I love these individual lucite letters from Tory Burch! Of course I spelled out Design Crush, but that’s neither here nor there. They’d look amazing in my office perched atop a big block of shelves.
Posted In accessories, house and home
Welcome to our newest monthly column, Tips&Tricks! Ways to make your life easier, save you time, and generally make your days better. Each month we’ll be sharing a collection of helpful ideas from around the web, most will focus on a specific theme but we’re starting off fast and loose for February. Feel free to chime in with tried and true tips and tricks of your own in the comments!
01/ How to clean up files for a faster Mac.
02/ The easiest way to hang anything with T-slots.
03/ How to remove leftover wax from candle jars.
04/ Make homemade Vicks Vapor show disks.
05/ Revive gross old paintbrushes.
06/ 50 new uses for old things.
07/ How to calculate yardage for window coverings.
08/ Eucalyptus in the shower.
09/ How to ditch water rings on wood.
10/ How to fix wooden floor dents.
11/ Get your paperwork organized for 2013.
12/ The best times to buy certain things.
Lots of things need special care come the colder months – your car, your home, and definitely you. I’m sort of ashamed to admit to it, but this is the first time in my life I’ve ever made changes to my everyday routine to account for winter. (Just another thing that happens once you hit your 30s I suppose!) The biggest deviation for me has been adding crazy amounts of moisture to my skin and drinking so much water. I’m crazy dry this year and I’m doing all I can to stay hydrated inside and out. Here’s my Winter Maintenance Package, have anything special in your arsenal that I should add to mine? Please share!
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo + Conditioner. My hair is probably the one thing that isn’t dry, but I’m addicted to the minty smell and tingly scalp sensation these leave behind.
Bliss Soapy Suds Body Wash + Bubble Bath. In the Blood Orange + White Pepper, please. This isn’t specifically to add moisture, but I can’t get enough of the light scent and gads of bubbles. One of the few products I use year-round.
EOS Shave Cream. A few years ago my skin started freaking out after I shaved, it was super sensitive all of a sudden. After trying a slew of products this is the one that was most calming, it’s also very moisture rich.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. I was lucky enough not to have teenage acne, but it bit me in the ass in the form of cystic adult acne once I hit 30. My dermatologist recommended this above all others and I love how smooth and soft it makes my face feel. Also, fewer breakouts and no tightness post-wash.
Bliss Maximum Moisture Cream Body Butter. Let’s talk body butter, because I know what you’re thinking. Thick. Greasy. No thanks. This product is the exact opposite of that despite the name. It’s light and absorbs into your skin immediately. I have never found a lotion I love more. Oh, and it smells lovely too. I use this before bed most nights.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer. I didn’t know this moisturizer existed until a few months ago. My skin is combination and it’s always been impossible to use the same facial lotion all over. Until this. It’s light, sinks in, doesn’t make me shiny, and has an SPF of 50+.
Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Lotion. It should come as no surprise that I first encountered this lotion at my Grandma’s over the holidays. I was desperate for something to stop the itching and flaking so I tried it. And it worked. So good that I bought some as soon as I got home and use it every day.
C.O. Bigelow Chapped Hands Remedy. I’ve had this for years, which shows how little you need to use. My hands aren’t chapped, but I hate wearing gloves so the backs get dry. Before bed I use some of this peppermint miracle and things stay soft as can be.
Honest Organic Lip Balm. I’m a lip balm junky/whore/addict and this is my latest obsession. Right now I’m using the Lavender Mint and it’s the best smelling, smoothest stuff. I can’t get enough of it.
Bliss High Intensity 24 Heaven. This is basically the older, wiser sister of Bliss’s Body Butter. I put it on my feet a few times a week before putting my socks on and it works miracles.
MAC Pro Longwear Eye Liner. In black. Always black. This is one of the only eye liners I’ve found that actually stands the test of a day. It’s also a softer pencil, which means you don’t end up stabbing yourself in the eyelid as much which is always welcome.
Maybelline The Falsies Mascara. My favorite mascara is this one, it adds length and volume to my lashes which is a necessity when going for a semi-natural look.
Laura Geller Balance n Brighten SPF 15 Color Correcting Foundation. Whew, that’s a mouthful. I found this a random way as well, by my mom ordering it on QVC. Yup, for real. I like to use a light layer over my foundation in place of powder for some extra coverage.
