We Did It!

Top Five Reasons To Conquer a Half-Marathon:

#5: It's a good excuse to skip the parties and get to bed early!

#4: The bags full of free swag!

#3: Holiday pounds? Not you!


#2: The awe of family and friends. "You ran how many miles?!"


#1: The satisfaction and pride you get from crossing that finish line faster than you predicted!

You may have guessed by now that I did some running this weekend. Cynthetica and I travelled West to San Antonio for the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Half-Marathon and we had a blast! There were some pre-race nerves, but we did better than we expected with a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes and 7 seconds. Considering this was the longest run I'd ever attempted, I was pretty pleased! The highlight of the course for me (aside from the finish line) had to be one spectator's "inspiring" sign spied around mile 8: "Don't stop now...Finishing is your only damn option." How true.

Running Wild

Judging by the crowds at Memorial Park at 5am on Saturday mornings, I'd say running season is in full swing. Time to tie on those sneakers and hit the pavement (or trail... or grass...). Currently, my running partner-in-crime, Cynthia, of Cynthetica fame, and I are preparing for the Nike Human Race, a 10K to warm up for the main event: the San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon in November, and the Chevron Houston Marathon in January. Will we be ready? Only time will tell.

Since the weather has decided it's not ready to cooperate with my running schedule (I could cut the humidity with a knife this morning!), I suppose I need to get inspiration elsewhere. My iPod for instance. Here are the songs that are keeping me going through the sweat, aches, and cramps...

1. Reset by MuteMath

2. Supermassive Black Hole by Muse

3. Cosmic Girl by Jamaroquai

4. The Way I Are by Timbaland

5. Beard Lust by Natalie Portman's Shaved Head

6. Take Your Mama by Scissor Sisters

7. That's Not My Name by The Ting-Tings

8. Circus by Britney Spears

9. D.A.N.C.E. by Justice

10. Love Today by Mika

11. Girls On The Dance Floor by Far East Movement

12. Tik Tok by Ke$ha

13. Different Sound by Teddybears

14. I Like The Way You Move by Bodyrockers

15. Whatcha Say by Jason deRulo

16. Fergalicious by Fergie

17. Human by The Killers

18. Hey Jude by The Beatles

Lonny To The Rescue!

For those of you who are still in mourning over the loss of Domino... your prayers have been answered. Enjoy!

BFF's 4-eva!

Pick Up Sticks Necklace by The Docent, $105

Quick! What does this necklace remind you of? If you said "Those friendship bracelets I used to make in elementary school!!!"... Bingo! Is this cool again? Are we doing this? Because I will bust out my collection of embroidery floss and get to twisting!

Yesterday, I found these on Apartment 34:

by For You, For Me via Etsy

Oh, it is on (like Donkey Kong).

P.S. After I found those two necklaces, I wanted to see if I still had to bracelet making skills...

Now I know. That skill is permenantly implanted in my brain. Awesome.

Three Cool Things

I did a lot of clicking around on the world wide web one day, and I found lots of cool little things. Since then, I've just been hanging onto said things, not knowing quite where to stick them. They are homeless no more. Presenting... three cool things:

These Log Bowls from Loyal Loot are really cool. They are made from reclaimed pieces of wood and given a bright paint job on the inside. Naturally beautiful.

My husband thinks I'm a hardcore coffee addict. I think if I was truly hardcore, I'd have one of these. It's a Coffee Cuff from Contexture Design. But I don't have one of these... yet.

I'm not about to slap these on my electric bill, but these envelope wraparounds from TapeSwell are pretty darn cool. Maybe for my Christmas cards...

Puppy Love

Two weeks ago, my husband and I adopted an adorable 3 year-old Black Lab mix named Kola. She was rescued from Galveston a few years back and raised by a coworker of John's until now. They needed a new home for her and we gladly took her in!

Naturally, we've gotten her lots of toys and treats, we take her for lots of walks, and play fetch until it's time for bed. However, Kola has one thing that, I think, most dogs do not: a custom-made Amy Butler print dog bed.

Since she's relatively small (especially for a Lab!), I just bought a 30 x 30 down pillow and whipped up a pillow cover with one of the super-cute Amy Butler fabrics we sell here. Of course, I picked a darker color because she sheds like mad. The verdict? Success! She loves relaxing on it during the day and sleeping on it at night. Nothing but the best for our very hairy baby!

For more information on the Amy Butler fabrics we carry in the store, feel free to give us a call!

That's Not A Bad Idea

I was always a fan of the whole chalkboard paint thing. While furnishing a model apartment in the Mosaic, Cyn and I tranformed one wall in the kitchen into a blackboard and loved it:

But now, I might have to join Team Dry-Erase. I've discovered Idea Paint. It works the same way as chalkboard paint, but it's white (or beige, or even orange!) and you can turn a room into a giant dry-erase board without the looming dark walls!

See? The room stays airy and bright, and you have a huge surface on which to draw, doodle, and erase.

And, of course, it's a kids best friend. "Yes, Suzy. You may draw on the walls!" P.S. Isn't that tree adorable?

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Fourth, everybody! I'd be jumping, too, if I were wearing the

Catherine Malandrino Flag Dress!

Bond, James Bond

I don't know about you guys but I love James Bond movies. The best part would be the fact that he has the coolest, high-tech gadgets. Well, wait no more because we will be able to talk to someone via wrist watch!



LG is releasing the GD910 this July in Europe. The list of cool components range from a Bluetooth, 1.4-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, text to speech capability, and MP3 player--it's pretty much loaded. All we have to do is wait until it's available in the United States!!

Art Appreciation

Pardon me for using the blog for my own selfish use, but this picture was too adorable to pass up.

Cynthia's show, Hey You, was a great success- beautiful art, beautiful people, and the wine was flowing. A few nights later, she held another showing for friends and family. I decided to take my seven-year-old nephew Daniel. He is an avid drawer (and an amazing one at that! I'm not biased or anything...) and I suspected he might get a kick out of seeing a professional artist's work. He didn't just get a kick out of it. He was enthralled. We looked at every piece at least twice. I snapped this picture of him while he stared intently at this piece, entitled Hey...You?, for a good five minutes. I love to see a little kid with an interest in art!

This Is What Heaven Looks Like...

via Elle Decor May '09

I recently uploaded some new finds to the Rooms We Love section (to your right!), and was particularly fond of these two finds. Okay, "fond" is an understatement. I think they're heavenly. I love how to bed above combines modern and vintage so literally. The mismatched nightstands are the perfect complement to the traditional/modern/eclectic style.

via Domino's final issue :(

I've been salivating over this photo for a while. I absolutely love the drapes! They add softness to the windows without blocking the light, and the calm neutral fabric doesn't overpower the rest of the peaceful room. The cowhide stool add a touch of rustic cool to the traditional (with funky, modern pillows) settee. I don't know what your version of Heaven looks like, but this is mine!

P.S. Happy 30th Birthday, hubby! I love you!

Sackboy Lives!

I wish I had stumbled upon this sooner. My husband's birthday is coming up in a week or so and this would be the perfect cheeky add-on to his present. You see, several months ago, John annoyed me into letting him buy Little Big Planet, which, in my mind, was just another one of his dang video games. He begged me to play it with him- just once- and see if I liked it. And you know what? I did. The main reason I liked it was the main character, Sackboy. He's just oh-so-adorable with his tongue sticking out all the time and his floppy arms.

via Bloom.acious Cafe. Get the pattern here.

So, like I said, I would love to make one of these for John, but, alas, I don't know how to knit (well), and I've just got too much other stuff to do. Someday, though. Someday.

Gear Up

Last year, around this time, as the mercury started rising and the humidity kept pace with it, my running tapered off. I had dreams. I was going to run the Chevron Houston Marathon in January and be in the best shape of my life for my October wedding. Unfortunately, I lost my motivation and didn't get it back until cool weather arrived again. It was too late to bare super-toned arms for my wedding and too late to register and train for the marathon.

But, this isn't a sob story. Luckily, the marathon happens every year. So, I'm getting back on the horse and going for it again, but this time I'll have help. Not only have I signed up for shorter distance races to keep me running through the summer, I've enlisted some gadgets and cool gear to make me want to embrace the heat and go for that ten mile run.

There's nothing more annoying than a belt bouncing around your hips while you're on a long run, but going without water is not an option. This guy stays put. The whole time. Period. GoLite HydroSprint, $40.

I personally prefer to run early in the morning before the sun had risen. The only caveat is the dozens of early morning commuters that have trouble seeing me. Well, I can't pave my own sidewalk, so I got a couple of these Nightlife Magnetic LED Lights to put on my clothes. Problem solved! From Brooks Running, $15 each.

By far, the BEST purchase I have ever made for my running. The foot sensor keeps track of how far I've gone and lets me know every mile or so. At the last 400 meters, it counts me down to the finish line and, man! does that get me pumped. When I get sluggish, I call up my PowerSong (The Beatles: Back in the U.S.S.R.) and it gets me going again! Nike+ Sport Kit for use with the iPod nano, $29.

The only thing I don't like about the Nike+ gadget is the inaccuracy of the sensor. A mile isn't always a mile on that and I discovered that when I ran my first race. The Garmin Forerunner 305 is way more accurate and since I don't usually run on a measured trail, it's the best way for me to track my distance. At $300, it's a bit pricey, but if you are serious about running, it's worth the investment.

I bought two of these the other day at the recommendation of the salesperson at the Finish Strong by my house, and I'm glad I did. These really are great for summer weather. They're super lightweight, don't stick to you, and they wick moisture away fantastically. Don't worry, guys! They make men's versions as well. Saucony Empress Short Sleeve in Sonic, $32.

Just between you and me, runners generally do not have the sexiest feet. Mine are dry, cracked, blistered, and sore. Lovely. I think I'm going to have to give this a try. I've heard good things about it. Once I try it, I'll tell you for sure! Sante Active Pedi-Relax System, $20.

Green Roofs in NYC: Inhabitat

The Next Big Architecture Trend...

We looked at doing a green roof for High Fashion Home. It's not in the budget currently, but it's definitely in the cards when our roof needs to be replaced. A green roof helps reduce maintenance and energy costs, provides sound insulation and amenity space, and improves air quality.

Ten Arquitectos is designing a mixed use project called Clinton Park, which will incorporate an elaborate green roof design. New York is an incredibly dense city, so any additional green space helps soften their urban grid. In case you never been to the NYC in the summer, it's pretty hot with all the concrete trapping the heat.

Check out the spectactular pictures courtesy of Inhabitat:

Every city is looking to add more green space.

The green roof adds a different dimension to the usual urban skyline.

The step down architectural feature adds to the drama.

Hi. I'm Mat.

When you are meeting someone new in person, their first impression is you- how you look, what you say, how you act. When someone comes to your house, their first impression is the front door. Now, you could introduce yourself with a plain jane doormat like this one:

But why would you when you could place on of these at your doorstep?

Which side you face toward potential houseguests is up to you. Doormat from SuckUK.

Because getting through a day of work sometimes can feel like a marathon. Finish Line doormat from Feet First.

Everyday is Spring with flowers at your door! Greenhouse Doormat from Anthropologie.

That's cheeky. Nice Underwear Doormat at Amazon.

Fuschia makes quite the statement. Welcome mat from John Pour Home.

Wishing On A Wall

Here at the store, we try to come up with new and innovative ways to grab our customers' attention. Sometimes, it's with bright window displays. Other times, with a new line of awesome furniture. This time, it's just about interaction.

There's lots of room left for all of your wishes!

