Decoupage

On Friday evening, I decoupaged a little box using my Paper Patisserie stationery from Chronicle. The stationery is gorgeous and my box turned out pretty well. I wish I could post a picture of it, but my camera link is broken (no up-loading for now). The box is pink, the lid is green, and it has brown trim. I'm only using this stationery for really good craft paper from now on...there's just not enough of it!

image from Chronicle

Kate Spade Clock

Kate Spade's "Perry Street" clock is so adorable! I would love for it to sit on my desk (if I had one), but it would be hard to decide on a color. Kate has the best colors, doesn't she?

image from InStyle

Mini-Kiwi

I was just noticing how odd it was that I jumped from clothing to onions in two posts. Oh well....good design is everywhere and can inspire anything. So onto a COMPLETELY unrelated topic...the mini-kiwi. It's grape-sized and hairless (which eliminates the slimy peeling process), but tastes exactly the same as the regular-sized kiwi, and I am soooo excited that I am hearing more about them becoming mainstream! I haven't actually had one, but I'm dying to try them. I LOVE kiwi, but get so annoyed with the peeling thing that I hardly ever eat them. This presents tons of new possibilities...salads, sundaes, snacks (I do like alliteration). Anyone in Omaha know how to track them down?

Onion Keepers

I think these are SOOOO cute! They're airtight, twist-lock containers from Gourmac for keeping onions in the fridge without spreading onion-y odor. Yellow for yellow/white onions, and red for red ones :). Gourmac also has similar "keepers" for lemons and limes, which are also very useful, but not nearly as cute. Fun design in all places!

image from Gourmac

Toast

Look at this crazy candy toast art from Lydia Ashe! She says she just bent some metal into a toast shape and poured the melted candy in. I absolutely love how colorful and unique it is.

images from Lydia's flickr

This isn't a hat, but...

Isn't this a great dress? It's BCBG Max Azria. Yes, I know it's several seasons old, and yes, I know that I couldn't afford it anyway, but I just like to look at pretty pictures. It's a fab color, and I like monochromatic schemes with a touch of satin or something else shiny (as opposed to all matte or all shiny or matte with a different color shiny, etc). I'm sure it also helps that Kate has an awesome figure and the right coloring for it.

More Hats!

In honor of The Breakup, I decided to post some more of Kate M.'s fab hats. Her red coat is gorgeous, too.

Retro Suit

I love this '40s-ish swimsuit from Ferragamo. It's so stylish and colorful, but you'd definitely have to be wearing the red pumps to complete the look :). It reminds me of those ruffly one-pieces that Louis Vuitton had back in '02. Honestly, I don't know why so many girls wear those silly bikinis when there are these awesome one-pieces that are so much more flattering! I love love love my one-pieces....my favorite is my DKNY black polka dotted one that is ruched on both sides and has a little bow up at the top. J Crew is pretty good at making cute tank suits, too. Embrace the one-pieces, girls!

Sienna in Marchesa

All things considered, I think Sienna Miller could be wearing a Hefty bag and still manage to make it look fashionable. I don't necessarily agree with all of her fashion choices, but because they're on her, they still look great. However, THIS is, in my opinion, her most stunning look. I love how soft the fabric on the Marchesa dress looks, and I love how everything looks balanced...hair is up, long earrings, short dress, really high heels. Even the color is balanced...light hair, black earrings, light dress, black heels. Needless to say, you'd have to have really great legs to wear this. And even though I think this dress is a work of art on its own, I do think Sienna maximized its potential.

Bad Frosting

So, I made these cupcakes today (not the ones in the picture; I just thought it was pretty). I don't remember ever using chocolate frosting from a can, but the vanilla and lemon taste great, so why not the chocolate, right? WRONG. Oh so very wrong. Note to self and others: do NOT under ANY circumstances use Pillsbury Creamy Supreme Chocolate Fudge frosting. It tastes like the most synthetic chocolate flavored thing you've ever had (similar to Jello pudding). I know what you're thinking...who uses chocolate frosting from a can? Well I wanted to save some time, so sue me. I was still under the very naïve impression that they flavored this stuff with real chocolate. And why shouldn't they? It's not difficult or expensive to obtain. Hell, they could've flavored it with Hershey's and it would've tasted better (apologies to Hershey's fans). So anyway, I want everyone to reap the benefits of this lesson I've learned and take my advice so it doesn't happen to you.

