cozy mix: fall 2011 fashion

inspired by

cozy knits & mixed patterns

"bounty of a country weekend" lucky magazine jan '11

nanette lepore fall / winter 2011

"bounty of a country weekend" lucky magazine jan '11

essie's fall collection carry-on

fall '10 anthropologie 

stila's coconut crush lip stain - yummy nude lip without looking muddy, even if you're very fair 

aveda for rodarte fall '11

f+f: the reality of beauty & the beauty of reality

form + function introduction: part one


form & fashion are often pitted against each other, 

but is that really all we have?  is it one or the other?  

must my feet choose only to be incased in either sky high, red soled, costlier than my rent, gorgeousness or sinking into the soft, antimicrobial rubber utopia of crocs?  if i care for design, must i only rest on a bertoia weaving of wires, wincing as much at the idea of a cushion interrupting the clean, minimal lines as i am at the waffle pattern being pressed into my skin?  

my question, argument, & the topic of my new series:  

do we actually need to choose?

kaleidoscope?  no, these are the cells of a banana leaf.

growing up as an artist, science & math have always been great inspirations to me because they very clearly answer the form vs function debate.  do the beauty of these cells detract from their function?  no.  so, then, why is it that we feel the need to put art & fashion into a box & sharpie scribble "impractical vanity"?

walking art ... nyfw s/s 2012

well, nyfw has come & gone once again, & i've been mulling over the designs.  over the next few weeks, i'll be posting, not trends, but design.  fashion is not about trends to me, although they are certainly linked. 

first, the designs that left me wishing real life wasn't so practical.

oscar de la renta

norman ambrose

monique lhuillier

monique lhuillier

marchesa

marchesa

marchesa

marchesa

marchesa

jason wu

rachel antonoff

the row

the row

jenny packham

jenny packham

jenny packham

zac posen 

zac posen

zac posen

fall barn wedding

forget me not wedding gown by sarah seven

dried wheat bridal bouquet by LeRoys via etsy

for the bridesmaids micha barton in plaid D&G dress

custom wooden wedding signs by DesignsByRobynLove via etsy

rustic farm wedding invitations by TwoCardinalDay via etsy

vintage gravy boat from havenvintage via etsy

sugar leaves topping sweets make a warmer alternative to the tradtional white tower by andiespecialtysweets via etsy

after the harvest fine art photography by YannPendaries via etsy

mason jar chandelier by BootsNGus via etsy

farm fresh soap wedding favors by oldgatesfarm via etsy

smores brownies by reeaadd via etsy

barn greeting card by lilypadprints via etsy

lamb fine art photograph by YesandAmen via etsy

vacation

my etsy shop will be going into vacation mode till december.

if you'd like to have jars shipped before december, 

please make your order before monday.

my mason jar reproductions

currently in stock:

wabi-sabi white

canary yellow

emerald green

aqua blue

ดอกอัญชัน from seed to cup

on one of my first days in thailand, i was introduced to dok un chan or butterfly pea tea by a new friend.  it was bright purple & sweet.  i was quickly hooked & set about learning how to make it myself.

buy organic dried butterfly pea flower tea from monpraon via etsy

soon, i discovered the tea came from drying the blue flower of a beautiful vine.  these vines are everywhere, & i began collecting the seed pods from the streets & growing my own.

butterfly pea vine seeds via amazon

here is how to make this very healthy & beautiful tea.

growing the vine

you will need:

• butterfly pea vine or clitoria ternatea seeds
• seed starting tray or mini paper cups
• soil
• planter
• air tight jar

1. simply put the seeds into the tray
2. once they sprout move them to a larger pot
3. once those become substantial, put them in the ground near something they can climb
4. when the flowers fully bloom, pick them from base
5. dry the flowers & keep in an air tight container

preparing the tea

you will need:

• carafe or teapot
• sugar or stevia
• any sort of fresh citrus juice
• dried butterfly pea flowers

1. add the sugar & flowers to the pot (for my size, i used 3 blooms)
2. add boiling water
3. to make it turn purple, add the citrus juice

benefits

• this tea is an exotic way to introduce color to your table & i personally think the process of turning colors could be gorgeous at a party or wedding.
• good for circulation & blood
• for healthy hair
• & beneficial for vision