Trick or Treat?!

Wishing you and yours a Spooky day! Eric and I are looking forward to handing out candy to trick or treaters in our costumes tonight! What are you up to?

Collecting: My Souvenier Plates

My boxes are still trickling in a few at a time and I'm so enjoying finding new homes for all my beautiful things. Many of these objects have been in storage since we left Chicago- almost five years ago! It's been wonderful to take them out and enjoy them at last. Having my own things here has also helped me to feel more at home in this house that belongs to someone else.


I've been collecting these old fashioned souvenir plates since I was fifteen. They are among my most treasured possessions. They showcase my favorite colors- blue and green, and they represent the unique aspects of each place that make travel such a joy. They are also a lovely reminder of what a huge and varied country the United States is and how glad I am to have been born here. Who knew silly plates could correlate so deeply with my personal aesthetic?

I should also give a shout to my hubby for hanging these for me so prettily! He's got an eye, don't you agree?

I am always on the lookout for this style of souvenir plate and they seem to have become more scarce since I first began collecting them, so if you ever spot any on Ebay or Etsy, don't be shy- let me know. I get awfully excited when I discover a new one!

Do you have any collections? What do they represent to you?

DIY with the Fab Miss B: Custom Tablecloths with Tulip Dye Kits

The nice folks at Fave Crafts recently invited me to review one of their Tulip Dye Kits. I've tried dyeing once before (remember this dress?), but this time I decided to do something for our home. I came across these Martha Stewart battenberg lace cotton tablecloths on super clearance at K-Mart ($4 each!) and thought they would be pretty for our holiday tables. (This house has three round ones! My plan is to line them up for Thanksgiving.) I also bought a few runners just for fun.



Before: Classic or Boring?

They dye packets were quite simple to use. (P.S- Aren't my new dish gloves adorable?) Fill a stainless steel sink or bucket with 1 gallon steaming water, add 1/4 cup salt, stir till dissolved and add the dye packet.

Add your dyeables (mine were all cotton, though the package says it will also work on poly blends.) and agitate for 15 minutes. Then let soak, stirring occasionally for 45. Rinse with cool water and move to washing machine.

Run a quick wash with a teeny bit of detergent and dry as usual.

I pressed them afterwards. The purple I actually dyed twice- once in blue and a second time in purple to get a richer color. Initially I felt like the mottled effect was a bit too "patchouli" for my taste, but when I finished layering the table, I decided it was just the lighthearted beachy vibe we're going for in our new Hawaiian digs. I'd like to further embellish the lace with some sequins and beads, but that will have to wait for another post.

The red color came out a delicious shade of raspberry pink. I love it.

Looks smashing with the placemats we got in Thailand.

Can you believe all those gorgeous flowers came from our backyard? I feel so lucky!

After! Add a Becky Kazana banner and this is transformed into the perfect spot for a fabulous Birthday dinner. Check out their comprehensive list of dye projects here. If you want to buy a kit yourself, visit this site and Enter the code "fave1009" for free shipping at checkout. (Expires 11/30/2009) Merci Fave Crafts!

Let the Birthday Bash Begin!

Yesterday was my Birthday and tonight is the celebration! (Have you heard that due to budget cuts, Hawaiian schools will be closed on Fridays? This state now has the shortest school year in the United States.)

I've strung up this banner in our living room just for fun. It's going to be a great weekend. What are your plans?

A Trek into Waipi'o Valley

A few weeks ago we did a hike into Waipi'o Valley to get a glimpse of the stunning 2,000 foot waterfall. It was quite a trek (there was lots of swimming through rivers and shimmying past fallen longs and across piles of boulders) so we were grateful to tag along with friends who had done the hike before.



Our fearless leaders.

The "entrance" to the path. No way I would have ventured down this on my own. Waipio valley is notorious for protective locals- they don't like people trekking through "their" valley and the trails are often difficult to find and stay on.

Exhausted at the destination. (I held up the back of the line and was covered with cuts, bruises and mosquito bites by the time we emerged. )

This incredible view was the payoff. There was also a small overhang where we took turns jumping into the pool of gloriously cool freshwater.

This move to Hawaii has not been a piece of cake. For me, it has been accompanied by a great deal of unexpected anxiety and fear. Experiences like this one force me to push against those barriers. Most fears and worries are without real merit and I never want to be the sort of person who lets them stop me from experiencing something new and exhilarating. Special thanks to my husband for his patience and to our new friends- their enthusiasm is contagious and I never want to be left behind when there is an adventure to be had.

A Satisfied Customer!

Victoria shared this super sweet photo of her fabulous new pillow installed in her bedroom. It looks right at home, don't you agree? I get such a thrill knowing someone is enjoying something I made. Thanks for sharing Dearie! (Take a gander at her blog right here!)

Brand New Pipettes!

My precious boxes of Pipette supplies have arrived at last and I've been busy in my studio making new goodies for the almost upon us Holiday season! I do hope you'll pop over and take a peek!

Presents for my friends: Edition for J

Have you begun thinking about Christmas yet? I love buying gifts (there is nothing like the satisfaction of finding the PERFECT thing for someone you love!) and I find myself storing up ideas all year long. Since in the end, I have to choose just one, I thought it would be fun to share the whole list with all of you- perhaps you have friends like mine!

This friend is a poet who grew up in New Mexico, loves drinking hot tea and eating soups of all varieties. She has a beloved cat named after Joni Mitchel. She favors bohemian 70's inspired clothes and decor in shades of rust, mustard and burnt sienna.

