Exquisite Thread

Inspiration: Take Me Out To The Ball Game

2010-04-02T18:46:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the Red Sox to start their season, here's an inspiration board that looks to classic baseball for influence and imagines an afternoon wedding as a day out at the old ball game. In dusty shades of brown and tan, with a few touches of red and blue, it is a simple, relaxed style, and has a casual charm about it. I've included some really great groom and groomsmen details to round out the look-- cufflinks made from old maps of Boston, Fenway Park, and Lansdowne Street, Van sneakers emblazoned with the wedding date, custom made cigars, and personalized beer steins. Here at Beantown Bride we tend to show a lot of love for, well, Beantown Brides, but today we thought we'd focus a bit more on all the Beantown Grooms out there. And, lest we forget, I've included man's best friend, dressed up quite dapper for a wedding day. (I couldn't resist, as a certain adorable Boston Terrier is our mascot of sorts here at Beantown Bride.) Go Sox!

Clockwise from top left: "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" Concessions Tray by Rebecca Thus, Boston Terrier Wearing Vintage Bow Tie Print by Christine Edwards on Etsy, Boston Map/Fenway Park Cufflinks by dlk designs on Etsy, Groomsmen in Suspenders by Kyle Hale, Baseball Wedding Invitation by Byvik Ink letterpress on Etsy, Blue Boutonniere by Shyla Photography, Cigars with Custom Designed Bands by Boston Cigar Factory, Couple Under Parasol by Samuel Lippke, Vans Personalized with Wedding Date by Patricia Lyons, Bride and Groom Cake Toppers by Embellish My Wedding, Personalized Etched Glass Beer Stein by Personalization Mall

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON APRIL 2, 2010

write on

2010-04-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

It is April. Already. Is it just me or is this year flying?

Spring in Boston thus far has been a mix of torrential rain and unseasonably warm weather. Thanks, global warming!

Indeed, April is the cruelest month, aaand with that in mind, it's also National Poetry Writing Month!

I've been feeling a little bit lost with my writing in recent weeks, or rather I should say, I find that hours I aim to spend doing creative writing at my computer have very easily been flitting away. When I spend a decent amount of my time, some of it for work, scouring the internet that is not at all difficult to do. I'm the kind of person who if there is text in front of me I need to read it. If there are pretty pictures in front of me I need to see them. So online that amounts to needing more, more, more and just falling farther and farther down the rabbit hole, and then hours pass until I reach information overload.

So. I have started again, wait for it... putting pen to paper. And writing in a journal. Nightly. As opposed to sporadically. In various journals and on scraps of paper. (I still do that too, which is totally fine though.) Which has led to all sorts of amazing developments. Like going to bed earlier. Reading even more. Checking in with my planner at the end of one day, planning the next, and being more productive overall. Wearing my retainer. (Yes, seriously, as it's home is on my night table by the aforementioned journal.) All of these things. I think when writing anything of length it is easier, for obvious reasons, to work at a computer. But it's such a good way to focus, and, well, to quiet the ever buzzing mind to unplug in this way. I find that to cut out some computer time helps me make better use of my time when actually behind the keyboard. And I've been feeling more motivated and inspired as a result. So I'll be doing the whole NaPoWriMo thing-- in the journal, not on here-- and hopefully come out of the month with some more good raw writing.

Yet again...

2010-03-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Yikes, I know, it's already the end of March, the last month has flown by so quickly, and so on and so forth. Does this sound like my last post? Rather than say once again, oh no, alas, I have not written, I will instead just write.

Should you care, here's a quick update: Over the last month I've been a busy little bee and had a lot of stuff happening. I left my job! That's right! I left my job! With only a vague plan for how to, you know, make a living! Bold, right? Seriously though, it's a good development, so it calls for a great big HOORAY! And now I trying my very darndest to do work that I really care for and enjoy, so we'll see how all of that goes! I've also spent a good amount of time organizing my very wee studio and archiving my writing. And organizing creative chaos can be quite a chore. I've been at work on some fancy lil' accoutrements, have launched my Etsy site (for real), and will be adding about half a dozen new items each week. Aaand I've been busy with writing and design work for Beantown Bride, and actually just had a lovely night out with all of the ladies who do work for the site-- it was splendid to meet the rest of the talented crew and put faces to names. So I've been, you know, just generally getting my creative life in order., which is what I aimed to do. Lots of good happenings, which obviously call for some blog celebration, aka lots of exclamation points!!!

