The Fab Miss B is On Vacation!

E & I are jetting off for some vacation time today. We'll be visiting the Grand Canyon and spending some time in Honolulu.

I'm so excited to get to civilization- here in Kona there's Target (Thank heavens!) the strangest stand alone Macy's I've ever set foot in, K-mart (meh) and Wal-mart (ugh). It's a bit pathetic, but I'm looking forward to visiting The Gap, Anthropologie and Einstein's Bagels. (I have yet to discover any decent bagel shops on The Big I. ) I'm also hoping to scour some thrift and antique shops and visit all the great boutiques and cooking shops Momma D frequents in Scottsdale.

I've got some auto posts lined up for y'all, but I'll be unplugging for the next week or two and spending time catching up on my reading list, refining my rummy skills, eating rare fillet mignon and floating in big bodies of water. Cannot wait. (This illustration is by my hero Masha D'yans. I added my name on the banner just for fun via the magic of photoshop.)

Do you have a summer vacation planned?

Decorating with American Flags

Happy Memorial Day all! I hope you take a moment to remember all the fine men and women who have given their lives in service of our country. We owe them so much.

Did you put out your flag to celebrate today? The Wisteria catalog just arrived in my mailbox and I loved the way they displayed the flag on a curtain rod here- the little scallops at the top look festive but so unstudied and casual. the pillows are a bit much in my opinion, but I love the idea of displaying an ordinary object in an unexpected way to make it feel really special. The large scale of the flag really helps this to work, don't you think? I found some cool reproductions of vintage U.S Flags here and, if you've got big bucks to spend, some real antique flags here.

Wishing you a wonderful long weekend!

Win $100 to Decorate your Home (or Self!) with CSN Stores!

Hello there dearies. I have such a treat for you today. I've been given a one hundred dollar gift certificate for one lucky reader to spend! The question is, what to choose?

We all know lighting makes a huge difference in a room and I love this beautiful chandelier...

Opening a bottle of wine is even more fun with a whimsical little corkscrew...

You could refresh your bed or sofa with an array of witty throw pillows from Thomas Paul...

Or change the look of a whole room with a roll of fabulous wallpaper!

Should you be the lucky winner, you can choose anything you like from CSN stores! (Please note that shipping and handling will not be included, though many items have free shipping.) I especially like All Modern.com, Cookware.com and LuxebyCSN.com.

To enter this Giddy Giveaway, leave me a comment describing your favorite room in the house and what makes it so pleasant. Don't forget to include an e-mail address!

Want a bonus entry? I thought so! Please visit CSNLighting.com, pick a favorite item, leave me a separate comment including the link and explaining why you love it. Bonne Chance my sweets!

P.S) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook so you'll never miss one of my Giddy Giveaways!

Swimming by Joao Machado

Madly in love with this collage composed entirely of vintage maps by Portuguese artist Joao Machado and included in The Map as Art. I'd love to live with the original in our home. Until then, I've got a magazine clipping above my desk to admire instead.

I want to be as Evil as Eartha Kitt

When I listen to Eartha Kitt, I am utterly mesmerized. Charisma doesn't even begin to describe what she had. When I watch this clip, I have to laugh at the expensive, overdone, miniature movie production, fluff pieces that most pop music videos are now. Look at what she can do with just a prim little dress, a tiger skin rug, her hands (so expressive!) her face (like a cartoon!) and that growly voice. Divine.

On the Hunt for Boat Shoes

My dear friend Gwen sports the cutest pair of leather boat shoes- they look casual but with a bit of preppy polish. She's inspired me to do some serious shoe hunting when I hit the mainland in a few weeks. (There's something to be said for trying things on in person, isn't there?) Here are a few ideas for summer footwear- all classics with a fun, beachy twist. And the photo above is pinned to my summertime inspiration board as a helpful reminder.



What could be beachier than faded nautical stripes?

I like the variety of textures on this pair.


Of course, The Fab Miss B is like a raccoon- she loves anything that glitters...