Meet the Wish Wall. It's simple really: Come to our store, write down your wish on a colorful slip of paper, and place it in the wall. (Then peruse the store for some interior inspiration!) I may not be able to guarantee your wish will come true, but maybe the act of writing down your desire will give you the jumpstart you need to make your wish come true without a miracle.

I've got my wish ready- how about you? For you out-of-towners, what is your wish? Leave a comment and I'll make sure it makes it to the wall!

Bon Voyage!

Due to the accumulating excitement of my upcoming trip to Chicago, I decided on contributing to the blog an entry dedicated to....LUGGAGE! (By the way, it's my secret obsession..hehe.)

SarahWithStyle knows how much I absolutely LOVE luggage and sent me a link to the dailycandy blog. They featured the coolest luggage company called steamlineluggage.com. Their pieces are vintage/modern and are offered at an extremely reasonable price considering how fantastic their collections are. Take a gander!


The Ambassador Series: Carry-On $ 409 and Stowaway $473

I walked into my local Fossil store and noticed the perfect travel bag for men. Leather, neutral, and way stylish--you can't go wrong with this duffel from Fossil.


Redmond Duffle Bag $298

Vera Bradley merchandise became really popular back when I was in high school and I can't help but love her luggage. Instead of that stratchy, stiff nylon that most suitcases are made out of, Vera likes to use quilted, soft, highly decorated fabrics. You won't have trouble finding these at luggage claim!


Yellow Bird 26" Two Compartment Pullman $300

Last but not least, I'd like to feature good ol' Louis Vuitton. Of course, I can only dream of owning a piece made by this fabulous company but I just had to add them to this blog. Classic, and clean. The perfect description for all of their luggage pieces. Make a statement at the airport--show of your Louis!


Hat Box, Monogram Canvas $2,470

Congrats, Eclectorator!

The winning trendboard!

Today, Eclectorator and I attended Fashion Group International's Career Day Houston, where she won 1st place for the Interior Design competition. Needless to say, she was very pleasantly surprised- I had to give her a little nudge up to the stage! From all of us here at High Fashion Home: Congratulations, Eclectorator!!!

The gracious winner!

Versailles Style

In honor of the Houston Ballet's production of Marie (which I will be seeing on Friday!), I've put together a collage inspired by that spoiled French party girl, Marie Antoinette. Pop open a bottle of your finest champagne, don your fancy ball gown, and let them eat cake!*

*I know, I know. She didn't actually say that, but it makes for such lovely commentary.

From top left, clockwise: Melody Herrera stars as the child queen in the Houston Ballet's Marie; Embellish your bouffant with a feathery adornment from ban.do; Kirsten Dunst in Sofia Coppola's rendition of Marie Antoinette. Such extravegance all around!; Amazing Versailles inspired photography from Jimmy Backius; As long as you're imitating the ultimate spender, indulge in some Louboutins; A shot of Marie's shoes from the movie, not a plain one in sight!; If Marie Antoinette had lived today, she would have worn Dior.

Pompidou Museum

I had the pleasure of being in Paris this past December. For the first time, I visited the Pompidou Museum. Granted, I only spent 45 minutes there before I had to catch the plane back to London. It's definitely on my must-see list the next time around where I'll spend considerably more time exploring.

The outside is a mixed bag architecturally. I can't help but feel that Houston's own George R. Brown Convention Center took some design cues from here.

This place is huge!

Looks like random abstract art, until you take a look through a peep hole with a direct view. All the sudden you can see the shape of an eye, which was a very cool surprise.

Wow. I'm not sure if I want to sit in it or give it a hug.

Shiny...

Shiny part II.

Reminds me of a egg slicer. A very stunning egg slicer at that.

I'm not sure about the comfort, but it looks cool!

A lot of the pieces in this wing of the museum sit on rotating platforms. It adds to the dramatic effect.

I guess in a weird way, I can picture this as a futuristic seesaw.

Not sure what to make of this, but it does look impressive in person.

It's unbelievable how creative people can be.

7 Wild Materials You May Find in Future Products: Popular Mechanics

Popular Mechanics featured the top 7 Wildest, Brightest and Quirkiest Material inventions in 2008 as rated by Inventables, a Chicago-based firm. Initially there were only 10 available spots, but with the uniqueness and possible product applications of last year's nominees, it had no choice but to open 6 extra slots to incorporate all these mind blowing products. Here are 7 of these mind blowing products, enjoy.

Ceramic Cloth

Zircar Zirconia, Inc., a New York manufacturer of thermal products, created this cloth knit from ceramic fibers, which will insulate against extreme temperatures.

Electronic Paper

Electronic paper, a thin, flexible display technology that reveals digital images in full color, was invented by Israeli company Magink. Inventables imagines that the material could be used to create a portable “origami DVD player,” which would unfold to reveal a big screen.

Stone Paper

“Stone” paper, sold by Design & Source Productions, is made of calcium carbonate, making it more eco-friendly than wood-based paper.

Temperature Sensitive Glass Tiles

Glass tiles that change color in response to temperature were created by California-based Moving Color. They have already used the tiles to create a shower with walls that change color as the water hits them.

Anti-Fog Film

This durable antifog coating is the creation of Film Specialties in New Jersey. The coating’s hydrophilic properties means that water slides off the surface rather than turning to fog.

Translucent Concrete

A Hungarian architect invented these translucent concrete tiles that contain optical fibers, allowing light to pass through. They are now sold through his company Litracon Bt.

Flavor Changing Additives

Flavor-changing additives, developed by New Jersey–based Salvona Technologies, contain nanospheres encapsulated in larger microspheres. When the microspheres burst, one flavor is released. The rupture of the nanospheres, some time later, releases another flavor, creating a taste experience that changes over time.

Happy (Recession) Valentine's Day

Mmmm... caramels. The dish is really cute, too! I wouldn't mind painting one over at a ceramics studio to go with the gift! But I'm losing focus here. Find the recipe at House Beautiful.

Isn't love lovely? It's also costs an arm and a leg. You've got dinners to pay for, birthday and Christmas gifts, and the greatest money-sucker of all: Valentine's Day. Don't get me wrong! I love the holiday! Any holiday that looks like pink exploded all over the world is A-ok with me. And my mom still gives me yummy heart shaped cookies. (If you're reading this, do I still get them this year even though I'm married?)

I swear I have a point with all of this rambling. My point is, I have vowed not to spend a fortune on a gift for my husband this V-Day. I'm going to use the old tactic of getting to his heart via his stomach with some baked goodies. Apparently, this is a popular idea, because a lot of my favorite magazines and blogs are supplying me with tasty recipes. So throw on your chef's hat and get to baking!

My apologies. The recipe for these delicious looking Chocolate Chunk & Cherry Cookies is not online, but you can get it in this month's issue of Country Living!

What is a holiday without a little Martha? Her Heart-Shaped Meringues with Passion Fruit Curd look refreshingly tasty!


I'm not a big coconut fan, but these won me over. Chocolate-dipped Macaroons via Domino.

I couldn't resist these. The icing looks like a sprinkled cloud! Red Velvet Cupcakes with Fluffy Meringue Icing via Food Network.

Will you be my Valentine??

Valentine's Day is only 17 days away and counting so I've listed a few ideas for your special someone in case you've completely wrecked your brains!!

A romantic night in is always a safe bet! Everyone loves chocolate, wine, and a long hot bath. What would this lovely situation be without candles!?A romantic fusion of the exotic spices and precious woods of His and the blend of Tahitian vanilla and spun sugar of Hers. His and Hers Blend Quickies burn for 5 hours each. $24.00

A simple cooked dinner or take-out can be just the ticket from a stressful week and a perfect get-away for your special somone so why not set the mood with simmering, soul music?

Try out one of our cd's called "Midnight Soul 3"--I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. :) $28.00

I personally find coupons for a free car wash or a movie night a really great idea to give anyone for Valentine's Day but we carry an item with a new twist on this sentimental gift.

No explanation needed. $5.95

Board games like Monopoly, Cranium or Pictionary are always fun for two or for a house full. Even a good game of cards is worth while so this next item could be something you couples might want to try out.

Truth or Dare is perfect and might bring you down memory lane (except on cards!). $16.95

Zip Up Your Candlesticks!

Solid candle sleeves in a plethora of colors!

Here's a random little tidbit for your Monday afternoon...

Do the candlesticks in your chandelier or sconces seem a bit...blah? Want to do something fun, but not spend a ton of money? As I was flipping through House Beautiful the other day, I came across Candle Sleeves by KarrsKoker. Seriously, why didn't we think of this before? It's so simple. Plain chandelier/sconce + Candle Sleeves = Badass light fixture.

It's the toughest chandelier on the block.

This one is my favorite. No wonder it's their bestseller!

Shake it like a Polaroid picture!

Thanks to my bestie, Anna, I have found the coolest image maker EVER! Better than PicNik, Photoshop, or iPhoto! It's called Poladroid. The other night amidst chips, guacamole, Mr. Goodbars, and the surround sound playing Mamma Mia, I waited for my picture to develop.

The cool thing about this program (other than the fact that it's totally free to download) is you can drag and drop your digital pictures into the Polaroid camera icon and wait for your picture to appear as an imitation of a Polaroid picture. Some come with fake fingerprints, others with scratch marks...each with it's own quirky characteristic similar to the old Polaroid. It's a shame they don't make these handy little cameras anymore because I'd totally abandon digital cameras!

Take a look at a few of our experiments....

Anna and me in Austin.

Flowers from Domino Magazine

Sarah and John--the lovely newlyweds!

Game On!

It all started with this: the Monopoly 1935 edition- the first released by Parker Brothers.

I got a great gift this Christmas: Monopoly. A board game will bring people together better than any video game, TV show, etc. Monopoly had us sitting together, laughing, buying, and selling for over five hours. So sit your family down this weekend with a board game and some snacks. If your family lives a thousand miles away, get your friends together! No one can resist a board game!

I think Monopoly is the ultimate in board gaming, so I took a look at what they've done since the original debuted in 1933, and I found out, they've done quite a bit. Here's a peek at my faves, all available at Amazon...

Who doesn't love the Beatles?
A Christmas Story is a classic, and look- one of the pieces is the leg lamp!

I think it's safe to say that I'm a huge Family Guy fan. Stewie is awesome!

Get your video gaming and board gaming in one with the Nintendo edition.

The latest incarnation: the Here & Now World Edition complete with credit cards. I don't about you, but I like the satisfaction of seeing piles of cashing lying around me!

Of course, there are tons more editions to choose from. Pick your favorite! If your interested in a little Monopoly history, take a look at their timeline. Have fun!

A Holiday Tidbit

Sweet little birds and tiny vintage ornaments on a wiry tabletop tree...

I know it's a bit late for holiday stuff, but I just wanted to share a little something from my Christmas with my family. On Christmas Eve, I went to my parents' house for a pre-Church meal. My mom had, once again, decorated the house simply, but beautifully. One thing in particular caught my eye. She's always puts this little Christmas tree out on a table with some of her smaller ornaments, but this year, she added some gorgeous bird ornaments that I fell in love with! She always does a fresh tree as well, embellished with her huge collection of blown glass ornaments (I love looking at them all!), but the small tree is another burst of color in an otherwise neutral hallway. It's a great idea for small apartment dwellers without room for a large tree, or if you just need a space for tiny ornaments. Well played, Mom! Thanks for passing on your style genes!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like...

via *andrea. on Flickr.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good vacation from work!

Have a great holiday everyone, and please, stay safe! We'll be back after Christmas!

Cupcake Madness: What Some People Can Do With Icing...

I've always thought the iPhone would be a lot better if it was edible...

Cupcake Design by Nick & Danielle Bilton.