So long story short, now that all of that has been taken care of, my writing will find a home here much more regularly. I promise! And you'll also see some fancy schmancy changes made to the blog's layout soon. (Blogger has new custom layout tool, which is awesome news and long overdue. Do you know this? You should know this!)

Time To Cook

2010-03-17T17:25:00.000-07:00

Isn't it splendid when you try your darndest to remember where you found an amazing recipe, or article, or video, and then, voila, google helps you get there almost immediately? I've had a beautiful fresh bunch of dandelion greens sitting in the fridge for a few days, and in the back of my mind I knew that not too long ago I had stumbled upon an amazing recipe for greens and potatoes, googled as much, and sure enough it was a Minimalist recipe. I should have known. While not entirely Irish (it is an Italian recipe), it does amounts to green potatoes, so I'll argue that it's completely appropriate for St. Patrick's day, especially for this lil' mutt.

And so with the dandelion greens, some potatoes sitting in the back of the pantry that were starting to grow eyes, copious amounts of extra virgin olive oil, hearty homemade breadcrumbs, and gobs of garlic (this was my own addition, as my own Italian grandmother always makes delicious bitter greens in this fashion-- diced, cooked briefly in oil, and then threw the blanched greens in quickly before adding them to the potatoes), I whipped it all up in a jiffy. Needless to say they were delicious. And addictive. This will certainly become a new staple meal. Creamy potatoes, bitter greens, sweet oil, crunchy bread-- yum, yum, yum!

And, in case you're wondering, why yes, this was my first casserole as a newly married lady! (I know, quite a milestone.) It's worth noting that since leaving work about two weeks ago I've been cooking a lot more, and it's been such a wonderful thing. I adore cooking when I have the time to really enjoy the process and then linger over the finished product with good company. I often think of my mum when cooking, and when making this dish today I thought of her own mother, my Grammy Emily, who, when I would speak about or even vaguely reference doing anything a little outside of the box as far as career choices go, would worry, and say, "How will you feed yourself? How will you cook? How will you eat three good meals a day?" And so I couldn't help but think about how, even in these last few weeks, just a short while after having stepped away from a 9-5 desk job to try and focus on doing creative work that I care for, it's now that I find myself pouring over recipe books, standing over a stove in the early evening, and cooking delicious meals for myself and my husband. It's funny how things work out. But I think she would be happy. And I'm happy.

Aaand the casserole made a perfect meal before gearing up to see fairy sprite Joanna Newsom play her harp on campus tonight. Eeeee! Can't wait!

Inspiration: Graphic Nature

2010-03-05T18:41:00.000-08:00

If I were to suggest that you use all things floral as the crux on which to base a wedding design, you may very well have nightmarish visions of all things stuffy and frou-frou-- the sort of style that's outdated and one that you'd certainly prefer to avoid. Don't fear my compatriots, there are a lot of modern florals are out there are anything but. They're playful, modern, and even fashion forward. And if you pick a flower that's graphic to begin with-- like poppies, used as the springboard for my inspiration here-- half of your work is done. Right off the bat you've got a color palette, suggested a mood, and have a signature image to use throughout your day. A little goes a long way, which will help to keep both fuss and spending to a minimum. The actual floral arrangements seen here certainly speak to this aesthetic: spare peonies in simple ceramic vases or a singe bold bloom wrapped in a dapper bow speak volumes and don't break the bank. And this high-impact look invites the chosen flower to show up in even more surprising places: in graphic prints in dress fabric, in repeated form on the invitation suite, and even in sculptural style thanks to the use of interesting materials, like paper, felt, and sugar seen in the decor hanging over tables, in adornments for hair, hand, and dress, and of course, in tiers of desert. And the shoes-- golly, hand painted and with floral clips-- don't forget the shoes! Overall it's a look that's modern and bold, fashionable and fun, and the palette of poppy red with touches of leaf green and pale yellow is incredibly contemporary-- certainly not for wallflowers!

clockwise from top left: Pippa Orange Poppy and Emerald Floral Necklace by Luxe Deluxe on Etsy; Invitation Suite by ExQuisiteInVitation on Etsy; Poppy Boutonniere from Once Wed; Oversized Felt Flower Brooch by Starz Selection in Etsy; Table Setting from Project Wedding; Rosette Fascinator by Giant Dwarf on Etsy; Poppy Fields Silk-Lined Clutch by ViaBella on Etsy; Red Bloom Muff of Fabulousness by Birdism on Etsy; Kate Spade Graphic Floral Print Dress from Real Simple; Maddie Floral Shoe Clips on Hand Painted Shoes by Chloe & Maddie on Etsy; Poppy Wedding Cake by Polka Dot Cookies and Cakes

