Monthly Archives: October 2011

fashion to interiors: say it with chocolate

In continuing with our spinoff from the usual Fashion to Interiors with Kate Spade series we’re officially another month into our pledge to Live Colorfully in 2011. Each month Kate Spade will announce a new color along with a video and their top picks from their line in that color. We wanted to kick it up a notch and not only share with you our obvious love of Kate Spade’s bold color choices, but also show our favorite interiors that also showcase the color.

This month: CHOCOLATE!

Check out the video Kate Spade created to announce October’s color:

Here are some pieces introduced for the chocolate portion of Live Colorfully:

Clockwise from upper left: victoria faux fur pullover – $845, daycation gia – $75, year of color october ring – $78, jewel block bib necklace – $398, stardust willa – $698, sparkle summit brynn – $345, licorice heels – $298, chacha chocolate clutch – $295, orchestra hall statement studs – $78, all wrapped up bow belt – $145

And now for some dashing interiors:

Stay tuned for next month when we share the next color from Kate Spade’s Live Colorfully campaign, you won’t want to miss it!

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Images from real simple, decor pad, the lennox, and apartment therapy

two years later..

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As of today Derek and I have officially been together for 2 years! I can’t believe it’s been that long, but then when I look back I honestly can’t remember what my life was like before I met this boy. Sappy much? You betcha! Well, just as I did last year, I made a little video of our past year in photos, which again is probably more for us but we hope that you enjoy it as well! It’s fun looking back at how far we’ve come. A whole year of living in the same city for once!

Happy Weekend! We’re off to visit my parents in Dallas, for a much needed break from the real world :)

what i wore: webbed arms are so hot right now

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sweater {anthropologie}, jeans {gap}, shoes {ralph lauren}, bag {thrifted fendi}, necklace {stella & dot}, ring {h&m}, watch {michael kors}

I saw this sweater as I was perusing the sale racks at Anthropologie one day after work. It was the last one, it was my size, and it was only $19. Check, check, check! However I was about to meet with someone where having a shopping bag would be a huge fauxpaux, so I decided that I would grab it on my way home. However my meeting was so exciting that I raced home and didn’t remember the ol’ sweater until I pulled into my parking lot. Awesome. I couldn’t go back because the mall was about to close, so I decided to go back the next day after work.

Next Day: I hopped onto I10 only to immediately be stuck in a parking lot of traffic. Super. Apparently there was a wreck at the exit before my exit and I was literally stuck in traffic for 2 hours. This drive would usually take me 15min tops. The whole time I was stressing and agonizing about my lowly sweater being picked up by someone with a better set of priorities than mine. When I finally got to Anthropologie I sprinted to the sale rack and it was gone. What? Why am I even surprised? But then I remembered an old trick of the trade. When you find something really cool but you have to come back for it, you have to hide it really well so that no one else will find your treasure. So I started digging behind the wall of coats and what did I find? My sweater! It was shoved in the corner, off it’s hanger, and 100% mine. Sucks to be whoever I kinda stole it from. Maybe you should be a better hider?

So when I got home and tried it on I noticed the crazy asymmetrical webbed-sleeve action:

Uhhhh what? Yes one sleeve is normal [the left one] and one is much lower and appears to be web-like. It took me forever to figure out how to wear it. And I googled the sweater to make sure mine wasn’t sewn incorrectly [maybe that's why it was on sale? It wasn't.] Apparently this is the new cool thing in fashion. At first I though it was weird, and super uncomfortable because I definitely cannot raise my right arm in this thing without giving everyone a show. But, I’ve gotten used to it so we’re good to go. I know you were all terribly worried.

Also, you can’t tell from these photos and Derek’s mad Photoshopping skills, but I am absolutely covered in oil-based paint. That stuff just likes to stick around. I’ve tried everything to get it off my skin, so right now I’m letting it work itself out. Let’s just say I’m wearing a lot of long sleeves this week.

otomi textiles are my newest obsession

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Yes, I know.. I should be sharing my freshly painted dining chairs with you, but sadly I have a little story about that whole sitch. It’s called “The Mystery of the Patio That Keeps Paint From Drying” What? Yes. Let’s just say I’m having to paint everything inside, and now I know why my basil plant never needs water. Hmmmm. So because I’m having to literally wait for paint to dry, I have had lots of time to find the perfect fabric for these six beauties. I was going through all of my favorite fabric sources and nothing was really tickling my fancy and then I remembered an old favorite of mine. Otomi textiles.

