FFF - DIY Heart tea tags and new homes

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!

DIY
All it takes is a small decorative touch to make something special.  These heart-shaped tea bags via Ms. Martha Stewart make tea time something fun (and would be a cute gift if you personalized the tags!)

Otherwise, this weekend, I am...
...hoping to get to a friend's new home.  She bought a pasta maker so we're trying to encourage her to experiment ;)

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What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

FFF - DIY Photo envelope liners and swimming again

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!

DIY Photo Envelope Liners
I am not necessarily the most creative, especially when it comes to making my own stationary.  But I know a small touch here and there can create a big impact.   These photo envelope liners from Ms. Martha Stewart create that statement and it can be a fun, personal touch on your stationary as well.

Otherwise, this weekend, I am...

...going to start swimming again.  I live in a lovely complex with access to a pool and I should make the most out of it!  I'm also trying to build in a greater variety of cardio activities.

Isn't this pool at the Umaid Bawan palace amazing?

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

DIY/Decor Thoughts: Lacy Doily Luminaries

This is just proof that an item can be chic, cute, and fun at the same time.  Go beyond regular candle holders and create these lovely doily outlined luminaries. They're super lovely and easy.

How fun for a tea party, wedding, dinner party or now during the holidays.

Tools and Materials

• Light-colored paper lunch bags in various sizes
• Ruler
• Scalloped rotary cutter
• 12-inch gold-colored doilies (white ones won't show through as well)
• Utility knife
• Scissors
• Glue stick or Xyron sticker-making machine
• Votive candles in glass holders
• Utility lighter

1. Lay each bag flat; use a ruler to guide the scalloped rotary cutter as you cut a new top edge 1 inch below the bag's original edge.

2. To cut doilies to fit the bag, lay a bag flat on the work surface. Lay a doily on the bag, and determine where to cut in order to create a pleasing design. Cut straight lines with a ruler and a utility knife; use scissors to snip along curves. The final size of the doily should be 1/8 inch narrower than the width of the bag so the doily will lay flat inside.

3. Coat the gold side of the doily generously with glue from the glue stick, or coat it with self-adhesive using the Xyron machine. Attach doily to the inside of the front of the bag, positioning it as desired. After gluing, close the bag, and run your hand firmly over the design to seal. Open the bag, and let dry at least 1 hour.

4. Set the bag in desired location, and then put the votive candle, in its holder, inside. Light the wick once the candle holder has been securely placed; do not carry the lit luminaria.

Thanks for the tutorial Martha - full details are on Martha's site here.

DIY: Super simple enamel bottles from regular glass bottles

I love reworking every day items into something beautiful you can reuse.

We all have glass bottles and I was intrigued and excited by this picture from Ms. Martha Stewart. 

Aren't the shades of white and blue dreamy?

The exact shades of green depend on the tint of the glass itself.  I'd love these in my kitchen and on my bookshelf for a little pop of color.  They're a pretty eco-friendly way to create some easy Chic 'n Cheap decor for your home.

Materials:
- Bottles/jars
- White enamel paint
- Enamel paint surface conditioner/primer

Instructions:
1. Wash bottles and dry.
2. Prime inside of bottles with small amount of surface conditioner and pour out the excess.
3. Set bottle upright and dry for an hour.
4. Pour in enamel to coat the inside of the bottle and pour out the excess.
5. Dry upside down on a paper towel for 48 hours and during the first hour, wipe excess enamel paint from the rim.

FFF - Martha Stewart Thanksgiving cookbook download, Yumi Kim Friends & Family

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!

Fun Downloads
Thanksgiving is just around the corner for my American friends.  Ahh the holiday of eating and merriment - what's not to love?  The domestic diva herself, Ms. Martha Stewart got a few famous chef friends to contribute recipes for Thanksgiving.  Fried stuffing bites with cranberry pesto, sweet potato gratin - delectable and delicious!

Download Martha's Thanksgiving cookbook here.

Picture from here

Online Sales
One of my favorite designers, Yumi Kim, has a Friends & Family discount of 35% for one week (ending on my birthday!) with code YKFAMILY10.  I am so getting the Gemma dress (in the chevron print below) which should be in stock this week.

 Otherwise, I'm...
...celebrating Thanksgiving, part 1!  I'm bringing salad with carrot, ginger miso dressing and a cauliflower gratin.

Picture from here.

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Decor Thoughts: Unfolding the Beauty of Molding

What a beautiful way to highlight a place of rest...

...bring an edge to a family room.

...insert instant old-world glamor

 ...infuse a modern sensibility

...or highlight an entry into the next room

Images 1+2 from Martha Stewart, 3 from Neat Home,  4 from Inviting Home, 5 from De Lovely Photos

I've already thought about how I can somehow incorporate the last example of molding into my next home.  I love how molding instantly adds dimension to any room - it's such a subtle yet striking detail that isn't necessarily expensive but very chic. My parent's home has gorgeous crown molding in their living room that I'd love to recreate.  But I also love how it encircles the bed and door way too - I'm so excited about the possibilities!

Do you have molding in your home?  What are your most favorite uses of molding?

Decor Thoughts/DIY: Star Floor/Aisle runner

...because we can either stare up at stars or walk gingerly among them.

