Momathon Blog

Decor Crush: Hooked on Celebrity Houses

 

Julia's popular lifestyle blog Hooked on Houses turns 4 years old this week. If you like real estate blogs, this one is for you. Even better, if you like to also glimpse into the homes of celebrities and homes on movie and TV sets, then reading Julia's blog will quickly become one of your favorites.

In her blog she admits she is obsessed with pop culture, but at heart I can also tell she loves homes of any style. Julia says in  her blog:

"I’m more likely to swoon over a cozy, well-designed cottage than a sprawling, show-offy mansion. For me, looking at houses is a form of entertainment. I think they have personalities, and it’s fun to get to know them, regardless of their size, shape, or style." 

Here are just a few recent posts:

• Reese Witherspoon’s San Francisco Apartment in the Movie “Just Like Heaven”
• Jennifer Aniston’s Sleek New $21 Million House in Bel Air
• Four Pretty Houses on “Pretty Little Liars”
• For Sale: Christina Aguilera’s Pink Closet (and the House That Goes With It!)
• Renée Zellweger Selling Country House in Connecticut“
• Modern Family:” 3 Funny Families and Their 3 Fab Houses
• The “Bewitched” Movie: Nicole Kidman’s Cottage

Photos: Jennifer Aniston's home, Hooked On Houses banner, Christina Aguilera's home featured on Julia's blog.

Bueller?... Bueller?... Bueller?

"How can you handle work on a day like today?"

"Life is packed with things you have to do, but sometimes you gotta live a little..."

Sound familiar? Matthew Broderick plays himself with a nostalgic nod to his movie character Ferris Bueller in a new Super Bowl ad that has gone viral on YouTube. 

I love the classic movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  Even 26 years after the movie was made I still see a bit of Bueller in Broderick. So why is Broderick in the Honda ad? And how can Bueller's wild day in the borrowed 1961 Ferrari 250GT California ("less than a hundred were made") ever begin to compare with the mass-produced Honda CR-V?

A photo feast of design ideas served in a stylish book

 

Chronicle Books has been a fave of mine for years. You can count on their books to include stunning photography and stylish illustrations. Recently I picked up a copy of Decorate: 1,000 Design Ideas for Every Room in Your Home and like the old saying goes, I couldn't put it down.

As the title suggests, the book is filled with top drawer advice from the world's best designers and leading decor experts including style gurus Kelly Wearstler, Amy Butler, and Jonathan Adler. The book authors are two of my favorite lifestyle writers: Holly Becker (founder of the popular design blog Decor8) and Joanna Copestick (savvy lifestyle writer of 10 stylish decor books).

What I liked about the book:

• Perfect mix of practical and professional tips to inspire you on your next project.
• No matter your design dilemma, this book has ideas for almost every room and every budget.
• Includes start-to-finish tips to help you spruce up or totally redo a room.
• Loaded with helpful extras including checklists, floorplans, line illustrations and even shortcuts!

Perhaps the popular lifestyle blog Apartment Therapy sums it up best:

"It's like your first pack of Starbursts - exploding with color, homes and sunshine in equal measure. "

You can read more of their book review here.

 Here are a few of my favorite page spreads:

Looking for more inspiration? Continue reading for more stunning page spreads. Some of my favorite images include gorgeous flower arrangement and table setting ideas.

Purrrfect design starts with a sketch (video)

The smartest--and smallest--details start with a sketch. Watch the design for a new fashion line come to life with a whimsical cat in the Jason Wu promo. Purrrfect!

 The sketch of Milu the cat comes to life on the desk of fashion designer Jason Wu. 

Equal parts mischief and cute, Milu the cat is the muse for this new line at Target. Perhaps his feline inspiration comes from the two cats Wu adores at home named Jinxy and Peaches.

The new Target collection by Jason Wu will be available from February 5 to March 6. His stylish and affordable items range in price from $19.99 to $59.99 for clothes and $19.99 to $49.99 for accessories.

(Photos from the Jason Wu for Target promotions.)

On my desk today

Thinking about Valentine-y hearts, bouquets of pink blossoms, and all things pretty today. I have a stash of glitter pens from Martha Stewart that I adore to use for embellishments on my art or an envelope I pop in the mail. Here is what’s on my desk today—a collection of items I am using in my illustration and design work. Check back next Friday for another collection.