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON MARCH 5, 2010

bright, shiny, new

2010-02-26T08:45:00.000-08:00

Oh dear goodness, I haven't updated in ages! (Disclaimer: I think this post will amount to little more than a Dear Diary... so sorry that I haven't written... kind of entry... cue imaginary violins.) Life has been busy, busy, busy over the last month, but fortunately it's been full of a lot of new exciting happenings. I've got some fun new work ventures, well, in the works, some creative projects on the horizon, and will have a lot more free time on my hands going forward which I trust can only be good for the art-making. Mysterious, no? Rest assured I will be writing here more often and making this a home for a decent amount of my creative writing going forward. Organizing all of that is on my to-do list to as well. (Ha!) On that note, happy Friday! Tonight I'm off to celebrate the great wild yonder that is my future with a Paula Vogel play, some cheap Chinese food, my secret twin Carrie, and assuredly some drinks.

Inspiration: American Classic

2010-02-19T18:33:00.000-08:00

When I think about the phrase "American classic" my mind can't help but wander to tried and true fashion, food, and music. Truth be told, this probably says a lot more about me than it does the term. Regardless, I think of Levi's worn until they're paper thin and Converse sneakers so well-loved they're tattered at the seams. A red and white gingham dress in a classic cut topped off with a bold shade of red lipstick. Apple pie, milk and cookies, and a heaping helping of comfort food. A great guitar that mellows with age and dancing with your sweet heart to old love songs on vinyl. Strung together they're something like an incantation for simple pleasures and simpler times, but when grouped in this fashion there's something really hip about their pairing. Both qualities of which are worth taking note of: you can easily build a beautiful day that's equal parts familiar and modern with items and that are near and dear to you. Rather coincidentally, this inspiration board came together in shades of red, white, and blue, with touches of greenery and shades of sepia to compliment. Because in addition to the triumvirate listed above, classic Americana also makes me think of landscapes full of sun and old photos brimming with smiles. Cool, casual, and a tad sentimental, it's a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll.

Clockwise from top left: Leaping Converse All-Stars via Santa Barbara Chic; Chenille-Dot Tulle Veil with Bow by Suzanne Couture Millinery at Martha Stewart Weddings; Table Setting via Snippet & Ink; Apple Pie via Martha Stewart; Guitar Shot by Katerine O.; Red and White Gingham Anqelique Dress by petapledger on Etsy; Just Married Sign by Modern Press via Kiss The Groom; Farmhouse Photo by Jasmine Star via J'adore Details; Cookies and Milk by Martha Stewart Weddings

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON FEBRUARY 19, 2010

Inspiration: (Hand)Made With Love

2010-02-12T18:18:00.000-08:00

While many people bemoan Valentine's Day as nothing more than a commercial construction meant to take advantage of consumers (and certainly this view isn't without reason), I believe that the holiday at its most basic is a truly lovely one: a day for sending kind words of love to those we care for, be they sweethearts, family, or friends. Even when we first began dating, the hubby and I have always aimed to keep the day sweet and simple ourselves. While we don't use the occasion to spoil each other with big ticket items, we always manage to make the day special by carving out time to share a really great dinner and to gift each other with a penned poem or card, sometimes a mixtape, on at least one holiday when we lived apart a brown paper package covered in a cartoons drawn by yours truly, and, almost always, gobs of chocolate. (It should be noted that this last item is one that I'm always and forever, without any shame, glad to consume in either context of the word.) And as we continue to celebrate the holiday in this fashion, I've come to realize that the tradition is rather close to what I first knew of Valentine's day as a child. Then it was a day for crafting valentine's out of construction paper, doilies, and paste smeared with a popsicle stick, a day for penning juvenile verse and writing cards for family, friends, and classmates, a day for helping to make cookies in the shape of hearts and, again, eating gobs of chocolate. And really, I think the day at it's most ideal operates somewhere along those lines, as an occasion to give something made with love to those you care for. As a child my parents always told me that the best presents were those that were made by hand, and the older I get the more I believe this sentiment to be true. Truly, there's little better than getting something made just with you in mind, even if the gift is as simple as words on a page. Indeed, in an era when email is ubiquitous, when is the last time you were given a love letter you could hold in your hands? Could there be any more marvelous a gift? Inspired by this, I was moved to create an inspiration board that was a grownup version of the Valentine's Days I knew as a child and the ones that I now aim to create. And so it's full of items made with love, in various shades of red and blush. All of the items included contain handmade elements, be they the wax paper and crayon hearts hanging in a window (similar versions of which you may have made as a child- I know I did), the paper moon constructed for a sentimental wedding, or the hand worked flower detailing on both the dress and shoes. Handmade touches always lend a certain amount of warmth and charm to any look, but this is a style that manages to be chic and elegant at the same time. The frayed edges of fabric, the curving calligraphy, the envelopes sealed with string- these crafted elements all radiate a sort of perfect imperfection inherent in their design, which is, I think, a lot like love. Much love to you all, dear readers! Happy Valentine's Day!