Stila Convertible Color. If I had to swear allegiance to one thing in my makeup bag it would be this one. It gives a great pop of color to my fair complexion, and being a cream adds moisture instead of wicking it away like a powder blush.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15. This foundation gives great coverage. I use a light layer under my powder foundation and it’s like magic for dark spots.
Rimmell Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer. I don’t use this primer every day, only when I know it’s going to be a long day of makeup wear and I need some help keeping it on. It helps me face look a little dewy and hangs on to my foundation for dear life.
Posted In beauty bag, my life
Have you ever had someone from one chapter of your life pop up again in another one way down the road? I’ve had it happen to me a few different times, the most recent with illustrator Emily McDowell. The two of us attended advertising portfolio school together, and a few months ago our paths crossed again. This time in our post-agency careers. It was a welcome surprise, and the icing on the cake was realizing she was the Emily McDowell whose work I’d been seeing everywhere recently! Life is definitely funny sometimes.
So to celebrate friendship, Emily and I are teaming up on a giveaway of her lovely work. The winner will receive the print of their choice from Emily’s shop along with a second print for their best friend!
This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Shell!
To Enter:
1. Visit Emily’s shop.
2. Leave a comment below telling me which print your BFF would love best.
3. Do both before Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 11:59 pm CST.
A winner will be chosen randomly shortly after the giveaway closes. Good Luck!
Posted In create, illustration, paper goods, prints, win it
What would Awards Season be without sassy, smart, witty women dressed in stunning frocks? Oh sure, a bunch of awards and acknowledgements about hours of blood, sweat, and tears poured out of actors and actresses. (But really, it’s all about the dresses.) Here are a few of the trends rocking the red carpet during 2013’s accolades.
Ona Leather Bustier Gown by alice + olivia // Florence Gown by Reem Acra
One of my favorite trends that’s always present on the red carpet are layered tulle skirts. So ethereal and ultra feminine, they have the ability to turn any lady into a star for the evening. And they nearly always end up on the Best Dressed lists!
Nicolette Leather Trim Gown by Catherine Deane // Side Drape Gown by Halston Heritage
This year I’ve noticed a lot of cutouts and black/white dichotomies, both are all about geometry. While the striking black and white ensembles are visually powerful, the cutout panels bring a strong confidence all their own. Neither is for the weak at heart.
Wrap Cowl Sequin Gown by Elie Saab // Nannie Sequin Knit Maxi Dress by Calypso St. Barth
Now, as always, sequins and shimmery beading are show-stoppers that a lady simply can’t go wrong with. These dresses say all eyes on me in the best possible way.
Crepe Dress by Marchesa // Embellish Collar Georgette Gown by Elie Saab
Figure-skimming gowns with one embellished area are hot this season. I love the understated quality (if that’s possible in a gown) of these garments, they really allow the women wearing them to shine bright and be the focus.
Baileys Tiramisu Parfait // Easy Baileys Brownies // Baileys Hazelnut & Ice Cream
Everyone knows the best part of any event is the After Party, and when you’ve worked tirelessly to fit into a form-fitting dress the pinnacle are the sweets waiting at the end of the evening.
If you’ll be tuning in to the Oscars this Sunday you can find me tweeting along at @designcrush!
Sponsored by Baileys Original. Join @BaileysOriginal on Twitter to celebrate #girlsnight and the women of the Red Carpet.
01/ Laser cut leg wear inspired by molting animals.
02/ Pretty IP creates a color palette from your computer’s IP address.
03/ Oh you know, just a shower that works like a car wash.
04/ Print out this Oscar ballot before Sunday’s awards show.
05/ Carpets made from socks and shirts.
06/ Animals sculpted from colored shards of glass.
07/ I don’t like snakes, but I love Milky Joe in his handmade pink sweater!
08/ Now these are some crazy insane birds nests.
09/ A map of the US made from 50,000 wooden matchsticks.
10/ Love this print – The Various Varieties of Vegetables!
A bar cart is something that I’ve wanted for a really long time. I’ve always had dreams of playing the hostess, guests walking in my front door and me smoothly offering them a signature drink. The Leon Iron and Mirror Bar Cart from Arteriors Home is a nice match for the mid-century decor I already have in my home. It’s also nice and narrow, really good for small spaces. And do you spy those antiqued mirror shelves? So good mixed with the industrial iron frame.
