DIY Tin Can May Day Basket

I've never actually put flowers on a neighbor's doorstep for May day, but it's a wonderful tradition! This recycled tin can flower container is the perfect way to begin, don't you think? Found via One Pretty Thing.

DIY Statement Necklace

I recently bought a pair of giant fabric earrings from Swirl . I thought the dramatic scale would be fun, but instead they just looked clownish and kept flopping over. I decided to turn them into a statement necklace instead, using a few pieces from my jewelery collection that often go unworn, a few beautiful mother of pearl carved buttons, and a bit of tulle.

First I played around with different arrangements. Pearls?

Or ric rac?

Once that was settled, I started sewing the pieces together.

The dupioni silk rosette was an eccentric cocktail ring I never wore- ditto the big faux pearl necklace. Now they've both been re-invented.

I often make a terrible mess when I'm in my creative mode- it's part of the fun, don't you agree?
Ta da! I'm so pleased with the final outcome. I may even try my hand at a few more of these babies. What are you working on right now?

Clean out Your Closet, Then Shop in it!

It's supremely self indulgent to do a post on cleaning out my closet, but I have some rationalizations handy. It's seasonally pertinent (Haven't you heard of "Spring Cleaning"?) and it relates back to my urge to simplify and appreciate what I've already got.

One has to make space for good things in order to appreciate them. Surrounded by quantity, quality evaporates. Think about museums or fancy boutiques or five star hotels. They aren't crowded or cluttered with objects competing for your attention. They are usually spacious and airy. That is true luxury; the space to appreciate.

Before:

Not bad really. Just in a bit of disarray. (And, oh dear, yes those are undies on the floor. You got me.) But here's what happened. I rearranged the furniture in my office to accommodate a giant map of the world and ended up pulling out a shelving unit. Since my house & furniture are rented, I can't just cart things off to the Goodwill. I thought, "This piece is a lot prettier than the ugly plastic shelving I've got in the closet. And there's a second one hogging a corner of the guest room too!" So I hauled the plastic pieces out and put the bamboo ones in.

After:

My favorite part is having all my shoes on display like little pieces of art. It makes me happy to admire them every day- even those I don't wear much. And I don't want to add anything second rate to the collection. Anything new that comes in has to live up to the other pieces, you know? That's a great feeling.

Eric never really wears his ties, but now I can enjoy his collection anyway. There is something so wonderfully unnecessary about a tie. It's just for show and a splash of color.

Here's what I love. Stepping into my closet now feels like hitting a boutique for a spending spree. Shopping your closet is easier when everything is beautifully displayed. The big secret here was not buying more stuff, just weeding out the unwanted stuff (lots more than I thought!) and rearranging what I had to make my life a little nicer.

Here are my five favorite closet organizing tips:

1) Use only one color hanger. It sounds really anal, but it makes a huge difference visually. Your eye goes straight to the clothes instead of being distracted by a hodgepodge of hangers. One less thing for your brain to process as you choose what to wear. Definitely a good thing.

2) Sort garments by style and color. I have all my dresses in one section, then tops, then skirts and pants. Putting them in color order really makes me feel like I am playing in a giant paint box every morning.I also sort them further by how fancy they are. The things you use every day should be easy to reach, while special occasion things can go in corners.

3) Don't fall for the myth of more storage! Bins and baskets keep things looking tidy, but you will also forget what you have in them and end up buying more of what you already have. Out of sight out of mind goes double for closets. If you can't see it, you probably won't use it. (If you must, use clear containers. In my office, I'm a bin junkie! The shoe box sized bins are great for art supplies.) The real secret to organization is not the Container Store. It's taking a few trash bags to the Goodwill.

4) Go through your closet every six months. At least. Things wear out, or get pilled or just don't feel great any more. Pass them along to someone who can use and enjoy them.

5) Make room for what is really important to you. Edit out the things that make you feel frumpy or plump or dated. It will make room for things that make you feel good. A wardrobe of choices that you look great in will empower you to be your best.

