lots of other bloggers. As for myself, it was a great experience, but it's good to be back!

Child's Own Studio: Soft Toys Made from Kid Art

Yesterday I attended my son's Kindergarten graduation (and tried very hard not to be overly emotional and embarass my son, but c'mon!). I also came home with a boatload of art and projects to add to the boatload I've already collected over the year. At the moment, I can't part with a single piece of it. I know this will change, but for now, everything feels like a masterpiece, something special or sentimental to hang on to. 

But I'm always looking for ways to get art out of boxes and bins and there's only so much wall space I can dedicate to it. So I was excited to find Child's Own Studio, where Wendy Tsao, a craft artist, creates toy keepsakes that are faithfully created from your child's drawings. For me, this is a much more satisfying idea than two-dimensional art, and probably a lot more satisfying for children as well. After all, who doesn't want to see their masterpiece brought to life?

Clearly, I'm not the only person who's fallen in love with this idea. There's currently a wait list for Wendy's creations. However, she has a "Softies Showcase" on her site that features other crafters who can help you with your project (along with examples of their work and pricing). 

 

 
Polly Peanut Butter Bee by Joel

 

 Mika, by Jayme, age 5

 

Self-portrait by Zoe, age 5

 

"Stobbayew," the 6-legged bunny, by Maya, age 4

 

All photos by Wendy Tsao

Style Crush: Hans Blomquist

                                               © The Natural Home (Ryland Peters & Small)

I have a huge style crush on Hans Blomquist, stylist, art director, and author. Whether he's being moody or lighthearted, masculine or feminine, I get him. Right down to the soles of my feet. 

I discovered him slowly, as I found myself drawn to images from various sources, all connected by one name - his. Infatuation. Then I ordered his book, The Natural Home, and...love. Admittedly, his book will not be for everyone. If it's color and contemporary design that move you, his is not the book for you. But if you love the moody, patinaed, textured, quirky and eclectic, with a distinctly European style, this book is most definitely for you. 

What can I say? He's everything I hope for in a stylist.

 

More of his work:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bringing Nature Home

I don't usually mention so many books in such a short time, but yesterday I received my copy of Bringing Nature Home and I was too excited not to share it with you. I think it's quite possibly the most beautiful (and accessible) floral design book I have ever seen - though it's not quite just a floral design book. One could argue for its interiors as well.

Conceived and photographed by Ngoc Minh Ngo, with arrangements created by Nicolette Owen of Brooklyn's Little Flower School, Bringing Nature Home contains page after page of gorgeous, yet doable, arrangements photographed in interiors that are equally beautiful and inspiring. The book is divided by season and includes a guide to arranging the flowers, but it's thoughtfully placed in the back of the book instead of interrupting the visual abundance of full page photos. 

It really is one of the most beautiful books I've ever seen, with accessible "back to nature" arrangements. If you're a fan of nature, flowers, interiors, or beautiful photography, buy the book. It's well worth it!  

(All photographs ©Bringing Nature Home: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Nature, Rizzoli New York)  

 

 

 

 

 

Note:  I purchased my book through Amazon, which currently says it's shipping within 1-3 months. However, you can search online for independent booksellers who currently have it in stock.

12 Free Fonts

You can find me on Momster today with a roundup of free fronts.

Book Review: The Homemade Home for Children

I've looked at a lot of craft books over the years. If a book contains at least six projects I want to make, I'll generally buy it. But then there are the few craft books that are so lovely to look at, so inspired, that it takes a while before I'm even willing to put them away in a bookcase. That's how I felt when I received The Homemade Home for Children by Sania Pell. (CICO Books, $24.95. www.cicobooks.com)

The book is packed with 50 innovative ideas that cost little to make but are stylish enough for the most discerning of parents (and children). There are projects for the nursery as well as bedroom decor for the older set, projects for children to use in play, fashion accessories to make, outdoor projects, and one of my favorites, stylish storage ideas. The styling and photography are gorgeous and the projects are accessible, with clear, concise directions. 

