Ready, Set, Christmas!

I wasn't joking when I told you I ordered loads of catalogs. There is a new one in the mailbox practically every day. For me, the fun of the Pottery Barn catalog is in the details- often times things that aren't even for sale. The rooms are always filled with incredible floral arrangements, wonderful collections of everyday objects (tickets, stamps, bottle caps) and fabulous accessories ( a giant sea sponge shaped like a bowl next to the claw foot tub). Those are the things that really set the mood. This year's holiday catalog had lots of cool ideas I'd love to try this Christmas. Here are my favorites:



I loved the miniature pine trees in these glass bottomed lamps. What a pretty way to change your seasonal decor without having lots of clutter on your tabletops.Think of all the pretty things you could fill them with- feathers, seashells, corks, acorns- such fun! I also love how there isn't a cord in the way of the display. How on earth did they manage that?



I thought this idea was also quite sweet. A simple cardboard stencil and a little spraypaint turns an ordinary birch log pile into pretty holiday decor. (Not sure if you'd want to burn spray painted logs after the holidays are over though.)



And finally, I loved this garland of beautifully wrapped packages. Wouldn't this be a charming take on an advent calendar? I'd head to World Market and Trader Joe's for lots of different candies, chocolates, puzzles and tops. So charming!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's a tradition in my family to read Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation before we sit down for our feast. I think its a great reminder of how one can look at blessings instead of difficulties, no matter how trying the circumstances. We all have so much to be grateful for.

"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God..."

Twenty Questions with Apol of LaPomme

I first came across Apol's work on Etsy's front page and today I have the privilege of chatting with her about her creations. Apol runs two wonderful shops; La Pomme where she sells her beautiful plushies and sleep angels filled with herbs from her backyard in Provence, and La Pomme Stories which is full of beautiful fabric collaged story books and cards. She also finds the time to write a beautiful blog. So let's meet the lady behind the magic!



The Fab Miss B: First off, tell us a little about you. Is life in Provence like the Peter Mayle books? What prompted you to move there? What is the best thing about life in the French countryside?

Apol: I had been born and grew up in the big city but had always been a little bit jealous of friends who had their roots in small towns. Plus, I was really exhausted after more than a decade of working in media. It’s work that sucks the blood out of you! So when my husband proposed that I come live with him here in the south, where he spent part of his childhood, it wasn’t too hard a decision to make.

Is it like the Peter Mayle books? In one word: yes. I don’t know if you would think that way if you were French, but if you’re a foreigner seeing this part of the world with a newcomer’s eyes, then it would seem to you pretty much like how it is described in A Year in Provence
. I love it! Not to say that there were no difficulties; there were, mainly to do with language and a bit to do with that I’m Asian and there are almost no minorities here, but when I learned to speak pretty fluently and not to mind the stares, things just started to flow.

I adore how the people here are not all about work and career, they know to stop and enjoy life’s pleasures, like having a good meal with family on a Sunday or a nice drink with friends at sundown, and the conversation does not revolve around what they do for a living. Plus, and not to forget, the food is really good.

The Fab Miss B:What inspires you?

Apol:I always have difficulty answering this question. I am not really sure what inspires me, but I know when I am inspired. I feel this rush, this excitement, a certain shortness of breath, and then I just have to get my hands on a piece of fabric and do something!



The Fab Miss B:What are your favorite simple pleasures?

Apol:A lot has to do with food: I love to cook. I love going to our twice-weekly outdoor market to find things to cook, and also finding goat cheese just perfectly so--not too fresh nor too aged. I always appreciate a glass of good wine. I love eating a good salad with lettuce, tomatoes, gizzard, and a nice mustard-based sauce on a regular day. I love going to our favorite restaurant Café Bouzigues when there’s something to celebrate.




The Fab Miss B:One of the things I am drawn to in your work is the spirit of playfulness. I also love the way your creations look home-spun yet still beautifully crafted. How do you achieve this look?

