Category Archives: Fab Finds

by | April 27, 2010 · 8:27 am

Mother’s Day Gifts

Last weekend I went to LA to visit my good friend Catherine from The Life Styled just for a little getaway.  We spent the weekend catching up over coffee and strolling in and out of eclectic boutiques and cafes.

The change in scenery provided me with tons of new inspiration, including ideas for this collection of sweet, LA-inspired gifts for Mother’s Day!  Tell mom how much you love her with one of these personal treats to suit her style:

Mother's Day LA Inspiration
1. Perfect for the eco-minded mom on the go: I Am Not A Paper Cup Thermal To-Go Mug.
2. I stalked the web to find this adorable Godinger Beehive Honey Pot that we saw at rustic-chic Tavern cafe.
3. I picked up one of these fun personalized Paperwink Return Address Stamps at Urbanic in Venice.  Mom will love it for all those birthday cards she’s always is so good about sending!
4.  Give mom new inspiration with Shabby Chic Interiors by Rachel Ashwell.
5. Comfy Birks with an upgraded gladiator style keep mom looking haute: Birkenstock Birki-Flor Sparta Sandals
6. Nothing says LA like a chic beach tote.  This Liberty of London for Target Tote keeps it affordable too.
7.  A pretty new serving piece like this Fleur de Lys Teapot inspired by a visit to Pom Pom will be perfect for the Mom’s chats with the ladies.
8. My new obsession: Plump, exotic and low-maintenance succulents.  Just right for a mom with a green thumb.
9. Pamper Mom with a luxe Kiehl’s Creme de la Corps Set.
10. Capture the effortless LA casual style with an open cardi like the JCrew Always Cardigan.
11. Mom can mix her own Pinkberry with a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker (see recipe below!).
12. Help Mom relax with some heavenly Teavana Earl Grey Creme Tea.  She deserves it!

After being initiated into the Pinkberry cult, I remembered seeing this fun copycat recipe in Food Network Magazine a few months ago. If Pinkberry hasn’t hit your streets yet, now you can make your own!

Almost-Famous Frozen Yogurt
from Food Network Magazine
2 C plain whole-milk yogurt
2 C plain non-fat Greek yogurt
1/2 C sugar
3 Tbsp light corn syrup
toppings

Whisk together yogurts, sugar and corn syrup in a bowl until well combined. Pour into ice cream maker. Churn and freeze according to instructions. Serve immediately or freeze for up to 2 hours. Serve with assorted toppings like cheesecake chunks, fresh fruit, chocolate crispies, toasted almonds and honey!

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by | April 22, 2010 · 9:09 am

33 Ways to Go Green Today

Earth Day 2010Happy Earth Day!  We’ve compiled a slew of easy ways to be more eco-conscious this year, along with our favorite tips and products to help you do it. Don’t be overwhelmed by the long list – a lot of the ideas are very doable with a little extra effort.  Bonus: many of these simple switches are budget-friendly too!

Also, don’t forget to check out more tips from our readers in the giveaway comments from Monday’s post and leave your own comment as an entry to win.  We’re thrilled to hear that a lot of you are pretty green already and we’ll be picking one lucky green winner tomorrow.

Ways to Be Eco-Friendly

33 Ways to Go Green Today
1. Switch to reusable bags and stash one in your purse or car. (our faves: Envirosax…find your style here)
2. Make your own baby food.
3. Use biodegradable pet poo bags.
4. Start a compost pile.
5. Join a CSA.
6. Support your local farmer’s market.
7. Switch to eco-friendly cleaning products or make your own!
8. Consider a hybrid car.
9. Walk or bike more .
10. Turn the lights off or switch to energy star bulbs.
11.Start switching to organic produce.  Start by spending just $10 a week on organic.
12. Plant a garden. Don’t have a yard? Try a windowsill herb garden!
13. Switch to chemical-free/organic bath & beauty products (our faves: Alba Sea Plus Renewal Cream, Burt’s Bees Deep Pore Scrub, Method hand soaps)
14. Recycle! Toss a bin in your kitchen or pantry to make it easier.
15. Use fans instead of air conditioning.
16. Know a hunter/fisherman? Live with one? Eat and share sustainably-caught fish or grass-fed, organic meat (bet you never thought about sportsman that way!).
17. Use cloth diapers.
18. Redo that room using low VOC paints.
19. Eat at least 1 meatless meal per week. (try this pizza)
20. Discontinue unnecessary mail such as bills that you pay online or spam.
21. Use rechargeable batteries.
22. Replace paper napkins with a stack of cheap cloth napkins & dishrags. Buy enough for your family for at least a week.
23. Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
24. Turn off appliances like TVs & computers when you’re not using them.
25. Plan your meals so you don’t waste food!
26. Create a rain barrel in your yard for watering your garden.
27. Carpool or take public transportation.
28. Switch to energy star rated appliances. (bonus: you’ll get a tax credit!)
29. Donate gently used items to Goodwill, consignment shops or other charitable organizations.
30. Hang your laundry outside to dry.
31. Use a man-powered lawn mower.
32. Fill up your own water bottle instead of buying bottled water.
33. Skip the to-go coffee cup and buy a reusable travel mug. (bonus: most places will give you a discount for using one)

