More DIY Fabric Art... and a tiny Marimekko Giveaway!

I consider myself to be quite spoiled in terms of geography.  Not just because Texas is awesome (why hello, 84 degree afternoons!), but because Dallas has so many fantastic stores and a huge array of outlets with 20 miles of my home.  This weekend I made a quick run to the Crate + Barrel outlet store and made out like a bandit.  I got a stainless spoon rest, 2 Christmas stockings, a 5x7 rug pad, and 2 yards of gorgeous Marimekko fabric all for $30!

The fabric was only $3.95 per yard(!!!) so I got a couple of designs featuring colors already in my house, and intended to make some throw pillows once I get around to learning to use my sewing machine.  However, when I got home I realized that one of the fabric pieces would look great in the empty space over my console table until I find the right piece of art to hang there for good.

I didn't want to pay $19 for a canvas to attach the fabric to because I am cheap, so I decided to use a piece of metal wall art I already had and don't like anymore and just duct tape the fabric to the metal without cutting it:

Yeah, I could have been a bit neater... 

I'm pretty happy with the end result for having spent $4 and 10 minutes.  It will work nicely until I make up my mind about art.

 

And now for a giveaway of sorts.  I have an extra yard of Marimekko fabric in a similar print, and I'd love to see it be put to good use.  The photo doesn't do it justice - the colors are vivid teals and greens and browns and it looks like someone painted it.  I was going to cut the squares apart and make some sort of YHL-esque frame arrangement.  However, I'm offering it up to one of you crafty ladies (or gentlemen) out there.  If you would use this fabric for something, leave a comment here and tell me your plans for it and I'll pick a winner on Friday.    

American readers only, please, since I don't want to pay more for shipping than the fabric itself.

What do you think about my temporary "art"?  Can you think of anything else that would look good over my table for around $150 or less?  Having good taste can be very expensive...

The world's chicest line of bike helmets

As if we needed any more reasons why the french are known to be stylish.  Take a look at this hat bike helmet:

Is that not the cutest idea?  I haven't seen them for sale in the US, they're available via this site in the UK.  I will not be needing one since I haven't ridden a bike in 7 years, when I rode right into a parked car in Paris during a tour of the city.  However, I thought the rest of you may appreciate it.

For Japan, With Love

Like many other bloggers, I too will be participating in the day of silence on Friday, March 18.  Please take a moment to think about how lucky we are and how precious life is, and consider a donation to help if you feel so inclined.  I'm happy to support Shelter Box, and you may read more about them here.

Things Every Girl Needs: A Little Black Dress

This week's guest for the Thing Every Girl Needs series is brand new blogger Sarah from Life: An Observation, here to provide a round-up of one of the most important things we all need - a little black dress:

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Fashion historians link the little black dress to CoCo Chanel in the 1920s.  Originally designed for a cocktail or evening dress, the little black dress has entered daily life with its simple elegance and ease of building it into any wardrobe.  It can go from errands to the board room to the office holiday party with a few simple tweaks to accessories, hair and make up.  Some of the dresses I picked can be used for more than one occasion, while others are just for one event. Here are some options of various shapes, styles and uses:

White House Black Market Fit n Flare Dress
This dress would be perfect for the office or a drink with the girls.  Pair it with black flats, a red belt, pearl necklace and camel cardigan and you're ready for a day at the office.  Swap those flats for heels, pearl necklace for a statement necklace and cardigan for a colorful wrap and you're ready for happy hour.

LOFT Tube Maxi Dress

While not technically a "little" black dress, maxi dresses are hot right now.  This dress can be worn throughout the summer and fall with different accessories.  For summer, pair with a wide brim hat, bangle bracelets and strappy sandals for a day shopping or running errands.  When the summer turns to fall, pair with a denim jacket, colorful scarf, tights and black leather boots.

Modcloth Subtly Sublime Dress
This dress is elegant and understated.  A simple necklace and heels are all you need for this dress.  Match with a cardigan to cover arms.  Dressy enough for a party but demure enough for a funeral, this dress has multiple uses

Charter Club Sateen Shirtdress 
This dress is great for the girl on the go.  Simple, yet stylish, this dress can be worn while shopping, running after the kids, a picnic or date night.  

