Beauty by Veda

{the art} of crocheting...

2011-09-08T08:58:00.001-05:00

i used to know how to knit and crochet like 30 years ago, and have been yearning to take lessons for ages. but there's a little small thing called time which lately i haven't seemed to have much of. omg! that sounds so lame doesn't it? seriously, i could've crocheted like five of these yarn room installations with as much time as i've spent sitting on my wiggly tush watching real housewives of almost every state in america...

anyway, ms. olek's yarn obsession via new york home design is seriously contagious which is why i've just looked up this neat little beginner's tutorial on crocheting via youtube. don'tcha just love youtube??? now all i need is a needle, some bright-colored yarn, an enormous class of pinot noir and of course the bravo channel....

{i'm back!} sort of...

2011-09-07T10:55:00.000-05:00

well, well. if it isn't little miss. veda deciding to show up here again after oh, i don't know: 60 days or so? yep, that be about right. blame my blogging absence on being born an aquarius. that's my defense and i'm sticking to it since we (the aquarian) sometimes have a tendency to poof! turn in a different direction only to show up again some odd 10,000 minutes later. anywho. i'm happy to be back here. am slowly dipping my toes into the friendly waves of a vast blog-esphere; one i must say i've missed terribly since not only did i abruptly stop blogging - i also stopped visiting my absolute favorite blogs in the whole wide web. needless to say, i've got loads to catch up on. in the meantime i'm delirious to report my kids are squared away in school on their second day (k &1st grades) after a glorious summer off filled with plenty of beach days, junky fun foods and beautifully clever visits with family and friends.

ok, so quickly. about today's fitness-related inspirational post. as i was driving home from school drop off, i swear i had every intention of walking along the lakefront for no less than an hour today as i am in serious need of exercise, but since the streets were being cleaned and i couldn't find free parking i somehow or another found myself at the dunkin doughnuts counter ordering a huge coffee roll and a large caramel latte with skim. can you believe that? am so mad because i could really go for another coffee roll. must be hormones, is all i can think. i'll try exercising again tomorrow especially after finding these beautiful archival pics of venus and serena williams via vogue. i bet there isn't an inch of flesh that wiggles on these sister's bodies, and that is totally my goal for the next 3 months - ok, make it 6. not to wiggle, jiggle or rub (am so LOL at that last word-rub). seriously. my thighs don't rub, but they will if i don't stop goofing around, eating coffee rolls bigger than my kid's heads.

am so glad to be back blogging again!!! woo-hoo! cheers to a glorious hump day everyone!!!

{art} in the streets...

2011-06-29T16:33:00.000-05:00

view more here...

{really?} did i just do that?

2011-06-29T15:34:00.019-05:00

we all have those moments in life when we're like, "did i really just do that?" well i've had more than my share of omph! moments these past few days beginning with eating something really greasy and against my own personal dietary standards, which resulted in my insides feeling as if they'd been smushed to the outside with a cleaver. no need to get more graphic than that. hopefully you get my drift. i'll never eat another pizza puff as long as i live. i did however, lose six pounds, mostly water, but who cares! i'll take it.

yesterday however, was definitely a mind fart moment. made a quick grocery run with the kids in tow, only to get to the check out counter and discover i no longer had my car keys in hand. panicked, i darted back to grapes section, and a few other aisles with kids chanting behind me, "i knew we should've walked." as my blood pressure soared and my stomach growled (remember i haven't been eating) we dash to the car to discover it's still running, with the keys inside, and locked (with three ounces of gas left). so with grocery bags and chanting kids in hands (literally) i dart across 75th street fully aware there's no way in hell i'm going to be able to run the entire 8 or so blocks home and back (to grab spare set) when like an shimmering oasis there stands king's auto repair! breathless, sweating, ok, and panting i run into the garage and squeal my dilemna (to no one in particular) coupled with whimpering pleas for help. well this marvelous man looks at me like i'm mad, closes the hood of the car he's working on and yells, "run back to your car!" (remember i live in chicago) so off we go, the kids and i, back to where the car hopefully still is.

mere minutes later, the same man (who has now reached god-like status) finds us in the parking lot, jimmies the lock (with latest jimmy contraption that works on newer car model power lock systems) and gets us back inside our vehicle (which still has enough gas to get home). it literally took him like 4 minutes. and the contraption was pink! i actually considered asking him where i could get one for myself, you know like a purse edition...

sheer disaster averted i drove away bursting with the happiness of a lottery winner; grateful for a bustling southside neighborhood that sometimes gets a bad rap and for the beautiful kindness of complete strangers which doesn't get talked about enough...

like andy warhol's picture above. totally bananas, in a sweet, healthy kind of way...

