The Midst of May

just some pretty flowers to brighten your mid-May day ! (found on Pinterest)

A Year of Pretty - February 17, 2014

Mmmmmm, the beauty of pearls. I know this is not the first post of pearls I have done. And I know it will also not be the last. 

The reason I like pearls so much is that they can be both simple and complex ... at the same time. This round, unassuming orb which changes colour in different lights; which can be either warm or cool to the touch. More than any precious gemstone (while not actually a stone), pearls seem to have the most life in them without having to apply heat or faceting. They are simple sophistication all on their own.

A Year of Pretty - February 09, 2014

I'm not huge on Valentine's Day. Never have been. Sure, I'll make cupcakes for my mom to take to class with her to give out to her students. And I make something nice like a pair of earrings or such for her. 

And don't get me wrong, I'm a strong supporter of chocolate, regardless of the occasion. I've just never really cared for Valentine's Day.

Probably because I'm not big on hearts and cupids and love doves. Flowers, now . . that's another story. I absolutely love flowers. But not red roses. I find them too contrived, too over-done. Too The Bachelor.

But these little sweeties in today's Pretty Post say just enough love and romance for me. They are from Obee Designs. They would look cute in a young girl's hair, and not just for February 14th. Perfect for a flower girl at a wedding, or to a birthday party. 

They would also be great for bridesmaids or even the bride for a vintage themed wedding. Roses for Valentine's Day that last the whole year through.

A Year of Pretty - February 04, 2014

A few years ago I started with making jewellery. Nothing super complicated of fancy; mainly just beads on string. One of the designs I did a lot of were these three strand "freedom" necklaces. I designed them because my Oma was starting to have troubles with opening and closing traditional lobster-claw clasps. This "freedom" necklace let her just loop the strands around and not have to fuss with tiny closures.

Sometimes she would wear just one strand, sometimes all three. Or, she would take one strand from one set (pink) and mix it with two strands from another set (black and grey). She would make these intricate loops and twists and a lot of people would comment on how put together her jewellery always looked.

Today's Pretty Post reminds me of when I was first starting out to design, the technical stuff I had to work out. Which type of string to use. Would it be strong enough. Would tiger tail wire be better (it was). Would it be flexible enough (not really, but it beats having all the beads spill all over the floor when the silk/nylon thread broke).

I still have one or two of these necklace sets left. One is in freshwater pearls and pink rose quartz; very much like the one shown here. I also have a jet black and crystal one that I like to wear with a simple little black dress. My mom has a blue one with Murano glass beads, blue pearls and crystals; which she wears either with a men's dress shirt and jeans or with a dark blazer and slacks when teaching.

This photo also presents a different way to wear such a necklace, and is very much in keeping with the Great Gatsby Inspiration project I am working on. Perhaps I'll pull out my two necklace sets to accessorize my garments as the sashay down the runway.

A Year of Pretty - February 01, 2014

First day of February. The month of St. Valentine's Day and love. Of my Oma's birthday. Of my nephew's birthday. Of the birthstone amethyst; that brilliant purple gemstone with suggested healing powers and soothing properties so beloved by ancient Egyptians and modern enthusiasts alike.

This beautiful amethyst, diamond and pearl cuff-style bracelet is a great example of how regal an amethyst can be, seemingly without even trying. Unfortunately, there was no original source given with the photo, except to say I found the image on Pinterest. C'est domage, I would have liked to add something like this to my collection.

I like this piece because it could be worn with either denim and a tailored shirt or dressed up for an evening on the town. I don't even mind the heart-shaped stone (I am not a fan of heart-shaped anything. Except cookies and chocolates. The shapes on those are not essential to their overall function).

To learn more about this regal birthstone, its history and its long running appeal, you might want to head over to my posting from a little while ago titled "The Regal Amethyst".

A Year of Pretty - January 25, 2014

Today's Pretty Post . . . is sheer beauty. The blouse, the pearls, the necklace, the brooches, the hair, the make-up . . .even the texture and simplicity of the backdrop. Just beautiful.

So the necklace is supposed to be the focus of the picture. I know, "wait, she's wearing a necklace?"

Yes, she is. And it's by Canadian-based designer Charlotte Hosten.

From the designer's website:
"Charlotte Hosten is a jewelry and accessories designer who offers her clients fantasy and feminity. Her famous fabric necklaces have reversed the usual cycle of dressing up. Women tend to wear a Charlotte Hosten jewel as the base for the outfit : creating their look around the necklace.
Born and raised in Belgium but now living in Montreal, Charlotte has traveled the world. A self-made designer, she instinctively learned to create jewelry at the age of 15. The idea of mounting a piece onto fabric was introduced in 2008,  when she couldn't find a clasp she liked to support her creations : she then started to embroider beads onto fabric. Ever since, her necklaces have become luxurious sculptures; sometimes made of one of a kind antique jewelry pieces or, for the custom made pieces, with the treasures her clients bring her. Charlotte Hosten's work was recently featured in Elle Québec, Fashion, The Gazette and Châtelaine, just to name a few. Her necklaces are now distributed everywhere in Canada.

What is unique about Ms Hosten's creations is that she is very aware of the efforts to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle within her company. Most of the trimming waste is kept to be reused; and some of the necklaces (the sari collection for example) have been elaborated using almost only trimming waste. She uses a lot of vintage beads, brooches and necklaces to which a second life is given.

