Inspired Rooms: Jimmy Schönning

Swedish designer, Jimmy Schönning has truly captured my heart in his interior visions. He has styled spaces for publications such as vtwonen, elle decor, hus&hem and sköna hem.. I've had these images on file for a while now, but I suppose my little trip to ikea last night have brought them back to memory. So glad for that.


There is an abundance of my favorite things, clean lines, color, white, planks and industrial elements used in a comfortable atmosphere.

 I would be a very happy lady indeed to occupy this romantically forlorn room.

Personal Style: Petals and Pleats

This is my Mother's Day outfit. I'm loving the dark, vintage spring floral skirts/shorts in trend right now, but they are mostly a little short for my taste so I thought this top was close enough. I love this ivory, pleated vintage skirt I scored thrifting a few years back, but I honestly don't think I have ever worn it. So, my style secret? Wearing something that doesn't need to be wrinkled. I pretty much look like a bag lady the majority of the time because I am on this anti-ironing kick right now. Finding unwrinkled articles of clothing that pair well together is a task, but I'm up for the challenge.

I love these vintage clip ons. Huge acrylic flowers and sparkly rhinestones. The peachy-pink color is different, but a nice nod to this years coral craze. I got about 20 pairs of vintage earrings at an estate sale for $1 the other day. I wish they were all this awesome. I'll probably list some from my growing collection in my shop in the coming days.

So, I don't usually pair black and brown together, but for some weird reason, the flowers on the black top or the ivory skirt, the cosmos worked together and so I added a brown belt and shoes. The t-strap heels and vintage ck belt tie the look together, otherwise it would be too frumpy for me to leave the house. Even though the shoes aren't vintage, they still have that appeal.

 shirt: miley cryus (embarrassing, I know)/ skirt; vintage/ belt: vintage calvin klein

*linked to clothed much's rule breaking (black & brown) monday.

Personal Style: Casual Glamour

I love bumming around in casual jersey. And when I say "bumming around", I mean running errands while wrestling with my kids. Usuallly, I would wear flats, but couldn't find them so I wore these trusty shoes. My (sold out) Shade jersey skirt is a little baggy and a little frumpy. Actually, it doesn't look quite as bad in person as it does in these photos. The fitted American Apparel athletic vintage fit gym tee is one of my favorite fits of all time. Unfortunately, the shirt doesn't hold up to washings very well and gets a little too faded/ pilly for my liking, but I'll survive. Especially since it's my favorite (sold out) Ich Liebe Etsy print.

So, I did this somewhat 40's wave with my bangs and another messy side chignon. Since I made my Ivory Rose earrings  using (increasingly harder to find) vintage cabs from around the same era, and donned my red lipstick, I feel justified. Casey has some wonderful retro hairstyle tutorials, and there are many on youtube as well.

 skirt: shade/ shirt: etsy / shoes: thrifted / earrings: jeweled ambrosia

To learn how to REALLY glam up this look, visit my post here.

*Linked to Clothed Much's Rule Breaking Monday.

Happy Mother's Day!

These little canvases are for our moms. We just painted them their favorite colors, added hand prints, some stickers and paint flourishes. Then, we mod podged with glitter. Of course, I over glittered knowing most of it will come off during shipping. A simple, handmade gift that I hope they love as much as we loved making them :)

Thanks moms, for all you do!

 David's contribution to his mom's painting, a lovely cartoon family of us.

 One day, their hands will be much larger than mine.

 

Sweet Treats: Chocoley Chocolate And Candied Apples

 
I love chocolate, but don't know a thing about using it. So, when Chocoley sent this amazing kit in exchange for a review, I was totally delighted. It came with tons of goodies I can't wait to try, but here are some of my favorites for now. They also sent me tons of information on how to actually use it. I can tell you, I typically burn chocolate while melting, but this melted so smooth and was very easy to use, and it was a rich, gourmet flavor and texture, unlike other brands of melted chocolate I have used. My readers will receive a discount and a free candy making course, so keep reading for details.

They have so many chocolate products, but I love their dark chocolate (great for snacking when no one is looking). Also, their drizzle Cocoa Lava is amazing too, and they give lots of fun ideas on how to use it.

 My first ever chocolate confectioneries.... so easy and delicious.

First, I used their Caramel Cream Center (and kosher dairy) and Vanilla Cream Center (and kosher dairy) to make these candies. I just rolled them up, dipped them in melted Bada Bing Bada Boom Dark Chocolate Candy Melts (which are also celiac safe/egg free and peanut/tree nut free). After I dipped them, I laid them on wax paper to dry. Then, I melted their Drizzle and Design White Chocolate and drizzled it on. On some pieces, I dabbed a cute little sprinkle polka dot.

Then, I made these candy apples. I have never made candy apples before. It was relatively easy with their directions. I just melted the caramel (about 1/2 lb for 45 seconds) and dipped my cleaned/dried apples. After the caramel hardened, I dipped in melted chocolate and added sprinkles, walnuts and drizzled white chocolate. I so wanted to add mini marshmallows, but I was out. Wouldn't they make super cute Mother's Day gifts... or party favors?

Little Lovables readers get a 15% discount on your first order (excluding tempering machines, shipping, airbrush equipment and sale/clearance items.) Enter coupon code LITTLELOVABLES15 and it expires 5/20/2011.

Also, you can sign up for a free 7 day email chocolate candy molding course, information here.

Be sure to join the community, they have tons of videos, recipes and tutorials, like this chocolate bark and cookie dough balls.

chocoley.com 
facebook.com/bestchocolate
twitter.com/chocolatesupply

*Linked up to Sweet as Sugar Cookies Saturday Sweets Linky.
*Linked to Little Brick Ranch's Foodie Friday.
*Linked to Remodelaholic's Recipe Sundays.

Personal Style: Elegant Wench

Another odd shirt tuck rescue. I adore the cut and ruching on this top, though when untucked it looks like a poofy maternity shirt. So, I took my favorite assymentrical, raw edged jersey skirt and high waisted it. I always thought I was too short (at 4'11") for this, but now, I have to say, this is one of my favorite and most comfortable dress styles now. Even though it looks a bit pirate wench like, I love it.

 I kept accessories minimal, just my handmade metal roses earrings, black belt, and my favorite red lipstick.

Concerning my legs. As my sister would say, "I'm not pale, I'm angelic." Really, I used to be obsessed with tanning. But now, even though I love a little glow, I am just fine with my pasty white self. In some countries in a much different era, the milky complexion was considered a mark of royalty, as only the laborers were tan from hard work in the sun.

 I did a sort of a side chignon... a loose bun. I just put my hair in a low side ponytail, pulled at the crown for some height. I took about 4 sections of hair, and wrapped each one up and secured with a bobby pin. Probably used about 5 pins total. Similar to the cinnamon bun tutorial.

 shirt: thrifted/ skirt: thrifted/ belt: ny &company/ shoes: steve madden/ earrings: me (jeweled ambrosia)

*linked to Rule Breaking Monday.

Inspired Home: Gardener and Marks White Natural History Cottage

White, shabby, natural, light filled, old, rusty, sparkly, vintage, ethereal, industrial... some of the words that come to mind when I see these lovely images from Gardener & Marks, an Australian design firm, that also specializes in renting out props for a myriad of uses. This home was once a 1900's mattress factory.

Seriously, between the plank floors, exposed beam ceilings, natural history vibe, powder coats of white paint on the beadboard and brick for this industrial cottage feel, when can I move in?