If you have children or need ideas for unique gifts, this is definitely a book to add to your library. And for more of Sania Pell's unique perspective, you can purchase her first book, The Homemade Home. She also has a beautiful blog, At Home.

 

Play Sail

© CICO Books

 

Curiosity Cabinet

© CICO Books

 

Treasure Jars

© CICO Books

 

Clay Butterfly Garland

© CICO Books

 

Graphic Boxes

© CICO Books

 

Artist's Palette Chalkboards

© CICO Books

Etsy Find: Empty Nest by Lucy Snowe Photography

I've added another piece of affordable photography to my collection and I'm just as happy as can be with it, so I thought I'd share it with you. No, it's not a pretty washed pastel version of a nest with eggs in it, but that's not the kind of photograpy I live with anyway. I's beautifully printed and nuanced and makes me happy whenever I look at it. It's also living very comfortably with the rest of my collection. 

The photographer is Lucy Snowe and you can find this photograph, French Country Empty Nest in her shop on Etsy (available in two sizes). She has lots of other nature photographs as well, both in black & white and color. 

Blog Love: Aunt Peaches

I'm a little obsessed with coffee filters after making my flower baskets and carrots, so I spent some time looking for other coffee filter crafts. My search kept leading me back to Aunt Peaches, who I daresay might be the queen of coffee filters.

Filters aside, Aunt Peaches is irreverant and fun and not at all afraid of color (like I am), so I greatly enjoyed the different perspective  and thought I should share her blog with you, in case you're not familiar with it. I learned how to preserve blown eggs with ModPodge on the outside and the inside of the egg, figured out exactly what  to do with the vintage costume jewelry I have hanging around once I saw  spangled slippers made with tile adhesive, and suffered serious pangs of envy when I saw the most amazing coffee filter roses EVER (pictured above), along with a tutorial for coloring them with acrylic paint.

I think you'll enjoy her, so go visit. She definitely inspired me!

5 to Inspire: Spring Greens

It's that time of year, that moment when I look around my house and realize I'm desperately in need of green. That desire won't be satisfied for a few weeks, but in the meantime, I've gathered some visual greenery - just in case you have the same needs I have.

 

White on Rice Couple

 

 bhg.com

 

 

Ken Bosma

 

Cindy BeLove

 

Harmonica Jane

 

 

 

 

DIY Paper Flowers

I love paper flowers, perhaps as much as I love the real thing. It's possible to get so close to the realism of a natural flower, but I appreciate the intrinsic whimsy as well. They just make me happy. 

I've got a flower project that I've been thinking about for Easter, so I've started gathering up inspiration. And what inspiration there is! I found so many beautiful examples that anyone can make, and most of them require little more than paper, a template or paper punch, and glue. Don't be intimidated, especially if your first flower takes a little while to make. It gets easier as you go and faster as you get used to the process - and it's absolutely worth it in the end!

 

DIY with Tutorials:  

One day, I want an entire wall of these giant flowers in my workspace (in red!). I feel like they'd make me happier than happy. (from Ruche for Design Sponge)

 

 

Transform paper flowers into floral party hats (or perhaps an updated version of an Easter bonnet?) from Oh Happy Day

 

 

These structured flowers are made from 1-inch circles made with a paper punch (from Cotton and Brass for The Wedding Chicks)

 

Less realistic than some examples, but no less charming. Scalloped edge scissors and crepe paper streamers make up this ruffly flower from It's in the Details. 

 

 

Here's my tutorial for crepe paper daffodils from a guest blog post I did for To Be Charmed.

 

 

Inspiring:

From The Green Vase  (See lots of other beautiful examples on the site as well.)

 

 

Iceland Poppies via Emmaline Bride  (a kit you can order)

 

 

Whimsy from Thuss+Farrell

Valentine Stamps

 

 

Personally, I've been appreciating more of an industrial mood this Valentine's Day, so I ordered some new rubber stamps that reflect that aesthetic. I'm so happy with them I thought I'd share the resource.

