CRAFT IT: platypus designer duct tape

these lovely gifts would make anyone's day brighter.

in addition to leading the marketing and creative direction for the brand, i styled these presents for the "remake christmas: make it with tape" holiday shoot for platypus designer duct tape.

you can create your own handmade packages too. here's how:

~ find modern + colorful gift wrap. these are from paper source in palo alto / san francisco (you can also order it online)

~ select a fun gift topper. these gorgeous handmade lollipops are from the candy store in san francisco.

~ make various styles of bows + then wrap with wide ribbon, crafted out of assorted platypus designer duct tape, of course!

my choices included:

~ pink polka dot

~ denim

~ leopard

~ wool stocking

~ houndstooth

i also gussied up the packages even further with some pretty french ribbon generously donated by rob's mom, louise jordan. she is one of the "platypus people" + was the "production assistant" on our holiday film shoot - pretty much the best PA ever!

now see, who can resist?

(not me. i basically pulled an all-nighter at the fortis design warehouse in raleigh, nc to make sure the film set and all of the styling was very "martha." oh, the things a girl will do in the name of platypus designer duct tape....It's not just for repair anymore.)

note it:

"she's crafty" by the beastie boys

TABLETOP TUESDAY - bow (ed) over

was bow(ed) over by this incredibly pretty + simple presentation.

(+ wishing i could throw myself another wedding shindig so i could DIY this lovely frosted cake with gold satin ribbon...)

note it:

"ribbon bow" by natalie merchant (iTunes session)

(photo credit: unknown)

THE "WRITE STUFF" - this blog

sorry, i've been gone awhile.

after 2.5 years of opining, it's good to take a break.

getting the blog mojo back.

so much noise out there.

i just want to be music to my own ears.

and yours.

note it:

"you really gotta hold on me" by she & him

(photo credit: no idea. i just like this image. can't recall where i pulled it. feels like they could be zooey deschanel + m. ward or quite possibly the white stripes?).

TABLETOP TUESDAY - green hues

for the holiday table, i'm thinking hues of green + cream with a dab of gold....and you?

note it:

"green christmas" by barenaked ladies

(photo credits: anthropologie catalog, nov '08; elle decor, jan '10; unknown; gumps ad; anthropologie catalog, nov '08)

TABLETOP TUESDAY - simply adore

i simply adore this simple statement.

perfect for thanksgiving or winter holidays.

note it:

"thankful" by kelly clarkson

(photo credit: torryne choate/birch sf)

SATURDAY'S SPOONFUL - a small dose of sugar, spice + everything nice

this vintage candy dish from etsy's ivorybird would be perfect for next halloween.

i just may have to treat myself.

note it:

"candy" by tom petty + the heartbreakers

GREEN IT: one happy dwarf

"whistle while you work...."

am coveting this 100% reclaimed metal necklace with textured floral pattern made by alkemie jewelry. (serious crush on designers, the LA-based husband-wife team of ashely lowengrub + dara gerson).

i have always believed that you can find beauty in the most ordinary things. case in point. eco-chic + so smart.

wearing this design would make me one happy dwarf.

note it:

"whistle while you work" by snow white and the seven dwarfs, disney

THE "WRITE" STUFF: fallen trees

i'm a sucker for trees.

not surprisingly, these limited-edition handcrafted recipe boxes from rifle paper co. really whet my whistle.

salvaged from destined-for-landfill trees, each is eco-friendly, gorgeously designed + one-of-a-kind. plus, these charming recipe cards are throwback + fun.

i think it's the perfect wedding/holiday gift. by stocking the box with collected family recipes, it becomes an instant heirloom...definitely the "write" stuff in my book.

to wit, charlie (my son who "schooled" me in the ways of an old-fashioned apple peeler/corer, my latest obsession from williams-sonoma) made this single-crust beauty. a snap to make - even if you're 4 years old!

just goes to show you that fallen trees are as fabulous as apples fallen from trees....nourishment for the body + soul.

note it:

"american pie" by don mclean

charlie's "4-step" apple pie

(closely adapted from "mustards grill napa valley cookbook")

~ 8 or so large apples - peeled, cored, sliced about 1/4" thick (i like a mix of mostly granny smith with a few honeycrisp or fuji thrown in for good measure. my tip: place the apples in cold water spiked with lemon juice to prevent them from browning.)

~ 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

~ 2 teaspoons penzey's madagascar or mexican vanilla

~ 1 cup sugar

~ 1 teaspoon of penzey's apple pie spice (or cinnamon, if you prefer)

~ 1/4 teaspoon salt

~ 2 tablespoons flour

----

~ 1 pillsbury refrigerated pie crust, taken out of refrigerator to soften 15 minutes prior to assembling pie

----

~ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits

step 1 - preheat oven to 425 degrees. make the filling by combining top (7) ingredients + toss to evenly mix.

step 2 - place pie crust in 9-inch pie dish, crimp the edges by hand. pile the filling into the pie dish.

step 3 - dot the pie with butter + place in freezer for 15 minutes to "set" the butter (otherwise, it gets too greasy when cooked).

step 4 - bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. then lower temperature to 375 degrees + bake for 40-45 minutes or so longer. (start checking at 40 minutes + remove from oven when filling is bubbly + apples soft when poked with a toothpick.) serve at room temperature with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

(photo credits: box, cards+tag/rifle paper co.; charlie+pie/lissa lowe; box close-ups/design*sponge)

STYLE IT: sugarboo

art prints in vintage wood frames.

perfect for any room in your home (and i personally think they would be incredibly special if hung in a nursery).

artful, soulful, beautiful...

sugarboo, i love you.

note it:

"those sweet words" by norah jones

TABLETOP TUESDAY - fashionable tole

these images from DVF's spring 2011 collection reminded me of these colorful tole trays that i snapped back in summer of 2009 at the springfield antique show + flea market, just outside of columbus, ohio.

corals, spring greens, pale greys, touches of blue. painterly patterns. color blocks. (the palette is right on par with pantone's spring 2011 color predictions - yay, diane!)

