Holiday Crafts for Adults

I love the holidays.  No, seriously, I LOVE the holidays.  Anyone who knows me, knows that this is my time of year.  As proof, I have not gone a single year without a live 7ft tree.......I live alone. I always decorate the house the weekend after Thanksgiving......always. Christmas music is on the radio at all time...in the car, in the house, and at work.  I realize it's a bit obsessive but hey, at least it's not hoarding cats or collecting owl figurines.

I'm a crafty gal but it's hard to find adult holiday crafts that aren't tacky.  There are plenty for the kiddos, of which I have none, so I searched the net for crafts that aren't too kitschy.  I plan on working a few of these and hope to use the outcome, good or bad, for a future blog.

Some ideas that I love......

Etched glass stemware.  How chic this is and it seems pretty easy.  For the how-to click here.

This is so cute. Imagine the possibilities of colors and adornments.  For the how-to look here.  Seems very easy.

It's made out of paper cupcake liners so it's inexpensive.  Change up the liners to funky colors and this could be a kids craft.  The how-to here.

This pine cone garland is sweet and simple.  I read the how-to here and it's super simple.

Well all, I hope your Tuesday is going well and cheers to you all.

-Tina

Industrial Chic

Covet Collective hopes everyone had a delightful Thanksgiving.  It's such a treat to have time off to spend with family and friends.  I personally enjoyed twice baked potatoes and the sprinkling of Christmas cheer.

In addition to Christmas cheer and gorging on food, I had homework for an Interior Design class project. I love it so much, it's hard to consider it work.  My project consists of putting together three story boards for a "client" selling a design I've come up with for their living room.  I chose a masculine industrial chic look and I love how it turned out. In my hunt for accessories and furniture I perused Restoration Hardware. I can't tell you how in love I am with their entire line of Industrial goods. 

Imagine this cart in front of a comfy feather filled cream color sofa.

and this wine barrel table next to a leather club chair......

and these old gears on a bookcase......

and these vintage looking globes on a console table atop leather bound books.......

See the Resto collection here.

I also came across Hudson Goods.  You can find them here.  I want one of everything!    Wonderful recycling and upcycling of goods.

Here are some of my faves from Hudson Goods.

-Tina

Travelers

I am sure many of you are on the road traveling today to get to your Thanksgiving destinations.  It is a good time to reflect how thankful we are for everything good we have.  There are so many little blessings in life, so just take a moment and give thanks.

Tomorrow, my husband and I are headed to my homeland.  Since packing is on my mind, I wanted to post a few travel accessory options for you all to keep you organized as you head to the controlled chaos that typically goes hand in hand with family gatherings.

In a world of laptop bags, I have had my eye out for a cute travel carry-on bag that could stand out.  This Metro Bag from Tanner's Alley Leather caught my eye.

Once you are on the plane (or in the car), it seems like everyone has a gadget to keep them occupied.  I even see 4 year olds pulling out smart phones!  With that in mind, this fun little sleeve from Fred Flare brought me a smile.

Though I am not an iPad owner, I couldn't help but love these covers from Twelve South that give an old school look to a new fangled toy.

When going out for dinner, I hate trying to find a place to put my purse that doesn't involve leaving it on the floor.  Lately, I have been seeing these purse hooks everywhere!  There are a lot of design options out there, but this one from Red Envelope can be monogrammed (gift idea, anyone?).

And finally, this pouch from Simbiosis by Julia on Etsy is the perfect little bag to bring a pop of color into your life.  It can be used for your makeup or to store those little necessary items in your purse.

I like the blending of the sophisticated leather travel bag (above) with this whimsical little pouch.  Keep them guessing!

Safe Travels,
-Katie

Pigeon Toe Ceramics

Here are some beautiful and unique items made by Portland-based Pigeon Toe Ceramics. 

A clever “half full” line inside the Optimist cup. 

This ceramic cast of a Kerr jar is so beautiful with a candle inside.

Loving this for displaying airplants

Tripod planters in a variety of colors.  Their tableware also comes in these colors.

Holiday cog ornament

You can purchase their items through their website or through their etsy shop.

