Justina Blakeney

less schlepping, more typing

2012-05-30T11:25:00.002-07:00

As I settle into the eighth month of pregnancy, my work is changing form--more consulting and work I can do from the phone and computer--less work that requires schlepping and lifting. So, I'm trying to get my interior decor clients to a good place before I become more of a waddler than I already am. Here are a few iphone snaps from some of the homes I'm still working on--they have a bit more work to be done, but I am happy with the homey-feeling the homes have and think that I can tie up all loose ends in the next few weeks--at least I hope so! (and how amazing is the pendant lamp in the second pic?! It was a Rose Bowl Market find--I call it the satellight!)

Otomi--not just embroidery

2012-05-30T10:09:00.001-07:00

I've talked about my love affair with Otomi embroidery before...but lately I've been seeing Otomi-inspired pieces that are painted, printed, monochromatic and even subdued in color. I love this exploration of the iconic Mexican folk art and can't get enough of the print on bikinis, dresses, crib bedding and even dressers. Bring it on!

Mara Hoffman Bikini
Land of Nod pillow Sham
Lena Corwin DIY dresser
Organic Cotton T shirt
Crib Bumper
Mara Hoffman Dress
Liz Caan Interiors (painting)

Mangiona With Caitlin Levin #9: Done-in-a-Snap Pea Crostini

2012-05-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

I can't believe summer is finally here! I love simple no-cook meals and this is just perfect with a glass of rosé.... I was out on Long Island this weekend and stopped by a local farm stand where I found the sweetest and most delicious snap peas. This is a super easy an refreshing anytime snack--that can be done in a snap!

What you'll need:
Sugar snap peas
Radishes
Fresh ricotta
Sea salt
Olive oil
Mint
Fresh baked bread

What you'll need to do:
Slice your radishes and peas paper thin and gently tear a few leaves of mint. Dress and toss in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Slice and toast your fresh bread and drizzle with olive oil. Spread a generous tablespoon of your ricotta on the toasted bread. Top bread and ricotta with pea and radish salad. Serve as an appetizer or as an open faced sandwich--delish!
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Thank you Caitlin!

Mama Style /Mini Style

2012-05-28T18:52:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to share my second installment of Mama Style / Mini Style-- click on over to dotcomsformoms for all the links and details!

My Jungalicious Bed Makeover, Courtesy of DENY Designs

2012-05-28T09:18:00.001-07:00

When DENY Designs asked me if I wanted to try out one of their custom-printed products, my mind immediately began to race with one million ideas. While I love many artist designs currently featured on their site (some of the shower curtains, jewelry boxes, throw pillows and duvets would look amazing as-is in the Jungalow--and I'm smitten with the watercolored designs by Jacqueline Maldonado!?) what really sounded exciting to me was to design something myself.

I stayed up late one night a couple of weeks back just drawing. I finally settled on a design inspired by the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree--one of my favorite plants--that I thought would go nicely with some of the other Junga-licious decor items that I already had at home, like my banana-leaf throw pillows and my vintage Disney Hotel Banana-leaf wallpaper. Ten days after sending DENY Designs my Fiddle Leaf Fig art file I was unwrapping my custom-made duvet from it's box. The duvet is made of a micro-fiber like material--super soft and very cozy. The colors are vibrant and what became clear to me very quickly was that the possibilities are endless. Custom art printed on all kinds of home decor items could become very addictive. In my mind I was already drawing Aztec-inspired prints and jumbo polka dots, and Joseph-Frank style patterns and..and..and...

I love this new concept in home goods. Personalized home products, just like vintage pieces and handmade goods make each home look less like a box-store catalog, and more like a canvas painted with your own personality.

If you have artwork that you think would be a good fit for DENY Designs, you can submit your designs here. Many thanks to DENY designs for my duvet cover--it was really such a fun process and really sparked my creativity.

Nesting, Nesting 123, Nesting...

2012-05-25T08:36:00.000-07:00

Patience is not one of my strong-suits. I couldn't wait to share just a few snaps from L'il Boomba's room--even though it is not quite ready for le grand reveal. The Mr. and I have been in serious nesting mode and the tiny room that once was my walk-in closet is now really starting to look like a nursery. My favorite addition thus far? The Sleepytime Rocker from Tottini.