Elegance in Everything Curvy Plus Dress
Cocktails, anyone?  Turn heads in the black, one shoulder number.  Diamond earrings, a funky clutch and high heels would make this dress pop.  Although not for the faint of heart, the ruching and folds will help define a waist.

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 Thanks for the great post Sarah!  I'm loving the LOFT maxi dress... if only it weren't as tall as I am.  If anyone else would like to submit a post for this series, send me an email and we'll arrange a date and topic.  There are still slots open in April!

To be fair... Modern Baby Girl Nursery

In looking at the stats for this blog, it's very clear that hundreds of people land here searching for baby boy nursery ideas, thanks to this post I wrote for the lovely Kate.  So, to be fair and satisfy my baby girl-having friends, I've assembled a baby girl nursery based on the same criteria:

• No overall theme, just cool modern things with a childish feel
• No crazy paint scheme that will be inappropriate once Junior reaches preschool
• No wallpaper borders!! 
• Practical fabrics that can withstand vomit
• Affordable furniture that can be used later on

Here are my inspiration rooms:

 

Sorry, can't remember where these came from.  If they're yours, let me know.

And if I were assembling a room of my own (which I am not, don't get excited Mom) here's what I think I would pick:

Babies R Us Crib

Home Decorators Corolla Rug: I didn't want to pick anything overly juvenile when it costs $499, and I think this adds a dose of feminine to the room but could be used elsewhere in the house later on

Urban Outfitters Old House Bookshelf  

CB2 Matchbox Low Dresser : This can be used as a changing table during baby years (just add a pad) and then remain in the room as it evolves

Fabric for Custom Bedding (1 & 2)

Fabric for Recovering Chair (3)

Pom Pom Mobile (you need one that will actually look nice when viewed from underneath by the baby... now you'll think of that every time you see a mobile)

Curtains

Paint: Morning Glory by Benjamin Moore

Helvetica Alphabet

Canvas Growth Chart

Modern Tree Print

Alicia Bock Photograph

Bag O' Doxies!!!

Cloud Shelf

Floor Lamp 

Elephant Hamper

What's your favorite item?  I almost bought my future child a bag of dachshunds because I'm a crazy dog lady.

Gorgeously Girly Trend: Floral Skirts

I will be first to admit that spring is not my favorite season for clothes.  I hate chiffon, and strappy sundresses don't work well for me and bra straps, so that leaves little to work with most years.  However, I am totally in love with the floral skirt trend this season.  They will look amazing with light cardigans and a belt while it's still a little chilly outside (and in the office) and then still be wearable this summer with tank tops and fun sandals.

And in case you're wondering, women of every size can pull this off - the key is to keep looking for the silhouette that's most flattering for you and find a print that's not too large/small for your frame.

Here are a few of my favorites so far:

1. LOFT Antique Floral Pencil Skirt
2. LOFT Abstract Floral Pencil Skirt
3. Gap Floral Skirt
4. Madewell Flea Market Floral Skirt
5. Talbots Tuileries Floral Skirt
6. Charlotte Russe Animal Print Challis Skirt
7. Anthropologie Fantastic Field Skirt
8. J. Crew Liberty Floral Mini

Dining area: Done

At long last, I finally made a decision and moved forward with plans for the divider wall in my dining area.  I kept having more ideas and doubting my plans, but on Saturday I began painting and never looked back.  Now I'm really happy with the end result:

Before:

"What you doing Mom?  Is it time for treats?"

After:

 

A decorator's work it is not, but N and I really like the color and personality this collection of frames brings to our dining area.  The color on the wall is called Plumage by Martha Stewart Living (via Home Depot) and the pictures are a collection of travel photos and Etsy prints that represent places that N and I have been, plus a love note written in programming language (via The Wallarroo on Etsy) because we're nerds and that's how we roll.  That basket holds our mail and I left it in the photo because that's how the space works for us, and that vintage dresser is full of our fancy dishes and some serving pieces we rarely use.

I plan to keep adding to the collage as we travel more each year, which is why it's not symmetrical.  I got some inspiration from an old Young House Love post about frame arrangements and I like that's it's not too perfect and that the frames are similar but don't match.

So... how was your weekend?