You can find all of these rubber stamps at Impress Rubber Stamps. If you hurry, you can still get them in time for Valentine's Day. And while you're there, peruse their other designs. They're one of my favorite stamp and ink resources and I tend to find cute packaging items on their site as well.

Velocity Art and Design

I both love and loathe shopping. Love the hunt and the thrill of discovery, hate the crowds and other petty annoyances. So other than haunting a few local boutiques, I'm all about the online shopping experience.

One of my favorite online shopping sites is Velocity Art and Design. If you haven't visited, you're in for a real treat! There's a huge selection of beautifully designed merchandise and if you're obsessed with the Roost product line, like I am, it's practically one-stop shopping on their site. Just in time for Christmas...or perhaps a little post-holiday shopping therapy.

 

Corner Store Collection 

 

Alabaster Frames

Pasteur Vases and Frameless Mirrors (shown in background)

 

Teak Display Domes

Great Find: Besotted Brand

I have a large collection of rubber stamps that I've amassed over the years and none are more useful to me than the ones with sentiments. They're perfect for the quick gift tag or stamped ribbon, the handmade card, the final touch on an envelope. But I've never found truly sophisticated stamps until I found the stamps in the Besotted Brand shop.

Those who make the blog rounds will recognize the name from the Besotted Brand blog, the brainchild of the lovely and witty Miss B. I've followed along on her adventures in jobs that didn't quite fit and dreams too large to be contained in the ordinary realm. So it was with great delight that I perused the offerings from her latest venture. 

At the Besotted Brand shop you'll find beautiful stamps, stationery sets and labels, and stamped gift bags. But you'll also find the promise of more good things to come. I, for one, am looking forward to all of it!

Fall Inspiration

I needed some fall inspiration today and I thought you might, too.  Happy Monday!

 

I love the unexpected hit of blue in this palette! It's so simple and yet it takes the traditional and turns it into something fresh. A great accent color to consider. From Design Seeds

 

 

This is a no brainer for the coffee table. And just like the blue in the first photo, I love the addition of glass to traditional fall foliage. It adds a certain ethereal note that seems right, especially if you're caught between seasons (like I am). From bhg.com.

 

 

Wallpaper is featured on a single wall, which creates a focal point for the bed. If you're looking for more of a seasonal wall treatment, you can cover MDF panels with wallpaper and mount them for a removable, temporary display. From Living Etc.

Definitely on my list of crafting projects. It's a simple project - the greatest challenge is finding the appropriate yarn. (Tip: If you find a pumpkin with a great stem, keep the stem and use it in place of the rope shown here.) From Martha Stewart Living. 

 

 

I like the casual, organic nature of this display. A great way to use up scrap papers or old book pages. Sheets of textured watercolor paper (trimmed to size) would work well for this, too. From Houzz.com.

 

 

 

Unusual pumpkins and gourds have finally gone mainstream (I don't think I've ever seen white pumpkins at Walmart before this year), giving you more decorating possibilities than ever before. A display like this is simple to put together and will easily carry you through Thanksgiving.  I found pumpkins and gourds this year at Whole Foods, too. They had a selection that easily rivaled any farm stand. From HGTV.com.

 

 

 

Felt and wool fabric leaf bowls. Pretty, practical.  I want to make them!  From Martha Stewart Living.

 

 

This is another craft that I've been meaning to try. I have jars of acorn caps, gathered in Central Park during numerous fall seasons. And I just love the whimsy and color the felted balls add. I'd scatter them along the table or use them to create place cards. Via Flickr. 

Comfort Food

I have been sick with fever for the last nine days, which has slowed me down considerably. The upside to this unexpected leisure (grasping at straws, here) has been the opportunity to get some real reading done, a once daily indulgence that's been slowly turning into a luxury. 