Apol:It’s my nature, I suppose. I am playful. I joke around a lot and laugh a lot. Ask people around me to describe me, and I suppose most of them will say that I’m a funny girl. Of course, I would like to think that I am more than that, but I just know when not to take things--including myself--very seriously, which is 95-percent of the time.

As for how I achieve the look of my products, I don’t really know. It just comes out that way, although I have always been attracted to furniture with a rough-hewn, handmade aesthetic; to art with a naïve quality to them; to patchwork and embroidery in clothing.



The Fab Miss B:While we lived in China, finding craft supplies was always a fascinating challenge. I couldn’t find things like wooden beads, but there were lots of beautiful silks and pearls. Is it the same for you in Provence? What special local materials are readily available?

Apol:Herbs! Lots and lots of fragrant herbs! I love going for walks in the mountains to pick up things like rosemary, thyme, and rue. A dash of wild-gathered thyme does wonders for my Bolognese sauce.



The Fab Miss B:What is your creative process like? Do you sketch and journal your ideas, or do you just begin to play around in your studio?

Apol:Occasionally, I do sketches, especially if I am going to machine-embroider freehand, but most of the time I just sit in front of my work table and get to it. I work with some patterns, but I am most happy when I am just winging it and inventing something new.



The Fab Miss B:One of the most difficult things about running a crafting business seems to be balancing the creative side with the work of running a business. What are the secrets you’ve learned as you’ve built a successful business?

Apol:I have found out how to get by on very little sleep, and that it is essential to have a husband who makes sure my computer is running perfectly, and who does not mind running out for a pizza or a roast chicken at night to feed me as I sort of slide off my sewing machine in exhaustion…

The Fab Miss B:After reading your interview on Heart Handmade, I have to ask, when your book will come out? Congratulations!

Apol:My publisher promises it will be out before the new year comes in! It's a book of essays about adjusting to a new country, and I am expecting accusations of copying Peter Mayle :)

* Editor's note- The Fab Miss B is quite sure that whatever Apol does, she makes it uniquely hers. I can't wait to read about Provence through her eyes! Thanks again Apol!

Frolic+ Becky Kazana=Just Right

I wanted to mention that Becky Kazana is sponsoring the excellent blog Frolic this holiday season. Chelsea always has beautiful posts that are a little off the beaten track. I'm so excited to be playing a small part in her wonderful blog. Check out her charming floral and events portfolio here too!

Re-invent your Necklaces with Ribbon

After reading so many bloggers rave about Toast, I requested a catalog (I requested loads of catalogs actually- its such a treat after living abroad to get all that free inspiration right in my mailbox). Toast is like a more sophisticated Anthropologie with prices to match. But it is full of beautiful styling and I found at least one idea to copy with a very minimal investment.



I've been into long, long flapper-ish necklaces in big tangles around my neck and I realized that I have quite a few I don't wear because they are too short. So I added some pretty ribbons to lengthen my favorites. To do this yourself, just choose a thin ribbon, I used organdy,velvet and satin, but thicker silk ribbon would look gorgeous too.


You will need, scissors, ribbon, wire cutters and or needle nosed pliers, and a necklace you want to lengthen. Not pictured, but also handy- a bit of superglue.



First, use your pliers or wire cutters to remove the clasp from the necklace. (If you think you might wear it short again, you can choose a ribbon that will conceal the clasps instead.) Otherwise, make sure to leave at least one jump ring on each side to thread the ribbon through.


Decide how long you'd like your necklace, play with it and try it on before you cut your ribbon.


Cut the ribbon and tie a knot on each side, making sure to leave a long tail if you'd like to add a bow. A dot of super glue as you tie the knot might be a good idea here if your ribbon is slippery like mine was.



Now make a small bow from a continuous piece of ribbon and pinching it between your fingers, and use the tail to tie it on. (If you have a clasp, make sure it is completely disguised.) Repeat on the other side, or leave it asymmetrical to suit your own taste.


