Of Splendor

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T09:11:00.001-05:00

Lots of things changed for me in the second half of 2011 and I am very optimistic about what this new year will bring.

Hope you had a safe and happy New Year celebration!

Personal Splendor

2011-12-27T23:25:00.001-05:00

I'm pretty sure my cat could be a 90's super model!

Weekend Love!

2011-07-15T11:00:00.001-04:00

This weekend the fella and I are heading to Madison, WI to catch up with friends.

What are you doing?

I'll be eating cheese curds for ya!

Cupcakes!

2011-05-31T14:33:00.001-04:00

I had a yummy cupcake this weekend.

It was almost too pretty to eat.

Hope you had a great long weekend as well!

Book Love: Fifth Avenue, 5 AM

2011-05-11T13:27:00.000-04:00

I'm getting to the tail end of Fifth Avenue, 5 AM by Sam Wasson and I'm loving it!

I found out about the book in a NPR segment and after reading the first chapter online I was intrigued.

During a Borders visit my fella was sweet enough to pick up a copy for me.

What are you reading right now?

Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-09T11:00:00.001-04:00

A couple of Fridays ago I decided to go on an adventure walk through my neighborhood, Irvington.

I made a stop at the local antique store.

And nearly fell in love with every little thing I saw.

But then on the second floor I spotted an EPIC MOTHER'S DAY gift!

I found a Tang pitcher... yes, Tang. And it looked exactly like the my Mom had for years. It was a "Going Off to College" gift back in 1975. However as an accident prone kid I broke it 30 years later.

I met Mom for brunch at Cracker Barrel

(her favorite breakfast place) and gave her the pitcher.

She loved it!

I hope you enjoyed your Mother's Day celebrations!

Music Monday: Sondre Lerche - Domino

2011-05-09T09:00:00.000-04:00

I've been a Sondre Lerche fan for years now.

It feels like every new album he comes out with starts a new phase in my life.

I can't tell you how excited I am about this new upcoming one.

Weekend

2011-05-09T06:30:00.001-04:00

The weather was so gorgeous this past weekend I opened all the windows in the house.

My cat, Eleanor Roosevelt, was very appreciative of the view.

Matchbook Magazine

2011-05-04T12:30:00.000-04:00

Don't you love Matchbook Magazine?

I get millions of ideas in each issue!

Great Finds: Ziploc Zip'n Steam

2011-05-04T10:00:00.001-04:00

Have you tried the Ziploc Zip'n Steam bags?

They are kind of amazing!

Throw in your food, season, zip, and microwave.

Seriously, Splendies!

This is the perfect solution to one of those days when

you don't want to put a ton of effort into dinner.

Royal Wedding!

2011-04-29T13:07:00.001-04:00

Wasn't that a gorgeous wedding!

I dozed off and on waiting for it to start, but I'm so glad I got to see it.

Love!

2011-04-25T11:00:00.000-04:00

I've wanted saddle shoes for a couple of years now.

This fresh take on the classic shoe from Keds is a must!

Keds Champion Saddle Shoes, $50

Rest in peace, Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011)

2011-03-23T12:55:00.002-04:00

I could tell you to watch one of her movies, but which one?

They are all amazing, they have all blown me away.

She truly was Hollywood royalty.

Happy Valentine's Day, Splendies!

2011-02-14T16:34:00.000-05:00

I've been a little Julia Child obsessed lately.

I think Paul and Julia were one of the most charming couples of modern time.

Ba-Bill (Garfield) Cupcakes

2011-01-28T08:00:00.004-05:00

I've loved Garfield for many years...

before I could really pronounce Garfield he was affectionately known to me as Ba-Bill.

Check out this post from Kelly Bakes for the details!

Personal Splendor

2011-01-24T14:03:00.000-05:00

Have you seen this show?! I'm absolutely in love with it!

The Maya Angelou episode is my favorite so far.

"I am grateful to have been loved and to be loved now and to be able to love, because that liberates. Love liberates. It doesn't just hold—that's ego. Love liberates. It doesn't bind. Love says, 'I love you. I love you if you're in China. I love you if you're across town. I love you if you're in Harlem. I love you. I would like to be near you. I'd like to have your arms around me. I'd like to hear your voice in my ear. But that's not possible now, so I love you. Go.'"

— Dr. Maya Angelou

Etsy Love: Indiana

2011-01-24T11:05:00.000-05:00

One of the things I love about etsy is that you can find anything, I mean ANYTHING your heart desires.

Right now I'm mad about adding little Indiana touches everywhere.