A few things:

It's almost the weekend. Looking for some DIY inspiration? Check out my book reviews--loads of photos--featuring a selection of amazing decorating books here. 

February 14th is only 17 days away. You can find my Valentine printables at my shop Salt and Paper Designs on Etsy.

My post "What we end up saying when we point fingers" is a hot topic on the online community BlogHer. Join the conversation on BlogHer on Facebook.

Photos by me, Chris Olson. 

 

What we end up saying when we point fingers

Chances are if you caught the news this morning you saw the picture of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer pointing her finger at President Obama by Air Force One that landed in Phoenix Wednesday. 

They were both smiling in the photo, but the body language that stands out is her finger wagging at him. We've probably all pointed a finger at someone. As a mom these are not my proudest moments. In fact, I've learned pointing fingers at kids (or adults) doesn't work. It usually backfires. It's almost like waving a mini white flag. 

Kids see right through the finger pointing. When I point, I usually am so frustrated that I am unable to say the best words to make my point. And if somehow I miraculously manage to utter the right words, the pointing finger is far too distracting. 

Back to the President and the Governor. In the age of cell phone cameras, you would think we would learn the lesson. Photo ops are every where. And photos often speak louder than words--or worse, say the opposite of what you were really saying.

Just Add Glitter (Video)

I love glitter. More is better. Can you ever have too much of it? Glitter generally makes people happy. Some of my favorite blogs talk a great deal about glittery things--The Pretty Blog on Pinterest, Design is mine, Rue, Design Mom, {frolic!}, sfgirlbybay, and The Etsy Blog.

So where does glitter come from? Here's a short sparkling video from my friends at Etsy via the amazing Retronaut .

All That Glitters: The History of Shiny Things from Etsy on Vimeo.

Winter blues (the happy kind)

Looking for a pop of color for a winter weekend getaway? Check out this fresh wave of blue via Ann Taylor (pointy flat), Talbots (knit jacket), Boden (mariner stripe sweater), Jason Wu for Target (blue dress), Garnet Hill (beach towel and swimsuit), Boden (blue floral dress), and Garnet Hill (retro sailor tee).

 

(Fashion mood board by me with images from Ann Taylor, Talbots, Boden, Jason Wu for Target, and Garnet Hill.)

Are you in a creative slump?

 
My creative vision is big. I have no shortage of "great" ideas. Probably too many. And I tackle them all at once. This is not a time saver. This is a time waster. By three in the afternoon just when my creativity seems to be peaking, I have to slow down and juggle all those after-school activites. Working on so many creative pursuits often means my completed projects don't match my ambitions. Unfortunately, this is exactly when creative types like me end up procrastinating--or worse, quitting.

Here's the first truth about my creative process that I rarely admit: I am too easily distracted, but that is also how I think I get so many "great" ideas.

Here's the second truth: Even though I think I have good taste, I can't be an expert on everything. (Remember Nora Ephron's line from her movie Harry Met Sally: "Everybody thinks they have good taste and a sense of humor but they couldn't possibly all have good taste.") 

Some sunshine love on a Monday

Hovering around freezing in my neighborhood today so I thought a little sunshine love would brighten the day. The best part of January is the days grow a wee bit longer. Spring arrives in 55 days, Summer begins in 148. 

Heart art me, Chris Olson.

A little salt in the sweet, a little sugar in the savory

 

Blues and jazz icon Etta James died of complications from leukemia on Friday at age 73. Her last album "The Dreamer" was released just three months before her death. I love so many of her songs, but her jazzy torchsong "At Last" was a favorite.

James had a voice with a soul so rich and authentic that it would flatter almost any song of any genre. The four-time Grammy winner's influence on amazing talents including  Beyonce, Bonnie Raitt, and many more will keep James' sound alive for generations to come.

My favoirte Etta James quote comes from the LA Times article back in 1992 via a recent NYTimes article:

“A lot of people think the blues is depressing, but that’s not the blues I’m singing. When I’m singing blues, I’m singing life. People that can’t stand to listen to the blues, they’ve got to be phonies.”

More reflections on the Queen of Soul here: 

Etta James: Singer's Passion, Great Range Remembered

Good Times Or Bad, Etta James Kept Love Going : NPR

Listen to the NPR interview here:

Etta James | NPR

Etta James illustration by me, Chris Olson

 

On my desk today

 

Here is what’s on my desk today... Okay, I admit I do not literally have a chair on my desk today. But this chair is in my studio and the patterns of light playing with the patterns in the pillow often become part of my artwork. Check back next Friday for another collection.