Clockwise from top left: Handmade Envelopes by Martha Stewart; Hand Lettered St. Valentine's Day Menu by Cynthia Warren Design; Blume Printed Peep Toes Heels in Papaya Dots by J. Crew; Needle Felted Conversation Hearts by felt cafe; Dessy Bridesmaid Dress Style 2780 in Flame by The Dessy Group; Waxed Paper and Crayon Hearts by Martha Stewart; Paper Moon via Snippet & Ink; Rose Heart Centerpiece by Martha Stewart; Genova Brass Locket by Japonicas Boutique on Etsy

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON FEBRUARY 12, 2010

Inspiration: Sunny Disposition

2010-02-05T18:11:00.000-08:00

Dear Winter,
I don't wish to be harsh but I must confess... I think we need to take a break from this whole, you know, whatever it is that we have between us and spend some time apart. Please understand: it's not you, it's me. The cold hands, the wet socks, the dry skin... well actually, maybe it is you. But seriously, how soon until you pack up your bags and head south?
(Far From) Affectionately Yours,
Pamela

While I adore the fact that living in New England means that I get to experience four distinctly beautiful seasons, I'm also the first to complain about the cold and lack of sunlight this time of year; both features of winter really do me in during these darker months. Fall, summer, spring- all of these seasons I'm glad to greet. But winter, along with all of it's chilly accouterments, falls at the bottom of my list of loves. As such, this inspiration board was born out of my need to inject a little sunshine into my aesthetic life! Yellow this bright makes quite the statement and even color therapy suggests the shade perks you up. That this would be a great look for spring or summer goes without question- it is fresh, bright, and incredibly peppy- but the addition of a few richer citrus hues makes for a style that could also easily work for fall. And, for all the same reasons, wouldn't it be a lovely way to fight off the winter blues if you're having a wedding while there's still a chill in the air? I know that I, for one, would love to walk into a wedding in the dead of winter that was this warm and cheerful. Good day, sunshine!

clockwise from top left: Just Married Personalized Sunshine Banner by Earmark on Etsy; Yellow Boutonnieres by Martha Stewart Weddings, Yellow Baroque Wedding Invitation by Peak A Boo Designs on Etsy; Light Catcher Earrings from Anthropologie; Polaroids via Snippet & Ink; Bride with Bridesmaids in Field via Green Wedding Shoes; Yellow Bouquet by Martha Stewart Weddings; Yellow Shoes Photo by Simply Bloom via Green Wedding Shoes, Couple with Floral Spectacles via Snippet & Ink

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010

Inspiration: Purple Reign

2010-01-29T17:52:00.000-08:00

You probably already know that purple has long been used to denote royalty, but just for fun, here's a brief lesson in costume history. Tyrian purple, used by the Romans to dye and denote royal togas, was a pigment collected from tiny snails found in the Mediterranean and was considered a great luxury. Luxury indeed; purple does always seems to communicate an air of just that. It is a bold color choice and makes a regal statement any time of year. I happen to think that this sort of a look would be most appropriate for a winter wedding, and when paired with gold it becomes even more luxurious, bordering on opulent. Something about the combination feels incredibly rich and warm. But while it appears rather ornate don't let this look fool you- there's plenty of room to incorporate DIYs and save some major money. Because both colors make such a big impact, you can make a statement with just a few well chosen pieces. And to accent your tables with leaves painted gold in lieu of vases teeming with flowers, aside from being incredibly striking, would certainly save you a bundle, especially in the colder months when a lot of the flowers you might be coveting are not to be had locally. Which is money that, you know, you can use to spend on other little luxuries. Perhaps by treating yourself and your partner to some pre-wedding pampering or by spoiling your guests with a few well-chosen details that will make them feel like royalty. Forget playing princess in pastels at your wedding... long live the queen!