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by | April 16, 2010 · 7:54 am

Glee: Home Inspirations from a Gleek

I will say it loud and proud: I’m a Gleek! It may be the dream that my life will one day randomly break into song or the one-liners I get from watching the show each week, but I can’t get enough of Glee!

With the return of Glee for the spring season, I have been inspired to create a few home Glee inspiration boards. It is hard to argue with the pure genius of the musical sitcom humor of Glee, from the snarky Sue Sylvester to obesessive compulsive Emma. Inspiration for the home lies within every perfect detail of the show, from the bold red and yellow of the show’s logo, to Rachel Barry’s preppy argyle and Sue Sylvester’s track suits. Keep reading to find out how you can Gleek out your home!

Red and Yellow Inspirations

It is pretty hard not to feel uplifted with the red and yellow color combinations, perhaps it makes you want to break out in song. Choose anyone of these items or mix and match throughout your house. Make your own slushies with the Hamilton Beach red blender. But I suggest drinking them over getting one in the face. 

Clockwise from the top left: Etsy Ruthscrafts Abstract Cushion Covers; Hamilton Beach Electric Blender; Anthropologie Iris Quilt; CB2 Triumph Lounge Chair; Etsy Alice in Paris Red Poppies in Striped Vase; ModCloth Awesome Breakout Mug

Sue Sylvester Inspirations

Racing stripes and clipboards may not be your thing, but you can still take a thing or two away from Sue’s style. Use this sleek bathroom scale to stay on top of your game, mix yourself a shot of espresso to keep your energy boosted all day, admire yourself in these gorgeous West Elm mirrors or display your trophies on the CB2 Lobster Credenza. 

Clockwise from top left: Lunis Memory Bath Scale; West Elm Floating Wood Floor Mirror; Ikea Androp Rug; CB2 Halogen Lobster Cradenza; Jura Caspresso Espresso Machine; Lacoste Eclipse Club Bedding

Rachel Barry Inspirations

Everyone can be inspired by Rachel’s pristine preppy look and go-getter attitude. You may not want to wear knee-high socks or button your cardigan all the way up, but you can take her look and make it work for you. You can even DIY some argyle vases using that one sock you have lying around.

Clockwise from top left: Seersucker Scalloped and Embroidered Linens; Design*Sponge DIY Argyle Sock Vase; Etsy Recycled Sheet Music Picture Frame; Pottery Barn Melamine Talavera Salad Plates; Anthropologie China Plate Wall Clock; Crate and Barrel Brighton White Vanity/Desk

How would you Gleek out your home?

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by | April 12, 2010 · 8:15 am

Art in Bloom

Over the weekend I went to the Milwaukee Art Museum for the lovely Art in Bloom opening. At the annual event, local florists are assigned a piece of art to serve as inspiration for creating an arrangement. Assignment pieces ranged from classic nudes to pop art to furniture, which showed that the florists themselves are truly artists too.

Check out some of my favorites below but first…

Decor Idea: Next time you buy flowers for a party consider using a piece of art (or furniture or photography) from your house as inspiration for your arrangement. Positioning the flowers near the piece creates a dramatic and cohesive statement that guests will be sure to notice.
Black Action Fritz Winter

Black Action, Fritz Winter – The winning arrangement had a gothic elegance that was mesmerizing in person. It totally deserved the win.

Betalo Nude, Robert Henri

Betalo Nude, Robert Henri:  The florist took a whimsical approach, deciding that this lovely lady needed a dressing robe.