A few things:

I have some fresh postcards with envelopes at my Etsy shop LunaBlueStudio.

All photos by me, Chris Olson. 

 

Valentine-y things for you

 

Valentine's Day has always been one of my faves, so it isn't surprising I keep adding new heart-worthy Etsy items to my Salt and Paper Designs  shop.

I love printables. Here are just a few of mine for Valentines:

Valentine Pink Flower Printable Gift Box 

Valentine Eiffel Tower Printable Gift Box

Valentine Yorkie Set "Be Mine" and "Hello Love"

Valentine Yorkie printable envelope

Minty Heart Valentine Postcard with Envelope at LunaBlueStudio

Inspiration Is Everywhere: Design*Sponge at Home

 

 

One of the many home tours in the book, this one features Dave Alhadeff.

If you are a fan of the lovely blog Design*Sponge by Brooklyn-based writer Grace Bonney, then you'll adore her decor book Design*Sponge at Home. My favorite things about this book: decor ideas fit for a "real" home, home tours give a glimpse inside the cozy chic homes of celebs and designers, plus step-by-step instructions for decor projects I have to try. Here are a few pages to inspire you.

Lynda Gardener's home.

Fine artist Alyn Carlson and photographer Paula Clancy's home.

Thinking about my garden

 

 

Today is cloudy with temps hovering around freezing. I am wishing for spring with cheery flowers in pots on my deck and a row of daffodils in my garden. One of my favorite parts of gardening is planning. I have always had a fondness for dark flowers. That's why I started playing with my paints and sketching a black flower. Who knows... Maybe it will end up in my garden too.

Flower art by me, Chris Olson.

Mirror, mirror on the wall--a classic tale gets a new wrinkle

 

Julia Roberts as the Queen in Mirror Mirror

I love a good fairy tale. You know the stories... An enchanted kingdom with its very own haunted forest, a rich and handsome prince, a beautiful and smart princess, a wicked queen, some jealousy, throw in a mysterious twist or two, add fluttering hearts, and of course, sprinkle on some magic...

What happens when instead of the prince saving the princess the classic tale is turned completely around and even upside down? Happily ever after never sounded more impossible. But don't give up on our princess yet, because the fearless leader of the band of dwarves is Snow White herself!

In theaters March 16th, the movie Mirror Mirror retells the classic fairy tale with Julia Roberts as the Queen, Lily Collins as Snow White, Armie Hammer as Prince Alcott, Sean Bean the King and Nathan Lane as the Queen's wimpy servant, Brighton.

You can follow the story on Facebook.

And of course, there is more here too:

First Look at Relativity's Snow White Project, 'Mirror Mirror,' Starring Lily Collins (Exclusive Photos) Gallery - The Hollywood Reporter

Mirror Mirror trailers and video clips on Yahoo! Movies

Photos: Mirror Mirror movie

Building a cozy nest

Do your kids like to build nests of blankets and pillows on the couch? Mine do. Nests made of blankets indoors or twigs in a tree make me think of a warm happy place. Here are two "nest" companies sure to warm your heart.

PetitNest offers a fresh twist on bedding and furniture for nurseries and bedrooms. The trendy company is the "brainchild of two of Hollywood’s most style-conscious and design-savvy moms: beloved actress Tiffani Thiessen currently starring in the hit USA Network television series 'White Collar' and award-winning designer Lonni Paul, known to millions as the reigning female finalist from HGTV’s 'Design Star.' "

Nest is the "learning" thermostat that keeps track of your heating and cooling preferences and adjusts automatically to your perfect settings through out the day and night.

Photos: PetitNest and Nest. 

Sweet things you can print

Valentines come in all shapes and sizes. My faves are easy-to-make cards. This year I decided to make printables--easy to print PDF files that make it a snap to make as many as you want. 

Do you like to use printable cards and gift wrap? Here are the two newest items at my Salt and Paper Designs shop on Etsy:

Valentine Eiffel Tower PRINTABLE Pillow Box and Valentine HELLO LOVE and HELLO Printable Note Cards

Love Notes

 

Found this sweet surprise in my studio. Reminds me of the little notes I put in my daughter's lunch box. How do kids know just when grown ups need a little encouragement too?

