Mikael Jansson / MIXED MEDIA

Beautiful Vogue/Aug 2014 spread shot by photographer Mikael Jansson, featuring Liu Wen + Fei Fei Sun. 

Love the trompe l'oeile with the mirrors and blossoms.

Love the palette.

L O V E the short haircuts. A LOT.

. . .

Crab apple garland. 

I was procrastinating the other night and this is what came of it.

happy weekend to you!

*Lauren P thank you for always sending me the sweetest pics! 

I thought that maybe you too would enjoy these baby's breath hanging balls as much as I did. I actually really like baby's breath but it always seems to make itself into my least favorite kind of arrangements. I think it's fine just on it's own! If you ever see Mexican baby's breath grab some too--it is really airy and beautiful all on it's own as well. 

Learn to make your own here and do take some time to go through the coveted Gardenista; there is a plethora of inspiration just waiting for you to discover! I am always awe-inspired and really enjoy spending time on it. Thank you Alexa for this wonderful post!

Indigo Dye Workshop!

it truly doesn't get much lovelier than Britt Browne

our indigo vat

we all got our hands dirty and blue!

Britt uses black tea as the fix

Britt's indigo starters

I wanted one of Britt's work canvases to have as a comforter or table cloth!

Leave it to Lauren to execute a perfect Shibori stitch!

Brewing some magic!

I made a summer cake with nectarines + blueberries

the wax technique before the dyeing

I took my shoes and threw them in at the very end! Why not?

OK so I have to share with you just how AMAZING Britt Browne's indigo dye workshop was this past Thursday! Seriously: A SUCCESS WOOOO! It was the second workshop of the Midsummer Nights Crafts series and it was spectacular! We had over-spillage in attendance and magically we were able to accommodate everyone. After a quick lecture by Britt everyone was incredibly anxious to get their hands dirty and start dyeing! We had some incredibly good tunes playing thanks to the ample records to choose from, beers & prosecco & sparkling lemonade to sip on and a freshly baked summer cake to eat. What started off a bit modestly turned into people taking their pants & shoes off to throw into the indigo dye vat! It was addicting. It was also pure magic. Thanks to everyone who came and to the incredible Britt who showed everyone what a wonderful good time is all about! You're gonna want to check out more HERE!

If you would like to know more about the Midsummer Nights Crafts go here.

I would love to see pictures of how your dyed items came out so send them here!

If you would like to purchase some of Britt's indigo starters do so here.

 x It was so nice meeting you Angie, Amy, Melissa, Mark and Taka x

DIY Noguchi inspired lamp part II

the incredible Shelter Half space

picking out the right records to play all night

refreshments + candles here and there

hard at work

magic being spun

i felt like a proud mama! way to go girls!

absolutely stellar

Last night was undeniably fun and magical! It was the first of the Midsummer Nights Crafts series and the loveliest bunch showed up! It was the first time I have ever held a workshop and it really was an inspired evening. I thoroughly enjoy working with my hands and encouraging others to take the time to do the same. It was so lovely watching everyone working together, helping each other out, sharing stories and laughing together. I left completly lifted and floated all the way home. Thank you lovelies for showing up! 

 much more here

* a huge thank you to Elijah for baking us the most incredible olive oil + rosemary cake! It was soooo good!! *

Midsummer Nights Workshop I: DIY Noguchi inspired lamp

This photo of Mark Eden Schooley's Koushi lamp is what inspired the very first Midsummer Nights Crafts workshops, except ours will have a little dose of Isamu Noguchi too. There is such a delightful little evening in store for those who come, including refreshments, light snacks (I might be making my olive oil + rosemary cake), records playing, and mainly: magical fun! All materials (including light bulbs) will be provided so all you have to do is show up! See you there! More info here.

don't forget to RSVP because there is limited space!

*note: everyone and anyone is welcomed. translation: no experience needed*

Bundle Dyeing!

Wow wow wow! Have you heard of bundle dyeing? Lovely Cheri sent this to me this morning and I haven't stopped thinking about it all day! To be accomplished soon...!

(I think I use the exclamation point a bit too much)

xx Wreath D.I.Y. xx

1.) gather some floral wire and good scissors, bay leaves, berries, and some wildflowers
(bay leaves are super elegant and very easy to work with)

2.) if you don't feel like making your own frame out of sticks and wire, go to a craft store and buy a discounted fake wreath. when you get home, cut off the plastic garland and voila! your very own cool solid frame! (I think I got mine for $3 at Michaels)

3.) start using the floral wire to wrap bunches of bay around your frame
(I highly recommend getting green floral wire so that it blends in with the rest of the greens)

4.) keep attaching bay leaves until desired look!

5.) why not make yourself a floral bay leaf crown as well? attach some flowers to it too!

6.) pretty and pretty easy! it's a win-win

7.) start making little versions of the wreath using scrap pieces and throw them around wine bottles, candles, window latches, etc...
(the floral wire doubled over and braided around itself should make a sturdy enough frame for these wee ones)

8.) wanna know what is cool about these to-do wreaths? you can hang them in your kitchen well after the holidays because the bay will start to dry out and then you can use it to cook with! brilliant (and it makes for a lovely gift for a cook or simply for a friend who likes a bit of wild in the house)*

...and lastly, of course, I couldn't let V.V. escape without a bay leaf wreath of her own!

* hope you're inspired to make one too and if you have any questions, simply email me *
xx

Protea!

I'm really into these protea. SO pretty. A soft pink with what seems like a dipping of the tips of the petals in a watercolor bath of a purple-ish/black. GO get some! Seriously!

(For some reason they feel Christmas-y in a woodsy feminine way, no?)

*p.s. the beautiful red card is from Spencer Studio...of course!*

A Style That Could Grow on You

I stumbled upon these images in a bookstore this weekend and thought that you might like them too. I appreciate the flowers incorporated in the styling, especially in the first picture with the garden roses voluptuously filling up the dress. Pretty neat.

Shot by Bruce Weber and styled by Grace Coddington for Vogue UK 1984.

Petit arrangements

I have a serious problem: I can't throw away flowers unless they're really, really dead. I'll make an arrangement last until all the petals fall off. My trick is to take the still living flowers and cut them down some (or a lot) and throw some wild greens and/or cut herbs in them. I love throwing some purple basil or oregano or mint in these teeny arrangements too. I think they're intimate and sweet and they smell really good. You can put them in a tiny vase or glass and put them somewhere that needs a little pick-me-up or a kiss of color. Try it and tell me what you think!

The last picture is of Osa, our latest member to join the farm. Elijah rescued her from an insanely busy street and after a good bath and some food, she was purring away and our hearts melted. Seriously, when you've already got three cats and a dog, what's one more, right...right?! Plus, how cute is her face. I'm such a sucker for animals. Wait until we get some land: it'll be fully on! Cows, chickens, a horse or two, V.V. and the cats, maybe some bunnies and a goat too.