Eero Saarinen Womb ChairEdge of England Cornelia Parker

Womb Chair, Eero Saarinen: A curvy and playful arrangement befitting of the iconic chair.
Edge of England, Cornelia Parker:  While I thought they could’ve done a lot more with the floral arrangement, this installation is one of my favorite pieces at MAM so I had to include it.

Cyclamen LithographMilwaukee Art Museum Haitian Art

Cyclamen III, Ellsworth Kelly:  Love the modern and simplistic approach
Les Trois Nonchon, Andre Pierre:  Funky, exotic florals feel right at home in the Haitian gallery

Beth Lipman Laid Table

Laid Table, Beth Lipman: If only my tablescapes were this ethereal!  A girl can dream…

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by | April 5, 2010 · 8:17 am

Spring for the Senses

There’s just something about spring. Maybe it’s ditching the heavy winter sweaters or maybe it’s the longer, warmer days (it’s definitely not the allergies!) but whatever the reason I find it impossible to not to have a bit more bounce in my step.  With all the newness in the air I’m doing an homage to spring for your five senses today.  Enjoy!

SEE:
It’s not quite time to garden around here yet but you can get your fix of flowers this weekend at the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Art in Bloom event. With amazing floral arrangements tucked among the museum’s galleries and a lecture series with topics ranging from gardening to floral photography, Art in Bloom should give you plenty of new ideas before you plan your plots this year.
Milwaukee Art Museum Art In Bloom

SMELL:
Not in Milwaukee to hit up Art in Bloom? Slatkin & Co’s Fresh Bamboo Candle is like a bouquet in a jar…and not a sickly sweet faux floral smell but that smell that rushes out when you walk into a florist’s shop. If blogs had scratch-n-sniff, ours would smell like this right now. Swoon.
Bath & Body Works Fresh Bamboo Candle

TOUCH:
I’ve been obsessively stalking my flower beds for signs of life, dragging my dog on walks to make mental notes of landscaping and in desperate need of appropriate footwear to do it in. I’ll agree that Crocs aren’t exactly couture but let’s be practical here. When your runway involves garden hoes and dog leashs, these slimmed-down, dirt-is-my-friend Crocs Malindi Flats will look perfect.
Crocs Malindi Flat hot pink

HEAR:
Whether your pulling weeds or throwing open the windows for some spring cleaning new tunes will definitely be in order.  These tracks are on constant rotation for me this spring:
1. “Solitary Gun” Rogue Wave
2. “Don’t Look Back” She & Him
3. “Used to Be” Beach House
4. “Blow Away” A Fine Frenzy
5. “October” Broken Bells
6. “Moth’s Wings” Passion Pit
7. “Dark Halls” Au Revoir Simone
8. “Sea Change” Turin Brakes
9. “Movie Loves a Screen” April Smith and the Great Picture Show
10. “To Be Young” Ryan Adams

TASTE:
An easy goat cheese and spring vegetable salad makes a perfect spring side dish but can easily become an entree by simply adding a protein. I like it with a red-wine marinated flank steak.
Goat Cheese & Spring Vegetable Salad

Goat Cheese & Spring Vegetable Salad
1C orzo or quinoa
1 C green beans
1 C asparagus
1 zucchini & 1 yellow squash
3 scallions
fresh herbs (basil, parsley, mint, chives)
3 oz goat cheese
1/4 C pine nuts
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
coarse ground black pepper
kosher salt
* Options: Peas, mushrooms and kale would all be great substitutes so go with whatever looks good that day. Same with the herbs, although be sure to at least get the basil.

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook orzo or quinoa until al dente. Transfer to a colander and rinse with cold water until cooled. Let sit while you work with the vegetables. Trim ends off the green beans. Chop beans, asparagus, and squash into bite sized pieces and transfer to a hot saute pan, lightly coated in olive oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes and season with salt, pepper and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Cook vegetable until they are cooked through but still firm. Finely chop scallions and herbs.

Transfer cooled orzo or quinoa to a medium bowl and add vegetables, scallions and herbs. Toss well. Drizzle with 2-3 Tbsp of olive oil and balsamic vinegar until lightly coated. Season with additional salt and pepper. Crumble goat cheese into small pieces and stir in.