I don't know about you, but I am really friggen happy about this long weekend. I have been busier than ever with lots of client work (not that I'm complaining) and also hospital tours, and birthing and infant care classes. If I never watch another birth video again, that'll be OK by me.
Seriously.

I am really supposed to be chilling out more--I currently have a condition called Placenta Previa--which means that my placenta is lying lower than it ought to, and is blocking the cervix--which means that the Boomba's exit strategy may have to be revisited. So I will take it easy this weekend in hopes that the placenta rises to the occasion. I plan to watch Madmen and Game of Thrones (my favorite shows of the mo') put the finishing touches on the Boomba's room so that I can share a full tour with you all in the coming weeks, maybe take a (very) easy hike (weather permitting), catch up on some of my blog reading and have lotsa yummy eats. And that's it.
No really.

How about you? What are your plans for this luxurious long weekend?

Our Quirky cousins, the plants.

2012-05-24T08:47:00.001-07:00

Photography by Justina Blakeney

Agave, Sticks of Fire and Passion Flowers--all exotic looking plants with so much personality--it's a little weird how much happiness I get from from these creatures. They each remind me of an odd-ball friend or a quirky cousin or an alien or underwater universe yet to be discovered. What a crazy, beautiful world we live in, yes?

Not too pregnant for crazy accessories.

2012-05-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

I've been having fun with accessories lately--especially since pregnancy has limited my wardrobe selection dramatically. The good news is, a cheap little black jersey cotton dress from Target can be dressed up in 30 seconds by adding one of these beauties, yes?

Collar (sorry for the crappy source here, folks--let me know if you've got a better one)
Cuffs by Doloris Petunia on Etsy
Tassle trim by Jessica Light
Alex+Lee necklace at Ten Over Six
Navala Necklace at Anthro
Tassle Necklace by Polder
Alex +Lee Belt at Ten over six
Necklace with ribbon closure by Doloris Petunia on Etsy

Mangiona With Caitlin Levin #8: Cashew Popsicle + drink!

2012-05-22T07:21:00.000-07:00

Recipe and Photos by Caitlin Levin, Design by J. Blakeney

To call this a milk is a misnomer, (I heard some comedian say once ' because soy, coconuts and nuts don't have boobs!' haha.) But seriously, this amazing drink is much more than milk! I don’t know why you wouldn't make this and have it in your fridge at all times. Not only is it supremely delicious, but it's also super easy to make. You only need five ingredients. Yesterday was hot and sunny so I turned this into popsicles by freezing it in little paper cups, today it is rainy so I will serve it warm--but the possibilities are endless. On its own it is the most perfect protein packed thick and creamy breakfast smoothie. This is definitely an anytime magical milk--and it's vegan.

What you'll need:
Cashews
Filtered H2O
Cardamum
Sea salt
Pitted dates
Vanilla bean (feel free to use vanilla extract instead)

What you'll need to do:
Soak 2 cups of raw cashews overnight in water. (I have found that if you have a powerful blender and are feeling impatient like I often, am a 2 hour soak will suffice) Drain cashews and place in blender with a pinch of sea salt, a very small pinch of cardamum (a very little amount goes a long way), the insides of a half a vanilla bean, five pitted dates (you can add more if you like it sweeter), and four cups of water. Blend until your mixture is extremely smooth. If you feel like your milk is too thick add more water and blend again. This next step is optional, I happen to have a Vitamix and like a thick and creamy texture, but if your blender is not as powerful and leaves the milk slightly grainy then strain your milk through a cheesecloth or a very fine sieve. Your milk should last three to five days in the fridge.

To make the popsicle, simply pour some of the milk into a paper cup, put a popsicle stick in the center and freeze.

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Thanks Caitlin!