Trim extra ribbon from the tail.



Make sure to pile on lots of other necklaces and voila- long wonderful Toast inspired tangles of baubles just in time for your holiday wardrobe. Enjoy!

Etsy Bloggers Sale

The Etsy Bloggers Street Team is running a sale to kick off the holiday shopping season in high handmade style! Our team-wide sale runs from Friday, November 28th through Monday, December 1st and you can find a list of more than fifty shops participating right here.

I couldn't wait to get started, so I didn't. I'm offering free shipping on all cards and paper goods to U.S shoppers and discounted shipping to my international customers right this minute. Come in and visit. Check out the print I just added too- It's my little reminder to myself that balance makes all things possible.



Happy Handmade Shopping Dearies!

My Great Grandma's Cranberry Relish

With the shops already full of Christmas trees and obnoxious computer simulated elves blaring "music" everywhere, its easy to forget that there is still a holiday in between us and December 25th.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because I love a chance to stop and reflect on all the many things I have to be thankful for. I can't think of anything better to meditate on in the midst of everything life throws at me.

And of course, each Thanksgiving meal is unique to the household it is served in. In my family, one of the dishes I most look forward to is my Grandma's cranberry relish. This year I asked her for the recipe and was surprised to discover it actually originated with my Grandpa's mother, and it only has three ingredients. She uses a hand grater to make this deliciously crunchy, tart, gorgeously red relish, but I used my brand new Cuisinart and it took about five minutes total. You can also freeze it so you'll have at least one thing done ahead of time! It is perfect with turkey and mashed potatoes.

Great Grandma A's Cranberry Relish

2 bags fresh cranberries
2 navel oranges
4 cups sugar (start with half this amount and adjust to your personal taste)

Chop the whole oranges into cubes and dice in food processor. (The peel gives this an extraordinary tang and tartness) Put diced orange pulp into a large mixing bowl. Rinse cranberries and dice them in the food processor. Mix with orange pulp. Add sugar to taste, chill, garnish with sprigs of fresh mint and serve.

So and So Said: Volume 6

Christmas in the Heart Contest

"Christmas in the heart puts Christmas in the air." This is the quote that is inspiring me this holiday season. And nothing kills the Christmas in my heart like the soulless "buy! buY!! BUY!!!" music that starts playing immediately after Halloween. This is my antidote to all of that. Leave me a comment describing your favorite holiday tradition and you'll be entered in a contest for one of my mixed CD's of sweet, old fashioned Christmas tunes.

Twenty Questions with Dazey Chic

Shelli of Studio Mela is a dazzlingly talented artist, mother, and blogger who happens to live in the town where I grew up! I was immediately drawn to her work, chock full of lively colors and delightful imagery. I'm so excited to get to know her better. Click on the images to go right to her shop. Enjoy!



Miss B: First off, tell us a little about you. Are you from Minnesota originally? What is your favorite thing to do during the long, cold winter?

Shelli: I was actually born in Connecticut and raised in Minnesota from the little age of two. The winters here are practically unbearable and I dislike every moment of them! When I am not complaining about the snow I usually get tons of work done, reorganize the house a billion times, gain 50 pounds from eating so much and have snowball fights with the husband and my little son.



Miss B: Your work is like a bright ray of sunshine- so cheerful and colorful! What is your creative process like? Do you sketch and journal your ideas, or do you just play around in your studio?

Shelli:My creative process is very sporadic. I can be anywhere and think of a new idea or new product. I work best at night...that's when my brain decides to turn on. (Lovely when you are trying to fall asleep!) There is something about the darkness that makes me tick. Not in a creepy way... in a I-can't-fall-asleep-because-my-mind-is-in-overdrive kind of way. Once I get a new idea I run with it. I sketch constantly. 9 times out of 10 the idea is a complete bust. But occasionally one idea will stick and turn into something great.
I am all about color. I think that the world around us should be bright and cheery...and then maybe you will be bright and cheery too. It's the whole "Put into the world what you want back" I want color and fun. Bright and Happy. Lovely and Sweet. Sooo, that's what I put out there.



