CINDERS AND SMOKE

Inspiration

I've always had a habit of collecting bits of inspiration and have over time amassed quite a large collection of photos, magazine clippings, stickers, postcards, etc. I usually rotate what I keep on my walls to keep things fresh and new and thought that I'd share a brief glimpse into my inspiration board at the moment...

The twilight poster is a bit embarrassing but who cares. I've got an Annie Leibovitz postcard from the Brooklyn museum up, a photobooth clipping from the state fair this year (which has turned into an annual tradition), various bits of art from friends, a subway map of manhattan, and a childhood photo of my brother and I. To me this inspiration board is a really well rounded glimpse into my life. 

-R. 

Current Obsession

I recently discovered these gorgeous headbands from ban.do and have been salivating over them ever since. Most of them are too fancy to wear for everyday use but they have a relatively inexpensive line that could easily be incorporated into my wardrobe. Made from vintage materials and embellishments these pieces evoke, to me, a sense of class and polish.  The difficult part is deciding on which one I'd like best....

This one is from their black label collection and called'just fantastic', it sort of screams special occasion to me.

 

This bow tie one is from their main collection, isn't it cute! Availablehere.

 

This one is also from the main collection, aren't these pieces ethereal and beautiful. This one is available here.

 This one is from the more affordable line heart by ban.do made from vintage lace and available here.   

 

And finally, this is the one I actually ended up getting. Mostly because I could see myself wearing it the most often. Available here.

-R. 

Cookies Galore

One of my favorite holiday traditions is baking (and consuming) dozens of holiday cookies. The ladies in my family, sexist I know, gather yearly to produce hundreds of different holiday favorites. And since moving out its now my responsibility to go and produce several variations of my own. Being me I have stressed and searched to find what I deem the perfect specimen to share. Here are a few of my ideas.

Surprise Cookies from Martha Stewart. Recipe available here.

 Chocolate-Espresso Snowcaps again from Martha Stewart. Recipe available here.

Cinnamon Stars from the foodnetworks twelve days of cookies. Mmmm, I'm making myself hungry. Recipe available here.

Chocolate Shortbread cookies from chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli from the foodnetwork. Available here.

Five-Spice Gingersnaps from Epicurious.

Chocolate Candy Cane cookies again from Epicurious.

These look really fun to make, traditional Polish knot Cookies from Epicurious.

 

There really are way too many to choose from. Star tribune also released their award winners yesterday ( I made one last year from the list that was a huge hit) and its worth taking a look at. The big cookie day is next saturday, so if you're in the area and hungry over the following few weeks I'll probably be willing to give you some.

 

-R.  

Luminary Loppet

I'm not really the biggest fan of winter (the cold, the slush, parking, etc.) but usually I end up getting into it around January or February. And this year I am determined to get out and make the most of it, since its my first winter actually in the city. A friend of mine introduced me to the city of lakes annual loppet and being the non-athlete that I am I opted (along with friends) to go for the luminary race at night. How much fun does this sound like! If you're going to be in the area and can get your hands on a pair of skis you should sign up.. 

Holiday Wish List

With christmas being right around the corner (and my bank account being close to empty) I've held off on buying anything for myself of late and chosen instead to ogle and dream about the things I'd like to receive come christmas morning. Here are just a few of them...

 

Doesn't this Kate Spade bow ring just make you go awww. Available at Nordstroms.

Really digging on this cage dress over atNeed Supply co.
 

I love the hair accesories that Anthropologie is offering this winter, this one is surprisingly cheap and funky. Available here.
 
  

  
This moustache pencils over at the curiosity shop just make me giggle.

 

What can I say? Delicious smelling soaps are always a hit, especially when they come so prettily wrapped. At mistral.

For some reason I've been obsessed the last few years with finding calendars, I must have bought three or four for 2009 and this 2010 tearaway calendar from etsy shop oddballpress would be the perfect start to my 2010 bunch. Available here. 

 

I just want these boots. so. damn. much. Again from anthro.

 

The organizer in me lusts after these limited edition Paul Smith for Rhodia flip notebooks. Available here.

- R.
 
 
 

Poster and Prints, Oh, My!

Lately I have been lusting over posters, what with all the blank wall space that we still have to cover in our apartment its no wonder I'm gravitating towards ways to use it up. There really is a crazy amount of some of the sweetest posters out there that look ultra cool with or without a frame. Here are some of my favorites thus far...

 

Red Sky At Night.. print from Brainstorm Print and Design

 

My roomate really likes this recycled WWII poster and I tend to agree with her. Available here.