{my dream} dining room...

2011-06-23T15:37:00.000-05:00

i've had this picture (minus the photoshop exhibit) tacked to my kitchen to-do-list/inspiration board since 2007. i'm not kidding. this is my ideal dining space. i adore the traditional yet totally inviting style and soothing color scheme. and don't even get me started on the chandelier and grass cloth walls...

btw - the dining room image is from an O home magazine issue (no longer in circulation~whimper) and belongs to jennifer ehrhard (at time of publication). the decorator is anne coyle. walls are covered in grass cloth dyed a rich orange (love) and the romantic chandelier is from pavillion antiques. the chairs are covered in porcupine, a printed fabric from lulu dk.

and can i just be completely honest? putting this spread together in photoshop elements 7 took me bloody forever! i am getting the hang of it though (slowly), which just goes to show how persistence (in anything that means something to you) does eventually pay off, even if only slightly! lol!

1) louis xvi gilded mirror, tara shaw maison
2) antique plum chandelier
3) turks and caicos yarn dyed raffia, phillip jeffries
4) porcupine fabric, lulu dk
5) louis chair, ballard desings
6) tibetan rug, rug studio
7) table, 1st dibs

{flashback} beverly johnson...

2011-06-22T17:06:00.000-05:00

{via buro 24/7}

nothing takes me back in time more powerfully than black and white photographs. and these timeless images of super-model beverly johnson, do just that. view more fashion history photos @ buro 24/7.

{photography} beyonce knowles...

2011-06-22T13:19:00.000-05:00

aren't these photographs of beyonce knowles by patrick demarchelier for w magazine simply aMAZing? love, love, love. and am now completely obsessed with emerald green sparkly berets by philip treacy. i'm so serious right now.

{guest post} 8 ottomans to love...

2011-06-21T11:29:00.000-05:00

Looking for a few decorating ideas to amp the style of a room? Try an ottoman! Found in an endless array of shapes, colours and styles, ottomans run the gamut from modern and contemporary to cozy and traditional. Ideal for bedroom designs, living room designs and even den design, here are eight ottomans to love in any space.

Royal purple, Freshome: {via}

Regal and luxurious, this low-lying ottoman with wood legs pulls double-duty as a beautiful showpiece as well as a practical tabletop.

Footboard stand-in, Prairie Perch: {via}

An ottoman's use can go beyond simply a place to rest tired feet - it can also enhance overall bedroom design by acting as an additional piece of furniture, such as a bed footboard.

Plush and posh, House of Deva: {via}

An overly-textured ottoman can become the focal point of a space, like this muted mauve beauty in a busy living room.

White simplicity, Decorpad: {via}

Incorporate matching ottomans into living room designs, like a pretty leather ottoman with white linen couches. Add a throw rug and decorative cushions for more panache.

Vintage glam, elle decor: {via}

A retro-infused ottoman, like this one in turquoise velvet, can completely transform a corner in a bedroom or outfit a lavish walk-in closet.

Two of a kind, Arhzine: {via}

An ottoman placed next to a similarly-sized rectangular coffee table creates balance and symmetry, however the different materials and colours keep the space visually appealing.

Soft as butter, Houzz: {via}

A rounded ottoman in a comforting hue like slate grey or butter yellow seamlessly ties together different furniture pieces in a sitting room.

Pouf! Stylish!, Eclectic Revisited: {via}

Ottomans can be playful too like softer more curvaceous "poufs" in this family-friendly den.

Which ottoman idea was your favorite? Leave your comments below!

