DIY Polka Dot Tablecloth

Although I am still working on my current DIY project, I can't stop thinking about my next one, a Polka Dot Tablecloth by Oh Happy Day.  This is such a fantastic idea and looks so easy!  Plus, how cute will this tablecloth be for birthday parties and Spring brunches.  I love it so much, I am thinking about making several for all of my sister-in-laws for Christmas. Eek!

{pics & instructions available at Oh Happy Day}

Etsy Tuesday: Owl Mania

Owls are still very popular, even though mushrooms, raccoons and birds are fighting for their spot in current trends.  As a result, I thought I'd share a few links for this week's Etsy post so you can continue to add to your collection of owls.  Isn't the skirt adorable?!  How about those tags?  They would be perfect for a birthday note on a present.  Happy Shopping!

1. Platter & Tea Towel

2.  Gift Tags

3. Sleepy Owl Planter

4. Swizzle Sticks

5. Chiffon Skirt

6. Silver Bracelets

7. Vintage Ashtray

8. Adorable Earrings

9. Sweet Owl Planter

10. 70s Embroidered Artwork

11. Retro Owl Watch/Pendant

12. Cork Hot Pad

Flasks Galore

A couple of weekends ago my wonderful boyfriend and I went to a party that was BYOB. Although they were planning on having a case of Coronas to get the party started, they didn't want to furnish everyone with an endless supply of drinks which is completely understandable.  We are not big drinkers by any stretch of the imagination, and we really dislike beer.  No matter how many different kinds we've tried, it's just not something we can get accustomed to.  So, we thought we'd take some rum or Crown.  Only problem was, we don't own a flask!  Thus began the endless search for a great flask.  Which would you pick?

Chevron Print Flask

Cozy Flask

Retro Vines Flask

Traditional Leather Flask

Menswear Flask

 

Wavy Flask

Stock Up: Dinnerware for the Holidays

Since the holidays are just around the corner, it's time to dust off your China and get it ready for entertaining.  Of course, if you are anything like me then you are perusing the internet to find new dinnerware right now.  I think all together I have about 8 dinnerware sets - ridiculous, I know - but I just can't help myself.  Every year new patterns are released and I feel as if I need to update my kitchen just as I would my closet.  I started to feel bad about my collection, but then I visited my future mother-in-law's house and she had more dinnerware sets than I could possibly count on two hands!  So, if you happen to be in the market for dinnerware, here are 4 amazing sets to ponder.

This set by Kelly Wearstler for Pickard is so chic.  I'm not even a huge fan of gold, but this set makes me want to put on a cocktail dress and invite all of my friends over for a fancy feast.  The lines are modern, but not harsh and the gold colors make it feel feminine.  Love it.

You can never go wrong with something this simple.  Although the shapes aren't groundbreaking or special, the color keeps it feeling modern and encourages you to showcase your food rather than your shopping sensibilities.  And, it's Vera Wang.

How fun are these?!  Missoni is a master at mixing patterns and colors, and this dinnerware set is no exception.  It's incredibly whimsical, feminine and modern.  Although hot pink isn't for everyone, it would make for a stylish table setting.

Every woman has that one outfit that makes her feel flirtatious and feminine.  This dinnerware set is just like that - the scallops feel so girly but the mint color keeps it fun and different.  You have to love Anthropologie and their selection of oh-so-pretty finds.

Home Design Ideas from It's Complicated

Just watched It's Complicated today for the 1000th time and I am still drooling over Meryl Streep's fictional house.  It is absolutely amazing and makes you want to buy a Tuscan-inspired home in California almost immediately.  I can imagine dinner parties by the pool, playing Scrabble on the raw wood dining table, and making chocolate cupcakes in the kitchen.  The house is romantic, easy, and cozy with its neutral colors, clawfoot tub, and mature trees.  Below are just a few pictures from the set of It's Complicated for your viewing pleasure.

 

  

 

The last movie still pictured here is what brings you back to reality.  Just seeing it makes you remember it's a fictional house since no one has that great of a garden.  It's absolutely impeccable and reminds me more of the community gardens around town than someone's home garden.  It would be great though...

{pictures courtesy of Traditional Home,  IMDB and Elle Decor}

5 Must-Have Kitchen Items

I love buying new things for the kitchen - absolutely love it. However, I live in a 2-bedroom apartment with a galley kitchen and space is scarce, but I still manage to keep stuffing things into the cupboards. 

Here are 5 of my favorites:

1. Progressive Salad Keeper - If you don't own this, you must buy it now, MUST. I love eating salad but hate the time it takes to wash the veggies & cut them up every day. This salad keeper was the answer - it is my Clark Kent, my Spiderman, my Mario rescuing me from Bowser's dungeon - it is seriously that awesome. Now, I wash all of the lettuce and cut it up and place it in this keeper.  After 2 weeks, the lettuce was still fresh & crisp - how amazing is that?! I've since bought another for carrots & spinach since it does have a nifty divider you place on the inside. This is my absolute favorite kitchen gadget & I will never live without it again. Now, there's never an excuse to eat healthy when a fresh salad is waiting for me in the fridge.

2. Juicer - Lemonade & orange juice are so yummy and when meyer lemons are in season, I can't get enough of them. My boyfriend's parents have a huge tree in their front yard and I pick them like crazy. Then, I get out this trusty juicer and make fresh lemonade - so good. Of course, it works just as well with oranges and when I have company, I love to make them a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice instead of buying the preservative-filled ones at the grocery store.  

3. Molcajete - What can I say, other than salsa time! As a little girl, I loved watching my Mom in the kitchen making salsa & guacamole or grinding up cilantro & garlic to spice up her frijoles a la charra. She used it for almost every meal, and I was thrilled the day she showed me how to grind the veggies & spices up myself and told me of the day my Abuela showed her. Now, the molcajete is a reminder of home, of home-cooked meals, family stories, of comfort & unconditional love and I can't wait to show my little girl how to use it and share our family recipes. 

4. Ice Pop Maker - This item is such a wonderful reminder of summertime and very useful in making fresh popsicles that are high on flavor and low on calories and added sugar. Growing up, we had the Tupperware version of this high-end model. Either or, it's a great way to get your kids in the kitchen and teach them how to turn fresh produce into something delicious and refreshing.

5. Oxo Good Grips Mandoline Slicer - I never thought of using a mandoline until my boyfriend received one two years ago for Christmas, and now, I don't think I could live without it.  It actually took me a year to gather enough courage to use it (I was deathly afraid of slicing off my fingers), but one day, I thought 'Why not?' and got it out. I was making potatoes au gratin and it was amazing. Seriously, it cut the potatoes in thin even slices making the potatoes au gratin look professional. Since then, we've used it for slicing cucumbers & carrots, and for making french fries & potato chips.

Happy Monday!