Classic Elegance

(Image Credits: Top Row; projectwedding.com, alittlebirdie.com.au, romofabrics.com; Middle Row; priorengagement.com.au, projectwedding.com; Bottom Row; jlmcouture.com, inthenow.com, theknot.com)

happy halloween

Have a safe and swell Halloween! Butternut Surf by Nathan Colgate.

phm studio spaces: Kiki & Polly

Artist Name: Lisa Golightly
Shop Name: Kiki & Polly
Website: kikiandpolly.com , kikiandpolly.etsy.com
Blog: kikiandpolly.com/blog
City: Portland, Oregon



Where in your home/apartment/city is your studio located?
My studio is in our home, in the basement, though it tends to migrate throughout the house. In the summer I usually end up working in our mudroom and dining room to be near the kids.





What equipment/tools do you use?
I've been working a lot with wallpaper recently, using it as a starting point, then cutting and painting it. So, the exacto knife has been getting a lot of use.

Do you have an inspiration board, and can you tell us what is inspiring you now?
I have a couple inspiration boards, one at my desk and one at my work table. I've always been inspired by interiors, so there a lot of magazine tear outs, as well as art by my kids and their little 'treasures' about (aka sticks, leaves, rocks).



How do you create best (e.g. do you listen to music while you create and if so what?
I create best with coffee in hand and music on. Right now I have been listening to the new Ray LaMontagne album a lot.

List (3) of your favorite artists
Lisbeth Zwerger
Isca Greenfield-Sanders, I love her use of color
my dad!

If yours isn't, what would be your perfect studio?
My studio works for now, but I dream of having a big open space with one of those glass roll up garage doors!



Thank you Lisa!

andrea: four *plus* things for my poppy wedding

readers, please say a friendly hello to andrea of smartbrideboutique.ca!

Hi,
Great idea! Forgive me, I really couldn’t stick to 4.

[no worries!]


{ pretty poppies wedding invitations by lilribbers }

1) Poppies! I’m currently obsessed with Poppies – possibly due to the amazing tea set I inherited from my Grandmother. So I’d definitely go with poppy themed invitations, these were my favourite of many.

* Tip - Make sure you get matching thank you cards at the same time so you can start sending them out as soon as the early bird gifts arrive.

I would complement the poppy theme with a few more “poppy” items in addition to the centerpieces and flowers.

Guest book:

{ custom-made guest book/album by enjibeck }

OR I love the idea of creating a poster sized invitation to have your guests sign.

Place cards:

{ red poppies place cards by michellebrusegaard }
[see my feature on michellebrusegaard here]

A matching tie for the groom:

{ poppy necktie by toybreaker }

2) One signature item of clothing to really make the bridal ensemble pop and accent your theme.

Fascinator:

{ ivory feathers, pearls and beading fascinator by sweetsnlo }

[here i substituted the custom listing, as the one andrea picked was reserved for a bride]

Fascinator 2:
{ Carrie Ivory Silk Flower and Feather Fascinator by chameleondesignsaus }

[sadly this listing has been removed, but check out the other fascinators at chameleondesignsaus]

Necklace:

{ Pearly Girly Necklace by VirginiaGeiger Jewels }

Wrap:

{ French Vanilla Bridal Wrap by bonzie }

3) And now for some fun! I did homemade cupcakes for my own wedding instead of cake. Perhaps for a DIY favour, you could combine the recipe for your wedding cupcakes on a snazzy recipe card, with a small canning jar full of the pre-mixed dry ingredients. i.e. Just add milk, eggs etc for your own “eat at home” cupcakes!

{ Cupcake Pop Recipe Cards by DingbatPress }

4) Lastly, we can't forget about bridesmaid gifts. I like the fact that you can get wristlets by babycakesboutique in several different Amy Butler fabrics so your bridesmaids never have to show up to a party with the same purse after the wedding.

Bridesmaid Gift:

{ Handmade Kashmir Eastern Inspired Bangle Wristlet by babycakesboutique }

thank you *so* much for your extensive picks, andrea! all best to you and your new blog, smartbrideboutique.ca/blog/

Twilight Night

I adore, love, am obsessed with this look! It's so magical and exquisite without being over the top. It's almost earthy to a certain degree, I imagine it's what a fairy party would be like when they come out at night and dance by a bubbling brook with fireflies lighting the moss covered rocks... or something like that. Try to keep it about light and shade, focus on gem stone colours and shiny translucent finishes. Best set in an overgrown (but well kept if that's possible!) garden. Water adds a beautiful element, the way the light reflects of it is just stunning, so even a pool or large pond, will go nicely. To complete the look, lots of lanterns and candles, white linen, and for indoors add some beautiful trees in pots to bring the outdoors in and string them with tiny paper chinese lanterns or fairy lights.