Here is a little portrait of her via Etsy!

These handmade ceramic trees hold up her ever growing collection of treasured books and give subtle reference to the Tree of Knowledge.

A pretty dustpan like this one makes chores prettier and therefore, less drudgery.
Some pressed flowers from The Land of Enchantment.

A handmade straw talisman to hang above her desk to invite creativity and clarity.
A tea set in warm shades of orange is sure to ward off fall's chill. (With an extra cup to share with a friend, of course!)

These cheerful Russian folk dancers would be perfect hung above a favorite reading nook.

A beautiful collection of spices to add depth and flavour to those delectable smells wafting in from the kitchen.

What gift ideas have you collected this year?

The Little Blue Dress

I bought this blue microfiber dress for $15 bucks a few weeks ago and am practically living in it. Its sort of a shapeless tent, but add a belt and some fun sandals and voila! Perfection for the hot sticky days here. (And so flouncy and fun too!) What are you wearing over and over again right now?

Can he walk at all, or if he moves will he fall?

The Iron Men and Women descended on Kona a few weeks back to prove that a human being can swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles across a scorching desert of lava rock and ocean winds and THEN run a full marathon.

Local businesses put up banners welcoming the athletes, and streets were blocked off. On race day, people chalked the streets with encouragement for the competitors and held handmade signs and bells to keep them going. (We saw a mom with her kids in a stroller with a sign that said "Go Daddy!")

Eric and I rode our scooters down to Alii drive to catch the tail end of the race. I had been of the opinion that something like this was far too much- I like a good workout, but this seems to verge on insanity- especially when you see moments where someone literally collapses from exhaustion 30 yards from the finish line. However, I was impressed to see how fit and able most of these athletes seemed. Tired, yes, on the verge of total body failure, no. I'm sure training and nutrition for such a feat has improved a great deal from the humble beginnings of the race in 1978. I don't think I'd want to try it though.

Also, this song was pounding through my head all week. Congratulations to all the Iron Men out there!

Surfer Babes

These little surfer babies are more than I can take. I love their wild platinum "bushy bushy blonde hairdos", their nut brown tans and their fearless dives into the pounding surf. This little fellow was actually in the midst of a tantrum and I loved him just the same. Must stave off the Baby Fever.

Embroidered Lingerie Bag Giveaway!

It's been ages since the last Giddy Giveaway here on The Fab Miss B, so here's a fun one for all you girlie-girls! This is a pretty white cotton Lingerie bag with a drawstring closure decorated with lovely pink embroidery. I always use one when traveling so the Security agents don't riffle through my unmentionables. (Never fun.)

Lots of ways to enter this time 'round. Do them all or just a few- you'll get an entry for each item on the list. Just be sure to note them all in your comment here so I don't lose track! (And please make sure I have a way to contact you to let you know if you're the lucky winner!)

1)Retweet this fun little giveaway and follow me on Twitter.
2)Give The Fab Miss B a shout on your blog.
3)Leave a comment here describing your current favorite girlie pastime! (I've got a very long list myself, but at the moment Project Runway tops the list.)

Lazy Sunday Morning

Editor's Note: Please swing by and check out the treasury here while it's still live on Etsy and, as usual, click on the images to go right to the listings. Happy Sunday!

It's Sunday Morning. Take your time getting up- it's meant to be a day of rest, after all!

Pour the orange juice- It will look incredibly vibrant in these glasses.

Paper straws are an old fashioned soda counter touch.

These lovely specimens are just the spot to rest those juice glasses.

Open up those blinds and let the day in!


Curl up in a comfy chair with lots of soft fluffy pillows.

Pick up a back issue of a favorite magazine to peruse while the coffee is brewing.


Strum a tune for your sweetie on this adorable two string guitar.

Admire the arrangement on your kitchen counter.

The coffee is ready at last! Enjoy a cuppa with a warm croissant slathered with butter and raspberry jam. (Yum!)

If you must change out of your pj's, be sure to hang something lovely from your earlobes...

And don't forget your handbag as you head off to the Farmer's Market to do a bit of grocery shopping. What a perfect morning it's been!

How do you like to spend your Sundays? This morning Eric is busy making waffles with freshly whipped cream, toasted almonds and coconut. The smell is wafting into my office as I type!

Oh Isaac!

I picked up a copy of Isaac Mizrahi's How to Have Style at the library today. It's stuffed with loads of fun ideas and looks. I'm using it as a resource to rework things I already have in my wardrobe- there is nothing quite like re-inventing an old favorite, don't you agree?

I do miss seeing his line for Target- his clothes always gave me a little thrill. They were witty and playful but still chic and affordable. And not "affordable" as in Vogue (where I recently read $1500 cocktail dress described as "quite reasonably priced.") I mean affordable as in $40 or less. (I love an egalitarian!)

His Spring 09 line for Liz Claiborne was inspired, but I think the Fall line has fallen flat. Perhaps its the plaid plaid plaid everywhere- I'm just not convinced. (Especially because I'm now living in the land of endless summer.)

I especially LOVE the peak at his inspiration board. It perfectly describes his "I refuse to be categorized" aesthetic. Love all the color! What's on your inspiration board lately?

Mine has the new Lanvin ads with all the spooky black cats, a vintage Egyptian luggage label. and one of my favorite quotes from When Harry Met Sally : "Everybody thinks they have good taste, but they couldn't possibly all have good taste." So true.