The book I've been reading all weekend is Life, on the Line by the chef Grant Achatz. It's a memoir not only about food and becoming a chef, but about overcoming advanced stage tongue cancer (of all things). I'm not finished yet so I can't give you a full review, but I'm greatly enjoying it and recommend it. 

At any rate, I started thinking about my favorite food/chef memoirs and how they've changed my life over the years. I have never aspired to be a chef, not even a pastry chef, but these books have changed the way I've thought about food, changed the way I eat, given me a deeper appreciation for artistry and craft, and inspired me on multiple levels. It also helps that chefs tend to have colorful lives and eccentricities that can't help but entertain.

Without further ado, here are other food related books I couldn't put down - my comfort food over the years. They can all be found on Amazon, along with detailed reviews. As for me, if I can't get off the sofa anytime soon, it looks like there are plenty of other recent, well-reviewed chef and food memoirs to keep me sated.

 

Life, on the Line by Grant Achatz & Nick Kokonas

 

 

Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl

 

 

The Making of a Chef by Michael Ruhlman

 

 

The Soul of a Chef by Michael Ruhlman

 

 

Heat by Bill Buford

 

 

Blood, Bones, and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton

 

 

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

5 to Inspire: Contemporary Southern Photographers

I'm a huge fan of Southern photography, drawn in by artists who manage to capture and distill the fleeting mystery and beauty that dance around the edges of life here, whether in a landscape or a portrait of wrinkled hands or children playing. It's an idealized viewpoint, I realize, but my love for the South has always been characterized more by a sense of longing than reality.

At night, when I need to step away from the day, I like to look at photographs. Black and white imagery speaks to me. In fact, it is the only way that I'm able to truly see. Color simply distracts me. In those moments of absorbing beauty and long forgotten stories, I can hear the faint buzz of a fading lightbulb, the cicadas in the distance, the air hanging heavy and sweet with the smell of jasmine, fire, earth, and water. I am drawn to images that are dark around the edges, untold tales lurking in the shadows. I am drawn to fire and light, faces of character, the pasttimes of youth. In those moments, held aloft in the capable hands of magical creators, I fall in love with the South over and over again. 

 

DAVID C HALLIDAY:

 

 

 

 See more of David Halliday's work here.

 

 

JACK SPENCER:

See more of Jack Spencer's work here.

KEITH CARTER:

 

 

See more of Keith Carter's work here.

 

 

DEBBIE FLEMING CAFFERY:

 

 

See more of Debbie Fleming Caffery's work here.

 

 

SALLY MANN:

 

 

See more of Sally Mann's work here

Stenciling

It's that time of year when I'm knee deep in Christmas assignments, so I've been making a number of trips to Michaels lately. Over the weekend, I happened to see the new line of Martha Stewart craft paints and a whole slew of stencils. Stenciling is hardly a new craft for me, but I appreciate easily accessible stencils with nature motifs and a clean feel (I tend to order most of my stencils from Europe which doesn't allow for much spontaneity). I particularly like the Cathedral Lace set (pictured above) and I see sofa pillows in my future.

But that got me to thinking about stenciling in general and I took a look around the web to see if I could find other interesting, sophisticated applications. I found a number of projects that called to me, but what they all had in common was a muted, neutral approach. I think it gives stenciling a timeless quality that bright colors don't allow for, and when I engage in a more labor-intensive project like stenciling, I want something with staying power.

I appreciate the versatility of the craft. You can stencil furniture or fabric, walls or glass, ceilings, floors, mirrors, doors, stairs, paper...and anyone can learn how to do it. Talent and experience play a part when you're looking for a patinaed finish or multiple hues, but at it's most basic, it really is an easy craft.  And in the end, it really does transform.

 

I'm completely taken with this floor treatment found on My Marrakesh. Though it was designed for a child's room, the color palette keeps it from looking precious.

I have been looking at these Moroccan stair risers from Modello Designs for months now. It's such a beautiful and unusual way to use stencils and I feel I would never tire of this.