Classic Keds get a cool update with linen.

Love the unexpected jolt of color and shine on this pair.



But this pair is the one that really makes my heart go pitter pat. I have a sneaky feeling I'd wear them with everything. Which pair is your favorite?

Join our Virtual Book Club: Eat Pray Love!

Have you ever been part of a book club? Me neither. But my girlfriends and I have just started one. Want to join us? We're reading "Eat, Pray, Love" this summer so that we can go see the movie (starring Julia!) that comes out this August.

After we read each section, we'll be having a themed pot luck celebrating the cuisine of that place. (The book begins in Italy, moves on to India and finishes in Indonesia. Yum, Yum and Yum!) If you decide to join in the fun, (but don't live here in Hawaii) we can chat about the book right here on The Fab Miss B! The first discussion (of the "Eat" section) will take place after June 20th. Here's the preview to whet your appetites:



Happy reading darlings!

Make Your Own Linen Spray! (It's Easy, I promise!)

Lately I'm rather obsessed with making my own bath products, thanks to the lovely set of essential oils E gave me recently. (Such a thoughtful fellow!) I love linen sprays, but not paying ten dollars a bottle, so I thought I'd have a go at making my own. Turns out, it couldn't be simpler.

You will need:

Vodka to act as an emulsifier

Distilled Water

Essential Oils

A liquid Measure

A spray Bottle

I used Bergamont and Eucalyptus for mine since I love fresh, green scents. Just combine 1/4 cup of vodka with 3/4 cup of distilled water and a few drops of your desired scent and pour it all into your spray bottle.

Add a pretty label with a little ribbon and it's gift ready. Make sure to include instructions to shake before using. I've paired my homemade linen spray with Martha's Ginger Bath Soak and My DIY Sugar Scrub to make a little mini pampering kit. I'm planning on giving out a few of these to the teachers I've worked with this year. Heaven knows they could all use a little relaxation and pampering this summer!

What have you been making lately?

Thrift Store Score: Tea Set!

I've been pretty dissapointed with the selection in the thrift shops here on the Big I- they are the worst combination: expensive & stuffed with plastic junk, pilled sweaters and sadly dogeared romance novels. But, I'm a diehard thrifter and I still pop in from time to time. And this time, I was rewarded. Remember that teaparty I've been fantasizing about?

Looks like it just got a lot fancier! (I thought y'all would get a kick out of the packing tape job the volunteers at the Salvation Army did on this baby. Can you believe there were seven cups and saucers, a creamer AND a teapot in there? Impressive fellas. ) One of my favorite things about thrifting is rescuing something from the oblivion of a landfill. It's wonderful to know that this little set will have a second life in my home and will be enjoyed by my girlfriends and I on my sunny little porch instead of sitting on some musty shelf. I'm so looking forward to all the daintiness.

Have you had any great scores lately?

They Sell Seashells down by the Seashore

Susan is spending a week of summer vacation at her Grandmother's tiny cottage on the coast of Maine. Grandma has spent her whole life by the sea and spends every morning walking along the shore with her dog, collecting driftwood and sea glass. Here are a few of the gals' favorite things.

There is nothing quite like the smell of the sea, so they splash on this saltwater perfume every morning.
Grandma's been wearing her classic Keds since 1960, and they never seem to go out of style.

Grandma has a collection of lighthouse paintings, and this is the latest addition.

A cheery nautical tote for Susan's books on knot tying. Grandma is showing her the ropes. (Ha!)

This necklace was a gift from one of Gran's long lost sweethearts.

Gran and Susan take turns wearing this coat each morning on her long walks down the beach.

Every summer the gals sell Seashell Sugar Cookies down by the seashore. They're a big hit with tourists and locals alike.

See all my nautical picks right over here!

Fabulous Flamingos!