My closet isn't Mariah's or Oprah's, but a girl has to have something to shoot for, after all. Have you done any de-cluttering this spring? What are you favorite de-junking tips?

Geisha Girl Rice Cracker Packaging

Rice crackers are one of my favorite cocktail noshes, they're just the right mix of salty, sweet & crunchy. Goes with a beer or a cosmo just as well. How cute is the little Geisha girl on this packaging? One thing I love about Hawaii is the ready availability of Asian ingredients & goodies- this little lady came from the supermarket!

Mothers Day

A spa day to relax, rejuvinate and beautify seems like the perfect way to let Mom know you appreciate her. But if packing Mom off for a whole day at the spa isn't in your budget, why not send her a Primp and Pamper Package? I've found all sorts of delicious goodies you could include. Besides, at home she can sip a glass of wine and eat bon bons while she soaks! (I haven't seen a spa yet that gets that right. It's all salads and mineral water. I'd serve macarons and champagne!)

Luxurious handmade soaps in decadently gorgeous packaging will make her feel like a Queen.

These Baths Not Bombs come in so many gorgeous natural fragrances it will be hard to choose just six!

A charming print to hang above those fancy guest towels she won't let anyone use.

In case her tub doesn't have an extraordinary view.

And these beautiful concoctions to soak, scrub and slather herself in.

Some chic, simple little candles, to set the tone.

A little glamourous bathtub fun from Vivienne Strauss.

A pretty mask to block out the world when she's finished. It's good to be Queen. What are you planning for Mom this year?

The Winner of Martha Stewart's What to Have For Dinner is...

Congratulations to Lavender Dreamer who has won my Martha Stewart Cookbook Giveaway! She said:

"We love to eat out and enjoy good meals. I think what makes my meals memorable is spending time with my hubby. He is a slow eater and we take our time and really talk and enjoy the food AND conversation!"

The Fab Miss B couldn't agree more! Good conversation makes you want to linger over your food, savor it and enjoy being in the moment. Being present is always a good thing!

Enjoy your cookbook Ms. Dreamer, and thanks to y'all for your wonderful comments. I so enjoyed reading your descriptions of memorable meals. More fun giveaways to come! Stay tuned.

How to Not Curdle Tapioca

I've had a string of cooking disasters on my hands recently-

-A batch of homemade marshmallows that were the color and texture of silly putty with a burnt chemical flavor.

-An attempt to expedite bacon cooking with an untested method ala Barefoot Contessa (she promised me it would be perfectly crisp while I remained splatter free! How could I resist?) started a grease fire (I was shockingly composed in the crisis) that ruined my BLT plans.

-A batch of tapioca pudding that turned grainy and curdled.

Each of these disasters can be traced back to rushing. Rushing forward without the right equipment (a candy thermometer in the case of the Ruined Marshmallows), rushing forward without consulting the recipe (I'd seen Ina do Oven Bacon on television, but didn't want to look it up so just attempted it under the broiler. Not. Wise.) Rushing to deal with the resultant massive grease fire raging in my oven led me to neglect The Curdled Tapioca That I Will In All Likelihood Eat Anyway.

As I thought about this string of disasters, I realized that is what I love and sometimes hate about cooking- it just can't be rushed. It takes the time that it takes. And the best results take lots of preparation and time. But not just time.

Good results in the kitchen also demand care. In fact, care is the underpinning for all good cooking. The tapioca could still have still curdled if I'd been standing there staring into space thinking about the orders I had to ship. The tapioca required not just my time, but that I care about what I was doing. That I be attentive to it.

I needed to be there in the moment, focusing only on making the tapioca. Not thinking about bills, or how I ought to sweep the floor or create a lesson plan.