I would not even begin to presume myself to be a cupcake artist. My cupcakes are delicious, sure, but pretty? Not even close. I pretty much slap some frosting on haphazardly and call it a day. That's why I am amazed by what some people can do with icing! Works of art on a surface smaller than my palm! All designs below are via Hello Naomi on Flickr.

Alice in Wonderland

Mario Bros.

A cute, red owl.

And who could resist Pac-man?

Check out her website for many more adorable cupcake creations!

If you'd like to see examples of what not to do, be sure to look at Cake Wrecks, and observe the dreaded CCC (CupCake Cake). It's a life lesson for us all.

Bon appetit!

Gingerbread Cupcakes, As Promised

So, this picture belongs to another recipe, found here, but it was the best picture I could find!

I got this recipe from Chocolate Obsession: Confections and Treats to Create and Savor, by Michael Recchiuti, Fran Gage, and Maren Caruso. It is absolute pure heaven. My mouth is watering just thinking about them! Enjoy, but don't blame me when you get addicted!

Gingerbread Cupcakes with White Chocolate- Lemon Topping:
Makes 12 cupcakes

The cupcakes:
2 cups + 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 extra large egg
1/2 cup dark molasses
1/2 cup granulated cane sugar
1/2 cup flavorless vegetable oil
1/2 cup boiling water
Lemon glaze: 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice + 3/4 cup powdered cane sugar

The Topping:
Lemon syrup: 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon granulated cane sugar; 1/2 Tahitian vanilla bean, split horizontally; 1/2 lemon.
3 3/4 ounces white chocolate, very finely chopped
3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
8 tablespoons unsalted butter with 82% butterfat, at room temperature
1 lemon

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line 12 standard muffin cups with paper liners.

Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Combine the egg, molasses, granulated sugar, and oil in a medium bowl and whisk by hand until well mixed. Whisk in the boiling water. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk to combine.

Using a tablespoon, divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling them about half full.

Bake on the middle rack of the oven until the cupcakes are puffed and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes.

While the cupcakes are baking, make the lemon glaze; Whisk the lemon juice and powdered sugar together until smooth.

When the cupcakes are ready, remove them from the oven and immediately poke four evenly spaced holes in the top of each cupcake with a skewer. Spoon the lemon glaze evenly over the cupcakes waiting until the glaze is absorbed before adding more. It will seem like too much, but use it all.

Let the cupcakes cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. When cool, remove the cupcakes, still in their paper liners from the muffin cups.

Make the lemon syrup: Put the lemon juice and granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil until the syrup is reduced by half- 3 tablespoons- about 3 minutes. Pour the syrup into a small bowl and refrigerate it until it cools to 70 degrees.

Put the chocolate in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Put the cream into a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and beat on high speed until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes.

Beat in the butter in 3 equal additions on medium speed until blended. Switch the mixer to high speed and beat until the topping is pale, fluffy, and doubled in volume, about 4 minutes.

Reduce the speed to medium and beat in the cooled lemon syrup. If the topping is too runny to pipe, cover and chill in the refrigerator to make it firmer.

Put the topping into a pastry bag fitted with a 3/8" star tip. Pipe a swirl on the top center of each cupcake, distributing the topping evenly among them. Garnish each cupcake with lemon zest, grating the zest with a Microplane grater from the lemon directly onto the cupcakes.

Store in a cool place until serving, and serve them the day they are made!

Cupcake Madness: Bake 'Em and Display 'Em!

First thing's first: Pick your poison. Chocolate on chocolate? Red Velvet with cream cheese icing? It's all in here. Get creative. From Crate & Barrel.

Who doesn't love a cupcake? It's cake, which most people inherently like (or love), and it's individually sized, which makes it easy to eat, too. They're just so darn cute!


There had been a cupcake explosion in our country since several boutique cupcake shops have opened up all over the nation. People are crazy for cupcakes: baking them, decorating them, eating them... There are lots of nifty things out there to make your cupcake days simpler!

Forget gingerbread cookies! Give me gingerbread cupcakes! (I'll post a great recipe for them soon!) Use these adorable silicone cupcakes molds from Williams-Sonoma for added holiday spirit.

Crate & Barrel usually carries these cute cupcake stencils for every occasion. It makes decorating a snap!

These are just too pretty! Don't put them in the oven though! From ShopModi.

Sometimes you just want to show off one... Cupcake stand by Amanda Goss for Fred Flare.

...And sometimes you want to display 'em all! Tiered cupcake stand by Crate & Barrel.

Maybe you'll bring them to work to score brownie points with the boss! You'll need the Cupcake Courier to avoid smashed cupcakes.
Or, you could just take one for your lunch. Use the Cup-a-Cake to keep it pretty! From Sur La Table.

Stars Wars USB Coming Soon to a Tree Near You!

Luke, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and many of the Star Wars characters have been miniaturized and USB'd. The Stars Wars USB from Mimoco have a limited run of 3500, so you should go ahead and stock up for all of your loved ones. Also, every time you insert your USB, your favorite character will say a line from the movie. How cool is that?

Princess Leia: Rocking the Buns!

Han Solo USB: Harrison Ford has never looked so young.

Luke Skywalker USB: Where is Mark Hamil now?

Holiday SOS!

The situation: You're sleeping on the sofa, when you should be snug in bed, because you bought your size 6 wife and size 10 skirt.

The solution: Before you shop, get the Mrs. to fill out a Christmas Cheat Sheet by Made in England. You'll have all the information you need to make smart gift purchases.

The outcome: You're snuggling under the blankets with your lovely, happy wife.

Don't worry, ladies... There's a version for you, too.

Download the cheat sheets, for free, right here.

Discover the "Green" in you!!

Attention Houston!

We have a NEW park in town and it's the coolest because it's green! I know, you're sitting there saying, "Aren't most parks...green??" Well, yes and no. The special thing about this park is the fact that it's LEED certified. Again, "What's that?" Well, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a new organization that regulates and sets standards for sustainable construction.

Discovery Green has an acre sized lake, a children's park, interactive water features, public art works and spacious lawns. It's located downtown near the George R. Brown Convention Center, Minute Maid Park, and the Toyota Center. How 'bout this? If you're bored one weekend, (especially since it's "winter") you can go ice skating for $10! Or, check out the park's calendar and see what's going on at the amphitheater! Take your dog, of any size, for a run! You could even grab a couple cocktails or a trendy meal at The Grove, or The Lake House--two of Houston's up-and-coming restaurants.

Once you visit you might think, "This park doesn't look any different than any other park I've been to..." Au contraire, my friend! The park uses recycled water is used to fill Kinder Lake, and what's even cooler is the oak trees seen throughout the park were rescued and transplanted to shade the trail!

The park encourages the community to be involved by offering a recycling every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as hosting the Downtown Green Market that is held Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. where local growers sell fresh fruits and veggies just for you!

Last but not least, The Grove has a green roof where they grow herbs and spices and the energy produced from the solar paneled roof on The Lake House could run two average American households! Yep. Awesome.
So, I don't know about you but I'm definitely going to be making a trip to Discovery Green. I better see you there!

Happy Turkey Day!

Eat lots of good food, enjoy your family and friends, and, should you decide to go shopping on Black Friday, best of luck! Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo from Tastespotting.

Is Your Upper Lip Feeling... Naked?

A mustachioed wedding... So that's what mine was missing!

Does anyone else notice that the most random things seem to take off overnight and become full-fledged uber trends? Men have rocked facial hair of centuries, so why, all of a sudden, are people going gaga over mustaches? Let's discuss...

Mustache March

Growing your mustache is the latest way to raise money for charity. What happened to the good, old-fashioned car wash? Google "mustache for charity" and you'll get over 300,000 hits about the subject. Here are a couple to get your started:

Mustaches for Kids

Movember (sponsored by Canadian Club- maker of this hilarious ad. Oh, and beer.)

Michael Phelp's (America's swimming sweetheart) rocked a pornstache at the Olympics. 'Nuff said.


Mustache Hankie from Avrilloreti

If you're follicly challenged, a chick, or just don't want to deal with the upkeep, you have Mo options, too. Don't grow a scraggly trash stache! Just fake it.

Stylish Mustache Kit at High Fashion Home

Mustache on a Stick from Something's Hiding Here

Mustache Pint Glass from Bread and Badger

The moral of this story is, "Put a mustache on anything and it instantly becomes cooler". Feel free to experiment with little mustaches cut out of black paper. Put one on your dog, your girlfriend, your boss (wait until after your performance review for that one). Watch the hilarity ensue.

The Tom Selleck at Plan B Bar in Chicago. See the resemblance?

Mustachioed art. Hang that in your entryway.

And now, grow forth...

Toys R Us: Don't Procrastinate!

This is short notice, but this coupon is good for 15% off on any one item at Toys R Us (In-Store Only). It expires tomorrow. Christmas is not too far away and I know people need to get some toys for their loved ones.

Book Madness: Day 1

Our team was inspired by the September issue of Metropolitan Home. In it, they highlighted the interior decor from the Showtime hit show, Californication. We decided to take on the task of building one ourselves, book by book.


11-15-08: Lady S' knees are hurting! Task seems daunting. Morale low. Hope to finish by the 2012 Olympics in London. But we will press on..a slave to our craft...

You might even find some surprises hidden within our book tower... No, your eyes do not decieve you. That's JK Rowling's wildly popular Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in there! Who knows what other classics we'll stumble upon in this journey...

Here's our inspiration photo and our goal. We think David Duchovny would be proud of our efforts.

Our fearless leader also got the grand idea to follow suit with a 3 row by 4 row stacked book coffee table:

This table was the talk of the of the town in its completion, catching lots of HFH customer's attention. (I've also heard the DaVinci Code is located within base.)




Til' next time..

When Ya Gotta Go...

This one is my favorite! The signs on the side read from top to bottom: "No tooting in the presence of the Queen!", "No peasants were harmed in the making of this Thunderbox", and "A man's throne is his castle" By David Querbach of Boerne, Texas.

When we began writing this blog, I thought of a lot of things I'd like to write about- fashion, interior design, cool findings, general stylish goodies. It's safe to say that outhouses did not top my style list. And yet, here I am, blogging about outhouses. On day two of the honeymoon, John and I went to Grape Creek Vineyard to sample some delicious wines (try the Black Label Port!).

A hot rod outhouse, flames and all. Love the wings! By Nancy McGalliard of Comfort, Texas.

Imagine our surprise when we encountered a plethora of outhouses. No, they were not functional, just totally pimped out- outside and in.

The inside view of an underwater outhouse. Note the algae green velvet seat cushion. The front view is the the photo above. By Dotti Brundrett of Kerrville, Texas.

The decorated outhouses are part of a traveling exhibit called Thunderbox Road. Local artists we invited to participate in the contest for cash prizes and, of course, bragging rights.

A front view of the hot rod outhouse.

Check out the Thunderbox Road website to see all of the Thunderboxes and get more information on the artists that participated. You can also vote for your favorite on the website. The winners will be announced on May 9th, 2009. Afterward, the Tunderboxes will be auctioned off at the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas.

Outhouses by Rex Hausmann of Boerne, Tami and Charles Kegley of Boerne, and Betty Rhodes and Greg Glowka of Wimberley and Fischer.

Enjoy the pictures and make sure you check out the website. If you're in the Hill Country between now and May, look up the exhibit's location and see them in person!

A closeup of Rex Hausmann's Thunderbox.

And the inside view.

My wishy wishy list.

