Crate & Barrel is totally copying me

Well, not really but it certainly appears that way. I mean just look at some of the new stuff on their website...

Double-sided floral silhouette hand towels in neutral shades? Happy to report mine cost $5 each vs. their $15 ones.

This is why Ikea is the best. My black-brown wood extension table cost 50% of what theirs cost.

Now in all fairness, the C&B chair is a recliner while mine is not. However, $2,300 vs. $450. We've owned this leather armchair for about 4 years now. It's still amazing so quality is not an issue. Oh and check out my little clock in the entryway. Again, I paid just $9 which takes the cake over the $35 C&B one.

I know some might consider discussing what you paid for this or that as gauche, but I'm one who always appreciates the art of paying less. And I don't know about you but I always get a little rush- a tiny piece of satisfaction if you will, when I see something in a catalog that I did way earlier and for cheaper.

365 project: 1/23-1/29

Michaels dollar bin...oh how I love thee!

Grocery day made cheery. Snapped this outside my local Trader Joes.

Made a little succulent garden planter from concrete blocks I found in the garage.

My beignet shipment from Cafe Du Monde. Yes, it's really that good.

Ventured north to visit with my dad after his surgery. Sat on the couch making pom pom flowers for the pageant while Buffy played.

Contemplating paint colors for the adjacent patio cover. Crossing my fingers the association will say yes.

Gary & I met Bob at Stubrick's for dinner then ventured over to The Continental Room for cocktails. It was sort of a bust being hip hop night, but I did enjoy a tasty sidecar.

Trend: Feathered

source

My guilty pleasure of the moment is ABC Family's Pretty Little Liars. I could care less what these girls are hiding because I'm more interested in what they're wearing! My favorite is Aria Montgomery as played by Lucy Hale. She's sort of the bohemian of the bunch. I'm currently swooning over these gorgeously dramatic feather earrings. I think they're a great statement piece, a perfect way to punch up a basic black dress. High drama and lightweight. I found these copycat styles on Etsy...enjoy!

Gypsy princess asymmetrical set

Firey temptress earrings

Arctic blue earrings

Barely there earrings

Style Parade 1.26.11

It's funny how your personal "fashion rules" change over the years. Like double denim was always on my don't list. Like only cowboys wear that much denim. haha. But here I am wearing a denim tunic with jeans.

Nevio (my father in law) got me this belt for Christmas. It's surprising, the man has taste. He's always gotten me very fashionable gifts. It came with a matching bracelet, although I would never wear them together. I don't do that- the matching thing. Of course I say that now...

My elderly neighbor - you know the one - was up to his old tricks. This time he was telling me that I need to call the association to have the city cut down the trees behind our yard. Apparently it's blocking the sun & his view. Sorry neighbor, it's also giving our yard privacy from the main street. Too bad I don't have more trees growing on the side to block out nosy neighbors.

Tunic: Converse (Target). Jeans: JC Penny. Scarf: Old Navy. Beret: Target. Belt: gift. Bag: Forever 21. Heels: Kohl's.

DIY Modern medicine cabinet

I really loathe mirrored medicine cabinets, especially when they are located on a side wall. No one would ever really use this for a mirror because of its awkward placement. But it's not a detail that I would sweat enough to run out and buy a different style or spend the time to cover the hole. My quick & stylish fix cost me just $6. Here's how to transform your own.

You will need...
-Frosting spray paint
-Yard stick
-Dry erase/chalkboard marker
-1 1/2" painters tape
-Razor blade
-Lint-free cloth

Instructions:

1. Remove the medicine cabinet from the wall. It's easier than it sounds. Mine was only held in with 3 screws.

2. Using the yardstick, determine the center point of your mirror. Place a dot with your marker.

3. From there, layer 2 horizontal and 2 vertical tape strips. I made mine about 9 inches long (8 inches when trimmed).

4. Using your yardstick, measure 4 inches from the center point of your cross and place a mark with your marker (do this for each side).

5. Using your yardstick as a straight edge, line up to your first mark. Trim with your razor blade. Repeat for 3 remaining sides.

6. Wipe down your mirror with a lint-free cloth. This is important! You don't want little fuzzies ruining your sleek little cabinet.

7. Spray paint your mirror according to the directions on the can. Tip: begin your spray off the mirror (like on protective painting plastic). This will give you an even coat and less spray splotches. Also, this spray dries pretty fast, so you can layer additional coats in one swipe.

8. Let dry for 1 hour before reattaching to the wall.

Favorite things: Michaels

Michaels dollar bin...oh how I love thee! Let me count the ways...
One, two...

post-it notes + gift tags (I'm using mine as bookmarks)

three, four...

magnets + patterned box tape

five, six...

Some seriously great spoils found at Michaels yesterday. Gah!
Monograms!
Typography!
Black & White!
Paper Goods!