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by | February 2, 2010 · 9:10 am

Budget Barista: Make Your Own Latte

Trying to kick your pricey Starbucks habit but not willing to give up your daily coffee fix? Over the holidays, I watched my aunt, Synara, make her own easy, cheap “lattes” – without an espresso maker or a fancy, expensive cappucino machine. Her secret weapon is just a simple, $12 tool: a frother!

Bodum Schiuma milk frother

I tracked down a Bodum Schiuma frother at Target on sale for $6 but even at full price, you can make hundreds of drinks for less that what you’d pay for a few stops at your favorite coffee shop and they taste just as good. Now I know the purists out there will say this isn’t really a latte because by true coffee standards, it isn’t.  However, it’s still a great way to satisfy your cravings without breaking the bank!

How to make a latte

“Faux” Latte for One
1/2 mug milk
4-5 scoops ground coffee (stronger varieties, like a French Roast, work best)
approx 2 C water
optional: 1/2 – 1 Tbsp flavored creamer or honey

Make coffee using your standard coffee maker, only double the ratio of coffee beans to water to make the coffee extra strong. Pour milk into a large, microwave-safe coffee mug. Add creamer or honey, if you are using it.  Microwave milk for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Stick frother into milk and froth until milk is foamy. Microwave for another 30 seconds.

Pour brewed coffee into mug by tilting the mug slightly and pouring coffee along the inside of the glass, as you would a beer.  This allows you to avoid ruining your foam.  Simply clean off your frother with a little soap and water and enjoy!

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by | February 1, 2010 · 9:11 am

Giveaway!: Christine Tavares Pottery

It’s Giveaway Week!!!  We have two fun giveaways this week, starting with this hand-crafted utensil jar from Christine Tavares Pottery!  We fell for Christine’s “organic chic” (and totally affordable!) pieces when we featured this jar as an idea for a winter bulb planter.

Christine Tavares handmade pottery giveaway

Enter to win by just leaving a comment on this post!  Tell us what you think, how you’d use it, whatever you want. We’ll pick a winner from the comments later this week and notify the winner by email.

Read on for our interview with Christine and her tips on how to add affordable, original art to your home:

Hi Christine! Tell us a little about yourself and how you got into pottery.
I’ve been married to the funniest man in the world for 15 years and we live outside of St.Louis. I get to thank him for my premature smile lines! We have three beautiful children and three dogs. I’m a “working artist” and I also teach part-time. I love reading, wine, music and entertaining.

Since I can remember, I have always been creating something…drawings, paintings, sculptures, edible treats, etc. I found clay mistakenly in high school when I thought “ceramics” was a class where we would paint little statues and dishes. Imagine my surprise on the first day when the teacher brought out lumps of brown mud! I was disappointed for about 30 seconds. Clay and I have had a nonstop love affair ever since.

I create functional vessels for every day use like mugs, serving platters, pouring vessels, bowls, etc. It is important to me for things to be useful and beautiful. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to be at a gathering with friends or family and to see food beautifully displayed on handmade pottery. I currently selling my work on Etsy, on consignment and in local art fairs.

What are 3 items that you couldn’t live without in your home?
My Dyson backpack vacuum cleaner (again – 3 dogs), my treadle wheel (it allows me to feel more connected to my work) and laughter.

We love your pieces. Do you have a favorite that you’ve created over the years?
Early in my career, my pieces were very tight and controlled and not very interesting. I was having a creative block and Paul Dresang (my college instructor) put me through an exercise in letting go. He said, “Take a piece of clay out of your bag, throw it down on the wheel. Just make something”. I was furious! But I realized what a thrill it was to just let go.

My favorite piece is something that I didn’t have the strength, creativity or courage to do on my own. By letting go, I was able to break away from manufactured-looking, cold pieces of pottery and find my style which is organic, rustic and sophisticated all at once. Here is a picture of that wonderful, graceful and fluid little bowl.

Organic chic pottery

Who or what do you look to for inspiration?
Much of my work is inspired by nature. I really like the femininity of flowing lines, rounded shapes and waves. I also am inspired by elements of a comfortable home so I try to make items that add to a home’s surroundings. Some of my favorite ceramic artists are Bede Clark, Charity Davis-Woodard, and Clary Illian.

A lot of people see original art and bespoke pieces as expensive and unattainable. Do you have any tips on how the average person could incorporate more art in their home?
Functional pottery is the perfect way to incorporate art into your home! Everyday pieces that you use often typically aren’t too expensive and they are actually little pieces of art! Visit local art fairs, Etsy.com and events at local universities. College art departments occasionally have sales on many types of art from students as well as from the faculty. You can find some wonderful art at bargain prices.