It's almost that time. I know this for a fact because I work retail and that means that when Santa rolls on through at the end of the Macy's parade it is officially the holiday season no holds barred. By last month, I had my holiday window display fully formulated and plan of action in place. I have more magazines in my mailbox and email inbox alerts singing the praises of the how to's for the fastest/ juiciest/ healthiest etc. turkey preparation. Brine, don't brine, breasts only, infuse, citrus, stuff, don't stuff... And please do not get me started on the best cookies of the season. I have my own tried and true recipe, but I try all the new ones every time. I am a holiday sucker. Growing up in NYC, my Mom and Grandma would pick my little sister and me up from school the Friday before holiday vacation, layer us in thermals, lacquer our faces in Vaseline to prevent chapping and we would make our pilgrimage on the subway from Flushing, Queens into Manhattan to see the windows and the tree in Rockefeller Center. The day would not have been complete without the ubiquitous pretzels from the street vendor and some hot chocolate. New York holiday bliss!
But I digress... It seems that the last ten years working in retail display, attacking holiday merchandising plans in August and installing all week prior to Thanksgiving (no rest for the weary ha ha) has not made me the Grinch you might suspect, but quite frankly the opposite. In fact, I am working on my indie holiday music mix now to play on my ipod while I apply vinyl lettering to our windows. Call it a whistle while you work approach.
So, in the spirit of the season (and I do work retail, soooo a bit consumeristic in my approach today) may I present my wish list part one. And yes, I did say part one. And yes, it is random because it is after all a wish list!

The Tall Sapien Bookshelf from Design Within Reach has an amazingly small footprint which would be fabulous for my studio apartment. In fact, I have a space set out already just waiting for this bookshelf to come home. I just can't decide whether I want white or gray. I did request this for my birthday but alas, no one took me up on it. So it remains on the list hint hint!

The Loeffler Randall Olivia D-ring flat boot and the Tashkent by Cheyenne Florent Hidden Platform Bootie are both available at ShopBop. (Two pairs of black boots are not unreasonable... One is a flat, and the other is a heeled bootie! So obviously different!) And while on ShopBop, check out the scalloped leather LAMB booties with the peep toe. I would be happy with these as well. (size 7.5 fyi)

The Alexander Girard Wooden Dolls available at DWR are actually on the top of my list. I have been obsessed with the quirky dolls for years and would live to have one (or preferably 2) on my bookshelf. I do have my favorites, but I promise not to be picky and adore whatever one you wish to bestow upon me!

This Charcoal Water Pitcher from DWR filters water using Iouseki stones and Binchotan charcoal to create filtered, mineral-rich water! Stones! I will have the coolest water filter pitcher around. And eco friendly! My ongoing quest to impress my jaded "been there, done that" friends continues! Onward... (please pause to insert evil genius laugh here) Besides it just looks so chic. I am smitten with the Beam Coffee Table from High Fashion Home. It's clean lines and juxtaposition of polished metal and reclaimed peroba wood is eye catching and stylish.

I Love The 80's...

File this one under "Awesome 80's Flashbacks". Designer Ignacio Pilotto fused the Rubix cube with Pantone color chips to give us the Rubitone. Each side features nine colors fading from light to dark making a beautiful new design for an old toy. The bad news is, it's not available for sale. So gaze upon the pictures longingly, or try pleading with him to bring it to the masses!

That's All Folks!

These screen captured shots, taken from the end of old movies, really caught my eye. I would love to get some printed and framed to make a unique grouping for a small space. Check out the entire series via Flickr and contribute your own if you have some. Enjoy!

Wallpaper, Wow!

Until designers stop coming out with amazingly innovative wallpapers (glow in the dark, light up, and heat sensitive, oh my!), I am just going to have to keep writing about them. Just when I think I've found the coolest wallpaper possibly imagined, someone else swoops in with an even cooler concept. I last wrote about wallpaper technology at the end of August, so I think it's time for another venture into the wide world of wallpaper technology. Yes, technology.

Phosphowall by day and by night.

It's never fun stubbing your toe on the way to the bathroom at 3 am, but "Phosphowall" by Ich&Kar will make that history. By day, the perky stripes soak up any light they can get their hands on, be it natural or artificial. Then, once every light has been extinguished, they cast a gentle glow on the room.

I love a good combination of light and design. The Nature Ray Charles wallpaper by Camilla Diedrich is a perfect example of beautiful technology. It also comes in a few gorgeous colors to enliven your decor. The first thing that came to mind, when I saw the green version, was the room designed by Andrea in the Swarovski challenge in Top Design. Wouldn't the Glitterbox Vertical Chandelier she used look breathtaking in front of this wallpaper?!

The green version of Nature Ray Charles wallpaper and Andrea's room from Top Design

A closeup of the Glitterbox Chandelier. Whoa.

Life is busy. This we know. If your looking for a way to multitask better, I love PixelNotes wallpaper by Duncan Wilson. The entire wall is made up of little post-it notes in four layers, all in different grey tones until you reach the bright red base layer. That takes the notepad by the telephone to a whole new level. I wonder if you could line your office with this...

This may seem low tech at first glance, but there's a whole lotta tech that goes into it. Every last detail of your wall is measured to create custom warping wallpaper by Surrealien. Subtle, yes, but so, so cool as well.

I've saved my favorite for last. It doesn't light up or make pancakes or anything like that, but it's really neato. Basic white wallpaper by Samantha Johnson, complete with a zipper, so that you can layer the incognito wallpaper over something bold, and unzip your zipper to reveal the bright paper beneath it. Let your imagination run wild!

Pumpkin Panache

Painstakingly detailed work via Martha Stewart.

I've never been a big Halloween celebrator myself, but I do love a good pumpkin carving session. You can't be squeamish when it's time to pull the pumpkin-ey guts out! The things some people can do with a pumpkin and a knife- it's amazing! I'm sure I'll see lots more creepy creations after Halloween is over, but to get you (and myself) in the ghoulish spirit, here are some good ones I've found:

Only one problem- your pumpkin will be completely naked by the end of the night. It's still awesome, though. Via Extreme Pumpkins (yes, there are entire websites devoted to the art of pumpkin carving!).

Great pumpkin concept- unfortunately it was made with Photoshop and not a knife. If anyone is willing to give it a shot, send me a photo and I'll post your effort! Via Worth1000.

It takes a very steady hand to make a skull this perfect from a pumpkin. Via Extreme Pumpkins.

I want to try another Martha Stewart idea this year- painting my jack-o-lanterns with black paint to up the spooky factor!

Another Photoshop design that I would love to see done! Via Worth1000.

A filigreed jack-o-lantern face. That's quite a practice in patience! Via Martha Stewart.

Typographical Content

We write all the time. We jot down phone messages, pen thank you's to our friends and family, and maybe even do a little Dear Diary-ing from time to time. Our penmanship can identify us to coworkers, siblings, possibly (yikes!) the crime lab. The way we cross our t's and dot our i's (I've finally outgrown the heart-over-the-i stage!) is a part of who we are, like our face or voice. That being said, some artists take it to a whole new level. Peruse NotCot and you'll find countless entries on typography (well, okay, only 109 posts, but that a lot!), and some of the findings are nothing less than magnificent! Here are some of my favorites for your viewing pleasure...

Customised Fruit by Sarah King @ Evening Tweed

Crop Circle Typography

Ink and Water by Craig Ward

Typography for GQ Russia by Yehrin Tong

Neon Typography

Letter E by Dan Tobin Smith

I [heart] Milton by Oded Ezer

These aren't your normal misfit toys (Part 1)....

Here comes Santa Claus, here come Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane!! Christmas is coming sooner than you may think. Here are some cool tchotchkes that we fully stock and are ready for immediate order!

Dart Coat Hooks, Set of 3, $32.95

Guys tend to decorate their bachelor pads in the "coolest" stuff they can find. I think these dart coat hangers oughta do it.

Decanter Vinoglobe, $13.95

I dunno about you but almost my whole family drinks wine at dinner so when we received these decanters, I thought it would be the perfect gift at a infinitesimal price for those winos!

Sign & Seal, $11.95

Tired of using your personalized, uber expensive pen set? Yeah, we've got a neat upgrade. The pen spins too--cool, eh?

Driinn, $6.95

This next gift idea would have to be one of the best ever! Reason being...everyone has a cell phone...which, of course, requires charging and that annoying cord that always takes up so much space and gets tangled--mine drives me crazy, as you can tell. This little gadget helps minimize all the hassle and attaches to the outlet using the charger itself! So yeah, I just helped you with about 8 people's gifts, easy cheesy.

Beer Bands Bombed, $6.95

Another great one for my peeps who enjoy alcohol, particularly beer. It always gets confusing when no one remembers who's beer is who's but...no worries! Beer bands will solve your problem. Choose a word like ripped or polluted and that is officially yours. Back away, that's my beer!

Cool Jewels Ice Tray Cube, $7.95

Do you know any female that likes to throw girly parties? I know a few and they would all be ecstatic to receive this as a gift. Basically, it's your classic ice tray except the ice cube molds are in the shape of jewels--no more cubed or crushed, gimme diamonds!!

Giant Stainless Hip Flask, $27.00

Why settle for the typical 8 ounce flask when you can use the big daddy, stainless steel, 18 ounce hip flask!?

Family Guy Monopoly, $39.95

The only show in Fox Television history to be resurrected twice...Family Guy! Now as a monopoly game so if you can't get enough of the TV show, here's the perfect gift for you!

One Man Shy Lamp, $120.00

This is probably the most interesting lamp I've ever seen. This light is controlled by the switch protruding from Mr. P's (FYI- Mr. P. is the lamp's name) body. You might have to look twice.

Easy Rider Chopper, $59.00

Last but not least! I thought this would be a great gift for someone who loves motorcycles or anyone who likes to collect vintage pieces. Other vintage items that we carry include airplaces, horse drawn carriages, armor, fire engines, pirate ships, and lots more! So come and take a look, you can get all your Christmas shopping done in one place!

Model Morphosis

The life of a model is ever changing. Don't be who you want to be- be who the photgrapher, designer, or magazine wants you to be. A model's physical appearance is as varied as the runways the walk on. Sometimes it's hard to believe that the girl walking gracefully at Chanel is the same one skipping youthfully at Betsey Johnson.

The NY Times ran an article called Model Morphosis charting a day in the life of a few models going through Fashion Week. If I didn't know it was just one girl, I almost wouldn't believe it.

A model goes through a lot of makeup (and makeup remover) in one Fashion Week, but imagine how much a supermodel goes through in a career. Let's run with that...

For this little experiment, I picked Isabeli Fontana. She models for Victoria's Secret, so I think that makes her pretty super. She's also doing ads for Valentino, Versace,and Roberto Cavalli this season. The photos run from 2001 to 2008. I think her makeup removal for Viktor & Rolf (row 5, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th pictures) alone could keep the baby oil industry afloat.

click picture for a larger view

Photos all via Style.com. From top left: Alessandro Dell'Acqua Fall 05, Behnaz Sarafpour Spring 05, Christian Dior Fall 02, Dolce & Gabbana Fall 04, DSquared2 Fall 06, Givenchy Spring 06, Jeremy Scott Fall 02, John Galliano Spring 05, Louis Vuitton Fall 04, Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 04, Versus Fall 02, Max Mara Spring 06, Miu Miu Fall 08, Miu Miu Spring 04, Oscar de la Renta Fall 08, Oscar de la Renta Spring 04, Prada Fall 08, Viktor & Rolf Fall 08, Viktor & Rolf Fall 01, Viktor & Rolf Spring 05, Valentino Fall 04, Versus Fall 01, Zac Posen Fall 08, Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 03.

Pre-Fab(ulous) and Mod(ular)!

I'd have to say that my new obsession would be the process of prefabrication and modular design. It's definately becoming a new trend that people are beginning to realize is more important than it sounds. Pre-fabricated and modular homes are the "new" up-and-coming thing in home building which is surprising since they've been around a little over a century. A little history lesson is in order here...