Am diggin on this Aesthetic Appartus poster for the Monsters of Folk. A minnesota based company Aesthetic Appartus is chock full of some of the coolest indie band posters evah!

I've been eyeballing this O is for Octopus print on etsy for several months now. Knowing the process of printing makes me appreciate this woodcut all the more. Available here.

- R.

Fall Trends

I never really follow clothing trends throughout the seasons, preferring instead to stick to simply what I find to be pretty and/or flattering to my figure. But I was browsing through Target the other day and picked up a copy of Instyle just for the hell of it and found (to my surprise) that some of these predicted trends I can actually jump behind. Here are a few of the following trends and items that are on my wish list:

Hardware - I'm loosely interpretting this to mean anything metal on, well, anything else? But whatevs it looks sweet.

 

 

 
 1. Pyramid Satchel from Need Supply Co. $85

2. Dolce Vita Trinity heel from Dolce Vita $210

3. Harmony Studded Jersey tank by Velvet from Bloomingdales $114

4. Aqua Studded Boyfriend Blazer again from Bloomingdales $118

Statement Necklaces - You really can't go wrong with a big clunky necklace and since the trend has hit mainstream there are some really cute, really affordable versions out there.

  
  

1. Dressed Down Bib from Anthropologie $218

2. Silk Flowers Necklace from Forever21 $10.80

3. Fiona Paxton Stuart Necklace from ShopBop $300

4. Knots and Chain Necklace from Banana Republic $49.50

Belts - According to Instyle this is a new fall trend, but really havn't belts always been in?

 

1. Golden Farfalle Belt from Mod Cloth $23.99

 2. Synapse Belt from Anthropologie $38

3. Calleen Cordero Celso Skinny Belt from Barneys $155

Capes - Already posted on these babies (see below) which proves that im trendy and i don't even know it, shazam. But found this cute one after the post:

 

1. Cape from Need Supply Co. $210

-R.

Things That Make me Happy

Since I am having what have to be the two most hellish days at work ever (my own fault too) I decided to gather things that simply make me smile and lift my mood, which is pretty low at the moment.

I'm not usually the biggest of cat fans but you can't beat a cat montage. I had a roomate in college who would watch hours of these with me.

Failblog.org

Because someone else is always having a way worse day than I am.

This ones just because. I can't remember where I got the picture its been on my desktop for ages.

 

What has to be hands down the best body of work SNL has produced in the last decade. And what has to be one of my favorite skits off of the dvd:

- R.

Sometimes Martha knows what shes doin'.

I stumbled across this design idea on, yes again, design sponge several months back, copied it and am now so proud with the end result I decided to share! I was flipping through posts and found this on a before and after pallet daybed post:

 

Rather than the daybed I was drawn to the paper lantern and pom pom collage she created hanging from the ceiling. The pom poms were from the Martha Stewart line at Walmart (which I refuse to step foot in again, I'm a Target gal) and the paper lanterns can be found online for super cheap. I got mine here and just went for a variety of sizes in the color scheme I was aiming for. The pom poms, unfortunately, are sold out but I found some look alikes here that are roughly the same or if you're super nifty here are martha's instructions on how to make your own.

I just hung them up to create a cluster-like effect using picture frame hooks and fishing wire. And voila a nice burst of color that looks artsy and fun!

 

- R.

Current Obsession

As already noted every few months I pick a new item to obsess over and this month I have taken it upon myself to find the perfect candle. Odd, you may say, but I disagree. A candle can add so much to a room; odor, ambience, etc. I have surpassed my aversion to candles (i usually associated them with incense and pot) and fully embraced them as a decorating tool. And when living in an old creaky building with drafty windows adding warmth and pleasant scents can turn into a must. And the nice thing about candles is that they burn out, so you can try different ones as often as you use them!

 

Am really diggin on these capri blue jar candles because they manage to both smell delicious and come in a great funky glass jar. No decoration required. Available at anthropologie.

 

Love the idea behind these wine glass lamp shades. Just pop a tea votive in an empty wine glass pop the lamp shade over and voila instant ambience. Available at Moma Store.

Really like this Adam Frank Lumen Oil Lamp they're like the adult version of shadow puppets at A+R Store.

I am addicted to voluspa candles. We carry them at our giftshop and they come in some amazingly decorated tins and all smell really, really good. The baltic amber scent is my favorite; slightly musky, slightly sweet its the perfect scent. Available online here.

 

Really love this funky quartz candle holder from Jayson Home & Garden.

 

And finally, found these cute handmade votive holders in etsy shop Maryink. 

-R.