clockwise from top left: Golden Branches with Seating Cards by Martha Stewart Weddings; Northern Lights Dress by Njur Designs on Etsy; Victoria Star Bright Hair Comb by KD Design Studio on Etsy; Gothic Lolita Cameo Ring by Ghostlove Jewelry on Etsy; Purple Bouquet by Martha Stewart Weddings; Priscilla of Boston wedding gown; Purple Fabric and Feather Bouquet by Jillians on Etsy; Golden Branch Centerpiece by Martha Stewart Weddings; Candle Arrangement from Elizabeth Anne Designs; Purple Letterpress Invitations by East Six

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON JANUARY 29, 2010

Inspiration: Parisian Pink

2010-01-22T17:38:00.000-08:00

Oh, Paris... le sigh... le swoon... city of light, love, and unending aesthetic inspiration! Never having visited myself, it is on my ever-growing list of places to someday travel. My husband speaks a small amount of French, though as for myself the extent of my knowledge is almost exclusively limited to children's songs and a term of endearment that roughly translates to mean "my little cabbage." Romantic, no? Regardless of my common ways, Paris is a big pull for me... the art, the literature, the food, the fashion... it's all enough to inspire substantial allure. The hubby and I have been talking a lot about travel lately, and all the while we've been compiling a list of both domestic spots to travel in the next year and international places we dream of visiting father down the road. Paris belongs to the latter group, so until then I'll have to get my French fix through Proust, Godard, Parisian Vogue, and worldly friends who travel abroad. Rather recently, a friend who spent a long holiday in Paris gave me a striking deep pink scarf as a gift when she returned home. A classic piece in a surprising hue, the scarf has now become a wardrobe staple, and like any great accessory it seems to brighten up my most basic ensembles. As such, I thought a board in shades of deep, bright, and pale pink paired with smoky lavender would make for an utterly romantic day. It's sweet but not cloying. Lively and flirty, it makes no apologies for being utterly feminine. This look could work for a cocktail party that lingers well into the evening or even an afternoon fête. Either way, très magnifique!

Clockwise from top left: Eiffel Tower Photo via Trip Advisor; Pink Macaroons via NicNacManiac; Divine Deco Claudette Necklace by EMbridal on Etsy; Pink Bouquet by Martha Stewart Weddings; Boutonnieres by Martha Stewart Weddings; Daybed via Matters of Style; Tutu and Top Hat by Glamour via coco + kelley; Eiffel Tower Ring Box by Studio d. Sharp.

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON JANUARY 22, 2010

Sonic Joy

2010-01-13T23:18:00.000-08:00

Just bought tickets for this!

And this!

Sweet! Who wants to come?

Handmade in Boston

2010-01-08T14:09:00.000-08:00

Golly! I just read on my love for you is a stampede of horses, a Boston-based art blog, that there is a screening of Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft and Design in the city on January 18th. Put it on your calendar! I will have to round up my crafty lady friends so that we can attend this together as a gaggle. Crafty ladies unite! Speaking of, I should host a 2nd Crafty Ladies Unite afternoon at the apartment sometime soon. I should mark both such things on my calendar.

If Looks Could Kill

2010-01-08T11:54:00.000-08:00

How did I not know about this???

Mad Men has a fashion blog!

Oh! I die! It's great! Janie Bryant writes about the costume choices, fashion history, and, of course, there are oodles of lovely pictures. Costume and fashion history in popular culture! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! I can barely stand to wait until the next season starts. Until then I will pour over this.

New Year! New Happenings!

2010-01-08T07:41:00.000-08:00

Beantown Bride is now live- YAY!!! The screen shot above is from my first post, an inspiration board inspired by the new year. Also of note is the fact that at the bottom of the image is an ad for my Etsy shop! Most excellent! This weekend I'll be having a tres chic photo shoot for my Flutes & Fabric designs on Etsy so that it can be fully up and running. I'll also be tidying up this place up over the next few days and preparing it to, er, well, I guess be a bit more public than it is already. All good things! So if you're joining me from any of these other places, hello there!

The Living Page

2010-01-07T09:59:00.000-08:00

Just yesterday, over dinner and drinks (for me: a margarita, extra salt, for the boy: pumpkin beer), D and I were discussing dying magazines, newspapers, and the advent of blog culture.

