dreamy dresses

By Jenny Packham

cranes in fairyland

Beautiful images by Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie (as posted on my favourite wedding site Once Wed).

happy birthday!

Tonight we celebrated the belated birthday of my boyfriend's sister, who is an avid cook and excellent baker. All of her gifts were related to cakes and cake decorating so keep an eye out for some fabulous creations on her blog, mama baker.

dork & beans

My boyfriend is really into games - video games, card games, computer games, board games, drinking games (he he jk) - he just loves them all! After many years of refusing to participate in his long-winded strategic games, I have recently decided to give some of them a go. I have now been completely converted to the world of "nerdy" board games. One in particular that my boyfriend and I enjoy playing together is a card game called Bohnanza (German for "Beans"). Basically, each player attempts to plant as many of one kind of bean as possible in order to earn the most money. I've started the fun project of redesigning the playing cards for the game by coming up with new types of beans and illustrating them. So far I've illustrated jelly bean and garbanzo bean (chick pea!) and i have lots of ideas for the rest of the cards. So, in short, give nerdy games a try! Heck, you might even walk by a park some day and see me LARPing... ; )

nature walkin'

Today I decided to go outside, enjoy the weather and embark on a mini nature walk. Well, truthfully, I did this same walk yesterday, but my camera battery was dead so I went on a second adventure, this time with my camera ready! I strolled along a pathway that leads to a bridge over a pond. I photographed some ducks, most of which seemed to be relaxing in pairs (oh, ducky love!) all the while thinking how silly i probably looked to passers by. As I leaned over the wooden railing of the bridge, staring into the calm, somewhat murky pond water, I quickly realized that ducks weren't the pond's only inhabitants. There were several large koi swimming around in groups. Now, this may sound all tranquil an everything, but those things freak me out! I was convinced that one was going to emerge from the depths and drag a poor duck under by it's feet...which, of course, didn't happen. Next time I visit the ducks I will have to bring along some bread, although I have a feeling it will attract those terrifying fish as well...

one-piece wonders

clockwise from top left: {1} jersey Lomellina ruffled tank by j.crew. {2} Marysia one shoulder one piece from Urban Outfitters. {3} gleaming pewter maillot from anthropologie. {4} French sailor halter tank by j.crew.

craft corner with maris

Last night I had the pleasure of an evening of crafting and delicious takeout with my friend, maris. She was on a mission to create a very special homemade card for her little sister's 11th birthday. After much analyzing and walking in circles at Michael's, we purchased the supplies for a vintage floral, whimsical, magestic, fairy-like pop up card with a mini version of her little sister running through a wondrous paper forest carrying a shimmering balloon. We headed back to maris' new apartment in Kitsilano armed with our crafting supplies as well as papaya salad, nasi goreng and other Malaysian delights. We both felt like we were back in school (she took interior design) as we rummaged through her collection of fancy obscenely priced markers and smelled the sweet scent of spray glue in the air. Not so sweet was maris' finger coated in a thick layer of glue (and lint, paper scraps and other residue) that needed a good dose of nail polish remover to clean off at the end of the night! She sketched out the image of her little sister skipping while holding a balloon, but after seeing maris' first sketch attempt, we decided I should skip around the living room so that she could more accurately capture the motion. After her second attempt, we decided that I should just draw it for her and she could adapt my drawing...haha. We worked out the logistics of folding and glueing strips of paper to create the pop ups and maris cringed (high school math trauma) as I noted the importance of parallel lines and 90 degree angles. At nearly the strike of midnight, the card was complete. I think her little sister is going to love it!

tablewear fit for a queen

These are quite possibly the coolest dishes I have ever seen. The bowls and plates stack together to form the different parts of the palace (see first photo). What a great way to display the dishes when they are not being used! Seletti & Selab + Alessandro Zambelli's Palace Stacking Porcelain Tableware.

DIY pom pom shoes

Strappy black sandals from Zara with some delightful homemade pom poms. I just love these and I adore the blog from where this project came from, Vamoose.

i could make these...

Lovely crafty necklaces that I really should try to make for myself. If I have any success, I'll post the photos! {1} marigold & grey - handwoven cotton and brass necklace by For Me, For You by kate miss. {2} spring double braid necklace by Thief and Bandit. {3} rosette bib fabulous statement necklace by Brydferth.

books on branches

I want this bookshelf! By designer, Shawn Soh.

designer duds: spring dresses

Spring 2010 collection from Julian J. Smith.

once upon an etsy

So, a while back I started an etsy shop to sell my graphic design skills. I've since put that on hold until I can better figure out how much to charge and how to promote myself, but I did have some sample work that I thought I would share. I invented a bunch of pretend etsy shops so that I could have some fun designing banners as samples. I am such a nerd! Anyone who has a blog or etsy shop in need of a facelift let me know... : )

getting crafty

An old flower broach, some seed beads, a bit of chain and I have a new necklace!

sketchy totes float my boat

A pair of shopping totes with hand drawn graphic images. {left} Trompe L'Oeil Tassel Tote from anthropologie. {right} Wine canvas tote by Anya Hindmarch.

bare necessities

Spring accessories in various nudes, most of which would leave my bank account bare! {1} Secret-Keeper Mini Bag from anthropologie. {2} Leather Gladiator Sandals by Miu Miu. {3} Tilia acetate sunglasses by Chloe. {4} necklaces by club monaco.

soft texture

Fringe, flowers and petals in soft spring colours all from j.crew.