Hello Monday! This week starts off with some major lusting from me over every single item from The English Dept. 2010 Bridal Show, but especially over all of the gorgeous handmade headpieces (via Twigs & Honey). Why do I live during a time when these can’t be in regular fashion? I truly know that I was born two centuries too late. For the entire slideshow of the bridal show, click here.
{images shown taken by Laura Warninger}
I’ve got to to share these little stuffed animals from textile designer Sian Keegan with you. Dear lord, are they cute or what! And she also does commissioned ones of people’s pets. I would give my left arm to have little versions of my two cats. I’m seriously dying over here from cuteness overload.
{images shown belong to Sian Keegan}
One of my favorite types of cuisine is Indian, thanks to my husband who is head-over-heels for it and insisted that I keep trying it until eventually, I fell for it too. The combination of spices are unlike anything else, and was for me (I was a very picky and bland eater) hard to take at first. But over time, I grew to like the flavors and now especially during the winter months I find myself craving it, wanting to warm up from the inside on out. Chana Masala is one of my favorites, and is also one that I’ve found is easier to make. None of my attempts at making Indian cuisine have really tasted like the actual stuff, but this dish can come close. I haven’t tried this particular recipe yet, but it looks like just the thing to experiment with this chilly winter weekend.
Chana Masala (from Smitten Kitchen)
{image shown belongs to Smitten Kitchen)
(Margaret Roach’s gorgeous garden)
Today as I walked past the front garden beds on my way to the car, a hint of green caught my eye. I took a closer look and discovered several of my tulip bulbs have already sprouted about an inch. Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s clearly still the middle of winter and I’m not suppose to be seeing those guys anytime soon. The funny thing is that it honestly hasn’t been warm at all lately, so I’m completely perplexed as to why they’re peeking out so early. However, tulips are hardy and I’m guessing they’ll hold put as is until spring emerges. But it got me thinking about the garden and how much I miss being out there, getting my hands dirty and clearing my head. Thank goodness for Margaret Roach’s blog and book, both of the same name, A Way to Garden. It’s just the thing I need to cure my winter garden blues. Of all my gardening books, that is hands down my absolute favorite (for it’s inspiration as well as it’s information). It’s sadly out-of-print now, but if you love to garden then do yourself a favor and find one used.
{image shown belongs to Margaret Roach and A Way to Garden blog}
I am once again in awe of what paper can be turned into. Amazing paper masks, hats and wigs by Flurry & Salk (found via Oh Joy!).
{images shown belong to Flurry & Salk}
A recent post over at Martha’s Crafts Dept. stopped me in my designer tracks. I’m quite the fan of creating inspirational boards and collages, both virtually on the computer as well on the wall in my workspace. I also keep a sketchbook which is never for sketching, but is to be used soley for keeping track of inspiring photos, designs, textures, typefaces, and color palettes. However, I’ve never thought of collecting things to be kept in a box! The idea of physically going through all of your materials, getting the tactile sensation of ribbon, papers and the like and being able to group them per project? Well Martha, that is a very good thing.
{images shown belong to The Crafts Dept. and belong to Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia}
This weekend should be filled with lots of cleaning, designing, planning, and of course seeing close friends and family. I hope it also involves a warm fireplace (it is freezing here today), staying in my pj’s, and some good hot cocoa. To start off my day of designing, I perused my Flickr Favorites (something I should do more often). It’s interesting to see the images as a whole, and this page is my favorite combination of other talented people’s photos:
What do you plan on doing this weekend?
- Colleen
After recently coming across letterpress studio Pancake & Franks, I’ve fallen in love with their The Sterling Sparrow Suite. The letterpressed speckled egg and birds nest images are simply perfect.
{images shown belong to Pancake & Franks}
Some lovely brooches, hair pins, necklaces and more from London-based designer Anna Alicia. Perfect Valentine’s Day gifts!
{images shown belong to A Alicia Handmade Accessories}