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by | January 21, 2010 · 10:28 am

Watch Out, Hollywood!

So I hadn’t planned a follow-up post to the Iron Cupcake: Beer competition but I just had to share this.  While my Baby Got Bock cupcakes – chocolate with homebrewed dopplebock beer, caramel filling, caramel buttercream frosting and Heath bits – didn’t win, they did make local and national news!

My wonderful new friend, Sara, from Cream City & Sugar passed along the link to the MSNBC video (via WTMJ4) which would have otherwise slipped under my radar!  I’m thinking this could be the beginning of a reality show…Project Haute Homemaker??  Bravo, are you listening?

Watch the video on MSNBC!

The next Iron Cupcake competition is bacon if any of you Milwaukee/Chicago folks feel up the challenge!

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by | December 4, 2009 · 9:23 am

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Haute Homemaker

As we finish up gift guide week we couldn’t resist adding our favorite picks for the haute homemaker.  Even if you’re not an expert chef or gardener (yet!), you can still be stylish while you learn!  We’ve had so much fun and hope you’ve found some ideas to pick up for friends or to add to your own wishlist.

Anne’s Picks:

My top pick for the Haute Homemaker in your life is the Everyday Food cookbook by Martha Stewart.  I received it last year from fellow HAP blogger Katie and it has become my go-to cookbook for simple and delicious meals that can be made in a reasonable amount of time.  It’s a must have in your kitchen!

Holiday Presents for Cooks
From left: Teatime Apron ($28), Everyday Food ($25), Enameled Cast Iron Pot ($79), Illume Glacial Jars Candles ($32)

Katie’s Picks:

Is it weird that of all these pretty things I desperately want that Compost Pail??  A great gift for a gardener or your eco-conscious friend, Crate and Barrel makes composting sleek, stylish and odor-free.

Gifts for the Modern Homemaker
From top: Pottery Barn Checkered Handknit Throw ($99), Envirosax Reusable Bags in La Boheme ($38), Fruit Loop Bowl ($42), Soule Studio Citrange Pitcher in Slate ($90), Stainless Steel Composter ($40)

Stef’s Picks:

My favorite pick for your haute homemaker this holiday is a gift certificate to a Sur La Table cooking class. Sur La Table offers a variety of classes, from tapas to Christmas brunch. Give a gift to yourself and tell your haute homemaker you will come too! If Sur La Table is not in your area, I recommend searching the web for the closest cooking school.

Stylish Hostess Gifts
From left: Cooking Class Gift Certificate from Sur La Table, Williams-Sonoma Monogrammed Carving Board ($99),  Crate and Barrel Matilda Vase ($30), Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Crafts: An A-to-Z Guide with Detailed Instructions and Endless Inspiration ($19), 222 Fifth Dinnerware Paisley Ornament Appetizer Plates ($25)

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by | December 3, 2009 · 9:23 am

Holiday Gift Guide: Under $25!

Anne’s Picks:

My top choice for a gift $25 and under are the Monogrammed Mugs from Anthropologie.  They are incredibly adorable and unbelievably reasonable.  At that price you could get mugs for the entire family and still not break your budget!


From left: Linen Hemstiched guest towels ($19), Ski Cap Candle ($26), Monogrammed Mugs ($6),  BabyCakes Cookbook ($24)

Katie’s Picks:

I’m torn on my favorite here so it’s a good thing all these gifts are under $25! As a designer my loves for color and typography are battling so I’m going to cheat and choose two favorites:  the pick-your-favorite-color Pantone mug and the fabulously industrial Empire letter sculptures.


From top: Paperwhites ($20), Gauge nyc Empire Letter Sculpture ($10), Pantone Color Mug ($15), Tasting Beer ($12), Voluspa Candle in Frost Pinecone ($18)

Stef’s Picks:

Add a little Christmas cheer this season with Straight No Chasers newest Christmas album. A YouTube sensation, this acapella mens group reunited years after graduating college. Their version of You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch will give the cast of Glee a run for their money.


From left:Personalized Dragonfly Note Cards ($10), Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom ($12),  Harry and David Onion and Pepper Relish ($15), Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio ’07 ($20), Straight No Chaser Christmas Cheers Album ($13)

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