Pre-fabricated homes came about mostly because of the housing boom in the early 1900's. Because Ford was manufacturing hundreds of cars in a matter of days, homes were about to be mass produced thanks to assembly lines and conveyor belts. If you can believe it, Sears used to sell house kits in which the home was constructed at another location and was transported in about 30,000 different pieces. This allowed more Americans to purchase and build homes without a long wait or costing a pretty penny.

Today we have a similar system but now we're leaning more towards a "green" advantage to these lovely, piece-able abodes. Many companies, such as New World Home, are focusing the design and construction in a way that will save the consumer mega bucks in the long run. Between energy-star appliances and Hardiplank that doesn't have to be painted for fifty years you're sure to love the idea. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in Louisiana, thousands of people were left homeless and without any hope of rebuilding their lives. Brad Pitt is a perfect example as an angel of hope for those thousands of people. He is one of the many that are encouraging non-profit organizations and various companies to invest in designing and building pre-fab(ulous) and mod(ular) homes.

My co-worker, SarahwithStyle, also pointed out that modular homes are being built from old shipping containers. You know, the ones that are on the back of 18-wheelers, trains, or stacked upon thousands of each other in the Port of Houston--yeah, those! How awesome is that!?

I've come in contact with various individuals who don't think that the idea of pre-fabrication is a result of the green movement and cannot be aesthetically pleasing or practical when in which I completely disagree. For example, MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art in New York City) recently had an exhibition called Home Delivery. This exhibition focuses on exactly this topic but not without the creators of these homes proving to be extradinary artists and designers. Even IKEA is into this pre-fab thing. Can you imagine purchasing one of these babies and having it completely furnished? Too cool of an idea. Let's just hope that you have a Home Owner's Association that thinks the same thing!

Kelly Wearstler On The Prowl For Design Books!

The New York Times did a little article last month about Kelly Wearstler's passion for out of print art and design books. They serve as inspiration for her uncanny ability to decorate with unusual themes and colors. Check out some of the books below to see some of Kelly's muses:

"Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People", by Harnish Bowles, amazon.com

"Horst: Interiors", by Barbara Plumb, 1993, amazon.com

"Goodbye Picasso", by David Douglas Duncan, amazon.com, $25

"The Shell: 500 Million Years of Inspired Design", amazon.com, $20

"The Bathroom: A New Interior", antiqbook.com, $100

Pac Man: The Movie

I found this while perusing NotCot.org the other day and it is just too hilarious not to share. And since we're all attempting to get things back to normal post-Hurricane Ike, I think funny is in order. If Pac-Man was real, this must be what it's like.

Chew On This

Here's a dose of random for your Friday morning. How far will the caramel in a Milky Way stretch? See for yourself...

via Fubiz

The Great Outdoors?

To preface this blog, let me just say that I have never been the outdoorsy type. When I went to summer camp, I would dread the night when they made us actually sleep outside. When my sister took me camping on an island off of San Francisco, I panicked at the mention of "no bathrooms nearby". My idea of a fun camping trip is a two hour picnic- until now.

Thanks to Daily Candy (which informed me of the things in this blog), I actually want to give camping a try. I have three conditions:

My main beef about camping: the fact that I feel funky. There's a reason we learned to shower daily- we smell if we don't. So for my camping trip I would insist on having a Pocket Shower. So to review... Funky dance moves: okay, funky body odor: not so good.

Here's my second beef- when you are a girl, it is not easy to, ahem, relieve yourself outdoors. And if you have to go numero dos? Forget it. Where's the car? I'm outta here. That's why I would take the appropriately named Shit Box. Guess what you do with it.

On to my third, and final, condition. If I am going to shower and poo outdoors, it better be at the Ritz Carlton of campsites. So, I will be requesting a trip across the pond to FForest in Cardigan (that's in the UK y'all). You can stay the weekend in a dome like the one above and just zone out. No cell phone, no computer, no blogging. Just beautiful, natural surroundings, calming ocean, and your fellow travelers. I may just have to give this camping thing another shot.

The Lost Art of Writing

Nobody ever sends me letters anymore. I get the occasional thank you note (mostly from my family) but that's it. I'm really setting this up for you. Pick a card from the choices below. Buy it. Write on it. Mail it to someone. Repeat as necessary. Stop the texting and start writing!

For your word nerd boyfriend:

The Scrabble letters in combination with the random phrases is indie-fab. Scrabble Notes from Bearpaw Paper.

For your mom, who always reminds you to mail your checks in safety envelopes:

Who's safe now, Mom? Safe and chic! Who knew you could do both? Because that bike helmet you made me wear around the neighborhood? Not chic. Letter envelopes from Henrietta Swift.

For that couple you hang out with that treats their dog like a real baby:

This card says, "See? I love dogs just as much because I bought notecards with dogs on them. But that still doesn't mean mine will be sleeping in my bed." Underdog Notecards from Hooray for the Underdog!

For your sarcastic friend with the really good sense of humor:

I spent a good 20 minutes reading all of the cards from this company because they are hil-ar-i-ous. Just don't send them to somebody that gets offended easily. No, that would be bad. Sentimental Journeys Card from Pretty Bitter.

For your honey on your anniversary- or any other random day:

These are so sweet and pretty and perfect for Valentine's Day (even though that's a loooooong way off). L-O-V-E Pack of 2 from MadeByGirl.

For someone snobby that would be impressed by something like expensive notecards:

If you need to get serious about note-sending, you need serious tools. Wardrobe Stationery makes custom stationery that will take your breath away. And the breath of that snobby witch up the street.

We *Heart* Chair Silhouettes!

I'm a sucker for graphic and industrial design. When my two loves are combined in images of classic furniture or architecture in simple and lovely 2d renderings, I am giddy happy. Here's a roundup of some cool and simple chair images perfectly suitable for framing and dressing up your walls... or your coffee tables or letters or decoupaged furniture.

Alphabet Of Design Classics poster $35.00 Available at Blue Art Studio

Pottery Barn as mentioned in Apartmenttherapy

Designer Chair Cocktail Napkins $26.00 on Etsy

And of course, how can we forget the Eames postage stamps?

Domino: Decorating on a Budget

Check out Domino's Budget Decorating: $1 Design Finds! That's right, amazing looking pieces for under $1.

"Snartig" vase $0.79 each, ikea.com

"Lion's Head" small bowl $.85 each, crateandbarrel.com for locations.

"National Airline" forks and knives, $.99 each, fishseddy.com

Various decorative papers, $.75-$.80 a sheet, mannysart.com for information

Teacup, set of two for $1, goodwill.com for locations

Copper scrubbing pads, package of two for a $1, familydollar.com for locations

We *Heart* Wood Floors

I grew up in NYC. This is not a disclaimer, just a little factoid. I guess I have a nostalgic love of old pre-war apartments with all their glorious imperfections and built in bookshelves, decorative moldings and warm, worn, old wood floors. Since I have moved to Houston, I have so rarely come across those treasured floors I spent my formative years taking for granted up north. The flats I have seen here are mainly new and the wood floors are even and flat and usually laminates, or the floors are covered in carpets, or slate tiles. Aesthetically pleasing nonetheless, they don't have that feel under my feet that I didn't even realize I longed for until I started seeing these pictures pop up in my magazines.

I think I am in love. Swooning, butterflies in the stomach, giddy love... over chevron patterned old wood flooring. *Ahhhhhh, sigh!

PR5 Report: Episode 4

I was a fan of Leanne's design. Stay on this track, Leanne!!!

A challenge worthy of the gods... well almost, actually. The designers were challenged to create a look for our American Olympians for the opening ceremony of the Summer Games, and, oh boy!, was there a variety of designs! We were given sporty to cocktail attire and everywhere in between. I was glad to see that Joe was given more screen time as I think he is one of the greater talents this season. Korto put out another fantastic design which was promptly given the gold medal. If you didn't see her design in episode three (a very flattering black jumpsuit), click here now and enjoy it. Terri also put forth a good ensemble. Perhaps I'll have to revise my choices for the top three?

From left: Terri's suit, Korto's leather and linen winner,
and Joe's literal take on the challenge.

Of course, with the good, there's is always some... slightly off. Daniel nearly missed elimination with his blue (purple?) cocktail dress. Save that for the post-Games parties. Jennifer was in the hot seat again this week and was eliminated for her ultra-prim and girly skirt and jacket combo. Personally, I enjoy her designs, but a designer has to learn to design for the customer, period. The judges made that point clear and she was auf'd. The judges were also critical of Jerell's design, which, while amazing and creative by any standards, was out of place and too costumey.

From left: Jerell's 40's ensemble, Daniel's purple number, and Jennifer's final bow.

My least favorite of the evening came from Keith (who is starting to really grate on my nerves!). He put together a jacket + poufy skirt + floppy tie ensemble that just didn't scream "Olympian!" However, he did play by the rules and kept it red, white, and blue, which probably redeemed him in the judges' eyes. Oh well.

As usual, check out Entertainment Weekly's take, and more pics at BravoTV.com.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Going to the Chapel

During my daily blog read-a-thon, I came across a contest at Coco+Kelley and I think it's fantastic. Why? 1. Contests are fun and bring out my extremely suppressed competitive side. 2. Weddings are also fun and bring out my girly side (which is never suppressed). 3. Inspiration boards are my specialty as I have books and books of pictures whose sole purpose is to inspire me. Therefore, this contest has everything I need.

Here are the rules: pick one of the 36 rooms chosen for the contest and design a wedding inspiration board around it. Dress, flowers, location, you name it. She even has cool prizes for the winner!

So, add to your to-do list- Pick a picture (the three here are all good options!), design your dream wedding, and submit it to Coco+Kelley. Of course, check out her blog for more information!

PR5 Report: Episode Three: Now With More Leatha!

So Stella finally got her hands on her beloved leatha! Hooray!

Last night's episode was (I thought) more interesting than previous episodes in terms of fashion. We really got more of an idea of what everyone's style is than before. I mean, really, how much can you show off when you're working with groceries? This episode has done well to confirm my choices for the top three. I'm still banking on Kenley (so obviously a judge's favorite and a producer's favorite judging by the amount of airtime she gets), Joe (still the underestimated competitor, he solidly delivers quality albeit not eye-catching work), and Terri (who finally got her chance to shine with the backless number last night).

From left: Kenley's winner, Joe's, and Terri's.

The dismissal of Emily was quite surprising. I thought the judges would favor her tacky-but-well-made design over Jennifer's boring-and-badly-executed dress any day, but apparently I was wrong.

More third persona from Suede. At this point it's wearing extremely thin. I don't care if he designs better than Karl Lagerfeld at this point. The way he talks is so distracting I can't concentrate on what he makes! So stop it already!

Leanne's design and Korto's.

But there were plenty of great designs shown in this episode. Leeanne produced a fantastic little skirt and blouse combo to make up for the disaster that almost got her auf'd last week. Way to bounce back! There was much mention of Korto's sexy black jumpsuit, but I loved it. The jumpsuit is dangerous territory but she pulled it off fabulously. Of course, it helps when a 5'10" glamazon is wearing it.

Once again, see all the pictures at the official Project Runway site, and check out Entertainment Weekly's spot on commentary.

Auf Wiedersehen!