Beachwood Cafe Patterned Tile, Re-imagined

2012-05-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

I had a nice brunch at the new Beachwood Cafe yesterday (Formerly the Village Coffee Shop). The Cafe is really sweet--love the whimsical wallpaper and, of course--the tiled floors. It's amazing how a little bit of patterned tile on the floor immediately livens up a space. This original tile at the cafe was the yellow and blue one pictured here at the bottom--but I couldn't help but let my imagination run wild and re-imagine the floor in all kinds of crazy hues. Which is your favorite? I'd love the turquoise/orange combo in my kitchen and the red/purple combo for my bathroom. A girl can dream, right?

Mama Style / Mini Style - Dotcomsformoms

2012-05-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

It was just a matter of time before I got baby-style fever. I have found a creative outlet for this often dangerous condition--a new column on Dotcomsformoms -Mama Style / Mini Style. Click on over to check out the rest of my post and to see where these adorable duds are from. Happy Monday!

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie with Granola Crust

2012-05-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

Jason and I get a box that contains a different medley of farmer-grown groceries every week from a company called Farmer Fresh to You. We've been dong this for about two years now and it's great because, not only do we eat fresh, local and organic, but we also get introduced to all kinds of new fruits and vegetables we weren't likely to buy if we were grocery shopping on our own. This week rhubarb came in our box--a vegetable I have never cooked with. I decided to try my hand at a strawberry-rhubarb pie using whatever ingredients we had in the kitchen--and that meant making the pie without flour, corn-starch or tapioca.
The pie came out so friggen declicious (*she says with a pat on her own back*). and was so easy to make, that I thought to share the recipe here with you.

Take two cups of granola, 1/2 cup of instant oatmeal, 1/4 cup of melted butter and juice from 1/2 orange and blend it in a food processor until well blended.
This is your crust.
Butter the pan and press crust mixture into the pan so that it is spread out evenly.
Let sit for 1/2 hour.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Wash and cut rhubarb into 3/4" pieces. (I used 5 'sticks' of rhubarb)
Wash and cut strawberries in half. (I used about 10 normal-sized strawberries)
Place rhubarb and strawberries in a bowl with juice from the other half of the orange, 2 tbsp. of raw sugar, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, and a bit of orange zest. Mix.
Add half cup of instant oatmeal. This is your pie filling.
Add pie filling to crust.
Sprinkle some granola and a pinch of raw sugar on top.
Bake for 40 min.

Let cool and...

Photos and Recipe by Justina Blakeney

ASOS Africa got it right.

2012-05-19T08:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay--so you know how I feel about vintage and handmade stuff--but every now and again, some of these ready-to-wear brands just get it right. This is one of those times. ASOS's new AFRICA collection is redic. I want every single piece. Kinda Stella Jean-ish kinda Suno-ish (traditional African fabrics with traditional Euro silhouettes)...but all with a kinda '50 flair and all very affordable. And you gotta love ASOS for going up to a size 14 and also having a 'Curve' Collection. Employing traditional East African fabrics, including Kitenge, Kanga and Kikoy, ASOS Africa is made in Africa, helping underprivileged communities establish sustainable businesses through their local craftsmanship. What's not to love?

Some of my favorites from the collection include:
Giraffe Top
Reversible Jacket
Sleeveless Jacket
Striped Jacket
Rhino Print bra top
Patchy Dress
Mombassa Print Pants

Creating vs. Curating

2012-05-18T09:47:00.001-07:00

I often think about the difference between 'curating' and 'creating'--my job lately has entailed a lot of curating--be it blogging for myself or other companies, curating special sales--or picking out items for someone's home. I love curating. That having been said, as a designer, I was missing 'creating' --not just choosing and arranging what's lovely, but making something lovely, from scratch--starting with a blank canvas and creating something from my imagination.

Designing takes practice and commitment and being so caught up in curating lately--I have not had to much time to create. So needless to say, I was excited when an opportunity came along last week to do some actual pattern design. I LOVE designing patterns and it had been a while since I've worked on one. Pictured above are a few of the designs that did not make the cut--but that I had so much fun working on--I thought I'd share them with you here.

Do you teeter between creating and curating? What do you get out of each one?

OK--happy Friday all--off to go curate some pretty stuff. Haha!

