I’m a big fan of artist Emily Barletta‘s work. I mean, anyone who has the level of patience it takes and the talent to conceive of such intricate art sewn on paper deserves lots of love and admiration. The close-ups tell the whole story.
I can be described as having a brown thumb at best. I have an odd talent for growing African violets that thrive, and not much else. Succulents hate me and I even once killed a cactus. I’m That Girl. So with all of that out in the open – whew! – you can see why I’m always on the look out for tips & tricks that might help me out a bit.
Square Foot Gardening: How to Get Started for $50. (Infographic)
Propogating succulents from leaves.
Build a $10 cedar raised garden bed.
Get your kids’ involved in gardening.
Paint rocks like strawberries to protect the real thing.
How to plan your vegetable and herb garden.
DIY Glowing outdoor orbs for your patio.
Nine ways to bring nature indoors for brown thumbs.
Make an easy shoe and foot washing station.
How to fix dents in wooden floors and furniture.
Take advantage of this printable garden planner.
Learn how to garden in gutters.
Ten secrets for extending the life of cut flowers.
Homesteading: How Much Land Do You Need to Go Off the Grid.
Ten indoor plants you can’t kill.
Ten spring window gardening tips.
Fifteen must-haves for the herb gardener.
Posted In outdoors, round up, tips + tricks
01/ Message of support for Boston light up New York.
02/ Need ideas on where to go for a first date?
03/ 30 of the most beautiful abandoned places in the world.
04/ The Greatest Band Ever.
05/ Every office should have a Convertible Napping Desk!
06/ Gussy up your MacBook with a wooden keyboard.
07/ Who knew salt could be so beautiful?
08/ Sketch artist experiment shows women are more beautiful than they think.
09/ This tree house is nicer than my house house.
10/ What can happen in the space between buildings.
And in case you missed anything this week…
Mix #24: Still the Water Stood
Sunglasses Pouch
Fashionably Flexible: Day to Night 3 Ways + Pin Your Style Contest
April DIYs
Optical Earrings
Note Takin’
National Painting Week: Inspiration Realized
Tower Blocks Paper Notes
Colorblocked
UZI Color Block Dress by Totokaelo // Super Skinny Pieced Colorblock Jeans by J Brand // Armelle dress by Maje
Colorblocking. It’s the fashion trend that showed up in our lives just about a year ago and shows no sign of being played out any time soon. I’ve loved seeing this look evolve from brights and neons to more subdued palettes, and tracking the different ways designers make it their own – in fashion and beyond. So what about you, love it or tired of it?
Colorblocked Linen Dress by Tsumore Chisato // Colorblock Dress be BB Dakota // Hot Pink + Mustard Silk Organza Full Skirt by Roksanda Ilincic
Mirage Dress by Samantha Pleet // Anissa Dress by Toast // Diem Two-Tone Silk Top by Equipment
Posted In round up, wear it
I’m a firm believer that desk and office accessories should not only be functional but fun. I love the graphic treatment that each one of these Tower Blocks Paper Notes received, and am 99% positive I would arrange them all in a skyline on my desk. (via bltd)
Posted In office, paper goods
Last week I let you in on my front door makeover project I worked on with Sherwin-Williams for National Painting Week, and I’m so excited to finally be able to share the results! I can’t believe I put up with it in its dingy off-whiteness for as long as I did (4 1/2 years!), but spring is the perfect time for adding some color to all aspects of life, don’t you think?
Oh, hey there dirty post-winter porch and dormant flower bed! My house was definitely in a state of PLEASE HELP ME as far as curb appeal goes. (If you look closely you can spy my dogs, Piper and Bebe, in each window agreeing vehemently.)
Even though my door and frame were light in color, I opted to add a layer of primer for full color development upon the advice of the consultants at my local Sherwin-Williams store. But before that I neatly taped off the frame from the brick exterior and around all of the fixtures. What I forgot to do was cover the doorknob in foil (a fantastic trick). Whoops.
