Light posts = last week my baby was sick, now she passed it on to me. I'll be back when I'm feeling better.
Unica Home
Along with DWR at the Town Square, we stopped at Unica Home while in Las Vegas thanks to a recommendation from a reader. If you are into design type stuff this is a great place to poke around. Are you familiar with their website?
Journal Giveaway by guest: Melissa Esplin
I can't believe this week is nearly over! First, I'd like to thank Rachel for letting me blog at Black Eiffel for one glorious week. Second, I want to commemorate the occasion with a weekend giveaway.
The book was hand bound by yours truly using "up-cycled" materials (brand-new but discontinued designer paper saved from the trash can by FABMO). Get your hands on this one-of-a-kind journal by commenting below. Only one entry per person, and anonymous comments will be excluded. Enter by Tuesday, March 31st.
It's Amazing
Happy Friday! It has been a long week with a few tricky days rolled in there, and I am excited that it is the weekend, so I thought I would start it off with an uplifting song from Jem. (Not sure if I entirely love the song... but this post is more for video technique). At first, I had mixed feelings about the way this video was filmed (a little jumpy) until the end when it said how they did it (I won't spoil it). Thoughts?
Easter Cookies
Cookie alert! Is it just me, or do beautifully designed cookies seem to be the following the cupcake trend? I want one.
1: Elenis
2: Williams - Sonoma
3: A Couple of Squares
Tie Your Shoes by guest: Melissa Esplin
The husband introduced me to Ian's Shoelace Site a while ago, and I'm sure the cool train left a while ago with crazy lacing, but this site makes me want to wear lace ups every day just so I can try a new method. Sadly, the only lace ups in my wardrobe are running shoes that don't go with much besides running shorts.
I thought I'd try out some new lace methods on Chris's high-tops (we know high-tops are all the rage) mostly because I wanted to see the cool lacing in action and the laces on his hyperdunks stand out against the black shoe. It took me about 15 minutes to unlace and re-lace each shoe, which wasn't so bad, and I thought my lacing job was pretty awesome until Chris told otherwise. He wanted his shoes tied his way specifically for a tight fit for ball; not nearly as exciting as the lacing pictured above, whatever.
I'm still distraught that I don't have any stylish lace-ups. Oh, how great would be my joy if I could own some crazy lace-ups. Daydreaming. . .
Parisian Shops
I am jumping continents here, but a friend of mine is going to France next week, (lucky her!) and she reminded me that I have yet to post all of my Paris/Europe posts, so I will be putting more up shortly.
We barely touched the surface when it came to Parisian shopping, in fact we only popped into a few shops. Here are a few of my favorites that I would frequent again in a heartbeat all in really close proximity to each other in the Marais, on rue St. Paul.
Niou: (shown above) Very cool modern kid's toy shop.
Au Petit Bonheur la Chance : full of all sorts of vintage doo-dads and paper ephemera.
Cornershop: Design shop with lots of beautiful items
Johnny Miller
Summer from Design is Mine reminded me of how much I love Johnny Miller's photographs. I could be lost on his site for a really long time...
Details of the Wynn Part 2
In our room at the Wynn (which we got an amazing rate on - email me for details) I was especially taken by the Picasso artwork which was refreshingly different from most hotels ... and the gigantic bathroom with a 'lil flat panel in it was nice too.
The pool area was down right, incredible. There were areas that were more private, and spots that were more open, it didn't feel like other pool areas where you feel too overexposed walking around, it is very well designed with a nice layout. I liked it a lot.
More pattern details seen throughout the hotel. Tomorrow I will share some shots from the neighboring Encore hotel and then I will be done with sharing Vegas shots, phew.
Artists of Note by guest: Melissa Esplin
I'm so excited to introduce you to some creative people I know. I feel like their work really speaks for itself, and hope you enjoy looking at their creativity and artistic genius.
David Habben: a friend of mine from college, is always drawing something that's out of this universe: a colorful, textural environment I'd love to step into. You can follow his work from his blog, habbenink.blogspot.com. One of his sweet t-shirt designs is available for purchase at threadless.com.
Pictured Above: Hidden Treasure, Gift For John
Casey Jex Smith's work is full of energy and movement, I love how he collages different spaces and mediums to make a fluid, narrative environment.
Pictured Above: Outnumbered by a Small Army (Ceramic with decal and Gold Lustre), Showered (Ceramic and Oil Paint)
Amanda Smith playfully combines ceramic and painting and creates such a gorgeous, tactile experience. I just love her muted color pallet.