Photo from Martha Stewart

DIY Steps:
1. Buy them from Bulk Party Supplies ($16.08 for 72!) or make them yourself by creating a printed stencil in various sizes and copying onto card stock. 
2. Sprinkle and glue glitter onto stars.
3. Tape stars onto floor in desired pattern.

Thanks Martha - what fun for a wedding, birthday party, or just because!

FFF - Free Martha Stewart Summer Grilling Cookbook download

Happy Fun, free, Friday lovelies!

Just in time for summer is a summer cookbook download from Ms. Martha Stewart herself.  Thank you because I'd love to try out some new recipes with good friends, a hot grill, and some frosty drinks.

Download here.

Image taken from here

First on my list is the Fire-roasted veggie pizza, possibly followed by grilled banana splits with rum caramel sauce.  Yum!  What are your summer cookout favorites?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Designer Thursday - DVF (and DVF, Pronovias, Martha Stewart, Lauren Merkin NYC sample sale info)

Princess, icon, fashion revolutionary, and now billionaire media mogul wife - Diane Von Furstenberg has had a full and awesome life.  Imagine designing a simple dress that would later hold a place in the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, living in Bali for a few years with the (then) love of your life, and hanging out with Andy Warhol back in the day?  Wow.

Since her fashion resurgence, she has of course brought back the wrap dress but also created contemporary pieces I know I wouldn't mind having in my closet.

Of course there is the pleated mesh wonder that is the Stephanie bag.

I love the draping and versatility of the Brady jacket.

 

Finally isn't this so appropriate for the holidays?  Well I guess when else can you wear velvet?

 

Now for a mostly NYC based sample sale rundown (another reason why it's an awesome place to live, so jealous I'm not home now).

DVF - Dec 8 - 11, Tu: 9 am - 6:30 pm , We: 10 am - 8 pm, Thu: 10 am - 7 pm, Fri: 9 am - 3 pm, 260 5th Ave, bw 28th and 29th Streets

- Totally go if you are a DVF fan.  I live tweeted from this last time.  The line was reasonable and there was a $50 rack in back (I think it went to $20 or $25 on the last day).  Dresses were about $125 - $175 if I remember correctly.  Prices go down every day.

Pronovias - Dec. 6 - Call 212.897.6393 for an appointment, 14 E. 52 bw 5th Ave and Madison Ave.

- This is where I got my reception dress for 70% off (initial post here with some more pics).  Loved it and obviously love to share deals...

Martha Stewart- Dec. 5 -12 pm - 6 pm, 601 W. 26th St. bw 11 and 12 Aves 

- Artisans and crafters sell their wares at the holiday craft sale.  The domestic diva in me is so jealous.  Probably great gifts for family can be found here!

Lauren Merkin - Dec. 8-11, 11 am - 7 pm, Dec. 12 - 11 am - 4 pm, 231 W. 29th St, bw 7th and 8th Ave, Ste. 201

- Go if you need a clutch or want to gift one (I gifted all of my girls some type of Lauren Merkin bag and my own wedding clutch, pic here).  This sale is amazing.  You can get most clutches from $15 - $90.  So worth it.  Isn't this peacock print cute?

FFF - Martha Stewart Online Wedding expo Nov 14-15, Selfridge's Garage sale for charity, Girlfriend Circles in NYC

Another week edging into a fabulous weekend!
I'm probably going to a gallery or two this weekend, stake my place in line for Jimmy Choo for H&M, and go to the Selfridge's garage sale (for real I could buy Gwyneth Paltrow's Balenciaga boots?!  We're probably not the same size, but I'd still love to peek at the goodies there).

Everywhere
Bridal friends, wedding enthusiasts, and Ms. Martha groupies (ooh, was I just talking about myself?!), have you signed up for her Luxury wedding expo online?

Interact with industry experts like Martha Stewart Wedding's editor Darcy Miller, browse the online boutiques of lovelies like Lela Rose, and enter to win prizes like Crate & Barrel gift cards and a Disney vacation!  Someone win something!

London
This is THE weekend to shop darlings!  Besides the much-publicized Jimmy Choo for H&M launch, the other huge shopping event is the Selfridge's Really Really Great Garage Sale.
London celebs have teamed up with Mothers 4 Children to sell donated celeb items in which all proceeds go to the charity.  Psst, heard that there will be deals like Yasmin Le Bon's Tod's sandals for £45 or random Temperley dresses like this for £50 .

Definitely worth checking out AND even if I get nothing, the £5 door fee goes to charity!

New York
My fun and fabulous NYer and new friend Midtown Girl invites you NY ladies to Speed Friending next week.  What a nice way to connect with ladies!

GirlFriendCircles.com is a vibrant community dedicated to introducing women and inspiring friendship in cities. We are proud to be hosting this event for awesome women who reside locally to connect in a fun, effective, safe, and easy way! Join us at www.GirlFriendCircles.com for other opportunities to expand your circle of friends!

Speed-Friending is an organized evening where women from the New York Area will participate in a guided process of fun and meaningful sharing in multiple small groups to introduce women to potential new friends.

Buy your ticket for $15, and enjoy Sweet Revenge's famous cupcake and wine pairings in addition to a great evening of laughter, fun and contact info for all matching potential girlfriends! Bring along a colleague, relative or friend!

Location:
Thurs 11/19, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (PT)
Sweet Revenge NYC
62 Carmine Street
b/w Bedford and 7th Ave -West Village

Have a LOVELY weekend!