COLOUR WHEEL

INSPIRATION

(Image Credits: all images projectwedding.com)

"Great Expectations" Inspired Idea I - The Dessert Table

I for one do not have much of a sweet tooth. I tend to crave salty things which I think might be due to a very energetic thyroid gland ... but I'm getting off track here. Regardless of my "salt" tooth, the beauty of a well made dessert cannot be raved about enough. I'm not much of a baker but you'll still be able to find me pouring over a Donna Hay magazine. So what better way to display these lovely goodies than all together on a Dessert Table. It's an ideal idea if you are having a cocktail party or a smaller wedding cake that won't possibly feed your 100 plus guests. A really talented caterer is vital here and you may need a stylist for the actual table display. For those of you who have the knack for DIY, see below for some very fabulous visual feasts! The image above is of a table with definate "Great Expectations" inspiration. Keep an eye out for more elements of inspired ideas from the book and the final post in the series where everything will be tied together in a style file.

Bowls and vases of hard lollies and candies fill a table where guests are encouraged to fill little paper bags just like a candy store!

An autumn harvest of pies with all types of fillings imaginable as well as fresh apples. The little signs in the pies are the perfect detailed touch.

An array of mini wedding cakes all in yellows and oranges on high cake stands create a quirky kind of display.

(Image Credits: from top to bottom; projectwedding.com; projectwedding.com; theknot.com; instyle.com.)

stephanie levy: design classics series

I just got word of a new awesome painting/collage series from Munich, Germany's Stephanie Levy called "Design Classics". They are a playful homage on several of her favorite 20th Century designers. She plans to create a series of 100 collages, and will continue to add the finished works in sets of 10 to her Etsy shop.

stephanielevy.etsy.com
www.stephanielevy.blogspot.com
www.stephanielevy.com

Canada City Guides: Toronto

While we have yet to see choreographed street fights ala the Jets vs. the Sharks, there is most definitely a battle raging in Toronto for the title of coolest part of Queen Street. goodEGG industries founder Laural sings the praises of her East-end haunts, while her partner-in-crafty-crime Jen represents for her hood, the Westside.


QUEEN EAST
by Laural

Leslieville is located in the east end of the City, in what used to be an industrial area with several brickworks and other factories. In recent years it has developed a reputation as an up and coming neighborhood, with (relatively) cheaper real estate bringing in new residents, along with lots of great shops and restaurants. I moved to the neighbourhood more than a year ago and am completely smitten.



After a delicious meal at my favorite brunch spot, Edward Levesque’s Kitchen (1290 Queen St. E.), a trip to Gadabout (1300 Queen St E.) just next door is a must. The small shop is crammed floor to ceiling with all kinds of vintage treasures from games and toys to dresses and hats to books and pamphlets. And if you’re looking for something in particular, the staff are always very helpful.



Just down the street is another shop with a mix of vintage and contemporary products, called Winkel (1107 Queen St E.). They have a nice selection of papergoods, homewares and other interesting finds.

The crown jewel of the neighbourhood for shopping is Nathalie-Roze & Co. (1015 Queen St. E.), a shop featuring local independent designers and crafters with a great selection of clothing, accessories and papergoods. Nathalie-Roze also offers a variety of crafting workshops and serves ice cream on the patio in the summer!



Just a little further down the street is baby on the hip (969 Queen St E.), which I’m assured by my friends who have little ones is a must visit for new parents (or those looking for the perfect baby shower gift).



The street is also peppered with small galleries, including coupe space (998 Queen St. E.), which doubles as an event space and is run by the publishers of coupe magazine.



And, for designer furniture enthusiasts, there’s Machine Age Modern (1000 Queen St. E.), which has a large sized showroom of modern vintage pieces from 20th century designers and architects. Even for those of us who can’t afford to buy, there’s always something interesting to look at!


QUEEN WEST
by Jen



As a native of Toronto I have watched Queen West evolve & expand. As savvy chain stores moved on to the street between University and Spadina Ave., driving rents up and the cool factor down, boutique owners started moving further and further west, and were soon joined by independent gallery owners & craft studios. The result is blocks upon blocks of eye candy for fans of art, craft & design. Here is a taste of what you’ll find west of Bathurst on Queen.