Love ya,
Mom 

Weekend Inspiration

Happy Friday! Hope you had a great week. Now it's time to kick back and enjoy a long weekend. What are you going to do for fun? I will be busy with my kids. Hope to sneak in some window shopping in between errands. And I will be giving one of my dogs some extra TLC since she is recovering from surgery. (We are counting down the days until her cast comes off!)

Before the weekend zips by, take a few moments to pamper yourself too. Remember, friend, you are BEAUTIFUL!

A few things:
The amazing homeless lab mix Oscar that I wrote about recently may have a new home soon. Cross your fingers. I will keep you updated. Special mommy hugs to everyone who spread the word about this dog.

As you know I have two shops on Etsy, LunaBlueStudio and SaltandPaperDesigns. I just added a new printable note card set with my cheery cat illustration. You can check it out on Etsy here.

Note about the photo at the top of this post: I have always admired the flower boxes at this Minneapolis shop. Recently I decided to do some window "redecorating" with a special message just for you. (This photo illustration is by me, Chris Olson.) 

DIY: Knit Your Own Dog

Combine a love of knitting and dogs and who can resist this craft book: Knit Your Own Dog. Authors Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne transform yarn into pedigree pooches in 25 easy-to-follow knitting patterns.

Here are just a few of the 25 dogs included: Afghan Hound, Dachshund, Jack Russell, Portuguese Water Hound (Hello, Bo Obama), Pug, Corgi, and Lab.

Perfect for dog lovers, this user-friendly craft book also includes sections on knitting hints and methods. Thanks to the editors at the Guardian.co.uk, the link to the pattern for the Jack Russell Terrier is here.

You can find the book here:

• Amazon.com: Knit Your Own Dog
• BARNES & NOBLE: Knit Your Own Dog
• Best in Show: Knit Your Own Dog
• Guardian bookshop: Knit Your Own Dog

Photos: Knit Your Own Dog.

A day at the beach

Are you doing anything fun today? Spending a day at the beach with the kids sounds perfect to me. Found this sweet purple tutu that mixes just the right amount of fun and frills at Olive Juice. (And it is on sale, $20.) 

If you are looking for tutus for toddlers and babies, check out these adorable tutu options at Etsy: NavyBabyDesigns on Etsy, MUNCHKINnRUU on Etsy, and TinyTotsTutuBoutique on Etsy. 

Purple Tutu Photo: Olive Juice.

 

 

Proof That Books Are Magical (video)

 

 

What happens to all the books on the shelves after the bookstore lights go out at night? I believe books come to life. And why not, when I read to my kids at bedtime our books seem to have special magical powers that transport us to new places.

A whimsical stop-motion video, The Joy of Books, takes us to the wonderful TYPE Books in Toronto where the books seem to have loads of fun after the owner goes home each night. The video was created by Sean Ohlenkamp, an associate creative director at the Toronto advertising agency Lowe Roche. To make videos like this, the creators must shoot each image frame-by-frame. Creating a stop-motion video is extremely time consuming. Each video in this format is truly a labor of love. According to an article in TheStar.com about the creation of the The Joy of Books, "Each second of the piece uses approximately 10 frames, so in all the almost--two-minute work used about 1,200 frames."

One of my favorite lines from Nora Ephron's movie "You've Got Mail" probably sums up the magical power of books best:

"When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life." 

Grab your kids and together enjoy this lovely stop-motion video The Joy of Books featuring Toronto's TYPE Books. 

 

Kudos to my friend Laurie Hertzel, @StribBooks, for telling me about this video! 

Photo and video: The Joy of Books.

 

161 Days Until Summer

 

Was it a warm day where you live? Today the temp hovered around 60 degrees in my neighborhood. The only evidence of previous snow storms are tiny drifts protected by the shade of trees. The calendar says it is January 10th, but it feels like summer. The countdown clock tells me 161 days remain until summer arrives on Thursday, June 21, 2012.

Collage art by me, Chris Olson.