I think the manner in which the Internet allows for new contributors to shimmy up to the table is a beautiful demonstration in democracy, and the fact that you can seek out anything and everything imaginable (differing points of views, new music, a new needle for my ancient Fisher Price record player), is incredibly empowering. Personally, I find myself increasingly turning to well-curated online sources over magazines. And when it comes to art and culture, stumbling down rabbit holes has been particularly beneficial for me, as I've found sites with aesthetics and outlooks that very much agree with my sensibility- a great joy indeed! This is especially the case since some of my favorites glossies bit the dust, Blueprint and Bust included. I do still get a few, ReadyMade, Vogue, and W are favorites, but then I stumble upon stunning, beautiful, images like these, and suddenly I'm convinced I need to pick up or subscribe to some of the international fashion magazines. Scratch the subscription idea... much to expensive...yikes. Wendy Bevan, whose gorgeous work is above, has done a lot of lovely shoots for Italian Marie Claire. These shots are from a shoot that is something of a swing era, beach-side, weekend-long party. I want an invite! (And there are even cheeky nude bathtub shots- reminds me of college- ah-ha!) And Tim Walker, who studied with Richard Avedon, has done work for Italian and British Vogue. While his images cannot be reproduced, rest assured they're amazing- they include baby elephants, balloons, oversized accessories, and exquisite composition. Both sites are a goldmine for stunning photography. And when it comes to such images, there is something to be said for real, tangible, glossy pages in front of you. Really, it's quite a way to showcase for stunning art and design.

But {shudder} don't even get me started on the topic of dying print in general. No, I am not ever getting a Kindle.

Dear Diary

2010-01-06T11:33:00.000-08:00

Oh. Swoon. I love rabbit holes. I've somehow stumbled upon a beautiful blog, The Unicorn Diaries, the whole of which is something akin to poetry in website form. The author hasn't posted in a while, but everything that's there is beyond lovely. I've found myself repeatedly pouring through it over the last few days. Above is a book created by the author. Below another tiny treasure, a haunting video from the site. Love.

Small Joy: Happy Accidents

2010-01-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

Today while at work I quickly lifted some papers off my desk, which somehow resulted in me clumsily knocking over my coffee thermos, which then rolled into my cell phone, which then tumbled off the edge of my desk and into my boot which was sitting on the floor below, the force of which caused the boot to fall over into my trash basket, out of which rolled a discarded apple core. It reminded me of this.

Rare Bird of Fashion

2010-01-04T10:39:00.000-08:00

The Irreverent Iris Apfel exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum closes in almost a month! I must go soon! This is the sort of fabulous old lady I aim to someday be.

Inspiration: New Year

2010-01-02T18:22:00.000-08:00

By now the countdown is long over, the confetti has since been swept up, and we should all be caught up on our lost sleep. But still, there's something about New Year's Eve that gives a girl great reason to wear ample sequins, statement jewelery, and fancy dancing shoes without apology. It's an occasion for counting down the minutes until you kiss your sweetie, thinking of the past, and looking to the future. And, while you're at it, add some bubbly, a bit of revelry, and several good friends to that list. So really, it already has all the makings of a fabulous wedding. And so to kick off the series, this inspiration board draws on all things fun about the holiday that is a herald of new beginnings. The design is celebratory, thoroughly modern, and a little bit irreverent, in shades of midnight black, platinum, and gold.

clockwise from top left: Black and Silver Cupcakes by Crumbs and Doilies Cupcakes; Sequin Stripe Bubble Dress from Arden B.; Live What You Love Letterpress Print by Hijirik Studio on Etsy; Black Feather Fascinator by eeek.designs at Etsy; Polka Dot Room photographed by Tim Walker for Vogue Italia via Oh Joy!; Dorothy Gown by Vera Wang; Starry Champagne Glass from Anthopolgie;Starlight Friends Pave Star Ring by Marc for Marc Jacobs at Shop Bop; Reptilian Sheen Oxfords at Anthropologie

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON JANUARY 2, 2010

You say it's your birthday! It's my birthday too, yeah!

2009-12-22T17:44:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday baby Jesus! Here, Linus' beautiful monologue and Charlie Brown's dear, tiny tree. Regardless of where my religious upbringing leaves me now, his echoing little voice makes this epic and always makes my heart quiver.

(Side note: D should be picking our own tiny tree this evening. Last year it was dubbed Jimmy Stewart. This year I'm thinking Clarence would be a most appropriate name.)

And now for something completely different! More importantly, err, happy birthday Mikey! Here, a ridiculous video. Some year soon I swear to you that I will dress up like our Lord and Savior, gather a band, and play you this song. Baby brother is 25! Love!

(I know, I know, this post is sacrilegious for several reasons. I can't believe the animator made John fart on Paul either.)

