Bau-HAUS

This is the story of my Bauhaus poster. First purchased when I was young and discovering design (oh 'cause I'm such an expert now) and now ratty and hanging in my bedroom. It traveled across Europe and back to the US. From grad school to my first apartment with PB and it shows. So I was so excited to see that the Bauhaus museum actually ships to the U.S. (anyone speak German, that's what it says, right?). It is a must for the retro modern dwelling. Can you imagine anything cooler on your walls?

For info. on the museum or to purchase, look here.

FYI to chic brides to be

Are you as big a fan of Dwell Studio as I am? I'm such a sucker for their gate, chinoiserie, and draper print. Well it looks like they've teamed up with wedding paper divas and are now doing wedding invitations. What a great opportunity to infuse your wedding with some chic, timeless, glamour. And they're super reasonable too. Okay, just a note from me to you.
ps. I'm definitely going to finally post pictures of our own beautifully awesome invitations this week too.

Craving the Cute

It might surprise people to know that despite posting about weddings and pink walls I really do try to play it cool. I live in black jeans and frye boots (well outside of work anyway) and I dig that all -white Swedish design and listen to the kinks. But sometimes, I just can't help it...I crave cuteness*...And my desire to be surrounded by brightly colored and/or sparkly intricately crafted objects is just that more intensified around the holidays. For some reason, Anthropologie knows this and yesterday sent me an email linking me to well...this:
Like, come on! Give me a chance to not shrill with girly delight. How many matrioshkas can one store have? And that vintage packaging?I don't stand a chance!

check them out at Anthropologie

*Have you ever tried to explain the word "cute" in a foreign language? Try it, it's hard.

The Fur Hat Guild

It was inevitable. My Eastern European fascination eventually invaded my fashion taste, what can I do? But seriously, is there any more perfect way to top off some curly locks or an ultra feminine frock than with a tall fur hat? I think not. It adds that perfect little amount of masculine hunter or long serving general (depending on which had you choose to adopt) to any feminine look. And believe me, you can wear your coat unbuttoned or a lighter coat because your head is toasty and warm. Oh, I can't wait till it gets a bit colder so I can break mine out!
And there are definitely plenty of fake options out there, no need to do anything that hurts your conscience. What do you think? Have I convinced you?

images via garance dore, Style.com (Oscar de la Renta), Vanessa Jackman, the Sartorialist, What is Reality Anyway?, Le Blog de Betty, Anna Wolf via here.

Where have you been? Ashley Meaders

So there I am the other day reading closet & casa over on Oh Joy! and I click on the link to Ashley Meaders' website and wham! I had no idea that whe was the crafting genious behind many of the hand-crafted objects I've seen around the blosphere (weddings in particular). I had no idea she was part of the super-talented Flash Dance crew. If I'd only known about that before I'd planned my wedding...

All images via her site

Look: at this look

What is it about this I love so much? The super tan and stunningly shiny hair? The blazer and scarf? I feel like you can feel her confidence. I need some of that today.

photo by the Sartorialist

Wednesday = Halfway (puppy edition)

Well we finally brought our little Grizzly home last week and aside from some puppy bites we have been happily playing all week long. Last weekend we pretty much just hung out with the Grizz all weekend. I love it when he rolls on his back and lets us pat his stomach and makes this goofy face (we call it froggy face).

(ps. PB made this delicious Coq Au Vin for some Grizzly visitors)

Chalkboard signs

Ah, signage. So functional and yet an opportunity to get a little creative. There are so many ways to make a sign, but a fun, sturdy DIY option is a good ole' chalkboard sign. I feel like I just discovered chalkboard paint, and I loved seeing M use it in her kitchen.

In terms of signs (see below), they can be playful, with illustrations on the chalkboard itself (upper left, from Wildflower Photos) or simple with an ornamental frame (center right, from 100 Layer Cake). As a menu (lower left and lower right, both from 100 Layer Cake), it communicates a more "casual cafe" atmosphere, as opposed to printed menus, which read more as "fancy restaurant" (which is great too! but different...). This one (top right, from Ruffled) isn't actually a chalkboard, but I loved (and appropriated) the mini-bunting look, using scraps from my oilcloth bunting.

In terms of making chalkboards, it's easy to get spray paint at the hardware store. I recommend using masonite board, which has a super slick side and is usually available at the lumber store for a couple bucks a slab. Know what sized boards you want and have the lumber yard cut the slab down for you on the spot - this will save you a a huge hassle. Also, it's used for really cheap siding in construction, so you may get a question on what you plan to use it for because they may want to advise you to try something sturdier - go ahead and let them know its for a chalkboard sign (not building a house) and they'll probably understand.

Photo Credit: Torry M F

The paint instructions will tell you to prep the board BEFORE writing on them by coating it once, using the side of a white chalk stick. What they don't tell you is that it may be be hard to then dust the whole thing off, so be prepared with more than a box of kleenex to wipe it down.

Photo credit: Julia C

Another tip I got was using chalk PENS to get the bold, crisp look that you see on some restaurant menu chalkboards. As you can see, the color is quite bold. Just remember to plan your sign before starting because these chalk pens do NOT like to erase.

Photo credit: Sara V

Mussels a la Jose Andreas

Living in DC and having a bit of a ham/cheese (aka Spain) obsession, PB and I are big Jose Andreas fans (we went to Cafe Atlantico on our first date). The other day we were watching his tasty Galicia show on Made in Spain and he made this mouthwatering mussels and potatoes dish that I just had to try.

You need: mussels, fingerling potatoes, bay leaves, olive oil, albarino wine, pimenton (Spanish paprika).

Peel and then boil the potatoes for about 15 minutes (stick a fork in them to see if they are ready: if the fork easily pierces the potato they are done). Then use a fork to mash them and season with salt and pepper.

Then heat olive oil in a pan (one that has a lid) and once it's smoking hot toss in the mussels and 3 or 4 bay leaves plus about .75 cup of wine. and then cover. Jose said that you could count to cinco and the mussels would be open and ready to take out but I had to cook them a bit longer.

Once the mussels open, take them out of their shells and place them on top of the mashed potatoes. Then season the dish with plenty of olive oil and pimenton.

PB and I both felt this needed something a little sweet, some garlic or shallots would definitely do the trick. Happy eating!

a word to the wise

PB and I have finally almost finished doing all our thank yous. It definitely takes some time, but is infinitely faster if you don't have to write your return address on every envelope. This stamp I got from Paperwink makes it infinitely faster, really cute, and only costs $22.




ps. if you need a customized stamp for your wedding, go ahead and contact them, they did a really cute one for our favors.