Banana-Leaf Explosion

2012-05-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

The banana-leaves in design conjure up cultural references ranging from the Beverly Hills Hotel, to the Golden Girls, to Indochine in NYC, and the home of Nikki Hilton--but to me, it says one thing: JUNGALOW! As the summer months approach there's been a banana-leaf explosion in the mags and online. Here are some of my faves:

Banana Leaf Pendant
Banana Leaf Umbrella
Banana Leaf T-shirt
Pants
Plexi-glass heel
Wicker Chair
Clutch
Leaf Plate
Bikini Bottom
Sandals
Club Chairs

Paint By Numbers. Ya, that's right.

2012-05-16T00:41:00.001-07:00

Call me crazy, you're not the first and you certainly won't be the last--but I feel as though there is something very, very cool about these vintage Paint by Number paintings. It's weird I know.

landscape with river (uploaded by user)
Birch Tree
Deer
Lighthouse
Country Inn
landscape
Flowers

Grey's got a new girl in town.

2012-05-15T23:18:00.000-07:00

Grey had been going with Yellow for a while, but they recently split, and it seems that Grey's got a new girl in town, and her name is Orange. They make a really good looking couple, yes?

Kilim Carpet

Scarf by Tilo
Bend Seating (found via Design Sponge)
Chalayan T-shirt Dress
Bracelet via Gorjana
Cosmetic case by Miloo
Slippers from Onstail
Silk Dress
Pillows by Maison Bertet
Wallpaper
Wallpaper+sofa

Dress Up Your Drinks

2012-05-15T00:08:00.002-07:00

Over the weekend I drank tea from an elephant's trunk and orange juice from a jewel.
It pleased me, and dare I say made my drinks taste a little bit sweeter? It doesn't have to cost a fortune to play drink-dress-up, so why not outfit your favorite beverages in fancy costumes?

Greenish/brown Elephant-tea pot $15.95

Green Elephant tea-pot $15.99

White Elephant tea pot

Greyish white pot by Jonathan Adler

Crowned Elephant with little bird

Cast iron Tea Pot

1960's swirled glass decanter $32.00

Black Smokey Glass Carafe $9.00

Striped Decanter $8.00
Rose-colored decanter $12.00

Blue decanter $10.00

Turquoise Aqua Blue Glass Bottle $12.99

{For a similar glass decanter to the one pictured above holding the orange juice, check out this one.}

Mangiona With Caitlin Levin #7: Baked Brie the Brieezy way!

2012-05-14T09:09:00.003-07:00

There are plenty of recipes out there for baked Brie...They are heavy, sticky sweet, wrapped in dough, and all too fussy for my taste. This is an extremely easy and simple version that turns out beautiful every time. Who doesn’t like warm gooey cheese as an hors d'oeuvre or as a meal all by itself?! I have paired this Brie with hazelnuts, thyme, and a sour cherry preserve, but you can use whatever you have on hand, almonds, rosemary, fig jam, or even fresh apples instead of bread...

What you'll need:
A round of your favorite Brie
Handful of hazelnuts
Sour cherry preserve
A few sprigs of fresh thyme
Fresh bread

What you'll need to do:
Preheat oven to 400. Place Brie on parchment paper on a cookie sheet with a few sprigs of thyme (I love the smell of the baking thyme). Carefully cut the lid off of the brie round with a sharp knife. Bake Brie for ten minuets until it is bubbling. Chop hazelnuts and remove leaves from thyme sprigs. When Brie comes out of the oven, sprinkle with thyme and chopped nuts. Serve immediately with bread and cherry preserve...
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Thanks Caitlin!

Farmers market Bound

2012-05-12T11:51:00.004-07:00

One of my favorite things to do on the weekends is head to the Hollywood Farmers Market. Along with my fresh fruits, veggies, eggs and flowers, there is always darn good people watching.
Happy weekend friends, and have fun enjoying life's simplest pleasures.