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

2009-12-21T20:01:00.000-08:00

It's almost Christmas- hooray! Which means that it's also almost time for two short work weeks! Most excellent. Also excellent is the fact that my shopping is now done and I can spend the next few evenings wrapping things in pretty bows and decorating the tiny evergreen tree we have yet to purchase. I love choosing presents, wrapping presents, and all of the warm fuzzy feelings that come with giving loved ones something you've chosen especially for them. Which brings me to fun news: Guess what the hubby is getting for Christmas? A banjo! Eeeee! I get to pick it up from The Music Emporium on Mass Ave in Lexington on Wednesday. (Beautiful store, beautiful string instruments, and some handsome help, which doesn't hurt either.) Don't tell! On that note, please enjoy some Pete Seeger. He is wholesome and lovely and full of warm fuzzy feelings. Indeed, with the purchase of this banjo we will be one step closer to someday having a family band. Which reminds me, I should pick up my own guitar more often.

Oh, it's no harder than walking, but I've said many a time, it takes us each a couple of years to learn to walk.

We are Etsy! Hear us roar!

2009-12-18T10:36:00.000-08:00

Here is a great article from NYT about Etsy. It's the #1 most popular emailed article today- beyond awesome!!!

Magnificent Creatures

2009-12-17T09:39:00.000-08:00

Love the Onion. It's helps many a slow day at work pass all the more quickly, and makes the crazy all the more bearable. Here's some tongue-in-cheek feminism for the day: Women Domesticated.

It's only Tuesday, and I'm already dreaming of the weekend...

2009-12-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

To reward myself for a massively busy semester, an awful last few months at work, and some busy new freelance happenings, here is what I am going to treat myself to this weekend, after waking at the crack of noon, of course:

An Education at Kendall Square, meaning lush 1960s production design, pre-Beatles Britain, an actress that is supposed to be splendid, and Peter Sarsgaaaaard. The three extra As are because I am drooling at the thought of his sleepy bedroom eyes. This viewing is very overdue.
The Closet, for what I hope will be some great retail therapy. At my work Christmas, err, holiday party last week, a girl I work with was wearing the most adorable Erin Fetherston jacket she got from this store for dirt cheap. I think I've heard of the place before, but can't believe I haven't been. According to Yelp, it seems that some of their items can be had for dirt cheap. I obviously must remedy this lapse.
Buffalo Exchange to drop off a giant bag of cast offs, in my twice yearly closet purging. Unless I see anything amazing I may just keep the store credit for delayed gratification on another rainy day.
Artifaktori, Magpie, and D2 just because.
And a fabric store. Which one? Don't know. We've been in Davis a year and a half now, and I have yet to find a local fabric store to call my own. I often shop near Methuen when I'm home because I know where to find what I want. Regardless, I have some projects on the radar for winter break, so I'd like to find a nice local place I can frequent. I have plans to whip up a few dresses, reupholster our chaise lounge, and make some hairpieces for selling on Etsy, the latter because I have tons of silk flowers, grape vine, and other crafty notions left over from wedding projects.

Alright... sadly... back to work...

On this note, I wish I could keep a blog about all of the ridiculous happenings at work lately. The day to day happenings are, no word of a lie, as ridiculous and absurd as The Office. I even share the same story arc as my namesake, that being: Pam begins as receptionist, Pam moves to the sales department, Pam is still asked to perform menial tasks. Except it's not funny and I have no Jim to pass the hours with. Le sigh...

Rose Colored Glasses

2009-12-11T13:02:00.000-08:00

I don't know where these lovely images came from (well, most immediately they were found at Barefoot in the Apple, but I wish I knew where they were from originally). Regardless, I'd like to live inside of them. Especially the middle image. They are very flutes & fabric, if you know what I mean. I'll meet you girls beside the fairy ring! Just let me grab my floral hair wreath first...

To Post or Not To Post?

2009-12-09T14:32:00.000-08:00

Dilema... should I start posting some of my creative writing on here? Like, the polished stuff? And should I tell people I actually post here? Should I find a new online home for that? Should I simply just work on sending it out to lit mags to try and actually get published? Or should I spend less time worrying about where my writing lives and more time just writing? Hmm... there is much to consider...

The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe. Gustave Flaubert

For Daddy, For Me

2009-12-07T16:23:00.000-08:00

101 more reasons to love The Minimalist

2009-11-25T13:50:00.000-08:00

Le sigh... After having spent the last weekish trying to organize my life, I feel good to go just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday! Whee! Food and family and love and gratitude and eating and more food and drinks and then even more food and more eating! Could anything be better?