Fashion Trends for Spring

 

Boden

Do you prefer wearing pastels or bold colors? Floral or polka dots? Good news! The Spring (and Summer) fashion trends for 2012 include all of them. Here are just a few of the trends from style forecasters:

• Prints: Bright floral prints, tropical abstract prints, safari prints, and African prints are just a few of the hot print trends. Add some drama and wear a mix of prints.
• Polka dots: Both small and big dots make a splash. 
• Happy colors: Trendy tangerine and red will make nearly everyone smile.
• Brighter, bolder color block: Not sure how to wear this trend? Try it first with accessories such as a handbag or scarf. 
• Pastels: Lots of color choices and mint green is expected to be hot. Feeling adventurous? Mix pastels with brights. 
• High-gloss metallics: A fun and flirty option is a metallic shoe--or try a glamorous metallic toe. Try matching gold with khaki.

Photo: Boden Clothing Catalogue

Sources: TODAY Style, Harper's BAZAAR, Vogue.com UK

January Blog Banner

Here's the new blog banner for this month. It's a brand new year and this banner is all about keeping my eyes wide open so I don't miss a thing!

Banner design and illustration by me, Chris Olson.

A chance encounter and dancing waves in the sky

 

 

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

 

Hello, friends. Hope you had a relaxing weekend and also stepped outside for a break too. When I hike around my neighborhood I always scan the sky for red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons circling over the foothill ridges. Their movements, usually two birds hunting in tandem, amaze me. The vimeo movie above captured by Sophie Windsor Clive while paddling a canoe features a stunning view of a collection of starlings swirling in large formations that remind me of a sci-fi amoeba in the sky. Check it out.

DIY: Epsom Salt Snow Candles

After such a mild start to January, I am ready for some snow! I am hoping the storm this weekend brings a layer of the white stuff. Even if it doesn't snow, this sparkly DIY candle craft will create a shimmery winter mood in your home.

Espom Salt Snow Candle

Supplies: 

• Epsom salt
• Modge Podge
• Pillar candles--any color works, I like white or a light creamy color
• Shallow baking pan or a similar pan with edges

Directions:

1) Pour a layer of epsom salt into a shallow baking pan.

2) Use a sponge brush to coat the side of a candle with Modge Podge.

3) Before the Modge Podge dries, quickly roll the candle in the epsom salt to create a light snowy layer on your candle.

4) Let candle with snowy coating dry completely before using the candle.

5) To help the candle burn evenly, place the candle in a cylinder vase suitable for candles.

(Photo by me, Chris Olson.)

Shelter Dog of the Week: Oscar

 

Oscar is a friendly lab mix who was abandoned in a snowy National Forest for over 3 weeks with no food or shelter. I wish he could talk because he has quite a story to tell. He was rescued by a no-kill animal shelter in Colorado.

He needs lots of TLC and who can resist giving this sweet guy that? He loves riding in cars and and eager to please. He is obviously extremely smart since he figured out how to survive so long in freezing temps with no food or water.

For more information on helping him find a forever home:

• Oscar is at this Colorado shelter: Pals Forever Animal Rescue 

email: info@palsforever.org

phone: 719 528-6590

• Oscar's profile is listed on the national shelter dog registry: Petfinder
• Oscar's Instagram photo link: http://instagr.am/p/eZ39n/

Fellow bloggers and tweeters and friends on Facebook: Please spread the word about Oscar to help him find a home. Thank you for reading about Oscar.

Here's a sample tweet or Facebook post you could use that includes the link to Oscar's story and a Instagram photo: 

Homeless lab Oscar rescued after surviving 3 weeks in snowy national forest. His story: http://bit.ly/xvG9iJ,  http://instagr.am/p/eZ39n/

xoxo

Chris

http://instagr.am/p/eZ39n/

 

In 2012: Resolve to look outside more often

 

Sunset. Live. Outside your window every night.

(Instagram photo by me, via my Tumblr blog Decor Crush.)

Back to work and a kid-tested hiccup remedy

 

 

Good morning, friends. Time to grab another cup of coffee and get back to work. Hope you had a relaxing long holiday weekend.

Here is what caught my eye this morning:

My favorite hiccup cure was not listed in the WSJ.com article today: Hiccup Remedies to the Rescue. Maybe I should write to Philip Hagen, a physician in preventive medicine at the Mayo Clinic, who offers the five proven remedies for common hiccups in the WSJ.

My hiccup remedy comes from my daughter (kids often know best): Fill a glass with water and take 16 small sips in a row. Try it.

(Art by by me, Chris Olson.)