These textiles are hand embroidered by the Otomi Indians of Mexico. Each coverlet takes about three months to make and they are so beautiful, completely unique, and made with love. Here are some of my favorite uses for these amazing textiles.

I just love the whimsical animals that seem to be dancing around, and the colors are fantastic! This is a endangered art form that could disappear forever. So although they are extremely expensive, the proceeds go on to benefit the Otomi Indians, so you bet your buttons I’ll be saving up to have an authentic piece one day! I can’t believe I live in San Antonio and I’ve never seen these at any of the mercados or Mexican boutiques. If you’ve seen these around here PLEASE tell me where!

So because I can’t afford to pay $295 for one piece of it at the moment, I started scouring the internets for a printed version of this embroidered pattern. And then I remembered Spoonflower. If you aren’t familiar with Spoonflower, you can upload your own design and have it printed on any weight of fabric for between $18-30/yd. Crazy right? So I knew someone had to have uploaded the Otami textile print, and voila! There were tons! And I actually feel better about having my chairs upholstered in the print rather than the actual embroidered piece because I would probably never let anyone actually sit in my chairs! So while I save up for the real deal [which I would die to make a duvet out of or even a headboard] I can still enjoy the print I love for a fraction of the price.

Because my chairs will be glossy white with gold dipped feet. I wanted a fun bold color to really pop against my walnut parsons table, and decided on this cobalt and white pattern:

I usually don’t mind ordering fabric online, but because I’m getting 4 yards of it, I want it to be just right so I’ve ordered a Fabric Sample Pack from Spoonflower which has samples of all of the weights of fabric. I’m leaning toward the upholstery weight cotton twill, but it’s $32/yard so I also ordered a swatch of the linen-cotton canvas which is only $27/yard so I hope it’s strong enough! Maybe by the time my fabric comes in, my chairs will actually be dry! Here’s hoping!

Images from: apartment therapy, aesthetic oiseau, caitlin creer, gramercy, interiors addict, compai, the semi-designed life, remodelista, the hidden list, stray dog designs, young house love, and pinterest.

my greatest halloween costume ever.

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Three years ago I decided to DIY my Halloween costume because I had negative money and no time [we're talking.. I made this after work on Halloween and had to be to a party at 8pm]. I don’t even know how I came up with a shower sponge, but it sounded easy enough to try! It was a big hit at the party, even though I hardly knew anyone there [considering I had only lived in SA for 2 weeks], and ever since then people have been asking me how I made it so I thought I’d do a little how to post.

YOU WILL NEED:

1 bolt of tulle (in the color of your choice)

2yds of nylon rope (in the trimmings section)

1 million safety pins (size medium)

long tank top (that covers your butt)

leggings (optional, if you’re that kinda gal..)

STEP 1:

Put your tank top on a hanger. It would definitely be easier to have a human as a model while you pin, but I was by myself so the hanger worked for me.

STEP 2:

Start unrolling the tulle and unfolding it from the bolt. Start pinning the tulle to the tank top from the top and work your way around the tank top and down in a bunchy spiral. Bunch up the tulle and pin as you go. Don’t worry about covering every last bit right now. This layer is sort of your “primer”.

STEP 3:

Once you’ve covered most of your tank top try it on to see how the shape is working for you. Then start cutting the remaining tulle into giant squares and bunch those and pin them to fill in the voids. Remember you’re making a sponge so try to keep everything looking round (add more fluff to the middle). Keep bunching and pinning until you have about 1′ of tulle left.

STEP 4:

Cut your remaining tulle half creating 2 long 6″ strips (the length of the bolt) and use each one to wrap around the straps of your tank top. I went back and forth a little bit to cover it all since mine was black. And then pin your strap covers in place.

STEP 5:

Take your rope and fold it in half and then twist the two halves and tie it into a knot to create the sponge string. Pin this anywhere you want on your sponge. Now put your leggings on and you’re good to go!

WARNING: It is literally impossible to sit, drive, or wear a seatbelt while dressed as a shower sponge. Luckily I wasn’t going far so I made it work, BUT if I were you I would wear the leggings and another tank top while you’re in a car and then slip the sponge on before going to the party. Just a thought ;) Luckily I didn’t get pulled over because I really didn’t want a cop to laugh at me..

Here are some other random pictures from that evening to give you shots at other angles of this ridiculous ensemble:

Photos courtesy of Arlene.

So I’ve yet to attempt topping this costume. Because it really was ~~that good~~ a conversation starter. What was your best Halloween costume? What are you going to be this year? It’s on a Monday which is super weird, but what can ya do?