No Skiing on the Tube Escalators

As a result of some guy skiing down the escalator at the Angel Tube Station in North London, this other dude had some people post these stickers around the station to avoid unnecessary future litigation ("but no one told me I shouldn't be skiing down this 200 ft escalator!"). Hehehe :) Btw, that link is to the video taken from the guy's helmet-camera. I found this story via the London Underground Blog, which is a favorite of mine because it's full of all of the mundane details that make you actually feel like you're there. Sounds pathetic, but whatever. The only thing I don't like so much is the weekly "Tube Fashion Victims". I feel bad for these unsuspecting commuters, and I'm sure I was a prime choice for targeting last summer ("frumpy American wearing a polo and capris...haven't they figured out yet that we're too fashion-forward here for polos?").

Lumiere d'Artifices

Chanel's Lumiere d'Artifices compact is amazing. Admittedly, I'd probably spend most of the time staring at it if I owned it. They've really made an art out of molding powder in a compact. Right now, though, I can't find anywhere to buy it on the internet. I know I've seen it in department stores....I hope not everyone has run out!

Mary Medal

If I had ANY money to spare right now, I would buy one of these antique French blue glass Mary medals. They are so pretty and unique, and I've been looking for something different to wear on a chain. You can get these through Tongue in Cheek (but please don't buy them all because one of these days I'll have money again).

image from Tongue in Cheek

Blue and Yellow

I love dark blue and bright yellow!

image from J Crew

Kristin is the BEST!

Kristin Chenoweth is so ridiculously talented. I was just listening to her CD yesterday and had to proclaim my love for her. If you missed her performance on The View several months ago to promote The Apple Tree, go here. I hope she stays on Broadway and records LOTS more CDs!

Celandine

I love letterpress, and Celandine has some really bright, simple, and chic notecards with letterpressed initials. I wish I had a use for 'D', 'H', and 'I' because those are my favorites. Found via Daily Candy.

image from Daily Candy

Yay for Laura!!

Did everyone watch "Grease: You're the One That I Want" on NBC? I might not have, except that someone I knew was competing....and WON!!! Laura Osnes is from my hometown and high school, and we were in some community theater stuff together. I didn't know her very well, and haven't talked to her since "The Music Man" in the summer of '02, but I was SO excited to see her on tv! She is going to seriously kick some Broadway ass, and when she's a big star, I'll still have my "Music Man" program and video to show to people :). This is so huge; I still can't believe it. Congrats, Laura!!

Sublime Stitching

I love love love Sublime Stitching. They have the coolest embroidery patterns, and are definitely more artsy than crafty (you know the type of crafty I mean....middle-aged-housewives-making -lacy-doll-clothes-crafty). I am extremely eager to try embroidery!

image from Sublime Stitching

Candy Sushi

To me, the candy version of anything will always be better, and sushi definitely falls into that category. I mean, I can take or leave sushi, but my love for Swedish Fish is legendary. So I am definitely going to be making this stuff. I will now brainstorm more things I can make out of candy...ideas are welcome.

image from WikiHow

Jadeite

I LOVE jadeite (mostly in cake stands), so I had to post about this new desk set from See Jane Work. That store is the absolute best, and this set is the ultimate in cuteness (that sounded really stupid, but you know what I mean).

image from See Jane Work

Profile Pic

My sister posted a new profile pic on Facebook a couple of days ago, and it is awesome! She says that a friend took it in high school for a photography class. I think the colors and textures are great...I even like how her shirt is twisted a little; it provides a nice line contrast.

Happy Easter!

Five years ago today I was here:

Sophie's Choice

My new favorite movie is Sophie's Choice. I'm not going to say much about it except that it is an absolutely exquisite film with a wonderful score (lots of oboe). The acting, the cinematography, the screenplay, the music...everything is stunning. Erik thinks I'm nuts for watching it over and over because it is really depressing, but you can't deny that it's just such an incredible work of art.

Book Cover

I really love beautiful book covers, and this one is a new favorite. Wedding Chic by Nina Willdorf

Yellow

I'm really liking this bright yellow trend, and I just read in a magazine that it looks best on pale skin and dark hair! Who knew? I thought yellow was a wash-out no-no color for me, but I guess as long as it's darker than my skin I'm ok. It seems to work for Anne Hathaway, but unfortunately my face doesn't look like that and I'm not skinny, so it might be a tad harder for me to pull it off. Oh well...I'm still game.

