Oh the lovely things

Link Love

2013-06-19T08:45:00.003-07:00

I have always loved watercolor. The soft look, the feel of the paintbrush on the paper, the color variations, the way the water almost has a life of its own. I used to experiment and play around with watercolor when I was younger, but little by little, I left it behind. I don't know why. There is something so calm and meditative about painting. I've never been a talented painter or drawer, but still, I think I miss painting and the feelings it gives.
Yesterday, reading the first part of this watercolor tutorial by Yao Cheng for The Alison Show gave me a urge to pull out my brushes and try again. The first part covers the basics and supplies, and 4 more parts are coming! What a great way to start off (or re-start off) on the right foot.

More links I love this week:

- Adoring the new issue of Adore Home magazine (and I'm not saying that because I make an appearance in it).
- Wine and cheese pairings.
- Top + sandals + watch + jeans = easy summer style.
- DIY twig bracelet.
- 15 polka-dot wedding ideas (via).
- 40 breakfast smoothie recipes.
- New FriedaSophie jewelry collection.
- Shutter speed cheat sheet.
- 10 everyday hairstyles.

Three Things

2013-06-17T09:44:00.003-07:00

Three things that caught my eye today:

- A pretty AND low maintenance hairstyle? I say yes twice.
- All of these 5 calligraphy styles are equally gorgeous.
- Loving the idea of cutting wooden bowls in half and mounting them on a painted board for easy access to small everyday items.

DIY Brooch (Guest Post from Bettina Johnson)

2013-06-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

Today's post is by Bettina Johnson, a daily crafter, maker, jewelry designer and DIYer. Find more of her creative inspiration at blog.bjohnsonjewelry.com.

What you'll need:

Glue gun + 1 glue stick
13" inch lace ribbon
1 Filigree (about 2-inches in diameter)
1 Acrylic mum (1-inch in diameter or 36mmx36mm)
1 brooch back

Order the DIY package (includes all supplies, except the glue gun) right, here at Bettina's Etsy shop.

Step by step instructions:

1. Plug in your glue gun, and place all the items in front of you.

2. Add a little bit of glue onto your filigree and place the ribbon folded downwards onto the filigree. Place the ribbon about 1/4-inch away from the middle, and press the hot glue/ribbon area down with a scissor or other piece of metal- for a secure hold and not to burn yourself. Continue with this step (placing each time a little bit of glue in between each folded ribbon) until you come around to where you began. 3. If you have some ribbon left, cut the remaining piece off, but leave 1/2-inch for the last fold. Fold the ribbon downwords and glue it in place. 4. Your finished filigree/ribbon should look like this! 5. Set the filigree aside. For the next step you need to turn the mum over and add a good amount of glue to it. 6. Press the mum immediately onto your filigree, holding it for a few seconds so the glue can set. 7. Turn your almost complete brooch over, and add a stripe of glue to the back. 8. Place your brooch-back onto the glue area and press down, holding it in place for a few seconds to set. And your filigree-mum brooch is complete and ready to wear!

Because we love giveaways, you can win each one of the 2 Brooches right here, this weekend!
a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck, and thank you for stopping by.

About the author

Bettina is a daily crafter, maker, jewelry designer and DIYer. Find more of her creative inspiration at blog.bjohnsonjewelry.com.

Art I Heart: Sian Keegan

2013-06-13T12:50:00.003-07:00

Mexican Blanket, by Sian Keegan. See more of Sian's delicate, colorful art at her website.

Fav Fab Finds

2013-06-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'm partnering up with Fab to share some of my current favorites, and had so much fun browsing through their collection of modern, colorful, carefully curated design products! There's always something perfect for everyone, gourmets and fashionistas, tech enthusiasts and keen home decorators, art lovers and furry friends… with the common denominator of being all beautifully designed, all unique and innovative, all at great prices, and all guaranteed to make you smile or swoon.

Sign up for a free Fab account to browse their ever-changing inventory of newest design sales. I'm usually not a fan of brands' newsletters, but I always welcome theirs with a smile.