-Lana

Read Between the Lines

I was searching on Etsy the other day for artwork for my apartment.  I have been in a frenzy lately to upgrade my walls.  The problem......I'm cheap.  I like expensive looking items but want inexpensive pricing.  After half an hour I came across exactly what I was looking for - simple, upcycled, inexpensive and vintage looking.  The prints are on old dictionary pages!  I love them and you can't beat the price from $7 to $12! 

Find the Etsy store here for this print.

Not a fan of the black frame but the prints are phenom.  For these prints and more like them, visit the Etsy shop here.

Lastly, a third Etsy store with colorful prints on dictionary pages.  You can find them here.

Cheers!

-Tina

British Influence

I was excited to hear that Kate Middleton and Prince William announced their engagement.  Kate wore a lovely navy Issa dress to complement the fantastic sapphire engagement ring which belonged to Princess Diana.  Issa is a London-based fashion label and is known for their wrap dresses.  

Reproductions of the Keep Calm and Carry On print has been making the rounds on design blogs for a while.  It was used by the British government to allay the public’s fear during WWII.  Today, it is used as a statement piece in a room.  This extra large screenprint is available through Keep Calm Gallery.  They also have other fantastic prints.  

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows opened at midnight and the movie looks amazing from the trailers.  I’ll leave you with an image of Emma Watson (aka Hermione Granger) from Burberry’s Spring/Summer 2010 campaign.

Have a great weekend,

Lana

Thanksgiving Tablescape 2010

Not sure what it is about this year, but I am just thrilled that the holidays have arrived.  Perhaps because it’s been a year of bad news, cutbacks, and tough decisions now I just want to focus on creating happiness and coziness, and enjoying the (still so many) good things in my life.   Let the holiday table-scaping begin!

I’ve compiled some tips for creating a little Thanksgiving ‘set drama’ and also pulled up some photos for inspiration.

• Have fun with it. Your tablescape only lasts a few hours!  This is not the element to spend more than an hour crafting.  Save some creative energy for the cooking!
• Take advantage of the season.  Use seasonal foods like pumpkins, squash, gourds, fall leaves, pinecones, acorns, eucalyptus nuts, etc to bring the outdoors in.
• Pull out those special occasion bowls, plates, glasses, and silverware –if not now, when?!  Thanksgiving is a time for being grateful for all our blessings, including our material ones.
• Don’t worry about trying to create a photo-perfect tablescape.  Character is born in imperfection.
• Keep in mind your guest’s comfort and try to include details that will welcome and delight them.

What I like about the place setting below:

• The somewhat unusual gold silverware.  It's a bit 80's, and a bit 'Babylonian'.
• The mix of patterns, which is tied together by a common black & white scheme.
• The simple plates and bowls paired with the extra-fancy silverware.
• The salt and pepper cellars –traditional and personal. 

http://www.casasugar.com/Thanksgiving-Tablescapes-6276871?more=true

What I like about the tablescape below:

• The collection of pewter or silverplated teapots, candlesticks, bowls, and pitchers.  Few things say Colonial America to me like a great pewter pitcher.  I like how that representation reminds me of how the Thanksgiving tradition began.
• The use of seasonal berries and leaves to echo the warm reds, yellows, and oranges of the tablecloth and charger plates.
• The white taper candles.  White candles are eternally chic and offer a nice foil to all that color on the rest of the table.  They are also usually scentless and so don't compete with the aromas of that feast you slaved to create!

http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/thanksgiving-table-5-de.jpg

Things I like about the tablescape below:

• I love how the orange hanging lanterns recall pumpkins.  Floating pumpkins!  The whimsy is charming.
• The rustic natural white tablecloth (an antique grain sack cloth perhaps?) paired with the rustic, natural finish table.  Simple.  Comfortable. Accessible.  Your guests will thank you.
• The cozy plaid blankets on the backs of the chairs.  Ahhhh.  Not only do they invoke the romance of an outdoor meal, but they also suggest that you curl up for a nap after dinner. 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1ptaVdNB97zlGlyzrlfUEcH9ogHs700sVqOSj84QR-XaJ_93f0d1V5BqBYZMDO2-m4AcX1O2s8jcEFPgG-ZJ7t81Pr7XBc31hQuKmIEt46JqBlffuTLTfsckKwFY1gFJyCfpKVQp9g4/s400/tablescape_thanksgiving+outside+paper+lanterns+orange+pumpkins_James+Carriere+Photography.png

And now something of my own… Below is a photo from our Thanksgiving tablescape from last year at Lake Tahoe –before we got the food on the table.  It was better looking with the feast spread out and our friend’s smiling faces around the table, but you get the idea.  