Just Stirring. Admiring the little globules of tapioca turn pale and translucent. Considering how space age tapioca pearls look for an ancient root extract. Marveling at the eggs and the beautiful color and depth they add to the pudding. How they help to thicken it. Smelling the lovely custardy steam rising up as the mixture reduces. Feeling the hairs around my face curl in that steam. Noticing the sound of my whisk scraping the bottom of the saucepan, how my stirring keeps the mixture from scalding.

Practice this enough and suddenly, the task isn't unpleasant any more. It is a thing you are doing and taking pleasure in doing well. But of course, this is a challenge. To approach minutia with a fresh enthusiasm, attention and openness sometimes feels impossible. So I tried to rush. To do two things at once so I could get on to something more important. And that's when the tapioca curdled.

This is a lesson I am just now learning and that I will have to learn and re-learn. But, "making every act a meditation" seems worth it to me.

P.S) Here are the lovely Tapioca Recipes pictured if you've got the urge to make some now:

1) Thai Coconut Pudding with Cayenne Spiced Mango

2) Fruit on the Bottom Pudding with Strawberries & Fennel

3) Putting out Pudding

Additionally here is my standby recipe and my adventures with Tapioca in China.

Make Your Own Shell Specimen Box

I've developed quite a shell collection and I wanted to give these beautiful little objects enough space so that each one could be admired- as in an old fashioned cabinet of curiosities.

To make your own little display, you'll need a shadowbox (mine was on sale at Target for $12!) some pretty paper to mount it on (mine has sort of a cool linen texture) your trusty glue gun and, of course, lots of pretty shells (some of mine came from the wonderful supply shop 32 North).

Choose the shells you want to showcase and play around with them until...

you create a pleasing arrangement. (Look at mandalas and specimen collections for inspiration!)

Once you are happy with your arrangement, hot glue those suckers down! After a bit of experimenting, I found it worked better if I applied glue to the shells instead of the paper. Just apply enough to adhere it to the page.

Dust off any sand with a soft brush and place the page inside your shadowbox.

Set it next to your apothecary jar of shells and your tiny model sailboat and imagine a sea breeze blowing in the windows.

Do you have any collections on display? I have a feeling this is just the beginning of my shell collecting.

Tamarillos & a Rainbow of Carrots from the Keahou Farmer's Market

Here is a recent haul from our local farmer's market. The rainbow colored carrots had an almost peppery snap and the Tamarillos (also known as tree tomatoes) were savory, juicy and a little sour. Yum. If you get a chance to try one, don't pass it up. There are many ways to eat it, but the grower advised us to snip off the end with kitchen shears and suck out the gooey centers. Lots of fun. What is your latest food discovery?

Rum Soaked Pineapple Upside Down Cake

I made this rum soaked Pineapple Upside Down Cake for our Easter celebration this year. The brown sugar really tuns the top into golden, gooey, caramely deliciousness . The recipe called for pecans, but I substituted the walnuts I had on hand. It was divine. What's cooking at your house lately?

A Sneak Peek from my Studio!

I've been making an army of Pipepet Party Pups. Aren't they fun? Inspired by the "Dog Party" from this children's classic. Look for them at Becky Kazana next week!

Make A Show-stopping Floral Arrangement from your Backyard

I decided this little corner of my home needed a bit of sprucing up. I wanted something clean, fresh and spare instead of all the fuss of picture frames and seashells.

I'd been saving some wine bottles for this DIY lamp project and I thought they might make pretty vases for something green out in the yard. (How lucky am I to have all these incredible tropical leaves blooming right in my backyard? Bonus- they last an eternity in cut flower years!) The result here is very West Elm, no? I could have stopped, but you know Miss B. More is more in my book. I also have a few pyrex science beakers in the shop at the moment, so I thought I'd put 'em to use till someone snaps them up.

I added the turtle watercolor (the only piece of artwork that was originally in this house that I absolutely loved) and a few spun glass candle holders I had in another part of the house. So pleased with my little composition. It's feeling very lush, tropical and clean in here all of the sudden and I didn't spend one single penny. What's better than that?

