I want to share this creative use for color copies with my readers: I use my color copy machine to get images of home decor. I also copy prints and patterns from clothing when I need to shop for items and match colors. I carry copies of my color schemes with me out to the stores.
My favorite part of the SF Bay Area Maker Faire was the Craft building. Here is a picture of the wrap jacket pattern I picked up. The patternmaker interprets vintage styles and makes the fit modern. I enjoyed browsing through their rack of samples. I got so excited when I saw this lovely jacket. I plan to try it in silk dupioni. If you want to find out more about Decades of Style
My good friends at Whimsybean.com have new dolls up for sale. These dolls have famous faces. I mean they are "Hollywood" glamorous! They are adorable, stylish, and fun to collect. Check them out! I'm sure they would love to hear from you. Here is a close up of one of my fave doll faces- Kiss, kiss! Check out the rest of this elegant lady on the whimsy bean site.
I decided to try a natural product for my sunless tan. I have a trip to Cancun coming up soon and I want to show my legs! Rather than drive over to Sephora for my usual Estee Lauder self tan products I went to my local Pharmaca. This Zia sunless tanner had just arrived so the sales people had no experience with it yet. Although they have confidence in Zia cosmetics in general. And I have tried Zia products before too. They don't seem to be spa quality but they are nice interim products that I will continue to buy. So I decided to give this lotion a chance. I actually like the whole age-defying marketing theme on the label. Well I have slightly ruddy Irish skin and this worked! I applied the first coat on my legs and didn't see results until almost 24 hours. It seems to take a while to get the color- or maybe it's just the lighting in my house. But I am pleased, the color change seems gradual and looks pretty natural. I plan a second coat for tomorrow. The only thing I miss from the products I used before was the tinted lotion for easier application. But the Zia is more pleasant consistency and scent. So that's my review! Here's what it looks like:
When I went to up to the register at my local Pharamaca I noticed all the items I selected were pink! I was completely exhausted at the time. I was not truly "in the pink" at that moment. But clearly it is where I should be headed- to optimal health. Good thing the yoga mat was on sale! Here's my tip about new yoga mats: I recommend unwrapping the mat and letting it off-gas before doing yoga. That rubber smell needs to get released for a good 24 hours. Here's another comment about my items. I tried a number of natural deodorants before I found this one that actually works. It's the Wild Rose by Weleda. It works... but like all deodorants must be reapplied as needed. I wouldn't bother testing any other brands but if you do - see if the store will let you return them when they don't work out. It's a good idea to switch to a natural product for better health and the environment. Look for something that is aluminum-free at least. Here's a photo of my pink purchase.
My good friend and respected artist, Eileen, told me about the Renegade Craft Fair happening this week-end at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Too bad I have a broken right foot-- so I don't think I can manage to go....unless I drink tequila or something!! This looks like soooo much fun and I'm sure it will be an awesome source of inspiration as well as a place to appreciate beautiful hand made items. So here's the link. If not this time--I will plan ahead for next year! If any readers actually get to attend- please feel free to share about the fair. Here's a cute graphic I grabbed off the Renegade Craft Fair site, apparently this fair happens in several locations in the U.S.
The Appel and Frank Shopping event I attended was at least a year ago. It was so much fun! It featured indie designers, local artists and treats! I recommend checking out one of these special shopping nights or days. I went to a ladies night in SF but since I'm on the mailing list I get reminders. The next one is in Mill Valley. See the link. The price of tickets includes a goodie bag filled with surprises.
I have to rave about my favorite salad dressing. This is the best light dressing out of a bottle I’ve ever tasted. And it’s from an Oscar winning elegant person, Paul Newman. This dressing tastes great with almost any salad combination you come up with. I took a picture of my spinach, red onion, feta, pecans and dried cranberry salad. The dried cranberries are coated with omega-3 oils. I’m trying to incorporate the omega-3’s since I hear they are excellent for good health. If you haven’t tried the Newman’s Own Light Balsamic Vinaigrette yet, I truly recommend it. You can find it at all the major grocery stores. Once I had to ask the local grocer, Apple Market, to bring in the light version for me. They were happy to do it. They’ve had it ever since. I learned a while back the only way to get what you need is to ask for it! So when they ask you – Did you find everything you were looking for? Be sure to answer honestly so you get the products you want.
I’m going to watch the Oscars tonight. I’ve been calling it the Oscars forever, even though the official event is the Academy Awards. I enjoy watching the stars, the speeches and especially the glamorous fashion statements. I also love the snippets of old Hollywood that sometimes come up. My family has roots in old Hollywood. I’ll have to go into the details of my artistic, talented and complicated family tree some other time. So try the dressing!
I just received my postcard for Winter 2008 buttons from Armchair Auctions. The post card has so many wonderful buttons pictured on it. I want to share it with all you antique button fans. The last day to bid is February 16th. I like to pick a favorite on the post card each time it comes. I’m having a hard time narrowing my pick down to just one button. As I’ve mentioned before on my posts, I find faces intriguing and there are so many styles of faces on this one little card. So my top three: The Japanese woman, the profile of the Persian looking Prince, the woman on a bicycle. I might have a new top three tomorrow….
I love the grapefruit this time of year. It's funny they used to be called the forbidden fruits. I know they grow right here in California but the grocery store has delightfully awesome ones from Texas too!
The grapefruit is definitely one of my favorite tastes of the winter months. These are so sweet! They don’t need any sugar sprinkled on top. Another habit from my Grandma when she used to practically force the grapefruits on us! I found a very tasty quick bread in an older WW cookbook and it turned out great. Here are some pictures of the process. The colors in the juicy red grapefruits made a lovely light pink hue in the batter. It was a pleasure to make the bread and not worry too much about having a treat. I think home made baked goods, with no preservatives, using natural seasonal ingredients are the way to go if you can.
Oh …and I love my KitchenAid Timer so much. This is the second one I’ve purchased in the last 5 years. Of course I found it on ebay! It’s so nice and weighty and makes a familiar beep beep sound that I can hear over all the other noises in my home. Kitchen Aid Online store has timers now in pink! They are part of Cook for the Cure campaign- a nice idea where 10% of sales go back to Susan G. Komen for the cure.