Happy table-scaping and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Love,

Lauren

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

Last night I was running around trying to figure out the perfect décor for the holiday week next week. Here are just a few items I thought were cute.  Let’s hope I can pull it all together!

Can you imagine how great this wreath from Smith and Hawkin (as seen on Country Living) will smell?  It is made of all sorts of great herbs.  This is a great DIY project!

Here is a great idea for place cards from Martha Stewart:

How sweet are these little candles from Twine? 

Of course, you can't forget the centerpiece!  However, we have a small table, so I liked the suggestion from Country Living of placing the display on a buffet.  

-Katie

Vintage Steamer Trunks

We have a small home, which is typical for California unless you are millionaire, so I am always on the lookout for storage options that also are design pieces.  Recently I have been on the hunt for a vintage steamer trunk.  This one from TopsyDesign on Etsy is really unique:

Of course, if the pink is throwing you off, there are so many other designs.  I am also very partial to the wood/metal combo on a trunk from Antique Victorian Trunks, so would choose one closer to this for my home:

My mom has a fantastic steamer trunk with a dome lid that I loved even as a child.  The dome lids are rare since back in the day, they were not as stackable as the flat lids.  They were, after all, meant for travel.  If you decide to purchase a steamer trunk for your home, just imagine where it may have traveled in its lifetime!

For those bargin hunters out there, look on craigslist.com.  I know in the San Francsico Bay Area, there are a number of great options.  Maybe you can find one in your area too.

-Katie

Anthropologie Accessory Store!?! FTW!

I was stalking various blogs when something stopped me in my tracks.  Anthroholic is a cute blog about a girl (well, woman really) who has a love affair with Anthropologie.  As a lover of all things pretty and shiny I, too, love Anthro, specifically their accessories and home goods.  So I am pretty stoked to find out they are opening accessory stores.  To date, the only one is in DC from what I can tell. 

I don't plan on visiting DC anytime soon but I am planning to keep my eye out for one opening in San Francisco!!! Sorry for yelling. Hoping someone at Anthro heard me.  You can find the blog here.  Below is some Anthro eye candy.

-Tina

Banana Paper

I am a marketing person’s dream.  If I see neat packaging combined with anything that says Eco-Friendly, I am buying it.  I love journals and idea books and often buy them as gifts for friends and family. 

Knowing this about me, you can probably guess that when I saw this Banana Paper 3 Journal Set as I was wandering the aisles of Target, I had them in my cart before even checking the price.  Just look how cute these are!

You can imagine my thrill when I saw the 3 pack was only $6.99 (wallet friendly) and that they are made of treeless paper (environment friendly). 

The brainchild behind these is TNF EcoPapers, which is located in Costa Rica.  Their paper products are made from 80% post-consumer waste (agricultural by-products and post-consumer paper products) and 20% banana fibers.  How cool is that?  They also have coffee paper, which is intriguing.  You can find out more at http://www.thebananapapercompany.com/.

As a bonus, I found that the journals were actually designed in the US (Gartner Studios), but then made in Costa Rica.  Yeah for US job-creating, eco-friendly products!

-Katie 

The Classic Riding Boot

From an early age, I have been in love with horses and most things horse related.  However, as one who isn't always totally up with fashion names, I only recently became aware of Etienne Aigner riding boots.  Now that I am aware, I am completely obsessed with this pair:

Honestly, who wouldn't love these?  Just look at the detail!

I may have to break my own rule about only buying boots that are under $100 for these. 

If you too decide these are for you, you can find them here:

Etienne Aigner Costa Boots at Shoes.com

If you want to see other styles or prices, here are a few other options (but most are "unavailable" according to the sites).  I have found these boots to be elusive! 

Steve Madden Harness Riding Boot ($114.99 at Overstock.com)

Seychelles Orchestra Boot ($84.90 at Nordstrom)

Ciao Bella Two Tone Leather Tori Side Zip Riding boot ($125.99 at Bluefly.com)

Happy Hunting!

-Katie