We *Heart* The USPS

Hey you design-a-holic... were you aware of how cool the new postage stamp is? Because I am totally crushing on the Charles and Ray Eames commmorative sheet. I am definitely getting a few, one for framing on my wall like the big design dork I am, and one for upping the coolness factor on the bills I still have to pay with a check. ( Why can't everyone just go paperless already?!!!... ok, not complaining. I can now use my Eames stamps as... gasp... postage!)
Charles and Raye Eames commemorative stamp sheet (panel of 16 $6.72)

PR5 Report: Episode 2

Well, last night's episode of Project Runway was a wild ride. It seems the theme for last night was too short, badly fitted, and talking in the third person. The old routine of creating a schtick just to get a clip reel dedicated to you during the reunion show is getting really old. Last season it was Christian and his declaring everything "fierce". I can already see it for this season: "Suede rocked it!", "Suede is a bisexual Sagittarius!", blah, blah, blah. We get it, Suede.

Now, focusing on clothing, I'm starting to get a little scared about this bunch. The people getting the most camera time aren't the most talented. The best designs of the evening came from Kenley, Joe (the most underestimated designer of this season), and Terri.

Terri's dress, Joe's dress, and Kenley's (should've been the winner) dress.

And as for the rest of them, I understand that the models didn't give them the most ideal fabrics to work with, but you work with the cards you are dealt. The dresses were either too tight, too short, too 80's, or too badly constructed (auf'd Wesley commited three out of the four sins)! If these designers want to be on par with the designers in seasons past, they are going to have to learn how to "make it work"!

For more, check out the photos from last night, and read Entertainment Weekly's take on the affair.

Auf Wiedersehen!

The HF List: Oh What a Tangled Web...

I remember those days, maybe 10 years ago, when the internet was not the behemoth that it is today. The web was there, but it wasn't so world wide. Today, most people spend a good portion of their workday on the internet, not to mention their downtime. Why buy an encyclopedia when you can Google? Why go to the store when you can have it shipping for free? Words like "google" and "netflix" have become verbs, as in, "He seems nice, but did you google him yet?" or "I'm not going to spend 10 bucks to see that movie. I'll probably just Netflix it." Women's Health ran an article in its June 2008 issue about the 100 Most Useful Sites on the Web. Click here for the full article, but I included my favorites here:

1. Working out is tough, but it gets a bit easier if you've got a good soundtrack to jam to. The best songs for major cardio are in the 120-150 bpm (beats per minute) range. To find out if your songs make the cut, bring up Convert-a-lot and you'll have the perfect mix in no time!

Don't ask him to do anything naughty. He won't like it!

2. Don't waste time on just any website. Waste time with Subservient Chicken. It's a guy in a chicken suit that will do your bidding. Just don't ask him to get naked. He is not cool with that!

3. Next time you're invited to a dinner party, don't bring just any ol' bottle of booze. Check out the recommendations at Cork'd and you'll be on the guest list for every dinner party to come!

4. Ever spent way to much time searching for an 800 number only to give up? I have and it is frustrating to no end. Go to Hard To Find 800 Numbers. They'll find it for you.

One of the Rooms We Love at HFH's Flickr page.

5. Flickr is the best place to find amazing photos for free (noncommercial use only). I've found some truly inspiring pictures there! And, HFH has a photostream there of inspiring interiors for your time-wasting pleasure.

6. It's no fun to buy a ticket to fly across the country only to find the fare has dropped a week later. Sign up with Yapta. They will moniter your flight information and if the fare drops, they'll let you know and help you get a refund. That'll get you some new vacation shoes!

7. Being an adult means being responsible and being responsible means prepping yourself for the worst. As much as we don't want our houses to be broken into, it happens. It happened to my parents and it was a nightmare. But fortunately for them, they were insured and had an inventory of all of the bigger items they owned. When it came time to replace them, they knew exactly where to start. If you need a place to start, go to Stuff Safe. They make it easy to upload pictures of your stuff with descriptions and values. And hopefully, you'll never need to use it!

Have a lovely day with the little bit of random from See Jane Work.

8. Work can be boring. Make it better with cute office supplies. Okay, so they won't make your job suddenly exciting, but they're nicer to look at than your basic black Swingline. See Jane Work has some of the most fun supplies around.

9. Hate your boss? (Even if I did, I couldn't tell you here!) Let 'em have it without getting fired by posting an anonymous rant on Work Rant.

10. For all of you book fiends out there (Eclectorator, I'm looking at you!) check out What Should I Read Next? Just enter the title or author of a book you loved and it will give you 10 suggestions that you will also love. I tried it, and it was dead-on.

11. Why would you want to pay for shipping when you could not pay for shipping. Go to Free Shipping On for the inside scoop on free shipping from over 500 stores.

They have a ton of fantastic, time saving, just-plain-cool sites on their list. Enjoy perusing the internet!

PR5 Report: Episode 1

From left: Terri's top crocheted from mopheads; Blayne's leotard (certainly turned the judges heads!) made from cabinet liners and woven jumprope.

As a lot of you may know, Project Runway 5 started last night. I can tell this is going to be a bumpy ride. The challenge (taken from season one) was to create a garment out of supplies from the grocery store. Right away, Tim jumped on several of the contestants for choosing tablecloths, which are basically fabric. That defeats the whole purpose of the challenge! However, a few of the contestants took this challenge as a chance to shine and produced some unique creations:

From left: Daniel's plastic cup dress had to be molded to the dress form; Joe's pasta dress made from oven mitts and dry pasta; Kelli's winning design made from bleached and dyed vaccuum cleaner bags and burned coffee filters.

I know I'm not the only one out there watching this show, so what did everyone else think? Let me know!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Project Runway Season 5: Here We Go Again!

The bios of the contestants for Season 5 have just been released (2 days before the premiere which airs Wednesday night at 9pm/8pm Central). 16 designers will duke it out for the chance to show at Fashion Week and, of course, the grand prize. I'll reserve my official judgements on the cast until I see what they do in the first episode, but after reading up on their bios, I can tell that it'll be the usual eclectic mix of people that will create sewing room drama (making me unable to look away). But don't take my word for it... have a look for yourself. I'll update after the episode on Wednesday, so until then... Auf Wiedersehen!

Independence Day: The Recipe Guide

Independence Day is a great holiday. We can celebrate the birth of our great nation, barbeque some burgers, and set off fireworks all in one night. If you're heading to a party this year, don't show up emptyhanded! Make something easy, festive, and already party approved:

Summer Sangria:

My mom gave me this recipe in college and I have served it at many a festivity since then. Always a hit.

4 cups red wine (any cheap brand will do)

3 cups orange juice (I prefer pulpless)

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 sugar

optional: a couple shots of brandy, cognac, or orange flavored liquor

Mix everything together and stir to dissolve the sugar. To really make a presentation, serve it in a punch bowl with slices of citrus fruit floated on the top. Drink and be merry.

Fruit Topped Cupcakes:

I put a couple of Martha Stewart recipes together to make my favorite kind of cupcake: chocolate with cream cheese icing and fruit. For the Fourth, I'll use lots of blueberries that I picked at Chmielewski's Blueberry Farm. I picked five-and-a-half pounds of them, so I better use them!

Chocolate Cupcakes:

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners.

2. Into a medium bowl, sift together cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each, then beat in vanilla. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with sour cream and beginning and ending with flour.

3. Pour batter into cups, filling each 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.

4. Cool in pan 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, then spread with Cream Cheese Frosting using a table knife or small offset spatula.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese at room temperature

8 Tbsp (one stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, at room temperature

1 cup confectioner's sugar

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1. Place cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Using a rubber spatula, soften cream cheese. Gradually add butter, and continue beating until smooth and well blended. Sift in confectioners' sugar, and continue beating until smooth. Add vanilla, and stir to combine.

2. Garnish cupcakes with different festive fruits and topping. I'm using blueberries, sliced strawberries, and white chocolate shavings. You could also try raspberries, coconut, cherries, or just go for the sprinkles!

Creamy Olive Nut Spread:
This one is a recipe from my big sister in Houston. When she moved into her first apartment over a decade ago, she made this for me and I would snack on it for hours!

6 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. liquid from olives
dash of ground pepper
1/2 cup ground pecans
1 cup ground green olives

Combine all ingredients and enjoy!

California Couscous Salad:

This one comes from my healthy-eating sister in San Jose. You wouldn't expect to dig into this, but I eat this salad by the bowlful!

1-1/2 cups uncooked couscous (1-10 oz. box)
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/2 tsp. curry
2 cups boiling water
1/4 cup thin-sliced green onions
1/4 cup fresh basil
15-1/2 oz. can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed and drained

Combine first 4 ingredients and pour boiling water over. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with fork and cool. Stir in rest of ingredients.

Combine in a jar and shake up:
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 Tbsp. orange zest
2 Tbsp. water
1-1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. thawed orange juice concentrate
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 crushed garlic cloves

Pour over couscous and toss well to combine. Cover and chill 1 hour.

Sex and the City

I finally got to see Sex and the City the movie with my lovely co-workers and it was FANTASTIC! I definitely agree with Carrie Bradshaw when saying that women want two things: Labels and Love. Labels are a new found love of mine and love, itself, is something every woman is looking for almost 24-7. Because I go to design school, I can't help but look past the truly fabulous designer clothing and notice the truly amazing movie sets. When watching the Sex and the City series on HBO in comparison with the movie, I decided to dedicate a blog to Carrie's apartment as a sort-of before and after piece. Each of the girls from the show had a specfic style in which their apartments were decorated but the only character who had an apartment facelift was Carrie (you have to see the movie to understand why....so go see it!). Carrie's new apartment features pieces signature to designer lines and local New York brands.

Carrie's Bedroom before...

...and after!

Jeremy Conway, the set designer for both the show and the movie, knew exactly how to make Carrie's apartment "grow up." The curtains were made from fabric chosen at Mood Fabrics. The headboard was designed specially by Martin Albert Interiors. Her bed linens came from Anichini and ABC Carpet and Home. The bench at the foot of the bed is from Lobel Modern.

Carrie's Closet before...

Carrie's Closet after with awesome built-ins!

Carrie's Kitchen before...

Carrie's Kitchen after...

They added new cabinets and continuous upper cabinet underlighting makes a huge statement (even though she doesn't use it, it's still pretty!).

Carrie's Entry before...

You can't forget the wall o' books and magazine organizers, I'd like to call it "organized chaos."

...entryway after!

The entry has been converted into a small dining/waiting area. All of Carrie's literature was moved to the living room unit. A custom wall/ceiling treatment with recessed canned lights was added to offer focal point and a more mature, sophisticated look.

Carrie's Living Room before...

...after!

Considering it's New York, you usually have to utilize the space you have. I think adding this wall unit was a great idea on the design team's part. Because the walls are a new shade of robin's egg blue, the frosted white gives the room a spacious, clean feel. Two small sofettes and a chair (from Aero Studios) frame a small cocktail table, perfect for the four girls to gather and gossip.

The wall unit has quotes from Gertrude Stein stenciled on to add Carrie's personal touch.

Well this ends your personal tour to Carrie Bradshaw's apartment revamp. I hoped you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Now all you have to do is go see the movie if you haven't already!

Check out an interview conducted by the San Francisco Gate with Jeremy Conway.

Fashion vs. Furniture

Once again, you can look to your wardrobe to inspire your home decor and vice versa. Although, this time around, your dressers and bookcases are doing to work. Take your cues from the pieces we love and the pieces you have to make your look totally cohesive. You'll be that completely "together" friend that all your friends look up to (aka "are jealous of").


Look #1:

You've led a privileged life and that's nothing to be ashamed of. An elegant Southern mansion filled with priceless antiques and pristine first editions deserves the best. The Directoire Modular Bookcase from Grange complements that life of literary leisure that you are so accustomed to. And for those evenings when you thrown sophisticated soirees in said library, the gown, below, from Carolina Herrera will be true to your polished roots.