Miss B: With your background in graphic design, do you often make work right on your computer?

Shelli:I wouldn't say my background is graphic design. I would say graphic design was my first love. I read up on it...taught myself the ins and outs of the Graphic world and even learned HTML, CSS and Flash to make websites. I took a few classes, but nothing extraordinary. I actually found that while I loved the run of the mill business cards, fliers and websites...I craved something more fulfilling. More my own. And then I began to draw again and everything clicked. I would say about 75% of my work is on my BFF (computer) and my programs. The other side of my work is in my trusty sketchbooks and little G-2 pens.



Miss B: I love the way you incorporate quotes into your work. How do you find and keep track of your favorite quotes?

Shelli: My love of quotes and words is no secret around my house. I have books and books of quotes. My favorites are bookmarked on the internet and a have a cute little notebook in which I hand write them if I see one while out and about. Family and friends are always sending me quotes too which is really very sweet.

Miss B: One of the most difficult things about running a crafting business seems to be balancing the creative side with the work of running a business-not to mention the way it seems to take over your personal time as well. What are the secrets you’ve learned as you’ve built a successful business?

Shelli:This question makes me giggle. Not because it's necessarily funny...but it's SO true. I have no time for a fabulous personal/social life. Would I change it though? Absolutely not. I LOVE what I do and it takes sacrifices. Sometimes skipping out on a lunch date to get orders out is what I have to do.

Now the business side is another topic all together! I often joke that I need a studio manager! Someone to do the bills, order supplies, man the emails and make life a little easier. But in the same sense I feel like I have to do it all myself. My customers are the most important thing to me and I have to know it's being done right. While it is a lovely thought to have someone manage the money/customer side of things it's also very scary to hand off those large responsibilities to someone else. But boy, a vacation sounds really really good sometimes!

The secret is... there are no secrets. Success comes from hard work and more hard work... Never giving up and never loosing sight of what you want. Make people smile and yes, the customer is ALWAYS right. Always. I don't care if they tell you the sky is green and the grass is blue. Just nod your head and agree with them. It makes running a business 100% easier if you go in knowing that.

Most importantly put out a product you are proud of. If you don't feel good about it... no one else will either.



Miss B: (This is a purely selfish question from a gal who is just launching her own tiny company!) What do you wish you had known when you were just starting out?

Shelli:I wish I would have known that I was going to think about Studio Mela and Etsy and my email 24/7. That it never, ever shuts off. I'm the girl you take to dinner and she is answering emails or checking Etsy from the phone. I'm that bad.

I would have also liked to know how much packing envelopes cost. Sounds silly but I'm serious! Packaging is expensive and I still hold the chair in horror when I have to reorder address labels and envelopes! Eek. That part is not fun! It makes me feel bad for the previous jobs I had in which I would just toss away a piece of blank paper because it fell on the floor...or used an address label as a funny sticker on someone's back. That costs money! Who knew! ;)

Miss B: What inspires you?

Shelli:Absolutely everything in this big world. Moms, kids, little girls in frilly dresses, books, love, the park, trees, old houses, flowers... you name it. I think what inspires me most is people in general. You for asking me to do this interview...anyone who takes a moment to care about who I am...that is inspiring in itself.

Miss B: What are your favorite simple pleasures?

Shelli:I love chocolate milk on a cold night and Starbuck's White Chocolate Mochas. I love Chai tea blended with ice and Diet Coke. I am a sucker for my little son and will give him anything he wants. My husband makes my world go 'round. I love going out for dinner or staying in with a movie. I take comfort in This American Life podcasts and listening to books on my cute itty bitty i-pod. I like looking at the free stuff on Craig's List (you never know what you'll find!) and writing. I love to write.

Fancy & Free: Mibo Calendar!

