Dinner In Chalk

I am in love with my our new chalkboard I got at Terrain. Now we can post menus for special dinners!

Similar Reclaimed Wood Chalkboard at Terrain

Friday Art: Fashion Illustration

Fashion illustration by me, brown ink on paper. Original drawing by unknown artist for Vogue

Brand New Week: Travel Inspirations

I just returned from a week-long trip to Philadelphia where I spent the most amazing time with my family and friends over Christmas. In between consuming lots of delicious food, having fun conversations and giving and receiving gifts, I made a few stops to places that I could not miss.

First I visited LaColombe on 19th Street to get the most perfect cup of latte ever made. I also stocked up on my personal favorite, Afrique Roast coffee beans. Then, while browsing through Anthropologie on Rittenhouse Square, I dug out this beautiful kitchen towel in the pile of sale items! Similar dish towels can be found here. The last stop I made on the way home made one of my dreams come true: I finally paid a visit to Terrain, where I was smitten by these Honey Tobacco Beeswax Votives, along with too many other fantastic items to list here. (That story is saved for another time.)

Photos by navyblueshoe

All Is Calm, All Is Bright

Photos by navyblueshoe
Monogram on stockings: hand-embroidery by my Mom.
Ribbon: hand-dyed and finished by navyblueshoe

Friday Art: Textiles Illustration

Illustration of fabric swatches by me, watercolors on paper.

Holiday Gift Wrapping

Photos by navyblueshoe

Brand-New Week: Home-Made Ribbons

This was a total experiment. I got this yellow raw silk awhile ago from a friend of mine. Not thrilled about the color, I decided I dip dye it using Indigo Blue color. It ended up transforming into this beautiful sea-foam green, almost turquoise color. Happy with the result, I decided to tear it into strips and use the ribbons to give my gifts a home-made touch.

I selected Liquitex Bright Aqua Green to hand-paint a memo on the package.

Photos by navyblueshoe

Friday Art: Fashion Illustration

Fashion illustration by me, brown ink on paper. Original drawing by unknown artist. Isadora Duncan look - Yves Saint Laurent's dress shape for spring 1976

Brand New Week: Button Up!

I love when simple everyday objects become inspiration for beautiful jewelry. Jennifer Jones of Australian company Have You Met Miss Jones nails it down: both design & scale of each piece are just right to make bold statement. Miss Jones ships to the US, so hurry, there is still time left before Christmas to purchase that perfect gift!

Dress Button Necklace & Dress Button Ring

Friday Art: Fashion Illustration

Fashion illustration by me.
Ink & markers on paper.

O Christmas Tree! 3

O Christmas Tree! 2

My Little Paris

Made In Ukraine

Made In Ukraine Coasters

Brand New Week: Affordable Stylish Gift Ideas

You know you have great taste and you want to select the best gift for your family and friends, but you want to stick to your budget. I assure you, you do not need to spend a lot of money to give a sophisticated and memorable gift. Whether you choose the bright yellow Postalco Notebook ($12) for taking notes and doodling, or the Antler Hook ($14) to replace that ugly old one your relatives have at their entryway, it will be used and loved for a long time. The Mini Chandelier Ornament ($12) will be up on that Christmas tree every year reminding them of you. Giving a good book is always a smart choice: Design*Sponge At Home book by Grace Bonney ($35) will be a go to book for design ideas for your best friend who will refer to it every time she needs to get inspired. It will also serve as a perfect coffee-table-book. And while the Monogrammed Hammam Stripe Hand Towel ($17) will dress up any powder room, the Bamboo Doily Clock ($34) will remind everyone it's time to get together for a reunion.

Friday Art: Fashion Illustration

Fashion illustration by me, brown ink on paper. Original drawing by David Downton for Jean-Paul Gaultier, 1999

O Christmas Tree!

It's December 1 and it's time to get a Christmas tree! For starters, I arrange push-pins in shape of a tree on the bulletin board of my office:

Then I continue with the NBS banner, stacking the shoe, row after row, into a festive Christmas tree, trimmed with bright stars & golden bow:

Afternoon Shadows

Photos of Bertoia Side Chair by me

Monday Style: Color Blocks

I just love, love , love the retro pattern of these items!
Shawl Collar Coat
Ana Striped Candles
Stephenson Chair Slipcover - College Stripe Wool
Ranch Cotton Stripe Rug, Dash & Albert

How To Dry Hydrangeas

I have always wanted to figure out how to dry Hydrangeas properly, so the petals keep their shape and color. Turns out the trick is in the timing. It has to be toward the end of the season, October - November, when blooms start drying slightly out and changing colors, but still are in good shape. Apparently, this cannot be achieved with store-bought Hydrangeas, as they are just too fresh and full of moisture. Once your plant is ready, cut off the flowers, remove leaves off the stems, and display them in a vase filled with water. The water will evaporate with time and this will allow for the flowers to stay fresh and dry out naturally, preserving the color. In the end, you will have beautiful dried arrangement that will last you for years.

Friday Arts & Crafts: Pillow Coronation

The pillow I made in the summer turned out to be beautiful, but the wide stripe of the linen fabric front needed some interesting detail. I decided to make a stencil and used professional dye to add a silhouette of a crown.

Monday Style: She Is A Vision

Halvah Maxi Dress by Leifsdottir

Pillow Talk Nailpolish, a personal favorite from Essie
Fresh from Fresh: Sugar Passion Lip Treatment
Foxglove Boots by Pezzella
Victorian Cameo Ring by Doyle & Doyle

Perfect Fall Flower Arrangement: Chinese Lantern Plants

#79 Chinese Lantern Plant





Physalis