 

A super easy project to tackle in an afternoon. You can find stencils like this in office supply, craft, or artist supply stores. Just make sure to use enough adhesive to get a tight seal. If you look closely, you can see the textured look of the paint, which comes from stippling or pouncing. via Savvy City Farmer

I love, love, love the streamlined feel of this wall clock from Martha Stewart Living. Template and directions available here.

 

The ceiling medallions in my home are long gone, but what a great way to create the look without the bulk of an actual medallion. From Cutting Edge Stencils

 

 

I like the faded quality of this wall from Country Living. A pattern this ornate would look very busy in an opaque or bright color.

 

 

Another quick and easy afternoon project that elevates a piece of not-so-special furniture. Found on Design Sponge.

 

Also from Design Sponge, a DIY stencil for botanical themed table linens. Another easy afternoon project.

 

Also from Royal Design Stencils, I like the graphic pop of this cabinet, though this color scheme might be more of a short term love.

 

Stencil Resources:  (Click links for websites)

Royal Design Studio

The Stencil Library

Cutting Edge Stencils

Modello Designs

Designer Stencils

Jan Dressler Stencils

 

*Title image from Martha Stewart Crafts. Stencils found at Michaels.

Edible Designs

It was my son's birthday this weekend and I had a bit of a last minute panic with his cake. We had a bowling party at a local bowling alley and originally we'd planned to have a bowling themed cake that I would pay someone else to make. Unfortunately, my son couldn't make up his mind which cake and cake design he wanted, only that he wanted it to be one of my recipes. I bake cakes - I don't decorate them. Before I knew it, it was Thursday and too late to order a cake. 

So I picked up a "cake tattoo" from Michaels and hoped for the best. Admittedly, I was a little nervous, but I found the edible sheets really easy to work with. While my finished cake wouldn't have made the cover of a magazine, my son was happy and his friends oohed and aahed over it, which also made him happy. What made me happy was that it didn't taste like anything and that it didn't change the texture of the cake or the experience of eating it. A win-win. 

I started researching edible designs, wanting to see if there were more sophisticated or modern designs that I liked. Mostly, no. I think the edible design transfers are more appropriate for kid parties or baby showers and some holidays like Valentines. But I did find the edible butterfly designs shown above, from Sugar Robot on Etsy. I think they're gorgeous and I wouldn't hesitate to use them for adult cakes and cupcakes. Even better, they're available in a range of colors.

I found a number of other DIY cake decorating options while I was in Michaels, including edible paper and special punches (similar to regular craft paper punches) to create borders and other designs for cakes in solid papers. Then there are stencils, die cuts for cake designs...it overwhelmed me at the time, but some interesting possibilities to think about in the future. 

 

Valentines is one of those holidays when I don't mind cute. I like this particular set from Lucks and I think the designs would also make good cupcake or cookie toppers (edible designs like this can be cut with scissors, so you're not limited to using them for cakes).

Cupcake toppers from The Frosting Gallery on Etsy. 

Carnival minis suitable for cupcakes or cookies. Can be purchased from King Arthur Flour.

My cake. The edible cake tattoo from Duff Goldman can be found at Michaels and Party City.

Just a Glass

I have long had a love affair with glassware. It's just one of those things and I've confirmed that I have cousins and siblings with the same obsession, so I'm simply going to chalk it up to heredity. At any rate, yesterday I received a surprise delivery from my New York trip, the glassware I ordered from John Derian. It took a month, but they were worth the wait! 

I found a photo of this glass in Food & Wine's Cocktails 2011 just before I left for New York and it's the primary reason I visited John Derian's shop (which I'm so glad I did). Made by Bollen, they're delicate, handblown glasses that are simple yet graceful. I love them, so I thought it only fair to share. (They can be ordered by phone.)

And if you're in the mood for a cocktail, the recipe for the Ginger Rogers, pictured in this glass, can be found here.

Photo by Tina Rupp