Indiana State Pillow, $52

Indianapolis Transit Tokens Cufflinks, $40

Indiana Wood Brooch, $20

Horace Mann HS Marching Band Vintage Photo, $15

Vogue Theatre Anniversary Photo, $8

1884 Antique Map of Indiana, $25

Indiana Magnet Set, $4

Music Monday: Bell Biv DeVoe

2011-01-10T08:00:00.006-05:00

The roommate and I were talking about 90s music and this one, of course, came up.

How can you forget Poison?

How else would we know to "Never trust a big butt and a smile", right?

Etsy Love: PERF Apparel

2011-01-07T12:17:00.000-05:00

Triangle Array Pattern PERF Laser Cut T-Shirt, $40

I want this PERF Apparel shirt! I wish there was a heart shaped laser cut tee.

Wedding Wednesday: Free Dahlis Invitation

2011-01-05T11:00:00.002-05:00

I absolutely adore these invitations... and they are FREE thanks to The Wedding Chicks!

Click here to download

How To: Iron a shirt

2011-01-05T08:00:00.002-05:00

Image via: Arthur's Clip Art

So every year I tell my self that I'm going to invest in clothes that are timeless and of impeccable quality. That I'll buy nothing but fine cashmere, the best oxford cotton shirts, maybe even bras that fit well... and care for them properly.

I have no idea if I'll stick to it this year, but I can at least learn how to do things and pass the info along, right? With that said here is...

How to Iron a Shirt

It's not that hard -- all you need is an iron and a damp shirt straight out of the washing machine.

Surely, there will come a moment in your life when the only thing that stands between you and whatever it is you covet (job interview/hot date/big meeting/you name it) is the wrinkled mess that is your only clean shirt. To assist, we called on Gwen Whiting, co-founder of The Laundress, (laundry accoutrements at thelaundress.com). She has a degree in textile science from Cornell University and was actually graded for ironing. — Barbara Mahany

Step #1
PREP
Check for grime on the bottom of the iron. Also, clear the ironing board of debris. If it’s really dusty, throw the cover in the wash.

Step #2
START WETSkip the dryer, ironing straight from the washing machine. Not possible? Use a spray bottle of water to dampen. Heat: Crank iron to whatever temperature matches your shirt. Look for the itty-bitty words on the dial and on your shirt tag. For an oxford cloth shirt, use “cotton/linen.”

Step #3
STARCH?It’s optional and builds up over time, so you should occasionally throw the shirt in the wash to remove build-up, even if you usually dry clean. Types: Starch is for natural fabrics; sizing for synthetic fabrics. Spray on before ironing begins.

Step #4
COLLAR & CUFFS
Collar: Pop it, and iron from the tips toward the middle. Iron the inside. Flip. Do the outside. Don’t turn down the collar until the rest of the shirt is ironed. Do NOT iron a crease into the collar. Cuffs: Starting on the inside, iron from bottom edge toward the sleeve. Flip cuff. Repeat. Also poke the tip of the iron into the pleat(s) just above the cuff.

Step #5
SLEEVES & YOKE
Sleeves: Hold up and tug taut the arm so you’ve got a crisp, straight fold from shoulder to cuff. Lay sleeve on the board, and in long sweeping strokes, iron in a straight solid crease. Do the back of the sleeve first because inevitably you’ll get creases, so save the front for last. Slide the armpit part of the sleeve over the tip of the ironing board, and iron flat the shoulder. Yoke: Staying in that position, hit the yoke, that double-layer strip that connects the collar to the shirt body. Swing the iron from shoulder to mid-back. Switch shoulders. Repeat.

Step #6
TRUNK, BACK, FRONT & DONE
Front non-button side: In long strokes from collar down, start with the placket (the strip with all the button holes). Pocket: Iron from the bottom up.
Back: Iron below the yoke, from top to bottom.
Front button-side: Lastly, using the tip of the iron, weave in and around the buttons.
Done: Hang it up so you don’t have to do it again (wooden hanger preferred).

Article found at Chicago Tribune

Etsy Love: Ello There

2011-01-03T13:10:00.001-05:00

Holding Hands Poster: $75

How adorable is this! The poster can be made into a matching invitation as well.

Check out Ello There for more!

Music Monday: Ben Wilkins

2011-01-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

Heads up, Splendies! You need this Ben Wilkins EP in your life.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

Dreamy Pink Balloons

Originally uploaded by Pink Sherbet Photography

I hope you had a stellar celebration and are excited for 2011!

2010-12-25T12:19:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays, Splendies!

I'll be back January 3th.