1. This Grilled Peaches print is making me hungry, and the colors are simply delightful.
2. I love how these cups (in sunshine, butterfly and tea) add just the right pop of color while keeping minimalist, clean lines.
3. I may be obsessed with anything celestial-related, but how can you not love this constellation necklace? A pretty proof that simple jewelry can make a statement, too. This one is Leo, but other Zodiac signs are available as well.
4. This impeccable gold business card holder is made from genuine leather, and is just as pretty on the inside.
5. Can you hear this subtly sparkly top calling my name? I swear it wants to be mine!
6. I have tried these earphones before, thanks to a music lover friend, and they are honestly awesome. Plus, they are yellow, which is enough of a selling point to me!
7. Can you guess what these gummy bears are? Boozy Gummies! These champagne bears burst with the flavors of the finest bubbles. I don't really like the taste of alcohol, but I'm a sweet tooth- and I'd happily take a sip of anything that involves pretty gummy bears.
8. Gold text plus hand painted, colorful, cheerful flowers? Now that's a pretty way to say thanks.
9. This engraved brass ruler letter opener is a piece of art in itself. Gifts that are both elegant and useful are my favorites.

* This post is in partnership with Fab. Thanks so much for being supportive of the sponsors that help keep Oh The Lovely Things possible!

Three Things

2013-06-11T13:02:00.004-07:00

Three things I'm loving today:

- This amazing floral mandala (photo by Petra Bindel)
- This delicious looking cranberry and pistachio nougat with rose water. Must try soon!
- And this DIY key fob- super easy, super quick, yet super pretty.

Happy Friday! Mini DIY Roundup

2013-06-07T08:23:00.003-07:00

Happy Friday! I'm headed to an evening picnic birthday party to celebrate the passing of my youth, but wanted to share my favorite DIY projects of the week (links below) before heading off for the weekend.

Galaxy print tutorial by Melissa Esplin | How to make a chic weekend tote by Brit+Co | DIY T-shirt headband by Milo&Ben | DIY geometric leather phone pouch by Morning by Foley (in French; here is a Google translated version).

Have a wonderful wonderful weekend!

Art I Heart: Felicita Sala

2013-06-06T11:38:00.004-07:00

Tzatziki, by Felicita Sala. More of her art can be seen in her portfolio, her shop or at her blog. Her illustrated recipes are my fave!

10 Refreshing Non Alcoholic Drinks

2013-06-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

Confession: I don't drink alcohol. As much as I love the idea of sipping a glass of good red wine with homemade antipasti, I just don't like the taste. I'm trying to educate my palate, and can now appreciate a nice champagne or an icy-cold mojito... But still, I'd rather have something non alcoholic.

It's my birthday today, and while I don't want to force myself to drink something I don't like, I also want to be able to have a festive drink, and share it with my friends. Since I can't be the only person on earth who dislike alcohol, I thought I'd share the results of my search for recipes for delicious, refreshing, festive, non alcoholic drinks. Plus, they can easily be adapted to suit alcoholic drinks lovers as well!

1. Lavender Lemonade from Against All Grain
2. Sparkling Iced Tea Basil Limeade from USMasala
3. Watermelon Lemonade from Fearless Homemaker
4. White Peach-Lavender Soda from Emma Christensen
5. Watermelon Breeze from Skirt (photo by Kelsey Marie)

6. Orange and Mint Spritzer from Shop Cook Make
7. Roasted Peach Lemonade from The Naptime Chef
8. Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade from Eat Drink Love
9. Blueberry Mint Iced Tea from Brooklyn Atlas
10. Ginger Basil Grapefruit Spritzer from Joylicious

Oh, and rimming the glasses with some colorful rimming sugar would be the cherry on the cake.
Happy sipping!

June Desktop Calendars and iPhone Wallpapers

2013-06-03T10:59:00.001-07:00

Happy June! Spring officially started in March, but is only arriving here now. Yay! My birthday is coming up on Wednesday and I'm hoping to throw my first picnic of the year. I sincerely hope you are able to enjoy blossoms, sunshine, and strawberries in your part of the world. If not, I tried to make this month desktop calendar springy to counterbalance. Hope you'll enjoy it!