I was really in need of a travel beverage cup too :)

365 project: 1/16-1/22

Debuted a new message on the chalkboard medicine cabinet.

This is what southern California is like in January.

Tried out a new recipe from 1 Stock, 100 Soups. This is the apple soup.

Cleaned up my bike, attached the new basket and went for a little ride.

Back burner DIY home project that finally came to fruition.

Date night with Gary at Roman Cucina.

Just realized that there was a whole 2nd shelf in the bar cabinet that wasn't being utilized. Sometimes the simplest solutions are right in front of you.

Style Parade 1.21.11

This ensemble is inspired by art. In summer '08 Gary & I went on a return trip to Chicago, which is one of my favorite cities! I'm pretty much at home anywhere you can find interesting art & architecture. Anyway, this is my version of the ladies of the seasons as depicted in these Art Nouveau Tiffany stained glass panels.

They are really quite stunning to see in person. This is also the 2nd dress I've posted from Lauren Conrad's collection. I like her stuff, although I wish the fabric was something other than polyester.

Dress: Lauren Conrad (Kohl's); $30. Heels: Target; $24. Flower headband: Forever 21. Necklaces: Forever 21. Pearl ring: my mother's. 

Watch: Some Girls

I only recently saw this film, Some Girls (1988). I half expected it to be cheesy and over-the-top. Reasons why I love films from the 80s. It had its moments, but in a completely unexpected sort of way. I wouldn't say this is the best film ever, but it was worth watching for these reasons-

1. The family dynamic is strange, unpredictable and interesting.

2. Takes place in a gorgeous mansion in Canada

3. The classical music score paired with the gorgeous mansion in Canada.

4. Jennifer Connelly is stunning.

5. The film is beautifully photographed.

6. Patrick Dempsey: The Awkward Years...too skinny for that McDreamy hair.

The message at the end of the film is a little unclear, it sort of side steps from the main topic of love/lust and ventures into religion/belief of what happens to us after death. Or perhaps it was trying to draw a parallel between how others regard love. For some love is a belief, for others it is a feeling (or lack of).

Gabrielle (Connelly) regards love in a very black & white sort of fashion. She likes Michael (Dempsey), even loved him once, only to conclude that she doesn't in a very decisive fashion. Chicken or fish? Fish.

Whereas Gabrielle's sister, Irenka, regards the meaning behind the act of a kiss the same as having sex with someone. And Michael, who suffers through the most torturous case of blue balls I've ever seen in a film really just wants to get laid, preferably with the object of his affection- Gabrielle. Ultimately Michael walks away with much more insight about women than he bargained for, but being the introspective type that's something he can appreciate.

Style Parade 1.19.11

With the weather being so nice this week I thought it would be fun to ride to one of the nearby parks. My bike was so dusty! I haven't used it since we moved. I packed a book & a little snack and went on my way. Funny thing on the way back I had to get off & walk it. Being a 1-speed it doesn't fair well up the hills. haha oh well!

Newsboy cap: OC swap meet vendor.

Stripe tank: Target.

Railroad stripe shirt: TJ Maxx.

Nautical flats: Issac Mizrahi for Target. Feather necklace: Forever 21.

DIY industrial crate

How to create an industrial crate

*when you live in new suburbia

Step 1 Purchase raw wood crate from craft store. This one has neat little drawers included.

Step 2 Purchase vintage-style hardware for drawers. These were $1.50 from Lowes.

Step 3 Pre-drill the holes for hardware.

Step 4 Stain the wood. Attach the hardware when dry (about 24 hours)

Step 5 Procrastinate on finishing the project for months, then have some friends over for a Crafty Bitch Party so you can find the motivation to finish. This involves a foam brush with very little black craft paint & a couple of stencils.

Uses...

-Display the drawers separately & fill with decorative items or books.

-Keep the unit intact and use as an end table.

Favorite things: GDW on etsy

I'm loving these little woodwork pieces from Green Duck Weed on Etsy. Makes me want to move up North into a cozy wood cabin.

365 project: 1/9-1/15

Brunch at Campsite with my favorite lady.

Still working on the linen cabinets. Here's the 3rd set newly coated in primer.

Stephanie 2.0 project: Organize your recipe leaflets in shiny new plastic & a cute patterned binder.

Re-shooting the house tour for the blog. This is my smart phone's camera app taking a picture of my old camera taking a picture of me, taking a picture with my new camera. Who's still with me?

Watching more Buffy TVS by candlelight. It's just better that way.

Me (to Gary): I'm making meatballs. Want to help?

Gary: I'm playing a video game.

Me: Okay. I just know how much you enjoy making meatballs because you used to make them with your Italian grandmother.

I proceed to get out the ingredients. Guess who's hovering?

Me: Do you want to make the meatballs?

Gary: Yes.

I love when I'm paying attention enough to catch a great sunset.