Contributed by Jennifer for Design Shuffle, a social media site that chronicles the work of top interior designers and interior design ideas around the world. Jennifer has been writing about home decor since graduating university and is addicted to patterned fabrics, Jonathan Adler, chaise lounges, old doors, milk glass jars, antiques, and more.

{jewelry} made of paper...

2011-06-21T07:26:00.001-05:00

it's hard to imagine upon first glance that these beautiful baubles are actually made of paper. read more about the jewelry designer, lital mendel, responsible for such creative cleverness via design milk.

{jewelry} colorful cuff...

2011-06-20T14:42:00.000-05:00

am so adoring this nizam rudra cuff via rosena sammi jewelry $99

{found} cloud lamps...

2011-06-20T14:04:00.000-05:00

{via swiss miss}

this zhao liping designed cloud lamp is just too darn cute! but i have to say, i don't think something like this would last two seconds in my house. it's just too inticing for my boys to consider as just a simple light source. they would no doubt want to ride it the sky. seriously. i'm not kidding. i know my kids...

{made by} phyllis taylor...

2011-06-20T09:53:00.001-05:00

cheers to productive monday mornings. i'm dragging a bit. something to do with rain and kids resistent to getting in the bath. nothing a little more coffee and an ice-cream sandwich bribe can't cure. i know, you're not supposed to bribe children...or so i've read.

in the meantime, i wanted to share with you some of the cutest dresses evah. made in ghana, they are from the gemini collection and available at sika boutique (except for the brilliantly-made pocket skirt in black - it's sold out). i'm particularly fond of the rose shirt dress (1st image). something to do with a hip minimizing effect. lol. love.

london-born phyllis taylor is the designer behind sika designs which she started in 2006. her sika flagship store opens in greenwich, london in july. wishing her continued creative success.

{flashback} to the future...

2011-06-16T07:37:00.004-05:00

{via chicago magazine, august 2000}

this charming photograph of valerie jarrett then 43, desiree rogers 40, and linda johnson rice 42, appeared in the august 2000 issue of chicago magazine. since this time more than ten years have passed and the lives of these very influential women (then and now) have certainly changed (something to do with a little well-known place called the white house). i wonder if they had any idea then what their futures really held not just for their careers, but family and friendships...

to get a glimpse of "future" ambitions in their own words, read the corresponding article by clicking the link below the image.

{vintage lust} european daybed...

2011-06-15T10:26:00.000-05:00

can i just tell you, if i had this 1920's european daybed with it's lovely wood-carved detail in my home right now - i'd just die!!! love via...

{clever ideas} the booty wrap...

2011-06-15T09:29:00.000-05:00

can't believe it's the middle of the week already! soon enough it'll be july. hopefully mother nature will get the message that chicago is usually a tad warmer this time of year. weather whining aside, don't you just hate it when you see a clever little idea you know you could've easily thought up yourself?! well, that was my exact thought when i came across the booty wrap featured in the july issue of O, the oprah magazine. i mean seriously who hasn't covered their tush while wiggling along the lakefront, only to catch a glimpse of their own shadow to realize (in horror) you now resemble an upside down camel due to the extra bulk of your hoodie?! ok, maybe it's only happened to me... but that's exactly what this cute and practical little garmet does; covers your bum with none of the extra bulk. and it has zippered pockets to carry a few jogging (in my case speed walking) essentials. visit bootywrap.com for ordering information.

happy hump day ~ no pun intended!

{found} very pretty gold things...

2011-06-09T17:38:00.000-05:00

can you believe it's thursday already?! geez, time flies when you're forty-ish with kids...or just having fun, which is what all these pretty gold things have me in a mood for...some seriously ridiculous kind of summer fun! and how about this gold crystal pinata (too darn pretty to bang with a stick) for your next yard party??? absolutely any occassion will do!!!

1. via wit + delight

2. gold crystal pinata via confetti system

3. gold sequin skirt via shopstyle

4. 18 karat gold dipped feather necklace via net-a-porter

5. image scan via essence magazine

{photography} desert sand indoors...

2011-06-08T17:14:00.000-05:00

discovered these stunning images by photographer alvaro sanchez montanes via honestly wtf and think they are absolutely amazing. you can view more photographs and read about this abandoned namibian diamond village via my modern met. happy hump day...~veda

{via vogue} actress nikki m. james's dress search...

