Posts from — February 2011

I’m trying to arrange the timing of my adulthood plunge, whether it’s the chicken or the egg that came first; whether it’s that I passed the twenties mid-marker or that I got married.  Regardless of the order, I have become a regular Holly Homemaker, and I’m terrified.  I dream of a lawn (I killed my first apartment plant this week), I long for a garage (I lost my car in our 3-story garage AGAIN), I desperately want a mailbox (because nothing fits in a tiny metal cubby … nothing.)

As usual, my rant has little and maybe nothing to do with my original post … I really just like these pretty roof birdhouses.  But the roof comes before the birdhouse; this I know for sure.

{klaas kuiken birdhouse}

{images found a la Express-O}

I was so taken by this Rachel Zoe interview on SNOOP, that I had to share. The home Rachel Zoe (stylist to the stars), shares with her husband, Roger Berman, is exactly what you would expect/dream/hope it would be: clean, minimalist, with a touch of bohemian.

‘My work life is really busy so this is my oasis where I can hang out with my husband.’ says Rachel. ‘We liked the idea to make the house feel like we were in a luxury hotel or spa which had some kind of Zen quality.’

In the interview, Zoe carefully describes the creature comforts of her home, the little design elements that she relishes in, even her gorgeous Missoni throw – ‘it’s about having that one thing that makes you feel fabulous – from artwork to a sumptuous throw to spread across your bed.’

But what really struck me as, hmmm, let’s call it “the fashion panache,” were the clothes. Zoe herself is inextricably linked with her fashion. She is the curator of those beautiful celebrities who glide across the red carpets – she orchestrates every detail. (By the way, if you have never afforded yourself the luxury of watching an episode of The Zoe Project on Bravo, do it.)

Zoe’s perfect living room, blank white Fendi sofa and floor-to-ceiling glass walls, her crisp bedroom, they are interrupted every so often with racks of couture gowns in every color, sky high stilettos, luxe furs and feathers, handfuls of jewels and metals. Now that’s couture living.

‘I buy pieces in my home that I will love for a long time. However, what changes my interiors is the gowns that arrive for the Grammy’s and the Oscars. The dresses and accessories transform the mood with their colours, patterns, sparkle, fabrics and glamour.’

‘My poor husband has gone to sleep and woken up with gowns, furs, bags, clutches and shoes for fifteen years.’

Isn’t it just every girls dream to wake up surrounded by racks of haute couture?

{Interview with Rachel Zoe by Interior Designer and Editor, Amanda Talbot; Photography by Richard Powers}

Ruffled featured the DIY Love Notes Piñata back in February of 2010, and this year, they featured a Bride and Groom who made a perfect replica.

Cortnie from Lollipop Events & Designs explains how to recreate this darling wedding piñata with “love notes” (more commonly known as sentimental paper-mâché … hey, it beats making a paper-mâché globe in the fifth grade):

Blow up balloon (oversized balloons work best), soak newspaper strips in water and glue, then cover the balloon in them. After the balloon dries, cover it in the cut music sheets. Pop the balloon and cut a small section to fill up with the love ‘notes’. Reattach the cut piece and cover it with the music sheet strips.

Dreaming in sparkles.  My first ever inspiration board.  I’ll get better – promise.

{Inspiration Board created on Style Me Pretty; Images clockwise a la J.Crew; The Cherry Blossom Girl; We Heart It; We Heart It; and Julia’s Blog}

With an impending business trip to NYC (ooh, I sound so adult!), I am envisioning all the ways to pretend to look like a New Yorker.  This  Graham & Spencer faux fur coat is a nice start…

It’s nearly Spring and I am about to embark on a cruise (oh crud, I forgot to diet – giant house dresses for me), so I am dreaming in technicolor.

Chanel, the leading creator of all things right, has a Tiffany blue nail polish I die for.  From the Chanel ’11 Cruise collection, this perfect polish is still not available in stores, but you can get more info here.  {Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish in Riva, $27, available at Chanel.}

For a sweet alternative, try:

China Glaze’s For Audrey, at $5.99, is a much more wallet friendly version of the Tiffany blue we all want.  CG’s baby blue color, inspired by the iconic Tiffany blue, is one of China Glaze’s most popular shades and a perfect pick for spring and summer.

Essie’s Turquoise and Caicos, at $8, is described as ‘A flirty and pretty tropical aqua’, and may not nail (haha – pun) the ‘Tiffany blue’ blue, but it sure looks pretty on.  (Definitely a good milky turquoise.)

And for a great Tiffany Blue Swatch venture, check out Polish Hoarder Disorder.

{image a la Rachael Passing Notes; via Chanel ’11 Cruise Collection}

I have had a seeming infatuation since my early years, watching Yogi Bear fight so hard for that pic-a-nic basket.  (Watch cartoons, they’re good for you.)  So it’s no wonder, I could focus on only one thing when I saw this park wedding over at Forget Me Knot Weddings.  Baskets!  The bride, Danni, from the duo, Danni + Nick of ohellofriend, explains the baskets:

‘We also reversed our wedding schedule around and started with the reception first, because we wanted to get married at sunset. guests arrived and gathered to share a picnic basket lunch. There was no seating at the park, so we went all out with picnic blankets.’

So cute.

{images a la Forget Me Knot Weddings; photographs via Christian Cruz}

{image a la Confetti System}

It was nearly that time for Martha Stewart Weddings to step in with their wedding prowess, and show us all how it’s really done.  You see, images of fringe a la Confetti System have been circling the internet for months now, but Martha Stewart did one better, and created an entire layout on the wonders of confetti.

With a title like “Fringe Benefits,” one can only imagine the beautiful details Martha’s team has dreamed up.  They worked with Julie and Nick of Confetti System to explore fringed decor, including bouquets, stationery, cake, escort and seating cards, favors, and even a photo booth backdrop.

{a la 100 Layer Cake; photography by Con Poulos}

{image a la Creature Comforts; via Ticket Kitchen}

How irresistibly sweet are these Personalized Hot Chocolate Spoons?  As you begin to stir your chocolate-coated spoon in a mug full of hot milk, your special message is revealed!  I love yummy surprises.

Apparently, all things chocolate from Ticket Kitchen, are said to be divine.  And Ticket Kitchen offers free printable tags to adorn their chocolates as gifts (anyone can download and print them).  Clever candy.

Looking for a little inspiration for this weekend’s Oscars bash? Twig and Thistle’s got ballots.

I plain old love this New York City Wedding.

This Black & White cake stand from Sweet & Saucy Supply is dreamy.

Alexa Chung looks perfect (shocker) for Net-a-Porter Magazine.

Earthy metals by Dream Collective are sweet.

Victorian Lace Iphone Cases straight from the boudoir.

A truly adorable pair of cutout wedges by none other than the shoe masters at J.Crew.

And a recipe for Homemade Cadbury Creme Eggs!