I did a little research pre-project on the best way to tackle the process, and it turns out there is a recommended way in which to paint a door. Painting in this order helps to eliminate excess visible paint strokes and globs. (It totally worked.)
1. The recesses in each interior panel.
2. The interior panels.
3. The cross-sections between panels.
4. The outermost borders.
Two coats of Energetic Orange in Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior Acrylic Latex paint (and some fresh spring flowers) later and I was done! I’m looking forward to being able to tell new visitors that my house is “the last one on the left, the one with the orange door”!
I’d love to add a brass knocker and doorbell cover like the photo that inspired my makeover, and hopefully some interesting house numbers. This project has also given me the motivation to paint the trim and other exterior doors on my home a charcoal grey. It’s going to be amazing. My neighbor complimented me on the fresh look the other day and asked if I did this sort of thing for a living! (It was a long answer.)
Definitely pop over to visit The Brick House to see more orange today, and Vintage Revivals and Style by Emily Henderson tomorrow for their red projects! And, you’re in luck. The Sherwin-Williams National Painting Week SuperSale starts tomorrow and runs through April 22nd, with offers of 40% off paints and stains and 30% off painting supplies it’s too good to pass up.
Disclaimer: This project and post are sponsored by Sherwin-Williams. All opinions and words are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Design Crush going!
Posted In house and home, sponsored post
ROW 1: Postalco Wheel Printed Notebook // Creatures of Comfort Graffiti Memo Pad // Kate Spade Saturday Slim Notebook in Signature Zig Zag ROW 2: Omoi Zakka Shop Mark’s Decorationery A5 Notebook // Season Paper Set of 3 Notebooks ROW 3: Arminho Marbled Notebook // Arminho Lot 3 Shopping List Notepad // Jen Garrido Neon Notebook Trio
Posted In notebooks + journals, paper goods, round up
These Bunkai Pierce colored and patterned earrings look like they were made for summer and spring! Each one is made from separate layers of transparent colored acrylic that only create their bright designs when brought together. They must feel like wearing air, so light.
Click on each image to go to the project.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.
Let’s talk flexibility – in life, in your wardrobe, and in technology. I think it’s something that’s easy to take for granted when we have it in our possession, and something greatly missed when it is not. For example, a great outfit that takes you seamlessly from your day to night plans. Or a great piece of technology like the Envy x2 with Intel Inside® that has the power of two devices in one, both laptop and tablet.
Edun Mesh Back Jumpsuit in Etched Poppies Print by ASOS // Watermelon Tourmaline Ambro Ring by Catbird // Shapes Necklace by Alicia Mohr // Alisson Tote by Christopher Kon // Keyhole Slingback Wedges by Anthropologie
Moroccan Tank Polka by Virginia Johnson // Marrakesh Kick Flare Jeans by MiH // Mini Heart Necklace by ginette_ny // AUDEN Crystal Stud Earrings // Cream Canvas Magazine Tote at Henri Bendel // Black Doodle high Heel Clogs by ANNTIAN
Black Crane Long Strap Dress by Totokaelo // Safety First Brass Earrings by Melanie Favreau // Sailor’s Love Knot Ring by Nested Yellow // Raw Wallet by Rib and Hull // Clio Two-Tone Leather Sandals by Ancient Greek Sandals
But the fun is only starting! Just like Project Runway contestants show off their personal fashion every week, HP and Intel invite you to Pin Your Style. Want to participate in The HP + Intel + Project Runway Pin Your Style Contest? It’s easy and I promise you – worth it!
Pin a photo of the Envy x2 with Intel Inside® via the Pin It button on the Pin Your Style contest page. Then build a board that represents that week’s theme (in this case flexible fashion). Check out the weekly Pinsetter images on the site for inspiration.
Submit your board’s URL into the site to enter, then share your board with friends to earn the most votes!
Win prizes like an Envy x2 with Intel Inside® and a gift card to bring your style to life by getting the top votes for your board.
This post is sponsored by HP and Intel. Pin Your Style with HP + Intel + Project Runway to win chic HP products. Pin now.
Posted In bags, jewelry, shoes, sponsored post, technology, wear it