1280x1024
1600 x 1200

1680 x 1050

1920 x 1080

1920 x 1200

iPhone up to 4 (plus some smartphones)
iPhone 5 (plus some smartphones)

To install the iPhone Wallaper:
Visit this post from your iPhone and tap on the link included in the post. It will take you to a new page with the wallpaper picture. Tap and hold your finger down on the picture. A menu will slide up. Tap "Save Image". The photo will be saved to your Camera Roll. Now go to your Camera Roll and tap the picture of the wallpaper. Tap the box with an arrow pointing out of it and choose "Set as wallpaper".

Happy Friday! Mini DIY Roundup

2013-05-31T10:03:00.004-07:00

Happy Friday! Hope you had a great week. It's still raining here, and I'm starting to wonder if it will ever stop. Good weather for DIY projects and movies! If you happen to have time (and desire) to try out a DIY, here are my favorite tutorials of the week. And if none of these strike your fancy, you can find past roundups here and/or have a look at my Pinterest board dedicated to DIY here. Have a fantastic weekend!

1. DIY side split top from Cotton + Curls
2. DIY suede and gold leaf polka dot mousepad from Lovely Indeed
3. DIY cork stamp from Morning Creativity
4. DIY chain and rhinestone bracelet from Everything Fabulous
5. DIY party hat jewelry from Studio DIY

Link Love

2013-05-29T10:03:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to vary my breakfasts, which almost everyday consist of green tea, bread with honey and a fresh fruit. I stumbled upon What should I eat for breakfast today, a gorgeous blog filled with ideas (and recipes) for scrumptious breakfasts. There are both salty and sugary dishes, and you can filter them by category (which is particularly convenient if you eat vegetarian or vegan). I'm trying this one tomorrow morning!

More links I love this week:

- 12 DIY natural beauty remedies (via).
- The healthiest gummy bears you will ever eat.
- 50 ways to use coconut oil.
- Will give this a try!
- Small tweaks make a huge difference (how to avoid most common make up mistakes).
- 22 cool and easy to make DIY spring tees.
- 100+ homemade popsicles recipes.

Three Things

2013-05-28T05:24:00.001-07:00

Three things I'm loving today:

- These fruity summer striped ice cubes must be the prettiest ice cubes I have ever seen. Find the recipes on Oh, Joy!

- Can you believe that all of these colorful fonts are free? Find the links to download them on A Subtle Revelry.

- These elastic hair ties may be the easiest DIY ever. Perfect craft for little girls or to keep hair up on hot summer days! Find the tutorial on Julep.

Have a colorful Tuesday!

Happy Friday! Mini DIY Roundup

2013-05-24T12:32:00.003-07:00

Happy Friday! The weekend is finally here and I'm really looking forward to making jewerly, practicing manual mode on my camera (oh how hard it is), defeating my inbox (hopefully), DIYing and watching TV shows (my guilty pleasure when it's raining outside). Do you have fun plans?
Before taking off for the weekend, I wanted to share this week's mini DIY roundup (links below)- isn't that one of the prettiest flower crown you've ever seen?

DIY spring flower crown from Green Wedding Shoes | DIY wooden rings from Merrythought | DIY polka dot mason jar from With Lovely

Have a wonderful (long) weekend and see you on Tuesday!

Art I Heart: Bernadette Pascua

2013-05-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

Sketches by Bernadette Pascua. See more of her dainty art in her portfolio.

Link Love

2013-05-22T09:33:00.004-07:00

I have quite dry and damaged hair, due to my bad habit of using a hair straightener every week. After desperately contemplating my straw-like hair yesterday, I did a quick search for DIY hair masks. I decided to try the tropical hair mask from Swoon pictured above, mostly because I had all supplies on hand. Well, it worked! No miracle, my hair hasn't drastically changed to the healthiest, shiniest texture ever, but it definitely looks better and feels softer. Find the recipe on Swoon and see for yourself!