Personalized Post & Presents by guest: Melissa Esplin
I like to have stationery lying around the house, but it seems that when I need to send out a much-deserved 'Thank You', I'm fresh out. In which case, I'll write the message on thick cardstock, round the corners and with decorative paper sew an envelope and send the felicitations on their way. The more outrageous the paper, the better, right? Also, no need to be embarrassed by inconsistent or scribbly handwriting with a faux fancy handwriting tutorial, via design*sponge. I only wish I had thought of that when I was addressing my wedding invitations nearly 3 years ago.
In addition to always coming up short with stationery, it seems that I never have a gift box just the right size, and gift bags usually end up in the recycling bin as we have zero storage space. So when I have to wrap an awkward shaped gift (example: baby outfits, little diddies or edibles) I sew it shut like my envelopes! No better way to wrap a unique shape than by making one in the process, right? And if you sew with the stitches close enough together, the recipient can just pull at the ends and rip the package right open from the perforation! Slick.
For the tutorial on packaging your post and presents, click here.
For more tutorials and craftiness, please visit IS•LY at melissaesplin.com.
Details of the Wynn Part 1
As I mentioned previously, the attention to detail at the Wynn was impeccable, from the mosaic tiled floors and carpeting to the lighting and fringe on curtains.
I Heart Handmade by guest: Melissa Esplin
Listed below are some of my favorite items on Etsy. I can't emphasize how much I love this endless source of coolness, inspiration and uber-sweet goodies.
To Hold: Dear Sukie Quick Snap Card Holder. $7
To Wear: Octopus Me Octopus Tentacle Earrings. $48
To Decorate: Modern Wool Felted Cushions. $72 Each
To Snuggle: Kinichi River Sock Friends. $25 Each
To Use: Enamor Little Stinker Pincushion(includes vintage pins, too!). $14
M&Ms
It is probably not new, but I enjoy how M&Ms has diversified their color portfolio.
(photo taken at M&M factory)
Unicef's Tap Project - Denver Style
After Meg saw the Utah Unicef Tap project clip I posted, she shared Denver's clip for this week's 'World Water Week', makes me feel grateful for clean water coming right out of my faucet.
Agency Credits:
Creative Director – Mike Sukle
Art Director – Andy Dutlinger
Copywriter – Zac Spector
Account Manager – Dan Schultz
Broadcast Producer – Michon Schmidt
Agency – Sukle Advertising & Design
Client – Unicef’s Tap Project
Fickle Face Masks by guest: Melissa Esplin
When my husband Chris asked me on our first date, he decided that we would do dinner and plaster face masks. Chris is unique. Making face masks is the antithesis of dinner and a movie, a super-memorable first date, and terribly difficult to do with eggs. You could call it successful in that we hooked up for the rest of forever, but the masks themselves were an utter disappointment. The root of the problem was plaster-impregnated gauze. All of the advice we found online said, "Start with plaster impregnated gauze...", but we couldn't find any. I decided that gauze and egg whites ought to work fine. The egg whites were supposed to harden just like they had on my hair before dance recitals. Negative. The night was a sticky, egg-drenched mess. We waited and waited. The eggs stayed syrup.
We have since switched out the egg whites for plaster of paris (found at Home Depot). Plaster is the best way to go, but you have to get the PERFECT consistency in order for it to work correctly. You also have to use gobs of Vaseline. After my last attempt I spent two hours crying in the shower trying to pry each little plaster chunk out of the few eyelashes I had left. Chris's latest outing (pictured above) was much the same, minus the crying. Miraculously, Chris managed to sacrifice his hair follicles to keep the mask intact. Chris assures me that it was not easy and hurt like crazy.
After making the masks and allowing them to dry, we slathered them in Vaseline and made positives (or Death Masks). I love the tangible reminder of our courtship, and it never fails to get conversation going with our living room guests.
Learn to make your own Fickle Face Masks with this tutorial.
For more tutorials and crafty home and baby ideas, please visit my blog, IS•LY at melissaesplin.com.
Big, Bold and Beautiful by guest: Melissa Esplin
BIG
Explore a quirky, crazy world inside your computer screen at the Bio Bak website. This is the epitome of flash and illustration GENIUS. The screen starts out small, but the "hand" can drag to all parts of the screen and, if you find the tools for the toolbar [hint: the weasel eats them], you might be able to zoom out [above: zoomed out almost all the way].
