It’s Monday – what mood are you in?
O Christmas Tree!
Splendid
Pronunciation: /ˈsplendid/
Magnificent, sumptuous, lavish…
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There’s only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
Photo: 1
It’s Monday – what mood are you in?
Black & White
Monochromatic
Pronunciation: /mänəkrōˈmatik/
Having shades of one color… These fall days are anything but monochromatic but what’s not to love about this Celerie Kemble room – black and white at its best!
Photo: 1
Where's the Crowd?
Oh, yes we are, and standing 42 minutes on the corner of 33rd and M Streets last week was no big deal – especially when we walked away with these beauties from Georgetown Cupcake. So worth the wait!
Our Sweet Selection
A quick trip to DC last week had us seeing the sights, which of course included a stop at this now famous cupcakery – the first of its kind in our nation’s capital when it was founded in 2008. Since then, Katherine and Sophie (sisters with a passion for the artful cupcake) have published a book of recipes, appeared on national TV (alongside Oprah and Martha Stewart!) and launched their own series on TLC!
You Can Make Your Own!
These sweet treats are as delicious as they appear, given their natural ingredients…
Buttercream Anyone?
and beautiful packaging. No need for a special occasion to indulge in one of these!
Pretty Packaging
Thank goodness the company had the foresight to open a store in Soho so we don’t have to travel too far to satisfy our urge… then again, we can order online from their website and save ourselves the wait!
Mother's Day Delights
P.S. For another sweet treat, don’t forget to enter our giveaway of an autographed copy of Phoebe Howard’s first book, The Joy of Decorating! Click here for more information…
Photos via Georgetown Cupcake and Dress My Cupcake
Acorn Basket
Acorn Boutonniere
Acorn Napkin Ring
The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Photos via Better Homes & Gardens, Dasha Wright at Hope Spring Photo for Michelle Rago and Martha Stewart
It’s Monday – what mood are you in?
Bright and Beautiful
Sunny
Pronunciation: ˈsə-nē
Cheerful, optimistic
Photo via Martha Stewart Living
Martha's iPad Issue
… to Martha Stewart for creating Boundless Beauty, the first iPad issue of Martha Stewart Living, twenty years after she launched her iconic magazine. Filled with interactive goodies like video and audio clips and scrolling images and recipes, Martha has raised the bar for online publications.
Making Pretty Packages
We especially love all the fabulous flowers – not only did we learn how to make blossoms out of baking cups and sugared flowers for our cakes, but the article on peonies (how to grow and arrange them) is not to be missed. Our iPad never looked so pretty!
Pastel Penoy Posy
Sugared Sweets
P.S. If you’d like to download the app and see the all the boundless beauty Martha has to offer, click here.
With Thanksgiving come and gone, it’s not too soon to think of holiday decorating (for those of you who, like us, wait until the very last minute to get your tree up!) Each year, we try to choose a theme that we carry from the front door throughout the house… whether it be a color (silver, apple green, purple, why not pink!) or a trend (rustic, Hollywood or The Nutcracker).
Our Red Period
We recently read in The Wall Street Journal that the inexpensive carnation is back in style (after all, even if the recession is officially over, we’ve implemented austerity measures) and our creative juices started flowing.
What in Carnation?
When last week we heard from Eddie Ross, lifestyle expert extraordinaire, that he actually loves these humble flowers, especially when massed, “their ruffled edges form[ing] a beautiful texture that looks lush and rich,” we knew we had to explore a carnation Christmas.
Lush and Lovely by Eddie Ross
We’re in good company. Carolyne Roehm celebrates carnations in centerpieces…
Carolyne's Carnation Centerpiece
and Martha Stewart makes wonderful wreaths.
A Beautiful Carnation Creation
We think they would make pretty garlands and kissing balls, too.
Garlands Galore!
Pretty Pink Pomanders
Just a thought…
Photos from yours truly, The Wall Street Journal, Eddie Ross, Carolyne Roehm, Martha Stewart, Heavenly Blooms and Wedding Flowers
“Kiku in the Japanese Garden” opens today at The New York Botanical Garden and we can’t wait to catch a glimpse of the beautiful cascades, cones and columns of brilliantly hued chrysanthemums. For the past two years, the Conservatory Courtyards have been transformed into a setting that evokes the gardens of Kyoto including undulating masses of ferns and perennials and the exquisitely handcrafted pavilions which showcase these amazing floral sculptures of kiku (Japanese for chrysanthemum).
"Driving Rain" Display at The New York Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden experts work up to 11 months to grow, train and shape the kiku on display, and sadly, this is the last year these beautiful plants will be shown in this setting. Luckily, we have found other mums to celebrate fall’s fleeting beauty!
Liora Manne - Mum Rug
Caspari - Chrysanthemums Napkin
Red Ruby Rose - Pink Mum Clutch
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Martha Stewart - Chrysanthemum Cupcake
Todd Alexander Romano - Small Chrysanthemum
The exhibit runs from October 17 through November 15. For more information and tickets, visit The New York Botanical Garden their popular blog Plant Talk.
Photos from The New York Botanical Garden, Liora Manne, Caspari, Red Ruby Rose, NYBG Store, Martha Stewart and Elle Decor