More links I love this week:

- Ten spring salads
- 50 blogging tips
- Wish listed
- Help see Cellardoor in print
- Fun DIY for Father's Day
- Super pretty mini bowls (8 for $20!)
- Yes please
- Make perfume in your kitchen

Lovely Sponsors

2013-05-21T10:40:00.001-07:00

This month's lovely sponsors are a wonderful, creative, inspiring group of lifestyle bloggers, artisans and independent shop owners. I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I do! - Dell Cove Spice Co. carries everything you need to make barbecue and outdoor parties season a success (cocktail rimmers! Mojito sugar cubes!). I bet their gourmet BBQ spice and dry rub sampler would make some dads happy on Father's Day.

- Meet the lovely Shell of Kitty and Buck, who blogs about creative inspiration, photography, travel, fashion, books and picnics -and also throws in the occasional DIY and recipe post. I am amazed by her fabulous hair! I couldn't pull it off, but if you can, she shared the full how-to on how she dyes it in pastels and brights.

- Lynn and Lou are two equally awesome sisters conquering the blogosphere with DIY projects, scrumptious recipes, design and fashion inspiration, and daily happenings. Their endless creativity blows my mind.

- Calinteya carries delicate handmade jewelry, hand knitted cowls to keep you warm, and clever framed cross stitch.

- Debbie of In Whirl of Inspiration's witty and funny writing always makes me leave her blog with a smile on my face. She shares things she admires and inspire her, from crafts to recipes, to movies, to books, to travel, and basically anything pretty or amusing.

- Sent-Well is a unique online greeting card service. Choose your card (there are plenty different styles and occasions to choose from) and let Sent-Well do the rest! They will write your personal message out by hand, address the envelope, stamp it, and send your card in the mail to its lucky recipient. As easy as an e-card, with the personal touch of real cards sent the old-fashioned way!

Three Things

2013-05-20T14:21:00.000-07:00

Three Things I'm loving today:

- I want to try each of these 15 homemade face mask recipes!
- These strawberry brioches are making me hungry- I bet they are as tasty as pretty (recipe originally in polish, translated into english).
- How lovely is this painted tablecloth? Get the how-to on A Subtle Revelry.

Happy Friday! Mini DIY Roundup

2013-05-17T13:00:00.003-07:00

Happy Friday! I'm back from Rome, which is quite unfun. It's still raining here, and I already miss drinking espressos under the sun. I shared a few photos on Instagram whenever I found WiFi if you're interested.

Before taking off for the weekend (I have lots of things to catch up!), I wanted to share this week's mini DIY roundup (links below)- I'm definitely making these bath confettis tomorrow!

Have a wonderful weekend!

DIY bath confetti from Confetti Pop // Super easy technique to tint glass from Lolly Jane // DIY braided cord cover from Fabric Paper Glue

P.S.: If you love DIY projects, you may enjoy the DIY naturally dyed scarf I posted on Monday!

Art I Heart: Beth Emily

2013-05-16T13:33:00.002-07:00

Luna Moth by Beth Emily. See more of her gorgeous and ethereal art on her website or at her Etsy shop.

Three Things

2013-05-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

Three things that caught my eye lately:

- Loving these five spring wardrobe essentials on Say Yes to Hoboken (photography by Ashley Thalman).

- This DIY homemade bubble bath is super easy to make and has a delightful color. Find the recipe and two more spa DIYs on She Knows (photography by Amy Vowles).

- This blackberry rose water ice cream from Cafe Johnsonia sounds and looks dreamy!

DIY Naturally Dyed Scarf

2013-05-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

Ever since I first played with dyeing, I've been wanting to experiment some more. I've been thinking about trying to dye with natural ingredients for months, and finally decided to give it a go. There's something so exciting and fun to watch the fabric change color, and I love the soft, subtle washed colors you get when dyeing with natural ingredients. I decided to try blueberries (for a purple color) and black beans (for a blue color). There's a handy chart here that can help you find out which ingredient you need to obtain your desired color.

Supplies

- Cotton or silk scarf (need to be 100% natural and white/undyed)
- Salt
- Large pot
- Two buckets
- Fruits, vegetables, or other natural ingredients. I used blueberries (for a purple color) and black beans (for a blue color). Here is a handy chart that can help you find out which ingredient you need to obtain your desired color.

