weekend project

Get an early(ish) start on holiday gifts this weekend by making some simple and unique items that can't be found in the stores. Here are a few of my favorites from Martha Stewart.

Coasters are a great hostess gift and I love that these are made from maps, especially ones from vacations and important places. Click here for instructions.


Not your everyday gift, but for a man who seems to have everything this is the perfect practical gift. Instructions here.

What girl doesn't like to receive jewelry? These fancy necklaces seem vintage and delicate but are super easy to make and perfect for Mom or your best friend (or both). Instructions.


'Tis the season for candles, and lots of them! I love these candles poured into vintage teacups. Mismatched cups are easy to find at flea markets and second hand stores. Grab yourself a block of soy or natural beeswax to make sure your gifts are non-toxic. Instructions


These soaps are great gifts, but also perfect to have in a guest bathroom this holiday. Instructions.

found it at a flea market

While scouring the Long Beach Antique Market last weekend, I cam across this cool metal basket that was the perfect size to hold my floor plans and rolls of trace and graph paper. To check out the market for yourself, visit http://www.longbeachantiquemarket.com

Etsy Home Inspiration

Here are some fun ways to spruce up your decor before the holidays, courtesy of the artists at Etsy.


Mail yourself a pillow with a postcard label from VintageJamie



Guess Whoooo's coming to dinner? Adorable owl clock by Decoylab



add these to your guest bedroom to make your guests feel welcome. I heart robot pillowcases by mengeseldesign



store books, remotes or your weekend project in this shaggy bucket from Shaggy Baggy



Having guests in the kitchen means having extra towels around...I love these quail towels from artgoodies!

weekend project

I stumbled across this picture in a magazine recently and was awed by their casual elegance. Unaware of the price tag (not even going to guess), I decided to embark on the project of trying to create my own version of these...or at least one of them. I'll start with the small one.

In other knit pillow news, if you prefer that classic cable knit sweater look ~which I fall in love with every year about this time~ there are plenty of surprisingly simple patterns out there to create the sweater pillow of your dreams. I found this one at the AOK Corral. It comes with fairly descript directions and a beginners guide for those of us who are pretty fresh to the knitting world (I've actually known how to for years, but never graduated beyond the very long scarf project).





I'll let you know how my project goes and feel free to send me feedback on yours as well. Happy Weekend!

great finds

I love it when I stumble onto great websites and blogs, and I love sharing them too. Researching for a recent post, I ran across a company called Abitare that sells unique housewares and gifts. I really have a thing for pottery molded from other objects (like Lorena Barrezueta's sweet collection of classic takeout containers) so I was immediately drawn to the ceramic tin can containers here.




Among many great gifts under $50 was the copper tortoise grater- super cute and functional, just the way I like it.




and these sea urchin bud vases would be great on a bookshelf or a tabletop.




be sure to also check out the blog, with lots of daily inspiration!

mirror mirror

My weekend project from 10/16 was focused on a large mirror that I wanted to give a little update to. Here's how it went:

Here is the (unassuming) mirror in its originial state.

All taped off and ready to go

Not sure if she likes it yet... (sorry, I had to throw that in!)

The process included two coats of flat grey wall paint

Followed by a coat of white paint brushed on then wiped off. D and I did this twice, okay he did this part.

And here is the final result. The mirror is on the wall in the master bedroom. While we were at it I painted a small side table for a nightstand. I'll post pictures when the room is more together.

one man's treasure

Check out our sweet finds from the Pasadena Flea Market last weekend. After a little sanding and some (non-toxic) clearcoat, the rocking chairs will be gracing our patio. More on the table later.

weekend project

If you are in the market for a rug but can't quite seem to find the perfect pattern, color or size, this is the perfect project for you this weekend.



It's a canvas rug, and it actually requires very little skill in the painting department. If you opt for a pattern like the one above, you can make or download a really simple stencil from Martha Stewart.com. Using a canvas drop cloth makes this totally budget friendly, as they run about $20 for a large one.

For full instructions click here and enjoy your weekend!

weekend project

This weekend I will be working on revamping a mirror I bought from Ikea a few years ago. The black-brown just isn't doing it for me anymore so I'm going to try my hand at a finishing technique that will give it a faux bois look (despite the fact that it is actually wood). If all goes well, it should turn out something like this:

Mirror - Mongstad, $99 at Ikea

I'll post the results and process when it's finished. Happy weekend!

in the library 10.05.09

In the midst of transforming my kitchen, I am inspired by a sweet little book on vintage kitchen linens.

find the book at Amazon or your favorite local retailer.

{fall} weekend project

Now is a great time to get started on projects that will keep you cozy as the weather turns cooler. Here are a few quick and easy projects courtesy of the queen of crafting, Martha Stewart. Happy Weekend!

Sweater Pillows


Quick Quilt


Slipper Socks


Oak Leaf Bowl

in the library 9.21.09

I love fall weather, and each year I get nostalgic about the days I used to spend all bundled up going to flea markets and antique shows. If you're like me, you'll love this week's book selection, which shows some great ways to incorporate your fancy finds into your existing decor.

On a side note: if you don't get the fall weather because you're in L.A., but want to enjoy a day at the flea market, the Pasadena Flea Market is an awesome one. It's held the first Sunday of every month from 8-3 at Pasadena City College. More information here.

find it at amazon or your favorite local retailer

in the library 9.14.09

A great designer will take a client's true personality and turn it into a functional space. Objects and artifacts can be as important in a room as the furniture and wall treatments that surround them.

This week's book selection is a showcase of just that.

click here to buy online, or purchase from your favorite local retailer.

End of Summer Party

Labor Day usually signals the end of summer (and the use of white pants and shoes) but it doesn't mean that you have to give up that laid back summer attitude. Give your grill and patio furniture one last go-round before the weather starts to turn with an end of summer party.

fretwork glass and wood tray, Dransfield & Ross
ceramic take-out dishes, Lorena Barrezueta
black and white table runner, plum party
natural oval baskets, plum party
tree towels, Branch Handmade
strawberry angel food trifle, epicurious - recipe
frosted glasses, vivaterra
parmesan roasted butternut squash, epicurious - recipe

One-of-a-Kind Recycled Home Decor

I had to share an article posted this morning on The Daily Green. Here are a few of my favorites.

One-of-a-Kind Recycled Home Decor







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beachy green

Summer is in full swing and the local heat wave is practically forcing people to hang out at the beach. But with all the cars baking in parking lots, trash that gets buried in the sand, and chemical sunscreens washed off in the ocean, a day at the beach isn't exactly good for the environment.

If saving Mother Earth is your M.O. and you want to do it in style, these eco-friendly beach finds will be right up your alley. Let's see if we can keep our footprint the size of the ones we leave in the sand.


These bamboo and organic cotton beach towels are a perfect blend. The colors are fun, plus the bamboo makes them super soft and the cotton makes them absorbent. Find them at Sea Glass Organic


This bag can go from beach to barbeque. Made from repurposed sailcloth, it's water resistant and will keep its shape when you plop it in the sand. Also at Sea Glass Organic.


I love this organic cotton bikini from BTC Elements...
and this dress from Patagonia to thrown on later


Pack a picnic and stay all day with containers from ReusableBags.com




These fun and flexible bowls will fit easily into whatever space is left in the bag.




And dont' forget the sunscreen!


The Sun Stick from Purple Prairie Botanicals is perfect for keeping in your beach bag all season long.


The Sun Shield system from MyChelle works to prevent sun damage, but it also contains ingredients with anti-aging properties, pain relief and anti-inflammatories. Perfect for the people who have already been in the sun a little too long...but aren't quite ready to pack it up.