2011-06-08T16:02:00.000-05:00

this is a picture of first-time tony award nominee, actress nikki m. james "sifting" through the racks of marc jacobs resort 2012 collection...now if that doesn't look like a seriously fun time, then i don't know what does. read more about nikki's search for that perfect "tony" dress here.

{ah spa} small spaces...

2011-06-06T17:13:00.002-05:00

first off, can i just say it is soooo hot right now in the chi. i'm not totally complaining because it's better than rain and blizzards (for now), but let's just say momma moves way faster in cooler temps. sweating just from walking two blocks isn't really my thing. whining aside it's a happy monday and i hope yours is turning out to be a splendid one as well (in an air-conditioned room of course or the beach).

i recently came across this really cute japanese hair salon located in nagoya city, japan via architonic.com and just had to share some of the pictures with you. the curved house is designed by studio velocity, a japanese architectural firm, and is basically one loooong room.

i really love the incredible imagination it takes to design a functional space such as this, and the neutral palette is very pretty with a little bit of an artistic hipster feel. i'm curious to know what kind of music they play when working. it is a hair salon afterall. you can check out pictures of the adjacent garden and the architectural plans here.

{weekend} relax and enjoy...

2011-06-03T10:28:00.000-05:00

{image via design element}

as the school year winds down, and may rains settle, my excitement grows for summer food (of course) festivals, lazy sundays mornings and most of all spontaneous adventure. the kind that increases my kid's eye socket size. after all they're still at an age (6&5) where just walking along the sandy beach searching for broken seashells (hey-it's chicago) fills them with boyish joy. i cherish these days as i know they won't last forever. but while this time is here i intend on making the best of it with creativity, spontaneity and love.

enjoy your weekend friends....xo, veda.

{new crush} velvet lust

2011-06-02T15:58:00.000-05:00

these pictures are so amazing! found them via a fantastic blog called a casa da va and am now completely velvet obsessed (though secretly i've always been). my very first settee was a crushed velvet burgundy number i found at the cheap store on stony island in 1993. it's long gone now as is the store, but a beautiful memory nonetheless...

{found} luxury vintage...

2011-06-02T13:06:00.002-05:00

{images via}

aren't these just the prettiest pictures ever? came across them via homelife.com and am completely lushing (that's my new word - lush/ing) over them. luxury and vintage. that's what i'm talking about. makes me want to go hunting right now...for all things old, interior and most of all luxurious.

{i am a} link lush...

2011-06-01T17:08:00.000-05:00

{image and necklace via claudia endler designs}

aside from suffering from severe blog envy (where i discover the cutest blog evah in the whole universe and suddenly i'm in photoshop changing my blog header...) i've also recently discovered i am seriously a link lushing whore. meaning i follow web links like the space shuttle blasting to the moon - which is how i found this stunning picture showcasing ridiculously beautiful jewelry by designer claudia endler. isn't this necklace just fab?

and what about these silver cylinder triangle earrings?

want them! lushing the beauty people...lushing. the. beauty.

{made by} rosa murillo...

2011-06-01T14:05:00.000-05:00

{images via rosa murillo}

i came across rosa murillo's wonderfully creative journal today while googling something (important) i've since forgotten; a happy distraction nonetheless. rosa's blog is quite interesting and defintitely worth viewing, as you can easily gather from the pretty earrings and cards she's made above. rosa's also written a bit on creativity and speaking to your ideas which as a writer (who's often frustrated) i found pleasingly interesting...

hope you're enjoying this mid-week rush to get things done before a busy weekend full of summer breezes and the sun AT LAST! hooray for bright days and creative discoveries. ~vb

{pure hotness} david yurman sunglasses

2011-05-31T19:00:00.000-05:00

{via}

i rarely come across anything designed by david yurman i don't fawn, ok slob over, and these albion sunglasses showcasing iconic cushion cut gemstones are no exception. aren't they lovely? but besides being lovely, what's important to remember is sunglasses aren't just for summer. protecting your eyes from the sun is a year round pratice well-worth keeping up.

squinting less means fewer wrinkles, all while looking insanely stylish...wink, wink.