Step 1: Prepare your fabric

1. Pre-wash your scarf.
2. Place your scarf in a large pot. Add enough water to fully cover the fabric, and add salt at a 1:16 ratio (for example, one cup of salt for 16 cups of water).
3. Bring up to boil, then simmer for about on hour. The salt acts as a fixative for the dye.
4. Rinse the scarf in cold water and set it aside.
5. If you want to tie and dye, tightly wrap rubber bands wherever you want to create a design. Here is a handy chart (notice I love handy charts!) that shows several folding and tying techniques. I simply made a stripe pattern. If you just want to dye it plain, simply skip this step.

Step 2: Dye bath

I dyed a scarf in a cold dye bath of black beans (turned out blue), and another one in a hot bath of blueberries (turned out purple).

Black beans (cold dye bath)

I used about two cups of black beans for a quite long scarf (about 6.5 feet).

1. Put your beans in a bucket, generously cover them with water, and let them soak overnight. Place your scarf in a second bucket.
2. In the morning, strain the bean water into that second bucket (i.e. over your scarf). Generously cover the beans with clean water, and let them soak all day long.
3. In the evening, repeat step 2.
4. In the next morning, repeat step 2.
5. Keep repeating step 2 every 12 hours or so, until your scarf has soaked for about 3 days. It will start to smell a little, but nothing unbearable.
6. Remove the scarf, rinse it well (until the water runs clean and no more dye comes out) and let it air dry. Discard the beans.

Blueberries

I used about two cups and a half of (frozen) blueberries for a quite long scarf (about 6.5 feet).

1. Put your blueberries in a large pot. Add water at a 2:1 ratio (I used 5 cups). Bring up to boil, then simmer for about an hour.
2. Strain out water, discard blueberries, and return blueberry water to pot.
3. Add the scarf in the pot. Bring up to boil, then simmer for about an hour or two (depending on how dark you would like the dyed fabric to be). If you want the deepest possible color, turn off the heat and let the fabric sit in the pot overnight.
4. Remove the scarf, rinse it well (until the water runs clean and no more dye comes out), and let it air dry.

Voilà, enjoy your new scarf!

Happy Friday! Mini DIY Roundup

2013-05-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! This week has gone like a flash. Do you have great plans for the weekend? On Saturday I'll be selling various things at a garage sale, and on Sunday I leave in the very early morning for Rome! I love Italy. It's a birthday gift and I'm ecstatic. I'll be back on Thursday, and I have scheduled posts for while I am away, so you probably won't even notice my absence.

Before leaving, I've rounded up, as always, three of my favorite DIY projects (links below). These are really, really easy, don't require many supplies, and only take a few minutes.

- DIY dip dyed shoes by Danielle Altamura for Frankie
- DIY easy hanging candles by A Subtle Revelry
- DIY lemon sugar scrub by Tiny Telecast

Have a fantastic weekend!

Art I Heart: R.S. Posnak

2013-05-09T09:39:00.004-07:00

Animals of high moral standing by R.S. Posnak. Curious about animals of low moral standing? Find them here. See more of R.S. Posnak's art at her Etsy shop.

Link Love

2013-05-08T09:27:00.001-07:00

While I was searching for a small but thoughtful gift for a friend who has been a bit down lately, I came at these flowers-in-a-can and fell in love. The pretty pastel cans contain dahlia, impatiens, or geranium seeds and an uplifting message. There's something invigorating, almost magical and pretty symbolic about seeing something that you planted bloom. Wouldn't they make a lovely Mother's Day gift? At $10 (each), they're budget friendly as well.

More links I love this week:

- DIY blooming monogram.
- Avocado lime popsicles (gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free).
- Win super pretty, colorful shoes.
- Free frames and graphics.
- 15 natural beauty recipes using everyday foods (via).
- Bears, cats and bunnies with wooden ears.
- Print and share from your iPhone in a snap.
- Eat seasonably.
- O is for octopus.
- 3 ingredients/1 minute frozen yogurt.
- How to turn a mason jar into a solar light.
- Gorgeous floral swimsuit.