Start your journey with a bang at Magic Pony (694 Queen W.), a gallery/shop that mixes contemporary art and retail in a very fun and dynamic way. Traffic stopping installations occupy the front window, enticing passersby to check out the art show at the back. The shop itself is filled with limited edition designer toys, clothing, books and stationary that are sure to please those who appreciate humour in contemporary design.



Quasi Modo Modern Furniture (789 Queen W) specializes in vintage and new modernist furniture, lighting and accessories for the home and office. Carrying work by some very prominent designers (such as Wegner and Knoll chairs, Eames and Adler ceramics), Quasi Modo is almost like a mini-museum of successful design, except you can buy stuff!



Fuel up for more explorations at Tealish (198 Walnut Ave.), a brightly painted independent tea shop just South of Queen Street at Walnut. Get a yummy tea latte to go (Walnut Ave Sencha is my #1 fave), choose from their extensive selection of loose teas, and explore their seasonally updated teaware including contemporary and traditional Japanese tea pots.



Crafty types should not bypass the Paper Place (887 Queen W.) which as its name suggests specializes in paper from around the world (especially Japan) as well as paper crafting supplies and books. For those who admire paper crafts but do not make stuff themselves, there are plenty of cute readymade cards and books, as well as some sweet Japanese and locally-made gifts. If you can’t make it to the shop but want to get your hands on their stock, check out their online store.



A bit past the park you’ll find Token gifts (888 Queen W.), the perfect place to pick up a sweet letterpress card to accompany your purchases or a blank book to document your travels and thoughts. Their thoughtful selection of home textiles, ceramics, and stylish and playful kids stock is definitely worth a looksee.



Further west but definitely worth the trek for textile addicts is The Workroom (1340 Queen W. at Brock). You’ll drool over bolts of carefully chosen fabrics by contemporary fabric designers from North America and Japan (such as Denyse Schmidt, Joel Dewberry, and echino). Rest your shopping-weary feet on the couch and flip through the growing collection of craft project books. If you’ve had enough of buying stuff and are looking to make something cute and stylish yourself, check out The Workroom’s workshop schedule.


As gathered by Laural and Jen of goodEGG industries. Please visit their wonderful sites:

goodEGG industries
Laural
Jen

Rustic Candy Cane

(Image Credits; Top Row: publiqueliving.com, theknot.com, miramira.com, theknot.com; Middle Row: bride.com, theknot.com, bride.com; Bottom Row: bride.com, theknot.com.)

Conflict Free

"Everything is a fine diamond in the hands of a skilled man; everything becomes polished glass in the hands of a fool."

- Jean de la Fontaine

Diamond's are a girl's best friend for sure but if you have a proposal and are either getting your ring made or still searching for the "one" (i.e ring not husband!) then you should consider the very friendly alternative at Carat. Carat shuns traditional diamonds, opting for created gems and stones. By denying yourself a diamond from a country torn apart by this coveted stone you are hopefully turning the tide toward a world where people are not at war for diamonds. If you still have your heart set on a diamond look for one that is certified to come from a conflict free source. Otherwise have a look at the stunning creations at Carat.

(Image Credit; Courtesy of Carat.com)

Lemon and Apple Spring Wedding

(Image Credits: Top Row; Alexisgeorge.com, theknot.com, inthenow.com, theknot.com; Middle Row; theknot.com x2; Bottom Row; projectwedding.com, inthenow.com, theknot.com.)

baby beehive is here!

I think these are so adorable. The folks at Beehive Kitchenware have some new baby things on their site, and we had to show a preview of them here. These spoons are so sweet. You have to click on the link (at their site) to see the back of the spoons, it's pretty cute.

New Magazine: Truant Magazine

Oh how fun! Erin of Design for Mankind and Jessica of The Shiny Squirrel have created a new online travel magazine called Truant Magazine. It focuses on the recommendations of artists, designers, and locals that live and breathe in specific destinations.

Their first issue includes walking tours, secret spots, and great places in New York that you need to see on your next day of playing Hooky.

Download is just $ 2.00 and you will receive a link once your order is processed through paypal. They apparantly also have some delightful free gifts when you make your purchase as well.

Truant Magazine

reyart

There's a gentle beauty to these felted items by Dutch fibre artist, Reya Veltman. Combining wetfelting with machine stitched spirals for the bowl, pebble and wool roving for the abstract tree-like sculptures, an amazing handfelted scarf and finally organic-inspired pod bowls with coloured eye-catching interiors.

Reya Veltman
www.reyart.nl