Look #2:

You're the contemporary, worldly type. While other kids were heading to Cancun for Spring Break, you were exploring Thailand. While other new parents want their kids to learn one foreign language, you take it for granted that your kids will be fluent in at least four. Your style is a mixture of all of your travels. The cultures you've seen, the people you've met, and the cities you've lived in. The Menlo Dresser, by Maria Yee, possesses that well-traveled, modern style without overpowering the rest of your belongings. Paired with a chic minidress from Vivienne Tam, you're ready for your next big outing- a night on the town.






Look #3:

Yes, you would consider yourself a fashionista, but never avant garde. You love glamour and getting dressed up is your favorite pasttime. When you get home from work, you get out of that boring corporate straight jacket and slip into satin and lace. You watch the Oscars every year. Your curves are absolutely your best asset. The Elisabeth Buffet from Oly mimics that Old Hollywood style that you so love. A floaty, feminine frock from Alberta Ferretti brings your red carpet fantasies to life.






Look #4:

Your home is important to you. You know? Earth. High design isn't enough for you. It better be eco-friendly as well. You like an organic look, but that doesn't mean you're going to run around in Birkenstocks. You don't have to sacrifice your style for your principles anymore. First of all, there's the Beam Bed by Environment. Made from Peroba wood which is recycled from old barns and buildings in Brazil, and accented with metal beams, it's the common link between fashion and environment. Then there are the amazing designs from 3.1 Phillip Lim. They are made from organic materials so that you can feel good about your debt-incurring shopping habit.






Look #5:

You're an intelligent lady. Emphasis on the L-A-D-Y. You love nothing more than curling up in a chair with a good book. But what about penning your own bestseller? There's only one way to accomplish that feat- a stylish, vintage-inspired writing desk. Don't worry about the fact that rather than quill and ink, you're tapping away at a laptop. The Shelby Desk by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams will adapt to whatever your medium- with style. To make your writing experience more ladylike, the dress below, from Behnaz Sarafpour, will be just lovely.

Notes From The Design Team: Soar Into Summer

Silk Embellished Kites

Summer doesn't officially start until the 28th, but here in Houston it has felt hot enough to be summer for months. The display team is dreaming of vacations and blue skies and tropical get-a-ways. Since our thoughts were already on vacation we thought we would have a little creative fun with our atrium. With such beautiful fabrics on hand we decided to make kites!

Our first attempt at the kite hanging was a fiasco bordering on a circus involving five team members, four spools of mono filament fishing wire and a weaving acrobatic routine high above the atrium not altogether unlike a maypole dance. The kites looked great and definitely "soared" up through the space in formation, but they were overshadowed by the webs of fishing wire we used to suspend them.





So, all the kites came down and we brainstormed. The best solution was to make use of our beautiful sheer fabrics and create swooping fabric swags from one floor to the next. We attached the kites and simplified the tails. Installing was a much simpler affair. The effect is still the same as before, but the fabric definitely accentuates the height of the open space better. The sheer quality is reminiscent of hazy summer days and the color is close enough to the blues of the Caribbean to keep us grounded for a little longer.

How To: Be Prepared for Unexpected Guests

There you are, sitting on the sofa enjoying the company of a good book and a cold glass of lemonade when the phone rings. A friend wants to "drop by" and stay for a "couple of nights". That's okay, right? You wish you hadn't answered the phone. Unexpected (read: uninvited) guests happen. And when they do, up goes the blood pressure. There are things you can do to be prepared.

For lots of ideas on entertaining houseguests, peruse marthastewart.com.

The four main things you need to concentrate on are: Having food for your guest, having a place for them to clean up, having a place for them to sleep, and tidying up the public areas of your home.


Feeding Your Guest: It is unlikely that your guest will not be sharing at least a couple of meals with you, so it helps to have ingredients on hand for some simple, but delicious, meals. Keep these ingredients in a special place in the pantry or fridge so that you and the rest of your family knows not to eat them.


For a snack, cookies and snack mix served in pretty dishes look smore impressive than it is. Keep an assorted box of teas on hand to please everyone.

For a delicious recipe, I always ask Martha.

For lunch or dinner, Homemade Macaroni & Cheese served in individual remekins and garnished with some fresh parsley is elegant and yummy after a long trip. Pair it with a simple salad and add a bottle of a light-bodied wine, like Reisling, to refresh a weary traveler.


For a hearty breakfast after your guest has had a relaxing night of sleep, serve pancakes with gourmet fruit syrups. The night before, mix the batter and pour it into a squeeze bottle. Making the pancakes will be faster and far less messy. Cut strawberries into small bowls and sprinkle with sugar to release the juices.

Absolutely the best towel to dry off with, and a multitude of

colors to choose from! From Pottery Barn.

Whether or not you have an official "Guest Bath", you guests need to feel welcome to use their designated bathroom. Keep a small box handy with interesting scented shampoos and soaps, a pretty soapdish, and a candle. Keep a couple sets of towels (white Turkish cotton always looks crisp and feels great!) set aside for last minute visitors. Make sure there is plenty of space on the counter for their toiletries. And don't forget to put an extra roll of toilet paper out where they can see it! My mom has a cute bucket next to the toilet where she stores a couple spare rolls so that no one will go digging in her cabinets!

Make your guest bed as good as a four star hotel's bed. From Pottery Barn.

If you've ever had to search for matching bed linens in a rush, you know it can be immensely frustrating. Save yourself some stress by folding all the sheets neatly and tucking them inside their pillowcase for the next use. Up your domestic god(dess) cred by putting out a delicate bowl of chocolates and a single bloom in a bud vase on the nightstand. Reading material is always appreciated, so put down a few different magazines. Supply some substantial hangers (i.e. "No more wire hangers!!!") for hanging clothing and your guests will feel like the walked into a spa!

Candles cover a multitude of sins. From Pottery Barn.

The thing that always takes the most time when preparing for visitors is cleaning, but if someone is on their way over you don't have time to scour the baseboards. First things first: Get all of the clutter out of sight. Focus on the areas that you guest will be in- the living room, dining room, kitchen, and bathroom. I love open shelving, but it is not conducive to hiding messes, so having cabinets with doors is a must. Make sure all counters and mirrors are wiped down. Give the toilet and bathtub a quick scrub, too. Hit wood pieces with a shot of wood polish to make them shine. Finally run the vaccuum throughout the house. Light a few candles here and there and you're ready to play Host(ess) of the Year! See, that wasn't so bad!


A Note to the Last Minute Guest: Your host or hostess has been working hard, so don't forget the say thank you!

Peddle Power: City Bikes We Like

Two and a half years ago, I sold my dying car for parts. I never bought a replacement. That makes me sort of an anomaly here in Houston where the weather and urban planning do not lend themselves to a walker friendly environment. I have many answers to people who stare at me in disbelief when I tell them I am living sans auto. I get a weird thrill by saying I do it so that my carbon footprint is smaller than theirs, or that I am a truly a displaced NY-er who can't conform. Not driving is like my small rebellion.

However... every time about this year I wish that I could arrive at my destinations much faster. As the mercury rises (very quickly) and the humidity becomes unbearably oppressive I wonder why I don't own a bicycle. Now I am obsessed with all things bike. The last few years I declined to purchase one because I didn't know how to store it in my micro studio apartment, but I have seen some clever bike storage options and I am officially out of arguments.

Cycloc... a cool minimal way to get your bike out of your way. And your bike becomes art!

Industrial Designers have been stepping it up a notch on bike design for urban dwellers who are interested in style and design as well as high tech features. These bikes allow the rider to sit straighter.

Perhaps my favorite right now, the Fisher Simply City Bike. So classically pretty (*swoon)

Trek Soho

Puma Biomega fold-up city bike. You can store it under your bed or carry it on the subway.

The bike culture in some European cities has lent itself to a more fashion and comfort styled bike. The Dutch and Danish bikes are tops on my list. I dream of getting one of these and riding around like the girls from Copenhagen girls on bikes. Check out their cool fashion shots and tips on city biking.

Scrap Deluxe by Velorbis of Copenhagen. Yummy.

The Victoria Classic also by Velorbis. My other bike crush o' the day.

Oma bicycle by Jorg and Olif. A classic style you see all over Amsterdam.

Swedish Skkeppshult Z-Bike

Now that I am getting a bike, I have a legitimate reason to buy this adorable basket to hook onto my handlebars for carrying parcels. Its so great because it has a strap so you can carry it into the store as well! I'm all for the green one.

Carrie bike basket

One last thought: With gas prices rising to obscenely high prices and bicycles costing far less than a car, bikes are a great economical advantage for city commuters. They also do not contribute to environmental pollution and they are a great way to reduce obesity and get into shape.

And... how cool is this? The Bloom device lets you release seed saturated bubbles as you bike. According to the website "Similar to the tuft of a dandelion as the wind carries the seedling, we propose a way of dispersing seedlings with bubbles and bicycling. Seeds are co-mingled with a bubble mixture and upon pedaling to your destination , you release the floating seeds which land in cracks and crevices throughout the city streets. Over time, the seeds grow into flowers and plants to create a green "fringe" to our sidewalks and streets" Check out the video demonstration on their website.

Bloom

Happy Peddling!

The Search for Inspiration

Whether you are decorating a new house or redecorating an old one, it's sometimes hard to know where to start. When customers call our store in search of some guidance, one of the first questions I throw out is, "What kind of colors do you like?". Most people have some idea of what color they want to focus on, even if they don't know where to go from there. Wear Palettes will be your new best friend. They take cool photos and translate them into color palettes, giving you instant inspiration for your next interior undertaking. You can flip through all of their ideas or browse by color. Here are some of my faves:

The nice thing is that you can find neutral palettes, punches of color, really bold combinations- basically, whatever floats your boat. So try it out and get ready to be inspired!

Traveling Far, Far Away via Hotels.com!

It is that time of year to start planning your summer vacations. I happened to find a nice little deal that Hotels.com is offering. Basically, if you book your hotel by May 31st for travel through the end of July, you will get $20-$100 back via mail-in rebate on a 3+ night booking.

UP TO $100 BACK MAIL-IN REBATE HOTEL DEAL

• Get $20 off with a 3-night booking.
• Get $30 off with a 5-night booking.
• Get $50 off with an 8-night booking.
• Get $75 off with a 10-night booking.
• Get $100 off with a 12-night booking.

If you are having a hard time dreaming up of the perfect hotel to visit, here is my suggestion: The Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok. It is the number 3 ranked luxury hotel according to Travel + Leisure. Feast your eyes on some the luxury amenities and interior designs the hotel offers.

Somerset Maugham Suite: The beds and double wide chaise are unreal!

The Royal Ballroom

The Oriental Suite - Living Room: I like the accent chairs with the button tufts.

The Spa: Yes, the lily pads look real!

China House

Inspirations via Etsy

I am someone that is constantly on the lookout for new sources of inspiration. Not for any project in particular. Just because I love the feeling of finding something that really perks me up and imagining the possibilities. That's why I love checking out the goodies at Etsy. A while back, I was seeing the name Etsy everywhere, but had no clue what is was. When I finally made that click to the site I found my own personal heaven. It was all of the quirky, eclectic, handmade treasures I could ever imagine! Now I check it out daily to see their items of the day and browse each category. Here are some of my favorite recent finds:

I love these little sewn birds by Cotton Bird Designs. They would be perfect on bookshelves or on a vanity- just to brighten up the place. Not to mention the fact that it's Spring. No better time to add a little chirp to your pad.

Another Springtime jewel called Poesia by Robert Socha. I love the intensity of the pink petals against a bright blue sky. At 8x8, this photo would be best in a small nook like above a bedside table or grouped in a cluster of art.