DVF's collection was inspired by isadora duncan and greek architecture, sky, sun and goddesses. clearly, she was spot on. what beautifully draped clothing and shoes.

and what about the models' lipstick - loved! i was immediately transported me to sunny santorini...

(it looks like a shade called "heat wave" from nars that i own + have been remiss to wear. come april, the hot lipped me...!)

boy, did i swoon over this collection. seems so wearable, relatively affordable, versatile, comfortable + so greek chic.

just like DVF herself.

now, back to the tole...tole trays like these make for fashionable tabletop, don't you think?

note it:

"island of wonder" by nelly furtado

(photo credits: lissa lowe/tole; others/DVF)

HUE: spring 2011's "wordly" palette

spring 2011 ushers in a playful + worldly palette that transitions nicely with fall/winter colors. while this palette represents directional colors for women's fashion, interiors is sure to follow suit (ha).

why? according to pantone's spring 2011 fashion report, designers want to give "consumers a chance to escape from everyday challenges with intriguing color combinations that conjure thoughts of tropical destinations and feelings of faraway lands."

it struck me that this striped chair i spied in a back issue of house beautiful (march 2005, ahead of its time) nods to this lively spring mix. not only perfect for textiles, why not consider a "coral rose" in textured grasscloth wallpaper or paint surrounded by crisp "super white" trim. or paint.

try phillip jeffries for amazingly colorful textured wallcoverings, like "vinyl glam grass coral" (a tempered coral rose as not quite as bright) or "extra-fine arrowroot in key west" (like peapod) "juicy jute grasscloth in blueberry" (similar to regatta).

who doesn't need daily sunshine to perk up a workday morning?

well that, and some serious java....

(speaking of, have become addicted to san francisco's ritual roasters, "miraflores." their frequent buyer card says "heavy drinker." so clever - i am one! i'll try to post a pic of this cute card soon).

note it:

"hanuman" by rodrigo y gabriela

TABLETOP TUESDAY - wood

wooden stuff.

wood and stuff.

either way, would like it all in my house.

p.s. this eco-chic table + tabletop would be really great for wedding décor!

p. p.s. sorry for the delay in posts. i was up at tahoe, laboring while labor day-ing. more fun stuff soon, including more "daily dose!"

note it:

"ain't no mountain high enough" by diana ross

(photo credit: house beautiful's "500 sensational ways to create your ideal home")

STYLE IT: floor boards

love your floor.

pick great shoes.

you'll keep looking down!!!

p.s. these are from j. crew's bridal boutique in manhattan....wouldn't they look cute with a chocolate tweed suit? i think, yes. i think, i want them. i think, i need to hit the big apple to check out these new, swoon-y digs, in person....yes, i think so.

note it:

"suit" from napoleon dynamite soundtrack

(photo credit: new york times)

SATURDAY'S SPOONFUL - a small dose of sugar, spice + everything nice

homemade oreos.

great idea for a kiddie birthday party, dinner party, dessert cocktail party or wedding reception.

serve with mini picardie glasses of milk and cute striped or neon straws.

yum.

note it:

"c is for cookie" by sesame street platinum: all time favorites

(photo credit: sorry, can't recall...)

STYLE IT: head sprung

accessorizing one's self is akin to accessorizing one's home. the smallest details really make a look sing...and separate the good from the fabulous!

to wit, these headpieces are incredible. wedding. dinner party. night on the town. intimate soiree. holiday party.

wearing one would make quite a statement.

made by hand by ban.do, these couture creations have names like:

~ floral sorbet - vintage flowers on a wire comb

~ fancy flower power - vintage purple millinery with flower flowers and vintage crystal brooch

~ let them eat cake - billowy blue vintage ostrich feather with grouping of vintage rhinestone earrings and brooches, hand sewn onto a pink ribbon wrapped halo

~ in the mix - curated vintage millinery feathers coupled with vintage rhinestone brooch

~ she reads keats - teal blue berries, blue velvet and satin leaves and gold velvet baby's breath all sit on a blue halo accented with gold thread (one my favorites)

worth every penny. heads will turn....

note it:

"headsprung" by ll cool j

p.s. i wore a handmade flower in my hair during my april 2004 nuptials. click here for pics.

COOK IT: pretty paulette

pretty paulette.

(had to pick up some macarons while in san francisco's hayes valley today...so light, so delectable. i chose madagascar vanilla, raspberry, citron + caramel salé. the perfect party touch. for wedding favors or dessert bars too.)

life is beautiful (+ yum)...especially right now.

note it:

"la vie est belle" by mc solaar

(photo credit: lissa lowe)