August 31, 2017

August Favorites

1/ The Crafter’s Box
The Crafter’s Box brings together experienced makers who curate a unique box of tools and materials to build something beautiful. One box/project is released each month with delivery to your door and an online workshop to guide you. I’m working on this large-scale stenciled linen throw at the moment.

2/ Soo Ae Charcoal Clay Bubble Mask
Using activated binchotan charcoal, kaolin bentonite clay, and oxygen bubbles this mask puffs up and looks hilarious all while purifying, brightening, and refining your skin. It only takes up about five minutes of your time and will leave your face baby smooth.

3/ Poise Accessory Tray
I’d been looking for a way to organize my most worn earrings, bracelets, and pins when I came across this brass double-decker tray. It’s a great size and I love the minimal look.

4/ Giant Zinnias
My mom and stepdad planted these guys for the first time this year and ended up with a bumper crop! I pillaged what was left last weekend and made a note to add some to my own yard next spring.

5/ The Mac & Gold Truck
If you’re in Pittsburgh, you need to check these guys out – it’s all mac ‘n cheese all the time. I had some with BBQ brisket and fried onions that has me salivating at the memory.

6/ Leona’s Ice Cream Sandwiches
Leona’s is a Pittsburgh legend, small batch ice cream pints and sandwiches using local dairy and ingredients in the most interesting pairings. Oh, and it’s all lactose-free. This one was peanut butter cookie with strawberry ice cream.

7/ Caramel Wallet
I haven’t owned a proper wallet in at least five years, but when I saw Sseko Designs’ minimal caramel wallet in buttery leather I had to have it. It holds the few cards and cash I carry with my daily and helps end the cycle of poverty by educating and empowering women. Win-win.

Posted In favorites, series
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August 30, 2017

Sweeper and Funnel

 

I’m trying out this experiment – if my cleaning supplies are more pleasing aesthetically, will I in turn clean more often? Like would this very pretty and functional sweeper and funnel make me more likely to sweep up the furry tumbleweeds the dogs create or pick up the litter the cats scatter outside of the box? I say yes.

 

 

 

Posted In accessories, create, grand design, house and home, living
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August 30, 2017

Hitomi Hosono

 

Hitomi Hosono‘s ceramics are rooted in both Japanese and European traditions, as she’s studied in Japan, the UK, and Denmark. (Whoa!) The super detailed foliage in Hosono’s current work sucks the viewer right in. And if you’re like me, at some point you’ll forget that what you’re examining isn’t the real thing.

“The subjects of my current porcelain work are shapes inspired by leaves and flowers. I study botanical forms in the garden. I find myself drawn to the intricacy of plants, examining the veins of a leaf, how its edges are shaped, the layering of a flower’s petals. I look, I touch, I draw.”

 

 

 

 

 

Posted In create, sculpture
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August 29, 2017

Tsumiki Stacking Blocks

 

Tsumiki Stacking Blocks are essentially Japan’s super sleek answer to Legos. Structurally a triangle is the strongest geometric shape, and architect Kengo Kuma has turned it into a playful and interactive building set. Each piece is crafted with Japanese cedar with notches cut into the tip of each block that allow them to be stacked. These blocks may be made for kids, but I’d happily use them too!

 

 

Posted In accessories, house and home, kids, living
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August 29, 2017

Rachel Goodyear

 

Rachel Goodyear‘s illustrations and animated drawings could be straight out of a book full of dark and obscure fairytales. Each beautifully thought out piece leaves me wondering about the story behind it all – did they come to her in dreams, an old family grimoire, or what??? Rachel’s mastery of form only adds to the enjoyment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted In create, illustration
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August 28, 2017

Dagne Dover

 

Even though I haven’t been traveling nearly as much, hunting down great pieces to make it easier is still basically a pastime. Dagne Dover creates some very thoughtfully designed pieces that do just that – even if your travel is only a commute. Their smart living pieces are constructed by combining the beauty of fashion with athlete caliber function for the best of both worlds.

 

 

 

 

Posted In bags, style, wear it
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August 28, 2017

Paloma Rincón

 

It’s Monday! Let’s start the week off with something fun, shall we? Madrid-based, Mexican-born photographer Paloma Rincón creates her work at the intersection of photography, sculpture, design, installation, and illustration. At that confluence lie shapes, textures, materials, lights and colors all blended together in unexpectedly bold graphic compositions. Rincón clearly has the gift of creating dynamism in her still, harmonious imagery.

Shop Paloma Rincón’s work

 

 

 

 

 

Posted In create, photography
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August 24, 2017

Crepe Cakes 15 Ways

Truth: I’ve never made a single crepe. But making a bunch for a cake seems as good a way to start as any. Crepe cakes are deliciously decadent French desserts that don’t require baking, which is always a plus in my book. Have a look at these fifteen takes on the classic and tell me – have you ever made one?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on each image to go to the recipe.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

Posted In food, living, recipes, round up, series
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