What's blooming in your neck of the woods? Have you made something new with something you had already recently? I'd love to hear all about it.

Mother's Day Cake

This cake appeared in a Martha Stewart Weddings spread, but I can't help but feel it would be just as pretty (and maybe even more appropriate) for a Mother's Day Luncheon. It looks quite labor intensive, but has a lot of wow factor when you serve it. Don't you love the striped layers? I'd love to do something similar. Stay tuned.

Twenty Questions with Maartje of Tizzalicious!

Today I'm catching up with Marrtje of Tizzalicious. One peak at her bright, cheerful shop and I knew this interview was going to be fun. Today she tells us about why she loves springtime, and how making her own Barbie Clothes as a little girl taught her to love making things by hand.


The Fab Miss B: First off, tell us a little about you! Family, pets, hobbies? What do you love about life in The Netherlands?

Maartje: I'm 27 years old and from the Netherlands. I grew up in Nieuwegein, a city close to Utrecht, in the middle of The Netherlands, with my parents, sister, and our cute black cat Simba. I travel back and forth from Holland to Denmark a lot these days, as I have a Danish boyfriend named Per. When I'm not on a plane, I love to create things: sewing, making jewelry, cooking, paper crafts,... And I love to go to the movies, concerts, shop, read,... I can't say I am ever bored!

The Fab Miss B:Can you tell us a little about the styles Kawaii and Rockabilly and what they mean to you?

Maartje:I have always been interested in the rockabilly style. Both the music & clothing, so naturally that shows in my work. And Kawaii...what can I say? It's cute, who can resist that?

The Fab Miss B: What inspired you to start Tizzalicious?

Maartje:I am currently on disability because I have chronic migraines. I always hated being dependent on the disability, and as I mentioned before, my boyfriend is Danish, and to be able to move to Denmark I need to be able to make a living for myself, because I won't be able to get my disability there. No pressure at all ;)

The Fab Miss B:Is Tizzalicious a hobby, a profession or a happy marriage of both?

Maartje:It's both! I love creating, but I'm also working towards it being my sole income in the (near?) future.

The Fab Miss B:When did you first learn to sew and craft?

Maartje:I have been making stuff for as long as I can remember. My sister, friends and I were always making things when we were little. We made jewelry, spent hours making pergamano cards, and we used my mom's old sewing machine to make Barbie clothes.

The Fab Miss B:What inspires you most?

Maartje:I always find this a really hard question to answer. I think I am mostly inspired by the past, I love anything retro, and by color!

The Fab Miss B:As I look around your shop, I notice color, color everywhere! As a member of the Crafting in Color team, I'm sure that color holds a special magic for you. What appeals to you about color?

Maartje: Color just makes me happy. It's like spring, in winter everything is gray and gloomy, but when the spring comes, with it's flowers and colors and blue skies, the whole world looks a little happier.

The Fab Miss B:It looks like you are crazy about anything cute and cheerful- I'm the same way!Is your shop a reflection of your personal style?

Maartje:Oh yes, definitely! The things I make are always things I would wear myself too. I am always wearing color. If I am wearing a black & grey outfit, I make sure I am also wearing plenty of colorful accessories.

The Fab Miss B:What is a great piece of advice you could share with other Etsy sellers?

Maartje:Stay true to yourself and your style. There's nothing wrong with playing into the trends, but only if they suit your style.

The Fab Miss B: Which Etsians do you admire? I'll interview them next!

Maartje:I have soooo many favorites, so this is a hard one! But here are a few: magicbeanbuyer.etsy.com mamutopia.etsy.com homemadehappinessnl.etsy.com

The Fab Miss B:Links you'd like to share?

Maartje:Blog: http://blog.tizzalicious.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tizzalicious

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tizzalicious

Thanks so much Maartje! It's been such fun to learn more about you, Kuaii, Rockabilly and all your incredibly fun goodies! Happy Etysing!