With this in mind, I give thanks for Mark Bittman's food writing. I love, love, love him and feel that his cooking sensibilities very much speak to my own. (And he just did a short series on PBS about Spain and Spanish cuisine- me encanta! And the girls made fun of me when I said I would eat my way through the country and make a photo journal of all my meals... but that's another story.) I am all for following recipes, but cooking is most fun for me when experimenting and winging it; working at making a delicious dish through trial and error. This is probably why I cook far more often than I bake. The fact that the majority of his recipes, especially those in his Minimalist column, consist rather simply of good ingredients and general instructions for preparation- no measuring, no fussing, no restrictions- is so refreshing. I love his 101 series (I shall have to dig up some of his oldies but goodies sometime soon), and as such, here are 101 Thanksgiving dishes from The Minimalist.

Off to wrap up my workday (oops), get home to cook and bake and generally run up my November gas bill, and then its full speed ahead to a food coma!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

What's A Girl To Do?

2009-11-23T10:19:00.000-08:00

Dear diary, I am sorry to have been away so long. I promise to write here more often.

So began many a diary when I was little. Rather than always write in one journal, turn the page, and then continue on, I was always much more prone to write on scraps of paper, in countless separate notebooks, and compile tiny handmade booklets. I still do much the same. And that's alright, my paper and ink will surely continue to exist as controlled chaos. Oh well. For whatever this space is worth, I say again, this time at a keyboard, I promise to write here more often.

On that note, What's a girl to do when she's got a major case of the Mondays, and on top of that, fearing that she doesn't yet know what form this meager site will take despite the manifesto/disclaimer below, doesn't want to write a thing? Start the day/week/blog off with some good tunes, that's what.

This song is part sixties girl group, part haunted house, which just so happens to be right up my alley. And the video is wicked (wicked!) fun. Also worth making note of is that fact that this gal can wear a killer headdress like nobody's business. I give you Bat for Lashes. I am also loving Lala lately. (Natasha Khan channel is a go!) It's providing my days with some beautiful soundtracks and fab new finds. While you know, I spend the day pushing paper.

My bat lightning heart wants to fly away...

"What are the roots that clutch, what branches grow...?"

2009-04-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

Oh gosh, so because today is the last day of April, and also of National Poetry Month, I give you the gift of T.S. Eliot. The Waste Land. April is the cruelest month. Hyacinth girl. This card, which is blank. Why have you not already skipped ahead to the link? Really, do yourself a favor and read this. Or reread this. (Am I blogging to myself? Will I be my own audience? Probably.) Seriously though, at least Part I! I promise that Eliot will break your heart in beautiful ways. And you will be all the better for it.

And speaking of beauty, I am going to see John Ashbery tonight with my advanced poetry writing workshop! (Har, har.) I am not one for writer's block, but gosh, I've produced nothing of substance lately. As such, I should probably be attempting to spin equisite threads of verse right now instead of click-clacking away at this dribble. Alas... though maybe both gentlemen, along with this lovely weather, will inspire me to write some good stuff. Okay, bye!

Hello there!

2009-04-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

As a means of introducing myself to the big wide world of the interweb... Good day ladies and gents! Now in beginning such a, well, beginning, I of course must ruminate on the following issues: 1. Why am I blogging? 2. Is this too self-indulgent? 3. What will I post about? Indeed, there are many pressing questions. To answer the first, well, gosh, I have no idea. I'm probably starting this because so often I find myself stumbling down amazing, lovely, inspiring rabbit holes on the internet, and I would very much like a happy home to house all of these finds. The answer to the second question is, well, yes, probably, unfortunately. But if all this ever becomes is a sort of ongoing virtual scrapbook for all things good then it will have been successful. Which leads me to the third answer: We shall see. Most of what I find and love and want to bookmark is art, design, writing, craft, food, fashion, or film related. I will probably also gush occassionally about lighter fare, and will assuredly post serious lady news that speaks to me. Maybe when this tiny corner of the internet starts to take a more concrete form, assuming that I don't abandon it completely (goodness knows I have been known to abandon many a journal in my time), I'll have a more concrete manifeta to share. I'm sure if I do indeed keep up with this my sensibilities will become evident. But really, I am starting this for me. If you, dear reader, are out there, interested, and want to come along for the ride then all the better. The more the merrier. That's what this whole internet thingy, this newfangled series of tubes, is for, right? So with that out of the way I say to you... Hello there!