BOLD
Adhemas Batista, Brazilian Graphic designer most famously known for his colorful Haviana Flip Flop design, is my design hero. His illustrations are gorgeous, colorful and there's always some minor detail that you pick up on the second glance. Drool.
BEAUTIFUL
Maria Filó (Brazilian fashion designer) is a recent find of mine. She updated her line and debuted a new website this month, and it's all Fall! At first I thought, "Isn't it a little early in the year for a Fall collection?" Then I remembered that Brazil is located in the southern hemisphere. It's likely the Southern Hemisphere Fashionistas are finishing up a long, hot summer and are looking forward to some Autumn layering. The old Spring collection was feminine Nautical ensembles. I miss the Sailor Girls. Happily, Maria's new site is just as fabulous, and it comes with background music from Fujiya Miyagi, Cocorosie, and Peter Bjorn & John. I'm coveting the 80's Rock 'n Roll triple-heart belt. My Portuguese-speaking husband says that the text on the model's left reads "Explosion Print Blouse...Gold Belt Detail...3 Heart Buckle...Mini-Skirt." Show-off.
For design, fashion and other random ideas, visit my blog, IS•LY, at www.melissaesplin.com. Thanks!
Clever Commercial : Utah Tap
Michelle sent me over this clever video clip for Utah Tap. Very cool.
CREDITS:
Mike Morris: Art / Motion
Tommy Currit : Art
Chris Rodriguez : Art
Billy Reano : Art
Logan Tanner: Copy
Music: "Mother Nature" by McKay Stevens
A little press...
Thanks to the lovely Anna from Absolutely Beautiful Things for the shout out in Madison Magazine. Her blog is amazing, and I am elated about being on her hit list.
More Vegas...
Shearwater by guest: Melissa Esplin
My husband does all of the music hunting in the family because he's really good at it and has excellent taste. Recently he discovered Shearwater, which has become a staple in our household. It's likely that 74,75 is my current favorite. If you like Okkervil River, you'll love the musical genius of Jonathan Meiburg.
Guest Blogger: Melissa Esplin
I am happy to introduce guest blogger Melissa Esplin this week. I came across Melissa's website through a mutual friend and enjoy her dedication to all things creative. I haven't met Melissa in person, (hope to soon) but I am excited to see into her art filled world. She has fun handmade things in her etsy shop and I am still cracking up about these Valentine's her husband made for her, and this beautifully designed Valentine game. Hello and welcome Melissa!
Name: Melissa Esplin
Location: California/Utah/Arizona
I love painting, drawing, designing, photographing, sewing, cooking, bookbinding and anything DIY that gets my hands dirty and makes giant messes. I enjoy doing a little bit of everything, and at the very least it keeps life interesting.
I'm very excited to share with you my current favorite music, designers, artists, crafts, websites and ideas!! Thanks Rachel, for this opportunity!!
Barefoot Contessa cookbook winner
The winner of the Ina Garten cookbook is : rebecca s.
who said...
"I've always loved cooking and baking but since we've been on an extra tight budget for much longer than a year (since my fiance lost his mortgage job) i think i have cooked at home nearly every single day. cooking delicious, inexpensive meals is not too difficult. my favorite thing to do is cook a large batch of pinto beans. we make roasted salsa, and purchase homemade corn tortillas from the mexican market. they are only about $1.50 for 3 dozen! those beans make a variety of meals! bean soup the first day with salsa, cheese and warm tortillas. guac & sour cream if we have it. refried bean taquitos with salad. bean & cheese burritos. refried bean tostadas with salad on top, salsa, cheese, etc. you can eat them aside your roasted chicken with tortillas. so many ways! i will be happy to share my recipes if anyone is interested. :)"
Rebecca email me (blackeiffel@gmail.com) your contact information and I will send that out to you. Thank you all for reading and entering the giveaway! Below are a few eye candy shots of Ina's Manhattan pad and you can see more here.
(images from House Beautiful)
Pocket Posh Puzzles
If you fancy crossword, logic, sudoku and other types of puzzles, check out Pocket Posh Puzzles, they are the most beautifully designed and functional game books I've seen around. Carrying these slim beauties in your bag would be a snap, as well as a stylish and brain power enhancing activity during down time. They would also make a splendid gift. Find them here and also here
Have a lovely Spring Weekend!
"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" -- Mark Twain
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