Flamingos are such silly, gangly, akward and completely whimsical birds- I'm crazy about them. They ride the line between kitschy and elegant so well- they really do remind me of Diana Vreeland- remember how silly extravagance was one of her most beloved fetishes? (And she did share their hooked profile!)

Perhaps because of the new Alice & Wonderland, I'm seeing them everywhere. (I've even got a pair of Flamingo Love Birds in the shop!) I'd love to fill the wall in our guest room with a cacophony of Flamingo art- if you can't do that in Hawaii, then where? Check out my collection of Flamingo Fabulousness right over here. And the photo above is from Net A Porter's online magazine.

New Arrivals at Becky Kazana!

Here's a little sneak peek at some Goodies that just arrived in the shop!

Love Birds
Squirrel Bride and Groom

Boogie Woogie Bride and Groom

I just love Weddings, don't you? Let the season begin!

Poll Away!

Well, good news! I'm going to be hosting a weekly poll with my friends over at the Crafting in Color, so you'll get to add your two cents every Saturday! This week, I'm asking about your favorite Spring Flowers. Cast a vote for your favorite right over here.

P.S) If you chose B, please see here Madame Smarty Pants.

Cake Stands and Tea Trays from Vintage China Tutorial

I'm planning a tea party for my girlfriends and I to celebrate spring (and the end of the school year!) and I wanted some artfully mismatched tea trays and cake stands to make all the dainty little sandwiches and petite fours feel even more elegant. My Do It Yourself versions turned out beautifully, so I'm sharing the How To with you!

I hit the local thrift and antique shops to round up a collection of mismatched china, candlesticks and vases in varying sizes.

Before getting started, make sure your plate and candlestick combos can balance without epoxy- that way you can trust them to adhere well and remain sturdy once laden down with cookies and cakes!

You will need:

Vintage China in varying sizes

Candlestick or small bud vase

Ruler

Marker

Epoxy

Masking Tape
Measure your plate to find the center. (In the end, I just eyeballed it, but The Fab Miss B isn't exactly known for her mathematical precision either.)

Working quickly, cover the area to be adhered with epoxy and place on plate.

Use a q-tip to clean away any excess epoxy (which will dry yellow, so you don't want any glops!) I used nail polish remover to get it super clean.

Apply masking tape to keep it steady (this step wasn't super necessary in my opinion, but it did secure everything.) Leave it undisturbed for 24 hours to ensure a strong bond.

Voila! Won't these be darling for my tea party? I'll be sure to post photos of the glamorous soiree in action. Are you planning any wonderful parties in the coming weeks?

Flower Power Measuring Tape from Lantern Moon

I couldn't resist this adorable measuring tape- especially when I discovered that Lantern Moon's proceeds benefits Vietnamese craftswomen and helps sustain traditional art forms. Check out all the designs here (I also love the sheep and birthday cake!). I picked mine up at Tink and Ink, a brand new Art Supply shop here in Kona. I'm so excited to join one of her crocheting classes! Maybe someday I can attempt something like this myself.

P.S) The Taj Mahal Pillow in the first photo is up for grabs over here! I'm phasing out my Vintage shop to focus exclusively on Becky Kazana, so snag it while you can.

Free Poster Downloads for Teachers

Appalled at the cost (and dorkiness!) of posters that are appropriate for the classroom, I whipped up a few with some fantastic Dover clip art and beloved quotes and had them printed up at Costco for $6.00 each. You can download them here for your own personal or classroom use. Enjoy!

Reinvent A Cardigan for Spring with Lace & Embroidery

That spring closet cleaning, and my successful statement necklace got me thinking about what else I could revive and embellish. I've got an army of cardigans in my closet, and I thought they could use some gussying. I laid them all out on my bed to play around with the colors and compostions.

I found most of these appliques and lace at tag sales and thrift shops. I love giving these old discarded and unfinished projects a second life.

This layout is a little too Laura Ashley for my taste...

A cascading corsage on just one shoulder feels much more modern, don't you think?

Or do you like the monochromatic look better? This would be pretty to wear to my tea party!