Pink Duchesse

My favorite china: Vera Wang Pink Duchesse. The colors in this photo are crap....it's supposed to be pink, not lavender.

image from Macy*s

My Favorite Tablecloth

This has been my favorite tablecloth for years. I've given several for wedding gifts, but still don't have one of my own. It's too bad it wouldn't really go with the plates from my previous post.

image from Williams-Sonoma

Everyday Plates

These are my favorite everyday plates from Crate+Barrel.

image from Crate+Barrel

Crazy Cool Cake

This cake from Martha Stewart Weddings is fabulous. No more to say.

image from Martha Stewart

I like big hats and I cannot lie...

I know Erik's not the only one who will think I'm nuts after this post, but I love big hats. Not just any; cool-looking hats, mind you. I love how their still worn to church and weddings in England. I want a big-hat requirement for the women at my wedding. How freaking fashionable would that be? Anyhoo, Kate Middleton wears some great hats. I have been mature enough to temporarily push aside my feelings of jealousy and hatred (Prince William was so mine) in order to admire her awesome fashion sense (or the awesome fashion sense of her stylist...whatever).

Update: My friend, Allie, likes big hats, too! We decided to go to the Kentucky Derby. Ok, not for real.

Lily my love

I love Lily Allen. LOVE her. There is no one cooler. But I'm beginning to understand this indie-not-wanting-artists-to-go-mainstream attitude....I liked it better before her album came out when she was still my little secret (that I shared with the entire U.K., but whatever). Now I can't go anywhere without hearing some tweenie butcher her songs.

Beautiful Binders

I LOVE beautiful office supplies, and Russell+Hazel binders are amazing. They will be a prominent part of my future dream office.

image from See Jane Work

Swim Skirt

I think I'm going to get this cover-up skirt for Catalina(!).

image from Ralph Lauren

Vespa

Vespa scooters are so freaking cool. It's ridiculous how cool they are. It's just too bad I'm not about to take one out on our roads. Maybe when I finally move to London....this thing would be perfect for European country roads. I wonder if it's legal for these to be on bike paths here....hmm. Anyhoo, this is my favorite Vespa color. I still can't believe how beautiful this scooter is.

image from Vespa Omaha(!!)

Holy Cats

Holy cats, it's been a long time! Stuff's been crazy, and when that combines with the old ADD, the blog loses. Not on purpose. It just happens. Anyhoo, seeing a lot of cool stuff lately, so I thought I'd do some posting. I should rename this blog "Abby's Wish List" because that's what it's about to become. First up: the DKNY Be Delicious Lip Shine Trio (only at Sephora).

image from Sephora

I'm Back!

Wow. It's been a long time. Just wanted everyone to know that now that the election is over, I can get back to living a normal life (and being jobless). By the way, anyone know of a job I can have? Here's a picture from the election night party (my friends Marc and Alison are to the left of me; Dan to the right).

Pears

Karen alerted me to the beautiful glass ornaments they have at Gump's of San Francisco. I like the pears because of the muted colors, the brushed sheen, and the fact that you could keep them out year round.

image from Gump's

Breast Cancer Bouquet

This rose and lily bouquet by Jane Packer is SO cool! I would love to be able to do creative wrap-around things with stems and leaves. The dark eggplant color really accentuates the bright pink of the flowers. I think this particular arrangement is only around for October, though, since proceeds go towards breast cancer research.

Perfect People

I guess we're supposed to believe that no one's perfect, but that's kind of difficult for me when I see someone like Natalie Portman on the cover of Bazaar. She is so extremely elegant and gorgeous, went to Harvard (yes it's ridiculous, but I do admit to having Ivy League envy), AND fits into Audrey Hepburn's Givenchy dress! Seriously. No one's perfect?

I do like wedges...

Yikes, that last post was a little too emo for my tastes. Sorry about that. Anyhoo, I don't usually like platforms, but it's hard to take my eyes off of these Christian Louboutin wedges. I love the deep cranberry color, and how the patent leather looks smooth but not plastic-y. The round toe is also very chic. These would look awesome with some patterned tights.

photo from Neiman Marcus