My FM look:
Net Bag
Farmers Market tote
Floppy hat
Clog Sandals
Vintage Indian Dress on Etsy

momza

2012-05-11T09:27:00.002-07:00

Ya, that's me on the right. Rockin' that side ponytail. Cut me some slack--it was after all the eighties. That's my mom and dad, and my big sis and my little brother. At the time--back in the day, it all seemed really normal--ya know, that my mom would wake us up in the morning singing songs like Rise and Shine and Give God Your Glory, Glory and have a hot breakfast ready for us--usually some inventive combo of eggs plus whatever we had for dinner the night before. Our equally inventive lunches would be packed for school--usually containing something made of carob that she was trying to pass off as chocolate, a crazy sandwich with last night's salad and some kinda smoked turkey smooshed between two slices of whole-wheat, and whatever fruit was in-season. She'd then make sure we were all washed and ready, and take us to school. Then she would go to work where her and my dad ran a school for mentally disabled teenage girls, and deal with that all day, until she got home from work and helped us with our homework, cooked dinner that we all sat around the tables and ate together and talked and so on and so on, for like the next 15 years.
Now I understand why she loved coffee so much.

Now, a soon-to-be mom myself, I marvel at all that she is able to fit into one day: cooking delicious meals for 20 with a certain nonchalance, writing research papers that get published in crazy university presses and scientific journals, running groups and teaching, mentoring countless students, being an extrodinarily attentive and loving mother, and now grandmother, wife and daughter. It actually trips me out.

I am so lucky to have had such an amazing example of a mother who somehow fits it all in. Now if I could just figure out how to do half of the stuff she was able to do in a day, and if I can make my daughter feel as special and as loved as she has always made me feel, I will feel really great about myself.
I love you mom.
Happy Mother's day.

And a very happy Mothers Day to all of the mothers around the world. Your sons and daughters love you more than anything.

Eye Candy

2012-05-10T15:17:00.004-07:00

Just thought you might enjoy a little eye candy this afternoon...
The sweetest candy-colored chandelier from QueenDecor on Etsy.

Charm, Class, and just a hint of sass, it's...

2012-05-10T09:10:00.001-07:00

It's THE way to bring that bit of bling to your bookshelves, your bar or your bedroom! It's Brass--and it's full of that '70's charm, class--and just a hint of sass!

Earrings by Viuhka
Brass and leather stool
Brass Wall planter
Swan Bookends
Brass Bow Hooks
Brass elephant
Green Bag with Brass Hardware
Brass cuff by Kora

'Cause my body's too Boombalicious for ya babe!

2012-05-09T09:12:00.004-07:00

Last week I showed you a couple of family portraits from around our 'hood on Crown Hill and today we're taking it inside the Jungalow. Jen Lauren Grant has managed to capture the heart of our growing family, and our colorful, silly lifestyle.

I am into the third trimester now, and although I do get tired and I've had a few minor health issues along the way causing me to be on mild bed-rest, Boomba is already such a good baby and she makes mama laugh with her little kicks and hiccups.

As the belly get's bigger and bigger and we get to know our little-one more, everything starts to feel more real than surreal. At our ultrasound last week, we got to see her little face in 3D and we also learned that she is currently both "breached" and "posterior" (position-wise) (yikes) so mama really hopes Boomba does some serious twisting and turning soon! To be honest, the prospect of birth still completely terrifies me but I'm hoping the birthing classes that we start next week will tame my fears. Knowledge is power, yes?

Meanwhile I'm waddling around prepping for her arrival. Daddy and I had the nursery painted yesterday. Looking forward to showing you the progress! And while I've made a few purchases for myself over the last few months (like new bras from Jeanette Bras--since I've gone up a whopping 3 cup sizes) I made my very first purchase for Boomba yesterday of little tiny hangers for her little tiny clothes.

We have been so lucky to get hand-me-downs from lotsa 'tantes' (that's Yiddish for aunties) and homies and have everything in big piles ready to sort and organize--I LOVE this part.

This is truly one of the most special and spectacular times in our lives, we are truly blessed.
_____
Many thanks go out to Jen Lauren Grant for the sweetest photography and to Jeanette Bras!

Ben Giles

2012-05-08T17:19:00.002-07:00

I saw this Ben Giles collage on OKL this morning and I loved it so much I just had to share. All of his art, and his collages in particular are superrad. That's all.