I've been hunting for the perfect calendar for weeks now. And then I stumbled upon this beauty from Mibo to download and print- for free! Just sign up for their newsletter here. (Who wouldn't want to see a little more about their gorgeous products anyway?) I've already got January 2009 hanging above my desk. (It'll be here soon enough, I guarantee you that!)

Acorn Ornament How To

I'm giving lots of teensy gifts for Christmas this year (the better to mail them, my dear!) and when I saw these acorns by Martha at Vile Michael's, I knew they would make the perfect packages. It's really like two presents, since you can hang it on the tree after you get the pretty little nut inside. Here's how I made mine.




You'll need acrylic paint(I chose a metallic gold), acrylic gel medium(my favorite variety is gloss, though for this it doesn't matter) a nice medium sized paint brush and some glitter.Oh yes, and the acorns, though you could do this with any old favor or jewelery box you've got stashed away. Glitter makes anything festive, don't you think?



First, apply the metalic paint and let dry.




Once the first coat is good and dry, coat the top of the acorn with a layer of acrylic gel medium.




Dust tops with lots of glitter to coat. Once the medium dries, gently tap the excess glitter away and then use a clean, dry brush to dust away errant sparkles. I filled mine with crinkle cut tissue and cocktail rings that look like bon bons, but candy, a favorite lip gloss or some other tiny treat would be adorable too.




To make them even more festive, I've added a little tag stamped the the recipient's initial and a pretty organdy bow.

Wild Rice Soup tastes like Fall

My dear mum included a bag of wild rice and this excellent recipe in the birthday box she sent my way (instead of peanuts, she packed it full of fall leaves and it was so lovely to be enveloped by the scent of Minnesota in Fall, so far away.) It was so delicious I couldn't wait to share it with you. This is creamy, sinful, wonderful comfort food to be sure. I omitted the butter and used bacon instead. And I cut the cream with milk to make it just a little lighter. We ate it with a big hunk of toasted crusty bread and lots of fresh parsley.

6 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon minced onion (I used half an onion)
1/2 cup flour
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups cooked wild rice*
1/2 cup grated carrots
1/3 cup minced ham
3 tablespoons chopped slivered almonds
1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sherry
1 cup half and half
chopped parsley, for garnish.

In large saucepan, melt butter and saute onion till soft. Blend in flour, gradually add broth. Cook stirring constantly until it comes to a boil, boil and stir one minute. Add all other ingredients, save half and half and sherry. Simmer gently for five minutes. Blend in half and half and sherry at the end. Reheat to serving temperature, garnish with parsley and serve.

*To cook wild rice: 1/2 cup wild rice and 2 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon salt. Simmer covered until tender- about 45 minutes. Drain.

Mr. Frank Lloyd Wright had a great wardrobe.

Like so many others, we are watching our budget. Our love affair with the movies quickly adds up to an expensive one- not only do we love seeing movies in the theater, we also love Netflix. So, I've been pleasantly surprised at the selection of DVD's available at our local library- for free! There are plenty of the usual suspects- documentaries and educational fare, a large selection of classic films and plenty of new releases too. This week we picked up Ken Burn's documentary Frank Lloyd Wright.

Today Frank Lloyd Wright is remembered as the most influential American architect of the 20th century, but it wasn't always so. His career flat lined during his fifties and was resuscitated in his old age. I knew very little about Mr. Wright's tumultuous private life, and this documentary filled in all the heartbreaking details. William Cronon provided insightful commentary on the Mr. Wright's personal philosophy, which was deeply influenced by Ralph Waldo Emerson and nature itself.



Perhaps I've just been following The Sartorialist too closely, but the other thing that struck me was Mr. Wright's extraordinary attire. He definitely cultivated a signature look- the pork pie hat, the long silk scarves, the tweeds, the cape, the sharp collars like daggers beneath his saggy chin and the cane with which he denounced all the architecture of his day with a grand flourish. It all looks very deliberate, severe and elegant, just like the man himself.



Wright himself once said, “Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.” That's one way to stick to a budget.