Get your party hats ready

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French Bulldog, Happy New Year, Oliver, party hats, Sweet Paul magazine

Have a very, very Happy New Year everyone!

Photo of the cutest party-ready French Bulldog Oliver via Sweet Paul magazine.

DIY Alexander McQueen Style!

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Alexander Mcqueen, crafty, DIY, Erica Domesek, fashion, fingerless gloves, New Year's Eve, P.S. I made this, WHOWHATWEAR

Alexander McQueen. Of the fashion industry, McQueen once said, “it’s a business, but I don’t think it makes sense to play safe in these times. In times like this I think the world needs fantasy, not reality. We have enough reality today.” I couldn’t agree more!

Images via Alexander McQueen from the Pre-Spring/Summer collection. Gorgeous!!!

Imagine my excitement when I spotted this post on WHOWHATWHERE. The editors of this fab blog called on Erica Domesek of P.S. I Made This to lend them her expert crafting skills and help create a fabulous and very affordable pair of Alexander McQueen-inspired gloves for their December story!

This is a snapshot of the real Alexander McQueen embroidered fingerless gloves. They sell for just under 700 bucks. Yup.

This is the DIY pictorial. For the full set of directions check out the article here.

If you don’t own a pair of fingerless black gloves, it’s easy enough to buy a pair of black socks and gloves. I would look for a wool blend and I’d also check to make sure the two black colours were the same shade. You can purchase the lovely brooches, as seen here.

The beads can be purchased on this Canadian website.

I won’t have time to make these before New Year’s Eve which is a shame because I would so wear these!! Dahhhlings, if you make a pair, please send me your comments so I can showcase them on this blog!

Spotlight: Michael Graydon

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gorgeous photos, Michael Graydon, toronto photographer, tree wallpaper, vintage dishes

In my humble opinion Toronto photographer Michael Graydon not only takes great photos, he captures moments in time.

Static photos of homes, objects and food are everywhere. However, when I look at Michael’s gorgeous photos of food I feel like someone has either just left the table or is about to sit down to enjoy a meal. Used cutlery is often to the side of the dish, crumbs lie beside a plate, adding a human element to the portrait. I mean, how many photographers leave crumbs in their perfectly photoshopped images these days? This is what separates Michael Graydon from the average photographer. See for yourself.

I love how the textured, bleached wood surface compliments the vintage dishes and tarnished silver. Reminiscent of Grandma’s kitchen isn’t it? Notice that the cake ingredients are still in the bowls and also in the measuring cup. Who was just here, it makes one wonder?

The beer was recently opened. The chair is slightly askew, posing the question, where did the diners go and when will they be back? This isn’t just a meal,
it’s a moment.

Michael also photographs interiors. The doors are left ajar… inviting the viewer into the next room perhaps? This vignette looks like an older home or cottage. The floors are worn and the carpet fringe isn’t perfectly straight. Again, adding a “lived in” look to the imagery.

Look, it’s my favorite tree wallpaper above the door! And that chandalier!
The attention to lighting and reflection in this small space is what makes this photo speak to me!

Brilliant. There is a story behind this photo and I want to know what it is.

My personal favourite. Now this is a moment!!!
If you have time you really should check out the rest of his work here.
I am a huge fan!!

All that glitters is gold

I wish you all the most spectacular holiday season of all!

Awesome glitter photo from Sweet Paul Magazine.
Gold glitter star with text by me. You must try this tutorial at pugly pixel

Etsy Roundup

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art, Etsy, handmade, photography, purchase, roundup, unique, vintage

If you receive some money for the holidays, why not buy something unique from Etsy? It is the place to purchase handmade or vintage items as well as art, photography and craft supplies.

Here are a few of my favorite picks.

Modern Wall Clock by ArtGlamourSligo

How adorable is this fox plushy? By rileyconstruction

A chic and waterproof camera travel bag! By sizzlestrapz

I love this!!! New York City photograph by Raceytay

Delicacy, black sheer lace shirt by Minxshop. Gorgeous!

Bird shabby pink print by hunterandmoon.
These dreamy pastel colours match with any neutral decor!

Christmas in Germany

Tags

Christmas Markets, flickr, Germany, St. Nicholas, travel

This post is dedicated to my little sister. She is spending the holidays in Germany with my cousins this year. I will miss her terribly, so I thought I would share some images of their über fabulous Christmas Markets. Germany has some of the oldest and best Christmas Markets in Europe.

Two German Santa Clauses. What elaborate costumes!

Nürnberg Christmas Market

Christmas Market with carousel via flickr

Heidelberg

Bernkastel

Wooden ornaments and toys

Beautiful lights and baked goods galore!

Wishing for a white Christmas

Tags

Etsy, landscapes, photo, Smashing Magazine, white Christmas, winter wonderland

I really, really want it to snow this for Christmas. Here are a few fabulous photos of winter wonderlands to get things started!

Paivi Valkonen via Smashing Magazine

Maddenphotography via etsy

Art by Bia via Smashing Magazine

walcoo wallpaper

Diane Schuster via redbubble

Carolyn Cochrane via etsy

greenpix via etsy

Party time!

Tags

Banana Republic, beaded clutch, cocktail ring, dress, holiday parties, outfit, Swarovski, trendy, Zara

I put together this outfit for the December party season. This dress is dainty and feminine so I added a sexy shoe in leopard print and an edgy clutch purse. Now it looks a little less “Black Swan” if ya know what I mean. The show stopper? That cocktail ring – gorgeous!!

Yummy soup

Tags

cauliflower soup recipe, roasted cauliflower soup

This roasted cauliflower soup recipe looks and sounds delicious! I found it on one of my favourite websites Sweet Paul. The star toast cut out is genious – very festive at this time of year.

Roasted cauliflower soup
Serves 4

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 cauliflower, broken into pieces
3 cups chicken stock
1 cup cream
salt and pepper
start toast, use a cookie cutter and cut out stars from toasted bread

Preheat oven to 380F.
Place onion and cauliflower in a large oven proof dish and drizzle with olive oil.
Sprinkle with some salt and pepper.
Roast until golden.
Place the cauliflower and onions in a large pot and add stock.
Bring to a boil.
Let it boil 5 minutes, add stock and season with salt and pepper.
Pure in a blender and serve with a toasted star, a little olive oil and some pepper.

Photo by Dana Gallagher

 

Gift wrap SOS

Tags

christmas gifts, crafty, DIY, gift wrap, gift wrap ideas, inspiration, Matchbook magazine, pine cones, pom pom, string beads, wrapping ideas

I always wrap my Christmas gifts at the last minute. By the time I go to the store to actually buy the wrapping paper, it seems like all the good patterns are gone!

Well, not this year! I have jute string, beads, pine cones, ribbon and buttons ready to go. I still need some inspiration to get me started so if you have any clever wrapping ideas, please leave me a comment!

Matchbook magazine has some lovely gift wrap ideas – photos below. If you want to learn how to make your own mini pom pom, they have an easy step-by-step tutorial in their latest issue.