Charlotte Hosten's Atelier Boutique is at 122 Bernard W. in Montréal (514)274-8511

A Year of Pretty - January 19, 2014

Sweet little case, looks like it's all set for a short trip to the cottage. I have a couple of these in a pale blue floral motif that I use for storage under the coffee table. Brilliant when you need to quickly get stuff off the table because company is coming, but you aren't entirely sure where to put it.

A Year of Pretty - January 13, 2014

Today's Pretty Post is this collection of silver cutlery handles. Originally a flickr photo post by queenofheartsart. I find the Keats Poems background a nice addition, as well as the antique looking fabric rose. These silver handles would make for interesting silver jewelry, such as rings or bracelets. A while back I did a post about turning silver spoon handles into rings, one of which I now wear quite regularly. 

A Year of Pretty - January 01, 2014

Today is the start of a brand new year. As such, I have resolved to be more inspired, to be more creative, and to share more. I also resolve to wear more dresses than jeans but that's another story.

I'm not gonna lie. Most of these posts are going to be from Pinterest. I will try to include original content whenever I can. But I'm finding a lot of posts lately just link to some sort of  holding tank for images and don't really give credit to the original source. ESPECIALLY with recipes (sooo annoying! I then type in the recipe name into Google search, find it and post the original link to the recipe in the comments of the Pinterest post . . I know, call it my good deed for the day).

So, to start, here is today's Pretty Post to share with you: A set of floral saucers from uncovet.com. The saucers are vintage and have some crazing and minor chipping. But I think they are still lovely. Being vintage, it also makes the set unique and one of a kind.

Makes me think of tea and crumpets and all sorts of wonderful conversations with my mom on the sofa in the big bay window of her home.

Today on Etsy - March 20, 2013

Today's find on Etsy is this beautiful round filigree stained glass pendant with sheer ribbon by colorshoppestudio in Providence, RI.

The top part of the pendent has a Celtic style design with purple, pink and clear crystals. Behind the filigree work is a layer of pink stained art glass.

The pendent measures 1 1/4 inches round and the ribbon cording is 18 inches long with a two inch extension at the closure.

A lovely necklace to wear to a spring or summer garden party or wedding reception.

Today on Etsy - March 12, 2013

Today's fabulous find on Etsy is this hand designed and embroidered hand bag by atelierrococo in Santiago, Chile.

The silk fabric bag is embroidered with both colourful threading, beads and silk ribbon.

This is a whimsical bag to add to your everyday wardrobe and would be sure to garner you many compliments. Or, use it to jazz up a simple evening outfit or for attending a summer garden party or wedding.

The bag is individually made and one of a kind. Which means you will not bump into someone with the same bag as you, or inadvertently put your keys into someone else's look-alike Michael Kors or Coach hand bag at the next summer bbq party.
(been there . . . done that)

Today on Etsy - March 08, 2013

Today's Etsy find is this wonderful mosaic tile serving tray from Sigmosaics. White on white -simple and sophisticated.

At approximately 11'x7', it is just the right size to take tea out into the garden or out onto the balcony. Or a cool glass of lemonade into the shade on a hot afternoon. Or hot cocoa by the fire on a chilly winter night.

My vote would be for tea and toast in bed. Then again, if someone brought me a glass of wine and some cheese they would not be turned away.

This little tray would make a wonderful hostess gift or a great gift for a newly-wed couple.

Beautiful Baubles 4

 

Aquamarine gemstone necklace by Eleven13

Scrumptious Soaps

soaps come in all shapes and sizes, not to mention scents. Here are a few that look (and smell) good enough to eat.

These tasty looking cinnamon bun soaps (right) are from Aubrey Elizabeth Apothecary of Winchester Center, CT. Flecked with cinnamon and dripping with white icing, they indeed look very edible.

Another great sweet treat soap set (below) are these brightly coloured macarons by Jakeala from Norfolk, VA. Not only can these be made as a body soap, but also as a shampoo bar or shaving bar in a variety of scents and colours.

And what about these caramel latter cupcake soaps (above) by GlowBodyandSoul from Portland, OR. !?! so decadent looking, with all that glossy caramel drizzled down the sides and the perfect coffee beans on top. A real pick-me-up in the morning without the caffeine.

Sure to surprise and delight, these fun soaps would make for great hostess or teacher's gifts, or for that special aunt who's hard to shop for (nudge, nudge . . .wink, wink)

I'll Take the Cake

Looking for a beautiful way to show of your baking? Have a gander at these gorgeous cake and treat stands by vesselsandwares, sure to make your guests drool.

The colors are reminiscent of pastel icing and the eyelet lace edging of frilly lace, as displayed in this set of three cake stands (shown left). Custom colors are available on special request.

Or, you could opt for a more traditional white or off-white cake stand and thread a colored ribbon through it to match your theme or occassion.

Black and orange for Halloween cupcakes, bright red to highlight a prized Christmas fruitcake. Pale blue or soft pink to celebrate a new baby. Or choose the colors for your wedding and display tempting treats at your bridal shower. Again, you are able to request different colors of ribbon other than the aqua, yellow and green as shown in this set of three eyelet cake plates (shown right).

Based in Atlanta, GA; creator Jeanette Zeis has worked with clay for over 15 years and has operated a pottery wheel full time since 2007.

Her online store offers a wide variety of pottery dishware for the home including bowls, plates, cups and planters. You can learn more about her work at Jeanette Zeis Ceramics.

In the meantime, help yourself to another serving of delicious cake plateware.