So, what goes into putting together a great bar cart? Start with the basic liquors – vodka, whisky, rum, gin – as well as any you use regularly. For me those are tequila, Pimm’s, amaretto, and Cointreau. The middle shelf of this particular bar cart is extra tall and nice for bottles of unusual sizes. But since I don’t have any of those at the moment I had a piece of lumber cut to size, then stained and sealed it to make extra space for the hammered metal bowl I use for an ice bowl by laying it across the end bars. Now it’s easy to leverage the extra vertical space and easy to remove when needed!
Next comes the essential pieces of barware. Most importantly a cocktail shaker, jigger, and some varied glassware. The types I use most are tumblers, collins glasses, and shot glasses. Again, it’s all about making the pieces you find yourself using most easy to access. I also like to keep some disposable coasters around for when there are more than four people and my every day ones are maxed out.
Now yes, I’m aware that not everyone drinks alcohol which is why I also like to add some sparkling waters to the mix. Add a few slices of citrus and it still feels special. Fun accessories like these short stubby paper straws and the (hidden) colored glass stirrers are also great to keep on hand.
You all know there’s absolutely no way I could talk all about bar carts and not give you a new cocktail to try! We’re heading into the last month of super cold weather, which means beating the winter blues and taking full advantage of the bounty of citrus are both of the utmost importance. This Grapefruit Gin Sour takes both things into account, which means you should make room in your weekend to try it out firsthand.
Grapefruit Gin Sour
serves 1
• 1 oz gin
• 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice (or go the easy route with bottled ruby red)
• .5 oz fresh lime juice
• .5 oz simple syrup
Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice, then add the rest of the ingredients. Shake away for about 30 seconds, then strain into glass. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or lime and enjoy! Sour, sweet, and full of vitamins which means it’s basically a health drink.
Disclaimer: My Leon Iron and Mirror Bar Cart from Arteriors Home was provided by Euro Style Lighting. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Design Crush going!
Posted In cocktails, entertaining, recipes, sponsored post
Clockwise from top left: Fur and Glasses by Audrey Jeanne // Black Kitty Cat Watercolor by Littlecatdraw // Ben Folds Five concert poster by Jason Munn // Black Cat by Leah Reena Goren
Posted In art exhibition, create, graphics, illustration, painting, paper goods, posters, prints
It’s here! Awards Season is once again upon us – did you catch the Grammys last Sunday? So many wardrobe hits/misses and unexpected wins and losses that it’s a shame to watch alone, don’t you think? Well, I do. So I’ve put together a little inspiration for my ideal Awards Season party including decor, appetizers, desserts, and cocktails. My goal was to create a bit of an old Hollywood-meets-cozy winter wonderland feel with a twist.
THE LOOK
DIY Mercury Glass Votive Holders – A Beautiful Mess
Brushstroke Dinnerware – Diane Von Furstenberg
Silvery Chevron Tray – BHLDN
Lockport Portable Fireplace – Holly & Martin
Eclectic Candles – Tom Dixon
Lighted Birch Forest – Terrain
THE APPS
Easy Salt & Vinegar Veggie Chips – eBakerie
Ricotta with Lemon, Basil + Honey Bruschetta – Martha Stewart
Fries with Lemon + Rosemary Salt – Alexandra Cooks
Crab Spring Rolls – Cajunlicious
Kale + Artichoke Dip – Spoon Fork Bacon
Garlic + Herb Stuffed Brussels Sprouts
THE SWEETS
Clementine Cake – A Tasty Love Story
Coffee Meringues – My Kitchen Affair
Chocolate Orange Bark – Cake Merchant
THE LIBATIONS
Baileys Over Ice
Baileys and Coffee
Baileys Hazelnut Martini
Sponsored by Baileys Original. Join @BaileysOriginal on Twitter to celebrate #girlsnight and the women of the Red Carpet.
Two new lithography prints from Dorothy, both made up entirely of from the names of bands and songs with colors in the title! The Colour of Song features the titles of 576 songs, while The Colour of Popular Music features the names of 154 bands and artists.
Posted In create, graphics, music, paper goods, prints