Make a Statement!

Here's a little secret about me: I determine a fashion winner for almost every event I attend. (No, I don't pick a loser.) I sometimes tell the person that they've won, but I'm also shier than I like to let on, so the winners are rarely notified. Also, it's a little weird to go up to a complete stranger and tell them that they've won an imaginary contest in your head.
A few weeks ago, I went to a dear friend's wedding up in New Hampshire. They're both theater folks in Chicago, so you have to know that their assembly of guests was on point in their fashion. The clear winner in this case (though there were many contenders) was a woman in her late twenties/early thirties with a green and cream striped dress, funky yellow heels, and an unreal red hat with a little birdcage veil. The dress itself was pretty and simple, but the fact that she added unexpected accessories made the whole look pop. If you're looking for some unexpected accessories to take your outfit from "you look nice!" to "you won the imaginary contest in my head!" try these on for size.  As an added plus, most of these are super affordable.  

If you're not that into statement jewelry, what about a statement fascinator? 

Left: The Garden Gnome by I Love Factory (it's worth checking out their website--their work is uh-mazing.); Right: Frida Headband/Fascinator by Frosting Couture

If you're convinced that your outfit is not shiny enough (this is almost always the case with me): 

Left: Chunky Gem Cuff Bracelet at Ann Taylor Loft, Variegating Blue and Green Rhinestone Statement Necklace by Sparkle Beast Designs (does this not make you want to put on some ice skates and a mildly inappropriate outfit and skate in circles to some Enya?... in a good way?)

If you're looking to add just a bit of edge to your LBD:

Left: The Invisible Neve by Giia {via Design for Mankind}; Right: Tribal Bib Filament Necklace by Jack Jewelry

It's Raining, It's Pouring

I never equated summer with rain until I moved to the East Coast, but Brooklyn has seen its fair share of thunderstorms in the past few days. If you're like me, you always forget your umbrella when it's going to rain. Maybe if my boring black umbrella hadn't been purchased from a man outside the subway in a torrential downpour, I would be more likely to remember to bring it with me. Here are a few umbrellas that you'll be excited to use.

Marimekko Unikko Red Umbrella at FinnStyle

Senz Storm-Proof Umbrella at Unicahome

Clear Dots Bubble Umbrella by Totes at amazon.com

Pantone Umbrella at Moma

In the fall and spring, our front hallway often looks like an umbrella graveyard. Prevent this by making good use of an umbrella stand:

monsoon umbrella stand at umbra

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Currently, I only have room for an itty, bitty garden. Luckily, that's all I need to grow an abundance of herbs. We have plenty of mint for our lemonade, chives for our omelets, and most importantly, basil for our pesto. Ah, pesto--it's difficult for me to imagine a meal that wouldn't be improved by including you. Everyone should know the pleasure of summer meals brimming with herby goodness. Here are some supplies to get you started.

Left to right, from top: Herb Flower Pots at Twine; Celia Birtwells Watering Can and Garden Apron at Sprout Home; Normann Copenhagen Herb Stand at Velocity Art & Design; Herb and Plant Caddy with Planter Boxes at Japanese Garden Supply

Left to right, from top: Garden Markers at Simply Pretty Prints; Custom Garden Stakes at Just Potters; Custom Herb Markers at Muuan; Essential Herbs Kitchen Towels Set at Nesta Homes

Left to right, from top: Henckels Twin Select Mezzaluna Set at Chefs; Herb Drying Rack at Terrain; The Herbal Kitchen at Amazon; Herb Snips at Chefs; Oval Spice Herb Jars at Crate and Barrel

Have Your Cake

A dear friend recently had a baby. It just so happened that this tiny piece of perfection was born on her mama’s birthday, her 30th no less. Because it was birthdays all around, loved ones brought a cake to the hospital. Besides setting the scene for some adorable photos, this cake created a celebratory mood befitting a new life (I’ll just put it out there now: I think our next baby should be greeted with a cake--carrot, please). Ice cream and cookies may be more likely to make me swoon, but nothing says celebration like a cake.

Homemade cake beats bakery cake any day of the week, but what do you do if your frosting skills are stuck at a third grade level? Add a topper, of course. Almost anything small and festive can decorate your cake or cupcakes (just put it on a small pedestal, if you're concerned about the frosting). Here are a few of our favorites:

This lovely photograph is courtesy of Brookelyn Photography, styled by ME*. Cake topped with Whale Candleholder by Jonathan Adler.

Clockwise from top: Happy Birthday Owl by the Felted Pair; Custom Birthday Girl by Lollipop Workshop; Elephant Never Forgets Your Birthday by Bunny With a Toolbelt

Clockwise from top left: Bon Voyage Bird by Cotton Bird Designs; Lines + Patterns Blocks by The Small Object; Custom Star House by Urastar

Clockwise from top left: Wooden Robot and Bird Friend by Angelbot; Paper Flowers by Milla Love; Alphabet Blocks by Uncle Goose; The Wild Bunch by Mibo Studios

All Grown Up!

Say your little sister/cousin/friend's sister has just graduated from college and is moving to her first big girl apartment/condo/house. You'd like to get her some art for the walls to start her off right, but you want something that a) isn't going to break the bank, and b) might make her feel a little more grown up. You may not be able to convince her to get rid of her shot glass collection comprising glasses from all 50 states, but you can at least give her walls a classy start.
A few ideas if your little sister(etc.)...

left to right: Into the Ether Print by Shannon Rankin; Wonder Wanderlust Print by Jen Renninger ; VHS by Hollis Brown Thornton

left to right:Pinky Hedgehog, Flowers by Katie Vernon; Lustre Print by Aline Yamada, Hola Oso by Dan Walters; Mini Deer Plaque-White by Nice

left to right: Flight of the Conchords (Las Vegas) by The Small Stakes (I have a SERIOUS crush on Jason Munn); Follow Your Bliss by Lot 9 Press; Exile in Guyville by Seattle Show Posters (I met Rick last year at Renegade Craft Fair in SF--he couldn't have been nicer, and his posters are amazing in person); Tegan and Sara Poster for Sasquatch 2008 by Strawberry Luna

left to right: Nonsensical Graphic Number 1 by Chad Hagen, Head Over Heels by Lawrence Weiner; blue constellation by Christine Tillman