So maybe this isn't so Spring related like my first two finds, but it's adorable nonetheless. Tiny little nature charms in gold with freshwater pearls complement anything you choose to wear. Find this one and other charms at Luxe Charms.

The greatest thing about Etsy is finding some really unique items that would go for hundreds of dollars at a little boutique for just a little dough. And they're handmade with care by someone. I love the collage pieces from Silvery Moon Art. I am a lover of knick knacks and I would love to add this one to my collection.

For those of you who live in cold climates- I think these brooches would be fantastic on a fuzzy wool hat or coat. The Brooch Boutique's brocade brooches are also beautiful. And at $10 a pop, they won't break the bank.

Every single day, I find something on Etsy that I love. Just browse through it, check back often, and make sure you snag what you want before somebody else does!

Welcome to the E-Book!

Newsweek: Reinventing the Book

Imagine being able to buy and read over 110,000 books at any given moment. Whether you are in a long car ride, relaxing at the beach, hanging out at a coffee shop, or laying down on your Tempurpedic mattress, you can decide to immediately pick up and read virtually all of the New York Times Best Sellers.


Welcome to the Kindle. Amazon introduced this revolutionary electronic book reader last November. It's been sold out ever since. The device is lighter and thinner than a paperback book and delivers a high resolution screen that looks like real paper. The Kindle's wireless connectivity can download a book in 2 minutes. The battery power last for 30 hours between charges. You can also subscribe to your favorite magazines or newspapers and receive your subscription hours or days before print subscribers.


The Kindle is by no means cheap at $399. You will be able to buy new releases and best sellers at $9.99. Of course, the Kindle does bring some extras to the table. Need to surf the web? You can connect and browse the internet for free. How about an MP3 player? Check. What if you need a dictionary? The Kindle comes with a built in Oxford American Dictionary. How do I know what book to buy? Download and read the 1st chapter to any book for free. Also, you'll have access to all the Amazon.com book reviews. And best of all, you'll be accruing some good karma by saving paper.

The Human Element

Don't know the date? Everybody's looking at it.

I was doing a bit of blog surfing this morning. It started with my usual morning routine of Daily Candy arriving in my inbox. One of the blogs reminded me of something I wanted to look at on Domino's website. From there I found a new (for me) blog called "A Girl & Her Polaroid" which I promptly bookmarked and will visit often. On her site, I finally came to "The Human Calendar", which is, in fact, the reason for this entry. And let me tell you- it was no easy task remembering each link in the chain that brought me to "The Human Calendar". Basically, it just beats the pants off of your standard day planner. I mean, no you can't actually make you to do lists or have a little alarm that goes off when you need to be somewhere, but look at it! It's your calendar, Brady Bunch style, with a group of people (you might know one of them) holding the dates. So next time you need to know the date, forget your cell phone and check thehumancalendar.com. It'll at least start your day off with a little grin.

Notes From The Design Team

ENCORE!

Well, the design team has had a pretty exciting weekend. We had a lot of fun decorating the Houston Grand Opera Imperial Ball's after party "Encore Lounge". It was a hectic week leading up to the big event including multiple trips from High Fashion Home to the Wortham Theater loading dock, last minute hustles by our fabulous stock guys to wrap the furniture and load and unload the trucks, and careful styling and detailing by our display coordinator Cynthia. With quick thinking and renegade flower arranging, final touches were added right in time for the party goers to enjoy. Plush loungey couches, mirrored surfaces and sexy pillows, red lighting, burlesque dancers, late night breakfast bar, DJ and multiple bars, candles twinkling and flowers... who wouldn't have a great time?

Rooms We Love... Most!

I recently uploaded some new rooms into the "Rooms We Love" category. Feel free to check them out at your leisure, but just to whet your appetite, here are some of my favorites.



This picture from the December/January issue of Domino magazine features Amanda Peet's home. Her entryway is great. A bit industrial with lots of cool books and vintage textures. A large mirror, a couple small pictures, and a chair finish the industrial chic look.



These are two of my favorite bold colors: coral and royal blue. This room belongs in a castle in Russia, in my opinion.



I don't see stained glass much these days, but it's so beautiful- especially on aged white wood. If you like the look, try antique shops which frequently have small stained glass panels that can be hung in front of a window.



It's certainly a change for the old picnic standby that is gingham. I would never have thought to use gingham in such a formal room, but it works so well with the gold and crystal details.



To me, this room screams bohemian relaxation. From the casually wrinkled sheets to the drapey white curtains I would love to lounge across the bed with a good book and some tea.



Snowy white and blood red are a dramatic mix in this dining room. I love the clean look of this room with the slightly rustic nature of the table. It's absolutely decadent!



I would love to dine in this restaurant. Quiet, earthy furniture is illuminated by shimmery tiled columns illuminated by chandeliers encased in glass. It's simple and elegant.



I hope I have a girl someday! I find it funny that Amanda Peet writes that she's a born copier because I would love to copy her idea! I think making your baby's room bright and cold is so refreshing from the usual pastel I see.



Although this room seems very cold to me, I think the contrast between the dark table and clear chairs is perfect. I also love the patchwork pillow on the sofa. Pops of color would go a long way in this room.


This one is my favorite right now. Sunshine yellow drapes allowing sunlight to shine on a little sleeping girl reminds me of pictures from my childhood. Yellow is an underused color in decorating, so take my advice and inject a little into your home!

America's Top Designer: Kelly Wearstler

The Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica

Interior designers can be a hit or a miss. But the really good ones can help turn your home into a slice of heaven. Of course, there might not be a bigger trend-setter than this interior design visionary. Meet Kelly Wearstler.


Kelly is the founder and principal of the award-winning Los Angeles-based firm Kelly Wearstler Interior Design. Some call her style "Cinematic Chic". Others call it "Mod-Baroque". Many people say she's recreated "Hollywood Glamour." Most of us admirers just say "Wow!" Her mixing of vintage and contemporary styles gives off a refreshing and invigorating look that is distinctly her own. She brings a unique, cinematic drama to each of her projects with a masterful command of bold textures and colors. Do yourself a favor and go visit the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. It redefined what an uber chic, boutique hotel is all about. As soon as you step inside, you'll understand the meaning of great interior design.

Wearstler's signature "Kelly Green" gesture.

A cool library themed lounge at the Viceroy.

Mid-century modern chairs with generous tufting.

Brentwood Estate

Brentwood Estate: Just look at that wallpaper.

Hillcrest Estate: Just look at her use of colors.

Hillcrest Estate: Got to love the daybed with a pop of chartreuse bedding.

Hillcrest Estate: Look at the ceiling detail.

Berdorf Goodman Restaurant

Viceroy Palm Springs

Maison 140

Guest Room at the Viceroy in Santa Monica.

The lobby bathroom at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica.

Kelly Wearstler Collection at Berdorf Goodman

The outdoor area at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica.


Maison 140

Wallpaper 3.0: The Rugrat Edition

If there is anyplace in your home that you can let loose and create the bright, cheery, neon oasis that you've always wanted, it's your kids room. When they're babies, they really have no opinions, so it's all up to you. No sharp edges and keeping the toys at ground level are really the only requirements!


Nothing against pastel pink paint and My Little Pony borders (okay, so maybe those aren't cool anymore, but I'm not exactly in touch with the toddlers of today), but they've been done. Walls don't have to be just decoration. Make them functional by turning them into another toy for your toddler! Try these three ideas on for size and your kiddo may be too busy playing on the walls to terrorize the cat anymore!

I remember those days when I was a wee lass in Sunday School. My favorite lessons were the ones where the teacher demonstrated the story on feltboard. Now, run with that idea, but make it wall sized. Adhere felt to the bottom half of your wall. Next cut out felt pieces for your kids to bring to life: shapes, numbers, letters, characters... you name it. They can put on productions of Romeo & Juliet on their walls (or more likely- Hanna Montana). They can be creative and learn the basics like their ABC's and 123's in the process!


Another Martha Stewart recommendation. That woman is on top of things! Cover one wall in the child's room with chalkboard paint. Then let their imaginations run wild! When (if) they grow out of it, it's easy to paint over. Martha also has instructions for customizing your chalkboard paint if basic black isn't your thing. Hey, Picasso had to start somewhere right?


Kids like to see that their work in appreciated. But you only have so much room on your fridge and your living room is starting to look like a gallery. Let them display their favorite works of art in their room. Cover a wall with corkboard and they can hang their favorite drawings, good grades, and other treasures. That'll make room for the expensive painting you've had waiting in storage.

Brilliant Book of the Week:

It is official. I have decided to add books worthy for your coffee table. I'm sure everyone has gone through Barnes and Noble's bargain books to find the perfect book and have fallen short of finding it. Eclectorator to the rescue!!

Check it out!

"le Questionnaire de Proust," or (in English) "The Proust Questionnaire," by William C. Carver and Henry-Jean Servat.

This is definitely a book you'll want to invest in. Throw it on your coffee table and let the games begin! The Proust Questionnaire lists a variety of questions, such as "Your idea of happiness," "Your favorite heroine in fiction," "For what fault, have you the most toleration?" "If not yourself who would you be?" Wouldn't you like to know how your friends and family would answer those questions? This book would also be perfect for a new, more hip way to have a guest book at a wedding, or pass it around at a milestone birthday bash. Now go out and buy it--you'll love me for it!

Happy Reading!

It's About That Time...

Get ready. It's about that time. Put on your work gloves, tie your hair back (if need be), put on your old, holey jeans. It's time to Spring Clean! I dread this time every year. I know it needs to be done and yet it's always such a daunting task no matter how clean I keep things during the rest of the year. There comes a time every year when papers are overflowing, small objects are roaming freely, and closets are a disaster area! Don't take everything on at once. You'll just get burned out. Pick one area from each room in your house and tackle it. These goodies from The Container Store will help you on your way to a cleaner home. Let's start in the kitchen:



My number one problem in the Kitchen is overflowing cabinets and I bet most of you would agree. How do you find one tiny ingredient in a cabinet full of cans, bags, and boxes? The best investments (and small ones at that) I've made for my pantry are turntables. Pick double stacked or single turntables and nothing will be out of view again! So goodbye to buying those expensive little spices over and over again because they get lost in the cabinet chaos!






I don't have a whole lot of storage in my one bedroom apartment. What I do have is four teetering stacks of DVD's. Every time I try to pull one out of the stack, the rest come tumbling down. I'm heading to The Container Store to pick up an Overdoor Media Rack. My extensive film collection (does Office Space count?) will stay out of sight until I choose to pop some popcorn and lounge on the sofa for movie night.





Closets can be scary. Old clothes, stinky shoes, that renegade sock that lost its mate. When I buy my first house there is one investment that I can't wait to make. A custom Elfa closet system. You know they're serious when it's called a closet SYSTEM. I half expect it to be motorized! Bring in your measurements and create a whole labyrinth of storage to suit you. You'll never be stuck holding one lone shoe sans partner again.





If there's one thing I can't get enough of it's yummy smelling soaps and shampoos. For some reason Head & Shoulders just doesn't wake me up like Citrus Pomegranate Ylang-ylang Body Wash does. So, to stow all of these bathtime goodies, I use a Tension Pole Shower Caddy. It has tons of space for couples or, ahem, single people with an extreme bath product addiction.





Ah, kids. Wonderful, loving... messy, loud, home destroying. Put your kids in their places (or their stuff at least) with some bright and cheery drawers. If you have a place for everything, everything might make it to its place.*

* Will probably only last for a day or the amount of time your children are at summer camp.

Why is it that when you want to hang something